The faint smell of toast drifted through the quiet morning air.
Sunlight spilled across the curtains of Erina's messy room — illuminating notebooks, scattered socks, and one peacefully snoring girl buried under a mountain of pillows.
Arleyong sat on her futon, fully awake. Her hair shimmered like silver threads in the soft light.
She had been sitting there for an hour. Watching. Waiting. Listening to the clock tick.
The sound of Erina's snoring didn't stop.
Not even once.
"…Erina," she said quietly.
No response. Just a sleepy groan and a lazy turn.
Arleyong tilted her head. "Erina. It's already morning."
"Five… more minutes…" Erina mumbled into her pillow.
Arleyong blinked, then stood up slowly. She approached the bed, her movements graceful, cautious — like approaching a sleeping beast.
"Erina," she said again, closer now.
Still nothing.
She frowned faintly — a rare expression.
Then, after a moment of silence, she reached out and gently poked Erina's cheek.
"…Mmfh."
Erina twitched. "Who's touching my face…?"
Arleyong leaned down slightly, her voice calm but firm. "You need to wake up."
"Arleyong…" Erina's voice came out muffled and dramatic. "If you're gonna kill me… do it after breakfast…"
"I'm not killing you."
"…Oh."
"Your mother said we're leaving in thirty minutes."
"WHAT?!"
Erina shot up like lightning, her hair a chaotic mess, eyes wide with panic. She looked like a startled cat that just saw God.
"OH MY GOD— WHAT TIME IS IT?!" she shouted, tripping over her blanket and nearly colliding with Arleyong.
"Seven forty," Arleyong replied flatly, stepping aside just in time.
"SEVEN FORTY?!" Erina screamed again, running in circles. "The competition starts at NINE! I'm dead! Mom's gonna murder me! The Wushu instructor's gonna bury me alive!!"
Arleyong blinked. "…You exaggerate a lot."
"I DO NOT—" Erina froze mid-yell when she saw Arleyong's calm face inches away from hers.
Their eyes met — silver against hazel — and the world suddenly went quiet.
Too close.
Way too close.
Arleyong didn't even flinch. "Your hair is messy."
Erina's brain short-circuited.
"…I—uh—wait—DON'T LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!" she stammered, cheeks burning.
"I'm just observing," Arleyong said calmly. "You look… different in the morning."
"D-different how?!"
"Human."
"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN?!"
Before Arleyong could answer, Erina's mom called from downstairs. "Girls! Hurry up! We're going to be late!"
Erina scrambled toward her closet, half-dressed and still red-faced. "Aghhh—don't look!"
"I'm not," Arleyong replied, eyes turning politely toward the window. "But your clothes are backwards."
"WHAT—?! AHHH!"
Ten minutes later, they finally rushed out the door.
Erina's mom sighed from the driver's seat. "You two took your sweet time."
"Sorry, Mom!" Erina laughed nervously. "Totally my fault. Not hers."
Arleyong nodded from the passenger seat. "It was definitely her fault."
"HEY!"
The car rolled down the road, sunlight glinting off the windshield. Erina sat in the back, tying her hair into a messy ponytail while glaring playfully at Arleyong's reflection in the mirror.
"Traitor," she whispered.
Arleyong didn't turn. "Truthful."
Erina pouted. "Same thing."
Her mom chuckled softly. "You two sound like sisters already."
Arleyong blinked, looking down at her lap.
"…Sisters?"
"Yeah," Erina said, leaning forward between the seats. "Means we bicker all the time but still care about each other."
"Care…" Arleyong murmured. That word again.
Before she could think further, they arrived at the Wushu Hall.
The building was alive with the sound of practice — wooden floors echoing with stomps and shouts, banners fluttering in the air.
Erina hopped out of the car, stretching with renewed energy. "Alright! Time to show them who's boss!"
"Alright, girls," Erina's mom said, glancing back from the car window. "I'll head home for now. Call me once you're done with the competition, okay?"
"Yeah, Mom. Bye!" Erina waved cheerfully.
