The dense fog lingered, a damp and chilling veil shrouding everything in sight. As it began to dissipate, Yahageshii's expression suddenly tensed. He leaned slightly forward, his gaze locked on the distance, as if sensing something unusual.
Sure enough, a faint figure emerged from the mist, walking steadily, exuding an oppressive aura. Yahageshii instinctively clenched his fists and growled, "Someone's coming."
As the figure became clearer, Ryuosho squinted, his pupils contracting. He was the first to exclaim in surprise, "Haiihito-senpai?!"
The man had short gray hair casually swept to one side. His tall, imposing frame radiated an icy, steel-like aura, and his piercing gaze bore down like that of a predator about to strike. His intimidating presence silenced everyone as his eyes swept over Yahageshii, Ryuosho, and Shingin in turn.
At that moment, Shingin could no longer hold himself upright and began to collapse backward. Riyugi rushed forward to catch him, but her own body was equally exhausted. She stumbled, nearly falling herself.
Just as they were about to hit the ground, an invisible force caught them, steadying both. Yahageshii and Ryuosho were both startled and turned toward the source of the aid. A nonchalant voice rang out from the mist, light and teasing, "How could I let such a lovely junior fall and hurt herself? The other one... well, let's call it a bonus."
A young man stepped out of the fog. His sharp features made him look as though he had stepped out of a painting, though his shorter stature and carefree grin gave him an air of mischief. His gaze lingered on Riyugi, his lips curling into a playful smirk.
Yahageshii narrowed his eyes and muttered under his breath, "Kyobei-senpai?"
Kyobei raised an eyebrow, his smile widening as he drawled, "Oh? So you still remember me. How touching."
But Yahageshii quickly became wary, his tone turning serious. "Why are you here? Don't tell me… you're an Empowered too?!"
Kyobei chuckled softly, brushing a hand through his hair with exaggerated indifference. "You lot, causing such a ruckus on the rooftop—it's like you're begging the world to know you're Empowered."
Yahageshii snorted dismissively. "So what if we're exposed? What's the big deal?"
Ryuosho, in contrast, seemed indifferent, lazily crouching against a ruined wall, tossing a stone between his fingers. "Dragged into this mess out of nowhere... doesn't matter to me how it ends."
Shingin, however, lowered his head, a shadow of guilt and heaviness crossing his face, as if reflecting on his actions.
Kyobei took in their scattered dynamics with a mocking laugh. "A bunch of clueless kids playing at being heroes. You think being Empowered is something special? Pathetic."
Suddenly, Yahageshii's eyes lit up, and he clapped his hands together, excitement bubbling in his voice. "I've got an idea! If we're already exposed, why not rally more Empowered to our side?"
"What are you talking about?" Ryuosho tilted his head lazily, feigning disinterest.
Yahageshii's excitement only grew. "Think about it! We've got Myouka-senpai and Rayl-senpai, and now Haiihito-senpai and Kyobei-senpai. If there are more Empowered out there, why not bring them together? Instead of working alone, we could form a group—a force!"
Kyobei blinked, then burst into laughter, as though he'd just heard a ridiculous joke. "Form a group? With you half-baked wannabes?"
Haiihito, standing silently nearby, raised his head slightly and interjected coldly, "And why should that matter to me?"
His words, low and sharp, cut through the atmosphere like a blade. Yahageshii faltered for a moment but quickly pushed forward, his determination undeterred. "Because we're Empowered, and we can gather our strength! Why should only a few of us fight while others hide in the shadows? Joining us is better than going it alone!"
Haiihito's eyes narrowed, his gaze as cold and piercing as ever. "And what does that have to do with me?"
The tension thickened, the air growing colder. Yahageshii clenched his jaw, struggling for words, but Kyobei stepped in first, his voice dripping with derision. "What a stupid idea. Still, it might be amusing to see you try. Go ahead—convince them if you can."
Without another word, Haiihito turned on his heel and strode away. His imposing figure faded into the mist, leaving an eerie silence in his wake. But the quiet didn't last.
Shingin suddenly convulsed violently, then collapsed completely to the ground. His face was deathly pale, his lips tinged with an unnatural blue, and his breathing grew weaker by the second.
"Shingin!" Riyugi screamed, falling to her knees beside him. She grabbed his shoulder, her tears streaming as she frantically shook him. "No! Don't do this! Shingin, wake up!"
Yahageshii quickly crouched down to check his pulse, his expression darkening. "He's fading fast. We can't waste any more time! We need to find help, now!"
Riyugi, her voice trembling with despair, cried, "But where? There's no one here…"
Ryuosho's usual nonchalance was gone, his gaze serious as he muttered, "There might be a hospital nearby. It's worth a try."
Without hesitation, Yahageshii hoisted Shingin onto his back, his voice resolute. "Then let's move. Staying here will only get him killed."
Riyugi staggered to her feet, exhaustion weighing heavily on her, but her resolve was unyielding. She clenched Shingin's cold hand tightly as they moved.
Through the suffocating mist, the trio pressed onward. Yahageshii's steps were heavy yet firm, each stride bearing the weight of responsibility. Riyugi clung to Shingin's hand, her tears falling silently as she murmured, "There has to be a way… you have to hold on…"
Uncertain of what lay ahead, they marched forward, their determination unwavering.