By the time we'd dropped off our prisoners and the boys at the operating base in Midtown and made our way back, my limbs felt like they were made of lead. The familiar streets of Manhattan's lower-east side greeted us as we trundled towards our townhouse. The shadows of the tall buildings seemed to stretch even longer at night, and the old, freshly changed streetlights cast an eerie glow over the cracked asphalt.

  Dad and I had switched seats for the last leg of the journey, and I rested my head against the window, watching the decaying structures pass by in a blur. The remaining light of the day, muted by the looming skyscrapers, threw an orange hue onto the streets, painting everything in a strange amber tone.

  The engine's hum provided a comforting background noise, lulling me into half-awake drowsiness when a sharp, familiar voice snapped me back to reality.

  "Jeez, you two! What in the seven hells happened to the truck?!" Izumi's voice pierced the quiet evening air as we parked in front of our home.

  Her small form, wrapped in a familiar t-shirt and open red vest, was silhouetted against the dim light that filtered from our open doorway. She paced forward, her brows furrowing in both concern and irritation.

  "We had to... make a quick change," Dad said, his deep voice filled with fatigue as he stepped out of the truck. "And good evening to you too, sweetheart."

  Izumi's gaze shifted to me, her strikingly vibrant brown eyes narrowing. "What the frick happened to you? You look like you've been through the grinder. And why did you two come back in this piece-of-junk instead of ours?"

  I groaned, pressing a hand to my temple. "It's... a long story. I'll explain inside, okay?"

  She huffed, her tough girl fa?ade faltering slightly as she rushed over, examining and fretting over the two of us with hawk-like intensity.

  "Did you two get hurt anywhere? Why are there dents and what looks like... bullet holes on the truck?" She rattled off, her voice climbing an octave in anxiety.

  "Just a rough day," Dad replied, gently patting her head. "We're alright. More tired than anything."

  Izumi's gaze still bore holes into me as if she was trying to deduce what had happened just by looking. "And you? Are you okay, you big dork?"

  Rolling my eyes, I managed a tired smile. "Yeah, Zumi, just tired. You seem to have had a quiet evening."

  She shot me a quick glare. "Yeah, well, some of us don't go out hunting for trouble, numbskull."

  I stiffened as she stepped closer, gently pressing on my side where my ribs had taken a beating causing me to wince.

  "Oi! Careful. How'd you know that was—?" I started, but her quick response cut me off.

  "I saw how you were moving, idiot," she retorted, but there was a softness in her eyes. "And I have two eyes. Not hard to tell you're favoring one side."

  That sharp intuition of hers never ceased to amaze me. It was nice to know she cared, even if she did have an... unconventional way of showing it sometimes.

  "Anyway, come inside and let's get some ointment and ice on that before you catch a cold or something. And Ikki, you better tell me everything that happened. I don't care if it's as long as one of your damned sci-fi novels."

  "I'll work on fixing us some dinner," Dad called out from behind, heading inside with a slight limp.

  "Don't strain yourself, old man!" Izumi shouted after him worriedly.

  I gave her a nod and started to follow Dad when my gaze fell on a few shallow scrapes across her forearm. "Hey, what happened there?"

  She quickly pulled her arm away, hiding it behind her back. "Oh, that? I... uh, just got it while cleaning up some stuff in the house. You know how cluttered it's been since we moved in."

  I raised an eyebrow. My instincts were tingling — she was hiding something.

  But then, the fatigue and the weight of the day's events settled in, clouding my thoughts. I decided to let it go for now.

  "Alright, but be careful. You're not as invincible as you like to act sometimes, you know?"

  She stuck her tongue out at me. "Says the guy who came home looking like he wrestled a Chupacabra."

  Then she sighed and her demeanor softened. "C'mon, let's get inside. I've got some tea brewing and I'll get you an ice pack. Then, you can spill whatever crazy tale you've cooked up this time."

  I snorted, following her into the townhouse. "Trust me, you wouldn't believe it even if I told you."

  Inside, the familiar scent of home greeted us—a mix of motor oil from Dad's various projects and the persistent aroma of chamomile. We headed in, and the comforting warmth of the townhouse washed over us. Izumi quickly darted upstairs to grab some medical supplies while I slumped into one of the old leather couches.

  The atmosphere inside felt a world away from the dangerous cityscape outside. The soft glow of dimmed lights added a cozy atmosphere, with faint shadows dancing on the walls as the wind rustled the thin curtains.

  Izumi's footsteps soon echoed from above as she descended the stairs, a first aid kit in hand, which she placed by my side. Then, she darted back into the kitchen and soon returned with a mug of steaming hot tea in hand and an ice pack.

