Chapter 1

It was late in the afternoon, the sun beginning its descent, casting long shadows across the campus. Rishie, her heart still thrumming with the residual stress of the day's exams, exchanged glances with her friends. Ayano, ever nonchalant, leaned against a tree, his expression betraying nothing of his inner thoughts. Klovi, a whirlwind of nervous energy, bounced on the balls of her feet, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing on her lips. Axel, quiet and contemplative, stood apart, his gaze fixed on the setting sun. They had decided to head to the park, seeking solace and respite after the grueling exam marathon.

"Am I the only one who's worried sick about our exam scores?" Rishie's voice, though laced with apprehension, held a hint of playful exasperation. She tugged at the hem of her shirt, her usual vibrant energy dimmed by the weight of uncertainty.

Ayano's response was as effortless as a sigh. "Probably, yeah." He shrugged, the movement casual, almost dismissive.

Klovi, however, offered a more reassuring smile, though it was tempered with a wariness that mirrored Rishie's own anxieties. "I mean, I practically lived in the library all night. I'm pretty positive I aced it."

Axel, his voice calm and steady, nodded in agreement. "I'm feeling pretty confident too."

Rishie's frustration bubbled over. "Wow, you guys are so insensitive! Can't you at least try to cheer me up!?" Her pout deepened, her lower lip jutting out in a childish expression that belied her inner turmoil.

Ayano, sensing her distress, let out a long-suffering sigh. He reached out, gently patting her head, a gesture both comforting and slightly condescending. "There, there, Rishie. I know you did well. Just try to relax."

Rishie rolled her eyes, the gesture a silent testament to her unconvinced state. "Wow, that's some serious cheering, Ayano," she muttered, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

Ayano smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You're welcome."

"Wow, you—" Rishie's retort was cut short by Klovi's excited interruption. Klovi, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, pointed towards their destination.

"Alright, we're here!" she announced, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.

The four friends – Axel, Klovi, Rishie, and Ayano – arrived at the park, a haven of green amidst the concrete jungle. They found a secluded spot beneath the shade of a sprawling oak tree, away from the harsh glare of the afternoon sun. After purchasing a bounty of snacks – sandwiches, chips, and an assortment of sugary drinks – they settled down, the comfortable silence punctuated by the chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves.

"Hey, Ayano?" Rishie nudged him gently, her curiosity piqued.

"What?" Ayano responded, his gaze drifting towards her.

"Have you ever… seriously considered the possibility of magic?" Rishie's question hung in the air, a tentative exploration of a fantastical realm.

Klovi, her interest immediately captured, leaned forward. "Magic?"

Axel, ever the pragmatist, joined the conversation. "Isn't that a bit… far-fetched? I mean, we're on Earth. Such things aren't supposed to happen."

Ayano, his expression thoughtful, nodded in agreement. "Well, I'd love to believe in magic, but I have to agree with Axel."

Rishie sighed, her gaze drifting upwards towards the vast expanse of the sky. 'I wish magic existed…' she thought wistfully, a silent plea echoing in her mind. She then turned back to her friends, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Okay, let's play a game," she declared, her voice brimming with playful energy. "If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"

Klovi's response was immediate and enthusiastic. "I want space powers! The ultimate power! It would be incredibly difficult to control, I'm sure, but still, I'd love it!"

Axel, his eyes half-closed as he envisioned himself manipulating the very fabric of time, spoke softly. "If magic were real, I'd want the power to control time. The ability to manipulate time itself."

Ayano, a sly smirk playing on his lips, offered his own ambition. "I'd want the power to copy or steal abilities. If I faced an opponent with overwhelming power, I could simply copy their abilities and use them against them."

Klovi, her gaze fixed on Rishie, posed the question to her friend directly. "What about you, Rishie? What power would you choose?"

Rishie, her eyes sparkling with an almost childlike glee, responded without hesitation. "Me? Oh, I'd want super strength! The kind of strength that would let me crush my enemies with a single blow!"

Ayano's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Super strength?"

Rishie nodded emphatically. "Yes!"

