[Makeshift lair - Early morning].
The silence was heavy, almost eerie after what they had been through. The lair was lit by flickering emergency lights. In a corner, Haruto and Aoi were laughing softly, exhausted but relieved. Daiki, lying on his back, tossed a ball of paper into the air and caught it with a satisfied sigh.
Goro, on the other hand, sat against the wall, his eyes fixed on the floor. His cracked steel hands rested on his knees like two pieces of old armour. There was no celebration in his breathing.
A few steps away, Yume approached. She crouched beside him, resting an elbow on his knee.
-Goro..." he began, hesitantly. The girl. That... Mina. Who was she? Goro didn't look up. His voice was like gravel scraping metal.
-An acquaintance.
Yume knew better than to insist. She sighed. She brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her glasses fogged by the heat of the room.
-That's all right. -Remember what you wanted to ask me before? You said... there was something.
Goro leaned forward. For an instant, his shadow stretched across the concrete floor.
-Yes. You knew a lot of people in the Cult. Did you ever see a boy named Riku Takamine? He was taken there to... awaken powers.
Yume looked down. She thought, digging through her memory like someone going through dusty boxes.
-No..." she said at last, sincere. I'm sorry, Goro. I don't remember anyone by that name. But... we could go back. Check the rubble. Maybe there's something in what's left.
Goro nodded, very slowly.
-Yes. But not them," he said, glancing sideways at Haruto and Aoi, who were still celebrating. They've done enough for today. Let them go. Tomorrow is their last day of school. Let them rest.
Yume smiled thinly, surprised by the mute tenderness.
-Okay.
[A little further on]
Aoi wiped a smudge of soot from her cheek as Haruto tapped her helmet.
-Hey," he laughed, "That's it, isn't it? We survived. We're almost real heroes. Aoi smiled, her eyes shining tiredly.
-We'd better get going, hadn't we? -She muttered. Tomorrow... you know. Haruto made a resigned face.
-Last day of school. How ironic. We kill mutant monsters and tomorrow is the last day of school, how exciting!
They looked at each other, then nodded to Goro and Daiki.
-See you tomorrow," said Aoi, her tone sweeter than usual.
Goro raised a hand in farewell. Aoi and Haruto walked out, their footsteps lost in the echo of the night.
[Den - Three left]
Goro stood, his giant shadow looming over Daiki.
-Get ready," he said, "We're going back to the lab. Daiki frowned.
-Again? Didn't we just blow all that up? Yume interjected, adjusting his glasses.
-There might be something. Notebooks. Computers. Blueprints. Anything. There's a bunker underground... I've never been there, but I know they used it to store sensitive documents.
Daiki sighed, dropping the ball of paper.
-Of course. Because we can't have a quiet night, can we? -He stood up, stretching. All right, all right. Let's go.
[Laboratory destroyed - Deepest dawn]
The place looked like the gaping mouth of a dead giant: twisted beams, cold smoke and acid puddles still bubbling. The moon was filtering through gigantic cracks.
The three advanced through the rubble. Steam clung to their skin like icy sweat. Yume pointed to a spot on the ground, almost invisible under a layer of bent metal.
-There. Help me clear it.
Goro cracked his knuckles. He bent down and began to lift concrete and steel plates as if they were rotten wood. Each stroke of his arms shook nearby columns.
Below appeared a metal door nearly two metres long, reinforced with welded plates and an embedded card reader.
Daiki whistled softly.
-Nice bunker. How do we open it? Yume shook her head in frustration.
-I don't have an access card. We'd have to look between-
A clang. A thud like a church bell. Yume turned with a start.
Goro stood in front of the door, taking a deep breath. The steel blade lay on the floor, twisted like a tin lid.
-That's it," he growled.
Daiki looked at him, astonished.
-That was a beautiful punch, boss.
