Zein's eyes flew wide open. Without thinking, he began searching through the crowd for that white hair he had seen. He moved quickly, pushing his way through bodies and banners, trying to reach the other side of the street.
—Zein! —Naoko went after him, dodging shoves—. We should leave!
But Zein barely heard her. His gaze darted from one side to the other, desperate to find that white flash again.
The protest began to intensify. People shoved one another, some stumbled, others shouted orders that no one followed. The soldiers stopped merely observing; they began to advance. Shields clashing, warning shouts, blunt blows. The atmosphere shattered.
—Zein —Naoko said, this time firmly taking him by the hand—. It would be better to leave now. This is going to get out of control.
He looked back toward the spot where he had seen that figure. Nothing. Only chaos.
He grit his teeth… and finally gave in.
—You're right. Let's go.
They made their way out through the crowd as best they could and, after putting enough distance behind them, the noise faded away. They walked back toward the store, the air still heavy with tension.
Naoko seemed much more affected than him. Her steps were unsteady; at times she swayed slightly, as if the ground couldn't quite make up its mind.
—You look very tired —Zein commented, glancing at her.
Naoko let out a long sigh.
—I'm fine…
Zein had seen her working late, so she clearly wasn't.
—You should rest better. Maybe step away from work for a bit… and from all of this —Zein added, in a softer tone.
—Maybe… —she responded, her voice growing lower and lower.
For a moment, it looked like she was going to fall asleep standing up. Even so, she kept walking, stubborn.
—Do you want me to walk you home? —Zein asked.
Naoko took a second to respond.
—Yes…
They kept moving forward. Although her house wasn't too far away, Naoko seemed to be fighting an internal battle just to stay awake. She blinked slowly and occasionally veered slightly off the path, forcing herself to correct her course.
—How long has it been since you slept? —Zein asked, looking at her with a mix of concern and curiosity.
—I don't think I slept last night… —Naoko admitted, rubbing an eye—. And I've been working quite a bit. And adding school to that…
Zein glanced at her. That explained the swaying.
After walking a bit further, they reached an intersection. Naoko stopped and pointed down one of the paths.
—Thanks… I can go on my own from here —she said, though her head nodded forward right after saying it.
Zein observed her in silence for a second longer.
—You're welcome. —He paused—. Hey… by the way. Do you think we could meet early at the store tomorrow?
Naoko blinked, surprised.
—Eh? Why?
—I wanted to check something. And I was hoping you would help me.
Naoko looked at him for a few seconds, as if trying to decipher his meaning.
—Sure… I don't see why not.
—Then I'll see you tomorrow. Get some rest —Zein said, beginning to walk away.
Naoko watched him leave… and she didn't move until he disappeared among the people.
When Zein returned to the store, the atmosphere was completely different. Silent. Calm.
Lyra was leaning over the reception desk, twirling a pen between her fingers while distractedly nibbling on a strand of her hair.
—Wow, how strange to see you at the reception desk —Zein commented, approaching.
Lyra looked up.
—I had nothing to do. I decided to help out a bit in the shop… though it's not like anyone is coming —she said, giving a small pout.
Zein let out a laugh.
—Of course no one is coming.
He affectionately ruffled her hair.
—Hey, do you know where Alexander is?
—In the back, pruning the tree. Why? —she asked, leaning toward him curiously.
—Nothing… I just wanted to ask him something. —He turned around—. Don't go dying of boredom, okay?
—I make no promises —she responded mockingly.
In the courtyard, Alexander was calmly cutting branches from the tree, perched on a ladder, humming a barely audible melody. The sun filtered through the remaining leaves, casting irregular shadows on the ground.
When he saw Zein, he climbed down the ladder and took off his gloves.
—I already heard you joined the resistance —he said, leaning the pruning shears to one side.
—Wow… news travels fast —Zein responded with a half-smile.
Alexander shrugged.
—I have my contacts. —He looked at him curiously—. So… what did you want to talk about?
—I just want to know if you know of any other blessed child on the island… besides Lyra and me.
Alexander looked at him with interest.
—Yes, of course I know someone. It's a woman. She's been living here quite a long time… though she lives far away.
Zein felt a small surge in his chest.
—Then… do you think you could get me some information to contact her?
—And why do you want to contact her? —Alexander asked, crossing his arms.
Zein hesitated.
—I feel like I could understand more things if I talk to her. Besides Lyra… she's the only person like us I've heard of.
Alexander observed him for a few more seconds, evaluating him.
—Fine. I'll get it for you.
Zein nodded, but then added:
—Do you think it could be before tomorrow? It's just that… I agreed to go look for her with Naoko.
Alexander slowly arched an eyebrow.
—With Naoko?
—Yes.
—Mmm.
Zein looked at him, not understanding.
—First I do you a favor… and then you make demands? —Alexander added, exaggerating his indignation. Then he laughed—. I'm joking. Don't worry. I'll have the information ready for whenever you need it.