Klovi, her face beaming with approval, exclaimed, "Oooh! I see. That's a pretty good one!"

Axel, ever the pragmatist, shrugged. "Well, super strength is undeniably a powerful ability."

The four friends continued chatting, their laughter echoing through the tranquil park. As the sun dipped further below the horizon, casting an ethereal glow across the sky, their conversation lulled into a peaceful silence. Before they knew it, they had fallen fast asleep, their heads resting against the trunk of the ancient oak tree.

When they awoke, they found themselves in an entirely unfamiliar place. The familiar comfort of the park was gone, replaced by a landscape both strange and unsettling. They looked at each other, their faces etched with confusion and disbelief. They were no longer the teenagers they had been just moments before. They had transformed into adults!

"Who are you guys!?" Rishie's voice, sharp with alarm, sliced through the stunned silence.

Ayano, his gaze narrowed, glared back at her. "No, who are you?"

Axel, his voice tinged with a mixture of surprise and recognition, spoke first. "Wait… that voice… Rishie? Ayano?" He then turned his attention to Klovi, his eyes softening with a familiar affection. "Klovi?"

Klovi, her voice barely a whisper, called out his name. "Axel?"

The shock of their transformations was palpable. Rishie, now a vision of youthful beauty, possessed golden hair and eyes that shimmered like liquid sunlight. She was clad in a flowing white and gold gown, a delicate veil framing her face. Klovi, equally transformed, had dark blue hair that seemed to mimic the vastness of space, her eyes the color of a clear summer sky. Ayano, taller and more strikingly handsome, retained his dark hair, but his eyes now burned with a crimson intensity. Axel, too, had undergone a remarkable change, his silver hair framing a face that was both handsome and enigmatic, his eyes resembling intricately designed clockwork gears.

"Why… why did our appearances change? And why the heck am I wearing this veil?!" Rishie's voice, a mixture of bewilderment and indignation, echoed through the strange new surroundings.

Ayano, his gaze lingering on Rishie's transformed appearance, offered a compliment laced with a hint of something more. "You look… beautiful, Rishie. It suits you."

Rishie, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment, stammered a response. "Ayano… you're… handsome…" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Ayano simply replied, "Thanks."

Axel, his gaze fixed on Klovi, offered a similar compliment. "Klovi, you look beautiful too."

Klovi, her face flushed, returned the compliment. "Oh—thanks! You look good too, Axel!"

Rishie, her gaze fixed on Klovi's hair, expressed her amazement. "Your hair… it looks like the galaxy…"

Klovi’s eyes widened. "Perhaps… I have the space power? I mean, look at my hair! It's dark blue and it sparkles!"

Rishie squealed with excitement. "No way… if you have that power, then… does this mean we all got our dream powers?!"

Axel, a subtle smirk playing on his lips, confirmed his suspicions. "Oh, then I have… the time ability…?"

Klovi, her face beaming, exclaimed, "Ooh! We're like the same! Time and space!"

Axel returned her smile. "Nice indeed."

Ayano, his smirk widening, confirmed his own transformation. "Then… I have the steal/copy power/ability?"

Rishie, however, felt a pang of disappointment. "What about me? I wanted super strength, but what's this?"

Ayano, his eyes momentarily drifting towards Rishie's enhanced figure before quickly averting his gaze, offered a reassuring pat on her head. "Don't worry, Rishie. Maybe you have that ability, but you just don't know how to manifest it yet." He whispered under his breath, "Damn, your… something also grew big…"

Rishie, completely oblivious to his muttered comment, asked, "What was that?"

Ayano, attempting to appear nonchalant, replied, "I said, just believe in yourself."

Rishie, still somewhat confused, simply responded, "Uhm, okay?"

Axel and Klovi exchanged amused glances, chuckling softly at the exchange between Rishie and Ayano. Klovi, her enthusiasm undeterred, broke the silence.

"Let's explore this place and find out what our abilities or powers actually are!" she declared, her voice full of excitement.

