𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐈𝐑! ❀ 𝐊. 𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐈 [ˢʰᵒʳᵗ ˢᵗᵒʳʸ]

⑤ 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙡𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨

Two hours later, Kimika was collected by a government official. She winced as the metal restraints were fastened onto her wrists. She was used to them, and never complained about them, but that didn't mean it felt nice. Her wrists burned from the scratchy metal.

The walk to the training facility was quick and familiar. After those three beeps echoed through the hallway, Kimika was very surprised to hear something else.

"Hit the target!"

It was Hirose's harsh voice. It brought back many memories for Kimika— memories she didn't want to remember.

"I'm trying!" Hawks' voice was timid and quiet compared to the man's. As Kimika stepped through the threshold and into the large room, her eyes immediately found the small figure of the boy. He stood six meters away from a target on one wall, a black covering over his eyes, his wings spread out behind him. Next to him stood Hirose and Fujikawa.

"Again!"

Kimika had never seen his quirk in action. She found herself frozen as she watched feathers detach themselves from the boy's wings and travel at incomprehensible speeds in the direction of the target. The girl couldn't help but be impressed, even if none of the feathers had hit the center.

"At least you got some on the outer rim," Hirose rubbed his temple, turning to the side. He was clearly at his wit's end with the boy. The man's eyes widened when he saw me. "Ah! Vanish. About time you're up and about."

Fujikawa offered the girl a stout smile. "Glad you are well."

At the sound of the name, Hawks turned his back to the target and tugged his blindfold off. He flashed his friend a large smile, one that she couldn't help but to return, even if it was small and barely noticeable. It seemed to make Hawks' entire persona light up.

"The higher-ups said to remind you that she should not be using her quirk at all during training." Kimika's escort spoke sharply to the man, who rolled his eyes.

"Yes, yes, I understand. You may leave now."

The escort promptly took his leave, and now the two children and their mentors were alone.

"Vanish, if you will." Fujikawa stepped to the other side of the room, where a table and two chairs had been set up, and gestured for the girl to come with her. Kimika followed obediently, stealing a glance at her new friend whose eyes hadn't left her for a second. "Hawks will be continuing his training on that side of the room while we focus on building your releasing technique."

"That's right, boy." Hirose forced the blindfold back over Hawks' eyes, who reluctantly turned back to the target when the order was called. Two feathers shot towards the bullseye, but did not hit their mark.

"Don't pay no mind to them," Fujikawa said as the two of them took their seats. Hawks and Hirose continued their routine as they settled at the table.

Kimika shuffled herself up onto the folding chair, eager to get this training started. She was here to learn how to release everything inside her Void. She couldn't be more excited. The throbbing pain that pounded against the walls of her head hurt more than anyone could ever imagine, and she wanted it to be gone. The only way to get rid of it was to train to do so. She didn't see the reason to not try.

Fujikawa nodded and picked up a clipboard from the surface of the table. Kimika was careful to keep her hands away from it, holding them tightly in her lap. She knew if she touched it, it would disappear, and it could possibly be the thing to make her void pop. She wanted to avoid that as much as possible.

"Alright, let's start." Fujikawa cleared her throat, looking at the young girl from over the top of the clipboard. "Dr. Sasaki has given me instructions to help you unlock this side of your quirk, but it will be a long and painful process. It will not be easy, and it won't come immediately. I hope you know this."