10:11 PM
Sky above the city
"WAAAAAAAH"
"So, so high!"
"SO HIGH!!"
A breathless scream, tinged with both thrill and fear, echoed through the misty heights.
It belonged to Tomori, who just moments ago had been standing calmly on solid ground.
Ten seconds earlier, she and Ren had been peacefully arguing on the street.
Now, without warning, she'd been swept into the sky, quite literally.
No time to prep, no time to react.
Ren had decided it was time to show her what an aerial version of Fast & Furious looked like.
"How's the view, girl?"
Amid the howl of the wind, Ren's voice carried that usual playful venom.
Together, the two of them were plummeting, freefalling through the night in perfect sync, two silhouettes carving a flawless line toward the earth.
"THIS IS AWESOME! THIS IS ACTUALLY SO AWESOME!!"
Nao screamed joyfully.
Never in her life had she witnessed such breathtaking scenery from such altitude. The sense of hovering above a world of glittering lights… it was surreal.
"You really are something else," Ren mused.
"Most people would be terrified. Screaming. Paralyzed. You, though…"
Nao nodded without hesitation.
"Oh, I am scared!"
"Can't say I'm seeing much of that."
"That's because my excitement has completely overridden the fear."
"Fascinating," Ren said.
"You're enjoying a skydive without a parachute. That's… unusual."
"Isn't it thrilling? Even if it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing, it's worth it."
Nao's grin stretched wide, heart pounding with adrenaline.
That was just how she was, forever optimistic, constantly reframing even the craziest situations into exhilarating experiences.
"Wow~ you're so cool~"
"I know, right?"
"Ugh. Narcissist."
Ren smirked.
Originally, he had wanted to see her panic in midair. But clearly… that plan had backfired spectacularly.
"Still," Nao continued, "I have to give you credit. Your ability is incredible. To reach this height with a flick of the hand? And that unstoppable slashing technique? You're exactly the kind of asset those scientists dream about."
"Yeah, yeah. I know I'm amazing. Spare me the commentary."
"...Hey, don't ignore the other part I said!"
"What part?"
"The part about getting captured by scientists!"
The wind whipped her voice, but she shouted louder.
"If they catch you, you're done! No more freedom, just cold laboratories and endless experiments. Even if you go insane, they won't care. Doesn't that bother you?!"
Ren snorted.
"You think those losers could capture me?"
If someone could just snatch him away, he might as well step down from the throne of curses.
"Don't be so arrogant, Ren."
"And you stop acting like some timid little rabbit."
Ren shot her a sideways glance.
He was invincible, and he had no time for those who lived on their knees.
"You're hopeless…"
Nao sighed.
It was like they were on two completely different wavelengths.
One was warning about the horrors of the world.
The other was busy flexing his dominance.
"You're just as bad."
Ren's smile curled.
And then,
In a blink, he was right beside her.
His hand clamped around her throat,
And the two of them hurtled downward, directly toward the river below.
Whoosh!
The wind screamed past.
Each gust sliced like a blade to the ears.
SPLASH!
A massive white plume exploded upward as they plunged into the freezing river.
Nao hadn't even processed the fall before her entire body was submerged, surrounded by choking cold.
Her throat, still pinned, couldn't cry out.
Underwater, she stared up at Ren's calm expression.
That playful, unbothered face.
And for the first time,
Nao realized just how terrifying an awakened ability-user could be.
Ren's slashing technique wasn't just powerful.
It was perfect.
Even more frightening was how naturally it evolved, branching into unpredictable variations.
Crack!
A sharp sound split the water.
Just as Nao's consciousness started to fade from oxygen deprivation,
Ren's body moved.
He shot out of the river, dragging her along, and landed gracefully back at the clearing where the fight had started.
"COUGH! COUGH COUGH!!"
Nao gasped violently, her lungs sucking in air like it was the sweetest thing in the world.
Ren casually dropped her at his feet.
"So?" he asked, towering above her, dry and smug.
"How was it, facing death?"
Nao didn't answer right away.
Soaked head to toe, she finally lay flat on the ground, trembling.
"It… wasn't fun…"
Death never was.
"So your toughness was just for show?"
"...Maybe."
Even she wasn't sure anymore.
"Alright, enough games. What do you want from me? You didn't come here just to get wrecked."
"Of course not!"
Nao pushed herself up, cheeks puffed in defiance.
"I'm not a masochist, okay?!"
"So? Spit it out."
"Well… at first we were just going to warn you. To stop using your powers so openly. We thought if the scientists caught wind of you, you'd end up… ruined."
Ren raised a brow.
"That's actually kind of sweet."
"But now…"
Nao looked him in the eye.
"Now that I've seen what you can do, I want to invite you to transfer to Hoshinoumi Academy.
Join the Student Council. Help us track and stop those abusing their powers."
That was their mission all along.
They just didn't expect to meet someone like him.
"Sure. Any perks?"
"Wait, you're agreeing just like that?!"
Ren shrugged.
"Why not? You think I have a reason to say no?"
"Well… I guess not."
"Exactly."
Nao scratched her head.
"Man… I thought someone like you, strong, smug, kinda handsome, would be a nightmare to negotiate with. But you're… weirdly chill."
Ren crouched beside her, locking eyes.
"Don't get too happy just yet. I've got conditions."
"Fair. Let's hear them."
"First, I want my own place to live."
"Easy. Our school offers dorms."
"Second, my little sister lives with me. You're getting her enrolled."
"Also doable. We have a middle school division."
"Third, you're going to be my personal secretary. Always on call. Also, I want you to help me find ability-users who still retain their powers into adulthood."
Nao blinked.
"...That's four things."
"Don't nitpick. Yes or no?"
Nao rolled her eyes, then exhaled.
"Fine, fine. Deal."
"Nice."
"Tch. It's not like I'm in danger or anything. You clearly don't like my body type anyway.
Being your secretary's probably safer than most things.
Besides… this way I can keep an eye on you."
If she couldn't beat him…
At least she could monitor him.
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200 P.S / 1 Extra Chapter