Chapter 02

Everyday Bliss

The sun bathed Midchilda West in a golden glow, casting long, gentle shadows across the streets as Einhard and Ave returned from their invigorating morning jog. The crisp breeze carried the scent of fresh blossoms from the nearby park, mingling with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from nearby cafés. Einhard's breath came in steady rhythms, her silver-green hair shimmering in the sunlight with each step.

Beside her, Ave jogged at an easy pace, his sharp eyes occasionally flickering toward her, ensuring she wasn't overexerting herself. Their synchronized strides spoke of countless runs shared together, a testament to their growing bond.

As they neared Einhard's apartment building, a sleek high-rise that gleamed under the morning sun, Ave slowed down, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. The faint hum of city life echoed around them—hover cars gliding by and people bustling toward their morning routines.

Einhard let out a content sigh, her heart lighter than the breeze. Mornings like this feel so peaceful, she thought, glancing at Ave with a small smile. I never imagined enjoying these simple moments so much.

"Beat me back to the door this time," Ave teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Only because I let you," Einhard quipped, her lips curving into a competitive grin as they reached the entrance.

Their rhythmic steps faded as they entered the building, ready to start another beautiful day together.

Stepping inside, the familiar warmth of Einhard's home greeted them. The cozy living room, with its soft hues and minimalist decor, exuded a comforting ambiance. A faint floral scent lingered in the air from a vase filled with freshly picked flowers on the side table.

To their surprise, Yumina was already waiting for them, a bright smile lighting up her face. Beside her, Asteion sat primly on the couch, tail flicking lazily as it surveyed the room like a content ruler.

"Good morning, Einhard-san, Ave-san," Yumina greeted cheerfully.

Einhard offered a warm smile, feeling a sense of reassurance at Yumina's presence. She's always so dependable. Yumina's presence here was more than mere coincidence—Einhard had given her a spare key to the apartment, trusting her dear friend to check in every now and then, just in case.

Before Einhard could reply, Asteion let out an excited meow and leaped gracefully into Ave's arms.

"Hey there, Tio," Ave laughed, catching the plushie-like snow leopard mid-air and scratching its ears with practiced ease.

Asteion purred contentedly, its eyes half-lidded with satisfaction, before hopping onto Einhard's shoulder and nuzzling against her cheek. Einhard's lips curled into a soft smile as she gently stroked Asteion's head, appreciating the small but comforting gesture.

"You two look lively this morning," Yumina observed, her voice light and cheerful. Her gaze sharpened slightly as she noticed Einhard's flushed cheeks, the color standing out against her fair skin.

Yumina's lips curled into a playful smile. "Einhard-san, your face is red. Did something happen during your jog?"

Einhard's breath caught for a moment, and she glanced nervously at Ave, hoping he wouldn't say anything too embarrassing. Why does she always have to notice everything? She thought, flustered.

Ave grinned sheepishly, stepping in before Einhard could stammer a reply. "Oh, nothing much—just Vivio, Rio, Corona, and Fūka spying on us from the bushes. We caught them red-handed," he explained with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

Yumina's eyes widened slightly before she let out a delighted laugh. "Really? That sounds exactly like something they would do," she said, shaking her head in amusement.

Einhard's blush deepened, her voice barely a murmur. "It was so embarrassing..." Her pout was both adorable and earnest as she crossed her arms, glancing away in an attempt to regain her composure. Why did Ave-kun have to bring that up?

Yumina giggled, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "You're adorable when you're flustered, Einhard-san."

Ave nodded affirmatively, a teasing glint in his eyes. "Absolutely. The cutest."

Einhard's embarrassment turned into playful indignation as she lightly elbowed Ave in the ribs. "Stop teasing me, Ave-kun!" she huffed, though the corner of her lips threatened to curl into a smile.

Yumina's laughter filled the room, blending with Asteion's gentle purrs from atop the bookshelf, where the plushie had settled into a cozy perch, watching the exchange like a satisfied observer.

