Swish!!
Cheers erupted inside the gym once again.
"Awesome! Jōgan scores big again!" Kaito's eyes lit up as his pen flew across the page, recording every detail of the match.
"H-he really is talented," Zulo muttered, his sharp gaze locked onto the court.
"Sometimes I feel like he's beyond the average human—both in sports and academics. Almost… perfect."
"Y-you feel that too?" Kaito glanced at him hesitantly.
"Sometimes I think… Jōgan's like an alien, Zulo."
Zulo snorted, never once looking away from Jōgan.
"Idiot."
"Does he look like an alien to you? He's more like a god—or a sky knight—than an alien or even a human."
Kaito lowered his head, letting the words sink in.
Y-yeah… he's right.
Jōgan really is too perfect.
More god than human…
Especially compared to someone as fragile as me.
That thought only fueled Kaito's excitement. He resumed writing, capturing everything—even the smallest habits Jōgan showed on the court.
***
Caw… caw… caw…
Birds cried out in the afternoon air as the schoolyard glowed under the amber light of sunset. The final bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Soft chatter and footsteps filled the grounds as students gradually left the campus.
Everyone—
Except Jōgan.
He was still surrounded by girls, taking turns asking for photos, autographs, and handing him small gifts—chocolates and neatly wrapped packages.
"A-ah, ladies, please form a line," Jōgan said casually, flashing a playful grin.
"This idol of yours isn't going anywhere."
He struck a quick pose. "Alright, one more—cheese! Yep, perfect. Thanks for the gifts."
At the edge of the yard, Zulo and Kaito waited patiently.
"Ahh… looks like we'll be standing here till night," Zulo muttered, exhaling. Tired—but proud.
"T-this is normal, Zulo. Jōgan really is insanely popular," Kaito said brightly.
"As his best friend, I'm totally prepared to wait here until morning!"
With innocent devotion, Kaito hugged Jōgan's bag like it was a sacred relic.
"O-okay then, see you again… bye-byee~" Jōgan waved enthusiastically to his fangirls.
"Oh, look. Our prince finally finished his audience," Zulo teased, arms crossed.
"I was seriously considering pitching a tent here."
"Jōgan, that match was amazing," Kaito said as they walked together.
"Your team dominated. Week after week—soccer, javelin, swimming, martial arts, even billiards. It's like there's nothing you can't do."
"I-I'm just being myself," Jōgan replied, running a hand through his messy white hair.
"But I guess… I really was born perfect."
"So what now?" Zulo asked casually.
"Games after school?"
"Mmm… that sounds good if—"
Jōgan froze mid-sentence.
His eyes widened, locked on the end of the alley.
Zulo and Kaito followed his gaze.
A group of girls stood chatting—
and among them was the school's most popular girl.
Sanna.
"O-oh? So our flawless hero isn't actually flawless," Zulo smirked.
"He always freezes when it's a girl he likes."
"T-turn back!" Jōgan hissed in panic, already spinning around—
"Hii, Jōgan!"
The cheerful voice struck him like lightning.
Sanna waved, smiling sweetly.
"You were amazing earlier. Where are you heading?"
"O-oi—Sanna! I mean—uh—yeah! That is—ah—ah—!" Jōgan quickly turned back, hands planted on his hips, desperately trying to look composed.
"You look ridiculously awkward," Zulo said, barely holding in his laughter.
***
Cacophony of city traffic filled the streets…
Tinn… tinn… tinn…
Car horns blared, mingling with the hurried footsteps of pedestrians.
Jōgan, Kaito, and Zulo had no choice but to trail behind, following Sanna's group as they walked ahead.
Jōgan's gaze never left Sanna.
Her gentle smile, the way her long hair fluttered in the wind, the subtle shifts in her expression—he noticed everything.
Zulo and Kaito exchanged glances.
They noticed the change in Jōgan—gone was the loud, playful boy. Standing near Sanna, he was quiet, focused, almost… tender.
