Chapter 1 - Four years ago, horror came

knocking
The countryside rolled by in shades of green and gold as Akane sat stiffly in the back seat of the
taxi, clutching her backpack as if it might float away. She hadn’t spoken a whole lot since
leaving Nerima, her throat too tight to manage even a polite “thank you” when the driver
attempted to help with her luggage.

It felt alien, being like this. She thought the day she lost her mother would be the worst day of
her life, but she now felt like a husk of her former self.

The one thing that kept the little girl in place was Seiko Ayase, her grandmother. She looked so
much like her mom that it made her long for happier days. She was as serene as a koi pond in
winter. She was unlike any adult she had ever met. She seemed to take Akane’s silence in stride,
her focus directed out the window.

“You’ll like it here,” Seiko said, maybe as much to herself as to Akane. “It’s quiet. A place
where you can think clearly, get familiar with your thoughts.”

Akane said nothing. The last thing she wanted in the world was to get familiar with her thoughts.
Her grip on the strap of her bag tightened. Maybe her grandma wasn’t really the pillar that would
keep her together? There might be a reason why her mom barely spoke about her.

When the taxi slowed to a stop in front of the Ayase Residence, Akane looked up to see the
home’s entrance marked by a torii. Beyond the gate, a fence enclosed a traditional-style house
nestled beside a towering cedar and a vibrant-red maple tree. The residence consisted of three
distinct structures: a small shrine, the main house, and a storage room. The garden was
impeccably kept—a sea of neat gravel with stone lanterns and perfectly trimmed shrubs,
radiating an air of meticulous care and quiet reverence.

It reminded her of home, a bit. Only…

Seiko stepped out first, nodding her thanks to the driver. She opened the door for Akane and
gestured for her to follow. “Come along, dear.”

Akane had to hold the tears. "You don't have a dojo?"

Seiko exhaled slowly, dragging her cigarette as she leaned against the wooden railing of the
veranda. "I’m a spirit medium, not a martial artist," she said, her voice calm but tinged with
apology. Akane frowned, knowing full well that her grandma was capable of moves that not
even her father could do.

If he could, he’d still be with her.

Akane’s shoulders slumped, and she hugged her backpack tighter. "I was hoping I could still
train," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze dropped to the gravel path, her
expression clouded with disappointment.

Seiko watched her for a long moment, the cigarette smoke curling in the air between them.
"We’ll see about that," she said at last, her tone thoughtful. The words hung in the air as she
flicked the ash from her cigarette, her eyes narrowing as if she were already deep in some
invisible calculation.

The taxi driver groaned audibly as he tried to wrestle Akane’s heavy luggage out of the back of
the car. One particularly large suitcase slipped from his grasp and hit the ground with a loud
thud, making the taxi visibly lift slightly on its suspension, as if sighing in relief at being freed of
such burden.

"What’s in here, bricks?" the driver complained, shaking out his hands as if he’d just gone ten
rounds in a boxing ring. "I think I dislocated my shoulder!"

Akane flinched, bowing quickly. "I’m sorry!"

Seiko’s eyes narrowed dangerously as she reached into her sleeve and pulled out her wallet. She
handed the driver his fare with deliberate slowness. "Here’s for the ride."

The driver pocketed the cash and glanced back. "You know, a tip would be nice… seeing as I’ll
be nursing this shoulder for days."

Seiko didn’t reply. Instead, she lifted the baseball bat she always carried around, swinging it at
the air. She eyed the driver as if thinking if she could do a homerun with his head. When it was
clear he was sweating bullets, she leaned on the bat like a cane, her expression serene but her
eyes sharp.

The driver’s nervous giggle was almost comical as he quickly waved off the suggestion. "Never
mind! You ladies have a good day!" he said, jumping into his taxi and driving off without
looking back.

Seiko rested the bat over her shoulder and turned to Akane. "Follow along," she said, as if
nothing had happened.

Akane picked up the supposedly heavy suitcase and carried it easily.

Seiko paused on the veranda, her gaze thoughtful. "People can be awful sometimes," she said,
dragging her cigarette as she glanced back at the taxi disappearing down the road. "Pushy. Self-
centered."