—Thank you very much.
—Now you owe me a favor. Don't forget it.
—That sounds dangerous coming from you.
—It is.
The next day, Naoko was in the main part of the shop.
She had arrived early.
Way too early.
She was well-dressed, her hair styled with more care than usual, her clothes adjusted several times as if they never looked quite perfect. But her posture gave her away: hands clasped in front of her, back rigid… and a nervous expression.
«Ahhh… what am I doing?» she thought.
«Yesterday I was so tired that I answered him without thinking…»
She pressed both hands to her cheeks.
«Could this be… a date? No. Of course not. He just wants me to help him with something… right?»
Her heart gave a small leap at the doubt.
«Why did I say yes to him so naturally…?»
The more she thought about it, the more heat she felt in her face.
«No, I know I can do this. No matter what happens today.»
A thought crossed her mind.
«No matter what happens…?»
Her face flushed even deeper.
At that moment, the inside shop door opened softly and Zein entered.
—Sorry for making you wait —Zein said as soon as he stepped in—. Is everything okay? You look very red.
Naoko nearly jumped.
—Ah? Y-Yes, I'm fine —she responded quickly, looking away and smoothing her hair as if that would fix anything.
Zein observed her for another second, confused.
—Did you sleep well? I hope you don't mind joining us today —he added with a quiet smile.
—Yes, I slept quite well —she said, trying to sound natural—. Wait… did you say "us"…?
Before she could process it, a small figure appeared behind Zein.
—Naoko! —Lyra ran up and hugged her tightly.
Naoko went stiff for a second… and then gently returned the gesture.
—Ah… Lyra. Good morning… —she murmured, with a smile that couldn't quite hide her slight disappointment.
«Of course… I was so stupid to think it would be something more…» she scolded herself in silence.
—Shall we go then? —Zein asked naturally.
The trio began walking through the city streets, gradually moving away from the shop. The atmosphere was calmer than the day before.
—And what exactly are we looking for? —Naoko asked, now holding Lyra's hand.
—Do you remember that I was looking for something yesterday during the protest? —Zein responded while checking a small map that Alexander had marked for him.
—Yes…
—Well… it seems there is another blessed child on the island. And I'd like to talk to her.
Naoko blinked.
—Her?
—Yes. —Zein looked up for a moment, as if trying to organize his thoughts—. I feel like… deep down… she might know something about my past. About me and Lyra. About what we are doing here. Why I was born this way.
For the first time since they set out, his tone lacked its usual lightness.
Naoko watched him in silence. That part of him… she didn't fully know it yet.
They kept walking until they neared the point Alexander had pointed out.
And then they saw it.
Among the people, moving calmly, a shock of white hair stood out. It wasn't gray hair from age. It was pure white. Natural. Just like Zein's. Just like Lyra's.
The three of them looked at each other.
Without saying a word, they began to follow her "stealthily." As they followed, she entered an alleyway, so they quickly decided to go after her.
Upon entering the alley, a deep creak echoed through the walls as if the stone itself were breathing. The bricks sank inward and, in the next heartbeat, stretched toward them at impossible angles.
Zein spun on his heel and propelled himself backward just as a block lunged where his head had been a second before. Naoko rolled across the ground, the sleeve of her clothes brushing a surface that was no longer flat, but curved like a frozen wave.
Lyra didn't manage to move.
The wall opened behind her, and a mass of flexible stone closed around her body, pinning her against the wall.
—Lyra! —
Zein was already on his feet by the time his boots touched the ground again. And in that instant, she appeared.
At the back of the alley, where the shadow was thickest, the woman advanced calmly. In her hand, a spear.
The attack was direct.
The point descended toward Zein in a perfect line. The metal met resistance the very moment a sword emerged in his hand, materializing with a brief flash. The clash echoed between the deformed walls, vibrating in the enclosed air.
But she did not stop.
She took advantage of the force of the block. She spun with the inertia, letting the momentum slide her body in a clean arc. The spear changed direction mid-turn and aimed for Naoko's neck.
It all happened in a blink.
Naoko went still as the tip of the spear stopped a breath away from her skin. A strand of hair fell between the steel and her throat.
And at the same time, Zein's sword rested against the woman's neck.
Silence.
The stone stopped moving. The air stopped rippling.
Lyra remained suspended against the deformed wall. The spear did not advance. Neither did the sword.
No one blinked.
—Fine, I know how to admit when I've lost —the woman said, releasing the spear and raising her hands—. But I must say, that girl is quite an intelligent person. Even knowing she couldn't dodge my attack, she decided to defend herself with magic, thus avoiding being completely trapped. —
With that, the deformed wall returned to its original shape as if nothing had happened.
Then the woman turned to look at Zein.
—So, another blessed child, huh? It's been a long time since I saw one —the woman said with a smile.
Zein then lowered his weapon.
—What is it you want, boy? —the woman asked.
—I want to talk to you —Zein said seriously.