Last meeting

It's morning and the temple stood quietly at the edge of the cliff.

Its stone walls were covered in worn carvings moss clung to the cracks, and tiny white flowers peeked through between the slabs a pale, wind passed through the open archways carrying with it the smell of salt and wild grass.

There was a wooden board slightly tilted stuck into the wall there was written.

Goddess Sumi, The Protector of All

Two long benches stood in front of the shrine one faced the horizon the other faced the forest behind.

Nki sat on one of them, her legs pulled up, chin resting on her knees.

She stared at the view in silence.

Then.

Tap... Tap… Tap…

She turned her head at the sound of footsteps.

And there was.

Enix.

Standing a few feet away. His hair a little messier. His eyes looking at her.

Nki's eyes lit up immediately.

She stood up so fast the bench creaked, then ran straight toward him.

"Darlingggggg!" she squealed and jumped right into his chest.

Enix staggered slightly but caught her laughing as they spun just a little.

They stayed like that for a moment, arms wrapped tight her face buried in his shoulder.

Then they sat together on the bench, side by side, their shoulders touching.

"You okay?" Enix asked quietly, glancing at her.

Nki nodded with a soft smile.

"Are you okay?" she asked,

her voice lowering. "because that Judgement Hall thing."

Enix nodded.

"It was... scary I felt like i was a prisoner the whole time."

Nki chuckled, brushing her hair back.

Then her smile faded slightly.

She looked at him with more serious eyes.

"So… you already know, right?"

Enix's expression shifted.

He gave a small nod.

"Yeah... Today's the last day… the last time we'll see each other for a while."

Nki lowered her head, her lips pressing into a thin line.

A breeze passed.

"…Are you fine with it?" she asked. "You know… with us being apart like this?"

Enix looked straight ahead, then turned to her with a soft, warm smile.

And then he said.

"No matter what state I'm in… no matter where I am… You'll always be the only one I think about in my heart my love for you won't escape away from me because my heart's already locked onto yours."

Nki's eyes widened.

Her cheeks turned red almost instantly.

Without a word, she leaned in slowly and kissed him on the cheek.

Then whispered.

"Yes, yes, my romantic, handsome, elegant, wonderful future husband…"

Enix's entire face flushed red as he gently cupped his cheeks.

"…I won't be able to beat you up for a while," Nki said, smiling with a mischievous glint. "So take that kiss as a gift."

Enix looked away shyly.

"…Is that all you're giving me?" he muttered.

Nki raised an eyebrow.

"Why? You wanna make babies or something?"

"W-WHAT?!" Enix gasped, nearly falling off the bench.

Nki burst out laughing, holding her stomach as her face lit up with mischief.

Enix stared at her for a second.

Then shook his head… and smiled.

Elsewhere

A luxury room stood glowing under the soft orange lights of dusk the floors were polished white marble the kitchen behind was sparkling clean and organized to perfection, every cup aligned, every surface wiped.

On a wide soft sofa Koru sat with one leg crossed and beside him, Aaru lounged with his feet propped on the coffee table.

"…Sir Haiso," Koru said, arms crossed. "Do you understand what I mean?"

From inside the open kitchen, a voice called out.

Deep sharp and tired.

"Yes, yes i understand i'm going to Fukuoka to train the girl make her strong… blah blah blah."

Koru exhaled slowly running a hand down his face.

"Please be serious," he muttered.

"You cannot take Hena with you." he added.

There was silence for a second.

Then the clatter of a spoon hitting the floor.

"Huh?! Why not?! I was gonna make it a vacation!"

Aaru snorted and gave Koru a little smirk.

"Well....he's still the same," he muttered.

Koru gritted his teeth.

"You cannot take her It's dangerous out there this isn't some tropical trip leave her here let her stay with us at the department."

Suddenly a loud wail came from the kitchen.

"NOOOO!! The milk powder! Huhuuhuhuhu!!"

Aaru blinked.

Koru sighed.

They both stared toward the kitchen.

In disbelief.

After some moments.

A soft ticking echoed in the quiet hallway.

Mounted on a cream colored wall, surrounded by hand drawn maps and old prayer scrolls, was a round, bronze clock its second hand moved with a faint click click click as the numbers glowed dimly under the filtered afternoon light.

2:28 PM.

Outside the main gates of the Deviner Society the wind rolled softly through the open field.

Two figures stood face to face near the white gravel path.

Nki and Enix.

Behind Nki stood Aaru and Koru both calm and quiet.

Behind Enix, Geli and Lali stood watching silently.

The moment felt like a pause in time.

Enix looked into her eyes.

His voice was low and steady.

"Take care…"

Nki nodded her hair brushing her cheeks in the wind.

"You too," she said softly. "Be safe."

Koru turned his head slightly.

"We'll return after dropping her at the airport," he said.

Lali raised her hand half heartedly and added, "Bring some cream buns for me please."

Enix blinked, confused.

Nki chuckled under her breath, then bent down to lift her luggage.

Before she could, Aaru stepped forward and took it from her without a word.

She looked up at him in surprise.

He glanced down and said.

"…Let's go."

With that the group began to move.

The wind blew a little stronger, brushing through the trees lining the stone path.

Nki turned her head mid step and waved one arm high into the air.

"Bye byeeeee!" she shouted.

Geli cupped her hands around her mouth.

"Take careee Nki!! Use the potions I gave you however you want!!"

Nki replied from afar.

"Yesss! Thanks for that!!"

Then she stopped for a second and looked over her shoulder and smiled brightly at Enix.

"Darling!"

Enix blinked eyes meeting hers.

She grinned like a mischievous fairy.

"Don't forget to send nudes in chat!"

Enix choked.

"BRUH—?!"

Then....

She was gone.

Walking away with her hair swaying and Aaru carrying her luggage like a grumpy bodyguard.

Koru followed behind them with hands in his pockets.

Lali and Geli turned around in sync.

"Alright!" Geli clapped her hands. "Let's go."

Enix stood there still staring at the empty gate where she disappeared.

The wind slowed.

He let out a small breath.

Then… smiled gently.

"…Yes."

He turned around and followed Geli and Lali back inside.

A little far ahead under the departing clouds, Nki looked up at the sky.

Her eyes were clear.

Sharp.

Then together both Enix and Nki says.

"Until next time...."