There is always another option

Chapter -2

John's House, 5:45 pm

For some strange reason, I feel like something was missing today... oh, that's right. I managed to convince Sera not to go to Kovoro after I gave her something to eat. She was surprised by how well I cooked, since I made an effort to make a good meal. But the truth is, she seemed lost, and it wasn't her usual coldness, or that apparent disinterest that characterizes my friend... the truth is, she was still absorbed in the book.

—It's not half as bad as I thought... I won't admit it. It's excellent, slightly addictive. The message is another story. I'm not even a tenth of the way through the book, and I'm already starting to find things I consider irreverent... or I just don't know. John, when I finish reading it, could you try to explain it to me?

She seemed genuinely interested, happy... a moment of terror struck me... Sera wouldn't become a superhero, would she?

"-In other news, a young girl with violet and green hair was found dead by authorities..."

He shook his head, erasing that thought. "Please, we're talking about Sera. She's unstoppable. Besides, she'd never be a superhero."
—Sure... it would be a pleasure.

Seraphina closed the book and left it on the living room table. Stretching out in her seat, she looked at John curiously. Her best friend had been different lately... or maybe she hadn't been paying attention... maybe she could change that, a little.

—I was thinking I could forgive you for that clothes shopping trip...

—I knew it! I knew you were trying to torture me!
—Idiot... do you want to go to the movies?
—What?
—If you want to go to the movies... forget it.
—N-no, no, I'd love to, it's just...

—Is it just?

—...Well, I never imagined you'd invite me to the movies like that.
—...But you're not going to take that disgusting gel helmet. I want to save face.

Kovoro, Shopping Center 6:02 pm

The purple-haired girl and the black-haired boy were entering the movie theater, popcorn and candy hidden in their clothes. They looked good together. The fact that John no longer has 75 liters of gel in his hair helps a lot. Sometimes Seraphina would catch herself sneaking into his hair.

—Remind me, why are we going to see a horror movie?

—Because I'm paying.
—...Damn, I can't argue with that argument.
Kovoro, Shopping Center 9:01 pm

—I hate you.

—Why, for taking pictures of you while you were screaming in fear or for forcing you to watch a horror movie?

—And you have the nerve to ask?
—Yep

John and Sera were chatting and laughing outside the movie theater. They were going down an escalator when a woman with a restrained personality in a small black blouse and short, soft orange hair abruptly cut them off as they reached the first floor. Sera and John looked at her in annoyance as their steps led the agitated woman to a stand near the exit on the right. It looked like a simple stand, with a table and a banner on it. A man with golden eyes and orange hair looked at the young lady, pleased to see new customers. John noticed that the stand was a skill meter; its banner read:

"Ranks above 5 points (High Rank) receive a free prize!"

—Hey, Sera, look at that.
—Miss, are you in a hurry?
—No, silly, the spot, a meter, a prize, you.
—I don't know, John. Those things are usually scams...
—Come on, it'll be fun to try, my treat.
John dragged Seraphina by the hand. They were forming a line when the orange-haired human detector took Miss "personality's" hand in his hands.

—Wow, you're very strong, miss. You have a 4-point level.

A couple of people were forming a line behind John and Sera, when a loud cry from the short-haired woman made everyone turn to look at her.

—ARE YOU KIDDING ME? HOW AM I GOING TO GET A 4? I DEMAND A REFUND.
—B-but miss... according to official government scores, the Medium rank is at 3 and the High rank is at 5. If you're at 4, you're Elite rank. Why do you say it's a bad score? I only have a 2 pu-
—YOU HEAR ME, DAMN SCAMMER, I'M TELLING YOU IT SHOULD BE OVER A 4.

John and Seraphina looked at each other uncomfortably at the spectacle. The orange-haired guy was too nervous. John looked up, wondering what to do, and found a mall security officer coming down. His smile turned mischievous; he was scheming.

Sera's POV

He held back his laughter while the orange-haired boy got a reprimand. John feigned bravery when he spoke to the explosive-tempered woman and pretended he was about to fight her when he yelled for security, asking them to stop her and talk to her.

—Sooo anticlimactic~

—If you want the next one, you can fight her.

I smiled, and he smiled back. It was our turn, and the examiner decided to give us a free try. He gently took my hand. The skin on his fingers gave off a slight shine. The surface of his skin rose to almost 45°C in just a couple of moments. His eyes showed surprise and slight greed when he saw my face. He let go of my hand with a salesman's smile.

—Wow! Miss, congratulations, haha! I haven't seen someone so powerful in a long time. His score is an 8.The salesman hid his head under the counter to look for something, and I turned to see John, asking for his congratulations. He did, but he seemed still annoyed. He didn't like that the girl had gotten away with it just because of her strength... maybe his father's book wasn't so wrong about injustice.

—Here, a nice teddy bear for a nice young lady.

John and I exchanged glances as he took the stuffed animal.

"It's worth the same as the measurement... a rip-off."

—You're next!

The man said in a cordial and excited tone as he took John's arm. His fingers flashed as John aggressively removed his arm, briefly glaring at the salesman.

—Don't touch me.

—O-oh... sorry, I... I should have asked him before touching him.
He spoke nervously... strangely, looking at John the same way he looked at me, with a hint of greed.

—... Don't worry, you wouldn't have gotten anything from me anyway.

John changed his tone, and we said goodbye to the vendor. We didn't see his smile behind us. We left Kovoro.

9:24 pm

End of Chapter