[Faraday]
[Chapter 59]
[Rei's Apartment.]
The early morning light filters through the curtains as Rei Aki-ma, still groggy from the previous day's adventures, stretches lazily on her bean bag chair.
Hisako is in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepares breakfast, unaware of the danger that looms just outside.
Suddenly, a loud crash shatters the peaceful morning.
The front door bursts open, revealing a man dressed in dark clothing, a gun clutched tightly in his hand. His eyes are wild, desperate.
Hisako freezes, her heart pounding in her chest. The man raises the gun, aiming directly at her.
Time seems to slow as Rei, sensing the imminent danger, snaps to attention.
Her body shimmers, the familiar dark energy of the Observable Universe beginning to swirl around her.
In an instant, she understands what she must do.
Rei's voice is sharp, commanding,
"Hisako, get down!"
Without hesitation, Hisako drops to the floor, just as the man pulls the trigger.
The sound of the gunshot echoes through the apartment, but the bullet never reaches its target.
Rei's transformation is complete.
[/....\]
[/Transformation Complete\]
In a flash, Rei Aki-ma's form dissolves into the tall, dark, and slender figure of the Observable Universe. Her presence is imposing, otherworldly, and in this form, she is no longer bound by the limitations of space and time.
The Observable Universe steps forward, her black ninja bandana fluttering as she reaches out, her hand glowing with cosmic energy. She doesn't speak—instead, she pulls out her cellphone, her fingers dancing across the screen with incredible speed.
The gunman, frozen in place, watches in confusion as the Observable Universe types out her message:
"Sorry, but you don't get to harm my friend today."
With a flick of her wrist, she twists reality around them. The very fabric of the universe bends, and in the blink of an eye, the two of them are transported outside the plot—beyond the constraints of space, time, and even narrative itself.
They find themselves floating in an endless void, a space where nothing and everything exists simultaneously. Here, the Observable Universe is at her most powerful, unbound by the rules of the world they had just left behind.
The gunman's expression shifts from confusion to sheer terror as he realizes the gravity of his situation. He tries to move, but his body is paralyzed, trapped in this infinite expanse.
The Observable Universe pulls out her phone again, typing a new message:
"You're out of your league, pal."
With a casual wave of her hand, she sends the gunman spiraling into the depths of the void, where he will remain forever, lost to the endless expanse of nothingness.
Satisfied, the Observable Universe turns her attention to Hisako, who hovers nearby, still reeling from the shock of what just happened. The fear in her eyes begins to fade as she realizes she's safe.
The Observable Universe's phone lights up with another message:
"Don't worry, Hisako. I've got your back, always."
Hisako exhales, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. She nods, her voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."
The Observable Universe smiles—a gesture that, in this form, is more felt than seen. With a gentle motion, she wraps her cosmic energy around Hisako, pulling her back into the fabric of reality.
[Rei's Apartment.]
In an instant, they're back in Rei's apartment, the scene from moments ago now nothing more than a distant memory. The front door is still intact, the air calm and still.
Rei Aki-ma stands before Hisako once again, having reverted to her usual form. She looks down at her friend, concern in her eyes.
"Are you okay?" Rei asks, her voice soft.
Hisako nods slowly, still trying to process everything that just happened. "I... I think so."
Rei smiles, though her expression is tinged with sadness. "I'm sorry you had to see that. But I couldn't let anything happen to you."
Hisako takes a deep breath, steadying herself. "Thank you, Rei. You really saved me."
Rei shrugs, trying to play it off, but the weight of her actions hangs in the air. "Just doing what I had to do."
The two stand in silence for a moment, the reality of the situation sinking in. But before long, Rei's usual playful demeanor returns.
"Alright, let's forget about that jerk and get on with our day. How about some breakfast?"
Hisako smiles, grateful for the distraction. "Yeah, that sounds good."
The two of them move to the kitchen, the lingering tension from the encounter slowly dissipating as they focus on the simple, comforting act of making breakfast together.
