Wandering Witch: Penance of a thief

I hate dying as an imitator. My glass may not be big, but hey, at least I drink from my own glass. 

Copycats are fools. They don't want to be themselves and instead try to be someone else. How boring is that? 

I was walking along, casually humming a tune that might or might not have been off-key, when I noticed two familiar figures up ahead. 

"Huh?" 

Black hair and matching blue eyes—it was Saya and Mina. What were they doing here? 

"Oh! Long time no see!" I called out, waving enthusiastically. 

They both turned to me, clearly startled. 

"Huh? Arche?" they said in unison, their faces a mix of confusion and mild disbelief. 

"What are you two up to?" I asked, strolling over like we were besties who hung out every day. 

Before I could get closer, Mina stepped forward and blocked my path, her expression sharp and suspicious. 

"Are you really Arche?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. 

What's with the sudden interrogation? 

"The one and only! Why? Did I get even more handsome? Or maybe cooler?" I grinned, striking what I assumed was a dazzling pose. 

"Yep. Definitely Arche," Saya said, as if confirming a scientific fact. 

"I am absolutely Arche!" I declared proudly, chest puffed out like I'd just won an award. 

Mina let out a long, dramatic sigh before stepping aside, finally dropping her guard. It felt like she had just accepted the inevitable. 

I was still scratching my head, utterly baffled. "Uh… so… can someone explain what's going on?" 

Saya took charge of the explanation. "There's a criminal roaming the city who can disguise themselves as someone else." 

"And we're trying to catch that person," Mina added, her serious tone making me feel like I'd accidentally wandered into a crime drama. 

A shapeshifter, huh? Sounds like trouble… but also, kind of cool? Not that I'd say that out loud. 

"Well, if you need my help, just call me," I said, striking a casual yet heroic pose. 

Saya gave a small nod, while Mina just looked unconvinced. 

"Alright, we'll go ahead," Saya said before they both turned to leave. 

I watched them walk away, feeling slightly left out. But hey, I had my own mission to accomplish. 

I headed straight for a casino. My plan? Bankrupt at least a dozen people. No big deal. 

As I stepped through the doors, I announced with a confident smirk, "Hello, everyone! I'm a newcomer." 

The entire room turned to look at me, their sly grins practically dripping with overconfidence. 

"Well, well, newbie. Wanna play a round with me?" one of them called out. 

I grinned back. "Sure thing! I love to play." 

Fast forward a few rounds, and let's just say… it didn't go well for them.

I'm not one to brag, but I'd already stripped five people of their dignity (and, uh, their clothes). 

"Hey, let's play one more round," I said, leaning back in my chair.

My grin was wicked. "If you lose this time, you'll have to lick my feet." 

The men went pale, visibly deflating like popped balloons. I couldn't hold back my laughter. 

"Ahahahaha! Look at all of you! Pathetic! If anyone else dares to challenge me, step right up!" 

The room went silent. No one moved. My reign of terror had officially begun. 

Just as I was basking in the glorious silence of my reign over the casino, a woman with striking green hair sauntered toward me, a sly smile curling her lips. 

"I challenge you!" she declared dramatically, pointing straight at me.

"The loser obeys the commands of the winner!" 

The room fell into a hushed panic. Gasps filled the air, and I could hear the whispers starting. 

"Th-that's… The Naked Maker!" someone muttered. 

Wait, what maker? 

"She makes men naked and weak! She's a total monster!" another whispered, their voice trembling. 

Uh, excuse me, can we use less ambiguous terms here? 

"She leaves them broke and humiliated!" 

Okay, no need to drag me into this narrative! 

Despite their warnings, I wasn't intimidated.

Honestly, I was broke as hell anyway, which is why I walked into this casino in the first place.

What's the worst that could happen? Plus, this was the first woman I'd ever played against here. 

No matter the opponent, I wasn't one to back down. 

"Alright, lady. Let's do this," I said, flashing her a confident grin. 

We sat down to play poker, and it quickly became apparent—she was good. Really good. 

I glanced at my cards, sweat beading on my forehead. "Tch…" 

Noticing my frustration, the green-haired woman smirked smugly.

She was clearly savoring my impending doom. But little did she know, I wasn't above… bending the rules a little.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to employ my secret weapon: cheating. 

Slowly but surely, I started turning the tables. Her smug expression faltered, giving way to confusion. 

"H-how…?!" she stammered as I outplayed her at every turn. 

I chuckled, savoring the moment before slamming down my cards. 

"Royal flush." 

The room collectively gasped, while the woman's face turned a deep shade of red.

She slammed the table in frustration. 

"Impossible…!" 

Turning toward me, her gaze burned with a mix of hatred and disbelief. 

"You…" 

I leaned back in my chair, smirking. "Well, you know the deal. You'll do whatever I say, right?" 

She clicked her tongue in irritation. "Tch! Fine! But after I do what you want, I demand a rematch!" She banged the table again, clearly fuming. 

I leaned forward, my smirk widening. "You know what you're supposed to do, right?" 

The sly grin I gave her was enough to make her seethe with frustration.

"You bastard…" she muttered, her voice trembling with frustration and… was that embarrassment? 

Before I could respond, she knelt down on the floor and reached for my feet, her face flushed red. 

"W-wait, stop!" I said, quickly pulling my feet back. 

She froze, staring up at me with wide eyes before glaring. "Ah… I get it. This isn't enough for you, huh? You're such a perverted bastard!" 

"What?!" 

She stood up abruptly, still blushing furiously. "Fine! Let's go to a hotel!" 

"Hey, hey, hey! That's not what I want!" I snapped, hurriedly putting my shoes back on. 

