The Morning rose quietly over the P.H.G.'s grounds, casting soft sunlight across the outer wooden floors.
It felt like another usual day. But not quite.
The atmosphere was still cold.
Time went by as usual; nothing special happened. The same daily chores… The same mode.
The sun finally set, giving way to the dark night.
Inside the wide open canteen, Hiroki sat at his usual corner seat with Kenji beside him.
A few minutes later, Yoru joined them, "Yo." She pulled out a chair and sat down.
Nobody said much after her.
The sounds of forks and plates were all they heard.
But that's when it happened…
"Niahoo~ Hellooo!"
A cheerful voice broke the silence like a swift wind.
"Oh… haven't y'all eaten yet?"
Both Kenji and Hiroki turned to their right.
Miyu strolled in with a spring in her step, easily balancing her small tray while waving between tables.
"It'll make the food too cold if you keep staring at it like that, oh my of you guys!"
Hiroki blinked. "Miyu…?"
He watched her movements… It was happy and energetic.
"Is she just trying to lighten up the mood for us?"
She took the seat next to Yoru, facing both Hiroki and Kenji.
(Illustration Artwork: Miyu Tanaka, chilling with the group)
"Come on guys, keeping your faces like that only makes me worry more!"
She puffed her cheeks slightly.
"Oh, I got it!" She tapped her notebook. "Let me tell y'all what I found out from my latest research."
Yoru raised her head slightly, and her dull expression became a bit alive.
"…Go on. I'm kinda interested."
Miyu leaned in, flipping open her notes.
"Sure! So… Based on old archives and the records of Yumix Gen2 theories, there's definitely a link between the Golden Book and a fixed soul lock."
Kenji raised a brow, "Soul lock?"
"Yeah!" Miyu nodded quickly. "I mean… like a sealed user imprint. Meaning… the power inside the book is probably tied to one person only."
She glanced at Hiroki.
"Whoever made this book… probably had strange plans about the future."
That line she just said… It hit him so hard.
Hiroki froze in place. His eyes dropped to the ground.
"…The dreams."
"That makes sense. The visions. Ayuri… but she's right here next to me." He faced her with nervousness, and she was worried about him as well. His gaze quickly flicked back again to the floor
"But she doesn't seem to know about that, probably. Should I ask her? Am I doing this here? They may think I'm going crazy. What about that destruction I saw in the vision…? The same thing happened before. When Amaya was kidnapped. That mountain!"
It all collided like puzzle pieces.
"Was all of it… part of the book's will?"
Hiroki suddenly stood up, and the chair slid back with a squeak.
"NOW I get it!"
He slammed his hands on Miyu's shoulders, his eyes wide.
"Heh?! W-What's wrong!?" She flinched.
"Thank you, Miyu! Really—your work has paid off!"
He lightly swayed her back and forth with both hands, a big grin on his face.
"I finally understand somehow the relation of the book. I owe you for this!"
Miyu's cheeks flushed red. "D-Did it really help that much…? T-Thanks… I guess."
"Hoy, Hiroki. Stop shaking her like that already." Yoru narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
After that wave of happiness, Hiroki regained awareness. He turned his face to his right, to see them gazing at him in shock.
He quickly let go. "Ah, sorry. I kinda got a bit too excited."
"Oh my… saying that's a bit—" Yoru sighed with folded arms.
She paused for a moment as he returned to his own seat.
"…So what did you figure out from that?"
Hiroki leaned back, calming down slightly.
"It's just… now I think I understand how the book works. Or at least, what it's trying to do."
He stared at the table, deep in thought.
"That's what I hope, though…"
As time went by, every one of them finished their own dinner. They stood up to leave, their faces were brighter than when they first arrived.
It felt cold as they walked out of there into the corridor.
After a while, Kenji came to a stop at the end of the corner. "Ehh… When I remember my patrol rotations today… for hours... absolute pain in the neck."
"Well, I guess this is our farewell for now." He waved lightly. "Until next time."
Yoru simply gave a nod.
Miyu stood as well, waving goodbye to him while smiling. Once he was gone, she turned back to them.
"I'm heading now to the library. I need to submit my daily attendance, and update Seina on the new notes."
She smiled warmly, looking relieved.
"…Today wasn't so bad after all. I really enjoyed it… It's nice to move on from the despair."
"Miyu…? You…" Hiroki was at a loss for words.
"Oh, looks like I'll be running late…"She interrupted and continued, "I have to go now. See you guys later!"
She quickly turned around and walked away in a hurry.
Yoru and Hiroki exchanged a small look.
No words. What just happened left them all feeling odd.
Moments Later…
Miyu descended the stone stairs toward the lower record wing where attendance was handled.
Only a few P.H.G. members passed by; some were returning from missions, while others were heading out.
Few enough to count on one hand.
After she finished the daily registration at the reception, she collected her daily wage for her work. Some of the KUR coins, barely enough to cover a single day's lunch.
"Ugh…"
She frowned after counting.
"The rewards here barely keep you alive."
She turned toward the corridor that led to the Central Library.
When the moonlight peeked through the tall window edges.
"I wonder… how did we end up into this." She walked slowly while thinking.
Each step made her feel lighter. She seemed completely absorbed in her thought.
And then—
*Thud*
"Aaah—ow…"
She fell backward slightly, dropping her small pouch of coins and rolled-up papers.
It seemed that she had bumped into someone.
"Eeh, that hurts…"
Miyu rubbed her head, groaning softly.
"Ah I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to—"
Her eyes lifted.
A boy. White hair, gray eyes.
Clean face. Long coat.
He looked… strangely familiar.
Her breath paused.
"…Uhh. Did I see you somewhere before?"
He didn't say anything.
Just smiled faintly.
Like he had seen her before, too.
It was… the same person—
from the shelter…
[ To Be Continued ]