5:00 AM

Juniper dashed from one street corner to another, her sneakers were slapping against the cold pavement.

Her ankles were screaming and she had a nasty urge to scratch a growing itch between her thighs. She ignored the growing protesting ache in her ribs, the pain was sharp, jabbing her with every step forward. She had to force herself to keep going.

Her breathing became uncontrolled, and her breath was burning with each intake of air. She paced herself to move slower. To get in an extra ounce of oxygen.

Her goal was in sight, just three hundred more meters. Two or three blocks, she lied to herself. Breaking every small goal into a half lie, so that she could feel some comfort. But keep on moving forward anyway.

[That’s the spirit. Keep going, don’t stop baby. ᯓᡣ𐭩]

“I don’t want to…. anymore.”

[What are you doing? Don’t sag now– you’ll never last a minute when it really counts! (wink wink, nudge nudge) (•ᴗ<˶)]

“You annoying synthetic lifeform, do you ever shut up!”

Juniper staggered to her halt, head doubling over. Her lung capacity caught up to her. She stopped, hands on her knees, gasping for air. Sweat tapped off her body, she wiped it off her forehead. She tasted some of her sweat, salty and stinging. Her throat dry, she pulled a plastic bottle out of her waist belt, suckling on the bottle, for water.

The water poured into her mouth at once, splashing against her chin and neck, as she struggled to hold it straight. She drinks too fast, the water slips where it shouldn’t, and she starts coughing. She choked, sputtering violently. Her stomach felt unwell, for a moment she thought she might throw up.

[Woah there, easy girl. You can’t inhale hydration—trust me,]

Juniper scans the surrounding area, there’s no one around. No one to judge her form and actions. She collapsed onto the cold concrete, resigning herself to the pavement of the ground. She tilted her head upwards, looking at the rising sun. The cold air of morning dawn was her only comfort, water tried to kill her. Her body screamed at her to stop–but could she with what was at stake?

[+1 Energy for excessive running]

[+1 Endurance for pushing past your stamina limits]

[Though no bonus points for almost drowning yourself. Breaking news – woman dies by inhaling water bottle.]

Juniper groaned, tossing her empty water bottle aside.

“You’re not helping.”

She felt something twist inside her body like her muscles were rearranging themselves to adapt to the system’s demands. A strange sensation, She only barely noticed it before.

[You should check your stats.]

She did. As the prompt flickered over her face.

[Power: 4]

[Endurance: 5]

[Dexterity: 8]

[Reflex: 12]

[Durability: 6]

[Energy: 7]

[Active Skills:]

-[Mimicry]

-[Observation]

[Passive Skills:]

-[Slow Regeneration]

-[Enhanced Hearing]

-[Power Emulation Lvl 1]

-[Heightened Reflexes]

[Superpowers:]

-[Super Audition Lvl 5]

-[Solar-powered Sentinel Lvl 4]

-[Gravitational Distortion Lvl 2]

[You’ve gotten stronger, be proud.]

“Not strong enough, not quick enough,” she muttered. She started pounding her fists against the ground.

[Baby steps, Juniper. You're climbing a mountain—don't expect to reach the summit in one leap. Like a great philosopher once said. The journey of a thousand miles]

“Begins with a single step, yes, yes…I get it.”

She perks up from the cold floor, and fishes out the black phone out of her pocket. It buzzed faintly in her hands.

She kept it on her just in case one of her siblings stumbled upon it. Best to keep it on her at all times.

It was time to make ‘the’ choice. May as well get it over with as soon as possible.

The lock on the phone opened with her fingerprint. Looks like someone at OBB had premeditatively got her fingerprints while she was knocked out.

The phone revealed a minimalist interface. There were two contacts on the phone, one named Evelyn, and the other John. Her thumb hovered over the button before Pulling it back.

“Too early,” she whispered to herself. Instead, she hovered over the option next to it. A simple message. Short and complete.

A quick message that said: [I accept but…give me a few days. Please. ]

She sent it. And breathed a sigh of relief. One more thing off her chest. It was for the best, the other options were just as volatile and disrupting. She leaned her back against the stone wall of a nearby building.

Still, she couldn’t wonder if she was wrong here.

