Why were we called here…? Even my brother was summoned. Did something happen at home? I hope not…
Nozomi stood stiffly in front of the principal's desk. His brother, Ryusei, stayed silent beside him, his expression flat and unreadable.
"I hope you understand why you've been summoned," the principal said calmly.
Nozomi frowned. "Shouldn't you be the one explaining that to us?"
Before the principal could answer, Ryusei sighed and crossed his arms.
"Tomorrow is our sister's birthday," he said.
Nozomi blinked. Her birthday…?
The realization hit him like a slap.
"I completely forgot…"
"That is the reason," the principal continued. "Your parents asked that both of you return home and celebrate together. Your ride will arrive tomorrow morning. Prepare yourselves."
"It was only that,thank goodness,but I'm surprised my brother remembered our sisters birthday."he said
They both bowed politely and left.
As they walked down the hallway, Nozomi asked, "Are you excited to see everyone? And our sister?"
"Yes."
Ryusei answered quickly, but his expression twisted—something heavy weighing behind his eyes.
Nozomi frowned. He hasn't been acting normal since that day…
Five months ago, Ryusei—the strongest student in the school—was defeated by someone from another academy. Since then, he'd stopped smiling, stopped talking, stopped being himself. Nozomi barely saw him anymore.
Back in class, the races were already over. No one talked to him, as usual. He sat quietly until dismissal, then headed to his tiny rented room in town.
"Tomorrow… I'll go home. I'll see Mom, Dad… and my sister. But Dad…"
His voice trailed off.
That night, he drifted into sleep—only to find himself standing on an endless ocean under a glowing blue sky.
Beautiful. Silent.
"Where… am I?"
He walked forward, water rippling under his feet. A figure appeared—blue, misty, human-shaped.
As he approached, he saw a man wearing a white mask… a mask sliced down the middle like a wound.
"Who are you?" Nozomi asked.
The figure turned its back.
"You'd better be ready… for what is coming, Nozomi."
"What—?"
The world shattered into darkness.
Nozomi shot awake, chest heaving, sweat cold on his skin.
"What… was that?"
He placed a hand over his heart. It was pounding painfully.
But exhaustion won, and he fell back asleep.
Morning came quickly. After preparing, he heard a horn outside.
A luxurious black car waited.
A tall man opened the door. "It's good to see you in good shape, Nozomi."
"You too," Nozomi replied.
Ryusei was already inside. During the drive, Nozomi kept quiet.
"Are you excited?" Ryusei asked suddenly.
"Well… yeah."
"That's good," Ryusei said, but his eyes looked dead.
Maybe I shouldn't ask him about the loss…
The four-hour ride felt endless.
Finally, the driver announced, "We've arrived, Nozomi."
Nozomi looked outside—the massive Taiyo mansion stood tall and proud.
His family was among Japan's most famous. His father was an S-Rank hero, one of only seven in the whole country, wielding Blue Zone—a dimensional that could create pocket universes. But prolonged use drained the body heavily.and still holds the legendary blue flame,his one of the people having duel manifestation.
His mother, Shizuka, was B-Rank, with a Voice Command Seika—her words became irresistible orders, though only for a short time. She excelled in combat to compensate.
Nozomi stepped out. Workers carried their luggage.
"I'm heading to my room," Ryusei said immediately.
"Hey—aren't you going to greet our sister?" Nozomi asked.
"No. Later. I'm tired."
Nozomi watched him walk away.
He's changed… it doesn't feel like he's my brother anymore.
Suddenly—
"Nozomi!!"
His little sister slammed into him with a tight hug.
"You're finally here! I missed you!"
"I missed you too. How's Mom?"
"She'll be home soon! Where's big brother? Did he come?"
"Yeah… he said he needed to rest for now."
"Oh. That's okay! Come see the decorations!"
She grabbed his hand and dragged him to the hall. Workers prepared food, lights, flowers—everything for her tenth birthday.
