After class, the schoolyard slowly came alive.
Groups of students scattered across the grounds—some laughing, some chasing each other, others simply enjoying the brief freedom before the next bell.
Under the shade of a tall tree, Takeshi sat with Haru and Emi.
"Hey, Takeshi…" Emi spoke first, her voice softer than usual, a small pout forming on her lips. "Why didn't you tell us about the river incident?"
She looked at him directly.
"Aren't we your friends?"
Takeshi scratched his cheek, a little awkward under her gaze.
"It's not like that," he said. "I just… didn't want you two to worry. That's all."
Before Emi could reply, Haru leaned back dramatically, crossing his arms.
"Ah, I see," he said with exaggerated seriousness. "You told me already, right? I mean, I am your best friend."
He tilted his head toward Emi.
"She's just the sidekick."
Emi snapped.
"What?! No way!" she shot back, eyes widening. "I'm his best friend! You're the sidekick!"
Haru scoffed. "Please. Your quirk just lets you see through walls. That's not even useful—it's just creepy!"
"At least I have control!" Emi fired back. "You just jump around like a monkey and call it a technique!"
"That's called mobility!"
"That's called chaos!"
Within seconds, both of them were on the verge of tears—glaring at each other, voices rising.
Takeshi sighed.
Why do I feel like I'm managing two disasters instead of one…
He reached out and placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"Enough."
His tone wasn't loud—but it carried weight.
Both of them went quiet.
"Neither of your quirks are useless," Takeshi said calmly. "You're just not using them properly yet."
They blinked.
"Haru," he continued, "your speed and jumping ability can get you places no one else can reach. In emergencies, that matters. You could save people just by being faster than anyone else."
Haru's expression shifted slightly.
"And Emi," Takeshi added, turning to her, "your vision quirk is perfect for search and rescue. You could find people trapped under debris… or even locate hidden threats before anyone else notices."
Silence.
Then—
Haru rubbed his nose, sniffling slightly.
"…Takeshi, you really think that?"
Emi nodded quickly, her earlier anger gone.
"You're always right… you're so smart," she said, smiling again. "You'll definitely become the Number One Hero someday!"
"Takeshi-san is the best!" Haru added.
Takeshi immediately turned red.
"O-okay, that's enough of that," he muttered, looking away. "We've got gym next. What do you think about the new teacher?"
"Mr. Tanaka?" Haru groaned. "He's terrifying. I feel like I'm going to fail before class even starts."
"I think he's nice," Emi said. "He helped me last time."
Before Takeshi could respond—
The bell rang.
"That's our cue," he said, standing up. "Let's go."
The training field buzzed with anticipation.
Students lined up in rows as Mr. Satoshi Tanaka stood at the front, arms behind his back, his sharp gaze sweeping across the group.
"First test," he said. "Endurance. Run until you can't."
No countdown.
No warning.
"Go."
The students broke into a sprint.
Laughter mixed with determination as they circled the track, feet pounding against the ground. One by one, students slowed… then stopped… until only two remained.
Takeshi.
And Kaito.
Neither spoke.
Neither slowed.
Just as the tension began to build—
WHISTLE!
Both of them reacted instantly.
They stopped.
Lost rhythm—
And dropped.
"Winner!" Tanaka announced.
"…Emi Fujimoto."
The field fell silent.
Emi, who had been standing off to the side the entire time, blinked in confusion.
"Eh?"
Tanaka smirked slightly.
"You all lost to distraction," he said. "In a real fight, hesitation gets you killed."
Takeshi sat up slowly, rubbing the back of his head.
…That was cheap.
Kaito clicked his tongue.
"What a ridiculous trick."
Then, after a pause—
He glanced sideways at Takeshi.
"You're losing next time."
Takeshi smirked faintly.
"Then you'd better make sure of it."
"Next test," Tanaka called. "Strength."
A thick wooden log was placed at the center.
"Break it. Not move it. Not dent it. Break it."
One by one, students stepped forward.
Emi hesitated, then gave it her best—
Thunk.
She yelped, clutching her hand.
"I think I broke something!"
Tanaka crouched, inspecting briefly.
"…You didn't," he said calmly. "But don't rush into things you're not prepared for. Go see the nurse after class."
She nodded sheepishly.
Next—
Haru.
With a determined shout, he spun and kicked the log.
The impact sent it flying several meters away.
Tanaka pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Power without control," he muttered. "You're not launching it—you're breaking it."
Haru scratched his head awkwardly.
"…Right."
Then—
Kaito stepped forward.
Metal fragments rose from the ground around him, drawn to his hand, forming a dense, reinforced fist.
He didn't hesitate.
He struck.
The log shattered into splinters.
A clean break.
He turned immediately, eyes locking onto Takeshi.
"Your turn."
Takeshi stepped forward.
He studied the replacement log for a moment.
Then—
He clenched his fist.
Focused.
And struck.
The wood split cleanly down the center.
Precise.
Controlled.
A murmur spread through the class.
Kaito frowned.
That wasn't brute force.
That was control.
When the exercise ended, Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Winner—Kaito Suzuki."
Kaito's eyes flickered briefly.
Then Tanaka's gaze shifted.
"Takeshi."
The field went quiet.
"Stop holding back."
The words landed heavily.
"If you keep restraining yourself like that," Tanaka continued, "you'll lose when it actually matters."
Silence.
Even Kaito looked surprised.
Takeshi said nothing.
But his expression shifted—just slightly.
Kaito turned away abruptly, jaw tight.
What is that supposed to mean…?
His fists clenched.
Why does it always feel like…
…he's not even trying?
The class began to disperse.
But something lingered.
Not rivalry.
Not pride.
Something sharper.
Expectation.
End of Chapter 9