Nova stayed in her bed the entire next morning.
Satoro didn't leave her side.
Not once.
He sat on the edge of the mattress with his arms crossed, pretending he was calm…
but every few seconds, he leaned in to check her breathing.
Nova tried to hide her trembling hands under the blanket.
Satoro narrowed his eyes.
"You're acting weird."
Nova forced a laugh.
"Weird? I mean— I threw up yesterday. I'm tired. That's it."
Satoro shook his head.
"No. It's more than that. Something's wrong."
Her heart raced.
Satoro leaned closer.
"Nova… look at me."
She did.
Slowly. Nervously.
Satoro's expression softened, just barely.
"If you're sick, I need to know.
If you're hiding pain, I need to know.
You don't get to shoulder things alone anymore.
Not around me."
Nova swallowed.
"Satoro… I'm fine, I promise—"
"Don't lie to me."
His voice cracked — not angry.
Hurt.
Nova's chest tightened.
She turned her face away.
"I'm scared," she whispered.
Satoro froze.
"…scared of what?"
She couldn't breathe.
She couldn't force it out.
"I— I just… I don't know what's happening to me."
Satoro sat beside her, lowering his voice.
"Then let me worry with you."
Nova's eyes filled with tears.
He wasn't yelling.
He wasn't pushing.
He wasn't cold.
He was… gentle.
And that made it even harder to lie.
Mira Watches
From the hallway, Mira crossed her arms and silently watched them.
She saw the way Nova curled into Satoro's side when he touched her hand.
She saw Satoro's face shift from frustration to deep concern.
And she saw the fear in Nova's eyes.
Mira sighed.
She really loves him… and she's terrified.
Satoro's Concern Grows
Nova stood up and tried to brush past him.
"I just need to rest, okay? I'll be fine."
Satoro grabbed her wrist gently.
"Nova.
You're pale. You can barely stand.
You're hiding something, and I can't help if you don't tell me."
Nova felt her throat close.
She imagined the words:
"I'm pregnant."
But nothing came out.
Not even a whisper.
Instead, tears filled her eyes again, and she shook her head.
"Satoro… please. Not right now. I can't."
Satoro's voice softened instantly.
He stepped closer and cupped the back of her head.
"Alright.
You don't have to tell me now.
But promise me you'll tell me soon."
Nova nodded shakily.
He pulled her into his chest.
Her head pressed against his heartbeat.
She closed her eyes…
And whispered so quietly he barely heard it:
"I'm sorry."
Haruto's Vision
Downstairs, Haruto jolted awake from training meditation.
His eyes glowed blood-red for a second.
He gasped and clutched his stomach.
Inside his mind, Arkhamis hissed:
"Something changes…
A new soul…
A POWERFUL soul…"
Haruto trembled.
"What… what are you talking about?"
Arkhamis laughed.
"You don't feel it?
The tiny spark?
The ancient magic growing?"
Haruto's hands shook violently.
"No… no no—"
"THE CHILD…" Arkhamis whispered.
"THE FATE OF THE WORLD CHANGES WITH ITS HEARTBEAT…"
Haruto screamed and collapsed.
Satoro Knows Something Is Wrong
Satoro heard Haruto's scream downstairs and ran to the door.
Nova grabbed his sleeve.
"Go," she said.
"I'll be fine."
Satoro hesitated — staring at her worried, confused, suspicious.
"You're sure?"
Nova forced a smile.
"Yes. Please."
He ran downstairs to Haruto—
But even then…
As Satoro ran down the steps,
his thoughts didn't leave Nova.
Something was wrong.
He could feel it in his bones.
And he wasn't going to let it stay a secret for long.