The night air was crisp as it swept through the village of Mizuhara, tugging at Selena's dark hair as she walked beside Haruto. Ahead of them, Renjiro and Himari led the way, their silhouettes framed by the dim glow of lanterns lining the cobblestone path and the sky above shimmered with stars, a quiet backdrop to the chatter of the four friends.
Selena nudged Haruto with her elbow, a playful glint in her red eyes. "So, what do you think of my brother?"
Haruto tilted his head, his expression deadpan. "Annoying. Always teasing everyone. Ugly face.
"Selena's jaw dropped, and she whirled to face him, fists clenched. "Excuse me?!"
Haruto smirked, unfazed by her brewing storm. "Oh, and he's my rival. Also, the person I respect most."
Selena blinked, her anger derailed by the sudden shift. "Wait, what? You really see him as a rival? Even though…" She hesitated, her voice softening. "He hasn't awakened his core yet?"
Haruto sighed, kicking a pebble as they walked. "Honestly? I was a little disappointed. Back home, I awakened mine at nine. I thought he will also awaken soon still he doesn't …Three years later, and he's still… well, you know." He glanced at her, then added quickly, "But it's fine. What about you?"
Selena's lips curved into a wistful smile. "I was disappointed too. But then he told me about his dream today. It's ridiculous, but… it made me feel better." She met Haruto's gaze, and for a moment, they shared a quiet, understanding grin.
Ahead, Himari's voice broke the night's stillness. "Hey, Renjiro, if Haruto reaches the Aetherion Core, will he be the strongest?"
Renjiro, his white and silver hair glinting under the lantern light, didn't miss a beat. "Nah. Tons of people hit Aetherion Core, and not all of them are top-tier. Strength's about mastering your element, learn more techniques,strong determination and never give up attitude. But…" He glanced back at Haruto with a smile. "He's got potential. Maybe even more than my sister. Who knows? He might pick up an extra element someday
Himari's blue eyes widened. "Wait, you can gain more elements after awakening? I thought you're stuck with what you get!"
"It's rare," his tone casual but edged with mystery. "You'd need to hit Celestial Core level. Almost impossible, but it happens."
Their conversation carried them through the west side gate of Mizuhara, the wooden arch creaking as they passed.
Renjiro turned to Selena. "Mom said we need to grab vegetables for the shop
"Got it," Selena replied. "Mitsube Market Street it is. Let's go!"
As they strolled toward the village center, Himari leaned closer to Haruto, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Hey, Renjiro's birthday is in two days."
Haruto froze mid-step. "Two days?! Why didn't you tell me sooner? We've got no time!"
Himari's eyes narrowed, and she jabbed a finger at his chest. "I told you a week ago, you idiot!" Before he could dodge, her fist swung at him. Haruto caught it with a laugh.
"Okay, okay, sorry! I'll round up Reina, Takeshi, and Yuki. We'll throw him a party he won't forget."
"Fine," Himari huffed. "I'll be at your place tomorrow morning. Don't mess this up."
Meanwhile, at Mitsube Market, Selena handed the shopkeeper 1 copper for a basket of carrots and greens. He slid 5 iron back with a grin. "Rare to see you buying veggies, Selena. Usually, it's your mom or that white and silver-haired brother of yours.
Currency Conversion
1 Gold = 100 Silver
1 Silver = 50 Copper
1 Copper = 10 Iron
Selena chuckled. "I've been training with Renjiro. He dragged me along this time."
The shopkeeper nodded, then glanced past her. "What're those two lovebirds whispering about?"
Selena followed his gaze to Haruto and Himari, huddled in quiet conversation. She smirked. "Hey, you two! What's with the secret lovebird chat?"
"We're not a couple!" they shouted in unison, cheeks flushing as a cold breeze swept through. Renjiro, adjusting his hair , caught a glimpse of Himari's black hair fluttering in the wind, her glowing blue eyes catching the light. He blinked, then quickly looked away.
Suddenly, a voice rang out nearby. "Hey, a comet's passing!"
