Mitsumi's phone rang, a light chime cutting through the evening air. She pressed it to her ear, her expression instantly brightening. "Mom! Are you back home from your vacation?"
Curious, Hikari's ears picked up the conversation without effort. Enhanced hearing had its perks, but sometimes, it made eavesdropping unavoidable. He shifted slightly, pretending not to listen while every word filtered through clearly.
The streets around them had quieted as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the city bathed in golden twilight. Streetlights flickered to life one by one, their artificial glow barely holding back the encroaching darkness.
"So, how are your first days of school? Got any friends?" Mitsumi's mother asked, her tone warm, almost teasing.
"Yes, Mom! Remember the time when I asked for your permission to go to dinner because someone invited me?"
"So, that was your friend?"
"Yes, Mom."
A brief pause followed. The distant sound of a car engine passed by on the road, blending into the quiet hum of the evening. The sky had begun shifting into deep hues of orange and violet, the last traces of daylight fading behind the city skyline. The air carried the faint scent of grilled food from a nearby restaurant, mixing with the fresh aroma of rain from an earlier drizzle. The combination of warmth and coolness made the moment feel oddly serene.
"I've seen you in the news. You were attacked by that most-wanted criminal, right? Are you okay?" The concern in her mother's voice was unmistakable, tightening slightly at the edges.
"Of course, Mom! My friend was there to protect me when we got attacked. He was the one who took it down!"
Hikari exhaled softly. It had only been a few days since that incident, yet the weight of it still lingered. The memory of that battle—his body moving on instinct, shadows curling at his fingertips—felt like a scene from another life. Mitsumi's enthusiasm contrasted sharply with the danger they had faced, but maybe that was for the best. If she could carry on as if nothing had happened, then perhaps he could, too.
"Really?! So, is your friend with you right now?"
"Yes, Mom, do you want to talk to him?"
Without hesitation, Mitsumi turned, her eyes shining as she handed the phone to him. Hikari hesitated for a moment before accepting it. A strange feeling settled in his chest. Déjà vu.
This had happened before—except last time, it was his father calling and Mitsumi who had answered.
"Hello, ma'am. I am Kurayami Hikari. Nice to meet you."
"Hikari? Can I call you Hikari? It sounds pretty cool for a name."
Her words caught him off guard, not because of their meaning but because of her voice. Something about it was strangely familiar. But before he could dwell on it, another thought struck him. Mitsumi really was just like her mother—enthusiastic, forward, and completely unfazed by his name. That alone was a relief.
"It's okay, ma'am."
"So, Hikari, do you have any plans for tonight?"
"No, ma'am."
"It's settled then! Come over for dinner. I think I should properly thank you for protecting my daughter from that accident last time."
He blinked. "Eh? I was invited for dinner?"
"Is it okay if I ask my parents first?" Realization dawned upon him, his mind immediately recalling the conversation Mitsumi had with his father days ago. Everything about this exchange mirrored that moment.
"Go ahead. I'll be waiting for the two of you. Later then!" She hung up without another word.
Lowering the phone, Hikari turned to Mitsumi, who stared at him expectantly, her energy practically radiating through her expression. "So? What did Mom tell you?"
"She invited me to your place for dinner," he admitted, the weight of her anticipation pressing down on him. "But I need to ask my parents first."
"Really?! Then, let's go to your place!"
Before he could protest, Mitsumi had already grabbed his wrist and taken off, dragging him forward with surprising speed. The wind rushed past his face as they ran side by side through the narrow streets. The city lights flickered to life, neon signs casting fragmented reflections onto the wet pavement.
Hikari could hear the distant chatter of people in the background, the rhythmic sound of footsteps blending into the pulse of the city. The gentle rumble of a train passing on a nearby track added another layer to the urban symphony.
As they weaved through the streets, passing small convenience stores and vending machines glowing with soft LED lights, Hikari couldn't help but be aware of the warmth of Mitsumi's hand around his wrist.
It wasn't often that he was pulled along like this, and for a brief second, he wondered if this was what it felt like to be led forward by someone who never hesitated, never wavered in their enthusiasm.
Just then, a familiar presence stirred beside him. A shadow glided along the ground, seamlessly matching his pace.
"You don't have to go to training later tonight," a voice spoke, low and smooth. "Just try practicing the shadow-shifting technique I showed you before. That's your assignment. Anyway, enjoy your dinner."
Hikari kept his gaze forward, but his fingers curled slightly. "Thanks, Master Ryu," he muttered under his breath.
The presence faded as swiftly as it appeared, leaving only the natural darkness of the night behind. A cool breeze swept through the streets, carrying the scent of fresh rain and city life. In the distance, the faint ringing of a bicycle bell and the laughter of children playing in front of an apartment complex reached his ears.
With the purple skies shifting into a haze of gray, the night had fully settled now, bringing with it a different kind of energy—one that buzzed under streetlights and hummed in the background of the city's restless heartbeat.
For a moment, he let himself relax, focusing instead on the warmth of Mitsumi's grip as she led him forward, her laughter ringing in the air. There was something reassuring about it, something that made the idea of dinner at her house feel less daunting.
Perhaps tonight wouldn't be so bad after all.