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I closed my diary, letting out a heavy sigh, exhausted by all the information I had just read. So much had happened. In just a few months, I had brought a girl into my home, and now she lived with me like family.
What the hell is wrong with me? Am I getting… soft? I thought bitterly. The idea sounded stupid, yet the thought lingered.
I glanced over at Aria, fast asleep on the couch. Her body trembled slightly in the cold of the rainy night, though thankfully, there was no thunderstorm. In her hand was a file labeled "3W1 Group Members!!" written in messy handwriting. Carefully, I took the file from her hand and set it aside on the table.
As I turned back to her, I noticed her peaceful face. She was drooling slightly, a soft snore escaping her lips. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. Gently, I touched her cheek—it was warm and soft, almost fragile.
With a quiet resolve, I scooped her up into my arms and carried her toward her room. She was lighter than I expected, her body almost curling into mine as I walked. When I arrived, I turned on the light and carefully laid her on the bed. Pulling the blanket up to her chin, I tucked her in snugly to keep her warm.
I glanced at the clock on the wall—it was midnight. As I turned to leave, I flipped off the main light, leaving the soft glow of the night light behind. Closing the door quietly, I stepped out into the hallway, the sound of the rain outside accompanying my thoughts.
As I walked to my room, my foot landed on the file I had set aside earlier. I paused, looking down at it, wondering how it had ended up on the floor. Probably fell when I was carrying Aria, I thought. Picking it up, I placed it back on the table before continuing to my room.
Lying down on my bed, a sense of relief washed over me. My body felt great knowing I could finally rest for the day. Yet, my mind couldn't stop racing with thoughts of what to do next. A plan began to form.
Training. It was a routine part of being a soldier, and it was exactly what we needed. There was Suhio Safe—a specialized facility designed for both hunting and training. The place was massive, boasting over 30,000 training rooms and 345 acres of hunting grounds. And where was it? Deep underground, of course. It was the perfect location to test Aria's true skills in battle. With that information, I could create a solid plan for our next attack.
I stretched, easing the tension in my muscles, and pulled the blanket over me. Closing my eyes, I let sleep take over, the anticipation of tomorrow fueling my resolve.
…
My body felt heavy, and I instantly knew the reason. Flipping the blanket aside, I found Aria sleeping on top of me. Letting out a frustrated sigh, I shook my head. I should've seen this coming.
Ever since that thunderstorm incident, she had developed a habit of sleepwalking into my room and snuggling under the blanket with me. At first, she'd been incredibly embarrassed about it. But over time, she'd grown comfortable. And, if I was being honest, I'd grown used to it too.
Carefully, I shifted her off me, laying her down on the bed and placing her head gently on the pillow. She stirred slightly but didn't wake. Quietly, I left the room, making my way to the kitchen.
Stretching my arms above my head, I let out a small yawn before heading to the sink to splash some cold water on my face. The chill jolted me awake. Feeling more alert, I began gathering ingredients for breakfast.
That reminded me of the last time Aria tried cooking. She had made some kind of chicken dish—well, "blackened" chicken was probably more accurate. She'd insisted it was her favorite, but the way she barely touched it told a different story. Deep down, I suspected she liked my cooking better than her own.
Looking over the ingredients I had on hand, I decided to make egg fried rice. Simple, quick, and something she'd definitely eat. I grabbed the apron hanging by the stove, tied it securely around my waist, and rolled up my sleeves.
Time to cook.
…
As I finished cooking, I saw Aria walking out of my room, her hair a messy tangle. I chuckled softly at the sight.
"Morning, sleepyhead," I teased with a grin. "Finally decided to wake up? Go wash your face and eat your breakfast."
She shot me an annoyed look, tilting her head to the side. "Morning," she muttered, pouting. "It's not like I slept until midday or anything."
I laughed lightly and set the plates on the table. As we sat down to eat, I decided to bring up the training I'd planned the night before.
"After breakfast, we're going somewhere," I said simply, keeping my tone straightforward. "I need to see your skills. Don't worry; the place provides plenty of weapons. You can rent one."
Aria's eyes widened in shock. It wasn't surprising—this would be the first time I was taking her somewhere other than Bernia Safe Zone, where we usually just bought supplies.
"Oh, right," I added, "your weapon isn't ready yet since Joe had to attend that emergency meeting."
Her expression shifted from shock to curiosity, her excitement bubbling over. "W-Where to?! Are we going to fight someone, o-or something?! Can I bring my bomb and my favorite dagger? What should I wear?!"
She bombarded me with so many questions, most of which were unnecessary. I raised a brow, amused at her sudden enthusiasm.
"Calm down," I said with a smirk. "One question at a time, Aria." She excited, huh?
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