Illium Price woke up to the sound of rain.
It tapped softly against the hospital window, a steady rhythm that reminded him of static. Not the sharp kind that stung your fingers when you touched metal—this was calmer. Like the world was trying to whisper instead of scream.
The lights in his room were dim.
Morning.
Or at least what the hospital considered morning.
Illium blinked slowly, staring at the ceiling tiles again. Same white squares. Same faint stain in the corner that looked like a cloud. Same buzzing fluorescent light that never stopped humming.
He didn't know how long he had been staring at that ceiling.
Time didn't feel real here.
Hospitals weren't places where people lived.
They were places where people waited.
Illium's body still hurt. Not sharp pain like yesterday—more like the dull ache of a bruise you couldn't see. His arms felt heavy beneath the bandages, and his fingertips tingled faintly like they were asleep.
But the tingling wasn't fading.
If anything… it was clearer now.
Like his nerves had learned a new language.
Illium slowly lifted his hand.
A faint spark crawled across his thumb.
He stared at it.
The spark vanished.
He tried again.
Another spark.
He could feel it even before it happened. The electricity in the air around him responded like it recognized him.
Illium exhaled quietly.
"…So I wasn't dreaming."
The door opened.
Illium immediately lowered his hand and sat still, expression blank.
A nurse walked in, pushing a cart.
She didn't look at him at first. She busied herself with checking the IV, adjusting the heart monitor, replacing the water cup.
Illium watched her hands.
Watched the way she kept a safe distance.
Watched the way her eyes flicked nervously toward his fingers every few seconds.
Like she was expecting him to explode.
Illium spoke first.
"Do you think I'm dangerous?"
The nurse froze.
Her fingers paused mid-adjustment.
She looked up slowly, forcing a smile that looked like it had been stapled onto her face.
"What? No, of course not."
Illium stared at her.
The nurse cleared her throat.
"You're just… recovering. That's all."
Illium's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You flinched yesterday."
The nurse's smile twitched.
"That's not—"
"It's fine," Illium interrupted.
His voice was calm.
"I'd flinch too."
The nurse didn't respond.
She simply finished her work quickly and left the room like she had somewhere urgent to be.
Illium watched the door close.
Then he stared at the TV again.
It was on.
It was always on.
Muted, but he didn't need sound to understand what it was doing.
A new headline crawled across the screen:
SCHOOL BOARD DEMANDS QUIRK SAFETY REFORMS
Under it was a smaller line:
"QUIRKLESS CHILDREN MAY POSE HIDDEN RISKS."
Illium's jaw tightened.
His fingers twitched under the blanket.
The TV screen flickered slightly.
He forced himself to breathe.
Not yet.
He didn't know who he was telling that to.
The TV?
Or himself?
A few hours passed.
Illium drifted in and out of half-sleep, not really dreaming, just sinking into darkness and resurfacing when the machines beeped too loudly.
He heard voices in the hallway.
Doctors. Nurses. Patients.
Occasionally someone whispered.
Sometimes he caught his own name.
Sometimes he caught the word eel.
Sometimes he caught the word monster.
He didn't react.
Not outwardly.
But every time he heard it, something inside him tightened like a wire being pulled too far.
Then, near noon, the door opened again.
Illium expected another nurse.
Another doctor.
Another clipboard.
Instead, he saw a familiar face.
Aoi.
She walked in carrying a plastic bag.
Her hair was slightly messy, like she had rushed out of the house without caring how she looked. She wore a hoodie and jeans and the expression of someone who was already annoyed before entering the room.
Illium blinked.
"Aoi."
Aoi shut the door behind her and immediately marched toward his bed.
She tossed the plastic bag onto his lap.
Illium looked inside.
A sandwich.
A juice box.
And something else wrapped in foil.
He stared at her.
"…Did you rob a cafeteria?"
Aoi rolled her eyes.
"No. I robbed home. Mom's too busy crying to notice."
Illium's lips twitched.
Aoi sat down in the chair beside the bed, crossing her arms.
"So," she said. "How's being famous?"
Illium blinked.
"…I'm not famous."
Aoi pointed at the TV with her chin.
"They literally called you a 'dangerous quirk anomaly.'"
Illium stared at the TV.
Aoi leaned forward slightly.
"I looked it up."
Illium's eyes narrowed.
"…Why?"
Aoi shrugged.
"Because I wanted to know what the world was saying about my brother."
She paused, then added with a deadpan expression:
"And apparently, you're a national security threat."
Illium stared at her.
Then he said quietly:
"…Nice."
Aoi smirked.
"I know, right? Mom says no more zoo trips."
Illium let out a short breath through his nose.
It was almost a laugh.
Almost.
Aoi leaned back in the chair.
Then her expression shifted.
Her eyes narrowed.
"So… guess what else I found."
Illium didn't respond.
Aoi didn't wait for permission.
"The school's talking."
Illium's stomach tightened.
Aoi's voice became mocking.
