Risa's morning routine began with the soft chime of her alarm at 6:00 AM. The gentle sound stirred her from the depths of sleep, her eyes fluttering open to the early morning light filtering through the curtains. She stretched languidly, savoring the brief moment of calm before the day began in earnest.

Reluctantly, she pushed back the covers and swung her legs over the side of the bed, her feet meeting the cool floor. She stood up, stretching her arms above her head, and took a deep breath, centering herself for the day ahead. The room was still and quiet, the world outside just beginning to wake.

Risa made her way to the bathroom, flipping on the light and catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She smiled softly, a hint of determination in her eyes. Turning on the shower, she let the water run until it was warm, the steam beginning to fill the small space. As she stepped under the soothing stream, she felt the tension of sleep melt away.

She stepped out, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel, and took a deep breath. The day was just beginning, and she felt ready to face whatever it might bring, her mind already ticking through the tasks ahead. By the time she left the bathroom, she was fully awake, her mind clear and focused. The morning light was brighter now, casting a golden glow across her room as she prepared to face the challenges of the day.

Risa sat on her bed, scrolling through messages on her smartphone, her fingers moving swiftly over the screen. Her hopeful expression gradually faded to one of disappointment as she read the latest message. With a sigh that seemed to come from the depths of her soul, she tossed the phone aside and stood up, the weight of her thoughts evident in her posture.

She walked over to her closet, scanning through her clothes. After a moment of deliberation, she pulled out a chic outfit: a sleek black skirt, a fitted blouse with delicate lace details, and a pair of stylish ankle boots. She laid the ensemble on her bed, smoothing out any wrinkles with a practiced hand. She then moved on to her hair and makeup. Satisfied with her look, Risa gave herself a final once-over, making sure every detail was perfect.

Risa stepped back from the vanity, taking a long look at herself in the full-length mirror. Her reflection revealed a woman who looked confident and composed, but the worry in her eyes told a different story. She adjusted her blouse, smoothing it over her skirt, and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves.

Just then, a sudden knock on the door startled her. She glanced towards the sound, her heart racing for a moment. Quickly regaining her composure, she peeped through the peephole and saw Ryoichiro standing outside, looking slightly anxious.

“Ryo-chan, you're early. Give me a minute,” she called out, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach.

“You said 10 am. It is 10 am,” Ryoichiro mumbled under his breath, glancing at his watch.

She hurried back to her vanity, giving herself one last check. Satisfied, she grabbed her handbag and opened the door with a bright smile.

“Ryo-chan, ohayō!” she greeted him cheerfully.

“Good morning, Risa-chan,” he replied shyly, his gaze flicking over her before settling on the floor.

“Just a moment more,” she said, putting on her earrings and slipping into her boots. She took a final look in the mirror, ensuring everything was perfect, then turned back to him with a confident nod.

“Alright, I'm ready. Let's go.”

The setting shifts to a quaint family restaurant located at the corner of a busy junction. Across the road, a park buzzes with activity, and next door, a small grocer serves early morning shoppers. Teenagers hang out in the adjacent parking lot. Inside, Risa and Ryoichiro sit at a table, enjoying their breakfast.

Risa took a bite of her blueberry pancakes and sighed. “So, I got bad news, but don't get mad.”

Ryoichiro sipped his coffee, his curiosity piqued. “What is it?”

Risa washed down the pancake with coffee and raised her hand for a refill. “Well, I failed to get in contact with the guy I got my other stuff from. He's out of town, but I'll keep looking. I think I have an idea where to get our artifact. Thank you,” she said as the server refilled her cup. She added four cubes of sugar and stirred.

“Artifact? You mean the talisman?” Ryoichiro asked.

Risa nodded vigorously, her mouth full of pancake.

Ryoichiro sighed, taking another sip of his coffee. “I wish I'd asked better about the anchor. I don't know how to pick the personal item he was referring to. I mean, I have a lot of stuff dear to me; I just don't know how deep their connection to me is.”

