After scolding Megumi, Hitomi went to meet her. The newcomer was even more tense than before. The veteran corrected the candidate’s posture, lifting her chin, staring firmly at her, and speaking directly:

"Relax your expression. Drop your shoulders, release that tension."

When she saw that Megumi was ready, she signaled for her to go take her photos. The shoot was short: three shots that would decide the professional fate of each candidate.

The girl took a deep breath, showing confidence before the cameras. She completely transformed, striking her best poses that highlighted both herself and the outfit. When the mini shoot ended, she was certain she had given her best and felt at peace; now, all she could do was wait patiently for the results.

Jacques Leclair, the owner of the agency, was a demanding man: tall, dark-skinned, with short, curly black hair. He wore a well-kept beard and was always impeccably dressed and aligned. He closely monitored every shoot. It mattered greatly to him to know who would be chosen.

After the candidates’ sessions, the owner informed them that all that remained now was to wait, as the profiles would be analyzed.

Jacques, Hitomi, and the photographer Yusuke gathered in a private room. There, they reviewed the photos of each participant one by one, checked their previous work, talked, and debated for nearly two hours.

The waiting seemed endless. The candidates’ nervousness was visible. Some began to judge the others silently, while others tried not to think at all. They clasped their hands, shook their legs, and avoided eye contact.

"Have we reached a consensus, then? I know you expected me to choose ten candidates, but there will only be three." Hitomi stated her view, showing that it was final and that she would not hear further opinions.

The three emerged from the room with serious, determined expressions. The famous model acted as the spokesperson for the news. She stood before the young women and announced only the names, to reduce suspense and avoid further anxiety:

"Esther. Yesenia. Megumi. You’ve been chosen to be trained as professional models. Thank you to all who participated. Those not called are dismissed. And to those who remain, a warning: the level is below what we expected. You’d better put in love and professionalism. Glamour is only for the audience; this job demands all of your emotional strength. Work with seriousness. And if you think I’m being harsh, don’t even try to advance, you’ll hear much worse."

With that, everyone was dismissed. Training would begin the next day. Now it was time to go home and unwind after such a tense day.

March 9

The day had begun with pleasant weather, and in an upscale apartment in the city, the aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. A young woman with blue hair streaked with black prepared the table for three, using delicate porcelain dishes with ornate designs. Everything was done quietly and carefully.

Hitomi watched and then gently approached the young woman, who wore a pastel dress with floral embroidery that looked handmade.

"Good morning." Hitomi greeted, hugging the girl warmly from behind.

"Good morning, love! Ready to teach the new models?" asked Nami, the blue-haired young woman.

"Ready? Only if you mean ready to be annoyed! I can already smell the stress. I’m sure the pay won’t be worth the trouble. Can you believe I only liked two, but they pushed a third on me? These agencies are all the same." She vented with a nervous laugh.

Nami laughed and covered her mouth to keep from bursting out loud. Then they sat to begin breakfast.

"Haha, you’re so mean!" Nami teased playfully.

"Mean would be if I lied and said they were good…" Hitomi retorted sarcastically. "And where’s Hana? Isn’t she coming to eat?"

"She’s on her way. She’s excited. Said she made a friend!" Nami replied while sipping her coffee.

"That’s great, Nami! That cheers me up." Hitomi answered with a calmer expression.

Suddenly, quick footsteps echoed, and the little girl with pink hair appeared, greeting them:

"Good morning, mommies!" Hana exclaimed, eager for breakfast.

The three shared stories and news, but soon Hitomi had to leave for the agency to work with the newcomers.

Model Agency

At the agency, Hitomi tapped her index finger rhythmically on the table like a metronome. She was impatient. It was the only sound in the room, as silence hung heavy with tension.

Models Megumi and Yesenia sat waiting. Yesenia wore a serene, focused expression, while Megumi appeared slightly uncomfortable.

"Enough waiting! I’ve been patient long enough. You two who arrived on time, introduce yourselves: name, age, height, and how long you’ve been in the industry." Hitomi’s firm words broke the silence.

Megumi was slightly upset that they wouldn’t wait for the third girl, but she understood punctuality was a matter of professionalism.

"My name is Megumi Hoshino, I’m 22 years old, 1.80 meters tall. I’ve been in the industry only three months, but I’ve already done catalogs."

"My name is Yesenia, I’m 22, 1.78 meters tall. I entered two days ago."

"What? You’re both rookies? I’m really surprised!" Hitomi exclaimed, her eyes widening.

As soon as she finished, the door opened and Esther, the missing model, entered as if nothing had happened, cheerful and greeting everyone.

"Good morning! Sorry I’m late!" Esther said with a smile.

"Sorry? No excuses! You’re late! Introduce yourself: name, height, and experience." the famous model scolded sharply, unable to hide her irritation.

The young woman ignored the veteran’s displeasure and replied casually:

"I’m Esther, 18 years old, 1.75 meters tall. I’ve been in the industry for six years, have worked at two agencies, done many catalogs, and walked for several brands."

Hitomi rested her elbows on the table, clasping her hands, and stared at the young woman seriously.

