A few days had passed since the incident at the abandoned factory.
School corridors buzzed with chatter, lockers clanging, footsteps echoing, yet for Ryan, it all felt distant. He walked beside Juliet, their steps matching in silence, comfortable but weighted.
"I'll be late tomorrow at our place," Ryan said, keeping his gaze forward.
Juliet tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Okay… but why?"
Ryan's expression remained calm, unreadable. "I have some work to do. You should tell her, okay?"
Juliet smiled softly. "Oh, okay. No problem. Take your time—we'll wait."
Ryan's lips twitched slightly, almost a smile, before the familiar mask returned.
Then—a commotion erupted from the far end of the hallway.
Shouts. Cries. The dull, painful sound of fists landing.
Juliet's eyes widened. "What's happening there? Let's check."
She pushed through the crowd, heart hammering. At the center of it all, a student from their class lay on the floor, surrounded by older seniors. His uniform was torn, bruises already forming across his arms and face.
"Wait… that's a student from our class?" Juliet gasped.
"Why are senior students doing this?"
Her instincts screamed at her to intervene, but Ryan stood still, watching the scene with calm detachment, as if it weren't his concern.
Then—a voice rang out, steady and commanding:
"Stop beating my classmate. Can you please tell me why you're doing this?"
The seniors turned sharply.
"Who the heck are you?" one sneered.
A boy with soft, bluish-purple hair stepped forward casually, hands in his pockets. He radiated quiet authority, a polite smile on his lips.
"Oh… I'm sorry," he said.
"I didn't introduce myself. My name is Damian. The guy you're beating? He's in my class, and I'm his class representative."
The senior's lips curled into a mocking grin. "Ah, I get it. But it's still none of your business. He took money from us and didn't pay back on time."
Damian's eyes softened as he glanced at his classmate. Disappointment, not anger, shone in them.
"You should have told me if you needed help," he said quietly, voice firm yet gentle. "I could have done something."
Then he turned to the seniors.
"I apologize on his behalf. Please give us some time—we'll return your money."
The senior scoffed, stepping closer. "I said it's none of your business."
Damian's polite smile vanished. A calculating smirk replaced it, intimidating without aggression.
"Look," he said, raising a hand.
"I'm holding back my anger. I really want to hit you for hurting my classmate—but I won't. Because, honestly, this mess is his mistake."
He leaned in slightly.
"But it looks like you really want some treatment…"
The senior, overconfident, grabbed Damian by the collar.
Big mistake.
In a heartbeat, Damian twisted his wrist, sending the senior crashing into the wall. A follow-up punch connected cleanly, and another senior rushing from behind was intercepted with a swift kick that threw him into the third.
Three senior boys lay groaning on the ground, completely incapacitated, as if the fight had lasted seconds rather than minutes.
Damian dusted off his hands calmly. "I think that's enough for today," he said.
"Let's hurry. Recess is over."
One of the rescued students stared at him, awe in his eyes. "You're amazing, Damian."
Damian's lips curled into a faint smile. "We don't have time for that. Save it for later, idiot."
He reached out, helping his classmate to his feet. "Come on. We'll talk later."
Juliet watched, admiration sparkling in her eyes.
"Like always… he's amazing," she whispered.
"Aww, so majestic."
Ryan, however, had his eyes on the boy walking beside Damian—a small, energetic boy with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Nahru, move faster," Damian instructed.
"Okie dokie," Nahru replied cheerfully.
Ryan's eyes met Nahru's briefly. A silent understanding—or curiosity—passed between them.
Juliet noticed. "Ryan, what are you thinking?"
Ryan shook his head. "Ah, nothing. Do you know that guy?"
Juliet glanced at Nahru. "Ah, you mean Nahru. He's a transfer student, recently joined our class. He's Damian's relative."
Her eyebrows furrowed. "Wait… you didn't know that?"
Ryan shrugged. "Nooo."
Juliet sighed, disappointed.
