Mom! Dad! Kakine yelled as the almost broke the door and ran into his house. His eyes were filled with tears and he was still bruised after getting beaten up. Kakine? ! . What happened to you!? His mom yelled as she saw his bruised son. Mom! Kakine yelled, as he ran in a hugged her. Kakine… She said, hugging the little boy back. Kakine? What's wrong? The brown haired man asked as he entered the kitchen. Kakine's mother looked worried at her son, and then at her husband. They all sat down as Kakine told everything that had just happened. His parents stared at him with worried expressions. Kakine… His mom said as she hugged him again. I don't understand… what happened? How could I do that? How did I… Kill him? Kakine asked, as tears appeared in his eyes again. Kakine's dad walked over to them and then bended down to Kakine's hight. Kakine… what those men said might be true. There is a place in this world where people can do all sorts of things, just like what you've just done. It's called Academy city, and it's the only place in the entire city where people can do such things, he said. What do you mean dad? Kakine asked, as he sniffed. I'm just saying, what happened to you have also happened to other people. Don't worry there's nothing wrong with you, he said, as he also hugged his son.

Kakine didn't say anything after that. He didn't eat sleep or leave his room for days after that. His parents stared getting really worried, they tried to get him to eat something, but he always said the wasn't hungry, even though he stared to get as skinny as a skeleton. Kakine? His mother said, as she entered his room. I'm not hungry… Kakine muttered. He was sitting on his bed, and had buried his face in his arms and legs, yet still Musumi could see he black circles under his eyes. Kakine… she said, as she got over and sat on his bed. Go away… Kakine said, not lifting his head. Kakine… Kakine's mother said, staring worried at her son. SHe put one of her hands on her stomach, that was starting to grow a little bit. Are you gonna stay like this until he baby comes? She wouldn't want to see you like this, Musumi said, trying to get a hand on her son's shoulder. However, before Musumi could get close to him, Kakine jumped back. Stay away mom! I don't want you or he baby to get hurt! Kakine yelled with tears in his eyes. I'm a monster… You shouldn't get close to me! I'll just hurt you… or even worse! Kakine yelled, as the tears began to poor down his face. His mother looked sad at him. Kakine… none of us thinks of you as a monster. We're just worried about you, Musumi said. Kakine didn't answer and looked away.

Suddenly, somebody knocked on the door. Kakine wiped his tears away and sat down again. Aren't you going to open? Kakine asked, still sounding sad. Musumi looked one last time worried at her son, before she stood up and left his room again, leaving just he way the was before. Huh? Who are you? Kakine heard his mother say. Somebody who's voice Kakine didn't recognize answered something he couldn't hear. There was silence for a couple seconds, but then suddenly his mother began to yell. You think we'll just let you take our son!? She yelled. ! . This caught Kakine's attention. I'm sorry miss, but he's dangerous as he is right now, that he's discovered he has an ability, the voice answered. Kakine began to get really curious now. Who had come? Were they after him? What's an ability? Kakine thought, as he got up and carefully opened his door, making sure he didn't make any sounds. He walked over to the stairs and looked down to the door. Two men with weird outfits stood there. Anti-skill? Kakine red. Who's Anti-skill? He thought.

His mom looked like she was about to explode, and his dad seemed like he desperately tried to hold back his anger. Hey we're just doing our job here miss, we need to take they boy to Academy city where the can learn to control his ability, one of them said. No way! I won't allow you to take him! He's staying here with his family. If he's going to Academy city, then so are we! She yelled. I'm sorry miss, but without having the potential of developing an ability you can't enter the city. We're only doing this for his own safety, it's dangerous for an esper to live outside the city. People might try to kidnap him and get money of selling him to research facilities, the Anti-skill officer said. Musumi didn't say anything. I just don't understand why we can't go with him, Tosaku said, trying to stay calm. Like it's dangerous for espers to be outside he city, it's also dangerous for normal people to be inside of it without being a researcher, scientist or teacher, the Anti-skill officer said. None of them said anything. Could you please call down your so then? He asked. The sooner we leave, the sooner he can start developing his ability, and start to learn how to control it. Again none of them said anything. Kakine however stood up the stairs and was merely about to explode. Who are these people!? He thought as the ran down the stairs. Of course everybody noticed. Who do you think you are?! Kakine yelled, running towards the door.

