September 24th, 2012 — Cold afternoon in Chicago
The afternoon was chilly, with a sharp breeze that made Mark shiver as he walked alongside Kai down the sidewalk. Kai wore a red hoodie. Mark, on the other hand, was only in his favorite T-shirt, having forgotten his jacket at home. The temperature clearly wasn't on his side.
"This cold sucks. Why is it so cold in September?" Mark complained, rubbing his hands together as if trying to warm them up.
"Dude, seriously. How do you leave the house in this weather without at least a jacket?" Kai said.
Kai, with his usual bored expression, didn't even bother to look at his brother. He knew Mark would keep complaining about it until they reached the school supply store. What worried Kai more was how Mark would ever mature at this rate.
"I told you to bring a jacket, but you always forget stuff," Kai said, his tone monotonous, clearly tired of the conversation.
"It got cold out of nowhere… it was warm back home," Mark replied, rubbing his arms as he walked.
"You forget everything, and somehow it's always the weather's fault, huh?"
Mark scoffed, not really caring what Kai said. He was more focused on getting the materials for the school project he was doing with Kai, Becky, July, and Derick. The cold was just a minor nuisance.
"I just needed a jacket… even a thin one... anything," Mark grumbled, curling up even more.
Kai shrugged. He wasn't cold at all — part of his Viltrumite physiology had already awakened — but he wasn't about to hand over his hoodie to Mark. Letting him learn from his mistakes was part of the plan.
"You'll survive. What's a little cold when the world revolves around you?" he said, his voice more tired than sarcastic. "Now, if you stop whining, we'll grab the stuff and head straight to Becky's."
When they arrived at the store, the doorbell rang as they stepped in, and the warm lighting gave the place a cozy feeling. Kai grabbed a cart with a light movement and headed for the shelves, while Mark quickly scanned the room, heading straight to the stationery section.
While they picked up what they needed, Kai, without anyone noticing, activated the Six Eyes — something he had been doing more often lately, part training, part paranoia. With his perception heightened, he noticed something that made him stop. He sensed a presence.
Looking off to the side — not through the wall exactly, but with his eyes active, he knew what was happening — he didn't just see, he perceived movement, positions, patterns… and something stood out. A boy was being cornered by two others in the alley next to the store.
Kai felt a slight discomfort, but said nothing to Mark. He knew Mark was too absorbed in the shopping to notice any change in his behavior. Without a word, he slipped away quietly, leaving the store without looking back.
Outside, Kai saw the boy get punched and fall to the ground. He looked younger, maybe sixteen or seventeen, while the attackers seemed just under eighteen.
Before Kai could act, to his surprise, Becky appeared from the opposite direction. She was also heading to the store and, upon seeing the scene, stepped in between the attackers and the fallen boy.
"Back off. Aren't you ashamed?" Becky said with impressive calm, showing no fear. Her eyes were focused, serious.
Kai sighed internally. This can't be happening...
One of the guys, smirking, raised his fist to strike Becky. But before he could throw the punch, Kai appeared in a flash, blocking the attack and gripping the boy's wrist.
"You were gonna hit a girl?" Kai said with unnervingly calm eyes, staring directly into the boy's soul.
The guy stared back — and froze. There was something in Kai's eyes that screamed danger. His confidence crumbled under the pressure of Kai's grip. Without another word, he pulled his friend aside and whispered something to him. Moments later, the two began to retreat.
Becky, unaware of who had stepped in, turned to check on the boy who was starting to get up. She knelt beside him, trying to help.
Kai stepped closer and said, without changing his tone,"I'm heading back to the store. My brother's in there, and I've got the money. Meanwhile, see if he's alive."He sounded serious, but the boredom in his voice was unmistakable. He added, slightly irritated that Becky had put herself at risk,"Let's just not talk about this again."
Becky didn't say anything. She just kept helping the boy. Kai wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but he felt a faint unease. He didn't want Becky getting hurt, even if she seemed oddly in control of the situation.
In the end, he didn't wait to see what happened next. Back inside the store, he found Mark heading toward the checkout.
"You forgot I had the money, huh? How were you gonna pay?" Kai asked with his usual tone.
Mark, flashing a carefree grin, looked at him."Oh, right, I forgot, man…" he said, still shivering. "Man, it's freezing today."
Kai sighed, took off his hoodie, and handed it to Mark."Here. Try to pay more attention next time. Lucky for you I'm not cold."
Mark lit up, putting it on immediately, clearly more comfortable."Thanks, bro! You always save me!"
Mark paid for the supplies using the money Kai handed over, and they made their way to the exit.
Just then, Becky entered the store and spotted them. Her eyes went to Mark — now wearing the red hoodie she had just seen moments earlier. He was smiling, going on about how he managed to grab everything they needed because it was all on sale.
"You're already heading out? We still needed liquid glue and colored pens," Becky said, looking at both of them.
Mark raised the bag of supplies."I took care of it! Got everything!" he said enthusiastically.
"Well then… let's head back. July's already home and Derick just arrived," Becky said, following them out. "Want me to carry one of the bags?"
"No need. It's light. I got it!" Mark replied.
As they walked down the sidewalk, Becky looked at Mark with a genuine smile. Then, discreetly, she added,"Thanks… for what happened at the store."
Mark, having no idea what she meant, thought she was talking about the shopping."Oh, it was nothing. I didn't really do much."
Becky smiled even more, clearly charmed, though she tried to hide her feelings. She brushed her hair aside and looked at him with soft admiration.
Kai, from behind, noticed the brewing confusion — but he didn't care. He just observed with the calm of someone used to staying out of these things.