She turned toward me, looking genuinely baffled. "Huh?! Men definitely want that, right?!"

"Isn't that what you all dream of when you get the chance to boss a woman around?! N-naughty things?!" 

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. "What I want is…" I paused, staring straight into her eyes with all the seriousness I could muster. 

The room fell silent. 

"...Don't play in this casino again." 

Her jaw dropped, and the room erupted in gasps. "W-what?" she stammered, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Why are you…?" 

"You're kicking me out?!" she suddenly shouted, pointing at me like I'd just committed a crime. "How dare you!" 

"Please, just leave," I said, shooing her away like an annoying pigeon. 

She glared daggers at me, then stomped toward the exit. "Just you wait… I'll be back, and I'll destroy you!" she yelled before disappearing out the door. 

For a moment, there was silence in the casino. Then, the other visitors erupted into cheers. 

"You're amazing, young man!" 

"You kicked her out!" 

"Finally, someone beat The Naked Maker!" 

Before I knew it, they were lifting me up and tossing me into the air like I'd just saved the world. 

"H-huh?!" I yelped, flailing mid-air. 

"She's ruined so many people here, and she's never lost before!" 

"And now you've driven her away! You're our hero!" 

Hearing their praise, I couldn't help but grin. "Mhm, keep praising me! I'm listening!" 

When they finally let me down, I left the casino feeling victorious—and, for once, not broke.

Still, I couldn't shake the strange encounter with that green-haired woman.

Something told me this wouldn't be the last I'd see of her.

"That woman..." 

I whistled a cheerful tune as I strolled away from the casino, basking in the afterglow of my latest victory.

Honestly, these people were too easy. 

Back when I was a thief, an old friend of mine taught me all the tricks of the trade, from playing cards to cheating at them.

Those lessons were paying off in spades now. "They didn't stand a chance," I muttered, grinning to myself. 

Feeling good, I climbed up to the roof for some fresh air.

As I scanned the area, I spotted two familiar figures sitting near an alley below. Saya and Mina.

They looked… tired. 

Curious, I made my way down and stopped in front of them, making sure to strike a pose I knew was cool. 

"Tadaa!" 

They both jumped, startled by my sudden appearance. 

"Hm? What's with the tired faces?" I asked, tilting my head. 

But instead of answering, they snapped into action. Wands drawn, they pointed them straight at me. 

"Stay alert, Mina," Saya said firmly. 

Mina nodded, her eyes narrowing. 

"Whoa, whoa! What's going on?" I raised my hands in surrender, completely baffled.

Their hostility was unnerving, and that's coming from someone who thrives on chaos. 

Then I noticed Mina's arm. It was bandaged, and the sight made my stomach twist. 

"Hey, what happened to your arm? Are you okay?" I asked, stepping forward instinctively. 

"Don't come any closer!" Mina shouted, her wand sparking with magic. 

I froze mid-step. "What's going on? Why are you guys acting like this?" 

Saya's voice was cold as ice. "I won't be fooled by you again, Mimica!" 

"Mimica?" I echoed, confused. "Who's Mimica? My name is Arche!" 

And then it hit me. Their earlier words about a criminal who could disguise themselves as others. Right. That's what this was about. 

Realizing the misunderstanding, I tried to calm them down. 

"Wait, wait, wait! I'm the real Arche!" I said, waving my hands frantically. 

Saya and Mina exchanged skeptical glances. "How can we know that?" Mina asked, her voice sharp. 

"Uh… um…" I stammered, racking my brain for proof.

There had to be something only the real me would know… right?

"We fought that egghead before! Ah… what's the name of that damn bald guy?!" I growled, stomping my foot dramatically. 

Saya and Mina raised their eyebrows but stayed silent. 

"Then there was that time when Mina, Avilia, and I wore those ridiculous t-shirts to show off our favorite idols!" I continued, desperately listing anything that would prove my identity. 

"And don't forget! We went to the festival with Elaina, Amnesia, and Avilia! Remember that?" 

Finally, their wands began to lower, the suspicion in their eyes softening. 

I let out a long, relieved breath.

"See? It's really me!" 

They sat back down, but just as I was about to approach, Saya stepped in front of me. 

"We do trust you… a little. But don't come any closer," she said sharply. 

"O-okay…" I raised my hands in surrender and took a step back.

"So… can you explain what happened?" 

Saya nodded, her voice calm and measured as always. 

"We were tracking a criminal, and then suddenly you appeared near us," she began. 

"When we tried to talk to you, you attacked us," Mina added, her voice tinged with frustration. 

I glanced at Mina's bandaged arm, guilt washing over me. "And that's how you got hurt?" I asked. 

Mina nodded grimly. "We fought until this happened." 

"But that wasn't me!" I said quickly. "I was playing at the casino the whole time!" 

Saya's expression didn't change, but Mina tilted her head slightly, considering my words. 

"And the person who impersonated me… they called themselves Mimica?" I asked, piecing things together. 

"Yes," Mina replied. "They introduced themselves as Mimica after we already figured out they weren't the real you." 

"Mimica…" I muttered, clenching my fists. My blood boiled at the thought of someone ruining my reputation.

"I'll find her, and when I do, she's going to pay for this!" I turned on my heel, ready to leave, but Saya's voice stopped me. 

"I'll stay here and look after Mina," she said, glancing at her sister. 

Mina's eyes widened slightly, and a faint blush crept up her cheeks. 

"Sis…" she mumbled, clearly touched by Saya's display of care. 

I gave them a quick nod before bolting down the alleyway. 

"Alright, Mimica… wherever you are, you're not getting away from me!" I shouted.

