Planet Earth

While Rosalia and Ayami discussed in Finalia, the girls on Earth arrived at Sayuri’s house.

-        SAYURI! SAYURI! Akiko was screaming in despair while entering the house, slamming the door. – THE WORLD IS OVER! WE WERE ATTACKED! THERE ARE HARMED PEOPLE!

-        What is all this screaming? Who’s hurt? - Sayuri quickly went down the stairs with a first-aid kit, quite worried.

-        Akiko! There is no one hurt! – Said Miyu, bothered by her friend’s drama.

-        But Naoko got shocked! – Akiko affirmed in a calmer tone, like she didn’t make a scandal some seconds ago.

-        Shock? Did she stick her finger in the outlet? - Sayuri said calmly, trying to understand the situation.

-        STOP IT! IT WAS NOTHING, I’M FINE! – complained Naoko, who doesn’t like others worrying about her unnecessarily.

Sayuri, sees behind the group, at a short distance, a different girl with dark hair and bangs.

-        Oh! – She said, surprised – Are you the girls' schoolmate!? I am Sayuri, be welcome. – She introduced herself with a warm smile.

Before the young one could introduce herself, Akiko, exhilarated, interrupts and starts talking nonstop.

-        This is Yukino. She is Aino’s cousin. We met this morning and I already feel like we are best friends…

-        Sayuri, we’ve got a question. We were attacked by a woman with Potentia, and this young one has also shown to be a Potentia. – Said Megumi, worriedly, while shutting Akiko’s mouth, knowing her purple-haired friend could keep speaking for hours – She throws ice through the hands – She finished.

-        Have you done this before? - Sayuri asks, and Yukino shakes her head negatively. Still curious, Sayuri asks if Yukino can explain how she did it.

-        I… don’t know how to explain. I remembered a feeling that I had in the past. I just… followed my intuition and concentrated the energy at the palm of my hands… Then, the ice shot out and almost hit the woman that attacked us – hesitantly, answered the girl with bangs, showing that she was nervous.

Sayuri needed proof, so she asked her to try demonstrating. Yukino felt intimidated, fearing she might not succeed; however, she strove to concentrate and to release her power. Her hands were shaking, and slowly, snowflakes started forming in her palms, followed by ice fragments. The girl herself was impressed by her feat, admiring her work. Sayuri was scared to find that it was possible.

-        I think that… Our arrival here could have caused some alterations on the planet – she said worried. – we should be prepared for at least six more Potentia to appear,  at least in the best-case scenario.  It would be good to find them before the one who attacked you does.

March 3^rd

At Sayuri’s house, everyone sleeps tight. The weather is conducive. Ghuang slowly opens his eyes, thinking he has woken up earlier than necessary. He panics when he realizes that it is already twenty to seven in the morning. Yes, all of them were almost late and should get dressed quickly to arrive on time. He gets up in a jump and warns his wife, who quickly gets up and hurries to wake the girls, telling them to dress faster.

-        Oh, no… Is it going to be like this everyday? - Akiko outraged.

***

At school, the routine was going better than the previous day. Akiko, Naoko and Miyu gathered during break time, discussing their most interesting subjects. The first mentioned have enjoyed foreign languages studies, the second showed interest in physics, and the third was fascinated in geometry. Meanwhile, Aino passed by, at the distance.

-        AH! LOOK! AINO! – Akiko called her loudly and excitedly, but no answers were given.

-        She’s pretending that she doesn’t know you. Naoko said.

-        WHAT!? NO, SHE’S NOT! – Akiko enraged, because she found an absurd her friend’s words, and decided to run after Aino to show that she was wrong. – AINO! COME HERE!

Aino started to run away from Akiko. Both ran through the schoolyard and down the hallways. The brunette one tried as hard as she could, but soon she grew tired, then she leaned on the wall outside the bathroom. Her physical shape wasn’t the best one, and her friend caught up to her. Panting heavily, yet finding enough breath to assert herself.

-        Aino, look, you’re not going to believe. I don’t know if you know, - she started talking nonstop – I don’t know if she has told you, but Sayuri knows; everyone knows.

-        Akiko, stop it! Speak at once! Said Aino, tired of her friend’s rambling.

