Izetta turns over the mittens in her hand repeatedly, looking at them from many different angles. On the table is a paper box with a small gift box along with balls of yarn and other knitting tools.

'I can still see quite a bit of unevenness and lumps, but I don't have time to fix them anymore…' Izetta looks to the door of the spare room that Lotte reserved for her. 'It's quite late so I should go to sleep soon. I don't think I'll have any time tomorrow as Finé would have slept quite a bit by then and then she'll want to…' Unable to hide her smile, Izetta slightly blushes at thinking what they would do when Finé is awake. 'Then it'll be her birthday afterwards. I'll just pack them now and hope they're good enough.'

After Izetta puts the mittens into the gift box and closes the lid, she stores everything back into the paper box and places it under the table where it hides amongst other boxes with miscellaneous things. This way even if Finé does come into the room and look into the boxes, it would be likely that she would find nothing of interest and leave the actual gift alone. Finally, Izetta leaves the room and heads back to Finé.

Izetta opens the door slowly, leaving a crack just big enough for her to slip in and close the door behind her. Finé is still on her side, hugging the pillow that Izetta swapped out for herself when she sneaked out to finish knitting.

Izetta cautiously unwraps Finé's arms from the pillow. Then she places the pillow back on top and climbs in herself. But as she is about to hold Finé, Finé's arms reach out to embrace her and pull her in.

"Izetta…" Finé breathes as her eyes flutter open.

"S-Sorry," Izetta blurts in a whisper, "D-Did I wake you up?"

Finé shuffles closer to Izetta. "I could tell when you weren't here… You were right… I very much prefer to hug you… than the pillow…"

Izetta feels her cheeks heat up, both from what Finé just said and remembering that she herself said something similar the morning after they became girlfriends. "W-Well, you're still tired so just go back to sleep, okay?"

Finé hums as she nuzzles into Izetta. "What were you doing…? Did something happen…? You were gone for quite some time…"

"Ah… uh…" Izetta looks upwards, trying to think of something. "The Secret Service just had some stuff they wanted me to look at. You know, White Agent stuff."

"…Okay…" Finé mumbles as she closes her eyes. "It's settled, right…?"

"Yes," Izetta strokes Finé's head. "I'm free to be with you now. We can do whatever you want tomorrow, so just go back to sleep, okay?"

"Mmm… Love you…"

"I love you too," Izetta pecks Finé's forehead as she drifts off again.

Finé stirs awake as sunlight streams into the room from under the curtains. Blinking a few times, she sees that Izetta is still holding her tightly and smiles. "Izetta," she whispers, "Are you awake?"

"Yes," Izetta responds as she opens her eyes to give a gentle gaze. "Good afternoon, Finé."

"Good- Huh?!" Finé jerks up to see the clock. "It's already afternoon?! I slept for almost a day?!"

Izetta giggles as she sits up. "Yeah, you worked really hard. You deserve to sleep as much as you want."

"But…" Finé pouts, "You got to hug me for so long while I was sleeping through it all…"

"Eh? But I thought you… said you could…" Izetta sputters as her cheeks turn red, "Feel that I… wasn't there…"

"Yes, but I was still only barely conscious," Finé turns to Izetta, "So…"

Finé launches herself at Izetta, pushing them both back onto the bed. Izetta gasps and tries to balance their intertwined bodies, but Finé starts turning over with glee. Soon Izetta gives up and just goes with it, so they are rolling around in bed while laughing.

They slow to a stop after a while. Finé looks down at a beaming Izetta who still has her hands around Finé's torso. Gradually leaning in, Finé's hand strokes Izetta's cheek downwards to her chin. Izetta understands what is happening, wordlessly closing her eyes and pulling Finé in.

Their lips lock seamlessly and immediately their tongues start dancing inside. They moan and grasp onto each other without restrain. Their appetites were enticed last night, now they would get their fill of each other and more to make up for that long, long week.

Finé finally breaks away with a loud pant. Their chests are heaving deeply while their hands still cling to each other. Izetta's eyes crack open and she gives Finé a wide smile which makes Finé's lips curl up as well.

