I sleep soundly for what feels like an eternity, the comfort of my bed enveloping me in a cocoon of warmth. The soft mattress seems to mold to my body, inviting me to sink deeper into the realm of dreams. My consciousness drifts aimlessly through a hazy landscape of half-formed thoughts and fading memories.
Suddenly, a gentle but persistent shaking pulls me from the depths of slumber.
“Pa…” A sweet, melodic voice pierces through the fog of sleep, its innocence tugging at the edges of my consciousness. Slowly, reluctantly, I pry my eyes open, blinking away the last vestiges of dreams.
My vision focuses on a small figure beside the bed, her tiny hands still resting on my arm. The little girl we found last night stands there, her long white hair shimmering in the morning light that filters through the curtains. It cascades down her shoulders like a waterfall of moonbeams, swaying gently as she rocks back and forth on her heels.
“Good morning,” I mumble, my voice still rough with sleep. I sit up, running a hand through my disheveled hair before reaching out to stroke her silky locks. “How was your night?”
“Good!” The girl chirps, her face lighting up with a smile that could rival the sun.
Wait a minute…
“Do you understand what I’m saying?” I ask, surprise fully waking me up. The girl just continues to smile, her eyes twinkling with an intelligence that seems beyond her years.
“What’s your name?” I try again, leaning in closer. The girl tilts her head, a puzzled expression crossing her face.
“Name…?” She repeats, the word sounding foreign on her tongue. Damn, we’re back to square one.
The soft creak of the door draws my attention. Noarin stands in the doorway, wearing a pale blue apron dusted with flour. The morning light haloes her figure, giving her an almost ethereal glow. ”Sorry to wake you,” she says softly, her voice warm with affection. “She wanted to see you as soon as she woke up.”
“Nah, it’s okay,” I assure her, turning back to the girl. “What should we call her, if she doesn’t know her name…”
Noarin glides into the room, perching on the edge of the bed next to me. The mattress dips slightly under her weight, and I catch a whiff of vanilla and cinnamon – she must have been baking. "Have you thought of a name?” she asks, her eyes meeting mine.
The girl’s eyes sparkle at the word. “Name!” she exclaims, bouncing slightly on her toes.
“Hmmmm…..” I lean back, my gaze drifting to the ceiling as if the answer might be written there. Thousands of names flit through my mind, a kaleidoscope of references from every corner of my life. Movies, historical figures, ancient myths, constellations…
Constellations…
“Spica,” I say suddenly, the name feeling right on my tongue. “How about it?”
Noarin tilts her head, her brow furrowing slightly. “Spica?”
“Virgo’s brightest star,” I explain, a hint of pride creeping into my voice. “Never heard of it?”
Before Noarin can respond, the girl lets out a squeal of delight. “Spica!” she cries, launching herself at me in a flying hug that nearly knocks me back onto the pillows.
“Looks like she likes it,” Noarin chuckles, reaching out to stroke the girl’s – Spica’s – silky hair.
“Alright, your name is now Spica,” I declare, my voice taking on a mock-official tone that makes Noarin roll her eyes good-naturedly.
“Spica! Yay!” Our newly-named charge bounces with excitement, her joy infectious.
Noarin looks at me, a teasing glint in her eye. “I didn’t know you were an astronomy nerd.”
I chuckle, feeling a slight warmth in my cheeks. “Nah, just a random bit of knowledge I happen to have picked up,” I deflect, then turn my attention back to Spica. “My name is Aruta, and she is Noarin.”
Spica’s face scrunches up in concentration as she looks between us. “A..uta? No..lin?” she attempts, her mispronunciation so adorable it makes my heart swell.
Noarin giggles, the sound like tinkling bells. “I guess you can call us whatever you want,” she says indulgently.
Spica’s face lights up with understanding. “Papa! Mama!” she exclaims, clapping her hands together.
The words hit us like a thunderbolt, a critical hit straight to the heart. I feel a rush of warmth spreading through my chest, a mixture of surprise, tenderness, and something deeper that I’m not quite ready to name.
“Well, I guess that figures,” I say weakly, turning to look at Noarin. Her face has turned a bright shade of red, rivaling the ripest tomato. The sight of her usually composed demeanor crumbling in the face of Spica’s innocent declaration is both endearing and amusing.
As the morning sun climbs higher in the sky, we finish our breakfast – a cheerful affair punctuated by Spica's delighted giggles as she discovers the joys of pancakes and syrup. After cleaning up, we head out to the nearby mall, our mission clear: equip our unexpected ward with everything she needs.
