Part 1: Revenge
The sky darkened.
Thunder rumbled in the distance.
Heavy rain lashed against the festival grounds, soaking everything in sight.
Inside the small food stall–
Haruto knelt beside his brother's lifeless body.
Motionless.
Silent.
His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
His mind was blank.
Nothing made sense anymore.
The people around him–
They didn't matter.
The festival–
It didn't matter.
Even the rain–
It didn't matter.
Then–
His voice cut through the silence like a knife.
"Mr. Teshii."
Teshii looked up.
"Hmm?"
Haruto's eyes burned with quiet fury.
"Where is she?"
Teshii blinked. "Huh?"
"The woman who killed my brother." Haruto's voice was cold, emotionless.
Teshii hesitated.
"She's still outside, unconscious."
He frowned. "Why?"
Without answering–
Haruto turned and sprinted out of the food stall.
"WAIT!" Teshii reached out, but it was too late.
Haruto vs Blood Mage
Blood Mage stirred.
She groaned, rubbing her head.
Slowly–
Her smile returned.
"Heh… that kick was something else," she muttered.
But then–
She felt it.
A shift in the air.
A tremor beneath her feet.
Something was wrong.
She looked down.
The ground was… rippling?
A wave of water exploded from the earth beneath her.
Blood Mage leaped backward, just barely dodging it.
"Water?" she muttered.
She turned–
And saw him.
Haruto stood there.
His blue hair soaked in rain.
His silver eyes cold and sharp.
The rain around him twisted unnaturally.
It obeyed him.
Blood Mage smirked. "Didn't I already kill you?"
Haruto's fists trembled.
"That wasn't me." His voice dripped with rage.
"That was my brother."
Blood Mage grinned wider.
"Ah… looks like you two will be having a little family reunion."
Haruto raised his hand.
The rain… sharpened.
Tiny, razor-thin spears of water launched at her.
SLASH!
Blood Mage gritted her teeth as thin cuts formed across her arms.
She bled.
Her eyes widened.
"…So, you're the Element of Water."
Haruto lifted his other hand.
The ground beneath Blood Mage trembled again.
A geyser of water erupted–
But Blood Mage dodged, flipping backward.
She licked the blood dripping from her wounds.
"You'll have to do better than that, boy."
Meanwhile in the Food Stall
Hikaru and Teshii watched the fight from behind a stall.
"Damn it!" Hikaru whispered. "Haruto's being reckless!"
Teshii nodded, analyzing the battlefield.
"True… but look at the rain, Sunshine. "He's using the Element of Water to his advantage."
Unbeknownst to them–
Hikari and Mei were listening.
They exchanged confused looks.
"Element of Water?" Mei muttered.
Hikaru turned to Teshii. "Still. We need to help him."
Teshii sighed. "You're right. Let's–"
He took a step forward–
And winced.
Pain shot through his leg.
Damn in! Must've messed it up after the Shooting Star attack.
"Teshii?"
Hikaru paused, noticing his hesitation.
Teshii gritted his teeth.
He forced a smirk. "Sorry, Sunshine. You'll have to help Aqua on your own."
Hikaru hesitated but nodded.
Then–
He ran.
Teshii watched him go.
"Good luck, Sunshine." He whispered.
Then–
"Teshii."
He turned.
It was Hikaru and Mei.
Their expressions were dead serious.
"Explain yourself." Hikari demanded.
Teshii froze.
Shit.
I'm busted.
The Battle Intensifies
Haruto unleashed another blast of water.
Blood Mage dodged easily.
She laughed.
"Is this all the Element of Water can do?"
Haruto gritted his teeth.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Blood Mage grinned.
"Attacking blindly? I should take advantage of this." Blood Mage thought to herself.
Just as she prepared to counter–
"RADIANCE BURST!"
A blinding blast of energy shot toward her.
BOOM!
She was sent flying into a wall.
Haruto turned.
It was–
Hikaru.
Hikaru landed beside him, breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?"
Haruto stared at the glowing energy in Hikaru's hand.
"So… Mr. Teshii wasn't lying."
