My eyes fluttered open to the dim light of dawn filtering through the battered blinds, painting the room in soft pink hues. There was a soft, warm weight on my chest. For a moment, I stayed still, letting the fog of sleep clear from my mind.

Izumi was curled against me, breathing deeply and evenly, her small hand gripping my shirt like she was holding onto a lifeline.

I stayed there for a while, watching the slow rise and fall of her chest, feeling the steady beat of her heart against mine. The little firecracker had been in sheer panic when she came home on the night of the marketplace attack, only to find me bedridden and covered in bruises and cuts. It was a sight that shook her more than I expected.

My sister was a whirlwind of fire and bravado these days, to the point I almost forgot how much of a scaredy cat she'd been when she was little. She would cling to me during thunderstorms, eyes wide with quiet, unspoken fears. Her small hand had habitually clenched onto mine like a lifeline as I comforted her.

But she'd changed. The rough neighborhoods we'd grown up in forced her to build walls around herself. She'd transformed, almost overnight, from a frightened little girl to a tough-as-nails child of the streets.

With a gentle touch, I brushed a stray lock of hair from Izumi's face. She was quickly catching up to me in height, her once delicate, soft features maturing into those of a young athletic lady. The Izumi who used to hide behind stuffed animals was now the one bullied little boys hid behind.

Yet, seeing me in such a state had cracked her armor.

For a moment, she was that same little girl, her teary eyes reflecting a depth of emotion that she hid behind her tough-girl persona. It was as if the floodgates had opened, and all the fears and concerns she had been holding back came rushing out as she clung to me, crying. She'd refused to let go, watching over me and tending to my wounds day and night. Effectively feeding me through a straw as I healed up before the weekend came.

I couldn't blame her.

A twelve-year-old girl couldn't have done much against the chaos that had enveloped our neighborhood. It was through sheer dumb luck that I hadn't been more seriously injured or killed. If that had happened, my little sister would have been left to navigate this world without my help. The thought sent a chill down my spine.

I remembered the times we played together as kids before the world turned upside down. With her boundless energy and mischievous little smile, Izumi always led the charge in our adventures. Those memories seemed like a lifetime ago, a stark contrast to the hardened, street-savvy survivor she had become.

But on that night, as she cried into my chest, I realized that all of her bravado was just a mask. Sure, she was still the ferocious tomboy of a sister I'd grown to know, but she was a softie inside. It was a mask to hide her fear, her pain, and the burden of being too strong for her age. At that moment, she was just a scared kid who needed her big brother. A big brother she could have lost and been powerless to protect.

Growing up in a world filled with monsters, separatists, and chaos wasn't fair to her. Izumi's transformation into the abrasive, larger-than-life personality she now carried was more than just a reaction to our harsh environment; it was a shield, a way to protect herself and, in her mind, to protect me. She had taken on the role of a tough, unyielding scout, perhaps believing that if she was strong enough, she could prevent any more harm from coming to our family.

She should have been worrying about school and friends, not fighting for survival.

As the sun began to rise, casting a warm glow into our small room, I made a silent vow. I would do everything in my power to protect her and find success beyond the portal, to give her a semblance of the childhood she deserved. Even if it meant putting myself in harm's way, I couldn't let her face this cruel world alone. She was more than just my sassy brat of a sister; she was my responsibility, my family. One of two people I would always fight for.

Izumi shifted slightly, a small smile forming on her lips as she nestled closer to me.

She wasn't the tough, abrasive girl everyone saw at that moment. She was just my little sister, innocent and peaceful in her dreams. And I would do anything to keep it that way.

I glanced at the digital clock on the nightstand – 6:30 AM. It was too early for most, but in our household, it was the calm before the storm of another day. Dad would be up soon, no doubt already planning his day around getting the workshop going with Malina, and Izumi would eventually wake up, too.

Rai-chan chimed in with her usual flat tone. "Ikki, today's schedule includes final preparations for your departure to Terra. It is advisable to start early."

"Yeah, thanks, Rai-chan," I murmured, more to myself than to her.

I gently nudged Izumi, whispering her name. "Izumi, wake up. You're drooling on my shirt."

She mumbled something incoherent, her eyes still closed, but her grip loosened. I took the chance to carefully extricate myself, trying not to disturb her too much. As I sat up, the past few days' events played in my mind like a movie on rewind – the attack at the market, the encounter with the slaver gang, and the mysterious Magical Girl Stellaris Vortexia.

