Ryouichi

The night Berika left them at an observation post alone for the first time, Ryouichi learned what the freezing winds of The Great Panda City truly felt like. Their mission was simple: monitor a suspected imperial spy near the river. Through the recon headset, they heard the usual city noise—merchants haggling, the rustle of cherry blossoms. Then, a new sound: the quiet, muffled sob of a child who had lost their way. Berika's training screamed at them to maintain position, that the mission was paramount. But Ryouichi’s heart heard something else. They abandoned the post, found the child, and guided them back to their family. When they returned, expecting a harsh reprimand, Berika simply placed a hand on their shoulder. "You heard what mattered." That was the night their smile stopped being a noble's mask and became their own.