**Sai's Dojo – Late Afternoon**

  Golden afternoon light slanted through the open shoji doors, painting long stripes across the tatami mats. The dojo smelled of cedar and faint incense, the air still humming from earlier training. Sai stood near the low wooden table, one hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sheathed sword, blue eyes sharp but softened by something deeper—something almost paternal.

  Yuki knelt across from him, blindfold slightly askew from wiping sweat earlier, dark hair clinging to her neck. Astra sat a little apart, small legs crossed, silver eyes wide and curious, watching everything like it was the most important story in the world.

  The silence stretched—comfortable at first, then heavy.

  Sai's gaze drifted to Astra. The boy had just spoken—clear, bright words that had surprised them both.

  Sai's eyes widened—just a fraction, barely noticeable unless you knew him well.

  "So you can talk too?" he asked quietly, voice carrying a trace of wonder.

  Astra smiled—small, shy, but bright. He said nothing more, just tilted his head and watched them both with those luminous silver eyes.

  Yuki stared at the boy for a long moment, something soft flickering behind her blindfold. Then she turned back to Sai.

  Sai exhaled slowly, shoulders dropping as though releasing a long-held breath.

  "Well, Yuki," he began, voice low and steady.

  Yuki straightened instinctively. "Yes, Sensei."

  Sai's hand tightened briefly on his sword hilt—not in threat, but in quiet resolve.

  "I have trained you since you were a child. I took care of you… after your parents were killed. After you were cursed by a demon."

  Yuki froze.

  Her breath caught audibly.

  "Wait…?" Her voice cracked, small and disbelieving. "I'm cursed?"

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  Sai met her gaze—unflinching, but pained.

  "Yes. And that's the truth."

  Yuki's hand flew to her chest, fingers curling into the fabric over her heart. Her breathing quickened, shallow.

  "If I'm cursed… then why didn't I know? Why didn't you tell me before?"

  Astra's silver eyes flicked between them, sensing the shift. He hugged his knees closer, small face creased with worry.

  Sai's voice remained calm, but the weight behind it was unmistakable.

  "Then listen."

  He took a slow breath, as though the words themselves hurt to speak.

  "When demons attacked your home, I wasn't there in time. They destroyed everything—your parents, your entire family. By the time I arrived, it was almost too late. I cut them down… but not before one managed to place the curse on you."

  Yuki's lips parted, but no sound came out at first.

  "So that's why…" she whispered finally. "I can control demons. That's why I have this much power."

  Sai nodded once. "Yes. Absolutely. But power like that… always costs something."

  He paused, eyes darkening.

  "And I still don't know the full price."

  The room felt smaller suddenly, the golden light colder.

  Sai's voice dropped lower, almost gentle.

  "It can even be death."

  Yuki's expression shattered.

  She sat back sharply, knees drawn up, hands trembling in her lap. Her blindfold couldn't hide the way her shoulders hunched, the way her breathing hitched.

  Sai watched her—pain etched into every line of his face.

  "The white blindfold with the marks I gave you… it's not just a symbol. It's control. When you remove it—when you unleash your full power—your strength increases dramatically. But the longer you keep your eyes open without it… the worse it gets."

  He swallowed once.

  "Even my spells can't reverse it. With this curse… you won't be able to live for long."

  The words landed like stones in still water.

  Silence swallowed the dojo.

  Yuki stared at her shaking hands, blindfold doing nothing to hide the tears gathering at the edges.

  Sai's voice cracked—just once.

  "I never wanted to tell you the truth like this. But you had to know. Because you're my first student… and I don't want to lose you."

  Astra's small face crumpled. He looked between them—helpless, heartbroken.

  Before anyone could speak—

  Astra stood suddenly.

  He raised both arms high above his head, mouth opening wide in a dramatic, childlike expression. His silver eyes flared bright—glowing like twin moons.

  "Bhaaa!"

  A silly, exaggerated sound—pure, innocent, ridiculous.

  His ears burned red. His cheeks flushed crimson with embarrassment and frustration. He held the pose—ridiculous, heart-meltingly cute—staring straight at Yuki with wide, pleading eyes.

  For one heartbeat, the room was frozen.

  Then—

  A wild, broken laugh burst from Yuki.

  She clutched her stomach, doubling over, laughter spilling out in waves—raw, desperate, healing.

  "That was… really funny, Astra…" she gasped between giggles, tears of a different kind streaming now. "I wouldn't let you go anywhere."

  She lunged forward and hugged him tightly—crushing him against her chest, squeezing until he squeaked.

  Astra flailed a little, face squished against her shoulder, but he didn't pull away. His arms slowly wrapped around her too.

  Sai watched them—expression softening into something rare and gentle.

  A small, tired smile curved his lips.

  "From now on," he said quietly, "I train Astra as well."

  ---

  **Paras City – Rooftop, Dusk**

  High above the city, on the edge of a skyscraper, a lone figure stood.

  White cape fluttered behind him in the evening wind.

  Arms folded.

  Powder-blue skin caught the last dying light of sunset.

  Glowing blue eyes—bright as distant stars—surveyed the streets below.

  White gi, black shirt beneath, black sash belt, white baggy pants, black-and-white boots, black wristbands.

  He exhaled slowly, a quiet sound lost to the wind.

  "Well… my city 'Paras' looks clear and good now."

  A faint smile touched his lips—proud, but weary.

  "I should stop my training for some days… and focus on building apartments too."

  The city lights began to flicker on beneath him—one by one, like stars waking up.

  He stood there a moment longer, cape snapping softly.

  Then—silently—he turned and vanished into the twilight.