The sun gleamed through scattered clouds as Riku strolled through the Tokyo Wildlife Park, his little sister Yuki by his side, clutching a map of the zoo with wide eyes and endless excitement.
"Big bro, can we see the pandas next? And then the penguins!" she asked, bouncing with joy.
"Sure, we've got time," Riku said, smiling. His silver hoodie was pulled up, trying to stay low-key—not an easy task for the first EX-Rank Essence Warrior in decades.
The peace didn't last long.
A sudden scream cut through the air near the bear exhibit.
"MY BABY! PLEASE, SOMEONE HELP MY BABY!" a frantic mother cried out, pounding against the glass as her toddler stood frozen inside the bear enclosure.
A massive grizzly turned, nostrils flaring, stepping toward the boy.
Before anyone could react, Riku vanished in a blur of motion.
WHOOSH.
A gust of wind erupted as he descended, snatching the child in his arms just as the bear swiped. Riku soared upward, the crowd gasping in awe as he landed gently beside the panicked mother, handing the boy over safely.
Applause erupted.
"Wait—isn't that…?""It's him! That's the EX-Rank guy!""Riku Hayashi!""He saved that kid like it was nothing!"
Girls began to swarm him, snapping selfies, asking for autographs, batting their lashes. Some guys just stared in disbelief.
Yuki giggled. "You're like a superhero now."
Riku scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, it's getting annoying..."
He gently pulled Yuki away from the growing crowd. "Let's go grab some snacks, yeah?"
They slipped through the gift shop. Yuki bought a panda plushie, a shark hat, some candy, and a sparkle notebook—typical 12-year-old haul. Riku carried the bag, smiling softly as thunder rumbled in the distance.
Rain began to fall lightly. The sky dimmed.
As they exited, heading for the parking lot, Riku stopped.
Up ahead, he spotted a man shoving a woman near a vending machine. Her umbrella dropped as she backed away.
"Shut up! You think I won't do it?!" the man snarled, pulling a knife.
Yuki gasped, clutching Riku's sleeve. "Bro—"
In a blink, Riku was gone.
CRACK!Lightning flashed just as the man raised the knife.
Riku appeared behind him, gripping his wrist mid-swing.
"You really thought that was okay?"
The man spun—but before he could react, one clean strike to the jaw knocked him out cold. The woman staggered back in shock, staring at her unexpected savior.
Within minutes, Riku had flown the man and the woman to the nearest police station, quietly giving his report and vanishing before the press could flood in.
Back at home, Yuki hugged her panda plushie tight.
"You're really the coolest big brother ever."
Riku just leaned back on the couch, eyes drifting toward the stormy skyline. His peace never lasted—but he didn't mind.
As long as he could protect, he was fine with a little thunder.