The training room smells like sweat and old rubber.
Christina stands in the middle of the mat, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
Henry circles her like she's a wild animal that might bite.
"…Okay," he says slowly. "Rule number one."
Christina tilts her head.
"Don't die?"
Henry blinks.
"…Sure. Yeah. That's actually a good one."
Charlotte watches from the computer station, arms folded.
"This is a terrible idea."
Jasper, sitting on the edge of the mat with popcorn he definitely stole from somewhere, grins.
"This is the BEST idea."
Christina cracks her neck.
"So what am I doing?"
Henry exhales.
"You're learning control."
Christina scoffs.
"I have control."
Henry snorts.
"You told a teacher I had explosive diarrhea."
Christina smiles brightly.
"And you survived."
Henry raises his hands.
"Focus. Basic stance."
He steps behind her, adjusting her shoulders.
"Feet apart. Knees loose. Hands up."
Christina's voice is innocent.
"Are you touching me on purpose?"
Henry immediately jerks back like he's been electrocuted.
"Oh my GOD—no!"
Jasper cackles.
"She's gonna eat you alive, bro."
Charlotte glares.
"Jasper shut up."
Henry's ears are bright red.
"Just—just punch the bag."
Christina turns toward the heavy bag.
She stares at it for a long moment.
Then—
BAM.
Her fist slams into it with shocking force.
The bag swings violently.
Henry freezes.
"…Okay."
Christina hits it again.
Harder.
Again.
Again.
The rhythm turns brutal.
Not training.
Not practice.
Something else.
Charlotte's expression shifts.
"That's not… normal beginner strength."
Henry's jaw tightens.
Christina's breathing sharpens, fists reddening.
The bag squeaks under the punishment.
Henry steps closer, quieter now.
"Christina…"
She doesn't stop.
Her voice trembles.
"I'm fine."
Henry gently grabs her wrist.
"Stop."
Christina whips around—
Eyes blazing.
For one second Henry thinks she might hit him.
Instead she just stands there, chest heaving.
Too close.
Too close.
Henry's voice drops.
"…You don't have to do this alone."
Christina laughs bitterly.
"Yeah? Who's gonna help me?"
Henry doesn't answer.
He just looks at her.
And for the first time—
Christina's expression cracks.
Her eyes flicker.
Henry's hand is still on her wrist.
Warm.
Steady.
The air changes.
Christina whispers—
"…You're annoying."
Henry breathes out a laugh.
"Right back at you."
Their faces are inches apart.
Christina's gaze drops to his mouth.
Henry's breath catches.
Jasper gasps loudly.
"OHHHHHHHH—"
Charlotte throws popcorn at him.
"SHUT UP!"
Henry jerks back like reality slapped him.
Christina smirks.
"Almost, Kid Danger."
Henry's face is nuclear.
"Almost WHAT—no—stop—"
Charlotte groans.
"I hate it here."
Later…
The elevator hums quietly.
Ray stands in the shadows of the hallway above the Man Cave.
He wasn't supposed to come down.
He told himself he wouldn't.
But his feet carried him anyway.
He watches through the cracked door.
Christina on the mat.
Henry hovering too close.
Her fists swinging like she's trying to beat the past into submission.
Ray's throat tightens.
Schwoz appears beside him like a ghost.
Soft voice.
"…You're watching."
Ray doesn't look away.
"I'm not."
Schwoz sighs.
"You are."
Ray's jaw clenches.
"She's reckless."
Schwoz murmurs—
"She's hurting."
Ray's voice cracks slightly.
"So am I."
Schwoz's expression softens.
"…Then talk to her."
Ray's laugh is humorless.
"I don't know how."
Schwoz hesitates.
"…Start with 'I'm sorry.'"
Ray swallows hard.
His eyes don't leave her.
"I don't deserve her forgiveness."
Schwoz whispers—
"No. But she deserves your effort."
Ray's fists tremble.
And for the first time…
Captain Man looks like just a man.
Broken.
The Next Morning — Swellview High
Henry walks into the hallway half-asleep.
Charlotte beside him, dead-eyed.
Jasper skipping.
"I can't believe we almost saw them kiss."
Henry yelps.
"WE DID NOT—"
Charlotte cuts in.
"Jasper, if you say the word 'kiss' again, I will end you."
Henry mutters.
"Thank you."
Then—
A voice sings out.
"HENRYYYYYY!"
Henry freezes.
Slowly turns.
Christina is leaning against his locker like she owns it.
Wearing sunglasses indoors.
Holding a juice box.
Smiling like a menace.
Henry's voice is flat.
"…Why are you here."
Christina pushes off the locker.
"School."
Henry squints.
"You don't go here."
Christina smiles wider.
"I do now."
Charlotte's soul leaves her body.
"No."
Christina slings an arm around Henry's shoulders.
He stiffens instantly.
"Personal space."
Christina whispers—
"But I missed you."
Henry hisses—
"You saw me eight hours ago!"
Christina gasps dramatically.
"Eight hours without your lips is torture."
Henry makes a strangled noise.
Jasper screams.
"THEY'RE FLIRTING AGAIN!"
Christina turns toward Jasper brightly.
"JASPER HI BESTIE."
Jasper waves.
Charlotte looks like she's about to pass away.
Christina suddenly points at a random freshman walking by.
"You."
The kid freezes.
"Me?"
Christina nods seriously.
"You look like you bite people."
The kid blinks.
"…What?"
Christina smiles.
"I respect that."
And walks away.
Henry stares after her, horrified.
Charlotte whispers—
"She's going to get us arrested."
Jasper grins.
"She's going to make school FUN."
Henry groans.
"She's going to ruin my life."
Christina calls from down the hall—
"LOVE YOU TOO, HENRY!"
Henry nearly collapses.
Back in the Man Cave…
Ray stands alone in the trophy room.
The broken glass has been cleaned.
But the damage isn't.
He stares at the empty shelf.
His voice is barely audible.
"…I missed everything."
His hands shake.
Schwoz stands quietly nearby.
Ray swallows hard.
"She was five."
Schwoz whispers—
"I know."
Ray's voice breaks fully now.
"She was five… and I wasn't there."
Silence.
Then—
Ray sinks down onto the floor.
Captain Man.
Invincible.
Crying.
Schwoz slowly sits beside him.
Not fixing anything.
Just staying.
Ray whispers—
"…What if she leaves again?"
Schwoz answers softly—
"Then you run after her this time."