A Midnight chat

The mansion was quiet.

The team had finally gone to their rooms, exhaustion weighing on their bodies after everything that had happened.

But sleep didn't come easily.

Not for Hugo.

Not for Stella.

And—unknown to them—not for Iris, either.

Hugo stood in the mansion's outdoor training area, the night air cool against his skin.

The stars above shined softly, casting faint light over the ancient battleground that had once been the base of Eclipse Requiem.

He held Cosmos in his hands.

But for the first time in a long while—he didn't swing it.

He just stood there.

Thinking.

Remembering.

"Without Eclipse Mode… you're nothing."

Xander's words still clawed at his mind.

He had sworn to unlock Eclipse Mode.

But how?

Even after everything—his body still refused to awaken it.

His grip on Cosmos tightened.

Then—a voice broke the silence.

"You're not asleep either, huh?"

Hugo turned.

Stella stood near the entrance of the training grounds, her arms crossed, golden eyes watching him carefully.

She wasn't in her usual battle attire—instead, she wore a loose shirt and comfortable pants, clearly dressed for sleep but unable to actually rest.

Hugo sighed, lowering Cosmos. "Couldn't sleep."

Stella took a few slow steps forward.

"...Me neither."

She stopped a few feet from him, looking at the ground.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then—Stella exhaled sharply.

"I should've been there."

Hugo blinked. "What?"

"When you fell against Xander."

Her hands clenched into fists.

"When you were on your knees. When you were shaking. When you couldn't move."

She looked up at him, frustration flickering behind her golden eyes.

"I should've been the first one at your side, Hugo."

"But I wasn't."

Her voice was quieter now.

"It was Iris who ran to you first."

She let out a bitter chuckle. "I didn't even move. I just—stood there. Watching. Like I was helpless."

Her fists trembled slightly.

"And now I keep thinking…" she whispered, "If I couldn't even be there for you then… how am I supposed to stand by your side when the real war starts?"

Hugo stared at her.

He hadn't expected this.

He had thought he was the only one struggling with that battle.

But Stella…

She had her own demons from it too.

He sighed, looking back at the sky.

"Stella."

She glanced at him.

"You don't need to prove anything."

Her eyes narrowed. "That's not the point—"

"I know what you're feeling."

Hugo turned to her fully now, his white eyes calm but serious.

"Back in the old days… I used to think the same thing."

He let out a small, dry chuckle.

"Every time Xander and I fought side by side, I thought—'Am I strong enough to be here?'"

"I thought if I wasn't strong enough, I'd fall behind."

He looked at her, his voice steady.

"But that's not what makes someone stand by another's side."

"It's not just strength."

"It's the will to keep moving forward. No matter how many times you fall. No matter how weak you feel."

He smirked slightly. "You think I didn't see you back there? The moment I lost, you were ready to fight. Even after everything, you still stood back up."

Stella's breath caught slightly.

Hugo shrugged. "That's what matters."

She stared at him for a long moment.

Then—she sighed.

"...You're really annoying when you're right, you know that?"

Hugo chuckled. "Yeah, I've been told."

Stella shook her head, a small smile breaking through her frustration.

For the first time since the fight, she felt like she could breathe again.

And neither of them noticed the third person watching.

Hidden behind the stone archway, Iris stood in silence.

She hadn't meant to eavesdrop.

But when she saw Hugo leave his room, she had followed out of habit.

Then Stella had shown up.

And now—here she was.

Listening.

Watching.

And for some reason…

Something stirred inside her.

She didn't smirk.She didn't tease.

She just…felt.

A feeling she couldn't quite name.

A feeling that she shoved down before it could grow.

Instead, she turned away, stepping back into the shadows.

Leaving Hugo and Stella alone.

And as she walked away, her silver eyes lingered on the ground.

"…Idiot," she muttered under her breath.

She wasn't sure who she was talking about.

Hugo?

Stella?

Or herself?

After her talk with Hugo, Stella finally made her way back to her room.

The hallways were quiet, dimly lit by the soft glow of Arcana-powered lanterns.

Her body felt heavy, exhaustion finally catching up to her.

She pushed open the door, expecting silence.

Lena was still asleep, her slow breathing steady.

But to Stella's surprise—

Iris was awake.

Sitting on her bed, arms crossed, eyes sharper than usual.

It was clear—she had been waiting.

Stella hesitated for a moment. "...You're still up?"

Iris gave a small smirk, but it lacked her usual teasing edge. "And so are you."

Stella sighed, shutting the door behind her. "...Yeah."

She sat on her own bed, rubbing her temples.

For a few moments, neither spoke.

Then, Stella finally broke the silence.

"Iris."

Iris raised an eyebrow.

"...What do you think about Hugo?"

Iris blinked, caught off guard. "Huh?"

Stella looked at her seriously.

"How do you feel about him?"

Iris stared at her for a moment.

Then, with no hesitation, she answered.

"I want to see him happy."

Stella's eyes widened slightly.

Iris's smirk softened into something more… real.

"After he rescued me when I was younger," she said, voice quieter now, "I realized something."

She glanced away.

"Hugo's the kind of person who always carries the weight of the world on his shoulders."

"He fights, he protects, he sacrifices everything—but… when was the last time he did something for himself?"

Stella listened intently.

Iris leaned back against the headboard, exhaling.

"I don't care about strength or titles. I just…"

She hesitated, then shrugged.

"I just want to see him smile one day. A real one."

Stella felt a strange weight in her chest.

Because—

She felt the exact same way.

Iris turned to her.

"And what about you?"

Stella opened her mouth—then paused.

She thought about everything.

The way she had idolized Hugo as a child.The way he had inspired her to fight.The way she had felt when he fell to Xander.

And finally, the way she had felt tonight, when he reminded her to keep moving forward.

Her fingers clenched the sheets.

"...I feel the same way," she admitted softly.

"I just… want to see him happy."

For a moment, there was silence.

Then—Iris sighed.

"Well, it's not gonna happen."

Stella looked up, brows furrowing. "What?"

Iris's silver eyes dimmed slightly.

"No matter how we feel about him," she said, voice quieter now, "it doesn't matter."

"Because he still hasn't moved on from Mina."

Stella's breath hitched.

She knew Hugo had lost someone important.

She knew it haunted him.

But hearing it out loud—hearing it in such a definitive way—

It hurt.

Iris leaned back, her gaze drifting toward the ceiling.

"He still plays her harmonica."

"He still looks at the past more than the future."

"And until he lets go… no one else will ever reach him."

Stella sat there, silent.

Because deep down—she knew Iris was right.

Neither of them said anything more.

And for the rest of the night—they both lay awake, lost in thought.