**Four years ago**, Touhito and Haru were sitting on red swings in a small park, talking. The park was lush with greenery—various trees and plants surrounded them. At its center stood a slide, and beside it, the two swings where they now sat.
**Touhito:** "Hey, Haru. I wanna tell you something."
Haru replied curiously.
**Haru:** "What is it?"
Touhito spoke in a gentle tone.
**Touhito:** "You might not believe this, but I used to see this black creature. It looked like it was made of smoke. Scary-looking, but actually really kind... But, well, it hasn't shown up since last year."
Haru responded with surprise.
**Haru:** "So you had a smoky imaginary friend you can't see anymore?"
Touhito frowned, slightly offended.
**Touhito:** "He's real, Haru. I'm telling the truth."
---
Touhito calmly stepped out of the train station and entered the city. Without his ability to freeze time, the city's chaos could've easily interfered with his mission.
As he continued walking, his stomach grumbled.
**Touhito:** "Alright, time to find something to eat. Can't go on a mission on an empty stomach."
The path to the diner was less crowded than the rest of the city. Murals promoting food and water conservation covered the walls. In the middle of the street stood a golden statue of the mayor—something Touhito never really understood.
He pushed open the blue diner door and stepped inside. It was fairly crowded, but thanks to his time-freezing ability, it didn't matter.
The diner's floor was tiled in white, and the walls were painted a dull yellow.
**Touhito:** "Pretty sure the owner's got garbage taste in decor."
He made his way into the kitchen, where chefs were actively preparing food. Touhito grabbed a plate of tacos from a waiter's hands and walked over to a wooden table, digging in.
---
Touhito stepped out of the diner slowly, stretching his limbs.
**Touhito:** "Haru would love this place... not that he'd ever make it on a mission like this."
He smirked playfully.
**Touhito:** "Alright, let's get this over with."
With a snap of his fingers, he teleported to a dark alley on the outskirts of the city. The alley, clearly part of a poorer district, was empty and eerily quiet.
**Touhito:** "If Aiko's planning is correct, the moment I unfreeze time, an explosion should go off."
He snapped his fingers. Time resumed.
He paused for a second, speaking with a bored tone.
**Touhito:** "Any second now. Don't tell me Aiko messed up agai—"
Before he could finish, an explosion erupted behind him. Glass shattered like crystal across the street. Debris flew everywhere—broken bricks and stone fragments filled the air.
Touhito's voice grew slightly more serious.
**Touhito:** "Alright. Let's wrap this up quickly."
---
The girl sat on her expensive chair, poised and perfect. She had always been known for her talent and beauty—flawless, really. Her violet hair danced in the wind, eyes matching the same deep hue.
Unlike others who gained their powers through tragedy, she had possessed hers since birth. Being born into a wealthy family only amplified her influence, making it easier to get whatever she wanted.
**???**: "Aiko-sama, do you really plan on visiting those two country bumpkins?"
**Aiko:** "They may be bumpkins, but they're still my teammates. So yes, I have to go."