“I’ll tell my brother, we’ll come watch too.”

Yuki’s voice perked up with curiosity. – ‘Hey, now I want to know how many people will live, what places are there, any picnic spots? Movie theaters… um… like the layout of this kingdom?’

Yui tilted her head. – “Movie theatres? Well, from my understanding, you are asking for the whole kingdom layout, right?”

– ‘Hum, I understand your world is different. There are no movie theatres… well whatever, yes, tell me about the whole kingdom layout.’

– “From where can I start? Okay… The kingdom is divided into four sections, with the capital city at the center. There are two towns. One lies west, in front of the capital city, and the other lies to the east, behind it. The north side of the capital city has a forest, which they use for tournaments.”

She continued with a sigh, – “On the south side, there are gardens, training grounds for stabilizing and improving abilities… some unused land, um… a merchant trade hub where people from other kingdoms come to trade, a few houses, and on the southeastern edge, a deep ca—”

Yuki interrupted quickly. – ‘I understand, stop. Don’t talk too heavily.’

– “Hey, I am speaking clearly for your understanding, but you are interrupting me. Do you even want to hear this or not?”

– ‘I am listening.’ Yuki pouted and said with a huff, “There are places in the kingdom, right? Now tell me about the population.’

– “There are 20 villages, ten on each side and the kingdom is circular in shape. And I’m saying roughly… 25,000 people live in this kingdom.”

– ‘Huh… um… okay, okay, next.’

Yui tapped her fingers against her thigh. – “Hey, are you listening? Uh… well, out of that, about 10,000 are between 16 and 25, nearly 7,000 are adults above 25, um… roughly 5,500 are under 15, and approximately 2,500 are older people. Keep in mind these are rough estimates, so the numbers might change.”

– ‘Hm… compared to my world it is so much less… whatever, where are you living now? Village, town, or capital city?’ She paused for a beat, then added sarcastically, ‘Wait, in the village, right?’

– “Wrong.” Yui smirked. “I am living in town.”

– ‘What I want to ask is… wait! if you live in the town means! Can you show me the clothes shop?’

– “Why? You don’t even have a body, so you can’t wear it, right?”

– ‘I am not asking for that. I also know I can’t wear it. But in my dream, the guys wanted to buy new clothes.’

– “Are you still assuming that dream is right? I already told you, maybe that dream is not correct.”

– ‘Correct or wrong. I want to believe it.’

Yui let out a quiet sigh and looked away. – “Ush, I can’t argue with you. Okay, tell me this, what if that so-called great powerful guy isn’t on this side and instead goes to the other town?”

– ‘You’re always cursing and thinking negatively. If he goes to another town, we’ll see him in the capital city. At that time, he’ll definitely come!’

– “Ah, okay. Calm yourself. If that dream is true, we can meet.”

– ‘Again you—’ She snapped.

Yui laughed lightly. – “We’ll definitely meet him. Now calm down.”

– ‘I’m feeling sad now for not seeing Naruto. Shit, if I go back, I’ll see it and then come.’

– “I didn’t get it. If you didn’t see it, how can you talk about it?”

– ‘Who said I didn’t see? I didn’t see it completely, but I know something. Because of my client, I know about that.’

Yui tilted her head. – “By the way, I didn’t ask you… you told me something about freelan...”

– ‘Freelancer.’

– “Ah, about that. What do you do for a living?”

– ‘How can I say… you don’t know about phones, TV, computers. I’m a graphic designer. Before you ask, I’ll just say for your understanding, it’s like drawing but not exactly drawing.’

Yui blinked twice. – “Huh? Drawing but not like drawing? What is that rubbish?”

– ‘Hey, just like I don’t know about your world, you don’t know about mine. My client asked, so I just saw it while working. My Insta-reel feed showed it for a while, too.’

– “Huh? What is Insta-reel? Wait, don’t try to compare it, if it’s not in my world.”

– ‘Okay, I won’t confuse you. It’s simply a Ninja story.’ Her voice shifted into curiosity. ‘By the way, do you know any techniques? Show me anything. At what age did you learn?’

– “I don’t use my arts unnecessarily. I knew my type at 22 years old, and don’t compare me with others.”

She paused, calming her tone. – “Most Ninjas learn the arts and improve their Kairo energy before entering sacred places. Around the age of 20, they try to awaken their type… some become strong even before 20, while others remain weak even at 25 barely doing anything despite having Kairo energy. By the way, how much do you know about that ninja story?”

Yuki’s voice turned awkward and low. – ‘Little.’

– “Tell in percentage. Then I’ll say little or not.”

Yuki’s voice dropped again, shy and chubby. – ‘Don’t laugh. Three to five out of a hundred.’

– “Then you don’t know anything, right? That’s less than a little.” Yui said with a chuckle, holding back a grin.

