The night sky glittered with countless stars — a breathtaking sight, especially through Aihara's eyes.
She gazed at the crimson moon above, its glow stirring a strange curiosity within her.
"That moon... it's so red. I wonder if something big will happen tomorrow,"
she murmured, eyes filled with wonder.
KRING!
The sudden ring of her phone shattered the stillness of the night.
Aihara rose quickly, reached for her phone, and glanced at the caller ID.
"Hello? Who is this?"
"It's me — Ayaka! I won't talk long. Aihara, do you wanna hang out tomorrow?"
Ayaka's impatient tone was unmistakable.
Aihara blinked in surprise. She had just transferred schools — yet the student council president herself was inviting her out.
"Well, I suppose I can. So… it's just the two of us hanging out tomorrow?"
she asked, uncertain.
"Nope! Takeshi and Arata will be there too. We'll watch a movie, then go play around afterward. You in?"
"Alright, I'm in. Where and what time, Ayaka-san?"
Even as she spoke, her eyes drifted back toward the mesmerizing night sky.
That red moon… it felt as though it was calling out to her.
"We'll meet at **Shibuya Station**, nine-thirty sharp!
Aihara, are you even listening to me?"
"I am, I am! Hehehe—sorry, I just got distracted by how beautiful the sky is tonight,"
she said with an embarrassed smile.
The call ended.
Aihara lay down on her bed, turned off the lights, and closed her eyes — ready for tomorrow.
Her room fell into darkness, save for the hum of the noisy air conditioner.
Outside, however, someone else was still awake.
High above Tokyo Tower, a man stood in the cold night wind.
He wore a sharp black suit, his long coat fluttering behind him.
His gaze locked onto the blood-red moon.
"Verldo," he said coldly,
"the moon is beautiful tonight. Its crimson hue marks the beginning of my battle… against the monster."
Beside him, a humanoid robot — Verldo — smiled faintly.
He watched Rio's calm, fearless stance and couldn't help but think,
*"Every time I look at him, I see the shadow of the First Hero — standing tall, unshaken. Maybe it's just coincidence."*
Rio's eyes glimmered under the moonlight.
Without another word, he launched himself into the sky like lightning.
Verldo sighed, annoyed yet oddly proud.
"You never change, do you? Always pulling stunts like that. I'm so done with you,"
he muttered.
Rio only smiled.
"It's fine, Verldo. The monster has already entered Earth's atmosphere.
I'll handle this alone — wait here."
That smile… no one had ever seen it before.
Verldo chuckled, shaking his head.
"Fine. Do as you wish. But remember — if you lose, Earth will be gone in seconds."
Rio vanished into the sky.
His shadow streaked across the city, reflected on the crimson moon.
People below froze in terror.
Verldo watched the first light of dawn touch the horizon — then disappeared.
---
Morning — 9:30 A.M., Shibuya Station
The station was bustling with life.
Among the crowd stood three figures — a beautiful girl and two handsome young men: **Ayaka**, **Takeshi**, and **Arata**.
They drew countless glances from passersby.
But Takeshi's patience was wearing thin.
"Ugh… when's Aihara gonna get here? We've been waiting half an hour already!"
he grumbled, crossing his arms.
Ayaka kept scrolling on her phone, ignoring the stares.
But when she looked up, her eyes widened — a strange light flickered across the sky.
"Hey, Arata, Takeshi! Did you guys see that? That flash up there?"
"What? I didn't see anything. Probably just sunlight. You're seeing things, Ayaka-san,"
Takeshi replied lazily.
Before she could argue, Takeshi pointed toward the crowd.
"Look — there she is!"
Aihara dashed through the crowd, bumping into people along the way.
"Ah—sorry! Excuse me!"
Panting, she finally reached them.
"Sorry for making you wait! I had to help Mom clean the house, hehehe."
"It's fine, Aihara. We just got here too. Right, Takeshi? Arata?"
"Yeah, totally. C'mon, let's hit the movies first — then maybe the amusement park,"
Takeshi said cheerfully.
They walked together, chatting about schoolwork — until Aihara broke the rhythm.
"Hmm… do you think Rio's already done his homework?"
Takeshi squinted at her suspiciously.
"Aihara, be honest. Do you *like* Rio? You've been bringing him up nonstop."
The group fell silent.
The noise of Shibuya seemed to fade away.
All eyes were on Aihara.
But before she could reply—
**WHOOSH!**
A flash of ice cut through the air.
A blade of frozen light aimed straight for Ayaka's chest.
"AYAKA-SAN! LOOK OUT!"
At that instant, a glowing portal opened beside them.
A man stepped out — dressed in a shirt, tie, and fluttering coat.
**Rio.**
He swung his leg, striking the ice monster with a gravity-imbued kick that sent it crashing into nearby buildings.
"You attacked before I even reached Earth…
How reckless, Ice Monster,"
Rio said coldly, his tone as sharp as his strike.
Ayaka, Aihara, Takeshi, and Arata stood frozen in disbelief.
Their classmate had just shattered two buildings with a single kick.
"Round two, huh?" Rio murmured. "But before that…"
He snapped his fingers.
In an instant, portals appeared beneath his friends' feet, teleporting them away to safety.
Ayaka barely managed to shout,
"Rio, wait—!"
The Ice Monster rose again, fury blazing in its icy eyes.
"You're strong, boy. It's been ages since I've seen a human match my speed… and wit."
"Thanks for the compliment.
But I'm not strong — not yet.
Not until I defeat you,"
Rio replied, summoning a blade into his hand.
Their clash split the ground.
A shockwave roared through Shibuya — black and blue lightning tangled across the sky, turning day into storm.
"What the hell is that?! Black and blue thunder—over Shibuya?!"
cried a man from afar.
Rio's friends could only watch, trembling.
"Since when did Rio have powers like that?
He's… not human, is he?"
Rio knew continuing here would destroy Japan in seconds.
He steadied his breath, raised his hand, and whispered:
"**Dimensional Portal Technique — Lunar Transfer!**"
A massive vortex tore open between them.
Its pull was immense.
The Ice Monster struggled, roaring in defiance — but the suction shattered its frozen sword.
"You think you can drag me into that, Rio?!"
"It's already done,"
Rio said flatly.
They were both swallowed by the portal.
Moments later, it closed, leaving behind silence — and confusion.
---
On the Moon
The portal burst open, releasing both fighters onto the desolate gray surface.
Amid ancient ruins and drifting dust, Rio stood tall, his sword gleaming under the red glow of Earth's light.
"This place will do just fine… for round two."
The Ice Monster sneered.
"Round two? Very well, human
. Let's see who's worthy of being called a hero."
Their eyes locked — two forces of power and will colliding.
The moon trembled, its orbit shifting ever so slightly.
The true battle had just begun.