"But that's supposed to be impossible!"
"Well, it's already been done, and they're trying to do it again." Miss Tokoyami rose from her chair, her movements graceful. "Oh, I almost forgot. What are your names?"
"I'm Kakashi... Yami," Kakashi replied, the name feeling slightly unfamiliar on his tongue. "The girl's Megumin."
"I'm Natski Tokoyami, but you can call me Natski." She offered a warm, reassuring smile.
"You say she needs revitalization?" Kakashi confirmed, his gaze fixed on her.
"Yes, but the other girl needs something as well. Her parents are wealthy; I suspect they'll try to buy their way out of this."
"Isn't there another way?" Kakashi pressed, a hint of urgency in his voice.
"If someone with the same karma type transfers it to her, she might be fine. But your friend will definitely require the revitalization machine."
"What type of karma does she have?"
"She has a lightning-type karma. And, as far as we know, there are no other lightning-type supernaturals left."
A sudden surge of resolve filled Kakashi. "I'll do it!"
"What?!?" Miss Tokoyami exclaimed, her eyes wide with astonishment. "You have to be the same karma type as she is to perform a restoration transfer!"
"I am a lightning type," Kakashi stated, his voice steady and confident. "I can perform the transfer while you use the revitalization machine on Megumin."
"But what about your health?" Miss Tokoyami's concern was evident.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle it," Kakashi reassured her. "But how do we transfer karma?"
Miss Tokoyami patiently demonstrated the process. It proved simpler than he'd anticipated—a matter of carefully channeling karma into his hand and gradually releasing it into the recipient. It was remarkably similar to another technique he knew, albeit demanding greater focus and precision.
The little girl's parents were overjoyed. They showered Kakashi with gratitude, pressing him to visit them whenever he had the time, despite his humble refusals.
Later, Kakashi stood by the window, watching as nurses prepared to move the girl to the patient ward. He pondered how a child so young could wield her karma without replenishing it. According to her parents, she was the only one in the family capable of controlling karma, making it her responsibility to fulfill her sister's dream of attending the ASE. And to achieve that, she needed to be strong.
Kakashi understood that feeling—the weight of responsibility, the sense of being the only one who could make a difference. He decided to offer the girl a small piece of advice.
"What's your name?" he asked as the nurse paused, turning the wheelchair to face him.
"Are you the mister who saved me?" the girl asked, her eyes bright with wonder.
"I wouldn't say 'saved,' but…" Kakashi hesitated.
"Thank you, mister," the girl smiled, her expression radiating gratitude. "I'm Hinata. Nice to meet you."
_She's so polite,_ Kakashi thought, a warmth spreading through him.
"You know," Kakashi began, choosing his words carefully, "you don't have to work so hard to prove anything to anyone. As long as you're satisfied with what you've done, that's enough."
Hinata's smile widened, filled with admiration. "Please, mister, what is your name?"
"My name? Why do you ask?" Kakashi asked, a curious smile playing on his lips.
"Because when I get into the academy, I'd like you to be my Sensei," she declared with unwavering determination.
"If you say so," Kakashi replied, trying to maintain his composure. Inside, however, he felt a surge of unexpected joy. "I'm Kakashi Yami. Just try your best to grow up big and strong, okay?"
"Yes!!" Hinata exclaimed, her eyes shining with renewed energy. "Thanks again, and bye, mister!"
Hinata waved enthusiastically before the nurse wheeled her away. The revitalization machine was then used on Megumin.
"How long will she be like this?" Kakashi turned to Miss Tokoyami, his gaze following Hinata's departure.
"Two years, or maybe more. I'm not sure, but I know she'll wake up someday," Miss Tokoyami replied, offering a reassuring smile. "Until then, why not stay at the academy? I'm sure we can help each other."
"Is that my way of repaying you?" Kakashi asked, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"Just consider it friendly aid," Miss Tokoyami responded gently.
"Okay," Kakashi said with newfound confidence. "As long as it's for Megumin, I'll do anything." Besides, he had nowhere else to go.