I was sprinting down the street, my eyes darting left and right as I searched for any sign of Mimica.

My frustration boiled over with every step. But just as I was picking up speed, a loud voice echoed behind me. 

"Hey! Emerald boy!" 

"Huh?" I skidded to a halt, turning to see a burly baker storming toward me, his face red with anger. 

"Give me back the bread you stole!" he bellowed, pointing a flour-dusted finger at me. 

"What?" I blinked, utterly confused. 

"Don't play dumb! You stole my bread! I know your face very well!" 

"Wha—?! I didn't steal anything!" I shouted back, my voice tinged with panic. But then it clicked. 

Mimica. 

That damn Mimica! Ruining my reputation wasn't enough; now they were framing me for petty crimes too?! 

To avoid more drama, I sighed and handed over some money for the bread. "Here, take this!" 

The baker grumbled but took the money, and I bolted down the street again. Unfortunately, the nightmare didn't end there. 

As I ran, people started coming out of nowhere, demanding money. 

"You owe me for those drinks!" 

"Pay up for the broken window!" 

"Where's the money for the jewelry you took?!" 

I could feel my sanity slipping away as I emptied my casino winnings to pay off all these bogus debts.

By the time I was done, half my money was gone, and my patience had hit rock bottom. 

"MIMICA!!" I screamed into the sky, earning some strange looks from passersby. 

And if that wasn't enough, a group of thugs blocked my path next. 

"So, you think you're tough, huh?" one sneered. 

"Challenging all of us and then running away? Not so brave now!" 

I groaned, running a hand down my face. "Ahhh, damn it…!" 

I darted past them, refusing to get dragged into another mess. But as I turned a corner, I nearly ran headfirst into someone familiar. 

"Oh? Arche," Saya greeted, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to my frazzled state. 

"Saya!" I gasped, relieved to see her. But then I noticed something. "Where's Mina?" 

"She's resting," Saya replied, tilting her head slightly. "Why?" 

Ignoring her question, I grabbed her wrist. "Can you follow me?" 

Saya hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. "Alright…" 

I led her into a dark alley, glancing around to make sure no one was following us. 

"Why did you bring me here, Arche?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of suspicion. 

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I stepped closer to her. Too close. 

"A-Arche…?" she stammered, her voice trembling slightly as she looked at me with what seemed like genuine surprise. 

But I wasn't buying it. Without a second thought, I launched a punch straight at her stomach. 

She dodged effortlessly, her face twisting into confusion—or maybe mock offense. "Arche! Why are you attacking me?!" 

I clenched my fists, narrowing my eyes. "Saya said she'd stay behind to look after Mina. She wouldn't leave her sister alone." 

Her expression faltered for a split second before she chuckled darkly.

Then, pointing at me with an exaggerated flair, she sneered, "You're smarter than you look, huh?" 

"Nice to meet you… Mimica." I glared at her, my voice dripping with disdain. 

"Why the hell are you doing this to me?!" I snapped, my frustration boiling over. 

Mimica, still wearing Saya's face, smirked mischievously before her appearance began to shift.

Her hair darkened, her figure morphed, and before I knew it, I was staring at… myself. 

"How does it feel to see yourself, hmm?" she teased, her tone mocking. 

"Bastard…" I growled. 

I lunged at her, but she dodged again with an infuriatingly smug grin.

Without wasting a moment, she bolted down the alley, her form shifting into that of an old woman as she ran. 

"Hey!" I shouted, chasing after her. 

Suddenly, Mimica—now a frail, elderly lady—collapsed dramatically in the middle of the road, flailing her arms like a fish out of water. 

"Ow! My back! My hip! My dignity!" she wailed, pointing a trembling finger at me as though I'd just robbed a bank. 

The crowd around us immediately stopped and turned their attention to the scene. 

I stared at her, my patience snapping like a twig. "You have autism?" I asked, my face blank. 

"He hurt me!" Mimica screeched, her voice shaking with theatrical distress. "This brute tried to attack a helpless old woman!" 

I stared at her, deadpan. "So… did I hurt you, or was I just trying to hurt you? Pick one." 

The crowd's confused murmurs grew louder as all eyes locked onto me. 

Meanwhile, I stood there, utterly dumbfounded. 

Why was she so committed to destroying my reputation?! Did she have a personal vendetta, or was she just bored?! 

"No, he didn't try to hurt the old woman," came a familiar voice from behind me. 

I turned around to see Saya and Mina, both dismounting from their broomsticks with that confident flair only they could manage. 

"The old woman tried to make this guy a scapegoat," Mina added, casually like this was an everyday occurrence. 

I threw my hands up in the air, exasperated. "You guys showed up too late! I was this close to being cast out of society!" 

"The important thing is that we saved you, right?" Mina shrugged, clearly unfazed by my dramatic outburst. 

I couldn't help but notice her arm was still bandaged. She was tough, but maybe a bit too tough for her own good.

I glanced back at Mimica, who was slowly picking herself up, clearly plotting her next escape. 

She dashed through the crowd like she had springs in her shoes. 

"Chase her!" Saya barked, already zooming off on her broomstick. 

We all hopped on our brooms and took to the skies, scanning the crowd below like hawks searching for prey. 

Mimica was fast, no doubt, but so were we. Unfortunately, after a few minutes, we lost sight of her. 

"Damn it, she must've changed her form again!" I grumbled, squinting at the sea of people. 

"Focus, we'll find her," Mina said, determination in her voice. 

Suddenly, Saya pointed downward with a triumphant shout. "That person!" 

We all leaned over our brooms, squinting to see who she was pointing at. 

A blonde man was weaving through the crowd, but something about him looked... off. 