This mess… less work for me, Kai thought with a faint ironic smile. He didn't explain anything. He simply let the moment pass.
And so, the afternoon went on peacefully… though a faint misunderstanding lingered in the air.
A few minutes later... — Becky's house, Chicago, Illinois
Derick and July had already arrived and were waiting.
The cold afternoon dragged on, but Becky's house was warm and welcoming. The air smelled of hot chocolate, and the laughter and chatter of the group were the only sounds filling the space. Mark, Kai, Becky, July, and Derick were in the living room, surrounded by papers and books as they tried to focus on their school project. The jokes and laughter didn't take long to start — a typical distraction for a group of teens who weren't too fond of sitting still to do homework.
Becky, more cheerful than ever, kept sneaking glances at Mark. She was clearly more interested in being close to him than in finishing the assignment. Derick had his usual serious tone, but even he was enjoying the cozy atmosphere. July, meanwhile, remained quieter — sometimes glancing at Mark, but mostly observing the group with a subtle smile while flipping through the pages of the textbook.
Janet, Becky's mom, was in the kitchen preparing hot chocolate for everyone. The sweet scent filled the air, impossible not to associate with warmth and comfort — something most teenagers didn't know how to fully appreciate. Janet's hand rested firmly on the kettle as her eyes flicked back and forth between it and the open spreadsheet on her computer.
Kai quietly stepped away from the group and walked to the kitchen to greet her. As he entered, he saw the screen and noticed that Janet was typing out formulas but unable to complete them. He walked over and, in his usual calm, unhurried tone, greeted her.
"Hey, Janet. Everything okay?" Kai asked, glancing at the screen.
She turned and smiled, waving at him while stirring the ingredients on the stove.
"Hi, Kai! Yeah, everything's fine. Just trying to finish this project here… It's a proposal spreadsheet, but the formulas aren't working like they should." Janet sighed in frustration, turning slightly to check the screen. "They're supposed to pull values from a linked document, but I can't get the calculation cells to work."
Kai didn't say anything. He just looked at the screen.
To him — someone who had spent countless hours in front of a computer in his previous life — those formulas looked painfully simple. With a smooth motion, he adjusted every formula in seconds, solving the problem effortlessly. It was almost automatic.
Janet, still distracted while stirring the hot chocolate, asked:
"Do you want some hot chocolate? With or without sugar?"
Kai glanced at her with his usual expression of boredom, sighing lightly.
"I don't like hot chocolate. It's sweet… and with sugar? Gross. I prefer coffee or tea. No sugar. Bitter, like life."
Janet laughed — a soft, almost motherly chuckle — shaking her head.
"Typical you. You don't even have the tastebuds of a teenager."
While she prepared the tea for him, Kai kept working on the computer. The spreadsheet was now functioning perfectly, all formulas corrected. When Janet turned back with the tea, she saw Kai still typing away.
She chuckled as she walked over.
"Just don't delete or save anything, okay? This file's important."
Kai, still typing, responded in his usual sarcastic tone:
"If I don't save it, you'll lose all the formulas I just fixed for you…"
Janet looked at the screen, and when she realized everything was already done, her face lit up.
"I don't know how you did it, Kai… but you fixed it in under ten minutes. I've been stuck on this for hours!" she said, genuinely surprised. "Thank you so much."
Kai, just about to leave, glanced at her — his face still neutral, but a little softer than usual.
"It was nothing. I've done it a lot before, so it was easy," Kai replied, tone indifferent, though a slight smile tugged at his lips.
Janet then looked at him more closely and noticed he wasn't wearing a hoodie. She frowned.
"Hey, you're not wearing anything warm… aren't you cold?"
Kai just shrugged like it was the least of his worries.
"Mark forgot his hoodie at home. I felt bad, so he's wearing mine."
"You really don't act like a teenager," Janet muttered, shaking her head.
Just then, a voice called out from the living room.
"Kai! If you don't come help, you're not getting any credit!" Becky yelled from the other room.
Janet gave Kai a playful look as he turned to leave the kitchen.
"Go on. I'll finish up here. See you later."
Kai offered a sarcastic grin.
"Don't worry. I'll come back if you mess up the spreadsheet again."
Janet laughed as he walked out, carrying drinks for everyone. When he entered the room, the others were already working. He handed out the drinks and sat down beside Mark.
"He was bringing our drinks. I guess he's forgiven for sneaking off," Derick joked.
"Agreed!" July chimed in between sips of her hot chocolate.
After three hours, the project was finally done. Everyone was tired but satisfied with their work. Night had fallen, and parents began arriving to pick them up. Becky stood, smoothing her hair as she gave a grateful nod. She looked at Mark and smiled.
"I won't bring it up again, but you were really sweet at the store," Becky said softly.
Mark, completely unaware of what she meant, just smiled back.
The air was charged with a strange kind of tension — invisible, but there — even as everyone prepared to say their goodbyes.
Mark, stuffing his face and grabbing more hot chocolate, added excitedly,
"If this wasn't a school project, I'd say it felt like a party!"
July laughed and looked at him.
"You definitely did the work for all of us."
As everyone started heading out of Becky's house, Janet came over to Kai one more time, her tone sincere.
"You really helped me, Kai," Janet said with a warm smile and a more focused look. "I was so lost with those formulas, and you just solved it all. I don't even know how to thank you. You were amazing."
Kai, as always, just shrugged, but a faint smile lingered on his lips.
"I just did what anyone would do… But since you thanked me, I guess it wasn't all bad."
When the car horn honked, Kai didn't even need to look. He already knew it was Debbie. He opened the door, and before even getting into the car, he heard her voice:
"Kai, where's your hoodie?" she said, already scolding him.
