[New York Harbor – Morning]
America.
After days of ocean, cramped hallways and Kirutowa vomiting over railings.
The sight of land almost felt unreal.
Towering buildings stretched toward the clouds.
Screens larger than some buildings back home.
The skyline seemed endless.
The yacht slowly entered the harbor alongside countless vessels moving in every direction.
Cargo ships.
Ferries.
Private boats.
Even flying hero patrols.
Everything felt bigger. Louder. Busier. American.
Hariko was practically vibrating. Her eyes darted from building to building. Taking pictures, videos and more pictures.
Hariko:
"No way."
Another picture.
Hariko:
"No freaking way."
Another picture.
Hariko:
"KURU LOOK."
Kusukuru glanced up from her seat.
Kusukuru:
"...It's a building."
Hariko:
"IT'S A COOL BUILDING."
Kusukuru looked again.
Kusukuru:
"...Still a building."
Hariko gasped dramatically.
Hariko:
"We're sightseeing."
Kusukuru:
"...Okay."
Hariko:
"You don't sound excited."
Kusukuru:
"I'm trying to."
Hariko grinned.
Hariko:
"Good enough."
Nearby—
Kirutowa looked considerably less enthusiastic.
The moment land came into view he had stopped looking like a corpse.
Which was progress.
Kirutowa:
"I need food."
Hariko:
"You need a doctor."
Kirutowa:
"I need food."
Senshi:
"You threw up six times."
Kirutowa:
"Eight."
Hariko:
"THAT'S WORSE."
Kirutowa ignored her.
Kirutowa:
"I want authentic street food. The only thing that'll settle the war in my stomach."
Hariko:
"Your stomach just lost a war."
Kirutowa:
"And it requires fuel for another one."
Tokoyomi:
"Your body requires mercy young one."
Even Dark Shadow laughed at that one.
[Docking Area]
The yacht secured itself to the pier. Ramps lowered and the crew began unloading. The students finally stepped onto solid ground. Most of them looked relieved.
Especially Kirutowa, who immediately knelt.
Touched the concrete. Kissed it even.
Kirutowa:
"Reliable."
Hariko:
"Oh god...he's thanking the ground."
Kensukina:
"I'd thank it too after that performance."
Kirutowa pointed at her.
Kirutowa:
"I was poisoned."
Hariko:
"By the ocean."
Kirutowa:
"Exactly."
Nearby—
Senshi stepped onto the dock quietly.
No excitement.
No smile.
Just quiet.
Kensukina noticed.
Immediately.
Of course she did.
Kensukina:
"So."
Senshi visibly winced.
Senshi:
"...What?"
Kensukina:
"You planning on helping next time?"
The others slowed.
Listening.
Senshi looked away.
Senshi:
"I..."
Kensukina:
"Everyone fought."
She crossed her arms.
Kensukina:
"Even me. And I'm not even suppose to be here and I helped."
Senshi:
"I know."
Kensukina:
"And you just stood there."
The words hit.
Harder than her fists.
Senshi's shoulders tightened.
Senshi:
"I know. I just...I just..."
Kensukina:
"Just what? Can't fight, can't be a hero?!! What's your excuse!!!?"
Silence.
Kazuto stepped between them.
Not aggressively.
Just enough.
Kazuto:
"Lay off."
Kensukina frowned.
Kensukina:
"He froze."
Kazuto:
"I was there, I know."
Kensukina:
"And?"
Kazuto looked at Senshi.
Then back at her.
Kazuto:
"If they picked him, there's a good reason."
Kensukina:
"That's not an answer."
Kazuto:
"And what's your answer?"
A pause.
Kazuto:
"Each of us were chosen to be to here, except for you. We asked you back on the boat, why you stowed away on this trip. And it seems that the only one who you're comfortable sharing that with is Mr.Tsukuyomi. Not the rest of us."
Kensukina:
"That's not your business."
Kirutowa:
"It better not become OUR business while we're here. Trust is a huge when working together."
Tai-less finally standing upright joins them.
His expression stayed calm as he walks from them.
Kazuto:
"And besides. He may have stood there. Senshi isn't the type to leave a guy behind."
Senshi blinked.
Kensukina looked annoyed.
Mostly because she didn't have a comeback.
Kensukina:
"...Whatever."
She walked ahead.
Senshi stared after her.
Senshi:
"...Thanks."
Kazuto:
"Don't thank me."
Senshi:
"Why?"
Kazuto:
"Make me right."
[Harbor Entrance]
Waiting for them stood a sharply dressed man in a government suit.
Beside him—
Tsukuyomi.
Already discussing logistics.
Already sounding exhausted.
Representative:
"We've prepared accommodations for your stay."
Tokoyami:
"Excellent."
Representative:
"There are a few restrictions."
Tokoyami:
"As expected."
Representative:
"And a few of our local heroes wish to meet the students."
Tokoyami:
"Oh."
The representative paused.
Representative:
"Do you only have one response?"
Tokoyami:
"...No."
A beat.
Tokoyami:
"Please proceed."
The students gathered nearby.
Everyone accounted for.
Almost.
Kazuto:
"WAIT!!! Bathroom."
Nobody stopped him. Though someone should've.
Hariko:
"Don't keep us waiting and take a leak."
Kazuto:
"Wasn't planning on it."
[Harbor Restrooms – Several Minutes Later]
Kazuto exited alone.
Hands in pockets.
Heading back.
Then—
He noticed something.
A man.
Middle-aged. Clearly distressed.
Being dragged away.
Not physically.
Not exactly.
More like... guided.
Forced.
The person leading him was impossible to miss.
Tall.
Teal skin.
Sleeveless blazer.
Confident smile.
The man being dragged looked terrified.
Kazuto changed direction.
Immediately.
Kazuto:
"Hey."
The terrified man looked up.
Hope flashed across his face.
Kazuto:
"You okay?"
The teal-skinned man sighed.
Like this happened often.
Teal Man:
"Mind your business."
Kazuto reached out.
Grabbed the frightened man's shoulder.
Kazuto:
"I was. But...I was taught differently."
The man's eyes widened.
Not Kazuto's.
The teal-skinned man's.
Too late.
His hand moved.
A glowing symbol appeared beneath all three of them.
Teal Man:
"Ah."
A grin spread across his face.
Teal Man:
"That's unfortunate. I guess we're all going for a ride."
The world twisted.
The harbor disappeared.
The sky vanished.
The ground folded.
Then—
Darkness.
[Unknown Location]
Noise.
Heat.
Cheering.
Screaming.
Money changing hands.
Violence.
Kazuto opened his eyes.
Concrete.
Steel.
Chain-link fencing.
Underground.
An arena.
A fighting pit.
At least a thousand voices echoed through the structure.
The terrified man collapsed nearby.
The teal-skinned stranger adjusted his blazer.
Completely relaxed.
Teal Man:
"Well."
He smiled.
Teal Man:
"Welcome to New York kid."