Akane blinked at the unexpected comment, hugging her backpack closer. "I don’t mind," she
said in a whisper, her voice almost too quiet to hear.
Seiko’s sharp eyes softened, and she reached into her bag. "That’s the problem, dear. You should
mind. But if you ever feel like the world’s too much, remember this." She handed Akane
something.

Akane’s fingers trembled as she took it, realizing it was a framed photo. It was her family—her
parents, her sisters, and her—all smiling in front of the Tendo Dojo. The sight of it hit her harder
than she expected, an ache blooming in her chest.

"Keep the people who love you close to your heart," Seiko said. "Even if some of them are gone,
they’ll always be with you, give you strength."

Akane's voice cracked as she whispered, "T-Thank you." Her grip on the photo tightened, and for
a moment, her composure slipped. Tears welled in her eyes, and she pressed the frame against
her chest, as if it could shield her from the weight of the world.

“I thought you’d want to keep this close,” Seiko said softly.

Akane swallowed and nodded, unable to meet her grandmother’s eyes.

----------

As they approached the house, Seiko placed a hand on Akane's shoulder, stopping her just before
the door. "There’s someone you should meet before you settle in," she said.

The sound of the sliding door opening broke the heavy quiet. "Welcome!" a bright voice called
out.

A small girl bounded into view, her oversized hoodie slightly askew as her auburn hair bobbed
with each step. Her stance, surprisingly solid for someone so bubbly, suggested a readiness to
spring into action at any moment. Seiko gestured to her. "Akane, remember Momo? She’s been
living with me for a few years now."

Momo grinned widely. "Akane! It’s so cool you’re going to live here! We’re going to have so
much fun!"

Akane blinked, caught off guard by the energy radiating off the smaller girl. She used to be like
that. “Hi,” she said stiffly.

“Oh wow, how come you’re taller than me!?” Momo continued, unabated, raising her fists
playfully in a mock fighting stance. "We used to be the same height. Are you a fighter? Because
you look like you could take on a sumo wrestler with that serious face!"

“Momo,” Seiko said gently, stepping between them. “Give Akane some time to settle in.”

“Right, right! Sorry!” Momo grabbed Akane’s arm anyway, tugging her forward. “But you’ve
gotta see your room. It’s awesome! I helped get it ready for you!”
Akane found herself pulled into the house, which smelled faintly of incense and a delicious mix
of all kinds of freshly cooked food. Momo chatted nonstop as they walked down a hallway
decorated with scrolls and small family photos. Akane noticed her own mother’s face in one of
the frames, younger and smiling in a way she barely remembered.

When they reached the room, Momo slid open the door with a dramatic flourish. “Ta-da!”

The room was simple but inviting, with a low wooden desk, neatly folded futon, and a window
overlooking the garden. Akane placed the photo on the desk, her fingers brushing the edge of the
frame before letting go.

“Do you like it?” Momo asked, practically bouncing on her heels.

Akane nodded. “It’s comfortable.” She sid, and proceeded to open the large suitcase she had
been carrying around and began arranging her kettlebell, barbell, weight plates, and a set of
dumbbells.

“Wow, didn’t take you for a jock.”

“Strength training is important in a fight,” she replied, not denying the label.

“Oh, you’ll love it over here. You should see granny swing her bat, she can even send a giant
sandbag flying with ease!”

Akane blinked but nodded. “I can believe that she did beat the crap out of that monster.”

“Monster?”

Akane went back to setting her stuff in place. “Nothing, don’t mind me.”

“Oh, ok” Momo said, dejected, but quickly brightened. “It will be great having you around! We
can grow strong together” Momo added with a grin. “Isn’t that awesome?”

Akane allowed herself to smile. “That… does sound like fun.”

“Excellent, we’ll be like sisters!”

The words hit Akane like a slap. Her smile faltered, and she turned toward the window. “Yeah.
Sure.”

Momo tilted her head, confused. “Did I say something wrong?”

“It’s fine,” Akane said quickly. “Thanks for showing me the room. I’d like to rest now.”