"That's her! She's using that guy's form!" Mina shouted, her voice rising. 

The blonde man looked around nervously before darting into a nearby alley. 

"Gotcha!" Saya grinned, steering her broom towards the alley. 

We followed suit, zooming into the narrow passageway, and sure enough, there he was—the "blonde guy"—looking as if he had just seen a ghost. 

"You've been caught, Mimica," I declared, crossing my arms dramatically. 

The man—well, Mimica—looked at us, blinking in confusion. "Huh? Mimica? I don't know any Mimica!" 

I charged toward her, grabbed her collar, and lifted her up off the ground. "Just admit it!"

Since she was in male form, I didn't hesitate for a second. 

Her body started to morph, twisting and reshaping into a woman. I blinked in shock. "Wait, what the—?!"

There she was, standing before me. The woman I had defated at the casino just hours ago. 

I let go of her collar, and she dropped to the ground, looking up at me with a mix of frustration and... annoyance? 

"You—" I couldn't even finish my sentence, still processing the sudden reveal. 

"You know her, Arche?" Mina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yeah," I said, still in disbelief. "I defated her at the casino a few hours ago." 

"I didn't lose!" she snapped, scrambling to her feet. "I just let my guard down! Let's play again!" 

I took a deep breath, trying to maintain my composure. "No."

She blinked, clearly taken aback by my refusal. "What? No? Are you kidding me?!"

"No," I said again, shaking my head.

She then took out two knives and held them. "Alright! I'll defeat you here!"

Mimica, now disguised as Mina, sprinted toward us with alarming speed.

Just as my punch was about to connect with her face, I stopped myself. 

"Idiot!" she yelled, her voice perfectly mimicking Mina's.

Her knife slashed across my left arm, and pain flared as blood began dripping to the ground. 

I staggered back a few steps, clutching my arm. Behind me, the real Mina glared daggers at me. "That's not me, you idiot!" 

I shrugged with a wry grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Seriously? Now I'm being called an idiot by two Mina?" 

Mimica lunged again, but Saya stepped forward, firing a glowing blue orb of magic at her.

Mimica dodged effortlessly and shifted her form once more—this time into me. 

She jumped forward, aiming a kick at Mina. But Mina was prepared, summoning a magical barrier just in time to block the attack with a resounding thud. 

I didn't waste any time. Sprinting toward Mimica, I threw a punch.

She shifted again, this time into Saya. I hesitated for a split second, but I knew this wasn't the real Saya. 

"Enough of this," I muttered, grabbing her face with my hand.

With all my strength, I shoved her backward, slamming her head against the brick wall behind her. 

"Hey!" the real Saya shouted from behind me. "Why didn't you hesitate when she looked like me?" 

"Because your sister already called me an idiot, you know" I retorted with a cheeky grin. 

But my grin vanished as Mimica retaliated, her knife slashing toward my injured arm again.

I sidestepped just in time, watching her morph back into my form. 

"Have you ever heard," she said, smirking with my face, "that your greatest enemy is yourself?" 

"In that case," I replied, gripping my sword tightly, "I can't wait to see myself lose." 

Mina stepped forward, her hands glowing with icy magic as sharp spikes erupted from the ground.

Mimica dodged nimbly, leaping onto a dumpster with feline agility. 

"There's nowhere to run," Saya said.

With a wave of her hand, large roots emerged from the walls and ground, wrapping tightly around Mimica's legs and holding her in place. 

This was my chance. With a burst of speed, I sprinted toward Mimica, leaping into the air with my fist raised. 

"No matter how close the resemblance, a copy can never beat the original!" I shouted. 

My punch landed squarely on her face, sending her staggering.

Her form flickered and finally reverted to her true self.

A bruise blossomed on her cheek as she glared at me with fury. 

She growled, cutting through the roots with her knife in a swift motion.

Before we could react, she turned and sprinted out of the alley.

We all stared in disbelief as she vanished into thin air. 

"What the—? She just disappeared!" I exclaimed, looking around frantically. 

"Let's find her!" Saya declared, her eyes scanning the crowd like a hawk. 

Mina nodded, though she didn't look particularly thrilled about the chase.

"Yeah, but how are we supposed to find her in a sea of people like this?"

"Good question," I muttered, trying to peer through the bustling street. "It's like looking for a needle in a haystack." 

Saya grinned. "We've got this. She can't hide forever." 

"Don't worry, I have a lot of detective friends, you know?" I thought for a moment.

"Let's see... there's Cynthia, Hans... Sharon—oh wait, she's not a detective," I muttered, scratching my head.

Cynthia's one of my more lively acquaintances-a fun girl with a knack for solving problems in her own eccentric way.

Hans, on the other hand, was my senior at the academy.

He's been a full-fledged detective since graduation.

Incidentally, he was also the first person to uncover my true identity back when I was... let's say, involved in some shadier activities.

As for Sharon... well, there's not much I can say about her.

Not because she's unimportant, but because her story is complicated.

Let's just save that one for another time.

"So what does that have to do with this problem?" Saya asked, clearly not impressed.

"Uh... I just wanted to show off a little," I muttered, turning my face away, pretending to be cool.

"Show-off man," Mina said, rolling her eyes as she removed the bandage from her arm.

We kept walking, scanning the crowd for any signs of Mimica. Suddenly, Saya's voice rang out, "Hey! There!"

We all turned to see a man with green, curly hair sitting on a bench, looking pretty down in the dumps. 

"What's wrong with the cabbage-haired man?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"He looks suspicious," Mina muttered under her breath, as if that somehow explained everything.

"He's just a normal guy," Saya replied, squinting at the man with little enthusiasm.

