"Sora, where should we grab dinner?" Arata shouted. He raised his voice, fighting to be heard over the wind whipping against their helmets.
"I don't know!" Sora yelled back from the pillion seat. Her grip tightened on Arata's jacket every time the bike leaned hard into a curve. "Don't you think you should clean up first?" Her voice was nearly swallowed by the roar of the engine and the rushing air.
"Is it—is it really that bad?" Arata countered. He stole a quick glance back, making sure his words reached her through the roadside din.
"In my opinion, yeah. But if you're fine with it, I guess I am too," Sora replied. She leaned in, resting her head against his back until their helmets collided with a dull thud.
"You don't mind if I swing by my place for a quick shower?" Arata asked. He checked the side mirror, trying to catch a glimpse of her expression.
"Not really," Sora said simply.
"Got it." Without warning, Arata wrenched the throttle.
The bike surged forward, the sudden burst of speed jerking Sora backward. She let out a small yelp, reflexively clutching Arata's jacket and pulling herself flush against him to keep from flying off the seat. Arata let out a low chuckle behind his visor, feeling the sudden, firm weight of her grip around his waist.
---
The moment they pulled into the parking lot, Arata killed the engine. Sora didn't get off immediately; her gaze was locked onto the convenience store in front of them. Arata couldn't fathom what she was thinking—it was just a building he'd seen a thousand times, yet she looked at it like it was something sacred. The garish glow of the neon signs seemed to have her under a spell, making her forget she was still perched on the bike.
Sora tried to dismount without breaking eye contact with the store, her movements turning clumsy. Because she wasn't looking at her feet, the toe of her shoe caught on the passenger footpeg. She lurched sideways instantly.
"Whoa—!"
Reflexively, Sora's hand clamped onto Arata's shoulder, gripping him tight to keep herself from face-planting onto the asphalt. Arata's shoulder jerked under the sudden weight.
"You okay?" Arata asked instinctively. His hand shot back, forming a protective barrier to catch her. He turned to find Sora looking dazed, her face flushing slightly from the near-miss.
"Eee... I-I'm fine!" Sora flashed a sheepish grin, revealing a row of perfectly straight, white teeth.
"Watch your step, Sora," Arata said with a light laugh. He hopped off the bike and began unbuckling his helmet, letting the night wind mess up his hair.
But his laughter died in his throat.
He froze, seeing her just standing there by the bike, still wearing her helmet. Sora was rigid, facing the store. Her head darted back and forth with quick, precise movements, exactly like a stranger trying to decipher a complex map in a crowded train station.
"Hey, what's up with you?" Arata asked softly. He tried not to startle her, even though her behavior was getting weirder by the second.
Sora turned slowly. She didn't look surprised, as if she'd known he was watching her all along. "Do you live there?" she asked, pointing at the convenience store.
"Huh? In there? No, I live upstairs," Arata answered, gesturing toward the second floor above the workshop.
"Ooh..." Sora hummed. Her red lips rounded into a perfect 'O' as she tried to process the building's layout. "I thought you lived inside the store. That would be amazing—you could eat as much as you wanted," she said with total innocence. Her expression was so pure, so hopelessly naive, that it was impossible to be annoyed with her.
Does she think the whole world revolves around food? Arata thought. Even if I lived inside, I couldn't just eat for free. Who does she think pays for all that?
Arata nearly facepalmed at the absurdity. But his brain seemed to short-circuit the moment he looked at her cute face. His logical side lost the battle against Sora's sheer charm. In the end, he could only offer a resigned smile.
---
Arata stepped closer. He realized Sora had zero intention of taking her own helmet off. With a gentle but firm movement, Arata took both sides of the helmet and rotated it slowly so she was facing him directly.
She didn't resist—or perhaps, it just hadn't occurred to her to do so. Her body followed the lead of his hands while her mind seemed to still be lingering inside that store full of food. Not a word passed between them; Sora remained compliant, letting Arata take full control of the situation.
