The next morning, Astra and Raze somehow ended up at the academy far earlier than necessary.
Not to train.
Not for extra preparations.
Just because neither of them could sit still at home.
Astra floated beside him as they walked through the still-waking streets of Nexara, drifting lazily a few inches above the ground like a glowing, golden balloon.
"You're tense," she commented.
Raze didn't look at her.
"I'm always tense."
"No," Astra said softly, tilting her head, "this is different. Tournament nerves?"
Raze exhaled.
"…Maybe."
Astra gave a small, warm smile.
"You'll do great. Even if your match ends up being against me."
Raze didn't answer—not because he disagreed, but because he wasn't sure how to.
Before he could find the words—
"LOOK! IT'S ASTRA NOIRE!!"
A swarm of children bolted toward them, followed by excited adults, followed by half-hidden reporters crouching behind lamp posts like paparazzi ninjas.
Astra froze.
"Oh no. Nonononono—"
People shouted:
"Penguin Savior!"
"Astra! Can we take a picture!?"
"Can you fly again!?"
"Can you lift that car over there!?"
Astra shrank behind Raze like a terrified cat.
"Raze. Help. They're everywhere."
Raze blinked at her.
"…Why are *you* hiding behind *me*?"
"You're tall! And stable! And… helpful!"
He sighed, stepped forward, and raised a hand.
"Please give her space. She appreciates your support, but she needs room."
The surprising part wasn't his tone.
It was how quickly everyone obeyed.
Adults stepped back.
Kids slowed down.
Even reporters lowered their cameras.
Astra peeked over his shoulder with wide eyes.
"Wow… Raze. You're surprisingly dependable."
Raze coughed lightly.
His ears had definitely turned red.
As the crowd dispersed, Astra floated forward again.
"Thank you," she whispered. "Being admired is nice, but… it's overwhelming sometimes."
"I know," Raze replied. "You don't have to face it alone."
Astra looked away quickly, cheeks warm.
"…Right."
◆ ◆ ◆
The two of them walked the rest of the way to the academy at a calm, unhurried pace.
They talked about nothing important:
Astra complaining about Luna's suspicious aura lately.
Raze teasing Astra for breaking a ladle yesterday.
Astra accusing him of burning rice "so badly the pot needed therapy."
Raze insisting it was only half-burned.
Astra insisting it was a war crime.
It was easy.
Natural.
Comfortable.
No villains.
No tension.
No pressure from the world expecting greatness from them.
Just two teenagers… being teenagers.
It felt rare.
It felt precious.
When they reached the academy gates, Astra stopped walking.
Her voice softened.
"I hope… after the tournament… we can still do things like this."
Raze glanced at her.
The morning sun framed her hair in warm gold.
"…Yeah," he said quietly.
"I'd like that."
Astra smiled — small, shy, but real.
Their shadows stretched long across the ground as they walked through the gates together.
Tomorrow, the battles would resume.
Tomorrow, the world would watch.
Tomorrow, one of them might stand across from the other.
But today…
Today was soft.
Warm.
Normal.
A tiny, peaceful pause before the storm.