Kazama headed to a public library after that mini showdown with the bullies. The library had a large hall with rows of 10 feet high book shelves filled with books on one side and a seating area on the other. The hall had about 50 people and mostly in their 40s or above, those who preferred the old ways of acquiring knowledge. Kazama was the only teenager there. For now.
I remember this place used to have like hundreds of people here. Ten years ago, there was a book fair and this place was packed. I was here with my parents. My mother even got me a book on "Top 50 Heroes and Villains". It used to be my favorite. I had memorized all the heroes and villains in that book and their order. And now, barely fifty people come here and the lines between heroes and villains are blurred. Kazama thought as he entered the library, looking around and seeing how much things have changed over the last ten years. The Kurotsuki Mafia's mention last night had him thinking about his parents even more.
I got myself into another mess, Kazama thought grimly as he made his way deeper into the building. I for sure know we'll be contacted by the authorities for using our powers in the open like that. Those idiots. They never listen.
Kazama headed to the science section and started scanning the shelves.
Fujimoto-sensei got ahead of herself today, Kazama mused as his fingers traced along book spines. Those questions were out of syllabus, designed to trip us up. Not that it matters much anymore. I need to read more about magnetism. Magnetism has always been a weak spot for me when it comes to my abilities. Magnetic fields can be generated when current passes through a conductor, but when I try to mimic that with my powers, it's always frustratingly weak.
His eyes settled on two promising titles: "Advanced Electromagnetic Theory" and "Practical Applications of Magnetic Fields." Both were thick volumes that looked like they hadn't been touched in months. He pulled them from the shelf and found a secluded corner table where he could work undisturbed.
Most of this information is also available on the internet, scattered across a thousand different sites, he reflected as he began reading. But books, you stay focused with books. They don't divert from the topic they're meant to represent. I don't despise the internet. But recently there are just too many distractions. Books are written with absolute information in mind. Nothing else. While information on the internet is just who can come up with the latest piece of content.
Kazama started reading through the books methodically, occasionally pausing to process complex diagrams and equations. As understanding dawned, he pulled out his notebook and began making detailed notes.
Solenoid coils... interesting. The theory's elegant in its simplicity. Wrapping copper coils around my arms and legs could indeed boost the magnetic fields significantly. The mathematics checks out. I might need a battery pack as well to generate constant current and provide an extra kick when needed. And on top of that, this is all theory. I'll need to make adjustments based on practical experimentation and real-world application, Kazama thought, his mind already racing through possibilities.
While making notes about coil density and current flow, he caught a glimpse of Tachibana Takemi entering the library. Her school bag hung from one shoulder, and she looked around uncertainly before heading toward the literature section. He kept his head down and pretended not to notice her, though his eyes tracked her movement for a moment before returning to his notes.
I've seen her here a couple of times, Kazama noted mentally while continuing to write. She usually sits near the windows. I guess she is old school like me. Prefers books over the internet.
He flipped a few pages but still seeing her today with the messy situation he was in the morning made him think.
Avoiding conversation would be best for now after the trouble I caused her in the morning. Along with the misunderstandings. Haruto and Kurogane were both teasing me relentlessly. The other students in the class must be thinking something is going on as well. Not that I care much. I have too much on my plate right now.
Speaking of which, I need to look into this Kurotsuki mafia thing more. What are they exactly ? How are they linked to what happened to my parents ? I face their members at night, I get confronted by Shirai Takeru, and then I get jumped by a hero in the morning. There's no doubt they suspect me and are looking for someone with my height and stature with electricity-based powers. I have an idea to fool them, but then again, a lot of risk is involved.
After filling three pages with notes and diagrams, Kazama closed the books and stood to return them to their respective sections. The movement caught Takemi's attention from across the aisle, and she looked up from her own reading.
"Kazama-kun ?" Takemi called out softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes widened with surprise.
