Jovisym, Floraris 24, Year 577 of the Elythera calendar

  The first rays of morning light slipped timidly through the second-floor window of House Eryndel. Sora, already more accustomed to that bed that had felt so foreign at first, slowly opened his eyes, still a little drowsy. Though it wasn’t as soft as the ones from his previous life, he had to admit he slept much better than back there… back where everything was gray and lonely.

  With a faint sigh he pushed himself up in bed… or at least tried to. The moment he lifted his head, he felt a slight tug that made him frown. He looked up and let out a small groan of frustration.

  “Mmmmmmm…”

  The pillow had once again gotten caught on his horn. He wriggled a bit, braced with both hands and...pop! the pillow came free all at once, flying off and landing on the bed as he flopped onto his back as well.

  “Not again!” he cried with a childish pout, more annoyed by the situation than truly angry.

  Quick footsteps sounded in the hallway and the door opened softly. Tsukari, her hair still down and a light robe of fine cloth around her, peeked in with a curious smile.

  “What happened this time, sweetheart?”

  Her eyes swept the room and settled on the scene: Sora in the middle of the bed, tousled and looking defeated, and the poor pillow torn at the edge of the mattress, a few feathers peeking from the opening. Tsukari couldn’t help a small, tinkling laugh.

  “Son… that’s why you have to sleep on your back,” she said gently as she came closer. “If you sleep on your side you end up ripping the pillow with your little horn.”

  Sora only lowered his gaze, making a tiny pout without answering, still frustrated, and a little embarrassed.

  Seeing the mess, Tsukari stepped in with her usual calm. She picked up the pillow with care and set it atop the bed. Then she raised her right hand and murmured a few words. A soft emerald glow blossomed from a magic circle that appeared beneath the pillow, wrapping it in a warm, reassuring light.

  In a matter of seconds, the tear vanished as if it had never existed, and the pillow was left fluffy and perfect.

  Sora’s eyes widened in wonder, almost hypnotized by the scene. He still wasn’t used to seeing magic in action, much less to seeing it used for something as everyday as… fixing a pillow.

  That easy…? he thought, amazed.

  Noticing his surprise, Tsukari gave him that uniquely tender smile of hers.

  “All done. Problem solved, son,” she said, gently stroking his head while carefully avoiding the horn. “Now that you’re awake, let’s get you out of your pajamas so we can have breakfast, okay?”

  Sora nodded with a small, resigned sigh. Changing clothes still made him a little uncomfortable… but he was already accepting it as part of his new life.

  After getting dressed with his mother’s help, Sora headed for the dining room, still walking with a bit of childish clumsiness. Tsukari followed close behind, fondly straightening his collar as he went in silence. When they reached the dining room, Aeris was already there, serving breakfast with her usual elegance and efficiency. Seeing them enter, she gave a small bow, as always.

  “Good morning, Lady Tsukari. Good morning, young master Sora,” she greeted softly.

  But before returning to the kitchen for the rest of the food, Aeris paused. She frowned slightly at something on Sora’s forehead, stepped closer, and crouched down with a faintly amused look.

  “Hmm? One second…” she said, slowly lifting her hand toward his horn.

  Sora reflexively drew back a little, not understanding what was happening until he felt Aeris’s fingers brush lightly against him. With care, she plucked something that had gotten caught on his horn and removed it.

  “Some feathers…” she said with a small laugh, showing him what she’d taken.

  Seeing them, Tsukari couldn’t help laughing too, covering her mouth with her hand.

  “I wanted to see how long it would take you to notice!” she said, amused.

  Sora turned to his mother with a sulky pout, his cheeks puffing slightly.

  “Mom…!” he protested in a childish voice, looking down.

  “Oh, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Tsukari replied between soft laughs, gently stroking his hair while careful not to touch the horn. “It’s just that you were so sleepy you didn’t even notice.”

  Aeris also laughed under her breath, one hand lightly over her chest.

  “He looks adorable, whether he denies it or not,” she murmured as she returned to the table.

  Sora folded his arms, pretending to be annoyed… but inside, a small warmth ran through his chest. Moments like this hadn’t existed in his former life and now, they were part of his new, gentle world.

  Just as Aeris was walking away with a smile still on her lips, the distinctive sound of the front door opening echoed, followed by a strong, familiar voice:

  “Good morning, family!” Alvaron called in that firm, reassuring tone so characteristic of him.

  He entered the dining room with a steady stride and stoic bearing, the gait of a knight tempered by years and duty. Even so, his expression softened when he saw his wife and son already at the table. He stepped closer with a calm smile and set an affectionate hand on Sora’s head, ruffling his hair slightly.

