Five days later...

  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. A familiar, comforting feeling that brought a smile to my face.

  I tilted my head down, and there she was, nestled against me like a contented cat.

  Izumi was curled up against me, her head resting on my chest and her arm draped over my waist.

  My sister, of course, had crawled into bed with me in the middle of the night. It was a habit she had developed when we were kids, and she hadn't done it in three years.

  But, with the attack and my upcoming departure, she'd been so clingy and nervous lately that I hadn't had the heart to send her back to her own bed.

  I smiled, gently stroking her hair as she slept.

  She was still the same old Izumi, my little sister who always looked up to me. I felt a pang of sadness knowing that soon I'd be leaving her behind to travel across the portal to Terra.

  It had been hard enough to convince her that it was a good thing, that it was something I really wanted to do. I worried about what she would do without me around.

  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 and fearful.

  Every night, I would read her stories, my voice a soothing balm to her fears. Her small hands had habitually clutched mine as I tucked her in, her eyes pleading with me to let her stay. And I would, until she finally fell asleep, her breaths slow and even.

  But she'd changed. Faster than I could ever keep up with. She'd grown more independent, more self-assured. 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.

  Izumi stirred slightly in her sleep, murmuring something under her breath.

  With a gentle touch, I brushed a stray lock of hair from her 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.

  And, despite all her protests to the contrary, she was a bit of a geek. Izumi had a fascination with the magical girls of Terra and the incredible feats they performed in the face of danger. Of the mechs and magitech devices that protected our settlement and those that were deployed to battle across the world.

  Izumi had always been a fast learner. I could tell her something about magitech once, and she'd remember it forever. She'd picked up a few things from me, but never went further than that. It just wasn't something she wanted to dive into.

  She'd made a name for herself back home as the local troublemaker, often getting into scrapes and picking fights. But I knew, deep down, she had a heart of gold. She was fiercely loyal to those she cared about, and she'd fight tooth and nail to protect them. Even if that meant getting her own hands dirty in the process.

  Still, it pained me to see how she'd become so guarded, so closed off from the world. She was always ready for a fight, always on the defensive. It was like she'd lost her sense of childlike wonder and innocence, replaced by a hardened exterior that was more bark than bite.

  But as she lay there beside me, her features softened, and I saw a glimpse of the old Izumi, the one who was once afraid of the dark and the things that went bump in the night. Seeing me in such a sorry state had cracked her armor, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.

  She'd tended to me like a mother hen, making sure I took my meds on time, bringing me meals and snacks, and even cleaning my wounds. She'd been my shadow for the past few days, barely leaving my side. She'd helped me pack for my upcoming trip and had even taken over some of my chores around the house. All in all, Izumi had 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 gang that had attacked us. Hell, I was fifteen going on sixteen, and I was nearly powerless against them. If it weren't for Stellaris Vortexiia and Yomotsu Shikome, well, we wouldn't be having this conversation. It was through pure dumb luck that I hadn't been more seriously injured or killed. If that happened, my little sister would have had to navigate this world alone, and that thought sent a shiver down my spine.

  As much as I loved Izumi, I couldn't help but feel guilty. I was leaving her behind in a world that was teetering on the edge of disaster, and I had no idea what would happen to her. My dad, Jae, and even Izumi had been trying to reassure me that everything would be fine, but the nagging feeling of uncertainty lingered like a dark cloud over my head.

  Growing up in a world filled with a collapsing order, rebels, separatists, and chaos beasts had made her tough, but it had also stolen her childhood. She'd had to grow up too fast, forced to confront dangers and horrors that no kid should have to deal with. It wasn't fair to her, to either of us, really.

  Izumi shifted in her sleep, her arm tightening around me. I couldn't help but chuckle at the irony of our situation. Here I was, leaving for another world, and she was still clinging to me like a little kid.

  Her transformation into the abrasive, larger-than-life personality that she projected was something I had never quite understood. I knew it was a defense mechanism, a way for her to cope with the harsh realities of our world, but it still broke my heart. T

  he Izumi I knew was still there, buried beneath layers of bravado and sarcasm, but it had become harder and harder to find her. 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 be 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 promised myself that, no matter what happened, I would always be there for Izumi. I would protect her, support her, and love her, no matter what the future held for us.

  Even if it meant giving up my own happiness to ensure hers, I was prepared to make that sacrifice. She deserved a chance to be a kid again, to experience the joys and wonders of growing up without the constant fear of danger lurking around every corner. She was more than just my sassy brat of a sister; she was my responsibility, my family. One of two people I would always give my life for if the need arose.

  Izumi shifted slightly, a small smile forming on her lips as she nestled closer to me. I smiled, too, knowing that no matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together. We were a team, after all, and nothing could ever break the bond we shared.

  "Love you, sis," I whispered softly, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Always and forever."

  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.

  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 from her hold, sliding off the bed with a groan. Every muscle in my body ached, but I ignored the pain.

