Edith's disheveled hair framed her face, giving her a wild, feral appearance as she hunched over the microscope. The fluorescent light cast a sickly pallor on her pale skin, creating deep shadows under her eyes. Frown lines creased the corners of her lips, the harsh expression only broken by the occasional twitch of her eyebrow or the slight tilt of her head.

She scribbled notes onto a clipboard, muttering to herself as she worked.

Fii stood nearby, biting her fingernails and wringing her hands together. Her face twisted into a grimace as she tried to come up with the right words to say. "Err, so, I wanted to ask you something," she mumbled, fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "I kinda had an interesting night. Well, it was more than just interesting, but anyways, I ended up going to see Kenzo's band perform, and I got inspired, and—"

Edith held up a hand, silencing her. "Yes, yes, I get it. The Slum's golden boy is looking for you. Well, for Axion. Whatever." She rolled her eyes, glancing at Fii with a sardonic expression. "Whatever you want to do, go ahead and do it. Just remember priorities, okay? Don't get distracted by these people."

Fii blinked, taken aback. "Wha? How'd you know...?"

Edith sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Sheri told me. Some of our patients told her about it. Apparently, it happened at the concert? Is this some new trend or something?" She groaned, her expression souring. "Seriously, what's the point in having you lay low when half the slums are talking about you?"

Fii scratched the back of her head sheepishly, unsure how to respond. "Oh, well... um, I mean, it was really cool of them to support me like that. It means a lot, you know? That someone like Kenzo is spreading the word, sharing his fans, and celebrating my alter-ego—that's no joke." She perked up at the memory of last night. "I mean, he even said he wanted to collab with me on his music. It's a big deal. It's really, really big."

"That's why I'm okay with you taking the gig, I suppose," Edith remarked with a snort. "This might even work to our advantage. After all, you'll gain popularity, fame, and most importantly, a following. All those who admire you and aspire to follow in your footsteps." She paused, staring at Fii with a glint in her eye. "Powerful allies. Loyal allies."

"Wait, seriously? You mean it? I can go?" She blurted out, her tone incredulous. "Are you okay? Do you need anything? Are you feeling sick?" Fii approached her cautiously, extending a hand to test the temperature of Edith's forehead.

Edith swatted Fii away dismissively, frowning. "Psh, yes. Just don't go causing trouble, and try not to act stupid."

That was... surprisingly easy. She had expected more resistance from Edith, considering how cagey and secretive she typically acted. Something else must be motivating her. Perhaps she'd find out later. For now, she focused on the positives.

"Gotcha." Fii flashed a thumbs-up. "Thanks, Edith. I'll be on my best behavior. Promise." She turned to leave, but stopped herself mid-step, spinning on her heel to face Edith once more. "Do you want Kenzo's autograph or something?"

"Why would I want his signature?" Edith retorted, shooting her a flat look. "You're the raving fangirl here, not me."

"Ah, nevermind." She waved the question off and skipped happily out of the room, leaving the scientist to her devices.

----------------------------------------

Axion stared at her reflection in the mirrored window of the Tower of Songs. The LED eyes of her cyber-helmet reflected back, bright and ethereal. She brushed imaginary dust from her sleek bodysuit, her fingers trailing over the carbon fiber mesh. The sleek design hugged her curves perfectly, showcasing her athleticism without sacrificing style.

After a moment of self-assessment, she glanced towards the double doors of the venue and heaved a long sigh. Then she pushed the doors open, entering the main hall with a confident stride.

Axion's entrance garnered instant attention. Patrons turned to stare, their conversations quieting as she strode past. Some of them pointed excitedly, while others whispered in hushed tones. But none of them dared approach. Instead, they chose to gawk, admiring her from a safe distance.

Despite the interest she generated, Axion kept moving forward, heading straight towards the auditorium. The noise of the main lobby faded as she crossed into the hallway leading to the concert venue.

As she walked, a strange sensation tingled her spine. A sense of nervousness settled into her stomach, but she brushed it aside and continued on. A couple more turns, then she arrived at a set of reinforced doors engraved with the Shunkashūtō logo. She reached for the handle, pausing briefly to steel herself before opening it wide and entering.

Inside, the sounds of a lively rehearsal echoed through the room. Members of Shunkashūtō lounged about, idly chatting amongst themselves, tuning instruments, and playing with equipment. No one noticed her immediately, but a few heads did turn when she entered.

Axion hesitated in the doorway, uncertain of where to start. Should she walk directly toward Kenzo? Or should she wait for him to acknowledge her? She could just stand in one spot until someone came over to greet her, but that seemed a bit silly. Finally, she opted for a middle ground—she moved closer to the main group, choosing a spot near one of the equipment racks. She positioned herself in plain sight, yet out of the way, hoping her presence wouldn't interfere too much with the band's preparations.

