Astraea finally noticed the change in Akira's demeanor. She blinked in surprise, then chuckled lightly when she realized it was nothing more than shyness from their close proximity.

To someone like her—an immortal goddess who had seen all manners of desire and restraint—Akira's bashfulness was endearing. She was satisfied by the subtle effect she had on him, yet at the same time, she had no intention of letting this rare opportunity slip by so easily.

With a serene smile that seemed to carry the warmth of a spring breeze, Astraea lifted her hand and gently brushed her hair behind her ear, revealing the curve of her petite, delicate earlobe. For a brief moment, that pearl-like ear flashed into Akira's view, its translucent white and pink hue so exquisite that it stirred the instinct to lean in and—

No. Focus.

The soft hue of cherry blossom pink had begun to bloom across her cheeks, and that gentle blush stretched slowly to her ears. It was as if a delicate sakura had bloomed on her porcelain skin, painting her beauty with a hint of shy charm.

Her fingers, always soft and warm, gently touched Akira's cheek before lightly brushing down past the corner of his lips. That fleeting contact made his heart skip.

At that moment, a playful glint appeared in Astraea's eyes. Perhaps recalling the light kiss she'd once given her precious familia as a blessing… or maybe she simply found Akira's reactions amusing. Like a girl discovering a delightful toy, she leaned in once more—this time pressing her supple body more fully against him.

Her head came to rest on his shoulder, but she didn't stay still for long. With subtle movement, her breath fanned across his collarbone. It was like a whisper of wind brushing his skin, yet the warmth it brought sparked an inexplicable impulse deep in Akira's chest.

Then came her finger—her slender index finger, like a mischievous sprite—slipping lightly beneath his collar. It moved down slowly, tracing an invisible path on his skin, its teasing touch invoking waves of tingling sensations.

But as her hand reached his collarbone, Astraea suddenly seemed to realize how bold her actions had become. Her face immediately flushed an even deeper red, rich and enticing, like the ripe skin of an apple warmed by the summer sun.

Astraea let out a melodious laugh, clear as a silver bell ringing through the hall. The sound, pure and sweet, lingered like perfume in the air, adding a tender layer of charm to the already warm, ambiguous atmosphere.

Sunlight poured gently through the clean, crystal windows of the familia's base, casting soft golden rays into every corner. The warmth it brought merged with the warmth in their hearts.

After teasing Akira so thoroughly, Astraea stood up gracefully. Every motion was a dance of elegance, and as she leaned down slightly to him once more, a faint, sweet fragrance wafted over.

She extended her hand toward him again—not with divine authority, but with the soft, inviting gesture of a woman and pulled him up with a fluid movement.

Then, with a playful tilt of her head, she stood beside him, raised her hand, and measured the top of their heads.

"Akira seems to have grown a lot taller." She mused, her voice filled with both surprise and maternal pride.

Her starlit-blue eyes softened as she gazed at him. The corners of her lips curled upward into a gentle arc, full of affection and delight.

She remembered clearly—just two months ago, when they first met, Akira had still been half a head shorter than her. But now, standing face-to-face like this, their gazes met on equal ground.

Only two months… but within that fleeting time, Akira had changed so much.

His height had shot up rapidly. His limbs had stretched and thickened, his torso grown broader and sturdier. Beneath his coat, faint lines of lean muscle had begun to form—marks of a boy shedding his youthful innocence and stepping toward manhood.

Even his face had matured, losing its softness and gaining sharpness, while the aura surrounding him grew calmer yet more commanding.

The divine Falna granted by her hand was continuously evolving within him, and with each passing day, the power flowing through Akira became harder to ignore.

Had he not trained himself in rigorous control techniques daily, Astraea had no doubt he would've long surpassed his peers in pure destructive potential alone.

But even more than that, what made her heart swell was that Akira was steadily living up to her expectations. With quiet resilience, he was growing into a steadfast pillar—someone who could support the weight of the Astraea Familia with grace and strength.

"Is that so? That's really something that makes me happy." Akira replied, finally looking up from her snow-white skirt and meeting her gaze. A gentle smile curved on his lips, full of gratitude and serenity.

Just as the two of them settled back onto the soft, luxurious sofa, whispering in hushed tones, an unexpected sound broke the tranquil moment.

"..."

A faint rustle came from the other side of the room, followed by a sleepy groan.

Lying on the edge of another sofa, wrapped in a warm blanket, Alise slowly blinked open her eyes.

There was still a trace of drowsiness in her ruby-red gaze, and she yawned quietly, stretching lazily like a cat basking in morning light.

Her gaze swept across the room and upon seeing her sleeping familia all resting soundly around her, peaceful and unharmed, a radiant smile lit up her face. A smile as warm and dazzling as the sun.

Home… It's really good to be back in this warm place again.

Alise sighed inwardly, her heart filled with relief.

To avoid disturbing the others, she carefully peeled the blanket off her body and tiptoed down from the sofa with practiced grace.

Standing up straight, hands on her hips, Alise exuded the vibrant spirit of a leader who had fully recharged her energy.

Her crimson eyes scanned the room, and then she spotted them—Akira and Astraea, seated closely side by side, whispering softly on the couch.

Akira had a calm and peaceful expression, while Astraea tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with casual elegance.

The scene, at first glance, appeared innocent.

Yet the keen instincts of a woman, especially a certain red-haired captain with a lively imagination, sounded the silent alarm.

Something… happened.

Alise thought, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Before she could say anything, Astraea noticed her and waved gently with a serene smile. Then, like a child trying to make room in a shared secret, she shifted closer to Akira, silently inviting Alise to join them.

Akira turned toward her and asked softly, "You're awake, captain. How was your rest?"

Alise said nothing at first. She simply raised her arms and struck a powerful pose—her silent declaration that she was back at full strength. Follow current novᴇls on novelfire(.)net

(End of Chapter)

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