I let out a long yawn as I trudged downstairs, the increasingly familiar creak of the old steps under my feet marking the start of another day. The sunlight crept through the gaps in the blinds, throwing stripes of light across the dusty living room floor.

  The house was quiet, except for the muffled voices and occasional bursts of giggles coming from the basement. Curious, I made my way towards the stairs leading down, the wood groaning beneath me with each step.

  As I rounded the corner and poked my head downstairs, I stopped and pressed myself against the wall with a smile.

  Mina and Izumi were sprawled on the couch, a scattering of books, Blu Ray discs and papers surrounding them.

  There was a grainy recording of some old Japanese professional wrestling match on the TV, and Izumi was on the edge of her seat, shouting at the screen, her hands waving in excitement. ""Come on! Kick his ass!" Izumi shouted, throwing her fists into the air.

  Mina, on the other hand, sat back and watched, her eyes scanning the page of a book titled 'The Golden Bough' and occasionally flicking up to the screen to see what Izumi was reacting to.

  "Here it comes!" Izumi shouted, jumping to her feet as the wrestler on the screen executed a perfect suplex. The wrestler on the receiving end rolled out of it, before winding up a spin and throwing all his weight at the first wrestler.

  Despite her initial discomfort with my sister, the two had hit it off oddly well. Mina's cold exterior had melted just a bit, a small smile playing on her lips every time Izumi reacted to the screen.

  Izumi punched the air as her favorite wrestler executed a perfect dropkick. "Did you see that, Mina? That's the Thunderclap Tornado Dropkick! I bet it'd be awesome to do that in real life!"

  Mina's response was dry, a smirk touching her lips as she closed the book with a soft snap. "It certainly looks... impactful. But this is all staged, isn't it? The outcome is pre-decided."

  Izumi scoffed, tossing a pillow at her new friend. "Doesn't make it any less cool. The skill is real, even if the fights aren't. You gotta appreciate the art in it."

  Mina caught the pillow, her green eyes sparkling with a challenge. "Perhaps, though I believe real skill in combat is in the strategy and subtlety, not just the spectacle."

  Izumi turned to her with eyes alight as if this was the most important topic in the world. "Yeah, I hear you! But hey, it's not just fighting, it's... it's like storytelling with bodies and action. You can't tell me you don't find that even a little bit cool."

  Mina pondered that for a moment, tilting her head slightly. "Maybe," she conceded. "It's... different."

  "Plus, strong guys are pretty great, right?" Izumi nudged Mina with her elbow, a cheeky smile spreading across her face.

  "Maybe for you," she blushed. "My tastes are a bit different."

  Mina's words were carefully neutral, but her cheeks tinged pink, betraying her stoic fa?ade. It seemed my sister's relentless energy could breach even Mina's reserved armor. I watched, a silent observer of the tentative friendship blooming in our worn basement.

  "Yeah?" Izumi pried, not letting the opportunity slip by. "How so?"

  Mina's face flushed even deeper, and she fiddled with the corner of her book, avoiding Izumi's gaze. "I'm... not sure if you'd understand."

  Izumi leaned in, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Try me."

  Mina sighed, relenting under Izumi's persistent stare. "I guess I'm drawn to those with a... well, a certain flair and intelligence. Someone who can engage in meaningful conversation and light up the room, not just... mindless muscle," she admitted, her words trailing off into a shy mumble.

  "Hey, there's nothing wrong with a bit of muscle," Izumi teased. "Guess you're more of a gentleman's gal."

  "Errrr... yeah. You could say that." Mina was avoiding Izumi's gaze even harder now, her cheeks as red as they could be. "Gentlemen."

  I couldn't help but smile at the two girls. They were as different as fire and water, yet here they were, building a bridge over that divide.

  "Hey, I'm not one to judge. To each their own, right?" Izumi reassured, throwing an arm around Mina's shoulders.

  Mina tensed at the sudden contact but didn't pull away. Instead, she leaned into it just slightly with a contented smile and deep blush.

  "T-Thanks, Izumi," Mina said quietly.

  Izumi chuckled, playfully nudging her again. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me, girlie. I won't tell anyone you prefer your fine wine."

  Mina's blush deepened, and she covered her face with her hands, her voice barely audible. "Yeah... t-thanks, I think. I wouldn't exactly say it's fine wine... more like a s-simple but reliable red I like."

  "Huh? What do you mean? That sounds fancy to me!" Izumi exclaimed, her eyebrows raised in surprise.

  "I guess you could say it's about... being comfortable and familiar?" Mina explained, her words soft and hesitant.

