Part 1: Enji Ikari
The sun dipped low over the horizon, casting a warm orange glow across Ikazuchi's quiet home.
Dusk had arrived.
And with it…
Silence.
Enji Ikari stood at the doorway, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Everyone else froze.
Haruto leaned toward Hikaru, whispering.
"Who's that?"
"No idea," Hikaru whispered back, eyes locked on the man.
Then–
"Father."
All heads snapped toward Ikazuchi.
"Wait – what?!" Hikaru blinked.
"That's his dad?" Haruto muttered.
Teshii let out a low whistle.
"Damn. Now I see where Yellow Zeus gets the attitude from."
Hikaru elbowed him hard.
"What?" Teshii said, rubbing his side.
Ikazuchi's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp with disdain.
"What do you want, old man?"
Enji didn't answer right away. His gaze swept across the room – taking in each face with a silent, calculating stare. A presence that didn't scream danger… but radiated control.
"So," Enji finally spoke, voice calm yet firm. "What do you want from my son?"
"Oh, nothing much. Just here to see if your son wants to join our little team." Teshii replied.
"The Order of the Elements," Hikaru added cautiously.
Enji's brows furrowed. His tone turned cold.
"No. Not while I'm still here."
The air grew dense. The warmth of sunset no longer reached the room.
Ikazuchi stood rigid, his fists clenched.
Hikaru swallowed.
He had a very bad feeling about where this was heading.
Teshii's Tattoos Meaning
The room was quiet. Uncomfortably quiet.
Enji now sat with the rest of them, arms still crossed, his expression unreadable.
Hikaru glanced at Ikazuchi, who looked like he was seconds away from launching across the table. His fists were clenched, his jaw tight.
But Enji wasn't even looking at his son.
He was staring at someone else.
Teshii.
Specifically – Teshii's rolled-up sleeves, and the strange tattoos on his arms.
Then, finally–
"Are you in the Yakuza?"
Everyone looked up.
The question was directed at Teshii.
Teshii blinked, looked down at his arms, and sighed.
"Man, I really gotta stop rolling my sleeves up."
He glanced back at Enji.
"No, sir. I'm not in the Yakzua."
"Then what do those tattoos mean?" Enji asked, his tone stern, but genuinely curious.
Teshii paused.
"Huh?"
Hikaru facepalmed.
Haruto banged his head against the table.
Moriya, surprisingly, leaned in with interest. Despite everything, a part of him was still half-convinced Teshii might've been a Yakuza member.
"You actually… want to know what they mean?" Teshii asked.
Enji nodded once.
Then–
"YES!" Teshii suddenly shouted.
Everyone flinched.
"Finally! Someone who's actually interested in my tattoos!" Teshii beamed.
He cleared his throat and stood, pointing to his left forearm.
"Okay, so this one right here – represents someone shooting lasers from their eyes. Absolute power."
He pointed to another tattoo on his bicep.
"This one? Intelligence. Big brain energy. Very important."
Then to one near his elbow.
"And this one symbolizes someone giving an epic motivational speech to a crowd. You know, like a hero speech before a final battle."
Hikaru stared at him like he'd just lost his last brain cell.
"Those aren't tattoos… they're doodles," he muttered.
"They're SYMBOLS!" Teshii snapped. "They each have a story!"
Enji, surprisingly, didn't seem annoyed.
In fact… he looked amused.
10 Minutes Later…
"…And this one represents a weaponized limb," Teshii continued proudly.
He had been explaining his tattoos for nearly ten minutes now.
Hikaru and Haruto? Long checked out.
Moriya? Still listening, surprisingly.
Enji? Strangely attentive.
Ikazuchi? Looked like he was about to explode.
Not at Teshii.
But at his father, who hadn't acknowledged him once.
Then–
BANG!
Everyone froze.
Teshii stopped mid-sentence.
Ikazuchi had slammed his palm against the table.
"Old man."
Enji finally looked at his son.
"Tell me – why are you even here?" Ikazuchi snapped.
Enji didn't answer immediately. He just stared, unreadable.
"Old man, you can leave now."
"Not happening."
Awkward silence.
Hikaru, Haruto, Moriya, and Teshii sat quietly, unsure whether to interfere or slowly back out of the room.
Teshii leaned toward Hikaru and whispered.
"Yellow Zeus has some serious daddy issues, doesn't he?"
Hikaru gave him a death glare.
The argument escalated.
"You never care what I do," Ikazuchi said, voice rising. "So why are you suddenly interested now?"
"Because you're making a mistake," Enji replied calmly.
"Of course. Everything I do is a mistake, right?" Ikazuchi laughed bitterly.
"You don't even know what these people want from you. Especially him." Enji pointed at Teshii.
Teshii gasped.
"Rude."
