With the weekend only a few hours away, time seemed to slow to a crawl.
Haru stared at the wall clock.
The second hand moved.
Then it moved again.
Haru narrowed his eyes.
Was it always this slow?
He glanced around the classroom.
Judging by the expressions of his classmates, he wasn't the only one suffering.
Unfortunately, Ms. Georgia seemed completely unaffected by the passage of time.
She continued with her lesson as though every second lasted exactly one second.
To Haru, however, it felt like every second lasted an eternity.
Eventually, after what felt like several years, the bell finally rang.
Haru slumped back in his chair.
"Finally."
He stood and stretched his arms.
"Now I know what mummies feel like."
Yukiko tilted her head.
"Mummies? What do they have to do with our current situation?"
"I was just thinking about how they have to stay in their tombs for years."
Haru stretched his back.
"I can't imagine how much stretching they'd need after finally getting out."
Yukiko covered her mouth as a small giggle escaped.
"You're a peculiar one."
She smiled.
"I find it amusing."
Haru grinned.
"Glad I could entertain you."
Before he could say anything else, Ms. Georgia called his name.
"Haru."
He turned.
"Yes, ma'am?"
"Could you help me carry these to my office?"
"Sure."
He waved toward Yukiko.
"See you later."
Yukiko nodded.
"Until then."
Haru followed Ms. Georgia out of the classroom.
As they walked down the hallway, Haru noticed the paper she was holding.
Something about the handwriting immediately caught his attention.
He recognized it.
It was Mika's handwriting.
Ms. Georgia noticed him staring.
"You know, I've noticed something lately."
She held up the paper slightly.
"Mika has actually been putting effort into her schoolwork."
Haru smiled.
"Can't believe she'd work this hard just for the Make-Me-Do-Anything Card."
Ms. Georgia stopped walking.
"The what?"
Haru froze.
His smile became awkward.
"N-never mind."
Ms. Georgia gave him a suspicious look but decided not to press the matter.
"Well, whatever it is, keep encouraging her."
Her expression softened.
"Mika needs support, especially with everything happening in her family."
Haru's expression became more serious.
"Yeah."
"Divorce isn't easy."
She looked at him.
"So promise me you'll watch out for her."
Haru nodded.
"Yes, ma'am."
Ms. Georgia smiled.
"While we're on the subject, you should keep up the good work as well."
She handed him another stack of papers.
"At this rate, you'll graduate in no time."
Haru smiled.
"Thanks, ma'am."
Eventually, they reached Ms. Georgia's office.
Haru placed everything on her desk.
"That should be everything."
He turned to leave.
"Haru."
He stopped.
Ms. Georgia's voice had changed.
It was quieter now.
More serious.
"Listen."
Haru turned around.
"I suggest you focus only on school for now."
Haru frowned.
"Why?"
"Knowing too much will cause you to become a target."
His expression changed.
"What?"
Ms. Georgia looked toward the door before continuing.
"You've probably noticed the gaps in your memory."
Haru froze.
She knew.
"You've probably wondered why you can't remember certain things. Why some memories feel incomplete."
Haru stared at her.
"But trust me..."
She looked directly into his eyes.
"You'll know everything after graduation."
She paused.
"So for now, focus on school."
Haru's mind raced.
"How did you know?"
Ms. Georgia shook her head.
"That's all I'm allowed to share for now."
She gestured toward the door.
"Go back to class."
Haru didn't move immediately.
Then he remembered something.
"How many liberties would it cost for you to tell me everything?"
Ms. Georgia raised an eyebrow.
"Twenty personal liberties."
"Twenty?"
"This information is highly classified."
Haru gave a small grin.
"That's expensive."
"It is."
He turned toward the door.
"I'll be seeing you soon."
Ms. Georgia smiled faintly.
"Sure."
Haru left the office.
As he walked back toward his classroom, he pulled out his phone.
His expression became thoughtful.
The Wild Hunt is coming up.
He opened the event information.
Winning the event will earn me ten liberties.
He mentally calculated his current balance.
I already have fifteen.
A grin slowly appeared on his face.
