"Haa… we are the same."
Inside a grand church, soft lights floated mid-air like silent stars. The place was solemn, filled with rows of people seated quietly, all gathered for what clearly appeared to be a funeral.
The church had four rows of benches stretching from right to left:
The first row was reserved for those she knew well—trusted friends and companions.
The second row was for the commander's allies and close comrades.
The third row held soldiers and squadmates.
And the last row was filled with civilians—ordinary people who had come to pay their final respects.
On the stage stood a woman in a long black dress. Her short, light purple hair gently framed her face. Though she wore a faint smile, her eyes shimmered with sadness.
"That was the first time we talked about ourselves," she began. "A few months later, both our parents divorced. With no one left to look after us, we ended up in the same orphanage."
She paused, then continued more formally, "As you're all gathered here to honor Commander Kenvy, I won't speak too long. Thank you for coming."
She stepped down from the stage and walked toward the first bench in the front row. A woman was seated there, and beside her sat a little girl, no older than five.
With a soft smile, the woman looked down at the child. "Yaya, it's time to go. It's almost your bedtime."
The little girl stood up and rushed over to her mother. But as they began to leave, a voice interrupted.
"Hey, Riya! You have to stay—you hear me!" a woman nearby called out.
As Riya and her daughter approached the church doors, a boy and girl stepped into her path.
Riya's voice was stern. "Please move aside."
The young women spoke nervously, "It's me, Miss Riya… Reven."
Her expression remained cold. "Haa… It's been a while. And who's this with you?"
"I'm Lux," the boy said with a sigh. "I think you might know me?"
Riya nodded. "I know of you. I just never saw your face. Now, may I go?"
Before she could move, Reven and Lux dropped to their knees.
"Please," they said together, "forgive us."
Riya blinked, taken aback. "Hey! Don't kneel. I know you didn't do anything wrong. Reven, you were doing your duty to protect Lux. And Lux… you were defending yourself."
They stood up.
"Do you forgive us?" Reven asked quietly.
Riya turned her head. "...Yeah. I forgive you both."
She turned and walked away. Reven and Lux watched her go.
"She didn't cry," Reven whispered. "And I don't think she ever will."
Lux stared after her, his eyes filled with sorrow. "I think I can help."
He ran after Riya, gently stopping her path. Kneeling before little Yaya, he extended his hand with a soft smile.
"I'll take care of the girl," he said. "You go rest."
Riya froze.
Suddenly, a memory crashed into her mind—
She and Kenvy, back in the orphanage.
Their room was small—two single beds on either side, hologram tables for writing, and the hum of silence that only the lonely knew.
Kenvy had stood with fake bravado. "I guess… we could stay here, right, Riya?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes were heavy with dark circles. She looked like she hadn't slept in days, on the verge of crying, yet holding it all in.
Kenvy knelt in front of her.
"You want to cry, don't you? So why are you stopping yourself?"
Riya pointed toward a worn-out teddy bear on her bed, stitched like it had been loved too much.
"If the mommy looks weak," she said quietly, "then the child will worry."
Kenvy took a deep breath, then turned to the teddy bear. Bending to one knee, he extended his hand.
"I'll take care of the girl," he said. "You go rest."
Back in the present, Riya stared at Lux. In that moment, he wasn't Lux—he was Kenvy.
She gently handed Yaya over and turned away.
As she walked, tears finally slid down her cheeks.
"You're really like Kenvy, Lux…" she whispered.
"Thank you."
"I forgive both of you"