Itzel, encased in the surrounding air mass like a cocoon, localises the responsible Potentia for capturing him. Sayuri, that had revealed her powers, confronts him, and begins the interrogation.

• - Who are you? What do you want? – Asks Sayuri, firmly.

• - Who are you? – Itzel asks back.

• - I asked first. – Says the woman, lightly bothered.

Noticing that the situation wasn’t progressing, the cyan-haired man comes up with a proposition:

• - Well, let’s make a deal, then.

• - I’m not open to dealings. – The brunette answers back rapidly.

• - How about a question each? – He says, ignoring the commentary before, and facing her firmly.

• - Fine, but I will not release you. – She ends up agreeing, however, showing her conditions, arms crossed. – Since I asked first, you can answer.

• - Alright, then, I’m Itzel.

• - From where have you come?

• - A question each, remember? – He comments with a little smile.

• - Okay, I’m Sayuri. – Answers unwillingly.

• - I think I’m being too rigid with these rules. I think we won’t get anywhere like this. – ponders the man, feeling embarrassed with the situation. – I’ll let you ask the next one, as courtesy.

• - So, tell me… What are you? – She faces him again.

• - I’m a human with Potentia, just like you and your friends. – He answers calmly. – Have you come from another planet?

• - Yes, and by the looks of it, you have too.

• -  Yes, indeed. How many of you are there?

• - You don’t really expect that I answer that, do you? – The question made Sayuri really annoyed, her opponent couldn’t play with her intelligence. – Conform yourself with what you are seeing. My next question: I want to know why you attacked us.

• - Fair enough… – Itzel shows understanding to the woman’s question. – My planet is dying, and another one was promised… in case we took over this one.

• - But that doesn’t make any sense. – Said Sayuri with a hint of sadness.

• - That’s everything I have to say. – He answers while looking away, but soon he starts facing her again. – Where have you come from?

• - From a planet that was destroyed. – Sayuri finishes firmly, but heavy with sadness.

Then, the man had a shock of realisation. He had heard some rumors that his mastermind has destroyed a planet, and, putting the pieces of evidence together, it looked like he found the old inhabitants. The rumor, then, made itself a fact.

In his last act, he used the remaining water that he had absorbed to attack the group of girls. Sayuri got frighted and quickly defended, however, upon opening her eyes, her rival wasn’t there anymore, he had disappeared. The water was used only to distract them, and then he escaped.

• - Girls, are you alright? – She turns quickly to check if they were fine, and luckily, they were just soaked with the water attack.

• - We are alive. – Answers Naoko, holding Matsui on her lap, who was scared in that moment.
  

Planet Finalia

A blue hued vortex opens, and Itzel goes back to his home planet, directly in a room. The place was all in shades of pink, decorated with flowers, shining objects, laces and plumes. In the center of the room, a double bed and a lady sitting on it, unpreoccupied with a melancholic silhouette. With long and purple hair, it was Rosália who was surprised upon seeing Itzel.

- Itzel! – She said and happily ran towards his beloved one, greeting him with a kiss. Looking closely, she noticed that he wasn’t in his best physical state, and asked:

• - Why are you almost naked? What are those scratches? – She asked, tense. – You found them, haven’t you? They attacked you, with no reason. They are terrible. That planet should vanish from the universe.

Itzel glances at her with tender, caresses her face and explains:

• - Everything is okay, really, Rosália. I have come from the sea and then I got scratched a bit, not a big deal. – As he notices that she felt calmer, he continued to explain. – I’ll talk to Lady Ayami about the mission. Tonight, I’ll stay here. I’ll be right back.

• - I’ll be waiting for you. – Said Rosália, ecstatic and excited.

Planet Earth – Sayuri’s House

Sayuri’s house was hectic, with the girls confused and making lots of questions.

• - WHAT NOW!? WHO WAS THAT MAN WHO OUT OF THE BLUE ATTACKED US!? – Screams Naoko around the house, extremely irritated. – THIS IS IT NOW!? ARE WE GOING TO BE PERSECUTED!?

• - He says he is called Itzel... but how are we supposed to know if that is true? – Sayuri says from behind, trying to understand the situation.

