"Your name's too long, man. I'm just gonna call you Steel."
Colossus blinked at him, half amused, half resigned. "...Fine."
By the time Steel carried Quicksilver off to see Professor Charles, Ryuuto was already sprinting toward the piano room—Jean's favorite spot.
He coughed quietly outside the door. Last time he'd startled her, she nearly melted the piano. In the ten years since Ryuuto had arrived in this parallel world, Jean had been the one constant—a mentor, a sister, and occasionally, a human alarm clock. She'd even helped him bathe when he first came to the school. (Embarrassing? Yes. Mentally scarring? Also yes.)
To him, Jean and Storm Ororo were his dependable onee-san duo—both radiant, terrifying, and the definition of "out of your league."
Jean stood by the window when he entered, sunlight catching her hair.
"What did you want to tell me?" Ryuuto asked.
Jean turned to face him, her expression heavy. "Scott's missing. We think Magneto's behind it. Charles believes he might attack the school next. To protect the younger students, we're sending them to the Fantastic Four's base. The rest of us will stay and fight."
Ryuuto frowned. "So that's why Quicksilver showed up earlier. We'll need to interrogate him—see what his old man's planning."
Jean shook her head. "Leave that to Charles and me. You've got another mission. Find Kitty Pryde—Charles lost psychic contact with her. If she's willing, bring her back here."
"Then I'll stay. You'll need help if Magneto strikes early."
"Even if he does, it won't be today. Kitty lives just outside the next town—you'll be back before sunset."
She handed him a folded note. "That's her address."
Ryuuto nodded. "I'll contact the Fantastic Four before I go. They won't object."
Jean smiled faintly, then suddenly stepped forward and hugged him, brushing a soft kiss against his cheek.
"You've changed a lot lately," she said. "We're proud of you. Keep it up, Ryuuto—maybe you'll be the next headmaster someday."
He smirked. "Nah. I'm aiming higher."
"Oh? What then?"
"Husband."
Jean blinked, then laughed and swatted his shoulder. "You brat. You and Rogue seem close. She likes you, you know."
Ryuuto raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Jean's smile faded. "You can't be with her."
"Wait—first you say I can, now I can't? Make up your mind, Jean-san."
"I just remembered her mutation. Skin contact drains energy and life force. Anyone who touches her gets hurt."
Ryuuto's grin faltered. Right… Rogue's ability wasn't exactly couple-friendly.
"Even with gloves and a full suit…" he muttered. "That's gonna be one weird date night."
Jean sighed. "Anyway, go find Kitty. I'll handle the rest."
"Got it."
After calling Susan Storm to confirm the students' transfer, Ryuuto left the school.
But halfway down the road, he froze.
Someone was walking toward him—Cyclops.
"Scott?" Ryuuto frowned. "Where the hell have you been? Everyone's been—"
Before he could finish, Scott lifted his hand.
Zzzzt—!
A crimson beam fired straight at him!
Ryuuto's instincts kicked in. He darted aside, the laser searing a smoking hole into the wall behind him.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Scott didn't answer—his expression was blank, movements mechanical. Another beam erupted, grazing past Ryuuto's shoulder.
In his eyes, the world slowed. The lasers weren't that fast. What bothered him was the dead look in Scott's eyes.
"Don't tell me…" Ryuuto hissed. "You're being controlled by that Asgardian clown again."
His hand curled into a fist. "Loki, huh? Doesn't matter if you're Thor's brother or not… Next time I see you, I'll strip your soul layer by layer."
In a blur, Ryuuto vanished, reappearing behind Scott. A precise strike to the neck—and the optic-blasting mutant collapsed.
"Sorry, Cyclops," Ryuuto muttered, catching him before he fell. "Nap time."
He carried Scott back to the school infirmary before heading for Kitty's address.
Half an hour later, Ryuuto stood in front of a small suburban house.
[Ding! Mission Released!]
[Convince Kitty Pryde to Join the X-Men!]
[Reward: Hokage Character Data Pack]
A grin tugged at his lips. "Now that's more like it."
Ryuuto loved quests that made him stronger. After all, getting stronger meant surviving longer—and crushing enemies with style.
It had been a while since he'd killed anyone. His hands were starting to itch again.
He rang the doorbell.
No answer.
He rang again.
Still nothing.
Then—something shifted beside him.
A faint shimmer, like a ghost emerging from a wall. A blonde girl's face appeared through the plaster, followed by her shoulders and upper body wrapped in a thin nightdress.
Her expression was wary. "Who are you?"
"I'm from Axville Mutant School," Ryuuto said calmly. "I came to talk."
She frowned. "I know that school. And I know what you're here for. But I'm not a Mutant. I'm just a normal girl, okay? I don't want anything to do with that place."
Ryuuto smirked. "Normal, huh? Then maybe you can explain how you just walked through a wall."
Her eyes widened.
And the conversation was only getting started.
…..
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