The soft sound of rain tapping against the windows echoed throughout the headquarters, steady and rhythmic, like a quiet heartbeat filling the empty spaces of the morning.
It wasn't loud.
It wasn't distracting.
But it was there.
Constant.
Grounding.
Inside one of the rooms, Serena lay on a warm bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling as if trying to understand something she couldn't quite put into words.
This warmth…
It felt unfamiliar.
Not uncomfortable—just… different.
Yesterday, she had nowhere to belong. No place to return to. No certainty about tomorrow.
And now…
She was here.
Safe.
Part of something.
Her fingers lightly gripped the blanket beneath her, testing its softness, as if afraid it might disappear the moment she let go.
"…This is real," she thought quietly.
Slowly, she pushed herself up, her body stretching instinctively as she adjusted to the comfort around her. Even that simple motion felt strange—like her body wasn't used to resting properly.
Before she could sink deeper into her thoughts—
A voice broke the silence.
Andria: Serena how was the sleep?
Serena blinked once, then turned her head slightly.
Serena: It was amazing and it been a while since I would sleep on a warm bed.
Her voice was calm… but there was something beneath it. Something quieter. Something that carried weight.
Andria smiled softly, leaning back just a little.
Andria: Hehehe, you are now part of the team so you will always sleep as you wish too.
That sentence lingered longer than it should have.
Serena didn't respond immediately.
Always.
Such a simple word… yet it felt too big. Too certain.
"…Always?" she repeated silently in her mind.
Her gaze shifted slightly, thoughtful now.
Serena: Thanks Andria, I've been thinking how did this team start?
Curiosity slipped through her tone—but it wasn't just curiosity.
It was caution.
Understanding the past meant understanding where she now stood.
Andria's expression softened, her eyes drifting slightly as memories surfaced. She didn't answer right away.
Instead… she took her time.
And when she spoke, her voice carried something deeper.
She told her everything.
Not just the formation of the team—but the struggles. The failures. The moments where things almost didn't work out. The times they doubted themselves.
The moments that shaped them.
Serena listened without interrupting.
Every word.
Every pause.
Every detail.
By the time Andria finished—
The room felt heavier.
Not in a bad way.
But in a real way.
"That's how it became the hero elemental force," she said quietly.
Silence followed.
Serena lowered her gaze slightly, her mind processing more than just a story.
These weren't just teammates.
They were people who fought to become something.
Serena: Wow that's amazing and I felt Thierry has no powers.
Andria nodded lightly.
Andria: Oh yeah Thierry and Homura have no powers but they give all they got with their determination.
Determination.
That word didn't just pass through Serena's mind.
It stayed.
It echoed.
In a world where strength defined everything…
They stood without it.
And still fought.
"…Why?" she wondered silently.
Not out of doubt.
But out of respect.
The door opened.
The sound wasn't loud—but it broke the stillness instantly.
Brian stepped in casually, his presence carrying an easygoing energy that contrasted the weight of the conversation.
Brian: Morning sweetheart, would you like normal tea or coffee?
Andria turned toward him naturally, as if this moment had happened a hundred times before.
Andria: Honey it wasn't necessary but coffee is fine.
Brian smiled slightly.
Brian: That's nice and Morning Serena how did you sleep?
Serena shifted her attention toward him.
Serena: Morning for you too and it was nice.
Brian nodded once, satisfied.
Brian: Well that's good and have a nice day.
And just like that, he left.
Simple.
Effortless.
But Serena's eyes lingered on the door long after it closed.
"…They're comfortable," she thought.
There was no tension. No hesitation.
Just… ease.
Something she wasn't used to seeing.
The silence returned.
But now it wasn't calm.
It was curious.
Serena: Thanks Brian.
A small pause.
Then—
Serena: Andria what type of relation do you have with Brian?
Andria didn't seem surprised by the question.
If anything, she expected it.
Andria: Oh Brian he is my boyfriend.
Serena's eyes widened slightly.
Serena: Wait what! so what things do you do?
The question came out faster than she intended.
Too direct.
She realized it immediately.
