As Hikari approached the Resonator, a wave of anxiety clenched around her chest, its grip tightening with every step. The sleek, towering machine loomed ahead like a mechanical sentinel, its purpose clear: to assess her supernatural potential. But Hikari’s thoughts were not on the machine itself, nor the looming test; instead, they wandered to the one person she desperately didn’t want to disappoint.

Lila.

The thought of being graded as a low-level, falling short in front of someone she admired, sent a shiver through her spine. She forced herself to shake her head, as if physically dispelling the fear. It didn’t work. Her mind still fluttered with the same unease.

Hikari (Thoughts): “Why am I suddenly so fixated on a girl I just met eight hours ago? I mean, yeah, I’m into girls… but Lila isn’t exactly my type, right? Or… is she?”

The question lingered in her mind, unanswered, as a voice suddenly pierced through her train of thought—sharp, direct, and unmistakably familiar.

“Yo, airhead, can we get this over with? I’ve got to regrade Lila and some other exorcists after you. You’re not the only one here,” came Jecka’s voice, crisp and laced with irritation.

Hikari blinked, momentarily startled as Jecka, standing a few feet away, flipped her golden-blonde hair over her shoulder. Her eyes—blue, piercing, and unblinking—cut through the room with effortless precision, locking onto Hikari with the sharpness of a blade. Her stance was casual, arms crossed as though she was already bored of the whole situation. But there was an intensity in the air around her, something that made Hikari’s pulse race in a way she couldn’t fully understand.

Jecka’s presence was magnetic in its own way. Everything about her—her poised confidence, the way she carried herself—was undeniably captivating. Hikari couldn’t help but smirk as she gazed at the girl. Despite the way Jecka’s words were blunt, even rude at times, Hikari couldn’t ignore the growing sense of admiration that flickered within her.

The feisty, unapologetic edge that Jecka wore like a shield? Hikari loved it.

For a moment, she allowed herself to stand there, catching her breath. There was something about Jecka’s audacity, her bluntness, that made her feel more alive than she’d felt in a long while. A laugh rose in Hikari’s throat, and she quickly bit it back.

Hikari (Thoughts): “God, I’m an idiot. But… maybe this is what I’ve been looking for.”

Jecka’s eyes narrowed as she caught Hikari’s smirk, her lips curling into something almost like a challenge. “What? Got a problem with me, Sato?”

“Nope,” Hikari replied, her voice light, teasing. She stepped closer to the Resonator, forcing her attention back to the task at hand. But even as she moved forward, her mind was still buzzing with thoughts of Jecka. It was confusing. But undeniably, there was something about this girl—the way she commanded the room, the way her every word felt like an invitation to chaos. Hikari wanted to be closer to it.

Closer to her.

And as she positioned herself before the Resonator, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing back at Jecka. The sharp-eyed girl was still watching her, arms folded, her stance leaning casually against the wall, her attitude one of bemused indifference. But there was something in her eyes, something that sent a small, electric thrill down Hikari’s spine.

Jecka’s gaze flicked to Hikari, a flicker of something almost unreadable crossing her face for a split second before it was gone. “Don’t screw this up,” she muttered under her breath, but there was an edge to her voice, one that almost sounded like concern—though she’d never admit it.

Hikari swallowed, suddenly aware of the weight of the moment, and tried to focus. But that nagging thought—was it her type? Could it be?—lingered in the back of her mind.

She was used to this feeling—attraction, sure, but it had never been this… confusing. Or this intense. Yet here, in the presence of Jecka, Hikari felt something shift inside her. And no matter how much she tried to push it away, the thought of Jecka, with her sharp wit and effortless beauty, just wouldn’t leave her mind.

And maybe, just maybe, that was okay.

The testing room was sterile, the hum of machines filling the silence. Hikari stood in front of Jecka, hands on her hips, a smirk playing on her lips as she stared down the Resonator. Jecka, already fiddling with her tablet, glanced up, a raised eyebrow indicating she was not impressed with Hikari’s casual stance.