The three of them went downstairs. A narrow corridor led to a filing cabinet. Scattered papers, destroyed boxes, incomplete folders. Moisture had wiped the ink off many.
Goro shone a makeshift torch. He flipped through the reports. They all looked the same: mutated subjects, failures, incomplete rituals... until one made him stop.
File 539: Itsuki Arai.
Remarks: "Subject successfully mutated. Escaped. Whereabouts unknown. Date: November 24, 2020."
Goro felt something drill into his chest.
-Itsuki..." he muttered. He was Riku's friend. -His eyes clouded over. That day... was the day I lost him.
A murmur interrupted him.
-Hey," Daiki exclaimed. He'd found a laptop, half-hidden under a pile of wet folders. Yume walked over and adjusted his glasses. He read the label on the case.
-It's Kanzaki's," he said, almost spitting out the name.
Daiki felt a shiver run down his spine. A fleeting image of Kanzaki - the marble smile, the vibrating tongue of cutting waves - flashed through his mind. He rubbed the back of his neck uncomfortably.
-Do you think it will work?
-If the battery is intact, yes. -Yume caressed the lid with cool care. If he kept anything, he put it here.
Suddenly, a noise outside made everyone hold their breath. Voices. Footsteps. A flash of blue.
Daiki peered out, cautiously.
-Shit. Police. And a hero with them.
Goro looked at Yume. She understood without him having to say anything. She raised her hand, extended her field of silence: the bubble muffled every sound they made.
They slipped through shadows, moving between collapsed columns and toxic puddles. Their breaths were trapped in nothingness.
When they emerged down a side alley, neither turned.
They paused for a second, staring down the empty alley where Goro, Yume and Daiki had slipped through. In the mist, nothing. Not a whisper.
An officer interrupted him, waving a torch.
-Mr. Phantom! Here's something you should see.
The hero looked away. In the gloom, no one knew that the real ghosts were already far away.
[Lair - Departure, early morning].
The first light of dawn barely scratched the horizon when Goro, Daiki and Yume arrived back at the lair. Daiki had Kanzaki's laptop hanging from one arm like an unexploded bomb.
Yume held it in his hands, assessing its weight.
-I'll take it," she said, serious. I'm going to check everything I have. Even if it's encrypted..." She smiled sideways. I'm not bad at deciphering junk.
Goro just nodded. Daiki stretched his back, trying to loosen his shoulders.
-Well, I guess... so much for today.
Goro gave them a brief wave goodbye. He slipped into a side room, leaving the two of them facing the exit door. The early morning breeze hit them in the face like an ice bucket.
Daiki scratched the back of his neck, looking at anything but Yume.
-Hey... I'm leaving early tomorrow morning. You'll be alone here, are you sure you'll be alright?
Yume cocked her head, amused.
Daiki, staying here was a one-time thing. I was running away from the Cult, remember? I talked to my cousin. I'm going to stay with her for a while.
Daiki let out an almost relieved sigh, but blushed uncomfortably.
-Ah... right. That's good. -He hesitated for a second, glanced sideways at her. If you want... before you go... you could... I don't know... come back to my place for a bath or something.
Yume arched an eyebrow.
-I'm sorry?
Daiki waved his hands, red as a cherry.
-No, no, no, no! That's not what I mean! It's just that, you know, you're going to arrive all beat up, full of scrapes and bruises... it's weird showing up at your cousin's house like that, isn't it?
Yume frowned, looked down at her own scratched arms, then back up at him with a half-smile.
-What a pervert you turned out to be, BlockWave.
-Huh?! No, I'm not perverted! -Daiki turned so red he was almost smoking. I was just saying that in case you wanted to, that's all.
Yume let out a soft laugh. He tapped Daiki's shoulder.
-Relax. I was only joking. My cousin knows everything. She knows about the Cult, and she knows how I can get there after... nights like this. -She sighed, looking at him with something almost akin to gratitude. But thanks all the same.
Daiki looked down, rubbing the back of his neck.