  "Here," she grunted, handing me the tea. It warmed my palms instantly, the scent wafting into my senses. "Drink up, and let's have a look at that injury."

  I sighed, setting the tea on the coffee table. "It's not that bad, Izumi. Just a little sore, that's all."

  She scowled, sitting beside me and nudging me to lift my shirt. "Hold still, drama queen," she quipped, dabbing some ointment on my side with surprising gentleness. The cool touch of the cream was soothing, and I bit back a yelp as her fingers brushed the bruised area.

  From the corner of my eye, I studied Izumi with a smile. Even with her tomboyish demeanor and penchant for boorishness, there was a strong nurturing side to her.

  "You're such a klutz," she mumbled, concentrating on her task. "Honestly, what would you do without me?"

  I chuckled softly. "Probably fall apart, Izumi. I'm lucky to have a sister like you."

  A light pink tint colored her cheeks, and she quickly cleared her throat, trying to play off her flustered state. "Yeah, well, you owe me big time for this..."

  Her hands paused, and I saw her sigh in exhaustion.

  "Don't get all sappy on me now," she muttered, but the edge was gone from her voice.

  With the ointment applied, she gently tied a compression wrap around my torso, securing it in place. The weight of the day caught up with me, and I closed my eyes momentarily, letting out a slow breath.

  Izumi cleared her throat. "You said you'd tell me what happened. So, out with it, or do I need to start prodding more bruises?"

  I groaned, opening one eye to peer at her mockingly. "I said it's a long story, but alright…"

  Taking a deep breath, I placed the ice pack over my ribs, and began recounting the events of the day. From the ambush at North End to the mysterious Shikome.

  However, I decided to be vague about the details of Rai-chan and the mech. I just mentioned that I'd found some advanced tech in the scrap pile that had helped disable the cyborg gang leader from afar. No need to freak her out with a sentient AI living inside my head or the outlandish tale of hijacking a dilapidated Terran mech.

  She listened with rapt attention, her face mixed with disbelief, worry, and occasional amusement. When I mentioned the part about the cage and lock-picking, she snorted, "Always knew those shady skills you picked up from dad would come in handy."

  I nudged her with my elbow. "Hey, they're essential life skills."

  Finishing my tale, I stretched, the exhaustion evident in every movement. Izumi stared at me for a long moment, her gaze piercing. "You're really something, you know that?"

  I smirked, "A good something or a bad something?"

  She rolled her eyes, "Jury's still out on that."

  Leaning back, she took a moment to sip from her own cup of tea, looking thoughtful. "You've always had a knack for finding trouble. But today... today was something else."

  "Dad and I didn't go looking for trouble," I defended weakly, "It just... sort of found us. And hey, you're one to talk. Remember that time with the wild raccoon?"

  Her face contorted into a scowl. "That was ONE time, and I was trying to feed them! Besides, how could I know raccoons would be so aggressive?!"

  I chuckled, taking a sip of the warm tea she'd made. "Yeah, almost as aggressive as a certain bratty sister."

  She shot me a playful glare, lightly smacking my arm as she shook her head. "Oh, shut it. Anyway, I'm just glad you're back in one piece. You... really are a handful. But yeah, I'll always be here for you. Just... try not to give me so many reasons to worry, okay? Promise me you'll be more careful next time?"

  I pulled her into a one-armed hug. "Got it, squirt."

  She grumbled, trying half-heartedly to wiggle out of my grip, but eventually settled into the embrace, grumbling all the while.

  In that brief moment of silence, the weight of the day seemed to fade, replaced by the comfort and warmth of family.

  "Hey," she mumbled, her voice muffled against my shirt. "So what was the deal with this Shikome broad? Encountering a Magical Girl must've been something, huh?"

  I hesitated for a moment, my thoughts swirling over the event. "She was... different. Came out of nowhere and fought like nothing I've ever seen before. Almost like something out of an anime. It was my first time really seeing a Magical Girl in action up close."

  Izumi chuckled, her voice a low murmur. "Figures you'd make that comparison. But you said she helped you guys out? Saved you, even?"

  I nodded. "Yeah, seemed like she was there specifically to stop the slavers. She was intense, you know? Like a force of nature. A little rough around the edges — she kinda reminded me of you now that I think about it."

  She stiffened momentarily, her breath hitching before she snorted out a brief laugh. Izumi pulled back to look me in the eyes, a mischievous glint dancing in her gaze. "So, what you're saying is... I remind you of one of those Terran magical girls? Seriously, Ikki?"

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  I raised my hands defensively. "Hey, I'm just making an observation. Both of you have that don't-mess-with-me attitude."

