Ethan woke up on a bright, chilly morning, the kind that feels full of possibilities, and decided to put the mystery aside. He had a job to go to.
A real, tangible responsibility that didn't involve S-Rank potentials or secret societies.
He was cycling on his usual route to CostMart, lost in thought, when a cheerful voice cut through his mental fog.
"Morning, gaffer. You're looking very serious. Plotting the downfall of my S-Rank Maestro already?"
He looked up to see Maya jogging towards him from a side street, a bright, easy smile on her face.
She was wearing running gear, her dark curls bouncing in a high ponytail. She fell into step beside his slowly moving bike.
"Something like that," he said, a genuine smile breaking through his glum mood for the first time that day. "Mostly just plotting how to survive another shift with Mr. Henderson."
