Kaien's morning alarm buzzed at 7:00 AM sharp, but he was already awake — staring blankly at the ceiling of his small bedroom. The muffled thump of music leaked from his neighbor's apartment, blending with the distant honks and hum of the city outside. A neon-blue glow from the digital billboard across the street flashed through his window blinds, painting stripes of light over his face. It was another ordinary day in downtown Horizon City, and yet Kaien felt the weight of last night's secret clinging to his shoulders.
He sighed and rolled out of bed, bedhead sticking out in every direction. I really need to stop staying out so late… he thought, running a hand through dark locks to tame them. His reflection in the mirror by the bed looked as normal as ever: sleepy brown eyes, average height, slightly hunched posture of a seventeen-year-old who wished he was still asleep. No one would guess that just a few hours ago, those same eyes glowed with a glitchy black aura beneath a mask, or that the faint bruises on his arms weren't from gym class but from an underground clash in the alleys.
After a quick shower and the world's fastest bowl of cereal, Kaien slung on his school blazer. The Horizon High emblem was sewn neatly over the chest pocket. Inside that pocket, his phone buzzed once. He fished it out as he slid his apartment door shut. A notification from the Wave App flashed on the screen:
Wave Report:REZYN - Activity last night: +250 clout. New Wave Level: 3.
Kaien's heart skipped. He hastily cleared the notification before anyone could glimpse it (though he lived alone — habit). The numbers gave him mixed feelings. Clout +250 was significant; it meant that the stunt he pulled as REZYN had not gone unnoticed by the underground community that tracked these things. The Wave Level: 3 indicated his aura powers had nudged a bit stronger, at least in theory. A small smile tugged at his lips — was that pride? Or nervousness?
I didn't do it for the clout, he reminded himself. Last night's rescue of that stranded kid at the construction site was simply the right thing to do. Still, the Wave System had its own rules. In this modern city, power was quite literally influenced by popularity, measured and gamified through that mysterious app that only a select few had access to. He often found it ironic: the quieter he tried to be in normal life, the more notoriety he seemed to gain as REZYN.
Kaien thumbed the screen off and tucked the phone away, double-checking that the black strap of his wristband (a discreet device linked to the Wave System) was hidden under his sleeve. He took a deep breath and put on his usual calm, unobtrusive expression — the face of a guy who wouldn't dream of breaking rules or leaping across rooftops at 2 AM.
A Day at School
The city streets bustled as always when Kaien joined the flow of morning commuters. Holographic ads flickered to life on building walls, projecting everything from the latest sneaker drops to the top trending idol concerts. One such hologram featured Rin Sayaka, her thousand-watt smile bright as ever as she posed with a peace sign to promote an energy drink. Kaien felt a jolt of surprise at seeing a familiar face towering forty feet tall above a crosswalk. Of course Rin's on an ad… She's everywhere. He allowed himself a tiny, amused grin. The Rin in that ad looked so cool and confident — completely in her element as a rising idol.
In contrast, the Rin Sayaka he knew in class was bubbly and friendly, often complaining how math made her head hurt or how she worried about tripping during dance practice. Kaien chuckled under his breath at the memory of her nearly toppling over during last week's gym class relay (he'd caught her arm just in time, earning a grateful laugh).
He arrived at Horizon High after a short subway ride, blending into a crowd of students in identical navy blazers. As he slipped into Class 3-B, he kept his gaze down and headed straight to his seat by the window, near the middle of the room. The chatter of classmates filled the air — weekend plans, gossip about the latest viral video, grumbles about the upcoming chemistry test.
"Morning, Kaien!" a bright voice chirped from beside him. It was Rin Sayaka, already in her seat to his right. She was leaning on one elbow, her long ash-brown ponytail swaying slightly as she tilted her head to smile at him. Today she wore a cute star-shaped hairpin that glittered under the fluorescent lights.
Kaien felt heat rise to his cheeks at being addressed so cheerfully. He bowed his head politely, mustering a quiet reply. "G-good morning, Rin."
She beamed as if he'd said something far more interesting than a simple greeting. "Did you finish the literature assignment? I totally forgot until last night after rehearsal." Rin pouted playfully, twirling a pen between her fingers.
Kaien fumbled to open his bag. "Yeah, I did. It wasn't too hard, just that essay on, um, theme symbolism." He pulled out his notebook, the essay neatly written out. With a shy smile, he slid it over for her to peek at.
