The air pressure from their clash rippled through the surroundings, sending dust and debris flying in every direction. The nearby trees bent backward, straining under the immense force of the impact. Arkens instinctively raised his arms to guard his face, gritting his teeth as the gust threatened to knock him off balance. He dug his heels into the ground, struggling to stay grounded as the powerful shockwave washed over him.

"Ech! Anchum!-.. AHHH!-".

Arkens let out a small scream as the force of the air swept him off his feet, sending him hurtling back toward the corner he had just come from. The sudden movement caught the attention of the two figures, but Arkens had no intention of getting involved in their battle. Before they could turn to look, he used the momentum to grab hold of the light pole he had passed earlier, swinging himself behind the protective wall of a nearby house. Safely out of sight and shielded from the wind, he sat on the ground, pressing his back against the wall. His heart raced as he listened to the loud, booming sounds of the ongoing clash, his breath heavy with fear and adrenaline.

At that exact moment, an explosion rang out, deafening the area in a split second, followed by an even more violent surge of air pressure. Arkens braced himself as the force battered the surroundings harder than before. It felt like an eternity before the pressure finally subsided, leaving the air heavy with an unsettling calm.

Sweating profusely, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, and every instinct in his body screaming at him to run, Arkens cautiously peeked out from behind the wall, shielding him. He gulped, his throat dry, as his eyes scanned the area, specifically the sky, where he had made his shocking discovery earlier. But now there was nothing. There were no figures, no signs of battle, not even the subtle disturbances he had glimpsed before. The world was eerily quiet.

Arkens, still trembling, stood up and began walking around, his eyes darting in every direction. He searched for any trace of what had happened, but there was nothing. It was as if the entire scene had vanished without a trace, leaving him alone with his confusion and disbelief.

"They.. They're gone? Just like that?".

Arkens slapped himself with both hands, the sting of the impact leaving red handprints on his face as he tried to snap himself out of the overwhelming confusion. Without wasting another second, he turned toward his home. He sprinted as fast as his legs could carry him, desperate to escape the unsettling quiet and the terrifying mystery that had just unfolded.

"What am I thinking?!- Whatever I just saw is something I shouldn't have seen under normal circumstances!".

He sprinted down the empty streets, his head constantly swiveling left, right, and behind him as if expecting something or someone to reappear. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, pushing his legs to move faster than they ever had before. Every shadow, every flicker of light seemed suspicious as he dashed toward the safety of his home, his heart pounding with fear and confusion.

"Damn it! I can't even convince myself; I was hallucinating or being delusional! It was all too real, the wind blowing against my body, the noises, everything wasn't fake!-".

When Arkens reached his residence, he hurriedly opened the gate and locked it behind him without a second thought. His heart still raced, and his mind was clouded with fear and confusion. Entering the house with his head lowered, his expression said it all: he was terrified, lost in his thoughts, trying to make sense of what he had just witnessed. So deep in his mind, he failed to notice someone standing before him, calling out for his attention.

"Arkens.. Arkens.. Arkens?..".

He absentmindedly took off his shoes, leaving them neatly where they should be, before stepping up and walking right past the person calling his name. His mind was so overwhelmed that he barely registered their presence, his focus consumed by the confusion and fear still swirling inside him.

"Arkens!".

This time, the voice finally got through to him. Arkens turned around and sighed with relief when he saw the one person who could calm him then. His tense body relaxed as he slowly closed his eyes and dropped his arms. When he reopened them, he looked at her. A tall woman stood there, wearing a simple white t-shirt and shorts, a towel wrapped around her neck as she dried her shoulder-length, blood-red hair. Her deep black outlines and blood-red eyes mirrored his own, though her eyes were loose and oversized. She was fit, with a presence that radiated both strength and familiarity.

"Hey.. Mom".

Arkens's Mom shifted her left hand to her hip while using her right hand to grab a piece of the towel wrapped around her neck, continuing to dry her wet hair. Her relaxed demeanor contrasted with Arkens's earlier tension, though her watchful eyes stayed on him, aware something was off.

