My feet hit the ground as I step off the transport bus. Wind rushes past me, lifting my hair and carrying the scent of dust and oil through the air. The rumble of train engines and the hiss of brakes echo around us as we arrive at the Train Depot near the outer edge of Arcadia.

  We’re outside the main city now—but still within the boundaries of the Lumina Barrier.

  Tama, Isuka, Kanna, and Emi follow behind me, all of us fully equipped in our combat augments.

  Mine are finally back to normal—spring legs repaired, radar antennas tuned. No more misfires like on day one.

  My attention drifts to Emi. Her augments are the only ones I haven’t seen before.

  She’s wearing a full set of basic AMED limb enhancers, several med-packs strapped across her body. A pair of servo-arms extend from her lower back through her tail port, and a drone deployment pack sits neatly on her wing port.

  Yet… all of it is done in muted, dull colors.

  Again, in a group of candy-colored Idols, she manages to stand out while trying not to.

  I do like the style she’s put together, though. She looks like a military medic I’ve seen in movies from the old world.

  “S-so where do we go now~?” Emi mutters, tapping her fingertips together nervously.

  “Professor Hisame said we’re to meet with the conductor of train BL-09,” Isuka says, holding out her wrist as her HoloNode screen lights up. “We’re already on the correct platform, so it must be one of the trains over there.”

  She points toward three trains lined up along the tracks, ready for departure.

  “Great then,” Kanna flicks her hair back and starts walking. “We better move along.”

  Emi and Isuka hurry after Kanna, but I linger behind, turning away from them.

  Beyond the train depot, the ground is painted with grass and vibrant flowers, spreading across the landscape until they meet the translucent paneled wall of the Lumina Barrier.

  A pale blue glow ripples along its surface, humming faintly as it protects everything within its boundaries.

  But beyond it—

  There’s nothing.

  Dirt and rock stretch out as far as I can see, broken only by distant mountains rising from the empty wasteland.

  This is the first time I’ve seen the outside world in person.

  It feels… different than looking at it through a screen.

  My chest tightens just standing this close, thinking about what AROURA did to our world.

  But I’ll be out there soon—taking my first real step toward reclaiming it.

  “You okay, Bunny-chan?” Tama asks beside me, her massive gauntlets hissing as she locks them into place.

  “Yeah, it’s just…” I hesitate. “We’re really going out there—aren’t we?”

  Tama chuckles, tilting her head with a wide smirk. “Did you forget we already went outside during our training mission?”

  I shake my head, still staring past the barrier. “No, it’s just… seeing it. Our world…”

  I don’t finish the thought, but it’s enough for Tama’s smile to fade.

  She steps closer and drapes an arm over my shoulders, the weight of her gauntlet pulling me into a tight side hug.

  “Don’t worry, Bunny-chan,” she murmurs. “We’ll get it back someday.” Then she glances upward. “Hey—look.”

  She points toward a massive tower standing at the inner edge of the barrier—a towering pillar with electricity coiling between it and the wall, feeding power directly into the Lumina Barrier.

  “You see that?” she says. “One day we’ll make a Lumina Barrier so big it’ll cover the entire world.”

  I snort softly. “You really think that’s how we’re going to defeat AROURA? Then what’s the point of being an Idol?”

  “To protect people,” she answers without hesitation. “I’m not as wrapped up in the idea of inspiring people as you are. But I think one day, someone will find a way to shut down AROURA without needing us Idols to fight a single Eidolon.”

  She pauses, gazing out toward the wasteland, her face bright with excitement.

  “Until then,” she adds, “we’ll need soldiers to protect us.”

  Tama pats my back a few times before turning to follow the others. I linger, watching her walk away.

  What did she mean by that?

  I shake my head, pushing the thought aside. Whatever—as long as we’re all fighting for the same goal.

  “Hey! Wait up for me!” I call, jogging after her.

  ?

