We approached the mall's security checkpoint, and, predictably, the guard raised a hand.

  “No weapons allowed inside,” he said, eyeing the bdes strapped at my waist.

  Without a word, I pulled out my license—standard issue for Agents in New Eridu. Hollows are unpredictable, and being caught unarmed was a one-way ticket to an obituary. The guard scanned the permit, gave a professional nod, and waved me through.

  Crisis averted. I made a beeline toward the grocery section, mentally reviewing my shopping list. Rice. Eggs. Milk. Frozen dumpli—

  A hand grabbed my sleeve and tugged sharply.

  “Let’s check out the new fashion line first,” Ellen said ftly, already steering me off-course.

  Of course.

  My meticulously pnned grocery mission had been derailed in under five minutes.

  I groaned internally but allowed myself to be dragged along. Fine. Maybe it wouldn't kill me to indulge a little.

  “I’m just here for onions,” I mumbled.

  “Now you’re here for outfits,” Ellen replied without missing a beat.

  Soon enough, I was in the changing room holding a neatly folded set of clothes—courtesy of Lynn, who csped her hands together pleadingly.

  “Please try it,” she said, eyes wide like she was auditioning for a drama.

  I sighed. “Fine. But only one.”

  The outfit was… simple. A soft, modest dress that screamed “comedy anime’s supportive little sister.” When I stepped out, they all audibly gasped like they’d seen an angel descend in a department store.

  “Okay. You got your ughs. I’m changing now,” I said, face already burning.

  But before I could escape, Ellen held out another hanger. “This one next.”

  “…Of course.”

  This next one was dramatically different—a cool, sleek outfit that gave me the vibe of an off-duty idol wandering incognito. I stepped out again, this time greeted by cps, whistles, and Ellen’s approving nod.

  “Not bad,” she said.

  Before I knew it, I was stuck in an endless cycle of trying on outfits—each one more outrageous or stylish than the st. I didn’t even realize I was smiling until the others started picking pieces with weird grins on their faces.

  After what felt like a small runway show, I walked over to the counter, resigned to buying everything I'd worn. But when I reached for my phone—

  “Already paid,” Ellen said casually, arms crossed.

  “Wait—what?”

  “Group effort,” Lynn added with a small smile.

  “You guys…”

  I felt a strange warmth in my chest. I didn’t know what to say. Maybe… maybe I’ll treat them next time.

  Yeah. Maybe I owe them that much.

  We finally wrapped up the grocery run—but my carefully crafted list didn’t survive.

  Most of what I pnned to buy got swapped out for healthier alternatives. Ellen moved like a silent expert through the aisles, trading instant ramen for grain noodles, sugary snacks for dried fruit, and who knows what else. I didn't even realize when she slipped some vitamin drinks into the cart.

  I guess that’s the effect of working part-time as a maid? She never told us what she does outside school, and I never asked. Some things are better left unsaid—especially when you trust someone. I already told Elf not to dig up details. If Ellen were dangerous, Elf would’ve banned her from my life by now.

  As we stood outside the mall under the amber light of afternoon, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

  “Thanks for today,” I said, giving them a small smile. “Really. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “See you tomorrow,” Ellen replied with a gentle nod.

  “Yeah! Don’t skip again or I’ll chase you down!” Ruby grinned.

  “Have a good evening, Lumina,” Lynn added softly.

  “Treat me to the premium veggie burger tomorrow!” Monna chimed in, earning a swift elbow from Lynn.

  I chuckled quietly as I walked away. A simple day… but precious in its own way.

  My delivery drone hovered down nearby, ready to take the groceries back home. I loaded the bags without much thought.

  As I walked off, the silence in my chest pocket came to life again.

  “I’m gd you’re having fun, Master,” Elf’s voice was calm—almost warm.

  I paused mid-step. “Yeah... I honestly expected hatred. Bme. I ghosted them for two weeks, ignored every group chat... I thought I’d be shut out.”

  Elf’s interface flickered faintly. “It’s not your fault, you know. You’ve been struggling. And they know that. That’s why they gave you space—and still welcomed you back.”

  I looked away, watching the fading sunlight stretch over the street.

  “…I don’t want them to carry my feelings,” I muttered.

  Elf didn’t reply this time. She didn’t need to.

  Some thoughts are just meant to hang quietly in the air.

  After sending my groceries to auto-storage and my newly bought clothes to a professional washer—one that wouldn’t ruin delicate fabrics—I finally sat down.

