Chapter 01

A New Beginning

Another week had passed since Einhard and Ave officially started dating. The news, while joyous, was met with little surprise among their friends, who had long suspected the deep bond between the two. The air buzzed with excitement as they gathered at the familiar training grounds where Einhard often sparred.

Vivio was the first to break the silence, a playful grin stretching across her face. "Finally! Ave-nii is interested in a girl instead of a giant robot!" she declared dramatically, throwing her hands in the air with exaggerated flair.

Einhard's face turned a vivid shade of crimson. Her thoughts raced frantically, wondering how Ave would take Vivio's teasing. Does he think it's silly? What if he laughs too? She felt her heart pounding so loudly it drowned out the surrounding chatter. "A-Ave-kun..." she stammered, glancing nervously at him, her voice barely audible.

Why do I always get flustered like this around him? She wondered, biting her lip anxiously. Despite her composed demeanor in the ring, Ave had a way of effortlessly unravelling her composure with just his presence.

Ave chuckled, completely unfazed by the teasing. "Hey now," he said confidently, "I've got a heart big enough for both giant robots and Haru."

His bold statement left Einhard speechless, her blush deepening as she struggled to maintain composure. Her heart raced, warmth flooding her chest at his confident words. How can he say things like that so easily? She thought, torn between embarrassment and joy. The sincerity in his voice only made her feelings for him grew stronger.

Trying to steady herself, she gave a meek but affirmative nod, her lips twitching into a small, shy smile. Vivio burst into laughter, her bright voice cutting through the moment, making Einhard's blush intensify even further.

"Classic Ave-nii," Vivio grinned, nudging Rio with a wink.

"Honestly, though, you two make a cute couple," Rio chimed in with a warm smile. "About time, too."

Yumina, ever serene, approached with a warm smile, her eyes filled with genuine affection. "Congratulations, Einhard-san, Ave-san. Take good care of each other, okay?"

Einhard's blush deepened, warmth spreading through her chest at Yumina's kind words. She's always so composed and thoughtful. I'm lucky to have a friend like her. Gathering her composure, Einhard managed to reply earnestly, "Thank you, Yumina-san. I'll take care of Ave-kun and... myself too."

Yumina chuckled softly, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Focus on him more than yourself, Einhard-san," she quipped lightly.

Ave scratched the back of his neck, clearly flustered. "I'll take good care of Haru too," he promised earnestly, his voice steady despite his obvious embarrassment.

Yumina's smile widened. "Good. You two deserve to be happy together," she said warmly, giving them both a final encouraging nod before stepping aside, her serene presence lingering as a reminder of their friends' support.

The congratulations continued, with Fūka stepping forward, her expression serious and resolute. Her intense gaze locked onto Ave as she crossed her arms. "Ave-niisan, Haru-san is my beloved mentor. If you ever make her sad, I'll make sure you regret it."

Ave blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her fierce protectiveness. Then, placing a hand over his heart with a respectful nod, he smiled calmly. "I promise, Fūka-san. I'll make sure Haru is happy." His sincere tone seemed to soften the tension, though Fūka's eyes remained narrowed.

Einhard, feeling both touched and a little flustered, glanced at Fūka with gratitude. She's always looking out for me, Einhard thought, warmth spreading through her chest. "Thank you, Fūka," she said softly, her voice sincere.

Fūka's serious demeanor cracked slightly as she smiled. "Just don't forget to take care of yourself too, Haru-san."

Rio and Corona, always the mischievous pair, took the opportunity to tease the new couple, their eyes gleaming with playful intent.

"So when's the wedding ceremony?" Rio grinned, leaning forward as if she expected an immediate answer.

Einhard's eyes widened in shock. "R-Rio-san!" she spluttered, waving her hands defensively, her face turning a brilliant shade of red. "It's way too soon for that kind of talk!"

Corona wasn't one to let up. "Or the honeymoon?" she added with a sly smile, enjoying how flustered both Einhard and Ave had become.

Ave cleared his throat, trying to regain composure. "Y-You're getting ahead of yourselves," he said, his voice cracking slightly. His hand instinctively reached up to rub the back of his neck, a telltale sign of his embarrassment.

Einhard shot him a desperate look. Why do they always have to push things so far? she wondered, wishing the ground would swallow her up.

Rio laughed gleefully. "Relax, Einhard-san. We're just messing with you!" she teased, earning a reluctant sigh from Einhard, who knew better than to take their antics personally.

