Chapter 1 – "The Morning of Lunatics" (Polished Version)
07:58 a.m.
Tick. Tock.
The sound of the clock echoed like a countdown to disaster.
Mainazo Akazawa's eyes snapped open.
"…No."
She shot upright in bed, hair exploding in every direction, heart hammering.
"NO NO NO NO—!"
She grabbed her phone. 07:58.
"I'M LATE AGAIN?! First day of school… and I OVERSLEPT?!"
In one chaotic motion, she rolled out of bed, shoved half a piece of bread into her mouth, and bounced around her room like a ninja with zero dignity.
Her grandmother's voice thundered from downstairs.
"MAINAZO AKAZAWA! Don't you DARE jump out of the window again—!"
"Sorry, Grandma! No time to explain!" Mainazo shouted back, already opening the window.
"I'M TAKING FLIGHT!"
CRASH!
Straight onto the garbage bins below.
"Ow…!"
She stood, brushed herself off, striking a pose.
"…But my style is still flawless."
She had barely taken three steps when—
"MAINAZOOOOOO!"
A blur of blonde curls burst from the side alley.
Misaka Amahara skidded to a stop, golden hair bouncing, green eyes sparkling like fireworks.
"We're late! If we run together, we'll become legends on the first day!"
Mainazo grinned.
"Then let's power up first!"
They high-fived.
BAM!
Two idiots, frozen mid-smile—heroes at the start of an anime.
"HEY!"
A shadow dropped from above.
THUD!
Shoko Shingae landed from the wall like a wild beast, cracking the ground beneath her boots.
"A race without me? Unacceptable!"
She slammed her fist into Mainazo's shoulder.
"OW—! SHOKO!" Mainazo winced.
"Can you say hello like a normal human for once?!"
Shoko smirked.
"Nope. A real greeting is a punch of friendship."
They sprinted through the park—and there he was.
Masaro Akazawa.
Sitting peacefully on a bench. Holding an absurdly large sandwich. Chewing… like a legend.
"MASAROOOO!" Mainazo yelled.
"We're gonna be late!"
Masaro raised a finger.
"…Let me finish this bite."
Before anyone could react—
SNATCH!
Shoko ripped the food bag straight out of his hands.
"WHAT THE—?!"
She peeked inside.
"Cookies? Chocolate? THIS MUCH FOOD?!"
"HEY! NOOOOO!" Masaro cried.
"That chocolate is LIMITED EDITION!"
Shoko laughed like a villain.
"Get stronger and I'll give it back, nerd!"
Four idiots.
Running side by side.
The school gates in the distance.
Mainazo bit the last piece of bread, half-smiling, half-panting.
"First day of school… We've gotta make an entrance."
Misaka clasped her hands dramatically.
"An entrance where Masaro and I walk together!"
Shoko shook the stolen snack bag.
"Nope. Entrance means loot."
Masaro reached out desperately.
"…Just give me my food back and I'll agree with anything…"
Their laughter echoed down the street.
But then… something felt off.
Mainazo slowed for just a second.
The world blurred.
The morning warmth faded.
Her smile slipped.
"Mainazo?" Misaka called.
Mainazo blinked.
"Ah—nothing," she said, forcing a grin.
"Just spaced out."
The noise returned.
The moment passed.
Or so it seemed.
From the rooftop across the street, a figure stood motionless.
A long coat swayed gently in the wind.
A dark mask hid his face.
The brim of his hat cast a shadow over eyes that never blinked.
He had been watching the entire time.
Not the group. Only her.
The man slowly turned away, disappearing into the light between buildings.
As he vanished, his voice echoed—low, calm, and heavy with certainty:
"So… the clock has started."