The universe has always been a mystery. Beyond the countless celestial bodies, there are also an innumerable number of planets inhabited by different forms of life. On many of them, beings exist who are currently in their human stage of evolution, and among them, some receive unique powers known as Potentia.
These individuals are entrusted with the mission of maintaining the balance of their worlds, doing everything possible to preserve harmony.
But if everything in the universe is ordered and follows such laws, why is there someone crying in a faraway place?
Planet Utopia
It was a special day, and Akiko, a 14-year-old girl with lilac hair and light blue eyes, was rushing toward a hall filled with crystals and rose quartz; clearly on her way to a grand event.
Of average height, Akiko had chosen for the occasion an organza dress with draped structures and large ruffles at the sides. Its iridescent colors blended blue, pink, and purple, matching her cheerful personality. In the main hall, she spotted a group of girls and greeted them:
"Hi, girls! I got here early, see?"
"Wow, what a surprise, Akiko…" replied Naoko, 16, sarcastically. She had black hair and eyes that contrasted with her fair skin. Her long strapless dress had varied shades of blue with small white details. The skirt had layered trails that curved like ocean waves.
"You only show up early when you're curious." commented Miyu, 14, whose dark skin, green eyes, and hair gave her a youthful and responsible appearance. Her asymmetrical, layered dress mimicked plant leaves and sparkled under the light with beaded embroidery all over.
"Akiko is here? Am I late?" exclaimed Megumi, 22, a tall woman with wavy, shiny blond hair. Her light blue eyes were full of warmth, and her lips, painted with red lipstick, gave her a playful look of mock surprise. Her long, flowing gown moved gracefully with soft pink hues and subtle shimmer, giving her an elegant air.
"Well, well. What a surprise, right?" added Sayuri, 30, with a gentle smile. Her short, wavy black hair and blue eyes gave her a calm aura. Her long, feathered dress with thin straps flowed like the wind itself.
"HEY! What's this conspiracy about?" Akiko protested, while the others laughed at her reaction.
Amid the laughter, a small girl approached timidly, politely asking to pass. Her name was Matsui, 7, with light blue eyes and reddish hair curled at the tips and tied into puffs on each side. Her delicate pink organza dress had structured petal-like layers, making her look like a gentle flower.
"Sis! Come here!" said Akiko, looking back and inviting her little sister into the hall.
Beside her stood a tall woman with hair the same color as Akiko's. Her rainbow-colored organza dress trailed along the floor. She was Mrs. Yajima, 37, mother of Akiko and Matsui, who frowned and gave her eldest daughter a stern look:
"Take good care of Matsui, okay, Akiko? No running around. Don't get dirty, don't be late… You know her party is tonight."
"Mom!" Akiko retorted. "I got it already!"
Meanwhile, Sayuri approached Mrs. Yajima and gently touched her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Yajima. I'll look after them."
"Good to know. Thank you, Sayuri. I trust you." Mrs. Yajima replied, now calmer.
Akiko watched them and thought about how good Sayuri was at communicating with people. Mrs. Yajima then looked fondly at her daughters and said goodbye:
"Well, I'm off now. See you later!"
After some time, the crystal hall felt the strong presence of a woman entering. Her height, long wavy brown hair, and bronze skin made her striking. She wore an asymmetrical black dress with a slit that revealed her right leg. With an authoritative expression, she looked at the group of girls.
"Potentia of planet Utopia. I, Ayami, Potentia of Judgment, am here to guide you today." Her words were commands; firm and formal.
Little Matsui was confused by the sudden appearance and wondered where the woman had come from. Sayuri noticed and explained:
"She came from there." Sayuri pointed toward the glowing crystal core. "That's like a door that connects our world to distant ones."
After that brief interruption, Ayami continued:
"I arrived earlier than planned because I would like to invite all seven of you on a mission." she explained, striking their curiosity.
"But ma'am… There are six of us. Not seven." said Akiko, politely correcting Ayami.
"Ah... that's right. The seventh is on Earth." confirmed Sayuri.
"She has gone there again?" Naoko asked.
"Yes! Aino lives there. It's been so long since she visited." replied Megumi.
Tension began to fill the room, and Ayami's powerful presence started to falter.
"How? How could this be? Why?" she murmured, visibly displeased.
"Miss Ayami!? Please, what's going on?" asked Megumi, confused by Ayami's reaction.
"I've decided…" Ayami said harshly, like a knife's edge. "... I no longer want your assistance."
She raised her hand toward the crystal altar from which she came. The metallic threads of her dress sparked with her movement. A dark energy formed in her hand.
Ayami unleashed her Potentia; a black sphere that engulfed the hall, striking the altar's core. Time seemed to freeze. In an instant, everything vanished, leaving no space for goodbyes or final thoughts. The girls couldn't react or comprehend the void that swallowed the light before them.
The massive explosion left an empty space in that planetary system. Utopia ceased to exist. Ayami remained inside a translucent, rounded shield around her body. Staring into the void, she mused:
"Hmm... Yeah, maybe I overdid it…" Her expression was serious, but her tone carried no compassion or regret. In fact, there was a hint of disdain in her gaze.
As she remained in the void, Ayami sensed a presence approaching. When it was close behind her, she turned around; and her face showed shock. Before her stood another woman, with long pink hair, staring in silence.
