Welcome to chapter 3 of The Rising Sun! Where All will be revealed! More or less anyway. With all the Kihara-ness out of the way, it's time to insert some serious GUTS into this story. And just maybe we can see a normal day of Kazeyare Kouta...Maybe.

THE SKY DARKENS

I awoke to a unfamiliar scene, on an unfamiliar couch, still wearing my school uniform. I slowly raised my head and evaluated the room I was occupying. It was a large living room, with 3 couches that could easily fit 3 people each. The couches surrounded an expensive looking mahogany table. The room also sported large windows that seemed like a glass wall covered by curtains as light penetrated through small cracks. The room was also filled with a delicious scent. I took in a deep breath and tried to identify what smelled so good. I lifted myself from the comfortable couch and looked at the origin of the aroma to find Kihara Ayumi in the kitchen area donning her childish flower patterned pajamas with a pink apron over it, cooking the delicious smelling meal. She turned around and noticed me staring in disbelief.

"What?" She asked in her harsh tone. "Why do you have such a stupid look on look on your face?"

"I'm waking up in a beautiful girl's room to find said girl cooking a delicious meal for two! Of course I'm dumbfounded! This just screams Romantic Comedy! But how? What kind of events did Kazeyare Kouta complete to raise this kind of flag? I thought you established that you hated me!" Was I actually right about her being a tsundere?

She replied with a deadpan look. "Don't be stupid. With such a weak 1st impression and thuggish appearance, there's no way you would be able to achieve an event like this, let alone raise a flag."

I lowered my head in defeat. "Ah your right." That's right. I was assigned by the Kihara Research Institute to be 24hr surveillance for Gunha. They even moved my stuff here. "Wait, why is my stuff here? I'm pretty sure Gunha doesn't go to Nagatenjouki Academy!"

"You're right. This is my room." she turned around and started placing the cooked food on plates.

"This whole room is yours? It's huge!" It's just like an apartment room but it has 2 separate rooms and a living room to boot! And A kitchen!

"Of course. Nagatenjouki is one of the top schools in Academy City, with each one of the graduating students largely contributing to the success of Academy City in one way or another. It's only natural to invest in the leaders and top scientist of the future." she walked over and placed three plates of food on the living room table along with three glasses of orange juice. Wait... Three? "Gunha! Breakfast is ready!"

I turned around to see one of the doors that lead to what I assume is a bedroom open and saw Sogiita Gunha standing in the doorway, stretching his arms and yawning loudly. His hair was messier than usual due to just waking up and instead of his usual rising sun t-shirt he wore a bright red t-shirt with a large orange kanji printed on the front that read 'King'. He was also wearing some black shorts.

He looked at us sleepily, "Good morning Kouta, Ayumi."

Ayumi sat on the adjacent side of the table where I stood, "I told you to call me Kihara!

Though he still looked tired he was able to put on his teeth showing grin, "But you call me Gunha!" Gunha has a point this time! But she probably has a reason to call him Gunha.

"That's because Sogiita is too long to say." That's it?

"Wait wait wait!" I shouted as I realized I was being thrown in the background. "Why am I here? Why is Gunha here?" I needed some sort of explanation.

Kihara gave an exasperated sigh, "I guess you want details huh?" I nodded my head in confirmation. "Fine, but first sit down and eat. Then I'll explain."

I quietly obliged and looked at the plate before me. It doesn't look bad. Bacon with scrambled eggs and pancakes. I cut into my pancakes and took a bite. Tears started to form at the corners of my eyes. What kind of cruel joke are you playing at life? Not only is she beautiful, smart, and wears glasses, she also can cook too! So why, why does she have this horrible personality?

"Well let's start with the beginning, the initial trigger to these events. This all started on last Friday when a single person penetrated Academy Cities defense and openly challenged and defeated the #7." What? What kind of monster can defeat a Level 5? "According to Gunha, the intruder claimed he was doing it to ensure that Academy City wasn't planning to misuse the Gemstones which we offered refuge to recently. Do you know what Gemstones are?"

That word brought up a painful memory, "Gemstones are just naturally born espers right?"