Ten more would give me twenty-five.
He slipped his phone back into his pocket.
"More than enough."
His eyes gleamed.
"Ms. Georgia, I'm going to find out what you're hiding."
With his mind now occupied by the upcoming event, the rest of the school day seemed to pass much faster.
Before he knew it, the final bell rang.
School was over.
Haru met up with Kia, Mika, and Elara.
As usual, Yukiko had somehow disappeared before anyone could figure out where she went.
Kia and Mika were already holding their homework papers.
Both wore expressions of disbelief.
Kia sighed.
"Haru, this isn't going to work."
Haru raised an eyebrow.
"What isn't?"
She held up her paper.
"Somehow, we both keep getting perfect scores."
Mika folded her arms.
"What's wrong, Kia?"
She smiled competitively.
"Afraid you'll lose your edge first and fall off?"
"Shut up, Mika."
Kia rolled her eyes.
"I was saying this to make it fair for you because I won't be dropping off anytime soon."
"Well, you don't have to worry about me falling off."
Kia held up her paper proudly.
"I'll win the card."
Mika's expression became serious.
"And just imagine what I could ask for with it."
"I won't let that happen."
The two stared each other down.
Neither seemed willing to back down.
Meanwhile, Elara sat quietly in the chair in front of Haru's table.
She watched the two girls argue.
Then she looked at Haru.
Then back at them.
She tilted her head.
Apparently, this was normal.
Haru sighed.
Yep.
Just another perfectly ordinary day.
Elara sat quietly in the chair in front of Haru's table, swinging her legs slightly as Mika and Kia continued their increasingly heated argument.
"I'll win the card."
"You say that every time."
"And one of these days I will."
"You've been saying that for four days."
"And?"
Kia folded her arms.
"And I'm still waiting."
Haru sighed.
"Can you two save the rivalry for when I'm actually paying attention?"
"No."
"Absolutely not."
They answered simultaneously.
Haru rubbed his temples.
"Wonderful."
Elara tilted her head.
"Why do you two compete so much?"
"Because—"
"Don't."
Kia immediately stopped Mika before she could answer.
"This is between us."
Mika narrowed her eyes.
"You're just scared I'll expose your competitive side."
"You've been exposing it yourself."
Before the argument could escalate again, Haru's phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
"Speaking of problems..."
Mika leaned over his shoulder.
"Who is it?"
"Nobody. I'm making a call."
Haru stepped away and dialed a number.
It only took two rings.
"Hello?"
"Hey, it's me."
There was a brief silence.
Then the voice on the other end became noticeably more energetic.
"Haru."
"Yeah?"
"Do you have money?"
Haru blinked.
"That's not even a hello."
"Answer the question."
"No."
"Then why did you call me?"
"Because I need money."
Another silence.
"Get in."
"Huh?"
"I'm sending a car."
Haru stared at the phone.
"You don't even know what I need it for."
"I heard the words I need money. That's enough information."
The call ended.
Mika stared at him.
"Who the hell was that?"
"A friend."
"Your friends are weird."
"You say that like you're normal."
"I'm perfectly normal."
Kia raised an eyebrow.
"You challenged me to a competition over homework."
"That's normal."
"No, it isn't."
Elara raised her hand.
"I also have a question."
"What?"
"Why does your friend sound like a merchant from a fantasy tavern?"
Haru shrugged.
"You'll understand when you meet him."
As if summoned by the conversation, the sound of an engine approaching caught their attention.
Everyone turned toward the school entrance.
A sleek black luxury car pulled up in front of them.
Mika's eyes widened.
"Okay..."
Kia stared.
"That's your friend?"
"Apparently."
The car's doors unlocked.
Haru motioned toward it.
"Come on."
The three followed him.
The moment Elara stepped inside, she looked around curiously.
The interior was spacious enough that she could hardly believe it was a car.
Mika sat beside her.
"How rich is this guy?"
"Very."
"How very?"
Haru thought for a moment.
"Remember when I told you some people are obsessed with collecting things?"
"Yeah."
"He's like that."
"That's not an answer."
"It'll make sense soon."