-Yeah, yeah... okay. Get some rest. You earned it.
Yume turned her back on him, raising a hand in farewell as she walked away into the empty street.
-See you, Daiki.
Daiki stood watching her disappear into the gloom. He smiled, just barely.
-Yes. See you, Yume.
[School - Dismissal time, afternoon of the same day]
The afternoon sun was beating down on the corridors filled with backpacks and laughter. Aoi was adjusting her scarf, covering a scratch on her neck that Miyu had already asked her twice how she got it.
Kana, leaning on the railing, watched her curiously. Miyu sipped a juice box, looking at Aoi as if she was about to spill a juicy secret.
-So," Miyu said, "are we celebrating or not celebrating the end of another school year? Kena happily blurts out:
-That would be great!....
-Let's go to karaoke! The three of us! Finally something normal after... well, finishing the year.
Aoi sighed, but couldn't help but smile.
-It's okay. Alright, let's go. Miyu clapped her hands, happy.
-That's the spirit, a girls' day out!
A voice sneaked in behind them.
-What are they talking about?
Haruto appeared, backpack slung over his shoulder, smile half cocked. Kana looked at him like someone looking at a new manga character.
Miyu made a "here's my chance" face.
-Aoi invites us to karaoke. You have to come, Haruto. Haruto scratched his cheek.
-Yeah, I was planning to go with some friends from class. I'll bring them and the six of us will go.
Aoi rolled her eyes, but she didn't say no.
Haruto trotted off down the hall. Kana looked at Miyu, softly.
-Who's that?
Miyu bowed, with a mischievous smile.
-Aoi's boyfriend.
Aoi almost choked on Miyu's juice.
-HE'S NOT MY BOYFRIEND!
Kana looked at her, dumbfounded.
-Aoi...? Do you have a boyfriend!
-Of course not! Don't believe everything Miyu says! Aoi replied. Miyu burst out laughing so hard that several students turned around.
Haruto returned shortly after, accompanied by two relaxed-looking boys. One was tall, tousled hair, confident smile. The other, short, glasses, shy smile.
-That's them," said Haruto. Kenta Ito," he pointed to the tall one, "and Sora Minami," he pointed to the one with glasses.
The girls introduced themselves amidst laughter and jokes. Kana hid behind Aoi, somewhat self-consciously.
[Karaoke room - later]
The six of them occupied a private box, surrounded by refreshments, snacks and poorly calibrated microphones.
Aoi blushed every time Kana pushed her to sing. Miyu had taken over the song control.
-Sing, sing! -shouted Miyu, "I want to see how out of tune you are!
Haruto sang a duet with Kenta, while Sora recorded clips to blackmail them later.
-Aoi, your turn! -insisted Kana.
Aoi reluctantly took the microphone. She sang softly, but her voice was surprisingly sweet. Haruto gave her a sidelong glance, smiling unknowingly.
At the table, Kenta leaned towards Haruto while Aoi laughed with Miyu and Kana.
-Hey, Haruto. -He used his nickname without meaning to. Aoi is... cute, isn't she? Haruto tensed, forcing a smile.
-Ah... right.
Kenta adjusted his fringes.
-Do you think I could ask her out? You and she seem close. No problem? Haruto clenched his jaw. He put on his fake smile.
-If you want to, go for it. You'd make a good couple. Kenta stood up, beaming.
-Great. I'm going to the bathroom to get ready.
Sora, the one with glasses, looked at Haruto as if reading an open book.
-You're a lousy liar.
Haruto pretended not to hear him, taking a sip of soda.
-I don't know what you're talking about. Sora sighed.
-You're worried about Aoi's answer. Not that he's asking her to.
Haruto looked down at the table, where Aoi was laughing, still holding the microphone with Miyu.
-Shut up, Sora.
Kenta came back and sat down, and when he came back, the 3 of them finished singing, while the boys applauded.