  She narrowed her eyes, but her lips twitched into a smirk. "Guess I'll take that as a compliment then. Though I've got to say, it'd be pretty wicked to have some magical powers. I'd probably turn you into a frog or something."

  I barked out a laugh. "A frog, really?"

  "You'd make a cute frog," she teased.

  Silence settled between us, punctuated only by the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. The weight of the day hung heavily in the air.

  Finally, Izumi spoke, her voice soft and earnest. "Just... promise me you'll be careful, okay? I know you're all grown-up and that you've been going with dad on missions now, but... I can't bear the thought of something happening to you. Especially a world away on Terra."

  I reached out, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "I promise, Izumi. And I'll always come back to you and Dad."

  She gave me a watery smile, her eyes glistening slightly. "You better. Because if you don't, I'll go out there, find you, and drag your stupid face home by the ear."

  That got a chuckle out of me. "I totally believe you would."

  She gave a mock huff. "You bet I would! And I'd do it again and again if I needed to."

  Our banter was interrupted by the savory aroma of dinner wafting in from the kitchen. Dad called out, "Dinner's ready! And it's more than just canned beans and spam tonight!"

  As it turned out, a couple of the slavers we'd captured actually had warrants and bounties on their heads. Dad had turned them into the Reclamation Committee, earning us a decent reward. With the extra cash, we could expand our budget just a bit and get some extra portions for dinner tonight.

  Izumi sprang up from the couch, her energy renewed. "Alright! Let's eat before the old man hogs all the good stuff!"

  I couldn't help but laugh as we made our way to the dining table, the lingering concerns of the day pushed to the back of my mind for now. The laughter and chatter, the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal, and the familiar faces of my family brought a sense of peace that the insanity outside couldn't touch.

  It was these simple moments at home that kept us anchored, really. The danger, the uncertainty, the struggle – it all fades away when surrounded by loved ones.

  The dinner spread was delicious. Grilled ribs, fresh vegetables, and a hearty tomato-based egg soup. Dad always had a way of making the most out of the simplest ingredients, and tonight was no exception.

  I savored each bite, lost in thought, but I caught Izumi watching me from across the table with a thoughtful gaze, almost as if she was studying me. I shot her a puzzled look, to which she just shrugged in response, returning to her own plate.

  Despite the meal's warmth, a chill seemed to settle in the air. Izumi seemed to be holding back something. There was something she wanted to say, but it was clear she wasn't going to share it just yet.

  I was going to go off to school in Terra in soon — and the idea of going off to a strange, unfamiliar parallel Earth to bump elbows with the Terran elite was both thrilling and nerve-wracking. The promise of adventure and new experiences was enticing. Still, the idea of being separated from the ones I loved was daunting, and I knew Izumi probably had a lot of mixed feelings about it, too.

  Dinner progressed with some light banter, jokes about the day's escapades, and some light teasing from Dad about my apparent 'heroic' exploits at North End. Still, beneath the surface, there was an undeniable tension, a sense of something left unsaid.

  Finally, after the dishes cleared, Izumi looked up from her now-empty plate, taking a deep breath.

  "Ikki," she began, her voice hesitant, "I... I know you're excited about going to Terra and all. And I want you to go, to have that experience. But promise me something?"

  I raised an eyebrow. "Another promise? You're really collecting them tonight."

  She took another deep breath, locking eyes with me. "Promise me you'll stay safe. And promise me you won't forget about us. That you'll come home. I... I can't imagine a world without you, big bro."

  Her words were like a vice grip around my heart. She looked so vulnerable, a far cry from her usual tough-as-nails persona. "Zumi, you know I'll always come back. You and Dad... you're my family. My anchor. No matter where I am, this will always be my home. I promise, I'll be safe, and I'll always, always come home to you."

  A lone tear trickled down Izumi's cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "D-dumbass! I'm just looking out for you. You can be so reckless sometimes!"

  I reached over, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Yeah, well, that's what little sisters do, right?"

  She huffed, batting my hand away. "Don't think you can charm your way out of this with a head pat! Look at your damned injuries! You better take care of yourself, or I'll..."

  Her voice trailed off, and she bit her lip. "Just... just be careful, okay?"

  I nodded, a gentle smile on my lips. "I will. Don't worry."

  Izumi seemed to relax a bit after that, but her eyes remained fixed on me. As if afraid that the moment she looked away, I'd disappear.

  Dad chuckled, "Don't worry, Izumi. I'll keep him in check."

  She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Like you're any better. Remember the time you two went out and came back with a flat tire and a story about outrunning an ayakashi? You're both trouble magnets."

  He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Ah, that was a fun one, wasn't it?"

