Pumi's head rested heavily on a pile of open textbooks, the faint smell of ink and paper filling her small room. Her eyes fluttered open as the soft light of morning crept through the curtains. For a moment, she just lay there, letting her body stretch, her muscles stiff from hours of studying.
With a groan, she pushed herself up and rubbed her eyes. The quiet hum of the city outside reminded her it was already early morning. She shuffled downstairs, her bare feet padding against the wooden floor, and began preparing breakfast. The sizzle of eggs in the pan and the rich aroma of coffee slowly nudged her awake. After a quick shower, she dressed in her school uniform, brushing her hair until it gleamed in the morning light.
Finally ready, she stepped out onto the street, the crisp air brushing against her cheeks. The school loomed in the distance, and her mind was already racing through the formulas and vocabulary she had crammed the night before.
Pumi: Ugh… I'm still so tired. But I really want to get perfect grades on this test…
She tightened her grip on her bag and continued walking, lost in thought. The street was quiet, the usual morning chatter just beginning to stir. Then, without warning, a sharp shove threw her off balance.
Her books tumbled to the ground as she hit the pavement hard, a sting of pain shooting through her knee. She looked up, heart racing, just in time to see a man sprinting away, her bag clutched in his hands. Panic surged through her.
Pumi: Hey! Stop! That's mine!
She scrambled to her feet, clutching her scraped knee, but her legs trembled under her. By the time she steadied herself, the man had disappeared around the corner, laughter echoing faintly behind him.
Meanwhile, the thief ran recklessly down the street, exhilaration on his face.
Man: Finally… my first bag stolen! Haha! I'm unstoppable!
But in the next instant, his laughter was cut short. Without warning, he collapsed, the street beneath him darkening with blood.
Daiki: Huh… stealing someone's bag today, huh? You really should think twice next time.
Daiki crouched nearby, almost like a shadow. He was a student with an ability that made him faster than the eye could follow, yet he had no interest in being a hero or a villain. Curiosity and amusement guided his actions more than morality ever would.
He eyed the fallen bag. The thief's panic had barely registered before his attention shifted. With a smirk, he stepped forward.
Daiki: Well… I guess this one's mine now.