No! Kakine stay back! Musumi yelled. Kakine didn't. He ran up in front of his parents before he stopped. To his surprise, one of them smiled. You must be Kakine right? We can understand that you've just gone through the process of discovering your ability in a very unpleasant way. But don't worry, we're here to take you to Academy city, where you can learn to control it so that something like that won't ever happen again, he said smiling like the was used to rip kids apart from their families. No! I don't want to go! I want to stay here with my mom and dad and sister! Kakine yelled. You have a sister as well? The officer asked still smiling. Well… in eight months he will, Musumi said, putting a hand on her stomach. ! . Wait, you're pregnant? He asked suddenly sounding worried. He turned around for a second, looking like he was thinking and then looked at the other officer. Kakine stared at him. Is something wrong? Musumi asked, suddenly sounding really worried. Well it's just… If your sons an esper, the child you're about to get most likely will as well, he said. ! . The entire family stared at him. What are you saying? Kotatsu said sounding worried. The officer didn't answer right away, but then sighed. It means your child's birth will have to take place in Academy city in a hospital where a doctor can tell whether she'll be an esper or not, he said.

So, does that mean we can come along as well? Kotatsu asked, beginning to sound hopeful. No, I'm sorry, but it'll just mean you have to move closer to the city so that you easily can be transported into a hospital as soon as the birth is about to take place. The family was quiet. My sister is gonna be an esper to? Kakine thought. No… she shouldn't go through the same as me, she should just be happy and live with mom and dad! Kakine thought knowing his parents were thinking the same. The Anti-skill officer looked at them for little while before sighing again. You should go pack your stuff kid, we're leaving in 20 minutes, he said as he turned around and walked over to the car. kakine stared into the air, as the began to walk up the stairs again. His parents followed him up to his room. Kakine was now sitting in the same position as before, having buried his face in his hands. The only difference was that both his parents were staring worried at him now. Kakine clenched his fists. I wished i could just leave you out of danger by going somewhere else… but now… Kakine said with a breaking voice, as tears began to form in his eyes again.

His parents were silent. To think… that Academy city actually allows this… taking a kid away from home while they're only 10 years old, Musumi said, clenching her fists as well. Kotatsu laid his hand on Musumi's. Don't worry, even though we're gonna live a little apart, we can still call each other and see each other over the computer every day, Kotatsu said, not sounding very convinced himself. Then… silence. They just sat like that for a couple minutes until Musumi made a move. She took out a big suitcase from under Kakines bed. Well… you're really leaving, she said tearing up. Both Kakine and Kotatsu stared at her, but none of them said anything. Suddenly Kakine spoke. Well… maybe it's for the best that they're taking me away… I mean, if i stay here, i might end up hurting you and my sister… Kakine said, sounding emotionless. Don't say such stupid things! Kotosau said, running over and hugging his son. Of course it's not like that! We'd never give you away if it wasn't because we had no choice! You're our son… we'd do anything to protect you, he said, as som tears dropped down on Kakine's bed sheets. Kakine didn't say anything. They didn't know what it was like… the feeling of having killed somebody… if he stayed here and it happened again… then… Kakine was about to throw up and covered his mouth with both of his hands.

