"Secret, I suggest you should be careful, Yuu-kun." Yumiko walked right beside me and let her elbow fall heavy on my shoulder, as if anchoring me to the world.
"Your power is something I would refer to as an anomaly."
"Anomaly?"
"Have you ever heard of the holy theory?" Those words pulled me back to the old man at the café—he'd mentioned something similar, and the memory slid into place like a half-remembered dream.
"What's that?" I stared at Yumiko blankly, my thoughts skittering away.
"The holy theory is a prophecy—more like an event that took place two hundred years ago."
"Two hundred years ago?"
I turned my head. Yumiko balanced on a stranger's fence with a slow, birdlike grace, arms spread like wings against the night.
"Yes. The battle between supernatural and humans."
"?! So we've fought each other before!" My brows knitted, sharpening my focus.
"Yes. Although, unfortunately, I have no idea how it ended. But one thing I know: the reason humanity survived so long in the first place was due to a man who had the same ability as you." Yumiko's smile crept back, fragile and a little too bright.
She plucked a shard of stone from the fence and sent it skipping across a nearby pond. The rock glided with impossible calm until it stilled at the water's dark edge. The moonlight caught Yumiko's eyes and turned them to glass.
"Did you see that, Yuu!?" she breathed.
"Yes, I did."
The holy theory—an ancient clash between humans and supernaturals. Yumiko never explained the mechanics of the war, but it seemed logical enough: beings with different natures, different rules, clashing until blood or time decided the victor. The idea of a "hero" who was a psychic made my own existence feel like a misplaced clue in someone else's story. No wonder most people couldn't sense supernaturals—most of them simply lacked negative energy.
"Yuu, put these words into perspective. There was once a king, and he was given the chance to detach his position from the crown for the reward of two things."
I tapped my thigh awkwardly, waiting for the question.
"The first: ultimate wealth. Or number two: your name framed in history."
"I would say wealth. Who needs to be known?"
"That's where you're wrong, Yuu-kun." She leaned in, voice low and precise. "I said something on the second option and that was 'framed' history. In other words, it doesn't matter the timeline—your name will forever be in the history books." Her breath ghosted my skin.
"I still pick the wealth."
"Then you wouldn't mind if I asked more questions?"
"Why—"
We drifted through another part of town, the streetlights throwing long, sleepy shadows.
"Hamburger or steak?"
"Steak"
"What would be your last words on Earth if you were to perish?"
"Probably something like—" I tried to imitate a man near death, my face briefly pale against the lamplight. "Please wipe my browser history."
"So you're that type of guy, Yuu-kun."
"Leave me be!"
"Next question."
We arrived at the school gate. The metal bars cast rib-like shadows across the pavement.
"Ever been in a relationship before?"
The question made my cheeks flare. Yumiko's smile sharpened into a mocking arch, then cooled.
"Oooh? I doubt you've ever been in one."
I sank to the ground—not offended, just defeated by how true it was.
"Ah… that's true. I couldn't sense any negative energy in school. Any reason why?"
"The school has a barrier that keeps supernaturals out and reduces negative energy."
"Makes sense."
I had run out of questions. The city felt thinner now, like a stage cleared after a show. My thoughts tumbled: how must supernaturals feel, dragged into this world for human curiosity? Even I would be furious.
What had Arthur hoped to achieve? If the holy theory unfolded two hundred years ago, supernaturals had been part of this world for a long time. How did Arthur reach a separate reality? Who was the hero who shared my power?
My phone screen blinked. It was late—too late to be out with a girl. Yumiko was strange, and honest in the ways that made trust dangerous. I did not trust her.
"What do you plan to do?"
"Why ask me such a question out of nowhere?" I scratched the back of my head, the motion small and uneasy.
"Well…" She pressed her index finger to her chin, slow and deliberate. "Curiosity?"
"I just want to get rid of my powers, that's all. They've been nothing but a drag on me."
"Where you ever someone important before you had your powers?"
"Huh?"
"I don't know why, but I don't see why I should make fun of you for it." Her lips hovered close, less playful this time, trembling inches from my face. She grinned sideways, like she held a key.
"Then what about you? What do you want to do?" I squinted, suspicion stitched through the question.
Yumiko stepped back and stretched her arms like wings again, silhouette sharp against the night.
"To create a world where both humans and supernatural can coexist."
"And you believe that's possible?"
"Nope. But there can be an almost-equal balance if done right."
My eyes widened a fraction—calm, but the seriousness settled between us like fog. If anyone could pull something like that off, maybe—just maybe—she could.
"That's why, Yuu-kun." She spun once, a slow 360, and her eyes flared scarlet for a heartbeat. A coy smile spread, too wide, too deliberate.
"Why don't you join me? In exchange, I will help you get rid of your powers."
The offer hung in the air—tempting, dangerous. Helping her felt like signing up to steer the world, and I had never wanted that. I was only a man chasing answers, and Yumiko might be the only person who could give them to me. Or take them.
"Fine… I will work with you for—"
Yumiko closed the gap. Her lips parted, a whisper that was both velvet and ice.
"Then… welcome to the supernatural."
My eyes snapped open. I was back in my bedroom, sweat clinging to my skin. A sharp sting burned at my neck as if something had marked me.