— Um, Ria? Why are we on the rooftop?
— It's easier to transport you using my power.
— Why not a car? I can even walk there, while I see the city...
— You don't know how to behave in society yet. You'll draw in too much attention.
Ria grabbed her revolver and approached Yuna. Silently, she pointed it at her head.
— Eh?
— One of my bullets can push targets. It's very convenient, because I can choose the range, speed and inertia.
— You're not going to shoot me, right?
— You won't even notice. You'll be in the school entrance in less than a second.
— Wait, this draws way more attention than just walking!
— Shut up and follow my orders.
Yuna shuddered. She didn't know if Ria lost her patience or if she was just assuring everything would be fine under her command. It was almost impossible to read those grey and soulless eyes.
Ria walked towards Yuna, still pointing the gun. She walked backwards, until she touched the curb.
— Jump.
— I-I don't think I want to.
— I have to practice my aim. I'm spending too much time at the office. But don't worry, I won't miss.
— Am I really your target?! Please, I just want to get down.
— I'm not suggesting anymore. Jump.
Yuna looked back. They were about a kilometer in the sky. Her entire body paralyzed.
— I-I've never jumped from so high before! This is just fucking scary! Please! Isn't there another way?
— You spent your whole life in a tiny room. Yuto loves the sky. Why would you not?
— Because I can't fly!
— Everything has its first time. Speaking of time, your class starts in less than 10 minutes.
Yuna closed her eyes and breathed heavily. She turned her back to face the curb and climbed it, still trembling.
I have to overcome all my fears... If I keep my eyes closed, it will be useless. Besides, maybe I can enjoy it a little bit, like Yuto.
She opened her eyes slowly, with the cold wind lightly pushing her body. She cleared her mind and finally jumped. Instantly later, Ria shot her precisely aiming for the school entrance.
Before Yuna realized it, she was standing in the middle of the other students.
Wait, already?! It really didn't take a second...
She was still panting heavily and sweating a lot. The adrenaline rush wouldn't stop for at least a few minutes. Strangely, she felt like her body was way lighter, not only because of what happened. When she threw the train, she felt the same way. Everything felt weaker and slower around her.
— Hey, are you okay?
Yuna looked up at the guy who was talking to her, seemingly worried. He had orange and red short hair. His eyes and eyebrows also alternated between orange and red. He wore a black jacket with a white shirt underneath, in addition to black pants and a metal chain necklace.
— Y-Yes, I'm 100% okay... My life flashed before my eyes, but I was overreacting...
Didn't he notice anything? How didn't anybody see that? To be fair, not even I saw it...
— That sounds terrible, but if you're okay, that's all that matters! Nice to meet you, I'm Mitone.
He extended his hand to give a handshake.
What is this, a handshake? I think I just have to shake his hand...
She awkwardly grabbed his hand, trying not to crush it, since she was way stronger than a normal human being.
At least the experiment trained me to control my strength... I thought Ria was suspicious at first, but I can maybe trust her now.
— M-My name is YV... I-I mean, Yuna! My name is Yuna!
— Well, you're the first person I've met today, Yuna. I hope we are friends forever.
— F-Friends? What is that?
— When we get along like a family, but not blood-related.
— O-Oh, is that it? I'm sorry for being stupid, you're one of the first people I talk to...
— Don't worry, pal, you're far from stupid. Everything just changed overnight, right? I kind of know that feeling.
— R-Really? Are you a murderer like me?
— What?
— N-Nothing, I'm really sorry! I must go!
Yuna rushed towards the school, leaving Mitone confused.
At the door, there were three girls blocking the way. Because of that, a lot of other students were waiting impatiently for them to leave. The power hierarchy was crystal clear: two of them were generic gyarus bullying the third girl.
The bullied girl had long brown hair and looked depressed. It seemed like that wasn't the first time she had dealt with bullies. They pushed her aggressively, causing her to fall to the ground. She slowly stood up. They kicked her, making her fall over and over again.
When they were satisfied, they left the scene with a bored attitude. The bullied girl slowly walked towards the staircase. It looked like she wasn't even trying to resist, stand up, walk or anything else.
Yuna approached the girls from behind, grabbing one of their shoulders. She squeezed hard, but stopped before she killed her.
— Excuse me, who is she?
They turned around, surprised. The girl Yuna was grabbing took her hand in a menacing way.
— First of all, who are you? If you hurt me again, we won't simply kill you. You'll be like that loser.
Yuna punched her in the stomach so hard she fell to her knees. The other girl ran away immediately, knowing they were probably dealing with a 7-Up user.
