Chapter 31: Unwanted Spotlight

The aftermath of the facility's destruction left the group with a rare moment of calm, but Ryo could feel the weight of their victory pressing down on him. They had dealt a serious blow to Kurogami's plans, yet his newfound powers had opened a floodgate of complications.

"You're trending," Sora said, shoving a phone in Ryo's face as they walked back to their temporary hideout.

"Trending? Like, on social media?" Ryo blinked, pulling the phone closer to read the headline.

"Mysterious 'Flaming Hero' Defeats Kurogami Commander's Forces!"

Ryo groaned, running a hand down his face. "Oh no. This is bad."

Kenji leaned over his shoulder, grinning. "Dude, you're famous! Look at this—'The Shadow Flame Warrior.' They've already made fan art!"

"Fan art?" Ryo asked, horrified.

Sora scrolled further. "Here's one of you riding a dragon made of flames. Honestly, you look pretty cool."

"I can't ride dragons!" Ryo protested.

"Not with that attitude," Kenji quipped, smirking.

---

A New Hideout

The team arrived at an abandoned diner on the outskirts of town, their makeshift safehouse. The neon sign outside flickered weakly, casting an eerie glow over the cracked parking lot.

Inside, the group gathered around a booth. Akira was already cleaning her daggers, Kael studied a map, and Kenji rifled through the dusty kitchen for snacks.

"Alright," Ryo began, slumping into a seat. "Let's talk about the flaming elephant in the room."

"Your powers?" Kael asked without looking up.

"Yes! What the heck was that?" Ryo threw his hands in the air. "I didn't sign up for spontaneous combustion!"

Kenji popped his head out from the kitchen, holding a bag of chips. "Hey, at least you didn't blow yourself up. Progress!"

"Not helpful, Kenji," Ryo muttered.

Akira finally spoke, her tone serious. "The Shadow Flame is a rare ability, one that's said to be passed down through specific bloodlines. You're not just some random chosen one, Ryo. There's history behind this."

"History?" Ryo frowned. "I grew up in a normal family. My mom makes bento boxes for a living!"

Kenji nodded. "Yeah, and she makes a mean takoyaki. If anyone's a chosen one, it's her."

"Focus, guys," Akira said, glaring at them. "The point is, this power has awakened for a reason. And if Kurogami knows about it, they'll stop at nothing to exploit it."

---

The Training Begins

Later that night, Kael dragged Ryo to the diner's rooftop, insisting that they needed to test his abilities.

"You need control," Kael said, crossing his arms. "The last thing we need is for you to set Kenji on fire during a mission."

"Hey!" Kenji shouted from below. "I resent that!"

Ryo sighed, unsheathing his katana. "Alright, let's do this. How do I... turn it on?"

"Concentrate," Kael instructed. "Focus on your emotions, your purpose."

Ryo closed his eyes, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. At first, nothing happened. Then, a flicker of flame danced along the blade.

"Okay, okay, I got it!" Ryo grinned, watching the flame grow.

But the fire suddenly exploded, engulfing the rooftop in a fiery blaze.

"Too much!" Kael shouted, diving for cover.

Ryo frantically waved his sword around, trying to extinguish the flames. "How do I turn it off?!"

Kenji poked his head up from the stairs. "Try saying 'off!' Works for light switches."

"Not helpful!"

---

Unwelcome Visitors

Just as the fire was under control, a black van pulled up outside the diner.

"Uh, guys?" Sora called out from the front door. "We've got company."

The team quickly regrouped, watching as a group of figures emerged from the van. They were dressed in sleek suits, their expressions unreadable.

One of them stepped forward, adjusting his tie. "Mr. Ryo Tanaka?"

Ryo blinked. "Uh... maybe?"

The man smiled. "We represent the Global Paranormal Task Force. We'd like to have a word with you."

"Paranormal Task Force?" Kenji whispered. "That's a thing?"

"Apparently," Akira muttered, her hand resting on her daggers.

The man continued, his tone calm but firm. "Your recent... display of power has caught the attention of several organizations. We'd like to ensure that your abilities are used responsibly."

Ryo scratched the back of his head. "Uh, sure. But can we reschedule? I'm kinda busy saving the world right now."

The man's smile didn't falter. "I'm afraid this isn't optional."

"Great," Ryo muttered. "Just what I needed."