– ‘I said, don’t laugh!’ Yuki snapped, her voice rising with anger. ‘I didn’t have time to read. I already told you, right? I’m an orphan. I grew up without parents. I stayed in the orphanage for only a few years. After that, I left and did part-time work to pay my rent, school fees…’

– ‘You don’t even know my life, yet you laughed. Do you know how I lived when I was young? At least you have a family.’ her voice cracking near the end and her words slowed. Her eyes filled with tears.

– “Hey, I’m just kidding. Are you crying? I can’t see you now, but I can easily tell with your way of talking. Okay, I’ll ask my brother to show you. Now we’re even.”

– ‘Huh!? How can you ask your brother to show me, I mean to you? …Wait, don’t tell me you want to tell your brother about our situation.’

– “Yes.”

She gasped, – ‘Are you out of your mind?! What can you say, we don’t know anything, right?’

– “Don’t worry. I will say it in an understanding way.”

– ‘Do whatever you want. And by the way, is there anyone in your family other than your brother?’

– “My mother is there. So what?”

– ‘Then should we tell your mother too!? Your face looks younger now because of me, right?’

– “Yes. By the way, my face hasn’t changed that much. After a certain age, faces don’t change much, right? Well, others might guess, but they won’t doubt… though my mom can easily tell.”

– ‘How can you tell your mother!?’

Yui stepped toward the door. – “Don’t worry. Shall we go outside?”

– ‘Shit… well, we have to go to the clothes shop and try to find him. You have to help me. And don’t tell your brother or mother anything about my dream yet.’

– “Okay.”

***

As they stepped outside the room, a hallway opened to the right. On the left, the kitchen gave off the warm scent of grilled fish.

Inside, Yuta was already seated at the table, eating his breakfast. Most of the grilled fish was over, just a few salty pieces remained beside the soft-boiled eggs. He sat casually, kicking his foot under the table.

“Mom! I want more grilled fish. I’m starving!”

From near the stove, his mother’s voice rang with mild irritation. “That is for Yui. If you want, I’ll make rice balls.”

Yuta whined, puffing his cheeks like a child. “Huh! I want more, Mom. After I eat, I’ll go out and bring some fresh fish! Please, please!”

Just then, Yui entered the kitchen. She spoke up before sitting. “Give him, Mom. And how many times have I said ‘I can cook,’ right?”

“What can I do? He keeps saying ‘I’m hungry, I’m hungry.’”

Yui glared at Yuta. “Hey, are you still a child? Can’t you control your hunger a bit? I was just dizzy today, that’s why I didn’t wake up.”

Yuta turned his face away without answering and poked his fork into an egg. The yolk was warm, blending with the salty taste of the fish he’d eaten before. As he chewed, the mix of soft egg and seasoned fish still lingered on his tongue, leaving behind a quiet comfort.

Yui frowned, her eyes narrowing in frustration. “You idiot, I’m talking to you, but you’re still eating.”

Yuta looked up slowly, his voice sulking. “Why did you shout at me? Besides, after breakfast, I can hold my hunger.”

– ‘Hey, he’s angry and disappointed because you shouted at him.’

– “Don’t worry. He’s like that. After some time, he forgets.”

“Mom, let him have my breakfast. I’ll just eat rice balls.”

Yuta's eyes wide with curiosity. “Really? I can eat your breakfast?”

“Yes.”

– ‘See? He is back to normal.’

Their mother spoke calmly, “You always spoil him. Because of you, he’s like that. By the way, I feel something off.”

“Leave it, Mom. He’s growing.”

Mouth full, Yuta mumbled, chewing messily. “Yrs I sm gruwyng.”

Yui snapped, “Hey! Eat slowly. No one’s taking your food. Besides, I want to tell you both something.”

(Yuta – White shirt and black fitted pants with pockets. A white pale skin tone, 24 years old, with black hair and green pupils.)

(Yui’s mother – A red-pink shirt down to her knees, paired with pants and an apron on top. 46 years old. Fair skin. Name: Araki Miko.)

Yui explained the situation clearly. After listening to everything, both faces stiffened with a mix of shock and confusion.

Miko’s eyes widened. “Are you saying there is another consciousness… I mean, soul… in your body?”

Yuta was still chewing, and looked between them. “Wait, Mom. Neesan is saying rubbish words. Can you really believe that?”

“I’m looking a bit younger, right? That’s proof. Mom, you even said something that felt off, remember?”

Both Yuta and Miko turned to each other, their mouths opened at the same time.

“Then really?!”

“Mom, do you know something about this? I thought you might. That’s why I told you.”

Miko shook her head slowly. “I’m also listening for the first time. And I can’t sense any Kairo energy other than yours.”

– ‘Hey, is your mother a Sensemitter?’

– “Yes.”

“Hey, Yui… are you talking to her presently?”

“Yes, Mom. And she told me she’s an orphan. I have to find a way to return her to her world.”

Yuki’s voice interrupted, stubborn. – ‘Hey! Who said I’m going? I don’t want to go.’

“Can you give control to her?”

Yuki’s voice shot out in panic. – ‘Hey! Don’t give it to me! If you give me control, I won’t talk to you again!’