Hikaru blinked. "Huh?"
"He told me you were the Element of Light."
Before Hikaru could respond–
"BLOOD SPEAR!"
They turned.
Two blood-red spears shot toward them.
Both dodged just in time.
Blood Mage stood again, grinning.
"That hurt, you know." She glared at Hikaru. "You'll pay for that."
She raised her hand.
"BLOOD SPEAR!"
Haruto slammed his palm into the ground.
A towering wall of water rose, blocking the attack.
Hikaru countered immediately.
"RADIANCE BURST!"
A beam of light shot forward–
BOOM!
Blood Mage's arm was blasted clean off.
She collapsed.
Hikaru and Haruto exchanged a glance, breathing heavily.
"That… should finish her," Hikaru said.
The smoke cleared.
Blood Mage–
Still standing.
But–
Missing an arm.
Hikaru stiffened.
"You think that's enough?"
She smiled.
Haruto clenched his fists.
"What can you do with one arm?"
Blood Mage laughed.
She raised her remaining hand.
The blood of two lifeless civilians slithered toward her.
It wrapped around her wound.
Slowly–
It formed a new arm.
Hikaru and Haruto–
Watched in horror.
"She… regenerated." Hikaru muttered.
Blood Mage tilted her head.
"You'll have to do more than that to kill me."
Then–
Her grin widened.
"Now, I wonder… what does young blood taste like?"
Part 2: New Element?
The rain lashed down in torrents, drumming against the shattered festival grounds.
Bodies littered the pavement.
The scent of blood clung thick in the air.
And in the middle of it all–
Blood Mage.
She stood tall, crimson energy swirling around her like a raging storm.
Her regenerated arm flexed, tendrils of liquid blood twisting and pulsing at her fingertips.
Hikaru and Haruto–
Watched in horror.
"Damn it!" Hikaru clenched his fists. "I didn't think she could regenerate!"
Haruto glanced at him, his breathing heavy.
"What do we do now, Hikaru?"
Hikaru gritted his teeth.
"I… I'm not sure."
Blood Mage tilted her head, smirking.
"Running out of tricks already?"
Then–
CRACK!
Blood whips surged toward them, cutting through the rain.
Haruto reacted instantly.
WHOOSH!
A towering wall of water burst forth, crashing against the blood tendrils, neutralizing the attack.
Hikaru saw the opening.
He launched himself into the air, his fist glowing with golden light.
"SUNRISE PUNCH!"
His radiant fist streaked toward Blood Mage like a meteor.
Then–
BOOM!
A deafening impact shook the ground.
Hikaru grinned–
Until he looked up.
His eyes widened.
"What–?!"
Blood Mage had conjured a crimson shield–
Blocking his attack completely.
Hikaru was frozen.
Completely wide open.
Blood Mage's smile widened.
"Bye."
She lunged forward, her fingers sharps as claws–
Ready to pierce through him.
Then–
"HYDRO BLAST!"
A massive torrent of water exploded from behind.
It smashed into Blood Mage, sending her hurtling backward.
Hikaru dropped to the ground, panting.
He looked up at the source of the attack.
It was–
Haruto.
His eyes burned with fury, his hands still glowing with residual water energy.
"Hikaru!" Haruto ran over, extending a hand. "Are you okay?"
Hikaru gripped his hand, pulling himself up.
Sweat mingled with the rain as he steadied his breath.
"Yeah..." Hikaru exhaled sharply. "I thought I was done for."
Haruto nodded.
Then–
Their eyes snapped forward.
Blood Mage–
Stood once more.
And this time–
Her grin was even wider.
Meanwhile in the Food Stall
The food stall rattled from the distant shockwaves of battle.
Lightning flashed in the sky, illuminating the rain-soaked battlefield.
Inside the stall–
Hikari and Mei watched the chaos unfold.
Their eyes locked onto Hikaru – his entire body pulsing with radiant light.
A light so bright it pushed back the storm itself.
Mei pointed, her voice unsteady.
"What… the hell… is that?"
Hikari's eyes widened.
