Growth

Ri pulled Dyon up, hugging him as tightly as her puffy dress would allow.

Dyon stroked her hair, chuckling. "Silly girl, is there a need to cry? Why don't you look at yourself in the mirror?"

Ri looked up from Dyon's embrace, turning to the mirror to look at herself standing by Dyon.

A gasp suddenly escaped her lips. "Dyon…"

Ri's hair now had a braided crown on it… it was a truly beautiful sight, but that wasn't what caught Ri's attention.

On her neck, there was a thin and elegantly made necklace. She touched it gently, tears glistening in her eyes… because she noticed Dyon was wearing one less band on his wrist.

Dyon smiled. "These clothes were something my father once wore. Later in his life, he was a law enforcement officer… but that was simply the aftermath of his military career. One of the only times I ever saw him smile was when he wore this to accept a reward…"