"You’re the most experienced, and yet you were late. Serious clients won’t tolerate that, let this be a lesson."

Esther glared, scoffed, and then joined her colleagues. Together they proceeded with training and lessons on makeup and runway.

The day was long but productive. They went through etiquette, posture, and posing classes. Hitomi was demanding in every detail, but also precise and clear in her guidance.

At the end of the day, each returned home. Yesenia walked through the residential streets of the neighborhood, scanning her surroundings as though searching for something.

"I sensed something… but which house? Well, my mission is simple: attack. According to the files, one of the models lives here. If she has Potentia, she’ll react." Yesenia muttered coldly, stopping before a large house.

Greenish flames formed at her fingertips. She sent them toward the house, which within seconds was engulfed in fire.

Screams of pain and despair echoed from inside. She stood firm, her face emotionless, analyzing the flames as they spread.

Ah, just screams. Not her, she thought after a while, deciding to leave the place as it was.

Nearby, from a vantage point high enough to overlook much of the neighborhood, stood Hitomi’s apartment. By chance, she passed by the window just as smoke began rising, soon followed by fire. Without hesitation, she called the fire department, reporting that a nearby house was burning… a green fire.

Model Agency, March 10

The next day, tension filled the agency: the victim of the fire had been Esther, the young model.

"And how is she? What’s her condition?" Hitomi asked the agency owner, visibly worried and restless.
"Her family said she suffered second-degree burns. She’ll need rest and treatment. But the police investigated and couldn’t find the cause; they suspect arson. Firefighters found the reports of green flames strange, but when they arrived, that’s exactly what they saw. Stranger still, the fire wouldn’t go out, it only faded gradually until it vanished." Jacques, the agency’s owner, paused and sighed. "There have been many strange happenings in the city lately."

During the exchange, the photographer Yusuke added his opinion:

"Could it have been one of the models seeking revenge?"

Hitomi and Jacques exchanged glances, glaring at him with disgust.

"Well, I’ll start the lessons. Keep me updated on Esther." Hitomi said, leaving after the photographer ruined the mood.

The model regained her composure and went to the classroom, where she addressed the others professionally:

"It’ll just be the three of us today. Esther had an accident…"

The day continued with runway lessons: how to walk gracefully and pose for photographers from various magazines and tabloids.

By the end of the day, Hitomi chose not to extend the schedule. One of the girls had been the victim of what was likely a crime, and she didn’t want to expose the others to potential danger.

"It’s late, and today is enough. Let’s go home. Be careful of suspicious people on the streets!" she warned.

The three said goodbye and prepared to leave. As Megumi stepped outside, she spotted Hitomi just ahead and called to her. Hitomi turned, wary, but saw her pupil, who wasn’t shy and started the conversation warmly, though directly:

"Sorry to bother you, but I really admire your work and your effort to teach us. I’d like to know if it’s possible for us to talk and have a relationship beyond work."

The veteran stared seriously, quickly weighing the situation.

"Look, Megumi, I don’t mind, as long as it’s just a friendship." she answered without much enthusiasm.

Megumi tilted her head, confused. What kind of relationship did the veteran think I meant? Still, they began talking, and soon found themselves sharing random topics as if they were longtime friends.

Hmmm, how lucky, the two of them, so vulnerable, thought the beautiful Yesenia, watching her colleagues from a distance.

Taking advantage of their distraction, Yesenia prepared a ranged strike. Flames formed at her fingertip, and she directed them toward the two, ready to catch them off guard. Luckily, Megumi noticed the threat and ran to protect Hitomi.

"HITOMI, WATCH OUT!" she shouted impulsively, pushing the older woman out of the flames’ reach.

"What are you doing, Megumi!?" Hitomi snapped angrily, not yet aware of the danger.

When she realized what was happening, she recognized the green fire. Shocked, her eyes widened, her brow furrowed, it was the same fire responsible for Esther’s accident.

"That fire!" she exclaimed.

"Hitomi, we need to run!" Megumi urged, trying to pull her along, but sensed how difficult it would be.

She grabbed her phone and called Sayuri’s house, and by luck, Naoko, the water Potentia, answered.

"Naoko, I need help, it’s a fire Potentia! Come quickly, it’s at the…"

Yesenia continued observing, puzzled by the women’s actions.

Something’s off… they’re not reacting… but I feel something, she thought.

She conjured more flames to force them to reveal whether they were Potentia, and whether they were from Earth.

Megumi kept trying to drag Hitomi away, but the veteran’s stubbornness was as strong as her physical strength. She broke free from the younger woman’s grip, refusing her help.

Now with her arms free, she had room to act. Suddenly, from each of her hands burst bright red flames, ready to counter Yesenia’s attack. She repelled the strike, fire against fire.

Hitomi is a fire Potentia… Megumi thought, stunned.

"Don’t worry, I’ll protect you, Megumi!" Hitomi assured, noticing the surprised look on the novice’s face.

But the veteran’s confidence didn’t last long. Yesenia’s flames hit the ground and began spreading, circling around them.

"Why do these flames look like they’re organizing!?" Hitomi cried, stepping back in panic.