It had been two long months. No messages. No visits. Not even a single word.
Rose hadn't contacted anyone since the mission.
Not even Aika.
And that... hurt more than Aika wanted to admit.
She's my best friend. If something's wrong, why won't she tell me?
Aika stood silently behind a corner wall, watching from a distance as Miu—one of the few people rumored to have access to restricted medical sectors—skipped along like everything was fine.
But it's not fine. Rose hasn't been seen in two months. They keep saying it's some 'condition,' but no one's allowed in. Not even me.
She narrowed her eyes.
That's why I'm doing this. Miu's careless. She hums too loud, skips too much, and never checks behind her. I'll stay out of sight, hug the walls, and when she goes in—I'll know where Rose is.
Aika inhaled quietly.
I'm sorry, Rose… but I need to know the truth. Even if you won't tell me.
She stepped out from the corner, keeping a careful ten paces behind Miu.
Miu's humming echoed lightly through the metallic corridors of the Mercury base. With a half-unwrapped egg sandwich in one hand and a bright drink in the other, she strolled lazily like someone with all the time in the world. Her long pink hair was a little messier than usual today, tied back just enough to keep it from dipping into the mayo.
She stopped by the cafeteria window, sniffing the air.
"Oooh~ Is that cinnamon?" she grinned, waving at a passing chef. Without hesitation, she grabbed a second sandwich and continued walking—now munching one in each hand, crumbs dotting her jacket.
Aika crept after her, slipping behind crates, hallways, and open doorframes with silent precision.
She really is Rose's teacher… same appetite, same obliviousness.
Suddenly, Miu glanced over her shoulder.
Aika ducked behind a nearby panel, heart pounding.
Miu eyes. For a moment, she paused… then shrugged and took another bite.
"Probably nothing," Miu muttered with a grin, swinging back into her pace.
Aika let out a quiet breath and moved again, keeping her steps feather-light. Her fingers tingled—her teleportation magic ready, just in case.
Eventually, Miu made it to the loading dock.
"Heyyy~ boys!" she called out, voice dripping with bubbly charm.
The nearby transport workers turned on reflex, a few of them tripping over crates as she waved playfully, lips still stained with mayonnaise.
"What's the shipment today?" she asked, brushing off her jacket.
"M-Medical supplies, Miss Miu!" one of the men blurted, cheeks red.
"Nice nice~" she smiled. "Headed to the restricted zone, yeah? I'm going that way anyway, so I'll just… hitch a ride!"
"Y-Yes ma'am!"
Miu hopped onto the transport's rear platform, legs swinging like a child as she slurped the last of her drink. She looked back—just once—eyes scanning the corridor.
Aika didn't move.
But her pulse jumped.
When Miu turned her head forward again, Aika made her move.
She waited for the workers to hoist the last crate. Then—blink. A single spark of light, and her body shimmered into place at the far back of the ship, tucked behind a stack of oxygen canisters.
She crouched low, breathing quiet and slow.
I don't know where she's going... but I have to follow.
The transport engines began to hum.
The bay doors shut.
Miu tapped her feet, humming again, completely unaware.
And below her, hidden in the dark—
Aika waited.
Determined. Silent. Watching.
Wherever this ship was going… she'd be there too.
As soon as the ship lifted off—All hell broke loose.
"WEEEEEEEEE!!!"
Miu's scream echoed through the cramped cockpit as the entire transport lurched forward like a rocket strapped to a soda can. The metal hull groaned under the strain as the pink-haired menace slammed every button with the glee of a toddler in an arcade.
"W-We're airborne, right? Okay! Let's try this one—OH! That one's shiny!!"
She twisted the yoke with both hands, the entire vessel banking hard to the left.
BANG! A crate slammed against the interior wall. Aika clung to the inner strut, her stomach flipping like a broken washing machine.
She's going to kill us, Aika mouthed silently, face pale as chalk. Her lips pressed together tightly, determined not to vomit inside her hiding spot.
The ship jerked again. Miu was laughing now.
"Y'know, I've always wanted to try one of these things solo! Sooo smooth~ Look! I think that switch made us faster! OH! OH! Is that a turbo mode!?"
The engines whined. Aika groaned. Her hair was flying wildly in every direction as the vessel began spinning slightly—then dipped low before leveling out with a jarring thud-thud-thud.
How can someone be this bad at flying... Aika thought, gripping a pipe above her head as another box slammed past her boots.