"…That was amazing…" Finé pants, "And I get to see how cute you are again…"

"Hehe…" Izetta chuckles as her cheeks tint red. "I liked it a lot as well… You look a lot better too, so I'm glad…"

Finé leans in to embrace Izetta again who passionately reciprocates it. "Izetta…" Finé sucks in air, "Do you have any plans for today? Any training or missions you want to do?"

"No," Izetta shakes her head while wrapping her arms around Finé more. "I did more missions while you were busy. I'm taking a break today, so I can be with you."

"Oh Izetta…" Finé nuzzles into her. "Then I have something I want us to do together. After we wash up, can you wait for me to check on the situation in Texas? I should be done within half an hour and then we can go?"

"Huh?" Izetta slightly separates her face to look at Finé directly. "Didn't you settle that already? You also don't have to work today, your father said so as well."

"Well…" Finé rolls to the side so they are both on the bed and looking at each other now. "I did check that they did start investigating, but I want to make sure that they are following through. My father has probably checked already, but if there are any snags I should be able to help to get things back on track."

"…Okay," Izetta breathes in acceptance. "I know you're very responsible, so take as much time as you need to make sure those people are getting help. If something crops up and you need to focus, I don't mind cancelling the date." Izetta puts her hand on Finé's, "You'll make a great queen someday, so I don't want to hold you back."

"Izetta…" Finé mutters as she places her other hand on Izetta's. "Thank you, really. But I promise it will just be a quick check and some assignments if needed. I really want to spend time with my dear girlfriend as well."

Izetta was hesitant when Finé started leading them out of the palace. When she asked where they were going, Finé just told her that it would be private area. But when a couple of Royal Guards followed closely after them, Izetta got concerned again. She hoped that there would not be other people too close, or they might trigger another panic attack for Finé. After Finé had achieved so much and was feeling great about herself, that was the last thing that Izetta wanted to happen to her.

As they are driving out to the location, Finé looks out the window of the armoured car. Subconsciously, she lets out a sigh.

"Finé?" Izetta leans in. "Is there something wrong?"

"O-Oh," Finé blinks a few times. "Sorry, I was just thinking about something else."

"Do you…" Izetta's hand clenches on the seat, "Want to talk about it…?"

Finé's gaze on Izetta relaxes. "It's nothing actually. It's just that even the Texans in the capital are getting affected by the power outage now. I'm sure it'll be an even higher priority now so it should get resolved soon, but since I was involved and the situation got worse, I couldn't help but think if I could have done something better."

"A-Ah…" Izetta retracts her hands to herself and her eyes look away. "…S-Sorry, I don't know what to say…"

Finé puts a hand on Izetta's and shakes her head. "No, it was my bad for thinking about work when we're supposed to be on our date. Thank you for hearing me out, really. But let's put it behind for now and just enjoy this."

Izetta gives Finé a small smile. "Okay…"

The car reaches its destination and Finé brings Izetta to a large basket with an enormous fabric attached to it. The basket has a metal frame as well where a man is tending to the apparatus in it.

"Uh, what is this?" Izetta turns to Finé.

"It's a hot-air balloon," Finé explains as she rubs Izetta's held hand. "When it is turned on, it looks like a giant balloon that can carry people through the sky. That man will be handling the controls, so we just have to stand in the basket and enjoy the ride."

"Oh, I see," Izetta mouths as she watches the Royal Guards head to the man and start discussing something.

Since they were not in disguise, the man would not try to pull anything against the Princess. Even if he did, the Royal Guards would be right there to stop him. And since only the five of them would be in the basket in the sky, Izetta is happy with the arrangement. Rubbing Finé's hand in return, she smiles, "Alright, let's go."

Everybody gets in the basket and the gas is turned on. Finé and Izetta watch in wonder as the balloon gradually shapes up and starts to lift them off the ground. Even though the man and the Royal Guards are in the basket with them, they give the couple as much space as possible by standing near the corner. Finé and Izetta are at the other corner, looking out at the passing view of Eylstadt.

From their high vantage point, the people, vehicles, scenery and buildings all blend into a beautiful animated piece of art. Eylstadt is by no means tiny, as it is still considered a country, but seeing the whole thing look so small is sight to behold. It is especially so for Izetta, whose other time seeing a sight like this was when she was in the tallest tower of Eylstadt. Yet when Izetta looks to the side, she sees another breath-taking view.

