Beyond The Light (Eleceed)

(Intro)

The slanting rays of the setting sun covered the sky with an orange hue; it was evening, and it was the perfect time when people swarmed the city streets. Children were playing around, adults were going somewhere, and students whose school had ended hoped to head home and relax.

On the city's busy streets, many cars, buses, and trucks drove by the highway. Next to it were many lampposts, and near those posts stood two people who held bags filled with food and toys– precisely, cat food and cat toys.

"Jiwoo, I told you not to buy so many toys." A beautiful girl complained to her companion. Her hair hovered as the wind began to pick up, and her soft, plump lips moved with each syllable she pronounced. Her half-lidded eyes darted to the busy streets where the cars started to increase.

"Don't worry, Yuu. We still saved some money since everything was on sale. Look! Our children will love these gifts once we bring them home." Jiwoo grinned, showing his pearly white teeth. His amber eyes glistened, moist with unconditional love for his animal friends at home.

His friend, Yuu, felt her heart going soft with his words.

"..."  She decided to ignore the last sentence that Jiwoo had let out.

Jiwoo giggled, knowing that he had won the argument, although unfairly.
His amber eyes looked back at the crossroad. He then noticed a child holding a soccer ball tightly to his chest. Then suddenly, the child's grip on the ball loosened and fell. Jiwoo gasps, worried that the child will fall in danger. And true to his thoughts, the child ran after the ball into the busy road packed with moving vehicles.

Many people saw it, and many had already expected the outcome. The child's mother screamed in fear for her son, and the people around her held her back from endangering herself. The mother tried to push out of their grasp, but before she could run after her son, a car drove closer.

The car will hit the child if somebody doesn't do anything quickly.

But Jiwoo didn't want it to end this way. His heart was kind, and he was a good person, so he moved.

Everyone watched with fear when the car was inches from hitting the boy. But before the moving thing could strike down the child, he disappeared. Looks of wonder and astonishment began to fill in the eyes of passersby who witnessed this firsthand.

Jiwoo safely placed the boy down on the ground and sighed in relief.

The child in his arms was now away from danger, and his mother, who ran to check up on her son with tears in her eyes, embraced her son. She looked at Jiwoo with gratitude and wonder. Before anyone could say anything, Yuu sighed and slapped a hand on her face painfully.

"Jiwoo Seo... You fool," she groaned; lifting one finger, she twirled it around.

A small light that glittered like stars appeared on the tip of her finger. She poured more energy into it until it was big enough, then released it immediately. The whole area began glowing under the shining light for the first few seconds before disappearing into tiny glitters, and after a few seconds, everyone blinked.

"Huh?"

"what happened? Did something happen?"

"I don't know; I don't remember anything happening, though."

"Must have been my imagination, then."

People who gathered and those who had witnessed it shrugged it off. Thankfully before anyone could figure out about Jiwoo's ability, Yuu had successfully wiped off their memories.

Yuu sighed in relief and placed a hand on her beating heart. Oh God, that was close. She thanked herself for thinking quickly and saving her fellow friend before he could become the government's next lab experiment.

Once the commotion downed and people began to disperse, she calmly approached her friend. Jiwoo gulped; his senses told him that danger was looming around. Before he could turn around and face Yuu, he yelped out in pain.

"Oww!!" He cradled his head, feeling a painful bump forming there.

The hand which had chopped him in the head remained in the air as the furious look on his friend's face made him feel guilty.

"Jiwoo... Have you gone insane? You nearly outed yourself!!" Yuu threw her hands in the air and began stomping on the ground. The bags filled with cat toys and food in her hand had vanished. Jiwoo quietly wondered what she did with it, but he didn't dare to say it out loud since she was angry at his reckless behavior. Jiwoo gave a nervous smile and patted his head, bowing to her.

"I'm sorry. Please, forgive me," Jiwoo said, frowning. He understood where her worry came from, but internally, he felt grateful to have a friend who worries about him like his mother.

All the anger dissipated once Yuu severely scolded him. She was huffing at him now while her arms stayed crossed.

"Don't do it anymore. People like us have to stay secretive from those who are ordinary and have no idea of what we can do. Not only will you be risking yourself but also those who are like us." 

Jiwoo glanced up; his head clouded with thoughts.

'there are people like us? Wait- so Yuu and I weren't the only ones?!' feeling relieved, he sighs. Now that he's got more information, he will ask her about it once they reach home.

Unfortunately, not now since Yuu still seems to be mad about it. Thinking so, he still resolved to get more information from Yuu.

"What are you waiting for? We have kids at home to feed." saying so, Yuu began walking, leaving the boy momentarily frozen.

'...' Jiwoo felt his cheeks turn red. Gulping down the air, he fiddled with his hair for a moment.

"ah." 

"Jiwoo!!" He heard her shout and walked fast to catch up to her.

The loud thumping of his heart began to resonate through his body. A sweet smile took over his lips as he jogged up to Yuu, who waited for him to catch up. Together they walked away to head to their own respective home.