----------------------------------------
The mall bustles with weekend shoppers, the air filled with a cacophony of conversations and the soft strains of background music. Spica's eyes widen in wonder at the colorful displays and bustling crowds, her small hand gripping mine tightly.
"Alright, where should we start?" I ask, scanning the directory.
Noarin, ever practical, pulls out a list she'd prepared. "Clothes first, I think. Then we can look at toys and other essentials."
We make our way to a children's clothing store, its windows festooned with adorable outfits. As we browse the racks, a debate quickly ensues.
"How about this?" I hold up a frilly pink dress, imagining how cute Spica would look in it.
Noarin wrinkles her nose. "Isn't that a bit impractical? She needs clothes she can play in comfortably."
"But look how cute it is!" I protest, holding the dress up to Spica, who twirls obligingly.
"Pretty!" Spica exclaims, her eyes sparkling.
Noarin sighs, a smile tugging at her lips. "Fine, but we're getting some practical outfits too."
As we continue our friendly bickering over leggings versus skirts and the merits of light-up sneakers, a familiar voice cuts through the store's ambient noise.
"Aruta? Noarin? Is that you?"
image [https://i.imgur.com/rwlpnBM.jpeg]
We turn to see Kaden approaching, his sister Ayako in tow. They're laden with shopping bags, evidence of their own expedition.
"Kaden! Ayako! What brings you here?" I greet them, suddenly very aware of Spica peeking out from behind my leg.
Kaden's eyes widen as he spots Spica. "Wait a minute... You guys have a kid already?!" His voice rises in surprise, drawing curious glances from nearby shoppers.
"N-no, it's not like that!" I stammer, feeling heat rush to my face. "We're just... uh..."
Noarin, her cheeks tinged pink, steps in. "It's a long story. We're looking after her for now."
Ayako kneels down, smiling warmly at Spica. "Hello there, little one. What's your name?"
"Spica!" the girl chirps, emerging slightly from behind me.
Kaden chuckles, shaking his head. "Man, you guys don't do anything by halves, do you? First, you're secret superheroes, and now you're instant parents."
"How's guard duty treating you?" I ask, eager to change the subject. "The Yosuga residence keeping you busy?"
Kaden straightens up, a look of pride crossing his face. "It's going great, actually. Mr. Yosuga's been impressed with my work. Says I have a knack for security systems."
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
"That's wonderful," Noarin says sincerely. "I'm glad it's working out for you."
We chat for a few more minutes, exchanging updates on our lives and cooing over Spica's antics. Finally, Ayako checks her watch and tugs on her brother's sleeve.
"We should get going, brother. We still have a lot to do today."
We say our goodbyes, promising to catch up properly soon. As Kaden and Ayako disappear into the crowd, I turn back to Noarin and Spica, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
"Well, that was... interesting," I chuckle.
Noarin nods, her composure returning. "Indeed. Now, where were we? Ah yes, debating the merits of overalls versus jumpsuits."
As we dive back into our shopping, I can't help but marvel at how quickly our lives have changed. Just days ago, we were focused on honing our powers and unraveling the mysteries of the ornaments. Now, here we are, arguing over children's clothes and introducing our sudden ward to old friends.
Spica tugs on my sleeve, holding up a sparkly unicorn t-shirt with a hopeful expression. "Papa, like?"
My heart melts at her words. "Yes, Spica. I likes it very much."
Suddenly, a cacophony of screams and crashing sounds erupts from the lower floor, shattering the peaceful shopping atmosphere. My heart races as adrenaline floods my system. I sprint out of the store, my eyes scanning frantically for the source of the commotion. What I see next makes me question if I’m still in the real world or if I’ve somehow stumbled into a fantastical realm.
A massive tree, Its bark gnarled and twisted, is sprouting unnaturally from the polished mall floor below. Its branches, thick as a man’s torso, writhe and stretch towards the ceiling, smashing through delicate glass railings and sending shards raining down on terrified shoppers.
“Really? Another one?” I mutter in disbelief. “We can’t even go shopping without running into trouble?”
I spin around to face Noarin, her eyes wide with a mixture of shock and determination. “Noarin, stay with Spica!” I shout, already reaching for my phone. My fingers fly across the screen as I dial Chen’s number. “There’s another ornament-related incident at the mall,” I bark into the phone as soon as the line connects. “Requesting immediate backup!”
Without waiting for a response, I shove the phone back into my pocket. Time seems to slow as I tap into my power, the world around me blurring as I move at superhuman speed towards the heart of the chaos.
