An alarm buzzed loudly in Hide's room, dragging him from sleep. A soft knock followed.
"Hide, are you awake? It's a big day today," Mrs. Fujishi called from the hallway.
Hide reached over, turned off the alarm, and opened the door.
"Ah, good morning! Today's important, isn't it? After you wash up, I've packed lunches for you and Minami — so don't forget them," Mrs. Fujishi said with a warm smile.
Hide nodded and headed to the bathroom. He changed into his new school uniform, then paused in front of the mirror. I hope people won't be afraid of my eye… he thought. But I don't really have a choice, do I?
Downstairs, the family was gathered in the kitchen. Mr. Fujishi sat at the table, looking sleepy, while Minami ate quietly.
Hide grabbed a slice of toasted bread and joined them.
"Hide, I hope you and Minami have fun at school today," Mr. Fujishi said, stifling a yawn. He glanced at the clock — he still had work to go to after this.
After breakfast, Hide and Minami left the house together. Hide didn't know the way, so he followed Minami through narrow streets and quiet alleyways.
Eventually, the school came into view — Edens High. The building was large and modern, with banners fluttering above the gates.
Edens High was famous for training students who showed potential to join the BCC. Here, age didn't matter — only rank did. Students could climb the ranks by completing missions and proving themselves stronger than beasts. Classes were divided from A-rank down to F-rank — and new students always started at the bottom.
Minami didn't say much. As soon as they reached the school grounds, he drifted off to join a group of friends.
"So Minami, who's that guy?" one friend asked.
"He's just an exchange student staying at my house. Don't mind him," Minami replied coolly.
Hide stood alone for a moment, taking in his surroundings. Before he could move, the school bell rang. He looked around, lost, until a teacher noticed him.
"You! Why are you standing here? Shouldn't you be in class?" the man asked sharply.
"Sorry, sir — I'm new. I don't know where I'm supposed to go yet," Hide explained.
The teacher frowned, then sighed. "Follow me."
Inside, the teacher led Hide to the principal's office.
"Go on in. The principal will sort you out," the teacher said before walking away.
Hide stepped inside. Principal Michenko was on the phone but gestured for him to sit. Hide sank into the chair in front of the large wooden desk and waited.
A moment later, Principal Michenko set down the phone and looked up. "Ah, sorry about that… What's your name again?"
"Hide, sir. Hide Nomura," Hide said politely.
The principal flipped through a file on his desk. "Right… Hide Nomura. According to the files I received from the FCC, you'll start in Room 2-E. That's the lowest rank, but don't worry — you can always rise through the ranks if you prove yourself. I've already informed your teacher. Good luck, Hide."
Hide nodded, catching the principal's name on the desk plaque — Principal Michenko.
After Hide left, Principal Michenko lingered over the file: Name: Hide Nubotomi Age: 16 Date of Birth: Unknown (Registered as October 7, 2007) Blood Type: Unknown Height: 5'7 Weight: 145 lbs
Note: Subject was found encased in crystal for nearly a thousand years. Further information required. The left eye appears abnormal but may be a natural defect. Subject is to be observed in a normal environment — no further experiments for now.
The principal closed the file and frowned slightly. A thousand years… How unusual, he thought. Edens High has never had a student like him.
Hide climbed the stairs to the second floor and found Room 2-E. Peeking through the small window, he saw the class already in session. The teacher spotted him and stepped out.
"Class, we'll pause for a moment," she said, then turned to Hide. "You must be the new student. Come in."
She was younger than he expected, with sharp eyes and a confident smile — a BCC instructor, preparing the next generation.
Hide stepped inside. Whispers rippled through the room — some students stared in curiosity, others looked indifferent. A few girls giggled softly when they saw him. The boys, though, looked less amused.
"Everyone, this is Hide. He's new here, so help him out if you can," the teacher said. Then she turned to Hide. "Go ahead, introduce yourself."
Hide gave them a small smile. "Hello, everyone. My name is Hide Nomura. I'm new here. Please take care of me."
"Hide, you'll sit at the corner desk, by the window," the teacher said.
Hide walked past rows of curious faces and sat down. When the bell rang, the lesson ended, and a few students gathered around his desk to pepper him with questions. Hide answered politely, but excused himself quickly and slipped outside.
Behind him, the gossip started already. In another class, Minami overheard some girls whispering.
"Did you hear? There's a new boy in Class 2-E. Hide — he's in the lowest rank.""Even so, he's cute! I wish he was in our class…"
Minami ignored them and focused on his notes.
Outside, Hide found a quiet bench under a row of cherry blossoms. He sat there, watching petals dance in the wind, until someone's shadow fell over him.
"So you're the new student?" a voice said.
Hide looked up and saw an older boy with sharp eyes and a calm grin.
"I'm Shinichi Kobara," the boy said, sitting beside him.
"Hide Nomura," Hide replied. He could sense Shinichi's strength — this was no ordinary student.
Shinichi chuckled. "I'm in Class A. Looks like you're starting in F, huh?"
Hide nodded wordlessly.
After a pause, Shinichi tilted his head. "Your eye — what's up with it?"
Hide shrugged. "Born with it. Just a birth defect."
