The afternoon had quietly become evening.
Golden sunlight stretched across the streets as Gamma Squad stepped out of the arcade.
June somehow carried three oversized plush animals under one arm.
One dragon.
One penguin.
One octopus.
"...I regret nothing."
Lucian glanced sideways.
"You spent nearly all your credits."
"I invested."
"You gambled."
"I believed."
"You lost."
"I won these."
"You won two."
"I negotiated for the third."
Nyra laughed.
"You talked the attendant into giving it to you."
"He respected my determination."
"He wanted you to leave."
"...Also possible."
Mira hugged the small rabbit she had won from the claw machine.
She still hadn't explained how she won nearly every prize on her first attempt.
June had stopped asking.
Mostly because she refused to tell him.
Castiel walked beside them quietly, reading a folded brochure from the rhythm game.
David looked over.
"...You're reading instructions?"
Castiel nodded.
"I wanted to understand why the timing windows changed during the final sequence."
June stopped walking.
"..."
"...You came to an arcade..."
"...and you're doing homework?"
"It isn't homework."
"What is it?"
"...Research."
June looked toward Lucian.
"...I don't think he's real."
Lucian shrugged.
"I've considered the possibility."
Everyone laughed.
David adjusted the Champion's Blade resting comfortably against his left hip.
The white fox Nyra had won for him rested beneath his arm.
Every now and then...
He looked down at it.
Then smiled.
Nyra noticed.
"You really like it."
David looked almost embarrassed.
"...Yeah."
"I do."
"I'm glad."
"You picked a good prize."
She smiled.
"...I knew you would."
Neither of them realized...
The rest of Gamma Squad had noticed the conversation.
June leaned toward Lucian.
Without lowering his voice at all.
"...They're adorable."
Lucian sighed.
"...You are not subtle."
"I've never claimed to be."
"You've claimed the opposite."
"...Also true."
David looked over.
"...What are you two talking about?"
"Nothing."
June answered far too quickly.
Lucian nodded.
"...Absolutely nothing."
David looked suspicious.
"...That usually means something."
"It doesn't."
"It definitely does."
"It really, really doesn't."
Nyra hid another laugh.
The streets grew busier as evening settled over the city.
Restaurants filled with families.
Children chased one another through the plaza.
Street performers entertained gathering crowds.
For the first time in months...
No one in Gamma Squad had anywhere they needed to be.
No schedule.
No curfew.
No instructor waiting.
Just...
Time.
June stretched dramatically.
"I've decided..."
"...Today should happen every week."
Lucian raised an eyebrow.
"You mean days off?"
"...Exactly."
"They already do."
"...Not enough."
"They're literally called weekends."
June ignored him.
"We should celebrate becoming Second Years every month."
"We aren't Second Years yet."
"We're emotionally prepared."
"We leave for Kharos Vale in one week."
"...See?"
"Perfect reason to celebrate now."
David smiled.
"I don't think Commander Vance would approve."
June grinned.
"That's why we didn't invite her."
Nyra shook her head.
"You really don't think ahead, do you?"
"I think very far ahead."
"How far?"
"Dessert."
They rounded another corner.
The shopping district slowly gave way to the older part of the city.
Brick buildings.
Small cafés.
Family-owned stores.
Everything felt...
Warmer.
More personal.
David found himself slowing down.
He watched an elderly couple closing their bookstore.
A little girl waving excitedly at her grandparents.
A father carrying his sleeping son on his shoulders.
Ordinary life.
He smiled.
Nyra noticed.
"...You're doing it again."
David blinked.
"Doing what?"
"...Watching people."
He looked back toward the families.
"...I guess."
"What are you thinking?"
He took a moment before answering.
"...That this is what we're protecting."
Nyra followed his gaze.
The little girl laughed as her grandfather pretended to stumble.
A nearby café filled with conversation.
Music drifted through the street.
She smiled.
"...Yeah."
"...It is."
For a moment...
Neither of them spoke.
They simply watched.
Then—
"...WAIT!"
June's voice echoed across the street.
Everyone jumped.
Lucian closed his eyes.
"...What now?"
June stood completely frozen.
One finger pointed dramatically across the sidewalk.
"...Guys..."
"You have got..."