"It looks like… Light."
Then–
She turned sharply.
Toward Teshii.
Who was whistling innocently, pretending not to see them
Hikari narrowed her eyes.
"You know something. Don't you?"
Teshii froze for half a second, then shrugged casually.
"What do you mean? I also wonder why Sunshine is glowing like a Christmas light."
Hikari crossed her arms, staring him down.
"You're lying."
"I'M NOT." Teshii waved his hands defensively.
Mei spoke up next.
"We heard you two earlier. You were talking about the 'Element of Water.'"
Teshii's eyes widened behind his crimson glasses.
Oh, crap.
He let out a dramatic sigh, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Alright, alright. I guess it's time to stop holding back the big secret."
Then–
He muttered under his breath.
"Damn it! This is too early to reveal the big secret."
Hikari grabbed his ear, twisting it.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"OW-OW-OW, OKAY! I'LL TELL YOU!" Teshii winced.
Mei and Hikari leaned in expectantly.
Teshii sighed and finally said it.
"Sunshine… is the Element of Light."
Silence.
Then–
"Wait. WHAT?!" Hikari and Mei both shouted.
Teshii nodded.
"The light coming out of him? That's him using the Element of Light."
"And Haruto?" Hikari asked.
"Aqua."
"…Aqua?" Mei blinked.
"Aqua. It fits him." Teshii nodded to himself. "He is the Element of Water."
"The Element of Water…" Hikari murmured.
"Yep. He can control water," Teshii confirmed.
Hikari crossed her arms, thinking.
"That explains how he was able to control water during his stage performance earlier."
"Exactly."
Then–
Mei clapped her hands together, grinning.
"Ohhh! So THAT'S why you call Hikaru 'Sunshine' and Haruto 'Aqua'! It's because of their elements, isn't it?"
Teshii blinked.
Wait – what?
Mei nodded to herself, satisfied.
"That's so cute."
Teshii tilted his head.
"Y-Yeah. That's TOTALLY why I call them that."
(It wasn't.)
Then–
CRASH!
They whipped their heads toward the battlefield.
Haruto was sent flying, slamming into the ground.
Blood Mage hovered over him, her blood tendrils writhing like living serpents.
Hikari's breath caught in her throat.
"Teshii… is she… an Element too?"
Teshii shook his head.
"No. She's a mutant."
Hikari tilted her head.
"Mutant?"
"They're basically humans with special abilities," Teshii explained. "But don't confuse them with Sunshine and Aqua. Elements are different. They're chosen. Mutants? They're born that way."
Hikari took a deep breath.
Then–
"I think I'll stop asking questions."
Teshii grinned. "Good idea."
"Also, just to let you know. Me and Hikaru are part of the Order of the Elements." Teshii said.
"What's that?" Hikari asked.
Teshii looks at Hikari.
"I thought you'll stop asking questions." Teshii smirked.
"Last question." Hikari said.
"Fine. The Order of the Elements is a secret organization. Our mission? To find all ten Elemental Warriors."
"Ten?!" Mei's eyes widened.
"Yep. And right now, we only have Sunshine. But that changes now that we found Aqua."
Hikari continued staring at Teshii.
But–
There was a soft pink hue dusting her cheeks.
She wasn't even processing what he was saying anymore.
Teshii raised an eyebrow.
"…Hikari? Are you okay?"
Hikari snapped out of it.
"HUH?! Y-YEAH! TOTALLY FINE!"
Teshii leaned forward, inspecting her face.
"…Are you mad at me for lying?"
"Nope." Hikari looked away, failing to hide her flustered expression.
Then–
Teshii grinned and–
Hugged her.
"T-TESHII, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Hikari sputtered.
"Hugging you, obviously." Teshii laughed. "Sorry for lying."
Hikari's entire face turned red.
But then–
She felt something.
Warmth.
But not just warmth.
Teshii felt… unusually warm.
Abnormally warm.
Like his body temperature was much higher than normal.
Hikari blinked.
That's weird.
But before she could ask about it–
Mei clutched her chest.
