Akira, Jackson, and Sora were sprawled across the ground—sweat pooling beneath them, breaths uneven, bodies refusing to move.
The air still carried heat from Akira's flames and the sharp chill left behind by Yumi's counters.
Sora turned her head slightly, chest rising and falling rapidly.
"…Did you really have to go off and make our training ten times harder?" she panted.
Akira didn't even open his eyes.
He just nodded.
Then lazily lifted his hand and pointed between them.
"I don't know about you two…" he muttered, voice hoarse, "…but I actually have dreams."
Silence.
Then—
Sora pushed herself up.
Slow.
Deliberate.
Her expression tightened as she grabbed her jacket from the floor.
"Man…" she muttered, turning away, "can you stop being so full of yourself?"
She slung the jacket over her shoulder.
"Anyway. I'm leaving."
The door creaked open.
Then shut.
Akira cracked one eye open.
"…What's her problem?" he muttered under his breath.
Jackson didn't respond.
He just stared at the ceiling.
The training doors slammed open again.
Rika stepped in, carrying a bag over her shoulder.
"Aye, I got food—"
She stopped.
Blinking.
"…Huh? Where's Sora?"
Before anyone could answer—
People from around the training area started drifting over.
Hungry.
Curious.
Reaching.
Rika frowned immediately, pulling the bag closer.
"Oi—oi—back up. This isn't a charity."
Top Floor – Observation Room
Stone leaned back in his chair, arms behind his head.
Kingston sat across from him, elbows on his knees, gaze steady.
"They're not ready," Kingston said flatly.
"At this rate… they're in no condition to carry out the plan."
A pause.
"The most they could do is win the Hunter Games."
Another pause.
"And even that might be a struggle."
Stone stared at the ceiling.
Then laughed.
A short, quiet laugh.
Kingston frowned slightly.
"…What?"
Stone tilted his head.
"You know…"
A grin spread slowly across his face.
"…we could bring him in."
Kingston's expression shifted.
"I thought we weren't involving him."
Stone nodded.
"Yeah."
A beat.
"Plans change."
He sat forward slightly, eyes sharpening.
"We're desperate."
Kingston stared at him for a moment.
Then—
A small smile.
"…Alright."
The City
Sora walked alone.
The noise of the marketplace felt distant.
Muted.
Her steps were slow, aimless. Hands in her pockets. Eyes unfocused.
She stopped near a row of small restaurants.
Didn't go in.
Just stood there.
"…What am I doing?" she muttered.
"Aye."
Sora flinched slightly.
She turned.
Rika stood behind her, hands on her hips, smiling.
"What are you doing out here all by yourself?"
Sora shrugged.
"Just needed a breather."
Rika stared at her for a second.
Then suddenly—
She flashed a thick wad of cash.
"C'mon."
Her grin widened.
"Let's eat. My treat."
A few minutes later.
They sat across from each other at a small outdoor table.
Plates half-full.
Drinks sweating in the afternoon heat.
"You know," Rika said casually, leaning back, "this city isn't much to look at…"
She took a bite.
"…but the food's not bad."
Sora nodded faintly, lifting her glass.
She didn't say anything.
Just stared off to the side.
Rika watched her for a moment.
Then poured herself a drink.
"As the big sister of Scissors…" she said lightly, "…I kind of take responsibility for everyone here."
She took a sip.
"So."
Her eyes sharpened slightly.
"Wanna tell me what's on your mind?"
Sora hesitated.
Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
"…I realized something."
Rika didn't interrupt.
"I can't achieve my dream."
The words came out quieter than she expected.
Sora looked down.
"Akira's dream is insane… but for someone like him…"
She clenched her jaw.
"…it doesn't feel impossible."
A pause.
"But me?"
She laughed weakly.
"I was born with no talent."
Her voice dropped.
"Even if I train for hours… if they train the same amount…"
She looked up.
"They'll always be stronger."
Silence settled between them.
Rika slowly rolled the bottle between her fingers.
"…What's your dream?"
Sora blinked.
Then answered.
"I want to become the number one Asura."
Her voice was firm now.
"Just like the one I used to watch on TV."
Rika nodded.
"That's simple enough."
Sora frowned slightly.
"…Simple?"
"Yeah."
Rika shrugged.
"Strength. Missions completed. Results."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Well—if strength is all you want… just ask."
Sora tilted her head.
"What?"
"You're only being trained by Yumi, right?"
Rika smirked.
"Train with me too."
She tapped the table.
"I guarantee you'll get stronger faster."
Sora blinked.
"You just need more faith."
Rika's tone sharpened slightly.
"And if you really don't have talent…"
She pointed at her.
"Then you don't get the luxury to mope around."
The words hit.
Hard.
But not cruel.
Real.
Sora stared at her.
Then slowly…
"…Thank you."
Rika froze for half a second.
Then broke into a wide, toothy grin.
"Of course."
She leaned back, stretching her arms.
"I'd do anything for my little siblings."
Sora smiled faintly.
For the first time that day—
It felt real.