CHAPTER 17: EXAMINATION
PART 1: THE MESSAGE
Wednesday morning. 7:34 AM.
Ren's phone buzzed.
He was in the middle of his morning routine—500 push-ups before breakfast, as always—when the notification came through.
He grabbed the phone, checked the screen.
A message from Kurokami headquarters. Official. Encrypted.
He opened it.
FROM: Defense Minister Nakamura
TO: Team Alpha (Kaiser, Marcus, Silas, Kurogane, Shindo)
RE: Mandatory Leave
All Team Alpha operatives are hereby ordered to take 48 hours of mandatory rest and recovery leave effective immediately. No missions. No training. No operations. Use this time to recover physically and mentally from recent field operations.
This is not optional. This is an order.
Report back to headquarters Friday 0600 hours.
—Nakamura
Ren stared at the message.
Two days off.
Just like that.
Part of him was relieved. After the laboratory—after seeing those photographs, those bodies, hearing Daidan's words—he needed time to process. To think. To figure out what he believed.
But another part of him felt guilty.
People are still dying out there.
Malis are still hunting.
And I'm taking a vacation?
His phone buzzed again.
This time: a message from Akari.
"Got the leave notice. Going to school tomorrow. You?"
Ren typed back: "Yeah. Same. We failed the exams, remember? Need to deal with that."
"Right. Forgot. See you there."
He set down his phone.
Looked at his reflection in the bathroom mirror.
Dark circles under his eyes. He'd barely slept.
The photograph kept appearing every time he closed his eyes.
Two days to recover, he thought.
Is that enough time to forget what I saw?
He already knew the answer.
No.
Some things you never forget.
PART 2: KAZAN HIGH SCHOOL – THE CONFRONTATION
Thursday morning. 8:23 AM.
Ren and Akari walked through the school gates together.
It felt surreal.
Just three days ago, they'd been in an underground laboratory, staring at evidence of human atrocities, listening to vigilantes justify murder.
Now they were back at school.
In uniforms. Carrying bags. Pretending to be normal teenagers.
"This feels weird," Ren muttered.
"Which part?" Akari asked. "The part where we fight monsters at night? Or the part where we pretend to be students during the day?"
"Both."
They walked toward their classroom.
Students everywhere. Chatting. Laughing. Complaining about homework.
Normal teenage problems.
They have no idea, Ren thought. No idea what's happening out there. What's coming.
They reached their classroom.
Opened the door.
And immediately, someone called out to them.
"Kurogane-kun! Shindo-san!"
They turned.
Ayumi Nakamura stood near the teacher's desk, holding a clipboard.
As class president, she handled administrative tasks. Grade reports. Attendance. School communications.
She looked at them with her usual stern expression.
"You need to come with me. Now."
"Why?" Ren asked.
"Because you both failed your midterm examinations."
The classroom went silent.
Students stared.
Someone whispered: "They FAILED? Both of them?"
"I thought Kurogane was decent at school—"
"And Shindo never fails anything—"
Ayumi's expression didn't change. "Principal's office. Immediately."
PART 3: THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE – FIRST CONFRONTATION
Principal Hayashi sat behind his desk, fingers steepled, expression stern.
Ren and Akari stood in front of him.
Ayumi stood to the side, clipboard in hand, looking between them with an unreadable expression.
"Kurogane Ren. Shindo Akari." Principal Hayashi's voice was cold. Disappointed. "You both received failing grades on your midterm examinations. Math: 34%. Science: 41%. History: 38%. English: 29%. Japanese Literature: 36%."
He set down the grade reports.
"These scores are unacceptable. You're both in your second year. University entrance exams are less than eighteen months away. At this rate, you won't qualify for any respectable institutions."
Ren opened his mouth to respond—
"I'm not finished," Principal Hayashi interrupted. "I was told by government officials that you were involved in 'important work.' That your absences were justified. That you would be allowed to take makeup examinations."
He leaned forward.
"But I see no evidence that you attempted to study. No effort to prepare. You simply abandoned your responsibilities and expected special treatment."
"Principal Hayashi," Ren said carefully. "With respect, we didn't abandon—"
"Then why did you fail?" The principal's voice was sharp. "If you were so committed to your education, why are your scores so abysmal?"
Ren and Akari exchanged glances.
They couldn't tell him the truth.
We were fighting Malis. Hunting monsters. Watching people die. Seeing photographs of human experimentation that haunted our nightmares.
None of that was an excuse the principal would accept.
Or even believe.
"We request permission for re-examination," Akari said, voice level. "We understand we failed. We take responsibility. But we'd like the opportunity to retake the exams."
"Denied."
The word hung in the air like a hammer.
"Sir—" Ren started.
"You had your chance," Principal Hayashi said firmly. "The examination period is over. Grades are final. You'll need to make up these failures in the final exams at the end of the semester. If you fail those as well, you'll be required to repeat the year."