Her fingers trembled slightly.
Her eyes locked onto the battlefield – onto Hikaru and Haruto.
The light surrounding Hikaru.
The water twisting around Haruto.
She felt something.
Something deep.
Something familiar.
Then–
She remembered.
Flashback to a Year Ago
A dense forest stretched beyond an estate.
Towering trees stood tall, their leaves whispering as the wind passed through.
A young girl moved carefully through the underbrush, her arms filled with herbs.
It was Mei.
She had always loved helping her parents with their work.
Their family ran a successful herbal tea business.
And this forest was their source of rare medicinal plants.
She bent down, carefully plucking another herb from the soil
Then–
She paused.
Something felt… strange.
The air around her shifted, almost humming with energy.
Leaves rustled unnaturally.
Like they were alive.
She turned her head–
And saw him.
A boy, about her age.
His hair was deep green, like the leaves themselves.
His skin was tan, sun-kissed.
And–
He was controlling wood.
Branches moved at his command, twisting and bending unnaturally.
Leaves danced in the air around him, swirling as if responding to his will.
Mei's breath hitched.
Her eyes widened in awe.
"…What?"
She had never seen anything like this before.
The boy raised his hand, and vines slithered up a tree like obedient pets.
She stepped forward–
SNAP.
She froze.
She had accidentally stepped on a twig.
The boy's head snapped toward her.
Their eyes met.
For a brief moment, neither moved.
Then–
The boy turned.
And ran.
"Wait!" Mei's voice rang out as she reached a hand toward him.
But–
He was gone.
Swallowed by the forest.
Her heart pounded in her chest.
Then–
Footsteps.
Two figures rushed toward her.
Her parents.
CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Name: Shinji Tomita
Age: 44
Hair Colour: Brown
Eye Colour: Green
Height: 5'9
Weight: 164lbs
Occupation: Herbal Tea Business Owner
CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Name: Natsumi Tomita
Age: 43
Hair Colour: Navy
Eye Colour: Blue
Height: 5'4
Weight: 132lbs
Occupation: Herbal Tea Business Owner
Shinji reached her first.
"Mei! Are you okay?" Natsumi asked, concern in her voice.
Mei nodded, still staring at the spot where the boy had disappeared.
"We heard you shout." Shinji looked around. "What happened?"
Mei hesitated.
Then–
"…I saw someone."
Her parents exchanged glances.
"Someone?" Natsumi tilted her head.
"He was controlling wood." Mei whispered.
Silence.
Shinji's expression shifted.
He knew exactly who she had seen.
"What did he look like?" Shinji asked carefully.
Mei tried to recall.
"He had green hair. He was tan. And… he wore tribal-like clothing."
The moment she said this, Shinji's face relaxed slightly.
He sighed.
"Oh. You don't have to worry about him."
Mei blnked.
"You know him?"
Shinji nodded.
"His name is Moriya. He lives in the forest."
"…Moriya?" Mei repeated.
"Yes."
Shinji crossed his arms.
"Moriya is part of the local tribe that has lived in this forest for generations."
Mei's eyes widened.
"He's from a tribe?"
"Yes." Shinji continued. "The tribe elders once told me that Moriya was… special."
Mei looked down, deep in thought.
Then–
The memory faded.
And she was back in the present.
Back to the Present
Mei's breath hitched.
Her mind raced.
Hikaru wielded Light.
Haruto controlled Water.
And a year ago, she saw someone controlling Wood to his will.
Could it be…?
Could there really be more like them?
Could Moriya be one of them?
Then–
BOOM!
A burst of golden radiance exploded across the festival grounds.
Teshii, Hikari, and Mei whipped their heads back toward the battle.
Hikaru's energy surged in brilliant flashes.
Haruto's water slashed through the air.
And Blood Mage was sent skidding across the rain-soaked earth, her feet digging trenches into the ground.
Yet–
She grinned.
A grin dripping with malice.
Blood Mage dusted off her shoulders, seemingly unbothered by the attacks.
She tilted her head, her crimson eyes flickering with cruel amusement.