  “You’re looking better, son. I’m glad to see you like this in the morning,” he said, taking a seat beside them.

  “Good morning, Father,” Sora replied with a small, still somewhat shy smile.

  With the four of them at the table, Aeris served breakfast with her usual elegance, setting steaming plates before each of them. The aroma of freshly baked bread and sautéed vegetables filled the room, and even Sora still a little sleepy felt more awake.

  Conversation flowed as it would on any quiet morning, comments about the weather, an anecdote from the village, laughter over a memory of when Sora was three and hid under the table to avoid bath time… Everything went on with the warmth of a family that loves one another.

  Between bites, Alvaron turned to Tsukari in a more serious tone though he never lost his kindness.

  “Today we need to go back to the town office. We still have to close the deal with the merchants from Marelis. Their proposal looks promising, but I don’t want to leave loose ends.”

  Tsukari nodded slowly, lowering her gaze to her plate for a moment before turning to Sora. Her eyes softened with a hint of melancholy and affection.

  “I’d like to spend more time with you, son…” she said, brushing his cheek with the back of her fingers. “But we have to work. Rulid’s well-being depends on it, you know that, right?”

  Sora looked up and, without even hesitating, nodded with mature calm.

  “I understand, Mother. Please don’t worry about me.”

  Alvaron watched him with a faint, proud expression and set a steady hand on the boy’s shoulder.

  “You’re strong, son. And every day you prove it to me.”

  Sora lowered his eyes, a little overwhelmed by the affection, yet he couldn’t help feeling warm inside. He hadn’t had moments like this in his previous life. Now… every gesture seemed to matter.

  When breakfast ended, and after a few last words of fondness, Alvaron and Tsukari set out for town. Sora watched them leave through the front door as they gave a quiet wave, and the house settled into a serene hush.

  Aeris, who had been clearing the table up to that point, turned to Sora with a bright, expectant look… as if she’d been holding back a feeling for a while. Sora didn’t need to ask what it was. They shared a brief glance, and with a small, conspiratorial smile, the boy looked up and said warmly:

  “Shall we read?”

  Aeris couldn’t help smiling even wider. That was exactly what she wanted to hear. Not only because she’d enjoyed every moment of reading to him lately, but because… today was different. Today, she wouldn’t just read for him. Today, Sora would take his first step.

  “Of course, young master Sora!” she replied, a mix of joy and tenderness in her voice.

  Without wasting time, they headed to the study. The air there was calm and orderly, with Solyesta’s sunlight slipping through the windows, giving everything a soft glow that made the room feel even cozier.

  Aeris stepped ahead, opened one of the study cabinet doors, and carefully took out a different book: thinner, with large illustrations and widely spaced words. A book clearly designed for beginners.

  “Today we won’t read just for fun, but to start something important,” she said as she set the book on the desk.

  Along with the book, Aeris brought a small varnished wooden slate no bigger than a folio together with a few sticks of white and colored chalk.

  Seeing all this, Sora felt his heart quicken. He already knew what was coming. This was the moment. Finally… he would learn to read on his own. It was something he had never had time to appreciate in his previous life. Reading had been natural, automatic. But now… now he saw it as a skill, a fundamental tool. One that would open the gates of knowledge in this new world. One that would let him understand its culture, its history, its magic and, eventually… fulfill his mission.

  Taking his seat before the slate, Sora looked over everything with a mix of excitement and gratitude.

  “I’m ready,” he said, his voice firm yet childlike.

  Aeris smiled softly, took up the chalk, and drew the first letter.

  “Then let’s begin, Sora. Today will be your first step.”

  The morning passed in letters, sounds, and signs. Sora felt more and more at ease, surprised by how natural it all felt. Symbols that had been meaningless shapes yesterday were now starting to form words with meaning. With each of Aeris’s explanations, with each example, Sora felt his mind linking everything together with almost instinctive speed.

  It must be because of Adriel… because of what I lived before, he thought as he copied a few words on the little slate. So many years studying, writing reports, researching… maybe that’s why this comes so easily now.

  Aeris, seated beside him with the book in hand and the chalk resting in her lap, watched him closely. Each time Sora completed a word correctly or pronounced a sound with clarity, she was surprised but she didn’t show it too much. She knew too much praise could feed an unnecessary ego. And Sora… was special, yes, but she didn’t want him getting complacent.

  When the sunlight began to tint a soft amber—sign that midday was near—Aeris closed the book with care.

