Part 1: Elements
Hikaru sat in another university lecture.
With Teshii.
But surprisingly…
Noting was on fire.
No chaos.
No disasters.
Teshii stood at the front of the class, calmly explaining complex psychological theories while scribbling notes on the whiteboard.
His usual cocky smirk was gone.
Instead–
He looked like a real professor.
Confident. Collected.
"And that," Teshii said, setting the marker down, "is why humans make irrational decisions under stress. Any questions?"
The class sat in stunned silence.
Hikaru, still in disbelief, muttered under his breath.
"Who are you?"
Teshii smirked slightly.
Clearly – he heard him.
Lunch Break
Later, during lunch break, Hikaru and Teshii sat outside, eating at one of the cafeteria tables.
Hikaru sighed, resting his chin on his hand.
"Okay, I gotta ask. How are you actually smark?"
Teshii snorted. "What, you think I just punch stuff for a living?"
"Yes." Hikaru deadpanned.
Teshii laughed. "Listen, just because I enjoy fighting doesn't mean I'm an idiot. I know plenty about different fields, especially human behaviour."
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "And why do you know so much about psychology?"
Teshii smirked, taking a sip of his drink.
"Because understanding how people think makes it easier to beat them in a fight."
Hikaru groaned. "Of course, that's your reason."
Teshii smiled and glanced away.
Then – he muttered, almost too quietly:
"It was definitely not because I stole the power of intelligence."
Hikaru blnked. "What did you say?"
Teshii grinned. "Nothing."
Hikaru narrowed his eyes but moved on.
The Elements
Hikaru had another question in his mind.
"Teshii."
"What is it, Sunshine?"
Hikaru ignored the nickname.
"Yesterday, I learned more about mutants."
"Yeah?" Teshii said, eating his food.
"But, I still don't know much about the Elements." Hikaru frowned. "All I know is that I'm the Element of Light, and that we may have found the Element of Water. But… what about the others?"
Teshii wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back.
"Right. I guess it's time I filled you in."
He held up ten fingers.
"There are ten Elements in total."
Hikaru leaned in, listening carefully.
Teshii began listing them off.
Fire
Water
Wood
Thunder
Ice
Earth
Air
Steel
Darkness
And… Light.
Teshii folded his arms. "These ten Elements each have a chosen warrior, just like you."
"Some have already awakened their powers, while others are still waiting for their abilities to manifest."
Hikaru repeated the list in his mind.
Fire.
Water.
Wood.
Thunder.
Ice.
Earth.
Air.
Steel.
Darkness.
And his own–
Light.
Suddenly–
"Hikaru."
Hikaru and Teshii looked up.
It was–
Mei.
Hikari's best friend and teammate.
Part 2: Hikaru and Mei
Oh… what's up, Mei?" Hikaru greeted.
Before Mei could speak, Teshii stood up.
"Welp. Look at the time." He glanced at his wrist – where he wasn't even wearing a watch.
Hikaru narrowed his eyes.
Teshii continued, "I must go… somewhere."
Then, with an exaggerated wave, he strutted out of the cafeteria, leaving Hikaru and Mei alone.
"He didn't even have a watch on…" Hikaru thought to himself.
"Um… Hikaru."
Mei's voice pulled him from his thoughts.
Hikaru turned back to her – and immediately noticed her blushing.
She looked… nervous.
"S-so… um…" Mei started, fidgeting slightly. "There's… going to be a festival this weekend, and I-I was wondering if… you'd like to go with me?
Hikaru blinked.
A festival? With Mei?
Alone?
But then–
He remembered.
The Element of Water might appear at the festival.
If he went with Mei, he could investigate at the same time.
But–
Hikaru didn't want to use Mei as an excuse.
There was an awkward silence.
"Hikaru?"
Hikaru looked at Mei, who was waiting anxiously for his answer.
Then–
He smiled.
"Um… sure. I would love to go to the festival with you, Mei."
Mei's eyes widened. "R-Really?"
Hikaru nodded.
"T-then, I'll send you the details later!" Mei said quickly before hurrying off, waving.
Hikaru waved back.
As she left, he leaned back in his chair.
The festival.
Mei.
The Element of Water.
The mission was important.
But–
He wanted to prioritize Mei and their date.
Hikari & Mei
Mei rushed off excitedly, meeting up with Hikari.
Hikari grinned immediately. "So… how did it go?"
Mei practically sparkled. "He accepted!"
Hikari's jaw dropped.
"No way…" She crossed her arms. "My brother. My unsociable, awkward, and stupid brother… on a date? With my shy, cute best friend?"
Mei blushed furiously, covering her cheeks.
Hikari laughed, then smirked. "So, should I invite someone too?"
Mei perked up. "Oh? Like who?"
Hikari froze.
Mei grinned mischievously. "Teshii."
"W-WHAT – WHY WOULD I INVITE SOMEONE LIKE HIM?!" Hikari's face turned bright red.
Mei raised an eyebrow. "Because you like him, don't you?"
"N-NO, I DON'T!"
Mei tilted her head. "That's funny… because after the fog incident, you told me you were in love with him."
Hikari's blush deepened to critical levels.
Mei clapped her hands. "We could have a double date!"
Hikari stared at her.
"Me and Hikaru, and you and Teshii. That would be fun, right?"