Momo hesitated but eventually backed off. “Okay, well, dinner is soon. See you then.”
When Momo left, Akane sank to her knees by the desk, her gaze fixed on the photo. Her throat
felt tight again, and her hands clenched into fists on her lap.

“I’m not replacing you,” she promised.

----------

In the kitchen, Momo stood at the counter, her arms crossed so tightly it seemed like she might
snap the wooden spoon in her hand. Her lower lip jutted out in a pout, and her foot tapped
against the floor in a restless rhythm. “Grandma, she’s so… closed off. Did I do something
wrong?”

Seiko didn’t look up immediately, her hands busy cutting vegetables with an unnecessarily large
knife. Her movements were unhurried, like she had all the time in the world. Finally, she glanced
at Momo, her expression almost bored. “Give her time, Momo. She’s been through a terrible
experience.”

Momo’s foot stopped tapping as she threw her hands in the air. “But I was trying to be nice!” she
said, her voice rising an octave. “I mean, I helped clean her room! I’m being super friendly, and
she’s acting like I’m some kind of… a butler or something.”

"A butler?"

Momo groaned, leaning dramatically against the counter. "She just shooed me away after I
showed her room!"

"Maybe she thinks you're my maid? I could get you an uniform."

Momo rolled her eyes.

Seiko turned to face her, wiping her hands on a towel with deliberate care. “Patience,” she said,
her tone firm but not unkind. “Her heart is heavy. Don’t take it personally.”

“I’m not taking it personally. I’m just saying, if she keeps acting like that, how am I supposed to
help her?” She grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and bit into it with unnecessary force, as if
the fruit had personally offended her.

Seiko’s lips twitched, a faint trace of amusement flickering across her face. “You can’t fix
everything, Momo,” she said. “Sometimes people need space. Prying won’t help.”

Momo’s brows furrowed as she chewed, her frustration still bubbling beneath the surface. She
swallowed and pointed the half-eaten apple at Seiko. “Okay, but she’s living here now. Doesn’t
that mean we should, I don’t know, be close or something? Isn’t that the point of family?”
Seiko’s gaze softened, and she placed a hand gently on Momo’s shoulder. “Family means being
there when they’re ready, not when it’s convenient for you,” she said. “And Akane… she’s
carrying a lot right now.”

Momo’s pout deepened, but her shoulders relaxed slightly. “Fine,” she muttered, turning the
apple over in her hands. After a moment, she added, “But if she keeps this up, I’m going to start
leaving passive-aggressive notes in her room.”

Seiko let out a snort. “No, you won’t. You’re more patient than you think.”

Momo rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the small smile creeping onto her face. She took another
bite of the apple, chewing thoughtfully as the frustration in her eyes began to give way to
curiosity. “I just want to figure her out,” she said finally. “I want to help.”

Seiko nodded, her gaze drifting to the doorway where Akane had disappeared earlier. “You will.
Just give it time.”

Momo huffed again. “And what’s the deal with you beating the crap of some monster?”

Seiko looked up, as in deep thought. “Monster? What, like Godzilla?”

“What exactly happened to her family?”

“Dunno, but I’m sure I’d remember beating the crap out of some ‘monster’, and even then, that’d
be weird, seeing as I’m not a real spirit medium and all.”

Momo huffed again. She couldn’t believe her grandma would not let go of that. She was fully
prepared to start a shouting match with her, but instead, she grabbed another apple from the fruit
bowl and tossed it into the air, catching it with a quick, practiced motion. Arguing would led her
nowhere.

Her determination was clear in the way her eyes sparkled. Whatever Akane’s deal was, Momo
was going to find out—even if it took a little prying.

-----------------

The smell of miso soup and grilled fish filled the Ayase kitchen as Seiko set the dishes on the
low wooden table in the tatami dining room. Akane sat stiffly across from Momo, her hands
folded in her lap, while Momo fidgeted with her chopsticks, drumming them lightly against the
rim of her bowl.

“Thanks for the food!” Momo said enthusiastically, clasping her hands together before diving
into her plate like a rabid piranha. Akane mumbled a quiet echo of the phrase, though her eyes
remained fixed on the food.
“So, Akane,” Momo began between bites, “are you ready for school tomorrow? Grandma says
we’ll be going together. It’ll be fun!” She leaned forward, her grin widening mischievously. “I
can show you the best escape routes if you want to skip class. Not that I do that. Often.”

