-Mother said we should go out for a bit.
"Fresh air," she said while getting ready. She moved around the house without rushing, picking up a few things before heading to the door. Father grabbed his coat and glanced at me.
"Shoes," he said.
I put them on and followed.
The streets were quiet as we walked. I stayed close to them, looking around as we passed by houses and small shops. There wasn't anything unusual, but I still paid attention. Signs, directions, small details. Things that helped place where I was without asking.
Mother and Father talked a little as we walked. Not about anything important. Just small things. I listened without joining in.
When we reached the park, Mother slowed down near a bench that faced the pond.
"We'll sit here," she said, brushing the surface lightly before sitting down.
Father placed the bag beside her and looked at me. "Don't go too far."
I nodded.
"I'll be over there," I said, pointing toward the entrance.
Mother followed my gaze, then looked back at me. "Stay where we can see you."
"I will."
I walked toward the entrance at a normal pace. Not rushing.
The bus stop sign was where I remembered it.
I stopped in front of it and looked up.
Schedule. Route map. Names.
I read through them slowly.
It didn't take long.
I already knew from a few days ago.
Saitama.
Seeing the names here just confirmed it again.
I shifted slightly, glancing at the map one more time before stepping back.
There weren't many people around. Just a few standing near the stop.
I glanced to the side for a moment.
A family stood there, holding a couple of shopping bags. Among them was a girl with green hair, around my height. She stood close to who were probably her parents, not saying much.
I looked for a second, then looked away.
Didn't matter.
I turned and walked back.
Mother and Father were sitting on the bench, just like before. Father had one arm resting along the back, and Mother sat straight, watching the pond.
I sat down beside them.
"Find something?" Father asked.
"Nothing… I thought I saw something," I said.
He nodded once and didn't ask anything else.
Mother handed me something small to eat. "Here."
I took it and ate quietly.
They talked a little—simple things. I listened without really paying full attention.
My thoughts drifted.
Past lives.
Different quirks.
Prediction had been a good one.
Not seeing the future, just reading what was about to happen. Small changes, movements, intent. Enough to react before something landed. It made dodging easier, especially in close situations.
But it wasn't perfect.
It didn't tell everything.
Some quirks were just useless. Hard to use, or not worth much at all.
And sometimes… I didn't have one.
Quirkless.
That happened too.
It didn't really follow any rules.
I already understood that much.
I looked out toward the pond. Ducks drifted across the water, calm and slow. The surface barely moved.
People passed by behind us, footsteps coming and going. Nothing stayed long.
Every time, it was still Japan.
Different homes, different places—but always here.
I thought about that for a moment.
Maybe it was because I only knew Japanese.
That would make sense.
It made things easier.
I didn't have to relearn everything from the start.
That alone helped more than anything else.
I leaned back slightly against the bench. The wood felt cool through my shirt.
Mother adjusted her sleeve again, glancing briefly at the water. Father stayed relaxed, his gaze forward.
No one paid attention to anything else.
Just a normal day outside.
I watched the ducks move slowly, following each other without rushing. The wind shifted lightly through the trees above us.
Time passed without much happening.
And that was fine.
After a while, Mother stood up, brushing her hands lightly against her clothes.
"Let's go home," she said.
Father stood up as well, picking up the bag.
I slid off the bench and followed them without saying anything.
We walked back the same way we came.
The streets were still quiet. The signs were still there.
I glanced at them once more as we passed.
Saitama.
Then I looked forward again and kept walking with them.