  "Oh!" Izumi's eyes lit up with understanding. "That's what I'm talking about. Simple, reliable, gets the job done."

  "Get's the job done. Sunny but dry, a little tart, but juicy and full-bodied," Mina muttered, her cheeks still flushed. She peeked through her fingers at Izumi, a small, tentative smile tugging at her lips.

  "I didn't know wine could have body," Izumi said, clearly perplexed. "But I guess I get it. I'm not so much into fancy stuff either."

  "And erm. That's why you're refreshing, Izumi." Mina cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure. "Your straightforwardness is... um. Endearing. Very endearing."

  Izumi's laughter filled the room, echoing off the concrete walls. "Refreshing, huh? I like that! I'll take that as a compliment, even if I don't quite get it."

  "Don't worry about it," Mina replied, her voice barely a whisper. "I... like you, Izumi. Even if you are a bit of a musclehead."

  "Musclehead, eh?" Izumi grinned, flexing her arm. "I'll take that as a badge of honor!"

  "I bet you will," Mina chuckled, her smile growing wider. She looked away, blushing as she played with her hair. "It's not a bad thing. It's just a little different from what I'm used to."

  "You're not used to fun and spontaneity?" Izumi asked, her eyes dancing with amusement. "That's wild. I can't imagine living like that. Life's too short not to have some excitement."

  "That's one way to put it," Mina admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness. "Where I come from, life is a bit... more controlled. Everything has its place, and there's a certain order to things."

  Izumi leaned back, her gaze fixed on Mina as if trying to puzzle out her enigmatic new friend. "Sounds stifling. No wonder you're so... uptight."

  "Uptight? Me?" Mina's brows furrowed, her tone a mix of surprise and mild offense. "I'm not uptight. I'm... structured."

  "Tomato, tomahto," Izumi teased, her grin widening. "Either way, you need to loosen up a bit."

  Mina sighed, her shoulders sagging. "I'm trying here, okay? It's not easy, breaking the mold of a lifetime."

  "I hear ya," Izumi said, her expression softening.

  Malina had clearly left them to their devices to bond or clash or do whatever it was that girls their age did. It seemed to be working.

  Izumi's rowdy enthusiasm was met with Mina's reserved curiosity, forming an incredibly endearing but bizarre chemistry. Sochi had left with Malina in the night, but Mina had stayed for what was effectively Izumi's first-ever sleepover party.

  I leaned against the doorframe, unnoticed. It still felt like something about Mina and their family was off, and the pieces didn't quite fit together. But the easy rapport building between her and Izumi made me second-guess my suspicions. Could I have been imagining things? Just a bit too paranoid? Was I overreacting?

  With one last glance at the two, I turned and made my way back up, the floorboards creaking under my weight. I'd have plenty of time to figure everything out later.

  My stomach grumbled, reminding me of more immediate concerns as I sniffed the air. The familiar smell of reheated leftovers wafted from the kitchen upstairs, calling me back to the world above. Dad was at the stove, stirring a pot of what looked like last night's stew.

  The signs of our living conditions were all around—patched-up furniture, second-hand kitchenware, and the meal itself, a reminder that we had to make everything last. The luxury of our bounty was a temporary salve, not a solution.

  "You're up," Dad said without turning, the spatula making gentle clinking sounds against the pot. "Hungry?"

  "Starving," I admitted, eyeing the bubbling stew. "Smells good."

  He chuckled. "Leftovers often taste better the next day. Flavors meld together." He filled a bowl and handed it to me.

  I took a grateful sip, the warmth spreading through me. Dad's cooking was a kind of everyday magic I had appreciated more as I got older.

  The stew was humble, a mishmash of whatever vegetables and scraps of meat our two families could pitch in, but it was seasoned with Dad's care and experience. Carrots and potatoes floated amidst tender chunks of meat, rich and savory broth, hinting at garlic and rosemary. I scooped up a mouthful, letting the heat and the spices chase away the morning chill. It was the kind of meal that didn't just fill your stomach but seemed to warm your soul.

  Dad leaned back against the counter, watching me eat for a moment. "Plans for today?" he asked.

  I shrugged. "Some last-minute shopping for the move. I need to pick up a few things for the move over. Then maybe, uh, help around the house." I wasn't entirely sure about the first part—Rai-chan had been quiet since her cryptic warning last night—but the latter was true. The house always needed work, and it gave me an excuse to keep an eye on Mina and Izumi.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  He nodded, his eyes drifting to the doorway where Izumi and Mina's laughter trickled in from the living room. "It's good for Izumi to have friends around her age. Especially now, with everything happening."

