The tale of Mayumi

Chapter 5: Breakthrough

The summer heat hung heavy in the air, the chirping of cicadas filling the forest. The past two years had been grueling, filled with relentless training, sore muscles, and sleepless nights. But every bruise, every frustration, had led to this moment.

I sprinted toward our house, my heart pounding with excitement. Without thinking, I shoved the door open so hard it nearly came off its hinges.

Hikaru, who had been standing over a steaming pot, jumped in surprise. His elbow knocked over an entire box of salt, dumping it straight into our dinner. He groaned, rubbing his temple.

"Damn it, Mayumi! What the hell was that for?"

"I did it!" I practically screamed, bouncing on the balls of my feet. "I finally did it! I was always losing control before, but today—I actually pulled it off!"

Hikaru stared at me blankly, unimpressed. "You're gonna have to be more specific, kid."

"Just come with me, you grumpy old man," I huffed, grabbing his wrist and dragging him outside.

"Grumpy? Old? I'm literally two years older than you," he complained, though he didn't resist.

"Two and a half," I corrected smugly. "And I don't mean your age, I mean your personality."

He scoffed. "What's wrong with my personality?"

"You're way too serious. You need to loosen up."

"One of us has to act like an adult, and you're basically a five-year-old."

I smirked. "Oh yeah? Let's see if a five-year-old can do this."

I led him to my training area, a clearing surrounded by towering trees. The massive boulder I'd been struggling with for months sat in the center.

Hikaru crossed his arms. "What exactly am I supposed to be looking at?"

I rolled my eyes. "Just shut up and watch."

Taking a deep breath, I extended my hands. A familiar warmth surged up my arms, gathering in my fingertips. The blue markings under my left eye flared to life, glowing brighter than before. The air around me shifted as energy pulsed outward.

The boulder trembled. Then, slowly, it lifted off the ground.

Hikaru's eyes widened as I moved it across the clearing, guiding it effortlessly through the air. The sheer weight of it would have crushed a person in an instant, but I held it steady. No wavering, no sudden bursts of uncontrolled force. Just pure, deliberate control.

Finally, I lowered it gently onto the ground and exhaled. The glow around my hands faded, leaving only the faintest tingle in my fingertips. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the dirt, exhausted but exhilarated.

Hikaru dropped down beside me, staring at the boulder, then at me. "Holy shit," he muttered. "That thing has to weigh at least a ton."

I grinned weakly. "Told you."

He frowned, concern flickering in his eyes. "You okay?"

"Yeah. Just tired."

He studied me for a second, then sighed. "You don't have to push yourself this hard, you know. I can't think of a single situation where you'd need to lift a boulder."

I let out a breathless laugh. "Maybe not. But if I can do that without losing control, then I don't have to be scared of hurting someone anymore." My voice dropped to a whisper. "Especially you."

His expression softened. Without a word, he pulled me into a hug, his arms firm and reassuring. I stayed there for a moment, letting the tension in my body melt away. No words needed to be said. He understood.

After a while, he stood up and stretched. "Alright. I think we should celebrate."

I raised an eyebrow. "With what? You just ruined our dinner."

He smirked. "That's why we're going to the village. Some ramen, a bottle of sake—sounds like a decent reward for all your hard work."

I grinned. "My goal was accomplished today, so I definitely deserve to see drunk Hikaru as my reward."

He groaned. "You do realize that if I get drunk, you'll have to carry me home again, right?"

I wiggled my fingers in front of his face. "No problem. I'll just use my power."

His expression darkened. "Don't even think about levitating me while you're drunk."

I burst out laughing. "Dude, relax. It was a joke."

He muttered something under his breath but smirked after a moment. "Although... it would be kinda cool."

"What would?"

"If you made me fly."

I grinned. "We can try that sometime. You are much lighter than that boulder."