—Blash! Fiu! Wind Powers! —Miyu shouted, waving her toy wand with the excitement of a child in the heat of battle.

  Meanwhile, Seiyi closed the apartment door with his foot, letting his backpack drop by the entrance. The silence of the place was only interrupted by the sound of the empty refrigerator as he opened it.

  —Hey! Pass me a candy! Fiush! —Miyu yelled, releasing a small gust of air that messed up his hair.

  ?Wednesday again?? he thought, looking at the desolate shelves. ?The month's groceries are gone... dammit, I don't want to go tomorrow.?

  An empty soda can flew straight toward his head, propelled by a gust of air. The impact rang out with a dry clank.

  —Agh! —he exclaimed, clutching his forehead—. What is wrong with you?!

  —Pay attention to me! —Miyu replied—. I’m hungry!

  —We just left a burger joint! I told you to eat something!

  —But I wasn't hungry then… Fiu!

  A sudden current slammed the refrigerator door shut, catching his hand.

  —AGH! Dammit! Put that piece of junk away already!

  —No!

  —A while ago you were practically crying saying you didn't want to be in the F.O.W., but you're still using that thing!

  —Hey! I said I didn't want to be in the F.O.W., not that I don't like magic. I love it! Fush!

  Seiyi sighed, still rubbing his aching fingers.

  ?Speaking of magic… if today is Thursday… the streaming platform should be broadcasting right now...?

  —Elementalist! —he blurted out suddenly.

  —Huh? —Miyu asked, bewildered.

  Before she could react, her brother was already rummaging through empty bags and bottles, looking for something to eat or drink. Miyu watched him from the sofa, distractedly playing with the wand. Then, without warning, Seiyi shoved her off the couch in a single movement.

  —HEY! What’s your problem?!

  —New episode of Elementalist!

  —But I always lie on the sofa!

  —Not on Thursdays.

  —Aghhh! —she protested, screaming in rage.

  In an act of revenge, Miyu raised the wand and unleashed a gust of air more powerful than before. Seiyi's snacks flew all over the table, along with the drinks.

  —What the hell?! You little...!

  —If I don't have the sofa, no one does! Now clean up your mess!

  —Get back here!

  Seiyi jumped over the table with the agility of a furious cat, catching her just before she could lock herself in her room.

  —No! Let go of me! —Miyu shouted, struggling.

  —I’m FED UP with your disgusting wand!

  With a sharp movement, he snatched it from her hands.

  —Give it back, idiot!

  But he said nothing. Seiyi walked toward the window, the wand between his fingers. Miyu ran after him, trying to reach him, but it was useless. Seiyi let go of the wand. The two stood still, staring into the void until, a couple of seconds later, a dry 'clack' came from the pavement. The plastic wand had become trash three floors below.

  —Stop screwing around! —he exclaimed, turning around—. This is very important to me!

  —My… wand… —she murmured, breathless.

  —Now I’m going to the sofa, I’m going to watch my damn episode of Elementalist, okay?

  —My… I HATE YOU! THAT’S WHY NO ONE LIKES YOU!

  —Oh, yeah? Say whatever you want, stupid…

  With her eyes shining with rage, Miyu turned around and slammed her bedroom door shut. Seiyi let himself fall onto the sofa, smiling with a mix of exhaustion and triumph.

  ?Ha… I don't regret it at all. I’ll clean this up when I’m done,? he thought, looking for the remote.

  The reflection of the turned-off TV gave him back the tired gaze of a boy who, as much as he tried, still didn't understand the right path to fulfill his promise.

  ?Hmph… more flashbacks than actual episode…?

  Seiyi thought as he saw that half the chapter had already passed and the series seemed like a cheap recap of the previous one. Reclining on the sofa, he played distractedly with his navel, then looked at the ceiling and let out a long sigh of boredom.

  ?Maybe I should apologize to my sister… yeah… I could do that.?

  Scratching his back, he stood up and walked toward the closed door of Miyu’s room. He opened it carefully, with barely a creak. Miyu looked up from her phone immediately, like a small wild animal hearing a branch break. Her gaze was pure poison.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  —Do you have something to say to me?… —she spat, each syllable sharp as a knife.

