[yura`]

I agree, larethian! Chapter 35 definitely shook things up!

Spoiler for ch. 35:

The more discerning readers might have already seen it coming. I mentioned that I suspected Sumio's power was tied up with Shigeru's - and the answer wasn't too far off! The water puzzle, the phone call with the other guy - telepathy, of course...! Reading back, suddenly it just made so much sense, especially how Sumio was the only one who could communicate on the cell phone with the occult dude from outside. It's amazing how Sumio's actual power has been well-hidden from us so far.

But I'm looking forward to seeing how the next part of the story plays out. Shigeru is shown to be more intelligent than we've given her credit for (in the way she quickly analysed the situation and put two and two together). I'm still fascinated by how both Sumio and Shigeru's powers have combined in such a way... very interesting. And the third friend 'Silence'... I won't be surprised if he appears somewhere in the plot too.

There's still so many questions to be answered though... the plane hijack incident and how it coincides with Sumio's birthday (Feb 29), Enigma and his plans, the shadows, Sumio's parents... and with this latest development, the long set-up and 'introduction' is finally over, and it feels like we've only really just begun!