Aoi’s shoulders slumped as she trudged along one of Sokyoshi’s streets, her face a mix of discomfort and irritation. Beside her, Ayane bounced along like an energetic child, while Mei kept her hands folded behind her back, eyes closed in her serene, unbothered manner. Aoi’s expression stood in stark contrast to the two flanking her. Why did she have to be the only one feeling this way? 

“I don’t get why we have to do this patrol with them. Why can’t we just handle it ourselves?” The voice she loathed cut through the quiet, filled with contempt. Raito’s chestnut eyes were narrowed in annoyance, hands stuffed in his pockets as he led the group, Mitsuru and Rikuya trailing close behind. Aoi’s team—Ayane and Mei—followed a few meters back.

“It is what it is. Deal with it.” Misora’s voice was sharp, carrying authority as she strode ahead of the two teams. After all, she did tell me to take care of them, she thought, her mind flashing back to Reina’s request. “Watch over them. I’m counting on you.”

She glanced back over her shoulder. “Seriously, what kind of classmates would fight each other on the very first day?”

Raito and Aoi flinched at her words, while the others felt a bead of sweat trickle down as moments from earlier replayed in their minds.

…………………

Back in Class 1-3, students were forming their teams, chatting excitedly in duos and trios.

“Aoi! Can we be teammates? I really want to be in the same group as you again,” Ayane asked, her turquoise eyes sparkling as she faced the blue-haired girl. 

“Sure,” Aoi shrugged, earning a squeal from Ayane.

“Yay! Thanks!” she giggled, practically bouncing in place. 

“Can I join too?” Mei asked, turning toward the pair.

“You want to be with us?” Ayane’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth forming a small ‘O’ of surprise and excitement. 

“Mm-hmm,” Mei nodded gently. “I’d love to tag along.”

“Of course! You totally can!” Ayane exclaimed, making Mei’s eyes curve into a warm smile. 

Aoi muttered under her breath, “Hey, I didn’t even get a say in this.”

“Dummy! You should be grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime chance to have Mei Xue in our group!” Ayane teased exasperatedly. 

“Rigghhht…” Aoi dragged out her response, rolling her eyes.

“Can we join you too?” a voice called from behind, making the three girls turn. 

“You want to team up with us?” Ayane asked, eyes lighting up as Rikuya chuckled softly.

“Well, the three of us are already a team…” he said, a teasing smirk on his face. 

“Always have been, always will be,” Mitsuru added, looping an arm around Raito in a side-hug.

“Hey! Get off me!” Raito groaned, struggling against the hold. 

“But we wanted to tag along with you girls, so that we can all get to know each other better,” Rikuya added, adjusting his glasses.

“Right,” Mitsuru nodded in agreement. 

“You two wanted to tag along. I never pitched in on it,” Raito scoffed, brushing Mitsuru’s arm away.

“Come on, don’t be like that, man.” Mitsuru chuckled. 

“I don’t have time to play tag-along with others. I came here for one reason.” Raito shoved his hands in his pockets, his gaze locking on Aoi. “To get stronger—strong enough to take down my idiot brother and claim the top.”

“What for?” Aoi asked flatly, brow raised. 

“That’s none of your business!” he snapped, a vein pulsing at his temple.

“Sounds dull to me. If he’s at the top, then he’s already stronger than you.” Aoi smirked. 

Raito growled, pointing a finger at her. “Shut up! You don’t know anything!”

“You’re right, I don’t. And I don’t plan to.” She scoffed, sliding a hand into her pocket. “You’re not worth the interest, shadow boy.” 

His face twisted in anger. “What did you say?!”

“Hard of hearing?” Aoi’s smirk sharpened.

“You wanna go, bluehead?!”

“Only if you’re ready. Bring it.” The class murmured nervously; tension thick in the air. 

“Uh… Raito—” Rikuya started, but Mitsuru’s hand landed on his shoulder.

“Don’t bother, Rikuya.” He said softly, earning Rikuya’s sidelong glance. 

“But… Mitsuru—”

“It’s not like he’s gonna listen to you anyway,” Mitsuru sighed, glancing back to his friend. 