Akane blinked, looking up for the first time since they started eating. “I… don’t know.”

Momo frowned, her chopsticks hovering in midair. “Okay, hear me out. After school tomorrow,
I can give you the full grand tour. Secret shortcuts, the best snack spots, maybe even the places
where all the drama happens.” She glanced at Seiko, who was calmly eating her food as if
nothing unusual was going on. Lowering her voice slightly, she added, "No detours… probably.
Come on, it’ll be fun!"

Akane took her chopsticks and began eating. "I'd rather train. I have barely got the chance to
since-" she didn't finish the phrase, shook her head and continued eating in silence.

Momo glared. "Hey, I'm being very welcoming here! At least give me a chance!"

“Momo,” Seiko interrupted gently, “let Akane settle in at her own pace.”

Momo sat back with a pout but didn’t push further, though her eyes still darted toward Akane
now and then as if trying to gauge her mood. The silence that followed was broken only by the
faint clink of chopsticks against bowls.

Seiko leaned back slightly, her gaze shifting between the two girls. "Akane, tomorrow will be
your first day at school here. It’s a good opportunity to meet some new people," she said, her
tone measured but encouraging. "And if you’d like, I can show you a small ritual to help keep
your chi balanced and any bad yokais at bay."

Akane tilted her head slightly, curious but hesitant. "A ritual? What does it involve?"

Seiko smiled faintly. "Nothing complicated. Just a simple exercise to focus your energy and
build a shield of intent around yourself."

Before Akane could reply, Momo let out a loud, exaggerated huff, throwing her chopsticks down
onto the table with a clatter. "Oh, come on, Grandma! Don’t scare her off with all your spirit
medium shit already! She’s going to think we’re weird!"

Seiko’s expression didn’t waver. "Momo, it’s not about scaring anyone."

Momo crossed her arms and slumped back, pouting like a child denied dessert. "Yeah, but it’s
school. Not some haunted forest. Besides, I’m going to be there, so what’s she got to worry
about?" She shot Akane a quick grin, as if to say, "I’ve got your back."

Akane, feeling the weight of the conversation, nodded slowly. "I don’t think it could hurt," she
said softly. "If it helps with… anything." Her voice trailed off, but Seiko nodded approvingly.
Momo rolled her eyes. "Fine, do your spooky chi ritual. But don’t blame me if everyone thinks
we’re the weirdo sisters."

Seiko gave her an amused glance. "Momo, they are already aware that we are a weird family."

Akane flinched. She opened her mouth as if she was about to obliterate her cousin with the
meanest words she could conjure, but seeing her grandmother, she closed her mouth. Momo
didn't seem to notice, too busy filling her bowl with another serving.

"Yes, and who's fault is it!?"

Akane couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corner of her lips, though she quickly hid
it by taking another bite of rice. Momo caught the hint of a smile and threw her hands up
dramatically. "Great! First day of school, and I’m already doomed!"

Momo grinned. “It’s nice having you here, Akane." She said, her tone more subdued. "I mean,
it’s been kind of lonely, just me and Grandma.” She grinned brightly, clearly hoping for a
positive response. "I'm okay if everyone thinks we're the weirdo sisters".

Akane’s chopsticks froze mid-air. Her gaze hardened as she slowly lowered them back to her
bowl. “Why do you keep saying that? We’re not sisters.”

The words came out sharper than she intended, and the room seemed to hold its breath. Momo’s
smile faltered. “What do you mean? We’re family, and—”

“Family, yes. But we’re cousins,” Akane interrupted, her voice cold but steady. She looked
directly at Momo, her expression unreadable. “That’s all.”

Momo blinked, her confusion quickly morphing into hurt. “But… I thought—”

“You’re not my sister,” Akane repeated firmly, cutting her off again. Her tone wasn’t angry, but
it was resolute, as if she were drawing an invisible line in the air between them. “I already have
two sisters. And no one will replace them.”

Momo sat back, her chopsticks falling to the table with a soft clatter. Her mouth opened as if to
say something, but no words came out. Instead, she looked down at her plate, her usual energy
drained away in an instant.

