The memory shifts suddenly, and I find myself standing in a bustling spaceport. The air is thick with the metallic hum of ships, clattering machinery, and the distant voices of vendors shouting their wares. The sky above is a sickly, pale color, tinged with grayish-yellow, and the atmosphere feels... wrong. There''s a strange staleness to the air, as though something unnatural lingers here. It''s polluted, but I don''t fully understand what that means. All I know is that the world itself feels suffocating.


    I blink, trying to adjust to the scene before me. Ryu is standing there in front of a greasy-looking man. I instantly recognize him as the man we saw earlier, Shinx. His slicked-back hair shines with oil, and his beady eyes shift around as if always looking for a quick escape. Just looking at him makes my skin crawl.


    Ryu stands tall with a lean, athletic frame. His face is marked with the weariness of someone who has seen far more than his years suggest, though he carries himself with a quiet confidence. His dark hair falls in messy locks around his face, slightly unkempt, and his sharp, piercing eyes convey both intelligence and a guarded demeanor. He wears a well-worn leather jacket, faded and scuffed in several places, layered over a chest plate similar to what those clone troopers wore but painted black. The jacket bears signs of wear, giving him a rugged, seasoned look. A blaster is holstered securely at his hip, its polished metallic grip gleaming faintly in the low light a street lamp, a constant reminder of the life he leads.


    "Here you go," Shinx says with a crooked grin, handing a small pouch to Ryu. "Your payment."


    Ryu opens the pouch and quickly counts the contents. I can feel his frustration building as he tightens his grip on it. "This is less than half of what we agreed on," he growls.


    Shinx lets out this slimy, unpleasant chuckle that grates on my nerves. "Yeah, about that. See, things change. Costs came up, unexpected issues, you know how it is. Consider it... a revised payment." His grin widens, showing crooked teeth, and it only makes me more suspicious of him.


    My stomach churns as I watch. Shinx is trying to cheat Ryu. I already didn''t trust this man, and now I know he can''t be trusted.


    "I knew this guy was trouble," I mutter under my breath, crossing my arms as I watch the scene unfold. Even Nikko, standing beside me, frowns. Her ears twitch with irritation.


    "Papa should''ve never worked with him," Nikko whispers, clutching my arm a little tighter. I can feel the tension between us—neither of us like this.


    Ryu''s hand inches toward his blaster, and for a moment, I think he might shoot Shinx right here and now. But his eyes shift toward a group of clone troopers marching by in formation. Seeing them sends a shiver down my spine and their presence clearly affects him. He holds back. He''s not Ryu the warrior in this moment; he''s... different.


    "You''re lucky," Ryu growls, shoving the pouch into his pocket. He turns and storms off, his anger barely contained.


    As we follow him, Shinx''s laughter echoes behind us. "See you around, kid. If you ever need more work, you know where to find me!"


    His voice drips with sleaziness, and it makes my blood boil. How dare he speak to Ryu like that? My lips press into a thin line as I try to contain my own fury. "I don''t like that man," I whisper, my words edged with anger. "He''s rotten through and through."


    Nikko''s ears droop, and she scowls in agreement. "Yeah... he''s no good. Papa doesn''t deserve to deal with people like that."


    The sound of Ryu''s boots clanking against the dirty, grimy floor pulls my attention back. He''s furious. I can feel it. He needed those credits, and now he''s left with barely anything. The spaceport around us is overwhelming—a barrage of noises, from shouting vendors to the constant rumble of ships. I glance around, taking in the gritty, worn-down appearance of everything. The floors are covered in dirt and grime, the walls stained with who knows what. Everywhere, people rush past us, lost in their own worlds, paying no mind to the anger radiating from Ryu.


    He finds a quiet corner near a stall selling junk—metal scraps, wires, and discarded parts—and slumps down onto a rusted crate. His posture is defeated, worn down by the weight of his day. My heart aches watching him like this.


    I know he feels responsible, like he should''ve seen it coming. And part of me agrees. That Shinx character was bad news from the start.