– “My mother may know something. Do you believe me or not? Trust me.”

– ‘I don’t trust you. I don’t believe you. Don’t give—’

Yuki’s voice flared in shock. – ‘Why did you hand over the control to me?!’

– “Talk with my mother. You said you don’t have a family, right?”

“..”

“Yui. Did you give control to her or not?”

“..”

“Neesan! At least say something to Mom! She’s asking, right?!”

Still silent.

“You—!”

Miko raised her hand to stop him. “I think Yui gave control to you. Can you talk to me?”

Still no response.

“Don’t be afraid. If I understand the situation better, I can help you.”

“..”

“Hey, you. I don’t know how you entered my Neesan’s body, but say something. Only then we can help you.”

Yuki’s voice came out quietly, shy and nervous. “I-I t-told everything to her…”

– “Hey, why are you speaking like that? You talk with me differently. Talk confidently.”

– ‘All because of you. It’s all your fault, dumb girl. I don’t talk.’

– “Huh, don’t worry. They’re not ghosts.”

Miko smiled warmly, her voice soothing. “I think you’re nervous. Don’t worry. I’ll talk when you’re ready to talk to me.”

Yuki’s voice suddenly rose, trembling. “I-I don’t want to go to my world!”

Both Yuta and Miko froze, eyes wide with shock.

“Hey, what are you saying? You don’t want to go? Do you want to stay in my Neesan’s body forev—”

Miko quickly raised her hand and stopped him.

– “That idiot. He doesn’t know anything. Don’t misunderstand him. If he knew you, he wouldn’t talk like that.”

Miko spoke gently, stepping closer. “If you don’t want to go, then what will you do? That is your world, right?”

She knelt beside Yui’s body, wrapped her arms gently around her head, and patted it with warm affection. “Feel me like your mother and tell me. I also went to the other world one time. But I wasn’t able to go again. After that, I didn’t even bother about it anymore. But I can help you now.”

Still no answer.

She continued, resting her hand on Yui. “Okay, stay here as long as you want. I understand your feelings. But at least, you have to return to your body eventually. Unfortunately, there are very few people who can do that. Well… first, think of this place as your home.”

Tears streamed down Yui’s cheeks. Yuki’s presence responded. She hugged Miko tightly. “Thanks…”

Yui’s voice teased, – “Huh, someone said ‘I don’t talk.’”

– ‘I said I won’t talk to you!’

– “Now you’re talking to me.”

“Yui said you want to see the tournament. I’ll also come. I get bored staying at home. I’ll accompany you.”

Yuta’s face lit up. “Really, Mom? Then I’ll show you my skills in the tournament!”

Yui snapped, “Idiot. Don’t boast too much.”

“Alright, stop fighting. There’s still plenty of time, right? Yui, why don’t you take her outside and show her around town? We’re near the edge, close to the lake, right? Yuta, you should go along too.”

“Huh? Why me?”

Miko grabbed his ear and tugged it firmly. “Don’t talk back when your mom is telling you something.”

***

(29 Days to Tournament)

Sujin called for Haruki, the same guard who had spoken earlier.

“Sujin-sama, I heard from Daikin-san that you called for me.”

He scratched his head, confused. “Put the honorifics aside... What’s the meaning of these rounds? I can’t understand. The first and second rounds are okay, but this…”

“Inori-sama wanted to conduct from the third round, so she gave me the details.”

“Inori!? But she hasn’t told me anything.”

“She said to me like this ‘You’ll say it to him, right? So tell him, he’ll find out anyway.’”

“Well If it’s her wish, okay, But still... I think now she’s just showing curiosity and excitement because her son is participating this year.”

“I don’t think so. When Himari and Mei participated, she showed excitement. In my opinion, Inori-sama treats her daughters and sons equally.”

“Then what do you think is the reason?”

“Sorry to say, but I don’t think your assumption is right Sujin-sama. She has confidence in her son.”

Sujin nodded slowly.

***

(30 Days to Tournament)

Ren walked toward the outer edge of the village. Kazuma followed behind. “Hey, where are you going?”

“I want to put up the barrier. I know he didn’t do anything wrong, but I feel frustrated when they don’t even know.”

“Huh? How can you put a barrier?”

“That’s not important. What’s important now is… it takes time. We’re leaving in three days, right? Let me do this. After he became king, some rules changed… Well, never mind that... I felt something strange about those guards.”

“Hmm… do what you think is best… Sorry… after using the forbidden art… we’re going back after a long time…”

Ren looked ahead, his voice steady. “Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not coming because you asked. I have to fulfill my promise. My goal is only one. She doesn’t listen to my words, so I have to protect her.”

“In this kingdom, I have no problems. But if I just leave her like that, she’ll grow stronger and eventually go outside. So I’m taking precautions. If she changes her mind… I’ll come back.”

Author’s Note:

I want to re-edit with more body language action but keep it trimmed due to the letter limit.