Finé's hair blows with the wind, gliding through the air freely. When she brings a hand to tuck some hair behind her ear, Izetta can see her serene smile as well.

"You know, seeing the country like this," Finé reflects as she continues to look at the landscape, "Gives a sense of accomplishment. The environment is healthy, buildings stand strong and most of all, people are peacefully bustling about their lives. I haven't done anything to contribute in a significant manner yet, but seeing this fills me with even more respect for my father and the ministers. It also reminds me of how fulfilling our jobs are."

Izetta quickly turns her head back to the ground, realizing that she has been staring at Finé for quite a bit. "Y-Yeah…" she splutters. "But Finé, you just did an amazing job, it was just in another country." With her lips curling up slightly, Izetta muses aloud, "I'm sure you'll see the fruits of your labour soon with how much you're growing."

Now Finé turns to look at Izetta and gets lost in thought at the sight of Izetta's short hair fluttering along with her peaceful features. "Thank you," Finé appreciates as she moves over to put an arm around Izetta's side while placing her head on Izetta's shoulder. "You're always so supportive of me. You're an amazing girlfriend, did I ever tell you that?"

Izetta's cheeks turn bright red as she remembers that there are others in the basket as well. But her hand slowly goes around Finé's side and she rests her head on Finé's. "…All the time. You always know what to say to me, how to make me feel… loved… You're the amazing girlfriend…"

"Hehe," Finé closes her eyes. "Let's just say we're both amazing. Those at the back will just get more ammo to tease us later."

"Y-Yeah," Izetta giggles.

Their journey lasts for a while longer, but as they are landing, they get one last treat. As the majestic sun sets, the couple watches along their descent.

"Izetta," Finé calls out as their car drives off.

"Yeah?"

"I couldn't say it just now because that man was there, but I want you to know that the peace we enjoy now is due in no small part to you."

"O-Oh," Izetta turns away as she feels her cheeks heating up. "I…" her denial dies down as she remembers the numerous other times it has been brought up, and how other people are always grateful for her help.

"You're doing an absolutely wonderful job as the White Agent," Finé admires as she leans over to caress Izetta's hand. "The guards that distributed supplies told me how orderly the people were even though it was a dire situation. It's because of your example, your legacy that permeates even though you weren't there personally. Please don't ever forget how incredible you are."

Izetta tries to make herself smaller as her face turns bright red. Yet she cannot stop the wide smile from breaking out while looking down at Finé's hand. With her fingers from the other hand brushing against Finé's hand, she voices, "…T-Thank you, Finé…"

Finé chuckles. Then she goes in to peck Izetta on the cheek, earning a gasp from her.

Izetta spins around to see Finé beaming at her. 'I'm so lucky to be dating her… I'd better remember to wish her happy birthday the moment she wakes up tomorrow…'

The couple are snuggling in bed peacefully as the moonlight illuminates the night sky. Then the phone on Izetta's table flares to life and rings repeatedly. When they don't stir from the bed, the alarm gets turned up and blasts through the room.

"What?!" Izetta jumps out of bed to rush to the phone.

"…Huh…?" Finé mumbles as she rubs her eye.

After fumbling with the phone, Izetta manages to take the call and silence the alarm. "Yes?" she asks as she walks to the toilet. "I can talk freely," she confirms as she closes the door, hoping to not disturb Finé anymore.

Finé sits up and watches the washroom door. She cannot hear the conversation clearly, but from the rapid muttering she hears, she can tell that Izetta is in disbelief. As the hushed conversation goes on, Finé inches towards the door.

Then it turns silent. Finé is about to get off the bed when the door cracks open and the White Agent peeks from within. "Sorry for waking you in the middle of the night," Izetta apologises as she deftly steps out and tiptoes to the room door in a hurry, "I have to go now, I'll be back quickly."

"Wait, Izetta!" Finé cries out with a hand reaching out. When Izetta stops at the door and turns her head to Finé, Finé takes a breath to compose herself. "Don't worry about it. I knew that there would be times when your alert would go off while we were sleeping. I wanted to know if you were being mobilised, so that I could see you off."

Izetta remains quiet for a moment. Then she retracts the visor, deactivating the voice changer as well. "O-Oh…"

"And please don't rush yourself. This is a real emergency, one that they had to call for you. I don't mind if you take a long while, just be careful, please."

