Kazama heads to a public library after that mini showdown with the bullies.

I got myself into another mess, he thought grimly as he made his way deeper into the building. I for sure know we will be contacted by the authorities for using our powers in the open like that. Those idiots. They never listen.

Kazama heads to the science section. He starts looking for some books

Fujimoto sensei got ahead of herself today, Kazama mused as he scanned the shelves methodically. Those questions were out of syllabus, designed to trip us up. Not that it matters much anymore. I need to read some more books on magnetism. Magnetism has always been a dark patch for me when it comes to my abilities. Magnetic fields can be generated when current passes through a conductor, but when I try to mimic that with my powers, it's always frustratingly weak.

His eyes settled on two promising titles: "Advanced Electromagnetic Theory" and "Practical Applications of Magnetic Fields." Both were thick volumes that looked like they hadn't been touched in months. He pulled them from the shelf and found a secluded corner table where he could work undisturbed.

Most of the information here is also available on the internet, scattered across a thousand different sites, he reflected as he began reading. But books - you stay focused with books. They don't divert from the topic they are meant to represent. There are too many distractions on the internet, too many rabbit holes to fall into.

Kazama started reading through the books methodically, occasionally pausing to process complex diagrams and equations. As understanding dawned, he pulled out his notebook and began making detailed notes, his handwriting neat despite his eagerness to absorb the information.

Solenoid coils... interesting. The theory was elegant in its simplicity. Wrapping copper coils around my arms and legs could indeed boost the magnetic fields significantly. The mathematics checks out. I might need a battery pack as well to generate constant current and provide an extra kick when needed. And on top of that, this is all theory. I'll need to make adjustments based on practical experimentation and real-world application.

While making notes about coil density and current flow, he catches a glimpse of Tachibana Takemi entering the library. Her school bag hangs from one shoulder, and she looks around uncertainly before heading toward the literature section. He chooses to ignore her presence and continues making notes.

I have seen her here a couple of times, he noted mentally while continuing to write. Avoiding conversation would be best for now after the trouble I caused her in the morning. Along with the misunderstandings. Speaking of which, I need to look into this Kurotsuki mafia thing more. I face their members at night, I get confronted for the same by a known hero in Shirai Takeru and then I get jumped by a hero in the morning. There is no doubt they suspect me and are looking for someone with my height and stature with electricity based powers. I have an idea to fool them but then again a lot of risk is involved.

After filling three pages with notes and diagrams, Kazama closed the books and stood to return them to their respective sections. The movement caught Takemi's attention from across the aisle, and she looked up from her own reading.

"Hey Kazama!" she called out, her voice carrying a note of surprise.

"Hey," he replied simply, hoping to keep the interaction brief.

"So what were you reading?" she asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.

"Just some books on magnetism and such."

Takemi's eyes widened as she caught sight of the books in his hands. "Wait, those books you're putting back - advanced electromagnetic theory? That's way beyond our current syllabus. We won't cover that until university level."

Kazama shrugged, maintaining his composure. "I have a curious mind. What about you? What brings you here?"

"Oh.. Umm." Takemi seemed flustered for a moment. "I wanted to revise some topics since our assessments for Japanese Qualifiers are coming up."

"Right."

He could see something flickering behind her eyes—frustration, perhaps, or a kind of competitive determination. Shit. That look on his face when he solved those problems this morning... he didn't even try to show off, which somehow makes it worse. I refuse to be the one falling behind while he casually reads university-level material.

"So I will be on my way," Kazama said, sensing the tension building in the silence.

"Oh, yes. It was nice talking to you."

"Likewise."

Kazama moved on with his hands buried in his pockets. He slipped through some other sections and reached the crime and current affairs section, hoping to find something useful for his other concerns.

Now that school knowledge work is done. It's time to dig deeper into my other work. He scanned the shelves methodically, looking for anything that might prove helpful. I read some articles on Kurotsuki mafia involvement last night but in the morning they were deleted. I doubt I can find anything else relevant on the internet. Also Shirai Takeru named them very loosely as if it was to instill fear. Because there is no way such a term would be used in that manner unless Shirai is one of them.

Despite his thorough search through the available books and periodicals, Kazama found nothing substantial about the organization that had become such a significant part of his nighttime encounters.

What a waste of time, he concluded with growing frustration. Not only did I not find anything but there was literally a column praising the achievements of Shirai Takeru and not very surprisingly Kujou Tanaka. Maybe I am overthinking too much. Should head back home and test this new way out to boost the magnetic fields.

