-

The atmosphere in Fontaine was shifting.

Everywhere, preparations for war were evident. Soldiers trained relentlessly, strategists gathered in secret meetings, and the citizens whispered anxiously about what was to come. Despite the looming conflict, Yoshika found herself walking beside Furina once more, their steps slow and unhurried.

It was strange-how, even now, she could enjoy this fleeting moment of peace.

"You should be resting," Furina said, giving Yoshika a sideways glance.

Yoshika smirked. "You should be, too."

Furina scoffed, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Unlike you, I am indispensable to Fontaine. I have responsibilities."

Yoshika chuckled. "And yet, you're out here with me."

Furina opened her mouth to argue but paused, hesitating.

Yoshika tilted her head. "What?"

"...Nothing," Furina muttered, shaking her head.

That wasn't the truth.

Yoshika could tell.

But she let it go.

For now.

They continued walking, the quiet hum of Fontaine's canals filling the space between them. The stars reflected on the water's surface, rippling gently with the movement of the waves.

"You don't have to stay here, you know."

Furina's voice was quiet, but her words were sharp.

Yoshika stopped walking.

"...What?"

Furina turned to face her, arms crossed. "You've already done more than enough. You've fought, you've bled, and you've returned when you didn't have to. No one would blame you if you left now."

Yoshika's expression darkened. "Is that what you want?"

Furina flinched, her bravado wavering for just a second. "...No."

Yoshika stepped closer. "Then why are you saying this?"

Furina looked away. "Because I don't want you to die for this."

Yoshika exhaled, understanding settling in. "I'm not leaving."

Furina's jaw tightened. "Yoshika-"

"I'm not leaving," Yoshika repeated, firmer this time. "Not when I still have a reason to fight."

Furina's breath hitched.

Yoshika took another step forward.

The space between them was disappearing.

"I made my choice a long time ago," Yoshika continued, voice steady. "I'm staying. No matter what happens."

Furina searched her face, her blue eyes flickering with something unreadable.

For a moment, Yoshika thought she might argue again.

But instead, Furina sighed and looked away. "...You're impossible."

Yoshika smirked. "You like that about me."

Furina rolled her eyes, but she didn't deny it.

The war was coming.

But for now-just for now-Yoshika stayed by her side.

---
𝖠𝖭 𝗇𝗈𝗍𝗐: 𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗅𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗎𝗉𝖽𝖺𝗍𝖾 𝗂 𝗐𝗋𝗈𝗍𝖾 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝗌𝗈𝗇 𝗈𝖿 𝗂𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗆𝗒 𝗈𝗍𝗁𝖾𝗋 𝖻𝗈𝗈𝗄 "𝗍𝗃𝖾 𝗆𝖺𝗌𝗄 𝖿𝖺𝗅𝗅𝗌" 𝗅𝖺𝗌𝗍 𝖼𝗁𝖺𝗉𝗍𝖾𝗋 𝗒𝖾𝖺𝗁 𝗌𝗈𝗋𝗋𝗒 𝖺𝗀𝖺𝗂𝗇!!!😭😭