  Seiyi stood in silence. Then, without the slightest hint of shame, he reached out… and turned on the room's light. Miyu blinked, offended on a spiritual level.

  —Huh? The light! Turn it off!

  But Seiyi simply stepped back, step by step, with a malicious little smile that announced his intention was never to apologize. He closed the door, leaving her with the light on, and returned triumphantly to the sofa.

  From there, he looked toward the hallway and managed to hear the tantrum that was already starting to boil.

  ?Forget it. This is much more fun.?

  —Turn it off! TURN IT OFF! AGHHMMMPHH! —Miyu shrieked, burying her face in the pillow to muffle the scream.

  A metal tray hit the cafeteria table softly. Miyu, still furious from the entire previous day, slumped into the chair, burying her face in her clothes. A fork appeared in front of her, pushed by her best friend.

  —Eat —the friend said without looking up.

  Miyu snorted, opened her mouth, and received the bite reluctantly.

  —I hate him… —she murmured with the food half-chewed—. I hope he goes away forever!

  Her friend saw her out of the corner of her eye, raising an eyebrow.

  —Yesterday you said you wanted the best for him… no one understands you.

  —I take it back! —Miyu huffed, pushing the plate away as if it were also Seiyi's fault.

  On the other side of the cafeteria, as always, Seiyi conversed with his friends, oblivious to the mini-drama that had him as the villain of the week.

  —You’re going to leave?! Why? —Manley asked, incredulous.

  —I’ve thought about it —Seiyi replied, spinning the fork between his fingers—. Anyway, I’m not going to fulfill my dream until I get to university. There’s not much difference between being here or being in Japan.

  Yarin pointed at him with his own fork, too close to Seiyi’s face.

  —If it were up to you, you wouldn't leave, right?

  Seiyi sighed.

  —Look… I don't mind being here. But I have to think about my sister. She… she’s always sad. And she already told me.

  —That’s selfish, man —Yarin countered, leaning back in his chair—. Are you going to leave a school like this just for her? Maybe it’s because I don't have siblings, but… think it over. My father would kill me if I did that.

  Manley nodded.

  —I’m staying out of it, of course we’ll miss you, but… I don't know. You should focus more on yourself. She can go back alone!

  Seiyi shook his head.

  —I’m sorry, guys. I promised her. And I must fulfill it. I’m not going to let anything change my mind, okay?

  —Well, it’s your call —Yarin replied, raising his hands—. Good luck with that. Seriously.

  Seiyi stood up from the table with a sigh. He pulled out his phone, shaky, nervous, and determined all at once. He stepped away from the noise and looked for his mother's contact.

  ?Being her, maybe she won't take it so badly… I just need her digital signature. Everything will be fine.?

  The phone connected.

  —Sei? —his mother answered—. What’s going on?

  —H… hello, Ma. I… remember when you said that one day things would get better for Miyu? Well… I think I’ve found the way.

  While Yarin and Manley continued talking in the distance, a scream shook the entire dining hall.

  —WHAAAAT?!

  Yarin spat out some of his drink.

  —Pfh… He’s dead.

  A metallic crash shook the cafeteria as Ana slammed the table, drawing the gazes of students from the other tables.

  —REALLY!? —Ana exclaimed. Her eyes, big and wet, were reminiscent of a stray puppy’s.

  —Yeah... in the end my anger doesn't last forever, you know? —Miyu shrugged with a satisfied smile she couldn't quite hide—. He chose me. He chose me over everything else. I thought I’d have to endure this place for three more years, but... we’re leaving.

  Miyu’s joy crashed against her friend’s silence. Ana looked down, clenching her fists on her skirt as she fought to contain the trembling of her lips.

  —But... but no one is going to talk to me... again —Ana whispered. A solitary tear rolled down her cheek.

  —Hey, no, no... —Miyu leaned forward, feeling a knot in her throat—. We can keep talking through video calls, don't worry, heh...