  “Let’s take a break, young master Sora,” she said with a serene smile as she stood. “I need to go supervise the kitchen for lunch. Although we won’t need to cook much today… your parents won’t be having lunch at home, so it’s just the two of us.”

  Sora nodded, but just as Aeris turned to leave, he raised his voice softly.

  “Aeris, wait…”

  She stopped and looked at him, a little intrigued.

  “Could you stop calling me ‘young master Sora’?” he asked shy, but firm. “I’d prefer if you just called me by my name… it’d be quicker.”

  Aeris blinked once, surprised, then tilted her head in that signature way of hers.

  “But young master Sora…” she replied gently. “Out of respect, I should address you that way. After all, you’re the son of Lord Alvaron and Lady Tsukari.”

  Seeing how firmly Aeris clung to her formality, Sora narrowed his eyes and let out a theatrical sigh. He’d have to play his ace. Over these days he’d discovered Aeris had a weak spot: she didn’t quite know how to react to certain spontaneous shows of affection, especially when they came from him.

  So, with that characteristic look of his an adorable mix of child’s pout and well-aimed emotional charm—he met her eyes and said in a sweet voice:

  “But Big Sis Aeris… I’d like you to call me just by my name. That’d be more comfortable, right?”

  That “Big Sis Aeris” landed like a meteor straight to the center of her heart.

  Aeris froze. Her eyes widened slightly, and the faint blush on her cheeks left no doubt: those words were too much for her. She’d never had siblings, older or younger, let alone been addressed so warmly and naturally.

  She didn’t know how to react.

  “Th-that’s… fine… I… mean, Sora…” she corrected herself in a rush, looking away, visibly flushed.

  And without another word, she turned, gave him her back, and hurried off toward the kitchen.

  “I’ll go prepare lunch,” she said as if nothing were out of the ordinary though her voice trembled just a little.

  Sora stayed where he was, watching her go with a mischievous little smile on his lips. His eyes sparkled with impish delight as he thought:

  Bullseye. Perfect.

  He let out a barely audible chuckle, savoring his small victory.

  Left alone in the study, Sora settled onto the sofa, feet lightly swinging as his gaze fell on the small table before him. Resting there was the same book Aeris had been reading to him these last few days: the one about the history of the Conclave of Astaria’s knights.

  With a touch of curiosity and a bit of pride he picked it up carefully, opened to the marked page, and began to read.

  To his surprise… he understood more words than he remembered. He couldn’t read smoothly yet, nor grasp entire sentences without effort, but there was progress. Noticeable progress. Words that had been abstract shapes were starting to make sense, to paint images in his mind as he deciphered them.

  He frowned, puzzled.

  Whoa, whoa… it’s only the first day… how has reading gotten so much clearer? he muttered under his breath, half amazed, half bewildered.

  Instinct led him to open the Soul Panel. The now-familiar interface bloomed before him, neatly organized into sections: Stats, Inventory, Skills…

  A tiny red dot blinked on the Skills tab just like those annoying yet addictive notifications on his old phone. When he selected it, a new window unfolded, showing his current skills, and there it was:

  Reading — 5/20

  “Five out of twenty?” he murmured, incredulous. “Seriously? After just a couple of hours of lessons? How is that possible?”

  Then he noticed another skill he hadn’t seen before, also marked with the same red dot. Its name appeared bright and new in the list:

  Efficient Memorization — Level 1

  When he selected it, a brief description appeared on the right:

  “Efficient Memorization: Allows you to learn things at a faster-than-normal rate. Improves with use through study.”

  Sora’s eyes widened slightly as he read. He felt a mix of relief, amazement, and… a pinch of worry.

  Damn… this skill is busted, he thought, letting out a long, deep sigh.

  It wasn’t disappointment it was the weight of information, the contained thrill of everything happening to him. He was starting to glimpse the true potential of the gift Astaria had granted him… and in a way, that overwhelmed him.

  Even so, as he gently closed the book, he couldn’t help a small smile. For the first time in a long while, he felt that all that power wasn’t there to dominate or defeat anyone… but to learn, to grow… and to choose what to do with it.

  After his little solo study session, lunchtime arrived without Sora noticing. Aeris called from the dining room and, as expected, it was just the two of them at the table again.

  They chatted a bit trivial things… how he’d slept, what he thought of the lessons, whether he wanted meat or vegetables. But something felt different.

  Though Aeris kept her composure and usual sweetness, she avoided holding his gaze for too long. And each time she called him by his name, just his name, without the usual “young master” her cheeks took on a faint crimson tint. She did her best to hide it, but the blush didn’t lie.

