On a quiet afternoon, Aelric, a 15-year-old prodigy with a hobby for storytelling and creating video content, strolled down a deserted street after middle school. His mind was lost in the vibrant world of a comic book clutched in his hands. The chatter of distant voices faded into the background, leaving him alone with the illustrations and their captivating stories.
"Today was quite interesting except for that last lecture," he thought, a smile starting to form as he turned a corner, still engrossed in the pages. The colors danced before his eyes, filling him with a sense of excitement.
As he read, another thought crossed his mind. "This comic is incredible; no wonder Shiko couldn't stop talking about it." Each page turned brought new adventures, and he couldn't help but feel energized.
"Maybe I'll create a video about this comic tomorrow. It could be fun to share it with everyone like my last one," he mused, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "Yeah, that sounds good," he said aloud, the smile on his face brightening his features as he continued down his path.
Approaching a familiar convenience store, he paused to consider his next move. "I should grab a chilled cola to accompany my reading. I hope Minato-san is working today." With renewed determination, he pushed open the glass door, the characteristic jingle ringing out as he stepped inside. The cool air enveloped him, a refreshing contrast to the warmth outside.
Minato, a jovial man in his mid-40s with a passion for comics and a fatherly presence in the neighborhood, was at the back of the store, meticulously organizing the shelves. Aelric's eyes immediately found him. "Good afternoon, Minato-san!" he called out, his face lighting up with genuine joy.
Minato looked up, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Good afternoon, kid! How's your day been so far?"
"Pretty good, Uncle! I hope you're doing well too!" Aelric replied, glad to see a familiar face.
Minato chuckled softly as he rearranged the comics on the shelf, the familiar smell of paper and ink filling the air. "Haha, I'm good, thanks for asking!" he called out, glancing toward Aelric, who stood by the fridge with a can of cola in hand.
Minato's eyes fell on a colorful comic that Aelric had tucked under his arm. "Ah, I see you have that comic! So, I guess you're here for your usual cola to accompany your reading?"
Aelric nodded enthusiastically, his eyes shining with excitement. "Absolutely! I can't enjoy a good comic without my regular cola. This one has caught my attention, and I plan to shoot a video review of it tomorrow. So, I need to wrap up my reading today."
After grabbing his cola, Aelric approached the checkout counter where Minato had just finished organizing the shelves. "You know, that comic looks quite familiar," Minato said, his brow furrowing in thought. "Just a little while ago, I saw Shiko and Akito come in to buy some snacks, and they were both engrossed in the same comic."
"Really?" Aelric's curiosity peaked. "Shiko couldn't stop talking about it! That piqued my interest, so I had to pick one up to see what it was all about."
"Oh, that makes sense!" Minato exclaimed. "Akito mentioned something very similar when he came in with Shiko. By the way, they're currently in the canteen, enjoying their snacks and diving deep into that comic. Why don't you join them? You could relax and discuss it together."
Aelric's face lit up with a smile. "That sounds like a perfect plan! I'd love to chat with them about it. Thanks for the suggestion, Uncle. I'll head to the canteen now!"
After paying for his cola, Aelric set off with a satisfied grin, anticipation building as he approached the bustling canteen.
Seated at a table were his two best friends. Shiko Izui, a cheerful and energetic 15-year-old with a vivid imagination, was eagerly flipping through a comic. His messy hair and carefree grin always made him the life of the group. Beside him was Akito Takahashi, the intellectual yet sarcastic voice of reason, whose sharp wit and thoughtful demeanor balanced
Shiko's impulsiveness. Akito adjusted his glasses as he read, always analytical but never dull.
The moment they heard the door open, they turned their heads, curiosity lighting up their faces. Aelric greeted them with a playful smirk, "Sup, guys? How's it going?"
Shiko grinned widely, holding up the comic triumphantly. "Well, we're reading this comic, Aelric." The vibrant cover glimmered under the canteen lights, enticing and full of promise.
Taking a seat next to Shiko and Akito, Aelric revealed his copy of the comic, flipping it open with enthusiasm. "Oh, I got the same one since you couldn't stop talking about it."
Akito leaned back in his chair, a curious smile on his face. "Looks like we both got wrapped up in it thanks to Shiko. So, how has your day been so far?"
Aelric leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a curious expression. "It's been interesting. But seriously, how did you manage to get here so quickly?"
Shiko chuckled nervously, a flush creeping up his cheeks that hinted at his mischief. "Well, we bunked the last lecture. It was dreadfully boring."
With a knowing sigh, Aelric replied, "I won't say anything. But since I'm making a video review of this comic tomorrow, can we brainstorm some ideas after we finish reading? It would really help me out."
Shiko's eyes sparkled with excitement as he flipped through the pages of the comic. "Absolutely! I've been dying to dive into this. What about you, Akito?"
Akito shrugged with a small smile, pushing up his glasses. "Why not? But only if I get to nitpick everything for your video. Someone has to keep it professional."
