The next day, I arrived at the bridge a few minutes into my lunch period. The sun shone brightly against my skin as I squinted, looking around for Natasha. Sure enough, I spotted her coming out of the school's entrance. She was wearing a white blouse underneath a navy blazer with a pink scarf around her shoulders. Natasha had her hands tucked into her pockets and looked around nervously.

I approached her, my heart racing with excitement to see a friend. But as I got closer, I noticed something was off about Natasha's usual curly, neck-length hair. It was shorter than it had been the day before, and it looked unevenly cut. Her typical bob was now a neat but asymmetrical choppy cut that still managed to fit her face.

"Hey, Nat," I said, frowning slightly as I reached her. "...Did you get a haircut?"

Natasha blushed, and her eyes widened in horror at my question before she quickly tried to cover it up with a smile. "Er, sort of, yeah. Yeah, I did," she said quickly, "just a little trim."

But I could tell that something was up. "Are you okay?" I asked, tilting my head to the side.

Natasha hesitated for a moment before finally sighing. "Not really," she admitted. "I... um, I had a bit of an accident. I er, I guess I tried to trim my own hair last night, and it turned into a bit of a disaster."

I chuckled a bit at her flustered reaction. "It's not so bad," I said with a smile. "In fact, it looks pretty badass."

She blushed even more at my comment, but I could see the relief in her eyes. "Really?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Really," I confirmed, grinning at her. "And if it makes you feel any better, I've definitely had my share of hair disasters over the years."

Natasha let out a small laugh at that, and I was glad to see that she was feeling better already. She looked relieved at my words, and I could see the tension in her shoulders melt away. "Thanks," she said, grinning at me. "I was worried I didn't do enough to cover it up."

I shook my head. "Nah, you don't have to cover it up," I assured her. "It's a new look, and it suits you. Own it!"

Natasha laughed, and I felt relieved as she loosened up.

We walked off the bridge and towards the row of shops where Akira' had set up shop. It was a chilly but sunny day, and everyone around us was bustling about.

Suddenly, we were stopped by a man with a camera standing off to the side. He had dirty blond hair, black eyes, and a long black coat.

"Excuse me sir," he said, turning his lens towards us. "Do you mind if I take your picture?"

My eyebrows rose in surprise as I looked at Natasha, who seemed equally taken aback.

"Uh, what's this about? "Is this for a project or something?" I asked, feeling a bit uneasy with the sudden request.

The photographer, who appeared to be in his early twenties, smiled at us. "Yup! I'm just working on my street photography skills for a project, and you two make for an interesting subject."

Natasha and I exchanged a glance.

"What kind of project?" I fished, trying to gauge the situation.

The photographer smiled, adjusting his camera. "I'm working on a series about friendship and wanted to capture some candid moments."

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously, feeling like there was more to his request than he was letting on.

"If you don't mind, I'd love to take your picture," he said again, his voice warm and inviting.

I looked back to Natasha, who had a look of apprehension on her face. She shook her head slightly, and I knew she wasn't comfortable with the idea. Taking a deep breath, I smiled at the photographer; "Sorry. We're actually in a bit of a hurry so maybe another time."

We walked away for half a block, only for the photographer to come running after us.

"Aww come on," the photographer urged. "It'll only take a minute."

But I wasn't convinced—something about the man set off alarm bells in my gut.

"I'm sorry," I repeated my tone firm. "Maybe another time."

The photographer's smile faltered slightly, but he didn't argue. "Alright then, no problem," he said, tucking his camera away with a smirk. "Thank you for your time."

As he walked away, I couldn't help but feel relieved. Something about his request had felt off, and I was glad I followed my instincts.

He didn't try to stop us, but I could feel his eyes following us as we walked away. My heartbeat slowed as we moved further away from him, but I couldn't shake the unease that clung to me.

"What was that about?" Natasha asked, her eyes wide.

"I don't know," I said, my mind racing. "But that guy gives me some bad vibes."

As we walked towards Akira's, I couldn't help but feel like we were being watched. I kept turning around, scanning the bustling streets for any sign of the photographer. Natasha noticed my unease and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Just relax, Ikki," she said softly. "We're safe now. He isn't following us."

