Chapter 2

Shuu is driven to the YES headquarters the very next day by Tanaka alongside Aoki Smith, the half-American lawyer from his Grandfather's legal team. "Your Grandfather was quite headstrong about accompanying you there himself," Mr. Smith informs him, "But as we all know, it's impossible for him to leave his bed".

"He should know better. Grandpa is as old as this country," to be specific, as old as 'Neo' Japan. The country reformed itself not a century ago and a lot of people deem the Narukami senior to be one of its first espers.

"A brilliant observation, Young Master. But to be fair to your Grandfather, he wants to ensure you receive a just treatment on your contract," the lawyer explains.

Ah, contract; The one word thrown around the household this morning as Shuu was having his breakfast, thinking he was going to school when in truth he was sent to YES HQ with one of the old fart's employees for a meeting surrounding a 'contract'. Due to him being only 15, he is required to bring a guardian with him to the meeting with YES officials. He wondered at first why he was here with a lawyer and not any of his parents, but then figured his father, whilst a good negotiator, would be too busy with government-related stuff to attend this meeting, and his mother cares very little about any formal meetings.

The 45-minute ride to the borders of Shintokyo where the gigantic dome-shaped headquarters takes over the skyline is filled with the conversation between Tanaka and Mr. Smith - one shared between middle-aged men where a kid like himself has no business joining. He spent the whole trip looking at the view outside, listening to some music on his smartphone. Their car takes a turn off the main road towards a smaller path between the trees that could fit one car. To those who do not know much about the esper industry, it is a hidden path that leads deeper into the woods. However, those enrolled in YES gym dub this path as the junior's path; a secret route leading directly into the headquarters reserved for YES junior trainees. The path would lead to a cave that would lead to the underground parking lot for trainees.

This path is probably the most known path to the HQ beside the train and the main road that is mostly reserved for guests. Shuu, however, has been a trainee for a month and Tanaka has driven him back and forth using this exact path.

The interior of their car soon grows dark as they enter the cave, but soon they're greeted with the road markers that lead their car further into the cave. "5 minutes before our stop, gentlemen," Tanaka announces as they enter YES' underground tunnel. From the back seat window, Shuu watched a long line of white squares from the tunnel lights passing by like a rolling film.

Tanaka slows down his car once they arrive in the underground parking lot. The security system should have identified their car to allow it entry, but there is still a card scanner by the gate to the parking lot. Tanaka opens his window and taps his driver's pass to the scanner, allowing the gate to open.

Tanaka drops them at the automated double doors where Shuu realizes there are not a lot of junior trainees present. Then again it is the morning of a school day. Most junior trainees only attend their training three days a week after school so no one would be there in the morning. Yet here Shuu is, in his school uniform.

"Mr. Narukami! We've been expecting you," A man in a suit readily welcomes them with an outreached hand, which Smith takes in his own, "Mr. Smith, is it? I assume Narukami Ryuu sent you?"

Smith throws the man a smile of his own, "Yes. And you are Yamada Hitoshi, the Director of the Gym. Now without further ado, Mr. Yamada, shall we?"

**

And that is how Shuu ends up in a room full of more middle-aged men in one of the buildings he hasn't entered in the HQ. Smith, as per his duty, has been flipping the pages of document after document while shooting questions. Shuu feels like he's only useful for the occasional short answers he gives whenever a question is directed at him. The rest is mostly an exchange between Smith and the other 5 adults present. One is, of course, Yamada Hitoshi. There are also two gym instructors who have reviewed Shuu's training. Another person present is a representative from the Ministry of National Security and Esper Conducts.

But the most important figure is probably Arilio Banks, who is currently the head of YES management and, by default, is the direct manager of Team Phoenix. "Also called their babysitter," Banks chuckles, "But that title often goes to Sanada-san, the quarter's caretaker. I'm more of the guy the kids call whenever they get into trouble". One way to describe the man's smile is that of an avid businessman; bright, blinding, and is probably practiced in front of the bathroom mirror every morning.

"But Mr. Banks, you are saying that you will not allow our ward to fully join your team unless he follows through a three-month trial period with the team, but weren't you also the one saying that our Shuu is probably the best candidate for the next addition for your team? So why is a trial necessary?" Smith enquires. As he voiced this, a new person entered the meeting room which Shuu recognizes as the person he saw with the gym manager yesterday.

