Part 1: The House Rules and Security (The House Rules)
On the second day after their arrival at Takuto's house, Kaori Ichinose decided to establish the security rules unequivocally. Takuto was eating breakfast in the kitchen, and Aoi sat quietly on the chair across from him.
As a Crimson Aegis agent, Kaori placed a sheet of paper containing the rules on the table.
Kaori: "Takuto-kun, although Shizune-sama has primarily tasked you with security, I will be responsible for the security of this house."
Takuto nodded while taking a bite of his bread.
Takuto: "I understand, Ichinose-san."
Kaori: "Good. Aoi-san, listen up."
Aoi looked at Kaori with her pale blue eyes.
Kaori: "1. You are not to leave the house under any circumstances. You may go to the courtyard with Takuto's permission. 2. Stellar Flow Sensors have been installed in every room. The moment you accidentally release your power (Void Oculus), we will know immediately. 3. You are not to speak to anyone unless Takuto or I are with you. Is that clear?"
Aoi tightly pursed her lips and slowly nodded. Although her feelings were hard to read, it was evident she had accepted Kaori's rules.
Kaori: "Alright. Takuto-kun, you and I have to go back to school. Shizune-sama has ordered us to maintain your normal life as much as possible. On the way back, there's Sora-sama's training."
Takuto: "I know Sora-san's training will be a significant challenge. The main problem is figuring out how to find Step 3 (Aura Flare)."
Kaori: "That's your responsibility, Takuto-kun. Now... don't dwell on dark thoughts like last night. Let's go to school."
Takuto and Kaori left in their school uniforms. Aoi was left alone in the house. Takuto and Kaori's lives had suddenly split between student life and the duty to protect themselves from the clutches of the shadow syndicate.
Part 2: Connecting Through Silence (Connecting Through Silence)
In the evening, Takuto returned from school and Sora-san's exhausting training. He briefly pushed aside the thoughts of Step 3 (Aura Flare) and his parents' death.
He went downstairs to where Aoi was. She was sitting quietly in a corner of the living room sofa, her head resting on her knees. Silence dominated the room.
Takuto sat down on a stool near Aoi. Aoi only moved her eyes to look at him.
Takuto: (In a gentle voice) "Aoi-san... have you been sitting like this all day?"
Aoi gave no response, remaining still.
Takuto: "I know. You... must be stressed about being trapped in this room. And you must be lonely. I don't know what you've been through, but I'm sorry for it."
Although there was no emotion in Aoi's eyes, her right hand gripped the blanket more tightly.
Takuto decided to momentarily forget Kaori's rules. Aoi needed not only safety but also mental well-being.
Takuto: "Here... I want to take you somewhere. We can't go outside, but there's a small backyard garden. Let's go get some fresh air and look at the stars at night. The sky is important for Stellar Flow users, right?"
Aoi suddenly looked up. Although she didn't speak, her deep blue eyes showed that she accepted Takuto's suggestion. She trusted Takuto's sincerity, who was willing to take a risk for her by breaking Kaori's rules.
Takuto: (Smiling) "Alright. We won't tell Ichinose-san. Let's just go for a little while."
Takuto helped Aoi up and secretly led her toward the fence. Aoi walked closely behind Takuto. As Takuto looked at her deep power and trauma as a Void Oculus user, he realized his duty to protect her went deeper than just physical safety.
Part 3: Breaking the Heavy Silence (Breaking the Heavy Silence)
Takuto and Aoi sat side-by-side by the backyard fence.
Time: Around 10:00 PM.
The sky was like dark velvet, and even through the city lights, the stars shone brightly like diamonds. The air was cool and peaceful. Aoi looked at the sky with her deep blue eyes, but her face remained expressionless.
Takuto: (Looking up at the sky) "Aoi... look. There are so many stars up there, all made of Stellar Flow, just like you. Do you know? Our energies are always connected to this Cosmos."
Aoi didn't speak. She was listening to Takuto's words, but because of the trauma associated with possessing the Void Oculus, feelings like joy or curiosity did not surface.
During the silence, a sudden green light flew past them. It was a firefly.
Aoi immediately changed her gaze from the sky and stared at the firefly. This was the first hint of interest to appear on her frozen face.
Takuto noticed that split second. 'Aoi... she wants to be happy. She likes a quiet little light...'
Takuto suddenly got an idea. He sat gently beside Aoi and raised his palm toward the sky. The red Stellar Flow within his body slowly circulated, gathering into a warm, red-orange light above his palm.
For the first time, Takuto used the power of the Phoenix Ember not for combat but for creation.