I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding. My nerves were really starting to get to me.

We reached Akira's restaurant, and I was glad everything looked as inviting as ever. The stall was sparse as usual, but the smell of ramen broth and braised meat wafted through the air, making my mouth water. I paused momentarily as I noticed Ms. Roth sitting at one of the small tables, sipping a steaming cup of green tea. Akira had the television on with the news displayed, and the curtains were closed today, giving it a homey atmosphere.

"Ms. Roth?" I muttered, surprised to see her there. She looked up from her tea with a soft smile on her lips.

"Ikazuchi, Natasha, it's nice to see you both," she said, motioning for us to come over. "Care to join me for a bit?"

"AHAHA, welcome! Welcome! Please come in!" Akira shouted, emerging from the kitchen with a wide grin on his face.

"Thanks, sarge," I said, feeling grateful for the change in atmosphere.

Natasha and I shared a look and quickly made our way over to Ms. Roth's table. I couldn't help but feel a bit awkward.

"So er, what brings you here, Ms. Roth?" I asked.

"I just wanted an excuse to take a breather from grading so many papers, " she chuckled. "Plus, the ramen here is some of the best in town. Akira and I go back quite a bit. I've already eaten, but I'd like to check in with both of you now that you're here, frankly."

Natasha nodded, turning to me, "Um... Ms. Roth was the one who erm, actually showed me this place during the first week of classes. It's been a staple for me ever since."

Ah, I was wondering about the familiarity. I suppose Natasha had Ms. Roth for another class.

Ms. Roth's face lit up with a kind smile as she looked at Natasha, and I could tell she was fond of her. "I'm glad to hear that, Natasha. It's always nice to see my students having fun."

We settled into our chairs and began discussing more relaxed, casual things like the comfortable autumn weather and our favorite types of ramen. Akira approached us with a friendly smile, notepad, and pen in hand. Natasha and I gave our orders with gusto. I remained fidgety, still on edge from my encounter with the photographer earlier. All the events accumulated too quickly to process comfortably fueled my anxiety.

Ms. Roth noticed my discomfort and addressed me after Akira had returned to the kitchen to prepare our orders.

"Ikazuchi," she said, her voice soft. "I hope the stuff you told me about last time hasn't persisted?"

I shook my head, taking a deep breath, thinking about the horrifying creature Midori had cut down. "No, ma'am, I don't feel as paranoid today. I think it's just been a stressful couple of weeks," I answered with a small smile. "Midori helped me... work through some stuff, in a sense."

"Ah, I see." Ms. Roth's eyes shimmered with understanding. "I'm glad to hear that.."

As we chatted and settled in, my gaze was transfixed on the television screen. Celestial Sonata flew through Tenochtitlan City with dazzling agility; I watched as she spun in the air, her long, pink hair trailing down her back. Her bow illuminated the environment with beams of light that sliced through the van-sized wolflike creatures effortlessly. Arrows made of solid light shot from her bow and ripped through the monsters' hide, showering cascading sparks of golden energy.

The news anchor spoke over the drone footage, detailing how a swarm of magical girls had come to the city's aid after a sudden Level 3 Chaos Event. The television showed Celestial Sonata standing tall as the last wave fell, her bow at the ready in case of further attacks.

"Wow," I muttered, unable to keep my eyes off the screen.

Ms. Roth chuckled, following my gaze. "She's quite impressive, isn't she?" she said, sipping her tea.

Natasha shifted in her seat, staring at the screen. The sight of the battle was making her visibly nervous, and I couldn't blame her. It was scary, even knowing it'd occurred half a continent away.

"Y-yeah," she stammered, her eyes wide. "That's her alright, isn't it? Celestial Sonata, I mean."

Ms. Roth smiled at Natasha and nodded as her smile expanded into a grin. "Yes, that is, indeed, Celestial Sonata."

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Akira bustled behind the counter, humming while whipping our orders with practiced ease. I looked back up at the television screen. Celestial Sonata was now battling some terrifying-looking winged horrors, and my heart started pounding again.