Up close, the young man is even taller than Shuu expected. The first thing that catches his eyes is the tattoos scattered on the young man's arms, forming a dark sleeve all the way to his neck; a contrasting choice of style to the nerdy thick square glasses perching on his nose. He easily towers over everyone in the room yet looks as young as Shuu's third sister and Shuu wondered, considering the man's getup of metal band t-shirt and ripped skinny jeans (and he's wearing sandals for God's sake) if he is invited into this meeting.

The guy does not mind introducing himself, and instead just plops onto the seat next to Banks as though they're close buddies. His sandals stops making a loud clop-clop sound once he is seated. He does not look like he belongs in this sleek meeting room alongside these sleek-looking people, and yet he easily makes himself at home just by sitting somewhat slumped on the leather swivel chair, hand grabbing one of the papers on the long table to read it. And there is no question coming from Banks' end, except for the two trainers who subtly approach the newcomer and whisper something into his ear. Shuu witnesses the newcomer saying something back to them with a palm covering his mouth. The two trainers then laugh.

Ah, so he is known to them.

"I am not saying your ward is not capable just because he has to take a trial period," Shuu realizes Banks has been explaining the trial period in the time Shuu is watching the newcomer, "What we are saying is that we still have to review whether Shuu-kun over here can fit into the team. You see, having a team of highly skilled youths is quite an amount of work. Everyone thinks they're the best, and when everyone thinks they're the best, no one is. Clashes of personalities happen, and the kids are just that. Kids."

"Takenouchi Sora is 20,' Smith states, which, to Shuu's surprise, makes the tall tattooed guy snort.

"Yes, and hardly an adult if you ask me," Banks sharply retorts. Next to him, the tattooed guy closes his face with one hand and his shoulders shake as he holds back his laughter. There's something intimate in that response - like he knows very well about what Banks thinks of Takenouchi Sora.

"Mr. Smith, you wouldn't want to challenge me on what I think about these kids. They are kids. They are none the wiser, and they all think they are the best in their team. Now put them in the same room. Will they always be friendly with one another? No. Unfortunately not," how the practiced smile diminishes on his face tells Shuu there are a lot of stories behind that explanation. "This trial period is not a test for your ward. It is to see if every party involved will be comfortable with his presence in the team".

"The letter sent to my ward states that he has been invited to join the team as a member - there should be no trial period -"

"The trial period is not meant to question Narukami Shuu's capabilities. It still implies that we have our eyes set on him as the perfect addition to the team, but a good team is not comprised of mere strength. A good team entails teamwork. Each member is like a piece of puzzle and they will have to fit in the same frame. This trial period is not only to see whether the team can work well with Narukami Shuu, it's also to see whether Narukami Shuu is comfortable working with the team".

That answer comes from that man with the tattoo. Smith, as though just realizing the appearance of the newcomer, blurts out, "You are?"

"Pardon me, I forgot you haven't been introduced," Banks interrupts, "This is Aoki Smith; he's acting as Narukami Shuu's guardian".

The tattooed man nods. "Yes. A member of Narukami Ryuu's legal team," he comments knowingly.

"Yes," Banks smiles yet again, "and, Mr. Smith, this is Abe Koukichi - an esteemed member of Team Phoenix; second in command".

The look on Smith's face mirrors Shuu's own. This young tattooed man, in his ripped jeans and sandals, is a phoenix; a Class S esper. No wonder Shuu has been sensing a dense smoke following this guy. He didn't recognize what it was, but he now realizes it was this man's energy. After all, this is the first legit fellow Class S Shuu has ever met. As for his Grandfather, well, the man is far too ill to exude the same amount of energy.

But this is not a face Shuu has ever seen in Team Phoenix. There are only three out of five whose faces are exposed to the public; the other two work under aliases. Considering the height, perhaps this is...

"You might know me as Tungsten," Abe Koukichi adds to Banks' introduction. Shuu cannot help the jolt of excitement that shoots up his spine. That's Tungsten, the esper with the mecha armor! His heart races - like a fan meeting their idol. 'Calm down,' Shuu told himself, 'This is just another Class S esper - you yourself is a Class S; do not fanboy!'. Yet he does. He does fanboy, albeit internally.

Shuu is a little embarrassed to hear Smith whistle in awe. "Koukichi is here to join the meeting, although he is very very late," Banks lips turn thin at the tall man next to him.

