Ryujin's bright smile lingered, catching everyone off guard.
Itoshi blinked, stepping back slightly, his voice trembling.
"R-Ryujin?!"
Ayro let out a small chuckle, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
"Seems like you weren't wrong, Ryujin."
Ryujin nodded, his tone calm yet proud.
"Indeed."
The room fell silent again. Everyone else exchanged bewildered looks, unsure what the two were talking about. The air buzzed with confusion—and curiosity.
[Somewhere in Nagasaki]
The Kunoichi landed lightly on the rooftop of an abandoned building, her boots barely making a sound against the cracked concrete. The moonlight caught the edges of her silhouette, casting a long, jagged shadow over the ventilation pipes.
Her small tent sat nearby—weathered, quiet, and tucked away from the prying eyes of the city below. It had been her temporary home for far too long. She pushed the flap open and stepped inside, the familiar scent of dry canvas and old fabric greeting her as she sank heavily onto her futon.
"Hhah... hah... guess I got a little excited..."
She muttered to the empty air, her breathing uneven and ragged. Despite the exhaustion, a small, involuntary smile tugged at her lips.
Her hand rested against her chest, feeling the faint, phantom burn that lingered beneath her skin—the residue of that blue flame she hadn't expected.
"So... that was the power he had... that flame boy... I underestimated him..."
The thought echoed in her mind, fascinating and terrifying in equal measure.
She exhaled deeply, her body finally beginning to relax against the thin fabric of the bedding.
"I went over my limit..." she whispered, her voice barely a thread.
Slowly, she pulled off her mask, setting it carefully beside her futon. Outside, the faint sound of the wind brushed through the torn canvas of the tent, a lonely lullaby.
The city lights of Nagasaki shimmered in the distance like fallen stars, and as her eyes slowly closed, the kunoichi drifted into a heavy, dreamless sleep—quiet, hidden, and for a few hours, safe.
~~~May 18, 2169~~~
She slowly fluttered her eyes open as the first light of dawn touched the tent. The orange hue of the rising sun cast a warm, vibrant glow over the distant mountains, reflecting perfectly in her own sunset-colored eyes.
Realizing she was still clad in her tactical outfit from the night before—smelling of smoke, rain, and ozone—she scoffed at her own negligence.
"Oh... I really did just fall asleep..."
She stood and stepped into a small adjoining room—a makeshift closet no bigger than a pantry. With practiced speed, she stripped out of the gear and changed into clean, civilian clothes.
She packed a small bag with her old outfit, extra layers, and a small, precious case containing her grey contact lenses. Her hand swooped inside to double-check.
"Ouh! All here... time for work!"
She made her way to the edge of the rooftop, pausing for a single moment to admire the view.
Nagasaki was bathed in early light, looking far more peaceful than it had a few hours ago.
Then, she kicked down a rusty ladder and slid down using a specialized glove. At the bottom, she flicked her fingers, summoning a sharp gust of wind that lifted the ladder back into its locked position.
She removed the glove, tucked it away, and stepped onto the street—just another face in the morning crowd.
"Bath house, please,"
She requested after flagging down a taxi.
The driver nodded.
"Got it, ma'am!"
The soft hum of the electric taxi accompanied her as they rolled through the quiet streets. At the bath house, she was greeted with polite nods from the few early risers. It was empty, just the way she preferred.
She bathed with meticulous care—scrubbing the soot from her hair, the tension from her shoulders, and the grime from her feet.
After rinsing, she dried off and stood before the mirror. With steady fingers, she inserted the grey contact lenses, watching as the sunset in her eyes was replaced by a dull, unremarkable mist.
She brushed her teeth, washed her face one last time, and applied a light touch of makeup. She stared at her reflection, then gave both her cheeks a sharp, stinging slap.
"Let's do this, Tomori!"
The bell above the restaurant door chimed as she entered, but the usual morning rhythm was missing. Her boss was standing right at the entrance, arms crossed and a look of sheer disappointment on his face. A cold chill ran down Tomori's spine.
What followed was a grueling, low-toned scolding. Her boss didn't shout; he just spoke with a sharp, clinical edge about her frequent absences, her constant tardiness, and her perceived slacking.
