Part 1: The New Student and the Himura Name
The morning at Neotokyo High School after the summer break was as bustling as ever. Takuto Himura sat in his usual seat by the window, gazing out at the scenery. Beside him, Ayano was checking her makeup bag, while in the front row, Kaori was diligently preparing for the day's lessons.
When the bell rang, the homeroom teacher entered with a bright smile.
"Alright, settle down everyone," the teacher announced. "We have a new transfer student joining us today from out of province."
The classroom buzzed with curious whispers. Takuto, however, remained uninterested, his eyes still fixed on the view outside.
"Come in, please," the teacher beckoned.
The door slid open, and a cute girl with short, lavender-colored hair stepped slowly into the room. Her school uniform, worn under a black hoodie, suited her perfectly. The moment she stood at the front of the class, every boy in the room was dazed.
Hana bowed politely at a perfect 90-degree angle. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. My name is Hana Himura. I've just moved here, so please take care of me."
As she straightened up and flashed a brilliant smile, the boys erupted in unison, "She's so cute!" But a moment later, the significance of her name registered in everyone's minds.
"Himura? Wait... is she related to Takuto?" Student 1 whispered.
Hana blinked and turned her gaze toward Takuto. "That's right. The Takuto Himura sitting over there is my one and only Onii-chan (Big Brother)!"
The classroom exploded as if a bomb had gone off. Takuto immediately buried his face in his hands and slumped onto his desk.
"Unbelievable! A quiet guy like Takuto has such a cute little sister?" Student 2 exclaimed.
"Look... their facial features actually look quite similar!" Student 1 noted.
Without waiting for the teacher to assign a seat, Hana walked straight toward Takuto, every eye in the room following her movements.
"Onii-chan..." Hana stood beside his desk, her voice sweet. "Can I sit next to you?"
"Hana... did you... did you really have to do this?" Takuto groaned without looking up.
Ayano raised an eyebrow, observing Hana with a piercing gaze, while Kaori gripped her pen tightly, analyzing the situation. It was certain that the name 'Himura' would be the hottest topic at Neotokyo High today.
"Oh, Hana-chan! So you really did transfer?" Ayano chimed in. "I thought you were joking when you mentioned it at home."
The students' eyes widened even further.
"At home? Ayano is already that close with Takuto's sister? Then those two really are..."
Clack! Kaori tapped her pen sharply against her desk. "Ayano. Hana-san. Please don't discuss private home matters in class. Hana-san, your seat is in the back row over there."
Though Kaori spoke calmly, her eyes reflected a clear message: Another person I have to keep an eye on.
Hana pouted. "How cruel, Kaori-san. I just wanted to be near Onii-chan."
Hana reluctantly moved to the back, but her eyes never left Takuto. When recess arrived, a swarm of boys surrounded her desk.
"Hana-chan! Where did you live before? What are your hobbies? Tell us if you want anything to eat, we'll buy it for you!"
Hana blinked innocently. "Hobbies? Hmm... I like keeping track of everything about Onii-chan. You know, when he was little..."
Takuto bolted upright, trying to cover her mouth. "Hana! Stop! You don't need to tell them that!"
Hana dodged his hand and laughed. "When Onii-chan was little, he was so afraid of the house catching fire that he used to wear a fireman's helmet even while taking a bath! It was so adorable!"
The whole class burst into laughter. "Seriously, Takuto? A fireman's helmet in the bath? Hahaha!"
Takuto's face turned bright red. "That was... I was five years old! Hana, you really...!"
Ayano clapped her hands in amusement while Kaori shook her head, scribbling furiously in her notebook. The chaos of the Himura household had officially infected Neotokyo High School.
Part 2: The Rooftop Confrontation
When lunch break arrived, Takuto fled the classroom to escape the barrage of questions. He grabbed a bun and headed for the rooftop, hoping for some peace. To his dismay, peace was nowhere to be found.
As he reached the roof, he stopped dead in his tracks. Three girls were already waiting for him.
"You guys... how did you all get here first?"
Hana leaned against the railing, flashing her "little sister" smile. Flanking her were Ayano and Kaori, standing like poised generals on a battlefield.
"Onii-chan," Hana began. "Are these two girls really 'protecting' you? Or are they trying to claim you for themselves?"
Ayano tossed her hair and walked slowly toward Takuto, gripping his arm firmly. "Hana-chan... rather than 'claiming,' let's say I'm 'deeply caring' for him. I'm protecting Takuto-kun's life—and his heart."
Kaori tried to swat Ayano's hand away. "Ayano! Don't fill the girl's head with your nonsense. Takuto, we are here to officially vet Hana's background and discuss whether her presence here interferes with your security."
"Interferes?" Hana blinked. "How mean, Kaori-san. I'm his flesh and blood. Shouldn't I be the one watching out for who is approaching my brother and with what intentions?"
Hana grabbed Takuto's other side. Now, Takuto was sandwiched between Ayano and Hana.
"Hey... hey... everyone stop," Takuto pleaded. "I'm exhausted enough as it is."
"Takuto! You're too soft on them," Kaori scolded. "Hana, I know you love him, but you're too close."
"Well, that's normal for siblings," Hana chirped. "Besides, I'm here to protect Onii-chan."
Ayano's eyes narrowed. "Protecting him is one thing. But a 'little sister' sticking this close... isn't it a bit much? Even I haven't gotten that close yet!"
Ayano pulled Takuto toward her. Hana pulled back.
"This is a sister's privilege! You're a stranger, Ayano-san!"
"I'm not a stranger! I have an 'ambiguous relationship' with Takuto!"
"What 'ambiguous relationship,' Ayano?! Watch your words!" Kaori yelled. "Takuto! Say something to them!"
