The sun had set, and the streets were quiet. The city was asleep, except for a few lights from distant buildings here and there. A large number of people lived in the city, but it was mostly empty at night. Yuren was on his way home, the other graduates of the officer's academy had kept him awake all night, celebrating their new ranks with drinks and food. He felt tired, his head spinning from alcohol, he hadn't slept much during the last month and a half. Now that he was an officer he could finally get some rest.
He walked along the quiet street, listening to the sounds of his feet crunching through the gravel. It was late enough that most of the stores were closed already. He was going to miss his old neighborhood; it had been his home for years now. He had been selected to be a Commander, meaning he'd live on base from now on.
"Yuren?" said a voice behind him, causing him to jump. "Allia?" he turned around.
She stood next to him, wearing her usual smile. Her eyes sparkled when she saw him looking at her. "I've been waiting for you," she said.
"But it's already late... don't tell me you were waiting all this time!" Yuren exclaimed.
She let out a quiet laugh, "It's not like we'll get in trouble..."
They made their way down the dark road toward one of the many parks near the Academy.
The two stopped at an old park bench. Allia sat down first, and then Yuren joined her. "We used to play here a lot," Allia said after a moment.
"Yeah." Yuren quietly replied.
"I really wanted to talk, since this may be the last time I see you before you leave..." the girl said, looking up at the moon.
Yuren sighed, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you wait so long... I forgot... sorry..."
"Don't worry about it, I knew you would." she smiled again, "you haven't changed a bit."
Yuren laughed nervously, "I guess not."
He took another deep breath, "I'm such an idiot."
Allia slapped him on the back, "Ya sure are! Making such a cute girl wait so long. I could've been swept off my feet by someone else by now if you weren't here!" she giggled.
Yuren couldn't help but smile at that statement. "That'd be a miracle, though..."
The girl's cheeks puffed up, "Hey!" she shouted as she slapped his shoulder.
"But, Yuren..." her expression changed to concern, "Isn't it really dangerous to be a commander? Aren't they always fighting?"
He looked at her eyes, which glowed under the light of the full moon above. He could feel his heart beating faster, "I know it's dangerous, Allia, but ever since the eastern district was destroyed... I just can't stand to sit around anymore."
She nodded, "I had friends there too, and I know what happened... I'm worried about you too, Yuren. I heard commanders have a really high mortality rate..."
Yuren remained silent and looked down at his hands. It did in fact scare him to think about how many commanders died every year, even more than normal soldiers. But, he thought to himself; I can't let what happened to the eastern district happen again. I won't give up without trying. I'm not afraid anymore.
After a moment, Allia put her hand on top of his, "You don't have to do it, you know... I understand why you want to fight... I really do."
"Allia..." Yuren started.
"Just promise me... Promise you'll come to visit. And remember you can always come back here if things turn bad."
Yuren smiled, "Of course, I'll be coming back, don't worry about that..."
"Good. Because I really love you, Yuren. Please take care of yourself," she said with a sad smile, but her bright green eyes were filled with determination.
"I will," he replied quietly, "I swear it!" The two hugged each other tightly for a few seconds before letting go, then Allia stood up.
She leaned forward and kissed Yuren gently on the cheek, "Bye-bye for now... Take good care of yourself!" Then the girl walked away quickly towards the road leading home.
Yuren held his cheek, blushing from the touch of the girl's soft lips against his skin, as she disappeared into the distance. He wanted nothing more than to run after her.
He sighed and got up from the bench, it was better to just go home now while thinking about how much fun he just had rather than worrying about all the dangerous things awaiting him tomorrow.
He turned and left the park when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning around he saw Yae walking along slowly towards him.
The older girl approached him with a small smile. She was still wearing her railway engineer uniform, having not changed yet. Her mint green hair was tied in a tight ponytail. And her safety goggles hung loosely on her neck.
The engineering crews must've been working nonstop to clear and repair the eastbound tunnel. As usual, their hard work and long hours did not get any attention. And many would still be working this late into the night, probably even some engineers who weren't scheduled to start until morning.
"Hey..." Yuren greeted her, "Did you finish your shift?"
"Yuren, I honestly don't think the military is right for you... I was really hoping you'd join me in DragonWorks Engineering," she said with a frown.
He looked down at his feet, "Sorry... I just couldn't bear the thought of losing our district too." he admitted.
"I seriously hope your kindhearted nature doesn't get you killed." The mint-haired girl put an arm over his shoulder as they walked along. "Maybe you'll grow a spine as a Commander."
"You're always looking out for me Yae, I need to learn to protect myself for once." The boy joked.
"Oh shut up." Yae slapped his back. "I should've known you'd go and take the most dangerous position, thinking like that."
The two arrived at a small house near the Academy. They both went inside, where Yuren's father was sitting at the table, drinking beer as he listened to the radio.
Yae sat across from him, "Pass me one, Old man."
His father gave a tired look and passed her a can."I hope you made the right choice, son." He said as Yuren walked by, taking his own seat.
"I am sure, I'm sure," Yuren answered. "My results were exceptional, I passed the aptitude test with flying colors..."
"I told you before, be careful with your resonance. And not to stand out. People will try to use you," his father warned.
"Father!" Yuren shouted with a glare, "I decided to stop holding back. I don't want to let another disaster happen again."
The old man simply sighed, "You idiot... You still don't understand." he huffed before taking another drink.
"Rahlin, he'll only learn from his dumb decisions. The apple certainly didn't fall far in that regard." Yae said, looking at him.
"Hush, girl." said the old man, "I just want him to actually think about what he's doing."
Yuren shook his head. "I already thought about all that. I understand what I'm getting into."
Yae finished the rest of her been on one long sip, "I'm not happy... but it's good you decided for yourself."
"Better head to bed, Yuren. No doubt they'll pile on the duties once you become Commander. Not that we've had much time to rest anyway," the old man said before looking at Yae. "And you... go home."
"Aw, but I only got one beer...," she protested with an exaggerated pout.
"It's late, and you got work tomorrow too." Yuren's father said with a sigh before turning the radio off.
Yuren walked up the narrow stairs, it'd be the last time he'd see his home for a while. He could hear Yae calling after him, "Wait!"
He paused just as he entered his room, Yea entering right behind him. "What?"
She took off her crystal pendant, the gem's deep crimson color shimmering brilliantly under the light of the moon outside. "Wear this," she said quietly before putting the chain around his neck, "Never forget where you came from... and never forget who you are." She smiled sadly as she hugged him. "Good luck, Commander."
Yuren felt tears welling up in his eyes as he returned her embrace, "Thank you."
"Don't make me regret giving this to you." She whispered in his ear, "Promise me, or I'll beat you up."
He laughed quietly at the threat. "I promise! I promise."