An explosion rocked the bustling downtown. Flames roared fiercely. Shattered glass glittered under sun and fire, painfully bright.

"What's happening!?"

"Call the police, quick!"

People had no clue. Their first thought was to call for help. Chaos erupted across the city.

Watching the inferno, Yuki Shiki's expression turned blank. Her backpack slipped to the ground. A strange emotion spread through her chest.

"Moyu!"

Without thinking, she charged into the flames, ignoring the danger.

She was terrified Moyu Manatsu might be hurt. This fear surged from deep within.

Inside the fire, nothing remained. Across lay a narrow alley. A girl in a boy's uniform struggled up, disheveled. Her hat had fallen. Her clothes were torn from the blast.

Moyu Manatsu rose slowly, facing the man in black. A thousand questions filled her mind. She suppressed her panic, forcing calm.

"You're surprisingly composed," the man remarked, slightly taken aback.

This wasn't Moyu's first such scene. Past accidents had taught her to stay level-headed in terror.

"Lose your cool, and you're prey," Yuki had warned her. Never lose control, no matter what.

"Manatsu Mio... just an ordinary high schooler, as the files say."

A blonde woman in a suit stepped from the flames. Her slender figure radiated allure. She removed her sunglasses, eyeing Moyu with a mocking grin.

Who were they? The girl's mind raced. They were after her—but why?

She didn't know them. If they sought Moyu Manatsu, only one explanation fit.

They were from "that side."

"But she looks like a girl now. The files said he was male," the man in black noted.

"That confirms our theory. Manatsu Mio is truly a victim of the Firefly Incident." Sorafarin smiled, a chilling curve of lips.

"Moyu!"

Yuki's voice cut through. Moyu snapped to attention—Yuki was already there.

Yuki looked tense. Seeing Moyu, she visibly relaxed. Spotting the suited foreigners, her face darkened.

"Who are you!" Her expression hardened with vigilance.

"Manatsu Mio's companion? You reek of decay. Surely from our world too." Sorafarin smirked, unfazed by Yuki's killing intent.

"Miss Sorafarin, this is Yuki Shiki," the man reported, pulling up her file.

"Shiki... I see." Sorafarin nodded. A Shiki heir bearing such aura made sense.

"What do you want?" Yuki's tone was hostile. She longed to reach Moyu but saw the man's gun. No rash moves.

"Don't glare so fiercely. We mean no harm. We're here to protect Manatsu Mio, a Firefly Incident victim." Sorafarin's smile stayed calm.

Her words sounded plausible, but Yuki wasn't fooled.

"Drop the act, Supernatural Investigation Bureau." Yuki recognized them instantly. Zero cooperation. Sorafarin's initial surprise faded to resignation.

"Your defiance troubles me, Miss Yuki Shiki."

"Then return my friend."

"Impossible. Manatsu Mio holds pure energy. The Bureau can't ignore such mana."

"Then we have nothing to discuss."

Yuki hurled talismans. A magnetic field surged, crackling like live wires.

Sorafarin snapped her fingers. Wild energy flared, sealing them in a barrier. It hid their fight from outsiders.

Yuki crushed a glass bead. An explosion erupted. Sorafarin stayed calm. With a faint smile, she triggered counter-blasts, blocking the attack.

Yuki Shiki leaped, throwing a dart. It ignited mid-air from friction.

Sorafarin raised her hand.

Boom!

A red shockwave hit. Yuki dodged instinctively. Before she could react, Sorafarin appeared. A fist slammed into Yuki's stomach.

"Yuki!"

Moyu almost rushed forward but froze. She knew she'd only slow Yuki down, powerless as she was.

Yuki Shiki lifted her head, drawing a dagger. Mana flooded out, cyan flames spreading through the barrier.

"Is this your strength, Yuki Shiki?" Sorafarin watched, briefly surprised, then composed.

Worthy of the Shiki name—genuine power. Pity they stood on opposite sides. Sorafarin might have recruited her otherwise.

"Time to get serious."

Sorafarin smiled. Immense mana burst forth. Knives circled her, forming wind blades. They shot toward Yuki. Energy clashed violently as both fought fiercely.

Moyu had seen Yuki fight before, yet felt infinitely weaker.

Usually, Yuki handled minor spirits without full power. Today, she gave everything.

This was her resolve.

"Skilled, but—" Sorafarin's eyes sharpened. A tornado roared between them. Yuki's blue flames flickered uselessly in the gale.

"John."

"Understood."

John assembled a rifle from briefcase parts. Infused with mana, he fired.

The bullet pierced the tornado, heading straight for Yuki. Her flames tried to block it—too late.

Boom!

The tornado vanished in the blast. Yuki collapsed, disheveled. The ground cracked beneath John. A shockwave surged. Before Yuki could dodge, Sorafarin grabbed her collar.

Yuki took the hit full-force. She was a mess—any normal human would be dead.

Two against one wore her down. After ten minutes, Yuki faltered. Sorafarin was drained but steady. John looked fresh.

"Stop... stop!"

Moyu couldn't bear watching Yuki suffer. Powerless, she wished for Yuki's strength.

With power, she wouldn't be a burden.

Yuki fought for her. She could do nothing.

John laughed at the girl. The moment she looked up, he was there. A kick sent her flying.

She slammed into the wall. Pain flooded her body. Blood filled her throat.

"It hurts! It hurts!!" She screamed, unable to endure.

John pinned her against the wall, grabbing her. His fist smashed her face—no mercy.

Consciousness blurred. Moyu Manatsu barely lifted her head.

"A weakling like you survived the Firefly Incident? What rotten luck." John sneered, tossing her down. His foot pressed her cheek.

"I hear you hold pure Firefly energy. True, weakling?" He pressed harder. Moyu gritted her teeth.

Yes—if she hadn't been caught in that battle when the fireflies fell, her life wouldn't have shattered.

She'd have lived as an ordinary boy, finishing school, entering society. But that day changed everything. She knew she could never be normal again. She'd accepted it—so why...

Why this pain? She longed to escape this life. To be carefree. Ordinary.

Moyu Manatsu was just a weak human. She'd always known. Now, beyond wanting to flee, she begged for mercy.

"You bastard! Let her go!"

Yuki had never felt such rage. Seeing Moyu trampled, she wanted to kill them.

She charged dagger-first, reckless. To Sorafarin, it was full of openings.

A red blast struck Yuki's back. She crumpled.

"Easier than expected." Sorafarin clapped her hands.

Her mission was done. Yuki had to accept defeat, however bitter.

"Take Manatsu Mio. Leave this one."

Yuki tried to rise but lacked the strength.

Just as hope faded, a gunshot shattered the silence. A woman in a kimono appeared, cold smile on her lips. Black-suited subordinates stood behind her.

"I'm late, Miss." She smiled faintly at Yuki.

"Now, Supernatural Investigation Bureau—will you grant us a favor?"

Sorafarin clenched her fists. This turn favored her not at all.