-That was great, girls. Haruto let go.
-That was great. says Kana.
-I'm going to the bathroom. Says Aoi.
When Aoi got up to go to the bathroom. The boy straightened up as if rehearsing a modeling pose.
-I have to go too. Says Kenta
[Hallway - Girls' toilet]
Aoi was washing her hands, her mind scrambled.
(Why didn't Haruto say anything about how I looked today...?) (It's not like I care. Why am I even thinking this?)
His face turned red as he rinsed himself off.
She went out, closing the door. There was Kenta, waiting for her, leaning against the wall like a cheap dorama star.
-Aoi," he said, taking a step. You look beautiful today. Aoi froze, lowering her gaze.
Kenta took her hands, bowing slightly.
-Aoi... Would you like to... go out with me sometime?
Aoi was speechless. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out. Uncomfortable at that moment, while smiling falsely and with her eyes closed.
Before she could blurt out anything, a loud crash startled her: a sound of breaking glass, followed by a muffled scream from the karaoke box.
Aoi suddenly let go of his hands and rushes to the spot.
-Thank you Kenta, but I can't! Aoi says as she went to the place of the noise.
She ran off down the hallway, without looking back. Kenta watched her go, his confident smile frozen on his face.
[City Streets - Night]
Aoi came running in from the karaoke hallway and stopped dead in her tracks. The scene looked like something out of a nightmare: broken windows, glass strewn about like razor blades, overturned cars and a gigantic monster - over six metres, a mass of black muscle and bony plates - ripping out lamp posts like chopsticks.
Haruto appeared at his side, breathing heavily.
-Aoi! -He grabbed her arm. We have to do something. Aoi swallowed, clutching her backpack to her chest.
-I've got my suit here. -Her eyes flashed, determined. Shiftie can't just stare. Aoi smiled thinly, nodded, and went to the karaoke bathroom to change.
Haruto checking the inside of his backpack. He frowned.
-Great... my boomerang is here, but I didn't bring the spare suit. -He sighed, "I'll go find something to cover my face.
Haruto, meanwhile, looked around for something useful. The place was being evacuated, people were shouting and the police were erecting barriers.
Near an overturned table, he saw a forgotten jumper. He picked it up, looked around as if asking permission from nowhere.
-Excuse me, Mr. abandoned jumper... I'll borrow it.
He put it on so as not to dirty his suit. He also found a red handkerchief that someone had dropped and tied it as a makeshift mask.
As he stowed his bag and belongings in his backpack, he pulled out his boomerang. He twirled it between his fingers.
Aoi emerged from the bathroom, already transformed into Shiftie: tactical clothes, scarf, eyes glittering behind her fringes.
At the sight of him, she let out a low chuckle.
-What's that, Ricochet? You dressed up as a supermarket ninja? Haruto made a deadpan face.
-I forgot my costume! -He sighed, resigned. My uncle will kill me if I fight in the suit and ruin it.
Shiftie covered her mouth to keep from laughing again.
-It looks adorable on you.
-Stop teasing. says Haruto
Before he could mock any more, a roar shook the ground. Sirens and red lights painted the street walls. Patrols and police lined up, firing at the advancing monster crushing cars.
Haruto turned to Aoi, serious for the first time in the night.
-Ready, Shiftie?
Shiftie adjusted her scarf, taking a deep breath.
-Ready.
They approached, but a policeman blocked their way.
-Back off! Restricted area! Ricochet stood his ground.
-We're heroes.
The officer raised an eyebrow, without dropping his gun.
-Heroes' license?
Shiftie and Ricochet looked at each other. Neither responded. But at that instant, a horrible crunch: the monster ripped out a car and hurled it straight at the patrol cars. The impact sent up a cloud of dust and smoke. The cops scattered, coughing.
Haruto grabbed Aoi's arm.
-Now.