"Mark has it," Kai replied quickly, settling into the back seat.
Debbie, clearly surprised, looked at Mark in the rearview mirror and muttered,
"Seriously, Mark? You're wearing your brother's hoodie because you forgot yours?"
"I forgot it, and Kai said he wasn't cold," Mark replied, not really bothered.
Kai sighed and leaned back in his seat.
"Eh, it'll be fine," he said without much emotion.
Debbie glanced at him again through the mirror, her voice laced with irony.
"Sometimes I wonder who's really taking care of who around here."
And with that, as the others left and the night settled in, the project was done — but life, as usual, rolled on unchanged.
Or maybe… it was all just a big joke waiting to unfold.
The Abyssal Beast
September 30, 2012 — Eastern Coast of Asia
The storm had arrived without warning. The coastal city was in panic, the water rising at a terrifying speed. Streets were being swallowed by the massive wave surging toward the shore. A monstrous creature—an abyssal marine entity of colossal proportions—rose from the depths, with tentacles stretching toward the sky. Its red eyes glowed like the ocean was on fire, and its roar echoed through the crashing waves.
Leading the mission, Omni-Man flew above the city, his expression hard and unshaken, his eyes locked onto the approaching creature. He knew the situation was critical, but his posture remained one of immense control.
Beside him was the Immortal, showing no hesitation. With the same speed, he dove toward the sea monster, calculating the best approach. The two of them remained focused on bringing down the beast, recognizing the threat it posed.
Aquarus, using his power to control water, attempted to hold back the waves by forming dense water barriers, trying to reduce the impact of the tsunami—but the force of the ocean was overwhelming.
Warwoman and Red Rush worked in tandem to evacuate civilians from the lowlands, her brute strength lifting people to higher ground while he became a blur of speed, rescuing those just seconds away from being submerged.
In the distance, Green Ghost projected energy shields to protect residents from the waves. But the magnitude of the disaster was beyond anything she could control easily. Each forcefield drained more of her energy as she focused on preserving lives in the residential zones.
Floating above, Cosmic used his ability to manipulate cosmic energy to cast barriers and shield civilians. The sea seemed to grow angrier with every move the beast made, but Cosmic stayed focused, doing everything he could to protect the people below.
With a powerful gesture, Immortal launched himself at the creature. His punches echoed with thunderous impacts—but to his surprise, the monster's body absorbed the blows with unnatural resilience, as if it were in perfect symbiosis with the water. The beast roared louder, a massive tentacle crashing down onto the city with incomparable force.
"She's stronger than she looks!" shouted Immortal, frustration in his voice as he prepared to dodge another strike.
Without wasting time, Omni-Man dove toward the beast with immeasurable violence. His fists became weapons of destruction, hammering its head with such power the ocean shattered around them. The creature let out a massive cry of pain, though some of the impact was still absorbed by the sea.
"Immortal, hit the tentacles! Don't let it gain control!" Omni-Man commanded with authority, not stopping for a second.
Immortal responded immediately, shifting his focus to the beast's limbs, landing blow after blow. But it still felt untouchable, moving with unnatural speed for something so massive.
Meanwhile, Aquarus tried to trap it, controlling water to form whirling currents around the tentacles. The creature thrashed violently, resisting the pull, and with a surge of power flung Aquarus into the distance.
"This thing is powerful..." Cosmic muttered, his tone calm as always, but concern flickering in his eyes.
"Its skin absorbs impact and redirects it into the sea..." he concluded before releasing a cosmic energy sphere, striking the beast and distracting it. His power weakened the creature's resistance, creating an opening for the others.
Red Rush seized the opportunity. He moved so fast that time slowed for everyone else. He struck the opening created by Cosmic, landing a precision blow that cracked the creature's armored hide.
The beast screamed in pain, then reared back, enraged. It swung its massive tail, smashing buildings as the waves intensified.
Fighting side by side, Immortal and Omni-Man assaulted the creature, trying to break its defenses while the other Guardians focused on evacuation. But the monster held strong, and the battle showed no signs of ending.
Omni-Man broke formation, flying higher—hovering above the creature's head.
"You've caused enough damage!" he shouted, staring at the beast from the depths.
He shot down like a missile.
"Tough on the outside? Let's see how you handle the inside!" Omni-Man roared.
Cosmic immediately understood. Channeling his energy, he formed a force field that pried the monster's jaws open.
Omni-Man dove into its mouth in a single motion.
For a moment, silence.
The creature seemed unharmed.
"Did that lunatic just get eaten?" Immortal asked, incredulous.
Before anyone could respond, the waters roared back to life. The creature trembled, groaning with a deafening sound, blood erupting from its jaws. It collapsed into the ocean, finally defeated.
Omni-Man emerged from its body, panting, looking at the others.
"That was tough... but we got it done," he said, his voice firm but exhausted.
The Global Guardians pulled back. Though calmer, the sea still reeked of destruction. Cosmic floated beside Omni-Man with a faint smile.
"Just another day at work..." Cosmic said lightly, with a hint of seriousness.
Omni-Man gave him a hard look—but allowed himself a small approving smile.
The city was safe... for now.
Minutes Later — GDA Command Room
Screens filled the GDA's control center, broadcasting the battle from Asia's eastern coast. Colossal waves devoured parts of the city while a sea monster ravaged the shoreline. On-screen, Omni-Man, Immortal, and the Global Guardians fought with brutal efficiency. Hovering above the disaster zone, Cosmic shielded civilians with force fields.
Donald monitored the stats. Cecil, more reserved, studied expressions, movements... and consequences.
"Incredible," Donald murmured, adjusting his glasses. "The creature lasted longer than expected… but Omni-Man went all out."