Her mother smiled and waved back before driving off. The car disappeared down the road, leaving the two girls standing before the grand building of Heyvet Martial Arts Hall.
Erina stretched her arms and grinned. "Okay, it's time. Let's go, Arleyong."
Arleyong gave a small nod. The doors slid open with a faint echo as they stepped inside.
The hall was enormous — polished wooden floors gleaming under rows of fluorescent lights, banners lined neatly on the walls, and the sharp scent of training mats in the air. Dozens of students were already warming up, their uniforms fluttering as they moved.
Arleyong's silver eyes scanned the place, her expression as unreadable as always. "You learn martial arts too?"
"Yeah," Erina said with a sheepish smile. "But I'm still a total loser at it."
"...I see."
"Anyway," Erina gestured dramatically at the hall, "welcome to Heyvet Martial Arts!"
"Heyvet…" Arleyong repeated, testing the word on her tongue. "Okay."
"You can meet a lot of people here. They're really friendly," Erina added, hands on her hips. "But just—uh—stick close to me, alright? I don't want you wandering off and disappearing or something."
Arleyong tilted her head slightly. "Even in the toilet?"
Erina nearly choked. "W–WHAT?! Of course not! Geez—why would you even— you're so weird sometimes!"
"...Okay."
Erina sighed and muttered, "I swear, one day your poker face's gonna kill me."
From across the hall, a commotion suddenly broke out near the benches.
A tall boy with black hair had just walked in, casually adjusting his gloves. The moment he was about to sit, a group of girls practically swarmed him — giggling, asking for his number, one even shoving her phone into his hand.
Erina groaned under her breath. "Tch. That guy again."
Arleyong turned slightly. "Who?"
"That's Hayato," she said, rolling her eyes. "The 'most handsome guy in Heyvet.'" She made finger quotes with a disgusted face. "But honestly? He's as ugly as an old mop. Even my friend wouldn't waste her time on him."
Arleyong blinked slowly, then nodded. "Okay."
"Good girl," Erina said, smirking. "You've got taste."
She looked around and spotted a group of students waving from across the hall. "Oh! My friends are over there. Come on, I'll introduce you."
Before Arleyong could react, Erina's hand reached out and clasped hers.
The contact was warm.
Arleyong's breath hitched just a little — not that anyone could tell. She looked down at their joined hands, her heartbeat quietly quickening.
Erina tugged her forward with a grin. "Let's go, Bread Girl."
And just like that, they walked together across the hall — fingers brushing, hearts unaware that something soft and new was beginning to grow between them.
The sound of footsteps echoed softly as the two girls crossed the polished floor. Erina's hand still held Arleyong's, even though she clearly forgot she was still doing it.
They approached a small group of four girls chatting near the back corner — each in the same white martial uniform, their laughter echoing lightly through the hall.
"Hey! Erina!" one of them waved, bright and cheerful. "You're late again!"
"Blame the alarm clock," Erina said, pretending to groan. "And maybe my zombie mode."
The group laughed. Then their eyes fell on the quiet silver-haired girl beside her.
"Oh… who's this?" asked a short girl with pink hair tied into two messy buns.
"My friend," Erina said quickly. "She's new here. This is Arleyong."
Arleyong bowed her head slightly — polite, elegant, almost too perfect. "Nice to meet you."
The reaction was immediate.
The tall girl beside the pink-haired one elbowed her friend. "Oh my god… is it just me, or does she look like one of those cool anime boys?"
The black-haired one nodded furiously. "Yeah—like, handsome but also gorgeous? That face could start wars."
Erina blinked. "Huh? Wars?? She's just—she's just Arleyong!"
"'Just' Arleyong?!" another girl chimed in, smirking. "You didn't tell us your new friend looks like she walked straight out of a fantasy movie!"
Arleyong tilted her head, unsure whether to take it as praise or confusion. "I… look like a boy?"
"Not really," said the fourth girl, grinning. "More like… too beautiful to be categorized."