The partition separating the front and back seats slid open.
A young man sat comfortably inside, dressed in an immaculate suit. His dark hair was neatly combed, his clothes free of even the slightest wrinkle.
He looked calm.
Professional.
Almost intimidating.
That impression lasted approximately three seconds.
The moment he saw Haru, he immediately began counting the bundles of banknotes stacked beside him.
"One hundred thousand..."
He separated another bundle.
"Two hundred thousand..."
Another.
"Three hundred thousand..."
Haru stared at him.
"Hey."
The young man didn't even look up.
"Let's talk business."
Mika whispered to Elara.
"Is he always like this?"
Haru answered before Elara could.
"Yes."
The young man finally finished counting and placed the money into a case.
"Excellent. Everything is accounted for."
He closed the case and finally looked at them.
"Welcome."
Haru sighed.
"Nice to see you too, Marcus."
Marcus smiled.
"My dear Haru, you know I value our friendship."
"Do you?"
"Of course."
"Then why did you make me stand there for thirty seconds while you counted money?"
"Because money deserves my attention."
Mika slowly leaned toward Elara.
"I think he's serious."
Elara nodded.
"I believe so."
Marcus adjusted his glasses.
"Money is the foundation upon which civilization rests. Every society, every kingdom, every empire eventually revolves around wealth."
He held up a banknote between two fingers.
"Some people pursue happiness."
He held up another.
"Some pursue fame."
Another.
"Some pursue power."
He smiled.
"I pursue all three by acquiring money."
Haru sighed.
"Here we go."
Marcus leaned back.
"My goal is simple."
His eyes gleamed with frightening determination.
"I will become the richest man in the world."
Mika raised an eyebrow.
"That's ambitious."
"Ambition is merely the first step."
Marcus began gesturing dramatically.
"I intend to possess the largest private collection of currencies ever assembled. Dollars, euros, pounds, yen, francs, rupees, dinars, pesos..."
His voice became increasingly passionate.
"Every currency currently circulating on this planet will one day have a place in my collection."
Haru stared at him.
"You know most people just put money in a bank."
"Those people lack vision."
Marcus leaned closer.
"And do you know what truly irritates me?"
"What?"
"Old currencies."
His expression darkened.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to acquire currencies that are no longer in circulation?"
Haru shook his head.
"Not really."
"Some are practically impossible to find! Ancient coins disappear into private collections, historical banknotes get locked away in museums, entire currencies vanish when nations collapse..."
Marcus clenched his fist.
"I once spent six months searching for a single discontinued banknote."
Mika blinked.
"What happened?"
"I found it."
She smiled.
"Then what's the problem?"
"I only found one."
"...You wanted more?"
"Of course!"
Haru covered his face.
"You're hopeless."
"I prefer dedicated."
Marcus suddenly noticed Elara.
He studied her for a moment.
"Now then, who are your companions?"
"This is Mika."
"Pleasure."
"And this is Elara."
Elara politely bowed her head.
"Greetings."
Marcus nodded.
"Pleasure to meet you."
Haru leaned back.
"So, about that money."
Marcus's expression instantly became serious.
"Yes."
"I found something you might be interested in."
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
"What?"
"A currency you won't find anywhere else in the world."
For the first time since they entered the car, Marcus stopped moving.
"Impossible."
"That's what you think."
"Every currency has been documented."
"Not this one."
Marcus leaned forward.
"Are you trying to sell me counterfeit money?"
"No."
"Then prove it."
Haru looked toward Elara.
"Elara."
"Yes?"
"Can I borrow one of your gold coins?"
Elara reached into her belongings.
She produced a small golden coin.
The moment Marcus saw it, his entire demeanor changed.
He froze.
His eyes widened.
Then he slowly reached toward it.
"May I?"
Elara handed it over.
Marcus examined it beneath the small light inside the car.
His calm expression disappeared.
He turned it over.
Then again.
He pulled out a small magnifying device.
Mika stared.
"Where did he even get that?"
"I don't know."
Marcus brought the coin closer to his eyes.
"This..."
He carefully rubbed the surface.
"Impossible."
Haru grinned.