"Deal," Aelric said with a laugh, taking a long sip of his cola. "Alright, let's dive in."
The trio turned their attention to Chronicles of Blade Genesis, a story set in a fantasy world where warriors known as "Bladesmiths" wield weapons forged from their emotions and memories. The protagonist, Ryo, is a hotheaded trainee who inherits a legendary blade, "Eclipse Fang," said to hold the key to defeating an ancient evil.
"This training arc is intense," Shiko said, pointing to a panel where Ryo was struggling to unleash his blade's true power. "The part where the sword glows every time he faces his fears? Chills, man."
Akito smirked, flipping to a different section. "But can we talk about how impractical his training is? Running up a mountain with a sword strapped to his back while being chased by wolves? That's not training; that's survival."
"That's what makes it so good!" Aelric said, laughing. "He's not just fighting wolves; he's fighting his doubts. Symbolism, my friends. The viewers will eat this up when I break it down."
Shiko leaned closer, his enthusiasm bubbling over. "Okay, theory time. What if the Eclipse Fang has a second form? The engravings on the hilt hint at something more. Maybe it transforms when Ryo fully accepts his past."
"That's a solid guess," Akito said, sipping his drink. "But I think it's connected to the eclipse itself. What if the blade's ultimate power can only be unleashed during an actual eclipse?"
Aelric's eyes lit up as he scribbled notes on his phone. "Both ideas are gold. I'll include them as theories in the video. Shiko, Akito—co-writers for hire?"
"Only if you pay in cola," Shiko joked, holding up his nearly empty can.
Akito smirked. "And snacks. Don't forget snacks."
The conversation shifted to the comic's villain, a mysterious figure known as the "Void Reaver," who seemed to have a personal connection to Ryo.
"Void Reaver's design is insane," Shiko said, showing a panel where the villain's silhouette loomed over a burning village. "Look at those glowing eyes and the way the shadows swirl around him. Pure nightmare fuel."
Akito nodded. "And the dialogue? 'Fear me, not because I am your enemy, but because I am your truth.' That's poetry."
Aelric grinned. "Okay, Void Reaver's monologues are definitely getting a feature in my video. Villains with layers? Always a hit."
They spent the next hour immersed in the comic, occasionally pausing to reenact dramatic scenes or debate character motivations. At one point, Shiko tried mimicking Ryo's iconic battle stance, nearly toppling over his chair in the process.
"Careful, Shiko," Aelric said, barely holding back laughter. "We don't need another injury to explain."
Shiko groaned, rubbing his elbow. "Ryo makes it look so easy!"
"Because he's fictional," Akito deadpanned, earning a chorus of laughter from the group.
By the time they reached the final chapter, the sun had dipped low, casting golden rays through the canteen windows. Aelric leaned back with a contented sigh. "This comic is a masterpiece. Thanks for helping me brainstorm, guys."
Shiko grinned, stretching his arms. "Anytime. But next time, we're picking something with more explosions."
Akito smirked. "And less wolf-chasing."
"Noted," Aelric said, finishing his cola. "Now let's get out of here. It's getting late."
As they left the canteen, their laughter filled the air, their discussions continuing as they strolled down the street. Later, the trio found themselves waiting at a traffic light on the main street, the glaring red light standing down like an unwelcome guest.
Akito exhaled in exasperation. "You've got to be kidding! There isn't even a car in sight, and the light's still showing red for us pedestrians."
Scratching his head, Shiko suggested with a hint of optimism, "Let's just wait a few minutes. I'm sure it'll turn green soon. What do you say, Aelric?" He turned to Aelric, who was distractedly scrolling through his phone, a rainbow-colored lollipop spinning slowly in his mouth.
Aelric glanced up but barely lifted his gaze from the screen. "Hmm, yeah, you're right." His attention was elsewhere as his fingers moved swiftly, reading comments on his latest video.
"The viewers are waiting for my next video." He mused about the comic. "Imagine having powers like these…" He sighed "but then again it's just fiction at the end of the day." He thought to himself.
He sighed, slipping his phone back into his pocket. The lollipop momentarily forgotten, left him seeking a deeper connection with the reality surrounding him. "Akito's right; this signal's taking forever," he muttered, sliding the colorful lollipop back into his mouth as he focused on the flickering light above.
Before Akito could finish complaining, the pedestrian signal abruptly turned green. Shiko grabbed Akito's arm, cutting him off mid-sentence. "It's green—let's go!" he said, pulling Akito along, who sighed in resignation.
Aelric chuckled, following close behind. "Your luck's bad sometimes," he teased Akito.
The trio started across the street, laughing—until a sudden, sharp horn blast shattered the moment. Turning instinctively, they saw a massive truck speeding toward them from the left. In that split second, Aelric realized if the truck braked or swerved, Shiko and Akito would still be in its path. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, shoving his friends ahead just as the truck barreled toward him.