Chapter 271: You Always Notice

It didn’t take long for the rest of the people to realize who had appeared in the sky.

The moment Mika uttered the name ’Nadia’ a wave of realization swept through the gathered crowd like wildfire.

"W-Wait, is that...?" Someone in the back gasped.

"It’s her! It’s really her!" Another shouted.

And then came the explosion of hope.

"LADY NADIA!!"

"THE CELESTIAL MAIDEN!!"

"THE BATTLE ANGEL OF ABSOLUTE DESTRUCTION IS HERE!!"

"LET’S FREAKING GOOOOOO!!"

"WE’RE SAVED! SHE’S HERE, SHE’S REALLY HERE!!"

It was like watching people who had been condemned suddenly given salvation.

Panic turned to cheering. Tears turned to cheers. The despair in their eyes vanished, replaced with trembling awe and unrestrained relief.

It wasn’t just her raw power that gave people faith.

Nadia—no, the Celestial Maiden—was more than a battlefield savior. She was the people’s shield.

The one who had consistently stood at the intersection of politics and war, who ensured the Federation didn’t overstep and the higher powers never used the common folk as pawns.

She was a legend. A warrior. A diplomat. A guardian angel in the shape of a woman.

The crowd kept calling her by the names they’d given over the years—

"The Frostburn Valkyrie."

"The Meteor Warden."

"The Peacebringer."

...and more.

But above all, she was their Nadia. The protector of the powerless. The one person everyone, even children, believed would come when they needed her most.

And the one who was screaming the loudest out of everyone present?

Fauna.

She was practically jumping in place, arms flailing as she shouted up into the sky with glittering eyes.

"NADIA!! NADIAAAA!! I’M HERE!! GIRL, OVER HEEERE!!"

She waved both hands like a child calling for her best friend at a festival, completely throwing away her dignified image as a priestess.

"COME HERE! COME TO ME!! IT’S ME, FAUNAAA!!"

Mika couldn’t help but smile at the sight. Fauna’s excitement was infectious, and it was kind of adorable like seeing a mother trying to get the attention of a long-lost daughter.

And Nadia...somehow, despite being so high up in the sky amidst the swirling blizzard and thunderous echoes of meteor strikes, heard her.

And in response, she flicked her wrist once, casually dispatching the remaining golems with another set of glowing meteors that cratered the earth. And then—

She dove.

A streak of light tore down from the heavens and in response, Fauna’s eyes sparkled with joy as she braced herself for the hug of a lifetime.

"YES! YES! SHE’S COMING!" She squealed. "SHE’S GOING TO—!"

But—

In a blur of motion, Nadia soared right past her.

Fauna blinked in shock as a gust of wind swept her cloak back.

"Eh...?"

And then to everyone’s astonishment, the Nadia didn’t stop until she crashed straight into Mika.

"Whoa—!"

Before he could even brace himself, Nadia swept him into a tight embrace, lifting him clean off the ground and spinning him around mid-air like they were dancers reunited after years apart.

Her arms locked around him like steel bands. Firm, strong, but not crushing. She spun him twice before slowly lowering herself, still holding him close.

Then, pulling her face slightly away, her expression remained perfectly unreadable—cold, emotionless, as always.

And in that same detached, almost robotic voice of hers, she said:

"I missed you, Mika...I really missed you."

Anyone else would’ve blinked at the contradiction.

Such warm words spoken with such a deadpan voice.

But Mika knew better.

He knew her. Knew that behind that emotionless expression was a heart trying—struggling—to express itself.

And so, he smiled softly, his voice warm as he wrapped his arms back around her.

"I missed you too, Nadia." He whispered. "I really missed you."

For a brief second, her eyes shimmered. Her crimson gaze trembled, her fingers clutched him tighter, and her lips twitched—just a little.

The faintest ghost of a smile tried to form, even if it didn’t quite reach the surface.

’Still the same old Nadia.’ Mika thought fondly.

Then he tilted his head and studied her more closely.

"Oh? Looks like you changed up your style a little." He said casually.

Her eyes blinked in surprise. "You noticed?"

"Of course I did." He replied. "You usually part your hair to the left. But today it’s to the right. It suits you."

There was a pause. Before—

"...Thank you." She said simply. Then, almost sheepishly, she added, "I thought it was a big change too. I was sure everyone in the bureau would notice. I even walked in slowly this morning to make sure they would."

Mika’s brows lifted. "No one said anything?"

"No." She said, gaze lowering faintly. "Not a single compliment. I waited the whole day..."

She didn’t pout—Nadia didn’t do pouting—but her silence said enough. It was a rare moment of vulnerability. One Mika recognized instantly.

But then she looked at him again, and something...softened.

"But you always notice." She murmured. "Even when no one else does. Whether it’s a shift in my feelings, or a new hairstyle...you always see it first."

And without waiting, she hugged him again.

Tighter this time.

As if he were the only warm thing in the entire freezing world and Mika too hugged her back warmly, letting his chin rest lightly atop her head.

For everyone else, Nadia was the embodiment of frost and restraint...But Mika knew better.

She was full of emotions—overflowing, in fact.

Emotions so intense they overwhelmed her, emotions she had trained herself to bury deep beneath her skin out of fear of losing control.

Years of suppression, discipline, and solitude had shaped her into a fortress of composure...but Mika had always had the key to her gates.

And in this embrace, he could feel it. The affection. The longing. The quiet, wordless joy.

But then—

Sniff! Sniff!

Mika blinked. "...Nadia, did you just sniff me?"

She pulled back, her face unreadable as always, but her eyes now gleaming with a strange intrigue.

"Yelena was not lying." She said in that same flat tone, as if reciting a scientific observation. "You really do smell like a ball of sunshine. Like fresh laundry warmed by morning light."

