The weekend finally arrived, and everyone had their own plans.
Some spent the day with their families, while others went out with friends.
Ria, however, stayed true to her usual routine. She finished the household chores, reviewed her lessons, and helped prepare lunch.
As she checked the kitchen, she realized they were running low on ingredients.
"I guess I should go to the market," she murmured.
After grabbing her reusable bag, she headed out.
The streets were lively, filled with people shopping and chatting. Everything seemed peaceful—until loud shouting echoed from the other side of the road.
Curious, Ria hurried toward the crowd.
A group of robbers was threatening innocent people. Everyone stood frozen in fear.
"Give us your valuables!" one of them yelled.
Suddenly, a small child wandered into the middle of the chaos.
The robber pointed his gun at the frightened child.
Without thinking, Ria stretched out her hand.
"Stop!"
The moment the word left her lips, the world fell silent.
The wind stopped blowing.
The people froze in place.
Even the falling leaves remained suspended in the air.
Time... had stopped.
Ria stared around in disbelief.
"W-What...?"
Although terrified, she knew she couldn't waste the opportunity.
She quickly pulled the child to safety before taking the robbers' weapons one by one and tossing them far away. After making sure everyone was out of danger, she stepped back.
The instant she lowered her hand...
Time began moving again.
The robbers looked around in confusion, unable to understand how they had suddenly lost their weapons.
The crowd quickly overpowered them until the police arrived.
Everyone believed it was a miracle.
Only Ria knew what had truly happened.
From a nearby rooftop, someone had witnessed everything.
Akira watched silently, his eyes fixed on Ria.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So... you really can use it."
Before long, a man dressed in black appeared behind him.
"We've finished the investigation you ordered, sir," the man reported. "And we've confirmed that... she's here as well."
Akira's smile widened.
"Good."
He turned his gaze back toward Ria.
"This is going to be far more interesting than I expected."
Without another word, the two disappeared into the sea of people below.
---
As Ria continued walking toward the market, her thoughts refused to settle.
Did I really stop time...?
She looked around to make sure no one was watching.
Slowly, she raised her hand once more.
"Stop..."
Nothing happened.
She tried again.
Still nothing.
Ria let out a small sigh.
"Maybe it was just a coincidence..."
She shook her head.
"Powers like that don't exist."
Just as she was about to continue walking, an elderly woman called out to her from a small jewelry stall.
"Young lady! Why don't you take a look? You might find something you like."
Ria looked around before pointing at herself.
"Me?"
The woman smiled warmly.
"Yes, you."
Ria approached the stall and examined the beautiful necklaces, rings, and bracelets displayed before her.
"They're beautiful," she admitted with a smile, "but I'm sorry... I don't think I can afford any of these."
The old woman chuckled.
"I'm not asking you to buy one."
She picked up an emerald necklace and gently placed it in Ria's hands.
"This is my gift to you."
Ria blinked in surprise.
"I can't accept this."
"You saved that little child today," the woman replied kindly. "People with hearts like yours deserve something in return."
Ria looked down at the emerald pendant.
The moment her fingers touched it...
A sharp pain shot through her head.
Images flashed before her eyes.
A beautiful flower garden.
A young girl quietly painting beneath the warm afternoon sun.
Nearby, a young man watched her with gentle eyes.
The scene changed.
The two of them were talking, but their voices sounded distant, as though carried away by the wind.
Then the young man took out a small box.
Inside was the very same emerald necklace.
The girl's face lit up with happiness as he carefully placed it around her neck.
The two smiled at each other.
"It's a promise."
The words echoed through her mind.
Everything faded into darkness.
"Miss?"
Ria blinked.
The old woman's voice pulled her back to reality.
"Are you alright?"
"You suddenly looked pale."
Ria held her head for a moment before taking a deep breath.
"I'm... okay."
She looked down at the necklace once more.
"I actually love it."
The old woman smiled.
"I had a feeling you would."
Ria carefully placed the necklace inside her bag.
"Thank you so much," she said politely with a bow. "I should get going now."
"Take care."
"You too."
Ria walked away, unaware that the old woman's smile had changed.
At that moment, every piece of jewelry displayed on the stall vanished into tiny specks of light.
The stall itself slowly disappeared.
Only the mysterious woman remained.
She watched Ria's retreating figure with knowing eyes.
"At last..."
"The necklace has returned to its rightful owner."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Then, like a passing breeze...
She disappeared without a trace.
---
By the time Ria arrived home, the sky had begun to darken.
She prepared dinner, ate quietly with her Aunt, took a warm bath, and finally returned to her room.
Sitting on the edge of her bed, she carefully took the emerald necklace from her bag.
Its green gemstone shimmered beneath the moonlight.
She gently traced it with her fingers.
"Who were those people...?"
"And why does this necklace feel so familiar?"
She closed her hand around the pendant.
Somewhere deep inside her heart...
It felt as though a forgotten promise was slowly beginning to awaken.
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