The CO2 breathers

Chapter XIII

"Interesting~" Dr. Takahashi played with the key ring, "Seems 3 keys are missing, all of them square~ I wonder who took it?" He smiled coldly and stuffed the key ring into his pocket. 'Still, today's findings were really interesting~ Who would've thought-" A scientist burst into the room panting, "Dr. Takahashi, Dr. Katoki has asked for you immediately." Dr. Takahashi smiled and got off his desk, walking towards the door, "Hm~ I wonder what Katoki wants"

Hideki sighed as he crumpled yet another piece of paper. This was going nowhere! He stuffed his hands into his pockets and felt something in one of them. Curiously, he fished it out and stared at the key before realisation hit him. He forgot to put back the keys! By then, his father probably already found out! But if there was still a chance... He slammed open the door and revealed a startled Mika who was about to knock. Mima blinked and stared saying, "Hideki-" Hideki ignored him and ran off towards his father's office. Cursing himself under his breath, Hideki peeked into the room to see if his father was there.

He opened the door slowly and looked around for the key ring. He spotted it on a table and quickly slipped the 3 keys back on. He turned as he heard panting at the doorway. Mika stood at the door, breathless as he grabbed onto the door frame for support. One of his hands were ablaze as he tried to stuff out the flames. Hideki stared wide eyed at his hand and said, "Wha- your hand is on fire!" Mika nodded and mumbled, "I noticed." The flames died down and Mika looked pointedly at Hideki. "We're having some trouble, can you help us?" Hideki gulped and shrugged, "I don't really know about father's work..." Mika grabbed Hideki's arm without a word and dragged him back down the hallways.

Mika opened a door and walked in. The room was cold and some things were frozen. Isla sat in the middle of the room with a circle of ice around her. Tsukasa had a blanket wrapped around him and was trying to talk to Isla. Hideki gaped at the scene and Mika sighed. His hand caught on fire and most of the ice melted, creating puddles of water on the floor and carpet. "I'm apparently the only one who can control my powers, except the few times my hand catches on fire." He motioned Isla to come with them and she got up with the help of Tsukasa. "Eli-chan is the only one who doesn't seem to affected by these powers." Tsukasa said as he brushed off the ice in his hair. Isla nodded and said softly, "All 5 of us have powers. Ittoki-kun is water, Mika-kun is fire, Kumiko-chan is electricity, I am ice and Eli-chan is unknown. " Hideki now knew why his father and the other scientists were so interested in them.

The CO2 potion caused all this. They were breathing in carbon dioxide, but they didn't know. They also didn't know the potion came with a side effect. A side effect the government would fine really interesting. Hideki had to get them out. And fast.