You were cutting across the central plaza, a bundle of scrolls under your arm, when you spotted him. Xiao. Your Xiao. He was standing near the stone railing overlooking the wharf, his posture rigid, his spear—Vortex Vanquisher—leaned against the wall beside him.

He wasn’t alone. Kamiko, a vivacious exchange student from Inazuma known for her boldness, was standing far too close. Her hand was on his forearm, her head tilted up at him with a bright, insistent smile. Xiao’s gaze was fixed somewhere over her shoulder, his jaw tight, the usual impassive mask on his face strained at the edges. He took a small, almost imperceptible step back, but the railing was right behind him.