The moment Samantha stepped outside, the morning air felt… different. It was crisp, refreshing, almost electric. Maybe it was the excitement of her first real mission. Maybe it was the fact that, for the first time in years, she didn't feel like she was about to collapse from anemia.
Or maybe it was because she was about to do something insane.
"Alright, let's get started!" Mochi chirped, floating eagerly beside her. "Time to tackle your first sub-mission!"
Samantha sighed, glancing at the floating text. "You know, springing this 'basic training' on me right after breakfast wasn't exactly ideal."
Mochi shrugged, doing a little loop-de-loop. "Hey, you saw the sub-mission! Besides, think of it as a warm-up for all the awesome things we're gonna do!"
Samantha squinted at the floating blue text in front of her:
[Sub-Mission: Complete 100 Push-ups, 100 Sit-ups, 100 Squats, and a 10km Run] Time Limit: 24 Hours Penalty for Failure: Full Muscle Growth Activation for 48 Hours
She sucked in a sharp breath. "EXCUSE ME?!"
"C'mon, it's not that bad!" Mochi reasoned. "If that one punch guy could do it, so can you!"
"That's a fictional character!"
Mochi waved a stubby hand. "Details, details. You have a perfectly healthy body now, and a supernatural contract to uphold! So—" It clapped its hands. "—let's MOVE!"
Samantha groaned. "This is going to kill me."
Nevertheless, she dropped to the ground and started her push-ups.
Two hours later, Samantha was halfway through the squats when she heard the front door creak open.
"Samantha—"
She turned, mid-rep, to see her older brother, Ren Kisaragi, staring at her like she'd just announced she was moving to Mars.
Ren was usually the composed, cool-headed type. With sharp eyes and a natural air of authority, he gave off the responsible big-brother vibe effortlessly. But right now? His entire face was frozen in pure, undiluted shock.
"…What are you doing?" he finally managed.
Samantha wiped sweat from her forehead, panting slightly. "Uh. Exercise?"
Ren's brow twitched. "You." He pointed at her. "Are doing squats."
"Yup."
"In the backyard."
"Yup."
"After voluntarily doing push-ups and sit-ups."
Samantha hesitated. "…Yes?"
Ren narrowed his eyes. "Who are you, and what have you done with my sister?"
She sighed, stretching her arms. "Look, I just felt like working out, okay?"
Ren folded his arms, clearly unconvinced. "You—" His voice softened, a flicker of concern crossing his face. "You were sick, Samantha. You barely had the energy to go up the stairs a week ago. Now you're out here doing a full-blown training regimen?"
She swallowed. Right. This was bound to happen.
"Yeah, well… I guess I finally wanted to take care of myself?" she offered weakly.
Ren frowned, stepping closer. "And you're sure you're okay? No dizziness? No fatigue? No—" His gaze flickered to her hands, checking for any trembling. "—weakness?"
Samantha hesitated, guilt twisting in her gut. Ren had always been the one worrying over her. Always checking in, always the first to rush her to the hospital if she so much as stumbled.
She forced a smile. "I promise, I'm fine."
Ren exhaled slowly. "…Alright. But don't overdo it." He glanced at the sweat-drenched towel beside her. "How much more do you have left?"
Samantha checked the system interface. "Uh. Just the ten-kilometer run."
Ren's head snapped up so fast she thought he might get whiplash. "You're running?!"
Samantha winced. "I mean, jogging. Maybe speed-walking?"
Ren groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'll go with you."
Mochi gasped dramatically from beside her. "Brotherly bonding exercise arc? Let's gooo!"
Samantha gave the floating dumpling a deadpan look before glancing back at Ren. "You don't have to—"
"I do," he interrupted firmly. "You're my little sister. No way am I letting you pass out in some park alone."
Samantha sighed. "Fine. But if I somehow outrun you, don't cry about it."
Ren scoffed, rolling his shoulders. "In your dreams, pipsqueak."
Mochi clapped excitedly. "This is gonna be fun!"
Samantha had a sinking feeling Mochi's definition of 'fun' and hers were very, very different.
To Be Continued…