The shield from Takemi gave Kazama enough time to retreat and reposition himself alongside her. Tanaka's blazing fist melted through the force field like molten metal through paper. Takemi kept her left hand semi-raised, still on guard despite the breach.
Tanaka shrugged off asphalt and ash from his right hand, smiling as he looked at Takemi before turning his attention back to Kazama.
"So after all that talk and evasive maneuvers, you needed a girl to save your ass," Tanaka said, pointing at Kazama while doubled over, clutching his stomach.
"What's going on here?" Takemi demanded, her voice sharp as she stamped her foot on the ground.
"And who might you be, miss?" Tanaka asked, straightening up after barely recovering from his series of laughter.
"I'm a student from Tokyo Super High. I'd like to know why a reputed hero such as yourself is fighting with a student from my school," Takemi said as she lowered her arm after realizing that the situation had now turned conversational. She glanced at Kazama with an annoyed expression. Kazama turned his face away as she checked her watch, "at 7 AM."
"Oh, it's nothing like that. You see, there was an incident here last night. And I was assigned to this area to investigate and look out for suspects," Tanaka explained smoothly. His tone was casual as if he wasn't going to cripple Kazama just a few moments ago.
"I didn't know that looking out for suspects involved using powers against high schoolers. Even if you have the license to do so, it doesn't mean you should do it, right?" Takemi challenged with both her hands on her waist.
Kazama was standing behind Takemi with his arms crossed. He had nothing to add for now but he trusted Takemi to resolve this as she was asking valid questions.
Tanaka clapped his hands once, his expression shifting to something apologetic. "You're absolutely right, young lady. I apologize. You see, the individual I'm looking for is very dangerous, and this young fellow had similar features to this individual that I am looking for. It could be a misunderstanding"
Tanaka tried to play it off as a misunderstanding. He was slowly coming to a realization that his hot-headed decision might not go in his favor. His facial expression was switching between casual to worried and visibly uneasy.
"Well, if it was just a misunderstanding, we'll be on our way," Takemi declared.
Takemi turned to leave as Tanaka spoke up again. Kazama was still standing and staring at Tanaka. He had some unanswered questions.
"Wait," Tanaka called out, his voice sharp.
She stopped and turned back.
"I answered your questions, and now it's time for you to answer mine," Tanaka stated firmly.
Takemi nodded.
"What are you really doing here? But most importantly, both of you will tell me your names. For official purposes, of course," Tanaka pressed. His tone was more professional.
There's no choice, I guess, Kazama thought reluctantly.
"Kazama Raiden."
"Tachibana Takemi."
Tanaka's face lit up slightly at the second name.
"Tachibana, huh," Tanaka murmured after a pause. His face paled slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching. He swallowed hard, a sheen of sweat breaking along his forehead. It seemed like he was standing on a ticking time bomb but managed to compose himself to continue. "Now back to my earlier question. What were you really doing here ? Kazama-kun."
"I already answered. I was going to my senpai's so that we could train together," Kazama replied evenly. He noticed Tanaka being uneasy and his tone had even more confidence this time.
"That's bullshit and you know it," Tanaka shot back.
"He's telling the truth," Takemi interjected, brushing a few strands of hair from her face.
Kazama made a doubtful face, surprised by her support. He didn't expect a fellow classmate he barely knew to lie on his behalf. He returned to his neutral expression to not give away any kind of hint to Tanaka who was already on the edge right now.
"He was going to train with my brother. I came here to check why he was late," Takemi said, the lie rolling off her tongue without hesitation.
"Oh, is that so? So your alibi checks out. Well then, it was a waste of time. Seems like I took you guys for a threat when you're just aspiring heroes. Be careful, kids, it's a big world," Tanaka said quickly, realizing he'd overstepped. He wiped the sweat that accumulated over his forehead. He knew he was in for some heat once he explained what happened here, how a hero of his position got desperate and lost his composure and went as far as to attack a high schooler.
"But why did you go so far as to attack me?" Kazama spoke up with a loud tone. There was anger in his voice. Valid anger.
Tanaka ignored the question, turned back, and dashed off with tremendous power, leaving behind air shockwaves that rippled through the morning air. Both Kazama and Takemi watched as he disappeared to the next block.
Fuck. I messed up. I am a top 50 hero in Japan and I messed up so badly. Tanaka thought as he was running from one block to the next. He was so busy and worried about the consequences that he forgot that he was supposed to watch that area until Takeru was back.
Kazama frowned, his eyebrows narrowing in irritation but then casually turned and started walking. He bumped into an invisible barrier.
"Don't you think you owe me an explanation? Or a thanks?" Takemi said, hands on her waist.
"And why would that be the case? I didn't ask for your help," Kazama replied flatly, not even bothering to look at her.
Takemi's eye twitched in irritation combined with a pout.
Kazama started walking again and bumped into the invisible barrier once more. This time the barrier even pushed him a step backwards.
Kazama sighed, his shoulders sagging as he looked up and then turned to face her. "Fine. I lied when I said I was going to train with some senpai."
"That was very obvious," Takemi said, rolling her eyes.
"I was here on my... morning run," Kazama said, the lie coming as easily as breathing. "Trying to get into better shape for the evaluations. Figured the backstreets would be quieter. This route has been part of my routine for over a year. Didn't know I'd face this much trouble in the morning."