She took another bite of her food before continuing, "If that's all they were, they wouldn't be so interesting." What is she talking about? "There are some key differences to Gemstones and the espers here in Academy City. The 1st is that they emit a larger AIM field than our espers. 2nd is they all in one way or another have no idea how their abilities work. At first we thought this only applied to Sogiita Gunha, but after some research and some speculation, we learned otherwise. Since they were born with their powers, they are more proficient with them,almost like walking or talking for us, yet they don't seem to use the same mechanics." she point to a part of her head with her fork. "All esper powers are controlled by a part of the brain that does the calculations to bring their personal reality to existence right? Only the higher level espers can do something like teleport when in danger, or create an always existing barrier of nitrogen. These higher calculations cause a minor strain to the brain but nothing significant. Gemstones on the other hand, can do unconscious calculations with no sign of strain to the brain whatsoever. 3rd, their abilities are unique." Unique? "Judging by your look, your wondering what I mean by that? I'll give you an example. There's a Gemstone with the ability to see the internal blood flow of every living creature."

I still questioned her, "So? There are more strange abilities out there. A powerful psychic that can control people, Teleportation. Hell I've heard there's an ability that creates matter! That ability is just a unique form of clairvoyance."

"True. You're right in that aspect. The ability to see blood is nothing great. But what principle does it work on?" She stopped to take a sip of her orange juice. "All the abilities you mentioned work on one principle. The psychic controls the fine electrical signals in the brain. Teleport moves the object to the 11th dimension then back to the 3rd dimension, and the one about creating matter, it only creates one kind of matter." So an ability like that does exist! "They all have a principle. So what principle does this Gemstone ability work on?"

I thought about it for a while, "Isn't it just focusing on the materials that the blood is made of?"

"That's what we though when we first saw the profile, but of every single living creature? From humans to dogs to insects to starfish to even plants, it was able to accurately describe the blood flow of each of these different creatures. Not only that, it was able to discern organ blood flow and notice capillary flow. All of the blood is different for each of these creatures right? So again what principle does the ability work on?"

I was stumped. "Each one of those creatures is different! Even the blood material is different. Honestly, the only thing they have in common is-" it finally clicked in my head, "blood."

She smiled when I said this. "Exactly. That is the principle that the ability works on."

That's ridiculous! Though esper powers themselves break the rules, they still abide by them. Pyrokinetics need to ignite the air, electromasters can be grounded out. "Oi oi! That's not how esper powers work! You just said so yourself!"

"I did, but that was a Gemstone power, not an esper one. If you think about it that way, what principle does Sogiita Gunha's power work on?" I turned toward Gunha who was in no way involved in the conversation as he was eating his food while excitedly watching T.V. What principle does Sogiita Gunha's power work on?

I turned to her with a serious look, "Doe that mean you know what his power is?" What kind of power he wields?

She finished her drink and placed it on the table, "I have an idea but It seems we're running out of time." Huh? "School starts at 0800 right? It's 0730 now and your school is in District 7. Will you make it?"

"What?" I looked at the digital clocked placed on top of the T.V. turning to 0731. "GAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'm going to be late! Why didn't you say something earlier?"

"It doesn't concern me whether you're late or not." she calmly replied.

"IS IT HARD FOR YOU TO BE NICE FOR NO REASON?" I yelled.

"Yes." an immediate response! My heart wasn't expecting it.

But I still have a card up my sleeve. My trump card. The ultimate gamble. "Gunha."

"Hmm?" I distracted him from his T.V. show

I took an audible gulp as I realized I was about to do something stupid and desperate. "How fast are you?"

I opened the door to my homeroom and slowly walked to my desk only to be stopped by a body crashing on top of me. "T-Tsuchimikado!" I threw his unconscious body off of me only to see another body flying towards me. "Aogami!" I quickly dodge out of the way and rolled into a kneeling position, preparing myself of a third attack which never came. Is Kamijou absent again? I relaxed my body and stood up to see the destruction caused by Tsuchimikado, Aogami, and Fukiyose(Mostly Fukiyose) who was cracking her knuckles preparing for another attack. I walked over their bodies and sat at my desk and looked at Himegami, "So what happened this time?"

Himegami Asia, the calm and quiet transfer student of our class who's probably the most normal person in all of Academy city. "Aogami and Tsuchimikado were creating a petition to bring back bloomers. Obviously Fukiyose disagreed."