"You don't know what you're getting involved in."
Ikazuchi stood, electricity sparking faintly from his shoulders.
"And you don't get to tell me what to do."
Enji's jaw tightented.
"I'm still your father."
"Oh yeah? And where was that energy when Mom was still around?"
Silence.
Everyone's eyes widened.
Hikaru's breath caught.
Haruto subtly glanced at Moriya, who remained stone-faced – but clearly listening.
Teshii raised a brow.
"Well, that just got interesting."
Enji's expression darkened.
"This again?"
Ikazuchi's fists trembled.
"She left because of you She couldn't stand your controlling nature. And now you want to control me too?"
The tension in the room was suffocating.
Then–
"I'm done."
Ikazuchi turned and stormed out.
The door slammed behind him, echoing through the house.
Silence.
No one moved. No one dared speak.
Until–
"Well," Teshii muttered. "At least we know where his anger issues come from."
Everyone turned to glare at him.
Teshii blinked.
"What? Too soon?"
"Yes," Hikaru said, arms crossed.
"Very," Haruto added.
Teshii sighed, standing up.
"Fine, fine. I'll go check on him."
He walked out, muttering under his breath abobut "dramatic exits."
Haruto watched him leave and muttered.
"This is going to end badly."
Hikaru sighed.
"Yeah… probably."
Meanwhile, Enji sat in silence, his fists subtly clenched.
There was more to this story.
And Hikaru had a feeling…
Part 2: A Talk about Mothers
Night had fallen.
The city streets were quiet, bathed in soft amber light from flickering streetlamps. In the distance, the low hum of car rumbled like a heartbeat, but here in this part of town, everything felt still.
Teshii walked slowly, hands in his pockets, crimson glasses reflecting the neon glow of shop signs.
"Damn… Who would've thought Yellow Zeus could run that fast," he muttered, scanning the rooftops and alleyways for any sign of Ikazuchi.
He glanced behind him.
Nothing.
He'd already wandered far from Ikazuchi's house. Too far.
And then–
Grrrrrrgle.
Teshii's stomach growled like a beast in protest.
"Uuugghhh… I'm so hungry."
He held his stomach and sighed dramatically.
"If only that damn speedster hadn't stolen my mochi earlier…"
His eyes lifted.
There, illuminated in the night like a gift from the gods–
7-Eleven.
Teshii's face lit up like a child on Christmas morning.
"Well, well, well… Perhaps I should grab a snack before tracking down Yellow Zeus."
Grinning, he made his way toward the store, pushing open the door as the familiar chime rang out.
DING-DONG.
Meanwhile in the Park…
The park was quiet now.
The chaos from earlier had faded, replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the occasional chirp of a night bird. The moonlight filtered through the trees, casting soft shadows across the empty walkways.
Only one person remained.
Ikazuchi.
He sat alone on a bench near the pond, his posture slouched, fists clenched on his knees.
"Damn it…" he muttered under his breath.
His voice was hoarse – more from frustration than fatigue.
Crackling electricity sparked between his fingers. Sharp, sudden bolts of yellow light snapped in the air, mirroring the emotions twisting inside him.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes burned.
And then–
They shimmered.
"Mom…"
The name left his mouth in a whisper, barely audible – but it carried more weight than a scream.
His hands trembled as he tried to blink the tears away.
But they came anyway.
Flashback to 15 years ago
"MAMA!"
A small voice echoed through the house.
A woman with long, chestnut-brown hair and striking orange eyes turned at the sound. She was dressed in a smart blazer and skirt, a bag slung over her shoulder – clearly ready for work.
She smiled gently.
Turning around, she saw a five-year-old Ikazuchi clinging tightly to the hem of her coat.
"Mama, where are you going?" he asked, his eyes wide and glassy.
She crouched down in front of him, brushing a hand through his messy blonde hair.
"I'm going to work, sweetheart," she said softly.
"B-but… I wanted to play with you," young Ikazuchi whispered.
His mother's smile deepened. She leaned in, giving his forehead a small kiss.
"I'll play with you when I get back. I promise."
Ikazuchi's expression brightened instantly.
"Okay!"
She rose to her feet and walked toward the front door.
"Bye, dear."
"BYE-BYE, MAMA!" Ikazuchi called, waving eagerly with both hands.
The door closed behind her.
Click.
Silence.
Little Ikazuchi stood there by the door, still smiling.
Still waving.
Still waiting.
But.
She never came back.
Back to the Present…
Ikazuchi sat silently on the park bench, the night breeze brushing through his hair. His mind was far from the peaceful surroundings.
"Mother… why did you leave me?"
Then–
"YO, YELLOW ZEUS!"
A loud voice echoed across the park.
Ikazuchi turned sharply. "Huh?"
