Date: Two Weeks After the Incident
Location: Recovery Center, South Wing – Room 17
I woke up seven days ago.
The ceiling looked different. The sheets were too clean.
For a second, I forgot everything.
Then pain reminded me.
The fight. The seal. The mirror monsters. Hank.
I lived. Somehow.
They said I was lucky.
But luck didn't hold me when I woke up — they did.
They all came.
Not one by one. All of them.
Elric was first through the door. His eyes were red.
He didn't speak at first. He just looked at me like I might disappear again.
Then he said, "Next time you want to be a hero, take me with you."
Anna jumped on the bed. Hugged me so hard it hurt.
"Potato head!" she yelled. "Do that again and I'll cry for real!"
She already was.
Gideon stood at the door for a while. Arms crossed.
But when everyone left the room to let in air, he stayed behind.
He placed a small crystal on my table.
"Mother used to give these to Father before battle. Said they protect the heart."
I said, "Thank you."
He nodded, once. That was all.
Riya tried to act normal — too normal.
Joking, grinning, babbling about food and missed lectures.
But when she thought no one was watching, she clutched my sleeve like it was a lifeline.
"I really thought we lost you," she whispered.
Leander didn't stop talking for ten minutes.
He insulted my taste in sleepwear. Told the nurses I snored (a lie).
But near the end, he stopped mid-sentence, rubbed his eyes, and just said:
"Don't do that again, brother."
Yukari came with them, too.
She didn't approach, just stood near the window.
But before she left, she bowed — deep, formal, quiet.
And left a single spirit pearl on my pillow. It glowed faintly blue.
Even Alice came.
She stood at the foot of my bed, arms folded, her usual cold expression on.
But her voice was softer than I expected.
"Your logic was sound. Your execution was reckless."
She paused.
"Don't make me correct your mistakes again."
Then, slowly, they all left.
Except her.
Lily.
She had been quiet the entire time. Watching, waiting.
When the room emptied, she sat beside me.
For a while, we didn't speak.
Then, softly:
> "You scared us."
I looked at her.
Her eyes were tired—shadowed with worry—but still held a quiet warmth
> "You came every day," I said.
She nodded.
> "I didn't want you to wake up alone."
I didn't know what to say to that.
She reached out — slowly, carefully — and took my hand. Her touch was warm.
> "I'm glad you came back," she whispered.
I think I smiled. Just a little.
And for the first time since I returned,
the weight in my chest felt lighter.
She didn't stay long.
But when she left, she turned at the door and said:
> "Next time… tell me. Don't carry everything alone."
I couldn't promise that.
But I wanted to.
---
I write this now, with my arm still wrapped in bandages and magic still draining slow from my veins.
I'm alive.
Because I trusted the right people.
Because even if I fall…
I won't fall alone.