Kenji walked through the streets of Nagazora, the early morning sun casting long shadows across the pavement. The familiar hum of the city surrounded him.
But for once, the vibrant energy of the city didn't lift his mood. His thoughts were elsewhere, weighing heavily as he made his way toward Daichi's gym.
His fingers fidgeted with the straps of his gym bag slung over one shoulder. It felt heavier than usual, though he knew the weight wasn't physical.
It was the knowledge that this would be the last time he'd make this walk. Two weeks of patrolling as the Night Runner had pushed him to a breaking point, and something had to give. It was a hard choice between giving up the gym or the dojo.
He'd made up his mind a week ago, telling Daichi he'd be leaving the gym to focus on "other commitments." Daichi hadn't pried, just nodded and said they'd make his last session a good one. Kenji had smiled then, but now that the day had arrived, the thought of saying goodbye gnawed at him.
His stomach twisted as the gym's familiar facade came into view. The small building had become his second home in the past few months. It wasn't just a place to train, it was where he'd learned discipline, how to push past his limits, and where he'd found a good mentor figure.
The bell above the door jingled as he stepped inside, the familiar smell of leather, sweat, and rubber mats hitting him immediately. A handful of regulars were scattered around the space, working on heavy bags, sparring in the ring, or doing footwork drills in the corner.
Kenji's eyes scanned the room until they landed on Daichi, who was adjusting a speed bag for one of the younger boxers.
"Hey, kid," Daichi called out, spotting him. His voice was gruff as always, but there was a warmth in his tone. He waved Kenji over with a nod. "Eager to get your butt kicked one last time?"
Kenji grinned faintly, trying to match the older man's energy. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."
Daichi gave him a once-over, his sharp eyes catching the slight hesitation in Kenji's step. "You alright? You look like you're walking to your own funeral."
Kenji chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Just… y'know. Feels weird, that's all."
Daichi grunted, crossing his arms as he leaned against the speed bag. "Well, don't get all sentimental on me yet. You've still got one session to survive. Go warm up."
Kenji nodded, setting his bag down by the wall before heading to the mats. He started with some stretches, his movements mechanical as his mind wandered. Memories of his first few weeks at the gym flashed through his head, how clumsy he'd been, how much Daichi had pushed him, and how far he'd come since then.
"Alright, enough of that," Daichi called out, snapping him out of his thoughts. "Get your gloves on. We're doing this proper."
Kenji stood, his legs feeling steadier as he grabbed his gloves and slid them on. He tightened the straps, by the time he stepped into the ring, the nervous weight in his chest had eased, replaced by a strange calmness. He always made sure to not use his powers while training in the gym.
Daichi climbed into the ring with his usual confidence, slipping on a pair of mitts. He tapped them together, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Let's see if you've actually been listening to me all these months."
Kenji bounced on the balls of his feet, shaking out his arms. "I'm not gonna go easy on you, old man."
Daichi barked a laugh. "Good. I'd be insulted if you did."
They squared off, circling each other in the ring. Daichi moved with the practiced ease of someone who'd spent a lifetime in the sport, his stance solid and his eyes sharp. Kenji mirrored him, his own movements more fluid than they'd been when he first started.
Daichi threw the first punch, a quick jab aimed at testing Kenji's reflexes. Kenji dodged to the side, his footwork clean as he countered with a hook. Daichi blocked it with the mitt, grinning. "Not bad. You're not as slow as you used to be."
Kenji smirked, stepping back to reset. "I've had a decent teacher."
They continued sparring, the rhythm of their movements filling the gym. Daichi pushed him hard, throwing combinations that forced Kenji to stay on his toes. Kenji responded with a mix of calculated strikes and instinctive counters, his confidence showing with each exchange.
"Keep your guard up!" Daichi barked as Kenji narrowly avoided a jab. "You're still dropping your left after every combo."
Kenji adjusted immediately, his focus narrowing. He slipped under a hook and landed a clean body shot, the impact drawing a grunt from Daichi.
"Alright, alright," Daichi said, stepping back with a grin. "I see you've been paying attention."
Kenji wiped the sweat from his brow, giving Daichi a smug grin. "Told you I wasn't gonna go easy."
They sparred for another round, the intensity ramping up as Daichi tested Kenji's limits. By the end, both of them were breathing hard, or more like only Daichi was. Their gloves hanging at their sides. Daichi called it, raising a hand to signal the end of the session.
