The streets of Genorex City were quieter than usual. Even after three years, the scars left by the monster attacks had never truly faded. Military patrols still crossed the roads every few minutes, surveillance drones hovered above important intersections, and people had learned to finish their work before nightfall. Life had returned—but only on the surface.
After leaving Haru's hideout, Henry headed toward Chris's house. Although it was already late, he knew she deserved an update. She had spent the entire evening monitoring the city, waiting for news about Twilight.
Chris opened the door before Henry could knock twice.
"You look tired," she said, stepping aside.
Henry smiled faintly. "I could say the same about you."
He walked inside.
The room looked more like a control center than a bedroom. Nearly twenty computer monitors covered one side of the wall, each displaying different security camera feeds from around Genorex City. Three laptops sat on a long desk beside them, running maps, encrypted military channels, and tracking software. Small sticky notes were attached everywhere, filled with coordinates and handwritten reminders.
Henry looked around with amusement.
"I'll never understand how you manage all of this."
Chris shrugged.
"I've gotten used to it."
She pulled another chair toward him before sitting down herself.
"So..."
She hesitated.
"He still didn't come?"
Henry already knew who she meant.
"No."
He leaned back with a sigh.
"You know... after that incident he's been keeping his distance from everyone. He barely talks anymore. I'm trying to keep him close, but..." He paused before finishing quietly. "...he needs time."
Chris lowered her eyes.
"I understand."
Just then, soft paws echoed across the floor.
Pie trotted proudly into the room carrying a padded tactical belt in his mouth. His tail wagged so hard his entire body moved with it.
Henry laughed.
"Looks like someone has plans."
Chris smiled warmly and knelt beside her dog.
"Hey, Pie."
She rubbed behind his ears.
"You wanna go outside?"
Pie barked happily.
"Thought so."
She took the tactical belt from him and clipped it around his body before attaching his leash.
Henry stood up.
"Well... I think I'll join you."
Chris nodded.
"Sure."
The evening breeze felt refreshing after spending hours indoors.
Streetlights illuminated the sidewalks while people slowly returned home from work. Pie happily walked ahead of them, occasionally stopping to sniff trees or greet passing dogs.
Neither Chris nor Henry spoke for several minutes.
Finally Chris broke the silence.
"So..."
"How is he?"
Henry didn't need to ask who she meant.
He looked ahead.
"I won't lie."
"He isn't sleeping properly."
"He barely talks."
"And when he does..."
Henry sighed.
"It doesn't feel like the old Twilight."
Chris listened quietly.
"I see..."
"I think he just needs more time."
She looked toward the darkening sky.
"He always tried carrying everything himself."
Henry nodded.
"Yeah."
"He still does."
They continued walking.
Eventually they reached the small intersection where their routes separated.
Chris stopped.
"So..."
"This is where we split."
Henry smiled gently.
"Looks like it."
For a brief moment neither of them moved.
Then Henry stepped forward and gave Chris a comforting hug.
"You'll see him soon."
"Just don't lose hope."
Chris smiled softly.
"I won't."
They stepped apart.
"Goodnight."
"Night."
Henry walked toward his neighborhood while Chris remained standing for another few seconds.
After he disappeared around the corner, she slowly pulled her phone from her pocket.
Her thumb hesitated above Twilight's contact.
Finally...
She pressed Call.
The ringtone echoed once...
Twice...
Three times...
No answer.
Chris stared at the screen before quietly ending the call.
"...I hope you're okay."
She slipped the phone back into her pocket and continued home beside Pie.
Henry finally reached his house.
Before he could unlock the front door, a familiar gray blur jumped onto him.
"Whoa!"
Kate clung to his shoulder while loudly meowing.
Henry laughed.
"Okay, okay."
"I know."
"You've been waiting."
The cat rubbed against his cheek before glaring toward the living room.
Henry followed her gaze.
Nomi—the tiny hedgehog Lily had asked him to care for after joining the military—peeked out from his little wooden house.
Kate immediately looked back at Henry with an expression that almost seemed to say,
"You left me alone... with THAT?"
Henry couldn't help laughing.
"I'm sorry."
"I had work."
Kate responded with another dramatic meow before settling comfortably on his shoulder.
Henry sighed.