Rin's eyes lit up. "You're a lifesaver, seriously!" She copied a few notes hurriedly. "I owe you one. If you ever need tickets to a show or, like, an autograph for your little sister or something—" She paused, a teasing twinkle in her eye. "—just let me know."
He let out a soft laugh. "I don't have a little sister, but thanks. I'll keep it in mind."
Rin returned the notebook as the teacher walked in and the bell rang. She whispered, "You're the best, Kaien." Then she sat up straight, putting on an innocent face as homeroom began.
Kaien's heart did a little flip. Praise wasn't something he got often, and here was Rin Sayaka, school idol (literally) and national sweetheart, calling him the best. He knew she was just being kind, but he found himself smiling the tiniest bit as he opened his textbook.
Class went by in its usual slow rhythm. By mid-morning, sunlight slanted through the windows in warm golden beams, highlighting dust motes and the scribbled doodles in Kaien's notebook margins. He struggled to keep focused on the lesson. History class normally interested him, but today his eyelids felt heavy. Last night's escapade was catching up.
Maybe I shouldn't have patrolled so long… he lamented internally. The teacher's voice droned on about ancient heroes while Kaien's mind wandered. His eyes drooped shut for a second… or maybe longer.
Suddenly, a sharp tap on his desk jolted him back to the present. Kaien sat bolt upright. A couple of classmates snickered. The history teacher loomed beside his desk, ruler in hand and one eyebrow raised.
"Mr. Haruno, I'm so glad you find my lecture on the Wave Wars to be a good time for a nap," the teacher said dryly. Several students giggled openly now.
Kaien's face burned. "S-sorry, sir." He straightened his posture, ears ringing with embarrassment. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Rin bite her lip, looking a little worried for him.
The teacher sighed. "Since you seem so well-rested, perhaps you can answer this: What triggered the First Wave War in 20XX?"
Kaien swallowed, scrambling for any recollection from the textbook. The First Wave War — he knew this. It was part of how aura powers became acknowledged… right. "Um, it started when the first generation of aura users, uh, clashed over control of the initial Wave System framework… something about who should regulate aura influence…," he ventured.
The teacher gave a curt nod, seemingly satisfied enough. "Correct. A conflict over the regulation of aura and social influence. Next time, please stay awake to give us a more confident answer." With that and a final disapproving look, the teacher moved on.
Kaien exhaled, shoulders slumping. That was too close. Rin caught his eye once the teacher's back was turned and mouthed You okay? He nodded subtly.
Lunchtime Revelations
When lunch break finally arrived, Kaien felt relief wash over him. He grabbed his bento and slipped out to the school rooftop — the one place he could usually find some peace. Today, however, it seemed he wasn't the only one with that idea.
Pushing open the heavy door to the rooftop, he blinked at the sight of Rin already there, leaning against the chain-link fence and gazing out at the city skyline. The afternoon sun gave her a kind of halo, and for a moment Kaien hesitated, debating whether he should retreat. Too late — she turned at the sound of the door.
"Kaien! Hi!" She greeted him with a grin, cheeks a little pink from the breeze. "I promise I'm not stalking your secret lunch spot or anything." She giggled. "Manager's orders: I have a radio interview during lunch, so I came up here for good signal." She held up her phone, which indeed was on a call screen (muted).
"Oh, I can go if—" he began, not wanting to intrude.
"No, stay! My part's done, now they're just playing one of my songs," Rin insisted, patting the bench beside her. "I was about to eat too."
They sat a comfortable distance apart on the bench. Kaien unwrapped his bento — rice, fried chicken, and rolled omelette, courtesy of his own cooking (living alone made one pretty self-sufficient).
Rin peeked curiously. "That looks delicious! You made it yourself, right? I'm so jealous." She opened her own lunch — a catered salad from some trendy cafe, which looked pretty but not exactly filling.
Kaien offered with a small smile, "Want to trade a piece of chicken for some salad? Greens are healthy."
She gasped as if he'd proposed a grand deal. "Yes! I mean, only if you're sure."
They swapped a portion, and Rin made an exaggerated show of bliss when tasting the chicken. "Yep, you're officially my chef now. I'll hire you when I go on tour."
He chuckled, feeling more at ease. It surprised him how normal and genuine Rin was despite her idol status. Maybe that's why everyone likes her so much, he mused. She's real.
