Mina Takane sat quietly in the school cafeteria, poking at her lunch while her best friend Aria chatted beside her. The low hum of student voices suddenly shifted.
"Semi! Semi's here!"
The name sent a rush of butterflies through Mina's stomach. She lifted her eyes as everyone turned to stare at the cafeteria entrance. There she was. Semi Nishino.
To everyone else, she was the most popular girl in school. But to Mina, she was a goddess.
Semi strolled in with her usual group of four glamorous friends, like royalty entering their palace. She was tall, her long golden hair flowing like silk, swaying with each confident step. Her white school shirt was slightly unbuttoned, revealing just enough to make everyone's heart race. The short black skirt hugged her slim waist. She wore heels—heels!—clicking gently against the floor as if she walked on a runway.
Mina's breath caught. Her cheeks flushed a warm pink as Semi's dazzling gaze swept across the room—and landed on her.
No way.
Semi smiled. She walked—no, glided—towards Mina's table. The whole room watched in stunned silence.
Gasps.
"Kiss her!" someone shouted, then others joined in, cheering, "Kiss her, kiss her!"
Semi leaned in slowly, lips just inches from Mina's trembling ones. Mina's heart thudded like a drum.
But then—
"Mina," Aria said beside her, first with a giggle.
"Mina," again, firmer now.
Mina blinked. Semi's face twisted. Her soft lips morphed into a wet, round nose. Golden hair became fluffy ears. A tongue lolled out.
"Pipi?!" Mina gasped.
She woke up, back in her bed, with her Shiba Inu puppy standing on her chest, licking her face like there was no tomorrow.
Mina groaned. "Ugh, another dream."
From downstairs: "Mina! The school bus is here! You better be ready!"
Her mother's voice snapped her out of the daze. "Crap, I'm late!"
She scooped Pipi off her chest, gave her a quick forehead kiss, and dashed into the bathroom. A two-second shower, splash of mouthwash, messy bun tied with a rubber band, and her uniform thrown on like armor.
Mina grabbed her glasses, slid on her shoes, and turned to leave.
But Pipi stood at the door, tilting her head with big puppy eyes.
"Not today, Pipi. I promise, I'll take you out tomorrow and buy your favorite treats. Deal?"
Pipi let out a soft whine, but stepped aside.
Downstairs, her dad sat on the couch watching the news. "Tycoon mafia found dead in his penthouse. He is survived by his illegitimate son," the reporter said.
Mina gave her mom, busy in the kitchen, a quick kiss and grabbed her lunchbox.
"Don't forget your umbrella, honey pup," her dad called. "Looks like rain."
"I won't!" she yelled, snatching it up.
She dashed out the door just in time to see the school bus pulling away.
"Wait! Stop!" she called, running after it, breath short, short hair flying.
But it didn't stop.
Panting, she sighed. "Ugh. Guess I'm taking the public bus."
At school, Mina buried her face in her locker.
"I hate everything," she muttered.
Aria appeared, holding two cans of iced coffee. "You're late. Again."
"Don't ask."
"Spill it."
Mina peeked out from the locker. "It's Semi. I had that dream again."
Aria froze. "The kiss one?"
Mina nodded.
Aria looked her over. "Girl... did you even glance in the mirror today?"
Mina tugged at her skirt self-consciously. "Is it that bad?"
Aria sighed and handed her a mirror. "You look like a raccoon in heat."
Before Mina could respond, the hallway erupted.
"It's her!" someone whispered.
Semi walked through the corridor like a goddess on parade. Her skirt swished perfectly, her golden hair bouncing with every graceful step.
Mina's heart skipped.
Semi's gaze passed briefly over Mina—and stopped.
Even just a second.
Mina turned red.
Aria blinked. "Did she just—?"
"I think she saw me," Mina whispered.
Aria leaned close. "Or maybe she saw your crusty lips."
Mina whined. "I want to die."
"Relax, she probably doesn't even know you exist."
After school, Mina stayed late to study for the state exams. It was 8 p.m. when she finally packed up and left the library.
At the bus stop, she checked her watch. No buses in sight.
A janitor passed. "Last bus already left. No more tonight."
Mina groaned. "Seriously?! I can't walk two hours home!"
But she had no choice.
She shoved her earbuds in, cranked up her favorite boy band—Crimson Clover—and began walking.
Halfway home, something felt off.
Ahead, a boy sprinted toward her, panting hard.
"Run!" he shouted. "They'll kill us!"
Behind him—gang members. Knives. Bats.
Mina froze.
The boy grabbed her hand. "Run!"
They ran, hearts pounding, until they found a dumpster to hide behind.
The gang's footsteps thundered past.
They waited.
Then silence.
"Are they gone?" Mina whispered.
The boy peeked out. "Yeah."
"Thanks for—"
"Look, I gotta go. Sorry."
"What?! How am I supposed to get home?"
"Not my problem." He vanished.
Mina stared after him. "Jerk."
She turned—and something glinted under a streetlight.
A ring.
Red, glowing faintly.
Drawn to it, she bent down and picked it up. It was warm. Strange.
She slipped it into her skirt pocket just as a horn honked.
Her dad's food truck pulled up.
"Mina! Get in!"
"Dad? How did you—?"
"Tracked your phone. Curfew's on. Someone was murdered."
Her eyes widened. "What?!"
"Don't worry. You're safe now, honey pup."
She climbed in, exhausted.
At home, her mom had already gone to bed. Pipi waited by the door, wagging her tail.
"Sorry, baby… I'll get your treat tomorrow," she whispered, scooping her up.
She bathed, brushed her teeth, and changed into her PJs. As she sorted her laundry, she noticed something glowing in her skirt pocket.
The ring.
It pulsed—brighter than before.
Curious, she slipped it on.
A bright red light burst from the gem.
Mina gasped, shielding her eyes.
Out of the light, a tiny red orb floated, swirling, sparkling.
It spun once—then formed a small creature with tiny wings and big, bright eyes.
"G-Greetings, User," it said in a chirpy voice. "I'm Lumé, your Wish-Activated Companion!"
Mina's eyes widened.
Then everything went black.
She fainted.