last breath

Despite their busy schedules, Akari and Kuro decided it was time for Kuri to experience a bit of normalcy and enrolled her in a prestigious school for basic learning. After all, no matter how powerful or special she was as a dragon, she still needed to know how to read, write, and do basic math—like any other child.

The day before her enrollment, Kuro sat Kuri down for a serious talk. "Now, remember, Kuri. You can't let anyone know you're a dragon. No glowing eyes, no flying, no breathing fire, and definitely no turning into your dragon form. Understand?"

Kuri, now a four-year-old with an eight-year-old's attitude, crossed her arms. "But what if someone is mean to me, Papa? Can I at least growl a little?"

"Absolutely not," Kuro said firmly.

Akari walked in, overhearing the conversation. "Don't worry, Kuri. If anyone's mean to you, you just tell me. I'll... handle it."

The way Akari cracked her knuckles made Kuro shiver. "Akari, we're trying to keep a low profile, not start a royal scandal."

The First Day

The first day of school was... eventful. Akari and Kuro walked Kuri to her classroom, where the teacher, a kind-looking angel woman, greeted them warmly.

"Oh, what a sweet little girl! She looks just like both of you!" the teacher said, not knowing how literal that statement was.

"Yes, she's... very special," Akari said with a tight smile, giving Kuro a side-eye as if to say, Don't say anything weird.

Kuro, trying to hold back his pride, bent down to Kuri. "Remember, just be yourself. Well, the non-dragon version of yourself."

"Got it, Papa!" Kuri said with a cheeky grin, walking confidently into the classroom.

Lunch Incident

At lunch, Kuri made quick friends with her classmates, but things took a turn when one of the boys tried to take her dessert.

"Hey, that's mine!" Kuri said, puffing out her chest.

"Make me!" the boy taunted, snatching the treat.

For a moment, Kuri's eyes flashed with golden light. The boy froze, staring at her wide-eyed as if he'd just seen a ghost. Kuri quickly realized her mistake and covered her eyes.

"Uh... I mean... I'll share with you!" she said, handing over half of the dessert to diffuse the situation.

Later that evening, Kuri told her parents about the incident.

"Papa, I almost blew my cover, but I fixed it!" she said proudly.

"What did you do?" Kuro asked, half-expecting the worst.

"I shared my dessert!"

"See? She's learning diplomacy already," Akari said with a smirk.

"Or bribery," Kuro muttered under his breath.

Parent-Teacher Meeting

At the end of the week, the teacher called Akari and Kuro in for a parent-teacher meeting.

"Kuri is a delightful student, but... she seems to have a very vivid imagination," the teacher said hesitantly.

"Oh?" Akari asked, feigning ignorance.

"Yes, she keeps telling the other children she's 'older than she looks' and that she could 'roast marshmallows with her breath.' Is this a... phase?" the teacher asked awkwardly.

Akari and Kuro exchanged a glance.

"She's just very creative," Akari said smoothly. "We'll talk to her about keeping her stories... grounded."

As they left the meeting, Kuro sighed. "This is going to be harder than I thought."

Akari smirked. "Relax. At least she didn't actually roast anything."

For now, Kuri's secret was safe, but Akari and Kuro knew they'd have their hands full keeping her dragon nature under wraps—especially with her boundless energy and mischievous streak.

Akari and Kuro's days were filled with their duties as rulers, public appearances, and navigating their new life together, but in the quiet moments, it was the small, unexpected interactions that left them the most flustered. These moments, though accidental, brought a strange intensity that neither of them dared to address directly.

The Unbalanced Slip

One evening, as Akari hurried to grab a book from the library shelves, Kuro entered the room, equally distracted with a stack of papers in hand. Neither noticed the other until it was too late. Akari turned sharply, bumping into Kuro, and the next moment, she tripped over the hem of her dress. Kuro instinctively reached out to catch her, but the weight threw him off balance. Both toppled onto the floor, a tangled mess of limbs.

"Seriously?" Akari groaned, her face inches away from his, her hair sprawled over his chest.

"Are you okay?" Kuro asked, his voice soft but slightly panicked, his arms still around her waist.

"I'm fine—" She stopped mid-sentence as their eyes met, the proximity suddenly making her acutely aware of the situation. Kuro's face was just as red as hers.

"Uh… maybe we should… get up?" he stammered.

"Yeah… yeah, that's a good idea," she muttered, scrambling to untangle herself and failing miserably.

After what felt like an eternity, they managed to separate, both avoiding eye contact and pretending nothing had happened. But the warmth of the moment lingered far longer than they wanted to admit.