Tomori bowed repeatedly, her face burning a deep red with shame as her coworkers watched from the kitchen.
"I'm sorry... I promise I'll work harder... Please don't fire me..."
Eventually, the storm passed. She still had her job, though her paycheck felt lighter just from the look on his face. With a quiet, shaky sigh, she slipped behind the counter.
She wiped the already spotless surface with a rag, arranged the sugar packets into perfect rows, and mentally recited the daily specials to calm her racing heart.
Then, the bell rang again.
She turned automatically, her professional smile fixed in place.
"Welcome to our—" She froze. The smile vanished. "Ah... you again."
It was Ayro.
"Eh?.. You really didn't want to see me that bad?"
He teased, leaning against the counter.
"After being rude as heck, you expect me to want to see you every day? Nuh-uh!"
She replied, pouting and crossing her arms defensively. A few nearby coworkers snickered at the exchange.
"So? What do you want, customer?"
Ayro chuckled, a rare, soft sound.
"No... I'm not the customer."
She narrowed her eyes, watching as he stepped aside. Her expression shifted instantly from annoyance to pure, unfiltered joy.
"Kara-chan?!"
"Hoshi-san!!"
Kara called back, her eyes bright.
Ayro quietly stepped outside, leaning against the exterior wall to give them privacy.
Inside, the air felt lighter.
"So? How are you feeling? Are you okay now?" Kara asked, her voice full of genuine concern.
"I'm doing great... My salary got cut, but mostly, I'm A-OK! Thanks to you, Kara-chan."
"I'm glad... I was worried as heck when not even your soul would talk to me..."
"Eheh... Sorry. I just didn't know how to approach you guys..."
Tomori scratched the back of her head, looking at the floor.
Kara smiled softly and patted her head. The gesture was so simple, yet it made Tomori's chest ache with a sudden, sharp longing.
"Hoh! The food should be ready! Wait here!"
Tomori dashed into the kitchen and returned with a tray carrying a modest, steaming breakfast. "I'm not sure what your style is, so... this is all."
Kara smiled and immediately split the meal in half.
"Half for me, half for you."
"Wha—nonono! You can have it! I'm good!"
Tomori waved her hands frantically, her eyes wide.
"You sure? Have you eaten yet?"
Tomori looked away, her stomach betraying her with a quiet growl.
"N-not yet..."
Kara pouted dramatically and held out a bite with her chopsticks.
"Come on. Say 'ahh'!"
Tomori stared at the food for a second, her heart hammering against her ribs. It felt too intimate, too much like a family she used to have.
She leaned forward shyly.
"Ahh!!"
She took the bite, quickly covering her mouth as she chewed, the warmth of the food spreading through her.
"How is it?"
Kara asked.
"N-not bad..."
"I'm not leaving until I see you finish your portion,"
Kara declared firmly.
"Okok! I'll eat it! Just... you go first, okay? I don't want you wasting time on me when you're already dealing with your own problems..."
Kara's tone softened, her eyes drifting for a moment.
"Hm?.. Ahh... so you already know..."
"Yeah... How are you guys?"
Tomori asked in a low tone.
"We haven't made up yet... but we're getting there. Don't worry about it."
Kara smiled and patted Tomori's head again.
"For now, worry about yourself, Hoshi-san."
They spent the rest of the morning talking softly, the clinking of silverware and the low hum of the restaurant providing a comfortable backdrop.
As the first actual customers began to trickle in, Kara stood up, sensing the shift in the room's energy.
"We're gonna go now, Hoshi-san... I'm glad you're doing well."
"Mhm! Thank you for your visit! Come again, okay?"
"Mhm! Good luck with work! If you need me... just call, okay?"
There was a pause—gentle, meaningful. Then Tomori nodded firmly.
"Mhm! I will!"
They exchanged one last wave. As Kara stepped out, Tomori held her hands to her chest, her heart feeling fuller than it had in years. She looked toward the door where Ayro and Kara had disappeared.
"Nee-san... I found them. I really found them."
She turned back toward her station, her steps light and full of new energy. But before she could reach the counter—
"HOSHIII!!!"
Startled, she yelped and darted toward the front of the restaurant, her boss's voice echoing from the kitchen.
~~~To be Continued~~~