Both his parents noticed, but didn't say anything. Musumi slowly began to pack clothes, books and whatever Kakine could need in Academy city. Kakine kept holding his hands over his mouth as the feeling of throwing up slowly went away. 15 minutes later, they all went down the stairs again to the Anti-skill officer who was waiting. The officer from before helped Kakine carry his luggage into the big Anti-skill car, and the other one stayed behind for a minute and talked to Musumi and Kotatsu. You'll receive a mail from the city in a month or so, telling you where your new place is gonna be. Don't worry, the city's gonna take good care of your son, he said, as he turned around and walked towards the car. Kakine stared out of the window at his house. None of the Anti-skill officers said anything as they started the car and began to drive away. It felt like Kakine had been driving for hours, even though it had only been one. All he had seen was streets, trees and more trees. The Anti-skill car smelled of plastic, yet still something about was weird. There was a futuristic screen where the radio normally would be and there was neon lights inside of it. Kakine couldn't stand the silence anymore, and his curiosity really wanted to know more about this "Academy city".

Um… So, what is this city? Kakine carefully asked. He Anti-skill officer that wasn't driving smiled at him. It's a city full of espers just like you, and in Academy city people learn how to control these particular abilities, so that something like what happened to you, doesn't happen, he said with a smile. What's an ability? Kakine asked. Well… it's a supernatural ability that people obtain. It's rare that people are born with them, unless like in your sichuation, the first born child has abilities. Then it's most likely that he next child will as well, he said. You'll learn a lot more about abilities when you arrive to the city. Kakine looked away again. ! . Suddenly something hit him. Wait, where am I even gonna live!? He asked. The man smiled again. Don't worry, since you're already 10 you can decide whether you want to live alone or not. You're gonna live in a student dormitory, and don't worry about paying rent, your schools gonna take care of that, he said. Kakine looked out of the window again. Then there was silence again. Kakine still had a lot of questions, but because the hadn't slept at all the last couple of nights, the ended up falling asleep in the Anti-skill car.

Hours had passed when Kakine finally woke up. The terrain had changed. Instead of just trees, there was open fields and a road made out of different material then normal roads. But all that didn't matter to Kakine, cause only about a couple hundred meters away was the most amazing city Kakine had ever seen. The buildings were massive and unlike any other skyscraper Kakine had ever seen. Over all were screens like in Tokyo and trains were driving in he air except of in the ground. But the weird thing was, the city was surrounded by a wall. Why's that i wonder? Kakine thought sarcastically. A couple seconds later, they arrived at a gate thing and stopped. What's your ID? A guard asked. F1x2, the nice Anti-skill officer said, showing a card. Alright, what's your business in this city? He asked with a strict voice. We've just picked up another esper kid, the man said, pointing at Kakine. The other man stared at him, making Kakine extremely nervous. He didn't like this guy at all, the way he interrogated him, as if he could be a fake. Very well… the man said, finally taking his sight of of Kakine and pressed a button, making a door open. Kakine's eyes got big as they drove inside of he city. Welcome to Academy city. He only city in he entire world which has succeeded in creating espers. This city's technology is 30 years ahead of time compared to the rest of he world. A lady on a big screen said. Kakine stared out of the window as something suddenly caught his attention. ! . Almost everybody's wearing school uniforms, Kakine said, staring at all he different uniforms.

Yeah, actually 80% of all people here in this city are students,the officer said. Kakine looked at the city, and couldn't help feeling a little excited. Anti-skill drove him to the dormitory, in which he would be living. It was completely empty. Except the bed, toilet, and a couple things in the kitchen. Kakine didn't like living alone, well he had never tried, but he was sure he wouldn't like it. He however didn't have time to complain before he needed to go again. Apparently, he was about to have something called, a system scan, that would determine what "level" his esper power was. He walked down the city's streets together with the same Anti-skill officer as before, staring at everything that seemed more modern than at home. I wish mom and dad could see this Kakine whispered, amazed by the city's technology. The Anti-skill officer smiled at him as they arrived at their destination. Kakine's eyes got even bigger as he saw the inside of the small building. A lot of people, all the same age as him were doing all sorts of stuff. Some were guessing the pictures on cards, while somebody else were… ! . Kakine felt like his minds about to explode of amazement.