• - But they attacked Yukino once again. – Affirms Miyu, in an indignant feeling. – Is it possible that they can feel her Potentia?

Yukino, who so far was just listening to the conversation, decides to speak up.

• - Actually… – She speaks with a lower voice, hands tight and shaking, it was possible to notice her nervousness. – …maybe he saw me freezing up the sea water droplets…

Naoko heard the confession and got bothered. Then she placed her hand with anger on the couch where Akiko was sitting.

• - What’s that? Not even Akiko would do such a thing!

“But what have I done?” wondered Akiko, completely lost in the middle of the discussion. Megumi, who would never feel comfortable with such accusations, spoke up:

• - Easy, girls, everything is new for her.

• - Yukino, you should be more cautious. There were two attacks already. – Said Sayuri after pondering about the situation. – Imagine having to explain to your parents that you are always getting hurt? How do you think they are going to understand this?

• - I’m so sorry, I acted cluelessly. – Said the young one lowering her head, regretted.

• - Girls! I think that’s enough for a lesson today. – Ghuang decided to speak up, because he noticed that continuing the discussion would make no more sense. – It’s getting late, I think it is better to take Yukino home. You should use Sunday to rest and take a breath.

• - Okay, thanks, Ghuang. – Yukino thanks, getting ready to go.

It was March 8^th, on a sunny Monday with a few clouds in the sky, and a breeze blowing through the city, making the temperature quite pleasant. But not even that cheerful summer weather could lift the spirits of a certain 15-year-old teenager that was suffering from the depths of her soul.

• - OMG! HELP! WHAT IS THIS FOR? WHOEVER INVENTED ALGEBRA HAS NO PASSION IN LIFE! – Young Akiko screamed in despair, at the top of her lungs.

• - Akiko, stop with this drama! Math is going to be quite important for you to work with games. – Explained Miyu, emotionless, who was accustomed to her friend’s freakouts, but even so, tried to point out the empirical side that the purpled-haired young one couldn’t see.

Matsui was gazing with indignation and disdain at Akiko, she couldn’t conform herself with her sister’s daily dramas. “I don’t understand sis… going to school is so cool.”, Matsui was thinking while getting dressed to catch a lift to go to school.

But soon, all that dreadful atmosphere dissipated, as someone wearing a short red dress with white floral prints appeared, cheerful and unwavering. She arrived with big news and needed to share it with everyone.

- Girls! Let me tell you something crucial! – Said Megumi, who couldn’t hold her excitement. – Soon after we arrived this planet, I sought a manner of helping out Sayuri and Ghuang with the expenses. Then I discovered and fell in love with the modeling career! And everything has been going well! We are going to have an internationally famous model at the agency, and she in going to choose the best ones to train! If all goes well, I could take a big leap in my career! I’m nervous but overjoyed!

• - Looks like there is someone quite happy, huh? – Sayuri commented, in a loving tone, feeling happy for her friend.

• - Wow! That’s so nice, Megumi! It suits you very much! – Says Naoko, in a joyful tone, signalizing “strength” with her hand, showing that she was rooting for her.

Upon seeing her friend Naoko, who is so reserved, rooting for her, made her thrilled. She threw herself to her friend’s arms for a hug.

• - Thank you, dear Naoko! I’m leaving now for the casting!

• - Oh! Good job, Megumi! – Said Naoko, timid, with cheeks reddened, due to her friend’s attitude.

****

School

While the morning period is reserved from the fifth grade to the third year of high school, the afternoon period is dedicated to early childhood education and the first grades. The school uniforms follow the same standard for all age groups.

The first grade, representing a significant shift in expectations between preschool and elementary school, includes more serious and responsible activities, although some still incorporate playful elements. Matsui, who had started first grade on a new planet, was doing very well. Naturally serious and focused, she completed her work with care and attention. In math class, where they were learning more about numbers and basic mathematical operations, it was no different. The assignment consisted of doing sums and showing the results not only with numbers but also with beautiful and colorful drawings representing the quantities.

• - Done! It’s beautiful! – She ascertained, upon finishing her task.

• - Oh no... It’s ugly. – Beside Matsui, comments a classmate with short, wavy, pink hair, with purple bow clips on her head.

