Episode 1 – Ryoko's Telekinetic Commute

Morning in Tokyo. The station was overflowing with people, waves of commuters pushing and shoving their way through the rush hour.

But Ryoko Takahashi, 28 years old, moved through it all with a relaxed, graceful smile.

After all, she didn’t need to walk.

Her heels hovered a few centimeters off the ground. Using her telekinesis, she glided through the city as if skating on air. To avoid the crowd, she gently lifted herself off the ground and soared up to the rooftops.

“Whew. No need to deal with packed trains today♪”

Hopping across the buildings, Ryoko casually checked the news on her phone. She even had time to stop by a café for her morning coffee. The door opened automatically, and a cup floated from the counter to her hands without her ever lining up. Milk and sugar swirled into the cup, perfectly balanced.

“Thanks so much~,” the barista said cheerfully, never realizing that Ryoko hadn’t lifted a finger.

As she neared the business district, the traffic light ahead turned red. Ryoko didn’t break stride. She looked up calmly.

(...Just a little cheat won’t hurt.)

Floating again, she glided across the intersection by traveling along the power lines overhead. People below didn’t notice. At most, they might have sensed something odd in the corner of their eye—a fleeting illusion.

Thus, Ryoko completed her usual “commute, the Ryoko way.”

The moment she touched down at her office entrance, all eyes turned to her. Striking beauty. A graceful figure. A mysterious air of confidence. Coworkers glanced at her as she passed, and the male employees couldn’t help but sigh under their breath.

“Good morning, Ryoko!”

“Morning.”

She returned each greeting with a perfect smile, heading straight for the elevator. Her workday was about to begin.

(Another boring day… Unless someone out there actually accepts my powers, but that’s a fantasy.)

With that thought, she quietly opened the office door.

After conquering the rush hour with ease, Ryoko glided into the building like a breeze. Just her presence seemed to brighten the whole floor. With her striking appearance, warm smile, and flawless work ethic, she was admired by everyone—regardless of gender.

“Good morning, Ryoko-san!”

“You look stunning today, as always!”

Male coworkers from the sales department greeted her eagerly. New hires, in particular, seemed drawn to her like moths to a flame. Some even pretended to casually pass her in the hallway, hoping for a moment of attention.

“Good morning,” she said with a gentle smile.

But that was as far as it went. For Ryoko, small talk at work was part of the job. Nothing more.

At least… that’s how it had always been—until now.

Lunchtime.

“Ryoko-san, would you like to have lunch together?”

Tanaka, the ace of the sales department, finally worked up the nerve to ask. A popular, handsome guy known for his successful office romances.

“Sure,” Ryoko replied with a smile, though inside she was already thinking, Here we go again…

Men like Tanaka were predictable. She could practically read their thoughts. And as expected, he got to the point halfway through their meal.

“You’re honestly amazing, Ryoko-san. I was wondering… Would you be interested in going out sometime? Just the two of us?”

Called it. Ryoko paused thoughtfully, narrowing her eyes slightly.

“I have a little secret,” she said. “If you knew what it was… I wonder how you’d react?”

Tanaka blinked. “A secret?”

“What if… I could control your emotions?”

As she spoke, Ryoko subtly activated her power, adjusting the hormone levels in Tanaka’s brain. A wave of unexplained fear washed over him for just a moment.

“Huh…?”

Tanaka’s face stiffened. Ryoko, still smiling softly, stared straight into his eyes.

“I’m kidding.”

As she said it, the fear vanished. His emotions returned to normal. But something about the encounter unsettled him. With a forced laugh, he changed the subject—and never asked Ryoko out again.

And just like that, another man was gone.

“I guess… normal love just isn’t in the cards for me.”

Beautiful. Charming. Admired by all. And yet, when people saw past the surface, they couldn’t help but fear her.

Every man who learned about her abilities—no matter how intrigued at first—eventually ran away.

I wish I didn’t have these powers...

With that lonely thought, Ryoko returned to her desk.

She had no idea that soon, a certain man would enter this company—

A man who would accept her powers without fear.

A man named Shota.