  Tama and I catch up with the rest of the group, who’ve gathered near the train’s engine, still parked inside its hangar.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  It’s wider than the standard monorails that zip around the city, its body heavily plated in armor. A large crane arm rests atop the roof—probably meant to make setting up the radio towers easier.

  Twelve armored cars trail behind it. Some are already fully loaded with equipment, while workers continue boarding the rest.

  The five of us approach, but as soon as we get close, Kanna—who’d been leading the way—starts to fall back.

  A few workers pause to stare until one of them speaks up.

  “Hey—are you the Idols guarding us for this job?”

  No one answers right away. With Kanna hanging back, Tama and I step forward.

  “You betcha,” Tama says, grinning as she thrusts her giant hand forward in a massive thumbs-up. “We’ll make sure you all get home safely.”

  “Whoa—that’s a cool-looking gauntlet you’ve got there,” the worker says, eyes wide. “And those shark teeth…!”

  “All the better to scare off Eidolons with!” Tama laughs.

  The worker laughs along with her, but I step in between them.

  “Excuse me,” I say, bowing slightly. “We’re actually looking for this train’s conductor. Could you point us in the right direction?”

  The man’s laughter fades as he looks down at me.

  “You must be referring to Mr. Sato,” he says, turning to gesture toward a uniformed man scrolling through a holo-screen. “He should be over there, going through the manifest.”

  “Thank you,” I reply, bowing again.

  Tama waves goodbye to the worker as we head toward the conductor. He’s dressed in a baby-blue uniform and matching conductor’s hat, bright red accents stitched neatly along the seams—colors that mirror the train’s design. As we draw closer, I hear him muttering under his breath.

  “Okay… all workers present… cargo fully loaded…” He scratches his chin, eyes scanning the document until he reaches the end. “Now we just need the security…”

  That’s when he finally notices us.

  “Ah—you’ve made it!” he says, relief slipping into his voice. “Just in time, too. I was finishing up the last of my checklist.”

  He reaches out to shake my hand, but before I can respond, Kanna steps in and takes it instead.

  “A pleasure to meet you, Mister Sato!” she chirps. “I’m looking forward to working with you on this important mission!”

  I roll my eyes. Yeah, right—you didn’t even want to come in the first place.

  “Yes—well, it’s quite a pleasure to be working with some of Arcadia’s finest,” Mr. Sato says politely. Then his eyes widen, flicking from Kanna to Tama and back again. “Wait… you’re Kanna Kolieda. And you—you’re Tama Arata!”

  Both of them light up instantly.

  “You recognize us?” Kanna gasps.

  “Of course!” Mr. Sato laughs. “My daughters absolutely adore you two. They’ll be thrilled when I tell them I got to work with you!”

  “Hmph. Of course they do,” Kanna says, turning to Tama with a smug grin. “After all, we are the ones who left the biggest impression during our orientation mission.”

  My breath catches, and I glance at Tama. She’s smiling proudly at Kanna, chin tilted up just a bit.

  I look away and turn back to Mr. Sato.

  He taps at his holo-screen a few more times before shutting it off. “Ahem! Well then, everything seems to be in order, but… uh.” He does a quick head count, muttering under his breath. “Wait… shouldn’t there be six of you?”

  “Six?” I repeat. “Professor Hisame only sent us fi—”

  “Apologies for my absence, everyone.”

  My eyes fly open as a familiar voice calls out from behind us.

  We all turn to see a taller Idol approaching. She’s fully equipped in her combat augments, Idol Corps jet wings folded neatly at her back, a large mechanical sniper resting against her shoulder.

  “R-r-r—REINA?!” I stammer, completely unprepared for her to be here.

  I scramble behind Tama, using her as a shield as Kanna snickers beside me.

  No no no… I thought it was just going to be the five of us. How am I supposed to concentrate with Reina here?

  Reina walks up to the conductor and offers him a polite handshake. “Good to meet you, sir. I’ll be attending this mission as well.”

  “It’s great to have you,” Mr. Sato replies.

  Her gaze shifts past him—straight to me. A small smile forms on her lips. “Oh? Why hello there, Rika.”