"Still," Corona added with a mischievous smirk, "you both make an adorable couple."

Ave glanced at Einhard, a smile tugging at his lips despite his embarrassment. "Well, thanks for that... I guess," he said, his voice warm despite the teasing.

Einhard huffed softly but couldn't entirely hide the small smile forming at the corners of her mouth. They'll never stop teasing us, will they? She thought with a mix of exasperation and affection for her friends.

Despite the initial buzz, the news quickly died down, replaced by fresher gossip—such as the debut of a new idol group through the futuristic sports competition, Extreme Heart. Einhard and Ave, neither of whom enjoyed the spotlight, were grateful for the swift shift in attention.

Life returned to its blissful normalcy. The hum of daily activities created a soothing rhythm for both Einhard and Ave. Ave continued assisting the Technical Division with the development of a new type of GN Drive Tau, often seen piloting sleek prototype units through rigorous tests. His presence was a constant topic of fascination among the engineers.

Einhard's routine remained largely unchanged—her mornings began with invigorating jogs along scenic pathways, followed by the structured bustle of school and cherished moments with Yumina and her friends. Afternoons were devoted to intense training sessions at the gym, where the clang of fists meeting training pads echoed through the hall. Evenings offered a quieter respite as she returned home, now with a heartwarming twist—Ave's increased presence.

Remembering this made Einhard smile. Ave never failed to pick her up for school, the gym, and their return home. His motorbike's sleek hum had become as familiar as the gentle rustling of Midchilda's trees. He even stayed behind at her apartment, expertly navigating her modest kitchen to prepare thoughtful and delicious lunchboxes, having realized early on that cooking wasn't her forte.

In return, Einhard frequently visited Ave at the Technical Division's Research and Development building whenever she had free time. Her presence became a source of curiosity among the scientists and mechanics. The sight of the renowned martial artist sitting quietly by Ave's workstation, contentedly watching him tinker with advanced technology, sparked amused whispers. Some even joked that she was their unofficial "good luck charm." Einhard only chuckled quietly at such remarks, knowing she came for one reason alone—to be by his side.

It's a blissful life, Einhard thought, gratitude swelling in her chest for the happiness they shared. She was certain Ave felt the same. As she continued to train for the upcoming Girls Fight Festival, she often marvelled at the surreal joy she now experienced, wondering if she was living in a dream.

"You're not dreaming, Haru," Ave said, his tone gentle yet playful, as he jogged steadily beside her. His words cut through the early morning quiet, filled with the warmth of sincerity.

Einhard glanced at him, her breath steady despite the pace of their run. She blushed slightly, startled by his sudden statement. "I didn't mean it literally," she muttered defensively, though the faint smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.

Ave grinned mischievously. "Even if you were dreaming, I'd kiss you to wake you up so you could experience the same happiness in the real world."

Her face turned beet red at his bold declaration. "D-Don't tease me, Ave-kun!" she huffed, trying to maintain her focus. "I need to concentrate on my practice!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. "Sorry, Haru," he said, though the glint in his eyes suggested he wasn't entirely repentant. "I can't help it sometimes. You're too cute when you're serious."

Einhard shot him a glare that quickly softened into a sheepish smile. Why does he always say things that make my heart race? She wondered, her resolve wavering briefly under the weight of her feelings.

They stopped at a small park in Midchilda West's Althea District, where the morning air was crisp and tinged with the scent of fresh grass. Dew clung to the flowerbeds scattered along the pathway, glistening in the early light. Ave sat on a nearby bench, the wood cool beneath him, watching intently as Einhard practiced her Kaiser Arts' stances and moves. Each precise movement of her limbs reflected discipline and grace, the sound of her feet tapping rhythmically against the ground blending with the rustle of leaves.

His eyes sharpened with focus as he carefully analyzed every shift of her weight, every extension of her strikes, mentally compiling the data into a small generic Device he carried. The glow of the Device's interface flickered, recording patterns and generating potential optimisations.

She's amazing, Ave thought, admiration gleaming in his eyes. Every move has such purpose and intent. No wonder she's the champion. Despite his technical assessments, there was a personal pride that bloomed in his chest watching her dedication.

Einhard's brow furrowed as she executed a particularly demanding sequence, her breathing steady despite the strain. Sweat glistened on her forehead, but her focus remained unwavering. The sunlight caught the subtle hues of her heterochromia—one purple, the other blue—making her determination even more striking.

