Psychokinetic Clan

September was still scorching, especially at noon. If the sun had not been blocked by the clouds, no one would have wanted to stay out in the open for long.

"Were you about to tell me about that transfer student?" Ryuseki asked Lin Yingbin, leaning against the railing.

Lin Yingbin did not answer. He merely turned quietly and looked toward a raised platform on the rooftop.

"If you're going to eavesdrop, don't make it so obvious!" Lin Yingbin called toward the platform.

At that moment, someone atop the platform replied, "You're discussing me. Can't I listen in?"

That person was the new transfer student, Ryuu Mufei.

With a smile on his face, he jumped down from the platform and leisurely walked toward the two of them.

"It's not that you can't listen in. We just aren't familiar with each other yet." In a flash, Lin Yingbin lashed out with a lightning-fast kick at Ryuu Mufei. "Wipe that fake smile off your face." Lin Yingbin bared his teeth in a hostile grin, clearly unfriendly toward the newcomer.

The clouds gathered overhead, blocking out the blinding sunlight. A cool breeze swept through, and the atmosphere instantly turned tense.

"I can't agree with your logic. You shouldn't be so hot-tempered, kid!" Ryuu Mufei smiled. Facing Lin Yingbin's kick, he did not make the slightest move to dodge, nor did he show any fear.

Lin Yingbin's foot stopped just a few centimeters from Ryuu Mufei's hair. Then he pulled it back.

"Why are you treating a new classmate like that? What if you hurt him?" Ryuseki complained. "Your kicks aren't something an ordinary person can take."

"That kick couldn't have hit him at all." Lin Yingbin stared intently at Ryuu Mufei, their eyes meeting. He continued, "Because you're from the Psychokinetic Clan, aren't you?"

"That's right!" Ryuu Mufei replied with a faint smile. "Actually, I didn't come here for any special reason. I was just somewhat interested in you two and wanted to make some friends."

The sun still hid behind the dark clouds, afraid to show itself. On the school rooftop, the three boys watched one another, while Lin Yingbin's heart was filled mostly with suspicion and caution.

"Make friends? I'm not naive enough to believe whatever a stranger says." Lin Yingbin took two steps back and leaned against the railing. After looking at the drifting clouds overhead, he turned back to Ryuu Mufei and continued, "It can't be that simple, can it?"

"If that's the case." Ryuu Mufei smiled, but his expression suddenly turned serious. He asked, "Have either of you heard the name 'Zhi'?"

"Zhi?!" Ryuseki thought for a moment before answering honestly, "Never heard of it."

"Fine!" Ryuu Mufei nodded, then turned to leave. "See you around."

Ryuu Mufei waved and left.

The cicadas began screeching again, and the sun emerged from behind the dark clouds. Slowly, the air grew scorching once more.

"Zhi? Why did he ask about that name?" Lin Yingbin was deeply puzzled. The same question kept surfacing in his mind. Ryuu Mufei, just who are you?

After school, Ryuseki hurried home as well.

"Bro, I'm home." Ryuseki pushed open the door, tossed his schoolbag onto the sofa, and rushed toward the bathroom.

His older brother, Kouhi, was tidying things up in the room. A spread of appetizing dishes had already been set on the table.

"Um, dinner's on the table. There's squirrel fish, your favorite. Remember to wash the dishes when you're done. I have something to take care of, so I'm heading out." With that, Kouhi finished packing, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door.

"Oh, right, bro!" Ryuseki hurriedly called out to Kouhi.

"Hm? What is it? Do you need something?" Kouhi stopped and asked.

"Bro, we got a new transfer student in our class. His name is Ryuu Mufei." Ryuseki wiped his wet hands on his clothes.

"Ryuu Mufei?" Kouhi frowned. "What about him?"

"Lin Yingbin said he seems to be from some group called the Psychokinetic Clan, and he admitted it too. He even blocked Lin Yingbin's kick. He was seriously impressive. And he asked if we knew someone named Zhi." Ryuseki spoke casually as he sat down at the table, ready to eat. He did not notice in the slightest how greatly his words had shocked Kouhi.

After hearing Ryuseki's words, Kouhi froze and muttered to himself, "The Psychokinetic Clan, and Zhi..."

"What did you say?" Ryuseki asked after haphazardly swallowing the food he had stuffed into his mouth.

"Oh, oh, no, nothing. I was just saying it's amazing that he could block Lin Yingbin's kick."

Even while stuffing food into his mouth, Ryuseki did not forget to switch into chatterbox mode, talking nonstop.

"He really was amazing. He stopped it without even using his hands..."

"Yeah." Kouhi answered absently and headed out. Before leaving, he shouted at Ryuseki, "Don't forget to wash the dishes after you eat, and no playing until you finish your homework."

Once outside, Kouhi began muttering to himself as he walked.

"Zhi... How is that possible?"