"…You two fight well."
Hikaru and Haruto tensed.
Blood Mage then slowly turned her gaze toward Haruto.
Her smile widened.
"…But tell me…"
Haruto stiffened.
"…Where were you when your brother was dying?"
Silence.
Haruto's eyes flickered.
A storm of emotions flashed across his face.
Blood Mage took a step forward.
Her voice dripped like venom.
"You weren't here, helping him."
"You were nowhere to be seen while your brother was bleeding out, screaming for help."
Hikaru's breath hitched.
"Hey–"
Blood Mage kept going.
"…Maybe if you had been here earlier, your dear brother would still be alive."
Haruto's entire body trembled.
His fingers twitched.
"…Shut up."
Blood Mage smirked.
She saw it.
That crack.
The rage barely held together.
She pushed harder.
"Oh? Did I hit a nerve?"
Haruto's breath came in sharp gasps.
The rain around him startled to tremble–
Then–
Something inside him snapped.
The rain that once gently fell–
Rose.
The entire festival ground trembled.
Water spiralled around Haruto, whipping into a raging vortex.
Hikaru stepped back, eyes wide.
"Haruto…?"
Teshii, Hikari, and Mei watched in shock.
The calm and collected performer was gone.
Now–
There was only raw fury.
Haruto's silver eyes burned with a storm.
His voice was quiet–
But deadly.
"You… took him from me."
Blood Mage's smirk faltered.
For the first time…
She felt something she hadn't felt in years.
Dread.
Haruto slowly raised his hands.
The water responded violently.
Rising–
Twisting–
And then–
Crashing down like an ocean's wrath.
Part 3: Great Tsunami
The sky roared.
The rain pounded.
The air crackled with power.
And the water… moved violently.
It was no longer gentle.
No longer calm.
It was a beast – furious and untamed.
Blood Mage's smirk vanished.
For the first time…
She felt real fear.
Haruto's silver eyes burned.
His hands clenched into trembling fists.
The water obeyed his rage.
Then–
"HYDRO VORTEX!"
A whirlwind of water twisted toward Blood Mage.
She dodged, just barely–
The sheer force sent her skidding back.
Her red eyes flickered in disbelief.
"I… didn't think the Element of Water would be this powerful."
Haruto wasn't finished.
The moment her feet touched the ground–
A geyser erupted beneath her.
Blood Mage jumped, narrowly avoiding getting swallowed whole.
Her mind raced.
"Damn it. If I stay here, I'll die."
She glanced at Haruto.
His power was spiraling out of control.
Then–
She felt it.
The shift.
The air trembled.
The waters around them–
Began to move.
To gather.
To rise.
The water from the rain.
The water from the geyser.
The water from the nearby lake.
It merged–
Swirled–
And then–
Towered.
A colossal wall of water.
A tsunami.
Blood Mage stared up at the monstrous wave.
She gritted her teeth.
"Shit."
Hikaru watched in horror.
His breath caught in his throat.
"What… the hell… is that?"
He snapped toward Haruto.
"HARUTO! YOU NEED TO STOP!"
But–
Haruto didn't hear him.
Or–
He didn't care.
His focus was locked onto Blood Mage.
Nothing else mattered.
Blood Mage exhaled.
She slowly turned–
Her eyes scanning the festival.
Then–
She locked eyes with Teshii.
Teshii stared back.
For a brief moment–
There was no hostility.
No taunting.
Just–
Understanding.
Blood Mage gave him a single nod.
Teshii smiled.
Then–
Blood Mage vanished.
Yet–
The danger wasn't over.
The massive wave remained.
The tsunami towered over the festival.
Haruto had lost control.
The Element of Water–
Had become a force destruction.
And it was about to wipe out everything.
Water Out of Control
Haruto's rage kept surgin.
The water obeyed his wrath.
It twisted.
It grew.
A towering monster–
A tsunami with no direction.
No control.
Ad if it fell?
It would destroy everything.
Hikaru could only wach.
His heart pounded.
His breath hitched.
The massive wave loomed over the festival ruins.