The guy sat there, sighing dramatically, totally unaware of the attention he was getting. I leaned in for a better look at his face. 

Then, it hit me. "You genius, Mina!"

They both froze and stared at me, wide-eyed. "What do you mean?" Saya asked, confused.

"Did you bring something to mark us?" I asked, my tone suddenly serious.

Mina blinked, clearly puzzled. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

It took a few moments for them to process, but they caught on quickly. Together, we made our way toward the man.

"Hello, cabbage hair," I greeted him cheerfully, sitting down next to him.

Saya and Mina lingered behind me, looking far more cautious than I felt.

"Uh... what do you want?" the man asked, clearly uncomfortable.

I leaned back casually, flashing a grin. "I just want to chat with you, Mimica."

The man froze, and I could almost see the sweat start to bead on his forehead. His face went pale.

"Mimica? I don't know her!" he protested, his voice cracking slightly.

Oh, she was good, but not good enough. I gripped his wrist tightly, preventing him from escaping. "Sure you don't. Nice try though."

"Really? Then what happened to your face? Bruised?" I raised an eyebrow, noticing the unmistakable marks on his face.

"You can disguise yourself as someone else, but you can't hide your wounds, huh?" I smirked.

"Your power has its drawbacks too, huh?"

The man's face contorted in frustration, and in a flash, Mimica dropped her disguise and lunged at me.

Before I knew it, she bit my arm.

I yelped, stumbling back and looking down at the bite mark.

"Huh, it's been a long time since I was bitten by a woman." I winced, more surprised than hurt.

Mimica backed off and, with a dramatic flair, transformed into Mina right before my eyes.

She threw something small and metallic at my feet.

"Tha—?!" Before I could finish my sentence, smoke began to envelop us.

I stood still, my senses sharp as I tried to make out anything through the thick smoke.

I took a cautious step back and—BAM—ran straight into someone.

I spun around, my heart racing, and saw none other than Saya standing behind me, her arms crossed with a small, unimpressed frown.

"Huh? Are you the real Saya?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Saya, deadpan as ever, pointed to the mark we had placed on each other earlier. "And are you the real Arche?"

I quickly pulled up my sleeve and showed my mark, the one that only the real Arche would have.

With that, we had confirmation.

As the smoke began to clear, two figures stood before us, both Mina, both calling out.

"Sis!"

"Arche!"

They both shouted at the same time, and I couldn't help but groan.

Both Mina glared at me, both now trying their best to sound convincing.

"I'm the real one!" they both shouted in unison.

I crossed my arms and looked at Saya. "So, which one of these is the real one? I don't even know anymore."

One of the Minas raised her hand, and on her palm was a clear, unmistakable mark that read 'Real.'

Saya and I exchanged glances, our smiles widening as we both recognized which one was the true Mina.

Without wasting a second, I bolted toward the fake Mina, my fist aimed squarely at her face.

As my punch hurtled toward her, the fake Mina—no, Mimica—quickly stepped back, her eyes widening.

"Arche! I'm the real one, you know!" the fake Mina protested, her voice just a little too shrill.

But the real Mina was right behind us, joining the fray.

All three of us stood together, proudly showing off our marks.

I pointed directly at the fake Mina. "You're the fake one, Mimica!"

Mimica stumbled back, her expression a mixture of shock and frustration. "How did you—"

I smirked, crossing my arms as I answered her. "The thing is, Mimica, your disguise has a little flaw."

I nodded toward the alley where she had attacked me earlier.

"When you impersonated Mina, there was no bandage on your arm. Meanwhile, the real Mina was still wearing hers."

Mimica's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "No... that's impossible..."

"Oh, it gets better," I continued, walking toward her slowly. "You see, when you first take on someone's form, you're just copying their appearance from memory."

"But that means any changes after that—like Mina's bandage—don't show up on your disguise."

I grinned, feeling a little smug. "And the mark we made, well, it's still with the real Mina. So when you copied her, you didn't have it."

Saya and Mina stood there, listening intently, clearly impressed by my analysis.

"I already knew the weakness of your ability, Mimica." I shrugged nonchalantly, feeling like a true detective.

Mimica stood there, her expression twisting with frustration as she reverted back to her true form. "You..."

I couldn't help but smirk. "And lastly, Mina would definitely prefer her sister over me."

I pointed out casually, remembering how the real Mina had been the one to call for Saya, not the imposter.

Mimica's eyes widened, and for a split second, I saw something like embarrassment flash across her face.

"You should really get to know the person you're imitating better," I added, raising an eyebrow.

She glared at me, her form shifting once more as she sprinted away.

Honestly, I was getting tired of seeing her run. If I didn't know better, I'd think she was part rabbit.

"Hey, you!" Saya started to chase after her, but I grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"That's enough for now, Saya. We'll catch her later," I said, my tone firm but calm.

"But—" Mina started, but I cut her off immediately.

"Rest is important," I said with a casual shrug, as if it were the most logical thing in the world.

They both paused, glancing at each other before finally nodding in agreement.

Saya sighed, but there was a certain reluctant respect in her eyes. "He's right. Let's take a break, Mina."

"Sis..." Mina mumbled, her voice soft, and I could tell she appreciated the idea of a breather.

"See you later, Arche," Saya called, giving me a small wave. The two of them walked off, leaving me standing there.

I waved back, though my mind was already drifting elsewhere.

Once they were out of sight, I turned toward the hotel. I had a lot on my mind.

Mimica wasn't going to give up that easily.

I was sure she had more tricks up her sleeve, and I needed to think of a way to counter whatever she was planning next.