Standing up, I stretched, feeling the stiffness in my muscles. There were still bruises from the brawl, although the swelling had gone down. My synchronization level with Rai-chan had increased to level 3, although it only provided me two additional units of 'Mana' to work with, bringing my total from 102 to 104.

Not enough to make a significant difference in a fight, but every bit helped. I couldn't help but wonder about the limits of this power Rai-chan had given me. Sure, the HUD was useful, but I felt there was more to it that I hadn't unlocked yet. Rai-chan remained cryptic about the full extent of her capabilities, only doling out information in small, frustrating doses.

As I quietly exited the room, I glanced back at Izumi, still sleeping peacefully. The protective instincts within me flared up again. I knew she had her own battles, battles I wasn't even aware of. The thought of her facing unknown dangers made me uneasy, but I had to trust in her strength, just as she trusted in mine.

The townhouse was quiet as I headed to the kitchen. Unfortunately, the windfall we'd gotten from turning in the bounties had been quickly run through between school supplies and tools for the garage. Our budget was tight, but we managed to make it work. We always did.

I opened the refrigerator to grab some ingredients for a simple breakfast. We had potatoes, eggs, and some vegetables left. Enough to make a few hearty omelettes. I started to chop the potatoes, and my mind quickly wandered back to Terra. I wondered about the other students I would meet, the teachers, the lessons I would learn. The assorted culture shocks that no doubt awaited me.

But my thoughts kept circling back to Izumi and Dad. I worried about leaving them behind, especially with the recent danger we had faced. I trusted Dad's strength and resilience, but Izumi... she was only twelve and still a little kid despite the tough front she put up. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt, leaving her behind.

The sizzle of the potatoes in the pan brought me back to the present. I cracked the eggs and poured them over the potatoes, watching them cook. The smell of cooking food made my stomach growl, causing me to momentarily forget about my worries.

Dad came in soon after, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Smells good."

"Morning, Dad," I greeted him, trying to sound upbeat.

"Morning, Kid. You're up early," he replied, taking a seat. "Nervous about tomorrow?"

I nodded, pouring myself a glass of water. "Yeah, a bit. I've been thinking a lot. I just want to make sure you and Izumi will be okay while I'm gone."

Dad smiled, a reassuring yet melancholic smile. "We'll be fine. You focus on your studies and this opportunity. Make the most of the opportunity. We're proud of you."

I glanced at the empty chair where Izumi would usually sit, her energy filling the room. It felt a little too quiet, too empty this morning.

"Thanks, Dad. I will. But I'm still worried. Especially about Izumi."

Dad's expression softened, and he leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Ikki. But look, Izumi... she's a tough cookie, just like her folks. I'll try to keep an eye on her, though, and make sure she stays out of trouble.

I smiled, but it didn't quite reach my eyes. Izumi's recent behavior was something I couldn't quite shake off. There was more there than just growing up. I couldn't put my finger on it, but it definitely nagged at me.

"Ah, as for Malina," Dad chuckled, his eyes lighting up. "She's a godsend, that one. Has a knack for fixing things, understands the ins and outs of all kinds of Terran gizmos. We're actually making progress, getting clients coming in. That girl's been a huge help."

"That's great to hear," I said, genuinely relieved. Malina's presence meant Dad wouldn't be overworking himself, and maybe things would be more stable here.

Dad flashed me another smile, this one brighter. "Yeah... We'll be alright, Ikki."

I returned the smile, the tension ebbing from my shoulders. Knowing that Malina was around to help out was comforting.

My Dad nodded his agreement, then his expression turned serious. "I know you worry about your sister, but you can't watch over her forever, Ikki. She's growing up, and she needs to learn to take care of herself. You need to trust her to make good choices."

"I do trust her," I said firmly, although I wasn't sure I entirely believed it myself. "I just can't help but fret over her, you know??"

Dad nodded, understanding in his eyes. "I understand perfectly. You'll be back soon enough, though, and we'll all be together again. And in the meantime, we'll take care of each other, just like always."

I nodded, feeling some of the tension ease out of my shoulders. Dad was right, as always. We were a resilient family, able to bounce back from whatever life threw our way. And I had to trust in that resilience.

As we finished breakfast, I made a mental checklist of everything I needed to pack for my departure to Terra. Uniforms, textbooks, personal items... I wanted to make sure I didn't forget anything important. And then there was Rai-chan, who would be coming with me. I still didn't fully understand her capabilities, but she'd been more than useful.

