The sun crept over the horizon, casting a golden glow on the town as the week began anew. Neko, perched by the window, watched the dawn with glee, his tail swaying with excitement. With a leap, the mischievous feline landed on Shoto's bed and puffed out his chest triumphantly.
"Wake up, Shoto! Today is the day for the field trip!" Neko chirped.
Shoto groaned, half-opening his eyes to see the grinning cat sitting atop him. He glanced at the clock and frowned. "It's 5:30 in the morning. Why are you waking me up so early?"
Neko's grin only widened. "Actually, it's 6:38!"
Silence filled the room as Shoto froze, his eyes darting back to the clock. Then, like a thunderbolt, he shot out of bed and dashed to the bathroom in a panic. A few chaotic minutes later, he emerged wearing his school uniform, his hair a tousled mess, though he didn't seem to care.
His aunt, Me, opened the front door with a knowing smile just as Shoto stormed out with his briefcase in hand. "Ah, youth," she mused, softly closing the door as she watched him sprint toward school.
Shoto bolted down the street, his mind racing, until he spotted Yumiko, Ryuji, Hikaru, Ren, and Yuumo standing at the curb ahead, walking toward him. Confused, he skidded to a halt.
"Turn back. The trip's canceled," Hikaru said flatly, barely glancing at him as the group walked past.
"What?!" Shoto cried, spinning around to face them. "What do you mean it's canceled?!"
Yuumo sighed and patted him on the back. "I know you were excited about the cruise, but it's canceled. Sucks t—"
"DON'T FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" Shoto snapped, his face red with frustration. "And don't assume I wanted to go on that lame trip anyway! It was because of you guys and that du—!"
Before he could finish, Ryuji ruffled Shoto's hair with a smirk, leaning his arm lazily on Shoto's head. "Relax, Battz-Kazami. Let's just chill at your place instead."
The group stared at Ryuji in dull silence. Hikaru sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Can we just go inside and—"
A faint tremor interrupted him, the ground beneath their feet shaking briefly. It wasn't an earthquake, but it left the group uneasy. Shoto frowned, turned on his heel, and dashed back to his house to drop off his suitcase. He shut the door and briskly walked away in another direction.
"Wait up, Shoto!" Yumiko called, running after him. The others followed at a slower pace.
Eventually, they arrived at a riverside park, now muddy and damp despite the week's sunny weather. To their surprise, Endo was already there, bouncing playfully on the wet grass in his purple boots, completely dry.
"Shoto, look!" Endo shouted excitedly. "The grass doesn't wet me at all! Isn't this fun?"
Shoto stared at him, blinking in disbelief. "Aren't you supposed to be with Mai at ho—"
"Endo, be careful! You're going to get hurt!" Yuumo scolded, running toward him. Yumiko chased after her, thinking they were playing.
Meanwhile, Ren's eyes widened as he stared ahead. His heart sank. "What…?"
"What the hell are you looking at, Tashiki?" Hikaru asked, following Ren's gaze. His jaw dropped as he saw it too: something massive and shimmering was heading straight for Shoto.
"SHOTO, THERE'S A BLUE CRYSTAL SHARK COMING AT YOU!" Ryuji yelled.
Shoto turned to glare at Ryuji. "A blue crystal shark? Are you messing with—"
Before he could finish, a massive, watery shark-like form crashed into him, exploding into droplets that soaked him completely and sent him skidding backward. The group stared in stunned silence.
"Wh-what the hell?" Shoto muttered, dazed.
A chilling laugh echoed across the riverbank. A figure emerged, wielding a long blade fused to his left arm like an extension of himself. His delinquent attire—black jeans and an old-school jacket—was accentuated by a nose piercing and a small shark tattoo near his left eye. His black hair was tied into a ponytail, giving him a menacing air.
"I FINALLY FOUND YOU, SHOTO KAZAMI!" the stranger bellowed, slamming his blade into the ground with a grin. "BRING IT ON, LITTLE SHIT! LET'S SEE IF THE RUMORS ABOUT YOU ARE TRUE!"
Shoto froze, nervous and unsure. It had been a while since his last fight with Tetsuya. He gulped and tried to back away, but a sharp pain struck him as an arrow pierced his back. It wasn't just any arrow—it was one laced with a mysterious energy.
Dragon-like scales formed near Shoto's eyes, his demeanor shifting. His panicked body language morphed into something calm and poised. Reaching out, he summoned his spiked, glowing sword, which flew into his hand as if answering a call.
Yumiko and Yuumo, now carrying Endo, rushed back to the group. "What's happening now?!" Yumiko shouted.
"It's another raid," Neko said nonchalantly, appearing beside them.
"Or worse."
Shoto sprang forward, blade raised. The stranger grinned, meeting his charge head-on with a clash of steel. Just as their blades were about to connect, a gunshot rang out, and a bullet whizzed between them, forcing them to halt.
"Long time no see, Sho…"
A figure emerged, his black high school uniform draped over one shoulder, smoke curling from a strange white pistol in his hand. Behind him stood six silhouettes, their presence commanding attention.
Shoto's eyes darted toward the newcomer, his voice barely a whisper. "Zan-Xi…"
The gunman sighed, lowering his pistol as he eyed the shark-tattooed delinquent. "Juxo, didn't I tell you not to mess with my cousin?"
Juxo shrugged nonchalantly, stepping back toward Zan-Xi.
The group stared in stunned unison before shouting, "SHOTO HAS A COUSIN?!"