Kanata

It was 4.30 AM.

I woke up from my bed, stretched a little, and headed straight to the bathroom. I washed my face and wiped it with a towel. Then, I donned my tracksuits and headed out of the house. It was dark, obviously with the sounds of crickets playing near the forest surrounding my home.

My house was located in a weird part of the neighborhood. Imagine my neighborhood to be a big circle. Now, add a smaller circle in the middle of the bigger circle. Then, add a dot in the middle of the smaller circle. Now, that's my house. The smaller circle signifies the forest area and the bigger circle signifies the residential area in the neighborhood. Or in layman's terms, my house was located in the middle of the neighborhood's forest area.

I started to jog around the forest. It was kind of cold but the heat of my body during the jog balanced it out. I jogged for 15 minutes before returning back to the house. Soon after, I did my routine workout; 100 push-ups, 100 crunches, lifted some weights and did some beatings towards a punching bag. All of these were to cultivate my strength and the power of my Shadow.

After being drenched in workout sweat, I headed inside and went to the bathroom to wash myself up. After I was done, I saw Kirin heading out from his room which was located right next to mine.

"Hey, Kirin! Where are you going?" I asked.

"Routine stuff," he explained briefly.

Then he headed out of the house and went God knows where. It was around 5.15 AM at that time so I opened up a revision book and studied for a while.

My name is Kanata. I am 16 years of age and Kimo High School is my place of study. I am not a bright person so my average score during exams was in the range of A to B+. My average position among the first-years was around the top 20s. But, it was safe to say that I had never failed any subjects as of now.

After around 30 minutes of studying, I closed the book and donned my fresh set of school uniforms. It consists of a black high-collared coat, a white collared shirt underneath it, and a pair of black slacks. It was spring so the average temperature of the day can be considered relatively cool. It was also around that time Kirin returned from his business.

"The area is safe. No need to worry," said Kirin.

"I see.." I replied. "Hurry up and get your ass ready for school."

"On it."

Kirin left and went to his room. After that, I headed downstairs and prepared to cook breakfast. Mom will not wake up until it was past 6 o'clock so I have ample time to prepare everything. Usually, Mom would do the cooking but lately, she started to wake up late. So, I must cook in her stead. I was grateful enough to have learned some cooking recipes from Mom. Today's breakfast shall be fried rice and tea.

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After 6.30 AM, Kirin, Mom, and I had already finished eating our breakfast.

"As usual, nice job, Kanata!" Mom complimented my cooking.

"Well, look who's the teacher," I replied.

"Indeed, Kanata's cooking has improved every time he learned something new from you, Miss Rose," said Kirin.

"Hehe, thank you, boys,"

After that, Kirin and I headed out and were on our way to school. Kirin went to the same school as mine and we were also in the same class. Class 1-A, a respected class among the school members. In fact, every class that has the letter 'A' in it was considered to be the best among the others. We went to school on foot and by my calculations, we would reach school by 7:15 AM.

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The front gate was packed as usual. So, Kirin and I went inside the school area by the side gate which was seldom used by students as it was rarely known by them. We headed straight to our class but not before visiting the school field for a while to feel the cool breeze of spring wind. However, just before I reached the class entrance, I noticed that my wallet was missing. Where did I put it? After a quick session of thinking, I realized I must have left it at the field. It probably fell out of my pocket when we were on our way back to the class. So I went on a quick journey to retrieve it. And before I knew it, it was 2 minutes before the class will start its session.

"Shit!"

Hurriedly, I ran as fast as I could to the classroom. After arriving in front of the classroom's entrance, I slid open the door, well more like slamming it open and dashed as fast as I could to reach my seat which was located beside the window much like almost every anime protagonists' seat.

However, I don't know why my brain made me act that way but the thing was...

I tripped over someone's foot.

BAMM!!

The sound of me falling echoes throughout the classroom. I looked up to see whose foot did I trip onto. Well, I was unfortunate enough that I tripped on her foot.

By her, I meant Irene. A member of the Big Three. Well, now I'm fucked.

Quickly, I stood up and apologized to her.

Almost immediately after that, she snatched a pair of scissors from the desk near her and held it near my neck. She was really mad, which was understandable because not only did I trip over her foot, but I also stained her shoe which looked new. But there was something in her eyes. Ah yes.

It was hatred. It was common knowledge throughout the whole school that Irene despised 'weaklings'. By 'weaklings', it meant those who either have no UniQ at all or those who have a weaker control of their UniQ. Such an example was Kirin. To the public's knowledge, Kirin's UniQ only consisted of a type of electric charge but it was at such a low output that his UniQ can only become useful during laboratory experiments. I, however, do know something of Kirin's power.

I looked at Irene's face for a brief moment and I can confirm that she was going to kill me if she had not calmed herself down and let me go. This girl, her height can be considered below average and her face to be among the most beautiful in the school. It was a shame that this shoulder-length, blue-haired girl's beauty is marred by her own attitude. Truly a shame.

But such an event was a normal occurrence for me. I have always been the target for the Big Three. I don't know why but it could've been because I haven't shown them my UniQ yet. Yes, I do have a UniQ. It's just that the appropriate time to unveil it hasn't arrived as of yet.