  ?I’ve only known her for a few months,? Miyu thought, feeling a twinge of discomfort. ?It’s incredible how much it hurts to see her like this, but I also miss my real friends... what am I supposed to say to her??

  —I wanted to graduate with you —Ana sobbed, and this time the tears fell freely onto the table—. We could have gone to so many places... but you always preferred to stay locked in at home. I just wanted... I just wanted to spend more time with you.

  Seeing Ana crumble was too much. Miyu's enthusiasm transformed into a desperate urgency to fix things—a trait she clearly shared with her brother.

  —Oh, Ana! Listen, I’ll visit you! I swear! What’s more, I’ll talk to Seiyi right now. I’ll tell him to buy you tickets so you can come see us! You’re invited to Japan!

  —Sniff?... Really? —Ana looked up, wiping her nose with her sleeve—. I... I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I love you so much, Miyu.

  —And I love you... I guess. I’ll tell Seiyi this instant! See you in the next class!

  Miyu almost ran off, fleeing from Ana's intensity. As she walked down the hall, she felt a chill run down the back of her neck, as if someone were tightening a grip on her.

  ?She’s a good girl... but I can’t love her as much as she loves me,? she admitted to herself with a grimace of guilt. ?Dammit, I don't know... I should find Sei and ask him how everything is going with Mom; I'm sure he has it sorted out already.?

  As she approached the table where the group was resting, Miyu recognized Yarin's silhouette and, with her usual energy, closed the distance with a jump.

  —Heyyy! How’s it going?!

  —Miyu! —Yarin exclaimed, exaggerating a sad face—. I already heard that you’re leaving too. You guys are heartless!

  Miyu let out a giggle, but her eyes immediately sought out her brother. —Oh, speaking of that… How did it go, Sei? Are we leaving?

  Seiyi didn't respond immediately. He had his gaze lost on his food tray, with a somber expression that didn't fit the news of his freedom. Manley, noticing the tension, quickly intervened.

  —Don't mind his dead-man face; it’s a fact that you’re out of here tomorrow.

  —Tomorrow? —Miyu turned toward her brother, seeking confirmation—. Is that true, Sei?

  Seiyi blinked, as if returning from a very distant place. He forced a small smile that didn't reach his eyes. —Huh? Oh, yeah… we’re leaving tomorrow, Miyu. We just have to sign a few last documents together.

  Yarin, detecting the doubt on the girl's face, hurried to clarify the situation:

  —Hey! Don't think we’re tricking you. It’s just that… well, he had some problems with his mother over the phone, but tomorrow you’re leaving without fail!

  Miyu exhaled a sigh of relief, and a radiant smile lit up her face.

  —Then there’s nothing to worry about! You’re the best, Sei!

  She was about to throw herself into a hug, but a blue flash in the distance stopped her muscles. Amidst the crowd, she recognized the hair of the girl with the books. She was talking to a guard, and though it was noisy, Miyu sharpened her hearing.

  —But… it’s not the assigned time —the guard was saying, confused.

  —I’m sorry, I’m still new —the blue girl replied, clutching her books to her chest—. I just want to get to know this part of the campus.

  —Leaving the cafeteria to the left —the man yielded.

  Miyu felt a chill run down her spine.

  ?It’s her… I’m sure it’s her,? she thought, feeling her pulse quicken. ?Why did she get so upset yesterday knowing I can read those runes? If she were a normal teacher, she would have congratulated me… she wouldn't have looked at me with that hatred. What if Seiyi is right? What if she’s from the Legion??.

  —Everything okay? You're pale —Manley asked, leaning toward her.

  —N-No… Yes! It’s just that… —Miyu stepped back, hesitating—. I just remembered I have a task to turn in! Yes, I have to go now! Sei, thanks for helping me so much! I forgive you for before!

  Without waiting for an answer, Miyu turned and shot off, losing herself among the thousands of uniforms. Once she was sure her brother wasn't following, she slowed her pace, sticking to the stone walls and hiding behind columns like a shadow.

  ?Something tells me this isn't a coincidence!? she scolded herself, trying to control her breathing. ?That girl might understand Gronk’tar. Only magical beings can do that.?