Trapped between the three, Takuto felt like a volcano was about to erupt in his head.
"EVERYONE STOP!" he shouted. "I just wanted to eat my bread in peace! Hana, go back to class. Ayano, Kaori... get back to your duties!"
He broke free and bolted for the door.
"Onii-chan is so cute when he's flustered," Hana giggled.
Ayano looked at Kaori. "Looks like the new rival is going to be quite a handful, eh, Kaori-san?"
Kaori sighed. "We have to keep a close watch on her. My instincts tell me... this girl is anything but ordinary."
Part 3: The Girl with the Electric Blue Gaze
After the rooftop chaos, school hours ended, and Club Time began. To escape the trio and clear his head, Takuto decided to head to the library.
As he walked down the corridor, he noticed a girl near the storage room struggling with a stack of boxes piled higher than her head. She was wobbling dangerously, unable to see the path in front of her.
"Hey, watch out! They're going to fall!"
Takuto rushed over and caught the top boxes just as they began to slip. The girl peeked out from behind the stack.
She was dressed neatly in her school uniform, but she possessed a magnetic aura unlike the other students. Her hair was a deep blue, shimmering with a metallic silver tint at the tips. Most striking of all were her eyes—pale blue orbs that seemed to flicker with tiny sparks of electricity.
"Ah... thank you. I really appreciate the help," she said, sounding slightly surprised.
"No problem. Why are you carrying so many by yourself? I'll help you take them into the storage room."
"Thank you. They go right inside. My name is Shina Kaminari. You're... Takuto Himura from Class A, aren't you?"
Takuto paused mid-lift. Her voice was cool but oddly captivating. "You know my name?"
Shina offered a seductive smile. "Who wouldn't know the descendant of the Himura family that everyone's talking about?"
Taking it as a simple compliment, Takuto nodded and helped her move the boxes inside. The storage room was dim and silent. As Takuto placed the boxes on a shelf, his Phoenix Eye suddenly flared with heat—a warning.
(Takuto's thoughts): 'What is this feeling? Being near her... it feels like I've stepped into an electromagnetic field.'
He turned to find Shina watching him with a strange intensity. As her fingers rested on a box, a small green spark jumped from her hand.
"Takuto-kun... your eyes... they're just as beautiful as the rumors say."
She stepped closer. A faint scent of ozone—like the air after a lightning strike—clung to her. As she backed him against the wall, her pale blue eyes glowed brighter in the shadows.
"I can feel a strange heat coming from you, Takuto-kun," she whispered, her voice low and alluring. "Are you... hiding something?"
She trapped him, placing her hands on the wall on either side of his shoulders. Their faces were inches apart.
"Up close... your eyes are even more mesmerizing. Something is glowing inside them. Can I see... a little closer?"
She leaned in until her breath warmed his ear. "Don't be afraid, Takuto-kun. I won't bite. Unless... you want me to?"
Takuto's body tensed. Any ordinary boy would have crumbled under such a blatant seduction, but his Phoenix Eye was screaming 'Danger.'
"Kaminari-san... what are you trying to do?" Takuto asked, his voice steady despite his racing heart.
Shina smiled, enjoying his composure. She slowly began to undo the top buttons of her school blazer. "I really like this cold side of yours. But... let's see how long you can actually hold out."
As she leaned in to kiss him, Takuto didn't succumb. Instead, he activated his Phoenix Eye to its full potential. The world slowed. He saw the microscopic particles in the air and sensed the dense Static Stella Flow swirling around Shina.
(Takuto's thoughts): 'This isn't just static. This energy... she's an Electro Flash Eye user!'
Just as her lips were about to touch his, the air in the room turned heavy, almost solid. Shina felt a wave of cold, murderous intent—a Tremendous Pressure—wash over her, freezing her in her tracks.
She opened her eyes and gasped. The "quiet guy" was gone.
In the darkness, Takuto's eyes had transformed into twin glowing embers of crimson light. His Phoenix Eye had awakened with a silent fury, the sheer pressure of his aura vibrating the very boxes on the shelves.
"Kaminari Shina..." Takuto's voice was cold and devoid of emotion. "Stop the act."
He grabbed her shoulders and pinned her back against the wall. The tables had turned. His glowing red eyes bored into her blue ones.
"Who are you? And why did you approach me?"
The seductive smile vanished from Shina's face. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she felt the raw power of a Nova-level aura pressing down on her.
Yet, despite the pressure, she didn't look afraid. She looked... exhilarated.
"Oh, Takuto-kun," she whispered, a low chuckle vibrating in her throat. "There's no need to be so angry. Those burning eyes of yours... they make my heart race."
Takuto didn't flinch. He tightened his grip. "I won't ask a second time. Who. Are. You?"
Shina's expression shifted. The playful student mask fell away, replaced by something much sharper. She opened her eyes wide, and her pale blue irises deepened into a dark electric blue, emitting flashes of light that cut through the darkness of the room.
Tiny bolts of electricity crackled within her pupils like miniature fireworks.
(Takuto's thoughts): 'It really is the Electro Flash Eye. but this is different from any I've seen. This power is denser... more ruthless.'
Shina leaned her face back into his. Now, the crimson glow of the Phoenix Eye and the blue sparks of the Electro Flash Eye clashed in the narrow space between them, the two energies grinding against each other in the air.
"You're just as strong as the legends say," Shina said with a chilling, triumphant smirk. "...Wielder of the Phoenix Eye."
The "innocent" schoolgirl was gone. In her place stood a cold-blooded hunter.
In the pitch-black storage room, the red and blue lights flickered violently, two predators locked in a silent, deadly stare.
[END OF CHAPTER 23]