A few days had passed since the incident at the abandoned factory.
The school corridors buzzed with life. Students laughed with their friends, lockers slammed shut, and footsteps echoed through the hallways. But to Ryan, it all felt strangely distant, as though he were merely walking through the noise instead of being part of it.
He walked beside Juliet in comfortable silence, their pace perfectly in sync.
"I'll be late tomorrow at our place," Ryan said, keeping his eyes fixed ahead.
Juliet tilted her head curiously.
"Okay... but why?"
"I have some work to do," Ryan replied calmly. "Just let her know, okay?"
Juliet smiled warmly.
"Sure. No problem. Take your time—we'll wait."
For a brief moment, the corner of Ryan's mouth lifted into a faint smile before his usual expression returned.
Suddenly—
A loud commotion erupted from the other end of the hallway.
Students gasped and hurried toward the scene.
The sounds of fists striking flesh echoed through the corridor.
Juliet's eyes widened.
"What's happening over there? Come on!"
She hurried through the growing crowd with Ryan following behind.
At the center of the circle, one of their classmates lay on the floor. His uniform was wrinkled and torn, fresh bruises spreading across his face and arms as three senior students stood over him.
Juliet froze.
"Wait... isn't he from our class?"
Her voice trembled.
"Why are seniors beating him like this?"
She instinctively took a step forward, ready to interfere.
Ryan, however, remained where he was.
His calm eyes silently studied everyone involved.
Then—
A composed voice broke through the tension.
"Please stop beating my classmate."
The hallway fell silent.
"If you don't mind... could you tell me why you're doing this?"
Everyone turned.
A boy with soft bluish-purple hair walked forward with his hands resting casually in his pockets. A gentle smile rested on his face, yet there was an unmistakable confidence in every step he took.
One of the seniors scoffed.
"And who the heck are you?"
The boy gave a small apologetic smile.
"Ah... forgive me."
"I forgot to introduce myself."
"My name is Damian."
He glanced toward the injured student before looking back at the seniors.
"The person you're beating is from my class."
"And I'm the class representative."
The senior laughed mockingly.
"Oh, now I get it."
"But this still doesn't concern you."
"He borrowed money from us and failed to pay it back."
Damian looked down at his injured classmate.
His eyes held disappointment rather than anger.
"You should've told me if you were having trouble."
His voice remained gentle.
"I could've helped you."
The injured student lowered his head in shame.
Damian turned back toward the seniors and bowed his head slightly.
"I sincerely apologize on his behalf."
"If you'll give us a little time, we'll make sure your money is returned."
The senior stepped closer until they stood face-to-face.
"I already told you."
"It's none of your business."
The smile disappeared from Damian's face.
When he looked up again, his eyes had changed.
Not furious.
Not hateful.
Simply cold.
He slowly raised one hand.
"I'm trying very hard to stay calm."
"I really want to hit you for hurting my classmate."
"But I won't."
"Because... this situation happened because of his own mistake."
He paused before continuing quietly,
"But..."
"If you keep pushing your luck..."
"You might end up needing treatment yourselves."
The senior smirked.
"Oh?"
Without another word, he grabbed Damian by the collar.
The hallway gasped.
Ryan's eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time—
He paid complete attent
The senior's fingers tightened around Damian's collar.
"So..." he sneered, pulling him closer. "You think you're some kind of hero?"
The hallway fell silent.
The crowd instinctively stepped back, leaving an open circle around them. Even the injured student looked up through swollen eyes, fear written across his face.
Damian didn't resist.
He simply let out a quiet sigh.
"...I did warn you."
The senior's face twisted with anger.
"You've got a big mouth!"
His fist shot forward.
Whoosh!
The punch sliced through empty air.
Damian had moved with the slightest tilt of his head.
For a split second, the senior froze.
When did he—?
Damian calmly caught the attacking wrist.
"...Too slow."
With one smooth motion, he twisted the arm and used the senior's own momentum against him.
BANG!
The senior slammed shoulder-first into the wall.
Cracks spread across the old plaster as he collapsed to one knee, clutching his shoulder.
Gasps erupted throughout the hallway.
"W-What...?!"