The night air seemed to freeze. Arata's hands shifted from the sides of the helmet to her chin. His fingers fumbled along the stiff strap, searching for the buckle. To make it easier, he nudged her chin upward, forcing her to look up at him. He leaned in, tilting his head to find the hidden release.
But while Arata was focused on the mechanics, Sora was in a completely different world. From the moment he'd turned her to face him, she had squeezed her eyes shut. Her small lips, glistening under the neon lights, were pressed tight as if she were expecting something much more intimate than a helmet buckle being undone. Her heart hammered against her ribs, the thrum echoing through her entire body as she felt the warmth of Arata's breath against her skin.
Arata began to panic as he wrestled with the buckle, which had suddenly decided to be difficult. Right then, the scent of her perfume hit him. It didn't just drift into his lungs; it took a sharp turn straight to his nervous system. Arata's brain caught a jolt, and his hand-eye coordination went out the window.
Click!
The buckle finally snapped open. The metallic sound yanked Sora out of her "princess waiting for a kiss" fantasy. She blinked, startled to find Arata still right in front of her, wondering if the romantic moment was actually going to happen.
Arata lifted the helmet with both hands. Sssshht... it slid off completely.
Immediately, Sora shook her head—like a lion tossing its mane—letting her hair fall free. In Arata's eyes, the air around them suddenly thickened. Time slowed to a crawl. He could see every speck of dust dancing in the air, illuminated by the streetlamps like falling snow.
The way her hair caught the light was burned into his retinas. His brain seemed to dedicate 100% of its processing power just to savoring the moment. The refreshing scent of her shampoo radiated from every moving strand, an aroma so potent it made Arata feel lightheaded, like he might collapse on the spot.
"Arata..." Sora called softly.
"H-huh?" Arata jumped. He realized he'd just watched a mental "instant replay" of what had happened a second ago. Yet, somehow, the scent of that shampoo stayed with him, lingering stubbornly.
---
"What is it? Is there something on my face?" Sora asked, watching Arata stand there like a statue.
"Oh... no. I was just, uh, thinking," Arata stammered, scrambling for an excuse. "Should you wait down here or upstairs?"
"If you don't want me at your place, I can stay here," Sora said casually.
"Wait, no! It's not that!" Arata fumbled, suddenly flustered. "There's a porch upstairs, but it's a bit dark. And my room is tiny—no living room, just the bed and the bathroom. Whereas down here, it's bright and people are around, so you won't be lonely."
"I can wait on the porch," Sora replied firmly, as if she needed to see his place for herself.
"Hmm... okay then. Let's go up."
"Let's!" Sora chirped.
They climbed the stairs to the second floor. Arata hurried into his room to clean up, leaving Sora alone on the porch. The second Arata vanished behind the door, Sora's eyes began a clinical sweep of the area. Her head turned sharply; even the clothesline where Arata's laundry hung didn't escape her scrutiny.
She reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and her fingers blurred across the screen.
Kling!
A notification popped up: "Location Saved".
Sora stared at the screen for a beat before slipping the phone back into her bag with a calm, deliberate motion.
---
The sound of the bedroom door opening snapped Sora's attention toward the doorway. Arata stepped out, looking significantly more put-together. He had changed into a clean, sharp outfit that fit him perfectly; it was as if a hint of his "Glass Commander" aura was beginning to bleed through in the form of a new-found confidence. He walked toward Sora, his stride no longer hesitant.
"Let's go, Sora. Time to head out," he said, his voice steady and firm.
Sora froze for a heartbeat, taking in the change in the boy standing before her, before finally breaking into a wide grin.
"Yeah, let's!" Sora chirped, matching his newfound energy.
---
Back at the convenience store parking lot, just before they set off, Arata pulled out his phone. Sora watched his every move with curious eyes.
"What is it, Arata?" she asked.
"Oh... I'm just going to ask Kato for a good place to grab dinner," Arata replied calmly. Sora nodded in understanding.
"Hello, Arata? HELLO?!" Kato's shrill voice practically pierced Arata's eardrum the second the call connected.
"Stop screaming, I'm not deaf," Arata countered, pulling the phone away from his ear. "Just tell me—which cafe is good for dinner or just hanging out?"