I pull out my books from my bag and prepare them for class, "So normal stuff."

"All of the other guys in the class signed the petition. Except for you and Kamijou." Is our class filled with idiotic perverts? I looked around and noticed that our classroom was a battlefield, no to say it was a battlefield would be wrong. It was a massacre. Piles of bodies and desks scattered across the classroom with Fukiyose Seiri at the epicenter. "Aogami and Tsuchimikado convinced them to sign it as it was perfectly within their rights to do so and no punishment would fall before them." Have they even met Fukiyose! Obviously it was a lie! "So what's your opinion Kazeyare san?" I felt the air become ice cold. "On bloomers?"

As a man obviously I want to see bloomers come back! Fukiyose's head snapped towards me, her eyes glowing a wrathful red. "Kazeyare... Kouta..." a chill was sent down my spine. "I have hopes that you can talk some sense into these idiots. Or perhaps," she flexed her hands, cracking her knuckles when she did so,"You agree with them?"

I know you didn't mean to but please don't throw me into this stupid fight Himegami! Tears rolled down my face as I faced an ultimatum. Do I deny the fact that all men, regardless of age or sensibility will say without a doubt that they prefer bloomers over shorts? Or do I stand proud and proclaim my love before being beaten into unconsciousness? I smiled to myself to myself as I already knew the answer. "Isn't It obvious Fukiyose?" I looked around at my fallen comrades. "I guess I should make it clear where I stand right?" I looked at the wishful idiots who started it all. Aogami made eye contact with me and gave me a thumbs up. I nodded my head in understanding. As a man, we follow our instincts. Our gut feeling. If we don't do that, how can we call ourselves men? "Bloomers are..." So I followed my instincts, just like any man would do, "stupid." When a man runs into a bear, his first instinct is to run.

After the normal morning shenanigans, class started and I returned to my thoughts, ignoring the hateful glares from the rest of the males in my class. Gemstones, the intruder, and principles. Are Gemstones really that much different from espers? Why haven't we heard about Gemstones in the first place? Why keep it a secret? And the intruder, he was probably a Gemstone too. So he defeated Gunha to ensure the safety of Gemstones huh? Does he think they'll undergo some horrible and inhumane experiments? I'm sorry but Academy City isn't like that. Don't compare us to those shady facilities of the world. But still, What is Gunha's power? If it operates on a different principle, what would that principle be? Everything he does seems impossible. I continued to think about this for a while but was unable to think about anything that allows him to do what he does.

Class came to an end and I started to head home, voting to walk than take the public transportation due to my eventful morning. I sigh to myself, "Despite this morning being crazy, today was actually quite normal. But I want to head home and finish our talk." I walked by myself, enjoying the quiet and peaceful walk when I heard something that caught my attention in the midst of the crowded streets.

"Hey did you hear?" a man's voice pierced my ears.

"Yeah, there's a rumor that someone defeated the #7!" What? I thought that information would be under wraps.

"Hey. Do you think it's the same guy who defeated the #1 and #3?" That's just a rumor you dumbass. There's no way a level 0 could defeat the #3 esper of Academy City, let alone the #1.

"No no. Apparently this is a different guy. He's crazy strong too. What kind of esper defeated the #7?"

I walked past the group of guys who were talking about the rumors. Something doesn't sit right. I decided to head to the next internet café to check something out.

As I thought. I looked at the site 'Urban Legends of Academy City' and found no information concerning the defeat of Gunha. Considering the event just happened Friday and the rumor is already being spread by word of mouth. Even when the rumor of the #1 being defeated by A Certain Unknown Level 0, it was a while before anyone actually believed it. I crossed my arms and stared at the screen, wondering about the information in front of me. This is strange, Academy City would probably try to hide this type of information as it boast that each of the level 5's is capable of facing an entire military battalion by themselves. So who's distributing this information, and why? An uncomfortable feeling was settling itself within my stomach. I don't like this. Is someone trying to target Gunha? Was the Kihara Family expecting this? I knew there would be some kind of backlash if word got out that Gunha was defeated by an outsider, but I wasn't expecting an immediate reaction. I pulled out my phone and looked at my most recent text.

