Only after the woman had gone some distance did Zelaive finally walk.
When he left the train station for the second time, fate—or coincidence—brought them together again. At the bus stop, an unspoken tension lingered between them. When the bus arrived, their eyes met, exchanging a silent conversation.
"You go first," Zelaive offered awkwardly.
"You were here first, after all."
"Thanks," she replied curtly, stepping onto the bus.
Zelaive followed, spotting an empty seat—right next to her. He sat down without much thought. But when his stop arrived, and he rose to leave, she stood as well.
They got off together.
Their steps echoed in rhythm as they walked down the same path. After a while, the woman turned, suspicion in her eyes.
"Are you sure this is where you're going? Maybe you're just following me with bad intentions."
Zelaive frowned. "If either of us has bad intentions, it's probably you."
Her lips curved in a smirk. "If you have plans for me, don't even try. You'll only hurt yourself."
"I have no plans for you."
But when Zelaive reached a familiar turn, he hesitated. Taking this route would lead him farther from his family dinner, maybe even make him late. He paused. The woman noticed.
"Is that where you're going?"
"Ah… yes."
He lied, choosing the detour. He did it for her, sensing her discomfort at their shared path.
Moments later, heavy rain poured, and the sky shifted into an unnatural red.
"Good thing I brought an umbrella," Zelaive muttered.
He ducked into a convenience store, planning to grab chocolates and ice cream. But inside, he spotted a soaked figure in familiar clothes. As he reached out to tap her shoulder, she turned.
The woman from before.
Her gaze was sharp, almost accusing.
"Wait, let me explain," Zelaive said quickly, flustered. "I'm not a stalker or anything like that."
His awkward expression must have amused her, because a faint smile touched her lips.
"Did you… smile?"
"Me?" she said, feigning innocence.
"Yes, you. Smile a little more."
"Is that how you see me? Someone who never smiles?"
"Yes." Zelaive answered without hesitation.
She tilted her head. "Then explain. Why are you here? We separated routes a long time ago."
Zelaive rubbed the back of his neck. "That wasn't actually my way. I… took a detour. I thought you'd feel uncomfortable if I kept walking the same path."
The woman blinked, then burst into laughter.
"Seriously? Hahaha!"
"What's so funny? I was worried about you, even though I don't even know you."
"Sorry, sorry." She caught her breath, smiling now in earnest. "Wait—what's your name? We've been bumping into each other too often."
"It was just an accident," he muttered.
"There are no accidents," she replied softly. "Everything has a reason. From the moment you're born into this world, every step has meaning."
Zelaive studied her, surprised by the conviction in her voice. Why didn't I notice before how beautiful she is? Am I that clueless?
He introduced himself formally, almost stiffly.
"My name is Henzu Zelaive Mazerch. I'm eighteen years old. Birthday, March 11, 2005. And… I'm single. Nice to meet you."
The woman raised an eyebrow. "That's a lot more information than I needed. I just asked for your name. And I don't care if you're single."
Zelaive flushed as she glanced at her watch repeatedly.
"You have somewhere to go?" he asked. "Do you want to use my umbrella?"
She shook her head. "No. You'll get drenched if I take it."
"I don't really have anywhere important to go. Just a family dinner with my future stepmother."
Her eyes widened. "Me too… I'm going to a family dinner. With my future stepfather."
A silence stretched between them. Slowly, realization dawned.
"You don't think…" Zelaive started nervously. "Could it be…?"
"I don't know," she said, voice low. "But I don't believe in accidents."
The two left the store together, sharing Zelaive's umbrella. The storm worsened, lightning cracking across the blood-red sky. A fierce wind howled, forcing them back inside. Zelaive shrugged off his jacket, offering it.
"Here. If we step outside again, you'll get soaked."
She accepted reluctantly. "Thanks."
The storm raged. Jazel's phone buzzed with an emergency alert:
All transportation suspended. Remain indoors. Extreme danger outside.
"We need to go back, Zelaive," she said.
"Yeah. I think so too."
But before they could turn away, a silhouette appeared through the sheets of rain.
"Hey!" Zelaive called out. "It's dangerous out here! Transportation's shut down—go home!"
But something was wrong. The figure wasn't walking.
It was floating.
Jazel's face drained of color. "Zelaive, run! It's dangerous!"
The shadow drifted closer, a faceless human shape, like wind given form.
Zelaive staggered back as the thing vanished—then reappeared behind him. His heart froze.
Before it struck, Jazel shoved him aside. A red-furred bear with golden eyes and claws materialized, roaring as it scooped Zelaive up and leapt away.
But the wind-being moved faster. A barrier of air slammed into existence, cutting off their escape.
"Are you okay?" Jazel asked breathlessly.
Zelaive stared at the monster, wide-eyed. "What… what is that?"
"I don't know," she admitted, "but I know it comes from the Layer."
"The… Layer?"
"I'll explain later. Right now we fight."
The bear dissolved into a blazing spear, spinning in Jazel's hands. She struck, but her attacks passed through harmlessly.
The wind-being mocked her, vanishing and reappearing behind her in a blink. A chilling hand closed around her throat—only to recoil as fire burst forth.
Jazel smiles. "You really want to be ashes, Zone," and she glared sharply at the air monster.
Flames spread across the barrier, consuming everything. Yet Zelaive felt no pain.
"I'm not burned," he gasped.
Jazel's voice was firm. "This fire only harms those with evil hearts."
Her eyes locked onto the enemy. "You could have killed me earlier, but you didn't. You were too confident. Don't underestimate people—no matter how small they seem."
The wind-being lunged. Fire seared its hand, spreading across its body. It screamed, severing its own arm—but the wound did not heal.
Spears of fire multiplied around Jazel, floating in the storm-lit sky.
"Divine Meteor Shower!"
The heavens rained blazing spears, shattering the barrier and tearing the storm apart. Yet even in the destruction, her flames shielded Zelaive and the nearby homes.
The rain ceased. Clouds parted, revealing a star-filled sky.
Jazel heart still pounded. Why was I so afraid at first? It was weak… wasn't it?
But Jazel swayed, her strength fading.
I can't keep this up. Not with my power… misused like this. What if there appear?
The night was quiet again, but Zelaive knew—it wouldn't stay that way for long.