Kenji leaned against the ropes, pulling off his gloves as he caught his breath. Daichi stood in the center of the ring, watching him with an unreadable expression.
"You've come a long way, kid," Daichi said finally, his voice quieter than usual. "When you first walked in here, I didn't think you'd last a week. But you proved me wrong."
Kenji looked up, his throat tightening. "I couldn't have done it without you."
Daichi snorted, crossing his arms. "Don't get all mushy on me. You put in the work. I just pointed you in the right direction."
They stood in silence for a moment, neither knowing what to say. Kenji stepped forward, extending a hand. Daichi stared at it for a beat before grinning and giving Kenji a strong handshake.
"You're gonna do fine, whatever you're chasing," Daichi said, his tone gruff but sincere. "Just don't forget what you've learned here."
Kenji nodded, his voice thick as he replied, "I won't. Thanks for everything, Daichi."
As they stepped out of the ring, Kenji felt a mix of sadness and gratitude. Leaving the gym wasn't easy, but he knew it was the right choice.
Daichi had given him the tools he needed to face whatever came next, and for that, he'd always be grateful.
He grabbed his bag, slinging it over his shoulder as he turned to leave. Daichi watched him go, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Hey, kid."
Kenji paused, looking back. "Yeah?"
"Don't be a stranger."
Kenji grinned, the sadness in his chest easing just a little. "I won't."
---
The city lights stretched out before Kenji, glittering like scattered stars against the dark expanse of Nagazora. He darted across the rooftops, the cool night air whipping against his face as his boots thudded softly on concrete and gravel.
The rhythmic hum of his breathing matched the steady cadence of his strides, a soothing tempo that gave him time to think.
Since donning the suit and taking on the role of the Night Runner, Kenji had noticed something strange about his power. OFA felt… easier. More natural. It wasn't just the adrenaline rush or the sense of purpose when he intervened, it was as though his body was finally getting used to OFA's power.
He flexed his fingers as he leapt to the next rooftop, landing with barely a sound. He could hold 15% OFA all night now, something that used to leave him winded in a couple of minutes. It wasn't perfect, pushing to 25% still hurt like hell, and he couldn't sustain it for long, but progress was still progress.
"Maybe it's the constant use," he muttered to himself, his breath fogging in the chill night air. "Or maybe Daichi's training helped more than I thought."
He let out a quiet chuckle, the corners of his mouth twitching into a faint smile. Whatever the reason, it felt good to finally feel some control.
The first time he'd activated OFA, it had felt like a raging storm inside him, threatening to tear him apart. Now, it was more like a river, powerful but manageable, as long as he stayed within the flow.
Kenji was about to take another leap when a sharp, piercing jolt shot through his mind. His danger sense flared, and his head whipped toward the source of the warning.
His eyes locked onto a man standing on a dimly lit street below, holding the hand of a small girl who clutched his leg tightly. Opposite them were three large men, their postures aggressive.
Kenji narrowed his eyes, crouching low as he hopped to a closer rooftop. The shadows concealed him as he listened, straining to pick up the conversation. The man holding the girl's hand, her father presumably, was speaking. Kenji could tell that the man was trying to keep a brave front for his daughter.
"I told you," the father said, his tone firm but trembling at the edges. "I already paid what I owed. You got every last cent."
One of the thugs stepped forward, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, you did. But you forgot about the interest."
The father's eyes widened in shock, his grip on his daughter's hand tightening. "What interest? There was no mention of interest in the agreement!"
The thug's grin vanished, replaced by a snarl. "There is now!" he barked, his voice echoing off the nearby buildings. "And if you don't pay up, there'll be consequences."
The other two men stepped forward, their size making the already tense scene feel suffocating. The girl whimpered, her tiny frame shaking as she hid behind her father's leg.
Kenji's fists tightened at his sides. His jaw clenched, and a spark of anger flared in his chest.
His mind raced through the possibilities, these guys had to be loan sharks or gang enforcers, preying on the unfortunate, the people who are just trying to get by. And worse, they were threatening a child.
That was enough.
Kenji took a deep breath, activating 15% OFA. His muscles tensed as the power coursed through him. He stepped off the edge of the rooftop, landing with a solid thud on the pavement between the two groups.
The impact startled everyone. The father and daughter flinched, the child holding her father's leg tighter, their wide eyes snapping to him in surprise. The thugs took a step back, their bravado faltering as they registered the hooded figure standing before them.