"But a Kurokami officer specifically requested—" Akari began.
"I don't care what some government official requested!" Principal Hayashi's voice rose slightly. "This is a school. An educational institution. We have rules. Standards. And those standards apply to everyone equally, regardless of what 'important work' you claim to be doing."
He stood, walked around his desk.
"Let me be very clear. School comes first. Education comes first. Whatever you're involved in—whatever excuse you've concocted—it is NOT more important than your future. Do you understand?"
Silence.
Ren felt something hot building in his chest.
Anger.
You have no idea what we're doing.
No idea what we've seen.
No idea that we're out there protecting people like you while you sit in your office and lecture us about grades.
But he couldn't say that.
Couldn't reveal the truth.
So instead—
He bowed.
Deep. Formal. Respectful.
"We apologize, Principal Hayashi. We understand we failed. We take full responsibility. We humbly request reconsideration."
Beside him, Akari bowed as well.
Equally deep. Equally formal.
"We were wrong to prioritize other activities over our education. We deeply regret our failure. Please allow us to demonstrate our commitment through re-examination."
Principal Hayashi stared at them.
At two teenagers bowing low, genuinely apologetic.
His expression softened slightly.
"I... appreciate your willingness to take responsibility. But the answer is still no. Rules are rules. I can't make exceptions simply because you've apologized."
PART 4: THE PHONE CALL
Ayumi watched the exchange in silence.
Something was wrong.
She'd known Ren and Akari for two years. They weren't troublemakers. They didn't skip school for fun.
Ren had always been dedicated. Disciplined. Focused.
And Akari? She was one of the most competent students Ayumi had ever met.
For both of them to fail this badly—
Something happened.
Something serious.
And then there was that government vehicle. The one that picked them up during exams.
The masked operatives.
The timing.
They're involved in something dangerous.
Ayumi's analytical mind connected dots.
Government work. Secret. Important enough to pull them out of school during exams. Important enough that officials made calls to the principal.
What kind of work requires high school students?
What kind of—
Ren straightened from his bow.
Reached into his pocket.
Pulled out his phone.
"Principal Hayashi," Ren said quietly. "With your permission, I'd like to make a call."
"A call? To whom?"
"To the person who can authorize our re-examination."
The principal frowned. "I just told you, I'm not authorizing—"
Ren was already dialing.
Put the phone on speaker.
Set it on the principal's desk.
It rang twice.
Then a voice answered.
Professional. Authoritative. Unmistakable.
"Kurogane. You're supposed to be on leave. This better be important."
Principal Hayashi's eyes went wide.
He recognized that voice.
Everyone in Japan would recognize that voice.
Defense Minister Nakamura.
One of the most powerful people in the government.
"Minister Nakamura," Ren said, voice steady. "I apologize for calling during your day off. But we have a situation that requires your intervention."
Ayumi's hand went to her mouth.
Defense Minister?
REN HAS THE DEFENSE MINISTER'S DIRECT NUMBER?
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
"Explain," Nakamura said.
"Shindo and I failed our midterm examinations due to our work with your department. We're requesting authorization for re-examination. The principal has denied our request. We need you to make it official."
A pause on the other end.
Then: "Put the principal on."
Ren looked at Principal Hayashi.
The principal's face had gone pale.
Slowly, he picked up the phone.
"This... this is Principal Hayashi of Kazan High School."
"Principal Hayashi." Nakamura's voice was crisp. Official. "I am formally requesting that you authorize re-examination for students Kurogane Ren and Shindo Akari. They were engaged in classified government work during the examination period. Work of national importance. Work that I personally authorized."
"I... Minister, I understand, but our school policy—"
"Is your school policy more important than national security?"
Silence.
"These two students have been serving their country. Risking their lives. Doing work that I cannot disclose but that you should be grateful for. The least you can do is allow them to retake some exams."
Principal Hayashi's jaw worked silently.
"I... of course, Minister. I'll authorize the re-examination immediately."
"Good. And Principal?"
"Yes, sir?"
"Do not ask what work they're doing. Do not investigate. Do not discuss this with anyone. Their involvement is classified. If I hear that you've compromised their cover, there will be consequences. Am I understood?"
"Yes, Minister. Completely understood."
"Excellent. Kurogane, Shindo—you have forty-eight hours to rest. Use them. You've earned it."
The call ended.
PART 5: AYUMI'S SUSPICION
The principal's office was silent.
Principal Hayashi stood holding Ren's phone like it was a live grenade.
Slowly, he handed it back.
"You're... you're working with the Defense Minister?" His voice was barely a whisper.
"We can't discuss it, sir," Akari said. "Classified."
"But you're sixteen—"
"Sir," Ren said firmly. "We appreciate your willingness to authorize the re-examination. We'll take the exams at your earliest convenience."
Principal Hayashi sat down heavily.
"This is... this is highly irregular."
