Order of the Elements Chapter 7: Invitation

Part 1: Elents

Hikaru sat in another university lecture.

With Teshii.

But surprisingly...

Noting was on fire.

No chaos.

No disasters.

Teshii stood at the front of the class, calmly explaining complex psychological theories while scribbling notes on the whiteboard.

His usual cocky smirk was gone.

Instead–

He looked like a real professor.

Confident. Collected.

"And that," Teshii said, setting the marker down, "is why humans make irrational decisions under stress. Any questions?"

The class sat in stunned silence.

Hikaru, still in disbelief, muttered under his breath.

"Who are you?"

Teshii smirked slightly.

Clearly – he heard him.

Lunch Break

Later, during lunch break, Hikaru and Teshii sat outside, eating at one of the cafeteria tables.

Hikaru sighed, resting his chin on his hand.

"Okay, I gotta ask. How are you actually smark?"

Teshii snorted. "What, you think I just punch stuff for a living?"

"Yes." Hikaru deadpanned.

Teshii laughed. "Listen, just because I enjoy fighting doesn't an I'm an idiot. I know plenty about different fields, especially human behaviour."

Hikaru raised an eyebrow. "And why do you know so much about psychology?"

Teshii smirked, taking a sip of his drink.

"Because understanding how people think makes it easier to beat them in a fight."

Hikaru groaned. "Of course, that's your reason."

Teshii smiled and glanced away.

Then – he muttered, almost too quietly:

"It was definitely not because I stole the power of intelligence."

Hikaru blnked. "What did you say?"

Teshii grinned. "Nothing."

Hikaru narrowed his eyes but moved on.

The Elents

Hikaru had another question in his mind.

"Teshii."

"What is it, Sunshine?"

Hikaru ignored the nickna.

"Yesterday, I learned more about mutants."

"Yeah?" Teshii said, eating his food.

"But, I still don't know much about the Elents." Hikaru frowned. "All I know is that I'm the Elent of Light, and that we may have found the Elent of Water. But... what about the others?"

Teshii wiped his mouth with a napkin and leaned back.

"Right. I guess it's ti I filled you in."

He held up ten fingers.

"There are ten Elents in total."

Hikaru leaned in, listening carefully.

Teshii began listing them off.

Fire

Water

Wood

Thunder

Ice

Earth

Air

Steel

Darkness

And... Light.

Teshii folded his arms. "These ten Elents each have a chosen warrior, just like you."

"So have already awakened their powers, while others are still waiting for their abilities to manifest."

Hikaru repeated the list in his mind.

Fire.

Water.

Wood.

Thunder.

Ice.

Earth.

Air.

Steel.

Darkness.

And his own–

Light.

Suddenly–

"Hikaru."

Hikaru and Teshii looked up.

It was–

i.

Hikari's best friend and teammate.

Part 2: Hikaru and i

Oh... what's up, i?" Hikaru greeted.

Before i could speak, Teshii stood up.

"Welp. Look at the ti." He glanced at his wrist – where he wasn't even wearing a watch.

Hikaru narrowed his eyes.

Teshii continued, "I must go... sowhere."

Then, with an exaggerated wave, he strutted out of the cafeteria, leaving Hikaru and i alone.

"He didn't even have a watch on..." Hikaru thought to himself.

"Um... Hikaru."

i's voice pulled him from his thoughts.

Hikaru turned back to her – and imdiately noticed her blushing.

She looked... nervous.

"S-so... um..." i started, fidgeting slightly. "There's... going to be a festival this weekend, and I-I was wondering if... you'd like to go with ?

Hikaru blinked.

A festival? With i?

Alone?

But then–

He rembered.

The Elent of Water might appear at the festival.

If he went with i, he could investigate at the sa ti.

But–

Hikaru didn't want to use i as an excuse.

There was an awkward silence.

"Hikaru?"

Hikaru looked at i, who was waiting anxiously for his answer.

Then–

He smiled.

"Um... sure. I would love to go to the festival with you, i."

i's eyes widened. "R-Really?"

Hikaru nodded.

"T-then, I'll send you the details later!" i said quickly before hurrying off, waving.

Hikaru waved back.

As she left, he leaned back in his chair.

The festival.

i.

The Elent of Water.

The mission was important.

But–

He wanted to prioritize i and their date.

Hikari & i

i rushed off excitedly, eting up with Hikari.

Hikari grinned imdiately. "So... how did it go?"

i practically sparkled. "He accepted!"

Hikari's jaw dropped.

"No way..." She crossed her arms. "My brother. My unsociable, awkward, and stupid brother... on a date? With my shy, cute best friend?"

i blushed furiously, covering her cheeks.

Hikari laughed, then smirked. "So, should I invite soone too?"

i perked up. "Oh? Like who?"

Hikari froze.

i grinned mischievously. "Teshii."

"W-WHAT – WHY WOULD I INVITE SOONE LIKE HIM?!" Hikari's face turned bright red.

i raised an eyebrow. "Because you like him, don't you?"

"N-NO, I DON'T!"

i tilted her head. "That's funny... because after the fog incident, you told you were in love with him."

Hikari's blush deepened to critical levels.

i clapped her hands. "We could have a double date!"

Hikari stared at her.

" and Hikaru, and you and Teshii. That would be fun, right?"