"He dodged that so easily!"
The remaining two seniors exchanged a glance before charging together.
"Get him!"
One swung a wide hook while the other rushed from Damian's blind side.
Ryan watched silently from the crowd.
His sharp eyes followed every movement.
He's reading them...
No... he's predicting them.
Damian raised his forearm.
Thud!
The hook connected, forcing him back half a step.
Before the second senior could celebrate, Damian lowered his body beneath the incoming strike.
The punch flew harmlessly over his head.
Using the opening, Damian drove his elbow into the attacker's stomach.
"Ghk!"
The boy folded over in pain.
Without hesitation—
Damian pivoted on one foot.
WHAM!
A spinning kick crashed into the senior's side, sending him skidding across the hallway floor.
The final senior roared in frustration.
"I'll kill you!"
He charged recklessly.
Damian remained perfectly still.
At the last possible moment—
He stepped aside.
The senior stumbled forward.
"...Predictable."
Damian struck once.
A clean blow to the ribs.
The senior's breath vanished instantly.
Before he could recover—
A second punch landed squarely across his jaw.
THUD!
His body hit the floor beside his friends.
Silence.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Three seniors who had seemed untouchable only moments ago now lay defeated.
Damian straightened his uniform.
He brushed a speck of dust from his sleeve before adjusting his slightly crooked collar.
"...I think that's enough."
His voice was calm.
Almost gentle.
As though nothing unusual had happened.
He walked toward his injured classmate and offered him a hand.
"Can you stand?"
The boy hesitated before accepting it.
Damian pulled him up with ease.
"You should've come to me."
His tone carried disappointment more than anger.
"You don't have to solve everything by yourself."
The student lowered his head.
"...I'm sorry."
Damian gave a small sigh.
"Just don't make me worry like that again."
The boy nodded quietly.
One of the classmates finally broke the silence.
"You're amazing, Damian!"
A few others nodded in agreement.
"Did you see that?"
"He beat all three by himself..."
"I've never seen anyone fight like that."
Damian scratched the back of his head awkwardly, a faint smile returning to his face.
"...Save the compliments."
"We're already late for class."
He turned and began walking away as though the fight had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
A small boy hurried after him, weaving through the crowd with surprising energy.
"Nahru," Damian called without looking back, "move faster."
"Okie dokie!" Nahru replied cheerfully.
As Nahru passed by—
Ryan unconsciously stopped walking.
Nahru slowed for just a fraction of a second.
Their eyes met.
The noise of the hallway seemed to disappear.
Neither of them smiled.
Neither looked away.
It lasted only a heartbeat.
Yet something unseen passed between them.
Not recognition.
Not hostility.
Just an instinct...
As if each had discovered someone who didn't quite belong in the ordinary world.
Nahru's playful grin returned.
He gave Ryan a curious glance before jogging after Damian.
Ryan remained where he stood, watching until the two disappeared into the crowd.
Juliet noticed his distant expression.
"Ryan?"
He blinked.
"Hm?"
"What are you keep staring at?"
Ryan looked away casually.
"Nothing."
Juliet followed his gaze.
"Oh... you mean Nahru?"
"He's a transfer student. He joined our class recently."
"And he's Damian's relative."
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"...Really?"
Juliet looked at him in disbelief.
"Wait... you seriously didn't know?"
Ryan shrugged.
"No."
Juliet sighed dramatically.
"I swear... sometimes you don't notice anything happening around you."
Ryan gave a small smile, but his thoughts were already elsewhere.
Did Damian know...?
Or...
Was Nahru hiding the truth from him as well?
The final bell echoed throughout the school.
Students poured through the gates in lively groups, laughing and talking about their plans. Before long, the once-crowded campus grew quiet.
Ryan walked alone beneath the golden evening sky.
His hands rested in his pockets while his thoughts replayed the events from earlier.
Nahru...
The strange feeling from their brief eye contact still lingered.
It wasn't ordinary.
It couldn't be.
Stopping beneath a large tree, Ryan pulled out his phone and dialed a familiar number.
The call connected almost immediately.
"...Hello?" came Isobel's calm voice.
"I need to meet you."
