The station was slowly calming down after the heart-stopping incident. People had returned to their routines, phones now lowered.
Leo, still catching his breath from the extreme speed rescue, held Lily tightly against his back.
"Lily… never do that again," he muttered, voice a mix of panic and exasperation.
Lily froze for a moment, surprised by the firm hold.
Yuna, coming from behind with Chen Wei, gently tapped Leo on the shoulder.
"Hey… calm down. Don't scare her more," she whispered softly, trying to ease the tension.
Leo glanced back, voice low but firm:
"Can you walk? Your foot… I think you twisted it."
"…I… I can try…" Lily whispered, wincing slightly.
Without hesitation, Leo lifted her onto his back, careful but fast. The weight pressed against him, making him grunt quietly.
As they moved, Chen Wei and Yuna followed slowly.
Leo muttered under his breath, teasing but half-serious:
"By the way… you weren't this heavy before. Did… did you start growing a baby belly or something?"
Lily's hand instinctively pressed over her stomach. Her voice was barely audible:
"Shut up…"
Chen Wei and Yuna exchanged quiet glances behind them.
"Hmmmm… we've never done this before…" Yuna whispered with a small grin.
"Hey! My throat!" Chen Wei protested softly as Yuna gave him a playful tap.
---
Home
Finally, they reached Lily's house.
As soon as the door closed, Lily headed straight to the bathroom, still wincing from the foot and carrying the lingering shock of the day.
Her hand rested lightly on her belly.
"…Thank god… baby's okay…" she muttered.
Above her, the Phoenix beast flickered its wings, a soft, glowing presence.
"Do not push yourself… your strength is fine, but rest is necessary," it said calmly.
Lily nodded but then suddenly covered her mouth.
"…Ugh…"
And she vomited lightly, the day's chaos catching up with her. The Phoenix beast's voice echoed softly:
"Do not force yourself. Rest… carefully."
---
Evening
Night fell. The family gathered for dinner. The table was full of laughter, chatter, and casual teasing.
Lily sat quietly, a small smile on her face as she took a sip of water.
Yuna whispered to Chen Wei:
"Looks like she's finally okay… for now."
Leo, still holding a slight tension in his shoulders, muttered to himself:
"Don't scare me like that again…"
The family joked about minor mishaps of the day, everyone laughing lightly. Lily, holding her stomach gently, allowed herself to relax. The Phoenix beast hovered nearby, wings shimmering softly in the kitchen light.
Narration:
"And so… the day ended with quiet relief, laughter, and the soft, protective glow of the Phoenix.
Tomorrow, more training and mor
e chaos awaited, but tonight… peace, for the first time in a long day."