The Genius

Chapter 2 - The Silver-Eyed Stranger

The first day of school buzzed with energy. The hallways were alive with chatter, laughter, and the occasional slam of locker doors. Students roamed the corridors, some confidently, others nervously clutching schedules in their hands. Among them were six brothers, all bearing the same distinctive streak of white in their brown hair. Their presence turned a few heads as they walked together, exuding an air of quiet confidence mixed with a hint of mystery.

"Alright, everyone knows where they're going?" Gempa asked, his voice calm but authoritative as they stopped near a bulletin board displaying classroom assignments.

"Yes, Mom, we're not kids," Halilintar replied with a smirk, crossing his arms.

"I swear, Hali, if you call me that one more time, you'll regret it," Gempa shot back, narrowing his eyes but keeping his tone playful.

"Noted," Hali said, holding up his hands in mock surrender, though the grin on his face suggested he wasn't done teasing just yet.

Taufan, ever the cheerful one, broke into a grin. "Relax, Gem. Let's not start a fight before we even get to class."

Blaze leaned against a locker, twirling a pen between his fingers. "You know it's bound to happen anyway. We've got Hali and Ice here, both walking powder kegs."

Ice, leaning lazily against the wall with his hands in his pockets, didn't even bother reacting. "You're too loud, Blaze," he said in his usual monotone voice, earning a glare from his fiery brother.

"Guys, focus," Gempa said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We have one rule: don't let anyone find out about our powers. We all agreed, remember?"

Duri, standing quietly to the side, nodded earnestly. "I'll be careful," he said softly, clutching his bag like a lifeline.

"Good." Gempa's gaze softened as he looked at his youngest present brother. "If anything happens, find one of us, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, we get it," Blaze said, pushing off the locker. "Let's just get to class already."

With that, the group began to split up, each heading toward their assigned rooms. The hall became less crowded as students settled into their classes, leaving Taufan practically sprinting down the hallway, clutching his books tightly.

"I'm gonna be late! First day and already late—great impression, Ufan," he muttered to himself, weaving through the lingering students.

As he rounded a corner in his rush, he collided head-on with someone, sending both of them sprawling onto the floor. Taufan's books scattered across the hallway.

"Watch where you're going!" the other boy snapped, brushing himself off. His tone wasn't harsh, just startled.

"I'm so sorry!" Taufan blurted out, scrambling to his feet. But as he looked up, his apology caught in his throat. His eyes widened, and everything seemed to stop.

The boy standing in front of him looked... exactly like Solar.

Brown hair with a streak of white and silver eyes. The same sharp features, the same height. Even his expression, a mix of annoyance and curiosity, mirrored the little brother Taufan had lost four years ago.

"Solar?" Taufan whispered, his voice barely audible. His heart pounded in his chest as the word slipped out, unbidden.

The boy froze, his brow furrowing. "What did you say?"

Taufan blinked rapidly, realizing what he had just said. He shook his head, backing up slightly. "N-nothing, sorry, I—"

The boy looked at him with confusion but didn't press further. Instead, he extended a hand toward Taufan. "Ray," he said, introducing himself. "That's my name. And yeah, this is... kinda weird. We look almost identical."