Guess that explains the parkour. I'm not much familiar with this area anyway, except that one time, Takemi thought, accepting the explanation.
"And thanks," Kazama said, scratching the back of his head awkwardly and looking the other way.
Takemi felt heat rise to her cheeks, not expecting the gratitude.
"That hero was relentless," Kazama continued with a faint smile now looking at her directly, another lie slipping out effortlessly. "To be honest, I wouldn't have survived that move. Not without your help. So thanks."
"You're most welcome. You see, that wasn't so hard, was it?" Takemi beamed. She looked genuinely impressed, her eyes bright with approval.
Kazama didn't respond and started walking again, hands in his pockets. He made sure the shiny thing he had picked up earlier was still in his pocket. Takemi quietly followed without thinking much.
******************************************************************************************************
Meanwhile Tanaka, was now behind an empty park about 1 kilometer away from the "alley of last night's and this morning's showdown". He dialed Shirai Takeru's number. Takeru had been sleeping soundly ever since he left Tanaka at the scene.
"Sorry to disturb you, Shirai-san. How was your meeting?" Tanaka asked, his voice carrying a faint tremor.
"Meeting? What meeting?" Takeru yawned. He was still in his pajamas, rubbing his eyes as he slowly woke up.
"That one you mentioned before leaving," Tanaka said, confused.
"Oh yeah," Takeru replied, the lie coming smoothly. "It was good. There was even mention of your work. Everyone thinks really highly of you". Takeru headed towards his kitchen to make his coffee.
"Wow. Really?" Tanaka asked, his tone brightening despite a flicker of doubt in the back of his mind.
"Yes. And what's up? Did you find anything?" Takeru asked as he put 3 teaspoons of sugar in the cup since he had a sweet tooth.
"Actually, there's a problem," Tanaka admitted, his voice dropping. The tremor in his voice was more than ever. The situation was like a bandage he wanted to rip off as quickly as possible.
Tanaka recounted the confrontation with Kazama, the arrival of the Tachibana girl, and his hasty retreat after revealing his powers. He didn't mention that he got desperate and lost his cool to make matters worse.
"You what?" Takeru roared into the phone. He proceeded to add one more teaspoon of sugar.
"I'm sorry, Shirai-san," Tanaka apologized quickly, his smile flickering with teeth showing for a second before his jaw tightened again.
"You fuck up everything every time. Man, I was so wrong to trust you, knowing you're so useless," Takeru snarled, all his earlier praise forgotten. "You not only attacked two high schoolers but also used your powers, which I specifically told you not to use. What is wrong with you!"
"But you just said…" Tanaka replied, his voice small, trying to bring up the earlier praise as a defense.
Takeru continued his scolding without pause while taking sips of his extra sweet coffee. "Do you have any idea what kind of mess this creates? What would I tell the higher ups ? What would you tell them ?"
"But Shirai-san. The boy was the exact profile except for the powers. He just wouldn't use his powers for some reason. He was definitely hiding something. He dodged or countered every single one of my physical blows. If he were to counter or retaliate, it would have been an even match between us,"Tanaka argued defensively, the memory still lingering in his muscles and mind.
"I don't care what…" Takeru's tone shifted abruptly. "Wait, really? Coming from you, that's high praise. So except for his abilities, he was a good match. Hmmm. And what about the girl?"
"She had some force field powers. She was also a Tachibana. I assumed she was related to 'THE STRONGEST,' so I treaded carefully there. She said she had a brother so I assumed that to be the case," Tanaka explained, rubbing the back of his neck with a strained smile.
"Hmm. Tachibana. Makes sense. It's better if we stay clear from her then until we are sure," Takeru mused as he chugged the end bit of his coffee. "And can you tell me the name of the boy again?"
"Kazama Raiden from Tokyo Super High," Tanaka said quietly.
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Kazama and Takemi reached school together. They hadn't spoken to each other the entire way.
As they approached the main gates, the full grandeur of Tokyo Super High revealed itself. The school occupied an entire city block, its main building a striking fusion of traditional Japanese architecture and cutting-edge modern design. The exterior walls were reinforced concrete embedded with power-dampening composite materials which was a necessary precaution for a school full of Awakened students. Five stories of glass and steel rose above a traditional stone foundation, with the school's emblem: stylized initials of the school in bold golden color symbolizing its position in all of Japan, surrounded by cherry blossoms and a bit of greenery.
Takemi walked ahead toward the biometric scanner positioned just inside the gate. She placed her hand on the glass panel, and a soft blue light scanned her palm and wrist where her power-dampening bracelet sat. A holographic display flickered to life, showing her photo, name, and ability classification.
TACHIBANA TAKEMI
YEAR 1, CLASS D
ABILITY: FORCE FIELD GENERATION
STATUS: BRACELET ACTIVE
CLEARED FOR ENTRY
The light turned green, and a melodic chime sounded as the turnstile unlocked.
Kazama stepped up next, placing his hand on the scanner. The same blue light swept across his palm and bracelet.
KAZAMA RAIDEN
YEAR 1, CLASS D
ABILITY: ELECTRICITY MANIPULATION
STATUS: BRACELET ACTIVE
CLEARED FOR ENTRY
Before entering, Kazama checked his pocket. There was a badge that read "Together in darkness."
The badge was crafted from dark gold with black outlining. It was heavy and thick, bearing the image of a black moon with a one-line oath written beneath it. The weight of it seemed to carry more significance than its size suggested.