The nightmares about the city's collapse that'd haunted me since we'd moved here had ceased entirely since I found Rai-chan, and I couldn't deny the sense of safety that came with having the weird sentient magitech with me.

Izumi stumbled in, still rubbing her eyes and yawning. Her hair was a tangled mess, and she looked like she could sleep for another six hours.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I teased lightly, handing her a plate of food.

"Geeze Louise, Ikki, keep it down," she grumbled, sitting at the table and reaching for a pair of chopsticks. "You guys are up early."

"Yeah, I wanted to make us some breakfast before Dad headed out," I explained.

Izumi nodded, her eyes half-closed as she chewed on a piece of potato. "Yup. Definitely your handiwork. Thanks for the breakfast. You're.. the best, big bro."

I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at Izumi's words. She looked up at me with a small smile, her eyes shining in the morning light. For a moment, everything felt perfect, like we were an ordinary family having breakfast together.

I smiled, feeling a warmth spreading through me. It was moments like these that I cherished the most. I wanted to hold onto them tight, to keep them close to me even as I set out for Terra with the Doctor.

Izumi groaned, letting out a small yawn, before digging into her breakfast. "So, what are we doing today, then?"

I leaned back in my chair, a plan already forming in my head. "Well, first I need to finish packing. After that, why don't we take the day off and spend some quality time together? We can go to a park if you'd like and stretch our legs. It's been too long since we've done something like that together."

Izumi's eyes lit up at the suggestion, her cheeks dimpling into a wide grin. "That sounds amazing!" She exclaimed with contagious enthusiasm.

I smiled back at her, feeling a sense of relief wash over me. Today would be a good day, I decided. A day filled with fun memories, something we could all hold onto after I left.

As we finished breakfast and cleared the table, I began packing my things and double-checked my list. Izumi helped me fold my clothes and pack them neatly, and we chatted about what we wanted to do at the park. Dad busied himself with cleaning up the kitchen, humming a tune under his breath.

As I zipped up my bag, Izumi nudged me. "Hey, Ikki, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"Sure, what's up?" I asked, turning to face her.

She hesitated, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. "It's... about something that's been bothering me."

My stomach knotted with worry. Had something happened? "What is it, Izumi?"

She took a deep breath. "It's just... lately, I've been feeling... I don't know, restless?"

"Restless? What do you mean?" I asked, studying her face.

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It'd only been a few days since our neighborhood had come under attack. Dad told me that Izumi ran out in pajamas after Mina as the girl dashed home to her family before sheltering low in their basement.

Then, she'd come home to find me with a black eye and covered in bandages.

Was she still processing everything that had happened?

Izumi had doted and hovered over me, making sure I was comfortable and well-fed. But now that the initial shock of the attack had worn off, it seemed that she was beginning to feel the reality of what happened crashing down on her.

"I mean, since the attack, I can't seem to shake this feeling of... I don't know, wanting to do something, you know? Something more... meaningful," she said, frowning slightly. "I used to be content with just hanging around here, climbing on roofs and looking out for shady guys. But now... I don't know."

I considered her words carefully, wondering what might've sparked this change in her. Maybe it was the realization that we were all vulnerable to these kinds of attacks, that life could be taken away in a moment. Maybe it was the knowledge that despite our best efforts, we were still powerless against things out of our control.

"I think I get it," I said finally. "You want to make a difference. You want to do something to help protect our family and our community."

Izumi nodded, her eyes brightening. "Yes, exactly! I want to do something more, something that matters."

I frowned thoughtfully, considering her words. She was... at the end of the day, a twelve-year-old girl. Neither of us was especially well-nourished for our age. I was a fifteen-year-old boy who was only five feet four inches tall, and Izumi was barely up to my chest. It wasn't like we could go out and join the military or anything, and it wasn't like we had a lot of resources at our disposal.

"I've... never felt as helpless as I did during the attack," Izumi said softly, her eyes fixed on the floor. “When I came home to find you like that.”

"Izumi, I understand how you're feeling," I began, "and I want you to know that I feel the same way. But we have to be realistic. We're not soldiers or anything--we can't exactly go off and fight in a war. Besides, we have to focus on taking care of ourselves and each other first. We can't put ourselves in danger just because we want to make a difference." I paused, watching Izumi's face fall.

"But that doesn't mean there isn't anything we can do," I continued, not wanting to crush her spirits completely. "We can start small, like helping out in the community. They always need volunteers to clean up wrecked parts of the city. It may not seem like a big deal, but it can make a difference."