"You!" Ayami exclaimed.
Planet Earth, November 12th, night
At the same time the void formed in that corner of the universe, on a distant planet called Earth, a young girl with long black hair and bangs laid in bed, unable to sleep.
"Damn it!" she muttered, annoyed. "What a weird feeling… I can't sleep."
March 1st, the following year
In a spacious two-story house in one of the city's upscale neighborhoods, an alarm rang. It was six in the morning; the start of a new routine.
"Ugh, no... I'm still sleepy." complained a man with black hair and eyes, named Guang.
Sayuri, lying beside him, chuckled at her husband's groan.
"But we have to get up. I'll go wake the girls." she said, getting up and heading to another room.
She opened the door and cheerfully called out:
"Good morning, girls! Today's your first day of school; time to get up!"
The room had two single beds and a bunk. Megumi was already stretching. Naoko wasn't there, as she was already up and getting ready.
"Good morning, Sayuri." Megumi greeted with a smile.
In another bed, little Matsui slept soundly. Miyu, in the lower bunk, slowly sat up in silence. On the top bunk, Akiko hid her face under the pillow.
"No, no, no…" she mumbled like a mantra, refusing to wake up.
After Utopia's confusing events, they all tried to live normal lives in their new home. Sayuri, used to the routine, knew what to do and said in a kind tone:
"Let's hurry. Guang needs to go to work and will give you a ride. And whoever's slow won't have breakfast!"
"WHAAAAAAT?!" Akiko jumped up in panic at the thought of skipping breakfast.
Soon, they were all dressed and enjoying a hearty meal. Megumi, no longer a student, could relax into her daily routine.
"Let's get in the car. We can't be late." Guang called.
Before leaving, he kissed Sayuri and told her he'd be home earlier that day.
Guang's car was large enough for all of them. The school was on the way, so he dropped them off before heading to work.
At the school gates, the girls looked around at the new environment. The three-story building, the greenery at the entrance; it all felt welcoming and full of students.
Miyu, passionate about studying, was excited. Akiko was impressed by the size of the school. Naoko, more grounded, reminded them it was just a school, no need to exaggerate.
It was their first day wearing the school uniform. A white T-shirt with the school logo, red skirts for girls, pants for boys, and white socks with black or white sneakers.
Inside, students crowded around paper listings on the walls. The noise of excited conversations and footsteps made the place feel chaotic.
"Look, Akiko, there's a big group over there. Probably checking the class lists." said Miyu.
"Ohh, you're right. Let's go check!" replied Akiko.
They found the list for the first year of high school and saw they were in the same class; and then noticed a familiar name.
"Miyu! It's fate! We're in the same class as Aino!" Akiko said excitedly.
"Sure, sure…" Miyu replied dryly.
Miyu looked around and pointed:
"Akiko, isn't that Aino over there?"
"AINOOOOOO!!!" Akiko screamed, spotting her friend and running to her in dramatic fashion.
"WHAT THE?!" Aino gasped as Akiko threw herself at her.
"Aino! I missed you! Your hair looks amazing! Your voice is still like a meowing kitten!" Akiko beamed.
Aino, tall with tense shoulders, had brown hair with light blonde streaks, dark eyes, and very pale skin. Her voice was higher than average. She tried to maintain a calm, low-profile image; something Akiko was definitely ruining as she hung from her neck.
"This is so embarrassing…" Aino muttered.
Just then, another student saw the scene and joined in, hanging on Aino's other shoulder. She and Akiko exchanged glances.
"Hi, I'm Akiko. This is Miyu. Nice to meet you; we're friends of Aino." Akiko said, letting go to introduce herself.
"I'm Yukino. I'm Aino's third cousin." replied the girl with pale skin, long black hair with bangs, brown eyes, and wearing the boys' school uniform.
"Wow! So cool meeting one of Aino's relatives here on this plan…" Akiko was cut off by Miyu, who covered her mouth.
"Nice to meet you, Yukino!" Miyu said loudly, having realized Akiko was about to say too much. "So, what's school like?"
"School? Let's see. Teachers explain stuff pretty well. Some are nice. But there are things that are unnecessary. Like school events and sports competitions. They're not the problem exactly, but everyone has to participate because they're graded; but in the end, everyone gets points anyway. Still, people fight over it like it matters. And the students… Most of them are annoying. It's like they're in heat or something. Their main goal is to kiss as many people as possible in a day. But there are some nice guys, too." Yukino answered all at once, showing no reaction.
Miyu and Akiko were stunned. Internally, they questioned whether asking had been a good idea.
Meanwhile, tall Naoko had already found her classroom list for the last year of high school.
"302, whatever. I don't know anyone anyway." she thought.
The girls went to their classes. Akiko couldn't stop thinking about how new everything felt.
She drifted into thoughts during class, overwhelmed by the long, exhausting first day.
We had class all morning. The first teacher didn't even introduce himself; he just handed out the test calendar until mid-year.
The students spent most of the time talking trash about each other. I didn't make any new friends.
Aino drooled over the math teacher; so did many girls. I don't get why.
They said I'm too pale and should get a tan to look pretty. But they also mocked Miyu for being too dark. I don't get it.
Maybe Yukino's right; this place is a jungle.
Akiko's mind looped endlessly with thoughts so different from her days in Utopia.