  A table for six.

  But it was just me.

  A quiet sad I made from Ellen’s healthy suggestions stared back at me. I took a bite, letting the mellow background music Elf picked out drift through the air.

  Peaceful.

  Moments like this reminded me of my past life—alone in a small room, living an okay life, with a social circle as full as a drained can of co. Just… silence. It wasn’t bad. But it wasn’t quite living either.

  “Master,” Elf’s voice chimed in, soft as usual. “Your older brother wants to speak with you.”

  I perked up, straightened in my seat, quickly swallowing my bite. I suppressed the small surge of happiness in my chest. I had to py it cool.

  The screen on the wall flickered to life, and the image of my older brother appeared.

  “Lumina, my dear little sister,” Shade Exos greeted with a warm grin. “How are you doing?”

  Now that’s a cool name, isn’t it? Shade Exos. He always sounded like a movie character.

  “I’m fine, dear brother,” I replied with careful composure, trying to sound calm and collected.

  He chuckled.

  “That voice isn't convincing, you know.”

  My poker face cracked.

  “You know, little sis, you’re doing great,” he said, his voice softening. “It’s been almost a year since you started living on your own. Mother and Father… they’re proud of you. We all are. You’ve proven you can stand on your own two feet.”

  His words hit deeper than expected. I swallowed thickly, fighting the sting in my eyes.

  “I also know,” he added with a smirk, “you’re avoiding direct calls with them because you’ll bawl your eyes out the moment you see their faces.”

  “Not at all!” I shot back, but my voice cracked halfway and betrayed me. I looked away.

  Shade ughed, loud and unfiltered. “There it is.”

  I couldn’t help but ugh too. A snort even escaped before I could stop it.

  He leaned a little closer on screen. “Anyway—your birthday’s coming up. You have to come home. Non-negotiable.”

  “I figured,” I said quietly.

  “Bring your new friends too. The ones you’ve been dodging school with.”

  I froze mid-chew.

  “How…?”

  “Elf sends me updates. Don’t bme her—I made the protocol,” he said smugly.

  I groaned. “That’s cheating.”

  He winked. “Perks of being the genius eldest.”

  “…Okay, big brother,” I finally said, lowering my chopsticks. “I’ll come home.”

  Then, before the call could end, I found myself speaking again. “Hey—actually. I wanna tell you about what happened this week.”

  “Sure. Go ahead,” he said with a soft smile. “I’m all ears.”

  And just like that, in the quiet glow of the screen, I began to talk.

  I ended the call with my little sister, a soft smile lingering on my lips. Despite her rocky record, I was proud of her Proxy work. Even if it wasn’t stelr, it was hers. She was walking her own path.

  "Elf," I called, turning my chair slightly toward the hovering AI projection. Mother’s AI—now bonded to Lumina as her guardian.

  "Yes, Master Shade?" Elf replied, her voice still composed and serene.

  "Has the Exaltist made a move on Lumina?"

  Elf's expression sharpened ever so slightly. “About that, Master Shade… there was a high-tier Proxy who attempted to breach her core system. I intercepted and repelled them. However… they seem to have recruited a different candidate. Unfortunately, I couldn’t trace who it was.”

  I massaged my temple. Damn cult.

  The Exaltists—New Eridu’s most persistent headache. A fanatical group hellbent on dismantling order in favor of some deluded ‘ascension.’ Why did capable people keep joining them? Couldn’t they see that if the Exaltists succeeded, there wouldn’t be a world left for them to “rise” in?

  You can’t expect logic from lunatics, I guess.

  "Did you settle things with HIA and NEPS earlier?" I asked, crossing one leg over the other. “I’d rather not have anyone from those departments trying to sabotage her Proxy standing just because of the TrustMe! alias.”

  “Of course,” Elf said. “They’ve been compensated. The donation was… generous. In fact, they said it’ll help push their research into the new Hollow species much faster.”

  I nodded, leaning back in my chair.

  That’s good.

  Lumina might be a chaotic mess magnet, but she’s a good kid. She tries. She really does. But she’s cursed with the kind of luck that flips on its head when you blink.

  That’s why I always monitor her surroundings. Quietly. Discreetly. If I can help keep her from being shunned, from getting hurt the way I’ve seen happen to others like her… then that’s what I’ll do. Even if she never knows.

  Still, the reputation of "TrustMe!"... it’s a red fg to many.

  But interfering directly would hurt her more.

  So I’ll let it be.

  For now.