    Then, a voice cuts through the noise. "Hey there, you look like you''ve had a rough day." The voice is light, cheerful—so out of place in this grim environment. I turn my head and spot her.


    A woman stands before Ryu. Her bright red hair is tied back in a messy ponytail, and her eyes are a striking emerald green. She''s wearing a jumpsuit smeared with grease, and there''s a warmth about her—a kind of glow that feels... comforting, in this otherwise grim world.


    Nikko gasps softly beside me. "She''s... beautiful," she says, her eyes wide as she takes in the woman''s appearance.


    I nod slowly, not taking my eyes off her. "Yeah, she is," I mutter, though a small pang of jealousy sparks inside me as I watch her talk to Ryu.


    "Yeah, you could say that," Ryu replies curtly, clearly not in the mood for small talk. But the woman doesn''t seem bothered by his tone at all.


    "Name''s Lyra," she says, her smile unwavering. "I work at one of the repair shops here. You look like you could use someone to talk to."


    Ryu sighs, clearly not wanting to engage. "I''m August. Listen, whatever you''re selling, I''m not interested."


    August. The name hits me harder than it should. He''s using his mentor''s name—Master August. My heart sinks a little. Of course, he''s in hiding, but hearing him use that name makes me feel a sharp pang of remorse. I remember how much Ryu respected his mentor, and it''s clear that this is his way of honoring the man who has passed on.


    Lyra, though, doesn''t miss a beat. She just smiles wider. "I''m not selling anything, just offering some company."


    Ryu huffs, looking away. "Not interested, thanks."


    But Lyra doesn''t budge. She sits down next to him, her arms folded. "You know, sometimes talking helps. Plus, I''ve got a knack for fixing things. Maybe I can help with whatever''s got you down."


    For a moment, Ryu doesn''t respond. I can tell he''s thinking it over, the frustration bubbling up again. Finally, he sighs. "Got stiffed on a job. Promised decent pay, got barely enough to scrape by. And I can''t do anything about it without drawing attention."


    Lyra nods sympathetically. "Sounds rough. This place is full of people like that. But hey, at least you got something, right? Could be worse."


    I frown slightly, not entirely convinced by her optimism, but I have to admit there''s something about her that feels genuine.


    "Yeah, I guess," Ryu mutters, his tone softening slightly.


    Lyra leans back, looking thoughtful as she talks. "You know, I''ve had my fair share of bad days. Used to work for a pretty shady crew myself. Fixed up their ship, did all the grunt work, and they barely paid me a fraction of what I was worth. One day, I decided enough was enough and started my own little shop. Been scraping by ever since, but at least it''s on my own terms."


    I see Ryu''s interest piqued, despite the walls he''s so carefully built around himself. "How''d you manage that?" he asks, his tone softening, showing just a hint of curiosity.


    Lyra grins, that bright smile lighting up her face. "Saved up bit by bit, did a few jobs on the side. Found some old droids and machinery, fixed them up, sold them for a profit. It''s not easy, but it''s honest work."


    Ryu''s posture relaxes slightly, and I can see the tension of his earlier frustrations easing. "Sounds like you''ve got it figured out," he says, sounding almost impressed.


    Lyra lets out a light laugh, the sound cutting through the grit and grime of this spaceport. "Not really. Just taking it one day at a time. But you know," she adds, her green eyes sparkling with warmth, "you seem like you could use a break. How about you come by my shop? Maybe I can find some work for you. Might not be much, but it''s better than nothing."


    Ryu hesitates, and I feel myself holding my breath, wondering what he''ll say. "I don''t even know you," he replies, his words guarded but not unkind.


    Lyra just shrugs, that playful grin never leaving her face. "True. But everyone''s a stranger until you get to know them. Besides, what''ve you got to lose?"


    There''s a moment of silence as Ryu looks at her, clearly thinking it over. I watch them, a small pang of jealousy bubbling up inside me. She''s gotten through to him in ways that few people can, and while I know she''s only being kind, it still stings a little. I''ve seen him shut down so many others, but here he is, opening up—just a little—to her.