"We understand, sir."
"You'll take all five examinations in one day. Saturday. Starting at 8:00 AM. You'll be supervised by myself and one other faculty member." He looked at Ayumi. "Nakamura-san. You'll proctor the examinations."
Ayumi blinked. "Me? But sir—"
"You're class president. You've proctored before. And clearly—" He gestured vaguely at Ren and Akari. "—these students require... oversight."
"Yes, sir," Ayumi said quietly.
"The examinations will take all day. Potentially until 9:00 PM. You may leave when they're completed and graded."
All day, Ayumi thought. Nine PM? That's thirteen hours.
But she nodded. "Understood, sir."
Principal Hayashi waved them away. "Dismissed. All of you. I need... I need to process this."
They filed out.
PART 6: THE HALLWAY
Once they were in the hallway, door closed behind them, Ayumi turned on Ren immediately.
"What. Was. That?"
Ren held up his hands. "I can explain—"
"You have the DEFENSE MINISTER'S direct number??"
"It's... complicated."
"Complicated? COMPLICATED??" Ayumi's voice rose. She never raised her voice. "You're sixteen years old! You're a high school student! Why do you have access to one of the most powerful people in Japan??"
"I can't tell you," Ren said. "It's classified."
"Classified," Ayumi repeated. "Classified. What are you involved in? What are you DOING?"
Ren and Akari exchanged glances.
"Ayumi," Ren said carefully. "I need you to promise me something."
"What?"
"Don't tell anyone about what just happened. Don't talk about the phone call. Don't mention the Defense Minister. Don't investigate. Just... forget it happened."
"How am I supposed to FORGET—"
"Please." Ren's voice was serious. Intense. "For your own safety. The less you know, the better. Trust me."
Ayumi stared at him.
At the dark circles under his eyes. The tension in his shoulders. The exhaustion radiating from him.
Whatever he's doing, she realized, it's taking a toll.
"Fine," she said finally. "I won't tell anyone. I won't investigate. But—" She pointed at him. "—you owe me an explanation. Someday. When it's not classified. Agreed?"
"Agreed."
Ayumi looked at Akari. "And you? You're involved too?"
"Yes."
"Both of you. Working for the government. Doing classified work." Ayumi shook her head. "This is insane."
"We know."
"And now I have to watch you take thirteen hours of examinations on Saturday."
"We're sorry about that," Akari said. "Really."
"You should be." Ayumi adjusted her glasses. "Thirteen hours. Do you know how long that is? I had plans. I was going to study. Relax. Have a normal weekend."
"We'll make it up to you," Ren offered.
"How?"
"I don't know yet. But we will."
Ayumi sighed. "Fine. Saturday. 8:00 AM. Don't be late."
She walked away, muttering under her breath about government conspiracies and teenage spies.
PART 7: SATURDAY – THE MARATHON EXAMINATION
Saturday morning. 7:53 AM.
Ren and Akari arrived at school.
The building was mostly empty. Just a few faculty members preparing for weekend events.
They walked to the examination room—a small classroom on the second floor.
Inside: Principal Hayashi, setting up desk spaces.
And Ayumi, sitting at the teacher's desk, looking resigned to her fate.
"You're early," Principal Hayashi said. "Good. We'll begin promptly at 8:00."
He gestured to two desks in the front row.
"Sit. No books. No notes. No phones. Nakamura-san will monitor you. I'll grade the examinations as you complete them. If you pass all five, you'll receive makeup grades."
"Yes, sir."
They sat.
Ayumi walked over with five exam packets.
"Mathematics first," she said, setting one packet in front of each of them. "Three hours. Good luck."
8:00 AM.
They began.
PART 8: THE ENDURANCE TEST
MATHEMATICS: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Three hours of calculus, algebra, trigonometry, and word problems.
Ren worked methodically. The studying he'd done with Akari before everything went to hell paid off. He remembered formulas. Techniques. Processes.
But his mind kept wandering.
Derivative of x squared.
Two x.
Unless you're thinking about the photograph.
Stop. Focus. Integral of 2x.
X squared plus C.
Unless you're thinking about Daidan's words.
Stop.
He forced himself to concentrate.
Finished with ten minutes to spare.
Across from him, Akari was already done. Head down on her desk. Resting.
11:00 AM.
"Time!" Ayumi called.
They handed in their exams.
Principal Hayashi began grading immediately.
SCIENCE: 11:15 AM – 2:15 PM
Physics. Chemistry. Biology.
Ren's hand cramped by the second hour.
He'd been writing for three hours straight already. His fingers were protesting.
But he pushed through.
Photosynthesis equation.
Six CO2 plus six H2O plus light yields—
Unless you're thinking about the headless bodies.
STOP.
Focus.
C6H12O6 plus six O2.
12:30 PM.
Lunch break.
Ayumi brought them sandwiches from the convenience store.
They ate in silence.