There was a brief silence, then...
"Waaaaah! Are you serious?! The Arata is asking about a cafe?!" Kato yelled even louder. "With who, huh? Since when did you start keeping secrets!"
"Shut up. Just send me the location. Nothing too fancy," Arata pressed, his patience wearing thin.
Kato burst into a fit of laughter. "Okay, okay! But wait... is it actually with a girl?"
Arata stole a quick glance at Sora, then whispered barely above a breath, "Yeah..."
"WOOOOW! The lion finally leaves the cage! Hahaha!"
"Hey! It's not what you—"
Beep. The call was cut off.
"Total lunatic," Arata muttered, shaking his head at the now-dark screen.
A few moments later... Tring. A message arrived. He swiped it open.
Sender: Kato Ken
======== 📍 Shared Location Coordinates: 6°12'10.4"S 106°49'24.8"E Maps Link: []
See you ! ;)
"See you there?" Arata murmured to himself. He shook his head in disbelief, locked his phone, and shoved it back into his jacket pocket.
"Is everything okay?" Sora asked, noticing the shift in his expression.
"All good... come on, let's move!" Arata said, forcing the enthusiasm back into his voice.
"Let's gooo!" Sora replied cheerfully.
Sora seemed genuinely ecstatic, as if her earlier hunger had been eclipsed by sheer excitement. But behind the handlebars, Arata's mind was racing. Kato's short message—See you there—kept echoing in his head. Was that loudmouth actually planning on stalking him?
Arata tried to push the suspicion aside for the moment. He took a deep breath, twisted the throttle, and focused on cutting through the cooling night air.
---
Click.
Arata pulled the key from the ignition after finding the perfect parking spot. He hopped off, followed closely by Sora. They walked along a beautifully designed corridor, but instead of enjoying the view, Arata looked utterly lost.
"How am I supposed to do this... I've never been to a place like this in my life," Arata whispered to himself.
"It's so crowded. And the place is beautiful," Sora said, her voice filled with wonder. She stepped toward a small bridge structure. Beneath it, crystal-clear water served as a home for koi fish swimming peacefully. "It's gorgeous..."
Arata ignored Sora's fascination. His head was already spinning, worrying about the prices at a place this fancy. His wallet was bone-dry after covering the repairs for Yumi's scooter. As he searched for the entrance, he kept playing out scenarios in his head of how to order food without making a complete fool of himself.
"Arata...!" "Arata!"
The voice was hauntingly familiar. Arata scanned the crowd and spotted a face he knew all too well waving at him from a distance. "Over here!" the person shouted.
"You absolute bastard..." Arata muttered with a small, involuntary laugh.
Kato ran over to join his best friend. "You...! I knew you were up to something from the start," Arata grumbled, though a smile played on his lips.
"Hahahaha!" Kato burst out laughing. "As if I'd let you wander the streets aimlessly, especially when you're out with a girl."
"Shut it!" Arata landed a playful punch on Kato's shoulder. "Are you with Hana?"
"Who else would I be with?" Kato asked, looking confused. "I'm not like you—with Sora today, and probably with Yumi tomorrow."
Sora, who had been busy admiring the koi pond nearby, turned around instantly at the mention of her name. That was when Kato finally locked eyes with her.
"Ooooh... you're with Sora. Hey there, Sora!" Kato greeted her warmly.
"Hi, Kato," Sora replied with a thin smile as she walked over to them.
Kato signaled for them to follow him. But mid-stride, Arata grabbed Kato's shoulder and whispered urgently into his ear, "I don't have much cash. Don't order anything weird or expensive! I'm flat broke after paying for Yumi's scooter."
"Relax, it's on me!" Kato said firmly.
Arata let out a long sigh of relief. His life wasn't nearly as comfortable as Kato's, but his best friend always had his back when things got tough. "Hey, tell her not to say anything stupid, okay?"
"Hana? Got it!" Kato flashed a thumbs-up just before they reached the table where Hana was waiting, her face bright with excitement.
"Hey, Arata!" Hana chirped.
"Hey, Witch," Arata replied casually.
