"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

Time: 6:00. The early morning breeze brushed gently across the cliff. The sun peeked over the horizon, casting soft orange light on the two figures sitting quietly — Rose and Sunny.

Rose rubbed her eyes, stretching a little. "Where did Auren go?"

Sunny looked around, confused. "I don't know. We all fell asleep here… maybe he went to check on his brother. After all, Veon went to battle last night."

There was a short silence before Sunny spoke again. "Hey, Rose… I took permission from my brother to stay out last night with you guys. Did you… Ask your family, too?"

Rose smiled softly, her eyes still closed. "I don't have a family, Sunny. I'm an orphan."

Sunny's head turned sharply. "What…? I never knew that."

"That's because I never told anyone," Rose replied quietly.

A moment passed before Sunny hesitantly asked, "So… where do you live?"

"I stay at the orphan ward," she said. "There are other girls there, too. But no one really talks to me."

Sunny's voice grew anxious. "Why? Why don't they talk to you?"

Rose shrugged slightly, her gaze lowering. "I don't know…"

Rose smiled softly at Sunny. "But I have you guys."

Sunny nodded with a gentle grin. "Hey Rose… can I ask you something?"

Rose tilted her head. "Hmm?"

Sunny hesitated, then blurted, "Do… do you love Auren?"

Rose's face flushed instantly. "W-What?! No, no—of course not!"

Sunny leaned in, playful. "This will be our secret. I promise I won't tell anyone."

Rose looked down, lips pressed together, clearly nervous.

Sunny urged, "Come on, just say it."

Rose hesitated, then with a shy voice whispered, "...Yes. I do love Auren."

Sunny jumped up. "Yes! I knew it!"

Rose's eyes widened. "H-How?!"

Sunny laughed. "I saw you last night. You were cuddling with him intentionally!"

Rose's face turned red as she waved her hands. "Nooo! I-It was cold! That's all!"

Sunny chuckled. "Don't worry, it was cute."

Then his tone softened, sincere. "Rose, you should tell him how you feel."

Rose's eyes widened again. "Hey, hey! Are you crazy?! What if he doesn't feel the same?"

Sunny grinned. "He does. I'm 100% sure he loves you, too. But with the kind of guy Auren is… I don't think he'll say it first."

Rose looked away, puffing her cheeks slightly. "Nooo…"

Sunny leaned closer. "Yessss."

Rose shook her head. "Nooo."

Sunny laughed. "Yessss!"

Rose blinked. "Are you sure?"

Sunny raised one hand like taking an oath. "Yes, yes, yes! Believe me—he loves you too."

Rose stared for a moment, then slowly stood up, fire in her eyes. "Okay. I'll do it. I'll tell him today that I have feelings for him!"

Sunny pumped his fist in the air. "Let's goooo!"

Rose and Sunny were descending the mountain trail, the early morning light casting long shadows behind them.

Rose glanced at Sunny. "Hey… how much money do you have right now?"

Sunny patted his pockets and pulled out a small handful of coins. "Let's see… 88 Ryu."

Rose nodded. "I've got 45 Ryu." I am hungry..

Sunny blinked. "Forty-five?! Wait, where did you get that from?"

Rose sighed softly. "Oh, Sunny… I might be an orphan, but I'm not poor. I earn my own money."

Sunny looked surprised. "How?"

Rose smiled. "I work for Lady Samita. She owns the Diamond Neon Tower. I sing there sometimes."

Sunny's eyes widened. "What?! You're a singer?"

Rose smirked. "Yup."

Sunny stared at her like she was an unsolved puzzle. "You hold mystery after mystery. What else are you hiding? Why do I suddenly feel like I know nothing about you?"

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Any problem with that?"

Sunny scratched the back of his head, looking a little embarrassed. "N-No, not at all. It's just… amazing."

He paused, then asked, "Did you ever tell Auren about this?"

Rose folded her arms and looked away. "Hmph. That dummy never asked. I wish… he asked even once."

Crimson Town. Morning breeze. Cyber dashed through the glowing streets, carrying Rose and Sunny. In their hands were half-eaten buns, crumbs falling as they laughed.

Then, Sunny pulled the reins. "Cyber, stop."

Rose looked ahead. Her smile vanished instantly.

Auren.Sauntering through the street… a travel bag slung over his shoulder… bandages wrapped across his face and arms. He looked worn out, broken.

"Auren!" Rose called out, jumping down from Cyber.

bun droped.

Sunny followed close behind.

They ran to him. Rose reached him first, eyes wide with panic. "What happened?! Auren, tell me—who did this to you?"

Auren didn't meet their eyes. His voice came cold. Distant."Shut up. I don't need you."

The words hit like an arrow through the chest.

Rose froze. Her eyes trembled—water ready to fall."Hey… Auren… why are you talking like this?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Auren raised his eyes and stared at her. The look in them was sharp. Empty."I said shut up."He stepped back. "I don't want either of you near me again."

His voice turned ice-cold."You're both scumbags. I'm leaving this town. Don't follow me. Ever."

Sunny couldn't hold it in. Rage and desperation cracked through him.

He stormed forward, grabbed Auren by the collar, and shouted, "Are you out of your mind?! You never acted like this! What the hell is wrong with you?! Why are you talking to Rose like that?!"

Auren's expression didn't change."I don't care about her. Whether she lives or dies—it doesn't matter to me."

He tore Sunny's hands away.

"I used both of you. For my fun. That's all. And now… I don't even want to see your faces."

Rose's eyes filled with soft tears.Her voice shook. "Auren… why are you behaving like this? There must be a reason…"She wiped her cheeks, trying to stay composed."Tell me, Auren. What made you say all that?

You're bruised all over… something happened."

Inside, Auren was already breaking. He wanted to fall to his knees, to tell her the truth, to scream.But outside? He stayed cold.