Kaito lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His room was dark, but something didn't feel normal. At first, he thought it was just his eyes adjusting. Then he noticed it.
A faint blue glow.
He sat up slowly.
"…What is that?"
The light wasn't coming from the ceiling. It wasn't from outside either.
It was coming from him.
Kaito raised his hand.
Thin lines—like veins—ran faintly under his skin, glowing blue. Not too bright, but clear enough to see.
His breathing slowed as he watched it carefully.
The glow pulsed once… then again, softer the second time. Then it began to fade.
Kaito didn't move until it disappeared completely.
"…Okay… that's new."
He exhaled and got off the bed.
Maybe it was connected to what happened downstairs. Maybe.
He walked to his desk and opened his laptop. The screen lit up the room.
He typed slowly:
"sudden anger condition breaking things body heat cause"
Search results filled the screen. Most of them mentioned stress, anxiety, or hormonal imbalance. Nothing useful.
He clicked another result.
"high blood pressure symptoms"
Then another.
"unusual body reaction glowing veins cause"
Nothing.
Kaito leaned back slightly.
"…This is useless."
He scrolled again. One page advised: reduce stress, get enough sleep, avoid triggers.
Kaito stared at it.
"That's it?"
He closed the tab.
After a moment, he looked at his hand again.
The blue glow didn't return.
"…Maybe I just need sleep…"
He lay back down.
This time, sleep came quickly.
---
🌙
When he woke again, it was still early.
The sun hadn't risen yet, and dim morning light barely touched the curtains.
Kaito sat up slowly. His head felt clearer.
For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Then his thoughts drifted to his father.
It had been months—four… maybe five.
The last time they spoke, his father said he was leaving for a government research project. That was all. No details. No explanations.
He never gave many.
Kaito leaned back in his chair.
There was a time when things were different.
When he was younger.
He remembered standing in the backyard, holding a small toy plane that wouldn't fly properly.
"I don't get it," younger Kaito had said. "It's not working."
His father crouched beside him.
"You're looking at it too closely."
"What do you mean?"
His father smiled faintly.
"When something isn't working, don't rush it. Step back. Look at it properly. You'll see what you missed."
The memory faded.
Kaito looked down at his hands.
"…Step back, huh…"
He wasn't sure that applied anymore.
---
His thoughts shifted to Maya.
He hadn't meant to think about her, but he did.
They used to talk more when they were younger. Not close, but enough.
Now she was always surrounded by people—mostly Ren and his group.
Kaito stood up and stretched slightly.
That's when he noticed it.
His body felt… lighter.
Not weak. Just different.
He flexed his hand.
Then—
The blue glow returned.
Brighter this time.
Kaito froze.
"What—"
The light spread across his wrist, then stopped, then faded again.
He stared at it.
"…No way I'm going to school like this."
A voice called from downstairs.
"Kaito! Breakfast!"
"I'm coming!"
He quickly grabbed a long-sleeve shirt and put it on.
---
🍽️
Downstairs, his mother was already setting the table.
"Good morning," she said.
"Morning."
She looked at him closely.
"…When last did you fix your hair?"
"I don't know."
"Come here."
"Mom—"
"Come."
He walked over.
She adjusted his hair quickly, smoothing it down.
"You look like you fought someone in your sleep."
"I didn't."
"Hm."
A small girl—his younger sister—walked in sleepily.
"Morning."
"Morning," Kaito replied.
His mother smiled at her and turned away.
Kaito sat down.
He wasn't hungry.
His mind was already elsewhere—school… and the problem he couldn't explain.
---
🏫
On the way to school, Mina met him as usual.
"You look different," she said immediately.
Kaito frowned. "How?"
"I don't know… just different."
"I'm the same."
She didn't look convinced.
---
At school, people noticed.
Not loudly, but enough—glances, whispers.
Kaito ignored it.
Until—
"Kaito."
He turned.
Maya was standing there.
For a second, he didn't respond.
"…Yeah?"
"I wanted to ask… do you understand yesterday's assignment?"
Kaito blinked.
"…A little."
"Can you explain it to me later?"
"Yeah… sure."
She smiled lightly and thanked him, then walked back to where Ren was standing.
Kaito noticed it.
So did Ren.
---
📚
Class felt heavier than usual.
Too many eyes.
Too many whispers.
Kaito tried to focus, but couldn't.
Eventually, he stood up.
"Ma."
The teacher looked up. "Yes, Kaito?"
"Can I use the restroom?"
She sighed. "Again?"
A few students laughed.
"You know this is becoming a habit."
"I won't be long."
"You always say that."
Silence.
"…Go."
"Thank you."
He left.
---
🚪
The hallway was quiet.
After the restroom, he washed his face and stepped out—
Then stopped.
Ren and three others were waiting.
"…Move."
Ren smiled.
"So… you're the one now?"
Kaito didn't answer.
"Maya talks to you once and you think you matter?"
"Move."
One of them laughed. "He's acting bold now."
"Say that again," another added.
Kaito tried to walk past—but someone shoved him.
He stopped.
The feeling returned.
Fast.
Stronger.
Kaito grabbed one of them by the collar and lifted him easily.
Silence.
Even Kaito paused slightly.
"…Don't touch me again."
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
The others didn't move.
Ren's expression changed slightly—not fear, but surprise.
Kaito dropped him, turned, and walked away.
---
📚
Back in class, he entered quietly and sat down.
No one spoke.
The teacher paused.
"Kaito."
He looked up.
"Since you like taking breaks so much… answer this."
Silence.
Kaito looked at the board.
He didn't know.
"…I don't know."
A few students laughed.
The teacher shook her head.
"Of course you don't."
Kaito said nothing.
He just stared at his desk.