Chapter 9

Sora, from what the public have seen, is a lot of things. He's known for bright child-like smiles and cheesy catchphrases; a huge fanbase among those who are either very young or are very old; and victories only seen in superhero cartoons. Even at the age of 20, it's hard not to see the childhood hero in Sora. He stays the same funny, optimistic, lucky Sora - and in a world where appearances of monster-like creatures could happen out of nowhere, people need someone like him.

Yet it is here in the dining room of Team Phoenix's unit in the headquarters that Shuu sees for the first time the rarer face of Sora.

Sora looks serious... for once. The space between his brows creases as he speaks in murmurs to the person next to him. Akaya Shinji, 31 years old, is a leader of a privately funded Esper bureau and a renowned figure in Neo Japan's community of Espers - and Shuu, well, he's a little starstruck to be sitting at the same table with both figures.

"They have very little understanding of Portal 308. The level of negligence in the treatment of that area is phenomenal," Akaya tells Sora, "If they keep at it, that portal will not stay contained. This is a security risk. It should be considered an illegal breach".

There are a lot of important names thrown around in the conversation that Sora seems to handle with ease. "We can always pressure the older board members by vote. We only have to speak with the right people, and we can garner enough number to be a force," Akaya continued, tone calm but sharp, "I've been wanting to get rid of old man Tokugawa for a while now".

Shuu hurriedly looks down at his lap at the mention of that name. Tokugawa is a member of the High League, an organization that heads all of Esper bureaus in Neo Japan, Sora being one of its leading members. Shuu has no idea what Akaya has against the man but hearing him nonchalantly commenting on dismantling Tokugawa in front of Sora, almost as if to sway Sora onto his side, reminds Shuu yet again that Sora is a part of the industry's top echelon and, hence, is not exempt from the game of chess played only by the powerful.

Dinner at Team Phoenix's home sure is... interesting.

Shuu has to admit, this was not what he was expecting when they invited him for dinner at their unit. When Akaya arrived at the unit asking for Sora, he was clad in casual clothes, a black turtle neck, and a pair of jeans, so Shuu thought his visit was for leisure. Shuu, being somewhat a fanboy, agreed to join in the 'fun' when Koukichi offered, not knowing that he would be listening in to such a sensitive matter. After all, Sora sits at the head of the dining table wearing an oversized sweater that funnily says, "Why always me?" With a crying face drawn at the bottom. Who would expect some talk of deposing another High League member from someone who dresses like that??

"Big old Tokugawa would not take too kindly to that, but I know more than just a handful of people who would absolutely celebrate his dethroning," Banks snorts next to Koukichi and Shuu, who sit on the right of the table. Shuu originally thought Banks would say more in this conversation with him being the adult and seeming to be in the know of everything Esper-related besides doing the actual physical labor on battlefields. However, he doesn't. Throughout this whole discussion, Banks has only said one or two words and looks comfortable staying in the back seat of the whole thing.

"Exactly why we should push for votes," Koukichi chimes in, "Tokugawa can say no more against votes".

Despite Banks and Koukichi's apparent interest in Akaya's proposal, Sora has only shown a calculating smile to the man. It's unlike any face Sora is known for on the screens throughout the years. It is one Shuu has seen in the face of his father and grandfather; a look often worn by politicians.

"We'll see," is Sora's short answer.

Shuu turns to Koukichi and whispers, "Is it alright for me to be here and watch, uhh, all this?"

Koukichi lifts an eyebrow but then glances between Sora, who is at the head of the table, and Akaya, who sits on the left side of the table. "Yeah, you'll see more once you hang around us more often, y'know?" Then he adds, "As long as this doesn't get out of the room".

"Of course," Shuu answers quickly. Everyone enrolled in YES has signed a contract entailing the element of secrecy in what they do. This is repeatedly drilled into them in training too.

Bailey, the Japanese-American who works as the team's nutritionist then walks in with the housekeeper, each pushing a service trolley filled with food. "Hello! Sorry dinner's a little late, we do have to feed more people for the evening!" She exclaims as she parks the trolley at the other end of the table. The housekeeper starts arranging empty glasses around the table, including in front of each of them, before offering whether they'd like water or infused water while Bailey cuts a big roasted rolled stuffed chicken breast into smaller servings before putting two of the slices onto plates. She then distributes the plates to everyone at the table.

"The new kid!" She greets once she's about to give Shuu his serving, "It's nice to finally meet you. Do tell me if you like the food or not later!" She puts the plate in front of Shuu. On it are two slices of the roasted chicken and some chargrilled vegetables. She then pours gravy onto his plate, "Would you like more gravy? More chicken?"

"Oh, n-no, thank you! This is enough," Shuu replies, "And pleased to meet you, Bailey-san. I'll be in your care".

"D'aww~ You should tell me all about your favorite food next time!"

Bailey has just finished arranging two large bowls of salad and two bowls of crusty bread at the center of the table when Rika, Felix, and Segawa Hide join in. "Akaya-san! I didn't know you're here!" Rika exclaims right after muttering a small thank you to Bailey, "When did you get here?"