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Risa swallowed her food and wiped her mouth. “Well, if I had to guess, maybe something given to you by someone close to your heart.” She picked up a slice of pancake and drenched it in syrup.

“My ring was a gift from my mom. I always have it with me,” Ryoichiro said, sighing again. “I just wish I could tell her about all the crazy things happening to me.” He caressed the ring, looking into the distance.

Risa looked at him with concern and sympathy, her mouth puffed with food. “Ryo-chan...”

Ryoichiro shook his head and looked at Risa with determination. “No, it's fine. Besides, like she always says, I'm a grown man now. I can deal with this on my own!” He finished his coffee.

Risa smiled, seeing Ryo's growth. “Are you sure you don't want anything else?” she asked, stuffing herself with more food.

Ryoichiro looked at Risa with concern. “Uh, no thanks, I'm good. Just enjoy your food.”

“Hmmm-mmm,” Risa mumbled, her mouth bulging with food.

They stayed in the restaurant after finishing their meal. Ryoichiro stole a glance at Risa.

Noticing his gaze, Risa asked, “What is it?”

“Uh, nothing. Just glad you're wearing normal clothes, that's all,” Ryoichiro said with a nervous chuckle.

Risa smirked. “Oh, I thought you were having some naughty thoughts about me.”

Ryoichiro turned bright red. “Wha- No way! I would never —”

“It's alright. You don't have to explain,” Risa interrupted, her tone playful. “I don't blame you — after all, you're looking at the cutest girl in the world.” She gave him a teasing smile. “Besides, I only wore the warding because Ed could be a magnet for spirits. Meme-san told me he has a spirit familiar and can see other otherworldly entities because of it. She mentioned that if those spirits knew you could see them, they'd try to contact you, asking for help or something.”

Risa pulled out her makeup pouch from her bag and began retouching her face. “And if any malicious beings show up, who's to say none of them will latch onto me?” she added, finishing her makeup and admiring herself in a compact mirror.

“So one of them could be latched on to me?” Ryoichiro asked, fear in his eyes.

Risa put her makeup pouch back and joked, “What's worse than the one latching on to you right now?”

Ryoichiro's face turned from fear to annoyance. “Not funny, Risa-chan. That is never funny.”

“I know, I know, I'm sorry. I'm just realizing it now. Sorry, Ryo-chan!” Risa's tone was earnest but slightly amused.

Ryoichiro still looked annoyed.

“Really, I'm sorry,” Risa said, a hint of insincerity in her voice. “Here, here. You can take this. Those monk prayer beads I wear because they're stylish anyway. I also got this bracelet if you like.” She showed off her accessories.

“No, I'm fine,” Ryoichiro said, tensing up.

Risa, in an adorable way, held her hands out in forgiveness. “I really mean it, Ryo-chan.” She excused herself and got up from the chair. “Wait a minute, I have to go to the toilet.”

Ryoichiro's thoughts raced negatively. He stroked his ring and clenched his fist. “I wanna tell Mom,” he muttered, his eyes longing but determined. “I should tell Mom.”

Suddenly, a crash sent shards of glass flying towards him, a baseball from the park landing inches from his face.

From the park across the restaurant, a group of teenagers played an intense game, their shouts of excitement and frustration echoing through the neighborhood. The pitcher wound up and delivered a pitch with all his might. The batter, a wiry young man with a determined look, swung with equal fervor. The bat connected with a loud crack, sending the ball soaring high and far. It arced beautifully through the sky, but the aim was off – way off.

The ball whistled through the air, spinning and gaining speed, becoming a deadly projectile. It hurtled towards the busy street, unnoticed by the preoccupied pedestrians and diners. Within seconds, it crashed through the restaurant’s large front window with a deafening shatter. Glass exploded inward, raining down over the stunned patrons.