Moments later, the bell rang and the class has started.

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Around 12.00 PM, it was time for recess. I quickly headed out and went to the vending machine to buy a can of coffee. The vending machine itself was located on the first floor; the floor which the third-years' classrooms are. Personally, I don't really have any problems with the third-years because of my achievement in extracurricular activities but to go down multiple flights of stairs and back up was kind of getting on my nerves. However, for a can of coffee, I am willing to cross even an ocean of fiery flames.

GEDEGANG!!

The sound of the can of coffee can be heard echoing throughout the hallway. I quickly took the can of coffee and was about to head back to my classroom when I saw two third-year seniors whom I really was fond of approaching me. One of them even waved his hand to greet me.

"Yo, Kanata!"

"Ah! Sofwan and Hazmi!"

Sofwan and Hazmi were the only third-year seniors with whom I was really close. That was because the two of them always share their useful tips involving working out and body improvement. Other than that, both of them also helped me with my academics. The three of us had a little chat involving random stuff from cats, to body improvement stuff, and we even talked a little about life energy.

We had a chat for about 5 minutes before both of them excused themselves and parted ways with me. After that, I headed straight to the classroom and was about to sit and relax for a bit at my seat when two of my classmates suddenly called my name and asked me to join their discussion about something. It was Zwei and Yui. Being the good friend that I was, I accepted their proposal and joined in on their 'meeting'.

"Hey, what is it?" I asked.

"Hmm.. the topic of our discussion might not interest you but.." Zwei paused for a while before Yui continued with-

"..Do you hate 'them'?"

"'Them'? Ah, you mean the Big Three?"

"Yes," Yui replied.

"To say that I have feelings of hatred towards them, I would rather say no but honestly, I do hate them a bit."

For a moment, I thought I saw the two of them grinning for a bit.

"Well then, would you like to join us?" Zwei asked.

"Join.. what?"

"Revenge," Lyra responded with a short answer.

"May I ask why?"

There was a pause among the two of them before Zwei replied.

"Last week, my sister fell sick. So I saved up some money to buy her some medicine but that was until a few days ago when that bitch Irene took all of my money in my wallet. Balance left? Null. There was nothing to trade for my sister's medicine and as a result? She died two days ago." Zwei told me his story. For a second there was a drop of tear that fell on his cheek.

"Well for me, two months ago, I borrowed a laptop from my boyfriend. It was an expensive one and I kept it in my tote bag. However, for some reason, Irene and Lyra suddenly took my bag and decided to have some fun with it. By fun, I meant spinning it around using her psychokinesis. Unfortunately, my bag hit a wall when she was having fun spinning it around and the laptop... Well, let's just say that my boyfriend broke up with me because I can't be trusted anymore." Yui told me her story involving the tyranny of the Big Three.

"Damn, well that sucks. But, I am really sorry because I cannot join you on your quest for revenge."

"Well, that was unfortunate. After all, you were one of their favorites to get beaten after all. But don't worry, we had already forged a plan if by chance you won't join us." Zwei replied.

"I see... Well if I may ask, when will you guys initiate your plan?"

"Probably after school," said Yui.

"Hmm, well then, good luck."

"You better wish us that," Zwei replied.

"Indeed, I am going to beat that bitch Irene to a pulp!" said Yui.

Immediately after Yui has spoken those words, Irene came into the classroom and the three of us quickly returned to our respective seats. However, when I was about to sit, Kirin suddenly called me.

"Kanata."

I looked to my right and saw Kirin was holding up two of his fingers in the air which basically meant the number two (2). Immediately, I understood what he meant with his fingers.

"Got it, good luck."

Kirin nodded.

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The class ended at exactly 4.30 PM. A blessing from God that our History Teacher was a very time-conscious and punctual person. I walked to the front gate of the school with Kirin before parted ways with him for he got a business to attend to. I walked along the usual path that I used to return to my home when suddenly, my heart felt uncomfortable.

'What the hell?' I thought.

Then, I heard banging sounds resounding from somewhere near my area. It might have been kids playing drums with garbage cans but somehow I thought of something.

This was the exact time that Zwei and Yui were planning to do something towards Irene.

I knew that they were not going to do something serious but my heart did not felt right.

Something was wrong.

BANG!!!

The sound. Promptly, I followed the source of the sound and my eyes were introduced to something very chilling.

On the tarmac, lied Irene and on top of her was a road sign floating with its rod pointing downwards. It was obviously pointing towards her vitals. To her right was Zwei and Yui was standing with a katana in her hands at a distance of around 5 meters from Irene.

This can't be. This was not what I would call an ordinary type of revenge that a typical high school student would do.

They were going to kill her!

"HEY!!! WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!!"

I shouted towards them. Zwei and Yui looked at me but their emotions were something that resembles a person going for the kill. Their bloodlust, I could sense them.

It was nauseating.

"Hello, Kanata, I thought you were not going to join us?" Zwei asked.

There was something in his tone. Something dark and sinister. It felt like hatred. No, pure hatred.

I knew I had to do something.

And I had to do it fast!