They all agreed, their curiosity piqued. They set off to explore their new surroundings, eager to uncover the mysteries that lay before them. As they walked, their eyes fell upon seven shimmering portals, each radiating an otherworldly glow. The portals pulsed with a soft, ethereal light, their surfaces shimmering with an iridescent sheen that shifted and changed with every blink. They were circular, each about ten feet in diameter, and seemed to hum with an almost imperceptible energy.

"What the hell?" Rishie exclaimed, her voice laced with a mixture of awe and apprehension. She stared at the portals, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Ayano, his expression serious, echoed her sentiment. "Why are there so many portals?" He cautiously approached one, extending a hand to touch the shimmering surface. It felt cool to the touch, almost like polished glass, but with an underlying energy that thrummed beneath his fingertips.

Axel, his voice thoughtful, offered a possible explanation. "It seems like we need to choose one of those portals." He studied them carefully, his clockwork eyes scanning each one in turn, as if searching for some hidden clue or indication.

Klovi, her gaze sweeping across the shimmering portals, turned to her friends. "So… where should we go?" A hint of nervousness colored her voice, but her usual adventurous spirit shone through.

Rishie, her finger pointing towards the nearest portal, made a suggestion. "How about the first one over there?" She felt a strange pull toward it, an almost irresistible urge to step through.

Ayano, his expression resolute, agreed. "Sure, let's go." And with that, the four friends, their hearts pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, began walking towards the shimmering portal, ready to embark on a journey into the unknown.

As they stepped through the shimmering portal, a breathtaking world unfolded before them, a world so vibrant and alive it stole their breath away. Sylvanus. The very air hummed with a palpable energy, a symphony of unseen forces that tingled on their skin. It was a realm woven not just from whispers of ancient trees and the shimmer of moonlit streams, but from the very essence of magic itself.

The light here was different, softer, imbued with a thousand shimmering colours that danced and shifted in the periphery of their vision. Emerald moss, thick and plush like a velvet carpet, carpeted the forest floor, yielding silently under their feet as they ventured deeper into the heart of the woods. Towering willows, their branches draped with shimmering, dew-kissed leaves, whispered secrets to the gentle breeze. Sun-dappled glades, bathed in the ethereal glow of filtered sunlight, opened up before them, revealing a landscape of breathtaking beauty. Crystalline rivers, their waters as clear as polished glass, snaked through the land, their surfaces reflecting the starlight like a million scattered diamonds.

The air itself hummed with a vibrant energy, a tangible magic that thrummed in the gentle flutter of iridescent wings and the intoxicating fragrance of night blossoms, their petals glowing with an inner luminescence. Here, the veil between worlds was impossibly thin, the whispers of nature carrying secrets of ancient magic and timeless wonder, a palpable sense of enchantment hanging heavy in the air.

Rishie's breath hitched in her throat, a gasp of pure wonder escaping her lips. Her eyes, wide with astonishment, drank in the breathtaking vista. The emerald moss, even more vibrant up close, felt incredibly soft beneath her fingertips as she reached out, a tentative touch that sent a ripple of energy up her arm. Crystalline rivers, shimmering like ribbons of starlight, flowed past, their waters impossibly clear, reflecting the myriad colours of the sky. She could almost feel the magic humming in the air, a tangible energy that vibrated with unseen power. "Oh wow," she breathed, her voice barely a whisper, overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of her surroundings. The word felt inadequate, insufficient to capture the awe that filled her heart.

Klovi, equally speechless, echoed her sentiment with a simple, awestruck "Wow…" Axel and Ayano, their usual stoicism momentarily forgotten, simply nodded, their gazes sweeping across the enchanting landscape, their faces reflecting a shared sense of wonder. The sheer scale of the beauty before them was almost overwhelming.

Suddenly, a tiny figure, a blur of iridescent colour, fluttered towards them, its delicate wings catching the light like scattered rainbows. It was a fairy, no bigger than Rishie's hand, its form impossibly delicate, its movements graceful and fluid.

"Hello!" she chirped, her voice a cascade of tiny bells, a sound both melodic and enchanting. "I'm Daisy, a Fairy of Knowledge. Welcome to our realm, Sylvanus! This is where all of us fairies, elves, and other magical creatures live." Her smile was radiant, a beacon of pure joy that instantly dispelled any lingering apprehension.

