Chapter 369: The Beginning Of The End [XXXI]

They stayed like that for the rest of the hour, basically sitting close to each other while having their hands lightly intertwined.

Every now and then, they exchanged small stories.

Lunara spoke about the strange problems she had dealt with as the Student Class President: students trying to steal academy badges, a duel that accidentally burned half the training yard, and a girl who kept summoning frogs into the cafeteria by mistake.

Aestrea listened with a quiet smile.

And although her voice stayed mostly calm and flat, he could hear tiny hints of pride, irritation, and even embarrassment between her words.

Perhaps that was part of his imagination, but he didn’t exactly care.

Then, the instant the hour struck, Lunara abruptly stood up, straight as a ruler.

“It’s time for the next spot!” she declared with crisp certainty.

“You really are following a schedule down to the second, aren’t you?” Aestrea blinked and let out a small sigh.

“Of course,” she replied, grabbing his wrist again, but this time, her hold was softer, more careful.

“A proper date requires precise timing for maximum emotional impact.”

“…I’m afraid to ask what that means.”

“You will understand soon,” Lunara said matter-of-factly.

She led him out of the observation dome and back into the sunlight.

The street was a little busier now, filled with the soft chatter of students and the smell of warm pastries from the bakery nearby.

“Where are we going this time?” he asked.

“A location ideal for bonding and relaxation,” she answered without looking back.

“That tells me nothing.”

“That is intentional.”

He sighed again.

They turned a corner, passing the academy’s main plaza.

Aestrea noticed something interesting: Lunara wasn’t pulling him anymore.

She was holding his hand, not like someone dragging an item, but like someone who didn’t want to lose the person beside her.

It was subtle, but he felt it.

Soon they arrived at their destination: a small, peaceful park with a stone path, lush trees, and a crystal-clear pond reflecting the sky like a perfect mirror.

Children were feeding small spirit-birds near the water while a few students sat under the shade, reading books.

Aestrea blinked.

“This is… surprisingly normal for you.”

“Normal can be optimal.” Lunara gave a little sniff, as if offended.

“So this is the next spot on your plan?”

“Yes.” She nodded seriously. “This is the ’Calming Stage.’ I calculated that after sharing personal stories, couples require a period of peaceful silence to process their emotions.”

Aestrea stared at her.

“…You’re unbelievable.”

“I take that as a compliment.”

“Alright then. What do we do here?” Aestrea laughed softly, shaking his head.

Lunara pointed toward a bench under a tree, surrounded by soft light filtering through the leaves.

“We sit,” she muttered.

“Together. And enjoy the quiet.”

He raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“Just that?”

“Yes.” Her voice softened slightly.

“I… wanted a place where you could rest, after all… you’ve switched positions with me during that trial against Ardeon… so that must have spent a lot of your divine energy, no?”

Aestrea’s expression softened slighly at her worries. Honestly, it didn’t spend even a single unit of energy, but seeing her mechanical but slighly worried face, he nodded.

“Then lead the way,” he said.

Lunara guided him toward the park bench beneath the soft shade of a tall tree.

The sunlight filtered through the leaves like drifting gold, forming warm patterns on the ground.

A gentle breeze brushed past them, carrying the scent of flowers from somewhere deeper in the park.

Aestrea moved to sit normally, before Lunara suddenly stopped him with a strong tug on his arm.

“No.” She sat down first, perfectly straight, and patted her lap.

“Sit here.”

Aestrea blinked at her.

“…On your lap?”

“Yes.” Lunara nodded with full seriousness.

“According to several male students I interrogated… I mean, interviewed, boys find it comforting when a girl lets them lie on her lap. It is said to create… warmth.”

Aestrea stared at her for a moment.

“Lunara… you interrogated students for date advice?”

“I asked direct questions,” she corrected with a small huff. “Some of them fainted. Their weakness is not my fault.”

“You really planned everything.” He couldn’t help but laugh again.

“Yes,” she replied, almost shyly.

“For you.”

Those words alone made Aestrea feel better, so he didn’t argue much.

He simply smiled, lowered himself gently, and rested his head on her lap.

Her thighs were surprisingly soft for someone so sharp and machine-like. Lunara stiffened at first, her mechanical eyes widening slightly, but then she relaxed, her hand slowly lifting.

She placed her palm on his head and began to carefully run her fingers through his hair slowly, gently… as if she was afraid he might break or something.

Aestrea let out a quiet breath.

“…This is nice.”

“I… I am glad,” Lunara replied, her voice softer than he had ever heard it.

For a moment, they simply stayed like that. The breeze, the sunlight, her touch… all of it blended into a calm, peaceful silence.