Izumi sighed, her shoulders slumping. "I guess you're right," she said, sounding resigned. "It's just frustrating, you know? I want to do something more."

I placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I know, Izumi. But we'll figure something out, okay? Hey, when I get back for the holidays, we can start looking into other ways to help out. Maybe we can start a neighborhood watch or something. And while we're on this topic... why don't I bring the training pads to the park today, and we can work on tightening up our self-defense? It's not much, but it's something."

Izumi perked up at the suggestion, a small smile forming on her lips. "Yeah, that sounds like an amazing idea! Thanks, big bro."

As obsessed as my sister was with pro wrestling, she'd always goofed off when Dad tried to teach us self-defense techniques.

Dad had done ample amounts of collegiate wrestling and kickboxing as a hobby before he had us, and he always said that it was important for us to know how to defend ourselves. But Izumi never seemed to take it seriously, always thinking it was just a game. There was just something about how efficient and grindy the proper wrestling fundamentals Dad had taught were compared to her imagination that sapped the fun out of it for her.

But in the last two or three years, Izumi started taking his lessons more seriously. I had seen her practicing boxing fundamentals on her own recently, and I knew she had potential. Maybe some quality there would help her feel more empowered and less restless.

I finished packing my things and went to the living room, where Dad was watching the news on the TV.

As I walked in, he turned to me and said, "Take care of yourselves out there, son. Don't do anything foolish again."

"I won't, Dad," I said with a grin. "I'll try not to get myself killed, at least. And hey, at least it's been quiet since that string of excitement we had."

Dad didn't laugh, his expression growing serious. "I'm serious, Ikki. You two are all I have left. Be careful, okay?"

"I will, I promise," I said, feeling a lump form in my throat. "And... I'll try to write as much as I can when I'm across the portal."

Dad nodded, his eyes brimming with emotion. "Just don't forget to come back to us," he said softly.

"I'll be back before the two of you know it," I promised, wrapping my dad tightly.

I squeezed the towering pile of hardened muscle I called a father before turning to face Izumi. She was twirling her hair behind me, staring out to the side.

"Hey, let's go to the park and make some memories, okay?" I said, trying to lift her spirits.

She smiled back, her eyes sparkling. "Sheesh, you're such a dork. Yeah, let's go kick some butt!"

We left the house and walked to the park with training pads in hand. As we walked, Izumi bounced side to side, practicing her footwork, and I watched her closely. It was hard to believe that we were under attack just a few days ago. Everything was uncertain, chaotic, dangerous. But now, as we walked in the morning sunlight, it almost felt normal. Almost.

We finally arrived at the park and found a secluded spot to practice. Most of the larger parks the city had maintained had grown out of control in the absence of mankind, but this park had been one of the few lucky ones still in good shape. The ground was covered in sand, and a few dilapidated benches were strewn about the area. Izumi and I stood facing each other with the training pads at the ready.

"Let's do this!" Izumi exclaimed, punching the air.

I grinned and got into a fighting stance, the training pad held up in front of me.

"Alright sis, let's start slow. Get warmed up. Show me some intuitive punching combinations. Whatever feels natural for you."

Izumi nodded and started throwing a series of fast punches at me. Her punches were powerful for her size but lacked technique and polish. She had a bad habit of winging her punches and throwing in haymakers, leaving a glaring opening that would leave her exposed. It was almost like she developed a style around her impatience and restlessness — wild, uncontrolled moments for taking a bully with a size advantage and no training off guard.

It would work on someone who was all bark and would flinch at a tiny girl swarming them. But, if she ever faced someone with even a little bit of training, her improvised style would get her hurt. It relied too much on shock & awe and having an advantage in speed and nimbleness, and that wasn't something she could always count on.

But I didn't want to discourage her, so I let her keep practicing for a while. We worked on drilling her footwork, stance, and punches until she started feeling more comfortable.

I might not have been the best shot with a gun, nor that athletically gifted, but I did have a keen eye for breaking down the kinesiology of people’s movements. Dad was always surprised by how good I was at spotting muscle imbalances and habits people had.

As my sister caught her breath, I changed tactics.

"Okay, now let's talk about defense," I said, holding up the training pad. "I want you to throw your basic combos off the jab at me. Then, I'm going to try to tap you with the pad. Your job is to block or dodge the punches or come under with a counterattack."

Izumi nodded, a determined look on her face. She threw a quick one-two, staying at the edge of the range, and I attempted to tap her with the pad. She easily dodged my first tap, but my second tap caught her off guard. She stumbled slightly but quickly regained her footing.