As his fingers moved, the light droplets broke into tiny particles (Light Particles). These particles transformed into small, red, glowing butterfly shapes, slowly fluttering around Aoi's face.
Aoi's eyes lit up. As the Stellar Flow butterflies approached her face, Aoi stretched out her hand without fear. Childlike wonder and joy were clearly visible on her face.
Takuto saw a silent light reappear in Aoi's deep eyes.
Aoi stared at the butterfly-shaped lights, then, for the first time, looked directly at Takuto and offered a small smile from the corner of her lips. That smile was the softest, most genuine emotion that had appeared on her face since the story began.
Takuto felt the heavy burden in his heart lighten because of this sight. He confirmed his duty was not only to provide safety for Aoi but also happiness.
Aoi gently touched the fluttering Stellar Flow butterflies with her small hand. Then, she looked up at Takuto and, in a soft voice, spoke her first words of gratitude.
Aoi: "Thank you..."
The words momentarily vanished into the air, but they warmly pierced Takuto's heart. Takuto didn't reply but responded with only a gentle smile.
Kaori, standing on the rooftop, watched the scene and smiled herself.
Kaori: "Honestly, they never listen to me."
Kaori: "But... this is fine for her." Kaori glanced up at the starlit sky. "Aoi Mizuka... I wonder what that girl has been through. It's amazing she's held up this long at her age."
Kaori looked at the smiling Takuto and felt a warm feeling in her heart.
Kaori: "He truly is a kind person... Takuto-kun." (Smiling)
A moment later, Takuto gently let the Stellar Flow butterflies he created dissolve into the air. Then, he helped Aoi up and safely led her back to her room.
After securely tucking Aoi into her bedroom, Takuto said on his way out, "Good night, Aoi-san." (Smiling)
Aoi lay in bed, nodded, and closed her eyes, trying to sleep.
Takuto left the room and returned to his own bedroom, where he lay down on the bed. He closed his eyes and tried to sleep.
Takuto was once again having a nightmare. He woke up in a burning environment and was looking for his parents.
Takuto: "Dad... Mom..."
Just then, a person was flung into Takuto's view. The person's hair was all red, and their eyes were also red-tinged. There were two red line marks under the eyes, two on the left and two on the right.
Takuto: "Dad?"
"Takuto, it's dangerous! Run!"
At that moment, a person emerged from the fire. One of his eyes was red, and the other was deep blue.
"Takuto, run!" Takuto's father rushed toward that person at great speed, and the red Stellar Flow burst from his hand as he threw a punch.
The other person also threw a punch with deep blue Stellar Flow coming from their hand.
"BOOM!!!"
A massive explosion occurred, and when the smoke cleared, the sight was revealed. Takuto's father had been hit by the person's punch, and his chest was ruptured.
Takuto: "Dad!!!!"
Takuto woke up with a gasp. His breathing was heavy.
Takuto: "It was that man again... He killed my father this time too... Who is that man? Why did he kill my parents?"
Takuto glanced at the window and noticed it was morning.
Time: Lunchtime, between the bookshelves of the school library.
Kaori Ichinose told Takuto to wait at the entrance of the library and left briefly to check some security arrangements. Takuto, intending to find peace, was routinely shelving some books in the secluded, ancient book section.
The library was silent, and only the light from outside filtered through the dust motes. Takuto was arranging a book back into its proper place when he suddenly heard a breath behind his back, although it was a very quiet sound.
A shiver ran through Takuto's body. It was not the feeling of a shadow syndicate agent but a sense of intense danger and fear from a familiar past. He slowly turned around.
Ayano was standing behind him.
Her face was as beautiful as when Takuto had gone on a date with her months ago. Her appearance seemed not to have changed even for a single day. She was wearing her school uniform and staring at him with cold eyes, unlike the ordinary girl he was used to seeing.
Takuto's breath hitched. He instantly knew that the person who had tried to steal his eyes many days ago was the one who had shattered his carefree life.
Takuto: (Voice trembling) "Ayano... you..."
Ayano: (Leaning closer to his face) "Are you surprised, Takuto? Did you forget about our last days together?"
Her voice was soft, but behind it was an ice-cold intent. This was no longer a friendly schoolgirl but a shadow syndicate agent.
Ayano: "I was so close to getting your Stellar Eye. But I was surprised when you suddenly awakened the Phoenix Ember."
Ayano gently touched Takuto's jaw with her fingers. It was not a romantic gesture but more of a threat.
Ayano: "Your eyes... they've become so beautiful."
Her face was cold and terrifying.
[END OF CHAPTER 6]