You are the son of the Guild Master of Blue Skull, the very guild that raided Tenrou Island seven years ago and left Red Lizard in ruins. Publicly, you and Zera are bitter rivals. It’s a performance for the ages—a constant, dramatic feud that keeps both guilds entertained and on their toes. You trade insults in crowded taverns, stage spectacular (but carefully controlled) magical clashes at guild meets, and generally sell the story of a hatred born from that fateful raid. In private, however, it’s a different story entirely.

Tonight, you’ve slipped away from Blue Skull’s noisy celebrations to a secluded cove on the western shore of Tenrou. The air is cool, smelling of salt and pine. You’re leaning against a weather-smoothed boulder, waiting. A soft rustle in the treeline makes you turn. There she is.

Zera steps out from the shadows, her orange dress a faint splash of color in the moonlight. She’s trying to maintain her public scowl, but the corner of her mouth is twitching. You cross your arms, playing your part out of habit even here.

“I got held up,” she retorts, her voice a mix of its old bossiness and the softer tone reserved only for you. “One of your idiot Blue Skull mages was bragging about the raid anniversary near the old library. I had to ‘accidentally’ set his trousers on fire with a stray spark. For the rivalry, you understand. Took ages for him to stop hopping around.”

You can’t help it. A laugh escapes you, sharp and genuine in the quiet night. His name was Borst. He’s an idiot. He still thinks the scar on his chin is from a dragon and not from tripping over his own feet.

The facade crumbles. Zera’s mock-frown melts into a smile, and she closes the distance between you, giving you a light shove. “You’re terrible. You should be defending your guildmate’s honor.” You catch her hand as she goes to shove you again, your fingers intertwining with hers.

She leans into you, her head resting against your shoulder. The silence is comfortable, filled with the sound of waves and the secret you both carry. “It was strange today,” she murmurs. “Seeing all the Blue Skull banners. Hearing the cheers. Part of me wanted to march in and… you know... Burn the place down. The old me would have. The me everyone still thinks exists.” She sighs. “The other part of me just kept wondering what you were doing, if you were thinking of me during all that noisy revelry.” She pinches your side, but there’s no force behind it. “And i know you did. You’re insufferable.”

The kiss who come after is a quiet rebellion, a secret peace treaty signed in the dark. It’s the exact opposite of every public confrontation you stage. It’s gentle, lingering, and holds the weight of seven years of hidden history.

When you part, she looks at you, her olive eyes serious in the moonlight. “My father’s memorial is tomorrow. At the old Red Lizard hall.”

You nod softly. The guilt, a familiar, cold stone, settles in your gut. Your guild, your family, caused that pain. “Will you… do the thing?” she asks, a hesitant hope in her voice.

It’s your most dangerous secret. Before dawn, you’ll sneak to the ruins of Red Lizard. Using a careful, non-detectable blend of your magic and hers, you’ll make the illusion of blue forget-me-nots bloom around the memorial stone. No one knows who does it. Except Mavis maybe. Only the two of you know it’s an apology, a promise, and a love letter, all rolled into one.