The shrine grounds were alive with soft lantern light and the gentle murmur of prayers. Villagers and visitors alike had gathered, their colorful kimonos blending into a sea of vibrant patterns and hues. The scent of incense wafted through the crisp evening air, mingling with the faint melody of flutes and drums in the distance.

  Kaori stood before the shrine with the others, her hands clasped together. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her serene expression, her sunset-orange eyes reflecting the flickering light. Theo stood beside her, mimicking her pose, though his gaze flitted around in awe at the intricate wooden carvings of dragons and phoenixes that adorned the shrine.

  Azura, Camilla, and Corrin finished their prayers first, stepping back quietly. Takumi lingered beside Kaori, his expression unreadable as he bowed his head.

  Kaori made her first wish silently, her heart swelling with gratitude for this moment. 'Please let everyone remain safe and happy, no matter what challenges may come our way.' She exhaled softly, feeling a sense of calm wash over her.

  The others began to step away from the shrine, chatting quietly among themselves, but Kaori remained, her head bowed as two more wishes formed in her heart.

  Her thoughts turned to Theo, his small figure beside her a reminder of how fragile life could be. He was already lost in her first life—taken too soon by the cruel hands of influenza. The memory of his bright smile fading away still haunted her. But now, in this second chance, he was here, alive and full of hope. 'Please,' she prayed silently, her fingers tightening against each other, 'let Theo stay happy and healthy. Let him grow up to live the life he deserves, free from the pain he had experienced.'

  A warm, gentle breeze brushed against her cheek as if the universe acknowledged her plea. She allowed herself a small smile, glancing briefly at the boy beside her. Theo caught her gaze and grinned brightly, his peridot eyes shining like precious gems.

  Her second wish was more complicated. As she closed her eyes, her thoughts turned to Takumi. The Hoshidan prince who had, in his own way, been a pillar of strength for her in this new life. His unwavering determination and occasional vulnerability had touched her deeply. She had never told him how much she admired his courage—or how much she feared losing him. He, too, had suffered in the life she left behind, and she didn't want that pain to find him again.

  Her chest tightened as she formed her wish. 'Please protect Takumi. Keep him safe from harm, and let him find peace and happiness. I don't know what I'd do without him.'

  The words resonated within her, and for a moment, the world seemed still. She opened her eyes, a sense of quiet resolve settling over her.

  As she stepped back from the shrine, Takumi glanced at her curiously. "You took your time," he remarked, his tone casual but his amber eyes searching hers.

  Kaori hesitated, then offered him a small smile. "Just wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything important."

  He raised an eyebrow but said nothing, falling into step beside her as they rejoined the others. Theo bounded ahead, his excitement contagious as he pointed out a pair of children playing with takoage high in the sky.

  The group made their way down the shrine steps, lanterns lighting their path. The sound of laughter and music grew louder as they returned to the village square, where the next part of the festivities awaited.

  Kaori stole a glance at Takumi, her heart lighter but still carrying the weight of her wishes. For tonight, she decided, she would enjoy the celebration and the company of those she held dear. When they all get back to Askr, that day would bring its own challenges, but for now, she allowed herself to believe in the magic of the New Year.

  Both Kaori and Theo tried out numerous activities the four New Year Heroes had demonstrated to them. Theo eagerly tugged on the string of his kite, a vibrant dragon design that soared higher and higher into the clear winter sky. "Check this out, Kao!" he exclaimed, beaming with pride. Kaori laughed, her own butterfly-shaped kite floundering in the breeze before Takumi stepped in to help. "You're pulling too hard," he said, steadying her hands, causing her to blush at the skin contact. With his guidance, her kite joined Theo's in a graceful dance among the clouds. Meanwhile, Camilla and Azura stood nearby, their kites fluttering lower but no less beautiful, while Corrin attempted to untangle his string with a sheepish grin.

  Kaori and Takumi faced off with determined expressions, their decorative paddles in hand. The shuttlecock floated high into the air, and Kaori swatted it with surprising force, sending it spinning toward Takumi. He countered with ease, his movements sharp and precise, but Kaori was quick on her feet. "You're not going to win this easily!" she declared, though her next swing missed by a hair, sending the shuttlecock straight to the ground.

  "That's another mark for Kaori," Theo laughed from the sidelines, dipping the ink brush into the pot and stepping forward. "Hold still, Kao!" he teased, drawing a line beneath her left eye. Kaori pouted as Camilla giggled, covering her mouth with her hand, and Corrin muttered, "It's actually kind of cute."

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  The match continued, and Kaori managed a few good returns, but Takumi's skill was undeniable. Each miss on her part earned her more ink marks: an "X" on her right cheek, a horizontal line just below her left eye and a silly face drawn by Theo on her forehead. By the end of the match, Kaori was a laughing mess, trying to swat the shuttlecock while her opponents' laughter made her giggle uncontrollably.

  When Takumi finally landed the winning shot, Kaori threw her hands up in mock frustration. "Fine, you win! But I betcha - you somehow cheated!" she accused and pointed using her two fingers at Takumi, a playful glint in her eye. The ash-blonde haired archer smirked and shook his head. "I didn't cheat. You just couldn't handle my skills."