"What's wrong with ya kid? I was calling you the moment you got inside- What's wrong?".

Arkens scratched the back of his head nervously, unsure how to explain the whirlwind of emotions and confusion racing through him. His eyes darted to the side, trying to avoid his mother's gaze.

"Nothing, I was just thinking of some things for this upcoming school year, is all".

She stood there, her eyes fixed on him momentarily, silently observing his behavior.

"Hmmm.. You thinking about school? That's a first. Did you get beat up today? They must've knocked you in hard-".

Arkens frowned, his eyebrows furrowing as the weight of the evening's events pressed down on him. His discomfort was evident, and despite his earlier attempts to hide it, the confusion and fear he felt began to show.

"Huh? It's nothing like that, Mom!".

She tilted her head slightly, her expression softening with a hint of curiosity. She noticed the shift in Arkens's demeanor.

"I'm just saying, this is new coming from you; you never once thought about your education and the future".

Arkens shook his head, deciding not to speak, and turned around to head upstairs to the second floor where his room was. He moved with a sense of weariness, each step heavier as he distanced himself from the conversation he didn't feel ready to have.

"Ahhh, whatever! I'm going upstairs!".

She moved to the bottom of the staircase, quietly watching Arkens as he ascended to the second floor. Her eyes followed him with concern, sensing that something was wrong.

"Don't get angry at me; I'm just shocked, is all. And don't fall asleep; I've made you your favorite. It's in the microwave!".

The quiet creak of a door opening echoed through the house, followed by the gentle sound of it closing.

"Arkens! Did you hear me?!".

Arkens's mom sighed, feeling a sense of defeat washed over her. She turned and walked into the kitchen, mumbling quietly as she opened the refrigerator, rummaging through its contents with a distracted air, her thoughts still on her son.

"Mannn, what am I going to do with that boy? He shows up much later than usual, and all I get is some sass without a moment's notice".

Mrs. Ebihara grabbed a beer can and returned to her room on the second floor, much further down the hall. She retreated inside, closing the door softly behind her, and called it a night.

Hama's sharp gaze locked onto Arkens in the dimly lit hallway as they exited their rooms. Now let down, her hair reached the sides of her arms, complementing her flower-patterned pajamas. Arkens, dressed in a simple dark blue shirt and sweatpants, met her eyes. The silence between them lingered for a moment before Hama suddenly spoke in a hushed tone, her voice barely cutting through the stillness of the night.

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"It's quite late.. I got worried for a second that your condition was more serious than I had hoped".

Arkens responded softly, keeping his voice low to match the quiet atmosphere. His words were careful as if he did not want to disturb the stillness or draw any unnecessary attention. His tone conveyed uncertainty and thoughtfulness as he addressed his sister.

"Yeah, I know. I'm feeling much better now, so there's no need to worry anymore".

Arkens slipped his hands into his pockets and began returning downstairs, his quiet demeanor unchanged. Hama, clearly unsatisfied with his response, silently followed behind him, her worry evident as she trailed him, unwilling to let the matter rest.

"Are you one hundred percent positive you are feeling better? Maybe you should have Mom check on you before going to school tomorrow".

Arkens stood in the kitchen, staring at the microwave as his food spun slowly inside. The soft hum of the appliance filled the room, a quiet distraction as he waited. The light from the microwave flickered, casting a dim glow on his face as he leaned against the counter, watching the seconds tick down.

"I'm good. There's no point in having her do all that to find nothing- Even Ms. Haruno believed I was fine after sleeping there for hours".

Hama stood in the kitchen doorway, her arms crossed and hands resting on her elbows as she leaned against the frame. Her eyes were focused on Arkens, but she stayed quiet, her posture reflecting concern as she observed him silently from her spot.

"I'm just a little concerned, especially how Watsu described you before you calmed down. We don't want that happening again".

The microwave beeped, signaling that the food was ready. Arkens opened the door, carefully taking the bowl out and placing it on the table. He then pulled out a chair, sat down, and clasped his hands together, pausing momentarily before beginning his meal.