“Aoi…” Ayane whispered anxiously. Beside her, Mei hummed softly, observing with calm eyes. The door slammed open, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Ai-ya-ya,” Misora groaned, shaking her head, eyes closed in irritation. “Are you kidding me?” 

“Big sister!” Ayane’s eyes lit up, while the rest of the class buzzed at the sight of the third-year strolling in, hands in her pockets.

“First day of school and you’re already causing trouble.” Misora’s tone was sharp. 

“What’re you doing here?” Aoi asked, Raito stepping back under the older girl’s gaze.

“Routine class check,” Misora said dryly. “Good thing I walked into this one.” Aoi let out a soft scoff, turning her gaze sideways. 

“Aoi. Raito.” Her voice dropped, firm enough to make them stiffen. “Your groups are under my watch. Orders from above.”

“What?! Why?!” Raito burst out—only to freeze when Misora’s slate-blue eyes cut into him. 

“Because I said so. Move.” Her quiet edge made him swallow hard.

“R-Right…” he muttered. As she turned away, Ayane nearly sparkled, stars in her eyes as she stared at her sister. The rest of the class sweat-dropped at her expression.

……………..

“Technically, they weren’t fighting… yet,” Mitsuru said with a crooked grin. 

“To be fair, we should thank Misora for stepping in when she did,” Rikuya added, adjusting his glasses with a faintly sheepish smile.

“Please. Even if she hadn’t, I was about to put that idiot in her place,” Raito muttered darkly. 

“Uh… guys?” Ayane piped up, lifting a hand nervously.

Aoi clicked her tongue, rolling her eyes. “Sorry my existence ruins your mood. Don’t worry—I never cared about being on your good side, cheapskate." 

Raito whipped around, jabbing a finger at her. “At least my good side isn’t wasted on some short-stacked brat who barely reaches my knees!”

Aoi’s eyebrow twitched as she shot back a glare. “Say that again, shadow boy!" 

“Gladly, bluehead!” Raito snarled, their faces nearly colliding as sparks flew. Misora, standing ahead, exhaled slowly, her eyebrow twitching like a warning tick of a time bomb.

“Both of you, cut it out!” she snapped, her voice sharp enough to slice through the air. 

“He started it!” / “She started it!” Aoi and Raito barked in unison, their glares sparking like flint against steel. Their bickering drew a few wandering eyes, curiosity flickering across nearby faces.

Mei chuckled softly under her breath. “It’s like watching two toddlers argue over a piece of candy.” 

Misora’s fist clenched at her side as her brow twitched. “I don’t care who started it! You won’t fight under my watch, got it?!” With a long exhale, she pressed two fingers to her temple, her jaw tightening.

“Geez! I have more than enough on my hands already. I can’t be babysitting another set of kids!” Her dry complaint earned sheepish smiles and sweat drops from Ayane, Mitsuru, and Rikuya. 

“Wait… what’s that?” Rikuya cut in suddenly, pointing past the row of buildings ahead. Everyone’s heads snapped in that direction, eyes widening.

“No way…” Mitsuru breathed.

“Black smoke? At this time of day?!” Ayane whispered, fear lacing her tone. 

Aoi’s eyes narrowed as she inhaled sharply, then widened in realization. A fire! Without another thought, she bolted forward.

“H-Hey, wait!” Misora barked, immediately taking off after her, the others rushing close behind. 

……..

The street was chaos. Screams and hurried footsteps filled the air as a thick column of black smoke poured from the windows of a three-storey building. Flames crackled angrily, licking higher with each passing second. Residents stumbled out in coughing fits, some supported by neighbors, panic carved into every face. 

“Someone, call the fire department!” a man shouted, his voice cracking.

“The flames are spreading too fast!” another cried. 

“Are you hurt?!” Misora’s voice rang out, cutting through the panic as she and the others arrived. Relief rippled through the crowd.

“It’s the Nightingales!” someone exclaimed. 

“Thank goodness!” another echoed.

“Everyone, listen to me!” Misora raised her hands, her voice firm but steady. “Panicking won’t help—stay calm, and we’ll get through this.” She turned sharply. “Ayane, call the fire department now.” 

“On it, sis!” Ayane nodded, already pulling out her phone as she darted to the side.

