Kibishi's POV

  And so, we continued our tour by stopping by an office that seemed to belong to the head figure of the whole building—almost like a president of some kind.

  Wait. Maybe it was that guy they mentioned before. The Founder, was it? Was he the president of this pce? A leader, perhaps?

  In front of us was a rge door with a sign that read:

  "Keep out. Unless it's work, DON'T bother me."

  A strange sign, to say the least.

  Before we could proceed, Akuma slowly turned to us with a nervous look.

  "So, um... keep in mind that this man isn't... the best. His way of thinking might be a little... annoying, but don't let him get to you, okay? That's just how he is. I'm sure it's for the greater good—for the survival of the human race."

  "When you put it that way, he sounds like trouble..." Tao held onto her right arm, looking both cautious and scared.

  "We don't know that for sure. He could be a great guy!" I tried to reassure Tao with a bright smile, raising my left hand in a gesture that everything would be alright.

  Despite my words, though, I didn't really believe them either. I was actually nervous to meet someone who might cause trouble for Tao and me—not to mention David and Riley, too.

  But just like with Kujira, I couldn't jump the gun. I had to see at least what he was like first. No matter how someone framed it, I needed to witness it for myself.

  "That's good, that's good!" Akuma turned back to the door with a bright smile. "Keep up that attitude, and you'll be A-okay!"

  With that final piece of advice, she knocked on the door.

  . .. .... .......

  No response.

  Was he not here?

  Maybe he had stepped out for a bit. At least, that was what I thought—until I heard footsteps.

  Step. Step. Step.

  The steps were heavy. With each one, I could hear the foot lifting and hitting the ground like a giant's—like a power walk. Soon, a shadow appeared beneath the door.

  One st step, and then he stopped.

  "Who is it?" A man's deep, authoritative voice demanded.

  "Yo, Founder! You've got a couple of visitors today!" Akuma greeted him in her usual cheerful tone.

  All she got in return was a heavy sigh, and the shadow faded slightly.

  "I don't have time for games, Akuma. Go py with those friends of yours somewhere else. Maybe in a library so you can read a damn book or something. I'm a very busy man." His voice was blunt, ced with coldness and maturity.

  I saw Akuma's right arm twitch, but then she ughed.

  "Ahaha! Very funny, Founder!"

  Then—

  WHAM!

  Akuma punched the closed door with all her strength, sending it flying out the window. It crashed into a car, setting off an arm, and then—

  BOOM!

  An explosion echoed in the distance.

  Tao and I stared in shock from behind Akuma, who was still smiling brightly—but I could sense anger simmering beneath. No, even if I hadn't sensed it, that punch alone should've made it obvious that she hadn't liked what the Founder said.

  Inside, we saw a man in a fancy suit, white gloves, messy bck hair, bushy eyebrows, and—oddly—dancing shoes. Aside from the hair, he looked more like a rich businessman than a president.

  Yet despite the destruction, the Founder simply dusted himself off with a bnk stare before straightening his suit.

  "That's another pay cut for next week, Akuma. Also, you're working overtime to repair the door, the window..." He pointed behind him. "...And my car, which you've damaged for the fifth time this week."

  "Good. So basically, you're doing nothing as always!" Akuma cpped her hands together, eyes closed and smile still in pce—but I caught the hostility in her words.

  "If you broke down my door, then you must be serious about introducing these people. Though that attitude of yours is starting to annoy me."

  The Founder strode toward a desk fit for a state president. Smoothly, he pulled out his chair, sat down, and pushed himself back in.

  "So, who are these two?" He pced his hands together on the table.

  "These two have potential. Their friends saw it for themselves." Akuma raised a finger. "And I can sense strong vibes coming from them."

  "Potential, huh." The Founder adjusted his tie. "There's a lot about you I don't personally care for, Akuma, but as a leader, I'm responsible for everything that runs here—including reports from my employees. Personal feelings shouldn't interfere with work, something you fail to grasp."