"Thanks for the food".

"Arkens, please think about your health and stop trying to ignore me. You should give it some thought; you know it wouldn't hurt to check-".

Before Hama could speak further, Arkens suddenly slammed his hands on the table, startling her. The sharp sound echoed in the kitchen, causing Hama's eyes to widen as she looked his way, a mix of surprise and confusion on her face.

"Hama. Give me some space, will you? I don't need Mom to check on me. I'm perfectly fine".

Startled by Arkens's sudden outburst, Hama quickly turned around and hurried back upstairs, her footsteps soft but quick as she tried to distance herself from the tension in the kitchen.

"So much for caring about you for once. Fine. Do whatever you deem fit".

A door slamming echoed through the otherwise silent house, leaving an uncomfortable stillness. Arkens sighed, sucking in his bottom lip as he quietly ate his food. Later, he found himself lying on his bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His mind replayed the day's strange events, with the image of his homeroom teacher, Damatsu Kojima, flashing vividly in his thoughts. The memory of seeing him in battle lingered, filling Arkens with an unease he couldn't shake.

"How can I explain or tell anyone about what I saw? It's impossible without being laughed at or called delusional..".

The more Arkens thought about it, the more his frustration grew. He knew his mind wasn't playing tricks on him; what he saw was genuine, more real than he'd like to admit. The idea that someone so close to him, his homeroom teacher, could be capable of large-scale explosions and flight weighed heavily on him. It was unsettling, and the reality of it gnawed at him. He couldn't shake the thought of how Damatsu Kojima, someone he would see daily, was involved in something extraordinary and dangerous.

"Hey guys, you know the new second-year science teacher Mr. Damatsu? Well, you won't believe it, he can fucking fly and cause large-scale explosive collisions.. I saw him do it in front of me".

Frustrated beyond words, Arkens immediately shot up from his bed, still tangled in his blanket. He grabbed a pillow from beside him and hurled it at the wall with a burst of anger. The soft thud of the pillow hitting the surface did little to ease his frustration, but the act of throwing it provided a minor, fleeting release.

"Bullshit!-".

Throwing the pillow drained Arkens, and he fell back onto his bed, exhausted. The once-clear ceiling became blurry, and before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

Morning came around quickly, and Arkens was ready for school this time. He walked into the kitchen, fixing the cuffs of his uniform and buttoning his shirt. Hama was already there, finishing their mother's breakfast before leaving early. As she stood to drop her dishes in the sink, Arkens sighed and smiled nervously, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the previous night.

"H-Hama, look, listen, I-I'm sorry-".

Hama didn't glance in Arkens's direction as she quietly brushed past him, heading straight for the door. She slipped into her shoes, grabbed her bag, and left without saying anything. The silence between them was heavy, and as the door clicked shut behind her, Arkens facepalmed, stretching his face at the growing distance between them.

'Alright. I have to make it up to her somehow. I didn't mean to be so rude. I know she was only worried about me'.

Time had skipped forward, and Arkens was now walking near the school gate, lost in thought about Hama and his strange discovery. Suddenly, he felt a hand on his shoulder, and without thinking, he jerked around and instinctively kicked the person who touched him. Nearby students quickly moved out of the way, surprised by the commotion so early in the morning.

Arkens blinked and looked closer, his expression softening when he realized it was Watsu, now lying on his back after the unexpected kick.

"W-Watsu? Jeez dude, you scared me to death.. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to kick you so hard".

Watsu coughed as he tried to pick himself up, clearly winded from the unexpected fall. Arkens, feeling guilty, quickly rushed to support him, offering a hand to help his friend stand.

"Nnnahh.. If you can move like that in the morning on the second day of school..".

Still trying to catch his breath, Watsu raised one finger, signaling Arkens to give him a moment. He couldn't quite finish his sentence yet, still recovering from the surprise kick, but his expression showed he wasn't too mad; he was just winded. Arkens stood by, waiting for his friend to regain his composure.