Erina's mouth twitched. "Okay, okay, calm down, everyone. Stop flirting with her, geez."
"We're not flirting," said the pink-haired one. "We're appreciating."
Erina rolled her eyes, cheeks faintly pink. "Same thing."
One of them leaned closer and whispered teasingly, "Erina, are you sure she's not your girlfriend?"
"W-what—NO!" Erina's face went bright red in an instant. "She's—She's just staying at my place! My mom said it's fine! Don't make it weird!"
Her friends burst out laughing.
Meanwhile, Arleyong blinked again, her expression as calm as ever. "Girlfriend means…?"
Erina nearly choked. "Don't— don't ask that here!"
"But you told me to ask questions when I don't understand something."
"Not that question!!"
The girls howled with laughter again, and Erina turned away, muttering curses under her breath. Arleyong just stood quietly beside her, not realizing how dangerously cute her blank confusion looked.
Then, from across the hall, a familiar gaze found them again.
Hayato, the black-haired boy from before, had just finished his stretching routine. He looked toward the group — toward Arleyong — and smirked faintly.
His friend beside him nudged his arm. "Yo, new girl, huh?"
"Yeah," Hayato said, eyes narrowing slightly. "Never seen her before. That hair's real?"
"Guess so."
"...Interesting."
He adjusted his gloves and started walking toward them.
Erina noticed first. Her smile instantly vanished.
"Oh no. No no no no. He's coming this way. Why is he— Aghhh!"
Her friends perked up in curiosity. "Eh? Hayato's coming here? Oooo~ maybe he's into one of us?"
Erina groaned. "Yeah, into being a pain."
By the time she turned, Hayato was already standing in front of them — confident, composed, and annoyingly charming.
"Hey there," he said with a grin, eyes flicking briefly toward Arleyong. "You must be new."
Arleyong stared back calmly. "…Yes."
"Hayato," he said, offering a hand. "Nice to meet you."
Before Arleyong could respond, Erina quickly stepped between them, forcing a smile so fake it could win an Oscar.
"Wow, Hayato, look at that, you're still breathing. Congrats. Now go practice or something, okay? Shoo-shoo."
Hayato raised an eyebrow. "That's kinda rude, don't you think?"
"Rude? No, that's called mercy."
Behind them, the four girls were trying (and failing) not to laugh.
Arleyong blinked once, confused by the hostility. "He's your friend?"
Erina's voice dropped an octave. "He's… someone I tolerate once every full moon."
Hayato chuckled, eyes returning to Arleyong. "You've got an interesting look, by the way. Not from around here, are you?"
Before Arleyong could speak again, Erina grabbed her wrist — a little tighter this time. "Alright, conversation's over. C'mon, Arleyong, we have to go warm up."
And just like that, she dragged her away again, ignoring the laughter of her friends behind her.
As they reached the quieter side of the hall, Arleyong looked down at their joined hands. "You're holding too tight."
Erina blinked, realizing. "Oh—uh—sorry!" She let go immediately, face flushed. "I just—he annoys me, okay? He's like—ugh—mosquito energy."
Arleyong tilted her head slightly. "You get angry when he talks to me."
"I—I do not!"
"You do."
Erina groaned and covered her face. "Don't analyze me like I'm one of your science experiments, Bread Girl."
For a brief second, in the noise of the hall, the two girls stood still — unaware that something inside both of them was quietly changing.
The martial hall buzzed with energy.
Students practiced their stances, instructors barked short commands, and the sound of bare feet hitting wooden floors echoed like rhythm.
Arleyong and Erina sat on a long bench near the side wall, waiting for the first session to start. A few of Erina's friends had gone to change into proper uniforms, leaving the two alone for a bit.
Arleyong's gaze wandered around the hall, quietly taking everything in — the way people moved, the sharpness of their voices, the way some glanced at her and whispered.
Her silver hair stood out like moonlight in a crowd of brown and black.
A few students — mostly girls — were clearly staring.
One elbowed her friend and whispered,
"Who's that? New student?"
"Dunno… but damn, she's gorgeous."
