The mask felt heavy on my face.

Not physically—

but mentally.

Every breath echoed inside it, shallow and uneven. I kept my head down, walking like I belonged there, forcing my steps to match theirs. I listened more than I looked, collecting fragments of voices, boots scraping the floor, radios crackling.

Find Aiko.

That was my only objective.

I listened. Watched. Counted.

Most of the armed men were spread thin, patrolling classrooms and hallways. A few of them barked orders like they knew what they were doing. The rest… didn’t. Nervous movements. Shaky hands. Loud voices trying to sound confident.

They really are mixed, I thought. Only a few are real Abaki members.

That meant one thing.

If something went wrong, chaos would spread fast. It also meant that I could blend in easily.

As I moved deeper into the building, I realized something. Most hostages weren’t in the auditorium yet. Smaller groups were being held elsewhere.

Then I saw it—

The science lab.

The glass door was half-closed. Inside, students were huddled together, faces pale, eyes darting toward every sound.

And there—

Aiko.

She sat with her friends, arms wrapped around a trembling girl, whispering softly to calm her down.

For a moment, I almost forgot to breathe.

She’s here.

I stepped forward.

A masked man standing near the door turned sharply.

“Hey—what are you doing here?” he snapped. “You’re not one of the main unit.”

I didn’t answer.

I moved and draged him inside.

Before he could raise his gun, I slammed my elbow into his throat and drove him into the counter. The impact sent a sharp crack through the room. He collapsed, gasping, clutching his neck.

The students screamed.

“Stop!” I hissed, turning toward them. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

Fear stared back at me. Raw. Paralyzing. Why shouldn't they be scared?

“I’m here to get you out.”

Silence followed. Shaky. Uncertain.

I locked the door quickly and dragged the unconscious man aside.

“Listen carefully,” I said. “I don’t have time to earn your trust—but staying here guarantees you die.”

Their eyes widened.

I looked at Aiko. She was still comforting her friend, steady despite the terror. I didn’t remove my mask.

She can’t see me like this.

I crouched near the group.

“Most of the armed men and hostages are in the auditorium,” I explained quietly. “The ones roaming the halls are mostly hired thugs. They scare easily.”

I paused, then continued.

“I need one of the boys to wear this mask,” I said, holding it up. “And a few of you to act as captured students.”

Murmurs broke out.

“You’re insane,” someone whispered.

“I passed the auditorium earlier,” I said. “The leaders are there. If I bring ‘runaways’ as an excuse, they’ll let us close.”

A hand shook as it raised.

“And then what?”

I glanced around the lab.

“We use capsaicin solution,” I said. “Pepper extract. It won’t kill anyone, but it’ll blind them long enough to create chaos.”

Eyes darted toward the shelves.

“We pour it into their eyes, trigger the fire alarm, and run. The emergency exit is right behind the hall.”

Fear filled the room.

“This isn’t safe,” someone said.

“I know,” I replied. “That’s why I won’t force anyone.”

Silence stretched.

Then Aiko stood up.

“I’ll do it.”

My heart slammed into my ribs.

No.

Instinct screamed to stop her—to pull her back, to shield her.

But I couldn’t.

Not without revealing myself.

I stayed silent.

Her eyes met mine for just a second. Something flickered there—recognition? Doubt?

She knows.

The plan moved forward.

We entered the auditorium surrounded by chaos frozen in fear.

The boy in the mask shoved Aiko and the others forward.

“Sir,” he said, voice shaking. “These six were trying something funny.”

The leader turned slowly.

A deep scar ran across his face. His eyes were sharp, merciless. He didn’t speak—just stared.

Then he nodded once.

Permission.

The tension inside the hall was unbearable. Students sat rigid. Teachers whispered prayers. Armed men watched every movement.

I saw Hirata among them.

You made it.

As we got closer, the fire alarm screamed.

Red lights flashed.

Now.

I threw the capsaicin solution into the nearest man’s face.

Screams erupted.

Students tackled guards. Guns clattered to the floor.

“RUN!” I shouted.

Chaos exploded.

People surged toward the exits.

I ran to Aiko, grabbing her shoulder and pulling off my mask.

“Get going—now!”

She froze.

“…So it was you.”

“No time to explain,” I said, helping her friend up.

“You don’t need to,” she replied, smiling faintly. “You were brave today.”

I also smiled back despite the chaos.

We were trying to help on of her friends to get up.

For a moment, everything felt possible.

Then—

Bang.

Aiko’s body jerked.

Her legs gave out.

My world shattered.

“No—Aiko!”

I ran.

Another sound cut through the chaos.

Bang.

Pain tore through my chest.

I collapsed beside her, blood soaking through my shirt.

“A-Aiko…”

She turned her head weakly.

“Brother…” she whispered. “Tell me… was I helpful?”

I reached for her hand, my vision blurring.

“You were perfect,” I said, forcing a smile. “You dummy.”

The world faded.

No… I can’t die.

I need to save them. I need to save Aiko.

A single tear escaped my eye.

I was falling.

Drowning.

Then a voice spoke.

Deep. Calm. Powerful.

"You wish to save them."

What… is this?

“You wish for power to protect those you love?”

“Yes,” I whispered. “I want it.”

“Those who possess great power are cursed with loneliness,” the voice said.

“Those who stand at the peak stand alone.”

I couldn’t answer.

The only thing I could think about was saving my sister and my friends.

I couldn't stand the thought of not being able to help them. I was weak.

“I just want to save them,” I said.

“Very well,” it replied.

“I will grant you power. But you must return this favor—even if it costs you your life.”

I remembered her smile.

My friends.

The life I was losing.

“I don’t care,” I screamed. “Just save themm!!”

No answer came.

I fell deeper.

Then—

Light.

A single hole in the darkness.

And with it, the beginning of a life I did not understand.