    Nikko tugs at my sleeve, whispering softly, "Papa should trust her. She seems nice." There''s an innocent smile on her face as she watches them, her eyes wide with admiration. I can tell she likes Lyra already.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    I nod slowly, my emotions swirling. "Yeah," I mutter under my breath, though the words feel heavy. "She does seem nice."


    Ryu finally nods in agreement. "Alright. Where''s your shop?"


    Lyra''s smile widens, full of energy and optimism. "Just a few blocks from here," she says, her voice light as she gestures for him to follow.


    As we walk behind them, I can''t shake the conflicting feelings inside me. On one hand, I''m relieved that someone is offering Ryu kindness and understanding after everything he''s been through. But on the other hand... I can''t help but feel a little left out, watching him connect with her so easily.


    Llamiryl walks beside me, her sharp gaze fixed on Ryu and Lyra. She doesn''t say anything, but I can tell she''s observing everything, processing it all quietly. I glance at her, but she gives nothing away, her expression unreadable.


    As we follow them through the bustling spaceport, a strange sense of relief washes over me. Ryu needed this, even if it didn''t come from me. He''s been through so much, carrying the weight of his past like a burden he can never put down. Maybe Lyra is exactly the kind of light he needs right now.


    I sigh softly, pushing my feelings aside. This isn''t about me. It''s about Ryu. He''s been carrying too much for too long.


    The clanking of metal and hum of starships fills the air, and the pollution-heavy sky seems to cast everything in a dull haze. It''s hard to breathe here—at least, it feels like it. Everything is so... lifeless. I don''t understand how people can live in a place like this.


    As we move, Lyra keeps talking, her voice light and easy, sharing stories about her work in the repair shop. She talks about fixing droids, salvaging parts, and all the odd jobs she''s taken to make ends meet. Despite the rough environment around her, there''s a sense of joy in her voice that''s infectious.


    Even Ryu, who was brooding moments ago, seems to be softening under her words. His shoulders are less tense, and while he doesn''t say much, I can tell he''s listening. He seems... different with her. More at ease.


    Nikko, walking beside me, watches them with wide eyes. "She seems really nice," she whispers, her voice tinged with admiration.


    I nod, though that small pang of jealousy flares up again. "Yeah, she does," I agree, though my heart feels heavy. I push the feeling aside, focusing on Ryu instead. He''s been through so much... It''s good that someone''s trying to cheer him up, even if it''s not me.


    Lyra leads us to her shop, a small, cluttered workshop tucked away between larger, grimier buildings. The place is a mess, filled with half-repaired droids, scattered tools, and piles of metal parts everywhere. Despite the chaos, there''s something warm and welcoming about it. It feels lived in, like a space where someone''s put their heart and soul into making it theirs.


    "Welcome to my little slice of chaos," Lyra says with a grin, gesturing around proudly. "Make yourself at home."


    Ryu glances around, taking in the clutter with a small nod. "Thanks, Lyra. I appreciate it," he says, his tone softer than before.


    Lyra smiles warmly. "No problem. Let''s see if we can turn your day around."


    ?????


    The memory shifts once more, and I now find myself standing in what appears to be Lyra''s workshop, but something feels different. The space is cluttered with more machinery than I remember, and sparks fly from the back of the room, illuminating the dangling metal limbs, chassis, and various droid heads. The clatter of tools fills the space, guiding my eyes to Ryu sitting at a workbench.


    I pause as I take in the droid he''s working on. It''s unlike any other droid I''ve seen before—a towering, menacing figure with dark, almost rusted plating, its red eyes giving off a chilling glow. It looks dangerous, and for a moment, I can''t help but feel uneasy. I glance over at Nikko, and as I expected, she clutches my side, her ears pressed flat against her head.


    "That thing... it looks scary," Nikko mutters, her voice trembling slightly.