The feathered creatures were different from the wolves before, with horrific visages that looked like parodies of human faces on the bodies of massive birds. A naked bear-like creature led them with two heads and clay-like skin instead of fur. Celestial Sonata was still holding her own, but I could tell that this was a much more brutal fight.

I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me for some reason as I watched the fight unfold. The monsters seemed to be gaining the upper hand; their wings whipped up gusts of wind that threatened to knock Celestial Sonata off her feet as more beowulves swarmed her.

Celestial Sonata flipped back and twisted around just as a massive beam of energy from the bear creature's mouth flew toward her. I gasped as the beam cut through her long locks, slicing off some hair on one side of her head. But it didn't get closer than that — miraculously, Celestial Sonata had narrowly dodged that attack.

"Looks like someone else had a heck of a hair day yesterday too!" I joked, turning to Natasha with a grin.

Natasha gave me a weak smile and sank into her seat. She giggled, but her eyes turned back to the screen. "I don't know how she does it," she said, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't think I could ever be that brave in my day-to-day life."

Ms. Roth looked at Natasha with a soft but sad smile.

"Word of advice, Natasha? The powers magical girls possess are certainly impressive. They make us stronger, faster, and more agile while transformed. However, the powers we are gifted merely enhance what is already deep down inside of us. I like to imagine Celestial Sonata is just another normal girl trying to find her way through the world. She might not even feel like it, but what separates Celestial Sonata from any other girl is already inside her. Our special powers just help bring it out. That's why it is essential always to remember who we really are, deep down at our core. We can all find that strength."

"T-thanks, Ms. Roth," Natasha said, staring at Celestial Sonata on the screen with newfound appreciation. "That is encouraging to think about."

I nodded in understanding, drawn in by Ms. Roth's sudden words of wisdom.

"That's really deep Ms. Roth... Even knowing you're the famous Magical Girl Little Red, you're still an awesome and down-to-earth teacher, you know that Ms. Roth?"

Ms. Roth smiled warmly at me. "Thank you, Ikazuchi. But yes, I did want to make a point with that. We aren't just ideas and idols that exist beyond a television screen. We are people with our own fears, hopes, and dreams and it's important to never lose sight of that. I might act tougher when I don the Little Red persona, but at the end of the day... it's still a part of my identity that I play up as Red. The average person sees that part of us, but they rarely pay mind or even think of the struggles that we go through in our day to day."

I smiled, taking in Ms. Roth's words. Thinking of my history teacher as a powerful magical girl was still strange, but it made sense.

Akira interrupted us by placing bowls of steaming ramen in front of each of us. We all took a deep breath, inhaling the fragrant steam with appreciation.

"Mmm, this looks amazing!" Natasha said. She took the chopsticks and carefully picked up a piece of pork belly.

"Dig in, kids! This batch is gorgeous," Akira said, grinning from ear to ear. We all started slurping up our noodles, the delicious broth warming us from the inside out. The conversation drifted to mundane topics like classes and homework and, strangely, career advice from Ms. Roth. I was certainly grateful for the sense of normalcy. The broth's warmth and the familiar flavors' comfort helped me relax even more.

As we ate, the footage on the television shifted to a new scene. This time it was a team of magical girls, their costumes all varying shades of blue and green, battling a massive monster in the middle of the city. The creature was covered in scales and stood tall, its jaws snapping at the girls as they fought with all their might.

"That's the Azure Waters Squad," Ms. Roth commented, leaning forward to watch the screen. "They're based out of New Orleans. I've heard some good things about them."

I watched in awe as the girls worked together, their powers flowing seamlessly with one another. They were like a well-oiled machine, each member playing their part with precision. It was inspiring to watch.

As Natasha and I finished our bowls, we heard a clattering sound outside the restaurant.

"Damn street performers," Akira muttered. "They're always causing a ruckus."

Something felt off about it to me. I instinctively turned around and dashed to brush the curtain aside, only to stare down the lens of a camera pointed at us where there had been a gap in the curtains.

The same guy who had been following us earlier was crouched with his cameras pointed at an upward angle. He reacted immediately, snapping a quick photo with a click before dashing away down the street.