  "Yeah," I said softly. I didn't add that I was worried about the kind of change Mina and her family might bring. Not yet. Not until I had something solid to go on.

  The kitchen fell into a comfortable silence, filled only by the sound of the bubbling stew and the distant chatter of the girls.

  Dad finally broke the quiet. "Ikki… Jae did follow up on the incident the other day. The gang members we turned in talked. They said you managed to… hijack one of the abandoned Terran mechs near the truck and joined the battle beside Yomotsu-Shikome."

  I swallowed and froze in place. I had a sneaking suspicion that it was on the way, although I'd hoped my involvement would've slipped through the cracks. I'd pretended that the only thing I did that day was lockpick the cage and take out one of the thugs opening the truck to take us hostage.

  How was I supposed to explain that I'd found a mysterious magitech symbiote in a briefcase and used it to remotely hijack a dilapidated mech?

  Rai-chan had advised me to keep her a secret, and after some thought, I agreed. There was no telling what people might do if they found out about her existence.

  I played it off like it wasn't a big deal. "Honestly? It was a bit of a fluke. I just... did what I could with what was there. That's all."

  Dad studied me, his gaze penetrating. "A fluke," he repeated, the word hanging in the air like a challenge.

  I met his gaze, trying to project innocence. "Yeah. Fluke."

  "You're telling me you managed to crawl into a complicated, abandoned, multimillion dollar… er, credit piece of Terran magitech, and you just... made it work? On a fluke?" Dad's voice was even, but there was a steel to it that told me he wasn't buying it.

  My spoon hovered mid-air, stew dripping back into the bowl. "Dad, it was a desperate situation. You know I've been fiddling with magitech and stuff..." My voice trailed off, knowing full well the scraps I tinkered with were nothing compared to running a Terran machine made for war.

  He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Ikki, I know you're smart. Dangerously smart. God knows you and your sister are just young and clever enough to get yourselves in trouble and give me heart attacks. But a Terran mech? A model that's been out of active service for the last decade? That's not something you can just 'fiddle' with and make fly just by winging it."

  The corners of my mouth turned down, caught. The stew in my bowl had gone from comforting to a lump in my throat. "I guess I got lucky?" I tried, but the look on his face said that wasn't enough.

  He put his spatula down and folded his arms, leaning against the counter with a weight that felt like it pulled the whole room's attention to him. "Luck is winning a raffle, son. That was something else entirely. Look, I'll be straightforward with you. Jae caught a few snippets of you maneuvering that thing on the dashcam, although he's quietly destroyed the footage. A lot of Terra's elite pilots with hundreds and thousands of hours of flight time would struggle to do what you did out there. And you want me to believe that was your first time piloting?"

  The question hung in the air, demanding an answer I wasn't ready to give. It was a knot in my stomach, tightening with every second of silence.

  Dad knew machines. He knew the gap between reading a manual and commandeering a war mech in one go was absolutely enormous. And he knew me, and knew that I tended to leap before I looked.

  I looked down at the stew, then up at him. "I... I don't know, Dad. I just... It felt intuitive? Like the machine was... guiding me." That wasn't a lie, not really. Rai-chan had been in control, her presence in my head steering my actions.

  Dad's face softened slightly, his brows furrowing in concern rather than skepticism. "Guiding you," he repeated softly. It sounded like he wanted to believe it, even if it made no sense. Maybe because he wanted to hold onto the idea that I was still just his kid.

  "Yeah, guiding me," I echoed.

  He sighed again, a long exhale that seemed to carry all his world-weary worries.

  My throat felt dry. "Dad, I—"

  He held up a hand, cutting me off. "I don't need to know the details. Not yet. You'll tell me whatever the hell happened back there when you're ready." There was a firmness in his voice that didn't invite argument. "But I want you to promise me something."

  "Anything," I said, relieved but anxious.

  "Be careful. Luck, talent or whatever it is you've got that let you do that," he gestured loosely with his hand, "they can make you a target. People might want to use you, on Earth or on Terra. The Terrans... they're good folks, but they're desperate. They've been fighting a war for so long. If they see you as a resource, they'll jump on it. Just... be careful, okay? Just... be smart. Smarter than you think you need to be."

  I nodded, feeling the weight of his words like a mantle on my shoulders. "I promise, Dad."

  He gave me one firm nod, a silent agreement sealed between us, and turned back to the pot, signaling the end of the conversation as he scooped out two heaping bowls of stew.

  I took the bowls from him, a silent understanding flowing between us.

  "Take them down to your sister and Mina," Dad said curtly, furrowing his bows.

