The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Hanamachi kitchen, but the atmosphere felt frantic. It was the first day of the second semester, and Yui was a whirlwind of activity. She was hopping on one foot while trying to pull on her high school loafer, a piece of toast hanging precariously from her mouth.
"I’m late! I’m late! I’m late!" Yui muffled through the bread.
Konone stood in the corner of the kitchen, her arms folded. She was dressed in a simple t-shirt and shorts Yui had lent her, looking out of place among the domestic chaos. In her world, mornings were for weapons checks and perimeter scouting. Here, they were for lost socks and burnt toast.
Yui’s mother, holding a teapot, paused and looked at Konone. Her expression was soft, but there was a lingering question in her eyes that Konone had been dreading.
"Yui, dear, you'd better hurry," Mrs. Hanamachi said, before turning her gaze to Konone. "And Konone-chan? I’ve been meaning to ask... now that school is starting back up, I’m sure your parents must be worried sick. We haven't heard from them, and we should probably see about getting your school transcripts transferred so you don't fall behind."
The kitchen went silent. Yui froze, her shoe half-on.
Konone felt a cold knot form in her stomach. She couldn't tell them the truth—that her parents were likely statues of gray ash in a dead dimension. She couldn't tell them that she didn't have "transcripts" because her education involved combat tactics and card resonance.
"I..." Konone started, her voice dropping to a low, hollow tone. She looked at the floor, the silver fringe of her hair hiding her eyes. "I don't have parents to call. I am... an orphan. I was abandoned a long time ago. I’ve been traveling alone, trying to find a place where I could belong."
It wasn't a total lie. She was alone. She was searching.
Mrs. Hanamachi’s hand went to her mouth. "Oh... oh, you poor dear. I had no idea." She walked over and pulled Konone into a sudden, tight hug. "You don't have to worry about 'belonging' anywhere else. You stay right here as long as you need. We'll figure the school situation out later, okay?"
Konone stiffened at the embrace—she wasn't used to such soft, motherly warmth—but slowly, she let her shoulders relax. "Thank you," she whispered.
"I really gotta go!" Yui shouted, breaking the emotional moment as she grabbed her bag. "Konone, I left the shop keys on the counter! Just... try not to 'tactically clean' the customers, okay? Bye!"
The door slammed shut.
For the first time, Konone was truly alone in the Hanamachi house. She picked up a broom, looking at the empty hallway. The silence was deafening. Without Yui’s bright energy or the threat of a Void monster, the house felt too big.
She began to sweep, her movements mechanical. Every time the floorboards creaked, she looked toward the window, half-expecting to see purple lightning. But there was only the blue sky and the distant sound of the school bell.
"A warrior shouldn't be this bored," Konone muttered to the empty room.
She looked at the counter and noticed something. Yui’s bright yellow lunch bag was still sitting right next to the fruit bowl. Konone’s eyes narrowed, her "soldier" instincts kicking in.
"Target identified," Konone said, her voice regaining its sharp edge. "The partner has forgotten her primary fuel source. If she lacks nutrition, her combat efficiency will drop by forty percent."
She grabbed the lunch bag and the shop keys. If she couldn't go to school as a student yet, she would go as a logistics officer. It was time for a delivery mission.75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KUzfdgIMt
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