Kazunai Yazumèi sat in silence, the low hum of the new apartment's fridge the only sound to fill the empty space. Sunlight barely trickled through closed blinds. His phone was silenced, face down on the coffee table.
No school. No unnecessary outings. No fights.
Just...waiting.
He draped an arm over his eyes. Another day blurred into another night. He hated this feeling—like he was standing still while the world kept burning.
Only Amy's visits kept him sane. She'd sneak by, dropping off homemade food or just sitting with him in comfortable, heavy silence. She never pushed him to talk. She just...was.
A knock jolted him upright.
He stiffened. It was too early for Amy. Warily, Kaz approached the door, peeking through the peephole. His heart nearly stopped.
Kimoko Kuzunagi.
In full military dress.
He opened the door slowly. "Captain," he muttered.
"Kazunai Yazumèi," she said briskly. "May I come in?"
He hesitated, then stepped aside. She entered, sharp eyes scanning the bare apartment.
"You're a hard one to track down when you don't want to be," she commented, her voice carrying an edge.
Kaz shrugged. "Had to disappear for a while."
Kimoko set a thick folder down on the table. "I'm offering you a contract. Temporary enlistment. Special Task Force for Gifted Youths. We want you."
Kaz raised an eyebrow. "The hell for?"
"You're strong," she said simply. "And getting stronger. We train gifted teens like you in real combat ops. Missions the regular forces can't handle."
He crossed his arms. "And if I say no?"
Kimoko tilted her head. "Nothing. You're free. But…"
She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.
"The White Tigers. Grigorovich. We're investigating. We're preparing."
Kaz's stomach twisted. His fists clenched.
"You'll have resources. Intel. And maybe, eventually...a chance at payback."
The room grew heavy. He looked at the contract, then at Kimoko's unwavering stare.
A chance at payback.
A chance to protect what little he had left.
He slowly nodded.
"I'm in."
Kimoko smiled thinly. "Good. You start today."
Kaz regretted it almost immediately.
Standing in the concrete courtyard of the military training facility, he realized his "partner" for the initial evaluation wasn't just any soldier.
It was Amy's father.
Colonel Ryusei Tachibana towered over him, arms folded, stern face unmoving. His salt-and-pepper hair and jagged scar across his jaw made him look like he chewed nails for breakfast.
"Hey you're the punk my daughter brought home the other day, the yazumei kid" Ryusei said flatly.
Kaz stiffened. "Sir."
Ryusei's lip curled. "You look like a wet dog."
Kaz fought the urge to roll his eyes. He needed this. He needed to prove himself.
"You'll spar with me," Ryusei barked. "I want to see what you can do before I waste my time."
Kaz cracked his knuckles. "Fine by me."
Soldiers formed a loose ring around them, murmuring.
"Standard rules," Kimoko called from the sidelines. "First to pin or incapacitate wins. No killing blows." Kaz took a stance, legs loose, arms up.
Ryusei didn't even bother to posture. He just stood there, smirking.
The whistle blew.
Kaz shot forward like a cannonball, black flames flickering at his fists. He threw a sharp jab at Ryusei's ribs, the force cracking the air.
Ryusei sidestepped lazily, catching Kaz's wrist with terrifying ease. With a grunt, he twisted, flipping Kaz onto the ground.
Kaz hit hard but rolled to his feet, heat pulsing off his skin. His black flames thickened, coiling around his arms like angry serpents.
Round two.
He rushed again, faster this time, low to the ground. Feint left. Strike right.
Ryusei blocked, but Kaz's fist grazed his ribs.
The colonel grunted, the first acknowledgment that Kaz wasn't just a pushover.
Kaz pressed the advantage. He twisted his flames, creating a whip of black fire, lashing it toward Ryusei's head.
The older man ducked, boots skidding on the concrete. He drew his hand back,heat radiating from his skin, thrust a palm forward, creating a concussive shockwave that knocked Kaz back several feet.
Kaz's feet dragged against the ground, but he stayed upright, breathing heavy.
"You've got power," Ryusei said, voice grim. "But power's nothing without control."
Kaz wiped blood from his lip, smirking. "Good thing I'm learning."
He hurled a fireball at Ryusei's feet, causing a plume of smoke. Ryusei coughed, momentarily blinded—and Kaz was already there, fists glowing, flames roaring.
Combination barrage.
One hit to the gut.
One to the shoulder.
A sweeping kick aimed to trip him.
Ryusei absorbed the hits like a veteran brawler, then snapped out an elbow that clipped Kaz's chin.
Dazed, Kaz stumbled—but he didn't fall.
One last move.
Gathering his strength, he condensed the black fire into a miniature orb in his palm. It pulsed with chaotic energy, a mix of darkness and heat.
Kaz hurled it like a grenade.
Ryusei crossed his arms, bracing.
The explosion was contained but loud, sending shockwaves through the courtyard. Dust filled the air.
When it cleared, Ryusei stood, his uniform scorched, a smirk breaking through his usual scowl. He walked forward slowly."Not bad," he muttered. "Not bad at all."
He reached out, gripping Kaz's shoulder.
"You've got a long way to go, kid," Ryusei said. "But you're no weakling."
Kaz blinked. Was that...a compliment?
Kimoko clapped her hands once. "Good. He's in."
The soldiers around them started dispersing. Some nodded in Kaz's direction. Others looked skeptical.
Kaz rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the bruises starting to form. He caught Ryusei's eye again.
The colonel's face had softened—only slightly.
"You ever hurt my daughter," Ryusei said lowly, "and you'll wish Grigorovich got you first."
Kaz almost laughed. "Wouldn't dream of it, sir, she's the only thing holding me together at the moment." Ryusei nodded once, turning away. Kaz stood there a moment longer, letting it sink in.
This was real now.
War wasn't coming.
It was already here.
And he wasn't going to be caught sleeping ever again. Amy's dad turned to kaz and sharply said "You're a good fighter kid, but what you lack is control and technique.....I want you to come here everyday and I'll train you before we're ready to tackle on some real rough terrain.