Principal Hayashi graded their math exams.
"Kurogane: 78%. Shindo: 84%. Both passing. Continue."
HISTORY: 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
World history. Japanese history. Historical events and their significance.
Ren's eyes burned.
He'd been taking exams for six and a half hours.
His brain felt like mush.
When did World War II begin?
1939.
When did it end?
1945.
What happened in the facility?
Human experimentation.
Torture.
Vivisection.
STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.
He forced the images away.
Finished the exam.
Barely.
ENGLISH: 5:45 PM – 8:45 PM
Grammar. Reading comprehension. Essay writing.
Ren was exhausted.
His hand moved across the paper mechanically.
Answering questions he barely understood.
Writing an essay about "The Importance of Education in Modern Society" when all he could think about was fighting monsters and vigilante justice.
Education is important because it provides opportunities for growth and development.
But what's the point of education if the system is broken?
If criminals go free and innocent people suffer?
What's the point of—
He shook his head.
Just finish the exam.
Almost done.
8:45 PM.
"Time!"
He set down his pencil.
Done.
Finally.
JAPANESE LITERATURE: 9:00 PM – 12:00 AM
"Wait," Ayumi said. "It's already 9:00 PM. We're supposed to leave—"
"One more exam," Principal Hayashi said. "They need to complete all five. We'll stay until it's finished."
Ayumi looked at Ren and Akari.
Both of them looked dead.
Exhausted beyond measure.
"Principal Hayashi," Ayumi said carefully. "With respect, they've been testing for thirteen hours. Maybe we should—"
"They failed their midterms," the principal said firmly. "This is the consequence. They'll complete all five examinations tonight."
Ayumi wanted to argue.
But she was just a student.
She couldn't override the principal.
"Fine," she said quietly. "One more."
The Japanese literature exam was brutal.
Analysis of classical texts. Poetry interpretation. Essay on themes in modern literature.
Ren could barely keep his eyes open.
His handwriting devolved into barely legible scrawls.
He wrote the essay—something about the nature of humanity and morality in post-war literature—but he had no idea if it made sense.
Everything blurred together.
Words. Ideas. Images.
The photograph.
The bodies.
Daidan's speech.
His father's disappearance.
Akari's mysterious eating.
The Malis.
The system.
Justice.
Corruption.
All of it swirling in his exhausted brain like a storm.
11:47 PM.
He finished.
Set down his pencil.
Put his head on the desk.
"Done," he muttered.
Beside him, Akari had already finished.
Already asleep.
Actually asleep at her desk.
PART 9: THE RESULTS
12:34 AM.
Sunday morning.
Principal Hayashi finished grading the final exam.
"Kurogane: Mathematics 78%, Science 81%, History 72%, English 76%, Japanese Literature 69%."
He looked up.
"All passing. Barely. But passing."
He turned to Akari's papers.
"Shindo: Mathematics 84%, Science 87%, History 79%, English 82%, Japanese Literature 81%."
"Also passing. Congratulations. You've successfully retaken your midterms."
Ren lifted his head from the desk.
"We passed?"
"Yes. Now go home. Get some sleep. And for god's sake, don't fail your finals."
"Yes, sir."
They stood—legs shaking, exhausted—and gathered their things.
Ayumi packed up her materials.
"Thirteen hours," she muttered. "Thirteen hours of watching you two take exams. I'm never proctoring again."
"Thank you," Ren said. "Really. We know this was awful for you."
"You owe me. Big time."
"We know."
They walked out of the school together.
Into the cool night air.
The streets were empty. Quiet.
Just the three of them, walking through Tokyo at nearly 1:00 AM.
"I'm going home," Ayumi said at the first intersection. "And sleeping for a week."
"Same," Ren said.
"Good luck with... whatever you're doing." Ayumi looked at both of them seriously. "And be careful. Whatever it is... it's dangerous, isn't it?"
Ren and Akari exchanged glances.
"Yeah," Ren admitted. "It is."
"Then don't die. Because if you die, I'll kill you."
Despite his exhaustion, Ren smiled. "That doesn't make sense."
"I don't care. Don't die."
She walked away.
Ren and Akari continued together in silence.
Eventually, they reached their usual splitting point.
"Thirteen hours of exams," Akari said quietly. "That was worse than fighting Malis."
"Way worse."
"At least with Malis, you can punch them."
"Can't punch a calculus problem."
"You can try."
They both smiled tiredly.
"See you Monday," Ren said. "Back to Kurokami."
"Yeah. Back to reality."
They parted ways.
Ren walked home alone.
Exhausted.
But oddly... lighter.
For thirteen hours, he'd thought about math and science and history and literature.
For thirteen hours, he hadn't thought about the photograph.
About the bodies.
About Daidan's words.
For thirteen hours, he'd been a normal student.
Taking normal exams.
Worrying about normal things.
It had been hell.
But somehow, it had also been exactly what he needed.
