It's lunch break time.

"What an exhausting day," one student complains.

"Man school's gonna be tougher with these qualifiers coming up," another adds.

"Top schools have top problems man!"

"That science session was really hard today."

Kurogane is socializing with other students.

Kurogane stretches and warms up in front of them, grinning. "What's up with this gloominess? I am in fact excited for the qualifiers. You get to stretch a few muscles, break a few bones and who knows, impress a few ladies."

Subaru sighs. "It's easy for you man. You are athletic and on the school football team. You will get a slot for sure. But I am not that good at anything. I mean I can get a few good scores but this school is filled with some academic monsters."

Kaoru nods in agreement. "Same for me. I barely cleared the cutoff for this school. That too after pulling many all-nighters."

Shinichi looks worried. "The other assessments are not going to be easy either."

Kurogane waves dismissively. "Come on guys. Subaru you have the ability to freeze things, last time I checked the world ranked 2 had the exact same powers! Kaoru-chan, you have the ability to talk to animals like I would want to do that. And Shinichi. Hmmm." He pauses thoughtfully. "Sometimes I wonder how you got into this school."

Shinichi has his head down while Subaru and Kaoru giggle.

Haruto observes from across the room. "Look at that idiot. Trying to act all cool."

Kazama shrugs. "He is just being himself. Confident and goofy."

Haruto nods appreciatively. "But one thing is true. His athletic nature is unmatched. He is definitely getting that slot from our school. I have heard he is the best number 9 in U-18 Japan. I don't know what that means but good for him I guess."

Kazama explains, "That means he is the best striker in his division."

Haruto looks surprised. "Didn't know you had knowledge about football."

Kazama's expression turns slightly annoyed. "My sister follows it and blurts it in my ear."

Haruto raises an eyebrow. "Didn't know she had knowledge about football either."

Kazama exhales with disappointment. "Trust me, I wish I didn't know either. Every time she talks, a piece of my sanity packs its bags and never comes back."

Haruto giggles at that remark.

School ends as the students sigh.

Kazama, Haruto and Kurogane get out of the school together and are talking while Kurogane and Haruto hold their bag straps. Kazama is walking with hands in his pockets.

Kurogane suddenly remembers something. "I forgot to ask. Did you guys hear about that crazy showdown last night? It's only a few blocks from here."

Haruto nods. "Yeah. Heard even Shirai Takeru got involved."

Kurogane's eyes light up with admiration. "Damn. He had saved a lot of people from a collapsing building as well. Man, he works so hard."

Haruto agrees. "Shield of the local for a reason. What do you think, Kazama?"

Kazama responds with a neutral tone. "I just think he is doing his job. He is a hero after all. What else would you expect of him?"

Kurogane looks disappointed. "Damn. You are so harsh on him man."

Kazama looks genuinely confused. "Did I say anything wrong?"

Haruto tries to mediate. "I agree with Kazama but we should appreciate the man's efforts. Anyways, I think we got sidetracked a bit due to Shirai's outstanding hero work. Such showdowns are uncommon in such areas."

Kurogane gestures animatedly. "Involving superpowers on top of that. Must be those idiots on the internet who do acts to get popular."

Kazama without saying anything just gives a stern look.

They continue to walk and spot a small park and see a girl fending off bullies. She has a small puppy hiding behind her legs.

Kiyomi stands protectively. "Hey back off!"

The first bully sneers. "Huh? Back off? That puppy's mother bit me a few days back. Heard some car got her so I am here to collect the debt."

Kiyomi's voice fills with determination. "That's so cruel! I am not gonna let you do anything to this puppy."

The second bully steps forward menacingly. "Hey! You don't have any business here princess. Now move before you get hurt as well."

The third bully grins mockingly. "Yeah, listen to big bro here. We are keeping the streets safe by removing such pests."

The puppy still hides behind Kiyomi as the bullies keep throwing slurs and advancing forward.

Haruto recognizes her. "Isn't that Kiyomi Asahi from class E?"

Kurogane's expression turns serious. "Are you guys thinking what I am thinking?"

Kazama looks concerned about the consequences. "Those delinquents don't have any powers. We should take them on fairly. Would keep us out of trouble."

Kurogane smirks mischievously. "You are so boring, Kazama. The world's not fair. And we are outside the school so no bracelet. Besides, what's wrong with breaking a few rules?"

Kurogane creates a mini sandstorm which leaps him into air and he jumps onto them and takes one out with a punch.

Haruto grins with excitement. "I am with him."

Haruto creates a portal and teleports behind them and clunks two bullies' heads together.

Kazama sighs with resignation. "Phew. What would I do with you guys? We are definitely going to regret this later."

Kurogane has a look at Kiyomi and is in a state of love at first sight.

Kazama makes a small dash with lightning going through his legs. He dodges a bully's punch, hits a chop on the neck of the bully which stuns him followed by a running knee which takes him out.

One of the bullies who had been knocked out earlier by Haruto gets back up and swings at Kazama but Kazama dodges and Haruto takes the bully out with a running single leg dropkick.

Haruto dusts off his hands. "That should do it."

Kazama nods approvingly. "Not bad."

Another bully who was down earlier recovers and charges at Haruto who portals through the wall. The bully hits the wall. And Kazama knocks him out with a punch.

Haruto re-emerges from the portal.

A bully then takes out a knife and makes a cut on Kurogane while he was trying to dodge (as Kurogane was off guard and was looking at Kiyomi). Kazama zaps him out while making a pistol-like gesture (electricity goes from his shoulders to his fingertips).

Kurogane grimaces in pain. "Tch.. Bastard got me."

Kiyomi rushes over with worry. "Hey are you okay?"

Kurogane tries to play it off casually. "Just a small cut. Nothing to worry about."

Kiyomi's voice trembles with concern. "You don't seem fine! You are bleeding!" She gets shocked.

Kurogane realizes the wetness of his own blood oozing out from his shirt. He moves his hand and touches his abdomen and there was a blood patch all over his hand.

Kurogane attempts to sound heroic despite the pain. "This is nothing."

Kiyomi spreads her arms and has a greenish aura which seals Kurogane's wound quickly while Kurogane watches in awe.

Kurogane stares in amazement. "Woah. I didn't know you could do that. Thanks. Really thanks."

Kiyomi smiles gratefully. "I should be the one thanking you guys. To be honest I didn't know what to do next after standing up to those bullies."

The puppy comes closer and starts jumping and then Kiyomi picks it up.

Haruto and Kazama meanwhile collect the bullies and position them sitting and leaning on a wall.

Haruto looks impressed. "Good thing Kiyomi turned out to be a healer. She's pretty good."

Kazama glances at Kurogane with mild amusement. "Seems like his injury is sorted. I would leave this idiot to you, Haruto. Get him home."

Kurogane looks at Kazama with a confused expression on the word "sorted." 

What does he mean by sorted ? -_-

Haruto looks curious. "Where are you going?"

Kazama responds vaguely. "I have got some things to do."

Haruto raises an eyebrow. "You got a part time job?"

Kazama smirks mysteriously. "Something of that sort."

Kazama walks off in another direction as Haruto looks confused.