Unveiling Paths and Secrets

The forest track around Protea High was well-kept and surprisingly scenic. Sunlight filtered gently through the trees, dappling the artificial path we were running on. The cool air made it a comfortable run despite the hills and dips in the terrain. Every now and then, we'd pass a bench or a small picnic area set up by the school—nice places to catch a breath if anyone needed to pause.

I stayed at a steady pace, keeping Chris and Kyle close. We were taking it easy, just getting into the rhythm of the run, and I kept my thoughts focused on the surroundings. Alysha was somewhere around, but I hadn't caught sight of her yet.

As we reached a quiet part of the track, Kyle broke the silence with a thoughtful look on his face, "Naozumi?" He hesitated, adjusting his pace to stay in step. "Hey, I haven't actually called you by your name before, have I? Would it be alright if I called you Naozumi?"

"It's fine. My name is Ishimaru Naozumi, and my surname is Ishimaru, so either way is good and I don't really care what they call me."

It's not too surprising if they're unsure how to address me. But given my name has an Eastern cultural touch, they might understand.

Kyle smiled, satisfied with my response. "Alright then, Naozumi, there's something I've been meaning to ask you."

The curiosity in his voice signaled that this wasn't just idle conversation. "Go ahead."

Kyle slowed his pace a bit, keeping his tone light but clearly interested. "So, what's the real story behind the relic discovery—the one by the group called Floater?"

For a moment, I was caught off guard. I'd been careful about what I shared at Protea, so I wasn't sure why he'd bring this up or why it mattered so much to him. My steps faltered briefly, but I quickly steadied myself, hoping Kyle hadn't noticed.

Inside, my pulse quickened, but I kept my face neutral. The Floater group—our group—had indeed stumbled upon the relic years ago, and that discovery had sparked everything that came after. But that wasn't history I could openly share. For most, the story of Floater was an adventure that had caught the public's attention, driven rumors, and even sparked some fear. My role in it, however, had remained in the shadows, and I intended to keep it that way.

"I'm not sure what you mean," I replied, forcing a casual tone. "I don't have any connection to the relic discovery."

Kyle's expression stayed skeptical, and he didn't seem entirely convinced by my response. "It just doesn't add up, though. Feels like someone's hiding things."

The group he referred to, Floater, was indeed the team that had stumbled upon the relic, setting the stage for the era of powers. The original Floater group had six members: Alysha, Chris, myself, and a few others. But we'd never discussed it openly, especially not with someone I barely knew. And most people only had a vague understanding of Floater's existence, with details kept intentionally murky.

In the past, leaked information about powers and the relic had shocked the public, with videos and evidence circulating widely until the government stepped in. Many dismissed the leaks as hoaxes, but some believed they were real, especially since the government was quick to control the narrative.

Curiously, only my data hadn't been leaked. I wasn't entirely sure why, but it seemed the person responsible for leaking the data had left me out intentionally, leaving only high-ranking officials aware of my role.

Even so, I answered as though I had no connection to the Floater group when discovering the relic. While I was part of it, I didn't seek public attention or want to become a focal point, so I hid the truth. After a few times refusing to answer, like Kyle right now, people stopped asking, though I knew some still had doubts.

The government also hadn't released a complete history of the relic's discovery; certain details were kept classified. In hindsight, it seemed obvious—predictable even—that only those with clearance would know the full story.

Kyle didn't press further, but I could tell he was still thinking about it. I kept my eyes on the trail, focusing on the steady rhythm of my breathing and the fresh air, hoping it would give us both a mental break from the topic. But it didn't last long before he shifted his attention to Chris, posing another question.

"Chris," he began carefully, "is that really the story? Is there anything more to it?"

It surprised me that he is asking Chris, who usually blurted out everything he thought. He glanced briefly in my direction before turning back to Kyle, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I'd tell you if I could, Kyle. But I can't share more than what's in the public records. And I can't just break a promise with the other members whenever I want. Let's just say we're not exactly free to talk about it."

Kyle's curiosity was obvious, but he gave a reluctant nod. "Alright, I understand."

There was a moment of silence, and I found myself glancing at Kyle, wondering why this mattered to him. He must have noticed my attention because he gave a small, self-conscious laugh.

"Actually, the reason I'm curious… you remember Cheryla Ciconia, right?"

I nodded. Cheryla had been easy to remember. Since the first day in Class S, her cautious glances had stood out to me—like she was silently assessing whether I was threat.

Kyle's expression softened as he continued. "She's got this ability, she can detect lies and sense threats. It makes her… different, and because of that, people tend to keep their distance." He looked thoughtful, his tone a mix of pride and concern. "She's my friend, though, and I just wanted you to know so you wouldn't take it the wrong way if she seems a bit… guarded around you."

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. A natural lie detector? That would explain the unease I'd sensed from her, the feeling that she was observing me more closely than others. "I understand. Must be tough if people are always holding back or acting strange around her because of it. But it is not Skill and Magic right?"

 My skill doesn't have any reaction and usage of magic is unlikely inside class.

"Yeah, sure great you can guess that," sounds Kyle surprised. 

Before talking, Kyle sighed a faint sadness in his smile. "She finds it hard to trust people, and because of that, she's a bit of a loner. She only has a few close friends." He glanced at me as though evaluating my reaction. "I think you can relate to her in some ways. I mean, you've been a bit… careful too, right?"