Cecil didn't respond immediately. His eyes were fixed elsewhere—specifically, on the Abyssal Beast.
"This was one of the toughest we've seen," Cecil said, narrowing his eyes as he watched the monster sink. He exhaled slowly.
"But it was contained. Property damage, yes—but the civilians were saved," said Donald.
Cecil leaned back.
"And what if next time it isn't contained? What if we're not ready on another continent?" He pointed at the screen. "We need more stability. More control. More pieces on the board."
The door slid open. Cosmic entered silently, still emanating faint residual energy.
Cecil turned with a faint smile.
"Good work. Your shields saved hundreds."
"You called quickly. That's what made the difference," Cosmic replied calmly.
He stepped closer.
"Cecil... I need something."
Cecil raised an eyebrow.
"You need something?" he crossed his arms. "A request from you is rare. What is it?"
"Something for someone who doesn't have a name yet. But when he acts... he doesn't want attention. A simple suit. A mask. And something to hide his white hair—it draws too much attention. Something like my bracelet... maybe a ring."
"The blue-eyed boy," Cecil said flatly.
Cosmic nodded.
"He's evolving. And... I think he might act out from time to time. Maybe even help the GDA. That might draw him out. And make him join the younger generation when the time comes. Maybe it's time to test him. That might make him work with the GDA... even without knowing it."
Cecil studied him skeptically.
"And you think that's enough for me to authorize high-tech gear? And you're not even telling me his name?"
"I know it's not enough. But you said he caught your attention. As you say on earth, an investment. I'm just asking... is he worth the gamble?"
Cecil was silent for a long moment.
"Talk to a man named Arthur Rosenbaum. He can make the suit—if you've got the specs and you're paying. If he reveals his identity and works for us, we'll cover the rest. As for the hair disguise… that's a lot more complicated. Expensive too. That kind of tech… we're not talking about off-the-shelf items."
Cosmic nodded with a smile.
"And?"
Cecil sighed.
"I'll see what I can do to help. But don't expect miracles."
"That's more than enough," Cosmic replied, still smiling faintly.
He gave a respectful gesture and turned to leave. Before exiting, he paused.
"Thank you, Cecil."
Cecil simply nodded, watching him disappear through the door.
Donald approached.
"He won't even tell you the kid's name… but Cosmic believes in him. You said we needed more pieces on the board. This is exactly what you wanted, right?"
Cecil looked back at the screen, where Omni-Man's image remained frozen.
"More or less. We need to be ready. Time to treat our bets well."
He slowly spun his chair, letting the flickering monitors hum behind him.
And silence returned to the room.
Between Obstacles and HeartsOctober 6, 2012 — GDA, Training Field
The training field was lively that day, with the entire young team focused on the tasks assigned by trainer Mirage. The activities involved not only developing their abilities but also a series of obstacles designed to test their reactions and teamwork.
The young heroes were tasked with a complex circuit, where they had to retrieve items from restricted areas, destroy precise targets, pass through barriers, and complete each task in the shortest time possible. Mirage watched from afar with a critical gaze, jotting down notes and evaluating each one's performance.
Vortex, with his wind-controlling abilities, was the first to begin the exercise. He used powerful gusts to propel himself quickly between obstacles. His time was good; however, his recklessness led to a few mistakes. Some non-target objects were destroyed, causing unexpected outcomes and distracting him from his main mission.
"The intention was good, Vortex, but it's not just about speed. Precision is just as important," Mirage called out, writing a note. "Great speed, but you're destroying more than you should."
Reflex came in next. She was more cautious. She preferred not to take risks and thus completed the tasks with extreme precision, though she was overly careful, causing the task to take longer than needed. She finished everything without errors, but in the end, Mirage didn't seem entirely satisfied.
"Excellent control, Reflex, but you need to learn to be faster when necessary. It's great not to make mistakes, Reflex, but time is something we need to learn to dominate too. You and Vortex should learn from each other," Mirage noted in a firm but kind tone.
Reflex simply nodded, her expression serious, yet she understood the need to improve her speed.
Silver was up next. With her weapon synergy and elemental manipulation, she approached the task meticulously, channeling elements through her weapon to destroy the targets and move obstacles along the way. Her time was tight, but she made no mistakes, placing her on the same level as Reflex in accuracy, though just within the allotted time.
"Good job, Silver. Strong performance—worthy of a real scenario. If you keep it up, you'll master this completely," Mirage said as she watched the final task being completed.
Finally, Atlas stepped forward. With his super strength and durability, he was fast and destroyed all targets with precision, but his power caused unnecessary damage in some areas. During one task, he broke an obstacle that was only supposed to be moved. And of course, Atlas didn't miss the chance to flirt with Silver, who seemed far from impressed.
"Hey, Silver, if I were you, I'd be impressed and ask me out today! What do you say?" Atlas joked, flashing a confident grin as he smashed a target with a single punch.
Silver rolled her eyes, her expression serious."If you were as smart as you are strong, maybe I'd be impressed. But for now, I'll leave you with your muscle toys," she replied flatly.
Atlas just laughed, keeping his confident smirk.
After the training, Mirage called for a break so everyone could recover and reorganize before moving on to the next exercise phase. The group gathered in a corner of the field, laughing and goofing off after the intense workout.
During the break, Ghost Girl joined Silver and Reflex, listening in on the conversation.
"Silver, it looks like Mr. Perfection is into you," said Reflex with a grin, clearly curious about her response.
"I'd rather chew dirt than go out with him," Silver said seriously.
The girls burst into laughter, then moved on to other topics. But Ghost Girl seemed a little distracted. She stared at the ground, clearly deep in thought.