After a few more lighthearted moments, Einhard excused herself to shower, leaving Yumina and Ave alone in the living room. The sound of running water echoed faintly from the bathroom, blending with the soft hum of the city beyond the windows. The atmosphere shifted into a more reflective tone as Yumina leaned back on the couch, her gaze thoughtful.

"You really care about her, don't you?" Yumina said gently, breaking the comfortable silence.

Ave's expression softened. "Yeah, I do. I love her, Yumi-san. Protecting her isn't just my wish—it's my privilege." His voice was steady, filled with quiet conviction.

Yumina smiled warmly, her hands resting on her lap. "It's wonderful to see her this happy. Before you came into her life, Einhard-san often came to class with a lonely look on her face. There were times I noticed fresh bandages, bruises, and small cuts. I always worried about her."

Ave's brows furrowed in concern. "Were those from street brawls?"

Yumina nodded solemnly. "I think so. But she never really talked about it." Her voice carried a hint of sadness. "It's different now, though. She's brighter—more open. And I think a big part of that is because of you."

Ave's gaze grew distant as memories resurfaced. "The first time I met Haru was three years ago. She ambushed me one evening and challenged me to a street fight," he recalled with a wry chuckle. "I accepted and went all out, even using Variant Zapper. But she still beat me."

Yumina's eyes widened before she burst into laughter, the sound light and genuine. "People always talk about love at first sight, but for you two, it was love at the first punch!"

Ave laughed sheepishly. "Yeah, I guess you could say that."

Their conversation flowed naturally as they reminisced about Einhard's journey of self-discovery. Yumina shared how she had always supported Einhard through her struggles, while Ave spoke of how Einhard's presence had become his anchor since arriving in Midchilda.

"I've heard you're originally from a parallel version of Earth," Yumina said carefully, her tone respectful. "But I won't pry."

Ave appreciated her tact and nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Yumi-san."

Yumina's expression softened. "She's lucky to have you. Just promise me you'll always take good care of her."

Ave's voice was steady as he made his vow. "I will."

Their conversation came to a natural pause as Einhard stepped back into the living room, now dressed in her crisp school uniform. The neatly pressed fabric hugged her slender frame, giving her a polished and poised appearance. Her long silver-green hair shimmered under the morning light, cascading down her back in smooth waves, and her mismatched purple and blue eyes gleamed with renewed energy. She tucked a stray strand behind her ear, glancing between Ave and Yumina, curiosity flickering across her delicate features.

Ave's gaze softened as he admired her composed yet radiant presence. No matter how many times I see her like this, she always takes my breath away, he thought, feeling a sense of pride and warmth.

"You look ready to conquer the day," Yumina remarked warmly, her voice tinged with affection. "How was the shower?" she added teasingly.

Einhard's lips quirked into a small smile. "Refreshing," she answered simply, though there was a faint blush on her cheeks as she caught Ave's lingering glance.

Why does he always look at me like that? She wondered, her heart fluttering despite herself. Determined to regain her composure, she straightened her posture. "Are we ready to go?"

Yumina smiled warmly, her eyes glinting with affection. "Take care of her, Ave-san," she said with a playful but sincere tone.

Ave nodded reassuringly. "Always," he promised, his voice steady.

Yumina's smile softened further. "Good. Einhard-san has always been strong, but that doesn't mean she doesn't need someone to lean on now and then." Her gaze flickered to Einhard's school shoes neatly placed by the entrance. "I'm glad that someone is you."

Ave felt warmth bloom in his chest. "She's incredible," he admitted, "and I'll do everything I can to support her."

Yumina gave him a knowing look. "That's all anyone could ask for."

Einhard tilted her head curiously, her eyes narrowing slightly with suspicion. "What were you two talking about?"

Yumina's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Oh, nothing too serious. Just discussing some very important matters." Her tone was deliberately cryptic.

Ave couldn't resist joining in. "Highly classified stuff," he added with a mock-serious expression.

