"I''m leaving. I''ll be back soon," Kurai said this before leaving her house and closing the door behind her. She immediately enacted the barrier she had first placed around it so Henry wouldn''t leave her home while recovering. No other magical user besides her, Tsuyoi, and Ooinn would be able to come and go without breaking the barrier by force. This was a feat even her son, with Ooinn''s help, wasn''t able to accomplish.


    Kurai briefly considered as she looked up at her house to see if she should dismiss the barrier now that Henry was fully healed. She shook her head. You can never be too careful. The dark sorceress thought as she walked away from her house. To where? She didn''t know; her path was just as uncertain as her life currently.


    At the very least, Kurai hoped that it would clear her head. Henry, everyone... they deserve better than to see me down like this, justified or not. After a moment, she added. Especially since if I dwell on those thoughts for too long, Tsuyoi might end up noticing and doing something rash and try to go after whoever is responsible for this, waiting for everyone else to be damned.


    Kurai couldn''t really blame her oldest child for it. Yokina, her husband, entrusted him to be the man of the household and to protect his mom and sister when he was six years old. His last wish before passing shouldn''t surprise anyone, especially Kurai, that such a young and impressionable mind as her son would dedicate himself wholeheartedly to it.


    And that''s not even saying anything about what Yoshino was going through. Kurai knew from personal experience the feeling of losing a parent, especially when at four years old, the same age Kurai lost both of hers. Yet, she hadn''t paid attention to her. If I hadn''t later confirmed with help from Ambrosius that my family hadn''t been cursed, I probably would''ve thought to be the case to this day.


    She had no excuse, or at least, the mother of two didn''t see her grief at losing her husband as good enough to justify it. In her eyes, she should have hugged her children and told them that they shouldn''t carry this burden. She should be the one to do it. Surely, between the three of them, Kurai was already used to losing those she cared about, or at least, she knew how to handle it better than both of her children combined.


    Or at least, it was what I thought at the time...


    Turns out that her husband''s death ended up as the straw that broke the camel''s back for Kurai. She went through the motions afterward, not caring much about anything happening around her, even how her own children were feeling. Entire days passed in a blurred haze. A haze that led to a car accident on their way home from the funeral.


    The sound of a crackling fire and popping sounds from the heated car parts filled her ears. The acrid odor of burning rubber, fuel, and materials mixed with smoke created a harsh and overpowering scent. The sight of bright, flickering flames engulfing parts of the vehicle cast intense light and shadows. Although, she had to admit that part had been the haziest to remember. Finally, there was the feel of intense heat radiating from the flames and the broken surfaces of the car''s interior.


    At the time, Kurai ended up barely paying any mind to all of that as another matter took precedence over everything she was experiencing after snapping back from her haze: her children.


    She recalled the wave of utter despair that crashed over her, realizing her remaining family was in imminent danger, threatened to be engulfed by the ravenous flames. Her body, too wounded and weak to move, felt like a prison, leaving her powerless to save them. All she could do was pray—pray to someone, anyone, to come to their aid. This crushing sense of helplessness reminded her of all the previous times she felt the same, haunting allucinations of all of those she lost throughout her life. The hallucinations cursed her for daring to once again live while those she cared about perished in front of her.


    Thankfully, someone DID come to save them, the individual she would soon become familiar with as-.


    [What are you waiting for? At least 50% off on all purchases, only on ShoppingMallGreen. Come quick because this will only last until the end of 22/4!]


    Kurai''s eyes widened as she was snapped out of her thoughts by the loud voice she heard coming from her side. Turning to the source, the troubled mother was welcomed by many plasma-screen TVs placed in such a way at the store''s window that everyone passing by would notice them.


    After she considered the ad''s words, Kurai shrugged. Why not? Even if I don''t buy anything, there should be at least something there that can help clear my mind. She thought before walking into the nearest empty alleyway where she would be hidden in the shadows.


    The dark sorceress closed her eyes and raised her hand. Tiny, controlled sparks of dark magic came out of it as she chanted the spell, thinking of another dark, empty alleyway, this time near the mall''s location, where no one would see her appearing. Something only possible due to Ambrosius training her always to pay attention to seemingly inconsequential places like that as they could prove useful one day. "Great Master, grant me the power to surprise my enemies [Shadowy Pursuit]."


    When Kurai opened her eyes and walked outside of the alleyway, she only needed to look to the side to confirm the spell had worked as her eyes were welcomed by the giant shopping mall that resembled a sprawling, modern structure with sleek, glass facades reflecting the mid-afternoon sun.


    What highlighted the building''s modern architecture were its sharp angles and unique design elements. A steady stream of people flowed in and out of the entrances, many carrying plastic bags containing all their purchases. Neon signs and digital billboards flickered, hinting at the bustling interior, while the surrounding area buzzed with activity as traffic moved along the adjacent streets. In the distance, cherry blossom trees framed the scene, adding a touch of natural beauty to the urban landscape.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    It was nothing short of inviting, and who was Kurai to deny an invitation like that?


    <hr>


    Outside, at the mall''s back entrance. At about the time Kurai passed through the mall''s main entrance.


    A seemingly normal truck could be seen parking with its back just a couple of meters away from a middle-aged man dressed in uniform wearing a name tag that said "Warehouse Manager" as they raised their hand to stop in such a way that it could be viewed through the truck''s rearview.


    As the truck driver got out of his vehicle, the manager walked up to him. "Did you bring everything?"


    The truck driver nodded. "Down to the letter. Now it''s just a matter of them doing their part. Are they ready?"