"Is that a boy or a girl?"
"Who cares? That face is illegal."
"That's must Erina's girlfriend"
Arleyong's ears caught the faint word girlfriend somewhere in the mix.
"…Girlfriend?" she repeated softly.
Erina, who was half-eating a chocolate bar beside her, almost choked. "Huh? What about it?"
"I heard someone say that word," Arleyong said, her tone curious, eyes still on the crowd. "What does it mean?"
Erina froze. "Oh, uh—uh—It's, you know… just… a thing."
"A thing?"
"Yeah, like—uh…" Erina scratched her cheek, eyes darting everywhere but at Arleyong. "When… two people… like each other a lot. Like, really like each other. Then they're—uh—'girlfriend' or 'boyfriend.'"
Arleyong blinked once. "So it means you like someone."
"Yeah, pretty much."
Arleyong nodded slowly, processing it like a science equation. "Then, if I like you… you become my girlfriend?"
Erina short-circuited on the spot.
Her chocolate bar fell to the floor.
"W-WH—WAIT—WHAT?!" she stammered, voice a pitch too high. "You—you can't just—! You can't say it like that so casually!"
"Why not? You said that's what it means."
"Y-yeah, but it's— it's not that simple! You don't just announce it like you're naming a vegetable!"
Arleyong looked genuinely confused. "Vegetable?"
Erina buried her face in her hands. "I'm going to pass out…"
Around them, a couple of nearby students glanced curiously at the scene — a red-faced Erina trying to breathe, and a calm, ethereal-looking girl sitting beside her like she'd just stated a weather report.
"Erina," Arleyong said softly after a while. "Did I say something wrong?"
Erina peeked between her fingers, cheeks still pink. "N-no. Just… maybe don't say it that way when there are people around. You'll kill me."
Arleyong tilted her head. "Kill you?"
"With embarrassment!"
"Oh." She paused, then lowered her voice to a whisper. "So… I shouldn't tell others that I like you?"
"Arleyong!!"
The poor girl looked seconds away from evaporating into mist.
A few meters away, some of Erina's friends noticed and giggled among themselves.
"Wow, they're cute," one whispered.
"Erina's gonna explode before the tournament even starts," said another.
Arleyong blinked innocently as Erina hid her face behind her hands, muttering curses under her breath.
Then, out of nowhere—
"ERINA KAWAGAWA! WARM-UP SESSION IN FIVE MINUTES!"
A voice boomed through the hall's speaker system.
Erina nearly jumped out of her skin. "Huh?! Already?!" She scrambled to her feet, hair all over the place. "Okay okay okay, I gotta go—Arleyong, you stay here, okay? Don't wander off! I'll come back after warm-up!"
Arleyong nodded. "Alright."
Erina turned to leave—then paused mid-step, glancing back awkwardly.
"...And, um, don't repeat that thing you said earlier. To anyone. Ever."
Arleyong blinked, expression perfectly calm. "The girlfriend thing?"
"YES—THAT! Forget it!"
She ran off before her brain could melt further, leaving Arleyong sitting alone, quietly watching her go.
"…Girlfriend,....Kikyo." Arleyong whispered again to herself, the word lingering on her lips. For some reason, it made her chest feel a little strange. Warm.
Arleyong sat quietly on the wooden bench, her silver hair catching the sunlight streaming through the hall. Her eyes followed Erina from a distance.
"Erina… she's somewhat like Kikyo," Arleyong murmured softly.
From a distance, Hayato lingered behind Arleyong, watching her with interest. "That girl… she's pretty, huh…" he said casually.
His friend elbowed him teasingly. "Hey, hey! Looks like a little romance brewing—do you like her?"
Hayato didn't flinch. He just tilted his head slightly. "Who knows… I just want to know her name."
His friend gave him a playful shove. "Then go ask her already, what are you waiting for?"
Hayato sighed lightly but didn't resist. "Alright, alright… I'll go."
