Yumix; Unveiled Chapter 38: Ashes

Read chapter 38 of Yumix; Unveiled by iiPilix on NovelPedia.

The Original Web Light Novel Project Volume 02, Chapter 21: [ Ashes ] Original work. By the author 'Pili.' In a small town, bordering the west of the capital Praga, the night had already settled an hour ago. The streets were illuminated only by the faint glow of scattered lanterns and the pale moonlight. Near one of the wider roads, a group of three children was still outside. Two of them were boys, their faces flushed from running. Running behind them was a short, young girl with thick, dark purple hair that fell to her neck. Her sharp, wide violet eyes brimmed with endless energy. “Hah! I got you… Caught you again!” She tapped the shoulder of the taller boy while she grinned triumphantly. The boy groaned, slumping slightly. “Hey! That’s not fair… Natsumi,” the boy protested, nearly tripping. “You always win!” Another boy laughed, his hands on his knees as he caught his breath. “Yeah… seriously. With such agility like that, you might get into the PHG before us.” The girl puffed her cheeks slightly, clearly pleased, though she tried not to show it too much. “Hehe… Well, obviously!” “Well,” the first boy asked. “Can’t you ask Ayuri-san to let us join too…? Afterall you talk to her more than us.” The taller boy scoffed, crossing his arms. “Heh. Dream on, Ikumi. Ayuri-san only has time for special people. Like me.” “Haah?!” The other boy frowned. “What’s so special about you Saku, huh?” “You’ll see! I’m going to ask her tomorrow if she comes to the capital!” Natsumi’s ears perked up. Her eyes sparkled. “Ayuri-san is coming to the capital? Really? I wanna play with her when she comes!” The boy’s confidence wavered slightly. He scratched his cheek. “Well… I’m not sure if she’s really coming. She’s super busy, you know… Protecting the city and doing PHG stuff.” “Meh… as always…” She clenched her fists lightly. “She’s so amazing. I wanna be just like her too when I grow up!” The second boy snickered. “I don’t think you can reach her level. She’s like… way too up there.” “HEY!” she snapped back. “Don’t say that!” The three of them started walking down the road, still bickering lightly as they headed back. Fewer houses appeared along the path. The streets were quieter now. The chilly air swept around them, their conversation fading into silence. “H-Hey…” The second boy spoke as he looked around nervously. “Guys… isn’t it getting really late? Shouldn’t we hurry back to home? My mom’s gonna kill me.” Natsumi put her hands on her hips, teasing him. “Oh…? Don’t tell me you’re scared of the dark.” “I’m not scared! But we spent way too much time running around today. We totally forgot about time.” “Yeah…” The taller boy sighed. “It’s your fault anyway, Natsumi. You kept creating rules that made things more complex as we played.” “Don’t blame me for that.” But then, the boy stopped walking. “Uhh… guys?” “What now?” “It’s getting… too foggy. Like, really fast.” He pointed ahead. A thick, unnatural dark mist was rolling in from the end of the street, swallowing the lantern light. “Wasn’t the weather clear today?” Natsumi waved her hand dismissively. “Oh, come on. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of ghosts now, hehe…” She took a confident step forward— And bumped straight into someone’s chest and stumbled back. “Ah—” She rubbed her forehead. “Ow… Sorry, I didn’t see you—” As she looked up, words couldn’t get out. That young woman was smiling weirdly. She stood directly in front of her, emerging from the fog like a phantom. Dark black hair. Sharp, amused red eyes. Her presence was unsettling in a way the girl couldn’t explain. The boy, Saku, took a step back instinctively. “…W-Who are you?” his voice was shaky. That young lady tilted her head slightly. A smile slowly spread across her face, and it didn't seem friendly. “Where are you kids heading at this late hour?” Her voice was smooth and chillingly calm. Natsumi swallowed hard.