"…Why did I ask that like that?" she thought, a faint hint of embarrassment crossing her expression.
But Andria only chuckled softly.
Andria: We just leave our normal lives.
Serena tilted her head slightly.
Normal.
That word again.
Serena: Have you ever kissed or do such things?
A pause.
A real one this time.
Andria blinked once, clearly not expecting that level of directness—but she didn't avoid it.
Andria: Oh no not yet, seems you are shocked with that.
Serena frowned slightly.
Serena: Nah it's strange that it didn't yet happen.
Andria shrugged lightly.
Andria: It will happen it's just we didn't have time for it.
Serena's gaze shifted away.
"…Time," she thought.
Was that really all it took?
Serena: Isn't it disgusting on kissing?
Andria tilted her head slightly, thinking.
Andria: I don't know but I don't think so are you interested in someone.
That question landed differently.
Serena froze for just a fraction of a second.
Too quick for most to notice.
But not for herself.
Serena: Ah no it's just something happened and on a strange way.
Andria leaned in slightly, curiosity rising.
Andria: What's that something?
Serena hesitated.
A real hesitation.
Her fingers tightened slightly against the blanket again.
Trust.
She wasn't used to it.
Serena: Promise you won't tell anyone else cause I am trusting you.
Andria's expression softened immediately.
Andria: Ok I promise I won't tell anyone including Brian.
A pause.
A breath.
Then—
Serena: I kissed a boy by accident but we ain't on a relationship.
Andria blinked.
Then smiled slightly.
Andria: That isn't bad you got your first kiss by accident.
Serena's expression didn't change.
Serena: I didn't want it to be like this unless he was my boyfriend.
There it was.
Not embarrassment.
Expectation.
Andria nodded slowly.
Andria: Things are never the way you expect so who is the boy?
Serena didn't answer immediately.
Her mind replayed the moment.
The rain.
The fall.
The closeness.
"…Why does it still feel so clear?" she thought.
Andria: Come on trust me just tell me and I see how to help you.
Serena exhaled quietly.
Serena: It was Thierry the first day we met.
Silence.
Then—
Andria: Uh what! that's shocking and incredible.
Serena looked away slightly.
Serena: But he kept it for himself and looks it was his first kiss too.
Andria's expression softened again.
Andria: He is a good guy and maybe one day he will be your bf, he is the one that brought you here maybe it's destiny.
Serena shook her head slightly.
Serena: Well I am not into that I just didn't want an accident kiss.
A pause.
Then Andria smiled faintly.
Andria: So he might also give you again one day.
Serena's eyes narrowed just slightly.
Serena: It's just friendship and that's all Andria.
Her voice was firm.
Clear.
Decided.
But her fingers… tightened again.
And her gaze… drifted.
Because the memory didn't leave.
It stayed.
Andria: If you say so but well if anything happens just inform me.
Serena: Yeah I will.
Footsteps echoed faintly from the hallway.
Steady.
Familiar.
Serena felt it before she even saw him.
"…Him."
Thierry.
Thierry: Guys soon training will start so guys be up now.
Brian's voice followed.
Brian: Well I am ready and what about the girls?
Thierry didn't wait.
His steps moved closer.
Closer.
Then—
The door opened.
Thierry: Hello ladies you should all get ready.
Andria turned immediately.
Andria: Oh Thierry morning.
Serena only gave a small response.
Serena: Hmm.
But her eyes met his.
For a second longer than necessary.
Thierry: How are you doing today?
Andria answered first.
Andria: Fine so I will be going to prepare for trainings.
Thierry nodded.
Thierry: That's good and how about you Serena how do you feel?
Serena straightened slightly.
Serena: I had a nice sleep thanks for giving me a chance to be here, I will be owning you something.
Thierry shook his head lightly.
Thierry: You already gave me what I wanted.
A pause.
Serena blinked.
Serena: Huh, what is that?
Thierry answered without hesitation.
Thierry: A new member for the team so I am happy for that.
Serena stared at him for a moment.
"…That's it?" she thought.
No expectations.
No hidden meaning.
Just that.
Serena: Hmmm that's nice and I'm glad.
