Lina's expression darkened slightly. "If that's where the answers are, then yeah." Her voice was steady, but there was something deeper there—determination, maybe even desperation.

Hikaru studied her for a moment before looking ahead. "Guess that means I don't have much of a choice, huh?"

Lina chuckled. "Nope. You're in this now."

They continued walking in comfortable silence for a while, the city lights flickering on one by one as night slowly settled in.

Late at night, Hikaru sat at his desk, the glow of his computer screen casting a faint blue light across his room. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the keyboard as he absentmindedly browsed through some forums, but his mind wasn't fully focused. The events of the day still played in his head—Egypt, the assassin, his powers.

Just then, his door creaked open. He turned his head slightly, expecting his mother, but instead, it was Lina. She stepped inside without hesitation, her expression calm as always.

"You're still awake?" she asked, glancing at the screen.

"Could say the same for you," Hikaru replied, leaning back in his chair. "What's up?"

She walked over and sat on his bed, watching him play on his computer. "I don't know… just thinking," she said softly, her voice almost distant.

Hikaru glanced at her for a moment, then back at his screen. "About what?"

Lina hesitated, then shrugged slightly. "Everything… I guess." She shifted slightly, looking more comfortable on the bed. "All this stuff with Egypt, the assassin... our next move. It's a lot to take in."

Hikaru nodded, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Yeah… it's not exactly what I was expecting when I first got these powers."

There was a brief silence before Lina spoke again. "We'll figure it out, though. We have to." She looked at him, her gaze steady. "Whatever's coming, we'll handle it."

Hikaru offered her a small smile. "Yeah, you're right." He paused before adding, "I guess we can always start with me learning how to fly."

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"Aren't you tired after all that?" she asked.

"Nah… I didn't even do much. I just walked around with you guys."

"I mean, doesn't using the mirror world take a lot of stamina?"

Hikaru turned to her, thinking for a moment. "No, I don't think so? But now that you mention it… how do I even know if I have, like… mana or something?"

Lina rested her chin on her hand, watching him. "That's a good question. Most people who use magic can feel it—like a second pulse in their body. But you… your power isn't normal magic. It comes from the mirror world."

Hikaru leaned forward, resting his elbows on his desk. "Yeah. The Mirror Man said I can do 'anything' there, but I don't even know where to start." He glanced at his mirror, which sat beside his keyboard. Its surface was perfectly still, reflecting only the dim glow of his screen.

"What about that Mirror Man you always mention? Who is he? The one who owns the mirror world?"

"No… he's me. But from another dimension."

Lina's eyes narrowed slightly. "You? From another dimension?"

Hikaru sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. I don't get it either, but that's what he said. He looks like me, talks like me… but he's different. Like, he knows things I don't. About the mirror world, about my powers. It's like he's been there way longer than I have."

"Hmm… this is weird," Lina muttered, crossing her arms in thought.

Hikaru nodded, then blinked as he looked at her. "Wait… since when were you wearing such minimal clothes?"

Lina glanced down at herself—she was wearing an oversized T-shirt and a pair of comfortable shorts, nothing too revealing, but definitely more relaxed than her usual attire. She shrugged. "Your mom gave them to me. Said I should wear something comfortable instead of my uniform all the time."

Hikaru blinked. "Huh. She really treats you like family already, huh?"

Lina smirked slightly. "Guess so. Not like I had a lot of spare clothes when I got here." She leaned back on his bed, resting her arms behind her head. "Your mom's nice."

Hikaru chuckled. "Yeah, she is. Just don't let her hear you say that, or she'll start treating you like her own daughter for real."

Lina raised an eyebrow. "Would that be a bad thing?"

Hikaru shrugged. "Depends. She might start nagging you about eating enough veggies or sleeping early."

Lina sighed. "Well, that's a good thing, I guess. I never got that warmth from my parents."

Hikaru fell silent, not expecting her to say that. After a moment, he spoke softly. "...Want a hug?"

"Huh?"

"Just saying, if you... need one?"

She sighed and got up, stretching slightly. "Go to sleep. Tomorrow, we have school."

Hikaru smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Yeah... good night."

Lina walked to the door but paused for a moment, glancing back at him. A small, almost teasing smile played on her lips.

"Yeah. Good night, idiot."

Then, she stepped out, closing the door behind her, leaving Hikaru staring after her with a faint chuckle before turning back to his desk.

To Be Continue.