Planet Earth, March 1st, Sayuri’s house

After the confrontation with the unknown woman, Akiko, Megumi, Naoko, and Miyu took Yukino to Sayuri’s house to explain a little about the events that had just happened.

“Sayuri! Sayuri! The world has ended! We were attacked! There are injured people here!” Akiko burst into the house, shouting and slamming the door.

Sayuri was upstairs, heard the commotion, and rushed down:

“What’s with all this yelling!? Who got hurt?” she asked, holding a first aid kit.

“Akiko! Nobody’s hurt!” Miyu said, clearly annoyed by her friend’s drama.

“But Naoko got an electric shock, right!” Akiko replied, justifying her point, though now with less agitation than before.

“A Shock? What, did she stick her finger in the socket?” Sayuri asked, confused.

“Enough already! It was nothing, I’m fine!” Naoko interrupted, irritated.

As the conversation went on, the homeowner noticed another person among them, a young girl with long black hair and bangs.

“Oh! A school friend of the girls? I’m Sayuri, welcome!” she greeted with a warm smile.

Yukino was about to introduce herself, but Akiko hugged her tightly and began introducing her instead.

“This is Yukino, she’s Aino’s cousin. We met this morning and I already feel like we’re best friends!” she said, very emotional.

Megumi, watching the scene, pulled Akiko away and covered her mouth so she could explain what had really happened:

“Sayuri, something important happened. We were attacked by a stranger with Potentia, and Akiko’s friend also revealed herself to be one. She’s an ice user.” she said bluntly.

Sayuri’s eyes widened at the revelation, but before asking for more details, she needed to understand better.

“Have you done this before?” she asked.

Yukino hadn’t expected the question and simply shook her head. Sayuri asked the girl to try explaining how she had released her powers.

Yukino lowered her head, unsure of what to feel, and tried to explain:
“I… I don’t really know how to explain. I remembered a sensation I had last year. I just… followed my intuition and placed the energy in my hands… then the ice came out and almost hit the woman who attacked us.” she said slowly, her voice trembling a little, unsure of how they would take her answer.

Sayuri listened carefully and asked her to try using her Potentia again.

Yukino felt intimidated. How could she repeat something so new, something that shouldn’t even exist? For a moment, she hesitated, but then she focused on releasing her power. Energy gathered in her hands, and snowflakes began forming, turning into shards of ice.

She stared at her own power, amazed she had managed it, it felt like a dream.

Sayuri didn’t know how to react. Even after hearing the reports and now seeing it with her own eyes, it was still hard to believe.

“I think that… our coming here may have caused changes to this planet, and I believe at least six more Potentia will appear, if we’re lucky. It would be good if we could find them before they’re attacked too.” she explained to all of them, preparing them for the scenario to come.

March 2nd

The morning was pleasant, and the residents slept peacefully. Still drowsy, Guang slowly opened his eyes to check how much longer he could sleep.

To his surprise, the clock already showed 6:40 a.m. He should have been awake forty minutes ago to have time to get ready and take the girls to school.

Startled, he jumped out of bed and quickly warned his wife, who helped wake the girls.

Sayuri rushed to the room where they were all resting, opened the door urgently, and announced that it was already late, asking them to hurry and get ready. Then she went downstairs to prepare breakfast so they could eat something before leaving.

“Oh no… Is it really going to be like this every day?” Akiko complained as she got out of bed.

School, morning

At school, the routine flowed better than the previous day. The students who had complained so much were now quieter; the girls were no longer news, so there was no need to talk about them anymore.

Break time arrived, and Akiko, Naoko, and Miyu gathered to chat about the subjects they had experienced in those first days.

Akiko said she loved the foreign language class. Naoko showed interest in physics, and Miyu enjoyed geometry.

While they were talking, Aino, Yukino’s cousin and a classmate of Akiko and Miyu, were walking across the schoolyard, heading in the opposite direction.

“AH! LOOK OVER THERE! AINO!” Akiko shouted loudly, but got no response.

“She’s pretending she doesn’t know you.” Naoko teased.

“WHAT!? NO, SHE’S NOT!” Akiko snapped, then stood up and went after Aino to prove Naoko wrong. “AINO! COME HERE!”

Hearing Akiko’s shoutings, Aino began to run away desperately. Not understanding why her friend was fleeing, Akiko simply followed her the whole way.