Rishie gasped, her eyes wide with wonder. "A real fairy?" she whispered, her voice barely audible above the gentle rustling of leaves. The reality of the situation was slowly dawning on her.

Ayano, his usual stoicism momentarily shattered, asked, his voice tinged with disbelief, "You mean, this whole world… is a fairy world?"

Daisy beamed, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Indeed!" she confirmed, her voice brimming with pride. "Feel free to look around! There's so much to see." With a graceful flip of her shimmering wings, she darted away, disappearing into the emerald depths of the forest, leaving the four friends to explore the magical realm at their leisure.

"A real fairy!" Rishie exclaimed, her excitement bubbling over, her voice filled with unrestrained joy. "She's so pretty!" She spun around, taking in the breathtaking surroundings, her eyes alight with wonder.

Ayano, standing close beside her, his gaze lingering on her radiant face, murmured, his voice barely a whisper, "You're prettier."

Rishie, oblivious to the subtle compliment, tilted her head, her brow furrowed in confusion. "What was that? I didn't catch that," she asked, her voice laced with innocent curiosity.

Ayano, a faint blush creeping up his neck, mumbled, his voice barely audible, "Nothing," He sighed, his gaze drifting away, attempting to appear nonchalant, but his reddening cheeks betrayed his true feelings.

Klovi and Axel exchanged amused glances, stifling giggles as they watched the exchange between their friends. Rishie, completely oblivious to their amusement, skipped ahead, her attention completely captivated by the fantastical surroundings.

"Look, Ayano!" she cried, her voice filled with excitement, pointing towards a cluster of tiny houses nestled amongst the trees. They were unlike anything she had ever seen before – charming mushroom houses, their rounded tops adorned with glowing moss and intricate carvings, nestled amongst the ancient trees. "Their houses are made of mushrooms and trees! It's amazing!"

Ayano, his gaze still lingering on her, simply replied, his voice soft, "Yeah,"

Klovi's stomach rumbled, breaking the spell of enchantment. "Aren't you guys hungry?" she asked, her voice laced with a hint of playful exasperation.

Axel, his eyes scanning the distance, pointed towards a bustling marketplace that shimmered in the distance. "Let's go over there," he suggested, his voice filled with anticipation. "I bet we can find something to eat."

As they approached the marketplace, a vibrant food stall, the Starfall Stall, caught their eye. It was a brightly decorated cart, adorned with twinkling lights, shimmering fabrics, and dangling charms that jingled merrily in the breeze. The air around it hummed with a subtle magical energy.

"Wow!" Rishie exclaimed, her eyes wide with wonder. "This fantasy world is full of magic and beautiful stuff!" She was about to dash towards the stall, her excitement bubbling over, when Ayano gently grabbed her wrist, his touch surprisingly firm.

"Don't run off on your own," he said, his voice laced with concern, his gaze serious. "Who knows what kind of trouble you'll get into?" He held her hand for a moment longer than necessary, his fingers lingering on her skin before releasing it, and they walked together towards the stall, their steps synchronized.

"What? I'm not that troublesome!" Rishie pouted, but she didn't pull away, a hint of playful defiance in her tone. Klovi and Axel exchanged amused glances behind them, stifling giggles.

"So, what are we gonna eat?" Axel asked, his eyes scanning the array of colorful treats displayed on the stall. The smells were intoxicating – a heady mix of sweet and savory aromas that filled the air.

"There are so many options!" Klovi grinned, her eyes sparkling with delight. "And they all look delicious!" Rishie added, her mouth already watering at the sight of the tempting treats.

As they perused the menu, a pixy, its wings shimmering like a thousand tiny stars, approached them. "Greetings, travelers!" she chirped, her voice like the tinkling of tiny bells. "Welcome to Starfall Stall! We have Starfall sliced cakes, Comet Cookies, Pocket Pies, Celestial Skewers, Elixir Drinks with magical effects, and Glow-in-the-Dark Treats!" She gestured towards the various delicacies with a flourish, her movements graceful and precise.

