Once upon a time

A fresh morning, before the sun rises, a young man stands in front of of a street crossroad, a bright billboard shining down on him

“Mirai city, a place where dreams can come true, capital of the Kiseki Fight League, the official league for all Kiseki Code fighters”

Takumi: kiseki code this, kiseki fighter that, pfff, i’ll show them a real fighter

Passerbys stared at him, making him realize he was thinking out loud, he returned to his daily running routine trying to cover his embarrassed face with his hood. The young man jogged across the city while hovering trains, bikes and cars zoomed past him.

He arrived at his university, sweaty but not out of breath. At the same time, a taxi arrived and a familiar face greeted takumi

Sato: Isn't it easier to just take the train here?

Takumi: first of all, good morning Sato, second, who starts a conversation like that?

Sato: you better shower, i don't want your stench scaring away the ladies

Takumi: i always take a shower after running, but perhaps i should skip it today just to scare away the evil girls that wanna break your heart

Sato: Oh man don't be like that, the girls in our classes are nice. anyway, gotta go find a teacher, see ya later

The two young men went their separate ways, Takumi went to the gym showers, after pretending to be under a cold waterfall, he did his stretching exercises while watching the sky be painted with the colors of the morning, then he headed to class

It was just another normal day at school, listening to the teachers, seeing Sato’s lame attempts at entertaining the ladies, running around and doing exercises. Takumi was focused on his tasks, ignoring all external distractions, including Sato’s attempts at including him into the group conversations, the man was on a mission.

Sato: yo Takumi, we’re going to the karaoke, lets go

Takumi: huh? man you know i dont know how to sing, besides, i gotta go train, see ya

Sato: im just trying to help you out man, but alright

Takumi ran all the way back across the city, but he was not going home yet. The landscape of tall skyscrapers, floating holographic billboards, and sleek buildings was left behind for tranquil neighborhoods with old houses, seniors on the street with their grandkids and dogs, and an older, more traditional vibe. An especially old building, rundown even, was the place Takumi arrived at. a dojo where an old man was sitting in the middle of the room, reading a big old book.

Takumi: master, I'm here. just in time to find you reading your new doujins?

Master: welcome Takumi, and what “doujins” could you be talking about?

The old man stood up, walked to the nearest desk with his eyes still on the book, and upon closing it and putting it on the desk, it was revealed that there was a smaller, more colorful book inside

Master: hehehe, leaving that side, you’re early today, do you wanna practice something in particular?

Takumi: im just in time, dont be misled by the others, they’re lazy and arrive late to skip the warmup. and today is strength day

Master: strength day it is. oh but you see, Yamazaki tried to lift the big barbell and it was too heavy for him, he let go of it and it cracked open. I could consider giving you an installment discount if you could help me make a new one

The master pointed at a corner outside the tatami, where there were all sorts of weights made of concrete, a variety of improvised artifacts, and among them, a barbell with one of its concrete weights cracked

Takumi: that Yamazaki, i’ll make him help me when he arrives

Takumi put on his uniform, an old gi that was supposed to be white but now was gray and a frayed black belt. He did his exercises and his katas in company of his master, who surprised the people staring outside with his physical prowess at his advanced age.

Takumi: i’ll fix the barbell tomorrow or some other day, i gotta go now

Master: always running everywhere, such is the energy of youth, but you must remember to rest, for it is the yang to the yin

Hinami: master, Takumi! Good afternoon! huh? Takumi, where are you going?

Takumi: good afternoon, im going home, i gotta get ready to go to work

Hinami: ehh? but i just got here, at least help me stretch

Takumi: back in my day we did a pushup for every minute past the hour

Hinami: yes yes the pushups, i’ll do them yes

Takumi went to his apartment, still in the same neighborhood, took another shower, heated and ate one of the convenience store meals on the fridge, brushed his teeth and packed his dirty clothes in a bag he would deliver to the laundromat a few streets from his place, then he went on his way to the modern part of the city.

In a dark alleyway in the city, hidden behind a dumpster, where the city lights don't reach, a girl on a ragged hoodie endured her growling stomach, she barely held on to a stuffed rabbit plushie while resisting blacking out from what could be exhaustion or hunger, the plushie pushed and pulled on her sleeve to keep her awake.

Pĺushie: Yuriko, at this rate, hunger will end us before The Tendou does, we need—

Yuriko: blueberry…cake roll…

Plushie: they don't have those in the convenience store. we need to make a new link, that will take the load of you having to sustain my energy

Yuriko: …we have no batteries… Amano, i will …protect you

Amano: we can just make a new servant

Yuriko: But it can't be just anyone… weak peasants… are no use

Amano, dont worry, i have a plan, i’ve been detecting a powerful presence for a while now, all we have to do is use that person as a battery

Yuriko: …the Tendou hollowing ritual

Amano: Exactly. stay here, i’ll go get you something from the convenience store, after that, we’ll wait for our battery, you lure him in with your charms, and we both turn his lights out

Meanwhile, Takumi walked all the way to his part time job, listening to music and resisting the urge to start running or practicing moves. Sometimes he would forget and throw some combos on the air when the music was inspiring enough

Takumi: (whew, gotta be careful, i dont wanna arrive there sweaty, just enjoy the walk, enjoy the walk. I'm early, I can already see the convenience store. the music is good, it has been a good day, perhaps i should treat myself to a snack)

Takumi almost didn’t notice somebody was addressing him until she tugged on his jacket forcefully, popping his peaceful bubble. It was a girl wearing a slightly oversized hoodie, her skin was pale and she was a bit more slender than what seemed healthy

Yuriko: do you have no manners? i am talking to you, when i call, you answer… ah! er, i mean, hello, follow me, i need er… i need help

Takumi: Good evening, how can I help you?

The girl seemed to refrain from saying something and just walked into the alleyway, inviting Takumi to follow her.

Takumi: (hmm, i have to go to work, then again, im early today, and she’s a pretty girl i need, it would be against my master’s teachings to ignore a pretty girl in need)

He walked into the alleyway, which was surprisingly dark, it took him a couple of seconds to see the girl ahead. The sounds of the city seemed to blur together under the hum of the building generators, it was clearly a sketchy place

Takumi: what did you needed help—

His question was interrupted by his own dodge reflexes, as the girl closed the distance with a kick in an instant

Takumi: I thought it could be a trap, but didn’t expect somebody so frail would be the one attacking me

Yuriko: don't underestimate me, peasant

Takumi was surprised at how agile and strong the girl was, he was excited to finally be able to fight somebody other than the people in his dojo.

Takumi: You're pretty strong, what style is this? or are you just another kiseki code user?

Yuriko: you’re not worth my kiseki code

Takumi tried to make her trip and fall many times but she would just acrobatically stay attacking on her feet. just when the fight was getting good, the girl tumbled, clearly dizzy

Yuriko: its… not over, I just need… some cake

Takumi: how about working honestly for it instead of trying to mug me?. Are you hungry? Do you want something from the convenience store? i work there

Before Takumi could walk towards her, the stuffed plushie Amano fell from above with a pipe and struck him in the head, knocking him out cold

Yuriko: What took you… so long? He was stronger than I thought…

Amano: Sorry, I was waiting for the moment he let his guard down. Let's hurry, the magic circle is ready. i feel bad for him, he seemed like a proper warrior, but now he will become useful as a battery for us.