Aino ran as much as she could, but soon grew tired, her stamina wasn’t great. She leaned against the outer wall of the bathroom, panting heavily.

Akiko, who had no problem running, caught up with her. Aino, even while out of breath, glared angrily at her friend.

“WHAT AN EMBARRASSEMENT YOU’RE PUTTING ME THROUGH! WHAT DO YOU WANT, AKIKO?” she shouted, finding enough breath to impose herself.

“Aino, listen, you won’t believe it. I don’t know if you’ve heard. I don’t know if she told you, but Sayuri knows, everyone already knows.” Akiko spoke without finishing her sentences.

“Akiko, stop it! Just say it already!” Aino said, raising her hands as if begging, visibly distressed.

“It’s about Yukino! She’s one of us!” Akiko finally revealed.

“What!? What do you mean?” Aino’s eyes widened in shock.

Akiko began moving her arms, waving them around like seaweed:
“You know, she can do… those things.”

Aino crossed her arms and looked away:
“I understand. I just refuse to be happy about it.”

“But why!? Isn’t it cool that she’s one of us?” Akiko asked.

“Cool? One of us? There’s nothing about ‘us’. I just want to be a normal, ordinary person.” Aino concluded, ending the subject.

Akiko lowered her head. Her body froze, her gaze turned to the ground, and she made no further comment.

Planet Finalia, same morning

Firm footsteps echoed through Ayami’s base, crossing the corridors until they reached her chamber. When they finally stopped, the door opened slowly.

“You called me, my lady?” a male voice asked.

“Yes, Itzel, I did. Please, come in.” Ayami ordered, turning toward the door and inviting him in.

Ayami stood tall, exuding superiority through her laced dress embroidered with pearls, furred shoulder pads, and a body outlined by shimmering golden satin.

“I’ll need your skills for a reconnaissance mission. And I also want you to discover who the four girls Rosália encountered are, and check if others are appearing. Infiltrate among the inhabitants of Earth.” she requested.

“Understood! I’ll contact you as I gather information.” Itzel promptly replied.

With that said, a portal opened, similar to Rosália’s, but blue this time, to send him to the planet.

Planet Earth

In the same square where Rosália had appeared, a portal opened once more, this time inside the artificial lake.

The male figure who emerged had light turquoise hair down to his shoulders, adorned with three braids. His skin was fair, and his eyes shone as bright blue as the sky. Itzel wore a linen shirt and sweatpants, both brown and torn.

Itzel understood well his mission to observe the behavior of the citizens, and began walking through the city, watching how they acted.

He noticed that the inhabitants were all well dressed and neat. Most of the women wore animal print dresses and high heels, while the men were stylishly put together with well-tailored jackets. Itzel concluded this must be important.

He continued wandering until he came across several clothes hanging in the street. They seemed new and probably ownerless, so he decided to take one. But the piece was snatched from his hands aggressively.

“HEY, HEY, HEY, STOP STEALING! GET LOST OR I’LL CALL THE POLICE!” shouted the store owner, a man around 30 with a common appearance.

“But sir, it was on the street, I’m not stealing.” Itzel argued.

“DON’T GIVE ME THAT EXCUSE! YOU’RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT!” the owner insisted.

“Okay… but how do I pay?” Itzel asked.

“Oh, so you don’t have a job. There’s a video rental place run by some alternative folks, just ask around on the way there." The store owner calmed down a bit and pointed him to the location.

Itzel followed the direction indicated. After a while, he spotted the video rental store, located in a more upscale downtown area.

The two-story building had huge glass windows on the facade, with the entrance door on the side. The place was decorated with posters of current movies. At the door, there was also a sign that read “HELP WANTED.” Itzel concluded that must be the right place and entered.

“Hello! Are you looking for someone to work here?” Itzel asked, offering himself.

“Hey! Welcome! Yes, we do have some vacancies…” answered a young man organizing VHS tapes and DVDs.

The young man had a pink mohawk, fair skin, brown eyes, ball piercings on his left eyebrow, a ring on his lip, and several piercings and earrings on his ears. He wore a black shirt and pants with the store’s apron.

“Hmm, he has face accessories like Aiden and Koa.” Itzel thought as he observed the young man.

“Poor guy, his clothes are all torn.” the young man thought as he observed Itzel.

“So, when will I be able to buy things?” Itzel returned to the subject.

“You’re pretty direct…” the mohawk guy said, a little surprised.