  Sora noticed. He wasn’t dumb.

  Did I overdo it with the “Big Sis Aeris” bit? I only said it to help her loosen up… but it seems it hit deeper than I expected.

  He didn’t feel bad about it. Just… a little guilty. And yet he couldn’t deny that seeing her so clumsily affected by something he’d said warmed him in a gentle way.

  Soon enough, they finished eating. Aeris stood first, cleared the dishes as usual, and took them to the kitchen. A little later she returned to the study, where Sora was still leafing through the knights’ book. She paused a second in the doorway, drew a deep breath as if bracing herself, and then approached with her customary smile… a touch shyer this time.

  “Would you… like to continue the lessons, Sora?” she asked, doing her best not to trip over her own voice.

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  He glanced at her from the corner of his eye, wearing that half-mischievous smile that seemed to enjoy watching her wrestle with her shyness. But he said nothing, he only nodded, eager.

  Aeris settled beside him, and they took up the slate and chalk again. Afternoon light slipped through the window, carrying with it the warmth of a new bond beginning to form between them, beyond roles and duties.

  A real bond.

  By midafternoon, as the sun began to dip gently in Floraris’ clear sky, the front door opened with the distinctive sound of an old latch. Aeris and Sora were still in the study, reviewing words on the little slate, when the echo of voices drifted in from the entryway.

  Sora lifted his head, distracted. Those voices weren’t familiar… at least not to him, Adriel—the reincarnated soul. But something inside him stirred. His heart, the heart of young Sora, recognized them. Blurry, smudged memories, yet steeped in genuine feeling.

  Who…?

  Before he could form the question, Tsukari appeared in the study doorway with that sweet smile and a mischievous curve to her lips that Sora was starting to find suspiciously dangerous.

  “Son, I’m back,” she sang. “And I brought guests.”

  Sora swallowed. That smile didn’t spell anything bad, but it definitely promised something he probably wasn’t emotionally prepared for.

  Then, behind Tsukari, a small figure peeked timidly around the doorframe.

  A young face, wearing a look somewhere between confident and charming. Dark hair gathered partly into a low ponytail. Bright eyes alive, curious. Her gaze met Sora’s, and in that instant, the world seemed to freeze.

  Her name surfaced in his mind at once.

  Nanami.

  The name rang out, stirring warm feelings from the past… not the distant past of Adriel, but the other past. The recent past of little Sora.

  A close friend. Perhaps the closest.

  Sora froze, as if a wave of emotions had crashed over him. It was the first time since regaining his memories that he’d seen someone from the innermost circle of the boy he had been. And he didn’t know how to act. Should he greet her like always? Play it cool? Treat her like a stranger?

  Nothing came out of his mouth.

  Nanami looked at him in puzzlement for a second, tilting her head in a charming little gesture.

  “Sora?” she asked softly. “Are you okay?”

  That tone of voice… so familiar. So close.

  And yet, now everything felt different.

  Her question set off an alarm in Sora’s mind.

  Shit, think, think, think! he screamed inwardly, trying to keep his face from showing the avalanche of confusion slamming into him. He couldn’t afford to act weird not in front of someone so close to the old Sora.

  With a slightly stiff smile, and trying not to sound artificial, he answered:

  “H-hi, Nanami… long time no see…”

  The moment he said it, he realized how forced it sounded. That wasn’t how they talked. He felt it instantly… and so did Nanami.

  She blinked. Her expression turned uncertain for a heartbeat. This wasn’t the energy of her usual friend. Normally, Sora greeted her with a huge smile and a “Nanami! Let’s play!” This time it was different, like an adult speaking from inside a small body.

  But after that beat of confusion, Nanami simply gave a gentle smile, as if choosing to ignore it… or maybe to watch a little longer before saying anything.

  “You’re better now, right?” she said, taking a tiny step toward him. “Mom and Dad told me I couldn’t come see you these last days like always because you were feeling sick. I was worried about you… I missed you.”

  Her words were sincere. Her voice, soft almost trembling. It wasn’t dramatic; it was the genuine childlike concern of someone who deeply cherishes her best friend and has been missing him.

  Sora felt a pang in his chest.

  You missed her too, didn’t you? he thought as he looked at her. The feeling that welled up wasn’t only empathy for little Sora, it was a deeper connection taking root in his new self.

  He had to handle this well—and fast.

  Sora lowered his gaze for a moment, trying to process the emotion rising in him. The pure way Nanami had said she’d missed him touched something inside.

