"Oh, Reggi-ni~!" Evelyn bounced up the steps. She pinched and turned the greasy door handle and swung it open with a tap of her hip. Her heels clicked on the floor as she strutted into her brother's office boldly. "I brought your favorite~! Oh..." Her shoulders sunk. Only Serizawa was in the room.

     Serizawa recognized the woman at once, immediately clicking his heels together and saluting...for some reason. "Mam!"

     "Where's my brother?" The woman was obviously disappointed, knowing he must be avoiding her.

     "He, um, went out to eat lunch..." Serizawa stood there awkwardly, knowing Reigen was avoiding her.

     "Hhhh.. Oh well. You hungry?!" She offered Serizawa the box lunch instead. Serizawa rose his hands and shook his head vigorously.

     "Nu-uh I- I just ate!"

     The box lunch dropping at her side. "Hhhfff, fine." Evelyn's shoes scraped loudly over the hard floor as she stepped further into the office. She passed slowly by the sofa, small table, and chair facing it. Her eyes studied the imperfections in the painted wall. The creases in the posters. The little trinkets collected from various jobs over the years. The chips in the bookshelf, untouched artifacts, and stains of age gathering around the edges of the floor. Her wandering stopped at the window directly behind Reigen's chair. She touched and swiveled the thing, hearing a small squeak from the metal components. With a bored, tired look much too similar to her brother's after a long day, Evelyn stared through the blinds out the window. Her eyes searched for nothing in particular.

     Another sigh left her lips.

     Her eyes scanned over Reigen's desk. The computer that sat atop it, printer off to the side. All the imperfections in the aging piece of wooden furniture, such as the plaster peeling at the corners.

     This was a real, lived-in place. A spot her brother had spent SO much of his time... A whole nother world she knew next to nothing about. The pin board across the room was what really picked at her nerves. So many pictures of Reigen with previous clients. Pictures of him living a life she was but a stranger to.

     Not a single picture he owned had her in it. To think they drifted so far apart pricked at her eyes, making them tear up.

     The whole time, Serizawa stood in the corner, awkwardly organizing things on a shelf that needn't be organized.

     Her presence transformed the quaint atmosphere of the room dramatically into something foreign and uncomfortable. Every breath solidified that she wasn't supposed to BE here. Her presence was unwelcomed; threatening the very safety this small but necessary room provided.

     Serizawa realized it too, in the suffocating stillness, how little he knew about who he considered to be his closest friend; his boss; the man who had lied to and taken advantage of him for close to a year. He stood there holding a book, pretending to read its contents when his mind couldn't focus on a thing.

     "What's your name, by the way?"

     "Huh? Me?!"

     "Yeah, duh, who else?" When Serizawa turned around, the woman's hands were firmly planted on her brother's desk, familiar eyes staring directly at him. It was in this moment that he saw just how similar she actually was to her brother appearance-wise. She had the same eyebrows, eye shape, and pressing, firm stare. Serizawa found himself trembling a little bit.

     "Uh- uh- Katsuya Serizawa!!" He stared at the ceiling.

     "Serizawa..." She mulled the name around in her head. Then, her eyes landed on him again. "Tell me. Are you actually an Esper, or are you just faking it like he is?"

     "I'm-I'm legit!"

     "Prove it."

     "Uhm- okay-" Serizawa lifted his finger, the tea kettle across the room rising mid-air to pour some warm tea. The tea cup then hovered across the room, resting in the lady's hand. She stared for a moment, only the slightest bit impressed.

     After taking half a sip, Evelyn set the cup down and crossed her arms. "I dated an Esper once. You don't seem the type to go boasting all the time about your abilities, but in case you are, don't go doing that crap; it's a serious turn off." Rolling her eyes. Serizawa cringed, unsure if he did something wrong.

     "I'll keep that in mind..." Awkwardly turning his gaze away, Serizawa prayed for Reigen to appear soon. Tome was out of the question since it was still school hours for her, but that would be a welcomed interruption as well.

     Evelyn stared at Serizawa some more, this time studying his posture. "...You had a rough childhood, didn't you?" Making Serizawa's eyes bulge wide open.

     "WHAT?"

     She casually pointed at him up and down. "I dated a couple guys like you. Did your Esper powers cause trouble for your family? Your dad walk out on you?" If not asked so bluntly, Serizawa would have surely thought she was making fun of him.