    I can''t help but agree, though I say nothing. Ryu, on the other hand, seems in an unusually good mood. He hums a quiet tune while adjusting some parts of the droid, occasionally wiping sweat from his brow. It''s strange seeing him so... cheerful. Despite everything, seeing Ryu this way makes me smile. For once, it feels like he''s found a bit of peace.


    Nikko relaxes slightly, leaning into me. "Papa seems happy," she says softly, her tail swishing with a bit more ease.


    Before I can respond, the door to the workshop bursts open, and Lyra enters the room with a vibrant energy. "August!" she calls out, her voice filled with excitement.


    Ryu immediately stops what he''s doing and looks up, lifting a pair of strange, reflective goggles from his eyes. He''s wearing them like some sort of craftsman—probably to protect his eyes from the sparks flying off the droid. "You seem excited. What''s going on?" he asks, his tone light as a small smile tugs at the corner of his lips.


    Without answering, Lyra practically runs to Ryu, grabbing his arm and pulling him from his seat. "You have to come see this!" she says, her enthusiasm contagious.


    "Whoa, hold on," Ryu protests, trying to keep his balance as she pulls him toward the exit. "Let me at least finish this; we''re behind schedule as it is!"


    "Oh, that can wait," Lyra says with a dismissive wave. "Trust me, this is way more important than some silly droid." She flashes him a teasing grin, and I can''t help but feel a slight pang of jealousy seeing how close they seem. It''s small, nothing serious, but I can''t deny the way they interact makes me... uncomfortable.


    As they leave the shop, I follow with Nikko and Llamiryl close behind. Nikko giggles at Lyra''s bubbly personality. "She''s funny," Nikko says, her earlier fear forgotten as Lyra''s energy rubs off on her.


    I glance over at Llamiryl, who seems just as intrigued by the shift in Ryu''s demeanor as I am. But for me, it''s more complicated. There''s something between them—Lyra and Ryu—and I can''t quite put my finger on it. That slight jealousy lingers, though I push it aside, trying to focus on the moment.


    Lyra leads Ryu down the bustling streets of the spaceport, winding through the crowd until they arrive at a landing platform. There, waiting for them, is a ship. Or at least, what''s left of one.


    The ship is a rusted, worn-down wreck of a thing. It looks like it belongs in a scrapyard, with its hull covered in dents and patches. The metal is dull and corroded, its engines barely holding together. It''s nothing like the sleek vessels I''ve seen before—this thing looks like it''s moments away from falling apart. I can''t help but scrunch my nose in confusion. This... is what Lyra was so excited about?


    "Isn''t she beautiful?" Lyra exclaims, her voice filled with pride as she gestures toward the ship.


    Beautiful? I think to myself, unsure if she''s serious or joking. I glance at Nikko, who looks just as confused as I feel. Her ears twitch, and she tilts her head. "That thing? It looks... old."


    Ryu chuckles, crossing his arms as he examines the ship. "Beautiful might be a bit of a stretch, Lyra," he says, amused.


    Ryu looks at Lyra, his brow furrowing slightly. "So, why are you showing me this ship?" His voice is calm but curious. "Another scrapping job?"


    Lyra, still brimming with excitement, shakes her head enthusiastically, her eyes gleaming. "No, August." She pauses dramatically, a wide grin spreading across her face. "This ship belongs to us!"


    Her words hit me harder than I expect. Us? The way she says it makes my chest tighten with an unfamiliar, uncomfortable feeling. Are they together? The thought nags at me, filling me with a twinge of jealousy that I can''t quite shake off. This is just a memory, I remind myself, but it doesn''t make it any easier. I steal a glance at Nikko and Llamiryl, and to my dismay, they''ve noticed my reaction. Nikko''s ears twitch slightly, and Llamiryl gives me a side-eye, a knowing look in her gaze.


    I swallow the lump in my throat, trying to focus on the memory.


    Ryu turns to the ship, his expression unreadable for a moment, as if he''s processing the weight of what Lyra just said. There''s something hesitant in his eyes, though he quickly hides it.