“Ready?” Jecka’s voice was sharp, the tone that of someone who’s seen it all. Hikari gave a quick nod.

The Resonator hummed to life, sending waves of energy into the room. Hikari’s aura rippled faintly, a barely noticeable shimmer in the air around her. Jecka adjusted a few dials, her fingers moving swiftly across the screen.

“Alright, let’s see what you’ve got, Sato.”

As the device scanned, Hikari tensed just slightly, her mind focused on controlling the rush of energy that had taken root in her body.

Jecka’s eyes flickered over the data, her expression unchanging as she typed in a few commands.

“Interesting,” she muttered under her breath. “A little off-balance… But not bad.”

She pressed a final button, the screen flashing a series of letters.

“Grade B,” Jecka read aloud, her voice neutral. “Vanguard Tier. Not bad. You’ve got power, but your control? Needs work. You’re still a few steps from leveling up, but you’re dangerous in the right hands.”

Hikari’s expression remained unchanged, though there was a brief flicker of frustration in her eyes. She knew she wasn’t a world-breaker, but B-grade? Was that all she was?

Jecka didn’t miss the look. “Don’t get too cocky, Sato. The system’s not easy to impress. You’re still learning, and the B-grade isn’t a bad place to start.”

The words were reassuring, but Hikari knew, deep down, this wasn’t the end. There was something about her potential, something that didn’t quite fit into the neatly labeled categories of the ACS. As Jecka dismissed her, the feeling gnawed at Hikari—she couldn’t help but wonder: was she really just an anomaly, or was there something more lurking beneath the surface?

Lila poked Hikari’s cheek playfully, a teasing grin tugging at her lips. “Hey, don’t be bummed. A B-grade’s still a win, right? You’re out here dealing with National-Level Threats, lucky you~”

Hikari raised an eyebrow at her, confused. “National-Level Threats? Are those, like, actually strong?”

Lila nodded, her smile turning more serious, a flicker of pride in her eyes. “Oh yeah, they’re no joke. These things have enough power to rip through entire regions—or even countries. It’s not just about destruction; they throw the whole system out of whack. Military, government, cities—they tear it all apart. When they show up, it’s not just a battle; it’s a crisis that takes everything to manage.”

Hikari’s mind wandered back to the moment she first met Sylvia, when she’d called her a “prodigy” because she couldn’t believe that she would be able to handle creatures like that. She couldn’t help but wonder if she’d be able to handle herself. Only eight hours ago, she was just a normal high school girl. Now, she had powers that felt so… massive.

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She blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. “Huh. Well, I guess that doesn’t sound too bad after all.”

Lila tilted her head, studying Hikari with a soft, knowing smile. “Yeah, you’ll get used to it. It’s a lot to take in, but you’ve got it in you.”

Hikari grinned, feeling the weight of her new reality press down a little less. Maybe she wasn’t as lost as she thought.

Jecka let out an exaggerated sigh, tapping her fingers impatiently on the desk. “Alright, alright, enough with the chit-chat. Lila, you’re the last one I need to regrade, so save your little gossip session for later and let me get this over with.”

Lila pouted dramatically, crossing her arms. “Ugh, you’re such a big meanie! Would it kill you to be a little nice for once?”

Jecka rolled her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn’t pop out of her skull. “Lila, would you please get your ass over here so I can regrade you?” Her voice dripped with enough sarcasm to drown a small village.

Lila giggled, clearly entertained. “Ooh, you’re getting there! Not quite nice, but hey, it’s a start~”

Hikari smirked at the exchange before stepping toward the door. “I’ll be in the waiting room with Katsuki, Lyra, and Nami. Try not to keep us waiting too long.”

Lila waved over her shoulder with a playful grin. “Got it! Don’t miss me too much~”

As Hikari stepped into the waiting room, she immediately spotted the usual scene. Nami was glued to her phone, barely acknowledging the world around her, while Lyra had comfortably made herself at home—by sitting right on Katsuki’s lap. Hikari couldn’t help but chuckle.