    The manager sighed. "They are still coming to terms with the curtain of their world being opened, but they''ve got the spirit, even if it''s motivated by something as vain in the grand scheme of things as monetary gain. In any case, come on in. We still need to dress appropriately for what''s to come." He said before leading the truck driver inside the mall through the back entrance.


    <hr>


    Inside the mall, Ground floor. A few minutes after this, Himawari and Minokichi exited the entrance to the mall''s main convenience store, ConvenienceStorePurple. The former had a big smile and carried a small plastic bag filled with all her favorite candies. The latter, Minokichi, followed right behind her with two bags of his own, his expression neutral.


    As they eventually sat down and relaxed on a nearby bench facing the mall''s fountain, Himawari pulled out one of the chocolate bars. "Say, Minokichi-san, did you buy sweets for someone else?" She asked before taking a bite out of the unwrapped chocolate bar.


    Minokichi widened his eyes and turned to Himawari, his surprise barely visible on his face. "Hmm? How did you know?"


    Himawari stared silently at Minokichi before looking down at his plastic bags filled to the brim with a variety of candies. Enough that there was no way Minokichi could eat them all without serious consequences to his health. "Just a feeling. Did I hit the mark?"


    Minokichi sighed, figuring there was no problem telling at least part of the truth. Although they had become friends, the anti-social boy still didn''t want to risk revealing Yuki-Jorō''s existence, at least, not yet. "Yes," he nodded. "I''ve also bought for my older sister." He preemptively answered the following question he guessed his friend would ask.


    "Oh. I didn''t know you had a sibling! What''s her name?" Himawari asked, taking another bite of her chocolate.


    "Nakagawa Nozomi, she''s my onee-san," Minokichi answered quickly and to the point, not wanting to bother Himawari or waste her time with more information than she asked for.


    "Uh... what do you think of her?" Himawari casually asked.


    After some thought, Minokichi gave a slight stiff nod. "She''s nice. I think you two would get along well." He was about to say, "Or at least better than I and her do," but he figured it would be uncalled for to involve his second friend in his problems so soon.


    "I see, man. I wish I had a cool older sister... or even a sibling at all. Would you mind introducing me to her one day?" Himawari asked, waiting expectantly with a smile while swinging her legs up and down without touching the floor.


    Minokichi had a feeling of something more here, but he couldn''t quite pinpoint what. In the end, he settled with a shrug, seeing nothing bad from her sister and friend meeting. "Sure."


    "Alright. Now..." Himawari got up from the bench, finishing the chocolate bar she had been eating before pointing ahead at whatever Minokichi assumed was past the fountain. "Do you want to go to the arcade? I heard there are some exclusive machines in this one that just opened!"


    "Hmm..." Minokichi checked his allowance briefly, nodding to himself when he concluded that he should still have enough for a few rounds at the machines. Turning his attention back to his friend, he nodded in agreement. "Sure... but would you mind if I decide first which machine we play on?"


    Inside the arcade, after searching for a few minutes.


    "Air hockey?" Himawari asked upon laying eyes at what Minokichi''s arm was pointing to: an average air hockey table made to accept arcade chips.


    "It was one of the first arcade games I played a few years back. I hadn''t been able to play it up until now due to lack of time with studies." Minokichi purposely left out the part about how he also couldn''t play it anymore due to the lack of friends up until recently and not wanting to bother his sister, who started to hang out with Yoshino. "How can I describe it..."


    A rare nostalgic smile appeared on the analytical student''s face. "The cool air billowing from the tiny holes, creating a frictionless surface. The way my heart quickens as I grasp the mallet, fingers curling around its smooth edge. How the puck is launched into play before gliding swiftly across the table with a hiss. The genius way it makes me focused, my eyes tracking its every movement, anticipating my opponent''s strike. The clattering sound as the puck collides against the edges is sharp, echoing for all to hear. My pulse races with each rapid exchange. Suddenly, an opening appears, and with a swift, precise swing, I send the puck soaring into the goal with a satisfying clunk. Victory tingles through my veins, the thrill of fast-paced competition electrifying the air around me."


    D-Did you really need to go that in-depth? Yuki-Jorō asked in disbelief at the boy she was mentally linked to.


    Yes, it was absolutely necessary! the 6th-grade boy answered without a hint of hesitation or that it was a joke.


    Himawari stared blankly at her friend for a few seconds before she finally spoke. "...You could''ve just said it was your favorite game, but sure, let''s give it a go." The easygoing girl shrugged off Minokichi''s in-depth explanation of his passion for air hockey.


    As they got into position, Minokichi took a deep breath to focus. Although it had been a while since he last played it, he was pretty confident in his abilities and chances of victory against Himawari.


    That confidence was almost instantly dashed the moment the match started. In less than a second, faster than he could react, the puck went straight to his goal, making it 0-1 in favor of Himawari.


    "What?" He mumbled in disbelief at how quickly the first round ended.


    Noticing how taken aback Minokichi became, Himawari''s eyes grew in realization. "Oh... right. It''s actually been a while since you''ve played..." She reached for the back of her neck to scratch it. "Sorry, you were so enthusiastic with that speech that I forgot about that small detail, he he."


    For some reason Minokichi couldn''t pinpoint, he grew slightly annoyed at her genuine apology. "It''s ok. I... just need a few rounds to warm up." The now flustered boy looked away from his friend as he said that.


    Tell me you''re bad at air hockey without telling me you''re bad at air hockey! Yuki-Jorō mentally teased before cackling in mad laughter.


    I... Just... s-shut up. I''ll show you both! Minokichi declared in a rare show of determination, wanting to prove the two new girls in his life wrong.