---

The Balcony Mishap

Another time, during a break in their duties, Akari stepped out onto the palace balcony for some fresh air. The cool breeze brushed against her skin as she leaned on the railing, lost in thought. Kuro joined her moments later, holding two glasses of water.

"Thought you could use this," he said, handing her one.

"Thanks," she replied, giving him a small smile.

As she turned to take the glass, a sudden gust of wind blew her hair across her face, and in her attempt to brush it away, she lost her grip on the glass. It tumbled forward, and without thinking, Akari leaned over the railing to catch it.

"Careful!" Kuro exclaimed, grabbing her arm and pulling her back. The momentum, however, brought her crashing into him, pinning him against the wall.

The glass clattered to the ground, forgotten, as Kuro's hands steadied her shoulders. "Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" he asked, his voice trembling slightly.

"I—uh… sorry," she said, her cheeks burning as she realized how close they were. His face was so close she could feel his breath against her skin.

"Maybe we should, you know, step back," Kuro suggested, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Good idea," she agreed, quickly putting space between them, though her heart didn't stop racing for a long time after.

---

The Falling Catch

One particularly rainy afternoon, Akari was rushing to the council hall, her arms full of documents. The palace floors, slick with rainwater, proved treacherous. As she rounded a corner, her foot slipped, and she let out a startled yelp.

Kuro, walking from the opposite direction, reacted on instinct. He darted forward and caught her just before she hit the ground.

"Gotcha," he said, his arms around her.

Akari froze, clutching the papers to her chest, her face inches from his. The sound of the rain outside and the distant murmur of palace staff faded into nothing as they stared at each other.

"You're really bad at watching your step," Kuro teased, his voice softer than usual.

"And you're really good at… catching me," she replied, her tone wavering slightly.

For a moment, neither moved, the closeness amplifying the unspoken tension between them. Then, as if realizing the awkwardness simultaneously, they both stepped back, awkwardly laughing and avoiding each other's gaze.

---

A Growing Awareness

These moments, while fleeting, left an undeniable impact on both of them. Each accidental touch, every lingering glance, brought an unspoken intensity that neither was quite ready to confront. Yet, in the quiet of their own thoughts, they couldn't help but wonder if these moments were truly accidents—or something more.

It had been five months since the grand wedding that united the kingdom, and things had settled into a routine. Kuro and Akari, now officially co-rulers, managed the kingdom with precision and teamwork. Despite their contractual marriage, they had moments of genuine connection and partnership. However, things were about to take a turn.

Kuro, deciding he had grown too accustomed to the professional dynamic, thought it was time to bring back his academy-era charm. He reverted to his flirty self, leaning casually against her desk during office hours, complimenting her every chance he got, and finding excuses to touch her shoulder or brush her hand.

"Your handwriting is as beautiful as the sunrise, Akari," he remarked one day during a routine report review, his voice dripping with charm.

She didn't even glance up. "Kuro, the sunrise isn't crooked."

Undeterred, he leaned closer, lowering his voice. "Well, it's still stunning, just like you."

Akari finally looked at him, raising an eyebrow. "Are you done? Or do you want me to assign you more work?"

Another day, during soldier training, Kuro found an opportunity to assist Akari with her form during an archery demonstration. Standing behind her, he gently adjusted her elbow, his hands lingering longer than necessary.

"You're too close," Akari said without turning.

"I'm just helping," he replied innocently.

"Then help without breathing down my neck," she shot back, her cheeks slightly pink.

The most amusing part? Akari didn't seem to mind. While she pretended to be annoyed, she didn't push him away or seriously reprimand him. Her small smirks and quick retorts suggested she enjoyed his antics more than she'd admit.

Kuri, now enrolled in school and sharp as ever, was the most vocal about her parents' shifting dynamic. "Mama, Baba, are you two flirting or fighting? I'm confused!"

Akari groaned. "Neither. Your Baba just doesn't know when to stop talking."

Kuro grinned, ruffling Kuri's hair. "See, Kuri, Mama can't resist me. That's why she's keeping me around."

Akari rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the faint smile tugging at her lips. Kuro's efforts to bridge the gap between their formal roles and their personal bond were slowly paying off, and while Akari wouldn't admit it outright, she didn't entirely dislike this version of him.

One day, Kuro decided to give it another shot. He knew Akari had always dodged his proposals before, but he thought, What's the harm in trying again?

During a break in their busy schedules, he approached her casually. She was reviewing some reports at her desk, completely engrossed.