With a teasing lilt, she called out, “Daaaamn, can you two get a room? PDA’s never been my thing, y’know.”

Katsuki, ever the smug bastard, smirked without missing a beat. “Oh, there’s nothing wrong with a little PDA. Maybe you’re just jealous you don’t have someone to do this with~”

Hikari scoffed, arms crossed as she leaned against the wall. “Yeah, right. I could find someone easily if I wanted to. In fact…” She tilted her head, a sly smirk forming. “I already have someone in mind~”

Katsuki’s smirk widened into something far more devious. “Oh, same here~” His eyes flickered mischievously toward Lila, who was still in the other room.

Hikari caught the implication immediately. Her eyes narrowed, but there was no real bite in them. “Tch.”

A shadow passed over Hikari’s back. A presence—familiar, yet distant, like a memory just out of reach. Her pulse spiked before she even heard the voice.

???: “Oh my, what’s this? Could it be—my darling little cousin Hikari~?”

Hikari’s breath caught in her throat. No. No way. It couldn’t be.

Her body moved before her mind caught up, whipping around to face the source of the voice. And there he was.

A tall figure, draped in effortless confidence, stood before her. His short black hair, unruly as ever, caught the dim light, the faint silver streaks threading through it almost shimmering—like stars lost in the night. His golden eyes gleamed, sharp yet unreadable, their warmth a deceptive veil over something deeper. Something unfathomable.

The black jacket of his exorcist uniform bore an unusual design—intricate constellations woven into the fabric, glowing faintly like remnants of a forgotten sky. They pulsed in a way that made her stomach turn, as if the stars themselves were watching.

And then, that smile.

It was warm, easygoing—so familiar. So practiced.

Hikari. “Whaaaat!?”

The man chuckled, his voice smooth, teasing. “What’s the matter, dear cousin? You look like you’ve seen a ghost~”

Hikari. “No shit I’m surprised! You’re literally part of a supernatural organization I joined, like, four hours ago!”

Another laugh, this one softer. “Oh, Hikari… if only you knew how long I’ve been here.” His golden eyes gleamed. “But what intrigues me more… is how you got here. What could have possibly awakened your Supernatural Affinity~?”

For a moment, Hikari swore the air itself shifted—like the universe had just exhaled. But then, just as quickly, the moment was gone.

And all that remained was Takumi Hoshikawa.

Her older cousin.

Smiling as if nothing in the world was out of place.

Hikari cleared her throat and averted her gaze. “Let’s just say I ran into a demon after school.”

Katsuki leaned in with a smug grin. “And I had to save her~”

Hikari shot him a glare sharp enough to cut steel. That was not something she wanted Hoshikawa to hear. “I swear, Katsuki, I hate you so much.”

Katsuki feigned a wounded look. “Whaaat? I’m just telling the truth~”

Hoshikawa only chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, at least it was Katsuki who saved you. The Speed Yokai himself~”

Hikari frowned. “Why do you guys talk about Katsuki like he’s some big deal?”

Hoshikawa arched a brow. “Oh, Hikari… I wouldn’t expect you to know. But allow me to enlighten you~”

He folded his arms, his tone shifting—not just teasing anymore, but edged with something deeper.

“Katsuki’s reputation isn’t just about strength or skill. It’s about inevitability. In supernatural circles, criminal underworlds, and even among exorcist factions, he’s not seen as a person. He’s seen as an event—a disaster that reshapes the battlefield the moment he steps in. The Speed Yokai. Kaizen, The Unstoppable Force of War.

“Anyone who’s fought him will tell you the same thing—he doesn’t just move fast. He thinks fast. Adapts fast. Evolves faster than anything thrown at him. No strategy works twice. No weakness lasts longer than a few seconds. It’s why most factions don’t even try to counter him anymore. Some have entire protocols dedicated to one thing: Avoid Katsuki Sutaro at all costs.

“Because once he’s in the fight, it’s already too late.”

