The alarm blared—sharp and insistent. 5:00 a.m.
Mina lay tangled in her blanket, half-asleep, arms flailing to silence it. Her hand struck the nightstand. She groaned.
A red light filled the room—her quest notification.
"Mmph… I thought I didn't get a quest today," she mumbled.
Lumé floated by the window, the golden sunrise illuminating his small red form. Pipi, her Shiba Inu, slept curled beside her pillow.
"I didn't get a quest yesterday, so why today?" Mina asked, eyes still closed. She yawned and rolled onto her side.
"Because Sundays are for resting," Lumé said, yawning. "But today is Saturday, remember?"
Mina blinked awake. Her cheeks fell. Today was a study day. She sat up, hair falling around her face.
"So, what's the new quest?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
Lumé hovered closer. "You have to prepare breakfast before your mom wakes up."
Mina blinked again. "I don't cook—Mom cooks."
"Aha! That's why it's a quest," Lumé grinned.
He floated over to the screen that glowed beside her bed.
When Mina turned, she gasped. The tasks appeared in bold red letters.
Floating Screen – Daily Tasks
Wake up at 5:00 a.m. (complete)
Walk Pipi for 20 minutes
Cook breakfast before everyone wakes
Catch the school bus on time
Rewards: +40 Popularity, +10 Confidence
Unlock: [ ]
Warning: Fail to finish and receive a penalty!
Mina stared. "All that…in one morning?"
Lumé nodded. "Yes. Finish them all by 8 a.m. and maybe you'll reach 100 points."
She rubbed her temples. "Why is it repeating tasks I've already done?"
"Because repetition is practice," Lumé said. "And I set your alarm so you'd have time."
Mina sighed, glancing at the clock—5:10 a.m.
Lumé floated back, arms folded. "Time to start."
Task 1: Walk Pipi
Mina tossed aside her covers and leapt out of bed. Her ponytail swung side to side as she hurried to dress in comfy leggings and a soft sweatshirt. Pipi barked, waking and wagging her tail.
"Let's go, pup!" Mina said, snapping on his leash.
She stepped outside into dawn's cool air. Their breaths formed tiny clouds. Pipi was happy—tail wagging, ears up. Mina smiled.
They walked down the quiet street, the sky shifting pink and orange. Pipi sniffed every bush; Mina jogged behind to keep up. Occasionally, Pipi stopped to lift a paw—typical morning pup business.
Minutes ticked by. 10… 15… 18.
"Almost there…" Mina whispered. 19… 20…
They returned home just as the first light of morning peaked over the rooftops.
Task 2: Cook Breakfast
She tiptoed into the kitchen where everything was neat in the dim light.
Lumé floated near the countertop, inspecting ingredients.
"Mina, do you even know how to cook?" he whispered.
She shrugged. "A little." Her mom often made tteokbokki—a Korean spicy rice cake dish, easy and filling. She remembered the steps by heart.
She washed rice cakes, sliced fish cakes, chopped green onions. Water boiled. She added sauce.
Lumé's eyes gleamed. Pipi watched from the doorway, tongue out.
The aroma filled the house. Mina stirred carefully, tasting the sauce.
"Needs more sweetness," she muttered, reaching for sugar.
Finally, she plated the steaming dish. The clock read 7:00 a.m.
Lumé floated over and giggled. "Nicely done!"
Mina blinked. "Really?"
He nodded. Pipi barked approvals.
Task 3: Get Ready & Catch Bus
The house was asleep. She rubbed her hands on her apron and walked upstairs.
7:00 a.m.
She entered the bathroom. Steam fogged the mirror. She washed off the cooking scent, showered quickly, and brushed her teeth.
Lumé sat beside the sink and began combing her short hair. "Let's make it stylish for school," he said, tying it up. He even applied light makeup—blush, a hint of tint.
Mina stared. "Lumé—how do you know all this?"
Lumé shrugged. "I've watched tutorials online."
Mina giggled. "Internet spirit…"
She changed into her school uniform—a crisp white shirt and grey skirt. Lumé helped button her blazer.
Lumé eyed her finger. "We need to hide the ring today."
"Why?" Mina asked, fingers trembling as she thought of Semi's curious gaze.
"Because you can't create waves before you graduate," Lumé whispered. "Not yet."
He retrieved black nail polish. Gently, he painted the red ring black.
Mina looked at her hand, amazed. The crimson glow was gone.
They high-fived. Lumé did a little dance.
Breakfast Surprise
7:30 a.m.
Mina dashed downstairs—the scent of tteokbokki filled the air. Her parents were in the kitchen, blinking at her.
"Did you… cook this?" her mom asked.
Mina nodded, sheepish. "Surprise."
Her dad smiled, placing his hands on his hips. "You learned from your grandma?"
"I might have," Mina winked, feeling proud.
They ate together. Pipi tried to beg scraps.
A distant horn sounded.
"The bus!" Mina gasped.
She grabbed her bag and dashed out with Lumé floating behind her.
On the Bus
7:35 a.m.
She boarded quickly—no sprint this time, calm and collected. She tapped her card.
Beside her, her phone pinged.
Tasks: (complete)
Wake up at 5 a.m.(complete)
Take Pipi for a work for 20 minutes(complete
Catch the school bus on time
Points Earned: 95/100
Unlock Special Abilities at 100 Points
Lumé floated over and gave her a thumbs-up. She beamed.
Then—a new prompt appeared:
🟦 Touch to earn +5 Points and unlock your first Special Ability
Mina stared. Her heart hammered. Her finger trembled.
Do it?
Her eyes glittered. She glanced at Lumé. He winked back.
Slowly… she touched the screen.
Light flared.
And suddenly…