'That was some of the best sleep I've had in a while.'

I feel a weight on my stomach. I look down to see Laffey laying on me, nestling her head in my bosom.

'Did she just-?'

I pat her head, seeing she is awake. "Hi Laffey, good sleep?"

She looks up at me, worry in her eyes. "You were hurt. Why?"

"Huh?"

She points at my cheek, a cut left across it from the training with Purifier from yesterday.

"Oh, that. I hurt myself during training, it's nothing, really."

"Don't lie."

'Should I tell her? But… no, I'll tell her a half truth. I don't want her getting involved in my drama.'

"I-"

"Did it have to do with your dream?"

"W-what?"

"I saw you reading a book. It was strange, it wasn't English, but it made sense."

"Wait, what?! Are you okay?!" I grab her, looking into her eyes, and checking to see if anything is out of place with her actions.

She shakes her head. "I'm okay. I feel fine."

"But how?! It should have made you insane, or worse! But… you didn't read it, I did! Maybe because you just saw my dreams, you just saw my understanding, nothing else!"

She nods, "Maybe."

I grab her into a hug, not noticing the blush on her face. "Thank god you're alright!"

She lets out a delayed "mhm.", pulling me further into the hug.

After a minute we break out of the hug, before I ask her if she wants to do anything.

"Onsen"

"Good idea, I could use a nice warm bath."

Me and Laffey are sitting next to each other in the royal navy's attempt at an onsen. Still never going to be as good as the real deal.

"It's nice that we have it all to ourselves, right Laffey?"

Laffey seems zoned out, only responding after I tap her shoulder, "...yeah."

"What's wrong?"

Laffey looks away, shying from my gaze. "Nothing."

I try to encourage her, "C'mon, you can tell me. Besides, whatever it is, this is probably the best time to say it."

She looks back to me, "Is it because you're relaxing in a hot spring?"

I give a slight nod, sinking into the water a little more, "mhm."

She seems to settle at the words, before addressing me. "Well, something's been on my mind for a while."

"What is it?"

Laffey takes a deep breath, failing to calm herself. She reaches for her flask at the edge of the pool, before I snatch it from her hands.

She looks at me, and I shake my head. "No. Problem first, then maybe alcohol later."

She shakes her head at me, before trying to calm herself again. I grab her hand, trying to encourage her a little.

I can hear my heartbeat in my ears.

She takes a deep breath, before just forcing herself to speak. "I… I think I love you, Reprisal."

"I love you too, Laffey. Come here."

I grab her, bringing her into a hug that she gladly reciprocates.

'I love this. I never want to leave your side, ever.'

"Love you."

"Love you too."

*snap!*

I snap around, seeing Hornet taking a picture of the scene. "I knew it! I knew you two were little lovebirds!"

"Hornet I swear to god, delete that picture or-"

"Or what, you're gonna chase me and delete it?"

"Yes!" I step out to chase her, but Laffey clings to my back, not letting me leave.

"Wha-?"

"Relax time. You can get her later."

I let out a sigh, happy that she cares for me so. "Thanks, let's spend the day together. Is that okay with you?"

"Of course."

I sit back down, Laffey sitting in my lap, her head being cradled in my neck. I let my muscles lighten up, the tension being sapped away by the heat.

'This is it. This is what I want to protect. No matter what happens, this is my everything.'

It's midday and Mom, Laffey (My now girlfriend), Kaga, and Akagi and I are all sitting under the sakura trees, eating some snacks after I finished training with Mom. Laffey is sitting in my lap, eating a piece of mochi.

"You've gotten better Honey, I can't believe you can already beat me in a duel!"

I shake my head, "Thanks, but you were going easy on me! There's no way I could beat you!"

She shakes her head, "No, I'm being genuine. You know I would never lie to you."

I smile, proud of my accomplishment that has taken my life to achieve.

Akagi looks at me with a grin on her face, "I wonder what it is, huh? What gave you the push to attain victory from big sis?"

I look at her confused, and she continues, "I think it was that your kanojo was watching you, and you wanted to look good!"

I blush, looking away. "It's not that… well I mean, not entirely."

She laughs, and Mom joins in the laughter. Kaga just lets out a quiet chuckle, covering her mouth with her hand.

I grab a pocky stick and shove half of it into my mouth, taking a bite.

Kaga looks at me with a big grin 'well, big for her anyways, given how cold she tends to act.', and says "You two are perfect for one another, you know that?"

Laffey takes the pocky stick from my mouth when I go to respond, before eating it herself.

"Laffey, why? That's gross, it has my spit on it!"

Laffey stares at me, before staring up at the sun.

I look at her in concern, "Umm… Laffey? Are you alright?"

We all watch as Laffey stands up and walks away from the table. She walks towards where the cliff meets the sea, and we all follow her. The sun is behind my head now, and she has not stopped looking at it.

We're all concerned now, scared for her safety.

Mom speaks up, saying "Laffey, please don't step any further back. The edge of the cliff is too close already."

Laffey… listens, surprisingly. She takes a step away from the cliff, still staring at the sun.

I step towards her, covering her head in shade, and blocking her view from the sun.

Suddenly Laffey screams, something inhuman, before clawing at her eyes.

"Laffey! What's wrong!?"

We all begin to rush towards her, and we succeed in restraining her. But it's too late.

Her eyes were clawed out.

Somewhere over the rainbow, way up high

There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow, skies are blue

And the dreams that you dare to dream

Really do come true

- Excerpt from Reprisal's Journal