  I looked back at Izumi, who was now sprawled across the bed like a starfish, and shook my head with a wry smile. She'd always been a deep sleeper, and nothing short of an earthquake could wake her up.

  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 life to live, her own path to follow, and I couldn't always be there to shield her from the world. I had to trust that she was strong enough to face whatever came her way.

  I was just going to the other side of the portal, not the other side of the galaxy.

  But, the more I considered what was happening in New York City, the less sure I felt about leaving her. The incident had shown me that our city wasn't as safe as I'd believed.

  The magical girls that had saved us had been powerful, but they weren't invincible. If they hadn't been there, who knows what could have happened to us? To her? The thought sent a shiver down my spine.

  I shook my head to clear my thoughts. There was no point in dwelling on what-ifs. We were safe, for now, and I had to focus on the present. Today was an important day, and I had a lot to do before my departure.

  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.

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  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. Not gourmet by any means, but enough to fill our stomachs and get us through the day.

  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 I'd have to overcome. I'd seen pictures of the city, and it was a marvel of architecture and magic. I had a feeling that the people there would be just as fascinating.

  But my thoughts kept circling back to Izumi and Dad.

  How were they going to cope without me? What if something happened to me on Terra? What if I never came back? What if something happened to them while I was gone? Those questions gnawed at me, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was abandoning them.

  I sighed, trying to push those negative thoughts away. I needed to be strong, for myself and for them. This was an opportunity I couldn't pass up, a chance to make a difference in the world. And if I could help rebuild the Earth and protect the ones I loved, then it would all be worth it.

  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 her."

  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."

  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 stopped 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. Plus, I'd grown rather attached to her quirky, often snarky personality.

  Izumi stumbled into the kitchen, her hair a disheveled mess. "Morning," she mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

  She looked like she could sleep for another six hours.

  "Hey, sleepyhead," I teased gently, ruffling her already messy hair. "Sleep well?"

  "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 grinned at her, despite the nervousness that still churned in my gut. "No problem, 'Zumi. Just making sure you two are fed before I leave."

  She rolled her eyes, a smirk playing on her lips. "Yeah, yeah. You're going to miss our charming company, admit it."

  I laughed, feeling some of the tension in the air dissipate. "Alright, alright. Maybe I will."

  Izumi and my dad shared a knowing look, and I could feel the warmth of their support surrounding me like a blanket. I had the best family in the world, and even if I was leaving them behind, at least for a while, I knew they'd be there for me. They always were.

  My sister 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. And who knows, maybe it would even help Izumi with her current... state.

  After our breakfast, I spent the rest of the morning packing the last few items I needed for the trip. 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.

  But Izumi kept getting distracted, her eyes flickering to the window and back again. She seemed to be in her own little world, lost in her thoughts. I knew something was up, but I didn't want to pry. I just hoped that spending some time together today would help bring her out of her funk.

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

  "Sure, 'Zumi," I said, turning to face her. She looked nervous, her eyes avoiding mine.

  "I know I've been a real brat lately... and I'm sorry. It's just... things have been tough." She bit her lip, her expression troubled.

  "I know, Izumi," I said gently, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "I'm not angry. I just want to help you, that's all."

  She nodded, still not meeting my gaze. "It's just... lately, I've been feeling... I don't know, restless?"

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

  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 bruises and 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 a bit undersized, 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.

  It was funny, though. If there was anyone qualified to teach wrestling, it was our father. He was a NCAA Division I All-American in collegiate wrestling his junior year in undergrad — and while he never got anywhere near the championships, he'd been good. But the way Izumi had always behaved, you'd think she was being asked to do calculus.

  She was a girl who wanted to fly, not pin someone in an unbreakable hold. Izumi had always been more interested in running around, playing tag, and pretending to fly through the air than learning to grapple properly.

  Now, however, she seemed to be genuinely interested.

  Maybe the attack had finally made her realize the importance of being able to protect herself.

  We spent the rest of the morning packing and getting ready for our outing. Izumi was in high spirits, excited to spend some time together.

  As I finished packing, I joined Dad in the living room where he was watching the news. Reports of the attack were still circulating, and the authorities were urging people to stay vigilant. It was a sobering reminder of the danger we were all in, even in the supposedly safe areas of the city.

  "Heading out?" Dad asked, glancing over at me as I walked into the room.

  I nodded. "Yeah, we're gonna spend the day at the park. It's been a while since we did anything together, and I thought it would be nice to have some quality time before I leave tomorrow."

  Dad smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Sounds like a great idea. "Take care of yourselves out there, son. Don't do anything stupid 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, Izumi. Ready to go?" I asked.

  She turned to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Sheesh, you're such a dork. Yeah, let's go kick some butt!"

  Dad chuckled, shaking his head. "You two have fun. And don't get into too much trouble."

  "We won't," I reassured him, though I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.

  After all, trouble seemed to have a way of finding me no matter what I did.

  Still, I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the excitement of spending the day with my sister. It had been too long since we'd done something fun together, and I was determined to make the most of it.

  With a final wave, we set off, the sun shining brightly overhead.