Akio ran.
In a blink, the distance between them vanished. One moment Hikari was ahead, breath uneven, tears falling freely—
the next, Akio stood in front of her, stopping her path effortlessly.
She clenched her fists, trembling.
"Get out of my way!" she shouted. "You don't know how it feels to lose someone you love!"
Akio didn't move.
Instead, he looked at her—quietly, painfully. His eyes softened, filled with something far deeper than anger.
"Are you sure?" he asked.
Hikari froze.
Akio's voice dropped, heavy with memory.
"Imagine watching a savage beast gouge out your little sister's eyes… while you're too weak to stop it."
Silence.
Hikari's breath caught. Her eyes widened as tears welled up again—not from rage, but understanding.
They stared at each other, pain reflected perfectly in both faces.
Then—without a word—Hikari collapsed forward.
Akio caught her.
She clutched his uniform, crying uncontrollably.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…"
Her voice broke with every word.
Akio wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly, saying nothing. He didn't need to. He understood.
After a long moment, he spoke gently.
"Let's go back to class."
Back in Class 1-A
When they returned, the room went quiet.
Akio pulled out the chair beside his.
"Sit here," he said softly. "Close. Very close."
Hikari nodded and sat beside him without protest.
Akio glanced around.
"Where are the other two?"
Mr. Isakawa replied flatly, "Roaming the academy."
Akio stood again. "May we join them?"
A pause.
"…Permission granted," Isakawa said. "But before you go—Akio Kazama. Explain the logic behind your abilities."
Akio grinned slightly and turned to face the class.
"Alright."
He raised one finger.
"First—Reform. This ability makes me functionally immortal. When I'm severely injured or killed, I say the word… and my existence rewrites itself. I return whole."
A murmur spread through the room.
He raised a second finger.
"Second—Reset. It allows me to alter or revert the state of any object or body. Shape, condition—it doesn't matter."
A third finger rose.
"Third—Dismantle. I can break bones, disassemble bodies, destroy weapons, or dismantle structures—by command."
The air grew heavier.
Finally, he raised his fourth finger.
"Fourth—Percentage Physical Control. I can freely enhance my body—speed, strength, reaction—by choosing how much of my power I release."
Silence.
Even Mr. Isakawa stared at him for a moment longer than necessary.
Akio lowered his hand and smiled calmly.
"That's all."
Hikari looked at him—not with fear, but admiration.
Two people bound by loss.
Two scars that recognized each other.
And without realizing it—
Class 1-A had already become something special.