Cruel Clocks

Prologue

The sun streamed through the windows of a small townhouse, its brick walls covered with vines and its windows curtained, the ground outside covered with grass ideal for lawn tennis or, as the resident's preference, a soccer game. 

Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong.

The clock rested on front of the building, rusted hands creaking as they turned to show the time. Its lungs cried out four times to strike the hour, its old, wizened face, frowning down on two figures standing under a brick arch, one tall and the other only reaching up to the former's waist.

A young boy extended his hands upwards, trying to reach the soccer ball held by his guardian who looked down at him, red eyes gazing into dark blue. In another attempt to snatch the ball from him, the boy seized the older's white coat and stoop on the tips of his toes, fingers reaching for the elusive ball.

"No, Tenma. You're sick."

"I want to play!"

"No!"

"Hey, Kidou, maybe you can let the kid off for once," a voice behind them suggested.

"But Endou--" 

Endou plucked the ball from Kidou's hands and handed it over to an excited Tenma, who grasped it and ran off a good way from the two, shooting Kidou a defiant face before rushing off.

"Now, don't go too far."

"Yes, Endou-san!"

The two fondly watched on as the boy kicked the ball energetically, occasionally tripping but quickly getting up again as if he wasn't affected at all. Endou chuckled to himself, a gentle, fatherly smile on his face.

"He acts almost as if he's well."

"Hm," Kidou answered, frowning. "He isn't supposed to tire himself too much."

"Tenma also needs time outside. This is good for him. Besides, he doesn't seem to be all that much bothered by his illness..."

Laying a hand on Kidou's back, Endou pointed to Tenma, as if trying to convince his friend of the point he was trying to make. The sun created a halo around the young boy as he gracefully moved across the field, his eyes and feet slowly coordinating until he suddenly rushed forwards in a burst of speed, the wind from the move ruffling Endou and Kidou's hair despite the fact that he was on the other side of the field. Endou could swear he saw green wisps of light appear before fading away in a matter of seconds. The two exchanged faces of shock and surprise.

"What...?" Kidou stammered, rendered silent. Tenma didn't seem to notice and continued, playing, being one with the wind, oblivious of what he just did. Noticing the adult's perceptive gazes, he stopped playing and stumbled towards them, looking into their faces to see what was so interesting. Tenma smiled.

"Endou-san!"

Shaken out of his initial shock, Endou smiled back and picked him up. "I think that's enough playing for one day..."

"But..."

"Tenma, don't argue," Kidou scolded, eyes still set on the glistening field. "You need to rest."

"Okay..."

Tenma let himself be carried outside, the soccer ball resting in his arms, slightly pouting in protest but obediently keeping silent. Kidou lingered for a while and took a pair of goggles from his coat pocket, putting it on before following the two back inside, still musing on the ability Tenma showed in the span of a few seconds. 

In his condition, his body shouldn't be able to sustain that even for a moment...

Kidou mentally noted the importance of investigating this in the future. In the very, very near future.