"Oh, you're one to talk!" Hana protested, then glanced at the girl by Arata's side. "And who is this?"
"This is Sora, Uncle Kenzo's daughter. He owns the place where I work," Arata introduced.
"Ooooo, the Sora that—" Hana's sentence cut off abruptly as Arata shot her a lethal glare.
"—that you told me about..." Hana finished with a sigh, trying to salvage the moment.
"Yeah, exactly," Arata said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Hi, Sora! I'm Hana. Come on, let's sit together," Hana said, pulling Sora into the booth that was supposed to be for Arata and Sora. She shot Arata a meaningful, triumphant smirk.
"Why are you two sitting together? That's Arata and Sora's spot," Kato protested to Hana.
"Oh, stop it. You two boys can sit together. We have 'girl talk' to do. Besides, we just met—it's only right that we bond."
Arata saw exactly what she was doing, but he was powerless to stop it. He could only watch helplessly as Sora—usually so quiet—seemed genuinely happy and comfortable meeting Hana. Meanwhile, Arata's mind began to spiral. He could already imagine the chaos that would ensue the moment Hana's mouth actually "went into action."
---
Click. Arata pulled the key from the ignition after finding a decent parking spot. He hopped off, followed closely by Sora. They walked along a beautifully landscaped corridor, but Arata looked utterly lost.
"How am I supposed to do this... I've never been to a place like this," Arata muttered to himself.
"It's so crowded. And the place is gorgeous," Sora said, her voice filled with wonder. She stepped toward a small bridge. Below it, crystal-clear water served as a home for koi fish swimming peacefully. "It's beautiful..."
Arata ignored Sora's fascination. His head was already spinning, worrying about the menu prices at a place this fancy. His wallet was bone-dry after covering the repairs for Yumi's scooter. As he searched for the entrance, he kept playing out scenarios in his head of how to order food without making a total fool of himself.
"Arata...!" "Arata!"
The voice was hauntingly familiar. Arata scanned the area and spotted a face he knew all too well waving at him from a distance. "Over here!" the person shouted.
"You absolute bastard..." Arata muttered with a small, involuntary laugh.
Kato ran over to join his best friend. "You...! I knew you were up to something from the start," Arata grumbled, though a smile played on his lips.
"Hahahaha!" Kato burst out laughing. "As if I'd let you wander the streets aimlessly, especially when you're out with a girl."
"Shut it!" Arata landed a playful punch on Kato's shoulder. "Are you with Hana?"
"Who else would I be with?" Kato asked, looking confused. "I'm not like you—with Sora today, and probably with Yumi tomorrow."
Sora, who had been busy admiring the koi pond nearby, turned around instantly at the mention of her name. That was when Kato finally locked eyes with her.
"Ooooh... you're with Sora. Hey there, Sora!" Kato greeted her warmly.
"Hi, Kato," Sora replied with a thin smile as she walked over to them.
Kato signaled for them to follow him. But mid-stride, Arata grabbed Kato's shoulder and whispered urgently into his ear, "I don't have much cash. Don't order anything weird or expensive! I'm flat broke after paying for Yumi's scooter."
"Relax, it's on me!" Kato said firmly.
Arata let out a long sigh of relief. His life wasn't nearly as comfortable as Kato's, but his best friend always had his back when things got tough. "Hey, tell her not to say anything stupid, okay?"
"Hana? Got it!" Kato flashed a thumbs-up just before they reached the table where Hana was waiting, her face bright with excitement.
"Hey, Arata!" Hana chirped.
"Hey, Witch," Arata replied casually.
"Oh, you're one to talk!" Hana protested, then glanced at the girl by Arata's side. "And who is this?"
"This is Sora, Uncle Kenzo's daughter. He owns the place where I work," Arata introduced.
"Ooooo, the Sora that—" Hana's sentence cut off abruptly as Arata shot her a lethal glare.
"—that you told me about..." Hana finished with a sigh, trying to salvage the moment.
"Yeah, exactly," Arata said, breathing a sigh of relief.
