Somewhere unknown…
???: "Did you find his vital point?"
Servant: "Yes, my lord."
???: "Good. What is it?"
Servant: "It's… a human."
???: "…Human?"
Servant: "Yes, my lord. Her name is…"
Servant pauses with a sinister grin
Servant: "Mineko."
---
At school, the next morning…
Flux: "Yo, Mike."
Mike (standing with Mineko, smirking): "Ohh~ the lover boy is here, hehe."
Flux: "Just shut your mouth."
Mike: "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Flux: "Nope. But don't tease me, dumbass."
Mineko: "H-hi, Flux…"
Flux: "Oh, hi Mineko. Are you okay? You look… tired. Didn't get much sleep?"
Mineko (thinking, heart racing): How can I tell you I spent the whole night thinking about you…
Mineko: "I just… slept a little late, that's all. Hehe."
Flux: "Hmm. Okay… but take care of yourself."
Mineko: "Y-yes!"
Mike (facepalming, in his head): This dumbass… doesn't even realize he's the reason she couldn't sleep… 🤦
---
Suddenly, a chilling aura washes over the classroom.
Voice (X): "So this is his vital point… right?"
Voice (Y): "Yeah."
Voice (Z): "Then do it quickly."
X & Y (in sync): "Y-yes, my lord."
In the shadows, two figures whisper.
X: "Ready, Hiko?"
Y: "I'm ready. You too, right, Piko?"
---
Meanwhile, on Z's side…
Someone: "Lord Hikari, why do you call them Hiko and Piko? Their real names are different, aren't they?"
Hikari (smirking): "True… but I gave them those nicknames. They liked them, so I kept calling them that. Now, it's all I use."
Someone: "Ohh… I see. Then I'll be off, my lord."
Hikari: "Go."
---
Back in class…
Hiko: "I'll count to three. Be ready."
Piko: "I'm fully ready."
Hiko: "One… two… …three. Let's go."
—WHOOSH!
Hiko and Piko appear in front of the classroom window. In a flash, Flux steps out for just a moment.
Piko: "Hold them here."
*Piko teleports inside, grabs Mineko, and vanishes out.
Mike: "Oi, bastards! Where do you think you're going?!"
Hiko: "Ignore him. He's no one. Let's go."
Piko: "Got it."
Mineko (struggling): "H-hey! Let me go! Where are you taking me?! Let me—"
Piko (annoyed): "Tch… shut her up already, Hiko."
Hiko: "Fine."
—THUMP! Mineko goes unconscious.
Hiko: "Let's move."
Piko: "Yeah."
---
Flux comes back to class. His eyes immediately dart around.
Flux: "…Mike. Where's Mineko?"
Mike (shaking, guilty): "Ugh… sorry. Please, Flux… forgive me."
Flux: "What happened, you bastard?!"
Mike: "T-they… they took her. Right in front of me… and I couldn't—"
Flux's hands tremble, his vision blurs. A sudden blackout takes him, and he collapses.
Mike: "Oi! Not now, dumbass! Wake up!"
---
Mike rushes Flux home.
Flux's Mom: "W-what happened, Mike?! What happened to Flux?!"
Mike: "Aunty, it's… actually…"
Mom: "Huh?"
Mike explains everything.
Mom (clutching her head, whispering): "Why…? He finally found someone he truly loved… and now this happens…"
---
Meanwhile… at the unknown base.
Hiko: "That went smoother than expected."
Piko: "Yeah. Too easy."
*Both smirk as they prepare chains glowing with strange runes.
Hiko: "Now… let's begin capturing him."
Piko: "…Heheheh."
---
Author's Note
Readers, remember—this event is from Flux's past. Don't assume this means he'll get a power-up right away. Also… control your feelings toward Flux and Mineko. This part is going to get heavy.