"Wow!" Rishie exclaimed, her eyes wide with excitement. "I want a Comet Cookie and an Elixir Drink, please!" she said, pointing excitedly at the treats.

"I'll have the skewers and a drink too," Ayano said, his gaze still lingering on Rishie.

"I'll take the Starfall slice cake and an Elixir Drink," Klovi added, her voice filled with anticipation.

"And I'll have the pie and a drink," Axel said, his voice calm and steady.

"Certainly!" the pixy replied, her smile warm and welcoming. She expertly prepared their orders, her movements fluid and precise, and handed them their treats. "That'll be 50 peas," she added with a smile, her voice light and airy.

The four friends exchanged worried glances. "Uh… do we have to pay?" Klovi asked nervously, her voice laced with uncertainty.

"Of course!" the pixy chirped, her voice unwavering.

"But… we don't have any money… or peas," Rishie stammered, her lower lip trembling slightly, her eyes wide with apprehension.

The pixy sighed, her expression softening with understanding. "You seem to be new around here," she said gently. "I'll give you these for free, but I suggest you learn the customs of Sylvanus quickly. You don't want to get into trouble, do you?"

"No, ma'am!" they all replied in unison, their voices filled with relief.

"Well, that was lucky," Ayano said as they walked away from the stall, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Yeah," Rishie agreed, her voice still tinged with relief. "If she'd gotten mad, we probably would have ended up in jail!"

"Jail? Is there even such a thing here?" Klovi wondered, her brow furrowed in thought.

"What if it's not jail, but immediate execution?" Axel suggested dryly, his voice laced with a hint of dark humor.

"Execution!?" Rishie gasped, her eyes widening in horror. She imagined herself being dragged before a fearsome king, the executioner's axe gleaming in the light. She started to tremble, her body shaking slightly.

Ayano noticed her distress. He gently patted her head and pulled her into a comforting hug, his touch surprisingly gentle and reassuring. "Stop thinking about it," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. "It's not going to happen… not like I'd let it happen anyway."

"What…?" Rishie murmured, calming down slightly, her body relaxing against his.

"Don't worry, Rishie," Klovi said, smiling reassuringly. "We'll protect you!"

Rishie returned their smiles, her fear subsiding under the warmth of their support. "Thanks, guys!"

They ate their food, marveling at the delicious and unusual flavors. The Comet Cookie crumbled in Rishie's mouth, releasing a burst of sweet, cinnamon-spiced flavor that was both familiar and utterly unique. Klovi's Elixir Drink tasted like sunshine and laughter, a burst of pure joy that warmed her from the inside out. The Celestial Skewers were savory and smoky, their flavors complex and intriguing, and Axel's Pocket Pie was warm and flaky, its crust melting in his mouth.

After their meal, they decided to continue exploring Sylvanus, eager to discover more of its magic and beauty, their hearts filled with a sense of wonder and anticipation.

It didn't take long for Rishie and her friends to acclimate to the vibrant, magical world of Sylvanus. Within a month, they had mastered the basics of Sylvanian life, securing jobs that provided them with a steady income. They explored every nook and cranny of the city, their days filled with the thrill of discovery and the joy of learning. They learned the local customs, the intricacies of the Sylvanian language, and the subtle nuances of the magical energies that permeated the land. They even made several friends among the local fairies, elves, and other magical creatures. Their initial apprehension had long since faded, replaced by a sense of belonging and wonder.

At the moment, Rishie and her friends found themselves in the Stardust Citadel, a breathtaking city built upon a colossal floating island. The citadel, a marvel of architectural ingenuity, was surrounded by a breathtaking panorama of constellations, their light shimmering and dancing across the night sky. The air hummed with a potent magical energy, a palpable sense of celestial power that filled the senses. The inhabitants of this magnificent city were fairies, each possessing unique celestial abilities, their very presence radiating an aura of ethereal beauty and power. The buildings were carved from luminous crystals, their surfaces shimmering with an otherworldly glow, their intricate designs reflecting the celestial patterns that swirled above.

