The smell of sizzling eggs and bacon pulled me from the haze of sleep, the warmth of the kitchen wrapping around me like a cozy blanket. I blinked, trying to shake off the remnants of a dream I couldn’t quite remember. The kitchen, with its sleek, modern appliances, was unfamiliar. Everything seemed brighter, almost unnaturally so—as if the walls themselves were glowing with a kind of warmth that wasn’t just physical.

  I pushed myself upright, rubbing my eyes, but the disorientation lingered. This wasn’t my home's usual setup. The countertop, usually bare except for essentials, was cluttered with baking tools: flour, sugar, bowls, and measuring cups, all neatly arranged like someone had been preparing for something intricate. The air itself felt warmer, as though comfort had been woven into every breath.

  I shook my head, trying to focus. I had promised breakfast, after all. It didn’t matter how odd the place felt; I needed to keep my word. Grabbing the spatula, I flipped the eggs with a practiced flick of the wrist. The sizzle was oddly reassuring, even though something about the moment still didn’t sit right.

  Once the meal was ready, I set it on the table, my stomach twisting. Everything felt... out of sync. The house, the air, even the food—it all felt a little too perfect, a little too foreign. My thoughts churned, but before I could figure out what was going on, a soft sound from behind me caught my attention. I turned, and there stood Kristine in the doorway, hair tousled from sleep, her glasses slightly crooked. She blinked at me, her eyes still heavy with drowsiness, but her smile was unmistakably warm.

  "Suki?" she asked, her voice a comforting presence. "Did you really make all this?"

  Her words hit me like a wave, and I felt a rush of relief flood through me. I was still here. In her house. This wasn’t some dream or alternate reality. I hadn’t gone anywhere.

  "Yeah," I muttered, feeling a little embarrassed as I rubbed the back of my neck. "I didn’t mean to crash here. Honestly, I just... I don't know."

  Kristine laughed softly, shaking her head as she walked in, brushing her hair out of her face. "It’s fine, Suki. My dad’s used to it. You’re always welcome here. Don’t worry about it."

  Her words warmed me more than I expected. As we ate together, the silence between us felt easy, comfortable. The food tasted better than I’d expected, though I couldn't shake the odd sensation that the world around me was somehow different.

  "You’ve been quiet lately," Kristine remarked, breaking the silence. "Everything okay?"

  I hesitated, unsure how to put it into words. The confusion, the doubt, the feeling of not fitting in. It had all been building up since the last mission, and I wasn’t sure how to process any of it.

  "I don’t know," I finally admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "Maybe I just... don’t feel like I belong in the WEO. Like I’m not cut out for it."

  Kristine’s expression softened, and before I knew it, her hand was gently resting on mine. Her touch was steady, warm, grounding. "You don’t have to figure everything out all at once. Everyone’s path is different, Suki. It’s okay if yours doesn’t look like someone else’s."

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  Her words broke through the fog in my mind, clearing the confusion, if only a little. Maybe I didn’t have to have everything figured out. Maybe it was okay to not have all the answers. I exhaled, the tightness in my chest easing as I squeezed her hand in return.

  "You’re right," I said, my voice quieter now. "Thanks, Kristine."

  She smiled softly, standing and stretching. "How about we do something later? Maybe go to the market. It might help take your mind off things."

  I nodded, the idea of leaving the house sounding like a welcome distraction.

  ---

  Later, the market was alive with energy. Stalls brimmed with vibrant colors, the air thick with the smell of sizzling street food, fresh produce, and spices. Kristine and I wandered through the aisles, chatting about trivial things, both of us grateful for the change of pace. It was nice. Relaxing. Exactly what I needed.

  Then, out of nowhere, a sharp cry pierced the air. I whipped my head toward the sound—a girl, no older than us, was backed into a corner by three guys. They were laughing at her, closing in as she trembled, hands raised in a futile attempt to shield herself.

  Kristine stiffened beside me. "Suki, don’t—"

  But I was already moving, my body reacting before my brain could catch up. "Hey!" I called, trying to sound more confident than I felt. The men turned, their smirks widening as they sized me up.

  "What’s this? Another wannabe hero?" one of them sneered.

  "Just leave her alone," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, though my heart hammered in my chest. I didn’t want to fight. But I couldn’t just stand by.

  Kristine’s voice quivered behind me. "Suki, please. We can’t just—"

  I ignored her, focusing on the men. "She’s my sister. You’re harassing her. It’s not cool."

  They didn’t buy it. Instead, they laughed harder, one of them stepping toward me. My pulse quickened, the situation about to escalate in ways I wasn’t prepared for.

  "Let’s get out of here," I muttered to Kristine, grabbing her arm and pulling her with me. We started weaving through the crowd, the girl clinging to my side. I didn’t look back, but I could hear the men following, their jeers growing louder.

  Kristine’s voice was frantic. "Why are we running? Can’t you fight them off like you usually do?!"

  "Because," I grunted, glancing over my shoulder, "I’m not the same reckless idiot who charges in anymore."

  Kristine didn’t have time to respond before we turned a corner and nearly collided with Aiden. He stood there, sunglasses on, as relaxed as if he were on a stroll through the park. The moment he spotted us, his expression shifted into a casual smirk.

  "Uh, Moutsuki," he said, raising an eyebrow. "What’s going on?"

  Before I could answer, he flicked his wrist, effortlessly blocking the first of our pursuers. Then, with a fluid grace, he took down the rest one by one, his movements so effortless they almost looked bored. It was like watching someone casually flicking away flies.

  "Rei," Aiden said, looking at me with that mischievous glint in his eye, "you’ve got a funny way of making things interesting, don’t you?"

  Despite the chaos, I couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling the weight on my shoulders lighten as the last of the men stumbled off, defeated.

  "Thanks, captain," I muttered, shaking my head. He was already halfway to the next fight, looking far too comfortable for someone who’d just saved us.

  "Next time, don’t get yourself into this kind of mess," he said, flicking his sunglasses up, still grinning.

  Kristine, still holding my arm, let out a relieved breath. "What is it with you and trouble?"

  I shrugged, though a grin tugged at the corner of my lips. "I’m just lucky, I guess."

  As we started to walk away, the girl we’d saved caught up with us. Her eyes were wide with gratitude as she stopped in front of me.

  "Thank you," she said, breathless. "I... I don’t know what would’ve happened if you hadn’t stepped in."

  I nodded, a little awkwardly. "No problem."

  She hesitated before speaking again, her voice a little more hopeful. "Hey, there’s a cafe nearby. I’d love to treat you guys as a thank you. Please, let me."

  Kristine glanced at me, a smile tugging at her lips. "What do you think? Coffee sounds nice, right?"

  I nodded, the day’s strange events settling into a sense of normalcy, at least for the moment. "Sure. Why not?"

  [End of Chapter]