After about an hour, she finished her training and walked over to sit next to Ave, wiping sweat from her brow with a small towel. Her breath came in steady rhythms as she caught her composure.

"What are you doing?" she asked, curiosity flickering in her voice.

Ave looked up from the glowing Device, his lips curling into a smile. "I'm compiling your training data to develop a better method that will help you win the Girls Fight Festival."

Einhard's expression softened, warmth flickering in her chest. "Thank you, Ave-kun. But I bet you're also using that data to improve Astraea II's combat performance."

Ave rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, a slight flush creeping up his face. "Guilty as charged," he admitted. "But I'm hoping to complete the new unit too—maybe we can visit Yuki-san and the others again someday."

Einhard's smile widened. "You'll definitely accomplish that, Ave-kun. But don't overwork yourself," she said gently, her voice filled with earnest concern. "You're not alone anymore."

Ave's gaze softened, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thanks, Haru. I'm really lucky to have such an understanding and supportive girlfriend."

They shared a quiet moment, the serenity of the park enveloping them. Birds chirped melodiously from the trees, and the gentle rustle of leaves added to the tranquil atmosphere. Leaning closer, they let their foreheads touch briefly before their lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss, sealing the unspoken promise between them.

Unfortunately, the romantic atmosphere was abruptly shattered by a rustling noise from the nearby bushes. Einhard and Ave broke apart, startled, their hearts still racing from the tender moment they had just shared.

The rustling grew louder, followed by a series of whispered voices.

"I told you we'd get caught!" Corona's hushed but panicked voice carried through the foliage.

"Shhh, keep moving!" Vivio urged.

As if on cue, the entire group—Fūka, Vivio, Rio, and Corona—tumbled out of the bushes in a chaotic heap, looking utterly sheepish.

Vivio, her face flushed with embarrassment, tried to recover quickly. "W-We were just passing by!" she blurted, waving her hands dismissively.

Rio grinned mischievously, clearly enjoying the situation. "Nice timing though, right?" she teased with a wink.

Einhard's face turned crimson, her hands instinctively flying up to cover her cheeks. Why does this always happen to us? She thought frantically. The mortification made her wish she could disappear on the spot.

Corona sighed, brushing leaves off her skirt. "We should probably go now... before this gets even more awkward," she muttered, clearly regretting their choice to follow.

Fūka crossed her arms defiantly. "Nothing to see here! Let's move!" she declared with a huff, trying to salvage some dignity.

As the group tried to make a hasty retreat, Ave's stern voice stopped them in their tracks.

"Hold it right there," he said firmly, though there was a playful edge to his tone. "Care to explain why you were spying on us?"

Vivio opened her mouth to protest but hesitated under Ave's pointed gaze. "Um... research?" she offered weakly.

Ave sighed, shaking his head. "Some research team you make," he teased.

Einhard, still burning with embarrassment, buried her face in her hands. I can't believe this is happening... Her heart raced furiously, caught between humiliation and exasperation. Why do they always have to show up at the worst moments? She thought, peeking through her fingers at Ave, who stood with a bemused expression.

His playful demeanor only made her blush harder. And why does he look so calm? Doesn't this embarrass him too? Despite her mortification, there was a strange comfort in knowing that even these awkward interruptions couldn't shake the bond they shared.

Ave's voice broke through her thoughts. "Haru, you okay?" he asked gently, his eyes glinting with amusement but tinged with concern.

Einhard peeked through her fingers, her blush still prominent. "I'll survive... somehow," she muttered, earning a soft chuckle from Ave.

"They're relentless, aren't they?" Ave teased, glancing at their retreating friends.

Einhard sighed, finally dropping her hands. "I guess it's their way of showing they care," she admitted begrudgingly, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Ave nodded thoughtfully. "Still, next time we'll have to find a more secret spot for our date." His tone was teasing, but the suggestion made Einhard's heart skip a beat.

"D-Don't say things like that so casually," she huffed, flustered once again.

He grinned, leaning a bit closer. "But it's true, isn't it? You're too cute when you're embarrassed, Haru."

Einhard shook her head, though warmth bloomed in her chest. How does he always manage to make me feel like this? She wondered, the embarrassment melting into something softer, more profound.

The two of them lingered in the quiet park, the earlier chaos fading into a memory. Despite the interruptions, Einhard knew moments like this were precious—and she wouldn't trade them for anything.

To Be Continued.