Arriving at my room, I sighed and plopped down on the bed.

"What should I do?" I muttered to myself, staring up at the ceiling.

The day's events had drained me more than I'd expected.

Even though the sun wasn't quite down yet, my body felt like it needed a break.

"What a tiring day" I mumbled as I pulled the covers over me and closed my eyes.

Hours passed, and Saya and Mina were sitting together in the park, deep in conversation.

"What should we do to fight Mimica?" Saya sighed, her mind heavy with the task ahead.

"We need a solid plan... Do you have any ideas, Sis?" Mina asked, her voice tinged with both concern and determination.

Just then, a familiar figure approached them. "Arche? Is there a problem?" Saya asked, noticing the smile on his face.

The two of them were startled by his sudden appearance. But then, something felt off.

"It's about Mimica," Arche said, still smiling in that oddly charming way.

And here's where the confusion kicked in—this wasn't me.

Not the real Arche. No, this was Mimica, wearing my form like a bad disguise.

"Wait! Are you the real one?" Mina asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.

Mimica grinned mischievously and showed the mark that said "Real"—the one I had marked earlier to help them tell the difference.

Mina let out a relieved sigh. "Hm, so what do you want to talk about?"

Mimica took a step closer—maybe too close. "Well..." she began, but before she could finish, her hand shot out, aiming to stab Saya.

But Mina was quicker. With a flash of wind magic, she stopped Mimica's hand midair and sent her flying backward.

"I know Arche is a pervert and likes to tease... but he's still keeping his distance!" Mina said with a sharp look, her protective instincts kicking in.

Mimica tumbled to the ground, groaning as she got back to her feet. "Huh... you guys seem pretty close to him, huh?"

"Not really," Saya replied nonchalantly, her posture ready for battle.

"It's just that it's easy to distinguish between real and fake."

Mimica's face twisted into a grimace. "Well, then..." She smirked darkly, her form shifting back to its true self.

"Let's end this."

Mimica launched her first attack, moving with speed and precision, but Saya and Mina managed to evade just in time. 

"Is this all you've got?" Saya taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. 

"Of course not!" Mimica shot back, her form shifting in an instant into a perfect replica of Mina. 

Saya froze for a moment, hesitation evident in her eyes.

"Don't just stand there!" Mina shouted, her tone sharp.

A gust of wind erupted from her palm, striking Mimica squarely and sending her crashing into the trunk of a large tree. 

Saya's lips tightened, but Mina wasn't finished. "Sis, why did you hesitate? You knew that wasn't me!" 

"I'm sorry," Saya replied, her voice soft with guilt. "Even knowing it's Mimica, I couldn't bring myself to hurt someone who looks like you." 

Mina turned away, crossing her arms. "Hmph. Idiot." She pouted, but i'm sure she feels happy. 

"Don't get distracted!" Mimica's voice cut through the air as she launched her next assault.

This time, she managed to close the distance and slash Mina's arm with her blade. Blood trickled down, staining her sleeve. 

"Mina!" Saya cried out, with a swift motion, she summoned thick, twisting roots from the ground.

The roots coiled around Mimica's body, lifting her into the air. 

Mina, now perched on her broomstick, ascended quickly.

Electricity crackled in her wand as she prepared a bolt of lightning aimed directly at Mimica. 

But just as Mina was about to release her attack, Mimica shifted again—this time into Saya's form.

Her expression contorted into one of fear and pleading, her voice trembling as she said, "Mina… please, don't!" 

Mina faltered, the lightning dissipating in her hand.

For a moment, she hesitated, her heart racing as she struggled to differentiate between her real sister and the imposter before her. 

Then, Mimica shifted once more. Her form shrank, her features softening until she appeared as a small, innocent child.

With her now diminutive body, she easily slipped free from the constricting roots. 

"Hah! So this is all you're capable of?" Mimica mocked, her grin smug and triumphant. 

I had been watching the battle from a distance, observing Saya and Mina as they faced Mimica.

They were holding their ground, but I could see the strain. It was time for me to step in. 

Quietly, I moved closer, my steps swift yet silent. Mimica had her back to me, too focused on the sisters to notice my approach.

Saya and Mina's eyes widened in surprise as they caught sight of me behind her. "Arche?"

Before Mimica could turn around, I struck her square in the back. Even though she was still in the form of a child, I didn't hold back.

The force sent her flying forward, her body tumbling across the ground. 

As she rolled to a stop, her disguise shattered, revealing her true form once again.

Seizing the opportunity, Saya and Mina sprang into action. 

Saya raised her wand, summoning a gust of wind that launched Mimica high into the air.

Mina hovered above her on her broomstick, her wand sparking with magic, ready to act.

With a fierce determination, Mina unleashed a bolt of lightning that struck Mimica midair.

The energy coursed through her body, and she let out a scream of pain before plummeting back to the ground, landing with a sickening thud. 

The three of us surrounded her, watching as she writhed in pain, trying to recover.

I grinned, stepping closer. "It's over, Mimica. You've lost." 

But she wasn't finished yet. Mimica staggered to her feet, her eyes burning with defiance.

She glared at each of us in turn, her breathing ragged but her resolve unbroken. "I will not lose to you again!" 

And then, her body began to shift again. At first, I thought it was just another one of her tricks, another form to throw us off balance.

But as her features settled, my blood ran cold. I froze, my breath catching in my throat. "You—" 

Before me stood not Mimica. No, it was still her. But her face, her form… it wasn't a stranger this time. 

It was my mother. 

"You son of a…" I whispered, my fists clenching as the weight of her deception sank in. 

"You turned into my sister again? You don't have any other ideas, do you?" Mina said sarcastically.