"Damn.. That hurts.. It looks like you're feeling better, though. You didn't see our messages or hear our phone calls?".

Arkens quickly checked his phone and was immediately greeted by a barrage of notifications: 20 missed calls from Watsu, Qiyo, and Nya, as well as over 40 unread messages spammed in their group chat. His eyes widened as he scrolled through the notifications, realizing how worried his friends must have been. It was clear they had been trying to reach him all night.

"Ahh.. My bad, I didn't notice these. I ran straight home and went to bed".

A rubber band suddenly flew through the air and bounced off Arkens's forehead.

"Ahn!-".

Qiyo and Nya emerged from the crowd, approaching Arkens and Watsu. Qiyo looked particularly peeved, her arms crossed and her brow furrowed in frustration. Nya, though more composed, also seemed a bit annoyed as she sighed softly.

"You're an ass for forgetting about us. We were worried sick, like wives wondering if their husbands are going to return from war".

Watsu and Arkens hunched forward, squinting their eyes and clamping their mouths shut as Qiyo's comparison sank in. Dread washed over them after hearing her compare Arkens's disappearance and negligence to wives anxiously awaiting their husbands' return from war. The absurdity of the comparison hung in the air, and despite the seriousness, the dark humor wasn't lost on either of them; they just weren't brave enough to laugh at the moment.

"N-Not quite the same, but I'm hearing ya, Qiyo. I'm sorry for leaving you guys in the dark".

Qiyo crossed her arms and shook her head in disappointment.

"I don't think you understand the severity of your actions; there's someone here more affected by it than Watsu and I".

Watsu, confused, weakly raised his arm to protest Qiyo's claim, but before he could get a word out, he was met with a quick palm to the face, pushing him away. With Watsu dealt with, Arkens stood alone with Nya. She held onto her bag with both hands, her face turned away from him, clearly upset. Arkens could sense her disappointment. Despite the awkwardness, he smiled softly, hoping to ease their tension.

"Nya. Thank you for worrying about me. I'm sorry for not responding and putting your minds at ease".

Nya stayed silent, fidgeting with the strap of her bag as her eyes darted from the ground to Arkens. She twisted her feet nervously on the concrete, unsure what to say. Arkens, still holding his phone, scrolled a few times before turning the screen toward her, a playful smile on his face as he showed her the dozens of missed calls and unread messages.

"I'm sorry.. I must've scared you, huh? You called me one hundred times".

Nya glanced at the screen and, upon seeing the missed calls and messages, blushed slightly before quickly looking away again. Arkens, noticing her reaction, smiled and shifted his face, trying to catch her gaze. He leaned in just enough to make it impossible for her to ignore him, his teasing an attempt to break the ice.

"Seriously, Nya, you are the best. I couldn't ask the heavens for a better friend than you, your amazing ya hear~".

Nya's face lowered at an angle, and her lips sucked in as her cheeks turned beet red. Before she could react further, Qiyo noticed the situation and swooped in, grabbing Nya's hand. In one swift motion, Qiyo pushed Arkens out of the way as they rushed past him. As they entered the building, Qiyo glanced back, sticking her middle finger up at Arkens with a mischievous grin before disappearing inside.

"Huh?! The hell was that for Qiyo!!".

Watsu returned to Arkens, standing beside him with a raised brow.

"Watsu? Where did you go??".

Without a word, he started walking toward the entrance, his expression focused and distant.

"Don't worry about it. I was here, just somewhere far..".

This left Arkens even more confused as time skipped forward. It was time for homeroom, and the atmosphere grew tense as the minutes ticked. His eyes remained fixed on the door, anticipation bubbling inside him. Mr. Damatsu's arrival was crucial; he needed to confirm what he had witnessed the night before. If the battles depicted in anime and cartoons were any indication, the teacher must have sustained some injuries.

As the clock continued to tick, Arkens felt his anxiety heighten, a single sweat droplet forming on the side of his face. A minute passed, then a few more, and soon, it was well past the time for morning classes to begin. When his heart sank, the door slid open, and a foot appeared in the doorway.