— First of all, who is she? I won't ask again.
— What are you doing...?! Do you have the slightest idea who I am?!
— No. I don't give a fuck. Why were you bullying her?
— She's a loser, of course! Why would we waste some fun?!
— That wasn't fun even for you. You were bored as if the week had just begun.
— The week has just begun! It's monday, dumbass!
Yuna grabbed her hair and pulled her face closer.
— Say that again.
— N-No, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry...
— Say it!
— I'm sorry... she just looked way too hopeless... it's boring when they don't even care anymore!
— Then why did you choose her?
— Because she has a power... well, I have one too, but hers is too boring!
— What is it?
— Shapeshifting! She's such a loser that she can't even be herself!
Satisfied, Yuna threw her head towards the wall. The impact was intense enough to make her skull and brain shake. She fell down unconscious, with her eyes still open.
Shapeshifting is a problem... I can imagine why her life has been so difficult.
Yuna rushed towards the staircase, going after the depressed girl. Everyone nearby was shocked but pleased to see that girl lying on the ground.
She finally reached the rooftop. She opened the door slowly to make little noise. The girl was there, climbing the green suicide prevention grid. Yuna walked around her, trying not to alert her.
— Hey! I know life is a pain in the ass, but you're not seeing the good things!
The girl turned around scared, finally showing an emotion.
— H-How did you find me? Go away!
— When I say there are good things in life, I'm not joking. I have killed my brothers and sisters my entire life. My sole purpose was to be an experiment. But I never gave up!
— I-If you're telling the truth, how? How can you possibly not give up after all that?!
— Because I wanted to experience the good things. I won't say something like "enjoy the little things in life, because you'll miss them when they're gone". If you want the big things, go after them. Or wait for a opportunity to take them. They'll arrive someday.
— That's impossible! What I want is impossible to do right now, and I can't wait any longer!
— I know, I waited for the day I was rescued. Time seemed to stop in the meanwhile. But now that I look back, does it really matter? The wait is finally gone. The future has finally arrived.
— If I had been born in the future, everything would be so much easier! I wouldn't have to wait years for the very basic I need to be happy!
— Cautious there, that may be a curse. If you're that obsessed with one specific thing, you'll lose purpose after you get that.
— You know what? I'm tired of everything. If I hadn't been born, I would be so much happier!
The girl finally jumped, with no hesitation or regrets. She finally smiled. It was an empty smile, but still a smile. She was relieved. Everything was finally over.
Suddenly, someone picked her foot. It was Yuna, but not really her. She was still standing a few meters away, looking at her clone holding her body easily. Yuna had walked around the girl to distract her and hide the clone from her field of vision.
They went down safely. The clone placed the girl's head on her lap and carressed her head gently. The clone started talking.
— It's okay now. Give me one chance. We'll find the good things together.
— A twin sister? What a joke...
— No, this is my power, I can make clones. And you're not hallucinating, you're still alive.
— What about this? I'll give you that chance. But you'll have to kill me painlessly and quickly if you fail.
— Alright, I can work with that. Don't be too strict, though.
They both went to the classroom. The class would start in a few minutes, so they weren't late. As soon as Yuna entered, she saw Mitone standing next to a guy sitting, talking casually. He noticed her.
— Oh, Yuna! Look, this is my second friend today.
The guy had blue short hair and wore a white and green shirt. He had his eyes closed, for some reason.
Another chinese? How do they even see anything like that?
— Yo. My name's Eraser, nice to meet ya.
— I'm Yuna. What kind of name is that?
— It's related to my power. Some people are named after the awakening, because their past self is not that important.
— I'm sorry, I didn't think you had a dark past...
— No, I'm not one of those people.
— What? Then why did you mention that?
— It's just a theory, you know. A science theory.
— I can't say I understand...
They both looked at each other awkwardly.
— Oh, this is... uh...
Yuna looked at her new friend to introduce her. She sighed, slightly annoyed. She hated introducing herself.
— I'm Fujoshi Gomi. Just call me Gomi, that's what I am.
Mitone walked towards her and extended his hand.
— I'm Mitone. You're my third friend today.
The girl blushed a little, bringing a piece of life into her eyes for a moment. A kind and handsome guy was talking to her. She couldn't waste this opportunity, or else a scar would be left in her memories.
She shook his hand unevenly, faking an unconvincing smile and trying to make eye contact, but failing miserably.
— I-I'm Gomi! Wait, I already said that... H-Hi! D-Do you come here often?
