On the rooftop of the towering Novare Organization building, Hataki leaned against the railing, the cool night breeze tousling his hair. The desolate expanse stretched out before him, the remnants of a once-thriving city lying in ruins far in the distance. The distant silhouette of crumbled buildings served as a haunting reminder of the war that ravaged the land long ago. His posture was relaxed, yet his eyes scanned the darkness with sharp intensity. He knew this meeting would come—it was only a matter of time.
A faint rustle behind him broke the stillness. Without turning, Hataki spoke, his voice calm but tinged with knowing.
"You took your time, didn't you?"
From the shadows, a figure emerged—a man clad in a dark cloak, his face obscured by a mask. His movements were deliberate, his presence commanding.
"Good to see you too," the masked man said, a trace of amusement in his tone. "I thought you'd appreciate the suspense."
Hataki turned his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "I don't have time for your theatrics, Kaito. If someone sees me here, we're both in trouble. Why now?"
Kaito's tone shifted, growing serious. "Because Yoto's in danger. You need to get him out of here."
Hataki's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about? We were careful. Genta shouldn't even know Yoto exists."
Kaito shook his head, his voice heavy with frustration. "That's what we thought. But somehow, Genta found out. He knows Yoto is alive."
A cold silence hung in the air before Hataki asked, his voice low, "Did you learn anything about Genta's power?"
Kaito exhaled sharply. "Not enough. But I did uncover something else. He's working on a project. Something big. He calls it 'Project Alpha.'"
Hataki's eyes narrowed. "Project Alpha? What's he planning?"
"The details are murky," Kaito admitted, tension creeping into his voice. "But it's clear Yoto is the key to completing it. This project—whatever it is—is far more advanced than we ever imagined."
Hataki turned fully now, his gaze piercing. "Why Yoto? What does he have to do with any of this?"
"I don't have the full picture yet," Kaito said, his voice tight with frustration. "But whatever Genta wants, he won't stop until he gets it. You need to move fast. How is Yoto holding up?"
Hataki ran a hand through his hair, letting out a weary sigh. "He's... struggling. The students were given the power serum yesterday. They all awakened their abilities during training today—except him. He's pushing himself too hard, trying to force it, and he's hurting himself."
Kaito's tone softened. "He's just like him, isn't he?"
A rare smile flickered across Hataki's face. "Yeah. Stubborn as hell."
Kaito stepped closer, his silhouette blending with the night. "You've got two days. Get Yoto—and the others, if you can—out of here. Meet me near Hoshikawa City at sunrise. I'll explain more then."
Hataki's expression hardened again. "Fine. But watch yourself, Kaito. The defense members are everywhere. If they catch you—"
"I know the risks," Kaito interrupted, his voice quieter now. "You stay safe too, Hataki. Don't let your guard down."
Without another word, Kaito turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving Hataki alone with his thoughts.
Hataki muttered to himself, his voice carrying a mix of exasperation and fondness. "You never change, do you?"
As he descended the stairs back to his quarters, Hataki's mind raced. What are you planning, Genta? And how did you find out Yoto is alive? If you knew, why wait 17 years? What are you trying to accomplish?
In the corridor, his musings were interrupted when he spotted Yoto heading toward his room.
"Yoto," Hataki called out.
The boy turned, his expression neutral, but his steps slowed as he noticed his mentor. "Sensei, what are you doing?"
"Just walking around," Hataki replied, his tone gentle. His eyes flicked to the bandages on Yoto's arms. "Is your arm okay?"
Yoto nodded. "Yes, Sensei. Thanks to Yushin and Akemi
Hataki studied the boy's injuries, concern evident in his gaze. "Take care, Yoto. Don't push yourself too hard, and don't feel down about not awakening your power. We'll figure something out in the morning. For now, get some rest. You need it."
Yoto nodded, his tone respectful. "Yes, Sensei, I will."
Hataki patted his head, a rare gesture of affection. As he walked away, Yoto felt a strange warmth in his chest. He touched his head, pondering the rare gesture from his mentor.
When Yoto reached his room, he showered and changed before lying on his bed. Staring at the ceiling, his mind replayed the events of the day.
When I punched that last time in the mountains, something felt different. I heard a voice inside me say, 'Shatter it,' and then the ground trembled. But when I tried again, it didn't work. My knuckles bled, but they healed instantly. What kind of power is this? Why didn't it work the second time? And what was that black liquid like thing I saw ? it wrapped around my knuckles and arms just before hitting the ground
These thoughts swirled in his mind until sleep claimed him, leaving the questions unanswered for another day.
The clock read 2:00 AM, and the Novare Organization building was shrouded in unnatural silence. Yushin woke, her throat dry, and reached for the glass of water on her bedside table, gulping it down in one go. As she placed the glass back down, something caught her attention—a shadow moving swiftly beneath the crack of her door.
Her heart skipped a beat. What was that?
The fleeting movement stirred something inside her—curiosity, sharp and undeniable. Yushin wasn't one to lie in bed wondering about things. She immediately rose from the bed, her bare feet touching the cold floor as she approached the door.
Quietly, she turned the handle and stepped out into the corridor. The hallway was draped in darkness, the soft light from emergency bulbs casting long, distorted shadows that stretched across the walls. The building was eerily still, the silence pressing against her.
Then she saw it—a figure moving down the hall. with a familiar shape, but shrouded in darkness. The figure's silhouette was clear, but its details were hidden from view.
Her pulse quickened as she watched the figure walk with a slow, deliberate pace. She wasn't sure who it was—there was something vaguely familiar about the way it moved, but she couldn't place it. Is that Yoto? The thought crossed her mind, but it didn't make sense. Yoto wouldn't be out here at this hour.
Driven by curiosity, Yushin followed the figure. She moved quietly, her bare feet making no sound against the cold floor. The figure didn't seem to notice, continuing down the corridor. The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she couldn't stop now—not when she was so close to finding out who it was.
The figure reached the end of the hall and turned a corner.
"Yoto? Is that you?" she whispered to herself, even though she wasn't sure. There was something off, but she had to be sure.
Yushin quickened her pace, rounding the corner, her heart pounding in her chest. But when she reached the bend, the corridor was empty.
She stopped, her breath catching in her throat. The figure was gone—vanished into thin air.
Nothing. No movement, no sign of anyone. She looked both ways, confusion clouding her mind.
"Am I imagining things?" she muttered under her breath. "Why would Yoto be out here at this hour?"
A sense of unease settled in her chest. She wasn't sure what had just happened, but there was something wrong, something that didn't feel right.
Shaking her head, she turned back toward her room, trying to brush the unsettling feeling aside. Maybe she had just been dreaming. Maybe she was just tired
Yushin's heart still raced as she returned to her room, her mind grappling with the strange occurrence in the hallway. She closed the door behind her with a soft click, but unlike others who might cower, Yushin remained composed. Her breath steadied as she climbed back into bed, pushing away any lingering doubts or fears.
Outside her room, however, the darkness stirred again.
From the ceiling of the corridor, a shadow began to descend, creeping slowly, unnaturally long and twisted. A sliver of moonlight sliced through the darkness, revealing its shape—a figure that mirrored Yoto in the most chilling of ways. His face was distorted, stretched into a grotesque grin that made the air around it feel thick and suffocating.
The shadow paused, its hollow eyes flicking toward Yushin's door. For a moment, the twisted face looked as though it recognized her, its grin widening as if to mock the courage she had shown in the hallway. Then, as though deciding that its time to go, the figure turned and merged back into the shadows, vanishing silently into the void.