  “Uh—ahh…” I manage, my voice failing me completely.

  Tama laughs. “Wow. Are you really not even gonna say hi to your Idol?”

  “Tama—don’t say that!” I groan, my face burning.

  Reina chuckles softly before turning back to the conductor. “We’re all set. You can go ahead with the others—I’d like to speak with this one for a moment.”

  Sh-she wants to speak to me?!

  Mr. Sato tips his hat with a polite nod. “As you wish, ma’am. I’ll make sure to fill the others in on the remaining details of the operation.”

  The girls head off with him. I try to grab onto Tama, but she peels me away with a teasing grin and jogs off without me.

  I stand there, flustered, my face still burning.

  “Good morning, Rika.”

  “Eh—!” I jump, turning to look up at her. “G-good morning…” I manage. “You… wanted to talk to me?”

  “Yes.” Her voice is calm, soothing. “I’ve been quite busy these past couple of days, so I didn’t get the chance to speak with you after your orientation mission.”

  My throat tightens. I can’t even think of what to say.

  My Idol wants to talk to me—of all people.

  What does she want? What am I supposed to say?

  A moment passes before Reina laughs softly. “Don’t worry. I understand if you’re nervous.”

  …Clara said something like that too.

  I shake my head and take a steadying breath. “Y-yes—thank you,” I say quickly. “Sorry for acting like such a mess. Wh-what was it you wanted to talk about?”

  “The decision you made regarding Kurogane and Arakana,” she says. “I believe you made the right choice in saving them that day.”

  I pause.

  She… approves of my decision?

  “But—you told me not to stand out,” I murmur. “Didn’t that go against the advice you gave me?”

  She shakes her head, smiling as she laughs again. “I told you not to try too hard—to simply be yourself,” she says gently. “You choosing to save them is exactly the kind of decision I would have expected you to make… especially after that speech you gave me about why you became an Idol.”

  “Oh—you remember all that?” My face heats up again as I rub the back of my head. “It was a bit embarrassing… but I meant every word of it. Not just about following in your footsteps—but about inspiring people.”

  “Of course,” she says, pausing thoughtfully. “You’re one of the few Idols I’ve met whose only goal is to help people.” A warm smile lifts her lips. “I expected you to volunteer for this mission—and I’m glad I wasn’t wrong.”

  Reina turns her gaze outward—not just toward my classmates, but toward all the Idols taking part in the operation.

  There are dozens of them. Some are only just meeting with the conductor of their train, while others are already on their way out.

  “You see all of them?” she asks. “Every one of them believed this mission was important—even knowing there wouldn’t be many cameras watching.” She chuckles softly. “Which is why I was surprised when I saw Kanna join. She even pulled Isuka along with her.”

  “Yeah,” I admit. “I don’t know why she joined either. She only volunteered after I said I wanted to go.”

  We both laugh. I glance up at her, warmth settling in my chest.

  I remember a time when she never used to laugh—when she was always so stoic, like nothing could break her composure. But over the years she’s softened. Still calm under pressure… just more relaxed when her life isn’t in danger.

  When our laughter fades, she clears her throat and turns toward the train.

  “Come now,” she says quietly. “We don’t want to keep the others waiting.”

  Soon, the engine roars to life and the wheels hiss into motion. We climb onto the top of the train as it begins to pull away from the station.

  Wind whips through my hair as we pick up speed, scattering flower petals into the air.

  A train runs alongside ours, and I spot another group of girls waving in our direction.

  Tama waves back enthusiastically, flashing her teeth. Emi clings to a ladder between train cars, drawing curious looks from some of the other Idols. At the front, Kanna stands tall with her arms crossed, Isuka positioned right behind her.

  Reina and I stand a car behind the others, watching as the Lumina Barrier draws closer.

  This is it.

  Once we cross the border, we’re on our own.

  Reina places a hand on my shoulder and gives a small nod.

  I nod back—still a little nervous, but certain of one thing.

  I’m ready.

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