"…Okay…" Izetta breathes out. "I'll be off then. But… Happy birthday, Finé. I'll celebrate it with you later, I promise."

Finé gasps as Izetta's visor slides back on and she runs out the room. Finé goes to her phone and checks the date. 'Oh… right… I'd completely forgotten… That's why…' Quickly typing out a message, she hits send and goes back to bed. But her eyes remain open for quite some time before the fatigue finally catches up and she falls back asleep.

The White Agent steps into a power plant where many electricians, scientists and soldiers, all in winter clothing, are flocking about. A woman in a thick coat jumps up and beelines towards the White Agent. "H-Hello Sir, I am here to give you more information on these microbots."

"Hello," Izetta greets by extending her hand which the woman shakes. "Could you show me where they are at first? I don't really know what they look like."

"O-Of course," the woman straightens up. "This way please."

Izetta is led to a panel in the ground which opens up to the underground. They make their way down and deep into the power plant where an enormous amount of pipes are connected. Izetta notes that along the journey, the pathways are really dark and the only light they have is a small one held by a soldier following them.

The woman finally stops and the soldier cautiously steps forward with the light. Shining it onto the pipe, a thin black line traces the pipe. "Do you see them?" the woman asks as she points at the line.

"That thin black line?" Izetta sticks her head out. "Those are the microbots?"

"Y-Yes," the woman swallows. "They've latched themselves onto many of these pipes that generate heat. Since the microbots eat away all the heat, there's no energy left to convert into electricity."

"I see… So what's the plan?"

"Just destroy them…" the woman mutters while barely audible.

"I'm sorry?" Izetta turns to her.

"O-Oh, I mean," the woman clears her throat. "You can do as you see fit, as long as you keep the following in mind. If you generate enough heat, they will attach to and eat away at the source, which is why we only brought a small light here. Touching them is fine, human body heat is not enough to trigger them but if they latch onto you, it's really hard to get them off. If you decide to use force, please don't break the pipes underneath as that would make the situation worse. The Texans desperately need these power plants to be working to survive the winter, so tearing apart everything to get to the microbots is unproductive."

Izetta carefully reaches out with her hand, swiping it against the black line. She can feel the texture of the microbots, but brushing against them does not have any effect on them. Squeezing her fingers more, she sweeps harder against them, not using magic yet, but they still remain attached to the pipe. 'I see why they had to call me now. Removing them by hand is incredibly tough and visibility would be poor under here with all the lights not working. They can't use heavy tools as well as that would damage the pipes.'

"So I can destroy them?" Izetta asks without turning around. "No need to keep them intact for the scientists?"

"Yes, the people up there are working on a shutdown program, but they haven't made much progress from studying the microbots because they went out of control in the first place. Soldiers are chipping away at the bots at the other plants, but their progress is slow as well. With many of the plants in Texas being crippled by this, we really need your help to get Texas some power. I-, I mean we, don't care what you have to do at this point."

"Okay," Izetta nods as she removes her hand. "Stand back please," she instructs as her hand starts to glow.

The soldier and the woman comply wordlessly, retreating away from the White Agent.

'First, let me see if I can use their heat seeking properties.' Izetta's hand glows more and more green as she focuses magic into her palm. Soon a trickle of microbots flock to her palm and dive into the green glow.

'This won't work, I'm using quite a bit of magic but barely any of them came to me,' Izetta laments as she clenches her hand, crushing the microbots there, reducing them to bits and pieces. 'If I want to use magic to generate enough heat to pull them off, I'd have to burn a significant amount of it. There are many other plants I have to go to after, my magic won't last if I do that.'

A knife appears in Izetta's hand, but the edge gets altered more even after forming. With two separate edges formed, Izetta places it horizontally on the pipe and scrapes against where the black line is. With her precision and the blade's augmented sharpness, a patch falls off. Lighting up her other hand, she goes in closer to inspect it. 'Okay, I blunted the bottom half enough that it didn't even scratch the pipe, while the top half sliced through the microbots. I'll have to take it slow, but this should work.'

With the knife in one hand and the other providing some light, Izetta begins going down the long road which she cannot see the end of.