LOVE

The news of the battle in Mandaue had spread like wildfire through PNHS Academy. It was a historic event—the first time students from the academy had been called into action against an alien invasion, and the only 1 classes involved were the students of Zane's and Akashi class which had triumphed against impossible odds. Akira had heard the stories from her classmates—the bravery, the determination, the fierce will to protect. But there was one person whose actions stood out to her more than any other: Akashi.

She had always known him as a quiet and determined individual, but after hearing about his leadership in the battle, she couldn't help but admire him more. The way he led his classmates through the chaos, always pushing forward even when the odds seemed insurmountable—there was a strength in him that Akira couldn't ignore. It wasn't just his power, but his heart, his unwavering resolve to protect those around him.

Akira found herself thinking about him more than she ever had before. Every time she heard a story from the students who had been there, her chest tightened with a mix of awe and something else—something deeper, more personal. I've always respected him, but now… she thought to herself as she sat in the academy courtyard, her gaze drifting towards the spot where Akashi had stood after the battle.

The next day, Akira couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to talk to him. She had heard that Akashi was walking through the hallways after finishing a session with the academy's leaders. She didn't have a plan, but something inside her told her that now was the moment. What if I never get this chance again?

Taking a deep breath, she made her way to the corridor. The air was thick with the buzz of students chattering about the mission, but Akira was focused on one thing: finding Akashi. She didn't know what she would say, but she knew she needed to speak to him, to let him know what he had done for her—without even realizing it.

And then, she saw him.

Akashi was walking toward her, his expression calm, yet there was a weariness in his eyes that hadn't been there before. The scars of the battle were still with him, not just physically, but emotionally too. Akira's heart raced as she took a step forward, gathering the courage to approach him.

"Akashi," she said, her voice slightly trembling, but sincere. "Hey, can I talk to you for a moment?"

Akashi turned, his gaze locking with hers. There was a slight pause, as if he hadn't expected anyone to approach him, but then he gave her a small, genuine smile.

"Akira, right? Of course, what's up?"

Akira's breath caught in her throat. His voice was soft and kind, but there was something more in his gaze—a kind of openness she hadn't expected. She hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to begin, but then she simply said what was in her heart.

"I... I just wanted to say that I admire you," she said quietly, her eyes not meeting his. "The way you led everyone in the battle, the way you kept going even when everything seemed impossible… It's like you had this strength inside of you that never wavered."

Akashi blinked, surprised, his expression softening as he looked at her. "Thanks, Akira," he said, scratching the back of his neck, clearly a bit uncomfortable with the praise. "But it wasn't just me. Everyone did their part. We were all in this together."

Akira shook her head, her voice gentle but firm. "No, Akashi. You were the one who kept everyone grounded. You kept everyone together. I could see it, even from here."

Akashi's eyes softened. "I didn't think anyone noticed," he said quietly. "I guess sometimes it feels like I'm carrying all of this alone."

Akira took a small step closer, her voice quiet but full of meaning. "You're not alone," she said, her heart pounding in her chest. "Not anymore."

For a moment, they simply stood there, the quiet tension between them palpable. It felt like the world had slowed, and Akira realized that, in this moment, she was more than just a classmate to him. There was something deeper, a connection they hadn't yet explored but that was already beginning to take root.

Before she could say anything else, Zane's voice rang out, calling down the hallway. "Akira! Akashi! You two are needed for the next mission briefing. Let's move!"

Akashi sighed, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. "Duty calls, I guess," he said with a faint chuckle. "We'll talk more later, okay?"

Akira nodded, her heart still racing. "Yeah. Later."

As Akashi walked away, Akira couldn't help but feel a strange sense of warmth in her chest. She had said what she had wanted to say, but there was so much more she hadn't expressed. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something new—something she wasn't yet ready to fully understand.

Days later, Akira and her class were sent on a mission to investigate a disturbance on the outskirts of the city. It was a routine operation—at least, that's what they had been told As the transport vehicle rumbled down the road toward the outskirts of the city, Akira couldn't shake the nervous excitement bubbling in her chest. This mission was supposed to be routine, but after what had happened in Mandaue, she knew better than to let her guard down.