Ryan's expression grew calm, though his mind raced. Did Damian know that…?
---
After School
Later, Ryan called someone.
"Hey… let's meet. I need to tell you something."
Isobel's voice came through immediately. "Okay… because I have something to tell you too."
Ryan hung up, gazing at the sky as clouds drifted lazily. The weight of the day pressed down, but he felt a thrill. Something was about to happen.
---
The Next Day
Ryan ran through the streets, his feet pounding the pavement, each stride urgent, purposeful, chasing shadows only he could see.
Meanwhile…
"Ding dong… ding dong!"
The doorbell rang at Damian's house. A young lady opened it, revealing Isobel on the porch.
"Hello, ma'am. Is Damian home?" she asked politely.
"Yes," the lady said, smiling. "You must be his friend."
Isobel nodded. "Yes. Could you please tell him I'm here?"
Inside, Damian rushed toward the door, barely noticing her.
"Hey, wait! I need to talk to you," she said, grabbing his hand gently.
Damian paused, glancing at her with a mix of worry and irritation. "I don't know who you are, but I'll listen once I return. Please wait."
"I'm asking about Nahru," Isobel said, narrowing her eyes. "Where is he?"
Damian's expression darkened. "I don't know. That idiot goes out on his own. I have to find him before he causes trouble."
Isobel's eyes narrowed. So he knows…
"Let me help you," she said, determination threading her voice.
---
On the Bridge
Ryan finally caught up to Nahru, who leaned casually against the railing.
"Finally," Ryan said, catching his breath.
"I caught you."
Nahru grinned mischievously. "Oh, come on. Stop following me."
"Stop acting," Ryan said, his voice firm. "I know about you."
Nahru's grin faltered for a brief second but returned. "And I know too. If you're human… then how do you have powers?"
Ryan's eyes narrowed. "I have questions too. Why are you here on Earth? Why are you living with a human? Did you manipulate him?"
Nahru stiffened. "Stop it. I didn't manipulate him."
"Answer me first," Nahru demanded.
Silence fell between them.
Then Ryan said firmly, "Let's fight. If I win, you tell me everything."
Nahru smirked. "Bring it on. You'll regret this…"
They charged.
Fists collided. Nahru moved like liquid—quick, effortless, playful. Ryan struggled to dodge, each strike heavy and calculated.
He's fast… and not even serious, Ryan thought.
He's not holding back either, Nahru thought.
"Stop playing with me," Ryan said, voice serious.
"Then you stop holding back," Nahru replied.
They stepped back, fists clenched, muscles coiled, ready to charge again at full speed.
"Ahhhhhh!"
Then—
A force stopped them.
Isobel appeared between them, crossing her arms effortlessly.
"Isobel…?" Ryan whispered, stunned.
"Who are you?" Nahru demanded.
"What are you doing? That wasn't the plan—we were supposed to meet outside his house!" she snapped at Ryan.
Ryan scratched his head. "Ah… I just saw him on my way…"
Isobel sighed, then turned to Nahru. "You're coming with us."
Nahru blinked. "…Are you kidnapping me?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Do you really think you can be kidnapped?"
"Oh no! Please… kidnap me. I came out on my own. Damian's going to kill me!" Nahru said, fear lacing his voice.
Ryan smirked. He's scared… but also not.
"Grab him," Isobel said.
"We're already late."
"Oy, let's go," Ryan said.
"Okie dokie!"
---
The Base
They arrived at an old, abandoned house.
Isobel revealed a hidden underground path leading to a secret base. Nahru's eyes widened. "Wow…"
Inside, Juliet was already waiting, tapping her foot. "Finally, you're here."
Nahru grinned. "Oh, so you're involved too? No wonder… you're not a normal girl."
"So… what are you going to do with me?"
Nahru's grin widened. "Yay! I'm getting kidnapped!"
Juliet's eyes went wide. "WAIT—WHAT?! WE KIDNAPPED HIM?