A few moments later, he was standing beside Arleyong. "Hi, I'm Hayato, you know that already. You must be the new student, right?" he said, flashing a polite smile.
Arleyong simply nodded. "Yes. But I'm not actually a student here. I was brought here just to observe Erina," she replied, her face expressionless, still staring at Erina across the hall.
Hayato nodded slowly, intrigued. He lowered himself onto the bench next to her. "And your name?" he asked, leaning slightly closer, a faint grin on his face.
Arleyong didn't turn to look at him. "Arleyong," she said calmly, her gaze still fixed on Erina in the distance.
Hayato smiled wider. "That's a rare name… I've never heard anything like it. I like it."
Arleyong remained silent. She didn't feel compelled to respond.
From across the hall, Erina noticed them sitting together. Her eyes widened, and her face darkened slightly. "Hey! What are they doing?!" she whispered to
herself, her voice tinged with bitterness.
First round: Erina VS Chiara.
Erina's first round was fast, her body moving instinctively, her fists and feet flying like she was dancing to a rhythm only she could hear. Arleyong sat near the sidelines, her silver hair catching the fluorescent lights, her gaze unwavering, tracking every movement.
Round one ended in Erina's favor. She beamed, panting. "Pff, that was fun. Next round, it's my victory"
Erina huffed, ignoring the clinical tone. Round two started, and this time, her opponent was tougher, but Erina fought with heart. Her kicks were sharper, her stances steadier, but sweat now dotted her forehead. Arleyong's eyes never left her, noting every micro-expression, every falter, every determination in her movements.
Round two ended. Another victory for Erina. She jumped in the air, fists pumped, then immediately noticed something wrong: her legs felt like lead. She staggered slightly but waved off the sensation. "I—uh—I'm fine! Totally fine!"
Round three—the final round—began. Her opponent was the toughest yet: taller, faster, more experienced. The bell rang, and they clashed. Every punch, every dodge, every spin of Erina's body was met with precision from the opponent. Slowly, the toll of the previous rounds began to show.
Arleyong noticed it first "Erina?". A tremble in Erina's left leg. A subtle hitch in her breathing. By the halfway mark, her steps were heavier, movements slower. Her hazel eyes flicked toward the judges, then to the crowd, forcing a smile that didn't reach her face.
Then, in a sudden, terrifying moment, she faltered completely. Her knees buckled."Ugh, I can't...." Said Erina and she collapsed onto the floor. Gasps echoed around the hall. The instructor shouted, rushing toward her. "Oh my gosh, Erina!" One of Erina's friends rush toward her.
But Arleyong was faster. She sprang from her seat, moving with an uncanny, fluid grace. By the time anyone could react, she was at Erina's side.
"Erina!" she said calmly, kneeling beside her. Her silver eyes softened, but only just. She placed a hand lightly on Erina's chest, and then her other hand hovered over Erina's stomach.
Nothing could be seen—no light, no glow—but the air around them seemed to hum faintly. Slowly, Erina's tense body relaxed. Color returned to her cheeks. Her eyes fluttered open, and she gasped softly.
"Hmm, what—what's happening?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Arleyong's expression remained serene, unreadable. "…You were pushing too hard. Rest. Recover."
Before anyone could notice anything unusual, Erina's strength returned as if she'd slept for hours. She stumbled to her feet, blinking in disbelief. "I—I feel… normal again? How—what—"
Arleyong helped steady her, then stepped back. "You need to pace yourself. Your body cannot handle extremes for too long."
Erina looked at her, awe and confusion mingling in her expression. "…You… you healed me?"
Arleyong's gaze flicked away from her, cool as ever. She refused to tell Erina that she actually healed her, but not with a full power. "No, I didn't"
Hayato, who had been watching from a distance, frowned slightly, noticing the unnatural calm in Arleyong's movements. He leaned toward his friend. "Did you see that? What… just happened?"
Her friend shrugged, whispering, "Maybe she's a magician or something."
Erina, still panting lightly, finally turned her attention to Arleyong. "…You… you didn't even touch me, but I feel… better."