"...To look."
Everyone followed his finger.
At first...
David wasn't sure what he was seeing.
An old-fashioned booth stood near the corner of the plaza.
Painted bright red.
Glass windows.
A little curtain.
A glowing sign above the entrance.
PHOTO BOOTH
Below it...
A smaller sign blinked softly.
6 PHOTO STRIPS
MEMORIES IN MINUTES
June slowly smiled.
The kind of smile everyone in Gamma Squad had learned to fear.
"...We have to."
Lucian answered immediately.
"...No."
"We absolutely do."
"We absolutely don't."
Nyra tilted her head.
"...Actually..."
"I think it sounds fun."
June pointed triumphantly.
"One vote!"
Mira looked toward the booth.
"...I've never used one."
June gasped.
"...Seriously?"
She nodded.
"My town didn't have one."
June turned toward Castiel.
"You?"
Castiel studied the machine.
"...Neither have I."
June threw both hands into the air.
"TWO VOTES!"
Lucian folded his arms.
"...That's still not a majority."
David smiled.
"I've never done one either."
June spun toward him.
"THREE!"
Nyra looked at David.
"...Really?"
He nodded.
"...Really."
She smiled warmly.
"Then we definitely should."
June looked ready to explode with happiness.
"FOUR!"
Lucian sighed.
"...I'm beginning to feel outnumbered."
Mira looked toward him.
"...You are."
June pointed dramatically.
"FIVE!"
Everyone slowly turned toward Lucian.
Silence.
He looked at each of them.
One by one.
June.
Nyra.
Mira.
Castiel.
David.
Five hopeful faces.
Lucian closed his eyes.
Took a slow breath.
Then opened them again.
"...Fine."
June's jaw dropped.
"...That worked?"
Lucian started walking toward the booth.
"...Don't make me change my mind."
June threw both fists into the air.
"YES!"
He sprinted toward the photo booth.
"The first Gamma Squad photo!"
David smiled as he followed.
Nyra walked beside him.
Quietly.
Comfortably.
She looked at the glowing booth ahead.
Then at the five friends surrounding her.
A soft smile crossed her face.
"...I think..."
"...I'm really going to like this."
June reached the booth first.
He immediately pulled back the curtain and leaned inside.
Then stopped.
Slowly...
He looked back at Gamma Squad.
"We may have a problem."
Lucian approached with visible suspicion.
"What problem?"
June pointed toward a small warning label beside the entrance.
Lucian read it aloud.
"Maximum occupancy—four."
Silence.
June looked at the six of them.
Then back at the sign.
"We can beat that."
Lucian stared at him.
"It's an occupancy limit."
"It's a recommendation."
"It says maximum."
"That sounds unnecessarily negative."
Mira covered a smile.
"I don't think all six of us will fit."
"We've survived worse."
Nyra laughed.
"It's a photo booth, June."
"Exactly."
He pointed inside.
"Our most dangerous mission yet."
Castiel leaned forward and briefly examined the booth's interior.
"The available space is limited."
June nodded seriously.
"Thank you, Castiel."
"That was not agreement."
"It sounded supportive."
"It wasn't."
David stepped closer and looked inside.
A narrow padded bench ran along the rear wall. A small camera lens faced it from above a glowing display. The booth had clearly been designed for couples, families, or small groups.
Definitely not six Academy cadets.
Especially not six Academy cadets carrying an unreasonable number of stuffed animals and one ceremonial katana.
David looked down at the Champion's Blade.
"This might be difficult."
June pointed at him.
"The sword stays outside."
David raised an eyebrow.
"I'm not leaving it unattended."
Lucian extended one hand.
"I'll hold it."
June looked between them.
"You're staying outside?"
"No."
Lucian accepted the blade from David and carefully adjusted its strap across his own shoulder.
"I'm preventing someone from damaging an Academy relic while trying to sit on my lap."
June looked offended.
"I wasn't going to sit on your lap."
Everyone looked at him.
June hesitated.
"…That was Plan Three."
Nyra laughed as she placed the prizes she was carrying beside the booth. Mira did the same, arranging her rabbit carefully on top of June's dragon.
David hesitated before setting the white fox beside them.
Nyra noticed how gently he positioned it.
