Part 1: Suspicion
Teshii was swarmed by students asking him questions.
Hikaru, however, had only one thing on his mind.
He stormed up to him, ignoring the other students.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" Hikaru demanded.
Teshii smirked, completely unbothered. "Teaching, obviously."
Hikaru's eye twitched. "How did you even become my professor?!"
Teshii leaned back casually. "Connections, Sunshine."
Hikaru glared. "MY NAME IS HIKARU! NOT SUNSHINE!"
"Okay, Sunshine."
Hikaru's glare intensified.
"You flirted with my professor, didn't you?" he accused.
Teshii gasped dramatically. "I would never!"
Hikaru stared at him.
Teshii grinned. "Yeah, I would."
Hikaru sighed in pure frustration. "Unbelievable."
Teshii shrugged. "Look, all I did was ask you professor if I could take over the lecture."
"And she just said yes?"
"Well…" Teshii scratched his chin. "At first, she said no."
Hikaru narrowed his eyes. "And?"
"So, I used my last resort."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Last resort?"
"I flirted with her."
Hikaru looks at Teshii.
"And she took it well." Teshii grinned.
Hikaru rubbed his temples. "This guy…"
On the way to the cafeteria
Hikaru made his way to the cafeteria, but his mood was ruined.
All he could think about was Teshii – his professor.
This was a nightmare.
He spotted Yami and Aoi outside of the cafeteria and rushed over.
"Hey, guys." Hikaru greeted.
"Hey Hikaru. How was your lecture?" Aoi asked.
Hikaru hesitated.
Should he tell them?
About Teshii.
About how Teshii flirted his way into teaching.
Before he could decide–
"Who's that?"
Hikaru turned to Yami, who was staring behind him.
Hikaru followed his gaze–
Teshii.
Standing there. Smiling. Waving like they were best friends.
"Yo!" Teshii greeted cheerfully.
Hikaru facepalmed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"What? Am I not allowed to meet your friends?"
Hikaru's mind shattered. This guy is unbelievable.
He sighed in defeat and turned to his friends.
"Yami, Aoi, meet Teshii."
Then, he turned to Teshii.
"Teshii, these are my childhood friends, Yami and Aoi."
Aoi smiled and extended a hand. "Nice to meet you, Teshii."
Teshii shook her hand. "Nice to meet you too, Aoi."
Then, he turned to Yami and offered a handshake.
But–
Yami didn't take it.
Instead, he stared at Teshii. "Hikaru… where did you meet this guy?"
Hikaru immediately looked away. "You don't wanna know."
Yami nodded. "Right."
Silence.
"Anyway, let's go," Aoi said, breaking the awkwardness.
"Yeah." Hikaru stood up.
Yami looked at Teshii. "Is he coming?"
Hikaru and Aoi both turned to Teshii.
Teshii smiled. "Nah, I have some… urgent business to take care of."
Hikaru narrowed his eyes. "Like?"
Teshii grinned. "Something you don't wanna know, Sunshine."
And then, he walked off.
Hikaru, Yami, and Aoi watched him leave.
Aoi tilted her head. "Sunshine?"
Hikaru groaned. "Please, Aoi… don't ask."
"Noted."
The three headed into the cafeteria.
Cafeteria
Hikaru, Yami, and Aoi sat together, eating.
Hikari and Mei were at volleyball practice.
Teshii was nowhere to be seen.
Hikaru was trying to focus on his notes – but something felt off.
Aoi broke the silence.
"That Teshii guy… he seems interesting."
"NO!" Hikaru shouted instantly. "He's annoying."
Yami gave him a blank stare. "Be for real, Hikaru."
Hikaru glared at him. "I AM being for real."
Yami leaned forward. "Then tell us the truth. How did you meet Teshii?"
Hikaru opened his mouth–
But then–
A commotion erupted in the cafeteria.
Students pointed toward the windows.
Hikaru, Yami, and Aoi turned to look.
The outside was covered in thick fog.
Aoi tilted her head. "Hmm… the weather didn't mention anything about fog."
Hiakru stared outside.
Something was wrong.
His gut twisted.
"Yami. Aoi. I'll be right back. I need to–" Hikaru quickly thought of an excuse. "Go to the bathroom."
Aoi nodded. "Alright."
Yami raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Hikaru left the cafeteria.
But he wasn't going to the bathroom.
He was going outside.
Outside
Hikaru stepped out of the building, the thick fog wrapping around him.
His gut feeling was screaming at him.
"This doesn't feel right…"
He walked further.
The air felt heavier.
Then–
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
Hikaru's eyes widened.
He was struggling to breathe.
This wasn't fog.
It was smoke.
"But where is it coming from?" Hikaru thought.
He turned to rusk back inside–
POW!
A fist slammed into his gut.
Hikaru gasped in pain, collapsing to the ground.
"What… was that?!"
His vision blurred as he looked up.
Through the smoke–
A dark silhouette loomed over him
A figure.
And then–
A low, distorted voice echoed.
"Found you, Element of Light."