"Oh, I forgot about the meeting," Abe Koukichi answers innocently before laughing, causing Banks to roll his eyes.

Banks then continues the meeting, "Anyway, I digress. Where were we?"

Shuu zones out of most of the later half of the discussion which is predominantly about Shuu's contract whilst under the trial period. Smith and Banks have taken over most of the talks, with Abe Koukichi contributing here and there. Shuu is more interested in watching this guy speak. Albeit laid back and casual, Abe Koukichi speaks with a firm tone and his gaze is that of a steel bullet. In between the chuckles that he shares secretly with the gym trainers, he would sometimes sneak a calculating glance at Smith before pointing out something unexpected for both Smith and Banks.

Watching this, Shuu can't help but wonder if he would be as cool and collected once he joins the team.

"So then, your ward, Mr. Smith, will still be entitled to access our premium facilities in the headquarters. He gets to access the gyms reserved for our main team and, of course, he's free to enter Team Phoenix quarters. He will be trained by the country's best, 6 days a week, with some day off, of course - a day a week not counting Sundays? Right, perfect. And he still gets to have academic leaves for school as necessary. The hours of fieldwork required alongside the team will be discussed among his trainers. For his first month, he is expected to do 10 hours per week, This amount will be issued to the change suggested by his review team every month. So, yes, any other clause you would like to discuss?" Banks summarizes as he folds his arms on the long table in front of him.

There is a long tense pause before Smith finally says, "Let's discuss my ward's salary".

Shuu finds himself exhaling loudly in relief. This means Smith has okayed the contract, and Shuu will be able to take on the trial without further protest from his family. Banks seems to mirror this reaction as he flips more pages on his documents and then says, "Brilliant, Mr. Smith. Before we proceed, I just want to confirm that we have come to an agreement regarding the contract?"

"Yes".

"And everyone else?" Banks addresses the trainers and the Head of Gym, who all answer, "We concur".

"All right, and the ministry?" Banks now addresses the ministry's rep, who gives him a nod. "Wonderful. Due to Narukami Shuu's young age, he is still considered a child in the eyes of the law. I will send an electronic copy of the contract for his parents to sign. I will also send one to your email, Mr. Smith". A short silence ensues as Banks taps into his tablet. "Done," the man smiles at Smith, who checks his own smartphone to see the email.

"And you are bored, aren't you?" Shuu finds himself subjected to Banks' eerie wide grin. Soon, everyone's attention is on him and Shuu is lost on what is expected of him. "U-uh," he stutters as he steals a glimpse at Smith, who turns out to be too occupied with the email to be much of a help.

"Koukichi-kun right here," Banks lays out his open palm towards Abe Koukichi. The latter shoots Shuu a wave which makes Shuu strangely giddy and flustered. Banks continues, "Can show you around the main team's facilities; you are going to go in and out of that place. It's a good time to have a look".

They have been sitting here for hours, minus the short lunch break in the middle. He trusts Smith to deal with details such as his salary - it's not like Shuu needs that salary when he's still sponsored by his parents. Shuu really only cares about honing his skills and being Neo Japan's best esper, that's it.

"Uh, s-sure," damn, he also stutters now. Him. Narukami Shuu; Top of his school, a Class S user with a legendary hero as a Grandfather - stutters in YES Headquarters in front of one of the phoenixes.

Abe Koukichi is already stretching his body after getting off of his leather seat. "All right, I'll leave talks on numbers to you guys. I shall excuse myself, Hasegawa-san," The tattooed young man nods towards the ministry's rep, then to Smith, "Mr. Smith".

Afterwards, Shuu finds himself tailing the taller man outside of the meeting room, where the carpeted hallway and the deep sweet smell from the air freshener greet them. Tungsten stands in front of him without his armor of steel; all tattoos, curly hair, thick-rimmed glasses, and cheap sandals. He looks like a set of personalities Shuu didn't expect behind the mecha esper, but one could easily tell from the lines of muscles on his biceps that this is a seasoned fighter.

The taller man lands both his hands on his hips before one hand pulls out a vaping pen out of the pocket of his jeans. "So, Shuu-kun, right?" Tungsten - Abe Koukichi - starts, "Tell me, what do you like to do in your spare time?"

And so he gets to know the oldest member of YES' Team Phoenix.

**

To be Continued.