Kenji straightened, his hands loose at his sides. He didn't speak, didn't make a sound. He didn't need to. The thugs recognized him immediately, the man that crawls through the shadows, the Night Runner.
The thug who had been yelling moments ago swallowed hard, all that bravado was gone instantly, the mans finger tips were trembling. "W-we don't want trouble," he stammered, though his voice betrayed him. "Just mind your own business."
Kenji didn't move, his silence more unnerving than any threat he could have made. His sharp gaze flicked to the man furthest from him, who had started inching away. "Fuck this, I'm not getting arrested today!" When that man suddenly bolted down the street, the remaining two hesitated for only a second before following suit, their footsteps echoing as they fled into the night.
Kenji watched them go, only moving once their footsteps were no longer heard and they were out of sight. He turned back to the father and daughter, who now looked far more at ease. The father's face was a mix of relief and gratitude, his free hand pressing to his chest as though trying to calm his racing heart.
"Thank you," the man said, his voice trembling with sincerity. "Thank you so much."
Kenji gave him a small nod, he glanced down at the girl, who peeked out from behind her father's leg, her wide eyes fixed on him. There was still fear in her expression, but something else too, curiosity, maybe even awe.
Kenji adjusted his hood and turned away, disappearing down the street in a blur before they could say anything more.
...
He landed on a rooftop a few blocks away, letting out a slow breath as he leaned against the ledge. The city stretched out before him, its lights twinkling like a sea of stars. He took a moment to savor the quiet, the rush of adrenaline fading as he replayed the encounter in his mind.
"Not bad," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Scared them off without throwing a single punch." Compared to his first few interactions with gangs, he'd improve quite a bit.
He was about to move on when a loud, unmistakable voice shattered the silence.
"It's the Night Runner!"
Kenji flinched, his body stiffening as he spun around, his eyes darting to the street below. His heart sank when he saw two familiar figures standing on the sidewalk, looking directly at him.
It was Mei and Kiana.
'fuck'
Kiana's grin was so wide it could have split her face, and she was bouncing on her heels with excitement. Mei, on the other hand, stood with her arms crossed, her expression a mixture of curiosity and disbelief.
Kenji froze, his mind racing. 'Of all the people…' he thought, resisting the urge to groan. He stood up, getting a better view of the duo.
"Hey! Don't just stand there—come down here!" Kiana yelled, waving her arms like she was trying to flag down a plane.
"Or maybe don't," Mei added dryly, though her gaze stayed locked on the rooftop.
Kenji let out a sigh, already regretting his decision to patrol this part of the city tonight. "Great," he muttered under his breath. "Just great."
'Why are Highschool students out this late at night?! Actually... that was a stupid question.'
...
(Moments Before...)
The neon glow of Nagazora's streets reflected off the damp pavement, casting rippling colors into the night. Kiana strolled beside Mei, hands behind her head, her face lit up with a grin that seemed impossible to dim.
"Mei admit it!" Kiana declared, her voice brimming with excitement. "I totally nailed that last song. I had the whole karaoke room cheering."
Mei chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You had the room cheering because you bribed them with snacks. If you put half that effort into your studies, your grades might not look so bleak."
Kiana gasped dramatically, clutching her chest like Mei's words were a dagger. "How dare you, Mei-Senpai! Karaoke and math are totally different skills!"
"Clearly," Mei said, her tone dry but her smile betraying her amusement. "But enthusiasm seems to be your strong suit. Maybe channeling that into something productive wouldn't hurt."
"Hey, singing is productive!" Kiana shot back, sticking out her tongue. "It's good for the soul. Besides, I'd like to see calculus solve global sadness."
Mei rolled her eyes, but her grin didn't falter. Their banter filled the quiet street, the kind of easy exchange that came naturally between them. The night air was cool, a soft breeze rustling the trees lining the sidewalk, and for a moment, the world felt perfectly at peace.
Then came the sound.
A loud crash echoed through the stillness, sharp and sudden like a clap of thunder. Both girls froze, their instincts kicking in immediately. Kiana's stance shifted slightly, her body tense and ready to react, while Mei scanned their surroundings with sharp, calculating eyes.
"What was that?" Kiana asked, her voice low and serious now.
Mei didn't answer immediately, her gaze sweeping over the street and the nearby buildings.
Everything seemed normal, no signs of Honkai activity, no obvious danger. The streetlights flickered faintly, but otherwise, the city was as calm as ever.
Her fists tightened slightly, her thoughts racing. The noise had been too loud to ignore, but there was nothing out of place. No signs of a struggle, no shadowy figures lurking in the alleys.