"What—?" Mika gave a startled laugh. "A ball of sunshine?"

Nadia didn’t seem to hear him, as her hands then came up and cupped his face suddenly, her thumbs gently pressing at the edge of his jawline, tilting his head side to side like she was inspecting a precious artifact.

"Your face..." She murmured. "It’s changed. Sharper jawline. Slight shadowing beneath your cheekbones. You’ve grown more...handsome."

Her gaze narrowed ever so slightly.

"You’ve also grown your hair. About 1.8 inches longer than the last time I saw you. You’ve started letting it fall naturally instead of tying it back."

"It looks good on you." She said simply. "Very good."

Then, her gaze lowered a little, trailing down his figure.

"And even through your clothes, I can tell. You’ve been training. Your posture is better. Shoulders broader. Muscle mass slightly increased."

She said before giving him a subtle but tender gaze,

"You’ve grown up quite a bit, Mika..I’m glad you haven’t been ruining your body while living alone."

"As if I’d ever risk that." Mika grinned. "I know five women who’d break down my door and force-feed me food if I ever got too skinny. Trust me, I’d rather stay healthy than deal with that mess."

At that, Nadia’s nostrils flared faintly—just a small twitch.

To anyone else, it would’ve looked like she was about to sneeze.

But Mika recognized it immediately.

That was her laugh.

"You’re laughing, aren’t you?" He smiled knowingly.

"I am not." Her expression remained flat.

"You totally are."

Her lips twitched, betraying the smallest hint of amusement before she said, "Perhaps...a little."

But just as she was about to speak again, a faint whimpering sound reached them from below.

"Mmm!~ Mmmm!~ Mmmmmm!~"

It was soft, pitiful like a puppy that had just been left out in the rain.

Both turned toward the noise and there, standing on the snowy ground was Fauna, staring up at them with wide, glassy eyes and a trembling pout.

Her eyes drooped, and she looked genuinely heartbroken, her expression screaming betrayal.

Seeing this pitiful sight, Nadia exhaled quietly, the faintest sigh of resignation leaving her lips.

"It seems..." She murmured. "...there’s one more person I need to give a hug to."

They floated down gently, landing amidst the snow before Nadia released Mika and turned toward the sulking woman.

And immediately, Fauna puffed out her cheeks, tears threatening to spill as she stomped her foot.

"Y-You left me!" She cried in a wobbly, almost childish tone. "You left me and went to Mika! I was waiting for you to give me a hug! B-But you just flew right past me! You don’t even care about me anymore!"

Her voice cracked halfway through the last sentence, turning it into a whine. The sight was so unexpectedly adorable that several nearby volunteers froze in confusion, not sure whether to laugh or panic.

But Nadia on the other hand didn’t say anything. She just stepped forward and wrapped Fauna into a gentle but firm hug.

"I sorry Fauna." She said softly. "It’s been so long since I saw Mika. And I just...couldn’t help myself."

"You still abandoned me." Fauna sniffled into her shoulder.

"I know." Nadia replied, still holding her. "But I do have something that might make it up to you."

Fauna instantly pulled back, eyes wide and sparkling.

"Really? What is it? What is it?!"

From within her coat, Nadia produced a small white box tied neatly with a ribbon. The sweet smell of chocolate wafted through the air as she opened it slightly. Inside were perfectly baked, chocolate-dipped cookies.

"I went to the Feldoma sector a few days ago." Nadia explained, her monotone voice carrying a faint warmth now. "I remembered how much you liked these. So, I bought some for you."

Fauna’s bright aura instantly came back.

"You—you got me cookies?! The ones with double chocolate drizzle and golden sugar chips?! Nadia, you’re the best!!"

She was about to dive for the box when Nadia suddenly lifted one hand and said firmly.

"Stay, Fauna...Stay right there and don’t move."

The tone was commanding, almost like how someone would speak to a very excitable pet.

Cecilia, watching nearby, blinked.

"Surely, she’s not actually going to stay like a dog...right?"

But to her utter disbelief, Fauna froze instantly—back straight, eyes wide, body completely still, trembling slightly as she tried to contain her excitement.

Nadia, perfectly composed, then twirled her hand.

"Roll over."

And Fauna—without hesitation—spun herself around once on the snowy ground, like a trained retriever.

Cecilia’s mouth parted open.

"Now." Nadia said calmly, extending her palm. "Give me your hand, Fauna."

Fauna obediently lifted one hand and placed it against Nadia’s.

Nadia nodded once, serious as ever as she said,

"Good job, Fauna. Good girl."

Then she finally handed her the cookie box.

"Here’s your treat."

Fauna’s face lit up brighter than the portal above.

"YES!" She squealed, hugging both Nadia and the cookies at once. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Meanwhile, Cecilia stood frozen, absolutely baffled. Her mentor, the one she idolised was spinning in circles on command like an overjoyed puppy, and the stoic celestial maiden was rewarding her with treats.

She leaned toward Mika and whispered in disbelief, "Is...is this normal?"

"Unfortunately, yeah." Mika gave a helpless, but amused sigh. "Fauna gives off too much golden retriever energy and Nadia...she just decided to go along with it."

"And Lady Fauna...doesn’t mind?"

"Are you kidding?" Mika said. "She loves it. She gets head pats, hugs, and cookies out of it. It’s basically heaven for her."

Cecilia slowly nodded, still stunned, then smiled despite herself.

"That’s...actually kind of wholesome."

As they watched Nadia gently pat Fauna’s head, while Fauna practically glowing with joy—it was hard not to smile.

Two women who could level mountains and change biomes with a gesture were, in this quiet, snowy valley, simply hugging, laughing, and being...human.

And for everyone watching, it was the most beautiful thing they’d seen all day.