  I nodded, my hands steady as I balanced the bowls, the stew's aroma a tether to the here and now. I made my way down to the basement, the murmur of the television growing louder with each step.

  I could hear Izumi's voice brimming with that energetic bravado as I descended the stairs. "If I were a wrestler, I'd be the champ by now."

  Mina's reply was a quiet chuckle, the sound almost alien coming from someone so composed. "Overconfidence is a flimsy shield, you know?"

  I lingered at the bottom of the stairs, watching them. With her unkempt black hair and spirited grin, Izumi contrasted with Mina's well-groomed, shimmering Terran gold locks.

  Izumi didn't notice me right away, too caught up in defending her hypothetical wrestling title. "Flimsy Schmimsy. I'd take that shield and smack the lights out of anyone who dared challenge me!" she declared, striking a pose on the couch.

  Mina raised an eyebrow, her green eyes glinting with mischief. "Is that so? And what would your wrestling name be, oh unbeatable one?"

  "Uh..." Izumi faltered for a moment, caught off-guard. Her eyes lit up as she found her answer, a fierce kind of joy sparking within them. "The Empress of Hell! 'Cause no foolish mortal can escape my realm once they're in the ring with me!"

  I had to suppress a laugh as I quietly approached them. It was such an Izumi thing to say—over the top, a touch dramatic, but undeniably her. It was moments like these that I wanted to freeze in time, to remember her as she is now.

  Mina clapped her hands in mock applause, a genuine smile touching her lips. "I would pay to see that. The Empress of Hell versus the world."

  Izumi puffed up with pride. "Yeah! And I'd have a killer outfit too. Black and red, with a cloak that moves like shadows. Nobody would ever forget the Empress of Hell."

  "Sounds formidable," Mina conceded with an amused nod. "And what about you, Ikki? If you were a wrestler, what would they call you?"

  Izumi finally snapped her head at me, the moment stretching out as she realized I'd been standing there with two bowls of stew in hand. "Wha! Bro! You're supposed to make an entrance, not sneak up like a ninja!"

  Caught in the moment, I hesitated, a smile tugging at my lips.

  "Me? I'd be… the Stormbringer Thunder Sovereign!" I declared, setting the stew bows down in front of them before striking a dramatic pose with one hand held up in the air.

  I let out a maniacal chuckle and added, "When the Stormbringer enters the arena, no one leaves without feeling the wrath of the storm!"

  Izumi burst out laughing, rolling on the couch, her legs kicking in the air as she giggled uncontrollably.

  Mina stared at me with an amused, lopsided smile that said I was ridiculous.

  "The Stormbringer Thunder Sovereign?" she repeated, her tone teasingly skeptical. "It suits you. A bit theatrical, but that's this... wrestling for you."

  "Yes!" I said, rolling with it. "For I am the tempest that whispers doom, the lightning that dances on the edge of darkness! My foes tremble as the very air they breathe becomes a harbinger of their defeat!"

  I could feel the blush creeping up my neck, but there was a strange exhilaration in the theatrics, a brief escape from the weight of secrets and silent burdens.

  "Lo!" I continued, arms spread wide as if embracing an invisible audience, "With every step, clouds gather; with every breath, the skies darken! For I am the sovereign of the storm, the overlord of overcast, the regent of the raging winds! The very heavens bow to my will, and the thunderous applause of the gods herald the Young Master's victory!"

  Mina was outright smiling now, a crack forming in her composed exterior, and Izumi laughed hysterically. "You're such a dork," Izumi said through her giggles.

  "But a dork with flair," I shot back, winking at her as I mock-flicked my hair.

  Just then, the hum of electronics whispered in my ear, Rai-chan's flat, robotic tone slicing through the mirth.

  "Host Ikki, your heart rate has increased. Are you engaging in cardiovascular exercise?"

  "No, Rai-chan, just... entertaining my sister," I answered.

  "Entertainment increases endorphin levels. This is beneficial. Proceed."

  …Was that sarcasm just now? I swear...

  Izumi's laughter filled the room again, her face red from the effort. "Oh man, I needed that," she said, wiping away a tear. "We gotta work on that. I mean, you're a total nerd, bro, but that was pretty good."

  "Ah!" I cried in mock outrage, reaching for her. "You are courting death!"

  Izumi shrieked and squirmed as I tickled her mercilessly, her laughter echoing through the basement.

  There, with Mina's quiet laughter chiming like soft music, I let the world narrow down to this basement room. To the safety and comfort of family and new friends. I was leaving soon, stepping through a portal to another world. Still, I'd carry this moment with me—a reminder of what I was fighting for.

