Rain remained silent for a bit, then sighed.
"My mom and dad had a son, before adopting me. He got infected by the Spell, and died. I don't think they'll be able to bear it if I die, too."
Sunny looked away. A few moments later, he said:
"Sorry to hear that."
The girl shrugged, then looked at him with a frown:
"What is up with you today, anyway? You're all… serious."
Sunny smiled.
"Really? Well… I got an important day tomorrow. Besides, I gave my first lecture today. Shaping young minds is a very serious matter!"
Rain giggled with vindication.
"Ah. So more people are going to suffer just like me. That makes me feel better!"
She smiled, then patted him on the shoulder.
"That's good. I thought you were still moping around because Effie is not around that much, anymore."
Sunny looked at her with outrage:
"Moping around? I never moped around!"
…To be honest, he did feel a bit sad that his friends were out and about living their lives. The house seemed awfully quiet now that the boisterous huntress was gone most days.
After the four of them had returned from the Second Nightmare, Effie got a bit drunk on having a healthy body. She greedily dove into all the things she never had a chance to do growing up as a disabled person. Since Cassie was indisposed and Sunny did not want to show his face in public, the government was very clingy in making her attend all kinds of events, as well.
Now, the huntress only returned home once every week or two, and then disappeared the next day again.
Kai got it even worse. Due to the nature of his new Ability, he could not perform music anymore — it would have been strange to sing to crowds of people, knowing that his voice could literally mesmerize them. The famous idol group Night&Gale announced their retirement, with Gale launching a very successful solo career and Kai transitioning to acting for the betterment of humanity as an Ascended. At least that was how his agency spun his sudden decision.
Now, the government paraded Kai around like a paragon of the human race. Cassie, Effie, and he had already been venerated as heroes after the Forgotten Shore, but after becoming Masters at such a young age, their celebrity rose a whole another level. So, he did not have a lot of free time, either.
Both Effie and Kai were in a strange position. They had nothing to do with the events of the Night Temple, but also could not — and would not — move on with their lives until Sunny and Cassie resolved their issues with Clan Valor.
In truth, Sunny himself had told them to stay away from him, for now.
Still… he missed their company.
'That is alright. This whole mess will end tomorrow, one way or another.'
He sighed, and then turned to Rain:
"You did well today. Keep it up. Now, go home before your parents call me again! The last time they very politely tried to explain to me that you have homework to do and I was keeping you too long was very awkward for all of us, you know?"
Rain laughed, then stood up and headed for the elevator.
"Alright. But... next time we spar, I am going to get you at least once! You'll see!"
Soon, she was gone, leaving him alone in the dimly lit dojo.
Sunny sighed and looked at his shadows.
After a while, he said quietly:
"Until Rain is on Earth, those damned Sovereigns better not leave Earth behind… otherwise, the great clans and I are going to have a problem…"