"Hey," Kazama replied simply, keeping his voice low and hoping to keep the interaction brief.
"So what were you reading?" Takemi asked, genuine curiosity in her tone as she approached him.
"Just some books on magnetism and such," Kazama said.
Takemi's eyes widened as she caught sight of the books in his hands. "Wait, those books you're putting back, is that advanced electromagnetic theory? That's way beyond our current syllabus. We won't cover that until university level."
Kazama shrugged, maintaining his composure. "I have a curious mind. What about you? What brings you here?"
"Oh... Umm." Takemi seemed flustered for a moment. "I wanted to revise some topics since our assessments for Japanese Qualifiers are coming up."
"Right," Kazama said, his face remaining impassive.
He could see something flickering behind her eyes, the frustration, perhaps, or a kind of competitive determination.
Takemi bit her lip, her mind racing. So he comes to the library as well. Maybe he is old school like me. Someone who prefers the physical effort of reading books which give a more immersive experience. But I still can't forget that look on his face when he solved those problems this morning... he didn't even try to show off, which somehow makes it worse. I refuse to be the one falling behind while he casually reads university-level material.
"So I'll be on my way," Kazama said, sensing the tension building in the silence.
"Oh, yes. It was nice talking to you," Takemi said with a smile.
Kazama nodded once and moved on with his hands buried in his pockets. He slipped through some other sections and reached the crime and current affairs section, hoping to find something useful for his other concerns.
Now that the school knowledge work is done, it's time to dig deeper into my other work, Kazama thought as he scanned the shelves, looking for anything that might prove helpful. I read some articles on Kurotsuki mafia involvement last night, but in the morning they were deleted. Maybe someone else is also following them just like me ? I doubt I can find anything else relevant on the internet. Also, Shirai Takeru named them very loosely as if it was to instill fear.
But why would he even mention that name if he wasn't involved? I've heard rumors about heroes going rogue, heroes taking bribes. I saw it twice myself in the outer districts, supposed heroes shaking down shop owners for "protection fees." If those ranked in the hundreds can be bought, why not someone in the top fifty?
Despite his thorough search through the available books, Kazama found nothing substantial about the organization that had become such a significant part of his nighttime encounters.
What a waste of time, Kazama concluded with growing frustration. Not only did I not find anything, but there was literally a column praising the achievements of Shirai Takeru and not very surprisingly, Kujou Tanaka. Maybe I'm overthinking this. Should head back home and test this new way to boost the magnetic fields.
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Kazama reached home with his notes tucked safely in his bag, determined to make the plan he'd come up with.
"I'm home," Kazama called out as he stepped inside. The familiar scent of miso soup wafted from the kitchen, and he could hear the soft murmur of a television playing in the background.
"Welcome back. You're late," came Hana's voice from somewhere deeper in the house.
Yamamoto Hana appeared in the doorway,his foster sister, two years older than him, with shoulder-length brown hair pulled into a messy ponytail. She wore an apron with a Manchester City shirt and blue jeans and had that familiar mischievous glint in her eye that usually meant trouble. Despite not being blood-related, she'd taken to the role of annoying older sister with remarkable dedication over the past five years.
"Was at the library. Assessments are coming up," Kazama explained as he removed his shoes.
"Ooh. Little Raiden wants to succeed," Hana said with mock amazement, leaning against the doorframe with crossed arms.
Kazama rolled his eyes and brushed past her without dignifying that with a response.
He made his way to the main room where their guardian sat in his customary position. Takahashi Genzo was a man who commanded respect even in stillness, and Kazama could feel the weight of his attention even before speaking. The former hero wore his usual long Chinese robe, weathered hands wrapped around a ceramic tea cup. The eyepatch covering his missing eye and the empty sleeve where his arm should have been served as permanent reminders of battles fought and sacrifices made.
"Master," Kazama said with a slight bow.
"Raiden. How was school today?" Takahashi's voice was calm but carried an undertone that suggested he already knew more than he was letting on.