It was going to crash.
It was going to wipe everything out.
Then–
"SUNSHINE!"
Hikaru snapped his head toward Teshii.
"CALM HIM DOWN!" Teshii shouted.
Hikaru hesitated.
Then–
He saw it.
The tsunami – about to collapse.
Haruto – completely lost.
Hikaru ran forward.
"HARUTO!"
No response.
Haruto's breathing was ragged.
His body trembled.
He couldn't hear him.
He was drowning in his own power.
Hikaru gritted his teeth.
Then–
He grabbed Haruto's wrist.
"HARUTO!"
For a split second–
Everything paused.
Haruto's glowing silver eyes flickered.
Hikaru's grip tightened.
"Your brother… wouldn't want this."
Haruto tensed.
The tsunami wavered.
Its chaotic form – losing shape.
Hikaru locked eyes with him.
"Mamoru told you to find your own path."
Haruto's breath hitched.
"Is this the path you want?"
Haruto's fingers twitched.
The towering wave – shuddered.
Hikaru took a breath.
"Your brother didn't want revenge."
The tsunami cracked.
"He wanted you to live."
Then–
The water collapsed.
But–
It didn't crash in destruction.
It broke apart.
It dissolved into mist and rain.
The storm ended.
The battle was over.
Haruto collapsed to his knees.
His body shook.
Not from exhaustion–
But from emotion.
Hikaru knelt beside him.
He placed a hand on Haruto's shoulder.
"…It's over."
Battle Over
The storm had passed.
The rage had faded.
The festival grounds lay in ruins.
But–
The worst was over.
Hikaru exhaled.
Haruto stared blankly at the ground.
His brother was gone.
But–
His path forward–
Was finally clear.
Footsteps pounded against the wet ground.
"HIKARU!"
Before he could even react–
Mei threw herself at him.
Her arms wrapped around him, firm.
Desperate.
Her face buried against his shoulder.
"You idiot."
Her voice was muffled, shaking.
"I thought you were going to–"
She stopped herself.
Hikaru blinked in shock.
Then–
Hesitantly, he hugged her back.
"…I'm okay."
His voice was soft.
"I promise."
Teshii walked up, grinning.
"Whew! That was some intense drama.
Someone should be writing this down."
Hikari elbowed him.
"Teshii. Read the room."
Teshii chuckled.
"Hey, if no one writes it, how will we get an anime adaptation?"
Hikari sighed.
But–
She smiled.
Because–
For now–
The battle was finally over.
Part 4: Remains of the Festival
The rain had stopped.
The sun broke through the clouds, casting its warm light over the devastation.
But–
The festival remained in ruins.
No more chaos.
No more bloodshed.
The battle against Blood Mage was over.
For the first time in hours, Hikaru felt like he could breathe again.
Police sirens wailed in the distance.
Officers arrived swiftly, evacuating the remaining civilians.
The death toll was high.
Too high.
Some stood frozen in shock.
Some cried, mourning the ones they had lost.
Hikaru, Teshii, Mei, Hikari, and Haruto stood in silence, watching.
The weight of everything pressed down on them.
This–
This was reality.
Suddenly–
"Hikaru."
A soft voice broke the silence.
Hikaru turned.
It was Mei.
Her expression was unreadable.
"…Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Hikaru hesitated. "Um… sure."
Without another word–
Mei gently took his arm.
And led him away.
Teshii smirked.
"GOOD LUCK, SUNSHINE!"
Hikaru glanced back–
Teshii was waving dramatically.
Hikaru sighed.
Teshii would always be Teshii.
But for now–
Hikaru focused on Mei.
Because whatever she was about to say–
It felt important.
Haruto's Path
After Hikaru and Mei left–
Haruto sat alone on a bench.
Silent.
Motionless.
His silver eyes locked onto the ground, but his mind was elsewhere.
All he could think about–
Was Mamoru.
His brother.
His last words echoed over and over in his mind.
Find your own path.
But–
What path?
Should he stay as a performer?
Or–
Should he join Teshii and Hikaru in the Order of the Elements?