[Was that the right choice? The Paragons of Pacifica are more curated to your vibe—truth, justice, sunshine, and unicorns. The OBB? More like dark secrets, unseeable shadows, and sketchy contracts. Do you trust Evelyn?.]

“Maybe, but I don’t wanna be a dress-up doll. I can’t drag my siblings into this. OBB will keep it quiet. Everyone else wants to make a documentary about Cape Life and stuff. I can’t stomach it.”

[It doesn’t matter which path you take, just that you take one. And. that you're happy of course.]

“If only words could give me comfort.”

The silence that followed was far from comforting. She stared down at her empty roads. Somewhere deep in her gut, she was uncertain of herself, But it was too late to steer the course. If she wanted to do this legitimately she should've conceded in the hospital.

She stood up. “Three hundred meters more. I have to keep going.”

****

Juniper stood in front of her room mirror. Twisting left, then right, then turning left again, and again. Everything in the reflection made her double-doubt herself. Kanako instructed her to wear a summer outfit. There wasn’t much she could do at any rate with her options. Her wardrobe was outdated and underequipped.

Obscure clothing always sufficed but things were changing fast. No longer can she say “Pajamas in the sheets. Hoodie in the streets.”

For once she looked indescribable, she barely recognized herself. Wearing black double-strapped sandals, a loose blue cotton blouse and beige summer shorts. Remy helped her with an outfit, despite being more of an involuntary recluse, he was much more in touch with the outside world.

Still, she felt self-conscious about the whole thing. Though she wasn't fat by any means, she was slightly pudgy in some areas, though the effects of the system were slightly visible. She was far from having the toned ‘sexy’ body she desired for herself.

“I look like someone’s lost aunt.” she moaned.

[Correction–If someone’s lost Aunt was kinda hot.]

Remy chimed in, coming in from the doorway. Not aware she was babbling to a little machine spirit. “You look fine sis.”

“Do I?” She twisted again in front of the mirror, tugging at the loose blue cotton blouse. "I feel like—like I’m trying too hard but also not trying enough?"

[Congratulations! That’s the universal experience of every single woman, ever. Achievement unlocked: Self-Doubt (Level 7)JK]

The front door burst open. Her brother looks at her in mild surprise.

Kanako strolled inside unannounced, straight towards her room. Juniper straightened up like a cat that got caught in the pantry. Kanako Kamizuki moved like she owned the place, and she wasn’t in a position to argue, not when she made her eye-track targets.

[Looks like someone got comfortable, really quickly.]

Juniper giggled. She hated how much she agreed with Sys-chan sometimes.

She was dressed casually but confident. Sneakers she was sure were out of Juniper’s budget, flowy shorts, and a sleeveless shirt. She wondered how much time she really spent at the gym. Juniper couldn’t help but stare at her toned legs. They were really toned. She couldn’t recall ever seeing her workout.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

[[Critical Hit! Weak Point Detected: Thighs.]]

Juniper swallowed. Her eyes lingered on Kanako’s exposed legs. Particularly on the shape of her thighs. A throbbing sensation started lingering in her lower area. Her brother had tried snapping her out of her trance, by shaking her.

“Like what you see?” Kanako teased, catching her staring like a gaping maw. “You took so long to get ready, I thought you were hiding in your closet again.”

She blushed. Remy giggled awkwardly like he was not supposed to be here, and left the room.

Juniper scratched her cheeks, trying to pass off her embarrassment as an itch on her face.

“Um– I–uh do I look okay,” she said, attempting to swap the subject.

Kanako leaned forward and yanked those same cheeks playfully. “More than! You look cute.” Then pulled her hands away.

Cute. Cute was not what a Twenty-two-year-old woman was supposed to look like. She wanted to be hot and sexy. She wanted to be more than the clumsy girl–next–door. She was twenty two not twelve.

As the sensation of Kanako’s touch lingered, Juniper frowned slightly. They were so close and so far apart.

“Well, are you ready to go?” Kanako asked, tone soft.

“Yeah, let me check something with my brother, I don’t know what time we’ll be back, I’d rather not let him deal with a rampaging Pre-preteen, If she goes Feral.”

“Oh speaking of, I got something for him.” Kanako pulled out a small package.

Juniper blinked “What’s that?”

“Just a small gift for your brother, he helped me with a software problem, a while ago, you don’t have a problem with that, do you?”

