The Shadow of Blue Cosmos

Heliopolis, Fourth Residential District. One day in January, Cosmic Era 65, 3:20 p.m.

The artificial sunlight simulation system dutifully cast its gentle "afternoon sunshine." Light passed through the filters lining the Space Colony's inner walls, casting sharp yet warmthless patterns across the streets. Today was Lin's tenth birthday. Following its usual practice, the orphanage had prepared a small fruit cake decorated with synthetic cream and food coloring. For once, the caregiver, Tanaka Megumi, did not scold him. She simply handed him the cake with an expressionless face and said, "Happy birthday. Stay out of trouble," fulfilling her obligation.

Akira-who was growing increasingly accustomed to this new name and the body that had grown over the past year-quietly accepted the cake and shared it with the children in his dormitory, including Kenta. For nearly a year, he had deliberately kept a low profile and avoided direct confrontations with Kenta. At the same time, a few "accidental" displays of strength and reflexes that exceeded Kenta's without completely overwhelming him, attributed to "training in secret," had discouraged Kenta and his followers from casually picking on him. It was a delicate balance.

The cake was soon gone. The afternoon brought general education classes, and Akira controlled his performance as usual, keeping his grades steadily above average-neither outstanding enough to attract attention nor poor enough to require "special attention." Like a stone submerged beneath the water, he quietly absorbed knowledge, honed his abilities, and waited for the predetermined turning point.

The dismissal bell rang, and the children streamed through the school gates like birds released from a cage. Carrying his old backpack, washed pale with use, Akira followed his familiar route back to the orphanage at an unhurried pace. His steps appeared casual, but his body remained in a subtle state of readiness. His ACCORD ability functioned like a low-power radar, continuously scanning his surroundings within a radius of roughly fifteen meters.

[Pedestrian density: moderate. Average movement speed: 4.2 km/h.]

[Traffic volume: low. No abnormal acceleration or trajectories detected.]

[Ambient noise: 73 decibels. Primarily everyday conversations and machinery.]

[Threat assessment: low. Three adolescents detected gathering at the alley entrance ahead on the right. Emotional index: mildly excited. No weapon signatures.]

This was the result of the past year's training. ACCORD's passive warning range had expanded from a few meters to roughly fifteen, and its ability to filter and categorize information had improved considerably. It could now automatically discard large amounts of useless information and flag only potential risks. He maintained it in a "half-dormant" state of vigilance that consumed very little mental energy but was sufficient for most unexpected situations.

The weather simulation system indicated "clear skies," but the breeze from the Space Colony's air circulation system still carried a lingering trace of metal and machine oil. Neat, slightly aging apartment buildings lined the streets, and scattered neon signs had begun to light up outside the shops. Some storefronts displayed symbols representing Orb's policy of neutrality, but in obscure corners, there were also insulting slogans targeting Coordinators and hastily painted-over Blue Cosmos symbols. Heliopolis appeared peaceful, but dangerous currents ran beneath the surface.

He passed through an intersection connecting the residential district to a small commercial area. There were more pedestrians here, with several shops selling cheap everyday necessities clustered around a small fruit and vegetable market. ACCORD continued scanning as usual, but just as he reached the middle of the intersection, a sharp jolt unlike any warning he had felt before suddenly stabbed into his awareness!

It was neither a visual nor an auditory signal, but an icy sense of danger acting directly on his nerves, as though a needle had pierced the back of his head. ACCORD's passive warning system instantly escalated to a higher level, and translucent red countdown numbers appeared at the edge of his vision: 5... 4... 3...

Danger! It was not directed at him personally, but originated from the street corner ahead. Threat level: high! A violent confrontation was about to occur!

Almost the instant the countdown reached zero-

Bang! Crash-!!

Terrified screams and the tremendous crash of something being violently smashed came from the street corner ahead. The crowd scattered instantly, fleeing in every direction like startled fish.

"It's a Coordinator's shop!" "Blue Cosmos! Run!" "Help!"

Akira's heart clenched, and his gaze shot toward the center of the disturbance. The display window of a small shop bearing a "Genetic Optimization Consultation" sign had been smashed to pieces, scattering broken glass across the ground. Three burly masked men wielding metal baseball bats and crowbars were wildly destroying the shop's furnishings, swearing as they went. "Damn monsters! Get out of our Space Colony!" "The world of Naturals doesn't need bastards like you!"