Her smile softened.
June climbed inside first.
"Alright."
He pointed toward the back corner.
"Lucian goes there because he's the widest."
Lucian stared at him.
"Choose your next words carefully."
"I meant your shoulders."
"That did not improve it."
"It improved it slightly."
"No."
Mira stepped inside before the argument could continue and sat at the center of the bench.
"There's room beside me."
Castiel entered next, studying the available space as though he were calculating troop placement.
He sat beside Mira.
June nodded approvingly.
"Excellent."
"Formation is taking shape."
Lucian ducked through the entrance and settled against the left side of the booth.
The moment he sat, the bench creaked.
June slowly looked down.
Lucian looked at him.
"Say nothing."
June closed his mouth.
David followed Nyra inside.
Almost immediately, it became clear there was nowhere left for either of them to sit properly.
Nyra ended up pressed close to David's right side while David stood half-crouched near the curtain.
June stared at the arrangement.
"This isn't going to work."
Lucian folded his arms as much as the limited space allowed.
"That's the first intelligent thing you've said since finding the booth."
June pointed toward David.
"You sit."
David looked around.
"Where?"
June pointed toward the small remaining section of bench between Castiel and Lucian.
"There."
"That isn't a seat."
"It can become one."
David squeezed into the narrow gap.
Nyra stood beside him.
Now she was the only one without a place.
Mira shifted slightly.
"You could sit here."
Nyra looked at the two inches of space beside her.
"I don't think I can."
June considered the situation.
Then grinned.
"David has knees."
David slowly turned toward him.
"No."
Nyra's face immediately reddened.
June lifted both hands.
"It was a practical suggestion."
Lucian looked at him.
"You should stop making suggestions."
"I'm solving problems."
"You're creating new ones."
Nyra laughed awkwardly and leaned against the side wall instead.
"I'll stand."
David shifted closer to the edge of the bench.
"You can take part of my seat."
"There isn't much left."
"We'll manage."
Nyra carefully sat beside him.
Their shoulders pressed together.
Then their arms.
Then almost their entire sides.
Neither said anything.
Both suddenly became very interested in the camera.
June noticed immediately.
His grin returned.
Lucian saw the grin.
"Don't."
"I didn't say anything."
"You were about to."
"I was thinking."
"That's usually where the problem begins."
The display flickered to life.
GROUP SESSION SELECTED
NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS: SIX
June pointed excitedly.
"It knows!"
Castiel looked at the sensor above the camera.
"It counted us."
June nodded.
"It understands destiny."
"It detected body heat."
"Let me have this."
The booth chimed.
SIX IMAGES WILL BE CAPTURED
PREPARE FOR PHOTO ONE
A countdown appeared.
10
June's eyes widened.
"We need a plan."
9
Lucian looked forward.
"Sit still."
8
"That isn't a plan."
7
"It's enough of one."
6
Mira tried to straighten her uniform.
Castiel calmly adjusted his posture.
Nyra tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
David looked toward the camera.
June looked around frantically.
5
"Everyone smile!"
4
Lucian's expression remained completely serious.
3
June leaned forward.
2
"Lucian, smile!"
1
Flash.
The first photo appeared on the small preview screen.
All six of them stared at it.
David looked relatively normal.
Nyra had been caught halfway through turning toward June.
Mira was blinking.
Castiel looked as though he were posing for an official military portrait.
Lucian appeared deeply disappointed in everyone.
June's mouth was still open.
Silence filled the booth.
Then Nyra started laughing.
Mira followed.
David covered his mouth, but it did nothing to hide his smile.
June pointed at Lucian.
"You look like you're attending our funeral."
Lucian studied the image.
"I was surrounded by poor decisions."
"You were surrounded by friendship."
"I stand by my statement."
The booth chimed again.
PREPARE FOR PHOTO TWO
5
June shifted closer to Lucian.
Lucian noticed.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
4
"June."
3
June lifted two fingers behind Lucian's head.
2
Mira saw it and started laughing.
1
Flash.
The preview appeared.
Lucian remained unaware of the fingers behind him.
June wore the proudest expression imaginable.
Nyra was laughing openly.
Mira had one hand over her mouth.
David was looking toward June.
Castiel had glanced sideways at the exact moment of the flash.