Seiko cleared her throat softly, drawing their attention. “Akane,” she said, her tone calm but
firm, though her eyes sparkled with just a hint of mischievousness, “Momo was only trying to
make you feel welcome. You don’t have to like it, but you also don’t have to act like she’s
proposing a tax audit.”

Akane’s shoulders tensed, and she looked down at her bowl. “I didn’t mean to be rude,” she
muttered. “But I don’t want—” She hesitated, her voice catching slightly. “I don’t want to
pretend.”
Seiko nodded slowly. “Fair enough,” she said. “But remember, girls, kindness isn’t pretending.
It’s a way to help yourself and others heal.”

The room fell into an uneasy quiet, the earlier warmth of the meal now replaced with an invisible
weight pressing down on them. Momo’s movements were slower as she picked at her food, and
Akane kept her eyes firmly on her bowl, her appetite seemingly gone.

After what felt like an eternity, Momo finally broke the silence, her voice small but steady. “I get
it,” she said with no small amount of bitterness in her voice. “You miss your sisters. I don't have
my parents either. I just thought… maybe we could help each other. But it’s okay.” She forced a
small smile, though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “We’re cousins, then. That’s still pretty cool,
right?”

Akane glanced up, surprised by the shift in Momo’s tone. She wanted to reply with the same
kind of kindness Momo seemed to have in spades, but she only managed to give a small nod, her
expression softening just slightly.

Seiko studied the exchange quietly, her hands folded in her lap. When the silence stretched too
long, she spoke up. “Well, let’s finish our meal before it gets cold, or rather, colder. We’ve all
had a long day.”

The conversation didn’t pick up again, but the tension in the air slowly ebbed as they focused on
their food. By the time the dishes were cleared away, Momo seemed to have regained some of
her usual energy, though she kept her distance from Akane for the rest of the evening.

Akane, for her part, retreated to her room as soon as she could, the framed photo still clutched
tightly in her hands. She placed it carefully on her desk, her fingers lingering on the edge of the
frame. As she lay on her futon, staring at the ceiling, Momo’s words echoed faintly in her mind.

“We’re cousins, then. That’s still something, right?”

For the first time since she arrived, Akane allowed herself a small, fleeting smile before closing
her eyes.

-------------

The morning sunlight filtered through the branches of the cedar tree near the gate, dappling the
stone path leading out of the Ayase residence. Akane stood just inside the torii gate, adjusting the
straps on her backpack. The framed photo Seiko had given her was tucked safely inside, wrapped
in a cloth to protect it. Momo stood nearby, shifting from foot to foot and yawning loudly, her
own backpack slung haphazardly over one shoulder.

Seiko approached them slowly, stopping just beneath the torii gate. "Before you head to school,"
she began, her tone calm but firm, "I’d like to show you the ritual, Akane."

Akane tilted her head slightly. “What is it?”

“It’s an exercise to focus your chi and bring you good luck. It may not look like much, but it will
help keep you grounded in unfamiliar places. And” she added with a faint smile, “it might even
help with your martial arts training.”

Akane’s brow furrowed as she considered this. “How does it work?”

Seiko gestured toward the torii gate. “Hold your hand above your head like this," she raised her
hand above her head, pointing her fingers skyward in a sharp, deliberate motion. "It’s a gesture
of focus and intention. Walk that way all the way to school. It may seem silly, but it’s effective."

Before Akane could respond, Momo groaned dramatically. “Oh, no! Not the pointing-to-the-sky
thing again. Grandma, you’re going to make her look like a total dork!”

Seiko glanced at her with a raised eyebrow. “I wasn’t aware you were so concerned with
appearances, Momo.”

“I’m not!” Momo shot back, crossing her arms. “But come on, Grandma. You can’t just send her
to school looking like she’s doing calling an UFO in public.”

Seiko’s lips twitched with the faintest trace of amusement. “And yet, you’ve managed to survive
this long despite your own… colorful habits.”

Momo spluttered, unable to form a retort, while Akane shifted her weight, unsure whether to
intervene or let the exchange play out. Finally, Momo pointed at Akane. “Look, you don’t have
to do this if you don’t want to. I mean, I used to do it every single day, and everyone made fun of
me for being weird. I hated it.”

