The wind howled across the empty road.
Trees shook on both sides, their branches rattling in the dark.
Kaito stood a few steps behind Tanaka, his fists clenched, his heart pounding so hard it felt like it might explode.
Three men stood across from them.
Same dark coats.
Same cold eyes.
Same heavy pressure in the air.
The vibration inside Kaito roared louder than ever.
"…Sensei…" he whispered.
Tanaka didn't look back.
"Stay behind me."
One of the men stepped forward slowly.
His boots scraped against the pavement.
"You shouldn't have left the city, Tanaka."
Tanaka's voice was calm.
"You shouldn't have followed."
The man smiled faintly.
"You know we can't ignore a signal like this."
Kaito frowned.
"…Signal again…"
The man's eyes moved to him.
Sharp.
Like a knife.
"You feel it, don't you?"
Kaito's chest burned.
He didn't answer.
He couldn't.
The man chuckled.
"…Good."
Tanaka took one step forward.
The air shook.
Not loud.
Not visible.
Just heavy.
The other two men tensed instantly.
"…You're still strong," one of them muttered.
Tanaka's eyes were cold.
"Leave."
The tall man shook his head.
"Not happening."
Tanaka's voice dropped.
"This isn't your mission."
"It is now."
Silence.
The pressure in the air kept rising.
Kaito's legs felt weak.
His body wanted to move.
Wanted to run.
Wanted to fight.
He didn't know which.
His mother stood behind him, one hand on his shoulder.
Her grip was steady.
"…Don't move," she said quietly.
Kaito swallowed.
"…You're not scared?"
She didn't answer.
The tall man reached into his coat again.
This time, he didn't pull out the device.
He stepped forward.
Fast.
Too fast.
Tanaka moved at the same time.
Their hands collided in the air.
CRACK.
The sound echoed across the road.
The air exploded outward.
Kaito stumbled back.
"What...?!"
The ground under his feet shook.
Not a little.
A lot.
The tall man slid back half a step.
Tanaka didn't move.
The man smiled.
"…Good."
Tanaka's eyes narrowed.
"You're stronger than before."
"So are you."
They moved again.
Faster this time.
Kaito couldn't even see it.
One moment they were standing still...
The next...
CRACK.
Another impact.
The air burst outward again.
Dust flew across the road.
The trees shook harder.
Kaito's chest burned.
The vibration inside him reacted.
Stronger.
Like his body was trying to follow their movements.
"…What is this…" he whispered.
The second man moved.
He rushed forward, aiming straight for Kaito.
Tanaka's eyes snapped toward him.
"Don't."
Too late.
The man was already there.
His hand shot out.
Kaito froze.
His body wouldn't move.
Too fast.
Too strong.
The man's fingers almost reached him...
Something slammed into him from the side.
BAM.
The man flew back across the road, crashing into the dirt.
Kaito blinked.
"…What..."
His mother stood in front of him.
Her arm still raised.
Her expression calm.
Cold.
Kaito's eyes widened.
"…Mom…?"
The man on the ground groaned.
"…You…"
He pushed himself up slowly.
His eyes narrowed at her.
"…So you're active too."
Kaito's heart skipped.
"…Active…?"
Tanaka stepped back, putting himself between everyone.
"That's enough."
The tall man wiped dust from his sleeve.
"…Impressive."
He looked at Kaito.
Then at his mother.
Then back at Tanaka.
"…No wonder the signal was unstable."
Tanaka's voice turned sharp.
"You're done here."
The man shook his head.
"Not yet."
He reached into his coat again.
This time, the device came out.
It screamed with a high pitched tone.
The screen flashed red.
Numbers jumped wildly.
The man's eyes widened slightly.
"…That's new."
Kaito grabbed his chest.
The vibration exploded.
Stronger than ever before.
It felt like his whole body was shaking from the inside.
"…It hurts!"
The air around him shimmered.
The ground cracked slightly under his feet.
Tanaka turned instantly.
"Kaito! Focus!"
"I can't!"
The vibration roared.
The device screamed louder.
The men stepped back.
"…It's spiking!" one of them said.
The tall man stared at the screen.
"…He's reacting to combat."
Tanaka grabbed Kaito's shoulder.
"Look at me!"
Kaito's eyes were wide.
Breathing fast.
"It won't stop!"
Tanaka's voice cut through the noise.
"Control your breathing!"
Kaito tried.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
The vibration slowed.
Just a little.
The air stopped shaking.
The device went quiet.
Silence filled the road again.
The tall man lowered it slowly.
"…Interesting."
Tanaka's voice was ice cold.
"You're leaving."
The man hesitated.
Then sighed.
"…Fine."
He turned away.
"For now."
The other two followed.
Before disappearing into the trees, the man looked back one last time.
"…Next time… we won't be this gentle."
The darkness swallowed them.
The pressure vanished.
Kaito dropped to one knee.
Breathing hard.
His chest still hurt.
"…What… is happening to me…"
Tanaka stood over him.
His face serious.
"…You're waking up."
Kaito looked up.
"…To what…"
Tanaka didn't answer.
He just looked toward the dark road ahead.
"…Something that will change everything."