The group turned skyward as a streak of silver light blazed across the heavens. In Mizuhara, a passing comet was sacred—everyone prayed, hoping their dreams would come true. Selena, Haruto, and Himari clasped their hands, eyes shut tight. To their shock, Renjiro joined them, his head bowed in silence.
Selena gaped. "Renjiro, you're praying? I've never seen you do that!"
He cracked one dark grey eye open, smirking. "It's a secret."
"What'd you wish for?" Himari prodded.
"Not telling," he said, turning away with a shrug.
As the comet faded, the group split off—Haruto and Himari heading north, Selena and Renjiro south. The night was far from over.
Haruto and Himari walked in companionable silence until he spoke up. "Don't you ever wonder about Renjiro's hair? Silver-white, grey eyes… totally different from Selena and their mom. They've got black hair and red eyes."
Himari tilted her head. "Maybe he takes after his dad? Genes are weird like that."
"Yeah, but we've never seen his dad," Haruto pointed out. "I asked Renjiro's mom once. She said he's an archaeologist working in the Kingdom of Demi-Humans. Haven't visited in, what, four years?"
Himari frowned. "That's right… I forgot about that. No wonder we don't remember him."
They reached Himari's house, where her parents stood outside, chatting under the porch lantern. "Good evening, Mr. Ryu, Mrs. Hoshimi!" Haruto called.
Ryu, a towering fifth-core swordsman, grinned. "Haruto! Been a while. How's training?"
"Going fine, sir," Haruto said, scratching his neck.
Hoshimi, a fourth-core mage with a sharp gaze, nodded. "And where's Renjiro?"
"Probably still training to awaken his core," Ryu said with a laugh.
Haruto's mother, Akari, emerged from the shadows, her smile tight and faintly menacing. "It's not kind to mock someone working hard."
Ryu and Hoshimi stiffened. "Uh, right, no offense," Ryu muttered.
The air grew heavy with Akari's subtle pressure. Himari groaned. "Mom, Dad, stop! Renjiro's my friend—lay off him!"
The tension broke, and after a quick goodbye, Haruto and Akari headed home. Meanwhile, Selena and Renjiro reached their house. Misaki, their pint-sized terror of a sister, barreled out. "Welcome back!"
"Welcome home," Naomi called from the kitchen, apron-clad and warm. "How was training?"
Selena grinned. "Same old—Renjiro lost to Haruto again."
Renjiro glared. "You love to tease me, don't you?"
"Yep," Selena shot back. "That ugly face, no common sense—should I keep going?"
Naomi sighed. "Selena, enough don't tease your brother anymore."
"Fine," Selena muttered, then whispered, "Not when you're not looking."
"What was that?" Naomi asked, eyebrow arched.
"Nothing!" Selena chirped, bolting. "Bath time!"
"Hurry up—I'm next!" Renjiro called, shaking his head.
Later, scrubbed clean and gathered at the table, the family dug into Naomi's chapati. Misaki ask his renjiro, "brother, can you help me awaken my core?"
Renjiro nearly choked. "Me? I haven't even awakened mine! Ask Selena she is prodigy!"
Misaki pouted. "But you're calmer, and you know stuff. Selena just yells."
Selena smirked. "Shut it, gremlin."
Naomi smiled. "Renjiro, after training with Misaki tomorrow, help at the food shop? We're swamped."
"Sure, Mom," he said.
That night, Renjiro lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Two days 'til my birthday. Do they even know? With a sigh, he drifted off.
The next morning, Haruto's house buzzed with chaos. Himari arrived at ten sharp, joined by Reina, Takeshi, and Yuki. They huddled around a rickety table, plotting Renjiro's surprise.
Takeshi puffed up. "I'll bake the cake!"
Reina glared. "Last time, your cake poisoned us. Renjiro was puking for days."
Takeshi with sad face. "Fine, I'll be careful…"
The door creaked, and Selena strolled in, red eyes gleaming. "Planning my brother's birthday?"
"Yeah!" Yuki chirped. "Join us?"
"Duh," Selena said, plopping down. "I've got something to tell—"