Alex stared at Sable for a few seconds, fingers tapping lightly on the convenience store counter.
He sighed. "You said you're still in school....So this means we can't register you right now but still we can't go like this when you graduate"
Sable stood straight, hands in his hoodie pockets. "Three months I graduate in three months."
Alex's expression shifted instantly. "That's actually perfect for us so we will think about that next time "
Ava snapped her head toward him. "Perfect? What are you saying? We're supposed to register him immediately or Did you forget protocol?"
Alex turned slightly and nudged her shoulder. "Relax ava ,he didn't say he doesn't want to register"
Then he looked back at Sable with a polite smile. "We'll handle the paperwork later after that your registration after you graduate, but let's meet again soon from time to time "
Ava's brows tightened. "Alex—"
He ignored her "Do you have a contact number?" Alex asked casually.
"Or maybe your mother's number? So we can arrange—"
"I don't want to see you again," Sable cut him off flatly. "And stop flirting with my mother."
Silence fell Ava almost choked.
Alex blinked once… then laughed awkwardly. "Kids these days are sharp but sorry even if you say I'm a gentleman sometimes people misunderstand me "
A few minutes later, outside the convenience store, a black WPA-marked vehicle waited near the curb.
Ava sat inside with her arms crossed, sulking Alex stood by the car door, glancing back at the store.
Inside, Mira was pretending to organize shelves while clearly listening to everything.
Sable stood beside her, expression unreadable.
Alex stepped closer to Mira. " Ma'am Please don't keep the store open all night you know There's a gate near this district, you know how it gets."
Mira forced a smile. "We'll be careful thank you for your advice."
Sable watched him closely Alex winked lightly at Mira before entering the car.
Sable's eyes darkened.
The car engine started. Before leaving, Alex rolled down the window and waved. "See you soon, kid study Hard."
Sable didn't wave back The car disappeared down the street.
Hours passed The store grew quiet.
Sable worked silently, scanning items, organizing inventory, handling small customers.
But two pairs of eyes followed him constantly.
Mira And Celi the mother and little sister
Sable exhaled. "If you both want to ask something, just wait until tonight let's do a family meeting "
Mira blinked. "Ah… it's nothing important so it's fine but "
"It is,are they gangsters like TV " Celi added softly.
Mira hesitated and looked at sable "You know hiding things from family isn't good… and I know what WPA is I'm not clueless"
Sable's fingers paused mid-movement His jaw tightened slightly.
(So she knows… about WPA work well everyone knows that and One day I'll have to tell them was true But I'm not even her real son. )
(This body awakens before I possess it… complications everywhere for me there is no place as well. No one in this world besides this family)
He picked up Celi gently into his arms. "I'm heading home."
Celi wrapped her arms around his neck quietly They stepped outside.
And bumped into someone.
Sable reacted instantly.
Before seeing the face, he felt it.
Mana was Soft Controlled. Suppressed — but real He looked up.
Mira hurried out behind him. "Oh! You're back. Perfect timing, Sable. She's the girl who was looking for you "
Sable shifted Celi to one arm and faced the stranger "Sorry," he said automatically.
The girl shook her head. "It's okay."
Brown hair tied neatly behind her. Hazel eyes. School uniform from another sector. A small Japanese-style keychain dangling from her bag.
Sable's gaze moved down Her name tag.
Yachiyo Nishimura
The air between them felt strangely heavy She looked at him directly No awkwardness.
Only quiet focus like she is nervous because of someone "I've been looking for you, can we talk" Yachiyo said calmly.
Sable's eyes sharpened slightly.
(Another one…? Troublesome person and she was a player i think she possesses mana)
Mira looked at the two teenagers standing awkwardly near the store entrance and suddenly clapped her hands.
"Sable, why don't you take her home and talk properly?" she said with a knowing smile.
Sable stiffened (She misunderstood something…)
But he only nodded. "Alright."
A few minutes later, Sable led Yachiyo behind the store to the small house connected to it.