"They said you're 'temporarily suspended for safety reasons.'"
Illium stared at her.
"…Suspended."
Aoi nodded.
"Suspended."
Illium blinked slowly.
He didn't feel surprised.
He felt… numb.
Like the world was continuing exactly as he expected.
Aoi continued, voice sharper now.
"They're also saying it was an accident."
Illium's fingers curled slightly.
A faint crackle snapped under the blanket.
Aoi leaned forward.
"They said nobody pushed you."
Illium didn't respond.
He stared at the ceiling.
His breathing stayed steady.
Aoi watched him carefully.
"Illi…"
Illium spoke quietly.
"Of course they did."
Aoi clenched her fists.
"I'm gonna ruin them."
Illium glanced at her.
"…How?"
Aoi smiled sweetly.
Then her smile turned evil.
"I'm gonna tell mom we should sue."
Illium blinked.
He stared at her.
Then, despite himself, he chuckled softly.
Aoi's eyes widened slightly.
"What?"
Illium shook his head.
"…Nothing."
Aoi pointed at him accusingly.
"You laughed."
Illium's expression went blank again.
"No I didn't."
Aoi narrowed her eyes.
"You did. You laughed."
Illium stared at her.
"…Don't spread rumors."
Aoi gasped dramatically.
"Oh my god, he's developing a personality."
Illium stared at her.
Aoi burst into laughter.
Illium tried to stay serious, but the corner of his mouth twitched again.
He hated that.
Not because it was bad.
Because it felt unfamiliar.
Like he wasn't allowed to have moments like this.
Aoi leaned back in the chair, still smiling.
Then she looked at his bandaged arms.
Her smile faded.
"…Does it still hurt?"
Illium hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yeah."
Aoi's jaw tightened again.
"I hate them."
Illium stared at his hands.
"I know."
Aoi's voice became quieter.
"They could've killed you."
Illium didn't answer.
Because he didn't know what to say.
They tried.
That was the truth.
Even if they hadn't meant to kill him, they had meant to hurt him. To humiliate him. To remind him he was weak.
And if the eels hadn't awakened something inside him…
he would've died.
Illium exhaled slowly.
He looked up at the ceiling again.
"Aoi."
Aoi looked at him.
"What?"
Illium's voice was calm.
"Do you think I'm dangerous?"
Aoi blinked.
Then she frowned.
"What kind of question is that?"
Illium stared at her.
"The doctor thinks I'm dangerous."
"The nurses think I'm dangerous."
"The police think I'm dangerous."
He glanced at the TV.
"The whole country thinks I'm dangerous."
Aoi leaned forward, eyes sharp.
"You were pushed into a tank of electric eels and survived."
She pointed at him like it was obvious.
"Yeah. You're dangerous."
Illium blinked.
Aoi smirked.
"But not because you're evil."
Her voice softened slightly.
"You're dangerous because the world is stupid."
Illium stared at her.
He didn't know how to respond.
Aoi looked away, crossing her arms again.
"…And because they deserve to be scared."
Illium's eyes narrowed slightly.
Aoi caught his expression and waved her hand quickly.
"Not like that! I'm not saying go zap the whole city or something."
She paused.
Then added under her breath:
"…yet."
Illium stared at her.
Aoi blinked innocently.
"What?"
Illium exhaled.
"…You're insane."
Aoi grinned.
"I'm your sister. It's genetic."
Illium looked away.
But his lips twitched again.
A knock came at the door.
Aoi stiffened.
Illium's expression flattened immediately.
"Come in," Aoi called, already suspicious.
The door opened.
And Illium's chest tightened instantly.
Hoshino walked into the room.
Not alone.
He had two other boys with him.
And behind them were two adults—likely their parents.
The boys wore the kind of expressions people wore at funerals.
Sad.
Regretful.
Fake.
Hoshino's eyes landed on Illium.
He froze for a second.
Illium could tell he didn't expect Illium to be awake.
Then Hoshino forced a smile.
"Illium…"
Aoi stood up instantly.
Her chair scraped loudly against the floor.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
One of the parents stepped forward quickly.
"Excuse me, young lady—"
Aoi's eyes burned.
"No. You excuse me. Your kid almost killed my brother."
The parent flinched.
Hoshino raised his hands defensively.
"We didn't—"
Illium spoke calmly.
"Aoi."
Aoi froze.
She looked back at him.
Illium's voice was quiet.
"Sit down."
Aoi stared at him like he had betrayed her.
Then she slowly sat back down, still glaring.
Hoshino swallowed.
He stepped forward.
He held something in his hands.
A small bag.
A gift bag.
Illium stared at it.
Hoshino's voice was trembling slightly.
"Uh… we just wanted to see if you were okay."
Illium didn't respond.
Hoshino continued.
"That day… it was crazy. Everyone's saying things and… I just…"
He took a breath.
"We're sorry."
Illium stared at him.
His eyes were blank.
His face expressionless.
Hoshino stepped closer.
One of the other boys nodded along.