A woman's cries and children's screams came from inside the shop. A moment later, two small figures stumbled out through the shattered entrance. In front was a girl of about seven or eight, her vivid red bob standing out amid the chaos. Her little face was filled with terror, but her green eyes held a stubborn spark. She tightly gripped the hand of a younger girl behind her. The younger child looked about five or six, with soft, long brown hair now disheveled. Tears filled her large green eyes, and her face was deathly pale. Her sister was practically dragging her along as she stumbled, threatening to fall at any moment.

ACCORD's warning level abruptly rose to maximum! A red warning box flashed frantically in his consciousness: [Danger! Target locked: brown-haired child! Attacker C, metal baseball bat. Predicting swing trajectory... Hit probability: 87%! Time: 1.2 seconds!]

The nearest thug had already noticed the girl trailing behind. A vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. With a curse, he raised his metal baseball bat and swung viciously at the back of Meirin's head as she nearly tripped at the rear! If it connected, the strength of an adult man combined with a metal bat would have unthinkable consequences!

"Meirin!" The older girl looked back and let out a heart-rending scream. Instinctively, she tried to shield her sister with her own body, but she was only a child herself. She was too slow, and there was no time to get into position.

Time seemed to slow before Akira's eyes. No, it did not merely seem that way-the warm core of light deep within his consciousness was fully "ignited" by his will in a thousandth of a second! The SEED Factor activated at full power!

Hum-!

A searing current of warmth instantly swept through his body, washing away every hesitation and stray thought. The world transformed before his eyes. The fleeing crowd moved in slow motion, their terrified expressions as clear as frozen frames. The thug's swinging bat traced a distinct arc through the air, leaving an afterimage. The faint turbulence as the bat cut through the air, its reflection in Meirin's green eyes widened with fear, the despair twisting Luna Maria's face—ACCORD instantly captured and analyzed every detail, converting it into an enormous stream of data that poured into his brain.

[Target: attacker C. Male. Height: approximately 182 cm. Weight: approximately 85 kg. Swing speed: 12.3 m/s. Angle: 42 degrees downward. Target point: back of brown-haired child's head.]

[Calculating intervention options... Option A: push child aside and take the attack. Success rate: 92%. Probability of severe personal injury: 100%. Option B: attack the assailant's weapon-bearing elbow joint. Success rate: 78%. Precise timing required. Option C: use a projectile to obstruct vision and attack lower body. Success rate: 65%. Available objects required.]

[Available objects detected: 2.1 meters to the left, half-full metal trash can, usable as shield/projectile; on the ground 1.5 meters to the right, thin steel pipe approximately 1.1 meters long, left over from construction.]

[Overall assessment: combine options B and C. First use trash can lid to block initial attack and create an opening, then deliver a precise strike with thin steel pipe. Objective: incapacitate attacker. Estimated success rate: 89%. Personal risk: moderate.]

All calculations were completed in 0.3 seconds. His thinking speed in the SEED state far exceeded that of an ordinary person. Akira's body moved before his brain issued its final command. No-the command and his movement were almost simultaneous, his body responding the instant he willed it.

"This way!" Enhanced by SEED, his voice cut through the surrounding noise, reaching the sisters clearly and calmly. At the same time, he drove his left foot into the ground and shot diagonally forward to the left like an arrow released from a bow. His right hand swept out and snatched the circular lid off the half-full metal trash can, the movement smooth and utterly economical. Almost simultaneously, his left hand reached down and scooped up the slender steel pipe from the ground.

Bang-!!!

The metal baseball bat slammed into the newly raised trash can lid with a vicious rush of air! A piercing metallic clang exploded, and tremendous force surged through his arm. For an ordinary ten-year-old, that blow would have torn the skin between thumb and forefinger, broken an arm, or sent him flying. But with the SEED Factor fully enhancing his muscle strength, neural responses, and bone density, Akira felt only a wave of aching numbness. He slid smoothly backward half a step, steadily dissipating most of the impact. A deep dent appeared in the center of the lid, and even its edges warped.

"What?!" Attacker C clearly had not expected a brat to withstand his full-strength blow, much less emerge apparently unharmed. He froze in surprise.

That hesitation lasted less than half a second, but it was enough! Akira's right foot was already planted firmly. Using his half-step retreat, he turned his body slightly, and the thin steel pipe in his left hand shot upward like a striking snake. At a terrifyingly precise angle, it stabbed toward the outside of the man's right elbow, exposed by his swing! The ulnar nerve groove lay there, and a hard strike could instantly leave the entire arm numb and powerless.