She tried to steady her breathing, forcing herself to stay focused.
This is fine. I just have to survive… whatever the hell this is.
The ship finally began to stabilize… kind of. Miu had apparently grown tired of pretending she was in a racing game and was now leaning her cheek against the steering column, humming a soft lullaby.
Outside, the flickering lights of the restricted zone appeared in the distance—cold towers rising from mercury sands, wrapped in security fields and faint glows of magic tech.
"Alright, alright" Miu chirped as the autopilot gently engaged.
The ship dipped lower, hovering into place above a guarded landing platform.
Aika braced herself one last time.
Thunk. The transport touched down with a heavy bounce…...and a squeaky "TADAAAA~" from Miu.
Inside the cargo hold, Aika collapsed quietly against the wall, her forehead damp with sweat.
I've been through war zones less terrifying than this… she whispered.
Now came the hard part—
Getting off this ship without being caught.
Miu hopped off the transport like she was skipping into a candy store, her heels clicking against the landing pad as she twirled with both arms out.
"Time to drop off the goods~!"
The massive doors to the Mercury Medical Facility hissed open. Two workers in dark gray uniforms came out immediately, clipboards in hand.
One squinted at the ship's scuffed exterior.
Knowing Miu... she probably damaged something.
The other sighed, rubbing his temples. "Let's just hope the damage isn't too bad—"
He yanked the hatch open—Only to be met with a sudden flash of blue light.
"Sleep!"
Aika's voice whispered out as the spell hit both men square in the chest. With a fwump, they slumped to the ground without a word.
"Sorry!" Aika whispered again, quickly snatching their ID cards. Her fingers trembled, but her eyes were sharp. I'll return them later... maybe.
She leapt down silently and dashed toward the now-open facility doors, weaving through the entry hall like a shadow. Security lights blinked above, and cameras rotated every few seconds.
Every step counts.
Guards were everywhere—some talking, some patrolling, and most armed with mana disruptors.
I have to move fast.
But then—
"Hey!"
Aika's heart stopped.
She turned sharply—Only to find a young guard approaching. Demi-cat. Golden ears perked up. Tail swishing like an excited pup.
This is bad, she thought, her magic beginning to form behind her fingertips.
But instead of drawing a weapon, the man simply smiled.
"Hey, you're part of Angel Squad, right?"
Aika blinked, stunned. "O-oh! Y-Yeah. Yes! I'm here doing an… inspection! Yeah! Gotta keep things… inspected."
He nodded, buying every word. "All right then, I'll leave you to it."
But Aika quickly added, "Umm, wait! One more thing—do you know where I can find Rose Valcrest?"
"Oh, her?" he said, tail curling casually. "VIP sector. Five floors underground. Room 40. Can't miss it."
"Thank you!!" Aika bowed quickly and ran off before he could ask another question.
She dove into the elevator, slamming the button with her palm. The doors closed behind her.
Hewh... okay... okay... They think I belong here. I have Angel Squad credentials… technically.
The numbers ticked down—-1F… -2F… -3F… -4F…
When it hit -5F, the doors slid open.
Aika stepped out into a pristine white corridor. Every wall was polished and lined with faint blue light strips. This level was quiet. Too quiet.
She counted each door.
"Thirty-five... thirty-six... thirty-seven..."
Her steps slowed. Her heart was racing.
"…Forty."
She stopped. A silver plate gleamed beside the door: "Room 40 – Restricted Access: VIP Medical Quarters."
Her hand hovered over the panel. She took a breath.
Rose is gonna be pissed... but I'm pissed too. We've known each other since kindergarten. She's my best friend. She disappeared without a word. No matter how serious her condition is… I won't panic. I won't cry. I'm going to be strong!
Her fist clenched tight.
And then—
SLAM! The door burst open.
"ROSE!! IT'S ME!! Your BESTEST FRIEND ever!!!"
The room froze.
It was spacious, bright, and softly lit with golden mana lamps. The bed in the center was elevated, white sheets neatly folded.
Sitting upright on the bed—Was Rose.
Pink hair slightly tousled. Green eyes wide in horror. A half-eaten cookie in one hand——And an enormous, round belly pressing against her gown. Her breasts were swollen too, barely contained under her hospital shirt.
She blinked.
Miu sat beside her, holding another cookie. Her head tilted, mouth slightly open.
Aika stood frozen at the door, eyes locked on the surreal sight before her.
