As the Monday morning sunlight streamed through Reese's window, he reluctantly opened his eyes, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. Despite the improvement in his physical abilities, Monday mornings always seemed to hit him the hardest. With a weary sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and trudged to the bathroom.

A refreshing shower helped to wash away some of the fatigue, and Reese emerged feeling slightly more awake. He dressed quickly, choosing clothes that would effectively conceal his altered appearance, and carefully inserted the brown contact lenses into his eyes. Glancing at his reflection in the mirror, he nodded in satisfaction, knowing that his disguise would help him blend in seamlessly with the other students.

Downstairs in the kitchen, Reese's parents greeted him with warm smiles as he joined them for breakfast. Conversation flowed easily as they discussed plans for the week ahead, but Reese couldn't shake the lingering tiredness that weighed on his shoulders.

With a murmured goodbye to his parents, Reese and his younger brother Ryan set off for school together. The familiar walk was a comforting routine, and Reese appreciated the quiet companionship of his brother as they made their way through the neighborhood streets.

As they approached the school gates, Renz intercepted them with a mischievous grin. "Hey, look who it is! It's our very own k-pop celebrity trying to go undercover!" Renz teased, gesturing to Reese's discreet attire and the brown contact lenses in his eyes.

Rey chuckled at Renz's joke, nudging Reese playfully. "Yeah, Reese, you've got that mysterious celebrity vibe going on today," he added with a smirk.

'So much for blending in,' Reese thought.

Reese rolled his eyes good-naturedly, used to Renz's playful banter. "Ha ha, very funny, guys," he replied, feigning annoyance.

With a fond smile at his brother, Reese bid Ryan goodbye, promising to catch up with him later. Turning his attention back to Renz and Rey, Reese was met with animated expressions, Renz's enthusiasm practically bubbling over, while Rey remained his usual calm and collected self.

"Hey, Reese, did you see that video going around?" Renz exclaimed eagerly, barely able to contain his excitement. "The mysterious man was breaking trees, kicking boulders like they were nothing, and jumping over trees!"

Rey, on the other hand, remained calm and composed as he listened to Renz's tale. His expression was more measured, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Yeah, the one with the guy in black breaking trees and stuff?" Rey chimed in, his tone more subdued but no less interested.

Reese nodded, a small smile playing on his lips as he listened to his friends' chatter. Despite his weariness, their energy was infectious, and Reese found himself getting caught up in their enthusiasm.

"It's crazy, right? I wonder if it's real," Renz continued, his eyes wide with excitement.

"I think that video was real," Rey said, his voice calm and measured. "I actually went to the place where it happened after the police were done investigating. There were signs of trees being broken and rocks being kicked around. It seemed like someone had definitely been there, and I think the man in black went there to test his power or something."

Reese couldn't help but admire Rey's deductive reasoning. Rey had always been the most analytical of their group, and his ability to piece together information and draw logical conclusions never ceased to impress Reese.

"Wow, that's impressive, Rey," Reese said, genuinely impressed by his friend's investigative efforts. "You were always the smartest one among us."

Renz, ever the joker, couldn't resist teasing Rey about his detective-like behavior.

"Haha, look at you, Mr. Detective Rey, on the case, huh?" Renz quipped, nudging Rey playfully. "Next thing you know, you'll be solving crimes and catching bad guys!"

As Reese, Rey, and Renz made their way toward the auditorium for their graduation rehearsal, their footsteps mingled with the excited chatter of the other graduating students. As they walked, they couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation about the mysterious man in black from the viral video.

"He was like something out of a movie, breaking trees, kicking boulders, and jumping like hulk."

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"Did anyone figure out who he was? He looked so cool!"

"I heard he had lightning powers or something. Can you imagine?"

'Lightning powers? I wish.' Reese frowned as he was reminded of his shortcoming that night.

It seemed that the man in black had captured the attention of their entire school.

Renz leaned in with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Looks like the mystery man is the talk of the town," he remarked, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Reese and Rey nodded thoughtfully.

As they settled into their seats in the auditorium, Reese shifted the conversation away from the enigmatic man in black. "So, what are your plans for this summer?" he asked, turning to Rey and Renz with genuine curiosity.

Rey sighed, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Ugh, don't remind me."

"Why? What happened?" Reese asked.

"I'm heading to Cebu City to stay with my aunt," he admitted, his expression reflecting his reluctance. "My parents insist on it, even though I'd rather stay here."

Renz nodded in understanding. "I'll be in Cebu City too," he added, a sense of determination in his tone. "My dad needs some help with his business, so I'll be lending a hand."

"How bout you, dude? What is your plan for the summer?" Rey asked Reese.

"I've decided that I want to find a job in Cebu City," he said, his gaze shifting between his two friends.

Renz and Rey exchanged a surprised glance, clearly intrigued by Reese's sudden decision. "Why?" Rey inquired, curiosity piqued.

Reese took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding. "Well, you see, my family's financial situation isn't the best," he admitted, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice. "My dad works as a security guard, but his salary isn't enough to cover all our expenses, especially with college coming up."

Renz and Rey listened intently, their expressions sympathetic as they absorbed Reese's words. "So, I figured that if I could find a job in Cebu City over the summer, I could save up some money to help pay for college," Reese continued, determination shining in his eyes.

Renz and Rey nodded in understanding, their support evident in their expressions. "That's a solid plan, dude," Rey remarked, a note of admiration in his voice. "We'll be here to support you every step of the way."

Reese smiled gratefully at his friends, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Then he changed the topic again. "Since we're all heading to Cebu City for the summer, have you thought about where you'll be enrolling for college and what course you'll be taking?"

Rey nodded thoughtfully, his gaze drifting off for a moment as he considered his options. "Yeah, I'm planning to enroll in USPF," he replied, a determined glint in his eyes. "I've always been interested in architecture, so I'm going for Bachelor of Science in Architecture."

Reese nodded approvingly, impressed by Rey's decisiveness. "That sounds like a great fit for you," he remarked, offering his friend a supportive smile.

Turning to Renz, Reese raised an eyebrow expectantly. "And you, Renz? Any plans for the future?" he asked, already anticipating his friend's playful response.

Renz grinned mischievously, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "I'm thinking of enrolling in SWU for Nursing," he declared, a roguish grin spreading across his face. "You know, for the chicks."

'This guy! He would definitely fail his course if he didn't change.' They thought helplessly.

Reese and Rey exchanged amused glances, shaking their heads at Renz's predictable antics. "Classic Renz," Rey remarked, a chuckle escaping his lips as he rolled his eyes.

Just as Rey was about to ask Reese about his plans for school and his chosen course, the instructor for their graduation rehearsal arrived, cutting off their conversation abruptly.

"Alright, everyone, gather around!" the instructor called out, her authoritative voice echoing through the auditorium.

Reese, Rey, and Renz exchanged quick glances before hurrying to join their classmates, leaving their conversation unfinished for the time being. With a sense of anticipation mingled with nerves, they positioned themselves among the group, ready to begin the rehearsal for their upcoming graduation ceremony.