"Aaargh-!" Attacker C screamed, his baseball bat flying from his hand. Clutching his suddenly senseless right arm, he staggered backward, his face filled with pain and disbelief.

"You little bastard! You're dead!" Shocked and furious, the other two thugs abandoned their destruction of the shop and lunged at Akira from either side. One swept a crowbar at his legs, while the other raised a baseball bat and brought it down at his head! Their coordination was crude, but they blocked his escape to either side.

"Big brother!" The older girl did not know the strange boy who had suddenly appeared to shield them, but his call and unhesitating protection gave her a lifeline amid her overwhelming terror. She tightly hugged the terrified Meirin, who could no longer even cry and only trembled, and hid behind Akira. Her green eyes remained fixed on the fight, her little fists clenched tight.

Akira drew a deep breath. The SEED Factor's energy surged through his body, pushing his perception and reactions to their limits. ACCORD operated at full capacity, breaking down and analyzing the two enemies' movements, weapon trajectories, attack ranges, gaps in their footwork-every piece of information-and instantly plotting the best response. He could not retreat. Two helpless little girls stood behind him. He had to create an opening and give them time to escape.

Akira did not block the sweeping crowbar head-on. Instead, he made a light jump-not particularly high, but timed with absolute precision. The crowbar passed almost against the soles of his shoes. The instant he left the ground, he hurled the warped trash can lid in his right hand like a discus at the face of the thug bringing the baseball bat down in front of him!

The thug instinctively swung his bat to block the flying metal lid. Clang! Another tremendous crash rang out. The lid was knocked away, but the unexpected projectile disrupted both his vision and his movement.

By then, Akira had landed and lowered his center of gravity, passing the steel pipe from his left hand to his right. Like a cheetah poised to spring, he shot forward the instant the second thug's obstructed vision caused the slightest delay in his movements! The explosive strength granted by the SEED Factor made him fast enough to leave an afterimage. Rather than stabbing or clubbing with the pipe, he wielded it like a sword, delivering a precise "touch" to a pressure point on the inside of the man's weapon-bearing wrist!

"Ah!" The second thug felt his wrist go numb as a sharp pain shot straight to his brain. His fingers involuntarily opened, and the baseball bat fell to the ground with a clatter. Without pausing, Akira drove his shoulder hard into the man's chest, sending him stumbling backward and temporarily throwing him off balance.

The entire exchange, from blocking the first blow to driving back all three men, lasted only seven or eight seconds. Of the three adult thugs, one clutched his arm and screamed, one had fallen with an injured wrist, and one struggled for breath after the impact to his chest. A ten-year-old child had taken them down with lightning speed, temporarily putting them out of action. Nearby pedestrians who had not yet fled far, along with people peering out from inside the shops, were stunned.

Akira's breathing had grown slightly rapid. Those successive explosive movements and precise control had taken a considerable toll on his mind and body. The SEED Factor still shone brightly deep within his consciousness, but he could already feel a trace of exhaustion spreading. ACCORD sounded another warning. More shouts and disorderly footsteps came from farther away. At least four or five people were rapidly approaching, likely accomplices of the thugs or people drawn by the disturbance whose intentions were unknown.

"Go!" Akira did not hesitate or stop to inspect the results. He seized the wrist of the older girl, who was still staring in shock. Her skin was cold and trembling slightly. "Follow me!"

His tug brought the girl back to her senses. Her other hand maintained a desperate grip on her younger sister, Meirin. Meirin seemed completely dazed with fear, stumbling after them as her sister instinctively pulled her along. Her large green eyes stared blankly at Akira's back, which seemed broad to her, and tears finally rolled down her face in silence.

Akira knew Heliopolis's underground pipe network inside out. It was one of the escape routes he had mapped during his "free time after school" over the past year. He led the girls toward an inconspicuous metal manhole cover near the intersection, marked "Maintenance access. No entry." It had a simple lock, but Akira had long since "accidentally" discovered that its cylinder was corroded. He twisted and pulled hard, and the cover opened, revealing a pitch-black vertical shaft smelling of rust.

"Down! Hurry!" Akira helped the older girl and Meirin onto the shaft's ladder in turn, then quickly slid down himself. Reaching back, he pulled the cover into place and secured it from inside with an iron bar he had prepared long ago. It was not particularly sturdy, but it would at least buy them some time.

