⸻
— MORNING AT MIRA'S HOUSE —
The golden rays of the morning sun spilled into the modern suburban home, softly illuminating the kitchen where Mira stood by the wide glass window. Her wavy silver hair shimmered under the light, cascading gently over her shoulders. With striking pale skin and ethereal gray-blue eyes that often seemed to gaze into something far beyond the present, Mira radiated a quiet, graceful beauty. Even in casual jeans and a light sweater, she carried herself like a queen unaware of her own throne.
Yet today, her expression was distant.
She took a slow sip of her coffee, eyes narrowing as she felt the faintest tug—a whisper in time, like a skipped heartbeat.
Something had shifted.
Behind her, Dave entered, tall and composed. His sharp jawline, smooth dark hair, and piercing eyes made him stand out easily anywhere he went. Even now, dressed simply in a black hoodie and jeans, there was a silent authority to him—one he constantly downplayed.
"You okay?" Dave asked, pouring himself a glass of juice.
Mira blinked, breaking from her trance and offered him her usual warm smile. "Of course. Just… a strange breeze this morning."
Dave chuckled, leaning on the counter. "A strange breeze? That's how horror movies start, you know."
Mira laughed softly. "Fortunately, I'm much harder to frighten than most."
Dave smirked but said nothing. If only she knew how right she was.
⸻
— LATER AT SCHOOL —
The school was alive with noise. Students rushed through crowded halls, laughter and chatter echoing off the walls. The cool autumn air outside filtered in through half-opened windows.
Amanda stood by her locker, adjusting her backpack strap, her emerald green eyes scanning the hallway. Her wavy auburn hair was tied up in a high ponytail today, making her sharp cheekbones stand out. A few passing boys stole glances, but she didn't notice — her attention was locked elsewhere.
Dave approached from across the hall, flanked by Zei and Zyra. Amanda's gaze naturally followed him. There was something about the way he carried himself—calm, confident, slightly mysterious—that always caught her breath.
Zei walked stiffly, wearing a light gray hoodie over his lean frame, his platinum blond hair neatly parted, giving him a strangely regal vibe despite trying to blend in. His icy blue eyes darted around as if constantly studying his surroundings.
Beside him, Zyra glided effortlessly. Her deep burgundy hair fell in long curls down her back, her golden eyes filled with playful mischief. Slim, yet curvy, with perfect posture, she moved with the grace of someone who had learned to adapt quickly to human behavior — and enjoy it.
"Hey, Amanda!" Dave greeted, flashing that signature easy smile.
"Hey," Amanda replied, returning his smile, though her pulse quickened slightly.
Zyra leaned in a little too close to Dave's side. "Amanda! You look beautiful today. I love your outfit."
Amanda chuckled, though her cheeks flushed slightly. "Thanks, Zyra. You're always so… enthusiastic."
Zei added politely, "We were discussing Earth's cafeteria system. The food remains puzzling to me."
"It's poison," Amanda teased. "But delicious poison."
Dave laughed. "We've been slowly corrupting them with greasy pizza."
"It's… an experience," Zyra said dramatically, causing everyone to laugh.
⸻
— LATER THAT AFTERNOON (IN CLASS) —
As class began, Amanda sat beside Dave while the twins occupied the seats behind them. Betty, Amanda's best friend, sat on Amanda's other side, scribbling notes. Betty's short jet-black bob framed her round face, and her bright hazel eyes darted between her notes and Dave with a knowing smirk.
"You've been spending a lot of time with your 'exchange friends' lately," Betty whispered under her breath, eyes glinting mischievously.
Amanda rolled her eyes. "It's not like that."
Betty smirked. "You keep telling yourself that."
Meanwhile, behind them, Zyra leaned forward, whispering into Amanda's ear with a sly grin, "You're lucky, Amanda. Spending all this time next to him."
Amanda's heart skipped. She tried to keep cool. "You're here too, aren't you?"
"Yes, but he's not next to me," Zyra replied with a playful wink.
Dave chuckled softly, clearly overhearing their little exchange. "You girls do realize I can hear you, right?"
The entire row stifled laughs as the teacher cleared his throat to begin the lecture.
⸻
— EVENING AT HOME —
The sky shifted from deep orange to purple as the sun dipped below the horizon. Dinner at Mira's home was peaceful, but beneath that peace, layers of hidden tension brewed silently.
The dining table was filled with soft clinks of cutlery and casual conversation.
"So," Mira began, setting her fork down, "how was school today?"
Zyra answered with her usual bright smile. "Wonderful! History class was especially entertaining. Did you know humans once fought over spices? I find that… adorable."
Zei nodded, adding thoughtfully, "The resource priorities of early human civilization remain fascinating."
Mira laughed softly, her eyes gentle. "Human history is filled with mistakes and triumphs. Much like… everything else."
Dave watched Mira carefully. She seemed relaxed — but not entirely. Her subtle divine aura occasionally flickered, like a pulse that only he could sense. She was watching. Always watching.
Mira's eyes shifted to Dave. "And you? You've made quite a few friends lately."
Dave smiled coolly. "Yeah. I guess I've… opened up."
"That makes me happy," Mira replied sincerely. "You deserve good friends." Her tone softened. "For a long time, I worried you were too distant."
Dave's gaze lowered for a moment before responding, "It's… easier now."
Mira smiled again, though the faintest glimmer of something unreadable flashed in her eyes. "Good."
The conversation continued lightly, but underneath it, Mira's mind swirled. There was something faint. A ripple she couldn't yet explain. Not danger — not yet. But something… unusual.
⸻
— LATER THAT NIGHT —
The house had gone quiet. The soft ticking of an old clock echoed faintly in the living room. Mira sat by herself, sipping tea, her silver hair glowing under the moonlight pouring through the window.
Her thoughts drifted toward time itself — threads she could feel bending faintly. Something nearby was cloaked… hidden. Someone was pulling delicate strings around her.
"Strange," she whispered. "I should not feel anything… yet I do."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, though her lips remained curved in her usual gentle expression.
⸻
— FAR ABOVE EARTH —
Beyond the thin blue shell of Earth's atmosphere, Adele watched silently from within a projection chamber aboard the Celestial Arc.
Her holographic form stood tall—elegant, composed, and deeply focused. Long silver hair tied back, her crimson eyes glowing faintly under the chamber's dim light.
"She's starting to sense minor shifts," Adele muttered to herself.
She placed one hand against the energy panel, scanning Mira's temporal fluctuations from afar.
"The Goddess of Time always was sensitive… but not enough yet."
Her voice was calm, but her eyes were calculating. Every move needed precision now. She couldn't afford Mira discovering Dave's true identity too soon. Not yet. The pieces weren't ready.
"Stay calm, Mira," Adele whispered, her voice disappearing into the void of space.
"Not yet."