Silver, ever observant, noticed her expression and decided to speak up.
"Hey, Ghost Girl, what's going on? You seem elsewhere. Don't tell me you're into Atlas and got sad?" Silver asked with a playful smile.
"Ew, no!" she replied instantly.
Reflex looked at her too, wanting to know what was up.
"You can talk to us if something's bothering you," Reflex offered.
Ghost Girl hesitated a moment, glancing between Silver and Reflex, who was paying close attention. With a sigh, she finally spoke.
"I… I like a guy from my school," Ghost Girl began, uncertainty in her voice. "But… there's a problem. My best friend, who lives on my street and is always with me, likes him too." She looked down, feeling the weight of the situation. "And I don't know what to do. I asked his twin brother what he thought, and he said his brother never talks about it and probably won't decide anything on his own."
Silver chuckled lightly, as if she'd heard this kind of thing before.
"Ah, the old 'liking the same guy as your best friend' story. Classic." She paused, thinking for a moment before looking at Ghost Girl with a sharp smile. "Okay, here's my advice: go for the twin. Let's be real—if he's a twin, he's probably just as cute. And based on what he told you, he might be more interesting anyway." Silver laughed.
Reflex chuckled too, then raised an eyebrow as if weighing the situation.
"If she really likes him, I'm not sure it's that simple..." she began calmly. "But maybe you need to choose what really matters to you. If the guy likes you—not your friend—then… it should be you who gets closer."
Silver chimed in, ever the pragmatist."The question is: if you don't do anything, you'll never know. And if it doesn't work out, at least you tried."
Ghost Girl looked at them, a bit nervous.
"But what if it ruins our friendship? What if she doesn't forgive me for liking him too?" Ghost Girl looked truly conflicted, burdened by the thought.
Silver leaned back against the wall, gazing at Ghost Girl with a sly smile.
"If you really like him, it's worth trying. Friendships come and go, but if the guy really likes you, he'll choose you. And if your friend can't accept that… then she's not truly your friend. Same goes for you." She paused, glancing at Reflex before finishing. "So… what do you really have to lose?"
Reflex let out a breath, a little skeptical but recognizing Silver's logic.
"Sometimes, things need to be said. Other times, they sort themselves out. But if you keep waiting, you'll never know how things might have turned out."
Ghost Girl thought for a moment, then smiled shyly.
"Maybe you're right... I just need a little courage, right?"
Silver gave an approving smile."Exactly. Now go and do what you have to do." She looked at Ghost Girl with a lighter expression. "Don't let things get messier than they need to be. It'll work out. You'll see."
With the conversation over, the training resumed—but Silver and Reflex's words lingered in Ghost Girl's mind. She knew she had to make a decision, and now, at least, she had a clearer idea of what to do.
Training continued—but deep down, they all knew the real battles weren't only fought in the field... but also in everyday life.
The Confusion BeginsOctober 8th, 2012 — Monday, morning in Chicago
The morning was cloudy, and the school was bustling, with students rushing to get to class before the bell rang. Mark and Kai entered the building together, their conversation blending into the background noise of the other students.
Mark was excited, as always, cracking jokes and having fun, while Kai, with his tired and sleepy gaze, followed beside him. Once in the classroom, they took their seats, and that's when Becky approached Mark, holding something in her hands.
She handed Mark a letter, her face a bit shy, but with a soft smile. She didn't say much, just looked at him and said:
"Open this later, when you get home." Becky said.
Mark, in his usual distracted and cheerful manner, took the letter curiously but didn't think much of it. He looked at Becky with a playful smile.
"What's this, Becky? Something secret?" Mark asked, still holding the letter, already turning his gaze to the window, distracted by something in the distance.
Kai, watching the scene, immediately understood what it was about. More complications... But maybe this will help him mature a bit. From Becky's behavior, the letter clearly had meaning. However, he chose not to intervene. It was easier to rest his head on the desk, sleep, and pretend nothing had happened.
Soon, the teacher entered the room, and class began. Later that day, after recess, students were expected to submit their individual projects, and everyone was preparing. The class settled in, notebooks opened, and the tension grew.
Just before recess, July seemed to panic. She looked through her bag repeatedly, rummaged through her backpack, and frowned.
Kai watched with a keen eye. He noticed the silent tears running down July's face.
Ah... Great. More complications. This day just keeps getting better, Kai thought, feeling the tension rise around them. He glanced at Becky, Derick, and Mark and gave a slight nod of his head. Hey, July's not okay. Ask her what's wrong.
They turned around and noticed July looking unusually quiet.
"What's wrong, July?" Mark finally asked, realizing something was off.
"I... I can't find my project. I don't know where it is," she said, her voice trembling slightly. She looked at the seat, her backpack, and then at them.
Becky approached her with a gentle but concerned expression.
"It's not in your bag?" she asked softly.
July shook her head, her eyes still fixed on the floor and glistening with a hint of tears. "I... it must be at home, but... today's the final deadline, and there's no one at home who can bring it."
"I have a copy on my flash drive," she explained, her words coming through quiet sobs, "but there's no printer here... only in the teachers' room or the principal's office. But you know they don't let students print there."
Mark, always the optimist, tried to lighten the mood.
"We'll find a way. We've got until the end of recess to figure this out!" he said, trying not to make the situation feel heavier than it already was.
The bell rang for recess, and everyone split up to try and find a solution. They tried everything. Becky and Mark tried to convince the teacher to let them use the teachers' room, but he wouldn't budge. The teacher was inflexible.
Kai didn't want to get involved in these problems, but leaving July like that didn't sit right with him.
He decided to act... First, he headed to the cafeteria where he'd seen the teacher earlier.