"Just before dinner," Akaya's tone does not change much from its calm, almost zen-like, qualities, yet it loses its sharp edge. "I was planning to make a short stop at YES just to have a few words with Sora, but he invited me to dinner," He says.

"Ah, it's about the next roundtable, isn't it?" She takes a seat right next to Akaya and raises her eyebrows a few times. Akaya answers with a knowing smile but says nothing else. Beyond his passionate proposal to Sora, the man seems like a person of few words. From what Shuu has heard about the man, his ability involves controlling shadows and darkness, a very powerful ability especially paired with his A-class stats. He is considered very mysterious among his peers, and only a few in the industry can say they're close to him.

Shuu ignores Banks' comments on how delicious the bread is to listen in on Rika and Akaya's exchange; something about a 'roundtable'. However, Akaya keeps to himself after he makes his intent known to Sora, barely addressing anyone else on the table unless addressed to. Then again, someone of his caliber probably has little interest in someone like Shuu. He doesn't even bat an eye when Felix and Hide join them at the table.

Felix, however, sends Shuu a look of disdain before plopping on the seat right next to Rika's, which happens to be the one exactly opposite to Shuu. Shuu is almost glad it's not Segawa Hide's glower he's receiving, but that requires just a short turn to the right.

Well, well, well, isn't Shuu lucky.

Segawa Hide scoffs when their eyes meet. In a split second, Shuu's brain is making this jumbled connection between the glare from Felix and Segawa Hide. In a way, don't they kind of resemble one another?

"So," Sora starts, already looking like his happy-go-lucky self again in a flick of a finger, "Shuu, maybe a proper introduction will be nice or, well, re-introduction in most cases here. Everyone, this is Narukami Shuu. I've told most of you about him and I do hope that everyone gets along," the last part is directed to the two boys who are sending glares to Shuu's way, "He's very new, but he's making tremendous progress in his training right now that I don't doubt he'll catch up to us in no time. Not surprising coming from Narukami Ryuu's grandson".

Akaya Shinji nods at Shuu, "Your grandfather is a brilliant man. I can't wait to see what you have in store for us".

"T-thank you. The pleasure's all mine," Shuu sputters out of excitement from having spoken to Akaya Shinji.

"On that note, Shuu, you probably have seen enough of me, Koukichi, Banks, and Rika by now," Sora says, "I've introduced you briefly to Akaya-san, but he's also pretty famous all around. Akaya Shinji is from Trinity, another Esper Organization, and you'll see a lot more of him once you make it to the team. Our teams work together quite a lot".

"There's Bailey, who is our nutritionist and cook. She's currently in the kitchen, but you'll see her around the unit now that you'll come over more often for patrol. She comes to the unit two times a day to cook our meals, and if you find her in the kitchen, you can also ask her to make you a snack," Sora smiles chummily, "But she's scary when she's angered. And she's very strict about what you can and can't eat. So don't be fooled".

Koukichi chuckles next to Shuu as if reminiscing a funny moment. "We also have a driver, Sanada-san, and three housekeepers, but you'll meet them once you move in. Ah, and there's, of course, Segawa Hide. You two have been acquainted".

In an instant, Shuu's eyes meet Segawa Hide's, and if the corners of his eyelids squint to form a glare, he cannot control it. He can feel himself tightening his fists though, and he wouldn't mind throwing another punch to that fa-

"And Segawa Felix".

... Segawa... Felix?

Then blonde teen across from Shuu has his eyes also directed at him. He can't help but compare the same icy glare between the two Segawa's. Yes, one can say that both have many differences, but they have many similarities as well; especially their straight nose.

"You're never properly introduced before, but Felix works under the alias Mirage. He's a mentalist, most even call him an illusionist. You know what, the three of you are close in age. Hide is only two years your senio-"

"One year," Shuu cuts in.

"Sorry?"

"I'm turning 17 in a few months". And he would rather not be much younger than Segawa Hide, thank you very much.

"Right, a year then. Well, what do you know! Felix is also 17! You guys could be buddies!"

Sora has to be blind to be this oblivious to the glaring match the three are having, although now Felix directs his gaze to Sora as if frustrated with the mere implication of making friends.

"Sorry I'm late - Oh".

Another person just entered the room. A voice Shuu is not unfamiliar with.

Before Shuu gets to turn his head, he sees Akaya standing up from his seat and making a small bow. "Guide Hinata," the man greets.

It's weird seeing Akaya Shinji actually showing efforts to acknowledge someone on this table besides Sora. Shuu twists his body so he can see the person standing next to Banks.

Out of anyone, it is him. There he is. Hinata Ren. Guide Hinata Ren. Which is weird because Hinata seems to avoid calling himself a guide when Shuu asked him that time. But if he is, to who? A guide can work with many espers, but to live with an esper means they're exclusive. Hinata Ren does not live with one esper. He lives with five. All S-Class espers.

And what class is Hinata Ren again?

"Hi, uh, Akaya-san. I didn't know you were here," Hinata Ren says, all flustered. His short hair is tousled in all directions like he just got up from bed. His oversized sweater, which has slipped over one shoulder to show the collar of the white shirt underneath, looks suspiciously similar to the one Segawa Hide was wearing when he was in the living room, which, coincidentally, he's not wearing anymore.