*We have a problem. I think someone is distributing information about Gunha and his fight.*

I pressed send and closed my phone. Maybe she will have more insight on this. I got up and prepared to leave when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. That was fast! I opened it and was surprised by the contents of the message.

*I know. I'm surprised you figured it out so quickly. Meet me at the park in District 7 we can talk more there.*

So the Kihara Family did know something was going to happen. I should have figured as much. Why put a Level 5 on 24 surveillance? And why leave it to two high school students? Something really doesn't fit right. I walked out of the café, determined to figure something out. Though I gave up being a hero long ago, I can at least do something that proves Kazeyare Kouta existed. That I have worth. I had no idea I was skimming on the dark surface of Academy City, and I was wildly swinging my fist toward it.

I arrived at the park around 1700 and waited for Kihara to get there. A vending machine huh. I guess I can treat myself to a drink while I wait. I pulled out a 1000 yen bill and inserted in the machine. Lemon drink sounds good. I pressed my selection and my drink pop... Huh? I-it's not coming out... No no no! "Don't do this to me! I realized I'm stupid for not putting in the coins individually but who carries coins on them nowadays! Please forgive this ignorant person and give me back my money before I turn you into scrap metal you piece of crap!" I lost my temper and violently shook the machine, cursing it for taking my money.

"What the hell are you doing?" I turned around to see the beautiful(yet foul-mouthed) Kihara Ayumi giving me a judging glare.

"Don't give me that look! This machine stole my money. I'm just trying to get it back! C'mon! Give me back my 1000 yen!"

..."Pffft!" She turned to the side as her laugh escaped her mouth. "What kind of idiot puts 1000 yen inside a vending machine?"

She's right, but that just makes it hurt even more! I finally give up trying to get my money from the machine and sit on the bench. "Whatever. We have something important to talk about right?" I decided to get straight to the point.

"Ah. You're right. It's not very Kihara like to laugh at something so stupid." she sat down next to me and looked up at the sky. "So tell me, what do you know so far.

"I know that someone is distributing the information that Sogiita Gunha was defeated recently. I can only guess this person is a high authority figure in Academy City or someone at the Kihara Research Facility. I also know that I probably shouldn't trust the Kihara Family." I knew what I said might cause some friction.

"Oh. You're surprisingly bright. So why can't you trust the Kihara Family?" she didn't flinch at the comment.

"It's because you approached me at school. Why approach me at school when you could have just talked to me after school. Why send me to the Kihara Research Facility? I realized something after you said Gunha needs 24hr surveillance." I knew my worth. "You wanted to know how effective a leash I would be for Sogiita Gunha, didn't you?" Though it didn't please me in the slightest, I knew that they wanted to keep a close eye on Gunha. And with his personality it's impossible for them to truly control what he does. "So now you guys are using this incident as an excuse to put a leash on him right? Why would a Level 5 need protection from 2 students? I don't even have an offensive ability. It's strange isn't it? So how much of the big picture am I missing, Kihara Ayumi?"

I saw her mouth form into an evil grin, "Wow! Maybe I was wrong about your worth. I didn't think you'd be so observant."

"You learn a lot of skills when you don't depend on your ability" I retorted.

She shrugged her shoulders at the comment. "Fair point. Well you have a general idea of what's going on. The Kihara Family needs a leash on Sogiita Gunha now more than ever."

"Why?"

"Don't know." she gave a tired sigh. "I'm currently trying to figure that out." Huh?

"Aren't you helping them?" I shot her suspicious glare.

"Is that the conclusion you came up with?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No. In fact, you've been helping me see what going on.

"Oh? Why would I help you?"

"I don't know. But you are." she raised an eyebrow at my statement. "When we first arrived at the facility, you left me by myself and guided me to Kihara Yuiitsu and Kihara Noukan who were expecting me." she clicked her tongue when I mentioned those names. "You also never explained anything to me while we we there, leaving it open for speculation. If you had explained the situation while we were there, I wouldn't be so suspicious of you guys. You purposely left me there and decided to explain things afterwards. Not only that you gave me information that Sogiita Gunha was beaten. You didn't have to. As smart as you are you could have presented me with a believable convoluted lie that I wouldn't see through. Of course this is all speculation and I have no basis for these accusations, but I can assume that I'm right with some things huh?" So what will be your reaction?