Akane hesitated, glancing between Momo and Seiko. “I’ll do it,” she said with determination.

Seiko nodded approvingly. “Good. It takes commitment, but it will help you in more ways than
you might expect.”

Momo rolled her eyes, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “Fine, fine. Just, don't mention
we're related.”

Seiko smiled serenely. “Weren't you adamant about you and Akane being like sisters?”

Momo opened her mouth to protest but froze, realizing she had no comeback. Akane stifled a
small laugh but complied, stepping beneath the torii gate and raising her hand in the prescribed
posture. She felt a bit ridiculous but didn’t let it show, focusing instead on the steady rhythm of
her steps. The morning air was cool against her skin, and for the first time since arriving, she felt
a faint sense of control. The silliness helped her focus her mind away from the faces of her
sisters and father.

As they began walking toward the main road, Momo fell into step beside her, grumbling under
her breath. “Seriously, though. You’re going to regret this.”
Akane glanced at her, a faint smile playing on her lips. “We’ll see.”

Seiko leaned next to the gate and called out, "by the way, I'll see what I can do about that dojo
you want!"

Akane looked at Momo, wondering what their grandmother meant by that. Momo just shrugged
her shoulders, knowing that it was better to not ask.

They walked to school in silence.

-------------

After school, Akane refused Momo’s enthusiastic offer to show her around town, opting instead
to head straight back to the Ayase residence. Despite Momo’s protests, Akane performed the
ritual again as they walked, holding her hand aloft with the same quiet determination as before.
The whispers and muffled laughter from their peers didn’t faze her in the slightest.

Momo, however, wasn’t as composed. She glared at the cluster of kids who had gathered to
gawk at Akane, their whispers growing louder with every step Akane took. “Look at her! Does
she think she’s some kind of TV antenna?” one boy jeered, pointing at Akane with a mocking
grin.

“Maybe she’s trying to communicate with aliens,” another added, his hands shooting up to
mimic Akane’s gesture in an exaggerated, wobbly way. The small group of onlookers erupted
into laughter, their voices grating on Momo’s nerves.

“Knock it off,” Momo muttered under her breath, her grip tightening on the straps of her
backpack. Her pace quickened slightly, putting herself just a step ahead of Akane, as if to shield
her from the stares.

But the boys weren’t done. “Hey, what’s next? Is she gonna chant or something? Think she
might try to curse us?” one of them shouted, earning more snickers from his friends. Momo’s
face darkened, her jaw tightening as her fists curled by her sides.

“Seriously, leave it alone,” she warned, her voice low but laced with menace. When they didn’t
stop, Momo snapped.

“Hey!” she barked, stomping toward them with a glare that could rival a thunderstorm. The boys
froze mid-laugh, startled by the sudden outburst. Momo didn’t stop. She swung her foot at a
nearby stop sign, the metal bending with a sharp, resounding clang. “See that? That’s what’s
gonna happen to your necks if you don’t shut your traps and keep walking!”

The boys paled, their bravado crumbling instantly as they muttered hurried apologies and
scurried away like frightened mice.

"Yeah, you better run away, you squids!"

Akane turned to Momo with a neutral expression. “I don't need your help,” she said evenly, her
voice calm but firm.

Momo scoffed, crossing her arms. “I didn’t do it for you,” she shot back, her tone defensive. “I
just hate bullies who think they can disrespect my grandma like she's some kind of joke.”

Akane studied her cousin for a moment, noting the way Momo’s fists were still trembling
slightly with residual anger. For all her bluster and dramatic flair, there was a genuine
protectiveness beneath Momo’s fiery exterior. Akane realized, with some surprise, that she was
beginning to understand her cousin a little better.

“Thanks anyway,” Akane said quietly, her lips curving into a faint smile before she turned back
toward the road. Momo blinked, caught off guard by the rare acknowledgment, before quickly
regaining her composure.

“Yeah, well,” Momo muttered, falling into step beside Akane. “Just don’t expect me to bail you
out every time someone makes fun of you. Next time, I might let you handle it.”

