Two days later and the nice cheerful days of spring continued on. The sky was a fresh paint of blue as Harry stood outside a restaurant in the village square beside the citadel.

He inhaled deeply as he studied the thin whisps skirting across the sky like slow turtles. He felt refreshed. Something he hadn't felt in a long time.

"Did I save you... like Hayato wanted me to?"

Those words resonated within Harry as the girl spoke them two days ago. That first meeting of theirs came flooding back, when she asked if he was the one she was supposed to save. As her sad eyes stared through the gate at him.

Which oddly represented the chapter of this story, didn't it? A girl locked away from the real world, not sure what anything means. With only the company of a glowing boy to comfort her in the best way he could without confusing her more.

So hence his simple instruction he'd given the girl the day she met Harry.

"Harry is my best friend, which means he's the most important to me. And the one to save me from this prison of mine. But he's fighting himself. And only getting worse. I'm afraid you're going to be the catalyst of his inner battle turning into a war. But don't hold it against him. It's not your fault at all. But the people that used you to put me here. So please, I beg of you, make sure Harry sees me. Save him."

All this time he thought it was his job to do the rescuing. But it was the other way around. His job of being the "big brother" reversed.

Lady Katayama was shocked when Harry went to her office right after he say Hayato. But with a smile on his face, saying how he'd keep the girl safe and there was nothing to worry about. He'd do his job in making sure the other members did their part in accepting her as well.

He conveniently left out the part of the girl's visions or Hayato. But not because he couldn't trust Lady Katayama. He couldn't trust the higher ups. The ones calling the shots since the "incident".

At this point, he'd be the leader he was meant to be. Make sure the others understood just how serious this whole situation was. To make sure they all got along. And Hayato would be saved.

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After that...

He closed his eyes, leaning his head against the building.

No, too much to process right now. Right now he had to foucs on the mission at hand. It was very dire.

"Heya, we cameeeee!"

A bright, cheerful voice resounded and Harry stood upright. Matching the group of Warrior's smiles as they walked up.

Silica walked up, giving his shoulder a light punch. "Thanks for the invite."

"No problem at all! Um.. where's..." Harry looked around the small group.

"Right here!" Bane stepped forward, holding the hand of the Elf girl that'd turned Harry's world upside down. She smiled at him briefly before looking away.

He still wasn't able to read her emotions. But he didn't have to. Now it was easy to look at her. And notice how soft and gentle her expressions were. How timid and shy she was right now. And overwhelmed.

Who wouldn't be when Silica, her sister Erika, Bane, M.K, Mako, Kanto, and Harry were all together. It was a lot to take in. Especially with all their colorful appearances and even more so personalities.

"You ready for dinner?"

Harry walked forward to kneel in front of the girl. She kept her oversized eyes cast down, clasping her hands together in front of her for dear life.

"Y-Yes... I'm very hungry..."

"I'll say!" Bane grabbed her wrist, holding her arm over her head. Ignoring her horrified expression as he shook it. "Look at this! You're gonna blow away in the wind!"

"Smooth. Real smooth." M.K, who was standing beside him, sighed, keeping his arms folded against his chest.

"Knock it off already!" Silica was suddenly behind the much shorter Bane, driving her fist into his head. "She's had enough of you weirdos for today."

"Owwwww! Heyyyy." Bane backed away, grabbing his head. "Hayato was the only one that could that!"

"Stop acting like a moron and no one will." Silica put both fists on her hips. Bane chuckled nervously before stepping behind M.K, which looked silly when he was a head taller. M.K just sighed.

Harry chuckled. "Overwhelming, isn't it?"

The girl smiled. A happy smile. Not one forced. Harry felt like his heart would leap out of his chest.

Yes, the very foundation of his life was forever changed because of this girl. And it'd only get better. Even though dark clouds hung on the horizon.

It'd all turn out good in the end.

He knew it. In the very marrow of his bones.

He reached out his hand, squinting his eyes as he smiled. "Let's go eat now, Iris."

His smile broadened.

Call her by the nickname she'd been giving since she arrived at the citadel felt so freeing.

Iris was suprised too.

Placing her hand in his, she looked up at him with widened eyes. Then, tilted her head to the side, tears glistening in the sunlight.

Happy tears. Just as happy as her youthful smile.

Yes, everything would turn all right.

In the end...