"Ah, I'm starting to feel at home here," Rishie began, her voice filled with a newfound confidence. She leaned against a crystal balustrade, gazing out at the breathtaking view, a sense of contentment washing over her. "By the way, you guys mentioned discovering your abilities, right?" She turned to her friends, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Klovi, her face beaming, nodded enthusiastically. "Ah yes! And as expected, we did get our dream abilities!" Her smile faltered, however, replaced by a wave of frustration and self-doubt. "But when I said it would be hard to control, I didn't realize it would be this hard… I haven't made any progress at all in a month!" Tears welled up in her eyes, her voice cracking with emotion. She began to sob softly, her shoulders shaking with disappointment.

Axel, ever the supportive friend, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. His expression was one of gentle concern, his voice calm and reassuring. "It's alright, Klovi. Given your abilities – manipulating the very fabric of space – it's really not easy to control. It takes time, patience, and dedication. Don't give up. Keep training and practicing. You'll master it someday. I have faith in you." His words, sincere and encouraging, seemed to lift some of the weight from Klovi's shoulders.

Klovi, her spirits lifted by his words, wiped away her tears, a determined glint returning to her eyes. "Yes! Giving up is not an option!" she declared, her voice firm and resolute. She took a deep breath, her posture straightening, her resolve strengthened by Axel's unwavering support.

Rishie, her gaze shifting to Ayano, smiled warmly. "How about yours, Ayano?" she asked, her voice gentle and encouraging.

Ayano, his expression thoughtful and slightly troubled, looked back at her. "I don't know either," he admitted, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. "I thought copying someone's ability would be easy, but it's not. It's way harder than I anticipated." He frowned, his brow furrowed in concentration, clearly struggling with the complexities of his power.

Rishie's eyes softened with empathy. She approached him, her movements gentle and reassuring. "It's still too early to feel bad, Ayano," she said, her voice soft and comforting. "It's only been a month since we arrived here. You still have plenty of time to master it, just like Klovi. Don't put so much pressure on yourself." Her smile was warm and genuine, radiating a comforting sense of support.

Ayano looked at her for a long moment, his gaze intense and searching. Then, unexpectedly, he enveloped her in a hug, his arms strong and comforting. Rishie blushed, her heart pounding in her chest. She was taken aback by his sudden embrace, unsure of how to react, but she remained still, her body tense but her heart strangely calm.

"A-Ayano…?" Rishie stammered, her voice barely a whisper, trying to remain calm despite the rapid beating of her heart. "What's wrong?"

Ayano, after a moment, released her, his expression unreadable as he turned and walked away, leaving Rishie utterly bewildered. His sudden embrace and abrupt departure left her feeling both confused and strangely unsettled.

Night had fallen, casting long shadows across the Stardust Citadel. It was almost time for bed, but Rishie was nowhere to be found in her chamber. Ayano, concerned, knocked gently on her door, but received no answer. Assuming she had already fallen asleep, he sighed, turning to leave, when he noticed a shadowy figure near the balcony. Curiosity piqued, he cautiously approached, peering over the edge. There, silhouetted against the breathtaking backdrop of the night sky, was Rishie, her gaze fixed on the distant constellations, her posture conveying a deep sadness, a profound sense of loneliness.

Ayano, his heart aching at the sight of her distress, quietly approached her, wrapping his arms around her from behind, his head resting gently on her shoulder. The unexpected embrace startled her, but she didn't pull away.

"Can't sleep?" Rishie asked, her voice soft and barely audible.

Ayano hummed in response, tightening his embrace slightly, his touch both comforting and possessive.

"Y-you're hugging me too tight," Rishie said, attempting to gently loosen his grip, her voice tinged with a hint of playful exasperation. "Loosen up a bit."

"Sorry…" Ayano murmured, loosening his grip slightly, but not releasing her entirely. His arms remained securely around her, providing a sense of warmth and security. "Are you still sad?" he asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

"No… well, yes… I mean, all of you have already discovered your abilities, while I… I don't even know if I have one," Rishie confessed, her voice filled with a mixture of disappointment and sorrow. A wave of self-doubt washed over her, threatening to engulf her. She forced a smile, however, a smile that was neither happy nor sad, but rather… warm, a testament to her resilience and unwavering hope. "But, I'm still hoping," she continued, her voice gaining strength. "And I want to believe your words when you say, maybe I just don't know how to manifest it yet."

