My Instant Death Doomed Firefly to a Lifetime of Regret

Gramr Imperial Academy

A07 stood motionless by the flowerbed, untouched by time.

Seven years had changed nothing.

"You… grew taller."

Her sunset-hued eyes flickered with unreadable emotions as she finally spoke.

"Reunited at last," An Ming steadied his breath. "I never introduced myself properly. An Ming."

"An Ming… An Ming." She mouthed the name like a prayer before straightening. "Molten Knight Pilot A07. Assigned to escort you to the Mountains."

Her gaze dropped. Had she known he was that boy, she'd have refused this mission.

"A07?"

The designation chilled him—a serial number, not a name.

She tensed, relaxing only when his eyes showed no disdain. No fuel canister stare.

"I'll administer your pilot trials." Her hand pressed over her heart, vulnerability hardening into resolve. "Until you pass, the Mountains remain forbidden."

"Yes, Examiner."

An Ming bowed, blood singing. This reunion felt like the universe's apology.

He missed the shadow crossing her eyes.

[Age 12]

A07 became your sword instructor. Her peerless skills honed yours to a razor's edge.

The Empire's knights carved conquests across star systems. Gramr's gray skies almost seemed blue.

You often found her gazing at streaking silver knights through classroom windows.

She remained undefeated.

Clang!

An Ming's blade clattered to the floor. A07's combat aura dissolved like mist, revealing the gentle girl beneath.

Sweat-damp strands clung to her temples. "You've improved… remarkably."

Remarkably undersold it. From lasting 60 seconds to matching her for ten minutes—a meteoric rise.

The brighter he shone, the heavier her dread. The Parliament would claim this star. The Empire needed a blade to terrify the cosmos.

And blades… never disobey.

"All thanks to you, jie-jie."

"S-sister?" Her lashes fluttered. The boy who barely reached her shoulder now matched her height.

An Ming wiped sweat, feigning nonchalance. "There's somewhere I want to show you. Training's done—no objections?"

"None." Her lips pursed cherry-blossom pink.

Summer heat painted the campus in bare shoulders and sundresses. A07 remained in her uniform—black shawl, cyan skirt, dusk-gradient tights. An Ming had glimpsed her closet: endless duplicates.

"One year."

"One year… yes."

Her eyes held ghosts of attachment.

"Here."

Beneath elm shadows, his fingers brushed her wrist. She stiffened but didn't pull away, cheeks blooming.

Sunlight dappled through leaves as he led her deeper. Crickets hummed. A spring murmured ahead—a hidden oasis.

"I came here often… after losing everything." His parents' love. His obsession with a silver shadow.

Clear water cascaded into a mossy pool. Cyan sparks ignited the twilight.

"Fireflies?" A07 whispered. "Why glow… when they die in days?"

An Ming watched emerald starlight reflect in her eyes. "Maybe to prove they existed. To leave warmth in someone's memory."

He turned. "Your eyes—they've always reminded me of fireflies. They deserve a name as luminous."

"Name?"

The word tasted alien. Hacks needed no names.

Cyan bioluminescence haloed her face as he smiled.

"Liuying."

"Glowfly."

"L-liu… ying." She haltingly repeated the syllables as if tasting each one.

Two characters. A universe of meaning.

Her world had been monochrome. Now—a single firefly's glow.

It was enough.