  “I… missed you too,” he answered soft at first, almost hesitant, but sincere.

  Seeing her there, standing before him with that expectant little face, Sora remembered what their relationship had been like before he recovered his memories. He remembered how they played, how they laughed, how they understood each other without even speaking. He drew a breath and decided to try.

  He shifted his tone, forcing his body to adopt that brighter, more childlike energy. More like the little Sora.

  “Wanna play, Nanami!?” he said with a grin, imitating the old enthusiasm.

  Nanami’s eyes lit up like a beacon. The worry vanished at once, replaced by that mischievous spark she only showed when adventure was on the table.

  “Yes! Let’s go!” she cried, thrilled.

  Without giving him time to react, she grabbed his hand and tugged him hard down the hallway. Sora, steps clumsy, tried to keep pace as he was whisked toward the back garden.

  In the middle of that little forced sprint, Sora turned his face toward Aeris, who was still in the study. He gave her a guilty look, apologizing for abandoning the lesson. From the doorway, Aeris met his gaze with a warm, calm smile, nodding with an expression that clearly said, It’s fine go have fun.

  Near the threshold that connected the house to the back garden, Sora glanced again—this time toward the entryway, where his mother and Liora, Nanami’s mother, still stood. Tsukari watched them with a conspiratorial smile and a mischievous glint that said, “Well, well… look at you, my son,” while she waved him off with a gentle flick of her hand.

  It was obvious Tsukari was savoring every second of the scene. Perhaps out of nostalgia for her own childhood… or simply the happiness of seeing her son begin to live his.

  Out in the back garden, while Solyesta’s warm breeze whispered through the trees and set the leaves to a comforting rustle, Nanami’s gaze slid to the little table that still held the slate and books Aeris had been using with Sora.

  With that pure curiosity so very her, she turned to him and asked,

  “What were you doing with those books and that slate with Aeris?”

  Sora—still a little flushed from the sprint she’d dragged him into dusted off his trousers before answering naturally.

  “I asked Aeris to teach me to read,” he said, sitting down on the grass. “She’s been reading to me these last few days while I recovered… and I wanted to learn to do it on my own.”

  Nanami knelt beside him, eyes wide, clearly amazed.

  “Whoaa? She’s teaching you to read?” she repeated, a mix of excitement and surprise. “Is it hard? Do you really like reading those books full of words with no little drawings or anything?”

  As she spoke, her brow furrowed the tiniest bit. The excitement in her voice wasn’t just surprise; there was something else… a small spark of jealousy mixed with that competitive streak that always showed up when it came to Sora.

  Nanami didn’t envy him—she never had. But she couldn’t help feeling uneasy at the thought of him learning something important without her. They’d always done everything together… and the idea of him getting ahead in something without her brought a strange discomfort. One she didn’t fully understand… but felt intensely.

  “It’s interesting I’ve learned a lot from what Aeris has read me these days, Nanami,” Sora answered, looking up at Floraris’ clear sky with a serene smile.

  Nanami watched him closely, and though she tried to keep composed, Sora had already sensed that slight unease in his friend that hidden competitive glint behind her honey-colored eyes. He knew that expression well. It wasn’t bitter jealousy; it was a genuine desire not to be left behind, to keep sharing everything with him the way they always had.

  And then, without thinking too hard, the words slipped out of his mouth:

  “What if you learn to read with me, too?”

  It was almost a thought voiced aloud, one he hadn’t even meant to say… but it was already out.

  Nanami’s eyes lit up as if the very sky had brightened, and without a second’s hesitation she took Sora’s hand with a radiant smile.

  “Yes! I want to learn to read with you too!” she exclaimed, as if she’d been waiting for Sora to say it from the start.

  Sora blinked a couple of times. Oops… he thought. He wasn’t entirely sure whether that had been a mistake or a win. On the one hand, Aeris and he had already fallen into a quiet, almost intimate routine with those lessons. But on the other… something inside told him that having Nanami there would be special too. A new dynamic. A new adventure.

  So he just sighed wearily fond, but sincere, then gently squeezed her hand back.

  “Okay. We’ll both learn.”

  And in that moment, with Solyesta’s breeze brushing their faces and their friendship warm and intact, they shared one of those small decisions that, though simple, mark the heart forever.

  “Well… for now, let’s play,” Nanami said with a sly smile, grabbing a slightly worn leather ball they always used whenever they met. It was their little ritual.

  Sora nodded, though inside he felt a bit unsure. He remembered everything about how he used to play with her, but putting it into practice was another matter. Even so, he tried not to put on a show, but because he wanted to keep that spark alive in her eyes.

