"No offense," Sakura said quickly. "I just didn't expect this. You're strong, man. Why live like this? Are you still cleaning hunters' gear?"

"Maybe I am," Raito replied coolly.

"You shouldn't be," Sakura said. "With your strength, you could join my hunter guild. The RP there's huge. I'm one of the fastest-rising hunters in the association. You'd fit right in."

Raito folded his arms. "And what makes you so sure I want that?"

"Because you beat me without even sweating," Sakura said, half-laughing. "And word's spreading. They said you soloed over ninety goblins in one dungeon—and took down a king ogre by yourself."

"People talk too much," Raito said quietly. "If you're done eating, you can leave. I didn't invite you in to start comparing my life to yours."

"Sorry," Sakura said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I didn't mean it that way. It's just—you're famous now. Everyone at the guild's talking about the guy who wanted to be a hunter but never registered… because everyone thought he was an E-rank or lower."

Raito raised a brow. "And how would you even know that?"

Sakura shrugged. "I've seen you before. You're Aiko's brother, right?"

Before Raito could reply, Aiko returned from the kitchen carrying a steaming plate. "You two done talking about ranks? Here, Sakura—sit on the floor, it's fine."

He smiled sheepishly, taking the plate. "Thanks, Aiko."

He clasped his hands together in a short prayer. "Time to dig in."

As he picked up the chopsticks and began eating, Raito leaned against the wall, arms crossed, silently watching him.

"I'm going to the store. I need clothes," Raito said as he reached for his hoodie. "I'll be back soon."

Aiko was already in the kitchen. She glanced over and smiled. "Brush your teeth first. Wash the dishes, yeah? Don't come back starving."

"Yeah, yeah. Got it," Raito replied. He stepped toward the door.

Aiko stopped him. "While I'm gone, you better not try anything fishy. If you do, you'll be as good as dead."

Sakura, lounging on the couch, waved a lazy hand. "Hey, I wouldn't try anything. What do you think I am?"

Raito shot him a look, then pushed out the door.

The neighborhood market was twenty minutes away. Raito kept his head down and walked, thinking about clothes and bank notifications and the dizzying amount of money that had appeared in his account. He needed something decent—nothing flashy, just better than the rags he still wore.

Inside the mall the clothing racks ran endless and bright.

Raito walked through the store aisles, quietly checking each rack. He'd been searching for something simple—just clean clothes that weren't torn or old.

Then he heard a familiar laugh.

That voice…

He turned his head.

Ayane.

She was smiling—until her eyes met his.

Her body stiffened slightly, but she didn't pull away from the arm around her waist.

The guy beside her had his hand resting there like he owned the world.

Raito's eyes narrowed.

Ken.

Ayane turned toward him, forcing a soft smile. "Raito… it's been a while."

"Yeah. Sure has," Raito said quietly. His gaze shifted to Ken, whose face twisted in faint recognition.

Ken tilted his head. "Wait… you're that guy, right? From the dungeon incident. When the gate appeared on the road?" He pointed at Raito with a grin that wasn't friendly. "I tried to shake your hand back then, but you slapped it away. Guess you don't remember."

Raito looked at him for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then he muttered, "Oh… so you're that loser."

Ken's grin vanished instantly. "What did you just say?"

Raito raised his eyes, calm but sharp. "I said what you heard."

Ken took a step forward, anger flashing across his face. "You've got some nerve—"

Ayane grabbed his arm quickly. "Ken, stop! Not here."

Ken's breathing was rough, his jaw tight. "You're lucky she stopped me," he hissed. "I don't know what kind of power you think you have, but next time—"

Raito's eyes flicked toward him, cold. "You're the lucky one. If your hand had actually touched me, you wouldn't still have it."

Ken froze. Something in Raito's tone—something quiet and certain—made the air feel heavy.

Ayane slowly pulled Ken back. "Let's just go," she whispered.

Ken glared one last time before turning away, his hand still clenched into a fist.

Raito stood there for a moment, watching them leave. Then he exhaled softly and turned back to the racks.

Raito picked out a black jacket, then walked to another rack and grabbed a second one.

He pulled out his shades, wiped the lenses clean, and noticed a display nearby — three UD models lined up neatly.

He picked one and added it to his pile.

At the counter, he paid, gathered his bags, and stepped outside.

"Ah… today I did a lot of shopping," he murmured, carrying the bags in one hand. The air was warm, the sun half-hidden behind the buildings.

He walked slowly down the street, his expression unreadable.

"But I didn't expect to see Ayane…" he said under his breath.

He let out a quiet laugh. "Well, she moved on fast. Not like we were ever really dating. The first love you have as a kid… it's not real anyway."

His eyes dimmed for a moment.

"But still… nothing could ever make me trust her again. Not after what she did."

He tightened his grip on the bags.

"She reported the monster I fought to the entire Hunter Guild. Why? What was she thinking?"

His steps grew slower as he remembered.

"She almost died that day. If I hadn't stepped in… she'd be gone. That monster would've torn her apart."

He sighed deeply. "And yet… I still owe her."

His thoughts drifted.

"If that hadn't happened… if I hadn't jumped in front of her and taken that hit… that blood… maybe my powers wouldn't have awakened."

Raito walked on, the city noise fading behind him. His eyes glowed faintly for a second beneath the shades, like the system itself pulsed within him.

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