"Told you."
Marcus looked at him.
"Where did you acquire this?"
"From Elara."
"Where did Elara acquire it?"
"From her world."
Marcus stared at Elara.
"Your world?"
Elara nodded.
"Yes."
Marcus's hands began trembling.
"This is incredibly pure."
He looked at the coin again.
"Do you have any idea what this is worth?"
Elara smiled.
"Not particularly."
Marcus looked like someone had just told him there was a dragon sleeping in his backyard.
"You don't know?"
"No."
"Then you don't understand what you're carrying."
Elara shrugged.
"We have plenty of it."
Marcus nearly dropped the coin.
"Plenty?"
Haru burst out laughing.
"Marcus, you're going to hurt yourself."
Marcus clutched the coin to his chest.
"Do you have any idea what you've just done?"
"Apparently made you happy."
"You've given me hope."
He stared at the coin as though it were the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.
"This is the greatest discovery of my life."
Elara tilted her head.
Marcus looked at him.
"Where did you get this?"
"Long story."
Marcus continued examining the coin.
"I've never seen metal this pure."
Elara smiled.
"In my world, dwarves are quite fond of ores and precious minerals. You remind me of them."
Marcus froze.
"...What did you call me?"
Elara blinked.
"A dwarf."
Marcus's expression changed instantly.
"Are you calling me short?"
Elara immediately shook her head.
"No, I meant—"
Haru placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Come on, dude."
He sighed sympathetically.
"You being short is old news."
Marcus's jaw dropped.
"OLD NEWS?!"
Haru nodded.
"Yeah. We've all known for years."
"There is NOTHING wrong with my height!"
Marcus suddenly stood on his toes.
"LOOK!"
He spread his arms.
"I AM PERFECTLY TALL!"
Mika covered her mouth, desperately trying not to laugh.
Elara looked genuinely confused.
"But I wasn't referring to your height. Dwarves in my—"
Haru quickly interrupted her.
"Yep. Dwarves."
Elara looked at him.
"Haru..."
He gave her a subtle look.
Just let him have this.
Elara paused.
Then, apparently deciding it wasn't worth arguing, she remained silent.
Marcus pointed accusingly at Haru.
"And don't you dare laugh!"
Haru's shoulders were shaking.
"I'm not laughing."
"You're literally shaking!"
"I'm trying not to."
"STOP TRYING!"
Mika finally burst out laughing.
Elara covered her mouth, though the corners of her lips had risen.
Marcus looked around at the three of them in disbelief.
Moments ago, he had been the picture of calm professionalism.
Now he was arguing about his height.
He straightened himself and cleared his throat.
"I have achieved more financially than most people twice my age!"
"And?"
"And what?"
"Nothing."
Haru smiled.
"Just pointing out that none of that made you taller."
Marcus's face turned red.
"Why are you like this?!"
Haru shrugged.
"Old habits."
Marcus folded his arms.
"I am not short."
"Sure."
"I am above average!"
"Absolutely."
"I am tall!"
"Of course."
Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"You're mocking me."
"Would I do that?"
"Yes!"
Haru smiled.
"Fair point."
Marcus took a deep breath and slowly regained his composure.
He straightened his suit, adjusted his tie, and returned to the calm demeanor he'd had when they'd arrived.
"Fine."
He held up the gold coin.
"Let's forget the insults."
His eyes gleamed with renewed interest.
"How much of this currency can you provide?"
Haru's grin returned.
"Now that's the Marcus I know."
Marcus carefully placed the coin on the table.
"Then let's talk business."
---
Marcus placed the gold coin on the table and stared at it for several seconds.
Then he reached beneath the table.
Click.
A large metal briefcase appeared.
Haru raised an eyebrow.
"What's that?"
Marcus placed it on the table and opened it.
The briefcase was filled with bundles of cash.
Haru's eyes widened.
"...You're joking."
Marcus calmly closed the briefcase.
"One gold coin."
He pushed it toward Haru.
"One briefcase."
Haru stared at the briefcase.
Then at Marcus.
Then back at the briefcase.
"Are you sure?"
Marcus looked offended.
