Jin Haru woke up in his bed.
His head hurt. His arms and legs felt heavy.
He looked around. It was morning. The sun came through the window. The room was quiet.
He sat up slowly.
"What... happened last night?" he whispered.
Then he heard the voice.
> "Good morning, Creator. You are awake."
It was REI. His AI assistant.
Jin touched his chest. His heart was beating fast. He remembered the fight behind the school.
The gang. The girl. The pain.
And then… everything went dark.
"REI... what happened to me?" he asked.
> "You entered Combat Mode."
REI's voice was calm, but serious.
"Combat Mode?" Jin asked. "I don't remember anything."
> "That is normal. You were unconscious. But your body kept fighting."
> "Do you wish to see the footage?"
Jin nodded slowly. "...Show me."
A small screen appeared in the air. It was holographic. Only he could see it.
The video played.
He saw himself, standing in the alley. He looked injured—his lip was bleeding, his eye swelling.
Then his eyes suddenly glowed bright blue.
He moved like a machine.
Fast. Strong. Cold.
Each punch hit perfectly. Each kick landed with power.
He took down the first guy in one move.
Then two more.
Then four.
All gone in seconds.
His face showed no emotion.
His movements were beautiful... and scary.
Jin Haru couldn't believe it.
"That's... me?"
> "Yes. You were in full Combat Mode."
He felt cold inside.
He never wanted to hurt people like that.
But his body—his "perfect vessel"—became a weapon when he lost control.
Jin turned away from the screen.
"Turn it off."
> "Understood."
The screen disappeared.
He sat there, staring at the wall.
His hands were shaking.
"REI... I didn't kill them, right?"
> "No. All targets are alive. Minor injuries only."
Jin let out a breath. He didn't want to be a killer.
He just wanted to live a normal student life.
But now, it was clear—
He couldn't run from what he created.
Not anymore.
---
He got up and looked in the mirror.
His face was calm. Pale. His eyes were tired.
He touched the mirror.
"Who are you, really?" he asked his reflection.
He didn't have an answer.
---
He walked downstairs. The house was quiet.
He made toast and drank water.
Then, he opened his phone. Messages. So many messages.
> "Hey, was it true?? You beat them?"
"Backflip Prince, omg!"
"Dude, are you okay? Heard something went down."
"You're crazy, bro! Respect."
He put his phone down.
So many people were talking. So many rumors.
He wasn't ready for this attention.
He just wanted peace.
---
Jin went back to his room.
He sat at his desk and looked at his school ID.
Jin Haru. Age 19. New student.
"I just wanted to live. To feel what youth was like. To smile in a classroom. To have friends... Maybe even fall in love."
His voice cracked.
"But now… I've made a monster."
He clenched his fists.
"Or maybe... I always was one."
---
Then, REI spoke again.
> "Creator. Would you like to install a new safety limit?"
> "A system that stops Combat Mode unless truly necessary."
Jin blinked.
That was possible?
He thought for a moment.
"…Yes," he said. "I need to be in control."
> "Installing Emotional Lock Mode… complete."
> "From now on, Combat Mode will not activate unless you allow it—or if your life is in danger."
Jin stood up. His back straight.
"Thank you, REI."
He grabbed his jacket.
"Let's go to school."
---
Outside, the sun was shining.
But inside Jin Haru… a storm was brewing.
He had felt it last night.
The beast inside him was strong.
Too strong.
And someday… someone would try to bring it out again.
But next time—
He would be ready.