  They started kicking the ball back and forth, laughing, tossing silly comments, and joking the way two kids their age would. Sora wasn’t as energetic as the old him… but somehow, he kept pace. It wasn’t easy, but he enjoyed it. For the first time in a long while in either of his lives he felt he was simply being a child.

  The afternoon slipped by in laughter, games, and that gentle Floraris breeze that stroked the back garden like a whisper. Until, with the sun beginning to stain the sky amber, Sora panted a little and stopped.

  “Want to take a break, Nanami? I bet Aeris has a snack ready,” he said, wiping sweat from his brow with his sleeve.

  Nanami looked at him, a little puzzled. It was unusual for him to ask for a break, she was usually the one who tired first. But she said nothing. She smiled sweetly and nodded.

  “Okay. As long as it’s with you.”

  The two of them headed back toward the house. However, before they reached the threshold, a familiar figure appeared at the garden entrance.

  “Right on time,” Aeris said in her warm, calm voice, carrying a wooden tray with steaming cups of tea and both children’s favorite treats: Floraris-nectar cookies and little spiced-apple tarts.

  Without a word, the three of them sat at their usual table in the garden the spot that had already become Sora’s favorite corner. The atmosphere was so peaceful it felt dreamlike. Just the twilight, a good snack, and two people who were already becoming his home.

  Seated at the garden table, with cups of tea gently steaming before them and the sun beginning to slip behind the mountains, Nanami lifted her gaze and fixed her big, curious eyes on Sora. For a moment she said nothing; she simply watched him, head slightly tilted.

  “Today you’re different, Sora,” she said at last, sincere and without judgment. “Not weird… just different.”

  Sora had just taken a sip of tea and nearly spat it out in surprise. He coughed lightly, trying to cover it with a nervous throat-clear while every alarm in his head went off:

  Shit, did she notice? I worked so hard to act like always… Where did I slip? Was it how I talked? How I played?

  Before he could answer or think up a convincing excuse, Aeris who had sensed Sora’s tension from the first word stepped in with practiced gentleness, setting her cup on its saucer with a calm smile.

  “It’s just that Sora is still recovering from what happened a few days ago, right?” she said, looking at Nanami sweetly. “He still gets tired quickly, so sometimes he might seem a little different but don’t worry. He’s fine.”

  Nanami lowered her head a little, accepting the explanation without protest. She trusted Aeris, and her tone was so serene there was no room for doubt… at least not for someone their age.

  Even so, inside she wasn’t entirely convinced. She knew Sora. She’d known him for as long as she could remember. And though they were only five, in their world that friendship was as solid as any family bond. Something had changed… not in a bad way, but she was sure something in her friend was different now.

  For an instant, silence. Only the distant birdsong and the soft evening breeze stroking the garden leaves. Then, as if the awkward moment had never happened, Nanami picked up a cookie and held it out to Sora with a smile:

  “Here this one’s your favorite! But you owe me one next time.”

  Sora, regaining his composure, smiled in relief and nodded, accepting the gesture while thinking,

  Thank you, Aeris… you’re a blessing. Although… it looks like hiding this will be harder than I thought.

  He took the cookie from Nanami with a smile. That simple yet genuine gesture stirred a memory from deep within a friend from his previous life, someone he’d cherished, but whom he’d pushed away forever because of his distant, awkward self back then.

  For an instant, Sora’s heart tightened.

  I won’t mess it up this time.

  That silent yet powerful promise rang inside him.

  By the time the sun had nearly set, everyone had gathered in the sitting room. Tsukari, Liora, Aeris, Nanami, and Sora shared the day’s last moments with light chatter and farewells. It was clear the visit was wrapping up.

  Nanami usually came by almost every day when Sora was well. That explained their natural closeness, as if they’d always been inseparable. Now, with his past memories, Sora understood how valuable that bond was.

  When Nanami was about to leave with her mother, her eyes settled on Sora with an expectant look.

  He knew her well enough or rather, the old Sora did to know exactly what that look meant.

  Right! I promised she could learn to read with me…

  Without wasting a second, Sora turned to Aeris with a mischievous smile and a voice sweet as sugar:

  “Big Sis Aeris, I told Nanami this afternoon that you’ve been teaching me to read, and she wants to learn too. Could she join us for the lessons?”

  Aeris froze for a heartbeat. The line had caught her completely off guard… and in front of everyone, no less.

  That “Big Sis Aeris” echoed again in her heart, melting it and forcing her to fight with all her might not to show the blush rising to her face.