"Yeah. We're sorry."
The other one added quickly:
"It was just an accident."
Illium's eyes narrowed.
An accident.
Hoshino held out the gift bag.
"We brought you something."
Illium stared at the bag.
Then he looked at Hoshino.
"…What is it?"
Hoshino hesitated.
Then smiled wider.
"It's… a get well soon thing."
Illium reached out slowly and took the bag.
It was light.
He opened it.
Inside was a small stuffed animal.
A yellow electric eel plushie.
Illium stared at it.
Aoi made a strangled sound beside him.
"…No way."
Hoshino laughed nervously.
"It's just a joke! Like—"
Illium's grip tightened around the plush.
The room felt colder.
The fluorescent light above them buzzed louder.
Hoshino's smile faltered.
Illium looked up slowly.
His eyes were calm.
Too calm.
"You bought me an eel."
Hoshino swallowed.
"It's… it's funny, right? Like, you survived and now—"
Illium's fingers twitched.
A faint crackle snapped from his bandages.
Hoshino's face went pale.
Illium stared at him.
Then spoke quietly.
"Do you remember what you said before I fell?"
Hoshino blinked rapidly.
"I… what?"
Illium tilted his head slightly.
"You said…"
His voice was soft.
"Careful, Geek. Wouldn't want you to die before lunch."
Silence.
The other boys looked at Hoshino sharply.
Hoshino's mouth opened.
No words came out.
Aoi's breathing became heavier.
One of the parents frowned.
"What is he talking about?"
Illium's voice remained calm.
"He pushed me."
The room froze.
The parents stared.
Hoshino's face twisted in panic.
"No I didn't! I didn't push you—he's lying!"
Illium stared at him.
Then he smiled.
It wasn't warm.
It wasn't friendly.
It was small and sharp.
Like a spark.
"You're right," Illium said.
Hoshino blinked.
Illium's smile widened slightly.
"You didn't push me."
Aoi's eyes widened.
Hoshino exhaled in relief.
Illium continued.
"You just watched."
Hoshino's face went blank.
Illium's voice dropped.
"You watched them do it."
Hoshino's hands trembled.
One of the parents stepped forward angrily.
"Are you accusing my son—"
The overhead light flickered violently.
The heart monitor beeped faster.
The television screen glitched.
Hoshino's eyes widened.
Illium leaned forward slightly.
His voice was calm.
"But it's okay."
Hoshino stared at him.
Illium's eyes glowed faintly.
"Everyone already believes you."
A faint crackle echoed through the room.
Hoshino stumbled backward.
Illium stared at him.
His voice was almost polite.
"You should go."
Hoshino's lips trembled.
"Illium… I swear, I didn't mean—"
Illium's smile vanished.
His voice became cold.
"Get out."
The lights went out instantly.
Complete darkness.
Aoi gasped.
The parents screamed.
Hoshino froze.
The heart monitor screamed too, its beeping turning into an alarm.
For two seconds, the room was nothing but darkness and panic.
Then—
The lights came back.
Illium was sitting in the bed again, perfectly calm.
Like nothing happened.
The eel plush sat in his lap.
Hoshino stood near the door, trembling violently.
His parents looked horrified.
Aoi stared at Illium like she had just seen a ghost.
Illium tilted his head slightly.
"…What?"
Hoshino's voice cracked.
"You… you did that."
Illium blinked.
Then smiled faintly.
"Must've been an accident."
Hoshino flinched like he'd been slapped.
One of the parents grabbed his arm.
"We're leaving."
They rushed out of the room, dragging the boys with them.
The door slammed shut.
Silence returned.
Only the rain outside.
Only the beeping of machines.
Only the hum of electricity in the walls.
Aoi stared at Illium.
Illium stared back.
Aoi's mouth opened.
Then closed.
Then opened again.
"…That was terrifying."
Illium blinked.
"I didn't hurt anyone."
Aoi's voice rose.
"You turned off the lights!"
Illium stared at the eel plush.
"…I didn't mean to."
Aoi leaned closer.
"Yes you did."
Illium hesitated.
Then, quietly:
"…Maybe a little."
Aoi stared at him for a long moment.
Then she leaned back and exhaled.
"…Okay."
Illium blinked.
"That's it?"
Aoi shrugged.
"If they're gonna treat you like a monster…"
She looked at him, eyes sharp.
"…then at least be a scary one."
Illium stared at her.
Then he looked at the window.
The city beyond it glowed faintly through the rain.
Streetlights.
Neon signs.
Cars passing in the distance.
Everything bright.
Everything alive.
Everything unaware.
Illium's fingers tightened around the eel plush.
He didn't feel guilt.
He didn't feel fear.
He felt something else.
Something dangerous.
Control.
Illium whispered, barely audible.
"Remember me."
Aoi looked at him.
"…What?"
Illium didn't answer.
He just stared at the city lights.
And for the first time…
the darkness didn't feel empty.
It felt like it belonged to him.