Part- 388:

  James hesitated, unsure how to expin the releraining, the dungeon missions, and the unusual challenges he’d been fag. He settled on a vague answer. “Just, you know, a lot of training. Trying to get stronger, better.”

  Mili houghtfully. “You push yourself really hard. I mean, you’re already incredible at what you do—judo, academics. Sometimes it’s okay to take it easy.”

  James looked at her, a slight smile tugging at his lips. “I think I’d go crazy if I slowed down too much.”

  She ughed. “Figures. But just remember, it’s okay to have a life outside of all that training.”

  The way she said it, her eyes soft aole, made James pause. For a moment, he felt a strange sensation in his chest—something warm and f. He didn’t often open up to others, but with Mili, he found himself rexing, almost vulnerable in a way he hadn’t allowed himself to be in a long time.

  “I don’t know if I’d know what to do with myself if I slowed down,” he admitted softly.

  Mili’s expression softened. “Well, maybe you should try it sometime. It’s a good way to recharge. You ’t keep going full throttle without a break.”

  “I guess you’re right,” he said, a hint of sheepishness creeping into his voice. “Maybe I’ll take it easy after this mission. We’ll see.”

  Mili smiled, but there was something deeper in her gaze, something uanding. “You know, it’s okay to ask for help too. You don’t always have to carry everything by yourself.”

  James g her, surprised by her insight. He wasn’t used to people seeing him like that—aware of how much he pushed himself, how much weight he carried in silence.

  “Thanks, Mili. I appreciate that,” he said quietly. It felt good to be seen, but also a little uling.

  As they tihrough the park, they reached a small fountain surrounded by a patch of open grass and trees that were just beginning to show hints of autumn—golden leaves swirling in the breeze and soft shadows cast by the afternoon light. A few benches lihe fountain, but most of the park-goers had scattered to other parts of the park, leaving the area quiet and peaceful. The gentle hum of distant versations mixed with the occasional rustle of leaves.

  Mili’s eyes sparkled as she watched the fireflies that had begun to flit around the fountain. “It’s so magical. It feels like we’re in a different world.”

  James chuckled, though he felt the same. “Maybe we are,” he replied softly, his gaze lingering on her.

  For a moment, she looked back at him, their eyes meeting in a way that felt both fortable and unfamiliar. The air betweehied, and James could sehe weight of the moment, the way it felt like something was unspoken but uood.

  “James, have you ever thought about—” she paused, hesitating, then shook her head, smiling as if to brush it off. “Never mind. It’s silly.”

  He tilted his head, a bit curious. “About what?”

  She ughed, flustered. “It’s nothing! I just… was thinking about how you’re so dedicated to everything you do. It’s something I really admire about you.”