Velocity

Aftermath of the Exam

The campus hallways buzzed with conversation.

But today, the hot topic wasn't the mid-term exam.

It was Moriya.

"Did you see that guy in the exam hall?"

"Who even was he?"

"I swear he was staring at a stapler for ten minutes."

"I thought he was a professor at first, but then he picked up a water bottle like he'd never seen one before."

Hikaru, walking beside Teshii, Haruto, and Moriya, couldn't stop sighing.

Teshii was grinning ear to ear. "Well, Woody, congratulations. You've officially become a campus legend."

Moriya's expression remained unreadable. "I do not understand their fascination."

Hikaru groaned. "Moriya, you inspected a stapler like it was a sacred artifact. Of course people are gonna talk."

Moriya crossed his arms, as if deeply contemplating this.

Haruto smirked. "You're lucky no one recorded it."

Teshii clapped Moriya's back. "Give it time. You'll get used to modern society."

Moriya huffed. "I highly doubt that."

Hikaru shook his head. This was his life now.

The group made their way toward the safehouse, unaware that something—or someone—was watching them.

An Unseen Attack

The moment they turned into a quiet street, it happened.

A gust of wind exploded past them, sending papers and leaves flying into the air.

Then—a blur of movement.

Something struck Teshii, but before he could react—

It was gone.

Then—Hikaru was hit in the side, barely able to raise his arms in time before the force sent him sliding backward.

Haruto immediately took a defensive stance, his silver eyes darting around. "What was that?"

Moriya's gaze sharpened. "Something fast."

Teshii gritted his teeth, dusting himself off. "Alright, I don't like this game. Come out already!"

Then—

A voice echoed from all around them.

"You guys are pretty slow, huh?"

Another gust of wind—

And before they could react, a figure appeared in front of them, crouching low.

They wore a sleek black suit, their visor-like goggles reflecting the city lights.

Then, in an instant—

They were gone again.

And then—behind them.

Then—to the side.

Hikaru's heart pounded. They're too fast.

Teshii cracked his knuckles. "Oh, this is gonna be annoying."

Haruto narrowed his eyes. "Who are you?"

The figure stopped moving, standing still for the first time.

Then—they grinned.

"Name's Velocity. Try to keep up."

The Fight Begins

Before anyone could respond—

Velocity attacked.

They disappeared from sight, then reappeared mid-strike, landing a devastating punch to Hikaru's stomach.

BAM!

Hikaru staggered, gasping for breath.

Velocity was gone before he could even counter.

Haruto reacted fast, sending a wave of water outward, trying to trap Velocity—

But the moment the water moved—Velocity was already behind him.

A sharp kick to Haruto's back sent him crashing into a wall.

Moriya stomped the ground, sending a wave of roots surging forward, aiming to lock Velocity down—

But Velocity ran up the side of a building, moving faster than the branches could catch.

Teshii grinned, rolling his shoulders. "Alright, fast guy. Let's see how well you do in close combat."

Teshii dashed forward, faster than Hikaru expected—but not fast enough.

Velocity sidestepped at the last second, reappearing beside him and striking Teshii's ribs with a rapid flurry of punches.

Teshii grunted, blocking what he could, but Velocity's speed was too overwhelming.

Then—

It happened.

A crack of electricity.

A bolt of lightning shot through the street, blindingly bright.

BOOM!

The sudden burst of energy forced Velocity to retreat, skidding to a stop on a rooftop.

Hikaru, still catching his breath, snapped his head toward the source of the attack.

There—standing in the middle of the street—

Was a new figure.

Their body radiated electricity, sparks dancing across their skin.

Their eyes glowed with raw power.

And then—they spoke.

"You're not the only fast one here."