Kazama reached home with his notes tucked safely in his bag, determined to make the plan he came up with work.

"I am home," he called out as he stepped inside, the familiar sounds and smells of the household greeting him.

"Welcome back. You are late," came Hana's voice from somewhere deeper in the house.

Yamamoto Hana, his foster sister, appeared in the doorway with that familiar look that meant she was preparing to tease him about something. Her presence was both comforting and annoying, but it was home.

"Was at the library. Assessments are coming up," Kazama explained as he removed his shoes.

"Ooh. Little Raiden wants to succeed," she said with mock amazement.

"Whatever."

He made his way to the main room where their guardian sat in his customary position. Takahashi Genzo was a man who commanded respect even in stillness, and Kazama could feel the weight of his attention even before speaking. The former hero wore his usual long Chinese robe, weathered hands wrapped around a ceramic tea cup. The eyepatch covering his missing eye and the empty sleeve where his arm should have been served as permanent reminders of battles fought and sacrifices made.

"Master," Kazama said with a slight bow.

"Kazama. How was school today?" Takahashi's voice was calm but carried an undertone that suggested he already knew more than he was letting on.

"Good."

"Heard you were late again. Even though today you left early."

The observation hit closer to home than Kazama would have liked, and he felt his mind race to construct a plausible explanation. The lie came as naturally as breathing. "Got roped into some scheme by Kurogane and Haruto. Would make sure it doesn't happen again."

Takahashi set down his tea cup with deliberate slowness, his single eye studying Kazama's face with an intensity that had once made him a formidable hero.

"Your parents were very regular in their school days. Not a day missed, not a second late. They also used to be at the top of their respective grades. They would have wanted the same for their son."

The words hit harder than any physical blow could have. Kazama paused for a second and contemplated the weight of those expectations, feeling the familiar ache of a legacy he could never seem to properly honor—not because he lacked the ability, but because his real priorities lay elsewhere.

"I will try my best to honor those wishes," he said quietly.

"I hope you do."

"I will be working on a little science project now. If you will excuse me."

Takahashi nodded his permission, and Kazama retreated to his room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.

How can I tell him the truth? The question that had haunted him for months rose again in his mind. That I was out there trying to become something they'd hate. But maybe... maybe being stronger is how I honor them. And this little project is how I get stronger and better.

From his desk drawer, he retrieved the copper coils he had acquired earlier in the week. The metal was cool against his skin as he carefully wrapped them around his arms, checking the positioning to ensure optimal electromagnetic field generation. Taking a deep breath, Kazama focused his power and passed current through those coils and around his arms. He concentrated on a small metal bracelet sitting on his desk, extending his hand toward it.

The bracelet trembled, then lifted smoothly into the air.

That works better than last time, he thought with satisfaction. I just need a bit more juice.

"Raiden! There is a letter for you!" Hana's voice echoed up from downstairs, breaking his concentration and causing the bracelet to clatter back onto the desk.

"Leave it. I will read it later," he called back, not wanting to interrupt his experimentation just when he was making progress.

"It's from school. So I am gonna read it!" came her reply, tinged with the kind of mischief that usually meant trouble.

"What? Why? You shouldn't be doing that," Kazama protested, though he knew from experience that once Hana decided to do something, there was little point in trying to stop her.

"Does it matter?"

Must be another notice for being late, he reasoned, though something in Hana's tone made him slightly uneasy. I need to go downstairs and see.

"It's regarding some issue that happened outside the school grounds. I'm gonna read further!"

"Wait!" he called out, panic beginning to creep into his voice.

Must be about those bullies, he tried to convince himself. I knew those idiots would get us into trouble.

"Raiden! What the hell?" Hana's voice carried up the stairs now, shock and confusion evident in her tone.

Kazama maintains his composure. "It was Kurogane's fault. But yes, I should have not indulged with them."

"What the hell are you talking about?" The confusion in Hana's voice was palpable now, and Kazama realized with growing dread that whatever was in that letter was far worse than he had anticipated. "Shirai Takeru summoned you to the school stating you got into a fight with some hero in the morning."

From the main room, Takahashi raised an eyebrow—a gesture he had learned to recognize over the years, and one that never boded well. The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken questions and implications.

Kazama stood frozen in his room, the copper coils still wrapped around his arms, his mind racing but finding no escape from the trap that had just snapped shut around him. He was shocked, with no response ready. He did not see this coming, and now he was completely unprepared for the questions that would inevitably follow.