She sat near the window, watching as the towering structures of the academy faded into the distance. Her classmates were chatting among themselves, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Akashi. The way he had stood in the hallway, the weight in his voice when he admitted that he sometimes felt like he was carrying everything alone.

You're not alone. Not anymore.

She had meant every word. And now, as they approached what was supposed to be just another reconnaissance mission, she found herself hoping she'd get the chance to prove it.

"Alright, listen up!" Their squad leader, an upperclassman named Marcus, stood at the front of the vehicle. "We've been assigned to investigate reports of unusual activity near the industrial district. No confirmed enemy presence, but we stay sharp. I don't want anyone letting their guard down, understood?"

A chorus of affirmations filled the vehicle. Akira exchanged a glance with Zane, who sat across from her. He gave her a confident nod, as if to say, We've got this.

The vehicle came to a halt, and the doors hissed open. Akira stepped out into the cool evening air, her hand instinctively tightening around the hilt of her blade. The industrial district was eerily quiet—too quiet. The usual hum of machinery was absent, and the streetlights flickered like dying fireflies.

Something felt wrong.

Akashi, who had been standing near the front, narrowed his eyes as he scanned the area. "Spread out, but stay within sight of each other," he ordered. "If anything seems off, call it in immediately."

Akira found herself moving closer to him, her instincts telling her that whatever was happening here, it was far from normal.

They moved through the empty streets, their footsteps echoing against the cold metal walls of the abandoned factories. Akira could feel the tension in the air, like a storm waiting to break.

And then, it did.

A loud screech tore through the silence, and before anyone could react, a blur of movement shot out from the shadows. Something massive—something inhuman—slammed into one of their teammates, sending them flying into a nearby building.

"Enemy contact!" Marcus shouted. "Defensive formation!"

Akira barely had time to register what was happening before another figure lunged toward her. She twisted out of the way, drawing her weapon in a single, fluid motion. Her heart pounded as she caught sight of their attackers.

They weren't just any enemies.

They were the same alien creatures from the battle in Mandaue.

But something was different. Their movements were more coordinated, their attacks more precise. It was as if they had learned from their previous defeat.

"Akira, on your left!" Akashi's voice rang out, and she barely managed to raise her blade in time to deflect an incoming strike. The force of the impact sent her stumbling backward, but she quickly regained her footing.

This wasn't going to be an easy fight.

Akashi was already engaged in battle, his movements swift and calculated. His blade carved through the enemy with deadly precision, but even he seemed to be struggling against their sheer numbers.

"We need to regroup!" Zane called out, parrying an incoming attack. "They're too coordinated—we have to fall back and rethink our approach!"

Akira gritted her teeth. She hated the idea of retreating, but Zane was right. They couldn't fight recklessly.

"Fall back to the transport!" Marcus ordered. "Now!"

One by one, the squad began to retreat, covering each other as they moved. But as Akira turned to follow, she caught sight of something in the distance—something that made her blood run cold.

A figure stood atop a ruined building, watching the battle unfold. Unlike the alien creatures, this one had a humanoid shape, clad in dark armor that seemed to shift and shimmer in the dim light.

And then, as if sensing her gaze, the figure turned its head toward her.

For a split second, their eyes met.

A chill ran down Akira's spine. There was something familiar about the figure, something she couldn't quite place.

And then, in the blink of an eye, it vanished.

"Akira, move!" Akashi's voice snapped her back to reality, and she quickly turned, following the others back to the transport.

As they sped away from the battlefield, her mind raced with questions. Who—or what—was that figure? And why did she feel like she had seen them before?

One thing was certain.

This was no routine mission.

And whatever was happening in the shadows of the city...

Final Battle Rewrite – Akira, Akashi, and Zane's Powers in Action

The battle raged on, their squad barely holding the line against the relentless alien creatures. Their enemies weren't just strong—they were learning. Their attacks had become more coordinated, their movements more strategic. It felt like every strike was anticipated, every counterattack expected.