Einhard's brows furrowed as she crossed her arms. "Come on, tell me," she insisted, her curiosity growing.

Yumina and Ave shared a playful grin. "We were talking about how adorable you are," they said in unison, their synchronization perfect.

Einhard's face turned a deep shade of red. Her mouth opened and closed as she struggled to find words. "Y-You two!" she sputtered, caught between embarrassment and indignation. "That's not funny!"

Asteion meowed from its perch, seemingly amused by the exchange, its tail flicking rhythmically.

Ave chuckled softly. "Sorry, Haru, but it's the truth." His gaze softened as he looked at her. "You really are adorable."

Einhard's blush deepened, and she glanced away, biting her lip to suppress a shy smile. Why does he always say things like that? She wondered, her heart fluttering despite herself.

Yumina's laughter filled the room. "You two are perfect for each other," she said warmly.

The hum of Ave's motorbike filled the air, blending with the distant sounds of hover cars zipping through the bustling streets of Midchilda. The crisp morning air brushed against their faces, carrying hints of blooming wildflowers and freshly baked bread from nearby cafés. Einhard clung securely to Ave's waist, her arms wrapped around him with a sense of ease that spoke of trust and growing affection.

Her heart felt light as they navigated the morning traffic, the cityscape a blur of modern architecture gleaming under the early sunlight. The rhythmic vibration of the motorbike beneath them was strangely soothing, lulling Einhard into a tranquil state.

These moments feel so precious, Einhard thought, her mismatched purple and blue eyes reflecting the warm glow of the day. I never imagined finding such happiness in something so simple. She glanced briefly at Ave's profile, his confident grip on the handlebars radiating assurance.

Ave's voice cut through the wind. "Comfortable back there, Haru?"

Einhard's lips curved into a soft smile, though he couldn't see it. "Very," she replied, her voice steady but tinged with warmth. As long as I'm with you, Ave-kun.

"The Girls Fight Festival is coming up soon," Ave said, raising his voice slightly to cut through the rush of the wind.

Einhard tightened her hold around his waist, feeling the motorbike's gentle vibrations beneath them. Her thoughts immediately shifted to her rigorous training sessions, the long hours spent perfecting her techniques. "Yes," she confirmed, her tone resolute. "I've been training hard for it."

Ave's voice carried warmth as he responded. "You'll do great," he encouraged. "And I'll be cheering you on from the front row."

Einhard's lips curved into a soft smile, though the rush of wind tugged at her hair. "Thank you, Ave-kun. That means a lot," she said sincerely, feeling a surge of gratitude for his unwavering support.

Her heart warmed at the thought of him being there, watching her compete. With him cheering me on, I feel like I can face anything, she thought, her resolve strengthening.

They continued chatting about lighthearted topics, from gym training mishaps to Fūka and Vivio's friendly competitions, laughter mingling with the hum of the engine. The city blurred around them as they rode, the scenery shifting seamlessly between sleek urban structures and patches of green parks.

Ave glanced briefly in the rear-view mirror, catching a glimpse of Einhard's serene expression. "You've got this, Haru," he added confidently. "No one trains harder than you."

Einhard's grip on his waist tightened slightly, her heart swelling with both pride and affection. "I'll do my best," she promised, determination shining in her mismatched eyes.

"Do you have any plans for the summer holiday?" he asked casually.

Einhard shook her head thoughtfully. "Not really. I'll probably just train and relax at home. Maybe catch up on reading too." Her voice was calm, but there was a hint of longing for something more.

Ave glanced back briefly, his eyes thoughtful. "How about we go somewhere together? Just the two of us?"

Einhard's breath caught, surprise flickering across her face. Did he really just suggest that? Her heart raced as warmth spread through her entire body. Her beautiful mismatched eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she processed his invitation.

"Yes," she answered with heartfelt certainty, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I'd love that."

Ave's smile widened beneath his helmet. "It's a promise, then."

As they pulled up to the school gates, Einhard couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of many beautiful moments they would share together.

To Be Continued.