"Good job, Izumi," I said encouragingly. "But try to stay light on your feet, okay? And keep your guard up when you're inside. It's not as bad if you're outside — lower hands give you better balance and entry angles, but you need to keep it up when you're this close."

Izumi nodded, her eyes focused. She threw her one-two punch again at the edge of my range, and I countered it halfway with a swift tap on top of her head. She dodged to the side, but her balance was off, and she nearly tripped. I caught her and steadied her.

"What am I doing wrong?" she pouted.

"It's okay. It's a common mistake," I said. "I have a reach and size advantage on you. The key is to keep your hands up, make quick, straight shots with your punches and move in between them while staying close. Straight shots beat looping shots because of the distance and angle involved, even if they have less power. I wanted to take the chance to point this out because I see you swinging far too wide with those hooks."

Izumi looked at me contemplatively as if trying to understand what I was saying. But I could see the determination in her eyes, and that was all that mattered.

"Okay, let's try again," she said, nodding. "I'll get it this time."

She threw another one-two punch, and this time, she moved in closer before throwing the punches. I tried to tap her with the pad, but she blocked it easily and even landed a counterpunch to my stomach.

"Nice one!" I said, grinning with a suck of air. "See, you're getting it."

Izumi's face lit up, and she struck a confident pose. "Yeah, I'm pretty good, aren't I?" she said, giggling.

I chuckled and shook my head, impressed with her progress. "You're getting there, little sis. Just keep practicing and you'll be unbeatable."

I placed my pads on the ground and motioned for her to come closer.

"Now, let's work on Dad's favorite. How about we add a little grappling today? Try to take me down. Use anything you can to make it happen."

Izumi's eyes widened with excitement, making me do a double-take. She'd always been lukewarm on 'real' grappling due to the lack of flash and excitement. But now, it seemed like something had changed for her.

I could see a newfound confidence in her as she approached me, ready to take me down. I prepared to meet her head-on with whatever she had in store.

She charged towards me, telegraphing a dive for my legs. I blocked her attempt and framed my hand on her head before I quickly spun behind her, grabbing her arms and locking my hands together behind her back. I lifted her up easily, dropping her onto the sand with a gentle thud. Izumi grunted in surprise but quickly recovered and wriggled free from my hold.

"Nice entry," I said, impressed. "But you shouldn't dive like that on someone way bigger than you either. You need to use your agility to get in close and use leverage to your advantage, like taking them down with a trip or a sweep from a weird angle. Or even scramble to their backs."

Izumi nodded, panting a little from the exertion. "Okay, I'll try that next time."

My mind briefly wandered to the attack at the marketplace, where the brawny gangster I'd brawled with had flat out muscled out of my chokehold. I couldn't help but feel a pang of fear at the thought of Izumi being caught in a similar situation where no technique could overcompensate the sheer strength difference.

But I pushed the thought aside, focused on the present, and was determined to equip Izumi with as much knowledge and skill as possible. I didn't want to scare her, though. I wanted her to feel empowered and capable of protecting herself.

"Let's try it again," I said, holding up my hands and leaning forward in a grappling stance. "This time, I'm going to give you a little more resistance. See if you can take me down."

Izumi stepped forward, this time keeping a low stance. She circled around me, trying to find an opening. She threw a jab, and I blocked it easily before she darted close, looking to get a hold of me. I sidestepped her, extending a foot as I tilted her off balance.

Izumi grunted as she hit the ground, but she quickly scrambled back up, a look of determination on her face. "Again," she said with a growl.

I nodded, impressed with her resilience. "All right, let's go again." I pulled myself back into a grappling stance, and Izumi circled around me again. She threw a few quick jabs, and I blocked them with ease, but this time, she quickly changed tactics. She faked a jab and lunged forward, wrapping her arms around my leg and waist as I pawed it to trap her hand.

I tried to shake her off, but she held tight, using her small frame to leverage me off balance. I stumbled, wincing in pain as my injuries flare up. Before I knew it, I found myself throwing my hand out to break my fall, staring up in a cushy pile of sand. She had taken me down to the ground.

"Whoa, nice job!" I exclaimed, laughing as I dusted myself off. "You're getting really good at this!"

Izumi's face lit up with pride as she got back to her feet.

"Thanks!" she said, beaming. "I think that's the first time I've ever been able to get you down while you're resisting."

I smiled at Izumi's enthusiasm. "You're getting stronger and faster every day, little sis," I said, patting her on the back. "Heck, you might be taller than me by the time I get back!"

