The morning after Ryo's chaotic trial, the Takashi household resumed its usual symphony of low-budget domestic chaos. Ryo stumbled out of bed, tripping over a pile of Kenji's wires and prototypes, rubbing his eyes against the sunlight streaming through the cracks in the curtains.
On the living room couch, Kenji was sitting cross-legged in his pajamas, staring intently at his laptop. His glasses were slightly askew, and his spiky hair was defying gravity in every direction.
"What are you doing now?" Ryo asked groggily, scratching his head.
"Editing," Kenji said without looking up.
"Editing what?"
"My masterpiece." Kenji finally turned the laptop screen toward Ryo, revealing a paused YouTube video with the title "MY BROTHER IS A MAGICAL CHOSEN ONE??" in bold, obnoxious lettering. The thumbnail featured a hilariously exaggerated freeze-frame of Ryo mid-yelp during the pendant's glowing moment.
Ryo groaned and collapsed face-first onto the couch beside his brother. "You didn't."
"Oh, I absolutely did," Kenji said smugly. "You're a star, bro. Overnight celebrity. As of this morning, we've got 7,000 views and counting."
"7,000 people have seen that?" Ryo groaned, pulling a cushion over his face. "This is why people don't tell you secrets, Kenji."
"Hey, I'm doing you a favor. Fame builds credibility. Plus, think about it—what if you need to summon a magical army? Now you have a fanbase!"
---
Breakfast and Big News
Before Ryo could respond with a sarcastic retort, their mom, Mayumi, entered the room, already dressed in her hospital scrubs. Despite working a grueling night shift, she looked as calm and composed as ever, her short black hair tucked neatly under a headband.
"Good morning, boys," she greeted, setting a bag of groceries on the counter.
"Morning, Mom," Ryo mumbled.
"Morning, star of the internet," Kenji said with a smirk, nudging Ryo.
Mayumi raised an eyebrow. "Do I want to know?"
"No, you don't," Ryo said quickly, sitting up.
"Fair enough. I've got bigger news anyway," Mayumi said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Remember that promotion I mentioned last month?"
"You got it?" Ryo asked, his tone brightening.
Mayumi nodded, a rare smile breaking across her usually serious face. "Starting next month, I'll be managing a new ward. Better hours, better pay. Things are finally looking up."
"That's amazing, Mom!" Ryo said.
Kenji clapped dramatically. "And the Takashi family rises another rung on the socioeconomic ladder! Soon we'll be billionaires!"
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Mayumi said, chuckling. "But there's more. The hospital is offering a scholarship program for employees' families. Ryo, you could apply and finally go to college."
The room went quiet.
Ryo froze mid-sip of his coffee. College? The idea hadn't crossed his mind in months. Between working odd jobs, supporting the family, and now being dragged into some magical nonsense, college seemed as far away as the moon.
"I'll...think about it," he said finally, avoiding her gaze.
---
A Visit to the Dojo
Later that afternoon, Ryo made his way to the neighborhood dojo, a familiar haunt from his high school days. The dojo was a modest but well-kept building tucked between a convenience store and a laundromat. Inside, the scent of sweat and worn-out mats greeted him like an old friend.
Haruto Imai, the dojo's owner, was in the middle of teaching a group of kids basic sparring techniques. He looked up as Ryo entered, his face breaking into a broad grin.
"Ryo! Long time no see," Haruto called out, waving him over.
"Hey, Haruto-sensei," Ryo said, bowing politely.
Haruto was a man in his mid-30s with a muscular build and an infectious energy that made him a favorite among the students. He wore his usual brightly colored Hawaiian shirt over black training pants, a fashion choice that made him look like a surfer who'd stumbled into martial arts by accident.
After dismissing the kids for a break, Haruto pulled Ryo aside. "I heard you're looking for work."
"Yeah, sort of," Ryo said, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Perfect timing," Haruto said. "I need someone to help run the dojo. You're good with people, and you know the basics. Plus, I could use a second pair of hands with all these new students. What do you say?"
Ryo hesitated. He wanted to say yes—it felt good to be back here, in a place that felt like home. But with everything else going on, how could he possibly commit?
"Honestly, I'd love to, but things are...complicated right now," Ryo admitted.
"Complicated how?" Haruto asked, crossing his arms.
"Oh, you know. Family stuff, random magical destiny, shadow monsters trying to kill me. The usual."
Haruto blinked, then burst out laughing. "Same old Ryo. Always joking around."
"Right. Joking," Ryo muttered.
---
A Mysterious Encounter
As Ryo left the dojo, he decided to stop by a nearby coffee shop for a quick pick-me-up. The shop was small and cozy, with mismatched furniture and a menu written in colorful chalk.
Ryo ordered a latte and was waiting for his drink when he noticed a girl sitting by the window. She had long black hair tied in a high ponytail, sharp brown eyes, and an aura of confidence that made her stand out in the crowd. She was scribbling furiously in a notebook, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Ryo tried not to stare, but his curiosity got the better of him. There was something oddly familiar about her.
Just as his latte arrived, the girl stood up and bumped into him, nearly knocking his drink out of his hands.
"Watch it!" she snapped, her tone sharp.
"Sorry," Ryo said quickly, stepping back.
Her eyes darted to the pendant around his neck. "Where did you get that?"
Ryo instinctively clutched the pendant. "Why do you want to know?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Just answer the question."
"I don't think that's any of your business," Ryo replied, trying to sidestep her.
Before he could move, she grabbed his wrist with surprising strength.
"Okay, ow," Ryo said, wincing. "What is your problem?"
"The pendant," she said through gritted teeth. "Who gave it to you?"
"Some old guy with a beard and a staff!" Ryo snapped. "What's it to you?"
She let go of his wrist, her expression softening. "The Elder?"
"Yeah, him. Wait—how do you know about him?"
The girl sighed, crossing her arms. "Great. Just great. They pick someone like you to be the Chosen One?"
"Excuse me?" Ryo said, offended. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're clueless," she said bluntly. "I'm Sakura Minami. And lucky for you, I'm here to make sure you don't die."
"Die?" Ryo echoed. "Why does everyone keep saying stuff like that? Can someone just explain what's going on without being cryptic for five seconds?"
Sakura smirked faintly. "Sure. But first, you're buying me a coffee."
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