The cookie in Rose's hand slowly dropped onto the sheets.
Then—"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!"
A screech loud enough to shatter glass exploded through the room.
Aika's ears rang as Rose dove under the blanket like a startled cat, tail puffed out beneath the covers.
"Y-YOU WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO SEE MEEEEEE!!!"
Miu just blinked—cutely, innocently—like this was all somehow perfectly normal.
"Uh oh," she whispered.
Then—YANK!
Rose, still wrapped in the blanket like a furious burrito, reached out and grabbed Miu by the collar with one hand.
"BIIICH!! WHAT IS SHE DOING HERE?! I TOLD YOU—NO BODY IS TO KNOW!"
Miu flailed, eyes wide. "I-I didn't know!! She must've followed me! Followed me!! Like a ninja! A sneaky little ninja!! I swear I didn't tell!"
Rose let her go with a groan, dropping back onto her bed with a loud puff of the pillow. Her face was bright red—equal parts rage and embarrassment.
Aika hadn't moved from the doorway.
Her eyes were glued to Rose's round, massive belly.
"…Rose…" she said, barely above a whisper.
Rose froze. "I—I can explain!"
But Aika stepped in, pointing with a trembling finger.
"Rose. I told you not to eat so much."
Rose blinked. "...Huh?"
"I told you," Aika said again, puffing up with concern. "Not so many cookies! Not so many sweets! And now—look at you!! You're… bloated! I mean, look at that belly! It's huge! You're—you're… fat?!"
Miu let out a tiny "eep."
Rose's jaw dropped.
Her pupils shrank.
Oh no, Miu thought, scooting slowly away from ground zero.
Aika, oblivious, kept going. "I mean, maybe the stress finally got to you? Or maybe the medical ward's been feeding you high-calorie meals! You're completely puffed up! And your chest too! I knew you were a snack lover but this—this is INSANE!"
THWUMP!
Aika barely ducked in time as something whooshed past her head like a missile.
She turned.
The door—the magically reinforced steel door—now had a fist-sized hole blown straight through it.
Lying nearby was… a shoe.
Rose, wrapped in nothing but a loose blanket and righteous fury, pointed at Aika with trembling fingers.
"I'M NOT FAT, YOU IDIOT!!!"
Aika, wide-eyed and stunned, blinked rapidly.
"…Wait… you're not fat?"
BAD IDEA.
Rose's face twitched.
In a flash, she ripped a pillow off her bed and launched it like a cursed projectile.
"I'M PREGNANT, YOU FREAKING MORON!!!"
The pillow moved faster than most level-3 offensive spells.
WHACK!!
Aika didn't even have time to cast a barrier—she took the hit square to the face and was sent flying backward, arms flailing, until she crashed into the now-ruined doorframe with a squeak.
THUD.
"Ughh…" she groaned, upside down and buried in torn magic insulation.
Miu, seated calmly beside Rose's bed, took another dainty bite of a cookie and nodded.
"Yup," she mumbled, cheeks puffed. "This is gonna be fun."
Rose's chest heaved, her face still bright red.
She thought I was just… bloated…!
Aika sat there quietly, her mind still spinning, still trying to process everything.
Pregnant. Rose was… pregnant.
Before that moment faded, Rose finally explained everything—how it happened, why she vanished, what she was afraid of, and why she couldn't face them.
The tension in the room had died down. Mostly. The shock still clung to the air like static, but Aika slowly rose to her feet and walked toward the bed.
Rose didn't say a word.
Until her voice cracked.
"…I'm sorry, Aika…"
A few quiet tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I should've told you. I just… I was so ashamed. I didn't know how you'd react… I was scared."
Aika's breath caught. She moved without thinking and threw her arms around Rose, holding her as tight as she could.
"Rose… you idiot… I'm your best friend."
Her voice wavered.
"I wish you'd told me sooner…"
They stayed like that for a moment. No more yelling. No more jokes.
Just two childhood friends—trying to reconnect through a wall of pain.
Eventually, Aika pulled back, her lips curling into a soft smile.
"So… any baby names?"
Rose sniffed, wiping her eyes. "No… not yet. But…"
She placed her hand gently on her swollen belly.
"…They're due next month. The medics said it's an accelerated birth."
Aika's eyes widened. "That's… dangerous. And painful."
Rose nodded slowly. Her expression was calm, resolved.
"I know. But I'll take the risk."
Aika didn't know what to say.
So she just sat there.
Right beside her.