Izumi chuckled and shook her head, her cheeks turning a faint pink. "Oh yeah? You think so?"

"Yup," I said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "So you better get eating more! You're gonna need it."

Izumi rolled her eyes playfully, but I could tell she felt happy and confident. We practiced a few more takedowns and grappling techniques for someone small like her, taking care not to aggravate my injuries. Then, we called it a day and left the park, drenched in sweat.

As we started to make our way back home, Izumi suddenly stopped and turned to me.

"Big bro, can I ask you something?" she said, looking up at me with her big dark-brown eyes.

"Of course, what's up?" I replied, bracing myself for whatever question was about to come my way.

"I've been thinking about that attack at the marketplace," she said, her voice hesitant. "Do you think I could have helped if I were there? If I didn't, erm, run away and hide? You got beat up really badly, and I just feel so useless for not being there to help you."

I sighed inwardly, knowing deep down that this was the conversation I'd been avoiding all along. But I also knew that I had to be honest with her. I took a deep breath before answering her.

I stopped walking and kneeled down to look at Izumi directly in the eyes. "Hey, listen to me," I said softly. "You did nothing wrong. You did what you were supposed to do. You're young, and still growing, and frankly, so am I. We shouldn't have to confront violence and danger like that, but sometimes it just kinda... happens."

Izumi looked down, her shoulders slumping. "But I still feel like I should have done something. Like I let you down. I knew you were in there somewhere, and I just turned and... went after Mina. I guess."

"I will always be okay, Izumi. You did the right thing by running away and staying safe," I said, placing my hand on her shoulder. "I don't want you to feel like you have to protect me. That's not your job. And I don't want you to feel guilty either. I'm teaching you how to defend yourself so that in the future, you'll be prepared to take care of yourself and maybe even protect others. But at the end of the day, it's a worst case scenario thing and not one you actively chase after. Dad stressed that enough to us."

Izumi looked up at me, her eyes now brimming with tears. "Okay," she whispered.

I wrapped my arms around Izumi, holding her close. "I love you, little sis. And I'll always look after you. No matter what. I promise won't die that easily."

Izumi hugged me back tightly, burying her face into my chest. "I love you too, big brother," she said, her voice muffled against my shirt.

I felt a pang of guilt for framing the conversation this way. That I knew there was nothing she could’ve done and I’d probably avoided serious injury out of dumb luck, but I knew it was necessary for her growth and safety. I held her for a few moments as her small frame shook with sobs before easing away and taking her hand in mine and wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"We should get home," I said gently. "We've gotta figure out lunch. And hey, let's make dinner together tonight. How does mac and cheese sound? And maybe we can watch a movie after?"

Izumi nodded, wiping away her tears with the back of her hand. "That sounds nice," she said with a small smile.

She blushed, flicking some sandy hair away from her eyes before looking up at me. "Thanks for talking to me about this and hanging out, Ikki," she said. Izumi smiled weakly, squeezing my hand. "I feel a little better now."

"Anytime, sis," I said, returning her smile. "That's what family is for."

We walked back to the house together in silence, the warm sun beating down on our backs. As we walked, I couldn't shake off the feeling of guilt that lingered inside me. I was the older brother, and it was my responsibility to take care of Izumi. But was I really doing enough? Was I really teaching her everything she needed to know to protect herself? I was going to be gone for weeks at a time, starting tomorrow, and I wanted Izumi to know that she could trust herself and rely on her abilities if anything ever happened.

The thought of being away from home for so long was daunting, but I knew that to be the best older brother possible, I had to do it. As we reached the townhouse, Izumi squeezed my hand tightly one final time before letting go.

"See you soon, bro," she said with a small smile.

I smiled back, patting her head fondly. "You bet."

Izumi skipped ahead, opened the door, and ran upstairs to her bedroom. I followed at a slower pace, my mind still buzzing with the thought of being so far away from home. It seemed like just yesterday when she would turn to me for help with every little thing, asking me to tie her laces or cut her food into smaller pieces.

But now she was getting older, and I knew that she was slowly entering a new phase of her life. Whether it was going to school alone or teaching herself how to defend herself if ever necessary, Dad and I had already done our jobs nurturing her.

It was time for me to take a step back, let Izumi spread her wings, and watch as she flew into the world without me. I knew she would miss me tremendously, just as much as I would miss her.

There was one thing I knew, though. No matter how far away I was. No matter how many worlds apart — I would always be her big brother.

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End of Arc 1