It was early the next morning.
Najime walked up to a small one-story house with a strange-shaped door attached to it.

He raised his hand and knocked.
Fifteen minutes passed... no answer.

Maybe he’s not home? Najime thought, frowning slightly.

Just as he was about to knock again, he spotted someone jogging toward the house at a steady pace. Instinctively, his hand hovered over his side, ready to release his Arsil.

But then—

“Hey Najime, what brings you here around this time?” Saigoichi called out as he slowed to a stop.

Najime relaxed immediately, lowering his hand.

“Oh, it’s you. I came to walk with you to work. What time did you wake up? It’s like... 8:45 a.m.?”

Saigoichi wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“I usually wake up at 6:00 a.m. to get my daily jog in and finish around 8:00 a.m.
But last night, I decided to jog a little longer... just to wrap my head around some things.”

Najime nodded.

“I completely understand. When I first realized I had this power, I was confused too.”

Saigoichi smiled faintly.

“Let me quickly get ready. When we link up with Ayana, I’d like to ask you both a question.”

Najime pulled out his phone.

“Alright. I’ll message her that we’re heading her way.”

Ayana checked her phone and saw a new message from Najime.

Her eyes lit up. Her cheeks flushed instantly.

“Saigoichi is coming to pick me up!" she squealed. "I have to look presentable... but my house is kind of messy and I have no time to tidy it up.”

Panic filled her expression. Then an idea struck.

“I’ll just meet them outside!”

Grabbing her jacket, she rushed out and leaned casually against a wall two houses down—arms folded, pretending to be calm.

When she spotted Saigoichi and Najime approaching, her heart nearly exploded.

She turned her head away quickly, fighting to hide her embarrassment.

“You guys took so long by walking slowly,” she said, a little too fast.

Saigoichi and Najime exchanged a glance.

Saigoichi smirked.

“What’s wrong with her?”

Najime shrugged.

“No clue.”

Grinning mischievously, Saigoichi called out:

“Uhh, well, good morning to you, Your Highness.”

The moment the words left his mouth; Ayana’s heart skipped a beat.
Her face turned beet red.

He thinks I’m royalty, she thought dazedly, a dreamy smile forming.

Najime couldn’t hold it anymore and burst out laughing.

“Let’s get moving before we’re late to work,” he said between laughs.

Saigoichi chuckled.

“You’re right. Can’t be late on your first day.”

On the way to work...

Saigoichi suddenly stopped walking.

“So, guys... tell me. How did you find out you had Arsils?”

Ayana and Najime looked at each other, then back at Saigoichi.

They answered together:

“Well, you see, this is what happened...”