Lucian looked at the screen.
His eyes narrowed.
"June."
June attempted innocence.
"Yes?"
"You gave me horns."
"They're bunny ears."
"That doesn't improve it."
"I think they suit you."
Lucian reached toward him.
June pressed himself against the wall.
"There's no room for violence!"
"There's always room."
The booth chimed.
PREPARE FOR PHOTO THREE
Everyone tried to settle again.
Nyra was still laughing.
David looked over at her.
"What?"
She shook her head.
"Nothing."
"You're still laughing."
"I know."
"Why?"
She tried to answer, but another laugh escaped.
David started laughing too.
Nyra leaned against his shoulder as she tried to catch her breath.
He steadied her automatically.
3
Neither noticed the countdown.
2
David looked at her.
Nyra looked back.
1
Flash.
The third image appeared.
This one was different.
June was still hiding from Lucian.
Mira was smiling toward them.
Castiel sat quietly beside her.
Lucian had finally abandoned his attempt to look formal.
But David and Nyra filled the center of the photograph.
Nyra leaned against David's shoulder.
David's arm rested lightly behind her.
Both were laughing.
Neither looked at the camera.
For several seconds...
No one said anything.
June slowly turned toward Lucian.
Lucian looked back.
June whispered:
"Do I say it?"
"No."
"But—"
"No."
Mira smiled at the photograph.
"It's a good one."
Nyra's cheeks turned slightly red.
David looked away from the preview.
"Yeah."
"It is."
The booth chimed again.
PREPARE FOR PHOTO FOUR
June immediately sat forward.
"My turn."
Lucian frowned.
"Your turn for what?"
June's face twisted into the most ridiculous expression David had ever seen.
He crossed his eyes.
Puffed out his cheeks.
Pulled both ears outward.
Mira saw him first.
She burst into laughter.
Nyra followed.
David tried to remain composed.
Failed instantly.
Even Lucian's expression broke.
Castiel looked at June.
Then, unexpectedly...
Smiled.
1
Flash.
The preview appeared.
Everyone stared.
June looked completely deranged.
Mira was laughing so hard her eyes were closed.
Nyra had leaned into David again.
David was pointing at June.
Lucian was caught halfway between a laugh and disbelief.
And Castiel...
Was smiling.
Not faintly.
Not almost.
Actually smiling.
June's ridiculous expression vanished.
He pointed at the screen.
"CASTIEL SMILED!"
Castiel looked toward the preview.
"I smile."
"No, you don't."
"I have before."
"When?"
Castiel considered the question.
"I don't recall."
June turned toward the others.
"We have evidence."
Mira nodded.
"We do."
David smiled.
"You look happy."
Castiel studied the photograph for a moment.
Something softened in his expression.
"I was."
The answer was simple.
But it quieted the booth.
June lowered his hand.
Then smiled.
"Good."
Castiel looked at him.
June shrugged.
"You should do it more."
A faint trace of the smile returned.
"I'll consider it."
The booth chimed once again.
PREPARE FOR PHOTO FIVE
Lucian straightened immediately.
June noticed.
"Oh, no."
Lucian glanced toward him.
"What?"
"You're trying to become serious again."
"I am serious."
"That's the problem."
Mira smiled.
"Just smile."
Lucian looked toward her.
"I have been smiling."
Everyone stared at him.
Lucian sighed.
"Occasionally."
June leaned closer.
"We need photographic proof."
"You already have enough evidence from this booth."
"Not of you."
The countdown continued.
3
Nyra looked toward Lucian.
"Come on."
2
David smiled.
"One picture."
Lucian looked at each of them.
Five expectant faces.
He shook his head.
Then...
He smiled.
A real one.
Warm.
Relaxed.
Completely unguarded.
1
Flash.
The preview appeared.
No one laughed immediately.
Lucian looked younger in the photograph.
Not like the leader who always carried Gamma Squad's responsibility.
Not like the Bloodthrone heir trained to command.
Just Lucian.
Sitting beside his friends.
Happy.
June stared at the image.
Then slowly placed one hand over his heart.
"It's beautiful."
Lucian's smile disappeared.
"Delete it."
June gasped.
"Never."
"The booth hasn't printed it yet."