The alley was narrow, dim light from the streetlamp stretching their shadows long against the wall.
He glanced at her name tag again.
Yachiyo Nishimura.
(Was she from the Japanese region…but I'm from the indian region how can she know me and we both look like in different school's)
After the continental shift, when all of Asia merged into the New Land, borders dissolved.
Everyone received unified citizenship. Russians, Indians, Koreans, Japanese—living under one administrative zone.
But people still remembered.
Old regions belong to them Old pride they have Old habits
Sable unlocked the back door and stepped inside"Please sit, Nishimura," he said politely.
She sat on the edge of the small sofa, back straight, hands resting on her knees. Quiet. Composed.
Too composed.
Sable brought a glass of juice and placed it on the table before sitting across from her, deliberately leaving space between them.
She watched him.
Then—"Are you still angry at me?" she asked softly. "You don't even message me anymore."
Sable's mind froze (What kind of relationship did she have with this body?)
He kept his face calm. "I was busy. Exams. You know how it is and my phone broke last week"
They were alone celi was going to play with mother Too alone in a small house
Yachiyo's gaze shifted toward the door behind him Suddenly she stood up.
Before he could react, she stepped forward and placed her hand against the wall near his shoulder, blocking his path casually.
Sable's eyes widened slightly.
He leaned back instinctively, but there was nowhere to go.
"Were you that busy," she asked quietly, "that you didn't have time for me?"
Her tone wasn't loud But it carried weight.
"I said sorry before," she continued. "At least talk to me now."
For her—He was Sable.
For him—He had no memory of whatever she was referring to.
(Does this body have a girlfriend?)
(There was never any rumor in school about me … and she's from another sector Impossible… right?)
He forced his voice steady. "You're too close."She didn't move more than looked sad
"I'm not angry," he added. "Whatever happened between us… I forgot."
There was a pause Then—Her shoulders relaxed.
A small, almost hidden smile appeared on her lips.
"Good," she said softly.
She stepped back and returned to the sofa, posture gentle again, like nothing happened.
From her bag, she took out a small stack of neatly organized notes.
"Here. Thanks for lending these to me," she said. "They were helpful for studying."
Sable stared at the notes
His fingers tightened slightly as he accepted them The paper felt real.
But the memories didn't.
Yachiyo held her cup but didn't drink. Her fingers tightened slightly around the glass.
"By the way…" she began carefully, "which college are you planning to go to after graduation?"
Sable looked at her to hear College name
(College…do i have to go when the world was destined to collapse and did i have money for that)
Since possessing this body, survival has been his only clear objective. Stabilize the mana circuits.
Avoid WPA attention. Protect Mira and Celi. Adapt to this world.
Plans beyond that? Uncertain.
(I'm an outsider here. I inherited this life. I can't change what already happened before I arrived.)
"There's still time," Sable replied calmly. "I haven't decided yet."
Yachiyo's eyes lowered slightly"If it's about money, you say you don't want my help but " she said, voice quieter,
"you can apply for scholarship programs. Or… is it because of your skill?"
Sable froze for the second Skill.
Awakened ability So she knows about sable lot
(The relationship between them was deeper than I assumed. She knows about the awakening.)
He leaned back slightly, observing her carefully.
"Well," he said lightly, "maybe I'll apply to the Players Academy."
Silence fell The atmosphere changed instantly Her head snapped up.
"What?" she said sharply.
Before he could react, she stood up abruptly.
The chair scraped loudly against the floor. She stepped forward — too close.
"Players Academy?" she repeated, voice rising. "Are you serious?"
Her composure cracked. Hazel eyes flashed with emotion.
"You know what kind of place that is!" she continued. "Do you think it's some heroic fantasy school? People die there!"
She was close enough now that he could feel her breath.
Sable didn't move She rarely showed emotion — but now her hands trembled slightly.
"You say you aren't interested in those things," she said through clenched teeth.
Sable's heart skipped.