  She shot him a glare. "No, it wasn't!"

  The conversation meandered into lighter topics, and soon, the tension in the room dissipated. But even as the night wore on, Izumi's words lingered in my mind.

  The thought of leaving them, of being so far away from the people I loved, was a sobering one. But I knew I had to go. It was an opportunity we couldn't pass up. I would learn new skills, explore a whole new world. I couldn't let fear hold me back, no matter how much it pained me to leave my family behind.

  I'd return a better person. A better son, a better brother, and, hopefully, someone who could make a real difference in this world.

  But for now, I would savor the time I had with them, cherish every moment. Because even though the future loomed uncertain, I knew that as long as we were together, we could face anything.

  After dinner, I found myself once again alone with Izumi in the living room. Dad had excused himself, claiming fatigue from the day's events, leaving us in comfortable silence.

  "So," Izumi finally broke the quiet, "Terra, huh?"

  I nodded, "Yeah. It's... it's a big step."

  She fidgeted with the hem of her shirt, her voice laced with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "Are you scared?"

  I considered her question. "A little, I guess. It's a new world, new people. But mostly, I'm excited. There's so much to see, to learn, to experience."

  Izumi's gaze fixed on me, her eyes searching.

  "We might be able to make do with the windfall from the bounty, but it's gonna be hard without you and dad," she admitted quietly.

  My heart sank a bit.

  "I'm sorry," I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt. "I don't want to leave you with that burden."

  She scoffed, "What? No, I didn't mean it like that, you dummy. It's just... you've been such a big help to us, especially since Dad's leg isn't what it used to be."

  I couldn't help but chuckle. "You didn't have to word it like that, Zumi."

  She rolled her eyes, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks. "Whatever. Anyway, I'm... I'm proud of you. And I know you're gonna do great things there, big bro."

  I felt a lump in my throat. "Thanks, sis. That means a lot."

  She huffed, "Yeah, well, don't let it get to your head. And remember, no matter where you go, you've got a family waiting for you here. Always."

  Our conversation drifted towards more lighthearted topics, from her plans to try and enroll in the East Point preparatory schools the Terrans were trying to open up here, to my own preparations for Terra. I planned on checking out the markets in the morning for any last-minute supplies for my move over. I'd need to make sure I was as well-stocked on my end as possible before I made the jump to the other side of the void.

  "Hey, we should probably get these dishes done before Dad gets on our case," Izumi said, breaking the quiet.

  "Yeah, good idea," I agreed, standing up to gather the rest of the dishes.

  We fell into a familiar rhythm, the clinking of dishes and the sound of running water filling the air. It was in these moments that the distance between us seemed to really melt away. There were no barriers, no pretenses, just the simple, comforting presence of family.

  "I'm gonna miss this," I said quietly, glancing at her.

  She didn't say anything for a while, focusing on scrubbing a particularly stubborn plate. Then, in a voice that was almost inaudible, she murmured, "Me too, Ikki."

  When the kitchen was clean, and everything put away, I turned to face her. "Izumi?"

  She looked at me, her eyes brimming wet with a mix of emotions.

  "I... I just want to say that I love you. I don't say it enough, but I do. You're the best little sister a guy could ask for, and... I'm gonna miss you too."

  Izumi blinked, taken aback by the sudden display of affection, and then she lunged forward, wrapping her arms around me in a fierce hug. "You're such a sap," she mumbled into my chest.

  She sniffled. "And I love you too, big bro. Now shut up before I kick your ass."

  We stood there for a while, just holding each other, finding comfort in the warmth of the embrace. The future might be uncertain, but in that moment, surrounded by the love of my family, I knew that everything was going to be okay.

  Eventually, she pulled back, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "You should probably get some rest. The town won't know what hit 'em tomorrow."

  I laughed, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, I should. Goodnight, Izumi."

  "Night, dork," she replied, sticking out her tongue in a playful gesture before turning to head upstairs. I watched her go before heading to my room.

  Rai-chan's voice echoed softly, causing me to jolt in place. "A family truly is a precious, irreplaceable thing. Cherish them forever, Ikki."

  That was going to take some getting used to.

  I'd forgotten that Rai-chan had been observing the whole time, silently taking in the intimate family moments.

  "You know, it's a little unsettling to have you watching everything I do," I muttered, not quite sure if she could hear me.

  "I do apologize," her voice echoed in my head, "But I am bound to you. It is impossible for me not to watch. I will try to be respectful of your privacy where I can. Your family seems to care for you quite a bit. They are very fortunate to have you in their lives."

  I sighed, a hint of a smile creeping onto my lips. "Yeah, they're the best. Even when they're driving me crazy."

