Riser didn't expect to see her again that quickly.
Which was exactly why it caught him off guard.
He had barely stepped out into the courtyard the next day when he felt it—
That same presence.
Sharp.
Focused.
Watching.
"You're getting easier to find."
Riser stopped mid-step and glanced to the side.
There she was.
Mirai.
Leaning casually against a pillar, arms crossed like she owned the place. Her silver hair caught the light just enough to stand out without trying.
"You stalking me now?" he asked.
"Don't flatter yourself."
"That's usually my job."
She pushed herself off the pillar and walked toward him, steps slow but deliberate.
"You've been making noise."
"Good noise, I hope."
"We'll see."
She stopped in front of him again, just like yesterday—close enough to feel intentional.
Riser noticed it this time.
Didn't step back.
Didn't lean in either.
Just held his ground.
Her eyes flicked over him briefly.
Assessing.
"You're different from what I heard."
"Depends on what you heard."
"That you were useless."
He nodded. "That tracks."
"And now?"
Riser shrugged slightly. "Work in progress."
A faint smirk touched her lips.
"At least you're aware."
"Rare trait, I know."
There was a brief pause.
Not awkward.
Just—
Measured.
Then she tilted her head slightly.
"Fight me."
Riser blinked.
"...You don't waste time, do you?"
"No."
He exhaled through his nose.
"Tempting, but I just got done being abused by Yubelluna yesterday."
"I'm not Yubelluna."
"That's exactly why I'm concerned."
That earned a short laugh.
Lighter than before.
"You won't die."
"Comforting."
"But you might embarrass yourself."
"Ah. There it is."
She turned slightly, already walking past him.
"Come on."
Riser didn't move immediately.
Because—
He could feel it again.
Eyes.
More than yesterday.
Word had spread faster than he expected.
Of course it had.
"…Visibility," he muttered under his breath.
Then smirked.
"Yeah, alright."
He followed.
The training field wasn't empty this time.
Not even close.
A small crowd had already gathered.
Not large.
But intentional.
People who knew something was about to happen.
Or hoped something would.
Riser stepped onto the field and glanced around.
"Well… this escalated."
Mirai stood a few steps ahead, completely unbothered.
"This is normal."
"For you, maybe."
She didn't respond.
Just turned—
And faced him fully.
"Ready?"
Riser rolled his shoulders once.
Still sore.
Still not at full strength.
But—
That wasn't the point anymore.
"Let's see how bad this goes."
"Try not to disappoint me."
"No promises."
They moved at the same time.
No signal.
No countdown.
Mirai was fast.
Not overwhelming like Yubelluna—
But sharper.
More precise.
Her first strike came straight toward his center.
Clean.
Direct.
Riser reacted just in time—
Blocking, but barely.
The impact forced him back a step.
Not overwhelming.
But controlled.
"…Okay," he muttered, adjusting his stance.
She didn't give him time.
Another strike.
This time angled.
Testing his reaction.
He shifted—
Slower than needed, but not blind.
Her attack grazed past instead of landing clean.
Her eyes flickered.
Not surprise.
Recognition.
"You're thinking again."
"Bad habit."
"It'll keep you alive."
"That's the idea."
They clashed again.
Faster now.
Riser couldn't match her fully.
Not yet.
But he wasn't overwhelmed either.
And that—
Was enough.
From the sidelines—
"They're actually going at it."
"Mirai's serious."
"Yeah… but he's not folding."
The murmurs spread quietly.
Attention building.
Exactly like before—
But stronger.
More focused.
Mirai stepped in again.
Closer this time.
Their distance closed to almost nothing.
Her hand shot forward—
And Riser caught it.
Not perfectly.
Not clean.
But enough.
For a moment—
They froze.
Her wrist in his grip.
Her eyes locked onto his.
Close.
Too close.
Riser could see the slight shift in her expression.
Not irritation.
Not anger.
Interest.
"…You're learning fast."
"Trying to."
Her other hand moved instantly—
Breaking the moment.
She twisted out of his grip and pushed him back with a sharp strike.
Riser stumbled—
But didn't fall.
Again.
Still standing.
Mirai watched him for a second.
Then—
"That's enough."
The sudden stop caught him off guard.
"…Huh?"
She stepped back.
Completely calm.
"You pass."
"Pass what?"
"I was testing you."
Riser stared at her.
"Of course you were."
She smirked slightly.
"You're interesting."
"There it is again."
"And—"
She turned slightly, glancing toward the watching crowd.
"You're not afraid of being seen."
Riser followed her gaze briefly.
Then shrugged.
"Still getting used to it."
"You shouldn't."
He looked back at her.
"Why?"
Her eyes met his again.
"Because people are already watching."
Before he could respond—
A voice cut in.
"Oh? So this is what's been causing all the noise."
The tone was light.
Playful.
But—
Sharp underneath.
Riser turned.
And immediately knew—
This was trouble.
A girl with long crimson hair stepped forward, her expression bright but her eyes far too observant.
Elegant posture.
Confident.
And very aware of everything around her.
She looked between Mirai and Riser—
Then smiled.
"Looks like I came at the right time."
Mirai didn't react much.
Just a slight shift of her gaze.
But it was enough to tell—
She knew her.
"Late, as usual," Mirai said calmly.
"Fashionably late," the red-haired girl corrected, stepping closer.
Then—
She stopped in front of Riser.
Closer than necessary.
Of course.
"So," she said, tilting her head slightly, "you're the one everyone's suddenly talking about."
Riser blinked once.
Then smirked faintly.
"Depends. Are they saying good things?"
She laughed softly.
"Not yet."
"Fair."
Her eyes lingered on him.
Curious.
Amused.
Interested.
"Oh, this could be fun."
Riser exhaled quietly.
"…Yeah. I had a feeling things were about to get complicated."
Mirai crossed her arms again.
"They already are."
The red-haired girl smiled wider.
"Good."
Then she extended her hand toward him.
"Let's get along, Riser."
Riser glanced at her hand.
Then back at her face.
"...You didn't even introduce yourself."
She blinked.
Then laughed again.
"Ah, you're right."
She leaned in slightly.
Just enough to lower her voice—
But not enough to be subtle.
"That makes it more interesting, doesn't it?"
Riser stared at her for a second.
Then—
"...Yeah."
He shook her hand anyway.
And just like that—
Without warning—
Everything got more complicated.