"Maybe it was just—" Mei started to say, but Kiana suddenly interrupted her.
"Mei-Senpai, look!" Kiana shouted, pointing toward a nearby rooftop with unrestrained excitement. "It's the Night Runner!"
Mei followed Kiana's gaze, her breath catching for a moment as her eyes locked onto the figure standing on the rooftop.
A hooded silhouette against the city lights, the vigilante was unmistakable, his form poised and ready for action. The Night Runner. In the flesh.
She had heard the stories, of course. Stories of a masked figure leaping from rooftop to rooftop, stepping in to stop crimes where others didn't.
The news was filled with speculation, interviews with grateful citizens, and cautious warnings from law enforcement. Mei herself had mixed feelings about the vigilante's methods, operating outside the law was risky, no matter the intentions, but she couldn't deny the good he had done.
"Hey!" Kiana called out again, waving her arms like she was trying to flag down a taxi. "Don't just stand there—come down here!"
Mei resisted the urge to slap her forehead. "Kiana," she hissed, her voice low and sharp. "What are you doing?"
"What? He's right there!" Kiana replied, completely unfazed. "When's the next time we'll get to meet him up close?"
"Or maybe don't," Mei said, her tone more controlled as she kept her eyes locked on the vigilante. She could feel a strange tension in the air, like the air was suddenly electrified.
Her instincts told her to stay on guard, though she couldn't quite pinpoint why. "Don't just call people you don't know, especially if they are a vigialante!" She whispered aggressively at Kiana, who was too focused on the vigilante.
The Night Runner didn't move for a moment, his head tilting slightly as if considering their presence. Then, with a single hand, he gave them a casual wave before turning and sprinting across the rooftop. His movements were fluid and precise, the kind of agility that spoke of experience and training.
"Wow," Kiana said, her voice tinged with awe as she watched him vanish into the shadows. "He's actually pretty fast! Not as fast as you or me, though." she added with her usual cheery confidence.
Mei exhaled a quiet sigh, the corners of her lips curving into a faint smile despite herself. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Brag to everyone that we saw the Night Runner, obviously," Kiana said, already pulling out her phone to text someone. "Like, come on, this is huge! I can't wait to see everyone's reactions tomorrow!"
Mei didn't respond immediately, her gaze lingering on the rooftop where the vigilante had disappeared. Something about the energy surrounding him had felt… familiar. She couldn't quite place it, but it nagged at the edge of her thoughts.
As Kiana rambled on about their unexpected encounter, Mei's mind wandered, piecing together fragments of her memory. She replayed the moment she'd seen him, that energy, where had she felt that energy before?
She frowned slightly, her hand brushing against her side where her blade would normally rest during combat. Whatever it was, she would need to keep an eye out. The Night Runner wasn't just a vigilante. There was something more to him.
Kiana's voice snapped her out of her thoughts. "Mei-Senpai, you're totally spacing out. You okay?"
Mei shook her head slightly, her expression softening. "I'm fine. Just thinking."
"Well, don't think too hard," Kiana said with a grin, nudging Mei's shoulder. "We've got a big story to tell, remember?"
Mei chuckled, though the feeling in her chest didn't quite dissipate. As they continued down the street, Kiana's enthusiasm filling the night air, Mei's thoughts lingered on the shadowy figure they had seen.
"What are you?" she wondered quietly, her eyes drifting back to the rooftops.
---
The rhythmic sound of practice strikes filled the dojo, the occasional grunt or barked command from Mei cutting through the steady thud of wooden shinais. Kenji, sweat trickling down his brow, stood at the center of the practice mat, catching his breath. Mei had just demonstrated another impossibly fluid counterattack, and Kenji, to his credit, was doing his best to keep up.
"Not bad, Aoyama," Mei said, her tone calm but with a faint teasing edge. "Your footwork's improving. You're only tripping over yourself half the time now."
Kenji grinned, swiping a towel over his face. "Careful, Mei. If I keep improving, I might actually win a match one day."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," Mei replied smoothly, her lips curving into a faint smile.
Kiana, leaning casually against the wall, let out a loud laugh. "Win? Against Mei-Senpai? Kenji, I admire your optimism, but you've got a better chance of sprouting wings and flying out of here."
"Don't encourage him, Kiana," Mei said, rolling her eyes but still smiling.
"Hey, I'll take whatever encouragement I can get," Kenji shot back, tossing his towel onto his bag before picking up his shinai again. "Ready for round two?"