Ryoichiro, who had been leaning forward, absorbed in his contemplating on how to break the news of his predicament to his mother, felt the ball whiz past his head, missing him by mere inches.

His eyes widened in shock as he recoiled, his chair tipping over. The ball continued its path of destruction, ricocheting off a metal support beam with a resounding clang.

The beam, now destabilized, shifted slightly, causing the heavy overhead lighting fixture to sway precariously. In the ensuing chaos, a waitress carrying a tray of drinks tripped over the fallen man, sending glasses and liquid flying. The wet floor became an unseen hazard.

A young woman at the next table stood up, instinctively trying to help the fallen waitress. In her haste, she slipped on the wet floor, crashing into a table and sending dishes clattering to the ground. The commotion drew everyone's attention, adding to the panic.

Above, the swaying light fixture finally gave way, its bolts unable to hold the weight any longer. It plummeted downwards, crashing into the table where an elderly couple had been enjoying their meal moments before. The fixture shattered on impact, sending shards of metal and glass in all directions. The elderly man, too slow to react, took the brunt of the impact. Blood splattered across the white tablecloth, the vivid red stark against the pristine fabric.

Screams erupted from the other diners as they scrambled to escape the growing chaos. The elderly woman, in shock, clutched at her husband, her hands shaking uncontrollably as she screamed for help. The scene was a nightmarish blend of blood, broken glass, and overturned furniture.

Outside, the teenagers who had hit the ball stood frozen in horror, unable to comprehend the magnitude of the accident they had unwittingly caused. Inside the restaurant, the staff and remaining patrons rushed to the aid of the injured, but it was clear the elderly man had suffered catastrophic injuries. His breathing was shallow, blood pooling around him.

The once lively restaurant was now a scene of tragedy, the cheerful ambiance replaced with the chilling reality of unforeseen consequences. Emergency sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder as they approached, but for the injured man, time was running out. The joy and bustle of a summer afternoon had turned into a grim tableau of unintended violence, leaving a haunting memory for all who witnessed it.

As he stood amidst the wreckage, Ryoichiro's heart pounded with a sickening realization. The ball that had narrowly missed him continued its lethal trajectory, setting off a cascade of horror that ended in the death of an innocent man. His mind raced, replaying the events in excruciating detail. He could still feel the gust of wind from the ball, the sharp crack of the breaking window, and the sickening thud of the light fixture.

In the aftermath, emergency personnel swarmed the scene, their urgent movements a blur around him. Ryoichiro’s legs felt like lead, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He looked at the broken window, the shattered lives, and felt a gnawing guilt clawing at his insides. If only he had sat somewhere else, if only he hadn't been lost in his thoughts, if only he had seen it coming.

Risa emerged from the restroom, startled by the commotion. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in the shattered glass, the injured patrons, and the grim scene unfolding before her. She spotted Ryoichiro, standing frozen amidst the chaos, and her heart sank. Instinctively, she rushed to his side, her mind quickly piecing together what had transpired.

“Ryo-chan!” she called out, her voice trembling with a mix of concern and urgency. She grabbed his arm, pulling him out of his daze. “Are you okay? What happened?”

He turned to her, his eyes filled with torment. “It’s my fault, Risa-chan,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “It’s all my fault.”

Risa's grip tightened as she shook her head. “No, Ryo-chan, it’s not your fault,” she insisted, trying to comfort him. “We need to focus on helping those who are hurt. We’ll figure out the rest later.”

But his guilt was too deeply rooted, the weight of the tragedy too immense to be easily lifted. Ryoichiro fell to his knees, the weight of his remorse heavier than any physical blow.

Tears blurred his vision as he whispered to himself, “It’s my fault. It’s all my fault...”

The vibrant life he once knew was now overshadowed by this harrowing nightmare, and as the sirens wailed, he could only hear the haunting echo of his own condemnation. Risa stayed by his side, sharing his pain and silently vowing to help him through the darkness that now enveloped them both.