     "Tha-that's a bit too personal to talk about with someone I just met!"

     "So I'm right then."

     "NO!!!?!"

     Evelyn rose her hands, taking a step back. "Sorry, sorry... Forgot my manners." Serizawa was beginning to see why she got on Reigen's nerves so much. She was a lot like him, but...worse. Reigen was scarily good at reading people. It's what Serizawa used to talk himself into believing he was psychic when all the red flags were screaming otherwise. But apparently reading people's just an Arataka thing. Made Serizawa squirm, fearing what else she might find out about him from a glance. On top of being a good reader, she was blunt like Mob, which was a terrifying combination.

     Evelyn sensed Serizawa's discomfort was growing to a boiling point and decided it was time to go. She left the box lunch on the desk and headed for the exit. "Sorry I made you uncomfortable. I'll take my leave."

     Serizawa bowed stiffly. "G- good luck on your travels!"

     On her way out, she brushed shoulders with none other than her brother. Neither looked up from the floor. The moment passed quicker than they expected. Quicker and quieter, like two strangers.

     Evelyn's lip quivered. She stopped at the bottom of the stairs, the outside light prying through the glass door. People passed on the side-walk. Her breath hitched, eyes flaring red.

     She was too scared to enter the public eye. Too embarrassed by the shell of a person she'd become. Took her some time to calm her breaths and pretend like nothing happened.

     Reigen was sick to his stomach. He stood at the door to his office, taking a moment to cover his mouth and recollect his thoughts to stop himself from actually vomiting.

     He ended up throwing away the food she bought him.

- - - - - - - - - - -

     I practiced smiling in front of the mirror as I tried on some makeup. Both were fairly foreign to me. I was used to using makeup to make my face more masculine and intimidating, not feminine and appealing.

     You see, my whole life, I struggled with this thing called being "too short." Too short to be taken seriously, too short to strike fear into the hearts of my enemies, too short to be in a position of power. Reigen was completely valid every time he called me out for overcompensating for this unwanted trait of mine. He liked to call me out for wearing all black and showing up in the most dramatic ways; just as much as I liked to tease him about being a fake psychic. So, in a way, we both had fallen into a habit of pushing each other's buttons. Like the mask he pointed out yesterday. I ended up throwing it away, because, he was right, it was a bit too much.

     I was trying so hard to fit the role of something I thought was the only fit for my life. But, I realize now I never HAD to be "The Power Broker." But I chose it because that's what made the most sense. I fit the role so naturally that it became my very reason for being.

     But, I wanted to try something new this year. Just to switch things up.

     I stood there in front of the mirror, makeup done, forcing a big grin. "Hello, I'm (Y/n) (L/n) and I'm here for an interview!... No... Sounds too robotic.... Wassup, it's ya girl, (Y/n) (L/n)! I heard y'all needed some help up in this joint!- N-no... I sound like trouble waiting to happen... Hhh, this is harder than I thought." I rubbed my forehead, careful not to smear my makeup. I double checked my makeup. Was it too much? Did it look like I was trying too hard? I tried to keep it subtle, but maybe even this was a bit too much... Hhhh... I should give up and go back to terrorizing people- NO! I already cleared my calendar of ALL spiritual activity for the year! This year, I live as a HUMAN!

- - - - - - - - - - -

     "Hi, I'm an interview here for (Y/n) (L/n)!" D#MNIT, NOT THAT!!

- - - - - - - - - - -

     Despite the rough start, I got the job surprisingly easy. What job exactly? Heh... A part time job at a...cash register.

     Meh. I didn't have high hopes to begin with. I can save the looking cool for after the year is over.

     It was the same local mart I passed through the other day. A cute little place with a medicine store in the corner that drew in a lot of elderly customers. The same teen girl who took my order the other day, Sanami, was put in charge of teaching me how the machine worked.

     It was loud, the cash drawer literally attacked you, and the desk was overrun with dust and trash. The floor at my feet collected trash, grime, and chewed gum. I wanted to curl up and simply fade away... Too bad my job was too demanding for that. There were countless items, their bar codes, and prices to memorize. Not to mention all the training videos I needed to watch tonight in order to legally be allowed to sell prescriptive drugs and alcohol. This small, simple job I always overlooked was turning into a much bigger hurtle than expected.