Shinichi studied him for a moment, then stood. "Huh. Well — good luck, Hide."
He left, and Hide stayed on the bench until the bell rang again.
Back in class, Mrs. Taka — their homeroom teacher — stood at the front.
"Alright, everyone. Next month we'll have inter-class battles. Each rank will face off, one-on-one, to prove who's stronger," she announced.
One student raised a hand. "But Mrs. Taka — we're the lowest rank! How can we beat anyone?"
Mrs. Taka crossed her arms. "Rank doesn't matter. What matters is your potential and your teamwork. Higher ranks often fight alone. We, on the other hand, rely on each other. That's how we win."
A murmur of determination ran through the class. Hide listened silently, taking it all in.
"Now," Mrs. Taka continued, "we'll visit the Weapon Facility. Each of you will receive a weapon that matches you best."
The class followed her to a sleek training hall lined with strange machines.
"Stand by the scanner and place your hand on the monitor," Mrs. Taka instructed. "It will analyze you and generate your weapon. Once you learn its name, you can summon it anytime."
A curious girl, Fujikawa, raised her hand. "Mrs. Taka, what's your weapon?"
Mrs. Taka smiled. "Mine is a whip named Bashoman. It can summon a guardian beast to aid me in battle."
Hide flinched at the name — Bashoman. A memory stirred, but he pushed it aside.
One by one, his classmates stepped up. Fujikawa received a sleek gun unlike any ordinary firearm. Killian, another student, got dual blades that shimmered with a faint glow.
Finally, it was Hide's turn. He placed his left hand on the monitor.
Beep… Beep… The machine pulsed — then turned red.
"Unidentified… Unidentified… Unable to detect suitable weapon," a voice droned.
Murmurs spread through the class. Mrs. Taka placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's alright, Hide. Sometimes it takes time."
Hide forced a small smile. "It's fine. I'm still here, aren't I?"
The others went off to train with their new weapons. Hide sat on the sidelines, watching. Some students cast him awkward glances, whispering about the 'weaponless new kid.'
Fujikawa struggled with her gun at first, but Mrs. Taka coached her patiently. Killian moved like a natural, his blades carving the air with sharp precision.
When Rank B students arrived for their turn, they eyed Hide curiously, whispering behind his back.
Classes ended late that day. On the train ride home, Hide checked his phone — a message from Mrs. Fujishi.
"Hide, could you pick up a few things at the store? Sorry to trouble you — but it's a good way to get used to the city!"
Hide took the train into the city, found the shop, and bought what was on the list. On the way back, he ducked into a small café for a break.
He sat by the window with a single cup of coffee. The taste was warm, unfamiliar.
The door swung open — and Shinichi spotted him.
"Hey, Hide. What are you doing here?" Shinichi asked, slipping behind the counter.
"Shopping for Mrs. Fujishi," Hide said simply.
"You know, I heard you couldn't get a weapon," Shinichi said, lowering his voice.
Hide sipped his coffee. "That's right."
"You can't protect this world without a weapon," Shinichi said seriously.
Hide's gaze drifted to the window. "Sometimes… it's not beasts we need to fight. Sometimes it's us."
Before Shinichi could respond, Hide stood and left, disappearing into the evening crowd.
Back on the train, Hide watched the sun sink behind the skyline. A quiet tune escaped his lips as he whistled to himself.
He felt a faint presence behind him as he walked through darkened streets. Without turning, he spoke.
"I know you're there. Come out."
Minami stepped out from the shadows, looking sheepish. "You noticed me. Didn't think you'd catch me that easily."
"No matter how well you hide, I can still sense you," Hide said with a small laugh.
They walked home side by side.
"I heard you didn't get a weapon," Minami said quietly.
Hide shrugged. "It's fine. My fists will do for now." He grinned playfully. "What rank are you, anyway?"
"Rank S. My weapon's a gun that shoots corrosive acid. Once it touches something, it melts through — only I can stop it," Minami explained.
"Interesting. And you wanted to know how I sensed you?" Hide said. "Let's just call it… a gut feeling."
Minami didn't answer, but his eyes flickered with curiosity.
"Don't worry about me," Hide said, voice soft but steady. "I'll catch up to you one day."
Minami didn't know what to say, but Hide's words stayed with him.
Back at the house, Mrs. Fujishi greeted them warmly. Mr. Fujishi was dozing in front of the TV. Dinner was ready.
"So, Minami — how was school?" Mr. Fujishi asked groggily.
"The same as usual," Minami said.
"And you, Hide?"
"Nothing special," Hide said with a grin. "Except I didn't get a weapon."
Mr. Fujishi chuckled. "That's alright. You can be like me — weaponless and harmless."
"Don't tease him!" Mrs. Fujishi scolded playfully. She turned to Hide with a kind smile. "Don't worry, dear. You'll find your weapon when it's time."
After dinner, Hide showered and retreated to his room. He flipped through a few books he'd picked up in the city — books about beasts and fiends. But none of the names he remembered — Ji-san and the others — were there.
He turned off the lamp and lay back. In the darkness behind his eyelids, he saw a vision: two ribbons — his and Sona's — tied together on a pole just beyond his reach. He reached out, but the ribbons only drifted farther away.