  Azura leaned over to Kaori, pointing to her reflection in a small hand mirror. "You look like a mischievous spirit!" she teased and giggled, as Kaori caught sight of her ink-covered face. She realized Theo had drawn the face on her forehead earlier. "THEO!" Kaori shouted with a smile, playfully chasing after him as he ran away, laughing. Eventually he got caught by Kaori, and as her revenge, she tickles his sides and body, endless bursts of laughter erupted him to the point where he's shedding tears. "KAO, KAO, KAO!! ST-STOP!!" He laughed, causing Kaori to grin.

  Takumi watched her with a small smile. "She's tougher than she looks," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else, as he handed the paddle to Camilla for the next match.

  The group gathered around a smooth patch of stone as Theo excitedly wound the string around his koma. "Watch this!" he declared, letting it spin with expert precision. The top twirled gracefully, drawing a round of applause from Kaori and Azura. Takumi, not one to be outdone, gave it a try, only to watch his koma wobble and tip over almost immediately. "It's harder than it looks," he muttered, earning a teasing laugh from Corrin. Camilla, on the other hand, effortlessly spun her koma with a graceful flick of her wrist, much to everyone's surprise. "What? I’m good with my hands," she said with a sly smile.

  Seated on a large picnic blanket, the group took turns rolling dice and moving their tokens across the sugoroku board. Theo, grinning mischievously, landed on a space that sent Takumi back three spots. "HEY!" Takumi pouted, though a small smile tugged at his lips. Kaori found herself stuck on a penalty space, forced to sing a silly tune as everyone laughed along. Azura's sweet voice carried the tune when Kaori hesitated, and the group clapped for both of them. By the end, Corrin somehow managed to win, though no one could quite remember how he'd done it.

  Blindfolded and giggling, Theo attempted to place a paper nose on a blank face, his steps wobbly. "Theo, go higher! No, no, no! You're too high! Go lower!" Kaori called out, trying to stifle her laughter as Theo placed the nose comically on the forehead instead. When it was Kaori's turn, she hesitated, her hands trembling slightly. Takumi stood behind her, guiding her hands as she placed the eyebrows perfectly. "See? You're better at this than you think," he said, earning a soft smile from her. The resulting face was hilariously lopsided, and the group erupted in laughter, Theo clinging to Kaori's arm as he doubled over.

  The group sat in a circle, karuta cards spread out between them. Takumi recited the poem lines with a calm precision, his voice carrying over the chatter of the festival. Kaori's hand shot out, snagging a matching card just before Theo could grab it. "Hey! That's not fair!" Theo pouted, though he quickly regained his composure and snatched the next card from under Corrin's fingertips. Camilla, gracefully competitive, swept several cards into her pile, leaving Takumi to shake his head in disbelief. "You've done this before," he accused, to which Camilla merely winked in response.

  As the night deepened and the festivities began to wind down, Takumi led Kaori away from the bustling square. They walked in comfortable silence, the muffled sounds of laughter and music fading behind them. He brought her to a quiet hill overlooking the village, where the lanterns floating into the sky painted the dark horizon with soft, golden light.

  Kaori gazed out at the serene scene, her breath visible in the cold night air. "It's beautiful," she whispered, hugging her arms to herself.

  Takumi stood beside her, his hands resting casually on his hips. "It's one of my favorite parts of the New Year," he admitted, his voice softer than usual. "When the chaos quiets down, and all that's left is… this."

  Kaori turned to him, her sunset-orange eyes reflecting the glow of the lanterns. "Thank you for inviting us. Theo had such a wonderful time. And… Same goes for me, too."

  Takumi gave a small smile, the faintest blush dusting his cheeks. He shifted slightly, as though debating whether to speak, before finally saying, "You know… you're incredible at what you do. As a Summoner, I mean."

  Kaori blinked, surprised by his words. "I don't know about that," she admitted, looking down. "I still feel like I have so much to prove. After failing to defeat Surtr… I—"

  "Stop." Takumi's firm but gentle tone cut through her self-doubt. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his amber eyes locking onto hers. "You're stronger than you know, Kaori. Even the gods would be foolish to underestimate you."

  The sincerity in his voice struck something deep within her. For a moment, the glow of the lanterns and the warmth of his touch faded, replaced by haunting memories.

  In her mind, Kaori saw flashes of her first life—the cold smirk of Lazarus as he promised her divinity, only to cast her aside for Destiny. She remembered Destiny's triumphant gaze as she ordered Kaori's execution, clad in that mocking wedding dress. The dungeon walls, the searing betrayal, and the sharp pain of the blade returned to her in vivid detail.

  Her fingers trembled slightly as she gripped the edge of her kimono. Back then, she had trusted them—gods who had once been her friends. She had believed in their promises, their lies, only to pay the ultimate price.

  And yet, here she was. Alive. A second chance.

  Kaori blinked, the memories fading like wisps of smoke. She looked at Takumi, his expression steady, his presence grounding. He wasn't like Lazarus or Destiny. He wasn't offering empty promises or using her for his gain. Most importantly—his words weren't a lie.

  "Thank you," she smiled softly, her voice steadying.

  Together, they turned their gaze back to the sky, watching as more lanterns floated upward, carrying the wishes and hopes of the villagers into the heavens.

  "Next year," Takumi said quietly, his voice almost lost in the stillness, "I hope we'll all still be standing here. Together."

  Kaori glanced at him, her heart swelling with determination. "We will." she promised, her voice firm.

  For the rest of the night, they stood side by side, sharing the quiet comfort of each other's presence. The lanterns above glowed brighter than the stars, a symbol of hope and renewal for the year ahead.