Suzume stood in front of her bathroom mirror, tugging at the black dress.

  It didn't fit right. The waist was too loose. The hem hit awkwardly at her knees. She'd borrowed it from her neighbor, a woman in her forties who probably wore it to office parties.

  "This is stupid," Suzume muttered.

  Her phone buzzed on the sink.

  Kasumi: Outside. Take your time.

  Suzume's stomach flipped.

  She checked herself one more time. The dress was plain but clean. She'd left her hair down instead of tying it back. No glasses tonight—she'd put in contacts. Her hands shook slightly as she grabbed her purse.

  Deep breath.

  She locked her apartment and walked downstairs.

  Kasumi leaned against a black sedan parked at the curb. She wore a burgundy blouse tucked into dark jeans. The top button was undone.

  Suzume forgot how to walk for a second.

  "There she is," Kasumi said. Her eyes traveled up and down. "You look good."

  "I look like I'm going to a funeral."

  "Yeah, the one for everyone who drops dead as soon as they see you in this." Kasumi opened the passenger door. "Come on."

  Suzume got in. The car smelled like leather and expensive perfume. Kasumi slid into the driver's seat and pulled into traffic.

  "Where are we going?"

  "You'll see."

  They drove through Shibuya. Neon signs flashed past. Crowds filled the sidewalks even this late. Kasumi handled the car with easy confidence, one hand on the wheel.

  "Nervous?" she asked.

  "Should I be?"

  "Maybe."

  They parked near a side street Suzume didn't recognize. Kasumi led her to a building with no sign. Just a red door and a small light above it.

  "This is the place?"

  "Trust me."

  Inside was an izakaya. But not like the cheap chains Suzume usually went to. This one had private booths with sliding doors. Low lighting. Wooden tables polished to a shine. A server greeted them and led them to a booth in the back.

  Suzume sat on the cushion. Kasumi sat across from her.

  "This is too fancy," Suzume said.

  "It's fine."

  "I can't afford—"

  "I'm paying. Relax."

  The server brought menus. Suzume looked at the prices and wanted to die.

  "Kasumi, seriously—"

  "Suzu-chan." Kasumi set her menu down. "I asked you here. I'm paying. Order whatever you want."

  "But—"

  "No buts. Just food."

  Suzume sighed and picked something that didn't cost more than her monthly rent.

  They ordered. Drinks came first. Sake for Kasumi. Plum wine for Suzume. The alcohol settled warm in her stomach.

  "So," Kasumi said. She poured herself more sake. "What's the long-term plan? For the guild."

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  "You mean besides surviving?"

  "Yeah. Besides that."

  Suzume thought about it. The question felt bigger than it should.

  "I want to change how the System treats disposable Players," she said finally. "The ones who aren't top prospects. The ones guilds abandon when things go wrong. Right now, if you're not profitable, you're not worth saving. That's wrong."

  "It's economics."

  "It's bullshit." Suzume took a sip of wine. "Hundreds of Players die every year in situations that could be prevented. If someone was willing to go in. If someone cared enough."

  Kasumi watched her.

  "You really think we can change that?"

  "Of course. At the very least, I think we can try."

  "Even if it bankrupts you?"

  "Even then."

  Kasumi smiled. Not her usual smirk. Something softer.

  "That's why I joined, you know. Because you actually mean it."

  "Mean what?"

  "All of it. The rescues. The idealism. Most people talk big and fold when things get hard. But you? You'll run into a collapsing dungeon wearing disaster prep gear and drag people out through sheer stubbornness."

  Suzume felt her face heat.

  "I'm not special."

  "I respectfully disagree."

  Their food arrived. Grilled fish. Tempura. Rice. Everything was perfect. They ate and talked about lighter things. Kasumi's last dungeon run. Honoka's terrible taste in music. Rina's ongoing war with the coffeemaker at headquarters.

  The conversation flowed. Easy. Natural.

  Suzume forgot to be nervous.

  ---

  After dinner, they walked through the city. The streets were busy but not crowded. Kasumi walked close enough that their shoulders brushed.

  "So," Kasumi said. "Ready for training?"

  "Now?"

  "Why not? I have access to a gym nearby. Twenty-four hours."

  "You're serious."

  "Always."

  "We just ate."

  "We're Players. We could eat way, way more than that without throwing up just cause of a little movement." Kasumi grinned. "Come on. You need to learn how to fight without dying."

