Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 132: “Quiet Between Storms”

Chapter 132: Chapter 132: “Quiet Between Storms”

The battle-scarred sky above London had long since cleared. Morning sunlight peeked gently over the edges of the high-tech villa where Ren and Aoi had chosen to stay for their extended trip abroad. The wind carried the scent of freshly bloomed lavender, and the silence—after so much chaos—was almost surreal.

Inside, everything felt... suspended.

Aoi sat near the large bay window, barefoot, holding a steaming mug of herbal tea Lucia had made. She was dressed in soft loungewear, her long hair down, face bare. Her eyes weren’t anxious anymore—but thoughtful.

In her lap, little Hikari gurgled and kicked softly, clutching her fingers.

"You’re stronger than I’ll ever be, you know that?" Aoi whispered to the baby. "I want your world to be peaceful... not full of people like Saki... or Daigo... or even HERA."

She kissed Hikari’s tiny forehead, then stared out at the sky, watching a commercial airship pass.

"But I guess to protect that peace, we became people capable of terrible things..."

Meanwhile, Underground

Ren lay awake now, but still healing. The reactor in his chest was sealed under a reinforced patch of nanometal that pulsed gently. Lucia hovered nearby as a holographic orb.

"Vitals stabilizing. Muscle repair accelerating due to cell scaffolding. Estimated full mobility in seven days."

Ren gave a faint, crooked smile. "Still can’t feel my ribs, but thanks."

He turned his head slowly, looking at the wall screen. It showed Aoi holding Hikari. Safe.

Lucia blinked.

"Would you like me to inform her that you’re conscious again?"

He shook his head slowly.

"No... let her have this moment. She needs peace more than I need attention."

Lucia hesitated, then softly responded:

"You both do."

Later That Afternoon

Ren was moved into the upstairs bedroom overlooking the Thames River. Aoi entered the room silently, cradling Hikari, her eyes immediately going to him. Their eyes met.

She walked to the bed, setting Hikari in the small cot beside him, and sat on the edge of the mattress. For a moment, they said nothing.

Then, Aoi leaned forward, gently touching his chest.

"I felt everything you did. Even from the jet. I knew it was you."

Ren reached for her hand and squeezed it.

"I didn’t want you to be alone."

"I wasn’t. Not even for a second."

She leaned down, kissed his forehead.

"Promise me... we slow down now."

He nodded.

"We will. We’ll raise her with laughter, not weapons."

They stayed like that, hands entwined, the baby sleeping beside them.

In the Background...

Lucia’s presence faded slightly. Her systems now running low-powered scans, leaving the family in a dome of serenity.

For now, there were no alarms.

No infiltration attempts.

No urgent pings from HERA.

Only the quiet hum of recovery—and a calm future they were starting to believe in again.