...
Kakashi walked hand-in-hand with Mira, the three of them following Miss Tokoyami out of the hospital. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows as they stepped onto the pavement.
"Are you ready?" Miss Tokoyami asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Ready for…what?" Kakashi questioned, a puzzled expression on his face.
"Just stay close to me, then," Mira said, pulling Kakashi closer, her touch surprisingly comforting.
Miss Tokoyami snapped her fingers. For a moment, Kakashi's vision blurred, the world around him twisting and distorting. Sounds warped and echoed. Then, as suddenly as it began, the disorientation ceased. He found himself standing before a large, imposing high school.
The high school was a complex of six distinct buildings, each interconnected by well-maintained pathways. Three-story structures, painted in elegant shades of white and brown, stood as testaments to architectural grace. The buildings were surrounded by meticulously manicured lawns and vibrant flowerbeds, creating a serene and welcoming atmosphere.
They walked through the imposing gates, the sounds of students' laughter and chatter echoing around them. They made their way towards the principal's office—which, as it turned out, belonged to Miss Tokoyami herself. She settled behind her large, polished wooden desk, while Kakashi sat opposite her, Mira standing quietly beside her.
"This school was established after the alliance between supernaturals and experimentals," Miss Tokoyami began, her voice calm and measured.
"Miss Tokoyami," Kakashi interjected, "you mentioned something about creating a human who doesn't need karma to use techniques. I still don't understand why anyone would try to do something like that."
"Well, it all began at the dawn of creation. After the world was formed, many of the gods chose to live among their creation as humans. Though human in form, they retained godlike powers. Some lived ordinary lives, married, and had children. These children are known as supernaturals," Miss Tokoyami explained, her voice taking on an almost historical tone. "Modern civilization views them as weapons, but after repeated rejections of their plans, a war erupted between humans and supernaturals. This forced humans to use other humans as test subjects, attempting to create godlike beings powerful enough to potentially kill a god. The results of those inhumane experiments are called experimentals." She paused, letting the weight of her words sink in. "It was later outlawed, but it seems some are still pursuing the project. Beyond that, some supernaturals possess karma but cannot utilize techniques; others have techniques that aren't among the basic elements."
"There are more types of people than I ever imagined," Kakashi murmured, taking in the information.
"Indeed. Since you'll be working with us, you're bound to encounter even more," Miss Tokoyami smiled gently. She opened a drawer, produced a piece of paper, and handed it to him. "Please fill out this form and bring it to me tomorrow. Mira will show you to your room; we'll meet again tomorrow."
"Okay, thank you so much for everything," Kakashi said, feeling a surge of gratitude.
"It's nothing," she replied warmly.
Kakashi followed Mira to the dorms, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling within him.
Mira unlocked the door to his new room and flicked on the light switch, revealing a space that was, to put it mildly, less than pristine. It was smaller than he expected, but it was still better than the lab.
Two beds were crammed into the small space, a closet was fixed to the wall. A small kitchenette occupied one corner, and a door led to a bathroom. Clothes were strewn across the beds, books were piled haphazardly on a small table, and a half-eaten sandwich lay abandoned.
"It's late; why don't you clear one bed and sleep for tonight? I'll come back tomorrow to help you clean up," Mira suggested, her voice soft but firm.
"Who was staying here?" Kakashi asked, his brow furrowed in concern.
"Someone. It's not important. The person left," Mira replied vaguely. "Just manage it; I'll be by tomorrow so we can clean up properly. I'll buy you some clothes, too, since you only have that one outfit."
With that, she left, leaving Kakashi alone in the somewhat chaotic room. He surveyed his new surroundings, his eyes scanning the room. A wall clock hung near the kitchenette, which was tucked away behind the door. He noticed the small but functional kitchen and the bathroom beyond. Shampoo and other toiletries were present, along with girls' clothing scattered about. There was even food left in the kitchen. Despite the mess, he didn't mind. The previous occupant had probably left it behind in a hurry. Mira had said she left the school.