-

The halls of the Palais Mermonia were quiet at this hour. The world outside was still tense, but within these walls, Yoshika and Furina found themselves in rare solitude. The flickering glow of lanterns cast long shadows along the marble floors, and the only sound was the soft echo of their footsteps.

Neither of them had spoken in a while.

Furina had led Yoshika inside, claiming she had something important to discuss, but now that they were alone, she seemed hesitant.

Yoshika leaned against one of the pillars, arms crossed. "You dragged me all the way here just to stay quiet?"

Furina shot her a glare but quickly looked away. "...I needed to think."

Yoshika raised an eyebrow. "You? Thinking before speaking? That's new."

Furina groaned. "Would it kill you to be serious for once?"

Yoshika smirked. "Depends on the situation."

Furina took a deep breath, composing herself before finally looking Yoshika in the eyes.

"...Why did you come back?"

Yoshika blinked. "You already know why."

"Tell me again," Furina pressed. "I need to hear it."

Yoshika tilted her head, watching her closely. There was something different about Furina's tone. It wasn't just curiosity-it was something deeper, something uncertain.

Yoshika exhaled, pushing off the pillar. "Because I wanted to."

Furina frowned. "That's not an answer."

Yoshika took a step forward. "It's the truth."

Furina didn't move away, but her expression was guarded. "You could've stayed in Snezhnaya. You could've let Fontaine fight on its own. And yet, you chose to return. Why?"

Yoshika studied her, then sighed. "Do you really want me to say it?"

Furina hesitated. Then, softly-

"...Yes."

Yoshika's gaze softened. "Because you're here."

Furina's breath caught in her throat.

"I came back for you," Yoshika continued, voice steady. "Not just for the war. Not just for Fontaine. For you."

Furina's hands clenched at her sides. She had expected something like this, but hearing it aloud was different.

"I-"

Yoshika placed a hand on her shoulder, stopping whatever words Furina was about to force out.

"You don't have to say anything," Yoshika murmured. "Not now."

Furina swallowed, her heart pounding.

She didn't move away.

She didn't want to.

"...You're impossible," she muttered again, but this time, there was no real bite to her words.

Yoshika chuckled. "I know."

Silence fell between them once more, but it wasn't uncomfortable.

For the first time, Furina allowed herself to rest-just for a little while.

---
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗐: 𝗒𝖺𝗒 𝖺 𝗌𝗁𝗂𝗉 𝗆𝗈𝗆𝖾𝗇𝗍!!😍