Halfway through their lunch, the rooftop door banged open again. A trio of boys from class burst out, laughing and passing around a smartphone. Kaien recognized one of them — Ryuji, the class rep and an avid social media junkie.
Ryuji didn't notice Kaien and Rin at first as he excitedly showed his friends the phone. "…It already has a million views! I swear this Wave System stuff is getting wilder. Look at this guy's aura, it's like all black and glitching — so sick!"
Kaien froze, a piece of omelette halfway to his mouth. Rin's eyes widened at Ryuji's words. She glanced at Kaien, whispering, "Black aura… sounds like that video from last night. Did you see it? They're talking about that masked vigilante, REZYN or whatever he's called."
Kaien forced a neutral expression and shook his head lightly. "Oh, uh, I heard a little, but haven't watched it yet." Technically true — he didn't need to watch what he experienced firsthand.
Rin's face lit up as she continued in a hushed, excited tone. "It was all over the morning news. Apparently some people were rescued at that unfinished building by this masked guy. They say he controls a black aura that glitches like video static! Isn't that wild? And he just vanished afterward."
She sounded more impressed than scared. Kaien swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to act casual. "Sounds… dangerous. Could have just been special effects or a publicity stunt, maybe."
Rin shrugged, taking a sip of juice. "Maybe. But I like to think there are heroes out there like that. Kinda cool, right? An underground hero rising with the city's vibes." She had a dreamy, imaginative smile, as if picturing a scene from an anime.
Kaien felt a strange mix of pride and guilt churning in his stomach. Hearing his alter ego described as a hero by someone like Rin made him secretly happy, but maintaining his façade was nerve-racking. If anyone ever found out that quiet, awkward Kaien was the notorious REZYN… he couldn't imagine it ending well.
The group of boys on the other side of the roof kept chattering. One of them exclaimed, "I heard the Wave System rank for that guy shot up overnight. Must be nice, huh? Instant clout. People on the app's forums are calling him the 'Glitch Ghost'."
Another laughed. "I'd ride that Wave any day. Imagine the sponsorships if he ever went public!"
Kaien closed his eyes briefly, willing his racing heart to calm. The Wave System's influence — even on those who weren't directly involved — was growing. People treated aura powers and their rankings like another form of social media to follow and gossip about. Clout, clout, clout… It always came down to that. A part of him was uneasy. This wasn't a game to him — it couldn't be.
Rin noticed his distant expression. She gave a light tap on his arm. "Hey, earth to Kaien. You okay? You looked kinda lost for a second."
He blinked and nodded quickly. "Y-yeah. I'm fine. Just thinking." He managed a small smile.
She studied his face as if searching for something, then returned the smile. "Thinking about the Wave stuff? It is a lot to wrap your head around, huh. I only know the basics myself. All that talk of aura resonance and clout metrics… it's like a video game, but real life." She toyed with her empty juice box, then added softly, "If I had powers like that, I wonder if I'd use them to help people openly or keep it secret. What do you think?"
The question caught him off guard. He fiddled with his now-empty bento box. "If someone had powers… I think it'd depend on the person. Some might use them for attention or profit. Others… maybe they'd try to do some good quietly, without making it a big deal."
Rin gazed at him thoughtfully. "You sound like you've really thought about it."
Kaien realized he might have come off too serious. He let out a nervous laugh. "Ah, you know, comic books and anime and stuff. They get you thinking about those scenarios."
Before Rin could ask anything else, her phone buzzed loudly — the interview call was beckoning her back. She sighed and stood up. "Duty calls. The glamorous life of an idol." She gave a playful roll of her eyes, then shot Kaien a grateful grin. "Thanks for the lunch company! And the notes. You're awesome."
He watched her dash off, energetic as ever. With her gone, Kaien remained on the bench, alone with his thoughts. The cityscape beyond the school glinted with glass and steel — a modern skyline hiding countless secrets. He pulled out his phone and opened the Wave App once more, making sure no one else was around.
A sleek interface glowed to life, black background with pulsing blue wave-lines. His alias blinked at the top: REZYN – Wave Level 3. A flood of new comments had appeared on his profile:
"Yo REZYN, thanks for saving my cousin! U got mad skills."
"When's the next appearance? The streets r buzzing!"
"Careful, heard some big names don't like ur style of justice…"
He skimmed through them, unsure how to feel. Kaien preferred when REZYN was just an occasional phantom, not the center of attention. Last night had inadvertently pushed him into a spotlight he never wanted.