Ryan's tone was unusually serious.
"I found someone."
A brief silence followed.
Then Isobel answered,
"...That's interesting."
"Because I have something I need to tell you too."
Ryan looked toward the drifting clouds.
"...Where?"
"Our usual place."
"I'll be there."
The call ended.
Ryan slowly lowered the phone.
For reasons he couldn't explain...
He felt as though the pieces of a much larger puzzle were finally beginning to move.
---
The Next Day
Morning sunlight stretched across the quiet neighborhood.
Ding dong.
Ding dong.
The doorbell echoed through Damian's house.
A woman opened the door with a welcoming smile.
Standing outside was Isobel.
"Good morning," Isobel said politely.
"Is Damian home?"
"He is," the woman replied warmly.
"You must be one of his friends."
Isobel offered a small smile.
"Could you please let him know I'm here?"
Before the woman could respond—
Rapid footsteps echoed from inside the house.
Damian rushed into the entrance, already wearing his shoes.
He barely noticed Isobel.
"I'm sorry," he said while reaching for the door.
"I'm in a hurry."
He stepped outside.
Isobel gently caught his wrist.
"Wait."
Damian stopped.
His expression hardened with caution.
"I don't believe we've met."
"I'll listen to whatever you have to say once I get back."
"But right now..."
"I don't have time."
Isobel studied his face.
Then she asked quietly,
"Where's Nahru?"
Damian froze.
For the first time—
His calm expression cracked.
"...Why are you asking about him?"
His voice had become noticeably colder.
"I'm looking for him," Isobel replied.
"He isn't with you, is he?"
Damian clicked his tongue in frustration.
"That idiot..."
"He slipped out again."
"I've been looking everywhere."
"If I don't find him soon, there's no telling what trouble he'll cause."
Isobel narrowed her eyes.
So... he really doesn't know.
"Then let me help."
Damian looked at her for a long moment.
"...Fine."
"If you know something..."
"Tell me while we search."
Without another word—
The two hurried away together.
---
Meanwhile...
A cool breeze swept across the old bridge.
Ryan stood at one end with his hands in his pockets.
At the opposite side—
Nahru leaned lazily against the railing, staring at the flowing river below.
Without turning around, he spoke.
"...You've been following me since school."
Ryan stopped a few steps away.
"I finally caught you."
Nahru sighed dramatically.
"Aww..."
"I was hoping you'd give up."
Ryan's expression remained calm.
"Stop pretending."
"I know about you."
For the first time—
Nahru's playful smile disappeared.
Silence.
The wind carried between them.
Then...
"So do I."
Nahru slowly turned around.
His eyes no longer carried their usual childish innocence.
"If you're human..."
"...then how do you have powers?"
Ryan's gaze sharpened.
"I'll ask first."
"Why are you here on Earth?"
"Why are you living with a human?"
"And..."
His voice became firmer.
"Did you manipulate Damian?"
Nahru's eyes widened.
Then his expression darkened.
"...Don't."
"I never manipulated him."
Ryan didn't move.
"Then answer me."
Nahru folded his arms.
"You answer mine first."
Another silence settled between them.
Neither intended to speak.
Neither intended to back down.
Finally—
Ryan clenched his fist.
"...Then let's settle it another way."
"If I win..."
"You answer every question."
Nahru slowly smiled.
Not cheerfully.
Confidently.
"...And if I win..."
"You answer mine."
Ryan nodded once.
"Deal."
Both took a step back.
The atmosphere around the bridge grew heavy.
The wind suddenly felt colder.
Ryan lowered his stance.
Nahru rolled his shoulders.
Then—
They vanished.
BOOM!
Their fists collided in the center of the bridge.
The impact sent a powerful gust racing across the river.
Ryan immediately realized something.
He's fast...
Much faster than before.
Nahru blocked another punch with surprising ease.
Ryan isn't weak...
He's actually serious.
They exchanged a rapid flurry of blows, each testing the other's skill without revealing everything they were capable of.
Ryan slid backward, breathing steadily.
"Stop playing around."
Nahru grinned.
"You first."
Both tightened their fists.
This time—
Neither intended to hold back.
