"... I'm naming you co-captain alongside Takahara."

The words hung in the air like a bomb.

Akira had been planning to decline the team offer. The commitment, the attention, the risk of exposure… all of it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.

But looking at Kenji's expression, seeing the absolute fury building behind those eyes, something shifted in his calculation.

This was an opportunity. A chance to keep teaching Kenji lessons he desperately needed to learn. Plus, the social capital of being co-captain would open doors: more routes, more possibilities, and more ways to build his power base.

"I accept," Akira said. "Thank you, Coach."

Kenji exploded. "Co-captain?! Coach, you can't be serious! I've been on this team for three years! I've earned that position!"

"And you'll continue to hold it," Coach said calmly. "Alongside Kanzaki. Maybe working together will teach you both something about teamwork and humility. First practice is Monday after school. Both of you better be there."

Mei stepped forward. "If that's everything, I should get back to work. Akira-kun, walk me to my car?"

It wasn't really a question.

"Of course, Mei-san."

They left together, Kenji's furious glare burning into Akira's back. Once they were outside and away from listening ears, Mei's professional demeanor cracked slightly.

"That was terrifying," she admitted quietly. "When they called me about needing guardian consent for 'additional testing,' I thought something was seriously wrong. And that Agent Sato..." She shuddered. "He looked at you like you were a lab specimen."

"I know. Thanks for coming, Mei-san. I know it was short notice."

They reached her car, and she turned to face him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm. "Are you okay? Those stuff he mentioned…"

"I'm fine. Really." He glanced around to make sure they were alone, then lowered his voice. "Trust me, Mei-san. You have nothing to worry about."

"The other night, when you came to me..." She bit her lip. "And then last night, I heard sirens. Saw the fire trucks heading toward the school. And this morning, all that damage to the field..." Her eyes searched his face. "Akira-kun, are you involved in something dangerous?"

He wanted to lie, to protect her from the truth. But the concern in her eyes made him hesitate.

"Like I said," he finally said. "It's nothing to worry yourself about, Mei-san. I'll always come back safe."

"You better." Her hand slid down to squeeze his briefly. "Because I worry about you. More than I probably should."

"Mei-san…"

"I know, I know." She smiled, but there was sadness in it. "Just promise me you'll be careful. Whatever you're doing, whoever you're dealing with… that Agent Sato included, promise me you won't take unnecessary risks."

"I promise."

She nodded, seemingly satisfied, and got into her car.

But before pulling away, she rolled down the window. "Oh, and Akira-kun? Congratulations on making co-captain. Your mother would be proud."

She drove off, leaving Akira standing in the parking lot with a strange tightness in his chest.

He was almost back to the main building when Kenji intercepted him.

"This isn't over," Kenji hissed, grabbing Akira's shoulder and spinning him around. "I don't know how you fooled that test, but I'll prove you're not what you seem. Whatever you're hiding, whatever trick you pulled… I'll expose it."

Akira met his glare with calm confidence, not backing down even slightly. "Looking forward to working with you, Co-Captain. I think we're going to accomplish great things together."

He pulled free of Kenji's grip and walked away, leaving his new co-captain seething in the hallway.

By lunchtime, the news had spread through the entire school like wildfire. Akira Kanzaki: completely clean, officially on the team, named co-captain. The cafeteria buzzed with conversation.

Akira sat at his usual table, trying to eat normally despite the constant stares and whispers. Mia appeared and immediately claimed the seat next to him, her hand finding his under the table.

"I knew you were clean," she said fiercely. "Kenji's going to look so stupid now. Everyone's talking about how he accused you and was completely wrong."

"It's fine," Akira said. "He apologized."

"He was forced to apologize. That's not the same thing." Mia squeezed his hand tighter. "But at least now everyone knows the truth. You're amazing because you work hard, not because of drugs."

Aoi joined them a moment later, her lunch tray balanced carefully. "Congratulations, Akira-kun."

Rina too found them just as Aoi was congratulating him. "Yeah, congratulations. The whole school's talking about it. Some teachers are even taking bets on how the first practice will go with you two as co-captains."

"Great," Akira muttered. "Just what I need… more attention."

"You better get used to it," Rina said with a smile. "You're kind of famous now. The guy who beat Kenji, got accused of doping, came back clean, and then got named co-captain alongside him? That's like something out of a drama."

"My life is dramatic enough without adding sports politics to it."

"Too late for that," Mia said, leaning her head on his shoulder possessively. "You're stuck with it now. But at least you have us to support you."

Akira looked around the cafeteria, seeing the various reactions to his presence. Some students looked impressed. Others looked jealous. A few, likely Kenji's friends, looked hostile.

And somewhere in the back of his mind, Ai's voice chimed in cheerfully.

"Well, darling, you wanted to avoid attention and lay low. How's that working out for you?"

"Terribly," Akira thought back. "Absolutely terribly."

"Good! Boring is for people without supernatural powers and growing harems. Embrace the chaos!"

Akira sighed and took a bite of his lunch, already dreading Monday's practice.

At 3 PM, as the final bell rang, the Vice Principal's voice crackled over the intercom one more time.

"Attention, students. The SPIU investigation into last night's incident is ongoing. Please continue to cooperate with any agents who may approach you with questions. The athletics field will remain closed until further notice. That is all."

Akira packed up his things, aware of Agent Sato's continued presence somewhere in the building. The test results might have been clean, but Sato's parting words echoed in his mind.

"Further observation."

The SPIU wasn't done with him. Not by a long shot.

But for now, he'd survived another day. His secret was still safe, his contamination levels had been successfully lowered, and he'd somehow ended up with even more social status than before.

—

Meanwhile, somewhere in the school's security office, Agent Sato reviewed the test results one more time with a thoughtful expression.

"Elevated mitochondrial activity," he murmured to himself. "Enhanced cellular regeneration. Optimization." He pulled up the traffic camera footage again, watching Akira run toward the school. "And that guardian of his… Kasai Mei. Single woman, mid-thirties, living in the same building as the subject. Interesting arrangement."

He made a note in his file: Continue surveillance on both Kanzaki Akira and Kasai Mei. Subject is definitely… something. Guardian may be complicit or compromised. Need harder evidence for containment authorization.

The game of cat and mouse had only just begun.

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