Thierry nodded once.
Thierry: We should now go to training area so be there soon.
Serena: I will be there.
Their eyes met again.
This time—
Neither looked away immediately.
No words.
No explanation.
But something was there.
Unspoken.
---
The training ground was unusually quiet that afternoon.
The air carried a strange tension—subtle, yet impossible to ignore. Not the kind born from chaos or noise, but something deeper… something building beneath the surface.
At the edge of the field, Andria stood with her arms crossed, her gaze fixed ahead—sharp and thoughtful. Beside her, Mark observed in silence, his presence calm… almost unreadable.
Andria frowned slightly.
Andria: I don't understand these two.
Mark's lips curved faintly—not quite a smile, more like quiet interest.
Mark: Interesting warm-up.
Andria turned, surprised.
Andria: Sensei… you're here?
Mark didn't look at her. His eyes remained on the field.
Mark: Hmm… Serena is good. She has potential.
Andria nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing just a little.
Andria: She really is.
A brief silence followed.
Not empty.
Observant.
At the center of the field, movement erupted.
Serena and I circled each other, our steps light but deliberate, each trying to read the other's rhythm. The ground beneath us still carried marks from earlier clashes, but this moment felt different.
Sharper.
Closer.
Then—
She moved first.
Serena slipped past my punch with precise timing, her body gliding around my guard before I could adjust. It wasn't random.
It was calculated.
Then she spun.
Fast. Clean.
Her strike landed directly on my stomach.
The impact echoed softly.
Serena: Finally… I got you.
For a moment, everything stilled.
Not because of the hit—
But because of what it meant.
I didn't fall.
Didn't even move.
My eyes sharpened slightly… and a faint smile formed.
Thierry: Oh yeah… time for level two.
The moment those words left my mouth, the atmosphere shifted.
Serena felt it instantly.
The pressure.
The difference.
"…This feels completely different," she thought.
Then—
I moved.
Not wildly.
Not aggressively.
But with overwhelming control.
My speed increased. My strikes became sharper, heavier, more precise. Every movement carried intent, forcing her to react faster than before.
She defended.
Adjusted.
Adapted.
But it wasn't enough.
I leaped—
Appearing above her—
Then delivered a clean kick.
Her balance broke instantly, her body falling as the air left her lungs.
The fight could have continued.
But—
I stopped.
A quiet breath left me as I looked down at her.
Thierry: Maybe I went a bit too far.
"…Did I overdo it?" I thought.
I extended my hand.
No pride.
No dominance.
Just acknowledgment.
She stared at it for a moment.
"…He stopped?" she thought.
Then she took it.
Serena: You're really good… I still have a lot to learn.
As she stood, her expression shifted.
Not defeat.
Determination.
Then—
An explosion.
The air trembled as a shockwave rushed across the field, carrying dust, water, and raw force.
Brian and Arashi.
Still fighting.
Still pushing.
The impact reached us.
Serena was thrown forward—
Straight into me.
We lost balance.
Fell.
And before we could react—
We collided.
Too close.
Too sudden.
Their lips met.
Again.
Time froze.
Serena's eyes widened.
"…Again?"
Her thoughts went blank.
For a second, she didn't move.
Didn't breathe.
Then—
She pulled away instantly.
Serena: Ah! Sorry!
I blinked, surprised… but calm.
Thierry: Are you alright?
"…Why is he so calm?" she thought, her heartbeat rising.
Serena: Y-Yeah… I'm fine.
We both stood up quickly.
Too quickly.
Too aware.
I turned and raised my voice.
Thierry: Brian! Arashi! Stop—Sensei is here!
Behind me, Serena froze slightly.
"…It happened again…"
"…Why me…?"
Moments later, everyone gathered.
Breathing heavier.
The tension eased… but not completely.
Brian crossed his arms, smirking.
Brian: I was winning.
Arashi scoffed.
Arashi: Nah. That was me.
They stared at each other briefly—then both looked away.
On the side—
Homura crossed his arms.
Homura: Mobi, when you're not invisible, you'll taste my fists.
Mobi smirked.
Mobi: You were the one about to faint.