[Rei's Apartment - Morning]
The clatter of dishes and the smell of freshly brewed coffee fill the small kitchen as Rei Aki-ma and Hisako settle into the rhythm of a new day. The tension from the earlier encounter still lingers, but the warmth of companionship and the simple act of making breakfast together helps to ease their nerves.
Hisako, trying to shake off the surreal experience, forces a smile as she flips a pancake. "You know, Rei, I never imagined my life would get this… intense."
Rei, leaning against the counter with her arms crossed, chuckles. "Yeah, I guess hanging out with a cosmic being wasn't exactly on your to-do list."
Hisako's smile becomes more genuine as she places the pancake onto a plate. "It's not just that. I mean, a few weeks ago, I was just a regular girl with a regular life. And now, I'm… well, here."
Rei's expression softens as she watches her friend. "I get it. It's a lot to take in. But you're stronger than you think, Hisako. You've handled everything that's come your way like a pro."
Hisako shrugs, feeling a little bashful under Rei's praise. "I don't know about that. But thanks."
Rei's phone buzzes on the counter, drawing her attention. She picks it up and quickly types out a message:
"Want to get out of here? Maybe explore a bit? Tokyo's got some cool spots we haven't checked out yet."
Hisako, grateful for the suggestion, nods eagerly. "Yeah, that sounds perfect."
[Later...]
[Shibuya Crossing - Tokyo]
The bustling energy of Shibuya Crossing is a stark contrast to the quiet of Rei's apartment. The streets are alive with the sound of chatter, the flashing lights of advertisements, and the constant flow of people moving in every direction.
Rei and Hisako navigate through the sea of humanity, their senses overwhelmed by the vibrant chaos of the city. It's a welcome distraction—a chance to forget, if only for a moment, the weight of the cosmic forces at play in their lives.
Hisako stops at a shop window, admiring a display of trendy clothes. "You know, it's nice to just be normal for a bit. To blend in."
Rei, standing beside her, smiles and types out a message on her phone:
"You've always been normal to me, Hisako. That's what makes you awesome."
Hisako laughs softly. "Coming from you, that means a lot."
They continue their walk, passing by street performers, busy cafés, and a group of tourists snapping photos. The sights and sounds of the city envelop them, creating a bubble of normalcy that feels almost sacred.
Rei leads Hisako down a quieter side street, where the pace of life slows down. They find a small park, tucked away between tall buildings, and decide to take a break on a bench beneath a cherry blossom tree.
Hisako leans back, closing her eyes and letting the gentle breeze wash over her. "This is nice. Just… being."
Rei nods in agreement, though her mind is elsewhere. She's hyper-aware of her surroundings, her senses attuned to any potential threats. But for now, all is calm.
As the afternoon light begins to fade, Rei glances at her phone, a thought forming in her mind. She quickly types out another message:
"Ready to head back? Or do you want to explore some more?"
Hisako opens her eyes and stretches, feeling more relaxed than she has in days. "I think I'm good to head back. Today's been… refreshing."
Rei stands up, pocketing her phone, and together they begin the journey back to the apartment. The walk is peaceful, with the city's energy gradually winding down as evening approaches.
[Rei's Apartment - Evening]
When they finally return, the apartment feels warmer, more welcoming, as if the earlier events had never happened. Hisako heads to the kitchen to prepare some tea, while Rei takes a moment to herself, standing by the window and looking out at the cityscape.
Her thoughts drift back to the transformation earlier that day. The power she wielded as the Observable Universe was immense, almost intoxicating. But it also came with a weight—a responsibility she couldn't ignore.
As Hisako joins her at the window, handing her a cup of tea, Rei types out another message:
"I'm glad you're here, Hisako. I don't think I'd be able to handle all this without you."
Hisako smiles warmly, feeling a deep sense of camaraderie with her friend. "You're stuck with me, Rei. No matter what."
Rei grins, and the two share a quiet moment, sipping their tea as the city lights twinkle below them.
[end]