Hikari bit her lip.

The thought of inviting Teshii... on a date...

She kind of liked the idea.

Hikaru & Teshii

Later that day, Hikaru and Teshii walked ho from university.

But–

Teshii was clearly in a teasing mood.

"Sooo... you and i, huh?"

Hikaru groaned. "Leave alone."

Teshii grinned. "Oh, co on. I didn't think a guy like you would actually get a date."

Hikakru looked away. "Yeah, yeah."

He still hadn't told Teshii the date was in the festival.

Then–

Teshiis stretched. "Well, looks like I'll be going to the festival alone to track down the Elent of Water."

Hikaru paused.

"Actually, Teshii..."

Teshii looked at him curiously. "Huh?"

Hikaru rubbed the back of his head. "My date is at the festival."

Teshii blinked.

Then–

He smirked.

"Wow. Poor i. You're totally using her for the mission. That poor girl."

"ABSOULUTELY NOT!" Hikaru shot back. "I'm going to prioritize the date!"

Teshii laughed. "Sure, sure."

Then – he grinned.

"Though, I'm kind of jealous."

Hikaru glanced at him. "Jealous?"

Teshii grinned wider. "I wanna go on a date too."

Then – he turned to Hikaru with an evil smile.

"Maybe I should invite Hikari, Hikaru. That way, we can kill two birds with one stone."

"ABSOULUTELY NOT!"

Teshii burst out laughing.

Hikaru glared. "You're not inviting my sister."

Teshii grinned. "I an... why not? She is cute."

Hikaru gritted his teeth. "I swear to God–"

Then–

Hikaru paused.

"Wait... how is that 'killing two birds with one stone'?

Teshii blinked.

Then, he shrugged. "I dunno. I just wanted to say it."

Hikaru stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

Teshii just smiled.

Part 3: Teshii & Hikari

That night, the Nozomi family sat around the dining table, enjoying a ho-cooked al.

And, as usual–

Teshii had fit right in.

Laughing, eating way too much, and teasing Hikaru every chance he got.

Sayaka smiled warmly. "You have quiet an appetite, Teshii."

Teshii grinned, stuffing another bite into his mouth. "Can't help! Good food needs to be appreciated."

Sasuke nodded approvingly. "A man who enjoys his food is a good man."

Hikaru groaned. "Dad, please don't encourage him."

The table erupted in laughter.

Then–

As the conversation settled, Sayaka glanced at Teshii.

"So, Teshii, what's your family like?"

The mont the words left her lips, the atmosphere shifted.

For the first ti, Teshii's smile wavered.

Just for a second.

Then–

The smirk returned.

But sothing about it felt... off.

"Ah... nothing much to say there." He waved it off, his voice unnaturally light. "Just , myself, and I."

Sayaka imdiately realized she had touched on sothing sensitive.

She lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked."

Teshii shrugged, still grinning. "No worries! Not a big deal."

But–

Hikaru waasn't convinced.

That brief mont of hesitation...

That wasn't like Teshii.

And then–

A thought struck Hikaru.

Who were Satoshi and Reina to him?

A Private Conversation

After dinner, Hikari stood up.

She glanced at Teshii.

"Hey... can we talk? Just the two of us?"

Teshii blinked. "Huh? Uh, sure?"

Then–

Silence.

Hikaru and Sasuke stopped eating.

Their eyes locked onto Teshii.

Teshii gulped. "Uh... why are you both looking at like that?"

Before either of them could say a word, Hikari grabbed Teshii's wrist and dragged him into the living room.

The Invitation

Hikari fidgeted slightly, avoiding eye contact.

"So... um."

Teshii raised an eyebrow.

Hikari continued, "I heard Hikaru got invited to the festival this weekend."

Teshii nodded. "Yup. By i."

"Yes, I know."

Teshii smirked. "Jealous?"

"Wha – NO!" she blurted, her face turning red.

Teshii chuckled. "Relax, I'm ssing with you."

Hikari huffed, crossing her arms.

Then – she took a deep breath.

"Anyway... I was wondering if... you wanted to co too?"

Teshii tilted his head.

Then–

His grin widened.

"? Going out with Miss Volleyball? To the festival?"

Hikari blushed harder. "W-Well... y-yeah..."

Teshii paused.

Then – he shrugged.

"Sure. I'd love to go with you."

Hikari froze.

Then–

"REALLY?!"

Silence.

Teshii blinked.

He wasn't expecting that reaction.

Hikari imdiately composed herself, clearing her throat.

"Oh... I an... cool."

Teshii smirked, amused.

Dangerous Auras

Then–

Teshii felt sothing.

A dark aura.

No... two.

Like a murderous intent pressing down on him.

Slowly – he turned around.

Standing there –

Was Hikaru and Sasuke.

Both of them – radiating pure killing intent.

Teshii laughed nervously.

"Uh... fellas? What's with the look?"

Hikaru cracked his knuckles. "So... you're going out with my sister, huh?"

Teshii swallowed. "That... seems to be the case, yeah."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "You better take care of her."

Teshii saluted imdiately. "Yes, sir."

anwhile–

Hikari was too busy blushing and daydreaming about the date to even notice.

"I'm gonna die, aren't I?"

TO BE CONTINUE!!!