  As I pinned Izumi's wrists, her laughter turned to gasps for air, begging for mercy. "Uncle, uncle!" she finally gasped out between giggles.

  Mina stepped in with another giggle. "I believe the Empress of Hell needs a break."

  Rai-chan chimed in again. "Excessive laughter can lead to shortness of breath. Oxygen levels nominal. Endorphin levels high. Recommendation: Continue these 'tickles' periodically for mental health benefits."

  "See?" I said, grinning at Mina. "Even the Empress of Hell falls before the Stormbringer!"

  "Mercy!" I crowed triumphantly, easing back. "The mighty sovereign is benevolent today."

  Izumi wiggled out of my grasp and tackled me, her petite frame colliding with mine. I let out a dramatic, "Oof!" and fell back, feigning defeat.

  Izumi, panting and still giggling, shot me a look that promised revenge at a later date. "You'll pay for this, brother mine. My vengeance will be swift and terrible."

  I just grinned, hugging her on the couch. "Bring it on, O dastardly Empress."

  She'd be plotting her sweet revenge when I came back to visit, no doubt, something creative and unexpected. I'd look forward to it.

  Mina's composure and cool, suspicious attitude had fully crumbled now, her facade replaced by warm chuckles and a relaxed posture. She seemed less like a visitor and more like a part of the patchwork family we were stitching together in this reclaimed piece of the city.

  I glanced at the clock, noting how time had slipped past us unnoticed. "I should head out into town," I said, pushing myself up from the couch. "I've still gotta pick up some stuff."

  "Oh?" Izumi said, her eyes bright. "Need company?"

  "Nah, it's cool," I replied, ruffling her hair. "Just some last-minute stuff. You keep our guest entertained, alright, Empress?"

  She nodded, grinning. "I will protect my new vassal with my life!"

  Mina's eyebrows shot up, but she said nothing, her smile never fading.

  "Are you searching for anything in particular?" Mina asked, a softness in her voice that hadn't been there the night before.

  "Nah, just looking to see if they've got anything that'll make life on Terra a bit easier," I replied, feeling a small burst of sudden excitement at the prospect of starting fresh. "Got any tips?"

  Mina suddenly looked thoughtful, her gaze drifting as she considered. "Avoid the flashy. Sometimes, the simplest tools are the most reliable. And always have a backup plan. Magitech is wondrous, but it isn't infallible."

  I nodded, taking her advice to heart. "Backup plan. Got it."

  Mina smiled, and I swore there was a wisdom there that went beyond her years. "And Ikki? Thanks for everything."

  I waved goodbye to them, stepping through the remnants of morning light spilling through the half-closed blinds. "Keep an eye on each other, you two," I called back.

  "Always!" Izumi's voice echoed behind me, full of that boundless energy.

  I turned back, making my way up the stairs, and the sounds of the wrestling match on the TV slowly faded behind me. In the living room, I passed Dad, who was busy tuning up his rifle with a focused intensity. His muscles had shrunken visibly since childhood, given our circumstances, and his skin had taken on a darker tone from hours spent in the sun, his hands rough from years of hard work. But his eyes were still bright and alert.

  "Headed out?" he asked without looking up.

  "Yeah," I replied, grabbing my jacket from the worn-out rack near the door. "Need anything?"

  He thought for a moment. "New lock for the second floor bathroom door. The old one's busted. New hardware store's opened up along the market. Storefront behind Dan's."

  "Lock for the bathroom door," I repeated, committing it to memory. "Got it."

  He grunted an acknowledgment, his attention returning to his rifle. "Be careful out there."

  "Always am," I replied, slipping on my jacket.

  "Right," Dad said, his voice a touch softer. "Stay sharp, son."

  "I will," I promised.

  The front door opened with a creak, and I stepped outside, squinting against the early sunlight. It was a nice day, the sky a clear, pale blue, and the street was already bustling with the usual mix of locals, hired hands, and the occasional group of Terran officials passing through.

  I made my way toward the main road, my hands tucked into my pockets and my mind on the task at hand.

  A lock, something simple and sturdy, and whatever else I could find that might come in handy on my trip over. My mind wandered, imagining the kinds of tools and gadgets I could dig up. Maybe a multi-tool, one that I could customize with attachments from Earth, or a solar-powered charger for my phone. Who knew what kind of technology Terra had nowadays?

  Not like we could afford it, anyway.

  I sighed, letting my fantasies leave me. The hardware store wasn't far. I'd seen it when the owner first set up shop a few weeks ago, though I hadn't had a reason to step inside. Whatever, though.

  It was just a quick stop, in and out. Then I'd be off to look for the other things on my list.