She gazed at the members, admiring them from afar. She had grown up listening to their songs, idolizing their talent and charisma. And now here she was, standing in front of them. She still couldn't believe it. She wished she could take this helmet off and truly breathe it all in.

"Oi, oi, oi! You're Axion, yeah?" Kenzo's voice called out, snapping her from her thoughts.

Startled, Axion glanced over to see him approaching. He carried himself with a casual confidence, his steps smooth and relaxed, his messy hair bounced with every step, while the loose strands of his kimono fluttered behind him. He wore a pair of loose-fitting black slacks and a white undershirt. Simple, yet stylish.

"Mhm. Yep. I'm her. I'm here." Axion straightened her posture, clearing her throat awkwardly. "I heard you were looking for me?"

"Kukuku," Kenzo chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Heard ya loud and clear when you saved people during the earthquake that time. Good job with that one." He flashed a toothy grin. "Man, you're taller than I thought. Those rumors said you were short."

"Uhh..." Axion faltered, unsure how to respond.

He waved off her concerns, chuckling again. "Just messing with ya. Come, sit with us." He gestured to the group, beckoning her over. "Let's chat for a bit. Get to know each other."

Before she knew it, Axion found herself joining them around a table, seated beside Kenzo, surrounded by the entire band. She remained tense and guarded, hyper-aware of her surroundings. It didn't help that she couldn't tear her gaze away from Kenzo, mesmerized by the proximity of her idol.

She swallowed, her palms sweaty, heart racing. Her vision swam slightly. Was she getting lightheaded? Maybe she should've eaten more today.

"Relax, will ya?" Kenzo leaned in closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You look like a cornered rabbit about to bolt. Loosen up. We're all friends here." He shot her a wink, grinning reassuringly.

"Friends. Right. Okay." She nodded stiffly, forcing herself to calm down. She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled, willing herself to relax. "So, err, thanks for inviting me here. I appreciate the opportunity. Really."

"It's nothing." Kenzo waved his hand dismissively. "We just figured we'd share the spotlight a bit, you know? Give the people something different." He smiled warmly. "Besides, I think you and us share the same goal. To bring a little joy, a little hope around here."

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table, meeting her gaze directly. "And that makes you one of us. A Slumshine fighting the good fight. I respect that. We all do. So let's enjoy the moment, enjoy what we have while we still got it, yeah?"

Axion nodded mutely, unable to articulate a response. Her tongue seemed glued to the roof of her mouth, refusing to cooperate. All she could do was stare silently at the handsome face of her idol as he continued speaking.

"You know, for someone who's been chasing flickering lights, you've got quite the polished look. That suit of yours—high-tech, ain't it?"

Axion fidgeted under his gaze, self-conscious. "Yeah, it's... functional," she managed, feeling her face grow warm beneath the helmet. "And um, I don't think what I do is chasing flickering lights. I just hope to inspire and influence others. Just like how you and the band inspire me." She swallowed. "I don't think what we do is any different, to be honest."

Kenzo nodded sagely, seemingly satisfied with her answer. He smiled, patting her shoulder encouragingly. "Glad to hear it. You got fire. I like that."

"Thanks. Also, I like your kimono top. It suits you." She motioned to his outfit, desperate to shift the conversation away from her.

He barked out a laugh. "Ha! Thanks. It's a statement piece. To remind folks of our roots, but with modernity. People always seem to forget where they came from, you know?" He stared at her with a wistful expression. "These streets forged us, gave us the drive and passion to create, and hopefully, we can return the favor. Shine a little light into this city, even if it's only a faint flickering glow."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Yo, K-Dog. You getting a little cringe with that statement, bruv? Gotta watch out, or you'll be an old man, standing in the rain, reminiscing about the good ol' days." One of the band members joked, flashing a smirk at the rapper. "Maybe ease up on the cliche emo lines, eh?"

Kenzo chuckled, slapping the guy's shoulder playfully. "Shut it, you. Don't ruin the moment, or we'll all cringe together." He winked at Axion, who remained silent, not wanting to interrupt the banter between the two.

They both shared a few more jokes, their laughter echoing throughout the room before turning to Axion. "Sorry 'bout that. He's a little shit sometimes. What can you do, though? He's family. We put up with his dumbassery." Kenzo grinned apologetically, shrugging helplessly. "But yeah, that's the vibe we're going for. Showing folks that traditions aren't dead, not unless we let 'em die. And we won't. Never gonna happen."

The rest of the band chimed in, adding their support.

"Hell yeah."

"What he said."

"Don't you dare."

Axion listened attentively as Kenzo and his crew bantered back and forth, the humor flowing naturally between the members. Eventually, the discussion shifted back towards her, which caused her heart rate to spike once more.

"So, Axion, you got some catchy origin story?" Kenzo asked casually, reclining back in his chair. "Like, what made you decide to become a Super? I'm guessing that whoever made that cool gear of yours also provided motivation, yeah?"