Akane didn’t respond immediately, but the faint smile lingered as they walked side by side, the
Ayase residence coming into view in the distance. "Still," she said, "that was an impressive kick,
maybe we could spar sometime."

-------------

As Akane and Momo approached the Ayase residence, something felt different. The late
afternoon sun cast long shadows across the gravel path, but it wasn’t just the lighting that had
changed. A group of what looked like seven petite construction workers filed out through the
torii gate, their heads barely reaching Akane’s shoulder. Each of them wore brightly colored hard
hats and carried tiny but remarkably functional tools. They waved cheerfully at Seiko, who stood
by the gate with her usual calm demeanor.

“Thanks for the meal, Miss Ayase!” one of them called, his voice oddly high-pitched but filled
with genuine gratitude.

“Yeah, and the payment was more than fair! Let us know if you need anything else!” another
chimed in as they shuffled off down the road whistling a happy tune.

Akane stopped in her tracks, staring after the peculiar group. “What… was that?” she asked, her
voice tinged with disbelief.

Momo shrugged. Her own confusion was evident. “No clue. This place is weird, okay? Just roll
with it.”

Seiko offered nothing by way of explanation, simply turning back toward the house with a faint
smile on her lips. Akane and Momo exchanged a glance before continuing toward the gate.
When they passed under the torii, Akane froze mid-step. Her breath hitched as her gaze locked
onto the space beside the shrine. Standing there, gleaming in the soft dusk light, was a dojo. Not
just any dojo—her dojo. The Tendo Dojo. Its wooden beams and familiar structure were
unmistakable, down to the kanji engraved on the sign above the entrance.

Momo followed her gaze and blinked. “Wait, is that…?”

“It’s my dojo,” Akane whispered, her voice trembling with awe. For the first time in months, she
felt a spark of hope reignite in her chest. She dropped her backpack onto the gravel with a thud
and took off running toward the building. The gravel crunched under her feet as she threw open
the doors and stepped inside.

Everything was exactly as she had left it back in Nerima. The gleaming floorboards reflected the
soft glow of the fading sunlight, and the scent of polished wood and the faint lingering aroma of
incense hit her all at once, flooding her with memories of home. Her mom's shrine stood neatly
in its corner, lovingly arranged with the same framed photo and offerings that she remembered.
Akane walked toward it, her fingers brushing lightly over the smooth wood of the altar. It was as
though a piece of her family’s spirit had been brought back to life in this unfamiliar place.

Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren’t solely from grief. They carried something
else—a warmth, a sense of connection that she hadn’t felt since her life had been upended. For
the first time in months, she didn’t feel as though she were entirely alone.

“How… how did you do this, Grandma?” Akane asked, turning back to Seiko, her eyes wide
with wonder.

Seiko leaned casually against the gatepost, her cigarette dangling between her fingers. “I hired
reliable workers,” she replied simply, exhaling a thin stream of smoke.

Momo’s jaw dropped. “Reliable workers!? Are you kidding me? There’s no way anyone could
dismantle, move, and rebuild an entire dojo from Nerima to Kamigoe in less than a day!”

Seiko’s lips twitched in amusement. “I have my ways.”

Akane didn’t wait for further explanation. She turned back to the dojo, her face breaking into a
rare, genuine smile. “Momo!” she called over her shoulder. “Let’s spar. We can compare notes
on our kicks.”

Momo raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. “Notes on kicks? Why?”

Akane grinned, her eyes shining with excitement. “Because what you did to that stop sign back
there was impressive.”

Momo’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she couldn’t suppress a smirk. “Fine, but don’t cry when I
wipe the floor with you.” She tossed her backpack onto the ground next to Akane’s.
"What was that about?" Seiko asked.

"Shooing boys away!" Momo simply responded.

Seiko watched the two girls disappear inside, her expression softening. Taking a long drag from
her cigarette, she muttered to herself, “Proud of you, kid.”

She glanced down at the two discarded backpacks and sighed. “Two brats leaving their stuff
everywhere now,” she grumbled, scooping them up. With a shake of her head, she dragged her
feet back toward the house, muttering about how she wasn’t running a storage service.