Morning greeted her softly. The sunlight entered through the gaps in the apartment window curtains, dancing slowly on the floor and Yomiru's face. She blinked slowly. She turned around and—
"WOAH!"
Shizuka was already standing in front of her, looking at her expressionlessly but with sparkling eyes.
"Huh? You've been awake for a while?" Yomiru asked in surprise, sitting up quickly.
"Yes," Shizuka answered briefly.
Yomiru sighed in relief. "Okay... I'll take you home now, okay? Your brother must be looking for you."
"Wait a minute," Shizuka pulled Yomiru's fingertips, "I want to go to the park with Ka Yomi first."
Yomiru was silent for a moment. How this child was so attached to her, even though they had only known each other for a few weeks. She didn't know whether to be happy or worried. But in the end she just nodded. "Okay. You take a shower first, then we'll go."
Shizuka nodded and jogged to the bathroom. Meanwhile, Yomiru sat on the sofa. Her gaze fell on a thin object with a black screen called a television. She pressed a button on the remote control—and the screen lit up, displaying a moving image.
"What is this screen… why can it display humans on it?" she muttered. She bent down, getting closer. "Is this another parallel world? But why are there so many people talking about food?" She continued to babble, confused.
"I've seen something like this in my world, a connecting ball? Oh no. It's a box shape, and there's no such thing in this world."
After Shizuka finished bathing and getting dressed, they walked to the park they had visited yesterday. The morning air was fresh, the leaves swayed lightly in the wind, and the sounds of birds answered each other. Shizuka held Yomiru's hand as usual, tightly as if she didn't want to be separated. Yomiru was surprised, Why was this child so clingy to someone she just met, In fact, this child had no fear of Yomiru at all.
They sat on a shady park bench. Shizuka kept asking all sorts of things: about flowers, about clouds, even about stray cats that passed by. Yomiru just answered casually, but didn't show any boredom. Although she initially disliked children, for some reason it felt different with Shizuka.
The sound of Shizuka's rumbling stomach stopped the conversation.
"Want to eat?" Yomiru asked.
Shizuka nodded shyly. Yomiru then invited Shizuka to a small restaurant near the park. The restaurant was clean, with soft yellow lights hanging low and potted plants neatly arranged in the corner of the room. Yomiru was fascinated. In her previous world, places like this didn't exist. Eating was only to strengthen magical energy for those who were strong, never an aesthetic experience.
They sat down, ordering simple food to save money. When the food arrived, Shizuka ate quietly. Not fussy like most children.
Yomiru watched her silently, and when she saw Shizuka's eyes—the tinge of red in her eyes brought back Scarlet's image in her mind. Scarlet also often looked at her like that, full of sincerity but harboring many wounds.
From her hair and eyes, Shizuka looked similar to Scarlet. Long, straight black hair, purple eyeballs, and curly eyelashes.
"If only I wasn't born as magic there," she muttered softly.
"Yomi, my food is finished!" Shizuka exclaimed.
"Eh? Do you want more?"
Shizuka shook her head quickly. "No, thank you, Yomi!"
Yomiru smiled softly. The two of them left the restaurant. They both walked side by side on the city sidewalk.
Shizuka's eyes were fixed on the doll claw machine across the street. Yomiru's gaze moved to follow Shizuka's gaze.
Yomiru laughed. "Want that?"
Shizuka nodded quickly.
Yomiru tried three times—and failed three times. Finally, she gave up and gave the last coin to Shizuka. Miraculously, the little girl immediately got the white rabbit doll she was after.
"Hooray!" Shizuka shouted happily. "I got it!"
"Well, you're better than me," Yomiru stroked Shizuka's head.
---
Days passed. In those three weeks, Yomiru became more accustomed to life on Earth. She learned many things—about money, school, work, television, even the internet. She began to like this world. There was no fighting, no blood, no curses. Just peace, and simple routines. Something Scarlet wanted for herself.
However, the peace did not last long.
One Sunday afternoon, Yomiru and Shizuka were in a bookstore. Shizuka was reading a picture book, while Yomiru browsed the shelves, enjoying the soothing scent of the sheets of paper. Suddenly—
BOOM!!
A loud bang shook the entire city. Bookshelves shook, and chandeliers swayed. People screamed in panic and started running outside. Yomiru instinctively shielded the little girl.
"Earthquake?" Yomiru muttered, but her expression immediately changed. No… this was no ordinary earthquake. She could feel an aura. An aura of magical power… that she knew all too well.
"Shizuka!" Yomiru grabbed the girl's shoulder. "Don't follow me. Take cover here! I'll be back!"
Without waiting for an answer, Yomiru ran out of the store, through the panicked crowd. She ran towards the center of the city, where the bang had been heard.
On the building's large screen, the emergency news reported an attack by an unknown person. But Yomiru knew… she knew who it was.
And sure enough.
Someone was flying through the air, her hair long and pink, her clothes like a doll with a big ribbon and boots. Her face was cute, but her magical aura was deadly.
"Umeko…" Yomiru whispered, trembling.
"Long time no see, the magic of destruction," Umeko greeted with a sardonic smile. "Or do you prefer to be called… Yomiru now?"
Yomiru clenched her fists. "Why are you causing chaos here?"
"To pick you up," Umeko answered lightly.
"I made a promise with Scarlet. I will live peacefully on earth!"
"Promise?" Umeko's voice was soft but sarcastic. "Do you think our world is fine without you? The planet is on the verge of collapse, wars are endless. You are the axis, Yomiru. You are not just the magic of destruction… you are the balance. And if you don't return… the world will be destroyed."
Yomiru bit her lip. She knew Umeko was not lying. She could feel the desperation that coated the girl's words.
"I know that, but…"
"No buts." Umeko lowered her voice. "The creatures of another world have already smelled your presence here. Sooner or later, earth will be targeted. Do you want this earth to be destroyed?"
Yomiru closed her eyes. Shizuka's face appeared in her mind. She didn't want the child to get involved in the chaos.
"I…" her voice trembled, "I'll be back."
Umeko smiled in satisfaction. She descended from the sky, approaching Yomiru. She opened a magic portal, forming a circle of rumbling energy.
"After we arrive, you can ask me anything."
Yomiru nodded weakly. "I'm sorry, Scarlet…" she whispered in her heart.
She and Umeko entered the portal.
---
On the other side, in the narrow alley where they often played, Shizuka stood. She saw everything—the portal, the screams, and Yomiru's departure. But her face wasn't surprised at all.
Her eyes stared at the sky where the portal had disappeared. The wind blew softly, shaking her long black hair.
And from her small, round eyes… a dark purple light flashed faintly.
"You've finally returned to your place, Yomiru," she murmured softly. "Now… it's their turn to look for me."