Upon arriving, he saw the teacher heading down the hallway.
He didn't think twice. He activated the Six Eyes — he knew the situation could be solved easily, but he had to proceed with caution.
Then Kai saw an opportunity. Walking toward the teacher, he pretended to trip. Using his speed, Kai bumped into the teacher strategically and, in one swift move, took the key from his pocket.
"Sorry, sir, I tripped." Kai said calmly.
The teacher didn't suspect a thing.
"All right, just be more careful..." the teacher replied.
With the key in hand, Kai ran to the room, unlocked the door, and printed July's project pages. He handed the papers to Mark with a simple, "Give this to her."
Kai then quickly returned to the hallway and waited for the teacher to come back from the principal's office, slipping the key back into his pocket unnoticed.
Mark rushed to July, handing her the printed project. July, relieved, looked at him gratefully.
"Mark, thank you so much!" she said with a smile that lit up her face. And without thinking too much, she gave him a quick kiss between the cheek and the corner of his lips.
Mark was stunned, his face turning red instantly. He looked at her, dumbfounded.
"Ah... it's nothing... just a project," he laughed awkwardly, not knowing what else to say.
July, clearly embarrassed, stepped away quickly, red as a tomato.
"I... I don't know why I did that." she stammered, looking down and trying to hide her embarrassment.
Kai, watching from a distance, couldn't help but think: Now the real confusion begins. He sighed, knowing things were about to heat up.
He walked up to Mark, discreetly pulling him aside.
"Mark..." Kai began, his tone calm but with a hint of seriousness. "I know you've got your distractions, but something important is going on. Don't lose yourself in all of this."
Mark was still a bit lost, not understanding what Kai was getting at.
"What are you trying to say?" Mark asked, looking at his brother with a confused expression, still not grasping what had just happened with July.
Kai just gave him a slight smile without offering any more explanation.
"I think you'll understand soon. For now, just focus on what's in front of you." Kai said, turning and walking toward the door without another word.
Mark remained silent the entire way back, clearly thinking about everything that had happened.
Once home, the two went straight to their room. Mark went directly to his bed, the letter still in hand. He opened it hesitantly, his eyes scanning each word Becky had written. When he finished, he sat in silence for a moment, processing what he had just read.
"Dude... you won't believe this," Mark finally said, grabbing Kai's attention, who was still lying on his bed. "She said in the letter that she likes me." He sounded surprised, as if he hadn't actually expected this to happen.
Kai, still resting his head on the pillow, glanced sideways at his brother.
"So? What are you going to do about it?" he asked, without moving, his voice completely emotionless.
Mark didn't know how to answer right away. He stood there for a moment, reflecting on what it all meant to him, while Kai, lost in his own world, didn't seem in any rush to give advice.
"Becky and July?" Mark muttered to himself.
Silence hung in the room, but Mark's confusion was just starting to take shape.
October 10th, 2012 — Wednesday, Chicago
The day began with the same tension lingering from the previous days. Mark, still tangled in the confusion sparked by Becky's letter and July's kiss, didn't seem to know where to step. He found himself in a maze of feelings, and with every passing hour, he questioned more and more what he truly wanted.
Class began as usual, but the heavy air between Mark, July, and Becky couldn't be ignored. Becky was visibly nervous, and July, though trying to appear calm, couldn't hide the anxiety overtaking her. Kai, detached from all of it, once again had his head resting on the desk, pretending to sleep—he had no interest in getting involved.
During recess, Mark decided he needed to resolve things once and for all. He knew that, regardless of which direction things would take, he needed clarity. So he looked for July, who was sitting alone, fiddling with her phone, clearly trying to avoid any confrontation.
Mark approached her with a forced smile, trying to mask the tension. When she saw him, her expression softened, but there was still unease in the air.
"July... we need to talk." Mark began, hesitant, but with sincerity in his eyes.
She looked at him, a bit nervous, but kept her composure.
"Of course, Mark. What did you want to say?" she replied, her voice still slightly shaky, though she tried to sound confident.
Mark sat down beside her, a bit closer than usual, and took a deep breath.
"I... I don't know how to deal with all of this. You said it was nothing, but I've been thinking a lot about the kiss, about everything that happened yesterday, and... well, I don't know what to think." He struggled to articulate his feelings, the words slipping away. He looked at her with a faint smile. "We're all friends, and the last few days have been a mess."
July, surprised by his sincerity, felt a weight lift from her shoulders, but the confusion still lingered.
"I like you, Mark... I don't know if things would work out between us," she said softly and hesitantly. "But I—"
Before she could finish, Mark noticed her nervousness and gently held her hand to calm her. It didn't go exactly how he expected. But the moment brought them closer than necessary.
The world around them seemed to pause for a moment. Both had racing hearts but remained uncertain.
"I... I don't know what this means," July murmured, pulling away slightly, uncertainty in her eyes.
Mark remained silent. More lost than ever.
Before either of them could say anything else, Mark pulled back. He needed answers. Without another word, he quickly made his way to Becky, determined to confront her about the letter.
In the classroom, minutes later, still before the end of recess...
Becky was sitting at her desk, her gaze distant. She knew Mark hadn't said anything about the letter yet, but she felt the moment was coming. She knew something was about to happen—though she didn't know if it would be good or bad.
When Mark walked into the room, their eyes met immediately. He looked more serious than usual.
Becky stood up, her stomach twisting. She knew the conversation would be hard.
"Hey, Mark. What... happened?" she asked, her voice a bit shaky, already imagining what he might say.
Mark looked at her for a moment, the confusion in his eyes plain to see. He took a deep breath.
