**One Kick Girl — Chapter 166:
"After the Weight"**
When power cools • When the world exhales • When silence feels earned
1. Muscles That Remember Being Human
Raon couldn't walk straight.
Not injured.
Just… unused.
Her legs felt like they'd been borrowed from someone who skipped leg day for three years straight.
"…Why does the ground feel rude?" she muttered.
Shion had one arm around her waist, the other gripping Raon's wrist like she might float away—or collapse.
"Because you're actually touching it," Shion said gently.
Raon blinked.
"…Oh."
She laughed quietly.
"That explains a lot."
2. No Applause, No Shockwaves
People passed them.
Normal people.
No screaming. No kneeling. No phones pointed in awe.
A kid ran by chasing a paper airplane.
It didn't curve away from Raon.
It didn't stall.
It just flew.
Yuno watched it go. "…That's new."
Synthra's sensors hummed softly. "Causality is no longer pre-emptively correcting around Raon."
Raon winced. "…That sounds like a medical condition."
"It is," Synthra replied. "You're experiencing baseline existence."
Raon groaned. "Can I get a prescription to stop that?"
3. The Delay Hits
They reached a low wall.
Raon sat down carefully.
The moment she did—
Her body remembered everything it had ignored.
Pain bloomed.
Not sharp.
Thick.
Raon leaned forward, elbows on knees, breathing slow.
"…Ah."
Shion knelt in front of her immediately. "Too much?"
Raon shook her head.
"No. Just… overdue."
She flexed her fingers, watching them tremble.
"…Is this what everyone else feels all the time?"
Shion didn't answer right away.
"…Some days," she said.
Raon swallowed.
4. The Quiet Fear No One Says Out Loud
Yuno shifted uncomfortably.
"…So, uh. Hypothetically. You're still you, right?"
Raon looked up.
"…Define 'me.'"
Yuno paled. "Wrong answer."
Raon smiled faintly.
"I can still kick."
She tapped her foot once.
The pavement did not crack.
"…I just have to mean it now."
Synthra tilted her head. "Your output is no longer automatic."
Raon nodded. "…Good."
Shion searched her face.
"…Are you scared?"
Raon hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…Yeah."
5. Strength Without Momentum
Raon stood again—slowly this time.
Each movement deliberate.
No shortcuts.
No reality assistance.
She took a step.
Then another.
She wobbled.
Shion steadied her without a word.
Raon laughed softly.
"…I used to move faster than thinking."
Shion replied quietly, "…And now?"
"…Now I have to decide first."
She exhaled.
"…That's terrifying."
6. Somewhere Far Away, Eyes Close
In a layer of existence defined by rules and exceptions—
The Adjustment recorded the data.
No alarms.
No red flags.
Only a note:
Subject demonstrates voluntary limitation.
Anomaly trending toward integration.
The observer paused.
Then added one final line.
Curiosity replacing urgency.
The file closed.
7. Normal Is Loud in Its Own Way
They reached the safehouse.
No barriers adjusted for Raon.
No doors opened early.
Raon had to pull.
It squeaked.
She stared at it.
"…Did doors always complain?"
Yuno nodded solemnly. "Yes. They resent us."
Raon laughed—really laughed.
It came out shaky but real.
8. The First Rest That Counts
Raon collapsed onto the couch.
Not dramatically.
Just tired.
Shion sat beside her, close enough their shoulders touched.
"…You don't have to prove anything now," Shion said.
Raon closed her eyes.
"…I know."
"…Then why are you still holding yourself so tight?"
Raon exhaled slowly.
"…Because if I relax too much… I might forget why this matters."
Shion rested her head against Raon's shoulder.
"…I'll remind you."
Raon smiled.
"…Deal."
9. A Promise Without Rules
Synthra dimmed the lights.
Yuno brought water.
No speeches.
No declarations.
Just presence.
Raon sipped slowly.
"…Hey."
Shion hummed.
"…If I ever start bending things again—"
"I'll tell you," Shion said immediately.
"…Even if it hurts?"
"Especially then."
Raon nodded.
"…Good."
10. The World, Unimpressed and Alive
Outside, the city moved.
No distortions. No pauses.
Raon listened to it.
Traffic. Voices. Wind.
Not afraid.
Not reverent.
Just existing.
She opened her eyes.
"…I think I like it this way."
Shion smiled softly.
"…Me too."
END OF CHAPTER 166