They rushed toward each other—
"Enough."
A calm voice cut through the air.
Their fists stopped inches before colliding.
A powerful shockwave burst outward, sending dust swirling across the bridge.
Standing effortlessly between them...
Was Isobel.
Ryan stared in disbelief.
"...Isobel?"
Nahru blinked.
"...Who are you?"
Isobel slowly lowered their arms before glaring directly at Ryan.
"What are you doing?"
Her voice carried unmistakable annoyance.
"We agreed to meet outside Damian's house."
Ryan scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"...Well..."
"I happened to see him on the way."
Isobel closed her eyes and sighed.
"Of course you did."
She turned toward Nahru.
"You're coming with us."
Nahru tilted his head innocently.
"...Are you kidnapping me?"
Ryan raised an eyebrow.
"You seriously think anyone could kidnap you?"
Nahru's eyes sparkled.
"Oh no!"
"Please kidnap me!"
"I snuck out by myself!"
"Damian's going to kill me!"
Ryan couldn't help smirking.
He's actually scared of Damian...
Despite everything...
He still acted like an excited child.
Isobel rubbed her forehead.
"We're already late."
"Ryan."
"Grab him."
Ryan walked over.
"Come on."
Nahru immediately raised both hands.
"Okie dokie!"
The three of them disappeared into the distance...
Heading toward the place where the truth would finally begin to unfold.
The abandoned house stood in complete silence.
Its cracked walls, broken windows, and weathered roof made it look as though no one had entered it for years.
Nahru looked around curiously.
"So..."
He tilted his head.
"...this is where you kidnapped me?"
Ryan sighed.
"We're not kidnapping you."
"That's exactly what kidnappers would say," Nahru replied with a completely straight face.
Isobel ignored the exchange and walked toward the center of the old house.
She knelt beside a worn wooden floorboard and pressed her hand against a hidden metal plate.
Click.
A quiet mechanical sound echoed through the room.
The floor trembled.
Slowly, several wooden planks slid apart, revealing a narrow staircase leading underground.
Nahru's eyes widened.
"...Whoa."
Ryan noticed his expression and smirked.
"Didn't expect that?"
Nahru grinned.
"Nope."
"I like it already."
The three descended into the darkness.
The staircase led to a reinforced underground corridor illuminated by soft white lights.
Unlike the ruined house above, everything below was clean, organized, and surprisingly modern.
Nahru looked around in amazement.
"So the creepy house is fake..."
Ryan shrugged.
"Exactly."
After walking a little farther, they entered a spacious room lined with equipment, bookshelves, and several monitors.
Someone was already waiting.
Juliet stood with her arms crossed, rhythmically tapping one foot against the floor.
The moment she saw them, she frowned.
"...Finally."
She looked directly at Ryan.
"You took forever."
Ryan scratched the back of his head.
"There were... a few complications."
Juliet's eyes shifted toward Nahru.
For a brief moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Nahru broke into a bright smile.
"Oh!"
"So you're involved too!"
He pointed at her excitedly.
"No wonder."
"I knew you weren't a normal girl."
Juliet blinked.
"...Thanks?"
Ryan couldn't help laughing quietly.
Nahru looked around the room before pointing at himself.
"So..."
"What exactly are you planning to do with me?"
His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yay!"
"I'm getting kidnapped!"
Juliet froze.
Her eyes widened.
She slowly turned toward Ryan.
"...Wait."
Another glance toward Isobel.
"...WAIT."
Her voice echoed throughout the room.
"WE KIDNAPPED HIM?!"
Ryan immediately raised both hands.
"No!"
"He came willingly!"
Nahru nodded enthusiastically.
"Yep!"
"They asked."
"I accepted."
Juliet looked completely lost.
"...That's somehow even worse."
Ryan sighed.
"I told you..."
"We didn't kidnap him."
Nahru raised one finger proudly.
"I volunteered."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Then—
Juliet buried her face in one hand.
"I already have a headache..."
Ryan couldn't stop himself from smiling.
Even Isobel let out the faintest sigh, shaking her head.
For all the mystery surrounding Nahru...
He was somehow the strangest person in the room.