As I approach, the situation becomes clearer – and more dire. A man stands at the center of the arboreal mayhem, his face contorted with a mix of fear and manic glee. Tree roots, pulsing with an otherworldly energy, writhe at his feet, bursting through the concrete floor as if it were no more substantial than tissue paper. To my horror, I see that some of the branches have ensnared several terrified shoppers, holding them aloft like macabre ornaments.
“Aruta!” A familiar voice cuts through the pandemonium. I turn to see Kaden sprinting towards me, his face set in grim determination.
Relief washes over me at the sight of a friendly face. “Perfect timing,” I say, summoning my bow with a thought. The familiar weight materializes in my hand, humming with barely contained energy. “Can I ask for your help?”
A fierce grin spreads across Kaden’s face. “Anything for my sister’s savior,” he replies, electricity crackling around his legs in anticipation.
Before we can act, the man’s voice rings out, high and panicked. “Don’t move!” he screams, brandishing a wicked-looking knife at one of his captives. “I have hostages!”
Kaden’s eyes narrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “No, you don’t!” he declares. In a blur of motion that leaves my eyes struggling to keep up, Kaden zips from branch to branch, plucking the hostages free with surgical precision. The rescued civilians stumble away, dazed but unharmed.
Seizing the moment of distraction, I nock an arrow and let it fly. The man reacts with startling speed, conjuring a wall of dense foliage to intercept my shot. Undeterred, I blink forward, reappearing behind him in an instant. He whirls, slashing wildly with his knife. I drop low, the blade whistling harmlessly over my head as I sweep my leg out, aiming to knock him off balance.
To my surprise, the man leaps, evading my attack with the agility of a seasoned acrobat. He grabs onto a dangling root, using it to pull himself up and out of reach. “Damn,” I mutter, grudgingly impressed. “This guy has some serious reflexes.”
From her vantage point on the upper floor, Noarin springs into action. Her sword flashes in the fluorescent light as she unleashes a blazing arc of flame. The fire slices through the air, severing the roots holding the man aloft.
“Aaaaah!” he screams as he plummets. Kaden, ever quick on his feet, darts forward in a flash of lightning, catching the falling man and pinning him to the ground with a resounding thud.
“Nice!” I call out, my mind already racing to the next step. I close my eyes, focusing intently on the fallen man and the power coursing through him. In my mind’s eye, I can almost see the tendrils of energy connecting him to the writhing roots and branches. With a surge of will, I seize control, bending the vegetation to my command. The roots and branches twist and coil, effectively binding the man in a cocoon of his own making.
Kaden looks up at me, his eyes wide with awe. “Well, that’s new,” he says, a note of admiration in his voice.
Noarin approaches, Spica held protectively in her arms. “Are you okay?” she asks, concern etched on her face.
I nod, my breath coming in short pants as the adrenaline begins to ebb. My gaze falls on Spica, and I’m taken aback by what I see. Far from being frightened by the chaos around her, her eyes are wide with excitement, sparkling with an almost preternatural gleam. It’s as if she’s witnessing the most thrilling spectacle of her young life, rather than a dangerous confrontation.
Before I can ponder this strange reaction further, the sound of running footsteps draws my attention. I turn to see Chen sprinting towards us, her face set In a mask of professional determination. But instead of the syringe I half-expected her to produce, she pulls out what looks like a pair of high-tech handcuffs.
The device Is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Its surface gleams with an otherworldly sheen, covered in intricate circuitry that pulses with a soft, blue light. As Chen approaches the bound man, the cuffs emit a low, barely audible hum.
“Stand back,” Chen orders, her voice brooking no argument. We comply, watching with fascination as she kneels beside the captive. With practiced ease, she snaps the cuffs around his wrists. The moment they close, there’s a brief flash of light, and the man’s body goes rigid.
“What are those?” I ask, unable to contain my curiosity.
Chen stands, brushing off her knees. “Latest ADF tech,” she explains, a hint of pride in her voice. “They’re designed to suppress ornament-based abilities. This guy won’t be growing any more trees for a while.”
As if on cue, the massive tree and its wildly growing branches begin to wither and shrink, crumbling into dust before our eyes. The mall, aside from some structural damage, begins to look almost normal again.
“Impressive,” Noarin murmurs, adjusting Spica in her arms. The little girl is still watching everything with rapt attention, a small smile playing on her lips.
