Mamoru was already waiting when Yuuto arrived.

  He was leaning against a fence, scrolling on his phone like he had nowhere else to be. When he noticed Yuuto, he looked up and grinned.

  “Morning,” Mamoru said. “You look dead.”

  Yuuto shrugged. “So what’s the job?”

  Mamoru raised an eyebrow. “Wow. Not even a kiss first?”

  Yuuto snorted. “Just tell me.”

  Mamoru laughed and pocketed his phone. “Alright. Listen.”

  They started walking.

  “It’s granny Ayaka,” Mamoru said. “Seventh Street.”

  Yuuto sighed. “Something serious?.”

  “She lost her cat.”

  Yuuto stopped. “You’re joking.”

  Mamoru shook his head. “Nope. Cat freaked out last night. Her neighbour’s dogs scared it.”

  “And this pays double?” Yuuto asked.

  “Urgent,” Mamoru said. “Cash.”

  Yuuto clicked his tongue. “Last time. I’m serious.”

  “I know,” Mamoru said. “After this, we’ll look for something better. Maybe in red territory. But I think we’re not there yet.”

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  Yuuto didn’t argue.

  They reached the house a few minutes later.

  Granny Ayaka was already waiting outside, hands clasped together. She looked relieved the moment she saw them.

  “Thank you for coming,” she said. “My cat shouldn’t be far. She got scared when the dogs barked. She ran so fast.”

  Mamoru nodded. “Cats usually stay close.”

  “She likes high places,” Ayaka added. “Roofs. Fences.”

  Mamoru looked up. “I’ll take the roof.”

  Then he glanced at Yuuto. “You check around the house.”

  Yuuto nodded and moved to the side yard.

  He saw the cat almost immediately.

  Gray. Thin. Watching him closely.

  “Miso,” Yuuto said softly.

  The cat froze.

  Then ran.

  “Damn it.”

  She moved fast. Crawling low, slipping through gaps, climbing, dropping, changing direction without warning.

  Yuuto chased her, heart pounding.

  He could see every move. Every turn.

  His power kicked in.

  He knew where she would go next.

  But his body couldn’t keep up.

  Too slow.

  “Come on,” Yuuto muttered, reaching out — missing again.

  Frustration burned in his chest.

  “Not enough”

  Air shifted above him.

  Mamoru dropped from the roof.

  One sharp movement. A burst of pressure from his hands.

  He was fast.

  Really fast.

  The cat jumped.

  Mamoru caught her mid-air.

  Yuuto stopped, breathing hard.

  Mamoru landed easily, holding the cat like it was nothing.

  For a second, Yuuto felt it.

  Jealousy.

  Mamoru grinned. “Roof duty never fails.”

  Yuuto shook his head. “Show-off.”

  They brought the cat back.

  Granny Ayaka nearly cried. She thanked them again and again, pressing cash into Mamoru’s hands.

  Mamoru split it and handed half to Yuuto.

  Yuuto pushed it back. “I didn’t do anything.”

  Mamoru frowned. “You cornered her. Without that, I don’t get my moment.”

  He pushed the money back. “Half mine. Half yours.”

  Yuuto hesitated, then took it.

  They walked away.

  After a moment, Yuuto spoke.

  “Next job,” he said. “We go red.”

  Mamoru glanced at him. “You sure?”

  Yuuto nodded. “Next league.”

  Mamoru smiled. “Guess we will not fail on the first one.”

  “Yeah,” Yuuto said. “Me too.”

  Mamoru laughed. “If we succeed you will pay for takeaway.”

  Yuuto smiled “Sure thing.”