A Second Life

With the fall of the machine giant, the unnecessarily loud, booming voice of Present Mic announced, "THE TEST IS OVER!!!"

Sumire heaved a sigh of relief at that. 'Finally done.'

But not everyone could stay carefree like Sumire, afterall, the practical test was a walk in the park only for her, not for the rest.

Few were genuinely excited, few relieved, and few were really depressed…

Well, none of that matters, so Sumire went home or to her orphanage, undoubtedly leaving a deep impression on those who saw her.

'That was incredible.'

'How the heck was she able to get up there, so high?'

'What's her quirk? I've ne'er seen anything like that in my entire life…was it teleportation?'

'She's really cute.'

'I must thank her when I meet her again…'

'Her starting line is way ahead of anyone...'

The judges, however, had entirely different thoughts…

"She's definitely joining the hero course."

"That's for sure."

"We must enroll her quickly, before she rejects like that Yoarashi…"

"Let's issue the notification to her quickly then."

The teachers were rather hyped about such a candidate appearing. Sumire was of rare caliber after all.

"Ahem...you can do that, but please evaluate everyone's exam, then we will provide her the official notification, alright?" Nezu said. Thoughtfully bringing the real matter at hand to notice. The people were rather embarrassed at their own behaviour.

The judges went back to their work, rigorously evaluating everyone fairly. While doing so, they couldn't help but compare them to Sumire.

Sumire was made into a benchmark, perhaps.

Meantime, Sumire reached the orphanage. It was relatively big. It had to be, for it was a mansion standing tall since a very long time, even before the quirks were introduced.

Ivy and graceful ferns grew modestly through the crevices of the old winding stone path, which led directly to the colossal structure. The mansion loomed proudly behind creaky iron gates, flanked by rows of skeletal trees crowned in crimson, swaying gently to the breezy wind. At its threshold stood the delicate marble fountain, the soft gurgling of the limpid water, melodic as it resonated in the surrounding silence.

This place adorned many memories, and it still does. Sumire entered quietly and went to her dorm. There, waiting eagerly for her was precisely a little girl.

The little girl was 6-7 years old. She was dainty, with pale skin and large hazel eyes, half hidden in the girl's unkempt raven hair. It was Kiyoko.

"Where did you go?" The little one asked, her hands gathered, trying to look serious and intimidating.

"I went to take the entrance exam for high school." Sumire said earnestly.

"...Okay. But don't go on like that without telling me again, you got it?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Good."

"Then can I do your hair? It's all messed up."

"O-okay." Kiyoko was a bit fl.u.s.tered now, ruining the little serious atmosphere she managed to build after practicing for the entire day. Kiyoko felt a bit down. 'She always treats me like a kid. Hmph, I'm not talking to her till she treats me like an a.d.u.l.t.'

Sumire got a comb and started setting the hair, very gently.

"So, are you not going to ask me how my exam went?"

"..."

"Okay. How was your day then?"

"..."

"Did you have pancakes for breakfast today? I missed them I guess."

"..."

"What's the matter? Why are angry with me, Kiyoko-chan?"

"..."

"Are you not going to talk to me?"

"..."

"...Is that a temper tantrum?"

"What temper tantrum? You were just bugging me with all those questions!"

"I'm sorry then, you weren't talking to me at all, so I assumed-"

"You can think whatever you want, I'm done."

Kiyoko walked out of the room, more like running away.

Sumire sighed, not knowing what was wrong. She sat on her bed, thinking about Kiyoko. She heard a noise. It was her phone ringing. She picked up and answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Hello. Sumire-chan, how did your exam go?" A husky voice asked in a cheerful tone.

"It went well. I guess." Sumire replied.

"Hmm, just well?" the man waited for more.

"Okay, I can get into top ten if nothing goes amiss." Sumire answered adequately this time, as the caller would definitely not let go till she does.

"That's my sister! But you don't have to worry about it. I can pull some strings and get you into it. So chill, you got that?"

"Yes, Terry nii-san. If nothing else, call me when you're actually free."

"...you can tell."

"En."

"What gave away?"

"The background wasn't wonderfully calm, you know."

"...Fine, I'll call you again when I'm not busy. Take care."

"En, bye."

The line was cut. Sumire shook her head and smiled. Feeling happy that Terrance called, even though he was quite busy himself. Soon, she talked with two more people, Shinzo and Yuzuru. All of them who treated her like their sister.

Sumire got up and went to Mrs. Sakaki. 'She would start worrying if don't talk soon…'

Sumire was right, Mrs. Sakaki really started worrying.

"Good evening, Sakaki-san."

"Ah, Sumire-chan. You came!"

"Hai, sorry I was delayed, Terry nii-san and the rest called me so I was talking to them."

"It's okay, really. So how was your exam? Did it go well?"

"Oh, it went really well. I did my best after all. I'll definitely get placed."

"Then don't worry about anything else, leave the rest to me, okay?"

"Yes, I will, but I want to talk to you about something else."

"What might it be?"

"It's about Kiyoko-chan. She's been avoiding me lately, and I don't know why."

"Ah...about that I believed you knew. It's about you after all."

"I'm sorry?"

"You remember last year when Shinzo-kun moved out?"

"Yeah...Oh don't tell me."

"Yes, you're right. Kiyoko-chan thinks you would move out as well."

"..." Sumire was silent at that.

"It can't be helped. One by one, everyone is moving out, she thinks you would leave her. We can't blame her. She is just a little kid."

"...is there anything to make her feel better?"

"You have to talk with her yourself, Sumire-chan. That child won't listen to anyone else."

"I'll try talking to her."

Sumire left to the garden where several kids were playing merrily. She watched Kiyoko, who was sitting alone in the swing, playing all by herself. 'How could I not think about it earlier?'

Kiyoko was special to Sumire. They were both together since 4 years now. They had a strong bond, which Sumire cherished deeply. Kiyoko was one of the few people she truly cared about, more than anything else.

Sumire was confused. She didn't know what to do. The ex-shinigami was clueless in certain aspects.