"Huh? No, Mina, she changed her form to you, you know!" Saya replied.

"Huh?" I was shocked to hear that, because I clearly saw that she turned her form into my mother.

"Yes! You saw right! I turned into the person you love the most!" Mimica said while laughing.

Hearing that, Saya and Mina turned to look at me, curious about who I was seeing.

"Now! Attack me if you can!"

Mimica lunged toward me, her twisted laughter echoing in the air.

"Hahaha!" Her voice, combined with the form she had taken—the face of my mother—sent a chill down my spine. 

I knew it was Mimica. My mind screamed it over and over, but my heart hesitated.

My fists refused to rise, my body frozen by the cruel illusion she had crafted. 

Before I could steel myself, Mimica struck. Her blade pierced my abdomen, a sharp, searing pain radiating through me.

"Ugh…" I gasped, stumbling back as I pushed her away with trembling hands. 

My vision blurred as I reached down, pulling the knife from my wound with a grimace.

Blood dripped onto the ground, staining the grass beneath my feet.

"You… You'll pay for that," I growled, my voice low and full of anger. 

"Arche! Are you okay?" Saya's voice cut through the haze of pain. She rushed toward me, Mina close behind. 

Saya wasted no time, her wand glowing as she conjured a blazing stream of fire aimed at Mimica.

The flames roared, illuminating the darkened park, but Mimica dodged with ease, her speed uncanny. 

Meanwhile, Mina knelt beside me, her hands glowing with a gentle green light as she began to heal my wound.

"Stay still, Arche. I'll take care of this," she said firmly, her usually sharp tone softened by concern. 

Mimica, undeterred, tried to close the distance again, her blade flashing as she aimed for Saya.

But Saya reacted swiftly, raising a shimmering barrier of magic to block the attack.

The impact sent sparks flying, but the barrier held strong. 

I clenched my fists, feeling the warmth of Mina's magic knitting my wound together.

The pain began to subside, and I forced myself to stand, ignoring her protests.

"I can still fight," I muttered, stepping forward. 

Mina shot me a sharp glance. "Arche, sit down and stabilize yourself. You'll only get in the way like this." 

"Tch…" I clicked my tongue, frustration boiling within me.

But she was right. I couldn't let my recklessness become their burden.

With a reluctant nod, I stepped back, watching as Saya and Mina took the lead. 

The sisters exchanged a glance, their bond evident in the silent understanding between them.

Mina smirked, her broom hovering slightly off the ground.

"Let's finish this, sis," she said with determination. 

Saya nodded, her grip on her wand tightening. "Yes. Let's end this." 

Saya unleashed a relentless barrage of ice spells, forcing Mimica to dodge with increasing difficulty.

Her movements, once fluid and confident, became frantic as the freezing shards rained down. 

At the same time, Mina fired bursts of flame from the opposite direction, boxing Mimica in.

Realizing she was being cornered, Mimica leaped back to create distance.

Her eyes darted between the two sisters, calculating her next move. 

She sprinted forward, aiming a sharp kick at Saya.

Saya barely managed to block the blow, her barrier shimmering as the impact echoed through the park. 

Mina immediately retaliated, hurling a fiery strike toward Mimica.

Mimica twisted out of the way, but the flames narrowly missed Saya, forcing her to dodge as well. 

Saya quickly countered by hurling several orbs of water at Mimica.

Seeing the harmless-looking spheres, Mimica scoffed, standing her ground with a smug grin. 

"Is this the best you've got?" she taunted, unaware of Mina's smirk from behind Saya. 

With a flick of her wand, Mina transformed the water orbs into jagged shards of ice mid-air.

The shards struck Mimica, drawing a sharp cry of pain from her. 

"Tch!" Mimica hissed, clutching her arm, now scratched and bleeding. 

Meanwhile, I steadied myself, my mind racing as I tried to shake off the illusion.

It's not her. It's not my mother. It's Mimica. Just Mimica. I repeated the mantra over and over until the fog in my head began to clear. 

Pushing myself to my feet, I shouted, "Saya! Mina! Leave her to me!" 

Saya and Mina turned, startled by my sudden declaration. 

"Arche, don't be stupid—" Mina started, but I was already running toward Mimica, my fists clenched, my resolve solidified. 

"Idiot!" Mina yelled after me, but her words barely registered. 

As I closed the distance, Mimica's expression shifted.

She dropped her smug grin, her face morphing into something softer, something familiar—my mother's sorrowful visage. 

I froze in place, hesitation chaining me down. Mimica took full advantage, her hand shooting out to grab my face. 

With inhuman strength, she pushed me backward, slamming my body into a tree.

My skull thudded against the bark, the rough texture scraping my back.

Her grip on my face tightened as she leaned in close, her eyes glinting with malice. 

"How does it feel," she hissed, her voice dripping with venom, "to see your mother attacking you like this?!" 

Her laughter cut through the air, a cruel mockery of the bond she had stolen from my memories.

"You'll regret ever kicking me out of the casino!" she screamed, her rage unrestrained. 

But then, her laughter faltered. Her eyes widened as she felt something sharp piercing her stomach. 

"Agh?!" she gasped, stumbling backward. 

She looked down to see my hand gripping the very knife she had used against me earlier, now buried in her abdomen.

Her mouth twisted in shock as she locked eyes with me. 

I stood there, panting, blood trickling from my lip, but my grip on the knife was firm.

"You'll never be her," I spat, my voice low and steady. 

Mimica staggered back, clutching her wound, her illusion flickering for the briefest moment.

Saya immediately locked Mimica's body with earth magic, trapping her in place. She struggled, but it was no use.

