**One Kick Girl — Chapter 167:
"The Day Nothing Exploded"**
When peace feels suspicious • When boredom knocks • When normal becomes the new boss fight
1. The Silence Is Wrong
Raon woke up.
Nothing broke.
She lay there for a full five seconds, eyes open, waiting for the ceiling to crack, an alarm to scream, or destiny to kick the door down.
It didn't.
"…Suspicious," she muttered.
She sat up.
No shockwave. No accidental crater in the floor.
Her spine popped instead.
"…Rude," she added, rubbing her back.
2. Morning Without a Theme Song
The kitchen smelled like toast.
Just toast.
Not post-battle toast.
Not emergency ration toast.
Just… bread doing its job.
Yuno was already there, leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone.
"…Good news," he said.
Raon squinted. "I don't like how you opened with that."
"No alerts. No anomalies. No sky tears. No angry gods subtweeting reality."
Raon blinked.
"…That's the good news?"
"That's great news."
She stared at the toaster.
"…Why does it feel like I forgot homework?"
3. Shion Notices First
Shion watched Raon butter her toast.
Carefully.
Measured.
No crumbs flew sideways.
No air pressure ripple.
"…You're thinking too much," Shion said gently.
Raon froze.
"…Am I?"
"Yes."
"…About what?"
"…Everything."
Raon sighed and slumped into a chair.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do when the universe isn't on fire."
Shion smiled faintly.
"Most people improvise."
Raon frowned. "…That sounds illegal."
4. Synthra's Report: Absolutely Nothing
Synthra projected a clean, boring display.
"No significant events in the last twelve hours."
Raon leaned closer.
"…Zoom in."
"It's already zoomed in."
"…Enhance?"
"There is nothing to enhance."
Raon recoiled.
"…I think I'm allergic to peace."
5. The Waiting Sets In
Time passed.
That was the problem.
No monsters. No rivals. No cursed algorithms begging to be kicked.
Raon bounced her leg.
Stopped.
Started again.
"…So," she said. "Hypothetically. If something were to happen—"
Shion cut in immediately. "No."
Raon pouted. "I didn't finish."
"I know where that sentence goes."
"…I could finish responsibly."
Shion raised an eyebrow.
Raon deflated. "…Probably not."
6. The Smallest Test
Raon stood.
Everyone tensed.
She walked to the door.
Slow.
Intentional.
She opened it.
The outside world existed.
Birds chirped.
A neighbor waved awkwardly.
Raon waved back.
Nothing detonated.
She stepped outside.
"…Huh."
Yuno leaned out behind her. "How does it feel?"
Raon thought.
"…Loud."
"Outside?"
"No. Inside."
7. The Weight of Choice
Raon turned around.
"…I could leave."
The room went quiet.
Shion didn't move.
"…Do you want to?"
Raon shook her head.
"…I just realized I can."
That scared her more than losing power ever had.
8. A Mission That Isn't One
Yuno cleared his throat.
"Well. Since nothing's happening."
Raon looked at him.
"…You're about to suggest something stupid."
"Correct. We need groceries."
Silence.
Raon stared.
"…That's it?"
"Milk. Eggs. Snacks you're not allowed to destroy."
Raon blinked twice.
"…This is a trap."
"It's a supermarket."
Shion stood and grabbed her jacket.
"Come on," she said softly. "Low stakes. No explosions."
Raon hesitated.
Then nodded.
"…Okay."
9. The Boss Fight Is the Aisle
The automatic doors slid open.
Raon flinched.
They did nothing else.
She walked in.
Fluorescent lights.
Discount signs.
A child crying because cereal existed.
Raon whispered, "…This place has stronger emotional damage than most villains."
Shion hid a smile.
10. The Kick She Doesn't Take
They passed a stack of boxes.
One wobbled.
Raon's foot twitched.
She stopped herself.
The box settled on its own.
Raon exhaled.
"…I didn't kick it."
Shion squeezed her hand once.
"…You chose not to."
Raon smiled.
Not proud.
Relieved.
11. Nothing Explodes
They paid.
They left.
They went home.
Nothing followed them.
No prophecy activated. No ominous music swelled.
Raon set the groceries down.
"…I think this might be the hardest day I've ever had."
Shion leaned against her shoulder.
"…And you survived."
Raon laughed quietly.
"…Barely."
12. The New Normal Isn't Empty
That night, Raon lay on the couch.
Tired.
Not drained. Not hollow.
Just… human-tired.
She stared at the ceiling.
"…Hey, Shion?"
"Yes?"
"…If tomorrow is like this too…"
Shion smiled in the dark.
"…Then we'll handle it."
Raon closed her eyes.
"…Yeah."
Outside, the world stayed whole.
And for once—
That was enough.
END OF CHAPTER 167