"I read the letter, Becky," he said, his voice calm but still loaded with uncertainty. "And I... I don't know what to do now. This is all so confusing."
Becky, visibly nervous, stepped closer, her heart beating faster.
"I just... I didn't know how to say it," Becky began, hesitant, then moved closer to him. "I didn't want it to happen like this, but the truth is—I like you, Mark."
Mark looked at her, unsure what to say, wanting to talk about what happened with July. But before he could speak, Becky stepped forward and took the initiative. She kissed him—gently, but with emotion. She was tired of waiting for his answer.
When they pulled apart, both stood in silence, absorbing what had just happened.
"I... I don't know what to do with this, Becky," Mark said, his voice full of confusion. "You and July... I don't want to hurt anyone, but... I don't know how I feel."
Becky, her face flushed and her eyes shining, looked at him with a timid but sincere smile.
"I understand, Mark. But at least now you know how I feel."
Mark, with a lost expression, simply nodded.
"Yeah, I know," he replied, still caught in a daze.
Kai, watching from a distance with his usual look of boredom, could only think: Feels like I'm living inside a K-drama... as he gave a tired sigh, running a hand down his face.
The rest of the day dragged on. Becky and July continued exchanging nervous glances at Mark. He felt like, even though it was still early, everything was becoming more complicated by the second.
Kai, from the other side of the room, tried to ignore it all. He watched with a certain indifference, but there was a slight concern behind his eyes. When he looked at Mark and noticed how unsettled he was, fatigue mixed with impatience. He knew Mark needed to grow up and make some decisions—but all of this was disrupting the quiet balance Kai always tried to maintain.
Class finally ended, and the farewell was awkward. Becky and July still exchanged quick glances, but neither came too close to Mark. None of the three seemed able to resolve anything clearly.
Mark and Kai left the school together, as always. The walk home was silent. The cold early afternoon breeze made Mark hunch his shoulders, his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
"Kai..." Mark began, his mind still spinning. "You saw what happened today, right? All that stuff with July and Becky... I don't know what to do."
Kai, with his impassive expression, looked at his brother. He knew Mark was trying to understand his own feelings, but he also knew his brother would never be able to make a solid decision without facing the consequences of his actions.
"Don't drag me into this, Mark," Kai replied, his voice flat. "But if you keep being indecisive like this, or if you don't give a clear answer, things are only going to get worse."
Mark sighed, knowing Kai was right—but still unable to figure out what he truly wanted.
When they got home, Mark went upstairs with Becky's letter in hand, determined to finally deal with it. Kai, as always, went to his bed on the other side of the room, staying in his own world.
Mark opened the letter once more, reading every word Becky had written. He was still processing everything that had happened so far, but her words felt sincere, and that made him think. When he finished reading, he sat in silence, the letter in his hands, absorbing the storm of emotions inside him.
Interlude – Void's Decisions
October 14, 2012 — Sunday, cold dawn in Chicago
The field was silent, the only sound being the wind slicing through the air. The sky was overcast, the temperature cool, and the terrain—isolated from any civilization—offered the perfect environment for Kai and Cosmic to train. The location had been carefully chosen by Cosmic, far from curious eyes, so Kai could explore his abilities without worrying about external consequences.
Kai, eyes closed and face calm, was once again attempting to master the energy of the void. His movements were precise, yet always unpredictable. The use of that power always left him tense, as if he were trying to control something that wasn't meant to be controlled. Cosmic, observing from a distance, carefully watched for any missteps, always ready to help Kai find solutions.
After yet another miscalculation that nearly caused a field collapse, Cosmic finally interrupted the training.
"You're trying to apply concepts from this world to the void. That's why you keep getting lost," Cosmic explained, his analytical gaze fixed on Kai. "Your brain is translating a type of force that shouldn't even be processed by synapses. It's interpreting the void as a thought. As a command."
Kai paused for a moment, thinking about what Cosmic had just said, but then muttered sarcastically.
"So that's it? My brain's the problem? Overthinking again, as usual." He sighed in frustration, shaking his head to regain focus. "So what should I do then? I can't just ignore it... How do I control the void without feeling like I'm commanding it?"
Cosmic took a step closer, calmer than ever, continuing to guide him.
"You need to understand that the void isn't something you control like a physical action. It's not a tangible object or a force you can push around with thought. What's happening is that your brain is trying to 'understand' the void and misinterpreting it as something that must be manipulated directly. But it doesn't work that way."
Kai, looking perplexed, tried to digest the explanation, still caught up in the words.
"So what do I do then? I can't do it without thinking… and now you're telling me to stop trying to think about how to control it?"
Cosmic gave a soft smile, knowing that helping Kai understand this would be difficult—but necessary.
"Not exactly," Cosmic continued, now more precise. "The secret lies in how you connect to the void. You know when someone throws something at you, and you instinctively raise your hands? Or when people frown when they're tense? Or simply breathing—that's involuntary, right?"
Kai turned slowly toward him, still breathing heavily, but with a faint smirk.
"What are you suggesting then?" he asked with a hint of frustration.
Cosmic smiled calmly.
"Those actions happen by habit. There's no rule that says you have to extend your hand when something's thrown at you, but it still happens. Your body interprets and reacts to something that doesn't 'exist' through instinct. If you create habits when using the void, it'll help prevent those mistakes."
Kai furrowed his brow, beginning to understand, though still skeptical.
"You're telling me to make a gesture now? Hand signs? I'm getting dangerously close to becoming an anime cliché, you know that, right?" he said with a sarcastic grin, trying to lighten the mood.
Cosmic remained unfazed by Kai's joke, his tone as calm as ever.