"Ah, well, I guess you could say that," Axion replied hesitantly. She rubbed her palms against her thighs nervously, contemplating how much to reveal. "I met someone that jumpstarted all this, and they convinced me that I could be more than just another nobody. They helped me discover who I could be, and with their support, I've been trying to do more since."

"Ahh, you've got that whole mentor/mentee relationship going, huh? Nice, nice. Always loved those types of stories." Kenzo hummed approvingly, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "So, what exactly do you want to do as a Super? Help people? Get rid of all the gangs? Both?"

Axion blinked, taken aback by the directness of his question.

She thought back to the first time she met Virgil and the conversation they had about this exact topic.

Sheep. Wolf. Shepard.

Virgil's words echoed through her mind.

She still didn't have a clear answer yet, but she'd made some progress. She understood where she stood and where she wanted to be, at least for now.

"Helping people, I guess. As far as the gangs go, If they step out of line, then I'll knock them back in place, but that's not my priority." She paused, recalling Edith's warnings about making a good impression. "Err, sorry if that sounds arrogant. It's just my opinion. I just want to focus on helping people. That's what's important."

"Nah, I feel you. It's cool." Kenzo stood up and paced around the room, hands in pockets, clearly pondering her response. "So you're saying you'd rather avoid the gangs than actively fight 'em. Which is fine. But how do you know when they step out of line? Who makes that call?"

Axion tilted her head. The answer was so obvious that she was surprised he even asked.

"Everyone knows the lines they shouldn't cross. People know what's fair, and what's not. If you get pickpocketed, that's your fault for being careless. But if you get mugged, that's crossing a line. The slums have their own rules, but everyone understands them. Everyone respects them, for the most part. That's how things work here. If the gangs start breaking the unwritten rules, that's when I step in."

Kenzo clicked his tongue before smirking. "Seems like you really are from here. Most outsiders get it wrong, especially the Supers who come here. They assume we live in chaos and violence, that we need heroes to save us." He scoffed derisively, rolling his eyes. "Even some folks in the slums believe that, and it's annoying."

"Supers came here before? I don't remember that happening?" Axion asked quizzically.

Kenzo ruffled his hair and shrugged. "Yeah. I used to know a guy who thought he could build a police force around here and establish some law and order. Didn't take long for him to realize how stupid that idea was."

Wait...was he talking about Virgil? Does he know him?

"Did he end up leaving?" she asked.

Kenzo shrugged again. "Who knows? Haven't seen him in a long while. Anyways, I like how you operate. Helping where you can without stepping on toes. That's a tough balance, but a necessary one. Hopefully, the gangs will learn to play ball, and we can avoid violence altogether."

"That'd be nice, but I'm not counting on it." Axion sighed sadly.

"Me neither, but a man can dream, right?" Kenzo stretched his arms over his head, yawning widely. "Anyhow, let's switch back to music. You ever sing or rap?"

"Hmm, not really." Axion shook her head. "But I listen to your songs all the time. Love them. Especially the ones with traditional instruments. They fit your songs so well, but in a fresh, new way. They make everything more vibrant and energetic. It's beautiful."

"Aha, so you are a fan of mine! See? I knew there was something about you I liked." Kenzo gave her an impish grin. "By the way, we've already started writing a song about you, and we'd love for you to be involved with it. It's a little rough around the edges, but I think we've got the gist of what we're going for."

"You wrote a song about me?" The LED eyes on Axion's helmet widened.

"Sure did. Like I said, you're the hottest thing right now. Even the young kids are talking about you. But the Rusties, they love you too. A hero that comes to life in the slums, one of their own. Not some outsider whose only connection to the place is their charity." Kenzo paused, shooting Axion an inquisitive glance. "You alright with that, or should we tone it down? Might be a bit embarrassing, yeah?"

Axion rapidly shook her head. "No, no, I'm fine. I'm happy."

"Mhm. Thought you'd appreciate it," Kenzo replied, chuckling lightly. "Now, about this song. Let me explain what I had in mind..."

----------------------------------------

They spent the rest of the day brainstorming lyrics, melody, and beats. Despite her inexperience, Axion pitched in enthusiastically, offering some suggestions of her own, along with bits and pieces from her daily life in the slums. It wasn't difficult; many of the sentiments expressed by Kenzo and his band were familiar to her.

The desire to improve the slums, the love for the community, and the hope for a better tomorrow—all core themes that she resonated strongly with.

The band's energy was contagious, and they often laughed and joked as they worked. Occasionally, someone would sneak a snack or two into their mouths, and there were plenty of moments when everyone simply sat around, resting their brains from the constant flow of ideas.

