Morning had long passed, and the corridors of the headquarters had returned to their usual liveliness. In the infirmary, Mitsuni was still organizing his notes. He was trying to forget the embarrassing incidents from earlier that morning while repeatedly checking Yuki's condition.
Just then—
Tap… tap… tap…
Heavy, confident footsteps approached.
Mitsuni looked up.
A tall man wearing a black cloak stood at the doorway. A thin scar ran beneath his left eye, and a silver hunter insignia gleamed on his shoulder.
One of the headquarters' most famous Quiri hunters…
Shiran.
Mitsuni immediately straightened up.
"Sh-Shiran?"
Shiran crossed his arms.
"Where's Kaito?"
Mitsuni blinked.
"Well… I…"
He looked down at his notebook, then back at Shiran.
"To be honest… I don't know."
Shiran narrowed his eyes slightly.
"You don't know?"
"I mean… I haven't seen him since this morning."
A brief silence followed.
Then Shiran slowly turned away.
"I'll find him."
His cloak swayed as he disappeared down the corridor.
Mitsuni stood there for a few seconds.
Then swallowed hard.
"Today… is going to be strange."
After Shiran left the infirmary, the hallway fell completely silent for several seconds.
Mitsuni was still staring at the door.
Finally, he let out a deep sigh.
"Yeah… definitely going to be a strange day…"
He was just about to return to his notes when—
Fast footsteps echoed through the corridor.
But this time, it wasn't just one person.
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!
One of Mitsuni's eyes twitched.
"No…"
The door suddenly burst open.
Two heads popped in at exactly the same time.
Ren.
And…
Zen.
They both spoke at the same time.
"Is the patient alive?"
Mitsuni adjusted his glasses.
"…That is not how normal people greet someone."
Zen shrugged as he walked inside.
"Technically, we asked politely."
Ren nodded with a serious expression.
"Very politely."
Mitsuni let out a deep sigh.
Sitting up in bed, Yuki blinked.
"…Are you two always like this?"
The twins looked at each other.
Then answered at the exact same time—
"Yes."
The corners of Yuki's lips curled upward slightly.
Zen walked closer to her bed.
"Your color's back."
Ren crossed his arms.
"You were pretty terrifying yesterday."
Yuki lowered her head slightly.
"…Sorry."
Both twins frowned at the same time.
"Why are you apologizing?"
"You were the sick one."
Yuki looked genuinely surprised for a few seconds.
Mitsuni watched them from a distance.
Strangely… they're good for her.
At that moment, Zen pulled out a small pouch from his pocket.
Mitsuni's eyes widened.
"Wait… what's that?"
Zen grinned.
"Candy."
Ren nodded.
"A recovery gift."
Mitsuni suddenly jumped to his feet.
"NO CANDY IN THE INFIRMARY!"
Zen froze.
Ren froze.
Yuki froze.
A few seconds of complete silence passed…
Then Zen very slowly hid the pouch behind his back.
"…Did you see that?"
Mitsuni marched toward them with veins practically popping.
"Yes, I saw that!"
Ren turned to Zen seriously.
"Mission failed."
Zen nodded.
"We retreat."
Then both of them gave a military salute at the same time.
"The patient looks fine."
"The doctor still looks angry."
And at the same time, they headed for the door.
Just as they were about to leave—
Yuki let out a small laugh.
"Hehe…"
The twins stopped.
They turned around.
Yuki was trying to cover her mouth.
Her shoulders were trembling slightly.
Zen smirked.
"See?"
Ren nodded.
"It worked."
Mitsuni sighed, but an involuntary small smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
The room felt much more alive than it had just a few minutes ago.
Evening had arrived.
The headquarters' grand dining hall was illuminated by warm lights. The long wooden table was nearly full.
At the head of the table sat the commander of the headquarters, Liyanna. Beside her, as always, were the twins who looked identical but had completely different personalities…
Ren and Zen.
On the other side sat Daichi, with Sora beside him.
A little farther down were Akira's assistants, Tatsuya and Yoona.
Mitsuni was at the table as well, but his thoughts were still in the infirmary.
Because Yuki was still there, under the nurse's supervision.
And near the middle of the table, two people sat side by side in silence.
Haruto.
And…
Kaito.
Haruto held his fork in his hand but barely touched his food.
Kaito noticed.
"You're thinking about Yuki again."
Haruto didn't answer.
Kaito lightly nudged his shoulder.
"She'll be fine."
Haruto took a deep breath.
"I know…"
At that moment—
A chair scraped violently backward.
SCRAAAAAPE.
Everyone in the hall fell silent.
The one who stood up was Shiran.
Arms crossed, he stared directly at Kaito.
Mitsuni nearly choked on his food.
"Here we go…"
Shiran's voice echoed throughout the hall.
"Kaito."
Kaito looked up.
"What?"
Shiran stepped forward.
"I've been watching you for a long time."
The hall was completely silent.
Even Liyanna watched quietly.
Shiran's eyes gleamed.
"Everyone in this headquarters keeps talking about your lightning power."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"So?"
Shiran smirked slightly.
"You might be overrated."
Daichi whispered.
"Oh no…"
Zen grinned.
"This won't end well."
Shiran pointed directly at Kaito.
"Fight me."
The entire hall held its breath.
Haruto immediately looked at Kaito.
Mitsuni's eyes widened.
Tatsuya whispered.
"He actually did it…"
Yoona smiled.
"Interesting."
Kaito leaned back in his chair.
"Right now?"
Shiran nodded.
"Now."
Kaito remained silent for a few seconds.
Then slowly stood up.
His chair slid back slightly.
That familiar wild look appeared in his eyes.
"Fine."
Haruto frowned.
"Kaito…"
Without looking at him, Kaito spoke.
"Don't worry."
Then he looked at Shiran.
"I accept."
The hall instantly erupted with murmurs.
Daichi jumped to his feet.
"It's really happening!"
Sora held his forehead.
"Half the headquarters is going to get destroyed again…"
Liyanna calmly stood up.
"We're moving to the training grounds."
A few minutes later, everyone had gathered at the open combat field.
The night sky was dark.
The moon shone between the clouds.
Kaito and Shiran stood facing each other.
About ten meters apart.
A gentle wind blew.
Liyanna raised her hand.
"The rules are simple."
Everyone was silent.
"No killing."
Ren chuckled softly.
"The fact that she has to say that…"
Liyanna continued.
"The first one to surrender loses."
Then she lowered her hand.
"Begin."
One second of silence…
Then—
BOOOOM!
Blue electricity exploded around Kaito's body.
Lightning danced beneath his feet.
Yoona's eyes widened.
"Impressive every single time…"
But at the same moment—
Dark purple energy began rising from Shiran's body.
The ground trembled.
Daichi swallowed.
"That's…"
Mitsuni whispered.
"Quiri pressure…"
Shiran smirked.
"Show me what you've got, lightning boy."
The corners of Kaito's lips curled upward.
"Don't regret this."
And in the very next second—
Both of them charged forward at the same time.
Blue lightning…
Purple energy…
And the first collision that lit up the headquarters' night—
KRAAAASH!