It was Teshii, walking toward him with two full boxes of mochi in his arms.
"WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?!" Ikazuchi shouted.
Teshii froze mid-step. "…Okay! I'll just leave."
He dramatically turned around.
"Wait."
Teshii blinked and turned back around.
"You can have a seat," Ikazuchi muttered."
Teshii smirked and plopped down beside him on the bench.
Ikazuchi kept his eyes ahead. "If you're here to tell me to go back, don't waste your time."
"Nah, not here for that." Teshii leaned back, arms stretched.
Ikazuchi side-eyed him, suspicious. "Then what?"
"Came to talk about your Element – and more importantly… about family."
Ikazuchi's expression darkened, but he didn't tell him to leave.
Teshii took that as a win.
"So, tell me… when did you awaken the Element of Thunder?" he asked, cracking open a box of mochi.
Ikazuchi looked up at the night sky.
"Three years ago. After an argument with my father."
Teshii chuckled. "Shocking."
Ikazuchi glared.
Teshii coughed. "Sorry, sorry. Continue."
"Same as today. I stormed out of the house. I needed to let it all out… so I just screamed. Loud."
Teshii snorted, nearly choking on a mochi.
"IF YOU'RE GONNA LAUGH, THEN LEAVE!"
"Okay, okay! Serious now. Totally serious," Teshii said, wiping his mouth.
Ikazuchi sighed.
"The sky turned dark. Thunder rolled in. I thought It was just the weather… until I saw electricity sparking from my hands."
CRACK!
Sparks danced across his palm as he held out his hand, lightning crackling faintly.
Teshii's eyes widened slightly. "Damn… that's wild."
"I never told my dad. I knew if I did… he'd somehow try to control it. Like everything else."
Teshii nodded, thought now.
"Well, Zeus… sounds like what you need is guidance. A teacher to help you master that lightning."
Ikazuchi frowned. "Like who?"
Teshii pointed at himself, grinning.
"Me, of course."
…Silence.
Ikazuchi stared at him blankly.
The air grew awkward.
Teshii cleared his throat. "Right. Maybe not the best pitch. Let's change the subject."
He leaned forward, suddenly serious.
"Tell me about your mother."
Mother
For a while, neither of them spoke.
The night air was still.
Then, finally–
Ikazuchi broke the silence.
"My mom," he muttered. "She was the best mom I could've asked for."
Teshii stayed quiet, letting him talk.
"She was smark, strong… and she didn't take crap from anyone. Especially not my old man."
He scoffed.
"She was the only one who ever stood up to him."
Teshii heard the edge in his voice.
The bitterness. The pain.
"What happened?" he asked gently.
Ikazuchi's fists clenched.
"She left. When I was five, she went to work… But she didn't come back."
Sparks crackled between his fingers.
The electricity flickering like emotion bleeding out of him.
"I always wondered if it was because of me… Or because she just couldn't stand my dad anymore."
For once–
Teshii had nothing sarcastic to say.
Then – Ikazuchi turned to him.
"What about you?" he asked. "What's your family like?"
Teshii's grin faltered.
Just for a moment.
"…Didn't really have one," he said.
Ikazuchi frowned. "What do you mean?"
Teshii leaned back, eyes on the stars.
"My mom was murdered when I was a kid."
His voice was shockingly casual.
"And I never even met my dad."
Ikazuchi's eyes widened.
"Wait – seriously?"
Teshii nodded, still watching the sky.
Ikazuchi looked down, visibly regretful.
"Sorry, man. I… I didn't know."
Teshii waved it off with a shoft chuckle.
"Don't worry about it. You weren't supposed to."
Ikazuchi hesitated. Then, quietly–
"…How the hell do you still smile after all that?"
Teshii froze.
The smirk on his face – the one he always wore–
It didn't fade completely.
But it wavered.
Just for a second.
Then, with a quiet exhale, he looked away.
"…Who knows?"
Ikazuchi didn't say anything else.
He just stared at Teshii.
And for once – he didn't push for an answer.
Part 3: The Psychology Major
Back at Ikazuchi's home, the atmosphere was thick with awkward silence.
Hikaru, Haruto, and Moriya sat quietly.
And Enji?
Still sitting in the same spot – arms crossed, gaze distant, the tension practically humming in the room.
"This… is so awkward," Hikaru thought, glancing nervously between the others.
The only sound?
Tick… tock… tick… tock…
The steady rhythm of the wall clock.
Enji's finger tapped rhythmically on his arm.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Hikaru's eyes flicked toward it, watching.
Then–
He remembered something.
Ikazuchi's words earlier.
"She left because of you!"
Enji's finger stopped tapping.
Just like that.
Hikaru's breath caught.
"That wasn't just hesitation. That was something else."
He had to ask.
"Um… Mr. Ikari?"