"You know him?" Ms. Roth asked, her voice tense as she looked over.

I shook my head, feeling a sense of unease settle in my stomach. "No, but he followed us a bit earlier asking for a picture. I don't know what he wants."

Ms. Roth's expression hardened. "I'll take care of this," she said, standing up and grabbing her bag. "Stay here, both of you. Akira? I'll be paying for the kids."

She slapped a wad of cash down on the table and reached into her purse, taking out a small trinket. It was a simple bone bracelet with a single ruby gem in the center, but as she clasped it onto her wrist, the gem glowed with a bright red light.

"Ms. Roth! What are you doing?" I asked, feeling my heart skip a beat.

She winked at me. "Don't worry. I am just going to give this young man a small lecture and stern warning."

Ms. Roth exhaled, clasping her bracelet.

"As scarlet threads of fate entwine,

I rise, reborn, in love's design.

Through tales of old and lessons shared,

I stand — the future's guardian, fierce and fair.

In shadows deep, where fears reside,

A cloak of red, ever by their side!"

Ms. Roth began to glow with a blinding, bright aura. The light intensified, and she transformed before my eyes. Her hair turned a strawberry blonde, and her dull yellow dress changed into a bright red dirndl. Ms. Roth's portly frame shifted and grew taller, and the aura faded until her skin was pale with a rosy hue. She smiled, her eyes twinkling mischievously.

"Major Red," Akira breathed, "Right here in the flesh! Now, that's a lovely sight I missed from the service."

Ms. Roth put her hand on her hip and grinned. "It's been a while, I know. And — I apologize for the trouble I might have brought you, sergeant, but I'd rather be safe than sorry."

With a final wave of her hand, Major Red burst out of the restaurant, leaving a trail of rose petals in her wake.

Natasha and I exchanged worried looks as we watched Ms. Roth disappear out the door street. Despite the warmth of the ramen and the normalcy of our conversation, the chaos of the outside world had a way of creeping in. I couldn't help but feel like this was the start of another one of those days.

Akira sighed and rubbed his temples. "That woman... she can be a handful sometimes. But I'll tell you kids this much. She's got a heart of gold, that she does."

I nodded, still shocked by the transformation I had just witnessed again. Ms. Roth was like something straight out of a comic book. "I hope everything turns out okay," I said, biting my lip.

Akira chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Hah! Don't worry, kiddo. She can handle herself. And besides, with that magic bag of tricks of hers, I'm sure that guy won't know what hit him. Plus, she's got a mean right hook on top of that."

Another crashing noise, followed by a yelp, echoed outside the restaurant, and we all jumped in our seats. Akira stood up, his face turning serious.

"Right on cue! I'll go check on it," he called over his shoulder as he headed towards the door.

I exchanged another worried glance with Natasha before we got up to follow him. As we stepped onto the street, we saw Little Red standing in the middle of the road, squatting in front of the man who wanted a photo.

The photographer following us earlier was tied up in a half-cocoon of red taffy. He was cowering on the ground, clutching his partially-covered camera in a death grip. Major Red towered above him, one finger wagging in his face while the other yanked on his ear.

"Now you listen to me, young man," she sternly lectured. "I don't know what kind of game you're trying to play, but stalking innocent people and taking their pictures without their consent is not only rude, but it's downright creepy and repulsive!"

The man whimpered in fear, his eyes darting around in terror. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean any harm, I swear!" he pleaded.

Ms. Roth's demeanor softened slightly. "I don't care what your intentions were. You should be ashamed of yourself, and learn to respect people's boundaries and privacy. Now, I'm going to untie you and confiscate your camera, and I suggest you leave this area and never bother us again. I won't be this gentle with you next time!"

"Is everything alright here?" Akira asked, eyeing the tied-up man warily.

Little Red turned to face him, a smile spreading across her face. "Ah, Akira! Yes. Everything is under control."

"What happened?" I asked, rushing over to her side.

Little Red looked up at us, her expression softening. "As far as I can tell, he was just a paparazzo from Midtown University looking for a quick buck off the recent incidents, such as the hostage crisis and viral brawl. It's nothing to worry about."