Hikari bit her lip.
The thought of inviting Teshii… on a date…
She kind of liked the idea.
Hikaru & Teshii
Later that day, Hikaru and Teshii walked home from university.
But–
Teshii was clearly in a teasing mood.
"Sooo… you and Mei, huh?"
Hikaru groaned. "Leave me alone."
Teshii grinned. "Oh, come on. I didn't think a guy like you would actually get a date."
Hikakru looked away. "Yeah, yeah."
He still hadn't told Teshii the date was in the festival.
Then–
Teshiis stretched. "Well, looks like I'll be going to the festival alone to track down the Element of Water."
Hikaru paused.
"Actually, Teshii…"
Teshii looked at him curiously. "Huh?"
Hikaru rubbed the back of his head. "My date is at the festival."
Teshii blinked.
Then–
He smirked.
"Wow. Poor Mei. You're totally using her for the mission. That poor girl."
"ABSOULUTELY NOT!" Hikaru shot back. "I'm going to prioritize the date!"
Teshii laughed. "Sure, sure."
Then – he grinned.
"Though, I'm kind of jealous."
Hikaru glanced at him. "Jealous?"
Teshii grinned wider. "I wanna go on a date too."
Then – he turned to Hikaru with an evil smile.
"Maybe I should invite Hikari, Hikaru. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone."
"ABSOULUTELY NOT!"
Teshii burst out laughing.
Hikaru glared. "You're not inviting my sister."
Teshii grinned. "I mean… why not? She is cute."
Hikaru gritted his teeth. "I swear to God–"
Then–
Hikaru paused.
"Wait… how is that 'killing two birds with one stone'?
Teshii blinked.
Then, he shrugged. "I dunno. I just wanted to say it."
Hikaru stared at him.
"You're unbelievable."
Teshii just smiled.
Part 3: Teshii & Hikari
That night, the Nozomi family sat around the dining table, enjoying a home-cooked meal.
And, as usual–
Teshii had fit right in.
Laughing, eating way too much, and teasing Hikaru every chance he got.
Sayaka smiled warmly. "You have quiet an appetite, Teshii."
Teshii grinned, stuffing another bite into his mouth. "Can't help! Good food needs to be appreciated."
Sasuke nodded approvingly. "A man who enjoys his food is a good man."
Hikaru groaned. "Dad, please don't encourage him."
The table erupted in laughter.
Then–
As the conversation settled, Sayaka glanced at Teshii.
"So, Teshii, what's your family like?"
The moment the words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted.
For the first time, Teshii's smile wavered.
Just for a second.
Then–
The smirk returned.
But something about it felt… off.
"Ah… nothing much to say there." He waved it off, his voice unnaturally light. "Just me, myself, and I."
Sayaka immediately realized she had touched on something sensitive.
She lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."
Teshii shrugged, still grinning. "No worries! Not a big deal."
But–
Hikaru waasn't convinced.
That brief moment of hesitation…
That wasn't like Teshii.
And then–
A thought struck Hikaru.
Who were Satoshi and Reina to him?
A Private Conversation
After dinner, Hikari stood up.
She glanced at Teshii.
"Hey… can we talk? Just the two of us?"
Teshii blinked. "Huh? Uh, sure?"
Then–
Silence.
Hikaru and Sasuke stopped eating.
Their eyes locked onto Teshii.
Teshii gulped. "Uh… why are you both looking at me like that?"
Before either of them could say a word, Hikari grabbed Teshii's wrist and dragged him into the living room.
The Invitation
Hikari fidgeted slightly, avoiding eye contact.
"So… um."
Teshii raised an eyebrow.
Hikari continued, "I heard Hikaru got invited to the festival this weekend."
Teshii nodded. "Yup. By Mei."
"Yes, I know."
Teshii smirked. "Jealous?"
"Wha – NO!" she blurted, her face turning red.
Teshii chuckled. "Relax, I'm messing with you."
Hikari huffed, crossing her arms.
Then – she took a deep breath.
"Anyway… I was wondering if… you wanted to come too?"
Teshii tilted his head.
Then–
His grin widened.
"Me? Going out with Miss Volleyball? To the festival?"
Hikari blushed harder. "W-Well… y-yeah…"
Teshii paused.
Then – he shrugged.
"Sure. I'd love to go with you."
Hikari froze.
Then–
"REALLY?!"
Silence.
Teshii blinked.
He wasn't expecting that reaction.
Hikari immediately composed herself, clearing her throat.
"Oh… I mean… cool."
Teshii smirked, amused.
Dangerous Auras
Then–
Teshii felt something.
A dark aura.
No… two.
Like a murderous intent pressing down on him.
Slowly – he turned around.
Standing there –
Was Hikaru and Sasuke.
Both of them – radiating pure killing intent.
Teshii laughed nervously.
"Uh… fellas? What's with the look?"
Hikaru cracked his knuckles. "So… you're going out with my sister, huh?"
Teshii swallowed. "That… seems to be the case, yeah."
Sasuke crossed his arms. "You better take care of her."
Teshii saluted immediately. "Yes, sir."
Meanwhile–
Hikari was too busy blushing and daydreaming about the date to even notice.
"I'm gonna die, aren't I?"
TO BE CONTINUE!!!