Homura: I wasn't.
Mobi: Relax, I'm joking.
Beneath the light tone, something else lingered.
Growth.
Competition.
Awareness.
I stepped forward slightly.
Thierry: Looks like we're done with the warm-up.
Everyone: Yeah!
Then—
The atmosphere shifted.
Mark stepped forward.
Mark: Well, Thierry… that was good. Learning like this suits you. So—how do you all feel?
Arashi answered first.
Arashi: Strong.
Brian followed.
Brian: Invincible.
Mark's expression didn't change.
Mark: It's not enough.
Silence fell instantly.
Heavy.
Brian frowned.
Brian: I don't think we need more training. We need missions.
Arashi nodded.
Arashi: I agree.
Homura added quietly—
Homura: It's been a while since we had one.
Mobi shrugged.
Mobi: Maybe now that we're strong… there's nothing left to do.
Mark looked at each of them carefully.
Then—
Mark: So you all think you're strong now?
All boys: Yeah, Sensei.
I stepped forward.
Thierry: We've improved a lot.
Andria spoke calmly.
Andria: I still need to improve.
Serena nodded.
Serena: Me too.
Mark watched them.
Then decided.
Mark: Alright. You five—go rest. In twenty minutes, come back and show me how strong you think you are.
The air froze.
Thierry: You want us to fight you… Sensei?
Mark: Is that a problem?
Brian smirked.
Brian: Aren't you a bit old for that?
Arashi chuckled.
Arashi: We might hurt you.
Homura added—
Homura: Five against one? You don't stand a chance.
Mobi nodded.
Mobi: Yeah… it won't be easy for you.
Mark smiled faintly.
Mark: If you believe that… then come prove it. And if you win, you can ask me anything.
Everyone: Alright, Sensei.
Thierry: Anything? Fine… we'll be ready.
As he walked away—
Serena's gaze followed him.
"…He's dangerous," she thought.
Twenty minutes later—
Rain began to fall.
Slow.
Cold.
The training ground stood still.
Mark waited at the center, holding only a stick.
Simple.
Ordinary.
Yet—
Not ordinary at all.
Mark: Are you five ready?
Thierry: We are.
Mark: Then come at me with everything you've got.
Thierry: Guys… let's go all out.
Everyone: Yeah!
They moved.
All at once.
And in that instant—
Everything changed.
Arashi attacked first.
Fast.
Explosive.
His punch cut through the rain—
And missed.
Mark moved slightly.
Barely.
Then—
The stick struck.
A precise hit.
Arashi was sent flying.
Brian followed.
Powerful.
Direct.
But—
He couldn't touch him.
A single kick sent him across the field.
Homura stepped in.
Focused.
Calculated.
Searching for an opening—
But none existed.
A strike.
A kick.
Down.
Mobi disappeared.
Invisible.
Silent.
Perfect.
He moved behind Mark—
Ready to strike—
Mark spoke.
Mark: Too obvious.
A hit.
Mobi fell instantly.
Four down.
Only one remained.
Me.
"…So this is Sensei's level," I thought.
I stepped forward.
Attacked.
Again.
Again.
Nothing landed.
"…No openings… not even one."
Then—
A shift.
A tiny change.
"…There."
I struck with everything I had—
And connected.
A clean hit.
Mark stepped back.
Just once.
"…I hit him."
For a brief moment—
I understood the gap.
Then—
It ended.
He appeared behind me.
A strike.
A kick.
I fell.
But we stood again.
All of us.
One last time.
Five against one.
We rushed him—
Together—
Mark moved.
Spun.
And then—
An orange aura exploded outward.
One wave.
One motion.
Everything ended.
We were thrown back.
Completely defeated.
The rain fell harder.
Mark stood untouched.
Mark: Now you see. You are still weak. Only Thierry managed to hit me once.
No one spoke.
Because now—
We understood.
From afar, Serena watched.
"…This is the gap."
Mark turned.
Mark: Tomorrow… we train again.
And under the falling rain—
One truth settled within all of us.
We weren't strong.
Not yet.
They still have a long journey ahead to be stronger.