  “Of… of course, Sora,” she managed, placing a hand over her chest as if to steady herself. “As long as Lady Liora agrees.”

  Liora, watching the scene with a warm smile, nodded without hesitation:

  “Of course why not? I know I have nothing to worry about with you two. I’m happy Nanami spends time with someone who values her so much.”

  With that, the two began their farewells, and just before they stepped through the door, Sora shot Nanami a thumbs-up with a conspiratorial, triumphant look.

  She answered with a radiant smile that said everything.

  Behind them, Tsukari watched it all with shining eyes. She said nothing, but inside she was writhing with tenderness at the sight of her son and her best friend’s daughter sharing such a pure moment.

  Sora wasn’t looking directly at her, but a sudden chill ran down his back, making him turn slightly in suspicion.

  “...Mother?” he murmured under his breath, uneasy.

  From behind, Tsukari simply observed him with a serene expression… and a smile far too sweet not to be hiding something.

  The kind of smile only a mother has when she sees something beautiful blooming right before her eyes.

  No sooner had Nanami and Liora left than the door clicked shut and Tsukari slowly turned to Aeris and Sora with a mischievous smile and one eyebrow raised.

  “‘Big Sis Aeris’… huh?”

  Both of them jolted as if doused with cold water.

  Even Sora—the mastermind behind that tender verbal trap was left speechless, caught by his own mother.

  Tsukari regarded them with that blend of impishness and fondness so typical of her, as if she had witnessed something charming and had no intention of letting it slide.

  Aeris, red to the tips of her ears, could barely manage:

  “I-I have to get back to my duties!”

  With that, she spun on her heel and hurried off, leaving Sora utterly exposed alone before his inquisitive, curious mother.

  Tsukari folded her arms, still smiling, and watched him in silence for a few seconds that felt eternal to Sora.

  He swallowed and averted his gaze as if nothing had happened… but inside, my soul was already begging for divine help.

  Later, when Alvaron arrived home and night began to fall, the family gathered in the dining room for dinner.

  Sora, Tsukari, Alvaron, and Aeris shared a quiet evening meal, talking about the day’s events.

  Everything seemed normal… until Tsukari, with the same playful tone as before, dropped the inevitable question while flicking a sidelong glance first at Aeris and then at her son:

  “So… how did the lessons go today?”

  The word lessons carried an extra weight, a hidden note that neither of the two targets missed.

  Sora shifted in his seat, searching for a neutral answer.

  “W-well… I learned several new words.”

  Aeris, still a little flushed, nodded quickly.

  “Yes, he made a lot of progress… it was a very productive day.”

  Tsukari watched them in silence for a beat, then simply gave a maternal smile and kept eating, satisfied.

  Sora sighed inwardly. He didn’t know if he’d come out unscathed from that interrogation disguised as family conversation… but at least neither he nor Aeris got scolded.

  That was already a win.

  After dinner came the part of the day Sora liked least: bath time. The moment he heard his mother say “let’s get you bathed,” a chill ran down his back. It wasn’t that he hated bathing just… the situation itself was uncomfortable. No matter how many times he went through it, being helped like a small child still hit him hard. And he knew he didn’t have a choice.

  With her usual natural sweetness, Tsukari took him by the hand to the bath and began to get everything ready. Sora kept quiet, letting it happen, eyes fixed on the wall as if trying to disconnect from the moment. In his mind the same thoughts looped over and over: Please let this be quick… please don’t take as long as yesterday…

  Even so, he couldn’t deny how careful his mother was. She washed his hair gently, especially attentive around the area near his horn. She was so soft with him that at times the discomfort thinned out, replaced by a kind of nostalgia he didn’t fully understand.

  When was the last time someone cared for me like this… in my previous life?

  Once he was clean and dry, Tsukari dressed him in fresh pajamas scented with gentle herbs, lifted him into her arms, and carried him tenderly to his room. She opened the door carefully so as not to make a sound and tucked him into bed as if he were the greatest of treasures.

  Before saying goodbye, she bent down and kissed his forehead just to the right of his horn.

  “Good night, my darling… may you dream of lovely things,” she whispered.

  Sora, his eyes already half-closed, gave her a sleepy smile. The day had been long and full of emotion: the reading, the reunion with Nanami, the new skill… it had all worn him out.

  But before drifting off, he made a small adjustment. With some effort, he rolled onto his back completely.

  “I don’t want another torn pillow…” he murmured, half-asleep, while his mother chuckled softly from the doorway.