A reminder that he was still human.
Still a student.
Still just a sixteen-year-old kid trying to pass his classes.
Even if he was also fighting monsters in the shadows of Tokyo.
PART 10: THE ROOFTOP
Sunday. 2:47 AM.
Across the city, on the rooftop of a tall building in Shinjuku, a figure stood at the edge.
Daidan.
Alone.
He looked out at Tokyo's skyline.
Millions of lights. Millions of people. All sleeping peacefully.
Unaware of what was coming.
He smiled.
Not the friendly, warm smile he used when talking to crowds.
Something else.
Something colder.
Something hungry.
Behind him, footsteps.
Heguro emerged from the rooftop access door.
"Everything's ready," he said. "The targets are selected. The teams are briefed. We can begin Phase Two whenever you give the word."
"Good."
"When?"
Daidan didn't answer immediately.
Just kept staring at the city.
At all those lights.
All those people.
All that potential for change.
"Monday," he said finally. "We begin Monday."
"And if Kurokami interferes?"
"They will. That's part of the plan." Daidan's smile widened. "Let them come. Let them try to stop us. The more they fight, the more people will see the truth. That the system can't protect them. That justice requires new methods."
"And if we fail?"
"We won't." Daidan turned to face Heguro. "Because we're not doing this for ourselves. We're doing this for everyone. For all the victims. For all the people the system has failed. For all the suffering that could have been prevented if someone—anyone—had been brave enough to act."
He looked back at the city.
"This world is beautiful. But it's been corrupted by people who value power over justice. Profit over people. Control over compassion."
"We're going to fix that."
"One criminal at a time."
"One execution at a time."
"Until the system understands: justice will be served. Whether they like it or not."
The wind picked up.
Daidan's clothes rippled.
He stood there, silhouetted against the Tokyo skyline.
Smiling.
Just smiling.
[END CHAPTER 17]
SIDE STORY: BEACH DAY CHAOS
Or: How Kaiser Ran 2000km In 2 Minutes And Still Got Hit With A Frying Pan
PART 1: THE BEACH – MORNING
The sun was bright. The ocean was blue. The sand was warm.
Perfect beach day.
Class 2-B had organized a beach trip for the weekend. Twenty students. Volleyball nets set up. Coolers full of drinks. Towels spread across the sand.
Most people were doing normal beach things.
Swimming. Playing volleyball. Taking photos. Tanning.
But two people were doing push-ups.
Ren and Akari.
Side by side on the sand.
"...ninety-seven... ninety-eight... ninety-nine... one hundred," Ren counted, arms shaking.
He collapsed onto the sand, gasping.
"Done."
Beside him, Akari kept going.
"One hundred one. One hundred two. One hundred three."
No strain. No shaking.
Just perfect, mechanical push-ups.
Ren stared. "How are you not tired?"
"One hundred ten. One hundred eleven. I am tired. One hundred thirteen. I'm just better at hiding it. One hundred fifteen."
"That's not—"
"One hundred twenty. Done." Akari stood, brushed sand off her hands. "I win."
"You always win."
"Correct."
Nearby, under a beach umbrella, Ayumi Nakamura sat at a portable table.
Wearing a swimsuit.
At the beach.
Doing MATH.
She had a textbook open. A notebook. Three pencils. A calculator.
Completely focused.
Like she was in a library, not at the beach.
Ren walked over. "Ayumi. Why are you doing math?"
"Practice problems. The entrance exams are in eighteen months. I need to maintain my computational speed."
"It's a BEACH DAY."
"Beaches are for relaxation. Math is relaxing."
"That's not what relaxing means—"
"It's relaxing for ME."
Akari joined them, tilting her head. "You know what's weird?"
"What?" Ayumi asked, not looking up from her textbook.
"You're telling us to enjoy the beach. But you're doing math. And we're doing push-ups."
Ren and Akari looked at each other.
Then at Ayumi.
Then said simultaneously, in perfect unison:
"LOOK WHO'S TALKING."
Ayumi's pencil stopped mid-calculation.
She looked up.
Stared at them.
"...Fair point."
PART 2: VOLLEYBALL
A group of students ran over.
Hiroshi, Yuki, Sakura, and three others.
"HEY! You three! Stop being boring!" Hiroshi called out. "Come play volleyball with us!"
"I'm studying," Ayumi said.
"You're at the BEACH. Study later! Play now!"
"I don't play volleyball."
"Everyone plays volleyball! It's beach law!"
"That's not a real—"
Yuki grabbed Ayumi's arm, pulled her up. "You're playing. No arguments."
"But my calculations—"
"WILL STILL BE THERE LATER. Come on!"
They dragged Ayumi toward the volleyball net.
Ren and Akari followed, amused.
The game was chaotic.
Teams of six. Rotating positions. No one really knew the rules properly.
Ayumi stood at the back, arms crossed, clearly uncomfortable.