Mira shook her head.
"It's too late."
Castiel nodded.
"The image has already been stored."
Lucian looked at the machine.
"Can it be destroyed?"
June moved protectively in front of the controls.
"You'll have to go through me."
"That can be arranged."
The booth chimed for the final time.
PREPARE FOR PHOTO SIX
The laughter gradually settled.
No one made another ridiculous pose.
No one planned anything.
Perhaps because the moment had already become comfortable.
Perhaps because none of them wanted the session to end.
The countdown began.
5
David looked toward the camera.
Nyra sat beside him.
Their shoulders still touching.
4
June lowered his hands.
Lucian stopped threatening him.
Mira settled beside Castiel.
3
Nyra's hand shifted between them.
Her little finger brushed against David's.
He looked down.
2
Her pinky curled gently around his.
Not tightly.
Just enough.
David looked toward her.
Nyra kept her eyes on the camera.
But she smiled.
1
David curled his pinky around hers.
Flash.
For a heartbeat...
The booth remained dark.
Then the sixth image appeared.
Everyone looked toward the screen.
Six cadets filled the frame.
June was smiling.
Mira looked peaceful.
Castiel's expression remained softer than usual.
Lucian still carried the remnants of his genuine smile.
David had turned slightly toward Nyra.
Nyra faced the camera.
Her pinky remained linked with his.
The gesture was barely visible.
Small enough that most people would never notice.
But it was there.
Captured forever.
June opened his mouth.
Lucian immediately raised one finger.
"Don't."
June slowly closed it.
Nyra glanced toward David.
David looked back.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved their hands.
The booth began to hum.
A mechanism activated somewhere beneath them.
PRINTING
June immediately leaned toward the slot.
"Make way."
Lucian grabbed the back of his uniform.
"You're not taking all of them."
"I'm supervising distribution."
"You'll lose them."
"I have pockets."
"That is exactly why you'll lose them."
Six identical photo strips slid into the tray.
June reached for them.
Nyra was faster.
She lifted the strips carefully and stepped out of the booth before he could protest.
Everyone followed.
The cool evening air felt strangely quiet after the cramped space and constant laughter inside.
Nyra stood beneath the glowing sign and looked down at the photographs.
Six images.
Six moments.
Six friends.
The others gathered around her.
June pointed immediately.
"Photo Four is clearly the best."
Lucian folded his arms.
"Photo Four should be burned."
"You're jealous because I look powerful."
"You look injured."
"Emotionally powerful."
Mira pointed toward the fifth picture.
"I like this one."
June looked at Lucian's smile.
"Historic."
Lucian sighed.
"I regret everything."
Castiel looked at the fourth photograph.
"I prefer that one."
June brightened.
"Because you smiled."
Castiel nodded.
"Yes."
June stared at him.
Then smiled.
"I knew it."
Nyra carefully separated the six identical strips.
She handed the first to Mira.
Then Lucian.
June.
Castiel.
David.
The final strip remained in her hand.
Everyone looked down at their copy.
The laughter slowly faded.
Nyra ran her thumb along the edge of hers.
"Promise me something."
June glanced up.
"What?"
She lifted the strip slightly.
"Keep it."
Her eyes moved around the group.
"All of you."
"No matter where we end up."
"No matter how busy things get."
"Keep this."
For once...
June didn't make a joke.
He folded his strip carefully.
"Deal."
Mira smiled.
"I promise."
Lucian studied the photographs for another moment before placing the strip inside the inner pocket of his uniform.
"I'll keep it."
Castiel folded his with exact precision.
Then placed it inside his wallet.
"Done."
David looked down at the six pictures.
At Nyra laughing against his shoulder.
At Castiel smiling.
At Lucian finally letting himself relax.
At all six of them squeezed together inside a booth built for four.
He looked back at Nyra.
"I'll keep it."
Her smile warmed.
"I know."
For a little while...
None of them moved.
The city continued around them.
People passed.
Music drifted across the plaza.
The photo booth's sign continued glowing behind them.
But Gamma Squad remained together beneath it.
Each holding the same memory.
Each believing there would always be time to create another.
For several moments...
No one spoke.
Each member of Gamma Squad simply looked down at the small strip of photographs in their hands.
