Tonight, The Storm Begins!

The midday sun blazed overhead, casting golden warmth upon the clear blue sky. Beads of sweat trickled down Kaminari’s face as he wiped his forehead, exhausted but satisfied after an intense training session.

"Phew! It’s finally over," he said, catching his breath. His gaze rose to the vast, cloudless sky. "It’s been a peaceful day, huh, Sumire?"

"Ye-Yes," she replied, panting beside him. Since Ryujin's death, he's been so determined to defeat Kuroshin, she thought.

Kaminari stretched and exhaled deeply. "I finally perfected that attack."

A familiar, sarcastic voice echoed from behind.

"Hmph! Somehow a loser like you managed to achieve something," the Devil King chimed in.

Kaminari ignored him with a smirk. "Want to visit my dad?"

Sumire blinked. "Your dad? Sure."

"It’s not far from here," Kaminari said. "Let’s walk."

As they strolled along the quiet road, Sumire glanced at him. "Umm... Why is your dad in the hospital?"

Kaminari shrugged. "Who knows? I was eight when he disappeared. Then he came back, infected with some weird virus."

"A virus? That’s... strange," she murmured. "You don’t have a mother, and your dad’s hospitalized. How do you manage living expenses?"

"Dad was pretty rich in his twenties," Kaminari replied. "He has a lot saved up."

"What was his occupation?"

"He just said he was a government worker."

Sumire did the math silently, eyes wide. Kaminari-kun is 17 now… His dad vanished when he was 8… For nine years, he’s paid hospital bills and living expenses from old savings? As a government worker? Her thoughts raced.

Kaminari squinted at her. "What are you thinking about?"

"N-Nothing!" she stammered, blushing and looking away. (Not only is he handsome... he’s rich too!)

"What about your parents?"

"Huh? Oh, um... Nothing special. I don’t really have an interesting backstory."

"We’re here."

They entered the hospital, its antiseptic scent lingering in the air. At the counter, Kaminari spoke to the nurse. "Excuse me, I want to visit Mr. Hinojin Hayamoto."

The nurse directed them to Room 224. As they opened the door, they were met with an absurd sight:

A pyramid of six chairs, stacked on top of one another, wobbled precariously. At its peak stood a man, arms outstretched for balance, laughing triumphantly.

"LOOK! If you set a goal, you can achieve it!" the man boomed.

Two nurses circled below, clearly distressed.

"Sir, please! You shouldn't be exerting yourself like this!"

Kaminari’s jaw clenched. Head low, he muttered through his teeth, "You... YOU FOOL!!"

With a running leap, he kicked the base chair. The pyramid collapsed, and the man tumbled to the floor with a groan.

Sumire gasped, wide-eyed. (I-Is this... Hinojin?!)

The man rubbed his chest. "You made me see the God of Death for a moment!"

"What were you thinking?!" Kaminari shouted.

"A-Ahh, please calm down," Sumire said nervously. (He’s Hinojin? I’ve heard of him so many times. He’s...)

Hinojin suddenly pointed at Sumire, grinning.

"Introduce me to this young lady! Is she your girlfriend?"

Sumire blushed furiously.

"SHE’S MY FRIEND!!" Kaminari snapped.

"H-Hi! I’m Sumire," she said awkwardly.

Hinojin jumped down and enthusiastically grabbed her hands, shaking them like a jackhammer.

"GOOD MORNING, SUMIRE! I am grateful you befriended this fool! How can I ever repay your kindness?"

Sumire blinked, overwhelmed by his energy. Kaminari scowled.

"By keeping your mouth shut, maybe."

"SPEAK LOUDLY! YOU’RE IN YOUR YOUTH!" Hinojin bellowed.

Sumire sweatdropped. (Are they really father and son?)

Hinojin released her hands, laughing heartily.

"I’m glad you came to visit me! I assume you want to go to the aura school?"

"Hell no. I came to see you. What’s up?"

Hinojin sobered slightly. "I can't use my aura anymore, and there's a constant pain in my chest."

Kaminari stepped closer, his tone serious. "Let's get straight to the topic... why did you lie? Why didn’t you tell me Mom was murdered?"

Hinojin exhaled. "So you found out?" He paused, scratching his chin. (Hmm... What was his name again? Kara-Kilo-kujo? Ah, I remember!)

"It was that Kuro... something guy!"

"Kuroshin," Sumire corrected gently.

"Yes! You're intelligent, Sumire! Listen closely, son." His voice dropped slightly in tone but kept its passionate volume. "Your mother was killed by Kuroshin. He’s a devil... the king of what was once the strongest nation on a planet called the Demon World. His right-hand man—uh, what was his name again? Ryusushi!"

Sumire and Kaminari exchanged goofy looks.

"You mean Ryujin? The guy with the scythe and black torn hoodie?" Kaminari asked.

Hinojin nodded.

"We defeated him a while ago."

Hinojin blinked, stunned. "See? I told you he was—HEH?! YOU DEFEATED HIM?! THAT’S IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU!!"

Kaminari rolled his eyes. "Cut the act. Tell me how to reach the Demon World."

Hinojin's tone turned firm, though he still practically shouted.

"A portal will open tonight near the ancient ruins east of Tokyo. Rural area. It will only remain open for thirty minutes—from 11:17 PM to 11:47 PM. Don’t tell me you’re planning to—"

Kaminari and Sumire silently shut the door behind them.

From inside the room, Hinojin's voice rang louder than ever:

"I FIGURED IT OUT! YOU CAN ONLY GET BACK TO EARTH WHEN YOU DEFEAT THAT KURO GUY AND TAKE HIS KEY!!"

Outside the hospital, Kaminari looked toward the horizon, eyes sharp with purpose. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and shouted:

"Demon World! I am coming for you!"

Meanwhile, in the heart of the city...

A tall figure stood at the edge of a rooftop, overlooking the endless stretch of Tokyo’s skyline. He wore a sleek, deep-blue formal suit that fluttered softly in the breeze. His hands rested calmly in his pockets. The sunlight barely touched his face, masked beneath shadow and strands of messy hair—but a confident smile cut through the gloom.

Crackles of electricity sparked faintly around him, dancing along his fingertips.

“…You’ve finally stirred,” the man murmured, his voice low but sharp, “Mm. Good.”

He took a step forward—closer to the ledge—eyes fixed far beyond the horizon.

"I do hope he’s ready. The storm isn’t something you control. It’s something you survive."

—To be continued