Riku is greeted by the early morning sun when he exits into the Borough. The Radiant Garden Restoration Committee's efforts bustle with noise in the distance as flowers are replanted, homes rebuilt, and defenses shored up. Though Master Xehanort has been defeated, the people of Radiant Garden have to stay vigilant, with Villain's Vale still looming in the background of their lives like a shadow. Despite the Garden being a Realm of Light, the experiments performed in the past by Ansem the Wise and his disciples have placed this world in a unique position: the Heartless are never too far, and one can never be too safe.

Riku makes his way through the Borough and into Merlin's house, intent on not letting the opportunity go to waste this time.

"Oh! Good morning, Riku!" greets Aerith as she looks up from her planner — its numerous pages no doubt full of jobs and requests for the Committee.

"Good morning," Riku replies, looking around the house and finding some of the Committee's members already inside; namely Leon and Yuffie. The latter quickly runs up to the boy, greeting him and bombarding him with questions, "Hey Riku! What's up? How've you been? You here to help us today?" The fact that it's early in the morning seems to have no effect on her.

"Wh- Morning, Yuffie. I've been alright, I actually came here to ask if there was anything I could do to help," Riku does his best to respond, surprised.

"Nice!" Yuffie excitedly turns to one of the chairs placed at the far end of the house. "Hey, Leon! Tell Riku about the Bailey assignment!" When a grunt is all she gets in response, Yuffie quickly steps back and adds, "On second thought, maybe later."

Watching the scene play out, Aerith warmly interjects, "Hehe, you know Leon doesn't do mornings well." She closes her planner. "Don't worry, Riku, I'll tell you all about it."

"We plan on repairing the walls around the Bailey and blocking off the Ravine Trail. This would cut off another entry point for the remaining Heartless! The job entails guarding and patrolling the area, which would allow the repair workers to do their jobs without being interrupted," she explains.

"Oh, I'd be glad to help. That would eliminate the threat completely, right?" Riku asks.

"Kind of. Some Heartless could still appear from within the depths of the Castle, from the ruins of Hollow Bastion, but Dilan, Aeleus, and the others are skilled enough that these aren't a concern," replies Aerith.

Almost interrupting her, Yuffie frustratedly blurts out, "Ugh! If they're so skilled, why don't they lend us a hand!? We're kinda short-staffed here!" Before she can say anything else, however, Leon once again makes his presence known with a grunt.

"Oops, sorry, Leon..." Yuffie apologizes, "I kinda... forgot you were here."

Aerith chuckles. "Anyway, it'd be you, Yuffie, and Leon doing most of the patrolling, while I take care of any injuries that might happen and support you all from long-range. We had asked the Gullwings to serve as lookouts, but they're a bit hard to reach."

Glad to have something to do, Riku asks with a slight impatience in his tone, "Sounds like a plan, when do we start?"

"At noon, it'll be warmer, and Leon will be, uhh... fully aware...?" Aerith hums, trying not to offend the semi-unconscious Gunblade wielder. "In the meantime, maybe you and Yuffie could get started transporting the materials and doing some warm-ups?"

"Aw yeah, sparring with Riku!" Yuffie sort of whispers to herself with a flourish. "Let's go, come on!"

What did I get myself into now...? Riku thinks to himself. "Alright, alright, but no promises on the sparring."

"Party pooper, parade rainer, killjoy, wet blanket, stick-in-the-mud-"

"I get it, I get it, alright, fine," Riku interrupts, knowing that Yuffie could continue for a long time. "We'll meet you two later."

"Wait, it's cold out; don't forget to bundle up," Aerith warns.

Yuffie, just about ready to leave in her shorts, suddenly stops. "Man, what are you, my mother?"

"Not at all! I just don't want to deal with you when you catch a cold."

"Fine, I'll change."

"Be safe!" Aerith waves and laughs to herself, while Yuffie steps out of the house and Riku closes the door behind the two of them.