Part 2: Smokewraith
The thick smoke curled around Hikaru, making it harder to breathe.
Standing before him, a shadowy figure emerged from the haze.
Hikaru clenched his fists, preparing for a fight.
"Who… are you?"
The figure's voice was low and distorted.
"My name…
Character Introduction
Name: Smokewraith
Age: Unknown
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Grey
Height: 5'11
Weight: 169lbs
Occupation: Unknown
Hikaru narrowed his eyes.
"Smokewraith, huh?" He exhaled sharply. "Let me guess. You're the reason for all this smoke?"
"Yes," Smokewraith replied. "And I am here to take the Element of Light."
Hikaru's stomach twisted.
So, he's after the Element of Light… Hikaru thought.
He steeld himself. "If you want it, come and get it."
Smokewraith smirked. "Very well."
In a flash, he charged.
Hikaru raised his arm to shield himself, pulling his shirt over his mouth to block the smoke.
He was ready to fight.
Then–
It hit him.
He didn't know how to fight.
He didn't know how to use the Element of Light.
Teshii hadn't even trained him yet.
As Smokewraith closed the distance, realization struck Hikaru like a brick wall.
He was screwed.
Meanwhile in the Cafeteria
Yami and Aoi watched the fog from their table.
Something felt off.
Yami leaned back in his chair. "Damn, Hikaru's taking his time in the bathroom."
Aoi nodded absentmindedly.
But her focus wasn't on Hikaru.
It wasn't on the fog.
It wasn't even on Teshii.
It was on Yami.
His behaviour toward Teshii had been strange all day.
Aoi hesitated, then spoke.
"Um… Yami?"
Yami turned toward her. "What is it?"
Aoi bit her lip. "Do you trust Teshii?"
Yami's expression darkened.
"I don't know."
Aoi frowned. "Then why do you keep asking Hikaru about him?"
Yami tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought.
Then, he looked at her.
"Because… Teshii just looks oddly familiar."
Aoi's eyes widened. "Familiar?"
Yami nodded. "Yeah… I don't know why, but he does."
Aoi felt a chill creep down her spine.
Who exactly was Teshii?
Back to Hikaru vs Smokewraith
Hikaru's fight continued.
Except–
He wasn't fighting.
He was running for his life.
"OH MY GOD!" Hikaru yelled, sprinting through the smoke.
He glanced over his shoulder.
Nothing.
He skidded to a stop. "Where did he–"
WHOOSH.
Smokewraith materialized behind him.
Hikaru screamed.
He bolted in the opposite direction.
Smokewraith chuckled darkly.
"Did you know that my body is made of smoke?"
Hikaru's heart pounded.
"That means…" Smokewraith's voice choed from all around.
"I can become one with it."
Smokewraith rushed forward.
Hikaru turned, panicked.
He remembered his fight against Teshii.
That moment.
The light surging from his hand.
The blast that sent Teshii flying into a wall.
Hikaru lifted his hand, trying to mimic that moment.
Come on. Come on.
He focused.
The light never came.
"Huh?"
Before he could react–
BAM!
Smokewraith tackled him, slamming him into a wall.
Hikaru gasped for air.
Smokewraith grinned.
"Is this what the Element of Light has to offer?"
He leaned in closer.
"Pathetic."
Hikaru's mind raced.
Teshii… where are you?
Meanwhile in the Volleyball Training Centre
Hikari and Mei finished practice.
As they stepped outside, Hikakri noticed something strange.
The fog was only around the university.
Her stomach twisted.
Something was wrong.
"Sorry, guys! I have to go!
She took off running.
Mei called after her. "Hikari? What's wrong?"
But she was already gone.
As she neared the campus, her breathing became difficult.
Her eyes widened.
This wasn't fog.
It was smoke.
She pulled her shirt over her mouth.
Suddenly–
The smoke shifted.
It formed shapes.
Hikari's blood ran cold.
They looked like… people.
Smoke clones.
They turned their hollow, misty eyes toward her.
And then–
They charged.
Hikari spun around and ran.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears.
Why are they after me?!
She ran faster.
But then–
She tripped.
She hit the pavement hard.
Pain shot through her ankle.
She turned back.
The clones were closing in.
One of them raised an arm.
Hikari's eyes widened in fear.
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Please… someone… help me.
Then–
BAM!
The clone exploded into mist.
Hikari's eyes snapped open.
Standing before her–
Teshii.
His golden eyes flickered behind his crimson glasses.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
"Man… can't even let me run my errands in peace?"
Part 3: Teshii vs Clones
Hikari's eyes widened. "Teshii?"
Teshii grinned, kneeling beside her.
"Are you okay, Hikari?" he asked, his voice smooth and effortlessly charming.
Hikari blushed. "Um… yeah."
Then–
Teshii turned around.
His golden eyes scanned the battlefield.
The smoke shifted, forming countless clones.
There were hundreds of them.
Hikari's heart pounded. "Wait, Teshii… You can't be serious."
She stared at the army of clones. "There's no way you can fight all of them alone!"