“No, of course not…”

A white lie. The truth was, they had been overly reliant on Kanako ever since she landed in the hospital. It made her slightly tense, but she didn’t want to spoil the mood they were building.

Remy himself tried declining. Kanako didn’t give much room to argue. But the super neighbor was quite persistent if not outright subtly threatening. Kanako dragged Jun out of her apartment, shortly after. Juniper’s nerves were tied in a knot. She didn’t know what Kanako really wanted from her. And that scared her more than anything.

Juniper froze as she was hauled outside. There was a sleek, electric vehicle parked near the building. Its metallic edges gleamed under the morning light, polished and sharp. Kanako dragged her by the arm.

“Wait, that's your car?!” she blurted.. “How rich are you dude.”

Kanako smirked, yanking her really close, her hands very close to her butt. “Enough to be your sugar mommy, now get inside. Jiggly Jun”

“What!” she said nearly tripping. “Don’t call me th–!”

She opened the door and firmly shoved Juniper into the passenger seat before she could protest.

The car smelt sterile inside–There were no buttons to be seen, no visible gear shifts, not even a steering wheel.--just smooth panels and holographic displays. It was too clean.

Juniper gawks. “This is a spaceship, I’m not inside a car.”

“Just wait till I fly us to mars, now get in!” she shouted going around.

It seemed so strange inside, like a post-modernist building made into a car.

Kanako got in with some mirrored sunglasses on her head. Grinning, she started the engine.

“Kanako…”

“Hmm?”

“I’m afraid…”

“Of what…” Kanako glanced at her.

“That this car will eat me alive.”

Kanako giggled like a schoolgirl. Rich and melodic “Relax, juniper, ease into it.”

Juniper stared at her brother who waved from her on the balcony. He seemed so small from down here, it reminded her of when he was a little schoolboy. She waved back but was slightly nervous. She wasn’t used to this at all.

Kanako takes a covered bag from the back and throws it on Juniper’s lap.

“What’s this?”

“A present.”

“It’s not gonna bite me is it.”

“Open it! Before I force you to.”

“Okay ma’am, " she said flustered.

Juniper opened it in minor fright and anticipation, On her lap was a pair of flips flops, and a swimsuit bikini.

“A bikini! Wait…where are you taking me? The big Baths. I can’t be seen in a swimsuit.”

“Pfft, it’s overcrowded.” she waved dismissively. “we’re going somewhere a bit more private…where very few people can see us.”

No way they were going to a beach.

[Hope you’re ready to show some skinship]

Kanako winked at her. Juniper stared.

“Kanako?”

“Yes?”

“Who are you?” her voice came out much more quiet than she intended. “I mean Really? I know you own a company and all but…”

Kanako's smile disappeared–quite a bit “I already told you, I-I'm not quite ready to talk about it.”

Juniper stiffened up.

Her hands motioned to turn the steering wheel. “And…you got a secret of your own, trust goes both ways you know? I often wonder where you go out at night, and who that other girl was, not something you wanna talk about right?”

“N-no…” She stuttered. Did Kanako suspect her?

“Point made.” her voice softened. “When I’m ready, I’m sure you’ll be ready. If I can trust you, then I’ll open up. But only if you do the same–”

Juniper didn’t reply but nodded.

[She’s definitely holding on to her baggage, Juniper. I don’t think she’s a cape at least. She’s definitely hiding something serious best to play the long game with this one.]

Right.

They had made it out of their neighborhood, and into the industrial district. Towering stacks of smoke and cargo were lined up. The traffic multiplied, and she was half on the edge as Kanako’s eyes were on the road. Then the traffic slowed–no, stopped.

A commotion between two capes was forming a crowd, traffic seemed to stop as well.

Up ahead, two capes were at each other’s neck, squaring off in the street, yelling at each other. One had electricity dancing along his arms the other floated off the ground with glowing eyes. But each had a different affiliation symbol stamped on the outfits. Paragons of Pacifica, and Sovereign initiative of Capes.

“Bah!, Are you kidding me? Kanako groaned. “Fucking hero fight.!

“Do recognize them?”

“No, not personally. But this is exactly why capes are a problem.” she raised her voice. Swearing in Japanese. “"クソバカども!"