Hikari blinked. That was… way more than she expected.

She glanced at Katsuki, expecting him to gloat. But for once, he didn’t say anything. He just gave a lazy shrug, as if none of it mattered.

Hoshikawa smirked, watching her reaction. “But of course, that’s just the legend. The truth?” His gaze flickered toward Katsuki, unreadable. “That’s a bit more complicated, isn’t it?”

Katsuki leaned back with a lazy grin. “No, please continue, I’m enjoying this glaze~”

Hikari groaned. “Ugh, shut up, Katsuki. I get it, you’re strong and a big deal. But do you have to be so arrogant about it all the time?”

Katsuki shrugged, completely unfazed. “Whatever you say~”

Before Hikari could snap back, the door creaked open, and Lila stepped into the waiting room, stretching her arms above her head.

“Woah, what’s going on out here~?” she asked, her voice light and teasing.

Hoshikawa barely glanced at her before a knowing smirk crossed his face. He leaned in close to Hikari, his breath warm against her ear. “She’s totally your type~”

Hikari’s face ignited. “S-Shut up!” she hissed, shoving him away with a glare sharp enough to kill. “Tell anyone, and you’re dead~”

Hoshikawa chuckled, raising his hands in surrender before zipping an invisible lock over his lips.

Hikari huffed and turned back to Lila, willing the heat in her cheeks to disappear. “Sooo, Lila, what grade did you get~?”

Lila’s lips curled into a sly smile. “I got C-grade, juuuust below you~”

Before Hikari could react, Lila reached forward and lightly booped her nose.

Hikari froze.

Her brain short-circuited.

Too close. Too casual. Too—

She took a sharp step back, crossing her arms like that would somehow shield her from whatever that just was. “W-well, you’re not that far behind,” she stammered, forcing a nonchalant shrug.

Lila giggled, tilting her head. “Aww, is Hikari-chan flustered~?”

“No,” Hikari lied, voice cracking just slightly.

Hoshikawa snickered from behind her.

She was going to kill him.

They chatted for a bit longer before settling into a comfortable silence. Hikari exhaled, stealing a glance at Lila, who still had that teasing smile on her lips.

It had been hours since her world had shattered—since the day she met him. A demon. A creature she never would’ve believed in before. But belief didn’t matter. The supernatural was real, and she was now part of it, whether she liked it or not.

She looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers, trying to ignore the faint hum of energy beneath her skin. Aura. Power. It still felt foreign, like wearing someone else’s clothes. But it was hers now.

Was she really getting used to this?

Her thoughts were interrupted as Hoshikawa clapped a hand on her shoulder. “You should enjoy the peace while it lasts, Hikari. This is just the beginning.”

She scoffed, shrugging him off. “You always say weird cryptic stuff like that. Just say what you mean.”

Hoshikawa chuckled but didn’t elaborate. Instead, his gaze flickered to the window. The sky outside had darkened, and the city beyond seemed almost… still. Too still.

A strange unease crept into Hikari’s chest.

Lila suddenly stretched with a dramatic sigh. “Well, since some of us have been working hard, I say we celebrate! Maybe karaoke?”

Hikari smirked, pushing the uneasy feeling aside. “You really wanna hear Katsuki butcher another song?”

“Hey, my voice is an experience,” Katsuki retorted, crossing his arms.

Lila giggled, then looped her arm through Hikari’s before she could react. “C’mon, don’t pretend you wouldn’t have fun.”

Hikari tensed slightly at the sudden closeness but quickly masked it. “I’ll think about it.”

The moment felt normal. Almost like her old life. But deep down, she knew—normal wasn’t real anymore.

Somewhere in Long Island City, the first sign of the curse began to stir.

A streetlamp flickered, its light swallowing itself in unnatural darkness.

In the distance, a child’s voice whispered into the night.

“Why am I all alone?”

A soft, eerie giggle echoed through the empty streets.

And then—silence.

The hidden world had awakened. But something else had, too.

And it was waiting for Hikari.

End of Arc 1.