"Do I look like someone who would make an unfair financial offer?"
Haru thought about it.
"...Honestly?"
"Don't answer that."
Haru laughed.
"Fine. Deal."
They exchanged the briefcase and the coin.
Marcus immediately took the gold coin and held it up to the light.
His eyes sparkled.
"Beautiful."
Haru picked up the briefcase.
"Well, thanks."
Marcus waved a hand.
"Consider it an investment."
"An investment?"
Marcus smiled.
"You'll understand eventually."
---
A short while later, Marcus dropped them off near a shopping district.
"There's a store nearby that should have what you're looking for."
Haru nodded.
"Thanks, Marcus."
Marcus was about to leave when something caught his attention.
An elderly woman was standing at the edge of the road, clearly struggling to cross.
Marcus immediately walked over.
"Allow me."
He offered his arm.
The woman smiled gratefully.
"Thank you, young man."
Marcus helped her safely across the road.
Once they reached the other side, the woman began rummaging through her purse.
"Please, take this as thanks."
She pulled out a small coin.
Marcus's eyes immediately widened.
He stared at it.
"Is this..."
The woman's smile faded slightly.
"It's not worth much. It's an old coin my husband gave me years ago."
Marcus carefully took it.
"This is priceless."
He looked almost emotional.
"Thank you."
The woman smiled.
Marcus turned around.
Then froze.
Across the street, someone was holding another old coin.
His eyes widened.
"Wait..."
He immediately began walking toward them.
"Excuse me!"
Haru watched him disappear.
He sighed.
"Yep."
Elara looked at him.
"What?"
"I know exactly what's going through his head."
Haru glanced at the briefcase.
"He just gave us an entire briefcase full of money for one coin."
Elara nodded.
"Yes."
"Which is insane."
"Not necessarily."
Haru looked at her.
Elara smiled.
"Those coins are extremely rare."
"How rare?"
Elara thought for a moment.
"Five were enough to nearly cause a coup d'état."
Haru's smile disappeared.
"...What?"
Elara continued as though she'd just mentioned the weather.
"The coins were dipped into the Holy Lake of Goddess Fortuna."
Haru stared.
"Fortuna?"
"Yes."
"The goddess of luck?"
Elara nodded.
"Whoever possesses one receives incredible fortune."
Haru looked in the direction Marcus had disappeared.
"Wait."
Elara smiled.
"I bet that by the end of today, he'll find something far more valuable than whatever he gave us in that briefcase."
Haru scratched his head.
"Come on. They can't be that lucky."
Elara looked at him.
"You misunderstand."
She raised one finger.
"Five of those coins were enough to influence an entire kingdom."
Haru's eyes widened.
"How?"
"One of their owners became wealthy enough to buy an army."
She raised another finger.
"Another suddenly became the favorite candidate for the throne."
A third.
"And eventually, possession of the coins contributed to a coup d'état."
Haru slowly turned toward Marcus.
"..."
Elara smiled.
"So yes."
She pointed toward the road.
"Your friend may have just made the greatest financial mistake of his life."
Haru's expression became thoughtful.
"Or..."
He smiled.
"...the greatest investment."
Elara blinked.
"How so?"
"Think about it."
Haru looked at the briefcase.
"If those coins really bring that much luck, Marcus is probably going to stumble into something ridiculous."
He grinned.
"Honestly, I almost feel sorry for whoever tries to rob him."
---
The phone shopping itself was surprisingly straightforward.
After comparing several models, Haru eventually bought one for Elara.
By the time they stepped outside, Marcus had returned.
And he was carrying an enormous bag.
Something inside jingled with every step.
Haru stared.
"Marcus..."
Marcus smiled proudly.
"Today's been a productive day."
Haru looked at the bag.
"Please tell me you didn't—"
"I found three more old currencies."
Haru sighed.
"Of course you did."
Marcus's smile widened.
"And I haven't even started looking seriously."
He turned toward his car.
"Let's go."
---
When they returned home, Mika immediately took charge.
"Okay, Elara. First things first."
She held up the phone.
"We need to teach you how this works."