• - Would you like to borrow my color pencils, new student? – Offers Matsui.

• - I do! Thank you! I’ll test it! – Accepts the new girl, enthusiastically.

She paints and redoes some drawings. Upon finishing it, she shows happiness for the result.

• - Oh, that’s beautiful, it’s much better, thanks! – She gets quite happy looking at her work, then looks at Matsui. – My name in Hana! My mothers and I moved here recently! And you, what’s your name?

• - Welcome! I’m Matsui! – She answers, smiling, a little shy, though.

The school bell rings, and it is breaktime. Hana takes the initiative of inviting Matsui to pass snack time together. The redhead readily accepts, and both go to the schoolyard, where they talk, eat their food and play, having a good time together.

• Matsui, I loved to meet you! You are so nice! Let me give you a present! – Upon saying that, Hana extends her hands, from which little lights begin taking the form of beautiful cherry blossom flowers.

• - I hope you like it, I find them gorgeous, they are my favorite ones!

• - They are really, really beautiful! I loved it! – Answers Matsui, excited. – Allow me to make some for you as well!

The little one also extends her hand, in a similar process, however, pink tulips appear. Happily, Hana also receives the gift, and finds it amazing what had just happened.

• - WOOOOOW! We both can make flowers! We’ll be friends! – she proposes.

• - Yes! We’ll be friends! – Matsui answers.

And the rest of the afternoon at school passed like that, with both talking whenever they could, and sharing their school supplies. As soon as the classes ended, they continued talking until their rides arrived.

Upon arriving home, Matsui left the car in a jump, and ran towards the house, excited to tell the news.

• - AUNT SAYURI! AUNT SAYURI! – Matsui called.

• - Look at you! Someone has arrived quite excited from the school! – Sayuri got content upon seeing many people happy on that day.

• - Yes! I’m really happy! It was a nice day at school! I befriended someone! It is the new student, her name is Hana! She is so nice! And she makes flowers, just like me!

• - JUST LIKE YOU? – Sayuri gets momentarily startled with the information. Could that one be a new Potentia? And how would she approach the child’s parents? Many questions were roaming around Sayuri’s mind at that point.

***

School

At the model agency downtown, near the high-end neighborhood, the atmosphere was tense. As if it were possible to see a despair cloud, indecision and concernments. The candidates needed to showcase abilities and runway skills. The renowned model at the agency, closely observed the candidates’ tests, one by one, with the photographers, to analyze their behaviour in front of the cameras. The stakes were high, and thus, the quality had to match.

Megumi was having her makeup done, and getting ready to her little rehearsal. Nervousness seemed to take over Megumi during the time she was receiving her final touches in the salon chair.

“What a thing, I’m too nervous… I would never imagine that it would be so difficult to photograph in front of a famous model.”, Megumi thought so much that she was almost shaking in nervousness.

She was elegantly dressed in a long, flowing off-white satin dress, paired with sandals in the same shade and gold star-shaped earrings. The golden and black eye makeup with a subtle touch of earthy red gave her a more serious appearance, which perfectly matched her wine-colored lips. Everything seemed to coordinate perfectly, except for her furrowed brows and her clearly tense body.

She was getting closer to begin her shoots when a feminine voice, firm and serious, pronounced.

- Hey, you there! You can stop now.

The voice belonged to the influential model Hitomi, a woman whose signature was her natural, darker skin tone, as if sun-kissed, with extremely straight reddish hair, almond-shaped brown eyes, and a piercing gaze. Her makeup was simple, with a subtle earthy eyeshadow, mascara to enhance her lashes, and the focus was on her red lips, conveying the power of her speech that day. She was tall and slender; her physique was clearly that of a runway model. She wore a black top with a blazer that had no buttons but a hook clasp in the middle, and tailored trousers. The fabric of all the pieces was made of matte satin, and it was clear that it was high-end. To complete the look, she wore high-heeled boots that made her even taller and more imposing.

• - If you're going to go like that, don’t even go. - She said facing Megumi. – Who would dare to buy those pieces of clothing if the model is clearly uncomfortable?

“Hitomi… She is quite demanding. But what can I do?”, Megumi thought, her head down, believing that she would be dismissed from the castings.