"Hey, Akari," Kuro started, leaning against the desk.

"Hmm?" she replied without looking up.

"I was thinking...maybe I should propose to you again," he said, half-joking, trying to play it cool.

Akari finally looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Really? You don't give up, do you?"

"Not when it comes to you," Kuro replied with a sheepish smile, scratching the back of his neck.

Akari sighed dramatically, placing her pen down. "Hmm, what should I say?"

"Your choice," Kuro said, though internally he was bracing himself for yet another rejection.

"Then yes," she said simply, as if she were agreeing to have tea.

Kuro froze, blinking rapidly. "What?"

Akari leaned back in her chair, smirking a little. "I said yes. What, didn't expect that?"

Kuro was still in shock, his mind racing. "Are you messing with me?"

"Nope." She stood up and stretched lazily, as though she hadn't just turned his world upside down. "I'm just giving you a chance."

Kuro's jaw dropped. "But...but...why now?"

Akari tilted her head thoughtfully, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Maybe because you've been patient, and I think you've earned it. But," she added, pointing a finger at him, "take it slow, okay? You mess this up, and I'll make you regret it."

Kuro was still too stunned to form a coherent sentence. His face was a mix of disbelief and overwhelming happiness.

"Stop standing there like a statue," Akari said with a chuckle. "This is where you're supposed to say something romantic."

"I...uh...wow...okay. I'll take it slow, I promise," Kuro stammered, still processing.

Akari walked past him, patting his shoulder. "Good. Now don't get used to me being this agreeable, okay? I'm still your boss during work hours."

As she left the room, Kuro stood there, finally breaking into the biggest grin he'd ever had. "She said yes!" he muttered to himself, punching the air.

From the hallway, Akari called back, "I heard that!"

After two days, Kuro finally decided to take a bold step. One evening, while they were training soldiers together, he couldn't help but feel the growing tension between them. Their partnership had grown stronger, but something was still left unsaid. Kuro, his voice slightly hesitant, finally asked Akari, "Hey, would you... like to go on a date with me?"

Akari, slightly taken aback, looked at him for a moment, realizing that, deep down, she'd already promised herself she would give him a chance. She smiled, a small but genuine one, and nodded. "Sure, let's go."

The day of the date was perfect—nothing too grand, just the two of them walking around the castle gardens, talking about everything and nothing at all. Akari found herself laughing more than she had in ages, the weight of her past gradually lifting. She could feel a different connection between them, something real.

As the evening drew closer, they found themselves by the edge of a tranquil lake, the moonlight reflecting on the calm water. Kuro turned to her, his eyes soft, almost searching. He hesitated for a moment, then leaned in, gently kissing her under the moonlit sky. The moment felt timeless, like something out of a dream.

Akari stood frozen for a moment, her heart racing. She had always thought of herself as too broken to love again, too wrapped up in her memories of Arnold to even consider it. But as she looked at Kuro—his eyes full of hope and tenderness—everything changed. She realized, for the first time, that she had feelings for him too.

With a soft breath, Akari reached out, touching his cheek. "Kuro..." she began, her voice trembling slightly, "I... I like you too. I didn't realize it until now, but I do."

Kuro's face lit up with a happiness so pure, so overwhelming, that it felt like the world had stopped for a moment. Before Akari could say anything more, he lifted her up into his arms, spinning her around with pure joy. "I can't believe this!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief and glee. "You like me too? This is the best day of my life!"

Akari couldn't help but laugh, her heart soaring as she clung to him. The world felt right in that moment. They had both been through so much, and yet here they were, standing together, ready to take on whatever the future held—together.

The spinning stopped, and Kuro gently set her back down, his hands still holding her as they both stood there in the moonlight. Akari looked into his eyes, feeling something she hadn't allowed herself to feel for a long time—hope. "I've never felt this way before, Kuro."

"I know," Kuro whispered, his voice filled with tenderness. "But we'll figure it out together, okay?"

Akari nodded, a smile forming on her lips as they shared that moment, knowing that whatever came next, they would face it as a team. The world outside might have been full of chaos, but in that moment, with Kuro by her side, Akari felt at peace.

The entire sky was painted a deep, hellish red as fireballs rained down, scorching everything they touched. The air was thick with heat and despair, and screams of terror echoed throughout the land. Akari's eyes darted across the blazing horizon, trying to grasp the chaos unfolding around her.

"What is happening?" she asked, her voice trembling but still steady in its urgency.