Teshii looked back at her and smirked.
"Hikari."
Hikari felt a chill run down her spine.
"Do you know who I am?"
He adjusted his crimson glasses.
"I'm Teshii. The King of Martial arts. And the guy who's about to kick some ass."
Then–
He charged.
A storm of movement.
A punch.
A kick.
An elbow strike.
A headbutt.
A knee to the ribs.
One by one, the smokes clones collapsed into mist.
Hikari watched in disbelief. "Where did my brother find this guy?"
Meanwhile
Hikaru was still running.
"This is a disaster."
He tried to activate the Element of Light.
Nothing happened.
All he could do was–
Wishing Teshii to be here.
He glanced back.
Smokewraith was right behind him.
"Come on!" Smokewraith growled. "You're the Element of Light, aren't you?!"
"Fight me!"
Hikaru's teeth clenched.
Then–
He spun around.
Raised his hand.
And–
A blast of radiant light erupted from his palm!
BOOM!
Smokewraith was blasted back.
Hikaru stared at his own hand, shocked.
"How did I do that?!"
But–
Smokewraith got up almost immediately.
Hikaru panicked and raised his hand again.
Nothing happened.
"Oh, come on!"
Why was it working before, but not now?!
Back to Teshii and Hikari
The battle raged on.
Teshii had already taken down most of the clones.
Only four remained.
The clones hesitated, stepping back.
Teshii cracked his knuckles.
"Well… that was a nice warm-up."
He grinned.
"But it's a shame I have to end this."
He charged again – swift, precise, unstoppable.
A kick to the head.
A punch to the chest.
A sweep to the legs.
A devastating elbow strike.
The last of the clones collapsed into mist.
Hikari could only stare.
"That was amazing…"
Teshii walked toward her. "You good, Hikari?"
Hikari looked away, blushing.
Teshii glanced around.
Then–
"You need to get somewhere safe."
Hikari frowned. "What about you?"
Teshii grinned. "Did you see what I just did? I'll be fine.
Hikari tried to stand up.
Pain shot through her ankle.
She winced.
Teshii sighed.
Then – he picked her up.
"Teshii! What are you doing?!"
Hikari's face turned bright red.
Teshii smirked.
"Taking you somewhere safe, obviously."
"I-I can walk!"
"Nope."
"Put me down!"
"Can't let a beautiful woman like you get hurt, now can I?"
Hikari blushed ever harder.
Cafeteria
"Okay, seriously, Hikaru's been in the bathroom way too long," Yami muttered.
Aoi shrugged. "Maybe he's having a bad time in there."
Yami stared at her.
Then–
The cafeteria doors swung open.
Everyone turned.
Teshii strolled in – carrying Hikari in his arms.
Aoi's eyes widened. "HIKARI?!"
She rushed over. "What happened to your ankle?!"
"It's… a long story."
Teshii turned to Aoi. "You're a nursing student, right? Can you help?"
Aoi nodded.
Teshii gently placed Hikari onto a chair.
Then – he turned to leave.
"Wait!"
Teshii paused.
Yami narrowed his eyes. "Where are you going?"
Teshii thought fast.
"Uh… to the bathroom. Yeah. The bathroom. I really, REALLY need to go to the bathroom."
And then–
He sprinted out.
Yami, Aoi, Hikari, and the rest of the students watched him leave.
Yami's fists clenched.
"What are you hiding, Teshii?"
Aoi focused on Hikari's ankle.
Then – Hikari spoke.
"Aoi?"
Aoi looked up. "Yeah?"
Hikari's face was red.
Her voice was quiet.
"I think…"
Aoi blinked. "What?"
Hikari covered her face.
"I think I'm in love."
Traitor?
Hikaru stood his ground, panting.
Smokewraith glared at him.
"Pathetic."
Hikaru's breathing hitched.
Then–
Smokewraith's next words sent chills down his spine.
"Someone told me you were the Element of Light."
Hikaru froze.
His eyes widened.
"What?!"
That was impossible.
Only three people knew he was the Element of Light.
Satoshi.
Reina.
And Teshii.
A traitor?
No.
Satoshi and Reina would never.
And Teshii?
He was too annoying and too dumb to be a traitor.
Then–
A scream.
Hikaru looked up.
Something was falling from the sky.
No.
Someone.
"WWWOOOOOHHHHH!"
Teshii.
He was falling straight toward them.
"LARIAT!"
BOOM!
Teshii slammed into Smokewraith.
And–
Accidentally tackled Hikaru too.
All three of them crashed into the ground.
Hikaru sat up, furious.
"WHAT THE HELL, TESHII?!"
Teshii grinned. "Sorry, Sunshine! Couldn't help myself."
Smokewraith stood up, eyes burning with rage.
"You think you can defeat me just because you have backup?"
Teshii adjusted his glasses.
"Nope."
He smirked.
"But two against one? Sounds fun."
Teshii looked at the reader.
"So, stay tuned for the next chapter!"
"WHAT?!" Hikaru shouted.
TO BE CONTINUE!!!