Below the shaft lay a dark, damp maze of industrial pipes, thick with the smell of machine oil and metal. Scattered emergency lamps cast eerie green or pallid white light, barely illuminating the cold metal grating underfoot and the massive insulated pipes around them. Condensation dripped from gaps between the pipes with a monotonous, distinct tapping that echoed through the empty passages, making the place especially unsettling.

Once inside the relatively safe passage, Akira immediately began suppressing the SEED Factor's activity. As though gradually channeling a rushing river into a lake, the searing warmth slowly subsided. The luminous core dimmed and resumed its calm rotation. His extraordinary senses and reaction speed receded like the tide, leaving behind a pronounced weakness and mental exhaustion, as though he had just undergone an intense trial of both mind and body. He leaned against the cold pipe wall, panting slightly as he regulated his breathing. ACCORD remained active, but he returned it to its lowest-power passive warning mode, vigilantly scanning for movement above the shaft and farther along the passage.

"It's... it's all right. We're safe for now." He tried to keep his voice steady, though his own heart was still pounding. Facing violent thugs at close range and experiencing the pressure of a life-or-death struggle placed a tremendous burden on a ten-year-old's body and mind, even with memories of two lives and special abilities.

The girl held her sister tightly. Her little face was still pale, but some life had returned to her eyes. As she looked at Akira, her green gaze held relief at surviving, profound gratitude, and a lingering trace of terror. "Th-thank you for saving us." Her voice still trembled, but she struggled to remain calm. "My name is Lunamaria Hawke, and this is my little sister, Meirin. What... what's your name? You were amazing back there!" By the end, her eyes had brightened with a mixture of admiration and lingering fear.

Meirin timidly peeked out from behind her sister, showing part of her little head. Her long brown hair lay messily against her cheeks, and her large green eyes resembled those of a frightened fawn, tears still clinging to her lashes. Looking at Akira, she moved her little lips several times before finally whispering in an almost inaudible voice thick with tears, "Th-thank you, big brother."

Looking at those two young faces, both of which had already brushed against death, Akira felt a complicated surge of emotion. He softened his tone and tugged at the corners of his mouth, trying to produce the gentlest smile a ten-year-old could manage, though his cheek muscles felt stiff. "My name is Lin Ming. You don't have to thank me. I'm just glad you're all right." He deliberately revealed little personal information and asked nothing about their family, as though this had been nothing more than helping strangers in trouble.

"Big brother Lin Ming..." Luna Maria repeated his name, as though determined to remember it. Then her stomach betrayed her with a rumble. The ordeal, terror, and running had burned through their strength, leaving the children hungry and thirsty. Meirin leaned dependently against her sister, her little face filled with exhaustion.

Akira felt around his old backpack. Fortunately, it had not been damaged during the fight. He opened it and rummaged inside, finding half a piece of hard bread wrapped in waxed paper that he had saved that morning, along with a small bottle of drinking water. It was his habit to always keep a little food and water for emergencies.

"Here. Eat something first." He carefully broke the hard bread into three pieces, two small and one large, then gave the two larger pieces to the sisters and kept the smallest for himself. Unscrewing the water bottle, he offered it first to Meirin, who looked weaker. "Have some water. Drink slowly."

Meirin looked at her sister, then at Akira, before carefully accepting the bread and nibbling at it. She then took the water bottle, drank only a small sip, and handed it back to Akira, saying softly, "You eat and drink too, big brother."

Warmth stirred in Akira's heart. He nodded, took a small sip from the bottle, and passed it to Lunamaria. Luna accepted without ceremony. She truly was hungry and thirsty, and after eating the bread with some water, a little color returned to her face.

"Big brother Lin Ming, how... how were you so strong back there? Have you trained?" Luna Maria could not resist asking as she took small bites of bread, her eyes fixed on Akira. Now that they were out of danger, her lively, resilient nature was beginning to show.

"Well... at the orphanage, you have to learn to protect yourself." Akira answered vaguely, steering the conversation elsewhere. "Were those people from Blue Cosmos? Do they do this often?"

At the mention of Blue Cosmos, Luna Maria's little face paled again. She nodded, anger and fear flashing in her eyes. "Yes! They're the worst! They're always harassing Mom and Dad's shop, and they even throw paint on the door... But this is the first time they've smashed things up like today..." She clenched her little fists. "Mom and Dad went to pick up supplies today and left me and Meirin to watch the shop. We never thought..."

