Part 1: The Awkward Walk
The atmosphere was stiflingly awkward as they emerged from the storage room. Kaori marched ahead, fuming with silent rage. Following behind were Shina and Ayano, both sporting prominent "bumps" on their heads from Kaori's knuckles, glaring at each other while they walked. Takuto was caught right in the middle, looking utterly exasperated.
Shina: (Rubbing the bump on her head, leaning closer to Takuto) "Takuto-kun... your bodyguard is quite the brute, isn't she? Look at this bump on my beautiful head."
Ayano: (Immediately cutting in) "You're the sly fox here! How dare you try to force a kiss on Takuto-kun? Do it again, and you won't just get Kaori-san's fist—I'll use my Purple Eyes to shatter your very soul!"
Takuto: "Enough, both of you... Right now, the only thing that matters is the Fallen Eclipse."
As the four of them reached the school gates, they spotted someone waiting at the corner. It was Hana. Holding her school bag with an innocent expression, her eyes momentarily turned icy the second they landed on Shina.
Hana (Thinking): 'Kaminari Shina... why is this woman beside Onii-chan? I should have finished her off that night.'
Shina, too, stiffened the moment she saw Hana. She still struggled to believe that the 'Wolf Eye' user who had nearly killed her at the docks was actually Takuto's little sister. Blue sparks flickered instinctively between her fingers, but she suppressed them immediately, sensing Takuto's presence.
Hana: (Instantly switching to a sweet tone) "Onii-chan! You're late. I've been waiting forever. By the way... who is this big sister?"
Though Hana asked innocently, her nails were dug so deep into her palms inside her bag that they were beginning to bleed. Suppressing her power in front of Takuto while letting Shina walk free was a living hell for her.
Takuto: "Oh, Hana. This is Shina Kaminari. She's... helping us out for the time being."
Hana: "Is that so? Nice to meet you, Sister." (Hana stepped closer to Shina and whispered so only she could hear) 'Try anything with my brother... and this time, your lightning won't be enough to save you.'
A chill ran down Shina's spine. Hana's gaze was that of a predator ready to tear its prey apart. Takuto, oblivious to the tension, urged everyone to head home quickly.
Inside Takuto's living room, a heavy silence hung over the group.
Takuto: "Hana... we have an important school project to discuss. Why don't you go upstairs and rest? Try not to come down for a while; we really need to focus."
Hana: (The dutiful sister) "Okay, Onii-chan. I'll stay upstairs and study. I'll put the kettle on for you guys before I go."
As Hana climbed the stairs, Takuto waited until he was sure she was out of earshot before turning to Shina.
Takuto: "Alright, Shina. Tell us everything you know about the Fallen Eclipse."
Shina stood in the center of the room, using her blue lightning to manifest holographic flickers of their enemies in the air.
Shina: "Listen carefully... Kage, the leader of Fallen Eclipse, is no ordinary man. He controls Gravity. Within his domain, you won't be able to move a single muscle. He also harbors a deep-seated grudge against your father, Takuto-kun."
Takuto clenched his fists, the mention of his father striking a chord deep within him.
Shina: "Then there's Baltos, the 'Stone Eye.' His gaze can petrify. While ordinary people die instantly, those with Eye Powers will be turned to stone for a limited time. You're most vulnerable then. Ren is an assassin—no Eye Power, but chemically enhanced for peak lethality. Finally, there's Zero... a seven-foot giant who can crush steel with his bare hands."
Kaori and Ayano's faces paled as they heard the descriptions. A few minutes later, Shina headed to the kitchen for a drink. The moment she stepped inside, the temperature seemed to drop, and a sharp edge pressed against her throat.
Hana held her claw-like hand against Shina's neck, her eyes glowing a predatory yellow with the power of the Wolf Eye.
Hana: "You have a lot of nerve entering my home, Shina Kaminari. Your little act only works on Onii-chan. Don't think for a second you can fool me."
Shina: (Smirking, unfazed) "Heh... what a terrifying little sister. I wonder what your brother would think if he saw this side of you?"
Hana: "That's exactly why... I should kill you right here in silence. If you even think about harming him, my claws will pierce your heart before your lightning can even spark."
Shina: (Staring directly into Hana's eyes) "Kill me if you want. But if I die now, you lose the one person who can help Takuto-kun. Kage is after him. I want to protect him... in my own way."
Hana pressed her nails slightly harder, drawing a bead of blood from Shina's neck. After a tense moment, she withdrew her hand.
Hana: "I'll let you live for now. But remember... I am always watching. Make one wrong move, and there won't even be a body left to bury."
Hana masked her aura instantly, picked up the tea tray with a calm expression, and walked back to the living room. Shina remained in the kitchen, wiping the blood from her neck, her heart racing.