Akira panted, gripping her blade tightly, golden energy flickering around her. Her angelic power pulsed through her veins, her wings aching to manifest, but she had already used too much energy healing her teammates. She was reaching her limit.

Akashi, on the other hand, was still standing strong—but barely. His lightning power crackled around him, illuminating the battlefield with electric blue streaks as he struck down enemy after enemy. But even with his speed and power, he couldn't take them all on.

Zane fought beside them, his movements precise, instinctive. Unlike the others, his power remained unknown, yet his sheer combat skill kept him on par with them. He was the only one who hadn't yet unleashed his full potential—but even he knew they were losing this fight.

"We're getting overwhelmed!" Zane shouted, deflecting an incoming strike. "We need a plan, now!"

Akashi's eyes darted across the battlefield, then locked onto a towering alien at the rear. Unlike the others, it didn't engage in combat—it observed, its eyes gleaming with intelligence.

"There!" Akashi pointed. "That's their leader. If we take it down, the others might fall apart!"

"Easier said than done!" Marcus yelled as he barely dodged a claw swipe.

Akira wiped sweat from her forehead, her golden aura flickering weakly. She turned to Akashi and met his gaze.

"I'll cover you," she said firmly. "Go for it."

Akashi hesitated. "Akira—"

"No time to argue," she interrupted with a smirk. "You lead, I follow."

Akashi exhaled sharply but nodded. "Alright. Let's end this."

With renewed determination, Akashi vanished in a blur of lightning, his body sparking as he dashed toward the enemy leader at blinding speed. The alien barely had time to react before Akashi appeared before it, electricity crackling from his fingertips.

Akira raised her hands, calling forth the last of her angelic energy. Her wings burst into existence, golden light radiating from her form. The battlefield was instantly bathed in divine radiance, stunning several enemies in place.

With a single swing of her blade, holy energy surged forward, cutting down multiple enemies in a wave of light. The creatures screeched, recoiling as their dark forms burned under her divine power.

Akashi used that opening. With a roar, he gathered every ounce of his lightning energy, his blade coated in pure electricity. He struck the alien leader with a devastating lightning-infused slash, the energy surging through the creature's body.

The alien let out a deafening shriek as its body convulsed, its command over the others severed. The remaining creatures faltered, their coordination breaking apart.

"Now!" Zane shouted. "Take them down!"

The squad didn't hesitate. With Akira's divine energy illuminating the battlefield and Akashi's lightning crackling through the air, they pressed forward, wiping out the remaining enemies.

As the last alien fell, a heavy silence settled over the battlefield. The team stood there, exhausted but victorious.

Akira clutched her chest, breathing heavily. She turned to Akashi, her heart pounding—not just from the fight, but from something deeper.

"Akashi," she called out, her voice softer than before.

He turned to her, still catching his breath. "Yeah?"

Akira hesitated, then stepped closer. "I meant what I said before. You're not alone. And… I don't want you to be."

Akashi's eyes widened slightly, caught off guard. "Akira…"

"I don't just admire you," she continued, her voice shaking slightly. "I care about you. I see how much you carry, how you fight like everything depends on you. And I hate that you think you have to do it alone."

For a moment, he just stared at her. Then, slowly, a small, almost relieved smile crossed his face.

"Akira…" He exhaled, rubbing the back of his head, clearly unsure how to respond. Then, finally, he said, "You were the one who kept me going. You always have."

She felt her heart skip a beat.

Before either of them could say anything else, Zane's voice rang out.

"Oi, lovebirds! We should probably report back before more of those things show up."

Akira's face burned with embarrassment, and Akashi let out a breathy chuckle.

"Right," he said, shaking his head. "Let's go."

But as they turned to leave, Akashi gently reached out, brushing his fingers against Akira's. It was subtle, hesitant—but she felt it.

A silent promise.

As they walked side by side, Akira smiled to herself.

This was only the beginning.