"Hi, Sora! I'm Hana. Come on, let's sit together," Hana said, pulling Sora into the booth that was supposed to be for Arata and Sora. She shot Arata a meaningful, triumphant smirk.
"Why are you two sitting together? That's Arata and Sora's spot," Kato protested to Hana.
"Oh, stop it. You two boys can sit together. We have 'girl talk' to do. Besides, we just met—it's only right that we bond."
Arata saw exactly what she was doing, but he was powerless to stop it. He could only watch helplessly as Sora—usually so quiet—seemed genuinely happy and comfortable meeting Hana. Meanwhile, Arata's mind began to spiral. He could already imagine the chaos that would ensue the moment Hana's mouth actually "went into action."
Dinner Tension
Dim yellow lights hung over the heavy wooden tables, creating a warm and private atmosphere. The restaurant was quiet, save for the soft clink of spoons against porcelain and the low hum of other diners.
In the corner, Arata tried to focus on the juice in front of him. He swirled his glass, watching the ice cubes melt, trying to distract himself from the anxiety that had been gnawing at him lately.
"You know, looking at her now... Sora is seriously pretty, isn't she? Especially under these lights," Kato suddenly blurted out. He set his fork down, eyeing Arata with a teasing smirk.
Arata nearly choked on his juice.
"What's wrong with you... that was so random," he shot back, trying to steady his racing heart. "Do you want Hana to hear you?"
"Come on, look for yourself. There's no way you haven't noticed," Kato persisted, nudging Arata's arm. "She's gorgeous, right?"
Arata was forced to look up. From behind his glass, he stole a glance at Sora, who was sitting at the opposite table with Hana. Under the soft glow of the lamps, her face looked incredibly gentle. Her golden hair caught the light in a way that reminded Arata of the shimmering spear he had hurled through Cov's neck. He took a sharp breath and went back to sipping his juice aggressively.
"Well? Just admit it," Kato pressed.
Arata only offered a thin smile, trying to stay composed even as his face began to feel hot.
"Hey, answer me! Don't just smile!" Kato demanded, laughing under his breath at his friend's reaction.
Finally, Arata's composure broke and he let out a laugh. It was loud enough to cut through the restaurant's quiet, making Sora and Hana look over at once. Arata froze instantly. He looked away, pretending to be very busy stirring the last bits of juice in his nearly empty glass.
"Fine, fine... you're right," Arata muttered just to get Kato to shut up.
"What's right? Say it clearly, Arata!"
"Yeah... she's definitely pretty," Arata whispered in defeat, his face now bright red with embarrassment.
"Hahahaha!" Kato's laughter exploded, drawing stares from other diners. Arata couldn't help but chuckle along, unable to suppress the tickle of amusement in his chest. "You're a total lunatic," Arata mumbled.
At the next table over, Hana huffed as she cut her food aggressively. "Ugh, weirdos. What are they even laughing about?"
Sora only offered a subtle smile. She glanced at Arata, sensing something different about him tonight—something deeper than just a teenager's laughter. Even though their "private" dinner had been crashed by Kato's antics, she looked genuinely happy just to be out with him.
---
Triinggg—triinnngggg!
The sharp ring of a phone cut through Kato and Arata's conversation. They both went silent, trading glances.
"Yours?" Kato asked, reflexively checking his own phone on the table.
"Looks like it," Arata replied, reaching into his pocket. He stared at the glowing screen. It was an unfamiliar number, not saved in his contacts. He hesitated for a second before hitting the green button.
"Hello?"
"Hello... Arata? Is this Arata?" a girl's voice asked from the other end.
"Yeah, this is Arata. Sorry, who is this?"
"It's Yumi," the voice replied briefly.
"Yumi?" Arata repeated the name a bit too loudly, making sure Kato heard. But Kato wasn't the only one listening—both girls turned in unison, their eyes fixed on Arata.
"I wanted to ask about my scooter," Yumi said.
"Oh, it's done. But I'm out right now, having dinner. You can probably pick it up later, Yumi," Arata replied.
"Really? Is it okay if I stop by the shop tonight?" Yumi asked.