"A-ah, Jōgan… how's your training schedule?" Kaito asked, trying to draw his friend's attention back.
"Doesn't Uncle Hugo push you hard every afternoon?"
"Ah… right," Zulo chimed in, attempting to lighten the mood.
"Your dad always has you building muscle and mastering martial arts, right?"
"Y-yeah," Jōgan said shortly, eyes still locked on Sanna.
"He wants me to achieve the goal he set for me."
"Uncle Hugo must want you to be the greatest MMA fighter in history!" Kaito said enthusiastically.
"Of course! If not MMA, then at least Muay Thai," Zulo added proudly.
"Astronaut."
Jōgan flat answer made time almost stop.
Bruak!
Zulo and Kaito tumbled to the ground simultaneously.
"What does your hardcore martial arts training have to do with… being an astronaut?!"
They shouted in unison, scrambling to stand.
***
Kyaaa…!!
The noise of traffic mixed with screams and panic.
"Quick! Call the cops!"
"No way! They won't arrive in time!"
"What do we do?!"
"W-what's happening?!" one of Sanna's friends yelled in panic.
"Something's happening at the railroad crossing!"
They rushed toward the train tracks, already crowded with locals. Faces everywhere were pale with fear.
"S-sorry, what's going on?" Sanna panted.
"I-it's…"
A woman pointed toward the tracks, her face ashen.
"An old lady… her leg is stuck on the tracks! A train is coming!"
The rumble of the freight train grew louder.
Brehht… tap… tap… tap…!
Someone jumped over the barrier and ran toward the tracks.
"Kyaa! Sanna, what are you doing?!"
Her friends screamed in horror as she rushed to the trapped old-woman.
"Grandma, stay calm… I'll help you!"
Sanna knelt down, pulling at the old lady's trapped leg.
Screams intensified.
The train was only five meters away.
"Cih…!"
Jōgan gritted his teeth.
Grep… whuss… tap… tap… tap…!
Without thinking, he sprinted toward Sanna and the old woman.
"Jōgan!!!"
Zulo and Kaito yelled in unison.
With the train just two meters away, Jōgan dropped to his knees, embracing Sanna and the old lady.
One arm shielded them, while his other hand shot straight toward the train.
100 cm.
50 cm.
5 cm.
BLOOM!!
Darkness engulfed Jōgan's vision.
Silence.
Slowly, he opened his eyes—only to find himself floating in space.
Trillions of stars, billions of planets spun around him. His body surged forward at impossible speed, cutting through light and void.
Flashes of world and human life—similar, yet different—flickered through his mind simultaneously.
"AAAAHHH!!!"
A sharp, violent blow slammed into his head.
Bezttt…!
Thick smoke and searing heat hit his face.
"A-ah… ahh…!"
He gasped for air.
His vision returned—but the world around him had changed.
He still held Sanna and the old lady in his arms.
Jōgan slowly stood. His eyes widened.
The entire freight train car was obliterated, twisted steel folding like paper—as if it had collided with a mountain of iron.
Krak… krak… kreee… ggg…
The remnants of the car groaned softly.
"W-what… i-is this… Jōgan…?"
Sanna trembled, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
"I-I… I don't know…"
Jōgan turned toward the crossing.
Zulo and Kaito froze in place.
The onlookers' expressions mirrored the same fear—like they were staring at a monster.
Ngiinggg…!
A violent headache struck again.
"Arghh… AAHH!!"
Jōgan pressed his hands to his head.
Along with the pain, voices emerged—clear, overlapping, chaotic.
He could hear the thoughts and emotions of everyone around him…
without a single word being spoken.
"H-hah… w-what is this… what's happening to me?!"
Jōgan screamed in panic.
Without waiting for an answer, he turned and ran.
Leaving everything behind.
"W..wait, Jōgan…!"
Sanna shouted.
But Jōgan kept running—faster and faster—leaving it all behind.