"Good," Kazama said simply.
"Heard you were late again, even though you left early today," Takahashi observed, his tone neutral but pointed.
The observation hit closer to home than Kazama would have liked, and he felt his mind race to construct a plausible explanation. "Got roped into some scheme by Kurogane and Haruto. I'll make sure it doesn't happen again," Kazama said smoothly, the deception coming naturally.
Takahashi set down his tea cup with deliberate slowness, his single eye studying Kazama's face with an intensity that had once made him a formidable hero.
"Your parents were very regular in their school days. Not a day missed, not a second late. They also used to be at the top of their respective grades. They would have wanted the same for their son," Takahashi said, his voice heavy with sorrow.
The words hit harder than any physical blow could have. Kazama paused for a second and contemplated the weight of those expectations, feeling the familiar ache of a legacy he could never seem to properly honor and not because he lacked the ability, but because his real priorities lay elsewhere.
"I'll try my best to honor those wishes," Kazama said quietly.
"I hope you do," Takahashi murmured, turning his gaze back to his tea.
"I'll be working on a little science project now. If you'll excuse me," Kazama said, beginning to retreat before the conversation could go deeper.
Takahashi nodded his permission, and Kazama retreated to his room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
How can I tell him the truth? The question that had haunted him for months rose again in his mind. That I was out there trying to become something they'd hate? Something they wouldn't want. They wouldn't want me to look into the last thing they were looking into. But maybe... maybe being stronger is how I honor them. If I become stronger, they wouldn't worry. Master Takahashi wouldn't worry. And this little project is how I get stronger and better, Kazama thought, guilt gnawing at him.
From his desk drawer, he retrieved the copper coils he'd acquired earlier in the week. The metal was cool against his skin as he carefully wrapped them around his arms, checking the positioning to ensure optimal electromagnetic field generation. Taking a deep breath, Kazama focused his power and passed current through the coils. He concentrated on a small metal bracelet sitting on his desk, extending his hand toward it.
The bracelet trembled, then lifted smoothly into the air.
That works better than last time, Kazama thought with satisfaction. I just need a bit more juice.
"Raiden! There's a letter for you!" Hana's voice echoed up from downstairs, breaking his concentration and causing the bracelet to clatter back onto the desk.
"Leave it. I'll read it later," Kazama called back, not wanting to interrupt his experimentation just when he was making progress.
"It's from school. So I'm gonna read it!" came Hana's reply with the letter still in her hand.
"What? Why? You shouldn't be doing that," Kazama protested, though he knew from experience that once Hana decided to do something, there was little point in trying to stop her.
"Does it matter?" Hana replied with that same mischievous tone as she began opening the letter.
Must be another notice for being late, Kazama reasoned, though something in Hana's tone made him uneasy. He unwrapped the coils from his arms and moved toward his door. I need to go downstairs and see.
"It's regarding some issue that happened outside the school grounds. I'm gonna read further!" Hana's voice carried up the stairs.
"Wait!" Kazama called out, panic beginning to creep into his voice. He opened his door and stepped into the hallway.
Must be about those bullies, Kazama thought, his hands gripping the stair railing.
"Raiden! What the hell?" Hana's voice carried up the stairs now, shock evident in her tone.
Kazama descended a few steps, maintaining his composure. "It was Kurogane's fault. But yes, I shouldn't have indulged them."
"What the hell are you talking about?" The confusion in Hana's voice was palpable now, and Kazama realized with growing dread that whatever was in that letter was far worse than he'd anticipated. "Shirai Takeru summoned you to the school stating you got into a fight with some hero in the morning."
From the main room, Takahashi raised an eyebrow, a gesture Kazama had learned to recognize over the years and one that never boded well. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions and implications. Kazama stood frozen on the stairs, his mind racing but finding no escape. He hadn't seen this coming and now he was completely unprepared for what would follow.