One year had passed
The house that once felt warm and alive now stood silent.
KS lived alone.
Morning sunlight slipped through the window as he slowly opened his eyes. For a moment, he stared at the ceiling—blank, emotionless.
Then he got up.
Walking downstairs, his gaze briefly fell on a shelf.
Two trophies stood there.
National best volleyball player
Rank one in Academics
Proof that he was the best.
But…
There was no smile on his face.
None of it mattered.
He walked into the kitchen.
A plate.
A glass of water.
An empty chair across the table.
KS sat down and ate quietly.
No sound.
No conversation.
Just silence.
KS turned on the TV.
"Last night, several unidentified creatures attacked parts of the city. Witnesses claim two masked individuals saved civilians…"
Water.
Fire.
KS watched silently… then switched it off.
"All fake…"
Ks got ready without a word, picked up his bag, and walked toward school, the quiet morning feeling heavier than usual.
School - Gym
The gym was alive with energy.
Today, both the boys' and girls' volleyball teams were practicing together.
Tejas stood at the center of the boys' team.
Captain.
Calm. Focused.
KS stood on the court, practicing defensive drills.
Fast.
Sharp.
Precise.
But his mind wasn't there.
Water… fire… masked warriors…
"Focus."
Mizuki's voice cut through.
Before he could react—
THUD
The ball slammed straight into his face.
The gym went silent.
Then a few laughs followed.
KS stepped back, regaining balance.
Mizuki lowered her hand, a faint smirk on her face.
"That didn't look like rank one defense."
KS wiped his face.
"None of your business."
Mizuki walked closer.
"It is my business. We're sharing the court."
KS turned away.
"I don't care."
The tension rose.
"I'm leaving."
Without waiting, KS walked out of the gym.
A boy from the team spoke up:
"Captain, why don't we kick him out?"
Tejas didn't answer immediately.
He kept his eyes on the exit.
Then Mizuki spoke:
"You don't know him."
Silence.
"He wasn't like this before," she said quietly. "He changed… after his parents died."
The mood shifted.
Mizuki crossed her arms.
"And he's our strongest player."
Tejas finally spoke.
"…Yeah."
A small smirk.
"He's staying."
"Back to practice."
Classroom
Second year of high school.
KS sat near the window, staring outside.
Lost in thought.
"KS!"
The teacher's voice snapped him back.
"Pay attention."
"I will now announce the results of last semester."
The class straightened.
"First rank… Kshitij Sharma."
Murmurs spread.
"No surprise…"
"Again?"
KS showed no reaction.
"Second rank… Mizuki."
"Only two marks behind."
A few students glanced between them.
Rivalry.
From the back—
"WAIT—I PASSED?!"
Everyone turned.
Tejas stood there, staring at his result sheet like it was impossible.
"This has to be fake… I definitely failed."
The class burst into laughter.
The teacher sighed.
"You barely passed. Sit down."
Tejas dropped into his seat.
"…I'm actually a genius."
After Class
Students began leaving.
Mizuki walked up to KS.
"Two marks," she said with a smirk. "You got lucky."
KS didn't even look at her.
"If that helps you sleep, sure."
Mizuki clicked her tongue.
"Tch."
KS walked past her—
Then suddenly stopped.
"Why do you always irritate me?" he asked without turning.
Mizuki paused for a moment.
Then a small smile appeared.
"Because…" she said lightly,
"I like doing it."
KS stayed silent for a second.
"…Tch."
He started walking again.
Mizuki watched him go.
This time…
Her expression softened.
Not just teasing.
Not just rivalry.
Something more.
Evening
KS walked home alone.
The streets were quieter than usual.
The sky slowly darkened.
For a moment—
He stopped.
It felt like…
Someone was watching him.
KS turned back.
Nothing.
Silence.
"…Must be nothing."
He continued walking.
But somewhere in the distance—
Something moved.
Watching.
Waiting.
Chapter end.