It's already 8:25 A.M. Yesterday went by in a flash---I obviously didn't tell dad, nor Hiro, anything. Akane and I didn't talk on the way home at all---absolute silence, the entire time.

Today's Sunday, and quite possibly the best day to 'escape'---dad is still asleep, the shop is closed, and winter break has already started, so at least I'm covered for a few weeks.

I actually packed early. But I'm not taking much with me---just some clothes, money, and my phone. Hope they don't make us starve.

*Phone ringing*

CALLER: AKANE

"Hey, Ryou... You ready?"

"Y-yes, and what about you? Did you get any sleep last night?"

"I did, sort of. Thanks for asking. So, you still believe that going without telling anyone is okay?"

"It's the only thing we can do. I've left a letter saying we’ve both gone on a trip your class had organised."

"Pff--Hahaha, you think that's going to work? Anyway, I think I see a black car---it has to be them. Okay, see you down."

CALL ENDED.

8:30 A.M.---The moment I've been so not looking forward to, has arrived. Will I ever get see my dad once I get into that car? Who knows---after what I went through yesterday, I don't want to make him go through the same thing as well. I'm just a hindrance here... Crap, I feel like crying, but tears won't come out. Was I always this unattached to this place? Guess I'm about to find out.

As soon as I climbed down the staircase from my room, I saw my dad, dozing off in front of the TV---must have had a lot to drink, as usual. Now I'm stuck trying not to make even the slightest of sound. I'll have to tip-toe the hell out of here.

One, two, three, four, yeah, that's it---QUIETLY, but it's hard to do that while carrying a bag. Okay, just a few more steps.

5 minutes later

One... Final.... Step, and---I'm out! That took a while. Okay, next step---get in the car. Akane seems to have gotten in---guess I'll do the same.

"Get in already, you stupid kid!" Akane shouted.

"Okay okay! Geez."

As I opened the door, I saw a man sitting opposite to Akane---Henry himself. He was smoking a cigar, and reading the newspaper---just like some rich, western businessman.

"What are you looking at? Get in, boy." He said.

I got in, and the journey began---Actually, more like 10 minutes ago. In all that time, we haven't talked to each other at all. Any more of this silence, and it'll drive me insane.

"So Henry, where are we going, exactly?" I broke the ice.

"To a safer place. Far from here, I'm afraid. We're looking at a 9-hour journey at this rate of speed."

"9 hours? Are you serious!?" We both shrieked in unison.

"Calm down, we're almost there."

Almost there? What does he---Wait, Trees? Mountains? Around here? I swear there were roads and cars all around us---We were driving through a proper city road just a second ago.

"Surprised? ETA is 15 minutes."

That's so cool. He must have changed our perceptions, and made it seem like we only travelled 10 minutes---Wow! His ability is actually amazing.

"Now that we have a few minutes to spend, I'd like to thank you for considering my offer---You did the right thing. Right now you're being taken to a place which is filled with people like yourselves---Sort of like a hub for yurei, and rekishiya. And do not worry about your parents and school---they've already been taken care of."

Well, that's a relief. But, a hub for yurei, and rekishiya? Is it some top secret underground research facility for special people like us? Oh dear, are we going to be part of inhumane experiments? This actually worries me, since it's highly likely.

Minutes later, the car stopped. We could all see a huge building right in front of us.

"Well, here we are." Henry said, with excitement.

"Where are we---KI-BO-U-YA-MA....Academy?" I wondered.

"It does read that." Akane said.

Suddenly, Henry opened his arms, and raised his voice:

"WELCOME TO KIBOUYAMA ACADEMY! WHERE YOU CAN PEACEFULLY ENJOY A LIFE WITHOUT ANY DANGER OF BEING EXPOSED, OR FEAR OF HURTING ANYONE."

Huh? A school? This palace-sized futuristic, yet modern looking structure? A SCHOOL? I swear this is just like this book I used to read back when I was a kid. So this is the hub, eh? But, anything's better than horrible human experimentation.

"You brought us to a school? Why?" Akane asked.

"Oh, you didn't think we'd keep you here without a purpose, did you? Here, you'll be staying, and learning all about your powers, and the ways to use them. Physical interaction with outsiders is almost impossible here, so there's no chance of being found out. You'll also be taught control, and discipline. You two are among us now, after all. So, follow me."

"To where?" I asked.

"The principal's office. Best to not keep her waiting."