11:03 A.M. – New Osaka University, Courtyard
"So," Reina said, peering at Kaito over the rim of her iced coffee, "what were you doing around 1:00 a.m. last night?"
Kaito didn't blink. He just stuffed a rice ball in his mouth and spoke through the chewing."Dreaming about fighting crime with a flaming katana. Why?"
She leaned closer, voice low. "You ever hear of the Silver Guardian?"
He nearly choked on rice.
"I mean," he coughed, "who hasn't? Silver guy. Punches bad guys. Looks like a rejected Power Ranger."
Reina narrowed her eyes. "He's not a Power Ranger. He's...cool."
Kaito raised a brow. "You like him?"
"Of course not," she lied immediately. "I'm just… interested. For research."
He sipped his juice box. "Right. Research."
She typed something quickly on her laptop. Hidden beneath the screen: a folder labeled PROJECT S.G. It contained dozens of theories, photos, and surveillance stills — many suspiciously close to where Kaito had "coincidentally" been.
Meanwhile – Rooftop of the Literature Building
Miyu Kanzaki observed through a scope, long black hair tied back, school uniform crisp. Her target: Kaito Renshiro.
"This can't be him," she muttered. "His aura is nonexistent. His posture is lazy. His entire personality screams low effort. And yet…"
She lowered the scope and watched as he tripped over a bench, apologized to the bench, then offered it his melon bread.
"…He's either a complete moron… or the best disguise I've ever seen."
Her earpiece buzzed. A cold voice answered:
"Confirm identity. Eliminate if target matches the Silver Guardian's data profile."
Miyu clicked off the channel. Her eyes lingered."Not yet."
3:00 P.M. – Student Council Office
Aika Tsukino sat at her polished desk, organizing documents for the university's ethics week — a display of ironic virtue considering her father just had half his assets frozen due to leaked files from Silver Guardian's last strike.
She flipped open her tablet.
New Message from: Unknown
"Your father's sins will not go unpunished. Corruption dies in silver flames."
Her fingers froze over the screen.
Silver Guardian.
She should hate him. He threatened her family, exposed their secrets, and painted her father as a monster to the public.
But deep down… she had questions. Questions no one else dared ask.
And one face kept showing up around every major incident.
Kaito Renshiro.
He was either the unluckiest guy on earth…Or hiding something no one could see.
9:45 P.M. – Back Alley, South District
Kaito adjusted the glove on his right hand, letting his wrist device scan the steel crate in front of him. Arms, stolen tech, and synthetic drugs — being transferred tonight under a fake delivery company.
He tapped the side of his mask. "Reina, give me eyes."
Her voice chirped into his earpiece. "I'm watching your back… literally. I hacked a satellite to do it. You're welcome."
Kaito smirked beneath the visor."Then let's crash this party."
Ten seconds later, smoke bombs dropped from the sky. The goons screamed. Silver streaks danced through the mist. Fists, flips, steel against steel.
Within minutes, the scene was chaos. The corrupt dealer tried to run — but Silver Guardian caught him mid-step and pinned him against the wall.
"Who's next on the list?" Kaito growled.
The man sputtered. "Y-You'll never stop them! You're just one man!"
Kaito leaned in. "That's all it takes."
He slammed the drive into the van's black box — uploading evidence directly to the press.
11:15 P.M. – Kaito's Apartment
Kaito collapsed onto his couch, still in his underlayer suit. His face was bruised. His ribs ached. But the mission was done.
He grabbed his phone.
One new message:Aika Tsukino
"Kaito… I want to talk. Alone. Tomorrow after class."
He stared. "Now that's new."
Another ping. Reina again.
"You left traces tonight. Very sloppy. Definitely suspicious."
And then… another message. Unknown number.
"You have ten days. The real war is coming. And it knows your name… Silver Guardian."
Kaito blinked.
"…Huh. Guess soup and sleep will have to wait."