[Someone’s really not a fan of capes. Makes you wonder why.]

Juniper’s heart rate went to the max when Kanako handed the steering wheel.

She slammed the car in reverse. Made an illegal U-turn, a furious expression on her face. Other cars were honking at her. Juniper tried to shrink into her seat. The car drove into a different junction down a different road. The EV masterfully crab-walking between most of the crowded vehicles.

[Whoa! Aggressive maneuver detected. Party member’s Driver skill just leveled up—also, please keep your hands on your seat belt for extra closure.]]

“Wait, what you’re doing is totally illegal!”

“It’s fine, they’ll slap me with a fine in a week.”

“Are you insane!”

“I’m Efficient.”

Juniper watched wid eye, half wanting to disappear, she stared around for any incoming traffic officers.

“What if those capes notice?”

“They’re too busy jerking each other’s cocks off.”

Juniper mumbled.

“You’re vulgar.”

“Says the girl who plays eroge games.”

“Eeep!-”

“Just be quite, Jun. Trust me.”

She couldn’t relax. Nails were practically lodged in the seatbelt. But she couldn’t deny that Kanako handled the car like a pro, weaving through side streets like a professional drag racer.

Her pulse started slowing down.

She was so fucked.

They had entered the outskirts of the city, the urban landscape slowly fading. The road stretched endlessly ahead, there were warehouses and camps everywhere. Clusters of armed guards. Or rather–soldiers. Rows of tanks and armored vehicles lined up for war, barrels aimed at the sky.

She shifted in her seat.

“Kanako, are you abducting me…”

“Yep, you can say that.”

Kanako smirked. “Relax, it's a surprise, I'm totally not gonna eat you up later.”

Her heart hammered against her ribs. She was too startled to flirt back.

As it started to lock her eyes like a full-on marching brigade, she started wondering. This wasn’t what she had in mind for a day off. “Wow, did World War 3 start?”

“It’s pretty normal, the most powerful country in the world is causally lodged next to us, our military gotta be awake.”

Her hands explored the holographic markings, trying to take her mind off the ride. “Why doesn’t your car have normal handles.”

“It’s custom installed, I needed a hijack-proof car, and well… the future is here why not.” she started teasing Juniper. “Or maybe it’s to keep untouched maidens from fleeing me.”

Juniper ignored her flirtatious behavior for once. Her mind spiraled elsewhere. Most cape agencies–especially the top three–had cape scanning equipment. What if the military scanned her, they were always decades ahead, irrelevant of which country. If they can defend a nation, they can control the government and by extension the people.

[You should forget about it. If you get in trouble, Evelyn can probably pull some strings.]

‘Illegal strings, you mean.’

The car stopped at a forward checkpoint. An armed soldier strode over. He was jacked, built like a stone wall, gun hanging around him in a sling.

“Good day ladies,” he was gruff but polite. “I’m gonna need license, Identification, and your border pass.”

Border pass–where the fuck was she taking me.

She panicked. Why the fuck could Kanako not choose normal handles. No emergency exit, if anything goes wrong here. It’s her powers or nothing.

She stares at the man’s gun a bit too long. Her mind flashes back to the bank. She felt her morning nausea return. She’d been shot, her palms were weak. Gunfire, shouting, and blood. She bit the inside of her cheeks, forcing herself to breathe.

“Yours too ma’am,” he motioned to Juniper.

“Don’t worry she’s with me,” Kanako said, intervening before she could panic.

“Look, I don’t care who you are, no one gets through without a pass.”

“Scan me and get it over with.” she sighs.

He did, the device beeped several times and his eyes went wide. His back straightened like he’d been caught naked. “I-I’m sorry for the inconvenience ma’am, you have a nice day. Your clear to proceed.”

She nodded. He walks away stiffly.

Juniper starred, gut knotting tighter by the second. She holds her tummy.”

Kankao’s voice snapped her out of her trance. “Hey.” she put her hands on Juniper’s. “You’re fine, whatever you're feeling, don’t worry about it.

“What the hell was that?”

“Another secret.” kanako’s eyes gleamed.

“I’m not liking all these secrets.’

“Spill me one of yours then” she smiled.

“Not yet…” Juniper pouted. “Ms rich and powerful.”