"Maybe next time," Mei said, stepping back and gesturing toward Kiana. "Kiana's been itching to spar. Let's see if you can keep up with her."
Kenji's grin faltered slightly, replaced by a wary expression as Kiana cracked her knuckles dramatically, her grin wide and mischievous.
"Oh, I've been waiting for this," she said, practically bouncing onto the mat. "Don't hold back, Kenji. I want to see what you've got."
"What I've got is sore arms and a questionable life decision," Kenji muttered, taking his stance.
...
The dojo hummed with the sounds of post-training chatter. Kenji wiped the sweat from his brow, his shinai resting casually against his shoulder as he approached Kiana and Mei.
Training with the two had been an entirely new level of exhausting, but also strangely fun. He purposely stopped himself from using his powers while training to challenge himself more, and its making him much stronger.
"That was brutal," Kenji said, shaking out his tired arms. "Pretty sure I'm going to feel that last drill for a week."
"Maybe you should work on your stamina, Kenji," Kiana teased, smirking. She twirled her shinai lazily, her stance relaxed but her grin sharp. "You're fast, but you slow down way too easily."
"Thanks, Coach," Kenji shot back, rolling his eyes. "I'll be sure to run a few marathons tonight."
Kiana snickered. "I'd love to see you collapse after one lap."
Kenji looked at Kiana with a mock snarl "For your information, I can run multiple laps!"
Mei chuckled softly, stepping in to diffuse the playful bickering. "You both did well today. Kiana, your footwork's improved, and Kenji, your strikes are getting sharper."
"See?" Kenji said, flashing a triumphant smile at Kiana. "Even Mei agrees. I'm getting better."
"Yeah, yeah," Kiana grumbled, nudging him with her shinai. "Don't let it go to your head, Mr. Almost-Fast."
Kenji was about to retort when a group of younger students rushed by, their laughter echoing through the dojo. One of them, holding a large water bottle, tripped just as they passed, sending the bottle hurtling through the air.
It happened in an instant. Kenji's body reacted before his mind could catch up, his danger sense activating. With a swift step back and a slight tilt of his torso, he dodged the splash of water by mere inches. The bottle hit the ground with a dull thud, water pooling on the polished floor.
Kenji blinked, realizing what had just happened. "Whoa," he muttered, glancing at the water now puddling near his feet. He turned to the group of students, his tone light but firm. "Careful, guys. Don't run with those things, you might hurt someone."
The students apologized quickly, their faces red with embarrassment, before scampering off to clean up the mess. Kenji sighed, shaking his head as he waved at Mei and Kiana. "Be right back," he said, heading toward the students to help.
As Kenji walked away, Mei and Kiana stood in silence, their gazes fixed on his retreating figure. The easy atmosphere between them shifted, tension settling like a thin fog.
...
Kiana was the first to break the silence. "I don't need to say anything, do I?"
Mei didn't look away from Kenji, her brow furrowing slightly. "No," she said quietly. "That energy… it was just like the Night Runner's."
Kiana crossed her arms, her usual grin tugging at her lips as she watched Kenji crouch down to help the students clean up. "How funny would it be if he was the Night Runner all along?" she mused, her tone light but her eyes thoughtful.
Mei let out a faint, amused hum, though her mind was already racing. She thought back to their earlier conversations with Kenji, the way he often mentioned his packed schedule: deliveries during the day, kendo practice in the evenings, and barely any time for himself. It seemed almost impossible for him to also run around the night as a vigilante. Almost.
"It's unlikely," Mei said finally, her voice measured. "But…"
"But," Kiana echoed, raising an eyebrow. "You're not ruling it out, are you?"
Mei shook her head slowly. "No. That dodge, the energy he let out, it was too similar. I can't ignore it."
Kiana stared at Mei for a long moment, then let out a quiet laugh. "You're overthinking it, Mei-Senpai. Kenji? The Night Runner? Please. If that's true, then I'm Shicksal's top scientist."
Mei rolled her eyes, though she couldn't help but smile at Kiana's joke. "Still, it's something to keep in mind," she murmured. "If it is him…"
"Then we'll know eventually," Kiana interrupted, shrugging casually. "But right now, let's just see where this goes. Kenji's got secrets, everyone does, he'll spill them when he's ready."
Mei nodded, her gaze lingering on Kenji as he laughed with the younger students. Whatever the truth was, she'd wait. For now, she'd keep her suspicions to herself.