Elara stared at it.
"Understood."
Mika opened the camera.
"Smile!"
Click.
Elara stared at the screen.
Her eyes widened.
"I've been captured."
Mika laughed.
"It's just a picture."
Elara examined the screen.
"But who painted it?"
Haru blinked.
"What?"
"Inside the phone."
She pointed at the image.
"Who painted this?"
Mika covered her mouth.
"Oh my gosh."
Haru chuckled.
"There isn't a painter inside."
Elara frowned.
"Then who receives the reward?"
"There is no painter."
"So the painter works for free?"
"No!"
Elara continued staring suspiciously at the phone.
"I see."
Haru exchanged a look with Mika.
They both knew she didn't see anything.
---
A few minutes later, Mika handed the phone back.
"Alright. Now let's test the calling function."
Haru took out his own phone.
He dialed Elara.
Her phone began ringing.
Elara gasped.
"It's you!"
Haru laughed.
"Yep."
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello."
Her eyes widened.
"You're inside the phone!"
"I'm not inside the phone."
She immediately started walking away.
Haru watched her.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm testing something."
She kept walking.
Mika blinked.
"She's trying to find the maximum distance."
Elara continued walking.
Ten meters.
Twenty.
Thirty.
"Can you still hear me?"
"Yes."
Forty meters.
"Now?"
"Still yes."
Elara's eyes sparkled.
"This device is incredible."
She immediately ran back.
"How far does it work?"
"Depends."
"How far?"
"Pretty far."
Elara stared at the phone.
"This world is filled with strange magic."
---
Then Mika taught her how to text.
That was a mistake.
A catastrophic mistake.
For the rest of the day, Elara refused to speak whenever she had something to say.
Instead, she'd simply pull out her phone.
Elara: I am hungry.
Haru would look at her.
"You could just say that."
She'd type another message.
Elara: I prefer this method.
Haru sighed.
"You are literally standing three feet away from me."
Another message.
Elara: Distance is irrelevant.
Mika was practically crying from laughter.
Eventually, Haru escaped to the garden.
He needed peace.
Mika joined him a few minutes later.
The two stood beside the plants.
Mika looked toward the house.
"It's crazy how much you've changed."
Haru glanced at her.
"Me?"
"Yeah."
She smiled.
"You used to be so closed off."
Haru chuckled.
"I guess I was."
"You barely talked to anyone."
She paused.
"And now..."
She looked toward the house.
"You've got Elara."
Haru smiled.
"And you."
Mika smiled.
"Yeah."
She looked down.
"It's funny."
"What?"
"I can't remember who the people were that helped you before."
Haru's expression changed.
"Mika..."
"Whenever I try to remember, it's like..."
She touched her temple.
"There's just nothing there."
Haru's eyes narrowed.
The memory gaps.
The same ones Ms. Georgia had mentioned.
"I was actually going to tell you about—"
"HARU!"
Elara's voice suddenly echoed from inside the house.
Haru sighed.
"Wow."
Mika smiled.
"What's wrong?"
"She finally chose to speak."
They headed inside.
They found Elara sitting on the floor, staring at her phone.
"Haru."
She looked devastated.
"My phone has died."
Haru stared.
"The battery?"
She nodded solemnly.
"It refuses to awaken."
Mika tried not to laugh.
"It's just out of battery."
Elara held the phone against her chest.
"We need to give it a proper burial."
Haru blinked.
"What?"
"A proper burial."
She looked completely serious.
"It served me well."
"Elara."
Haru took the phone.
"It's not dead."
He plugged it into the charger.
The screen immediately lit up.
Elara's eyes widened.
"It lives!"
She reached for it.
Haru quickly pulled it away.
"Not yet."
"But—"
"You've spent the entire day glued to that thing."
He pointed toward the garden.
"Come help me."
Elara looked at the phone.
Then at Haru.
Then at the garden.
She sighed.
"Very well."
Haru smiled.
"Good."
Elara reluctantly followed him outside.
Behind them, Mika watched the two disappear into the garden.
She smiled.
"Yeah..."
She quietly muttered to herself.
"Definitely changed."