"I guess both of you deserve dinner."
Across another part of the city...
Twilight slowly walked through nearly empty streets.
His footsteps felt heavy.
Dark circles rested beneath his eyes.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd slept peacefully.
Every time he closed his eyes...
The nightmares returned.
His house finally came into view.
Before he even reached the door...
It slowly opened.
Rony stood proudly inside.
Twilight smiled weakly.
"Thanks, bro."
The rabbit happily saluted him.
Twilight entered the house, tossed his bag onto a chair, and collapsed face-first onto the sofa.
"I'll just..."
"Rest..."
Within seconds...
He had fallen asleep.
Thirty minutes later...
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
His alarm echoed through the room.
Twilight groaned.
He reached blindly toward the table before finally silencing it.
Still half asleep, he looked toward the clock.
6:30 AM.
Sunlight slowly entered through the curtains.
Another morning.
Another day.
He sat up slowly while Rony climbed onto his shoulder.
"You know..."
Twilight yawned.
"I think you're the only one making sure I survive."
The rabbit happily patted his head.
Twilight smiled for the first time in days.
Inside the military academy...
Lily tightened the straps on her combat vest before checking herself in the mirror.
Her training had changed her.
She stood straighter.
Moved faster.
Thought more carefully.
Outside, recruits were already running morning drills across the large training field.
A whistle echoed.
"LIEUTENANT LILY!"
A soldier called.
"They're waiting!"
"I'm coming!"
She grabbed her notebook and hurried toward the field.
Despite the strict atmosphere...
Her cheerful personality hadn't disappeared.
She greeted almost everyone she passed.
Deep inside the forest...
Haru and Beau quietly returned toward their hidden treehouse.
Morning fog drifted between the trees.
Birds chirped peacefully above them.
Beau stretched lazily.
"I think we deserve breakfast."
Haru smiled faintly.
"You always deserve breakfast."
The fox boy laughed.
"I'll take that as permission."
For a brief moment...
Everything felt peaceful.
Neither of them noticed Haru briefly glancing toward the distant city.
Something still bothered him.
He simply couldn't explain what.
Morning officially arrived.
Across Genorex City...
Students hurried toward universities.
Employees entered office buildings.
Stores reopened.
Traffic filled the roads once more.
It looked like another ordinary day.
No one knew...
Tonight would change everything again.
Chris arrived at college exactly on time.
Just like back in high school.
Organization had become second nature to her.
She walked through the campus carrying her backpack while several classmates greeted her.
"Morning, Chris!"
"Morning."
She answered politely before entering her classroom.
Within minutes the professor arrived.
Attendance began.
Everything felt normal.
At least...
For now.
Across another campus...
Henry was running at full speed.
"Oh no..."
"I'm late!"
Students turned toward him as he sprinted across the hallway carrying several heavy medical textbooks.
He burst through the lecture hall doors.
The professor looked at the clock.
"Two minutes."
"You made it."
Henry bent over while catching his breath.
"Thank..."
"You..."
The classroom laughed.
Even after three years...
Henry still attracted attention everywhere he went.
Unlike high school, however, he had become far more serious about his studies.
Medicine demanded discipline.
He rarely skipped lectures.
His grades consistently ranked near the top.
Despite that...
His friendly personality never changed.
As he sat down...
Several girls immediately began whispering.
"He's here."
"He looks even better today."
"I heard he ranked first again."
One girl sitting behind him finally gathered enough courage.
She leaned forward with a smile.
"Hey, handsome."
Henry looked back politely.
"Yeah?"
She smiled confidently.
"Would you like to go on a date with me tonight?"
Several nearby students immediately became quiet, waiting for his answer.
Henry scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I'm really sorry."
"But..."
"I can't."
The girl blinked.
"Oh..."
"You already have someone?"
Henry smiled gently.
"...Not exactly."
"But there's someone I still like."
His answer was calm.
Honest.
Without embarrassment.
The girl laughed softly.
"I guess whoever she is..."
"She's really lucky."
Henry smiled politely before turning back toward the professor just as the lecture began.
Outside the classroom windows...
Clouds slowly drifted across the bright blue sky.
For most people...
It was simply another college morning.
For the people connected to Haru...
It was only the quiet beginning before another storm.