"I don't know how to play this."
"Just hit the ball when it comes near you!" Hiroshi shouted from the other side.
"That's not a strategy—"
The ball sailed toward her.
Ayumi's eyes tracked it.
Calculated trajectory. Speed. Angle of descent.
Optimal contact point.
She jumped.
Spiked the ball.
WHAM.
It shot over the net like a missile.
Hit the sand on the other side before anyone could react.
Everyone stared.
"HOLY SHIT, NAKAMURA-SAN!" Hiroshi yelled. "That was INSANE!"
Ayumi blinked. "Was that... good?"
"GOOD? That was LEGENDARY!"
"Oh. Thank you."
She returned to her position, looking mildly pleased.
The game continued.
Ren was decent. Athletic. Quick reflexes.
Akari was predictably excellent. Moving with perfect efficiency. Never wasting energy.
And Ayumi—once she understood the mechanics—became a calculated terror. Every spike precisely aimed at the weakest point in the opposing defense.
After an hour, everyone was exhausted.
They collapsed onto the sand, breathing hard.
"We need... a distraction..." Yuki gasped. "Something... fun..."
"Truth or dare?" Sakura suggested.
"YES! Truth or dare! Beach edition!"
Everyone groaned but agreed.
PART 3: TRUTH OR DARE – THE GALAXY BRAIN INCIDENT
They sat in a circle.
Bottle spun.
Landed on various people.
Dares: Run into the ocean fully clothed. Do a cartwheel. Sing a song.
Truths: "Do you like anyone?" "What's your biggest fear?" "Have you ever cheated on a test?"
Standard stuff.
Then the bottle landed on: Ayumi.
And the person asking: Kenji.
"Truth or dare, Nakamura-san?"
"Truth."
"Okay. Question: If you could change one thing about the education system, what would it be?"
Everyone groaned.
"That's the MOST BORING QUESTION—"
But Ayumi's eyes lit up.
"Oh. That's actually a very good question. Let me think."
She went silent.
Completely silent.
Staring into the distance.
Thinking.
Her expression shifted. Contemplative. Analytical. Intense.
Thirty seconds passed.
One minute.
Two minutes.
"Ayumi?" Ren prompted. "You okay?"
No response.
She was in FULL GALAXY BRAIN MODE.
Considering educational philosophy. Systemic reform. Pedagogical theory.
Three minutes.
Kenji—the one who'd asked the question—started getting antsy.
"Uh... Nakamura-san? It's just a game—"
No response.
Four minutes.
"Is she... broken?" Hiroshi whispered.
"I think her brain overheated," Yuki said.
"Should we call someone?"
Five minutes.
Kenji snapped.
He grabbed Ayumi's shoulders.
Shook her.
AGGRESSIVELY.
"JUST ASK A QUESTION! ANY QUESTION! WE DON'T NEED A THESIS ON EDUCATION REFORM!"
Ayumi's eyes focused.
Looked at Kenji.
Registered what he was doing.
Her expression went cold.
"You're... shaking me."
"Y-yes? Because you were—"
WHAM.
Ayumi's fist connected with the top of Kenji's head.
Clean. Precise. Perfect form.
A massive cartoon-style bump swelled on his skull.
Steam poured out of it.
His eyes turned into FOUNTAINS.
Actual fountains.
Water shooting three feet into the air.
"OW OW OW OW—WHY ARE YOU SO STRONG—"
"Don't. Touch. Me. Without. Permission."
Ayumi returned to her seat, adjusted her glasses.
Completely calm.
"The answer is: I'd implement standardized competency-based progression rather than age-based grade levels. Next question."
Everyone stared at Kenji, who was crying actual waterfalls.
"She's terrifying," someone whispered.
"Never make her angry," another agreed.
PART 4: THE LEGENDARY QUESTION
The game continued.
Eventually, the bottle landed on: Ren.
And the person asking: Two girls—Mika and Hana—who exchanged evil grins.
"Ooh, this is PERFECT," Mika said.
"We've been WAITING for this," Hana added.
"Truth or dare, Kurogane-kun?"
Ren considered. Dares at the beach could be embarrassing. But truths could be worse.
"...Truth."
The girls' grins widened.
"Who. Is. Your. CRUSH?"
THE LEGENDARY QUESTION.
The circle went SILENT.
Everyone leaned forward.
This was PRIME GOSSIP.
Ren felt his face heat up.
Just slightly. Barely noticeable.
But enough.
"I... uh..."
"COME ON! We already know from last time! You said Nakamura-san! Is it still her??"
Ren glanced at Ayumi.
She was staring at him.
Expressionless.
But her eyes were INTENSE.
"...Yeah. It's Ayumi."
EXPLOSION.
"I KNEW IT!"
"HE CONFIRMED IT!"
"NAKAMURA-SAN, HE LIKES YOU!"
Ayumi's face turned RED.