(Why is she angry…? I need to handle this kid)
He kept his expression neutral. "people can change and my situation also i was still thinking about my life and family"
Her anger faltered for a fraction of a second Then she stepped even closer, instinctively grabbing the front of his shirt.
"You said you wouldn't throw your life away," she said, voice lower now but shaking
"After what happened during that day… you said you wouldn't take reckless paths."
incident So something happened.
Sable's mind worked fast.
He placed a gentle hand over hers and slowly lowered it from his collar.
"I'm not throwing anything away," he said calmly. "I just said maybe."
She searched his face.
Trying to find something Memory.
Emotion.
The old Sable But what she saw was controlled and calm.
"You're different," she whispered.
Sable didn't deny it.m "I'm still me, nishimura" he said evenly.
She looked unconvinced The room felt smaller Outside, distant traffic hummed softly.
After a long pause, she stepped back.
"If you apply there," she said, voice steady again, "then I will too."
The unexpected things Sable's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Why? Did you do that "
She lifted her chin. "Because I won't let you walk into that place alone."
The air shifted again Not anger this time.
Determination.
Sable studied her silently.
(This is becoming complicated about what kind of trouble she is i need to find out about her )
Sable looked at Yachiyo, keeping his voice steady.
"I said maybe. It's difficult for me to hide the fact that I'm a Player. "
"Even you know that you understand what I'm trying to say "
Yachiyo's brows tightened slightly.
"What are you trying to say?"
she asked, her tone sharpening. "Is this because of WPA? Well I saw those cars before my family can handle them if you want"
Her eyes grew serious "If that's the problem, let me handle it."
" If you don't like something, you don't need to force yourself and you are tamer What you can even do "
Sable stared at her quietly
Sable look away with confusion
(Let her handle WPA?)
WPA was not some neighborhood committee.
It was a federal authority branch that monitored awakened individuals — registration, control, enforcement.
And she said it so casually.
(Who exactly is she…? If she is from a famous powerful family wasn't she also a player i can feel mana from her )
"Sable—" she pressed, her voice lowering but firm.
He began carefully, "Ahh—yes Nishimu—"
SLAM
Her palm struck the table The glass trembled violently.
The notes shifted slightly from the impact.
"What is 'Nishimura'? That and that we are alone now" she snapped, eyes blazing.
"Why are you acting like we're strangers? I understand before was your family you call me nishimura but what excuse you have now "
She leaned forward across the table, her gaze intense and demanding.
"Call me by my name," she said sharply. "Aren't we best friends for two years?"
Best friends wait Not girlfriend.
Not ex.
Just—Sable felt a strange wave of relief wash over him.
(I almost misunderstood the situation.)
He let out a quiet breath "I see," he said softly.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "See what?"
"Nothing important let's continue"
For a brief moment, her anger lingered in the air like static electricity.
Then—His phone rang.
Sharp and Clear for Breaking the tension.
Sable glanced at the screen.
Store number "Oh," he said calmly as he stood up.
"I need to go back to the store So can we continue this next time?"
Yachiyo looked like she wanted to argue again.
Her lips parted slightly Then closed.
Her jaw tightened.
"You're running away, idiot ,moran" she said.
"Timing is bad," he replied evenly.
She clicked her tongue in frustration, grabbed her bag roughly, and walked toward the door.
At the threshold, she paused Without turning around, she spoke quietly.
"Don't avoid me next time i already endure two weeks "
Then she left The door shut with a soft but firm sound Silence filled the room again.
Sable stood alone, staring at the closed door for a moment.
(Hot-tempered and Dominant plus someone I can't know and Handle easily i need to prepare myself for next time Chaos)
He rubbed his temple lightly, exhaling through his nose.
"I don't think someone like that becomes friends easily in the first place i don't even know how it was originally sable"
His gaze fell to the study notes still in his hand.
Two years of Best friends or maybe WPA connections
Knows about the awakening incident.
And not afraid of authority and pride in her family name
His expression grew more serious.
This body's past is more complicated than I expected.
He slipped the notes into his bag and turned toward the exit.
Things were starting to move And he was still behind on the board.