Six pictures.
Six moments.
Six friends.
June was the first to break the silence.
"...I still think Photo Four belongs in a museum."
Lucian looked over.
"It belongs in evidence."
"I prefer the term 'masterpiece.'"
"You crossed your eyes."
"Artistically."
"You looked possessed."
"I committed to the performance."
Mira laughed.
"I don't think anyone can argue with that."
June looked proudly at his photograph.
"I expect future generations to study it."
"They'll study it..."
Lucian replied.
"...to understand what not to do."
Everyone laughed.
Nyra looked over at David.
"...Which one's your favorite?"
David studied the strip again.
"The third."
She smiled knowingly.
"I thought so."
June leaned over immediately.
"The one where you two forgot there was a camera?"
David looked up.
"...We didn't forget."
"You absolutely forgot."
Nyra looked at the picture again.
"...I think we did."
David smiled.
"...Maybe."
June pointed toward Photo Five.
"I like that one."
Lucian sighed.
"Because I smiled."
"Exactly."
"I'd like to formally request its destruction."
Mira shook her head.
"Denied."
Castiel nodded once.
"...Seconded."
June looked triumphant.
"Motion failed."
Lucian looked around the group.
"...I seem to be surrounded."
"You've always been surrounded."
June replied.
"You just noticed."
David carefully slid his photo strip into his wallet.
He made sure it rested flat.
No bent corners.
No creases.
Nyra noticed.
"...Being careful?"
He nodded.
"...Yeah."
"I don't want to ruin it."
She smiled softly.
"I'm glad."
Without another word...
She tucked her own strip inside the inner pocket of her jacket.
Right over her heart.
June stretched his arms over his head.
"...Well..."
"What now?"
Silence.
The evening air had cooled.
The streets glowed beneath warm lanterns.
Somewhere nearby...
A musician began playing a gentle melody on an old violin.
Mira looked toward the Academy.
"...We should probably head back."
Lucian nodded.
"It'll be dark soon."
June sighed dramatically.
"...Reality returns."
Castiel quietly looked toward the Academy towers rising above the city.
"...Not quite yet."
Everyone looked at him.
He nodded toward the highest tower.
"...The roof."
June's face immediately lit up.
"I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WE FORGOT!"
Lucian smiled.
"...One last stop."
Nyra looked at David.
"...Race you?"
David laughed.
"...After today..."
"...I think I've learned not to underestimate you."
She grinned.
"Good."
"Because..."
Before he could react...
Her little finger quietly hooked around his.
Just for a moment.
The gentlest tug.
"...Last one there loses."
Then—
She ran.
David blinked.
"...Hey!"
He took off after her, laughing.
Their linked pinkies separated almost immediately as they sprinted through the crowd.
Ahead...
Nyra looked back over her shoulder.
"You'll have to do better than that, Champion!"
David laughed.
"Oh, now you're challenging me?"
"I thought that's what Champions liked."
"We'll see about that."
He accelerated.
The Champion's Blade bounced lightly against his side.
The little white fox remained tucked securely beneath one arm.
Ahead...
Nyra laughed.
A bright...
Carefree laugh that echoed through the evening streets.
Behind them...
June watched the two disappear around the next corner.
He slowly smiled.
Then looked toward Lucian.
"...They're happy."
Lucian watched them for another second.
"...Yeah."
"They are."
Mira smiled warmly.
"I like seeing them like this."
Castiel quietly nodded.
"...So do I."
June suddenly pointed toward the Academy.
"We're going to lose!"
Without another word...
He sprinted after them.
"HEY!"
Lucian sighed.
"There he goes."
The four of them broke into a run.
Soon...
All six members of Gamma Squad were racing through the city.
Laughing.
Shouting.
Trying to outrun one another as the evening sky slowly deepened above them.
People on the sidewalks smiled as they passed.
Some recognized the Academy uniforms.
Others simply saw six young friends enjoying the end of a beautiful day.
None of them cared who had won the Tournament.
None of them cared about rankings.
Or titles.
Or Great Families.
For just a little while...
They weren't cadets.
They weren't future soldiers.
They weren't humanity's defenders.
They were simply...
Six friends.
Running home.
Toward another sunset together.