They took advantage of the smokescreen to slip between the wrecked cars. Ricochet threw his boomerang: the blade vibrated, cutting off one of the monster's legs, which roared and hit the ground with a gigantic arm.
Shiftie slipped between its legs, invisible as a ghost. She leapt onto the beast's back and plunged a makeshift knife into a soft joint in its bony armour.
The monster roared, slamming into a building and hurling debris into the street. Shiftie rolled to the ground just in time to dodge.
-Ricochet! -he shouted, panting. It's coming for you!
Haruto caught his returning boomerang like a bullet. He swung it, threw it again straight at the monster's right eye. A spray of black blood splattered on the asphalt.
For a moment, it looked like they had it. But the beast hit the ground, creating a crater. The two heroes fell to the edge of a half-ruined building.
With no way out.
The monster rose, roaring. Its debris-laden claws rose above them.
Suddenly, a flash: a bolt of blue light embedded itself in the back of the creature's neck. An electric roar sent it reeling.
A silhouette fell from the roof of a truck, cape billowing, visor glowing.
-It can't be...! -Haruto whispered, gasping. It's Azure Strike... Ricochet looked at him, astonished.
The superhero who manipulates short-range electric fields... if I'm not mistaken, rank S, number 47.
Azure Strike turned his head towards them. His voice came out metallic through his helmet modulator.
-Right, kid. -But if you don't have a license, get out of here. Let me have him. Shiftie stepped forward, her scarf flapping.
-We'll help him.
Azure Strike let out a resigned sigh.
-They've got guts. They've got guts. But you'll follow my orders.
The three of them launched themselves again. Azure Strike channelled electric shocks into the monster's tendons, weakening its limbs. Ricochet bounced his boomerang off the soft spots. Shiftie ducked between the beast's ribs, to hit it with a metal rod.
The monster let out a roar, but the 3 continued to strike it, sending the beast crashing to the street like a collapsing building. The earth shook beneath its dead claws.
As the monster transformed into a normal human. Azure Strike drew in a shaky breath. He looked at them, sizing them up as if they were combat recruits.
-Their names?
Aoi stepped forward.
-Shiftie.
Haruto swung his boomerang.
-Ricochet.
Sirens approached. The glow of red lights illuminated the police uniforms. Azure Strike lowered his voice.
-Well done. But get away before they see you. You don't have a license, do you? Shiftie shook her head in amusement.
-Not yet.
Azure Strike pointed down an alley.
-Run. Now.
The two bowed in salute. They ran through rubble, dodging the incoming tide of police.
[Side streets - A while later]
Aoi and Haruto walked under the light of the streetlights, backpacks on their backs, now dressed in their normal clothes retrieved from karaoke.
They laughed, bumping shoulders. The tension of the fight seemed to melt away amid jokes and sweet silences.
They stood facing each other. For a second, the cold breeze drew them closer. Their gazes met. Aoi lowered her head. Haruto let out a nervous chuckle. Almost... almost...
-Hey, guys! -Miyu shouted behind them.
Aoi and Haruto jumped like springs, red up to their ears. Kana, Sora and Kenta came behind them.
Miyu put her hand to her mouth dramatically.
-Did I interrupt something?
-N-no! -they both shouted in unison. Sora laughed, crossing his arms.
-The police and some heroes stopped the monster. Time to go home.
The six of them walked down the avenue together, laughing and joking. No one else talked about heroes or monsters that night.
[Haruto's house - A while later]
Haruto opened the door carefully. Inside, his uncle was waiting for him, arms folded, expression of "we'll talk later".
-You don't have classes, you don't work," the man snorted. Tomorrow you start working with me. No excuses.
Haruto pouted, almost defeated.
-Let's talk tomorrow, please.
His uncle looked at him, sighed. With a snort, he ruffled his hair.
-Go on, go to sleep, Haruto.
Haruto smiled, exhausted, as he flopped down on the futon. The night finally closed in on them.