Ryuuto spotted movement in the sky—a small ship cutting through the clouds, engines whining low. His pulse eased when he recognized it.
Axville's transport craft.
If he'd been nearsighted, he might've blasted it out of the sky with his new technique.
Would've been awkward explaining that to the school board.
Still, a flicker of concern twisted in his gut. With the military on edge, that ship could've been an easy target. So he kept pace beside it, escorting the vessel until it safely touched down in the academy's back lot.
The hatch hissed open, and out stepped a familiar figure—dark-skinned, elegant, white hair rippling in the wind.
"Oruoro Storm," Ryuuto greeted, smirking. "Haven't seen you since you threatened to fry me with lightning."
She laughed softly, eyes glinting. "Guess who's with me?"
He tilted his head. "Unless it's my dear sister Oruoro Monroe herself, I'm stumped."
She grinned but said nothing, stepping aside. The hatch closed behind her with a click.
That's when Ryuuto noticed the lawn to his right. Two faint footprints appeared—pressing down the grass. Someone invisible was walking straight toward him.
He didn't even hesitate. Two steps sideways—
"Ah!"
A startled scream burst into the air as a blond woman suddenly shimmered into view, flailing.
Susan Storm—the Invisible Woman—nearly tripped over her own feet.
"Trying to spook me again?" Ryuuto chuckled, catching her before she fell. "Careful. You're not exactly a ninja."
Flushed, Susan wriggled free. "I wasn't spying! I was testing your observation skills. Which, apparently, are improving."
"Oh? How noble of you."
"My intentions are pure!" she insisted, crossing her arms.
"Uh-huh. Says the same woman who once snuck into my room while I was showering."
"I—! I didn't go into the bathroom," Susan sputtered, face red. "I just sat on your bed!"
Behind them, Oruoro watched the bickering pair with an amused smile, shaking her head. Those two really need a label.
"Anyway," Ryuuto said, finally dropping the teasing, "what brings you here?"
Susan's tone shifted, suddenly serious. "I had a bad feeling. The Axville base isn't meant for students—it's a fortress. I thought something was wrong… and I was right, wasn't I?"
"Yeah," Ryuuto said. "It's bad."
"What happened?"
"Magneto," he muttered. "He wiped out a whole town—called it the new mutant capital. The army panicked, sent gas troops our way. I stopped them. Then they launched two missiles. Stopped those too."
Susan blinked. "…You what?"
"Handled it," he said simply, striding forward.
"This is serious, Ryuuto." She followed beside him. "If you keep clashing with governments, you're not just fighting the US—you'll be facing the whole world. Mutants will rally to you. Whether you want it or not, you'll be building an army."
"And that's bad?" Ryuuto asked dryly.
"It's world war bad!" she shot back. "Are you really not afraid?"
He grinned. "If I were scared, I wouldn't be Ryuuto."
Susan's lips twitched. "So if I'm not scared, I can stay?"
"I didn't say that."
"But that's exactly what you meant!" she huffed.
Watching her puff up like an angry cat, Ryuuto sighed. "You're impossible."
Susan just smiled smugly.
For all her dramatics, she was… fun. Simple. Real. No manipulation, no hidden agenda—just honest emotion.
"Come on," he said, waving for her to follow. "I'll introduce you to my student."
"Your student?"
"Yeah. Officially graduated my internship last week, so I'm a provisional teacher now." He grinned. "Found a new mutant this morning—freshly awakened. Convinced her to enroll."
"She's a girl, huh?" Susan said, narrowing her eyes.
"Yeah."
"That sounds suspicious."
Ryuuto burst out laughing. "You've been reading too many gossip blogs. Relax—you'll see. Her ability's impressive."
A few minutes later, they stood inside one of the practice corridors. A nervous girl with soft pink hair—Katie Dee—bowed shyly.
Susan blinked. Oh no. She's cute. Way too cute.
Her stomach twisted unexpectedly. Wait, why do I even care? He's not my boyfriend…
"Go on, Katie," Ryuuto said gently. "Show her what you can do."
"I—I can't. It only happens when I get too emotional."
"Then maybe you just haven't tried the right trigger," Ryuuto said, knocking on the wall. "Don't overthink it. I'll be right outside. Don't disappoint your teacher."
He glanced back. "You too, Susan. Watch from the hall—it'll be clearer."
Susan frowned, following him out. "You're showing me her ability but closing the door? That feels… suspicious."
Ryuuto's smile was unreadable. "Trust me. You'll understand in a minute."