Just in he other end of the room… was somebody who had just made a flame out of nothing! And the fire stayed on his hand… without burning it! Kakine stopped and stared. The Anti-skill officer noticed. Pretty cool, huh? It's what we call, a pyrokinesis, he said looking at the amazed boy. Kakine was unable to move after seeing this. Come on kiddo, the Anti-skill officer said grabbing Kakine by the arm and pulling him into another room. It was quite small, and all that was inside of it was a chair and some weird machine. From what the report said, your power mad your entire body into some liquid. We haven't experienced something like that before, so we'll need to take some quick tests, the Anti-skill officer said, pointing at the chair. Kakine stared at the chair for a moment, before walking over to it and sitting down. A second later, some guy in a lab coat entered the room and walked over to the Anti-skill officer. He whispered something Kakine couldn't hear, making him kind of uncomfortable. A second later, the scientist came over to Kakine. Kakine Teitoku i presume? He said.

Um.. Yeah, Kakine said. The scientist smiled. It's nice to meet you, he said, as he turned around again and walked over to the machine. Here, he said as he gave Kakine something that looked like a headband made out of metal. Please put this on your head and relax. Don't worry, we're just scanning your AIM defusion field, to test what kind of ability you have, the scientist said, turning around again. What's an AIM defusion field? Kakine asked. The scientist smiled. Well… to say it simply, it's a kind of field all espers emit, he said. Kakine didn't ask anymore questions, and did was he was told. It was weird, getting your AIM field scanned. Kakine felt like his brain was thinking about some really hard equation that there wasn't an answer too. It didn't take very long, and soon Kakine was just waiting in another empty room to get the results of the scan. After that… everything started getting worse. Kakine was told his ability was already at that point were he'd be considered a level 4. Everything from that day on was a blur. Every day, Kakine would meet new scientists who were gonna test him. Months passed, and Kakine began to see his parents less and less, because he had to attend so many experiments. Every day, Kakine's parents would try to contact him, but every day he would be to busy or tired to answer.

The day Musumi would give birth got closer. And then… after 8 months the day finally came. Haia was born, and the birth went along just as it should at a hospital in Academy city. However, Kakine still wasn't allowed to come… A decision he innerly regretted and hated himself for. Even still it was a pretty peaceful day. Musumi was laying with little Haia in he Hospital bed, Kotatsu sitting beside her and crying of joy. Then a doctor came in. They all looked at him. Hello doctor, I'm Kotatsu Teitoku, he said giving the doctor his hand. Hey there… I'm Aiko Giiji. I'm specialized in born espers, Aiko said. Kotatsu nodded and looked at his newborn daughter. So… what do you say? Musumi said, sounding worried. Well… from what I've been told, you have a son as well, who's a level 4 right? Aiko asked. Kotatsu nodded, trying not to look sad or mad. Aiko walked over to Musumi and looked at Haia. Well… the tests say she's an esper. And from what I can tell, she'll grow up and be just as powerful as her older brother, he said. Musumi looked at him. No… she said with an almost breaking voice. That means he city is gonna take her as well… Please doctor, can't you do anything to like.. remove her ability? Musumi asked.

Aiko shaked his head. I'm sorry ma'am, but that's not possible. If something like that should be done, she'd need to go through a life threatening operation, that she most definitely wouldn't survive, Aiko said. Both Musumi and Kotatsu clenched their fist. Then what are we supposed to do!? We won't just let the city take all of our children away like that… Kotatsu said, as tears appeared in his eyes. Musumi began to cry as well. Aiko looked at both of them. Well… there is one thing that i might be able to do, Aiko said. Both Musumi and Kotatsu looked at him. What!? Tell us! Kotatsu said, looking at Aiko with begging eyes. Aiko closed his eyes. I own a research facility here in the outskirts of the city. The test also showed something else… you're gonna get pregnant again in a couple of months, Aiko said. Musumi began to tear up again. I'll… get to have another child? She asked, with a sad voice, as she looked at sleeping Haia. Aiko looked at the sad woman. If you want to, I can make you live under my protection, so that the city won't take away your kids, Aiko said. Kotatsu and Musumi both looked at him. Could you really do that doctor? Musumi asked with tears in her eyes. Of course, but there is one condition though, Aiko said, smiling.