    Lyra''s excitement falters as she notices his hesitation. "Something wrong?" she asks, her voice softening, her excitement dimming. Disappointment begins to creep into her tone. "Did I overstep again?" She fidgets with her fingers, clearly worried she might''ve done something wrong.


    Ryu''s expression shifts quickly. He shakes his head, his lips curving into a smile—a real one. "This heap of junk is ours?"


    Lyra scoffs, putting her hands on her hips, her usual fiery spirit returning. "Hey, have some respect for my hard work!"


    "Sorry," Ryu chuckles, the smile widening on his face. It''s like I can feel his excitement growing alongside hers, and it tugs at something inside of me, stirring a strange mix of emotions I''m not entirely prepared to face. "How did you pull this off?" he asks, clearly astonished.


    Lyra glances away for a moment, rubbing the back of her neck with a slightly guilty look on her face. "Well, I... I had to pull some favors and, uh... spend most of our savings." Her voice trails off at the end, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she taps them together. She sneaks a glance at him, unsure of how he''ll react.


    But Ryu doesn''t seem upset—in fact, he''s still studying the ship, his smile growing even wider. "You are incredible," he says, turning to face her, his admiration clear.


    Lyra blushes, her usual confidence faltering for just a moment. "So, you''re not mad?" she asks tentatively.


    Ryu crosses his arms, still smiling but playfully teasing. "Maybe a little... for going into our savings again." He chuckles, shaking his head. "But this is amazing. We can finally leave this cesspool and accomplish what we''ve dreamed of."


    His excitement is infectious, and Lyra''s own smile returns, full force, her eyes gleaming once again. "Exactly! We''ll finally have a real shot at something bigger than this place."


    I stand there, watching them share this moment, and though part of me is happy for them, a weight settles in my chest. They''re so close, I think, and that strange jealousy gnaws at me again, this time deeper. I can''t help but wonder if there''s room for someone else—someone like me—in Ryu''s heart, especially with the way he looks at her.


    Ryu crosses his arms, looking back at the ship. "Do you think we can even get her running?"


    Lyra grins, her confidence returning full force as she gives him a playful nudge. "Of course! Just you wait."


    Ryu tilts his head slightly, still studying the worn-down ship. "Does she have a name?" he asks, his voice filled with curiosity.


    Lyra''s face lights up once more, proud of what she''s about to say. "The Crucible," she says, her eyes gleaming with excitement.


    The moment that name leaves her lips, something clicks in my mind, and I stiffen. The Crucible... I realize in shock. That''s the ship Ryu crash-landed in! A wave of understanding washes over me, and I glance over at Nikko, whose wide eyes tell me she''s realized the same thing.


    "The Crucible," Ryu mutters, almost to himself, as he studies the ship again, the name clearly holding some weight for him. His gaze softens as he takes it in, a sense of uncertainty perhaps, or maybe a new hope for the future. It''s hard to tell, but I can feel something shift in him at the mention of the name.


    "We can always change her name if you don''t like it," Lyra suggests, a bit uncertain, but still hopeful.


    Ryu shakes his head quickly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "No, the Crucible is perfect." He takes a few steps toward the ship, his fingers tracing the weathered hull. "But... it''s going to take a lot of work to get her running. An extreme amount."


    Lyra waves off his concern with a playful grin. "Oh, don''t worry about that! I''ve already got half of it planned out. We''ll get her up and running in no time!" She bounces slightly on her heels, excitement radiating from her every word.


    Ryu chuckles softly, shaking his head in disbelief. "You''re something else," he says, clearly impressed by her optimism.


    Then, without hesitation, they step toward each other, arms wrapping around one another as they embrace. Lyra''s head rests against Ryu''s chest, and for a moment, everything feels right for them. They hold each other close, and then, their lips meet in a tender kiss.


    That sinking feeling returns to my chest, heavier than before. I turn my eyes away, unable to watch for too long. I''m happy for them, I tell myself, trying to shake the jealousy gnawing at my heart. But no matter how much I tell myself that, I can''t help but wonder... is there any room left for me? Or was there ever?