"I don't know," Kuro responded, his tone equally perplexed but laced with determination. He scanned the battlefield, his sharp eyes landing on the source of the devastation—a human figure engulfed in fire. She hovered in the air, her flames blazing brighter than the inferno around her, making it hard for Akari to discern her face.

"Who is that?" Akari demanded.

Kuro hesitated, his face hardening. "I can see her clearly... but I don't recognize her. This power—it's not normal."

In minutes, the entire area was engulfed in flames. The figure descended slightly, her flames intensifying as she launched a direct attack toward Akari and Kuro.

Akari clutched her head, her knees buckling. "This... This presence… Kuro, I can't—"

"I know," Kuro interrupted, his voice pained. "Her presence is tearing at our Noor. It's pulling us together... We won't survive separately. Akari, you have to come back into my mind."

Akari hesitated, her heart racing. "But I—"

"Akari!" Kuro shouted, his voice strained as sweat beaded down his forehead. "We don't have a choice!"

She nodded reluctantly, her face etched with sorrow. "Alright... but don't do anything reckless!"

As she closed her eyes, a shimmer of Noor enveloped her, and she disappeared into Kuro's mind. The instant their souls fused once more, Kuro felt the familiar surge of strength but also the immense weight of their shared emotions.

He lunged at the fiery woman, their powers clashing in an explosive burst of light and heat. Each strike drained him, the unfamiliar pressure of their merged presence weakening his usual finesse. The woman's relentless attacks pushed him to his limits, and though he fought valiantly, her fire found its mark.

A fiery spear pierced through Kuro's side, and he staggered backward, clutching the wound as blood soaked his fingers. He dropped to his knees, gasping for breath as the flames around them dimmed.

"No… No!" Akari's voice echoed from within his mind, filled with panic and anguish.

Summoning all her strength, Akari forced herself out of Kuro's body, materializing beside him. Her form flickered, unstable from the strain, but she ignored it and knelt by his side.

"Kuro!" she screamed, pulling him into her arms. His body felt alarmingly cold despite the flames surrounding them. His breaths were shallow, and his usually vibrant eyes were dimming.

"Akari…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "You… you shouldn't have come out. It's too dangerous."

"Don't say that!" Akari snapped, tears streaming down her face as she pressed her hand to his wound, trying desperately to stop the bleeding with her Noor. But no matter how much she poured into him, the wound refused to heal.

"You have to fight, Kuro," she pleaded, her voice breaking. "You promised me you'd stay. You can't leave me. Not you too."

Kuro managed a faint smile, though it was laced with pain. "I tried, Akari. I really did… but this time, I can't…"

"No!" Akari cried, shaking her head violently. "Don't you dare give up! I need you! Kuri needs you! The kingdom—"

"I'm sorry…" he interrupted, his voice faltering as tears welled up in his eyes. "I wish I could stay… I wanted to spend my life with you, Akari. I wanted… more time."

Akari's heart shattered as his words hit her. She pressed her forehead against his, sobbing uncontrollably. "I can't do this without you. I won't. You've always been there, Kuro. Always. Please…"

Kuro raised a trembling hand to her face, wiping away a tear. "You're strong… stronger than anyone I know. You'll be okay… even without me."

"No," Akari whispered, her voice firm despite her anguish. "We're connected, Kuro. Our souls, our pain, our Noor. If you go… I go."

Kuro's eyes widened weakly. "Akari, no… Don't—"

"I'm not leaving you," she said resolutely, her hands glowing as she channeled every last bit of her Noor. Her body began to flicker dangerously, her form destabilizing further.

"Akari, stop!" Kuro begged, his voice growing weaker. "You can't… You have to live… for Kuri…"

"For Kuri?" Akari repeated, her voice softening as her tears fell onto his face. "She'll understand… She'll grow up knowing how much we loved her, how much we loved each other."

Kuro's lips trembled, and a single tear escaped his eye. "You're… stubborn… as always…"

"And you love it," she replied, her voice breaking into a bittersweet laugh as her Noor entwined with his.

In their final moments, the world around them seemed to still. The flames faded, leaving an eerie silence as Akari held Kuro close, their hearts beating as one.

"I love you, Akari," Kuro whispered, his voice barely a breath.

"I love you too, Kuro," Akari replied, her voice steady despite the tears streaming down her face.

As their Noor flared one final time, their souls intertwined completely, and their bodies began to dissolve into a warm, radiant light. Together, they vanished, leaving behind a faint glow that lingered in the air—a testament to their unbreakable bond and shared sacrifice.