Enji turned to him, slowly.
"Hmm?"
His glare made Hikaru flinch – but he held his ground.
He took a breath.
"Is it true? That your wife left because of you… or was there another reason she's not here anymore?"
Haruto and Moriya both turned to him, surprised.
"What's he doing?" Haruto whispered.
Enji raised an eyebrow.
"And what makes you say that?"
Hikaru pointed subtly.
"When Ikazuchi said that earlier… your finger stopped tapping. You hesitated."
Haruto blinked.
"Wait, seriously? That means something?"
"I'm a psychology major," Hikaru explained. "Finger tapping is often a subconscious outlet. But the moment Ikazuchi said his mom left because of you – you stopped. That's hesitation, not denial."
Haruto crossed his arms, impressed.
"Huh. I guess university is useful for something after all."
Hikaru gave him a sideways glare, then looked back at Enji.
"So… what really happened?"
There was silence.
Then–
Enji's lips twitched into a faint smile.
Eyes still closed.
"You're an interesting one, kid."
He slowly opened his eyes.
"Alright then…"
Back at Teshii and Ikazuchi
The night was still.
Teshii and Ikazuchi sat on a bench in the quiet city park. Only the soft chirping of crickets filled the silence.
Then–
"So… Zeus," Teshii finally broke the stillness. "Ever thought of getting a tattoo?"
Ikazuchi shot him a glare.
"HUH? WHY WOULD I EVER GET A TATTOO?" he barked.
Teshii smirked. "Why not? Tattoos can add flair to the human body. Just… don't get a dragon or a koi fish. People will assume you're in the Yakuza."
Ikazuchi glanced down at Teshii's tattooed arm.
"…If I'm being honest, your tattoos are lame," he said bluntly. "Except for the one with the laser eyes. That one's cool."
Silence.
"Um… Teshii? You still there?"
Ikazuchi turned.
Teshii was on his knees.
Muttering.
"Lame… lame… my tattoos are lame…"
Ikazuchi stared at him, dumbfounded. "Seriously?"
Suddenly–
Teshii stood up with dramatic flair.
"Well, at least Hikari would appreciate my tattoos!"
"Hikari?" Ikazuchi raised an eyebrow. "Your girlfriend?"
"Oh, nah. That's Hikaru's younger twin sister." Teshii grinned. "Could potentially be my girlfriend."
Ikazuchi smirked. "She must be really stupid if she likes someone with tattoos like that."
Teshii scratched the back of his head. "Well… truth be told, she doesn't even know I have tattoos."
And then–
They both burst into laughter.
Back in Ikazuchi's House
"Damn," Haruto muttered.
Hikaru, Haruto, and Moriya sat frozen, stunned by what they had just heard.
Enji had told them the truth about Ikazuchi's mother.
Silence fell over the room.
Hikaru slowly looked up at Enji.
"Does… Ikazuchi know?"
Enji shook his head. "No. He doesn't. I've never had the strength to tell him."
"But, Mr. Ikari…" Hikaru hesitated, then met his eyes. "Eventually… you'll have to. If you tell him the truth, he might start to open up to you."
Enji's eyes widened slightly.
He didn't respond right away. The weight of Hikaru's words hung in the air.
"It's never too late, Mr Ikari," Hikaru added gently.
Haruto and Moriya nodded in agreement beside him.
Then–
Enji slowly smiled.
"…I suppose you're right."
Meanwhile outside the house…
ZOOM!
A blur shot into place outside the quiet house.
It was Velocity.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"With that Teshii guy and the Thunder freak gone, the other three Elements? Easy."
Moriya's Tribal Senses
Inside the house, Moriya suddenly stood up.
Hkaru, Haruto, and Enji turned to him.
"Moriya? What's wrong?" Haruto asked.
Moriya's eyes sharpened. His instincts – the same ones honed from years in the forest – were sounding alarms.
"Someone's outside," he said.
Hikaru and Haruto froze.
Without a word, the three of them rushed to the door, bursting out onto the porch.
They looked around.
Nothing.
The wind blew gently.
Then–
WHOOSH!
A blast of wind tore past them.
ZOOM!
A blur streaked through the yard, impossible to follow with the naked eye.
Moriya narrowed his gaze.
Haruto's hand went straight to his pouch.
And Hikaru's body began to glow with golden light.
The blur stopped just a few feet in front of them.
It was Velocity.
He stood there, cracking his knuckles, that signature cocky smirk plastered on his face.
"Well, well…" he said. "Looks like I found you again."
Hikaru's heart pounded. Damn it. Not now. Not without Ikazuchi or Teshii here…
Velocity flexed his fingers and took a slow step forward.
"Hope you guys are warmed up."
And then–
He charged.
TO BE CONTINUE!!!