“The rest of you,” Misora continued, her eyes sweeping to the others, her tone leaving no room for argument, “help the residents—check for injuries, water, anything they need.” 

“Right!” Mei and the others answered in unison, springing into action.

Misora moved closer to a shaken woman, her eyes still locked on the burning building. “Is anyone still trapped inside?” 

The woman shook her head quickly, still trembling. “No… everyone’s out. They all made it.”

“Good.” Misora exhaled, her gaze hardening as she stared back at the blaze, the fire’s reflection burning in her slate-blue eyes. 

“Daiki! Hikari!” A desperate cry pierced the air. Everyone turned toward a woman thrashing in a man’s grip, her tear-streaked face twisted in panic as she tried to break free.

“You can’t go in there, ma’am—it’s too dangerous!” the man urged, holding her back. 

“My children are still inside!” she screamed, her voice breaking as she struggled harder.

“What’s happening?!” Misora demanded, rushing over. 

The woman’s eyes locked on her, overflowing with terror. “Please! My babies didn’t make it out! They’re still trapped inside that building!”

Misora’s eyes flew wide. “What?!” The word left her like a gasp, her chest tightening. 

“Please, you have to save them! I’m begging you!” the woman sobbed, falling to her knees as her hands clutched together desperately. Aoi froze, her heart hammering. Her gaze snapped to the inferno—flames devouring the windows, smoke curling black against the sky. Her fists clenched so tightly her knuckles whitened.

Misora’s teeth ground together as she stared at the fire. “No… It’s too late. The blaze is too strong—no one can make it out alive now.” But before her words could settle, a blur of blue darted past. Aoi’s figure shot forward, vanishing into the flaming entrance without hesitation. 

“Aoi!” Ayane screamed; her voice raw with fear.

“You reckless fool!” Misora shouted, lunging forward—but the flames roared violently, sealing the doorway in a wall of fire before she could follow.

“Miss, you’ll die if you go after her!” someone yelled, pulling her back as heat seared the air. 

Misora staggered, her jaw clenched, her fists trembling. “Damn it!” she hissed, fury and fear crashing through her in equal measure.

……. 

Aoi sprinted up the first-floor stairs, weaving between lashing flames. She pressed her sleeve against her mouth and nose, eyes scanning the smoke-choked hallway.

“Daiki! Hikari!” she shouted, voice raw from the smoke. No answer came. Her jaw tightened; her chest heavy. Damn it… I hope I’m not too late. They can’t— her thoughts stung, memories flashing in cruel fragments. Please… not again. 

“Help! Can anyone hear us?!” a young voice rang out.

“Mommy!” another voice cried, smaller, broken by sobs. Aoi’s eyes snapped open, fire glinting in them as she bolted up the next flight of stairs. 

Inside a room already half-swallowed by fire, a boy no older than six clutched his little sister and the whimpering puppy in her arms.

“B-Big brother…” Hikari sobbed.

“It’s alright,” Daiki whispered, rubbing her head, though his own body trembled. The ceiling groaned before a fiery beam snapped free, crashing down toward them—only for a boot to smash it aside at the last second. The children blinked up through watery eyes at the girl crouched before them.

“It’s alright. You’re safe now,” Aoi said firmly, her voice steady despite the situation around her. Her gaze flicked to the puppy in Hikari’s arms, then back to their faces. These must be her kids… The memory of their mother’s pleas tightened her chest. The fire roared louder, the heat forcing the children to cling tighter to each other.

“Hey. I’ve got you,” Aoi said, gathering both of them into her arms with careful strength. She handed over two folded handkerchiefs. “Keep these over your mouths. Don’t let go.” The children nodded quickly, obeying through their tears. With that, she burst out of the room, but as she reached the stairwell, a cascade of flaming debris rained down, shattering the steps into a burning ruin.

The exit was just ahead—then the path collapsed, swallowed by flames and falling planks. The children whimpered, burying their tear-streaked faces into her chest as smoke clawed at their lungs. Her right hand seared in sudden pain as burning timber grazed it. She hissed through clenched teeth, forcing her eyes off the blistering skin.

Think… come on, think. The first floor’s already a furnace. There’s only one way left. She tightened her grip on the trembling children.

“Hold on to me,” she whispered.