Ayano listened patiently, his arms remaining securely around her, providing a silent reassurance. After a moment, he gently picked her up, surprising her with his sudden action.

Startled by his unexpected move, Rishie instinctively held onto him, her heart pounding in her chest. "D-don't just suddenly pick me up!" she scolded him playfully, her voice laced with a hint of playful exasperation.

"It's late," Ayano said, his voice calm and reassuring. "You should sleep now." He carried her into her room, gently laying her down on the bed, tucking the blankets around her. He patted her head gently, whispering a soft "Goodnight," before quietly leaving the room.

Rishie, stunned by his unexpected tenderness, lay there for a moment, her heart still pounding in her chest. With a sigh, she pulled the blankets tighter around herself, a warm sense of contentment washing over her. With a pounding heart, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, Rishie awoke to the sound of utter chaos emanating from downstairs. Their temporary apartment, usually a haven of peace and quiet, was now a scene of utter pandemonium.

Rishie, still half-asleep, forced herself to get up, heading towards the bathroom to freshen up. After a quick wash, she made her way downstairs, determined to discover the source of the early morning commotion.

The sight that greeted her was nothing short of catastrophic. Flour dusted every surface of the kitchen, creating a thick, white layer that coated countertops, cabinets, and appliances. Eggshells and raw meat splattered the ceiling, the walls, and even the furniture. The couch was covered in a sticky, unidentifiable substance. The scene was so utterly chaotic, so unbelievably messy, that it defied description. It was a disaster of epic proportions.

Rishie facepalmed, a groan escaping her lips. She walked towards the kitchen, her steps slow and deliberate, her expression a mixture of disbelief and exasperation. And there, amidst the wreckage, stood her three 'good' friends, their faces a mixture of guilt and apprehension.

"What the fuck?" Rishie's voice, though soft, carried an icy chill that sent shivers down their spines. Her smile, however, was not a friendly one. It was a smile that spoke of simmering rage, a smile that promised retribution.

Ayano, Axel, and Klovi froze, their bodies stiff with fear. Before Ayano could even begin to offer an explanation, a glint of metal flashed through the air. A flying knife, thrown with deadly precision, whizzed past Ayano's head, embedding itself in the wall just inches from his face.

The three friends, startled by the sudden display of unexpected skill, immediately dropped to their knees, their bodies trembling with fear.

"Tell me," Rishie's voice was dangerously low, each word dripping with icy fury. "Who the fuck told you to use your damn abilities to cook? The kitchen is not for practicing your powers, you morons!!" Her glare was intense, her eyes blazing with anger. Her three friends remained silent, knowing they were utterly and completely in the wrong.

Ayano, unable to bear the weight of her wrath any longer, mustered his charm, attempting to mitigate the situation. "I-I'm sorry," he stammered, his voice laced with genuine remorse. "I won't do it again. Please forgive me…" He tried his best to appear as pitiful as possible, his usual nonchalant demeanor completely gone.

Rishie, her heart pounding in her chest, closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to regain her composure. "You—ugh, fine! I'll forgive you all this time—"

Klovi and Axel inwardly celebrated, relieved by her apparent forgiveness, when Rishie's voice cut through their silent jubilation.

"But!" she declared, her eyes blazing, her voice sharp and unwavering. The three of them looked up, their faces a mixture of hope and apprehension. "If something like this happens again," she glared at them, her voice dangerously low, "I will not forgive you."

Both Klovi and Axel gulped, their faces pale with fear. Ayano, however, remained calm, his confidence unwavering, knowing that Rishie, despite her anger, would ultimately forgive him.

After the initial chaos subsided, the four friends cleaned up the apartment, the monumental task taking several hours. Exhausted but relieved, they decided to take a stroll through the city, seeking a much-needed respite from the morning's disastrous events.

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