Bright red.
Like a tomato.
Steam started rising from her head.
"W-WHAT??" she sputtered. "WHY??"
"Because," Ren said honestly, "you're intense. Dedicated. You don't take shortcuts. You have standards. You hold people accountable. I respect that."
Ayumi stood up.
Fist clenched.
WHAM.
She punched Ren in the head.
Same spot she'd hit Kenji.
Massive bump swelled immediately.
Steam poured out.
"OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR??"
"FOR LIKING ME!"
"THAT'S NOT A GOOD REASON TO HIT SOMEONE!"
Ren grabbed her shoulders.
Shook her.
AGGRESSIVELY.
"WHY DID YOU HIT MEEE??"
Ayumi's fist came up for another strike—
Ren dodged.
Just barely.
The punch whistled past his ear.
"YOU'RE INSANE!"
"YOU'RE ANNOYING!"
The girls—Mika and Hana—were LOVING this.
"Wait wait wait," Mika said, grinning. "Nakamura-san. Do YOU like Kurogane-kun?"
Ayumi froze.
Her face turned even redder.
She started sweating.
"I—I—that's—I CAN'T like him!"
"Why not??"
"BECAUSE!" Ayumi gestured wildly. "He doesn't come to school regularly! He misses homework! He BARELY passes exams! He's completely irresponsible and unreliable and—and—"
She was blushing SO HARD.
"That sounds like a yes," Yuki said, grinning.
"IT'S NOT A YES!"
"It's totally a yes."
"I SAID IT'S NOT!"
[Ren's Internal Monologue]
That's exactly why I like her, Ren thought, watching Ayumi flail around trying to justify why she DEFINITELY didn't like him.
She's intense. Standards so high nobody can reach them. Including herself.
She pushes everyone. Herself most of all.
That's... kind of admirable.
Even if she hits really hard.
[Akari's Perspective]
Akari sat on the sand, watching the chaos.
Ayumi yelling.
Ren defending himself.
The other students laughing and taking photos.
Her expression: Completely flat. Neutral. Unbothered.
"Bruh," she said to no one in particular.
PART 5: THE THREE SHADOWS – ENJOYING VACATION
Two kilometers down the beach.
In a quieter section.
Three men sat under beach umbrellas.
Kaiser Fujimoto, wearing swim trunks and sunglasses, reading a book.
Marcus Ishida, lying on a towel, eyes closed, actually relaxing for once.
Silas Katsuragi, sitting in a beach chair, staring at the ocean in complete silence.
They'd taken their mandatory leave seriously.
No missions. No training. Just... vacation.
"This is nice," Marcus said. "When's the last time we did this?"
"Four years ago," Kaiser said, not looking up from his book. "Somalia. Beach mission. Except there was gunfire."
"So not like this."
"Not at all like this."
Silas spoke quietly. "Peaceful."
"Very peaceful," Marcus agreed.
They sat in comfortable silence.
Enjoying the sun. The sound of waves. The absence of violence.
For three entire minutes.
Then Kaiser's phone buzzed.
He checked it.
A text from his wife.
"Where are you?"
Kaiser's blood went cold.
He typed back: "Beach. With Marcus and Silas. Just relaxing."
Three dots appeared.
Typing.
Typing.
Typing.
"Are there GIRLS there?"
"SHOW ME."
"SEND PHOTO RIGHT NOW."
Kaiser's hands shook slightly.
"Uh oh," Marcus said, noticing Kaiser's expression. "Wife?"
"She wants proof there are no girls here."
"Are there girls here?"
Kaiser looked around.
The beach was FULL of people.
Including many women in swimsuits.
"...Yes."
"You're dead."
Another text: "COME HOME. PICK ME UP. I'M INSPECTING. THEN YOU TAKE ME HOME. THEN YOU CAN GO BACK."
Kaiser stood immediately.
"I have to go."
"What? Now?"
"NOW."
"But we're two thousand kilometers from Tokyo—"
"I'LL RUN."
"WHAT—"
Kaiser was already moving.
PART 6: THE SPRINT
Kaiser ran.
Not jogging.
Not fast running.
FULL. SPRINT.
The kind of speed that shouldn't be humanly possible.
He passed a group setting up for a beach sprint competition.
"HEY!" the announcer called through a megaphone. "You! In the swim trunks! This is a COMPETITION AREA! You can't just—"
Kaiser was already at the starting line.
Then past it.
Then at the finish line.
Then GONE.
The announcer stared at the timer.
"...Did he just run 100 meters in 4.2 seconds?"
"That's impossible—"
"HEY! YOU! COME BACK! THAT'S A WORLD RECORD! I'LL KILL YOU IF YOU DON'T REGISTER—"
But Kaiser was already two kilometers away.
Running up the beach.
Onto the road.
Past cars.
FASTER than cars.
A car tried to overtake him.
He moved slightly.
Accidentally bumped it.