He didn't know.
He didn't know what to do.
Then–
A familiar voice broke the silence.
"…Losing someone sucks."
Haruto flinched.
He turned his head slightly.
Teshii had plopped down beside him on the bench, his usual cocky demeanour surprisingly subdued.
Haruto shot him a glare–
But he didn't tell him to leave.
Teshii leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"But you know what's worse?" He continued.
Haruto didn't answer.
Teshii looked ahead, his voice softer than usual.
"Not knowing what to do after they're gone."
Haruto's fists clenched.
Teshii placed a hand on his shoulder.
"It's okay to grieve. Just… don't forget – you're not alone."
Haruto exhaled slowly.
For the first time since Mamour's death–
He lifted his head.
His silver eyes burned with new resolve.
"…Mr. Teshii."
Teshii turned to him. "Yeah?"
Haruto took a deep breath.
"I want to join the Order of the Elements."
Teshii smirked. "So, this is the path you're choosing, huh?"
Haruto nodded.
"I need to master the Element of Water. And you…" He narrowed his eyes. "You seem like the kind of guy who can help with that."
Teshii's grin widened. "Damn right I can."
He extended his fist.
Haruto hesitated.
Then–
He bumped it.
Teshii grinned. "Welcome to the Order, Aqua."
Haruto blnked. "Aqua?"
"Oh yeah," Teshii smirked. "If you don't mind, that's what I'll be calling you from now on."
Haruto stared at him.
Then sighed.
"You really are something else."
Apology
Hikari stood still.
Her eyes scanned the remains of the festival.
The once vibrant lanterns? Shattered.
The lively stalls? Destroyed.
The cheerful laughter? Gone.
All that was left was ruin.
Teshii watched her from the side before finally stepping forward.
"You okay, Hikari?"
She turned her head slightly, seeing him now standing beside her.
A long silence.
Then–
"…Yeah. I'm okay."
Teshii glanced at her.
He didn't believe her.
Not for a second.
Then, out of nowhere–
"Sorry."
Hikari blinked, caught off guard. "For what?"
Teshii rubbed the back of his neck. "For ruining our date… and for keeping a big secret from you."
Hikari stared at him.
Then, without a word–
She leaned into his shoulder.
Softly.
Quietly.
"…It's okay," she murmured.
Teshii stiffened for a second. "…Wait, really?"
Hikari nodded, smiling gently.
Teshii grinned. "Awwww! You do love me."
BAM!
Hikari elbowed him in the ribs.
Teshii wheezed. "Okay -ow! Geez, woman!"
She glared at him. "Don't make me change my mind."
Teshii coughed dramatically. "Noted."
But even as he groaned in pain–
His grin never left.
A New Lead
Hikaru and Mei walked side by side, the remains of the festival fading into the distance as they reached a quieter part of the grounds.
For the first time in what felt like forever–
There was peace.
Mei clung to his arm, her grip gentle but firm.
Hikaru tried not to think too much about it.
She sighed. "After all that craziness… I almost forgot we were supposed to be on a date."
Hikaru chuckled, a bit awkward. "Yeah…"
Mei glanced up at him, smirking. "Are all your dates like this?"
He smirked back. "Wouldn't know. First one."
Mei's smile softened.
Then–
Hikaru turned to her. "So… what was it you wanted to talk about?"
Mei blinked, realization hitting her. "Oh! That's right."
She had almost forgotten why she brought him here in the first place.
Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "Well?"
Mei hesitated for a second, biting her lip – then, her expression turned serious.
"Hikaru… I think I might know something about an Element."
Hikaru's breath hitched.
His heart pounded.
"…What do you mean?"
Mei took a deep breath. "A year ago, I saw someone in the forest behind my family's estate."
She met his gaze, her green eyes unwavering. "And he was controlling… wood."
Hikaru's mind raced.
Could it be?
Another Elemental Warrior?
And one more thing–
"Wait… your family's estate?" Hikaru narrowed his eyes.
"…Mei. Just who exactly are you?"
TO BE CONTINUE!!!