     Good thing I was a fast learner. And when I did something, I put my ALL into it!

     By the end of my first week, not only did I manage to excel at my job and move like I'd been working there for years, but the place was spotless!
😎👍✨

     At the expense of my sanity.

- - - - - - - - - - -

     "You guys will NOT believe what I just saw!" Dimple floated in through the window, fighting back the urge to laugh. Reigen spun his chair to face the spirit, Serizawa peeking from behind a corner, Tome hopped off of the couch with a school book in hand.

     "What is it?" Reigen crossed his arms, amused to see the spirit's face contort and twist in so many different ways to hold in his laughter.

     "I--! I saw The Power Broker working as a small store employee!!" He couldn't hold it anymore, letting out a large, long wheeze and cackle. "Crazy, right!!?"

     Tome gasped. "That wench! What is she up to!?"

     Serizawa was a mix of relieved and confused. "Maybe this is a good sign."

     Meanwhile Reigen just stared at Dimple, watching him closely for any signs of lying. But, nope, the spirit was telling the truth. "...Huh. I didn't think she'd take our talk so seriously..." He scratched his chin. Now that he thought about it, he hadn't seen her at all this past week.

     Dimple caught onto Reigen's mumbling, his eyes widening. "Wait YOU had a part in this!!?"

     Reigen shrugged, turning his chair back around. "Well, yeah, sort of. We talked briefly last week. Didn't expect her to make any major changes, though." He leaned forwards, continuing to type at his keyboard like the nonchalant man he was trying to be.

     Dimple hovered closer. Uncomfortably close to Reigen's ear. "Hold on, you're saying you convinced a GOD to turn into a normal nobody?!"

     Reigen leaned away, rubbing his ear. "Oww, not so close! And no, she's not a GOD, she's-! Wait... IS she a god?" The thought never crossed his mind. Reigen wasn't exactly the kind of person to sort people into tier lists.

     After being swatted away, Dimple floated right-on back into Reigen's personal space. "Uh, YEAH! It's rumored her spirit came from the abandoned shrine of none other than one of the Ten Judges of Hell! A direct subordinate of Emma-O the ruler of HELL!... If all that stuff is to be believed, of course."

     Reigen blinked a few times, the information sinking in slowly. "...So, you're saying...nobody knows for certain what she is." Conviction retained in his voice.

     "Hhhh, I suppose not." Dimple backed up. "But, the theories are so widespread among spirits they may as well be true. Everyone treats her like she's one of the Ten Judges, at least. Snirk. Which is why it was so funny seeing her mopping sh!t off the floor. Pfpfpfpfpff!" Everyone else cringed at the image now trapped in their heads.

     "Hold on... Is THAT why she targeted you last year?!" Reigen asked. "Because she knew you were trying to become a god?"

     -_- "Well, no. I sorta kinda possessed a security guard that one time to save Ritsu RIGHT after using a share of her power to revive myself. So, suffice to say she was p!ssed. She only let me live after I explained the situation like five times to her in great detail... And even then, she broke off our contract from further use. Thank GOD Shigeo has the same ability to revive spirits! Or I would have been DONE FOR after the broccoli incident!"

     "Uhuhh..." Reigen rubbed his chin, deep in thought. The other two humans absorbed this information too, slowly taking in what this might mean. The lot of them knew they had acquired quite the powerful rival a few months back, but... One of the Ten Judges of Hell was a scary title even for those who had no idea what it meant.

     Yeah... It WAS kinda strange that Reigen alone was able to convince such a beast to live a normal life.

     But, then again, that's just Reigen doing what Reigen does best.

     Though, "god tamer" would certainly look good on his resume.

- - - - - - - - - - -

     The blond ascended the steps with a bag of groceries in each hand. The setting sun's light gave way to an interesting sight.

     There, I sat with my back against the wall beside my door, eating a sandwich slowly. I stared past the guard-rails at the parking lot and the darkening shapes of buildings, watching as the street and house lights flickered on one after another. A cold breeze nipped my nose. Every other breath of mine expelled in a small, visible cloud.

     "Is something wrong?" Reigen's eyes settled on my small form, thoughts of concern for my health entering his mind.

     "No, I'm fine." I assured him, adjusting my coat tighter around me. It wasn't the thickest, but aside from my face, I was warm. "...It's probably going to snow this year."