  "Nonetheless, if I recall correctly, you went out to find people with potential so we could escape sooner rather than ter. But to do that, we need a key. But I'm getting ahead of myself. One step at a time." He gestured toward us. "Welcome to humanity, young ones. I am the leader of the resistance fighting for the survival of the human race. My name is Grayson 'Stern' Alexander, but you may call me 'Founder.'"

  Then, his eyes locked onto me—and his brows rose in shock before curling into a satisfied smirk.

  "Say, aren't you the group that was making noise back in the daycare?"

  "Huh? You were there?" Tao sounded shocked.

  "..." I stayed silent, staring at him.

  Now that I thought about it, I did remember seeing him talking to someone—someone with blonde hair—

  Static!

  A splitting headache struck me. My surroundings darkened, and I could see everyone's life energy. Not wanting to freak anyone out, I clutched my head, squeezing my eyes shut.

  "Kishi? Is something wrong?" Tao's voice echoed in the darkness.

  I slowly opened my eyes. The world flickered like a faulty light switch before finally stabilizing, though my vision remained slightly blurred. I turned to Tao and forced a bright smile.

  "S-sorry, what was that, Tao?"

  "I asked if you're alright. You were staring at the Founder for a while with glowing yellow eyes." She csped her hands together. "You also seemed... off. Like his presence annoyed you, even though you just met him."

  "..." I rested my hand under my chin.

  The scariest part? I had felt that—briefly. Wait, had I? I didn't fully remember.

  But if Tao said so, it must've been true.

  I gnced back at the Founder, who seemed unfazed—or so I thought.

  "Sorry about that. I spaced out for a moment. But to answer your question, yeah, I think so. I also saw you talking to someone else—a girl, right?" I shoved my hands into my jacket pockets.

  "Correct. My, aren't you observant? That moment just now confirms your potential. With your eyes glowing and all."

  "I guess so..." I scratched my cheek nervously.

  "Say, you mentioned someone with blonde hair just now, Kibi. Does that mean you saw Yosei with the Founder?" Akuma tilted her head curiously.

  "Is that her name, Akuma?"

  "Indeed. If it's the same person we're talking about." She closed her eyes, arms folded.

  "I can confirm it was Yosei. She should be back soon—I sent her on an errand. You two can sit here in the meantime. Come, come!" The Founder motioned to the chairs in front of his desk.

  "What's with the sudden change in tone?" Akuma eyed him suspiciously.

  "It was my fault for not listening to you, Akuma. As such, I won't punish you for breaking my things today. Truly, a victory for the human race."

  The Founder smirked.

  "The Forbiddens will rue the day they ensved our kind. Now that we have these two, our pns will accelerate."

  "Wait a minute. Slow down." Tao stepped forward, arms behind her back, her tone serious. "I'm gd you're pnning an escape from this hellhole, but that just raises more questions. Why would our presence here speed things up? It doesn't make sense."

  "Agreed," I said. "And the sudden attitude change makes me wonder—does it have to do with what kind of supernatural beings we are?"

  "Exactly," Tao added. "Our abilities must be the key you mentioned, right? But why? What's the intention?"

  The questions piled up. The deeper we went into this mission, the less sense things made. I was gd we were both voicing our doubts.

  Tao had asked first, but I'd been about to—once the conversation settled.

  "Hehe! All in due time—for now, rest easy." The Founder's smirk widened, almost... vilinously.

  "You know, smiling like that isn't helping anyone..." Akuma frowned.

  Agreed.

  Step. Step.

  "Hey, Founder, I don't think they had the pens you wanted. But I got different colors!" A cheery voice rang out behind me.

  Ba-bump!

  My heart raced. That voice—that sweet, familiar voice.

  Slowly, I turned around, desperate to see who it belonged to.

  Ba-bump!

  The color of her hair—

  Ba-bump!

  Yes. I'd recognize that color anywhere.

  That hair.

  That yellow hair.