-        It is about Yukino! She’s one of us! - said the purple-haired girl, ecstatically.

-        What?! Come again? – she asked, astonished.

-        You know, she does… - Akiko does many moves with both hands and arms - … those things.

-        I got it. However, I refuse to feel happy for it. – answers Aino, crossing her arms to show her discomfort.

-        But why?! It’s cool that she’s one of us.

-        Cool? One of us? There’s no “us”. I just want to be a normal and common person.

Planet Finalia

At Ayami’s base, footsteps echo through the hallways up to the sovereign’s chamber. Quietly opening the door, a mysterious figure asks discreetly from a distance.

-        Have you called me, ma’am?

-        Ah, yes, Itzel, I have. She looks towards him – Do enter, please.

Ayami welcomed him in an elegant lace dress with pearl embroidery. The straps are adorned with fur in the shape of epaulettes, and the bodice was covered in crisscrossed golden satin, knotting at the waist, contouring the body, and forming an open skirt in the front. The accessories chosen to complement the look were two long earrings with pearls and a gold stone at the tip. There were several bracelets, and high-heeled shoes with pointed toes completed the ensemble.

-        I need your abilities for a recon mission. – she said loud and clear – And I also want you to discover who the other four girls are that Rosalia found. Check if there are any others appearing. Infiltrate among Earth inhabitants.

-        Roger that! I shall keep in touch as soon as I obtain more info. – answered readily.

-        A portal opened, similar to Rosalia’s but with a blue hue to send him to that place.

Planet Earth

At the same public square where Rosalia appeared, specifically at the artificial lake, something starts to surge. From inside the water, a man with light aqua-green hair, styled in two braids on each side at the front and one at the center back, reaching down to his shoulders, and sky-blue eyes. His clothes were torn and wet: a loose-knit polka dot shirt and sweatpants, both in brown. Only one person had seen him emerging from the lake, but soon he was considered mad and drunk for seeing such a thing.

Itzel, the man who had left from the lake walks through the city observing its citizens, how they present themselves. He notices that the residents of this place are well-dressed, wearing good quality clothing that contrasts with his own clothes.

As he walks through downtown, he notices many hanging clothes on the sidewalk that catch his attention, so he decides to take some for himself, but he is interrupted shortly after.

-        HEEEY, HEY, HEY, HEY, HANDS TO YOURSELF, THIEF! BACK OFF OR I’LL CALL THE POLICE! – the store owner yelled, a man in his 30s, tall with a typical appearance.

-        But, sir, they were outside, I’m not stealing. – Said Itzel, convicted.

-        CUT IT OFF! YOU HAVE TO PAY! – the shop’s owner continued yelling.

-        Okay… but how can I pay for it? – asked the man, trying to understand how it works on that planet.

-       Ah, you are jobless. – the shop owner concluded. – There's a rental video place for an alternative crowd just a few meters from here.

Following through the indicated direction,  he arrived at a video rental shop, which was in a more affluent part of the city. The small modern architecture building had two floors. Its facade featured enormous glass panels, with the entrance door situated on the side. There was also a parking lot accessible via a ramp that passed underneath the commercial space. Itzel positioned himself in front of the glass and saw a sign that read “EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY”. Noticing that he was at the right place, he entered speaking about the subject:

-        Hello there! Do you need someone to work here? - he said excitedly.

-        Hello! Welcome! Yes, there is an available job… - Answered a young man who was organizing the VHS tapes and DVDs.

He had pink mohawk hair, fair skin, brown eyes, ball-shaped piercings on his left eyebrow, a hoop piercing on his lip, and piercings and earrings on his ears. He was wearing a black shirt, black pants, and an apron from the establishment.

“Hmm, he’s got accessories on his face just like Aiden and Koa”. – thought Itzel as he analyzed the young man.

“Poor him, he’s got torn clothes”. – Thought the young one as he analysed Itzel.

-        Okay, when will I be able to buy stuff? - Itzel left his thoughts and got back to the subject.

-        You’re so straightforward… - the young man with mohawk got a little bit startled.

-        I need to buy some clothes! – Explains the boy with cyan eyes as he smiles kindly

-        I’m clued in! I’m Ren! – he answered back quite excitedly – Man, we earn around three minimum wages, it’s possible to adjust quite well! You seem like a cool guy! How about a trial day tomorrow? - he proposed.

