Back at the gym.
Takami sat on the bench, elbows on his knees, towel still around his neck. The gym was quiet now, save for the rhythmic thuds of someone working the punching bag across the room. He glanced to the side, the path Shion always came through. But she hadn't come today. At least, that's what he thought.
"Looking for me?" came a voice from behind. Female. Smooth. Familiar.
He didn't even have to turn.
Shion.
She walked around the bench and stood in front of him, wearing a cropped blue top and black sweatpants. Her hair was tied up in a messy bun, and her signature smirk danced across her lips.
He dropped his gaze back to the ground, suppressing a smile. "No."
"Whatever you say." She chuckled and plopped down next to him on the bench, close but not too close. "Good morning."
"Same to you."
"Mm." She leaned forward slightly, hands braced on the bench behind her, peeking at his face from the corner of her eye. "Where have you been? I've been looking for you the last two days."
"Been occupied. Stuff came up. Too drained to wake up early."
"Fair enough," she said.
A brief silence settled between them. Not awkward, just quiet. Then she broke it.
"You heard the rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"That emotion-bound spirits have started reappearing."
He looked at her then. "Not really. Where'd you hear that from?"
"A friend from the Kyoto team," she said, brushing a few loose strands from her face. "Told me Spirit Keeper Ken and the Chairman's assistant cleared one out. In a dorm."
He exhaled softly. "More trouble, then."
"Exactly." She leaned back again, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I'm posted to Sendai now. Our Guild Master hasn't even showed up for days now."
"You're part of your guild's raid team?"
"First raid team," she said with a little pride. "Made it in a month ago."
Takami blinked, surprised. That wasn't easy, first raid teams were the muscle, the spearhead, the elite unit of any guild.
"I see," he said. "That's impressive."
A half smile crept across her lips. "Thanks."
"So…" she leaned forward again, arms resting on her knees, "you thinking of signing up for one of the public raids?"
"I might," he replied after a short pause.
"Nice. Hope you do."
He pulled his phone out, checked the time. 7:32 a.m.
"I should head home," he said, standing. "Got a lot to do today."
"Sure," she nodded. Then her eyes lit up. "Oh wait, let's go out together. I'll grab my bag real quick."
Before he could answer, she was already off. A minute later she returned, sweater on and gym bag in hand. He was already ready, jacket on, slinging his own bag over his shoulder.
"Let's roll," she said, nudging him lightly with her elbow as they walked out together.
The sun had fully risen now, bathing the streets in that warm golden haze. But Takami's senses flared as soon as they turned the corner. Someone was watching him.
He glanced slightly over his shoulder.
Shion noticed. "Something wrong?"
"No," he said, keeping his expression blank.
But she'd felt it too.
"He noticed that fast. How sharp are his senses?" She thought to herself.
They walked in silence for a few more blocks. Eventually, they reached a small bus stop.
"This is where I usually catch a taxi," Shion said, stopping.
"Oh. Got it," Takami replied.
She tilted her head. "Where do you live?"
"Here in Ome. Just down the line."
"Nice. I stay at Hachioji."
He perked up. "A friend of mine lives there."
"Really? What's their name? Maybe I know them."
"Jimin."
She thought for a second, brows furrowed. "Hmm… don't think I've met anyone with that name."
"No worries," he shrugged.
She smiled, stepping toward the road and flagging a taxi. "Thanks for walking with me, anyway. I'll head out now."
"It's fine."
She climbed into the cab and poked her head out the window. "Bye!"
He raised a hand lazily. "Yeah."
The cab rolled away. He watched it for a moment, then turned and continued walking, alone again.
Afternoon – Shinjuku
Time slipped by.
Afternoon shadows stretched across the streets, long. Takami stepped out of a taxi in Shinjuku, adjusting the sleeves of his maroon shirt. The place was busy, like always. Hustle, chatter, energy. He exhaled, looking up at the building ahead.
He'd promised to come back.
But now that he was here… he didn't know what to say or do.
He made up his mind and got into the apartment complex, quietly climbing up the stairs two at a time until he reached the third floor. He made his way to the door, Mina's apartment, and stood in front of it, staring for a moment like the wood might tell him what to do.
He pressed the doorbell.
No reply.
Again. Nothing.
One more time. Still silence.
He felt a little twinge of unease.
He knocked twice, a little louder this time.
Then, crash.
The unmistakable sound of something shattering echoed from inside. Maybe glass.
Takami's brows furrowed. "Mina?" he called, voice laced with concern. He turned the knob. Locked.
"Mina, can you hear me?" he called again, louder now.
No answer. Just a suffocating silence.
He stepped back slightly. His eyes flickered faintly, glowing for just a second before he rammed his shoulder into the door. It cracked open after a single hit. He burst into the apartment, scanning the space. His eyes landed on a broken vase near a doorway, probably the cause of the crash. But his instincts said that wasn't the only thing broken in here.
He walked past the shards cautiously and entered the room. It was a mess. Curtains half torn, books scattered, drawers pulled out like someone was looking for something, or losing it.
And then he saw her.
