The next morning, corridors at Aoyama High were filled with the usual chaos: students hustling to class, sneakers squeaking on polished floors, and the occasional shrill warning of a teacher's voice echoing from a distance.
Kaito Ren walked in, hands in his pockets, hair still mussed from sleep, looking every bit as unruffled as he had the day before. He had no illusions—today wouldn't be calm. Not when he had officially joined the Stray Dogs.
"Hey! Kaito!"
Riku looked like a human pogo stick. "You ready for your first gang training? Jin said—"
Before he could get the words out, the air rippled. A low humming noise, barely audible, swept down the corridor. The temperature cooled.
Kaito froze.
"Hmm," a deep, smooth voice said from the shadows.
The students around them turned, sensing tension. Some whispered anxiously, others instinctively back away.
A tall boy emerged from the end of the corridor, where tattoos of lightning were pulsing faintly, like a second heart, on his arms. His eyes shone with an intensity that could cut through steel. His hair was silver-blonde, styled acutely. Every step he took seemed to charge the air around him.
Raiden Koga.
Even Riku went pale.
"That's… him," Riku whispered, voice shaking. "The guy from yesterday… Jin wasn't exaggerating."
Raiden halted a few metres away and stared at Kaito. "So… you're the wind demon".
Kaito's expression didn't change. "And you're… loud."
"Cute," Raiden said, smirking as if he was more amused than insulted. "I heard you've got some. interesting energy. But you're new here. I like testing new toys myself."
Kaito tilted his head slightly. "I don't play games."
"Oh, it's a game, all right," Raiden said. "Life or death is a game if you're dumb enough to ignore me."
The hall became tight with anticipation. Students did an about-face, retreating, and some teachers stopped mid-stride, not knowing whether to interfere or not.
Riku grasped Kaito's arm. "Bro… maybe don't start a fight in the hallway…?"
Kaito ignored him. His aura flickered faintly—a calming, rippling energy. Not strong yet. Not full power. But enough to make Raiden pause slightly.
Raiden laughed softly and stepped forward. "So…that's all you've got? Weak. But I like it. I'll take my time."
In an instant, without warning, Raiden's aura flared violently. Lightning arcs danced along his arms, crackling audibly. Students screamed, diving for cover. Lockers shook from the energy.
Kaito didn't move… yet.
Then the fight began.
Raiden suddenly lunged forward with a blinding flash, faster than the eyes could normally catch. His fists were streaks of light as he aimed straight for Kaito. The wind shifted violently, papers flying everywhere.
Kaito let his instincts take over. Tempest Aura surged lightly, a soft blue glow tracing his arms. He sidestepped with ease, feeling every movement before it happened.
"Predictable," he muttered under his breath.
Raiden smirked mid-punch. "Not bad… but predictable isn't weak. It's fun."
In a flash, the two clashed. Kaito's fist met Raiden's lightning-charged strike, sending a shockwave that rattled nearby lockers; the ground cracked slightly, dust puffing up as students scrambled.
Riku yelped, "BRO! STOP IT! THIS IS THE SCHOOL HALLWAY!"
Yuna Sato appeared, arms crossed, watching with a sharp grin. "Finally, some action. About time this boring school got some excitement."
Kaito dodged a lightning strike, rolling with ease behind Raiden. He flicked his wrist, sending a small but precise burst of energy—little more than a flicker of his true power. Raiden deflected it, raising an eyebrow.
"You're fast. Not bad."
"Not interested in praise," Kaito replied flatly.
They circled each other. Kaito was calm, cool; Raiden was crackling with energy. Every student in the hall was frozen, unsure whether to flee or watch the spectacle.
Raiden's aura flared again, surrounding his whole body in lightning. "Let's see how strong you really are!
He launched himself forward in a flash, fists flashing toward Kaito's torso; Kaito barely shifted, his aura flaring to life as he dodged on instinct. He could feel the energy, the rhythm, the timing-it was almost like dancing, a dangerous, deadly dance.
Then he responded, not with brute strength but with precision: one tap of his fist sent Raiden stumbling back, a faint shockwave rippling from that point of contact. Raiden's smirk did not falter, though a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.
"Impressive," Raiden said. "You're. different from what I expected. But don't think I'll go easy."
The two locked eyes, the rise and fall of their chests synchronized with the flicker of their semi-fantasy energies. This was not just a fight, but a test, a challenge-a warning to all others-and this was a clash of something beyond ordinary.
Muttering under his breath, Kaito barely heard himself say, "I didn't ask for this. But. fine."
He released a slightly stronger surge of Tempest Aura. The blue glow expanded around him, the wind kicking up debris as it scattered papers and small objects. Raiden's lightning clashed with it, sparks and arcs flying in a spectacular display of energy.
Riku covered his eyes. "Dude… THIS IS INSANE!"
Yuna lurched forward, excited. "Finally! Someone who can match him!"
The fight intensified and continued toward the school yard as they clashed: punches, kicks, bursts of semi-fantasy energy lighting up the area. Neither of them seemed willing to give an inch.
At last, Raiden smiled. "Enough for now. You have potential, wind demon. I'll be seeing you… soon."
In a flash of lightning, he disappeared into an alley, leaving behind scorched marks and students aghast.
He breathed out, calming his aura, readjusted his hair, and muttered: "Great. first real day, first real threat."
Riku ran up to him. "Dude… that was EPIC! You actually fought Raiden Koga!"
Kaito said nothing, his mind already running ahead. The city, the gangs, the problems—just starting. And he would be ready. Always. The storm had come. And Kaito Ren was right at the eye.