Akira nodded silently. Blue Cosmos's extremist ideology was spreading like a cancer through Heliopolis and even Orb's other Space Colonies. This attack was no accident, and it was probably just one incident in an escalating conflict. ACCORD's passive perception extended deeper into the pipe network, picking up distant vibrations and echoes. For now, there were no signs of pursuit.

The passage grew colder. To conserve energy, the Space Colony's circulation system maintained lower temperatures in less important areas. Luna Maria and Meirin wore only thin everyday clothes. Now that they had calmed down, they began to feel the chill, trembling slightly and unconsciously drawing closer together for warmth.

Akira hesitated. Though mentally mature, he still had the body of a ten-year-old. But seeing the two little girls shivering, he took off his slightly oversized old jacket, beneath which he wore a long-sleeved T-shirt. He spread the jacket out and covered the sisters as best he could.

"Put this on for now. It'll keep you warmer."

Luna Maria glanced at him and did not refuse. Thanking him quietly, she wrapped the jacket tightly around them and held her sister in her arms. The warmth dispelled some of the cold and fear. Meirin leaned into her sister's embrace, but her eyes stayed on Akira. Her little hand slipped out and caught the hem of his T-shirt, as though that could give her an extra measure of security.

Time passed slowly as they waited. Only dripping water and their quiet breathing broke the silence. Beneath the eerie green light, three children who had just escaped a life-or-death ordeal had found a relatively safe haven. Luna Maria was still a child, after all. Once she relaxed, intense exhaustion overtook her. Leaning against her sister, she began struggling to keep her eyes open. Meirin could barely hold on either, her little head bobbing.

Akira did not sleep. With his back against the cold pipe wall, he extended ACCORD's warnings toward both ends of the passage like invisible feelers. He considered their next move. They could not stay here forever. Mr. and Mrs. Hawke must have been frantic, and the colony's security forces-or perhaps Morgenroete's security personnel-should have mobilized by now. He needed to choose the right moment to bring the sisters safely back to the surface and make sure they could contact their parents.

A little over an hour later, ACCORD picked up steady footsteps approaching from a distance, along with the reflections of flashlight beams sweeping across the passage walls. Then a faint, echoing voice came through a loudspeaker. "Luna! Meirin! Are you in there? We're with the Space Colony security force! If you can hear us, please answer!"

Rescuers had arrived! They were calling the sisters by name, too, so the Hocks must have notified them.

"We're here!" Akira immediately called back, gently shaking the drowsy sisters awake. "Wake up. Someone's come to find us. They're probably people your mom and dad sent."

Luna Maria woke immediately, delight appearing on her face. Meirin sat up as well, rubbing her eyes.

Soon, several bright flashlight beams shone toward them. Four officers in Heliopolis security uniforms, carrying light weapons, appeared at the passage entrance. They cautiously surveyed the scene before hurrying over. Seeing all three children unharmed, apart from some dirt and fright, they visibly relaxed.

"We found them! They're here! The children are safe!" one officer reported over his radio.

When Akira led Luna Maria and Meirin out of the passage under the officers' escort and returned to the "surface," the harsh artificial light made him narrow his eyes. A sizable crowd had already gathered around the exit, including security officers maintaining order and residents craning their necks curiously.

"Luna! Meirin!"

A heart-rending cry, thick with tears, rang out. A middle-aged couple rushed from the crowd. The man wore plain work clothes, his refined face now filled with anxiety. The woman wore ordinary house clothes, her face pale and her eyes red. They were Thomas Hawke and Erica Hawke.

"Mom! Dad!" Unable to hold back any longer, Luna Maria burst into tears and threw herself into her mother's arms. Meirin also broke into loud sobs and clung tightly to her father's leg.

The Hawkes held their recovered daughters close, crying with joy, repeatedly kissing their hair and checking them for injuries. It took a long while for their emotions to settle even slightly.

Thomas Hawke wiped his face and finally turned toward Akira, who had remained quietly off to one side, looking rather alone. He approached and looked over the boy, who appeared scarcely taller than Luna, with dust-covered clothes and a slight scrape on his forehead. Then he firmly patted his shoulder, his voice catching with emotion. "Son... thank you! Thank you for saving our daughters! I... I heard what happened. If it weren't for you..." Unable to continue, he simply gripped Akira's thin shoulders, his eyes filled with heartfelt gratitude.