“I need to buy some clothes!” Itzel explained with a friendly smile.

The young man smiled and introduced himself:

“Got it, got it! I’m Ren, the owner here! Dude, the pay is three minimum wages, you’ll manage just fine! You seem like a cool guy! How about a trial tomorrow?” he proposed.

Ren examined him cautiously from head to toe. Itzel was wet and wearing damaged clothes.

“Man, no offense, but do you have a place to sleep?” Ren asked.

“Oh, I don’t.” Itzel replied calmly.

“There’s space at my place, if you want. At least to help you out for now.” Ren offered, thinking:

Wow, this guy is so chill.

Itzel accepted the offer, though Rosália’s words echoed in his mind:

“THEY’RE A DISGUSTING PEOPLE, TREACHEROUS, YOU CAN’T TRUST ANY OF THEM!” Those had been her words to him when she returned to Finalia.

“That’s fine. I’ll accept!” Itzel replied to Ren, showing that his reconnaissance mission was above his companion’s opinions.

“Awesome! Great! Then watch how we work until the shift ends and we head out.” Ren replied enthusiastically.

March 3rd, School, 7:30 a.m.

Another school day was underway, and Akiko was already tired of her days feeling the same. She and Miyu were heading to their classroom when they bumped into Aino at the door. Their eyes met, Akiko gave an awkward smile, and Aino turned her face away, showing she didn’t want to talk.

The school routine carried on normally until break time. In that noisy courtyard, Yukino appeared behind Akiko and Miyu, asking to talk.

“So… about the training…” she began, as if wanting to say more.

“Don’t worry, it’s fine. You’ll see when you get there.” Miyu replied.

“And don’t worry, Yuki! Sayu is amazing!” Akiko comforted her friend.

“… But… I won’t have to fight her, right?” Yukino revealed her real concern.

“What? Fight? No?” Miyu responded indignantly. “Ahh, you and Akiko watch too much anime. It’s nothing like that. She’s just going to help you control your Potentia, that’s all.”

“Okay! That’s good! So she’ll be a mentor. And that woman who attacked us? What did she want?” Yukino continued, calmer this time.

“One thing at a time. First you’ll understand your Potentia, then we’ll figure out the rest. Class will be over soon. You’ll have lunch at my house, and then you can ask all your questions.” Miyu replied, putting an end to the rumors.

The last classes flew by, the bell rang, and they headed home, where Sayuri was waiting with lunch ready.

“Rested? Now I’ll take care of Yukino! The rest of you, handle the dishes.” Sayuri told the girls.

Yukino got up and followed her to the back of the house. The yard was a very pleasant place, filled with vegetation and flowers. From there, the city’s noise couldn’t be heard, as if they were far from the bustle. It was a place to forget problems. The two sat on the grass. Sayuri sat slightly sideways, her legs comfortably on the ground. Yukino sat in a zazen position.

“First, let’s do a concentration exercise. Breathe slowly and let go of any intrusive thoughts.” Sayuri instructed step by step.

Yukino began breathing carefully, keeping a comfortable rhythm. Meanwhile, Sayuri continued guiding her:

“If you pay attention, you’ll realize your Potentia is something natural that has always been with you. It’s like breathing, and it’s also possible to learn to use it better. I want you to notice this consciously, and when you’re ready, form small snowflakes.”

At first, the young girl felt slight inner anxiety, with a few small palpitations, but she focused on her breathing, and as soon as she felt calmer, she raised her hand. Soon after, a faint smile appeared, she had managed to generate ice crystals naturally, as if it were a part of her.

“Very good!! Now let’s gradually control the quantities and sizes.” Sayuri praised.

The first day of training went smoothly. Yukino made an effort to follow the instructions and was able to form snowflakes of different sizes and amounts. For her first time, the training was a bit tiring, but her mentor felt she had achieved excellent results. The young girl thanked her and returned home.

The following days were filled with training, which became increasingly intense. By the end of the third day, Yukino was showing signs of exhaustion.

“Third consecutive day of training! I’m going to ascend.” she joked ironically, exhausted, to Akiko.

“YEEEES! That’s it, my friend! Yuki! Let’s have a sleepover on Saturday?” Akiko cheered and invited.

“I have no idea what to even do at a sleepover. But I’ll check with my parents if I can. I’m way too tired to think about anything.” Yukino replied with no filter at all.