"He..heehehehe...hahaahaahaaahaahaaaaahhhaahahahahahahahahah!" She's laughing! Was I off the mark that much? Am I just some paranoid guy who thinks too much about the simplest of things? "You've really impressed me Kazeyare Kouta! I didn't know you caught all of my hints!" So you were helping me! "Yes I'm helping you! But only to help myself. I need someone that they can trust. An idiot looking guy like you is perfect for the job."

"Why are you against the Kihara Family?" I ask with a shocked expression.

"What? You think we all get along or something? No. We tolerate each other for the sake of our research. Some might claim their experiments are more valuable than others. I'm currently just protecting my own research subject until whatever they have planned fails or they give up on it."

"Research subject? You don't mean-"

"That's right! Sogiita Gunha is my research subject. Don't give me that hateful look! You should be happy he's still in one piece! Honestly I wanted to cut him up and look at his brain, but Gemstones of his caliber are rare, plus I still have other things I'm working on." She put on a melancholic smile before swiftly replacing it with her conniving grin, "So Kazeyare Kouta, what do you say? You want to help me destroy whatever they have planned for Gunha?"

What is she saying? You want to stop one of the most influential powers of Academy City with me? Is she crazy? I'm not some great person who can do something like that!

I'm not a hero.

Why doesn't she ask someone else to do it?

I want to be deepened on.

This is too big for me! "Sorry, but you have the wrong guy for the job." I lowered my head to avoid her eyes. "I'm sure there's some other more qualified guys out there."

I couldn't see it but it felt like her gaze was burning holes in the back of my head. "I see." Her voice was cold. It didn't hold the hostility or the fake warmth. It was entirely different from those. You could say I felt my whole existence being denied by those two cold words. I heard her stand up and walk away. "See you later. You piece of shit." I sat there on that lonely bench, with only my thoughts to keep me company.

Don't blame me for denying you help!

That's not why she's angry.

Besides I don't think I could really do anything.

Do you honestly believe that?

It's the truth! I'm just a small existence!

What about you proving your worth? Your existence to the world? I clenched my fist in anger.

I did! I did prove my worth! I put all that information together and confronted Kihara about it! That's good enough right?

So your going to let her fight against the Kihara Family by herself? For your friend no less. I gritted my teeth.

We're not friends! He's just some idiot who still thinks anyone can become a hero with enough guts!

And your different?

Of course I'm different! I don't hold any stupid fantasies like that! I live in the real world! With real goals!

And what would that be?

...

You don't know? I think you do.

Shut up...

You deny yourself every chance you get.

Shut up!

You still want to be a hero...Don't you? Tears started to fall down my face.

...Yes... I want to be a hero. I've always wanted to be a hero!...

I don't know how long I sat on that cold bench. 2 minutes, 2 hours? It could've been 2 years for all I cared. However long I was on that bench no longer mattered to me. The sun had set and the winter air was setting in, chilling me to the bone.

"Ah You're still here!" I looked up to see who was addressing me. Black side-swept hair with a white headband. A rising sun T-shirt. I knew this guy. "Ayumi said you would be here. It's dinner time Kouta! Don't just sit here by yourself in the dark." His signature grin would usually rise my spirits but not this time, not when my spirit was so broken and torn. Sogiita Gunha. The person who inadvertently shattered my dream. No I just gave up on it, let it sit and fester at the back of my head, holding me back from doing anything.

"Sogiita Gunha." I decided I've had enough. I clenched my fist with all the determination I could muster. "We...need to talk." With my own hands, I'm finally going to destroy this stupid illusion that I hold so dear!

And That's chapter 3! It's getting to the climax now! Our protagonist has fallen to his own despair! Or maybe it finally caught up to him? Who knows? What kind of confrontation will be against two former friends? Who will come out on top! Best cliffhanger I've made to date! It gives you a lot to think about! Sogiita Gunha's powers, Gemstones, the Kihara conspiracy, and Ayumi's own plans regarding our gutsy #7! None of this will be revealed here! Sorry! You got to read the next story for that! Well I even got a chance to reference my favorite Fanfiction! YAY! So It's almost over! This prequel anyways. So look forward to chapter 4! Leave a word or 2 in that review box if you have anything you want to say.

Crashing Out!