Mina. In the corner of the room, her body trembling, her eyes red and swollen from too many tears. In her hands…a knife.
Takami's eyes widened. "Mina!" he shouted, stepping forward.
She flinched, then immediately pointed the blade at him with shaky hands. "P-Please… just go away. Let me die already."
His steps slowed. He raised his hands gently, voice calm. "Mina… drop the knife. You don't want to do this."
"Don't come closer!" she screamed. Tears rolled down her cheeks. Her fingers gripped the knife's handle tighter, trembling harder. "If…if you come closer then I'll…" She raised it toward her throat.
Takami stopped. There was still a wide enough gap between them, but not enough to risk hesitation.
But then in the blink of an eye, he moved.
Before she could even react, her wrist was in his grasp, firmly but gently. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
"H-How…?"
Takami slowly removed the knife out of her hand and tossed it away, far enough it wouldn't be an option again. Mina stood frozen for a second…
Then she grabbed his shirt and collapsed into him, burying her face into his chest as she broke down crying again.
Takami blinked, a bit stunned. He hadn't expected that.
She was still just a kid. Probably seventeen and already crushed by the world.
He raised his other hand slowly, unsure at first, but finally rested it on her head. A small comforting gesture.
It seemed to help. Her sobs began to quiet.
Time passed.
Takami now stood by the door, arms folded, his eyes staring at the ground. The room felt still, the storm of emotion having passed. Mina sat on the bed, legs crossed, still drying her face with the edge of her sleeve.
"Why did you stop me?" she asked softly, her voice like a tired whisper.
Takami didn't move. "I made a promise… to your father. And besides, that's not a good choice to make."
She let out a shaky breath. "What's the point of my existence anyway?" she muttered. "I don't even know what it's like to have at least a single parent beside me for long."
The pain in her voice wasn't just emotion, it was truth. Deep.
Takami didn't say anything right away. He understood what she meant.
"I don't even want to live here anymore…" she said, staring at the wall now.
Takami took a deep breath. He gave it real thought before speaking.
"…You can stay at my place," he finally said. "At least you'll have company. It might help. You don't have to be alone."
She turned her head sharply, surprised. She hadn't expected that. But his eyes were still on the floor, expression unreadable. And yet… something in his tone told her he meant it.
She didn't argue.
Thirty minutes later…
Ryusei residence.
The door creaked open.
Tomoe and Yosuke were in the living room, eyes glued to the television. It was the weekend, after all.
They turned as the door opened.
Takami stepped in, and then moved aside to reveal a quiet, awkward girl standing behind him.
Yosuke gave a glance. Blinked once. "Oh. New face." Then promptly turned back to the TV. That was about as excited as he got.
Tomoe perked up. "Welcome back, big brother!" Then walked closer to Mina with curious eyes. "Hi!"
Mina felt like she was being dropped onto a stage mid-performance. Her heart pounded. But she gave a tiny wave, managing a small, nervous smile.
Meanwhile, Takami made his way to the kitchen where their mom, Akane, was preparing lunch. He spoke to her quietly, explaining everything. A few minutes later, Akane walked into the living room and spotted Mina.
"G-Good afternoon ma'am," Mina said quickly, standing up and bowing instinctively.
Akane smiled warmly. "Takami explained what happened. I'm sorry you had to go through that."
Mina's grip on her clothes tightened.
"Feel at home, okay?" Akane added.
Those words chipped away at the wall Mina had been building inside herself.
Akane then leaned toward Takami and whispered, "She can stay in Tomoe's room. No need for you to give up yours. It's been too big for Tomoe anyway."
He nodded.
Akane turned to Tomoe now. "She's going to be staying with you, sweetie. Keep her good company, alright?"
Tomoe beamed like she had just won the best big sister lottery. "Does that mean you're my sister now?" she asked Mina with a grin.
Mina's eyes widened. The warmth, it was overwhelming. She didn't know what to say. But her heart cracked open a bit more. She bowed again, eyes misty. "Thank you… I don't know how to repay any of you."
"It's not about repayment," Akane said. "Just feel free. Be yourself. At least pretend this is your own home."
Those words hit harder than they should have. They were the kind she never got to hear. Not once in years.
And so, the tears came again. Just one. But it carried the weight of a thousand.
Tomoe ran up and grabbed her hand. "Come on! I'll show you our room!" she said, tugging Mina away excitedly.
"Welcome to the family," Yosuke added lazily, eyes still locked on the TV.
Takami watched it all unfold with a rare smile tugging at the edge of his lips. For a moment, everything was peaceful.
"I'll be heading out," he said to Akane. "There's a lot to take care of."
She gave a nod, "I heard it on the news too. Dorms or what do you call them. Anyways, stay safe." then turned back into the kitchen.
Outside.
Takami stood on the street, wind brushing past his maroon shirt. He pulled out his phone and opened the JSSB site for public missions. A list of available ones, each tagged with a location.
He scrolled through quickly, scanning until he found one nearby.
He tapped 'Apply' and locked the screen, slipping the phone back into his pocket.
No rest for the blessed.
With the day still young, he took a breath and began walking in that direction, not realizing how far his own story was starting to spread.