  The gym was in a basement two blocks away. Kasumi scanned her membership card and they went in. The space was empty. Mats covered one section. Weight equipment lined the walls. Mirrors reflected fluorescent light.

  Kasumi kicked off her shoes.

  "Alright. Basic combat stance first."

  Suzume followed her onto the mats.

  "Feet shoulder-width apart. Knees bent. Weight forward." Kasumi demonstrated. Her movements were fluid. "Try it."

  Suzume copied her position.

  "No, you're too stiff." Kasumi stepped behind her. Her hands settled on Suzume's hips. "Loosen up. Bend your knees more."

  Suzume's brain short-circuited.

  Kasumi's fingers adjusted her stance. Pressure against her back as Kasumi pressed close.

  "There. Feel the difference?"

  Suzume felt a lot of things. None of them were about combat stances.

  "Yeah," she managed.

  "Good. Now arms up. Guard position."

  Suzume raised her arms. Kasumi moved in front of her, correcting the angle of her elbows. Her hands were warm.

  "When someone attacks, you need to be able to block or dodge. Most dungeon monsters telegraph their moves. Players are trickier."

  "Okay."

  "Try to hit me."

  "What?"

  "Throw a punch. I want to see your form."

  Suzume hesitated. Then threw a weak jab.

  Kasumi caught her wrist easily.

  "Again. Harder."

  Suzume tried again. Kasumi blocked it.

  "You're pulling your punches. Commit. Like you mean it."

  This time Suzume put weight behind it. Kasumi deflected and swept Suzume's legs. She went down hard. The mat cushioned the impact but knocked the air from her lungs.

  Kasumi stood over her, grinning.

  "Better. But you dropped your guard. Left yourself open."

  She offered a hand. Suzume took it and was pulled to her feet.

  They drilled. Block. Dodge. Counter. Suzume's muscles burned. Sweat soaked through her dress. Kasumi corrected her form constantly. A touch here. Repositioning there.

  "Grappling next," Kasumi said.

  "I don't know how to grapple."

  "That's the point."

  Kasumi demonstrated a basic hold. Then had Suzume try it. Suzume fumbled. Got the grip wrong. Kasumi adjusted her hands. Showed her how to use leverage.

  "Your turn to defend."

  Before Suzume could process, Kasumi moved. One second she was standing. The next she was behind Suzume with an arm around her waist. Suzume tried to break free. Couldn't. Kasumi's grip was solid.

  "See? Control. It's not about strength. It's about positioning."

  Her breath was warm against Suzume's ear.

  Suzume stopped moving.

  "Again," Kasumi said. She released her. "This time I'll go slower."

  They reset. Kasumi approached. Suzume tried to counter. Failed. Ended up pinned with her back against the mat and Kasumi above her. One of Kasumi's knees was between Suzume's legs. Her hands held Suzume's wrists.

  They were breathing hard.

  Kasumi's hair fell forward, framing her face. Her green eyes were bright. Focused.

  Suzume's heart hammered.

  The moment stretched. Seconds. Kasumi's gaze dropped to Suzume's lips. Her grip loosened slightly.

  Neither of them moved.

  Suzume could feel her pulse in her throat. Could feel the weight of Kasumi above her. The heat between them.

  Kasumi's eyes flicked back up. Met hers.

  Then she pulled back. Stood. Offered her hand.

  "Good," she said. Her voice was steady. "You're learning."

  The moment broke.

  Suzume let herself be pulled up. Her legs felt unsteady.

  "That's enough for tonight," Kasumi said. She was already walking to her bag. "You did well. We'll do this regularly. Build up your reflexes."

  "Right."

  Suzume grabbed her purse with shaking hands.

  They left the gym. The night air was cool against her overheated skin. They walked in silence back to Kasumi's car. Drove to Suzume's apartment. The radio played something soft. Neither of them spoke.

  Kasumi parked outside.

  "Thanks for dinner," Suzume said.

  "Yeah. It was fun."

  "And for the training."

  "That too." Kasumi's hands stayed on the wheel. She wasn't looking at Suzume. "Get some sleep. You have studying to do tomorrow."

  "I know."

  Suzume opened the door and started to get out.

  "Suzu-chan."

  She turned back.

  Kasumi was watching her now. Expression unreadable.

  "Sleep well."

  "You too."