Chen turns to address us all. “Good work, everyone. We’ll take it from here. You should probably get back to your shopping – and maybe consider a less eventful location next time?” There’s a touch of humor in her voice, despite the seriousness of her expression.
As Chen leads the cuffed man away, flanked by newly arrived ADF agents, I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and lingering adrenaline. I look at Noarin and Spica, then at Kaden, who’s still catching his breath.
“Well,” I say, a wry smile spreading across my face, “I guess this beats arguing over which sneakers to buy, huh?”
Kaden laughs, the tension breaking. “Never a dull moment with you guys around,” he says, shaking his head in amused disbelief.
As we make our way back to the store, intent on finishing our interrupted shopping trip, I can’t shake the feeling that this is just the beginning. The world is changing, ornaments are becoming more prevalent, and even a simple trip to the mall can turn into a battleground.
But as I feel Noarin’s hand slip into mine, and see Spica’s bright, curious eyes taking in everything around her, I know that whatever comes next, we’ll face it together. As a team. As a family.
“So,” I say, trying to inject some normalcy back into our day, “where were we? I think Spica was about to convince us to buy that unicorn t-shirt, right?”
Spica’s delighted giggle is all the answer we need. And for now, that’s more than enough.
----------------------------------------
As we exit the mall, the late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the bustling city streets. Our arms are laden with shopping bags, filled to the brim with clothes, toys, and various necessities for Spica. The little girl skips between Noarin and me, her new light-up sneakers twinkling with each step, a stark contrast to the chaos we’d experienced earlier.
“Well, that was quite the shopping trip,” I chuckle, adjusting my grip on the bags. “I don’t think I’ve ever had to fight a tree-controlling villain while debating the merits of unicorn versus dinosaur pajamas.”
Noarin laughs, the sound light and melodious. “I suppose we should get used to expecting the unexpected. Though I have to admit, I’m impressed with how you handled the situation, Aruta.”
I feel a warmth spread across my cheeks at her compliment. “Thanks. I’m just glad we were able to contain it without anyone getting hurt. And hey, Kaden got to show off his skills too.”
“Papa strong!” Spica chimes in, beaming up at me with adoration that makes my heart swell.
As we continue our leisurely stroll home, our conversation drifts to more mundane topics. We discuss dinner plans, debate whether Spica needs a nightlight, and ponder the logistics of our new living arrangement.
“You know,” Noarin muses, “we might need to think about a bigger place if this is going to be a long-term situation. Your apartment isn’t exactly designed for three people, let alone a growing child.”
I nod, mulling over her words. It’s something that’s been nagging at the back of my mind too. As if on cue, my eyes catch sight of a “For Sale” sign standing proudly in front of a charming two-story house. The building, with its warm brick exterior and inviting porch, seems to call out to me.
“Hold on a sec,” I say, trying to keep my voice casual. “I think I dropped something.”
As Noarin and Spica pause, I quickly backtrack to the sign, pretending to search the ground. Surreptitiously, I pull out my phone and snap a quick picture of the contact information on the sign. My mind races with possibilities – the house looks spacious, it’s in a good neighborhood, and it’s not too far from our current place.
“Did you find what you dropped?” Noarin calls out, a hint of curiosity in her voice.
“Oh, uh, false alarm,” I reply, jogging back to them. “Must have been my imagination.”
Noarin raises an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced, but she doesn’t press the issue. Instead, she adjusts her hold on Spica, who’s starting to look a bit tired from all the excitement.
“Should we pick up some takeout for dinner?” she suggests. “I don’t know about you, but after all that’s happened today, I’m not really in the mood to cook.”
“Sounds perfect,” I agree, grateful for the change of subject. “What do you think, Spica? Are you in the mood for some pizza?”
“Pizza!” Spica cheers, her energy seemingly renewed at the prospect of cheesy goodness.
As we continue our journey home, my mind keeps drifting back to that house. I can almost picture us there – Spica playing in a backyard, Noarin and I enjoying quiet evenings on the porch, maybe even a room we could use for training our abilities. It’s a dream that, just a few days ago, I never would have imagined for myself.
But as I watch Noarin patiently explaining to Spica why we can’t have ice cream for dinner, I realize how quickly things have changed. How quickly I’ve changed. The idea of a future with them, in a home we can call our own, doesn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.
“What are you smiling about?” Noarin asks, catching my eye.
I shake my head, still grinning. “Just thinking about how life can surprise you sometimes. In good ways.”
She returns my smile, a soft understanding in her eyes. “It certainly can.”
As we round the corner to our street, the familiar sight of our apartment build