Captivated by Your Might and Charm

Anjing Zhen set down the tablet and turned slightly toward her. His tone was both a statement and a promise. "So leave those matters to me. You only have one task: recover properly, relax completely, and then—"

He paused, his voice steady and firm. "Set your sights on the next goal."

His gaze passed over her shoulder, as though looking toward a more distant future. "The Tenno Sho Spring, and then overseas. Our path won't change because of any noise."

Kitasan Black saw the unquestionable resolve in his eyes and nodded hard. "—Mm!"

Then she turned her head and looked up at the cherry blossom tree overhead, like clouds and rosy mist.

A slightly stronger gust swept through, stirring up a small shower of petals that rustled down onto her hair, shoulders, and into the cup in her hands.

She watched the petals spin in her cup and said softly, "The cherry blossoms are so beautiful... The way they drift down feels—"

She thought for a moment before finding the right word. "It feels like they're celebrating a festival."

Anjing Zhen also raised his head to look at the falling blossoms.

Sunlight streamed through the flowering branches, casting mottled, shifting specks of light across his face.

He watched for a few seconds before lowering his head and picking up the tablet again. His fingers swiped across the screen, bringing up a new draft schedule.

"Ah..." he said quietly. "They are celebrating."

Kitasan Black's recovery was just as good as expected.

After confirming at the rehabilitation center that there was no damage, she returned to Tokyo the next day. Following a brief rest, the team had already begun routine recovery training.

Early morning, a park near Central Treisen Academy

Kitasan Black adjusted her breathing, her stride landing steadily against the path.