"Let go of me!" Mimica shouted, her voice filled with frustration.

With Mimica defeated, Mina turned her attention to me and began healing my wounds.

"You're so reckless," she muttered, her tone a mix of annoyance and concern.

I chuckled, wincing slightly from the healing. "Thanks," I said, trying to make light of it.

"That's not a compliment!" Mina protested, clearly irritated by my response.

Saya, ever the supportive friend, chimed in with a grin. "You're pretty great too, aren't you, Arche?"

I raised an eyebrow and smiled arrogantly. "You just realized it?"

After Mina finished healing me, I stood up and gave her a soft pat on the head. "Thank you for healing me, Mina."

She pushed my hand away with an exasperated sigh.

"You're welcome," she muttered, clearly not enjoying the attention.

We then approached Mimica, who was still trapped by the earth magic, now in her original form.

She glared at us, her patience running thin. "You must be so happy to see me stuck here," she grumbled. "After you threw me out of the casino..."

I crossed my arms and looked down at her with a smirk.

"Why are you so angry just because I kicked you out of the casino?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Mimica's words hit me like a punch to the gut. She was trembling, her voice cracking with anger and desperation.

"You don't know anything! I have four younger siblings at home!" she yelled, her eyes filled with tears.

"I'm the one who has to support them! The only way I can make money is through the casino!"

Her voice trembled as she continued, "In the casino, I can make sure my siblings eat well!"

"My parents... they left us because they couldn't provide for us!"

She paused, as if trying to hold back her emotions. "You know nothing about me!" she shouted, her voice laced with bitterness.

I stood frozen, my heart heavy with guilt. Saya and Mina shared the same stunned expression as me.

None of us had expected this.

"Why did you throw me out of the casino?!" Mimica screamed, her anger directed straight at me.

I took a deep breath, the weight of her words sinking in. With the eyes of everyone on me, I knew I had to respond carefully.

"Because you're still young," I said, my voice softening.

"I'm sure you're still in your teens. A girl as young as you shouldn't be involved in something like a casino."

I looked at her, my tone sincere. "I know you're good at playing, and I admit, when I played with you, I used cheating methods."

"But you're better than that. You shouldn't be risking your future like this."

She shook her head, her eyes widening in disbelief. "But... but I need the money!" she cried out.

I sighed and continued, "I'm sure one day, you'll run into someone who isn't as kind as me."

"Someone who will take advantage of your weakness. It's only a matter of time before that happens."

But instead of calming down, Mimica's anger only grew.

"You cheated against me?!" she yelled, her voice venomous.

"How dare you! How dare you cheat when fighting me!"

She thrashed against the earth magic that bound her, but it was futile.

"Do your younger siblings know that you got money from the casino?" I asked, my voice softer this time.

Mimica was silent for a moment, her eyes widening as the question hit her harder than she expected.

She didn't say a word, just staring down at the ground.

"Of course not, right?" I continued, pressing further. "And what would happen if they found out? What would you do then?"

She didn't answer, but her silence spoke volumes.

I saw the weight of the situation hitting her, and I could almost hear the thoughts running through her mind.

"They must be worried if they found out, right?"

Her shoulders slumped as she finally lowered her gaze to the floor, the guilt starting to consume her.

"Sis?" A small voice called out from behind us.

We turned, and to our surprise, four kids appeared from behind Mina. Two boys and two girls, all running toward Mimica.

Mimica's eyes went wide as she saw them. The moment they reached her, the boys immediately tried to release Mimica from the earth magic that held her.

"Are they your siblings?" Saya asked, her voice gentle but curious.

Mimica didn't respond, too overwhelmed by the sight of her younger siblings. Without a word, I turned to Saya.

"Saya, release Mimica."

Saya nodded, her magic dissolving the bonds that held Mimica in place.

As soon as Mimica was free, she immediately pulled her siblings into a tight embrace, holding them close as if they were the only thing that mattered in the world.

"I'm sorry!" Mimica cried, her voice filled with genuine regret as she hugged her four younger siblings tightly.

"Huh? What's wrong, sis?" one of the boys asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Without warning, one of the girls, the youngest of them all, began to cry.

Her small sobs pierced the air. "Hey? Why are you crying?" the other boy asked, concerned.

"Shuussh, let her cry, stupid!" the older girl scolded the boy, her tone sharp but protective.

"Hey? I'm older than you, you know!" the boy protested, clearly flustered by his sister's comment.

Mimica watched her siblings interact, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips as tears continued to fall.

"You guys can't keep quiet, can you?" she said, her voice a mix of affection and amusement.

I turned to Saya and Mina with a smile, and they both smiled back, feeling a warmth from the moment.

Despite everything that had happened, it was clear that Mimica's love for her siblings was real.

It felt like a small victory in the midst of all the chaos.

After a while, Mimica was given the time she needed to talk to her younger siblings, and the siblings, although sad, seemed to find comfort in each other's presence.

"By the way, what crime did Mimica commit?" I asked, remembering the mention of a criminal they were looking for earlier.

"According to the report, she only committed theft," Saya replied, her voice thoughtful.

"Even so, it must have been for her younger siblings, right?" I said, the realization sinking in.

Her actions, though wrong, were driven by a deep need to care for those she loved.

"Yes, you're right," Mina added, her voice gentle.

Despite her good intentions, Mimica still had to face consequences.

She was detained, and her younger siblings, while deeply attached to her, were placed in an orphanage, away from her care.

The moment of unity had passed, but it wasn't without its lessons.

As we stood there, watching Mimica and her siblings one last time, it was clear that sometimes people make desperate choices, not out of malice, but out of love.