Chapter 127

In the quiet town of Nishiwaki, tucked between mountains and forests, Mei Tanaka lived a simple life filled with the warmth of family and friends. Life here was steady, unchanging—a mix of small joys and peaceful rhythms that made Mei content. Her days were spent studying at the local college, sharing laughter with her friends, and helping her parents around the house. She was known for her modesty and her kindness, always quick to lend a hand to those in need.

Rumors had spread recently about Malik, the young man from New York with strange powers—one of the first public cases of "abilities" emerging. Mei and her friends often laughed about it, seeing it as an amusing topic rather than anything serious. "Maybe he's a superhero," one friend would joke, while another chimed in with, "Nah, probably just a hoax!" Mei would laugh along, playfully rolling her eyes.

"I wonder if he can fly," Mei added one day, a sly smile on her face. "If he ever shows up here, I'll make sure he's taken to a ramen shop first—bet he'd get hooked!" They all laughed, never imagining that such powers could exist outside of stories.

But that laughter felt like a lifetime ago when, one humid afternoon, Mei felt something strange stirring within her. The sun was blazing, the heat clinging to her skin, making her restless. As she sat alone in her room, she noticed an odd sensation—an unnatural warmth that seemed to be coming from inside her. The feeling grew stronger, a strange heat bubbling up within her chest and spreading through her limbs. At first, she thought it might be the summer weather, but the warmth intensified, radiating outward.

Her eyes widened in panic as she looked at her hands, half-convinced they would catch fire. "Yamete, yamete…" she whispered under her breath, rubbing her palms against each other as if to brush away the sensation.

Just then, her mother's voice called from outside her room, "Mei-chan, are you okay in there?"

Mei took a deep breath, shaking off the feeling as best as she could. "Hai, okaasan! Daijoubu desu!" she replied, trying to keep her voice steady. She opened her door a crack, peeking out to see her mother's worried face. "Just feeling a bit warm—it's really hot today, ne?"

Her mother chuckled, fanning herself with a piece of folded paper. "It sure is! Let's get you some iced tea."

Grateful for the distraction, Mei forced a smile and joined her mother. She wanted to believe that whatever strange sensation she'd felt was only temporary, something she could easily ignore. But as the days passed, she felt that inner warmth simmering, returning whenever she least expected it.

Eventually, Mei couldn't resist experimenting in private. Late at night, when her family was asleep, she would hold out her hand, focusing on the heat inside her, trying to summon it to the surface. And one evening, after several failed attempts, it finally happened. A small flame, barely the size of a candle's tip, flickered at her fingertips. Mei's heart leaped, a mix of awe and fear filling her.

"Uso… I can't believe this…" she murmured to herself, staring at the flame in wonder before carefully extinguishing it. She practiced in secret, teaching herself to control the flames with precision, gradually expanding her abilities. The thrill of it was addictive, yet she kept her new powers hidden, unwilling to burden her friends or family with something so strange, so unnatural.

But the secret became harder to keep. She would drift off during conversations, her mind fixated on the flickering flames she summoned each night. Her friends noticed her change, teasing her for being lost in thought.

"What's with you, Mei-chan?" one of them asked, nudging her playfully. "You've been acting like you're hiding a big secret."

Mei laughed it off, waving her hands. "Me? A secret? Impossible! Maybe you're all imagining things," she said with a grin, though her heart pounded at how close they were to the truth.

Finally, unable to keep it hidden, Mei decided to tell her parents. One evening after dinner, when the house was quiet, she asked them to sit down with her in the living room. Taking a deep breath, she began, "Okaasan, Otousan… I have something to tell you. It might sound strange, but please listen." She hesitated, searching their eyes for understanding. "I… I can control fire."

Her father's expression shifted to one of concern. "Control fire?" he repeated slowly, as if testing the words.

"Hai," she said, nodding earnestly. "I can summon flames from my hands. I don't know how or why, but… it's real. And I want you to see it for yourselves."

Her mother looked both worried and curious, clasping her hands tightly. "Show us, Mei-chan."

Taking another deep breath, Mei held out her hand, concentrating on the warmth inside her. A small, controlled flame flickered to life at her fingertips, casting a warm glow across the room. Her parents watched in silent awe, their eyes reflecting the firelight.

Her father finally spoke, his voice low and steady. "Mei… this power, it's dangerous. You must be careful."

Mei nodded, her face serious. "I know, Otousan. I respect it. I've been training by myself to control it, and I promise to be cautious."

Her mother reached over, squeezing her hand gently. "Mei-chan… this is amazing, but it's also a big responsibility. Please, be safe."

Their acceptance filled her with relief, but her father's words lingered. He was right—fire was powerful, unpredictable. And as much as she wanted to hide her abilities, Mei couldn't ignore the sense of duty growing within her.

A few weeks later, a forest fire broke out in the mountains near her town. Mei watched the news reports in horror, seeing the flames spread dangerously close to nearby homes. She knew she couldn't stand by and do nothing. Steeling herself, she turned to her father.

"Otousan, I have to help. I can control fire, and I know I can stop this from spreading," she said, her voice firm.

Her father's face was tense, but he nodded slowly, understanding the determination in her eyes. "If this is what you choose, Mei… go. But remember, you're risking a lot."

With her father's support, Mei made her way to the outskirts of the fire, using every ounce of control she'd learned. She willed the flames to die down, pulling the fire's heat back into herself. Little by little, she reduced the blaze until the forest stood charred but still intact, the worst averted.

Exhausted yet exhilarated, Mei returned home, where her parents embraced her tightly. "I'm so proud of you, Mei," her father said, his voice thick with emotion. "You've shown such strength."

Days after her daring act, Mei's life took an unexpected turn. She appeared on a satellite radar, her energy signature captured mid-rescue. It was accidental—she had no idea that her powers could be detected on such a large scale. And as word spread of an unknown fire controller, interest sparked among powerful organizations around the world, all keeping a close watch on her.