The morning sun filtered through the village trees, its golden light spilling over the earthy paths that Kenji and Shiori had walked for as long as they could remember. Warmth clung to the air, mixing with the faint scent of damp soil and the sweet trace of woodsmoke drifting from distant chimneys.
Their bags sat by the old wooden steps of their grandmother's house — a place that had been their world until now.
"We've packed everything, Grandma. We're ready to leave," Kenji said softly, his voice steady but not without weight.
His grandmother's lips trembled as she sniffled, the corners of her eyes glossy. "You two have grown up so fast," she whispered, fighting back tears. "Be sure to visit me from time to time… don't you dare forget to. Kenji, take good care of your sister, alright?"
"I will," he promised.
Shiori stepped forward and hugged her tightly, pressing her face into the familiar scent of herbs and worn cotton. "Okay. Goodbye, Grandma."
"See you, Grandma," Kenji added, lifting his bag onto his shoulder.
"Goodbye, my grandchildren," she called after them, her voice fragile as the breeze that rustled the trees.
The road out of the village was long but familiar. The dirt crunched softly beneath their shoes, shrines and distant rice fields passing by like an old memory scrolling before their eyes. Shiori's steps bounced with excitement as she clutched the strap of her bag.
"This is so exciting! We're leaving for the city. I can't wait! How about you, Kenji?"
Kenji didn't answer right away. His eyes wandered, taking in the quiet beauty — the faded prayer ribbons tied to shrine gates, the old bridge over the stream, the rows of sunlit fields swaying gently. "Oh… sorry. What were you saying?"
Shiori puffed her cheeks. "What's wrong?"
He scratched the back of his head. "It's just… we're leaving everything behind. Grandma, the village chief, my friends — everyone who's been part of my life, part of my memories… part of me. I'm going to miss this place." He looked at her, his gaze steady but warm. "Don't you feel the same way?"
Shiori's eyes lowered. "Yeah… I'm going to miss Grandma so much."
But deep inside, another thought stirred — one she didn't dare speak aloud. However, what I feared more… was being left behind by you. I don't think I'm ready for that.
"Hey, I've been wondering," Kenji said suddenly.
"Huh?"
"Why did you choose to come to the city for high school? The schools here were good enough."
Shiori tilted her head, feigning thought. "I guess… I wanted to experience life in the city. See how different it is."
Kenji nodded slowly. "I see."
Their conversation faded as the train sped toward the city. The rhythmic clatter of wheels on steel filled the carriage. When the skyline finally rose around them, Shiori's eyes sparkled.
"Whoa! It's so beautiful, isn't it, Kenji?"
He pressed a hand to the window, the glass cool against his palm. "Yeah… it really is."
This is where we'll live from now on, he thought. Hard to believe I'm already in my third year… time really does fly.
When they arrived, they stood before a modest but well-kept house tucked neatly between larger homes.
"This is where we'll be living now. It's nice," Shiori said, turning in a slow circle to take it all in.
"Yeah. One of Dad's houses. I came here once as a kid, but… it feels like a lifetime ago."
Shiori adjusted the strap on her shoulder. "I see."
Kenji sighed, glancing at his watch. "We don't have time to clean up or unpack. School starts in an hour. We'll just have to lock up and deal with everything after we get back."
"Okay, big brother."
He locked the door behind them and gestured for her to follow. "Let's go."
As they walked through the busy streets, Shiori suddenly turned to him. "So, big brother."
"Hmm?"
"Did you ever get the chance to settle things with her?"
His steps slowed. "No. I got the chance… but I hesitated."
"I see."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "Why'd you bring that up all of a sudden?"
"No special reason." Shiori shrugged, trying to play it off. "I just thought all that drama was finally over."
"It's… kinda complicated."
"Yeah, I know."
Their conversation was cut short by a sharp voice. "Hey, you there!"
Kenji paused and glanced around. His gaze landed on a tall woman standing near the street corner, her long blonde hair swaying with the breeze. She had an air of confidence about her, the kind that immediately unsettled him.
