Reinhard blinked at them after he received and watched them continue with increasing anxiety written across their faces.

Then he chuckled before raising a hand to cover his face as he leaned back against the pillows and felt a warm feeling inside.

Reinhard says softly. "I'm not mad, you guys… I'm grateful... No, more than grateful. I'm so happy I know you guys and that you're my friends..." His hand pressed harder against his face. "To think you two would go so far for me."

Marie paused, her nervous fidgeting stopped completely, and then her smile returned. "Of course, we would do these things. It's because we're your friends, Rein."

Joseph nodded, settling more comfortably in his chair beside Marie. "Just like how you were willing to almost die and take on such a gamble for us, we're willing to seek your siblings out, take them to a better place, and look after them while you sleep."

Reinhard's hand dropped away from his face with a grin on his face and his blue eyes shining in delight. "Oh, right, before I forget to ask. How are Scath, Roana, Gran, and Nikki doing?"

"They're on an expedition, but we all promised to meet up for dinner once you're awake." Joseph's green eyes carried anticipation.

Marie nodded in joy. "Not only them, but Jessie and the others we saved in Mensis Town are also waiting for you to wake up."

Reinhard's smile softened into something gentler. "A dinner, huh. It would be nice to eat with everyone."

"It'll be lots of fun!" Marie grinned and then crossed her arms with an amused smile. "But for now, let's focus on the game plan and excuse for Klein and Anna."

Reinhard's lips twitched before he sighed in acceptance. "Do you guys have any ideas?"

Marie hummed. "Of course!"

She leaned forward, hands gesturing as she began outlining various scenarios. Joseph added details, the two of them building on each other's ideas with practiced ease. Their voices overlapped occasionally, but never in discord, more like a conversation that had been ongoing for months.

Reinhard watched them both as he listened to their plan and noted the care they'd put into every detail. Not just moving his siblings, but ensuring they'd be comfortable, happy, and safe. While preparing excuses that would satisfy Anna's sharp questions and Klein's quiet observations.

You two really are amazing…

Reinhard had friends who would spend their entire school points to help his siblings. That would sacrifice their school holidays to keep Anna and Klein from being alone. Who would forge letters in his handwriting and accept Anna's complaints with smiles.

The warmth in his chest grew, which made him happy to know these two. It was the kind of feeling he'd learned to suppress in Lily Town, that he'd thought dead until Marie and Joseph had somehow resurrected it.

…

City of Nuevo, afternoon.

The carriage came to a stop.

Reinhard felt the shift in carriage before hearing the hiss of the grey orb at the front powering down. Through the window, he saw the narrow cobblestone streets stretched between buildings that loomed close together.

He noted they were painted navy blue, charcoal gray, and deep brown.

The City of Nuevo was north of the Academy, and after a week, he was not only released from the medical room.

But he was allowed to leave to visit his siblings, something Klaus says is okay with Celestia cheering him on.

The carriage door opened, and Reinhard stepped out first with his black-white jacket tight around his shoulders.

Behind him, Joseph emerged in identical attire, which was a white-black jacket, black trousers, and black boots.

Marie followed last, her black-white jacket and skirt complemented by black tights and boots that clicked against cobblestones as she landed.

They walked through Nuevo's streets together. Gas lamps flickered weakly along the path, their yellow glow barely pushing back the perpetual twilight.

Reinhard glanced to the side to see a group of children laughing from inside a cart being pulled by adults.

At an intersection, they paused with him, noting that some carriages passing by were ride-less and powered by the grey orbs.

While others were being moved by drivers who guided the horses with ease.

They continued forward, entering the residential district. The buildings here were maintained very well, with them rising three stories high and patches of grass around each one.

Marie stopped before one building, which was a bit larger than its neighbors and colored navy blue. She produced a key from her jacket pocket, the metal catching light as she inserted it into the lock.

The door swung inward silently.

Inside, warmth greeted them immediately, and also a beige carpet that covered the entryway floor.

Reinhard saw furniture arranged with obvious care, such as a small table, chairs that matched, everything positioned to make the space welcoming rather than merely functional.

And on the carpet, lying on her stomach with a book open, was Anasha. Her legs swung up and down in a lazy rhythm as she read, long blue hair splayed across her back. She wore a simple blue dress that matched her eyes, her bare feet kicking the air with each swing.

Anasha blinked before her head rose from the book and her gaze found the door, found the three figures standing there.

Found Reinhard.

She blinked again, then one more time, her eyes widened with each blink, processing what she was seeing. Then her hand rose and her finger extended, pointing directly at Reinhard with trembling certainty.

Reinhard smiled softly and said. "I'm awake, Anasha. How are-"

He couldn't finish.

Anasha launched herself off the carpet. Her book forgotten, she crossed the distance in three running steps before diving forward with abandon.

Reinhard's arms shot out automatically.

He caught her mid-flight, her small weight crashing into his chest with force that made him stumble backward a step. His blue eyes widened briefly before his smile returned gently.

He knelt down, lowering himself to the floor with Anasha still clutched in his arms.

His hand moved to her hair, fingers running through the long blue strands with gentleness. "There, there."

Anasha's entire body shook against his chest, her face pressed into his shoulder. "I thought you wouldn't visit for a long time. T-They said you were doing missions to get points for the Elixir of Life to help Klein..."

"But you missed me and wished I came back?" Reinhard's voice carried understanding without judgment.

Anasha's trembling intensified as she rubbed her head against his shoulder. "I shouldn't be feeling or thinking like that. You're trying so hard to-"

Reinhard held her tighter, his arms wrapping more securely around her small frame. "You have the right to feel like that. You're not only a child, but someone I also promised to look after and keep you happy."

He leaned back slightly before his hand moved to cup her cheek, thumb brushing away tears. "I'm sorry for making you cry once more and feel sad. But don't worry, I'm here now."

Anasha nodded with a faint smile appearing while her blue eyes shine with delight and joy that made them seem to glow.

Then she blinked before a giggle escaped her lips. "Oh, right, the others-"

Anasha was interrupted by the footsteps rapidly coming from above, and then two figures burst into the entryway.

A girl with curly long black hair and crimson eyes, wearing a simple black dress with a black necklace. Beside her, a boy with short brown hair and blue eyes so similar to Reinhard's own, and he wore black shorts with a white shirt.

Anna and Klein.

"Did the door open, Anasha? I thought I heard..." Anna's words trailed off. Her crimson eyes found Reinhard kneeling on the floor, and found Anasha in his arms.

Klein's blue eyes went wide with his mouth falling open.

Reinhard trembled as his eyes stared at Anna's shocked face and Klein's disbelief. He felt so many things right now, with there being so many things he wanted to say.

Apologies, explanations, and justifications all crowd his throat.

But only one thing emerged.

"I'm home, you two."

"Rein!"

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