Overpowers: Life Is Magical

"E-excuse me," a nervous voice piped up from Yoshino's right. Nozomi turned to identify the source and found herself looking at a young man dressed in the same uniform as the train staff member she and Yoshino had snuck past earlier. His eyes darted nervously, avoiding direct contact but attempting not to appear rude.

Nozomi blinked a few times, processing what she had just heard. 'Wait, did he just speak in... English?' The realization hit her with the force of a bullet train. Panic began to cloud her face as she struggled to formulate a response. English had never been her strongest subject, and now she was forced into conversation. What should I say? I can barely understand him—should I just bite the bullet and try?

Yoshino, noticing Nozomi's distress, stepped in to save the day. "Yes?" she answered in calm, collected English.

Nozomi's nervous expression gave way to one of immense relief, a smile spreading across her face. YOSHINO! THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

The staff member's nervousness escalated into outright panic as he finally noticed Yoshino's presence by Nozomi's side. His eyes widened as he exchanged glances between the two of them. "O-oh, sorry, I... didn't realize you were accompanied. Excuse my manners!" He bowed apologetically.

Yoshino waved off his apology. "It's fine. My... associate isn’t much for talking. If you have any business with them, you’ll have to speak through me," she explained in near-perfect English, inwardly thanking her uncle Henry for the lessons.

The staff member's eyes widened before he nodded. "I-I see. If that's the case, would you and your associate please come with me? My boss would like to have a word, if it’s not too much trouble." He backed away, giving them space to leave their seats and follow him.

Yoshino turned to Nozomi, summarizing the conversation quickly in Japanese. "He wants us to meet his boss. Do you think we should go?" she whispered.

Nozomi's eyes widened before she considered the offer. "I mean... maybe?" she whispered back, then looked down at Seiza on her lap. "Seiza... can you sense the monster?"

Seiza sniffed the air briefly before climbing onto Nozomi's shoulder to whisper in her ear. "No, whoever is responsible for this barrier isn’t on this train."

"I see..." Nozomi whispered. She then turned to Yoshino and gave her a quick nod of confirmation. Yoshino nodded back and the two girls stood up. The staff member turned away and led them to the door leading to the front wagon, with Nozomi, Yoshino, and Seiza following.

As they walked, Seiza noticed something unsettling. The passengers’ stares weren’t filled with anger or resentment—but fear. It was as though Nozomi’s very presence was enough to instill terror. Seiza even saw some passengers sigh with relief as Nozomi passed by as if they had narrowly avoided death. What's going on? Why is everyone looking at her like that? Seiza wondered, bewildered at how anyone could be afraid of Nozomi.

Opening the door to the next wagon, the staff member led them inside, and Nozomi was immediately struck by the stark contrast. The previous compartment had been utilitarian and crowded, designed for mass transportation with rows of seats lined up like dominoes. This new space, however, exuded an air of exclusivity and luxury, reminiscent of a private lounge reserved for VIP guests.

The wagon contained only four plush seats, upholstered in deep burgundy leather that invited passengers to sink into their comfort. Each pair of seats faced one another, arranged with a sturdy oak table in between. The table, polished to a gleaming finish, was adorned with intricate carvings along its edges, depicting motifs of stars and constellations. This meticulous craftsmanship added an aura of elegance to the setting. The table's surface was spacious enough for paperwork, a game of cards, or a leisurely meal, reflecting the versatility expected by its distinguished users.

Behind these luxurious seats lay a bar that could rival those in high-end establishments. The bar counter, made of polished mahogany, was a dark, reflective surface that showcased an array of colorful drink bottles. These tall, glistening bottles ranged from expensive spirits to delicate wines, their amber, emerald, and ruby hues promising a unique taste in every sip.

Manning the bar was another staff member, whose calm professionalism radiated from him as he meticulously polished a crystal glass. His uniform was immaculate, tailored perfectly to complement the sophisticated ambiance of the wagon.

