The city felt… new.
Not because it had changed.
Because I had.
There was noise.
Movement.
Life spilling over itself like it always had.
And yet—
it felt like I was reading it from a distance.
Like a book I had already finished.
"Welcome back, deserter!"
Min crashed into me before I could react.
"I missed you too," I said, patting her head.
She grumbled but didn't pull away.
"How are you feeling?" Heiwa asked.
She hesitated.
Just a little.
Like she wasn't sure if she was allowed to touch me.
"Better now," I said, stepping forward and hugging her first.
That seemed to settle something in her.
"Where are Amihan and Etsuko?" I asked, looking around.
"The library," Heiwa replied, standing.
"They've been there a lot lately."
"Ever since the field assignment," Min added with a sigh.
I paused.
"The library… what field assignment?"
Min's grin widened.
"Oh? Curious now?"
"We assisted with immunization in a rural area," Heiwa said simply.
"What—you guys went on a field trip?"
"It was work."
"In a beautiful place," Min added, smug. "With good food."
"And martial training," she threw in casually.
I turned.
"Wait—what?"
"That means even Amihan can beat you up now," Min said, leaning in with a grin.
I looked at Heiwa.
"…Is that true?"
"…Yes."
"For both statements?"
She nodded.
"…Ah."
So I'm the weakest.
"…What about Etsuko?"
Silence.
That answered that.
By the time the sun dipped low, the sky had softened into blue with streaks of orange.
Familiar.
Gentle.
"Did you get the cards?" I asked as Etsuko walked in.
"Yes," she said, flopping onto her bed. "Amihan will join us."
Soon enough—
snacks.
Cards.
Laughter.
"We should have done this earlier," Etsuko said, shuffling.
"I know, right?" I replied, taking a biscuit.
"Etsuko, you're so transparent," Amihan said, pulling a card.
Her smile faltered.
Just a bit.
I didn't think much of it.
I pulled from her hand.
"Hmm."
I glanced at Heiwa.
She had the Old Maid.
She smirked.
Said nothing.
"Heiwa, did you tell Victoria how you fought a cultist?" Min said suddenly. "Two, actually."
I froze.
"You did?"
"…Yes," Heiwa replied. "But I passed out."
"Still counts as a win," Min shrugged.
I exhaled.
"They're just humans… right?"
Heiwa looked at me.
Really looked this time.
"What even are cultists?" I asked.
"Bad people with bad power?" Etsuko offered, pulling a card.
That didn't sit right.
Didn't explain anything.
Not the feeling.
Not the wrongness.
"Are you okay?" Heiwa asked.
Amihan's hand paused mid-pick.
Then moved again.
She drew the Old Maid.
"Hmm," Min hummed, munching on a biscuit.
Watching.
The game stretched into the night.
Laughter.
Accusations.
Snacks disappearing faster than logic.
"Min is helping her sister!" Amihan accused.
"No proof," Min shot back.
They changed seating positions.
Etsuko lost.
But not before I secured second place.
Second worst.
Some things don't change.
The silver sun watched quietly overhead.
Even it seemed amused.
But beneath the laughter—
beneath the cards—
beneath the warmth—
My questions remained.
Like a cloud that refused to move.