Arleyong's lips curved faintly. "I don't think so, your body is still not recover yet."
The coach's voice rang out, firm but concerned. "Kawagawa, that's enough for today. Go home and rest. You've overexerted yourself."
Erina nodded weakly, her body still trembling from the adrenaline and exhaustion. Her legs wobbled like jelly as she tried to walk on her own, and the color in her cheeks had faded to a pale shade. Arleyong was immediately at her side, sliding her arms gently under Erina's, supporting her weight. "See, I told you, you're still not recover fully yet." Said Arleyong.
"You don't have to worry about me, Bread Girl," Erina murmured, half-smiling, half-groaning.
Arleyong's expression didn't change. She simply held Erina steady, guiding her toward the exit with quiet efficiency. "You cannot walk alone. I'll hold you," she said softly.
Erina blinked, her hazel eyes wide. "…You're really… serious about this, huh?"
Arleyong only nodded slightly, her gaze scanning the hall for any obstacles. She moved with smooth precision, every step measured and careful, as though nothing could disturb her balance—or Erina's.
Outside, the cool breeze hit them, but Erina barely noticed. The car waiting in the parking lot belonged to her mother, who looked on anxiously from behind the wheel. "Erina! What happened? Are you okay?" she called.
"We need to take her home and rest. That's all she need. Let's go".Arleyong answer. She guided Erina toward the car, holding her with a quiet strength that seemed almost unnatural in its steadiness. They reached the vehicle, and with minimal fuss, Arleyong helped Erina climb inside.
"Thank you… Arleyong," Erina whispered, her fingers brushing lightly against the silver-haired girl's hand. There was a softness in her voice that Arleyong noted but did not acknowledge with more than a blink.
"..." Arleyong didn't answer, her tone even, almost detached. Yet her eyes flicked toward Erina, watching her carefully.
The engine roared to life, and they sped off through the city streets. Arleyong's hands rested on her lap, expression unchanged, eyes staring straight ahead. Erina reached out once more, tentatively touching Arleyong's hand. "Really… thanks," she murmured again, the warmth in her small gesture lingering in the car's quiet interior.
Arleyong's gaze flicked briefly toward her, noting the sincerity and relief in her voice. She said nothing, only guiding them home in silence, her calm a stark contrast to Erina's uneven breathing and trembling fingers.
They arrived at the house. The moment Erina opened the door, her body swayed dangerously. Without hesitation, Arleyong shifted quickly, catching her before she could fall. "Careful," she said softly, holding her upright.
Erina's mom rushed forward, panic in her eyes. "Erina! Oh my goodness, what happened to you?"
"She overexerted herself," Arleyong replied evenly, gently guiding Erina inside. "She's fine, just needs rest. She is in no danger if allowed to lie down."
Erina's mother's eyes softened slightly, but worry still lingered. "Are you sure?"
Arleyong nodded once. "I am. Trust me."
Carrying Erina carefully, Arleyong led her straight to her bedroom. She laid her gently on the bed, adjusting the blankets to cover her. Erina's eyes fluttered weakly, her lips forming a faint smile. "I… feel… safe… with you," she murmured, before her eyes closed and she drifted into sleep again.
Arleyong stepped back, observing her for a moment, ensuring her breathing was steady. Then, without another word, she moved to her own futon, sitting down before curling up. She didn't close her eyes immediately, but the tension in her body slowly melted as she allowed herself to rest in the quiet house, the soft hum of Erina's steady breathing nearby.
Outside, the evening light faded, but inside, Arleyong remained vigilant in her stillness, calm and composed, yet an invisible thread of concern bound her to the girl she had just saved. Her eyes eventually closed, but her posture remained alert, a silent guardian in the quiet, warm room.
The house was silent now, save for the gentle rhythm of two young girls' breathing, one asleep in calm serenity, the other in quiet, watchful repose. And though Arleyong's expression showed nothing, a faint, almost imperceptible warmth lingered in the silver-haired girl's chest, centered on the small, faint heartbeat of the one she had saved.