The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, their sterile glow making Hikaru's eyelids feel like lead weights. Mr. Patterson droned on about the American Revolution—something about British taxation and colonial resistance—but the words slid past without sticking.
Hikaru's head dipped forward.
He jerked awake, blinking hard.
His head started to droop again.
"Mr. Hoshi, am I boring you?"
Hikaru straightened immediately, fighting a yawn. "No, sir. Just... didn't sleep well."
Mr. Patterson's skeptical expression said he'd heard that one before. "Uh-huh."
The lecture resumed. Hikaru tried focusing on his notes, but the words blurred together. He could still hear Robin's voice echoing in his mind from the late night briefing.
"They call themselves H.I.V.E. Hierarchy of International Vengeance and Extermination."
Cyborg had whistled low. "That's a mouthful."
"They're a global criminal organization," Robin continued, pulling up files on the Tower's main screen. "Smuggling, weapons dealing, terrorism-for-hire. All to further their goal of global domination."
Hikaru leaned back in his chair. "How innovative."
Donna crossed her arms. "We should be glad they're not. The question is, why come here?"
"Establishing operations," Robin said, clicking through images of the five they'd fought. "Those five we fought—Jinx, Mammoth, Gizmo, Shimmer, See-More—they're operatives. Intel suggests they've been recruiting young criminals in secret for years."
Hikaru sat up straighter. "So who's in charge?"
Robin's jaw tightened. "Unknown. That's something we need to find out."
Starfire's eyes glowed faintly with concern. "They will attack again?"
"Guaranteed," Robin said. "We embarrassed them. They'll escalate."
Raven's voice cut through the darkness of her hood. "Meaning?"
Robin's expression hardened. "Meaning we need to be ready for whatever they throw at us next."
And after the briefing, Hikaru had spent another two hours in the training room, working on non-lethal takedowns for tougher opponents. His light constructs were powerful—too powerful sometimes. He needed precision, not just raw force.
His head dropped again.
A sharp kick to his chair leg jolted him upright.
Hikaru turned to find Raven watching him, her purple-covered book open but clearly ignored. "You're going to fall out of your chair," she said quietly.
"Can't... help it..." Hikaru whispered. "So tired..."
"The briefing?"
Hikaru nodded, then added, "That and some late-night training."
Raven's eyebrow rose slightly. "Why? You seem strong enough."
"That's the issue," Hikaru murmured, keeping his voice low. "I can take out street-level thugs no problem, but I need to figure out how to do the same with more... let's say resilient opponents. You know, without killing them."
Something shifted in Raven's expression—recognition, maybe understanding. "I get it. Balance, right?"
Hikaru yawned. "Bingo."
"We have similar problems," Raven said after a pause. "Maybe we can help each other—"
She looked over.
Hikaru's eyes had already drifted shut, his head tilting precariously.
Raven sighed and returned to her book.
The bell rang like a fire alarm in Hikaru's skull.
Students shuffled around him, packing bags and shoving books into lockers. Hikaru blinked slowly, his brain struggling to catch up with reality.
"Before you leave," Mr. Patterson announced, "I'm handing back your tests from last week."
Oh no. Hikaru's stomach dropped. I forgot about that.
He watched Mr. Patterson make his way around the classroom, distributing papers face-down. When the teacher reached Hikaru's desk, he placed the test carefully and leaned in.
"See me after class, Mr. Hoshi," he said quietly.
Hikaru flipped the paper over slowly.
A big red F stared back at him. 42/100.
Shit.
He slumped in his chair, closing his eyes briefly. His mother was going to kill him. Not literally, obviously—but the lecture would be brutal.
Raven packed her bag calmly beside him.
"Roth," Hikaru whispered, leaning toward her. "What'd you get?"
She didn't look up. "Why?"
"Just... curious."
Raven held up her test without comment. A. 97/100.
Hikaru groaned and let his forehead hit the desk. "Of course you did."
"I actually read the material," Raven said, the faintest hint of smugness in her tone.
"I was going to study," Hikaru protested, lifting his head. "Then we had that fight with the Five, then Starfire needed help understanding Earth customs, then Robin called a briefing—"
"Excuses."
"Accurate excuses."
Raven didn't respond, just gathered her things and moved toward the door. Hikaru stayed behind as the classroom emptied, approaching Mr. Patterson's desk with the enthusiasm of someone walking to their execution.
"Hikaru," the teacher began, folding his arms. "This is your worst grade this semester."
"I know, sir. I'm sorry. Things have been... hectic."
Mr. Patterson studied him for a moment. "I'm offering a retake. Friday after school. Study hard."
Relief washed over Hikaru like cool water. "Will do."
"See that you do. You're a bright kid when you apply yourself."
Hikaru nodded quickly and escaped into the hallway.
Raven was still there, leaning against the wall with her book open.
"You waited?" Hikaru asked, surprised.
"We have next period together," Raven said flatly.
That's not the real reason, Hikaru thought, but he didn't push it. "Right."
They started walking side by side down the corridor. Hikaru glanced at her once, twice.
"You're staring," Raven said without looking up from her book.
"I have a question."
"Obviously."
Hikaru took a breath. "Would you... help me catch up on the material? For the retake?"
Raven stopped walking.
Hikaru stopped too, turning to face her.
She looked at him, violet eyes narrowing slightly. "You want me to help you study?"
"Well, you're clearly smart, and I'm clearly falling behind," Hikaru said, scratching the back of his neck. "I figured I'd ask my favorite deskmate and prevent my mom from chewing my ear off."
"Your mom?"
"Yeah. She's... intense about academics." Hikaru mimicked Dr. Light's stern voice. "'Education is important, Hikaru. You can't rely on your powers forever.'"
The tiniest hint of amusement flickered across Raven's face. "So you're afraid of your mother."
"Not really, we barely talk, and I'd just rather not spend the time we do getting lectured."
"I see."
Raven studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable.
"...Fine."
Hikaru blinked. "Really? I didn't actually think you'd agree."
"Don't make me regret it. You can pay me back by being my training dummy."
"Thanks, Roth!" Hikaru grinned. "Have I told you how amazing you are? I could kiss you—"
Raven's eyes flared red, dark energy crackling at her fingertips.
"—but I won't," Hikaru finished quickly, holding up his hands. "Just a figure of speech."
"One more word and I'm taking back my agreement."
Hikaru mimed zipping his lips.
"Tower library. Tonight. 7 PM. Don't be late."
Hikaru snapped a military salute.
Raven walked away without another word.
"That wasn't so bad," Hikaru muttered under his breath.
"I heard that," Raven called back without turning around.
Hikaru froze.
As Hikaru jogged to catch up he could've sworn he saw her smile as she rounded the corner.