Sataro and Nova walked downstairs together — still red-faced from waking up naked, still refusing to make eye contact for too long.
Every time their hands brushed, both stiffened.
Every time Nova caught Sataro glancing at her, his face turned red.
Every time Sataro's arm muscles flexed, Nova looked away flustered.
And Mira noticed EVERYTHING.
She smirked over her cup of tea.
"Well well… look who survived date night."
"MIRA—!" Nova snapped, nearly tripping.
Sataro muttered under his breath,
"We're never talking about this again."
Nova nodded quickly.
"Yes. Ever."
But their ears were red for hours.
Mira's Announcement
After breakfast, Mira set her cup down loudly.
"Alright.
Haruto.
Training room.
Now."
Everyone blinked.
Haruto looked confused.
"Training? For what?"
Mira brushed past him.
"You. Me. Training. Let's go."
Sataro stepped in front of Haruto immediately.
"Why? Training for what? What are you planning?"
Mira gave Sataro a bored look.
"If I wanted to kill him, emo boy, he'd be dead already."
Sataro clenched his jaw.
"Not good enough. I'm not letting him—"
Haruto cut him off gently.
"Sataro… it's fine. She's… strong. And smart. I'll be okay."
Sataro didn't budge.
"No. Not unless I'm there."
Mira rolled her eyes dramatically.
"You hovering over him won't help.
He needs training without you breathing down his neck.
He needs focus."
Sataro narrowed his eyes.
"And you're not explaining anything."
Mira didn't deny it.
She just smirked.
"…Correct."
Sataro growled.
"Then NO."
Nova stepped between them.
"Sataro… maybe it's time to trust someone. We're safe here."
Sataro snapped back,
"I'm not risking my brother."
Haruto placed a hand on his sleeve.
"Big bro… please. Just let me try.
I need to get stronger."
That hit Sataro.
Hard.
Haruto continued:
"I don't want you getting hurt because of me again."
Sataro froze.
His resolve cracked.
Fine.
But before he could answer, Nova chimed in:
"Hey, instead of stalking Haruto…
maybe help Ren train for once."
They all looked over at Ren…
He was laying on the floor.
In a blanket.
Eating snacks.
Half-asleep.
Ren blinked lazily.
"…What?"
Nova crossed her arms.
"You need training too."
Ren groaned.
"Training is exhausting…
I prefer moral support."
Sataro rubbed his temples.
"…Get up."
"No."
"REN. GET. UP."
"Ughhhhhhh fine."
He rolled like a lazy cat off the blanket.
The Split Training
Mira clapped her hands.
"Good.
Haruto, with me."
Sataro stopped her one last time.
"I swear—
If anything happens to him—"
Mira leaned in close.
"You'll kill me. Yes, I know.
Now move aside, Dad."
Sataro growled but stepped back.
Haruto followed Mira into the back training hall.
Sataro Training Ren
Ren leaned on Sataro's shoulder.
"Sooo… what exactly are we doing?"
Sataro sighed deeply.
"Learning how NOT to die."
"That sounds like a lot of work."
"It is."
Ren stared at him blankly.
"…I wanna nap."
"NOT happening."
Nova laughed from the side.
Lira giggled.
Sataro cracked his knuckles.
"Alright Ren. First lesson—
stand."
Ren slouched.
"Too hard."
"STAND."
Ren groaned and got up.
"Fiiiinnneee."
Nova whispered to Lira,
"I love them."
Lira giggled again.
Nova & Sataro… growing closer
Nova leaned against the wall, watching Sataro try to force Ren into basic stances.
Sataro caught her staring.
"What?" he asked, a bit embarrassed.
Nova smiled softly.
"Nothing…
just… you look good when you're not being an emotionless rock."
Sataro looked away, ears red.
"Shut up…"
Nova smirked.
"You shut up."
Their eyes met.
And for a moment…
There was warmth.
Real warmth.