     Reigen stared at the clouds with me. After a long pause, he chuckled. "Yeah... It's only October."

     "Been a while since I've seen snow."

     "Yeah... Same..." He glanced back down at me again. I side-eyed him, catching the faintest hint of concern in his eyes. Why was he looking at me like that? Was it the makeup?? Ghh, was he going to treat me like a little girl like everyone did at work too?! I'm just as old as he is, almost thirty!

     "What do you want?" I growled.

     "Oh, nothing-!" He turned his head away. "You look different, though... I don't know why."

     I rolled my eyes. "Just go inside already."

     "Why are you out here?"

...

     For a brief moment, I acted offended and turned my face from him. Then I acted cold and distant, setting my chin on my arms, which rested on my knees. Then, my true feelings settled into view. "...It's too quiet inside."

...

     "...I see." He understood immediately. The quiet evenings after coming back home from work to nothing but your own thoughts. The temptation to do nothing but browse the Internet for hours on end until your eyes get so tired you physically can't keep them open any longer. Then falling asleep with the emotional equivalent of a hole in your chest. The man was a little shocked to find out I could experience such a thing. Someone so...

     He set his groceries down by his door and sat a couple feet away from me, leaning both his back and head against the dirty wall I didn't dare touch with anything but my work clothes. "Ahhhh... You've got the right idea... It's nice out here." I fought the urge to roll my eyes. I saw him shiver clear as day. Yet he decided to sit out here with me.

     "Yeah right." I mumbled, taking another bite of my sandwich.

     "Is it true you're seen as a god by the spirits?" I froze. Caught him staring at me through the corner of his eye. Made me feel uncomfortable for some reason. He just looked...almost.. bored? What WAS that look?!

     I shrugged. "I guess, yeah."

     "Hmh." Reigen settled into a more comfortable position. "You're more humble than I give you credit for... Well? Do you think the rumors about your origins are true?"

     I sat there staring at my sandwich for a bit, unsure how to even begin to articulate my thoughts. "I... Uh... It's a theory that Espers are the reincarnated souls of gods long forgotten... The only reason spirits see me as special is because they believe, deep down, I must still hold onto memories of a time when I was a god."

     "But I asked if you believe their stories." The guy clarified, forcing me to consider my own thoughts and feelings again, two things I was in the habit of ignoring.

     Thinking about it was borderline painful for me. But, I finally closed my eyes and shook my head, swallowing the last bite of sandwich so I could speak. "They're just theories. Theories made by a bunch of confused minds desperately trying to make sense of the world."

     "Hmh." Reigen couldn't add much but hum and nod his head, staring at his lap. The spiritual world, ironically, was far from his field of expertise. Heck, even spirits like Dimple who had been around for centuries had little to no idea of the hows whats and whys of reality.

     Sensing stillness in the air, I decided to speak what was on my mind to fill the silence. "I'm perfectly content never knowing how the world works. I know it works, and, maybe someday I'll learn more about it...when I need to. If the information is necessary."

     Leaning his head against the wall again, Reigen stared at the roof overhead and sighed. "Yeah, that's pretty much how I see it... I can imagine the actual truth is far too big and crazy for our simple minds to comprehend."

     I stared ahead at nothing. "Yeah..." Watching the final embers of the sun's dying light. "I bet it is..."

     With nothing left to digest, a shiver rippled through my body. I stood up, careful not to touch the wall with my bare hands. "You heading in?" He asked.

     "Yeah." I grunted, standing up fully.

     Reigen stood too, using the wall for help, then bent down to pick up his grocery bags. My eyes lingered on the way his hair fell over his face. When he turned to me, I pretended like I wasn't just staring. I opened my already unlocked door and nodded stiffly. "Night."

     Reigen copied my polite, neighborly gesture. "Night."

     That was the first night I went to sleep without taking medication in months.

     My neighbor wasn't quite so lucky.

- - - - - - - - - - -

     The weight of his elbows being pressed into his home-desk was almost enough to cause bruises. He grabbed his head, fingers furiously squeezing his throbbing skull. He hissed through his teeth. "No... Not this...Not now..." He clenched both his eyes and jaw shut. On screen was an email sent by his mother. It was lengthy and full of essentially word salad.

     It was the last part that caught him off guard. The part that made him physically sick.

" 'Your father and I have decided to visit you this Christmas. You can't say no. :)' "