Chapter 15: Last Bonus Chapter

[Scene: Inside Star Academy's greenhouse courtyard. Mira Kisaragi is tending to some rare magical plants when Sylvia Estelle walks in, holding a small silver case.]

Sylvia:

You're always here when you want to avoid people, huh?

Mira:

(slight smile)

And yet, you still manage to find me. What brings the famous heiress of Estelle Tech here?

Sylvia:

Not fame—just business. But today… maybe a little curiosity too. About you and Kain.

Mira:

(sighs)

You're surprisingly blunt. What about us?

Sylvia:

Yujin told me bits. That you two used to be close. I just wanted to know… why did it fall apart?

Mira:

He was… too focused on himself. His growth, his strength, his path. I didn't mind at first, but eventually, I became just a background character in his story.

Sylvia:

You still care about him, though.

Mira:

Maybe. Or maybe I just miss who we used to be. What about you, Sylvia? You're close to Yujin. Is this curiosity just about Kain?

Sylvia:

(smiling gently)

Maybe I understand what it's like to care for someone who hides too much behind their strength. Yujin's the same… always pretending he's fine. But I won't let him carry everything alone.

Mira:

Then maybe you'll succeed where I failed.

Sylvia:

Or maybe we both just need to stop waiting for them to reach out… and start reaching out ourselves.

[They share a quiet moment, the wind rustling through the glowing plants around them.]

Mira:

You're not bad company, Estelle.

Sylvia:

Neither are you, Kisaragi. Maybe we should do this more often.

[They exchange a soft, knowing smile.]