One new private message awaited from a username he recognized: Aegis. He opened it, heartbeat quickening a touch.
Heard you had a busy night. Meet me at the usual spot after sunset. We need to talk – potential trouble brewing.
Kaien exhaled slowly, locking his phone. Aegis was an ally of sorts — a veteran in this underground scene, and something of a mentor. If Aegis was concerned enough to call a meeting, then something serious was looming on the horizon.
He stood up, pocketing his phone. Potential trouble… He looked westward, where the sky was beginning to tint orange. For a moment, as he gazed at the horizon, he saw a brief overlay of last night's memory: the crackling tendrils of black aura coiling around his fists, the way they distorted the air like heatwaves as he faced down that rogue aura-user in the half-built skyscraper. The adrenaline, the tension — it all flickered through his mind like scenes from a dream.
Most people chased the Wave for the rush of power and recognition, but Kaien held a different conviction close to his heart. He whispered it under his breath now, as if reaffirming a vow: "Even a ripple can start a tidal wave." Those words had guided him since the day he first discovered his powers — a simple philosophy that even small actions, unseen by others, could build into something great. He didn't need the spotlight; he just needed the resolve to do what was right, one step at a time.
Nightfall and Hints of the Mask
School wrapped up and dusk crept over Horizon City. By the time Kaien returned to his apartment, the sun had dipped below the skyline, leaving only a violet afterglow. He methodically finished his homework, but his mind was elsewhere, replaying Aegis's message over and over.
As night finally fell, Kaien moved to his closet. Sliding aside a row of ordinary hoodies, he revealed a hidden steel case. His fingerprint unlocked it with a soft click. Inside lay the gear of his alter ego: a black half-mask etched with subtle circuit-like patterns, and a pair of reinforced gloves that faintly crackled with residual energy as he picked them up. Just holding these items made his aura stir — a familiar tingling at his core.
Standing before his mirror, Kaien took a deep breath. He slowly pulled his hood over his head and fitted the mask onto his face. The reflection staring back at him was no longer just the tired high-schooler — it was something else, someone else. The mask obscured the upper half of his face, leaving only his determined mouth and chin visible. His eyes, hidden behind the mask's narrow visor slits, glinted with steely resolve.
Memories of Rin's candid question floated back to him: If I had powers… would I use them openly or keep it secret? Kaien's answer was clear in his own mind now. I'd help people quietly if I can.
He flexed his gloved fingers and concentrated. In an instant, wisps of black aura began to wreath around him, flickering and glitching at the edges of perception. The air in the small apartment hummed with energy. Where Kaien had stood hesitant and unsure, now stood REZYN — the masked vigilante of Horizon City's shadows. The quiet uncertainty in his heart was quelled by the steady surge of purpose that came with donning this persona.
His phone buzzed on the table — likely a reminder of the meeting time. He secured it to his belt and grabbed one more thing from the case: a slender collapsible baton, just in case. With a final glance around the apartment (everything in its mundane place: bed unmade, textbooks sprawled on the desk), he shut off the lights and headed up to the rooftop.
The city greeted him with a skyline of neon glow and moving headlights. Up here, the noise of traffic was a distant hum. A cool breeze tugged at his hood and carried the faint scent of rain on concrete. REZYN stepped to the ledge of the building. Far below, the world looked small — countless people going about their Friday night, utterly unaware of the battles being waged in their name.
He could sense it — an almost electric prickle in the air. The Wave System connected him to the pulse of the city's auras, and right now his instincts told him something was shifting, gathering. Like static before a thunderstorm.
With practiced ease, REZYN leaped from the roof. For a heartbeat he was weightless, suspended against the backdrop of glittering skyscrapers. Then, in a burst of glitching black energy, he propelled himself forward. He streaked through the night as a flicker of shadow and light — a glitch in the metropolis, unseen except for a blur above the skyline. The city below sprawled out, bright and oblivious.
Down in the streets, people laughed and shouted, wrapped up in the Friday night buzz — posting selfies, chasing trends, living their lives. Above them, a lone masked figure rode the invisible waves of the city's collective aura, bound for a rendezvous with the unknown.
The vibe was shifting. Kaien could feel it deep in his bones. Change was coming, a new beat about to drop. And he would be there to face it, one way or another.
As he vanished into the neon-tinted darkness, one final thought echoed in his mind, firm and resolute:
This is only the beginning.