Then Aestrea opened his eyes again.

“Lunara,” he called out to her, “there’s something I want to ask.”

Her fingers paused for half a second.

“What is it?”

“It’s about the Valkyric Division,” he said. “After you killed Ardeon… what happened to the rest?”

Lunara did not flinch at the mention of death. Instead, her fingers resumed their gentle movements through his hair.

“The Academy responded immediately,” she explained. “Once his actions were exposed, the Valkyric Division lost its protection. The Academy’s private forces mobilized at full strength.”

Aestrea listened quietly.

“They surrounded the division’s main base, dislocated every unit, destroyed their weapon storage, and seized all special treasures kept inside.” She glanced at the pond ahead.

“Everything useful was taken. All resources were redirected to the Academy. To strengthen it. To prevent such corruption from growing again.”

Aestrea nodded slowly.

“So it’s gone… completely.”

“Yes,” Lunara confirmed. “There were no survivors among the corrupt officers. The innocent staff members were moved to other departments.”

“Makes sense,” he nodded again.

“But that is not all,” Lunara continued. “The Academy received a message shortly after the operation. From one of its main sponsors.”

“Which sponsor?” Aestrea asked casually.

“The Goddess of Light.”

Aestrea froze.

His body tensed slightly against her lap, and Lunara, who felt even the smallest movement, stopped talking immediately.

“Aestrea?” she asked, her hand hovering above his head.

“Is something wrong?”

He quickly shook his head, trying to come up with the best excuse possible.

“N-No! Of course not! It’s just… maybe I’ll… get the chance to see the Goddess of Light in person!”

Lunara’s eyes narrowed in the most adorable yet mechanical glare he had ever seen.

Smack!

Without a warning, her fingers flicked his forehead.

“Ow—! Lunara, what was that for?!” Aestrea groaned, grabbing his head.

She puffed her cheeks slightly.

“You reacted too strongly.”

“Too strongly?! I just—”

“Too strongly,” she repeated firmly.

Aestrea sighed dramatically, then reached up, took her hand, and brought it to his lips. He placed a soft kiss on the back of her fingers.

Lunara froze again.

“…Stop doing things like that without warning,” she whispered, looking away with burning cheeks.

“You hit me without warning too,” he teased.

“That is different.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

He laughed.

Eventually, Lunara cleared her throat and continued, though her voice carried a shy tremble.

“As I was saying… the Goddess of Light plans to visit the Academy personally. She wishes to observe students with high potential and offer positions in her faction. Those chosen will receive early graduation and divine training.”

Aestrea’s eyes widened.

“Early graduation…? That’s… quite surprising.”

“It is,” Lunara nodded.

“Many students are excited. Some are terrified. Personally…” She hesitated, fingers brushing his hair again.

“I do not know what she will think of you.”

Aestrea blinked.

“Of me?”

“Yes.” Her voice softened.

“You draw attention without trying. Even goddesses notice you.”

“Are you jealous?”

“No.” Lunara looked away.

“You are.”

“No,” she insisted again, but her cheeks were tinted pink, her fingers brushing his cheek more possessively than before.

Aestrea smiled up at her, eyes half-lidded.

“Well,” he murmured, “even if the Goddess of Light does notice me… she won’t steal me from you.”

Lunara froze at his words.

For a second, she even forgot how to breathe. Her eyes widened, and shimmered as her expression slowly melted.

For the first time, her lips curved into a warm, genuine smile.

Phew~

The wind blew as she leaned down, her long hair falling over his forehead like a soft curtain.

Then she closed her eyes, her eyelashes brushing his skin as she placed a gentle, lingering kiss on his forehead.

A kiss filled with emotion, she didn’t know how to speak.

When she pulled back, her eyes opened, glowing faintly.

“…Even if she does notice you,” Lunara whispered.

“I wouldn’t let her take you from me.”

Aestrea surprisingly felt his heartbeat quicken at her words.

He pushed himself up slightly from her lap, bringing his face closer, close enough to feel her breath brush against his lips.

Lunara didn’t move.

Instead, she gazed at him with open vulnerability as if she was offering him her entire heart without realizing it.

“Aestrea…” she breathed, his name falling from her lips like a prayer she had never learned to say.

Her hand slid instinctively to cup his cheek, her touch careful, almost hesitant. She wasn’t used to holding something fragile.

He placed his hand over hers, guiding it gently.

“It’s okay,” he whispered.

“I’m right here.”

“Hah…”

Her breath hitched.

Then, slowly, beautifully leaned in, and their lips met in a soft, delicate kiss.

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