Mrs. Hawke approached as well. More observant than her husband, she noticed the scrape on Akira's forehead and the faint bruising beneath his torn sleeve. She crouched down in concern and gently stroked his hair, her voice tender and trembling. "You dear boy, are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere? What's your name? Where's your family?"

Feeling the Hocks' genuine gratitude and concern, a small corner of the adult ice within Akira's heart seemed to melt. He shook his head and answered with the slightly reserved manner appropriate to his age. "My name is Lin Ming. I... I'm fine. They're just scrapes. I... live at the public orphanage in District Three."

"The orphanage..." Mrs. Hawke exchanged a look with her husband. Both saw the same emotion in the other's eyes-compassion, along with a rapidly forming decision.

At that moment, a security officer who appeared to be the captain approached and saluted the Hocks. Then he turned to Akira, his tone serious but approving. "Young Lin Ming, we've also heard a little about what happened from witnesses at the scene. You were very brave, and... very capable." He chose his words carefully. "But could you tell us exactly what happened? We need to make a record. Those thugs may still be nearby, and we need to ensure your safety and the Hawke family's."

Akira nodded and recounted the incident as a ten-year-old might, a little disjointedly but clearly on the key points. He omitted the details of using SEED and ACCORD, saying only that he had seen people fighting on the street before and learned a little about dodging. In the heat of the moment, he had rushed forward, luckily knocked away their weapons, and then pulled the two little sisters-he used that term-into a maintenance passage he knew. His account fit the image of a precocious orphan with a little strength, familiarity with the neighborhood, and an ability to think on his feet.

The security captain took notes, nodding occasionally. Though a ten-year-old taking down three adult thugs sounded unbelievable, anything could happen amid chaos. The scene was indeed a mess, and several witnesses had confirmed that a "very fast little boy" had rescued the girls and run away. It could only be attributed to courage, luck, and a certain degree of physical ability.

After finishing his notes, the captain said they would increase patrols in the area and investigate the thugs' whereabouts. Then he addressed the Hocks. "Mr. and Mrs. Hawke, things have been unsettled lately, and Blue Cosmos has been getting increasingly brazen. For your safety and the children's, I suggest you stay away from the shop for now and take shelter in a safe house or with friends or relatives. As for young Lin Ming..." He glanced at Akira. "We can take him back to the orphanage, or, if it would be convenient for you..."

"No, there's no need to take him back to the orphanage." Thomas Hawke interrupted the captain. He glanced at his daughters, nestled closely in his wife's arms and still looking toward Akira from time to time. Then he looked at the boy before him, dressed in shabby clothes yet with unusually calm eyes, which he interpreted as numbness from excessive fright. Drawing a deep breath, he made his decision.

He crouched to meet Akira's eyes, his tone earnest and gentle. "Lin Ming, thank you for saving Luna and Meirin. You saved our whole family. If you don't mind... would you like to stay with us for a few days? At least let us properly thank you and take care of you, until things settle down a little. And..." He paused, his voice growing softer. "You saved our daughters. From today on, you're not only the Hawke family's benefactor, but one of us. Would you like that?"

Mrs. Hawke nodded emphatically, her eyes full of hope and affection. Lunamaria lifted her head from her mother's arms and said loudly, "Big brother Lin Ming, come to our house! Meirin and I will take good care of you!" Meirin said nothing, but she too looked at Akira expectantly with her wet green eyes.

Feeling the gazes around him-concern, gratitude, sympathy-Akira was overcome by a mixture of emotions. Being surrounded by such pure, warm kindness still left him at a loss. He remained silent for several seconds before the hopeful eyes of the Hawkes and their daughters, then finally nodded slowly and said softly, "...Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Hawke."

He knew that from this moment onward, the course of his life would become firmly intertwined with the Hawke family, with Luna Maria and Meirin, and with this world's future. His identity as an orphan was about to become a thing of the past. A new family, new bonds, and new challenges lay before him. And there were still five years until that bloody Valentine's Day. From this new starting point, he still had time to grow stronger, both to protect the people before him who had given him warmth and to change that tragic future.

The glow of the artificial sunset spilled across Heliopolis's streets, stretching four shadows long. Mr. Hawke carried Meirin in one arm and held Lunamaria's hand with the other, while Mrs. Hawke gently wrapped an arm around Akira's shoulders, as though he were already part of the family. They walked toward the Hawkes' home, leaving behind the gradually cleared scene of chaos and, above the colony's dome, that false and tranquil starry sky.