I paused, considering his words. He wasn't wrong. Trust wasn't something I extended lightly, either. I'd seen firsthand how people could twist truths or hide their intentions. My past experiences had taught me to stay guarded, not letting just anyone get close. But hearing Kyle say it aloud made it feel strangely relatable, like he'd picked up on something I hadn't quite put into words myself. I nodded slightly, acknowledging his insight.

"Her ability isn't something she developed here at school, though," I noted, trying to make sense of it. If it wasn't a magical skill or a power, I wouldn't have sensed anything.

Kyle looked impressed, as if he hadn't expected me to figure that out. "Good guess," he said with a grin. "She's had this talent since she was young, so it's just part of her, like a natural sixth sense."

That explained her behavior toward me; it wasn't personal. She was just cautious by nature. Yet, the fact that she'd seemed wary of me since the beginning suggested she'd picked up on something specific—maybe the weight of the secrets I carried or the guarded energy I projected.

"But you're close to her despite that?" I asked, genuinely curious.

He gave a small shrug, looking thoughtful. "I think it's because I'm a terrible liar," he chuckled. "I don't hide things from her, and I think she appreciates that. It's hard for me to keep secrets, so there's not much for her to be suspicious of."

His words made me pause. Here was someone who had managed to earn Cheryla's trust simply by being honest, even if it meant being vulnerable. That was… interesting. I watched him for a second, realizing he seemed almost naïve with how much he trusted people. In contrast, his honesty made me want to trust him, even if I didn't fully understand him yet.

He glanced over, meeting my eyes. "I told you about her because I figured you'd understand. You're one of the Floater group, right? People tend to make judgments without understanding everything."

"It's not exactly a secret that I'm a member of Floater; some people know about it," I replied, trying to keep my tone casual. "But I don't have any real connection to the founding of Pillar City. That part's got nothing to do with me."

I couldn't ignore the feeling of respect building toward him. He seemed genuine, something that was increasingly rare. Chris must have picked up on my hesitation because he chimed in, his voice lighthearted. "Naozumi's not one to hide anything dangerous. If anything, he's probably the most cautious one among us."

Kyle chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Well, that settles it. I'm glad to have met you both."

"Alright, I'll trust you for now," I replied, deciding not to overthink it. It didn't matter to me as long as they stayed out of my business. 

"But why tell me about someone with a 'threatening' label?" I asked.

He smiled, then glanced around as if ensuring no one was within earshot.

Honestly, I wasn't ready to fully trust him, but I couldn't ignore the possibilities he hinted at, so, for now, I'd let it slide. He continued, his tone low, "That's because you're part of a group that's changed things—changed the world, really. And I just don't see you as the bad type."

He'd just met me, yet he felt comfortable enough to talk about this? Did he think I was naive? Or was I just too wary? Still, I didn't sense anything negative from him. 

"You barely know me. Why are you so sure?" I pressed.

I didn't believe he was foolish but rather cautious, or so I'd thought. Yet his willingness to trust me without proof seemed almost naive.

"Even if you give off a certain intensity, it's not the same as Chris or Alysha. They're part of your group, right? And I doubt they'd stay silent if you were up to something." 

"Nao wouldn't do anything like that," Chris added, backing up Kyle's words. 

"Yeah, I get what you're saying," Kyle replied.

So that was his reasoning. From his perspective, he wasn't wrong. We, as a group, wouldn't let each other get away with wrongdoing, and we viewed each other as family. If I went down the wrong path, they'd step in. 

His logic was sound, but there was one thing he overlooked: me.

He might see Chris and Alysha's influence, but he didn't fully know me. I'd just transferred here, and only a handful knew my background. Fortunately, I wasn't someone who'd take advantage of that. If I were, he'd have more than a little to worry about.

"So that's your reasoning? If I do something wrong, my friends will stop me—is that it?" I asked, wanting to be clear. 

"Exactly," he said nonchalantly.

His logic was fair enough, and I didn't detect any ill intent, so I'd let it go for now. I wasn't looking to correct the misunderstanding; that would be more trouble than it was worth. 

"Alright, I'll trust you on this. And as you said, if I'm part of the group, I won't spill its secrets. Agreed?"

Honestly, I wasn't eager to get into all this. Telling the real story wasn't exactly beneficial, and besides, we'd promised to keep it within our circle. 

The version of the discovery story that circulated publicly wasn't entirely wrong, but there were parts that needed correcting. Still, now wasn't the time for that, so I'd leave the full truth for later.

"Alright. I'm not forcing you," he said, dropping the subject.

Taking that as a cue, I invited him to keep running. Surprisingly, no one else was nearby—we'd overtaken a few students already, many of whom were visibly worn out and catching their breath. I noticed several students seemed unaccustomed to this kind of endurance, despite being in Class S. But that wasn't really my concern, so I refocused.

As we neared the end of the first lap, Kyle's breathing grew heavy. It was clear he needed a break. Knowing your limits is part of growing stronger, and he seemed aware of his. We reached the rest post, where Kyle collapsed onto the ground to catch his breath.

"I'll go ahead, Kyle," I said, prepared to push on.

He waved, still lying back. "O-okay, go on."

Chris and I exchanged a nod and continued, leaving Kyle at the post.