— Starting today, I'll try to come here often. But you know, some classes are meant to be skipped.
— A-Ah, yes, I understand... you're a-absolutely right!
— Are you okay? We can release our hands now. Unless you want to keep doing this, of course. Exercising our handshake is not a bad idea.
— I-I'm sorry, I almost forgot! Well, I did f-forget...
She released his hand abruptly, even more embarassed.
Someone grabbed Yuna's waist from behind and lifted her up. Startled by the surprise attack, she took a pair of scissors from her pocket and tried to stab the person's head. It went through their eye, but they didn't react.
Yuna looked at her, to know the kidnapper's face. It was Unizard.
— W-What are you doing here?!
— Jeez, you're tough. Not everybody wants to kill you, you should already know that. You're only making yourself look even more suspicious.
— Let me down! Are you kidding me?! Is this some sort of test?
Unizard healed her eye and let Yuna down.
— Sort of. I wanted to greet a new friend, but they see me as an enemy. There's nothing I can do, I suppose.
— You know I've been raised this way!
— Yeah, that's why I'm trying my best to change your ways. But using magic makes things too easy. I want you to help yourself.
— Alright, I'll try to let my guard down. But don't cry when I die.
— Ria already said we're the strongest. We won't let you die, sweetheart.
— Just tell me why you're here. You're not going to babysit me, right?
Everyone was looking at that strange scene. A guy had his scissors stolen when Yuna entered the classroom, but only noticed it when it was full of blood. He tried to ask it back, but was too scared. After all, a level 7 just got damaged by a random girl.
— More or less. I'm going to be your teacher.
— Wait, what?!
The entire classroom was surprised. How could the strongest hero have time to teach random students?
— Look.
She raised her finger and drew a magic circle in the air. An image of Unizard appeared.
— Hi hi, I'm the real one. You were talking with my clone just now.
— Really...?
— What, you thought you could pierce my head with a simple pair of scissors?
— Kind of. You didn't seem that strong in the first place.
— Watch your fucking mouth, brat! I'm sorry, I lost my temper. Anyway, the clones are weakened versions of myself, but sentient ones. So they can teach an entire school at the same time! How wonderful, an entire place filled with me. I can barely contain myself. I really wanted to be there to-
— Alright, just start the class already!
— Today will be just presentations. Also, keep in mind that I weakened my clone on purpose so you could hurt it.
— That doesn't sound true at all. Are you saying I'm weak?
Wait, I think I understand now. It's better that everyone thinks I am weak.
— Oh, you're right, Unizard-sama! I could barely damage it, even though I used all my strength!
Ria was right, this brat's social skills are hopeless.
The class started. It was pretty normal. Unizard presented the school and everything went according to the plan.
When it was over, Yuna reunited with her new friends. They went outside. Eraser said goodbye:
— Change da world, my final message. Goodbye.
Mitone laughed, recognizing the meme.
— Dude, what?
— That's my catchphrase when I leave.
— Alright, I get it. Where do you live? We can talk while we walk there.
— At the association's main building.
— Wait, really?! Are you a hero?
— Kind of. Have you heard of Genesis? She's my mother.
None of them recognized the name.
— Anyways, I'll go by air. Walking is meaningless to me.
— That's not true, buddy. Walking strengthens your legs!
— I am built different, quite literally. Ah, I almost forgot, are you guys interested in cosplay?
They looked at him, trying to understand why he asked something so random. Gomi answered:
— I'm a cosplayer. Why?
— There's going to be an event in a few hours. Are you up for it?
Mitone and Gomi agreed. Yuna took a little more time to remember her schedule. She was used to a strict routine in the lab, so she felt a little too free now.
Well, I'm not in the mood to stare at a wall for the rest of the day.
— Alright. Can you send us the coordinates?
— Sure.
Simultaneously, all their phones received a notification. They took it, confused. Mitone commented:
— How did you do that? You didn't even take out your phone.
— As I said, I am built different. Does anyone want a ride?
— By air?
— Yes.
— I want to exercise my legs. Thanks for the offer, though.
Yuna remembered what happened a few hours ago.
— I'm really good, thanks. I'm afraid of heights.
Gomi said:
— I love heights!
— Wait, Eraser, keep this girl away from the sky!
— Alright guys, I think that's all. Now, if you don't mind, I have to recharge. And waste most of my time procrastinating.
Suddenly, Eraser jumped and plasma came out of his hands and feet. He flew so fast that the wind pushed their hair. They stared at that scene in disbelief.
And I thought clones would be the least normal thing in this world...