  "They are the definition of a loving family, and a true blessing to have," Rai-chan stated, and then her voice softened, taking on a wistful tone. "I wish I had such memories."

  "Wait, I'm curious. Do you have... memories? Like, of your past?" I asked, suddenly curious.

  "Indeed," her reply came, "However, I am afraid I do not have access to them. My previous master locked away most of my active memory and functionality when he passed me onto you. I know I existed before, but I cannot recall any specifics. My mind and soul feel like they've been reset, and my personality matrix is still parsing as we speak."

  I felt a pang of empathy for the AI. "I'm sorry, Rai-chan. That must be... tough."

  She remained silent for a short while before speaking again, her voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and melancholy. "It is alright, Ikki. I am content to serve you and see the world through your eyes. It is more than I could have hoped for in my existence. I was created to guide you."

  I wasn't quite sure what to make of her response. The thought of someone — something — hyperintelligent existing solely to serve was both fascinating and unsettling.

  "I'll do my best to make sure you get to see as much as possible," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "And who knows, maybe we can figure out a way to unlock some of your lost memories. There's got to be a way."

  "Thank you, Ikki. I am grateful. Truly. Now, please, you should get some rest," she urged gently.

  I sighed and nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're right. It's been a long day."

  I wasn't sure if it was just my imagination, but I could have sworn I felt a gentle pressure, almost like a phantom touch, on my shoulder. A comforting gesture from Rai-chan?

  "Goodnight, Ikki. Rest well," her voice echoed in my head, laced with warmth and kindness.

  "Night, Rai-chan," I replied stepping into my bathroom to brush my teeth and change into my pajamas.

  As I settled into bed, I felt a strange sense of peace wash over me. Despite the insanity of the day and the uncertainties that lay ahead, I had the support of my family and now, a new friend.

  Maybe things would turn out alright after all.

  I was on the cusp of drifting off to sleep when Rai-chan's voice pierced the silence of my mind once again. "For the record, Ikazuchi. I do not require sleep. I can be a watchful eye while you rest. You do not have to worry about being attacked or anything else from now on. Just rest easy."

  I smiled at her words, feeling a sense of gratitude towards her. "Thanks, Rai-chan. I appreciate that."

  "Of course. Now, get some well-deserved sleep. You have a long day ahead of you tomorrow," she said softly, her voice a comforting presence in the quiet of the night.

  I nodded in agreement. "Alright. Night for real, Rai-chan."

  She didn't respond this time, but the gentle hum of her presence remained in my mind.

  My mind drifted, thoughts of the day's events mingling with anticipation for what the future held. Terra, the mysterious Rai-chan, my family... it was all a whirlwind that seemed to be picking up speed.

  With these thoughts in mind, I finally allowed myself to be pulled into the depths of sleep.

  But strangely, as I closed my eyes and let myself drift off to sleep, I found myself in the strangest dream. A dream that seemed to defy all logic and reason, yet it felt so real. In the dream, I was in a field of tall, lush golden wheat, the sun warm on my skin, and the sky a haunting purple above. There was a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sweet scent of summer flowers. And there, standing amidst it all, was a girl.

  But not just any girl. She looked like a younger teenaged version of my mother. Like a missing sibling between Izumi and me, even.

  She was as real and vivid as if she were standing right before me. Something that looked like streams of numbers floated around her like fireflies, their glowing lights dancing in the evening breeze. Her smile was gentle and kind, and her eyes sparkled with a depth of emotion that I couldn't quite place. It was like how Izumi looked at me today. She was wearing an orange sundress with a straw hat perched on her head, the picture of innocence and beauty. Yet, there was something about her that spoke of an intelligence far beyond what her appearance suggested.

  A golden semi-circle hung over the distance like an eternal sunrise, illuminating her and everything around her. And yet, I was left to wonder, who was she? Why did she seem so familiar and yet so distant at the same time? It was as like she was a part of my life, yet at the same time, she was a complete stranger to me.

  I reached out, trying to touch her, to make sure she was real, but as my fingers brushed against her, she vanished in a swirl of orange particles.

  The beautiful field faded away as quickly as it appeared, and I was left alone in the empty, grassy field, the wind still whispering through the blades of grass, and the stars twinkling above. The sun had vanished, and I was left in the dark, wondering if any of it was real.

  Then, my vision blurred, and I felt myself being pulled away from this strange and beautiful world, back into the realm of sleep.

  But just before I slipped back into unconsciousness, I heard a voice, soft and gentle, whisper in my ear. "Sleep well, dummy."

  And with that, I fell back into the arms of a dreamless, restful slumber.