The car slipped past the checkpoint, engines humming in constant vibrations. Juniper stared at the checkpoint as the guards faded away. She was only left with more questions.

They passed through the checkpoint of the city. The city had vanished. The roads became more unkempt and the terrain mountainous. More and more narrow roads started appearing outside of the city. Less predictable and polished. Juniper became anxious and unfamiliar with every new open road.

Kanako starts speeding, pressing the accelerator on down. They had gone passed the speed limit in less than three seconds.

[Buckle up! Your driver might be a maniac, but at least she’s a sexy maniac.]

“Kanako, I’m scared.”

Kanako laughed like a maniac. Unhinged.

“I do this a lot, calm down!”

“You’re just proving my point!”

Another speeding car passed them– too fast. Way too close. Tires squealed and metal sparks flashed. Juniper’s heart dropped. For a moment, she thought of using her powers to protect herself. Anything to stop this nightmare from continuing.

Kanako swerves, safely off the road. Effortless, skidding to a proper stop on the dirt next to the asphalt.

Both stared at each other.

“You okay?”

Juniper laughed nervously like she was being held hostage. “I don’t know.”

[Survive first, panic later!]

Kanako opened the windows of the car, The wind flowing inside,easing the summer heat. She looked carefree and wilder than usual.

Oh boy…is every girl who is interested in her nuts.

“You’re staring again.” Kanako teased.

“Am not.” Juniper blurted out her tongue.

“Tell me– can you smell it?”

“Smell what?”

“The salt and the sea.”

“You’re taking me to a beach. But why is that it's so expensive, how am I supposed to repay this? You can’t just take care of everything kanako, What am I supposed to do? You’re making me feel–”

Kanako put her finger on her lips. Silencing her rant from progressing.

Kanako leaned into her face and stared. Her eyes are dark and unreadable, bewitching. Juniper became frozen.

“Shut up and look cute,” She started. Her voice is much more sensual than usual. “If you play ball, I’ll come clean in the near future. I admit I have an ulterior motive, maybe it’s to explore your body from the inside out. Or maybe not. But right now? I just want you to breathe okay?”

She pressed her face to kiss, Juniper’s lips moved, and their lips touched. Kanako held her face with her hands, she moved closer, her fingers threading into her hair. She deepened it slow and deliberate. Letting the heat build up.

Then–juniper panicked again and pulled back before they could properly embrace.“I-I’m not quite ready yet” she stammered, voice cracking. “I had a bad experience recently.”

Annemarie’s kiss haunted her. She didn’t know what she wanted, only that her chest felt too tight and her thoughts wouldn’t stop spinning.

Kanako froze, blinking in surprise. Her lips were flushed, her expression unreadable for a moment before she softened. “Hey,” she said gently. “It’s okay.”

Juniper pressed trembling fingers to her mouth. “Sorry,” she mumbled, cheeks burning.

“Don’t be,” Kanko replied, voice warm and steady. “You’re cute when you’re flustered, do you know that?”

Juniper looked away, Kanako’s gaze lingered unwavering.

And as the heat in her chest refused to fade, Juniper wasn’t sure if she was more scared of the kiss—or the fact that part of her already wanted another.

“Hey don’t forget to breath..”

Juniper exhaled. She hated how vulnerable she was here.

“Kanako, do you always get what you want?”

Kanako stared at the mountains and spoke too softly, “Not always.”

“Do you want me?” juniper asked.

Her hands tensed, briefly on the wheel but the moment passed.

"You’re the first person who doesn’t like me because of money… or fear," Kanako became vulnerable herself. The grip on the wheel tightening. “I wonder… if you learn more about me, will you still like me?”

“Of course,” she finally said, then added with a nervous laugh, “But maybe I’m scared in a different way… like your reckless driving.”

Kanako shot her look.

The road became more open, the coastline appeared and with it the endless waves.

Juniper leaned against the window and closed her eyes for the first time.

Was this what normal looks like.?

No battles, no shadows—just the sound of waves, and the sunlight.

[NEW AREA UNLOCKED: The Beach of Emotional Vulnerability. Danger Level: Medium.]”

[Waves, sun, and awkward sexual tension? A mandatory episode in every protagonist's journey?]

“Shut up.” Juniper hissed.

“What?” Kanako raised a brow.

“Nothing. I’m nuts”

“I know.”