The air at Nova High felt different.
Heavy.
Tense.
Zara was gone.
And everyone knew it.
—
Kai stood at the edge of the rooftop.
Silent.
Thinking.
For once… he wasn't calm.
He was angry.
"Looking for her too?"
Kai didn't turn.
"…You talk too much, Axel."
Axel stepped beside him, hands in his pockets.
"And you don't talk enough."
Silence.
Then—
Kai spoke.
"I need your help."
Axel raised an eyebrow.
"That's new."
Kai finally looked at him.
Serious.
Cold.
"This isn't a game."
Axel's smirk faded slightly.
"…I figured."
Kai continued.
"They took Zara."
Axel nodded.
"Yeah. Word spread fast."
Kai's eyes darkened.
"An organization called Dragon."
That got Axel's attention.
"…Dragon?"
"You know them?"
Axel hesitated.
"…I've heard things."
Kai stepped closer.
"Tell me."
Axel sighed.
"They don't just kidnap people. They experiment on them."
Kai clenched his fist.
"…Then we're wasting time."
Axel looked at him.
"You're not going alone."
Kai paused.
"…Why help me?"
Axel smirked slightly.
"Because I don't like people stronger than me getting taken."
A pause.
"…And Zara's annoying. The school's too quiet without her."
Kai almost smiled.
"…Fine."
—
Moments later—
The Headmaster's office.
The door opened.
Kai and Axel walked in.
The Headmaster looked up slowly.
"…This is unexpected."
Axel spoke first.
"We're not here for school rules."
Kai stepped forward.
"Zara has been kidnapped."
The room went silent.
The Headmaster's eyes sharpened.
"…Explain."
Kai didn't hesitate.
"An organization called Dragon."
For the first time—
The Headmaster's expression changed.
Serious.
"…I see."
Axel frowned.
"You know them?"
The Headmaster stood up slowly.
"Yes."
A pause.
"And this is worse than you think."
Kai's voice was cold.
"Then help us find her."
The Headmaster looked at him carefully.
"…You're willing to break every rule for this?"
Kai didn't blink.
"Yes."
Silence.
Then—
The Headmaster smiled slightly.
"…Good."
He walked past them.
"Because that's exactly what this situation requires."
Axel smirked.
"Now we're talking."
The Headmaster stopped at the door.
"I'll provide information."
A pause.
"But the rescue…"
He looked back at Kai.
"…is on you."
Kai's eyes glowed faintly red.
"Good."
Because now—
Kai wasn't hiding anymore.
And Dragon was about to find out—
Why that was a mistake.