Riko led her deep into the "Light District" – the guild's most vibrant sector. Right at the arched gateway, Madam Sanjo stood waiting with a gentle smile. Riko leaned in slightly, her hand gesturing toward the powerful yet dignified woman, and introduced her:
-"This is Madam Sanjo, the manager of the Light District."
-"Welcome, child," Madam Sanjo looked at Yurika affectionately, "From now on, this will be your room. Your neighbor is Riko; you two be sure to look out for one another." Yurika bowed her head slightly, a spark of emotion rising in her heart:
-"Yes, thank you, ma'am." After the manager's parting nod, Yurika stepped into her new room. It was a space decorated in shades of pastel pink and porcelain white, creating a feeling that was pure yet ethereal. Right at the center of the room, a large emerald was hovering in mid-air. It spun continuously, emitting silken ribbons of mysterious, gentle light.
-"Woah..." – Yurika gasped, her eyes reflecting the sparkling green light of the gem.
-"That gem is a welcoming gift I have for you." – Riko smiled with pride.
-"You're so good to me, thank you, sister!" Suddenly, Riko's ears twitched. She froze, her breath quickening as if she had just heard something terrifying.
-"Squeak... squeak..." – Riko's face immediately turned from rosy to a deathly pale. She stammered:
-"Yu... Yurika... do you hear that... that 'cursed' sound?" Yurika tilted her head curiously at Riko's question:
-"What sound?" Then Yurika also paused to listen to the noise:
-"It's... a mouse!" Riko shrieked and jumped up, clutching Yurika's back as if seeking refuge. Riko feared nothing on earth, yet she was terrified of mice:
-"Huh? Riko... what do we do now?" – Yurika asked, confused. With her face still pale, Riko stuttered in reply:
-"The... the broom is over there." Yurika ran to the broom standing in the corner, grabbed it, and determinedly marched into the room:
-"You mouse, your time is up!" – the broom in her hand began to rise. A chaotic chase broke out. One person and one mouse dodged each other all over the room, with heavy footsteps mingling with deep breaths. Finally, the tiny creature, terrified by Yurika's intensity, disappeared into a crack. Yurika stepped out to the door with her hair a messy bird's nest and beads of sweat on her forehead. Riko, still peeking from behind the door, asked:
-"How was it? Did... did it go away?"
-"It's gone, sister." Riko let out a long sigh of relief, but a split second later, she burst into uncontrollable laughter while looking at Yurika's head:
-"Haha! Yurika, look at your hair. It looks like a giant broccoli!" Yurika gave a soft huff and smirked provocatively:
-"Then next time, handle it yourself."
-"Oh come on, come here, I'll tie it back for you." Yurika paused for a moment and then turned away:
-"Hmph... no need."
-"That stubborn pride of yours..." – Riko didn't wait for her permission, pulling Yurika's hand to sit her down, gently running her fingers through the tangled locks to unravel them. The warmth from Riko's hands through her scalp caused a wave of distant memories—strange yet deeply familiar—to suddenly rush through Yurika. She became dazed, her eyes turning dreamy.
-"What's wrong?" – Riko noticed the unusual silence and asked softly.
-"Huh?... oh, nothing."
-"Anyway, about earlier... thank you." Yurika gave a forced smile:
-"Just a reflex." (But in her head, she thought: Normally, I would have run away too!)
-"Done!" – Riko set the comb down with an air of triumph. Yurika reached up to touch her hair and cried out in horror:
-"Oh, what on earth is this, Riko?!"
-"A mushroom-shaped hairstyle! This is my specialty and my pride!" Yurika grimaced, frantically pulling off the hair tie:
-"Fine, I'll just do it myself this time..." Once the atmosphere had calmed down, Riko leaned on her hand and asked:
-"So, what kind of magic do you plan to learn?" Yurika rubbed her chin thoughtfully:
-"I don't know yet. Can you take me somewhere to find out? I really want to possess a type of magic of my own."
-"Sure thing! I'll take you to my favorite spot. There are plenty of interesting things there!"