"I was here for Sora, but ended up joining everyone for dinner".

"I see," Hinata mutters, still looking somewhat awkward, and then takes the seat right on Bank's other side. Everyone returns to their food and Akaya lowers himself to his chair. Shuu returns his gaze and decides that he should just continue eating until Hinata calls him from Banks' right, body leaning forward so he could see Shuu better. "Oh! And Narukami-kun, welcome to our unit!" Hinata states like he almost forgot, head bobbing rather enthusiastically. He looks much more alive than the time Shuu spoke to him at the med bay. "And good luck with your patrol tonight!" The boy adds.

"Thank you," Shuu responds, trying to sound as enthusiastic though he can't help but check for reactions. Screw it, he tells himself and bravely adds, "Hinata-senpai".

Shuu does not know who Hinata Ren exactly is, but he senses that he's important enough for Akaya Shinji to bow to him, for Koukichi to act cold at Shuu for merely mentioning his name, and for this whole organization to keep Shuu away from him as much as they can. Shuu rarely cares about the affairs of people unless it gets in the way of his training on becoming Neo Japan's best Esper.

But he does care about the fact that Segawa Hide also gets riled up when he mentions Hinata's name. If the Segawas were glaring at him before, they're fantasizing about his murder now. And Shuu feels a sense of satisfaction bubbling within him at the mere idea of dangling this over their heads. It's so unlike him, but Shuu has been irked to no end by the constant glaring. He deserves a little vengeance.

Happy with what he has done, he turns to Sora expecting to have Hinata Ren be introduced.

But all Sora does is stare blankly back. "Let's just dig in," is what Sora says instead.

Somehow Shuu feels he is being punished.

**

"So, where are we going?" Shuu asks Koukichi once they're in the latter's car.

"Portal 293. One of the portals we've contained. It's pretty timid actually, for now".

"... for now?" Shuu asks. Koukichi merely smiles as he drives the car out of the garage. This is something he noticed the first time Koukichi drove him home, but the way out of Team Phoenix's garage leads to a different tunnel to the one Shuu accessed whenever he arrived with his driver. Perhaps all parking areas in YES lead to different exits.

They talk about other stuff on their way there, probably to help Shuu feel less tense, which he is, but mixed with that is excitement and adrenaline.

"We're not doing anything crazy or fighting mutants, we're just going to patrol a rather docile portal," Koukichi reminds him, "So don't get your hopes up just yet".

"What portal does not have mutants?"

"You'll be surprised," Koukichi sings, "and you need to learn more about mutants and portals soon. They'll probably sign you up for lectures".

Ah, lectures. That is a thing reserved for senior trainees and up. They work like typical classrooms but on topics related to their line of work.

Not long after they enter a residential area typical around Neo Japan. One road, however, has a gate and a security post checking every car that enters. Their car enters easily without even stopping. Then Shuu realizes, that the people inside that security post are dressed in light gray hoodies, just like them.

"Is this it, Koukichi-Senpai?" Shuu asks.

"Yup. This neighborhood is already secured. Recently the people are allowed to move back into their homes, but we're keeping posts around the vicinity in case things go bad".

The neighborhood appears normal at a glimpse. Clean streets, suburban houses with concrete fences, and lit windows. There have to be families behind each window, doing their nightly activities, and living typical family life.

Yet the further they go, the more light gray uniforms they see roaming around. Their car is stopped one more time at another security post. This time, Koukichi has to stop and open his window.

"Patrol duty! For two, I'm taking our brat with me," Koukichi shows his phone, which the officer scans. It turns out that the officer is one of the Garuda triplets Shuu has once met on Level 4.

"Hi there, Narukami-kun!" She greets rather merrily with a cute salute "Good luck on your first venture into the wild world of portals! I hope you have a good time!"

"Thank you, Senpai," Shuu barely remembers her name.

Their car moves a little slower this time around. The houses are pitch black after the second post like there's no one home. On the road, there are tents with people loitering around it. Some vans with machinery are parked on one side of the road, and each person they see gives a salute towards their car.

Koukichi turns the car towards an opened gate, and that's when Shuu gets to see the place they're visiting.

"It's a school," Shuu half-whispers.

"Yup. It's a school," Koukichi repeats.

The front yard is lit by tall lamp posts that do not look like they belong in a school. Around them are tents and many more cars. There's a line of YES members in the middle of listening to a briefing by the head of their platoon. More people in light gray uniforms are walking around, carrying things or simply moving to different tents.

Their car parks alongside other cars in what seems to be the old parking area for the school staff.

"So?" Koukichi asks once they leave the car.

Shuu gazes at the school building. Schools in Neo Japan are quite large; this one is not an exception. If you ignore the obvious presence of Espers, tents, and equipment around it, the school looks rather harmless. The lights are on, at least, as opposed to the buildings around it. "It looks like your everyday school to me".

"It is, isn't it? It wasn't like that before, it's been better because we're here," Koukichi puts his hands on his hips, "So? Are you ready?"

"Yes. I'm ready, Senpai".

**

To be Continued.