I couldn't help but feel relieved at her words. I was worried it would turn out to be something significantly worse, but It seemed like Ms. Roth had everything under control.

Akira walked over to the paparazzo and helped him stand upright and balance his taffy-bound legs. "You should probably leave before things get worse," he said sternly. "And don't come back here again. We don't tolerate disrespect to the privacy and safety of the kids and staff on this island."

Natasha also approached the man, eyeing him with a mixture of disappointment and sympathy.

"You should think about the people you're hurting with your actions," she said, her voice soft as she walked before him. "Please... We're just trying to live our already-turbulent lives, and you're making it harder for us. Can you put yourself in our shoes and think what it will be like once the tabloids get more material?"

The man nodded, his face pale. "I'm... I'm sorry," he mumbled, his eyes downcast before looking at us. "I understand! I won't bother you again! I promise."

With a flick of her wrist, the taffy cocoon disintegrated, freeing the man. Ms. Roth handed him back his camera, but only after deleting the photos he had taken of us and removing the battery. "Good. Now, get out of here," she said, her voice firm. "Scram."

He scrambled to his feet and immediately fled down the street.

The four of us stared after him until he was out of sight, the tension slowly dissipating. Miss Roth sighed, shaking her head. "I earnestly hate it when things like this happen. But it's good we caught him before he could do more damage."

Akira nodded, his expression serious. "I'll let the other officers know to keep an eye out for him. Hopefully, he won't cause any more trouble."

That line caught my attention. Other officers, huh? There may have been more to this ramen sergeant than meets the eye.

Natasha turned to me, a sheepish smile on her face. "Well, that was certainly an eventful lunch break."

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, no kidding. I don't think I've ever experienced something like that guy before. I think I could do with less of it in my life."

"Well, we should get going," Natasha said, breaking the awkward silence. "We don't want to be late for class."

I nodded in agreement, eager to put the strange encounter behind us.

Akira excused himself and headed back into the restaurant, waving as he entered.

"It was nice seeing you again, kids. Continue having a good day, alright? And Clara - take care of yourself, will you?"

"Of course, dear. We'll be fine," Ms. Roth replied, waving as well. Her expression seemed to have softened, replacing the stern look on her face with a kind, motherly smile. "And you kids take care of yourself as well. I'll go around for a stroll before heading back. Be safe."

She stood there looking around for a moment longer before turning and walking down the street.

Natasha and I waved goodbye and headed back toward the school.

"I'm definitely looking forward to a less exciting day today," I muttered, shaking my head.

"I have a feeling it's going to be a quiet one," Natasha replied with a chuckle. "Maybe we'll even get some homework done."

I laughed, rolling my eyes. "Don't jinx it, Nat. You never know what's going to happen around here."

The warm afternoon sun beat down on our faces as we walked back to school. The sound of seagulls echoed in the distance, and the smell of street vendors from Earth hawking tacos filled our nostrils.

Flaws aside, I couldn't help but feel grateful for my time here on Terra. It was a far cry from my home, with its desolate landscapes and bleak, downtrodden cities. Here, the world was alive and vibrant.

Still, I couldn't wait to cross the portal this weekend and visit my family back home. A pang of homesickness hit me, making me long for the familiar faces and comfort of my dad's cooking.

Natasha seemed to notice my mood shift and playfully bumped her shoulder against mine. "Hey, cheer up. We've still got a long week ahead of us. How about another gaming session tonight?"

I smiled at her, grateful for her attempt to lift my spirits. "You're right. Let's make the most of the week."

We continued walking, chattering about our classes and plans for the weekend. The tension from earlier had melted away, replaced by our usual banter and good-natured teasing. I had faced a lot of strange and unexpected things since coming to Terra, but in the end, I'd always come out alright.

As long as I had friends like Natasha by my side, I was confident I could handle whatever challenge came my way. And hopefully, I could help her through her challenges and those of my other friends.

The thought of that made me smile, and I could feel the warmth of friendship radiating around us.

For now, I was really just content with the moment of relative normalcy.