The car FLEW into the air.
Spinning like a frisbee.
"SORRY!" Kaiser shouted back.
He kept running.
PART 7: THE IMPOSSIBLE JOURNEY
2000 kilometers.
From the southern coast to Tokyo.
Normal travel time by car: 20 hours.
By train: 12 hours.
By plane: 2 hours.
Kaiser's time: 2 minutes.
He ran through cities.
Past forests.
Over mountains.
Across rivers (literally ran across the surface of the water, too fast to sink).
People saw a BLUR.
"What was that??"
"A bird?"
"A plane?"
"A very fast man in swim trunks?"
News stations received reports.
"Unidentified fast-moving object spotted across six prefectures. Military investigating."
But before anyone could deploy, Kaiser was already gone.
He reached his apartment building.
Burst through the door.
His wife stood in the living room, arms crossed, frying pan in hand.
Little Yuki sat on the couch, eating ice cream, completely unbothered.
"Hi Papa!" Yuki said cheerfully. "You're sweaty!"
"Hi sweetie—" Kaiser gasped for air. "—just ran two thousand kilometers—need a second—"
His wife examined him critically.
"You ran here?"
"Yes."
"In two minutes?"
"Yes."
"From the BEACH?"
"YES."
She studied him for a long moment.
Then: "Pick me up. We're going back. I'm inspecting."
"Okay."
He lifted her onto one shoulder.
Yuki onto the other.
"Hold tight."
RAN BACK.
PART 8: THE INSPECTION
They arrived at the beach.
Kaiser set down his wife and daughter.
"There," he said, still breathing hard. "Beach. See? Just Marcus and Silas. No girls. Well, there are girls on the beach, but I'm not with them—"
His wife walked past him.
Surveying the beach.
Scanning.
Searching.
Her eyes narrowed.
She spotted something.
TWO KILOMETERS AWAY.
Through the crowd.
Past the umbrellas.
Across the entire beach.
A girl.
Playing volleyball.
With long dark hair.
Strong build.
Moving with perfect efficiency.
Akari.
"WHO IS THAT??" Kaiser's wife pointed.
"What? Who?" Kaiser squinted. "I can't see anything—"
"THAT GIRL. TWO KILOMETERS. DARK HAIR. STRONG. ATHLETIC."
"How can you even SEE that far—"
"IS SHE PRETTY??"
"I DON'T KNOW, I CAN'T SEE—"
"YOU'RE LYING."
"I'M NOT—"
The frying pan appeared.
From nowhere.
(She'd been carrying it the whole time.)
"Honey, WAIT, that's just a high school student, she's sixteen, I'm not—"
WHAM.
The frying pan connected with Kaiser's head.
He LAUNCHED into the air.
Spinning.
Flying.
Higher.
Higher.
HIGHER.
He reached escape velocity.
Broke through the atmosphere.
Passed the International Space Station.
(The astronauts saw him go by. "Again??" Tanaka said.)
And eventually landed in the ocean.
Three kilometers offshore.
With a massive SPLASH.
PART 9: THE AFTERMATH
Marcus and Silas watched from their beach chairs.
Saw Kaiser fly past.
Into orbit.
"Was that Kaiser?" Marcus asked.
"Yes," Silas confirmed.
"His wife?"
"Probably."
They went back to relaxing.
Yuki tugged on her mother's sleeve.
"Mama. Papa flew away again."
"I know, sweetie."
"Is he coming back?"
"Eventually. He always does."
"Okay." Yuki went back to her ice cream. "Can we get lunch?"
"Of course."
They walked down the beach, hand in hand.
Leaving a Kaiser-shaped crater in the sand.
Back at the volleyball game, Ren sneezed.
"Someone talking about me?" he muttered.
Ayumi hit him again.
"Stop making excuses to get attention!"
"I SNEEZED! THAT'S NOT AN EXCUSE!"
"EVERYTHING YOU DO IS AN EXCUSE!"
Akari watched them argue.
Her expression completely flat.
"Bruh," she said again.
This was going to be a long beach day.
[END SIDE STORY]
THE MORALS OF THE STORY:
Never let Ayumi think too hard about education. She will GALAXY BRAIN and someone will get hurt.
Kaiser's wife has SUPERHUMAN VISION and can spot potential threats from 2000 METERS AWAY.
Kaiser can run 2000 kilometers in 2 minutes but still can't escape the frying pan.
Ren likes Ayumi because she's intense. Ayumi can't like Ren because he barely passes. This is peak romance.
Akari is the only sane person and she's TIRED of everyone's nonsense.
The International Space Station is getting REALLY tired of people flying past it.
BONUS:
Kaiser eventually swam back to shore.
Took three hours.
His wife was already home with Yuki.
He got a text: "Bring dinner. You're still in trouble."
He bought the most expensive sushi in Tokyo.
And hoped it would be enough.
(It wasn't.)