Kenzo picked up his headphones, twirling them in his hands, deep in thought. "The thing is, Axion, this song needs a hook, a centerpiece, to tie everything together. I get the impression you have a unique voice, and if you want, I'd like you to sing the lead. The vocals are usually my territory, but I've been thinking of stepping aside to give the spotlight to you. Show off what you got. Ya dig?"

"My voice?" She laughed nervously. "Um, well, I've never sang before, except for shower concerts." Her voice trailed off as she recalled her earlier conversations with Edith regarding her identity. "Err, also, if I sang, people might recognize my voice or something. I don't wanna attract too much attention to myself. Plus, I don't think my voice is that great."

Kenzo leaned in closer, a mischievous grin etched across his face. "Ya gotta keep the helmet on, right? Don't worry about it; Your singing voice is gonna be different from your normal speaking voice, so no one'll recognize you. You got range? Can you hit high notes or low ones? A range will give us options, and it'll let us express the emotion we're trying to convey."

"Ah...uhm, maybe?"

Kenzo stood up, slipping on the headphones. "Lemme hear it." He offered the microphone to her, gesturing for her to hold it in front of her face. "Turn off that voice modulator and start singing anything. Doesn't matter what. Just something that speaks to you, something personal. Got it?"

"Right." Axion gulped, accepting the microphone tentatively. She turned off the voice modulator and cleared her throat, attempting to settle her nerves. Her hands trembled as she brought the mic close to her mouth, but she tried to ignore them.

Focus. Calm down. Don't screw this up. She breathed in deeply, taking a moment to gather herself before opening her lips.

Guess I could try singing a couple of their songs.

She sang softly at first, quietly, afraid of sounding bad. Her voice sounded hoarse and scratchy, even to her ears. But she kept going, gradually building up to a comfortable volume. As she sang, her confidence grew, and soon enough, she no longer cared who heard her.

Once she finished, she looked to Kenzo, who appeared to be deep in concentration. She waited patiently for his response. When it came, his eyes lit up and he flashed a bright smile. "Ikeru ze! You do have range. With a little training, we can work on polishing up your vocal control, but I think you've got potential." He clapped his hands, motioning for the band to assemble.

The other members seemed pleased as well, nodding appreciatively.

"Kawaii."

"Sho skillz, girl. Impressive."

"That voice tho. Mmhmmm. Sounds so sweet~"

"Can we keep her?"

The comments went on until finally, Kenzo addressed Axion directly. "Well, you hear that? Congratulations, you've just made yourself a member of Shunkashūtō, even if temporarily." He winked at her knowingly. "But first, there's something you gotta do first."

Axion cocked her head slightly. "What's that?"

Kenzo snapped his fingers, pointing at her as he declared dramatically, "A little initiation ceremony for the new member! You might have the heart, but I gotta know if you've got the skills to carry your conviction."

"Skills? What do you mean?"

"Simple, we spar. Gotta see if you've got what it takes, ya know?" Kenzo explained, flashing a devious smile. "One-on-one. Me and you. Tomorrow, at the Rusted Colosseum. High Noon. Think you can manage? Or are you chickening out?"

The other band members whistled and hooted at the suggestion.

Axion remained silent, unsure how to react.

There were so many things weird about this request. Why did he want her to fight? Were they testing her somehow? And why choose a combat venue? There was no way she could fight her idol seriously. She was a metahuman now. He's just a normal guy...right? This must be a joke. A prank? Maybe?

Yet, no matter how hard she thought about it, the logic didn't add up. This was supposed to be a collaboration, not an audition. Besides, Kenzo wasn't the type of person to engage in such nonsense. His reputation was spotless; he never wasted his time on trivial matters like this.

Maybe the sparring match has a deeper meaning? Or am I overthinking this?

The more Axion ruminated, the more confused she became. Eventually, she threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "Ughhh, I don't get why we need to do this. Why do you want to fight me, anyway? We're supposed to be working together."

Kenzo folded his arms behind his head and leaned back, appearing nonchalant. "I'll let you know more about my reasons tomorrow. So, will you show up or not? You don't have to win, you just gotta last fifteen minutes. Easy peasy." He met her gaze confidently, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Think you can handle that? Or should I just count you out now?"

"I'm a Super, you know?" Axion sighed heavily, resigning herself to the situation. "How does a normal person like you expect to beat me? But fine, whatever. I'll bite. Let's do this, and then we can go back to collaborating like we were before."

Kenzo responded by bursting into laughter, doubling over in a fit of mirth. "Kukuku, atta girl! Knew I liked you. Can't wait to see what you've got, but just remember—no holding back. Understand?" He wagged a finger warningly. "I'll know if you're pulling punches. I want you to give it all you've got, because you don't stand a chance otherwise. And that's no fun. Now go get ready and rest up. You'll need your strength for tomorrow."

The other members cheered as Kenzo departed, leaving Axion alone to contemplate her fate.

What's making him so confident?