"You're turning ten, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Yup! And when I turn fourteen, I'll join Shinsei High like you guys!"
Nozomi smiled, though something stung inside him.
His sister was special—she had a Water Seika, but doctors had discovered another forming inside her. A second Seika. Just like Ryusei. Just like their father.
Nozomi… had only Wind. And he was weak at that.
Two girls called his sister to play.
"I'll be back later, okay?"
"Have fun," Nozomi said softly.
He stepped away, wandering until he reached the garden.
At its center stood a statue of the Four Heroes, petals drifting around it like snow.
"Will I ever become like you guys…?" he whispered.
"I knew I'd find you here."
Nozomi turned.
His mother, Taiyo Shizuka, approached with a gentle smile.
"M-Mom, you're back?"
"I came as soon as I heard you arrived." She squeezed his arm. "You've grown."
"M-Mom—stop…"
She laughed softly. "I'm glad you're safe."
"Yeah… I'm fine."
"How is your brother? He hasn't answered my calls."
"I don't know. Ever since he lost… he's been acting strange."
"That's normal," she said softly.
"No, Mom… tell me. Why am I the only weak one in this family? I train. I try. But nothing improves… Maybe I'm not even your—"
Shizuka flicked his forehead.
"Don't be stupid. You're my son—the kindest soul I've ever known. Strength comes in many forms. You don't need a flashy Seika to matter."
Nozomi looked down.
"I just… wanted to be strong. Like the heroes who saved Japan 200 years ago."
"And you will be," she whispered. "Strength takes time. And faith."
She removed a beautiful necklace—a silver chain holding a glowing crystal.
"This is for you."
"What is it?"
"It's said to contain the blessings of the Four Heroes. It's been passed down generation after generation. My grandmother gave it to me… and now, I give it to you. It will protect you."
His eyes softened. "Mom… that's why I love you. You've always been there—highs, lows, everything."
He hugged her tightly.
"That's my boy."
As they walked back, a sudden sharp pain stabbed Nozomi's chest.
His vision flashed—
A red flame igniting inside his body.
"Nozomi? Are you okay?" Shizuka asked.
"Yeah… I'm fine."
The pain faded, but fear lingered.
They returned to find preparations nearly complete—and his sister in a sparkling princess dress.
"Brother! Do I look cute?!"
He laughed. "You're the cutest in the world."
Shizuka smiled. "Alright, let's finish the remaining tasks."
"What about big brother?" the girl asked.
"I'll check on him," Shizuka said.
Nozomi watched her go.
Please let everything be okay…
But when she reached Ryusei's room—
"Ryusei? I'm coming in."
Silence.
She opened the door.
The room was wrecked—papers torn, clothes scattered, glass shattered.
"What happened…?"
Her voice trembled.
"Ryusei!? Ryusei!"
No answer.
Meanwhile—
In a dark underground chamber…
Ryusei stood alone.
Five shadowy figures surrounded him, their eyes glowing blood red.
A distorted voice echoed inside his mind.
"Bring me the Tenshinka… and I will grant you limitless strength. I have given you my strongest puppets. Rank A. Do not fail."
Ryusei smirked, eyes hollow.
"I'm not helping you for scraps of power. I want everything—the Tenshinka… and the Shinkai."
The voice hissed.
"You already carry the incomplete Shinkai inside you. It will help you retrieve the Tenshinka. Do not disappoint me."
Ryusei looked at the puppets.
"Let's begin this charade."
Back at the mansion—
Shizuka returned, pale and trembling.
"Mom?! What's wrong?" Nozomi asked.
"Ryusei is gone… and his room is a mess… Something is happening. Something terrible. We need the guards to search immediately."
"And… and your sister must not find out. Not today. She deserves her birthday."
Nozomi clenched his fists.
"Brother… what happened to you?"
Far away, hidden in the shadows—
Ryusei watched the mansion from a hilltop, the five red-eyed figures behind him.
His eyes glowed with darkness.
"The Tenshinka… will be mine."