The sun rose lazily over the hills of rural Japan,Casting golden fingers across the Yoshida household. In the forest clearing behind it, the ground trembled—not from earthquakes, but from two boys training like tomorrow didn't exist.
Ryker and Sol stood before a tall man with graying hair and an unshakable presence—Masaki Yoshida, Sol's father and a retired warrior of legendary status.
"Today," Masaki said calmly, "you stop training like boys. Show me your powers. No holding back."
Sol stepped forward first. His eyes burned with purpose.
Sol stepped forward, eyes burning with purpose.
"Let's do this."
He raised his hands. A wall of fire burst from his palm as the ground split beneath him with a thunderous rumble. Fire and earth twisted together, forming molten stone pillars that launched toward a wooden dummy—BOOM. It exploded into ash.
Masaki nodded. "Your control has improved. You've finally stopped burning your own socks."
Sol smirked. "Only burned one last week."
Masaki's gaze turned. "Ryker. You're up."
Ryker sighed, stepping forward. A small flame flickered in his hand—then wind gathered. The fire spun into a spiral, crackling violently. Then—CRACK!—a spark of lightning shot from his fingertip. Raw, unstable, but undeniably powerful.
Masaki's eyes narrowed. "You're already fusing elements?"
Ryker said nothing.
Masaki turned away, arms behind his back.
"Sol. Ryker. Your elemental training is complete."
Sol tilted his head. "Wait. What about sword skills?"
Masaki smirked. "I've seen you two spar since you were kids. You've already surpassed me. Now go home. School starts tomorrow."
The Next Day – First Day of School
Ryker and Sol walked through the city academy's hallway, in crisp uniforms and silent swagger. It was their first time at this elite private school.
Sol glanced at Ryker. "You think we'll blend in?"
Ryker looked at Sol's flaming aura and replied, "Sure. Like fireworks at a funeral."
They entered the classroom. The door slid open.
And then… Sol saw her.
Yumi.
Long black hair. Soft eyes. Sitting by the window, reading a book like she didn't even know she was the main character.
Time froze. Birds outside probably started singing just for her. Maybe even God paused to ship them.
Sol whispered, "She's here…"
Ryker raised an eyebrow. "Don't do anything weird."
"I won't," Sol whispered. Then immediately walked over like an NPC who just received a quest.
The Window Queen
Yumi looked up as Sol cleared his throat.
Once.
Twice.
"Hey… uh… hi," he said. His voice cracked like glass under pressure.
Yumi blinked. "Hi."
Silence.
Sol panicked. Say something. Anything. Be cool.
"You like… windows?"
Ryker, nearby, silently collapsed in spiritual pain.
Yumi tilted her head. "…What?"
"I mean… you always sit by them. So… you must like them? I like them too. You can see… stuff. Through them. Like… birds. Weather. Life."
Yumi blinked. "Right…"
"I also like chairs," he added desperately. "Big fan. Reliable."
Ryker facepalmed so hard a nearby girl flinched.
Yumi tried not to laugh. "You're Sol, right?"
He lit up. "You know my name?!"
"Kind of hard to forget the guy who stood on his desk and yelled, 'I'm the future number one hero!' during homeroom last year."
"Oh. Yeah. That was a bold move."
Another pause.
"I also like… ceilings," Sol mumbled.
Ryker walked out of the room.
Yumi smiled faintly. "You're… very energetic."
"Thanks," Sol grinned. "I drink a lot of air."
"…What?"
"I panicked."
She laughed. A soft, real laugh. "You're weird."
"That's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me."
Just then, Ryker slid into the seat beside them like a seasoned wingman.
"Sorry about him," Ryker said smoothly. "He's not usually this awkward. Actually—never mind. He is."
Sol glared. "Bro, don't you have somewhere else to be? Like… the moon?"
Ryker ignored him. "Yumi, I heard you're good with healing magic. Maybe help Sol recover from that sentence."
Yumi giggled again. "He's recovering on his own. Slowly. Like a turtle."
"A turtle on fire," Ryker added.
"A fire turtle," she nodded.
"I'm right here, you know," Sol muttered.
Yumi smirked. "It's cute."
Sol blinked. "Wait. Was that a compliment?"
"Maybe."
Internally, Sol screamed: She thinks I'm funny. I have entered Heaven.
Ryker leaned in. "So… what's your plan now, Mr. Fire Turtle?"
Sol stood up proudly. "I'm gonna marry her."
Ryker: "You're gonna get detention."
Yumi giggled again, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I'll think about it."
Sol blinked. "Wait. Was that another maybe?"
"Maybe," she said again, already reading her book like nothing happened.
Sol turned to Ryker, wide-eyed. "I can't tell if I'm winning or losing right now."
Ryker grinned. "You're losing, idiot."
As the final bell rang and students poured into the hallway like a tidal wave of gossip and teenage chaos, Sol and Ryker slipped out of the classroom—still floating on the aftermath of "maybe."
Sol grinned like a fool. "Did you hear that? She said maybe."
Ryker smirked. "Yeah, and I 'maybe' saw a pig fly last week too."
Before Sol could argue, a familiar voice cut through the noise.
"What's going on?"
Celica.
Arms crossed. Smirking. Short blue hair catching the light.
Ryker pointed dramatically. "It's love at first sight!"
"Ryker!" Sol slapped a hand over his mouth.
Celica tilted her head, intrigued. "Love…?"
Ryker mumbled through Sol's hand. "Mmh-hmm. He fell hard. Boom. Heart kaboom."
Celica's eyes lit up with mischief. "Sol… you're in love?!"
Sol removed his hand and glared at Ryker. "It's not like that!"
Celica grinned. "Oh, it so is. Who is she? What's her name? Is she cute? Wait—do I know her?"
Sol tried to escape, but Celica blocked his path like a boss-level NPC. "You're blushing. That's confirmed."
"I'm not!" Sol protested.
"You are." Ryker said, smirking. "Your ears are literally red."
Celica leaned in closer, eyes gleaming. "So who is she? Spill it, Mr. Future Number One Hero."
Sol groaned. "You two are the worst."
Ryker crossed his arms. "That's why we're your best friends."
Celica winked. "Don't worry, I won't tell Yumi… yet."
Sol froze. "Wait—you already know?!"
Celica giggled. "I'm a girl, Sol. We notice things. Also, you stared at her like she was a legendary archer and healer forged in heaven."
Ryker added, "You also asked if she liked windows. That's not exactly subtle."
Sol muttered, "I hate both of you."
Celica ruffled his hair. "You'll thank us when she says yes."
Sol mumbled, "She already said maybe…"
Ryker raised a brow. "Then you've got a foot in the door."
Celica smirked. "Now try not to trip on the way through."