-CITY CENTER-
-3:12 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The city felt unstable.
But not broken.
Not yet.
Rikuu and Ichika moved through the streets with urgency.
Focused.
Calm under pressure.
Ichika scanned the surroundings.
"…The disruptions are spreading outward."
Rikuu nodded.
"…That means the source is still active."
A pause.
"…We stop it at the center."
They continued forward.
The system's influence was visible now.
Lights flickering.
Signals glitching.
But still—
Contained.
Rikuu slowed slightly.
"…It's trying to overwhelm us."
Ichika looked at him.
"…Then we don't let it."
They reached an intersection.
The signals were unstable.
Vehicles hesitating.
Confusion spreading.
Rikuu stepped forward.
"…If we stabilize this point—"
"…we reduce the chaos."
Ichika nodded.
"…Then let's do it."
Together, they coordinated.
Redirecting traffic.
Guiding people.
Small actions—
But important.
The system responded.
But weaker here.
More spread out.
Less control.
Ichika exhaled slightly.
"…It's working."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Good."
A brief moment of calm passed.
The disruptions slowed.
Not gone.
But manageable.
Rikuu looked at Ichika.
"…We're making progress."
She met his gaze.
"…Together."
In the distance—
The city continued to react.
But the center—
Was no longer spiraling.
Rikuu turned forward again.
"…Let's keep going."
Ichika nodded.
"…Yeah."