  Little by little, Sora’s breathing became slow and steady. And so, with the moon’s gentle light spilling through the window and covering him like a mantle, he slipped into a deep sleep—this time with a quiet smile on his face.

  ...

  Adriel wakes to another workday.

  The insistent buzz of the alarm tears him out of sleep like a knife, cutting through any trace of rest. He reaches out sluggishly, grabs his phone, and shuts it off. He opens his eyes, still heavy with fatigue. In his mind, the same bitter line thunders as always:

  Damn… not another day.

  He rushes through getting ready, running on automated routine, and heads out to work. Another day of nightmare. Another day in that overwhelming grind. Traffic, noise, haste. A soulless job, endless hustle, constant pressure. His coworkers look at him with disdain, and though he knows they’re the ones making mistakes, it’s always him who takes the blame. They make him feel useless, out of place. And maybe… he was.

  The days pass. One after another, bleeding together as if time didn’t matter. A loop with no exit. A prison with no bars. Each day a replica of the last, each night a stifled sigh before sleep. Adriel feels himself splintering, little by little. Despair eats at him. He feels like he’s going to lose his mind.

  Until suddenly…

  A jolt. A ragged breath.

  “Hah…!” he pants, bolting upright.

  Sora shoots up in bed, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving as if he’d run for miles. He looks around, confused, trapped between two realities. Where was he? Who was he now?

  “A nightmare…?” he whispers, voice trembling. “I didn’t think the memories of that old life would hit me like this…”

  He presses a hand to his chest. It hurts but not physically… it’s an echo, a shadow of the emotional pain he still carries as Adriel. The emptiness, the loneliness, the frustration… all of it surges back for an instant.

  He’s shaking. The fear is still there—unseen, but tangible.

  Then the door opens softly.

  “Son…?” Tsukari’s sweet, worried voice strokes the air like a caress.

  She had sensed Sora’s distress from her room and didn’t hesitate to come. Seeing the shadowed look on his face, she went straight to him, sat beside him on the bed, and caressed his cheek with tender care.

  “Did you have a nightmare?” she asked, laying a hand on her son’s forehead, fearing for a moment the fever had returned.

  Sora tried to answer, but his voice shook. He clung to the present, to the warmth of that hand, to the love in his mother’s eyes—and little by little, his breathing began to steady.

  “I… I’m okay,” he murmured at last, his voice still raw. “It was just… a bad dream.”

  As Tsukari held him close, Sora understood once more the magnitude of the gift he’d received: a new life, a new family, and the chance to do things right.

  Before Tsukari arrived, he hadn’t been able to calm down. He kept trembling, his chest crushed by a fear he couldn’t name. That nightmare… it had been more than a simple bad dream. It was a memory wrapped in anguish a fragment of his former life that dragged him violently back into a reality that no longer belonged to him.

  But everything changed the instant he felt his mother’s arms around him.

  The warmth, the tenderness, that unmistakably maternal gentleness was enough to shatter the fog of fear. Sora clung to her tightly, as if letting go would allow the darkness to seize him again.

  “What happened in that nightmare?” Tsukari asked, worried, stroking her son’s hair. “Did you see a monster?”

  Sora, voice broken and still shaking, slowly shook his head. His grip tightened, as if he needed to anchor himself to reality through her.

  “I don’t want to talk about it…” he whispered, almost a plea. “Please, Mother… could you stay with me for a while?”

  At those words, Tsukari’s heart melted completely. In that moment she needed no explanations. She could feel her son’s pain, deep and unfathomable and she knew, without a doubt, this wasn’t a simple childhood fright.

  With her usual sweetness, she eased him back onto the bed and lay down beside him, wrapping him in her arms. Her hand stroked his silver hair just beside the horn while she tried to pour safety and comfort into every gentle motion.

  “Would you like me to tell you one of those stories you love so much?” she whispered in his ear with a warm smile. “It’s been days since you last asked me for one…”

  Sora nodded in silence, letting his breathing fall in step with his mother’s. Little by little, the inner storm faded. Tsukari began to tell a story about a band of adventurers traveling across Elythera in search of knowledge, treasures, and ancient secrets of the world. She spoke with such detail, such feeling, that Sora couldn’t help but think it wasn’t simply a story. Was she speaking from experience?

  The old Sora had adored tales like these—and the new one… was beginning to as well. As he listened to his mother’s gentle voice, he felt his anguish turn to peace.

  Slowly, his eyes drifted closed. And this time, there were no nightmares.

  Only the warm sense of a home that truly awaited him…

  of a family that loved him…

  He wasn’t alone.