"Sure, I'll be heading back there anyway. Actually, Sora—" he paused for a heartbeat before continuing, "—Sora is with us. I'll be dropping her home after this, so we can meet there."
A subtle, unexplainable pressure suddenly tightened in Yumi's chest. An uncomfortable feeling crept in the moment that name was mentioned.
"So... Sora?" Yumi replied after a few seconds of silence, her tone shifting slightly. "Hmm... alright then. I'll see you there. Let me know when you're back."
"Got it. I'll send you the location soon."
Beep.
The line went dead.
The two girls at the table immediately looked away, trying to resume their conversation. However, the vibe had turned awkward, and the talk didn't flow as easily as it had before the call.
Arata shoved the phone back into his pocket, his brow furrowed. Without realizing it, he checked the watch on his wrist, then glanced at Sora, who was quietly playing with the straw in her juice.
"It's getting late," Arata murmured. "Sora, let's head home. Your parents are probably waiting. I don't want them worrying because we're out past our curfew."
Sora nodded slowly, offering a thin, slightly forced smile. "Yeah, you're right. Let's go."
"Whoa, time flies, huh?" Kato said, clearing the last of his food. He stood up, stretching until his joints popped. "Alright, we definitely have to do this again. Arata, don't forget to send the shop's location to Yumi. And you, Sora... stay safe on the road with this stiff 'driver' here!"
"Hey... what's that supposed to mean?!" Arata shot back, though a faint smile touched the corners of his lips.
They walked out toward the parking lot. The night air had grown colder, but the lingering warmth of the conversation and the meal still remained. After saying goodbye to Kato, who sped off in the opposite direction, Arata kicked the bike into gear.
Sora hopped onto the back, her hands now gripping the sides of Arata's jacket with more confidence.
"Arata..." she called out softly as the bike began to move.
"Yeah?"
"Is Yumi... a friend from school, too?"
The question slipped out, carried by the night wind brushing against their faces. Arata went quiet for a moment, staring at the road ahead as it began to clear. "Yeah, she's a classmate. It was her scooter we were fixing this afternoon."
"Oh... I see," Sora replied shortly. She adjusted her position, sitting slightly closer to Arata's back, trying to shake off the lingering sense of unease that had settled over her earlier.
****
A pair of sharp eyes watched from above, focusing intently on the four figures below. He scanned their faces and physical statures one by one. As the group disbanded, he watched one of them leave with Arata.
"Master, another individual is traveling with the boy. They are using a mobile unit," he reported through a cold communication channel.
"Tail them. Do not strike yet—lure him in according to the plan," a voice commanded from the other side.
"Understood."
Instantly, Cov surged through the air at an altitude invisible to the human eye. He shadowed Arata and Sora like a ghost merging with the night sky. However, the predator's presence did not escape the sharp sensors of the three Guardians dwelling within Arata's necklace.
---
"Arata, stay sharp. Cov is above us. Brace yourself in case he dives," Fero's voice echoed in Arata's mind, sharp and urgent.
"I've felt it since we were at the restaurant. This pendant hasn't stopped vibrating, but since you guys were quiet, I didn't think much of it," Arata thought back, stealing a glance at the sky. He saw nothing.
"Good. That means your instincts are sharpening and beginning to sync with the Vault. We are always guarding you, even in silence. Right now, the window for an attack is wide open, and we are in an exposed area," Jole replied.
Jole wasted no time. He was busy constructing a transparent protective dome to cushion any sudden impact. The memory of the incident in the protected forest still haunted him—the moment he nearly lost Arata and allowed the human boy to be harmed. As Arata rode, he watched the shimmer of the shield begin to take shape before his eyes. The air inside the dome grew noticeably warmer.
"Mire, be ready to protect the girl if a sudden strike occurs!" Jole ordered.
"Got it..." Mire answered firmly.
The three Guardians were now on high alert, guarding Arata and Sora's safety in silence. On the bike, Arata felt the warm vibrations from his necklace grow more intense. He tightened his grip on the handlebars, but his expression remained calm, as if he were simply concentrating on the road ahead.
****