"Uh… me?" Kenji asked, uncertain, his finger slowly lifting to point at his chest.
"Yes, you. Come here."
Kenji furrowed his brows. "Stay here, Shiori."
"Okay," she said, though her eyes followed him anxiously.
He walked over cautiously, his heart picking up speed. Damn… she's really pretty, he thought, gulping as he approached. But something about her presence felt dangerous, like standing too close to a fire.
"So… what do you want?" he asked.
"Come with me," she said bluntly.
"Um… what do you mean by that? I have school, and I don't exactly go places with strangers."
She sighed, her lips curling faintly. "Hmph… and here I thought boys your age were willing to obey without question if the face was pretty enough."
"Well then, you thought wrong. Excuse me." Kenji turned away, adjusting his bag strap.
"You don't get it, do you?" Her tone dropped, sharper now. "I'm not asking you to come. You don't have a choice in the matter."
Her hand shot out and gripped his wrist, her nails pressing into his skin. The pain was immediate, a crushing pressure that sent a jolt through his arm.
"Hey, let me go! You're hurting me!" Kenji grimaced, struggling against her iron grip.
"Big brother?" Shiori called, her voice laced with panic as she took a step forward.
"No! Shiori, stay back!" Kenji's voice rang out, sharp and urgent.
"But… brother…" she murmured, worry thick in her tone, her feet frozen in place.
Damn… she's crushing my hand! Kenji winced, one eye squeezed shut, teeth gritting as his bones screamed under the pressure. Not normal… not normal at all.
Suddenly, a second voice rang out, calm but firm. "I'd let him go if I were you."
The woman stiffened and turned toward the speaker. Her confident facade cracked, her eyes widening in surprise. "It can't be…"
"Do you want me to repeat myself?" the newcomer asked coldly.
After a long pause, the woman released Kenji's wrist with a huff. "You win this time… the one who wields the cursed flames."
She shook her head slightly, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Fine, fine… I'll leave."
Without another glance, she strode into the nearest alley.
As she walked deeper into the shadows, her voice dropped into a murmur only she could hear.
As she slipped into the alley, her voice became a quiet murmur only she could hear.
"I see… then I was right. That boy's ability has not yet awakened. Yet his bones withstood a grip under three times normal gravity… how interesting. This one's a big catch, that's for sure."
She shook her head slightly, a wry smile tugging at her lips. To think I would have not only found such a spectacle… but also encountered her — the one the government agency fears the most.
Kenji flexed his fingers slowly, wincing. "Thank God… my hand still hurts, though. He held it close, massaging the soreness as his mind tried to process everything that had just happened."
He caught a brief glance of the girl who saved him as she leaned slightly above him from a distance. Her hair, dark as midnight, framed a face he could barely read, but her crimson-red eyes burned with an intensity that made his chest tighten. For a fleeting second, she looked down at him, her gaze sharp and assessing, as if weighing the weight of his very being.
Shiori rushed to Kenji's side, her hands hovering over his swollen wrist. "Big brother, are you okay?"
"Yeah… I'll be fine." He glanced at her, flexing his fingers despite the dull, throbbing ache. Her grip… it had felt like his hand was about to shatter.
He turned quickly to thank the stranger, but she was already walking away without a word.
"Thank you!" he called after her.
No response.
He watched her back as she walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the alley. I wonder who that girl was… he thought to himself, curiosity and unease twisting together in his chest.
Shiori bit her lip, her fingers curling around the strap of her bag. Her stomach tightened as she stared at his bruised wrist. "Maybe… maybe we should skip school today?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Kenji offered a faint smile, flexing his fingers to show her he was okay. "Don't worry. I really am fine."
She studied him for a moment, still uneasy. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah," he said firmly. "I can handle this."
Shiori nodded slowly, her tension easing just a little. "Okay… if you say so."
He adjusted his bag, ignoring the lingering tingle in his fingers. "Let's go."
"Alright." Shiori stayed close, her heart still racing.