"Not necessarily hand signs, but something your body can recognize as an instinctive action. Something you do automatically, without thinking. Your body can learn to react that way—even with the void." Cosmic paused, then looked at Kai with a serious but kind expression. "Once you're able to act with the void the same way you breathe or frown, the control will come more naturally. The void will connect with your body, and it'll be easier to direct."
Kai remained silent for a while, processing the explanation. Then, muttering in his usual dry tone:
"So those anime tropes from my past life weren't entirely nonsense, huh? No wonder some authors said they were inspired by martial arts techniques..." He sighed deeply. "I kind of get it, but if it's true, I'm starting to feel like a scripted character—with all these 'gestures' and 'movements.'"
Cosmic chuckled gently, understanding Kai's discomfort but keeping his tone serene.
"Maybe what you see as exaggeration has a practical base. All those movements might actually mean something… You're going beyond the physical to grasp something deeper." Cosmic observed with calm patience. "Eventually, you can drop the gesture—but for now, your resistance is only getting in your way. It's an important key to the process."
Not entirely convinced, Kai gave a faint laugh and murmured,
"Maybe... But I still feel like I'm part of a forced plot... Probably my fault for asking something so vague to those deities..." He sighed again.
Cosmic smiled, sensing Kai's lingering hesitation, and the conversation shifted to a more personal and relaxed tone.
"Kai, can I ask you something Earth-related? Something I don't quite understand," said Cosmic, with his usual calm demeanor.
Kai looked at him curiously and nodded.
"There's a woman who works with me on the social projects. She insists she's interested in me, but… well, my real appearance doesn't help much." He paused before continuing. "I'm a being of energy, dark purple with glowing dots... She's a good person, but she has no idea I'm not from Earth. How would I even tell her that? I don't feel things the same way humans do."
Kai gave a groan, looking bored.
"Great. My brother's in a romantic K-drama, and now you're diving into one too? Seriously, does no one know how to live peacefully anymore?" He adjusted his posture, trying to avoid getting too deep into the emotional drama. "Look, it's simple. Don't overthink it. Just talk to her, and don't limit yourself because you're an alien. If her presence is nice and she wants to be around, just let her be."
Cosmic let out a soft laugh.
"I'm guessing 'K-drama' is something from your past life?"
Kai nodded with a faint smile, more out of habit than genuine amusement.
"Maybe..." he said, leaning back and looking up at the sky. "Think of it as a one-hour show with romantic drama and constant chaos. Annoying, but once you start watching, you want to see how it ends."
Cosmic chuckled, then leaned slightly toward Kai.
"What about now? How are you handling it... You know, your brother and the prophecy?" he asked.
Kai let out a tired sigh.
"I'm worried about how things are going. Mark never seems to grow up. I tried helping him from the beginning so he'd become the hero of the prophecy, but I think I'm actually getting in his way." Kai was still leaning back, staring at the sky. "I'm not supposed to be part of this, and everything I do seems to change the course of things."
Cosmic stepped closer, his tone serious.
"Even if you had a past life and memories, the fact that you're here now—born here, with a family—means you do belong. Whether you like it or not, you're part of it. You're not altering the path—you are the path." He paused before continuing. "Even if you weren't meant to exist in this world, your actions and feelings are real. The bond of having a brother and a family is real. No matter how much you deny it, you're Mark's twin. You'll care about him and your parents, whether you admit it or not."
Kai stayed quiet, deeply reflecting, before finally muttering with a sigh,
"Yeah... maybe you're right. But I just don't want more problems. I'm tired, man. And him being stuck in place frustrates me. I feel further and further from the peace I want."
Cosmic replied with quiet wisdom, as if he'd been waiting for that exact moment.
"You've been giving too much, trying to follow the prophecy. Maybe it's time to live your own life and focus more on yourself. You can still help him—just give him some space for a while. I think that'll be enough."
Kai considered this for a moment before finally murmuring,
"I've been thinking about switching schools next year. Maybe that'll help..."
Cosmic looked at him with a wider smile before suggesting,
"That might be a good idea. I know a private school in Oak Park. I used to run social programs there. It's a place that needs attention. It's got a few problems, but nothing big enough for the GDA to get involved. Just some safety concerns—but I've seen things that... well, I think you should consider it."
Kai raised an eyebrow at the suggestion.
"You're pitching this the wrong way. You do know I run from problems, right?" he said, ready to reject the idea.
Cosmic, seemingly having anticipated everything, replied,
"That area needs attention. I can't intervene there—it's something happening among the youth. Consider it a favor... from a friend."
"You played the friendship card, huh? That's low." Kai replied.
Cosmic laughed at Kai's reaction.
"It's just a suggestion. Oakwood Highschool Academy—what do you think?"
"The elite Oakwood School, in Oak Park? That's only 14 kilometers from where I live. But I don't have the money for tuition, and my mom probably wouldn't agree to it," Kai replied.
Always ready with solutions, Cosmic spoke with confidence.
"You can try for a scholarship. Take a test. Who knows? It might work."
Kai thought about it for a moment before grumbling,
"Man, I feel bad saying no to a favor from you. But what a hassle..." he muttered, glancing at Cosmic.
"It's far enough that if you skip class, no one will know," Cosmic added.
"Now you're speaking my language. Should've started with that," Kai said with a wry smile.
They both laughed. Just before getting up to leave, Kai turned to Cosmic.
"Hey... the ring and the suit? Any news?"
Cosmic, now more serious, replied,
"I spoke to Cecil. Nothing certain about the ring, but he told me there's a man who can help you with the suit."
Kai nodded, feeling like he was finally starting to get some answers. He didn't know if he was ready to follow all of Cosmic's advice, but for now, all he could do was move forward.