The rental video shop employee analyzes Itzel once again, and then, a little worried, he decides to ask:

-        Man, don’t take me wrong, but have you got a place to sleep?

-        Oh, I don’t. – He answers carefreely.

-        At my place there’s some room, could it be? - The young man with piercings offers, while thinking, “my goodness, what an unconcerned guy.”

At the moment the proposal is made, Rosália’s image comes to Itzel’s screaming:

“IT IS A DISGUSTING AND TREACHEROUS PEOPLE, TRUST NO ONE OF THEM!”

However, Itzel, who was inclined to carry out his recon mission on the planet, looks to the young man and answers:

-        It could be. I accept!

-        Yeah! Awesome! Then, see how we do until the end of the shift so we can get out.

***

On the following day, another typical school’s day, Akiko was already tired of the monotony. Going to her classroom with Miyu, she finds Aino at the door. They faced each other - The purple haired girl smiled weakly, waiting for a positive reaction of her friend, but that didn’t happen, and she just turns away, showing that she didn’t want to talk.

The school day carried on normally until break time, when in the midst of the mess, Yukino appeared behind Akiko and Miyu, asking to talk.

-        Okay… about those trainings… - Asks Yukino, hesitantly.

-        Don’t worry, it is easy. You’ll see when you arrive. – Miyu answers rapidly.

-        Don’t sweat about it, Yuki! Sayu is great! – Answers Akiko more excitedly.

-        … But I won’t have to fight her, will I? - Yukino asks, showing her real concern.

-        What? Fight? No? - Miyu answers enragedly as how absurd that question sounded. – Oh, you and Akiko watch too much anime. There is nothing like this. She’ll just help you to control your Potentia, just like that.

-        Okay! That’s good! So, she’ll be a mentor. And what about that woman who attacked us? What did she want? - Yukino continued asking.

-        One thing at a time. First, you should understand how your Potentia works, then we’ll take care of the rest. – answers Miyu, firmly. – Class will be soon. You should have lunch at our place, and then you can clear up your doubts.

The final classes pass quickly, and when the bell rings, they head to Sayuri’s house, where lunch is ready for everyone.

-        Are you all well-rested? - Sayuri asks half an hour after everyone has finished eating. – Now I’ll gather with Yukino! The rest of you take care of the dishes and the kitchen.

Yukino hears the call, gats up timidly and follows Sayuri to the indicated place. The others wash the dishes, tidy up the kitchen, and then each one starts their usual activities.

Sayuri takes Yukino to the garden, a place filled with grass, flowers, trees, and there are even plants climbing the walls. Yukino finds everything gorgeous and expresses her admiration for the place. Sayuri thanks her, explaining that it is where she usually relaxes. Both sit down on the grass. Sayuri sits slightly to the side, with her legs comfortably positioned on the ground, while Yukino sits in a zazen stance.

-        First, we shall try a concentration exercise. – Says the woman calmly. – Breath slowly and send away every intrusive and negative thought.

Yukino starts breathing with focus, keeping a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, Sayuri carries on:

-           If you pay attention, you’ll notice that your Potentia is something natural that has always been with you. It is like breathing, and you can learn to use it better. I want you to be aware of this, consciously. Whenever you feel ready, form small snowflakes.

Then, the young one proceeded breathing for a little longer and once she felt more composed, she raised her hand and concentrated, successfully accomplishing what was asked. Yukino wasn’t sure yet if she should be happy.  She needed to see more of the training to be certain. But Sayuri complimented her:

-        Very well!! Now, let’s gradually control quantities and sizes.

The first day’s practice carried on calmly. Yukino followed Sayuri’s instructions and successfully managed to form snowflakes of various sizes and quantities. As it was her first time, the practice was a bit exhausting, but her mentor observed excellent results. The young one thanked Sayuri and went back home. The following days the practices became more intense.

-        Third day of practice in a row! – celebrated Akiko – Yuki! How ‘bout a sleepover on Saturday? - proceeded with an invitation.

-        I have no Idea what a sleepover is – answered the dark-haired girl, not thinking clearly. – But I’ll check with my parents if I may go. I’m too tired to think about anything.