The compartment was further enhanced by ornate light fixtures hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm, inviting glow over the entire space. Silk curtains in a deep violet hue adorned the windows, adding to the luxurious feel and providing an element of privacy. The soft lighting and rich textures combined to create an atmosphere of refined elegance and comfort.

Her observations were interrupted when the staff member continued moving. Not wanting to draw unwanted attention, Nozomi followed. As they proceeded, she heard voices—female voices—coming from ahead.

"Oh come on, why make this so difficult?! It's obvious you two like each other; just confess already!" one voice yelled, frustration evident.

The second voice tried to respond. "I-I mean, I see your point, but still..." Her argument lacked the fire of the first.

"Still what?" the first voice groaned.

After a pause, the second voice replied, "Still, it wouldn’t feel right for me to do it. It's proper etiquette that he should confess. Why do you even care?"

The first voice didn't answer immediately, leading Nozomi to assume the second voice might have made a good point. Eventually, the first voice snapped back, "Oh, I don't know, maybe because someone can't shut up about whether they should confess! I haven’t slept properly in a month! Do you know how much this is ruining my routine? It’s exhausting!"

"Okay... fair enough, but..." The second voice trailed off as she noticed Nozomi and company.

Nozomi finally saw the women—likely twins judging by their similar appearance and style. Both had immaculate makeup and wore elegant dresses, one in light red and the other in light blue. Their attire was a stark contrast to Nozomi's plain school uniform, which would only win in terms of practicality.

"But... What? Where are you even..." The first voice trailed off as she turned to see Nozomi.

Flustered, Nozomi glanced nervously between the two women, feeling guilty for eavesdropping, despite not understanding the conversation. Before she could apologize, she noticed the staff member had approached a middle-aged man seated near a window, who seemed more interested in the landscape than the noise.

The man wore a white business suit and emanated an aura of authority. He looked to be around the same age as some of Nozomi's older teachers.

"Boss, I've..." The staff member grew nervous, glancing at Nozomi before quickly looking away. "B-brought the guest you were waiting for. She’s accompanied by a spokesperson," he announced.

The middle-aged man turned from the window, addressing the staff member with a calm expression. He glanced at Nozomi before nodding. "I see... you can go now."

The staff member gave a light bow before leaving. Noticing Nozomi had stayed put, the businessman motioned to a seat across from him. "Surely, you don’t want to stand. Have a seat. Your associate can sit by your side."

Nozomi's eyes widened in surprise before nodding nervously. She couldn't understand his words, but his hand motions were clear enough even to her. Phew, thank you old man for making this easier! Nozomi sat down with Yoshino by her side.

Seated, the man gave a satisfied smile. "Alright, so, anything I can get you? Any preference in drinks?"

Yoshino shook her head. "Sorry, we don't drink," she excused herself and Nozomi. Even if the drinks weren’t alcoholic, Yoshino thought it best to avoid consuming anything in a place created by their enemy.

The businessman raised an eyebrow, looking confused. For a moment, Yoshino feared a confrontation.

The tension dissipated as the man's eyes widened in realization. "Oh, I see. It wouldn’t be professional to drink during work. My apologies. Anyway, about the invitation..."

Invitation? What invitation? Wait... could it be the dark barrier that brought us here? Yoshino wondered. "What about it?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

The businessman seemed taken aback, coughing to regain composure. "As the invitation implied, I didn’t just invite you here to enjoy a nice trip, much as I would prefer that."

His expression turned somber. "I’ve become a target of a group called the Rustlers. From what I’ve heard, you’ve had several confrontations with them. That’s why I sent the invitation along with the contract outlining the terms, conditions, and payment for the job.” He extended a handshake. "You probably already know my name, but for the sake of introductions... James Mantle, a pleasure to meet you."

Yoshino shook his hand on behalf of Nozomi. James seemed momentarily startled but quickly composed himself. "It’s a pleasure for us too, James. You can call her..."

James interrupted. "The Blinding Justice, right? Even I’ve heard of the reputation that name carries." He chuckled.

Blinding... Justice? Not Guardian Taurus? Yoshino thought, suddenly realizing this train ride had become far more complex than she’d anticipated.