Part 2: The Missing Piece
Back in the living room, Takuto was processing the intel when a sudden realization hit him. He looked around, his brow furrowed.
Takuto: "Wait... where's Aoi? I haven't seen her since we got back from school."
Silence fell over the room. Kaori frowned, glancing upstairs.
Kaori: "Isn't she in her room? Didn't she come back with us?"
Ayano: (Panicked) "No... back at the cafeteria, when we met Shina, she said she'd catch up later. I thought she had gone home ahead of us!"
Hana, re-entering with the tea, stiffened. She used her Wolf Eye's heightened senses to scan the house—Aoi's presence was nowhere to be found.
Hana: "Aoi-chan isn't in the house, Onii-chan. Her shoes aren't at the door either."
Takuto's heart hammered in his chest. Aoi wasn't the type to just disappear.
Shina: (Grimly) "This is bad. Baltos, Zero, and Ren are already in the city. Aoi's eyes are a priceless treasure to the Fallen Eclipse. If they found her first..."
Takuto: "Dammit!! we have to find her now!"
Takuto's Phoenix Eye flared to life, his irises glowing a fierce crimson. Just then, Aoi's phone, which she had left on the coffee table, buzzed with a message from an unknown number.
"If you want your girl back... come to the old stone quarry outside the city. Come alone... if you know what's good for her. — Baltos"
Takuto: (His Red Stella Flow exploding in a burst of rage) "Baltos... you dare touch Aoi!!"
The heat from his aura filled the room. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to regain control, not wanting to reveal his full instability in front of Hana. He leaned in close to Kaori and Ayano, whispering so Hana couldn't hear.
Takuto: (Whispering) "I'm going ahead. It's a trap, but I have no choice. You two, go to Crimson Aegis immediately. We need their help before it's too late."
Kaori nodded, seeing the unwavering resolve in his eyes. Takuto then turned to Hana with a forced, gentle smile.
Takuto: "Hana... there's a quick school matter I need to handle. Stay here, keep the doors locked, okay?"
Hana: (Feigning ignorance) "Okay, Onii-chan... please be careful."
As Takuto bolted out of the house, Shina followed close behind. She caught up to him at the end of the street.
Shina: "Takuto-kun, wait! Fallen Eclipse doesn't know I've defected yet. To them, I'm still an ally."
Takuto: "What are you planning?"
Shina: "I'll go to the quarry first. If I show up pretending to help them, I can find exactly where Aoi is held. I'll create an opening for you to swoop in and rescue her."
Takuto searched Shina's eyes. He wasn't sure if he could trust her fully, but time was running out.
Takuto: "Fine. But be careful. If they catch on, you're dead."
Shina: (With a seductive smile) "Thanks for worrying about me. See you at the quarry."
Shina's body dissolved into blue lightning, vanishing into the darkness. Takuto took a breath and sprinted toward the quarry at full speed.
In the shadows she left behind, Shina's eyes glowed brighter than usual. Her electricity crackled with a twisted sort of joy.
Shina: (To herself) "That's right, Takuto-kun. For now, I'll be your perfect ally. I'll help you destroy Fallen Eclipse... and then, I'll remove every other girl from your side."
She would help save Aoi, but her true plan was to ensure Aoi left Takuto's life for good once the dust settled. To her, Takuto was a prize—one that no one else was allowed to touch.
Shina: "In the end... you will be mine. Your Phoenix Gaze belongs in the heart of my storm."
With a cold smile, she surged toward the quarry.
Meanwhile, deep in the mountains past the bamboo groves, Kaori and Ayano arrived at the secret headquarters of the Crimson Aegis. The estate was a blend of ancient Japanese architecture and modern spiritual wards.
White-clad guards opened the gates as if sensing Takuto's authority through his friends. Inside the main hall, Shizune Rinoka sat waiting.
Shizune Rinoka: "Does Takuto-sama require our strength? We are ready."
She gestured, and two young warriors stepped forward.
Kaito (Element: Wind): A stoic youth with a bamboo fan. A single wave of his fan can manipulate atmospheric pressure to paralyze enemies or create vacuums that suffocate his targets.
Mei (Element: Earth and Metal): A bold, spirited girl carrying a massive spear. Her weapon can shift form at will, and she can manipulate metals from the earth to crush anything in her path.
Shizune Rinoka: "These two will protect Takuto-sama using the Four Elements, providing support that goes beyond Eye Powers."
Kaori, Ayano, and the two Crimson Aegis warriors sped toward the old quarry. At that very moment, Takuto reached the factory gates, while Shina lurked in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to claim her prize.
[END OF CHAPTER 31]