[ Portfall Memorial Garden, Western Mid / September 19, 0078 08:12 ]

Every time they visited Portfall Memorial Garden, Teana got the feeling that one day, Nanoha Takamachi would be there to greet them with that bright, almost childish smile only she had. But that never happened. And couldn't happen, Teana kept telling herself. You are just unable to let go, to acknowledge her death. She is not coming back. Stop thinking such stupidly naïve things.

She looked over her shoulder to check on Subaru. She walked behind her, flowers in hand. Subaru always brought marigolds; she always came empty-handed. Flowers wouldn't bring anyone back. But they made Subaru feel better, so she kept silent.

They passed a pair of visitors heading for the exit. The woman was gaunt and had short blonde hair and wore a white trench coat and large sunglasses. She didn't care to wipe off the wet trails on her cheeks. The man wore a suit, large glasses, and a ponytail. They both looked familiar.

"Sorry," the man said and they hurried along.

Teana stopped.

"What is it, Tea?"

"That woman… Doesn't she look like Captain Harlaown?"

"No way. The Captain is a fugitive now, she wouldn't dare to come to the Mid…"

"But she was very close to Nanoha-san. Maybe…"

"Also, Captain Harlaown has long hair."

"She could have cut them."

"Cut her hair?"

Teana couldn't help but smile back.

"Yeah, you are right. There is no way. But the man, I feel I know him from somewhere."

"One of the Bureau's staff?"

"I don't know."

They moved along before the strange couple disappeared behind a hedge.