Elements: Age of Creation

A Shocking Discovery

Hikaru and Teshii stood at the edge of the festival stage, watching intently as the performer continued his mesmerizing display of water manipulation.

The water danced effortlessly around him, moving with precision as if it had a life of its own. The way he controlled it–so natural, so fluid–made one thing very clear:

He wasn't just some performer.

He was the Element of Water.

Hikari and Mei exchanged confused glances, noting how Hikaru and Teshii had suddenly become laser-focused on the show.

"What's up with them?" Mei whispered.

"No idea," Hikari muttered. "But I don't like that look on Hikaru's face."

Before either of them could ask, Hikaru and Teshii moved toward the performer, weaving through the festival crowd.

Mei blinked. "Wait–where are they going?!"

"Hey!" Hikari called, running after them.

Meeting the Element of Water

Hikaru and Teshii stopped near the backstage entrance. The water user, having just finished his performance, stepped away from the crowd, adjusting his sleeves.

Hikaru took a deep breath and stepped forward.

"Hey."

The performer turned, raising an eyebrow at the sudden confrontation. He was a young man, around their age, with dark blue hair, sharp silver eyes, and a calm but calculating expression.

"…Can I help you?" he asked.

Teshii smirked. "That was a nice trick you pulled up there.

The young man studied them carefully before letting out a small chuckle. "You saw through it, huh?"

Hikaru nodded. "You're not just some festival performer. That wasn't normal water manipulation."

The young man sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guess I'm not as subtle as I thought." He extended a hand.

"Haruto Setsuna."

Hikaru and Teshii exchanged glances.

Hikaru slowly shook his hand. "Hikaru Nozomi."

Teshii grinned, shaking Haruto's hand as well. "Teshii. Just Teshii."

Before the conversation could go any deeper–

"Hikaru!"

Hikaru flinched, realizing something very important.

A Date… Interrupted

Mei and Hikari had finally caught up, both looking annoyed.

Mei crosshed her arms. "Hikaru, what are you doing? You just ran off!"

Hikari frowned. "Who's this guy?"

Hikaru froze.

Oh no.

He was supposed to be on a date.

I CAN'T LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE ELEMENTS!

Teshii, clearly enjoying Hikaru's panic, leaned in and whispered. "Good luck explaining this, Sunshine."

Hikaru scowled before quickly turning to Haruto. "Uh–sorry! We need to, uh–talk to you later! Right now, I gotta–"

Teshii clapped a hand on Hikaru's shoulder. "Don't worry, I got this.

Hikaru blinked. "Huh?"

Teshii smirked. "I'll talk to Haruto. You go back to your precious date."

Hikaru opened his mouth to argue, but the way Mei and Hikari were staring at him expectantly made him swallow his words.

"…Fine."

Teshii winked. "Don't miss me toom much."

Hikaru groaned, turning away and leading Mei and Hikari back into the festival crowd.

A Strange Encounter

As Hikaru navigated through the festival, trying to shake off his nerves, he suddenly bumped into someone.

"Ah–sorry about that," Hikaru said quickly, barely glancing at the person before moving past them.

The man didn't say a word.

But as Hikaru walked forward, something nagged at his mind.

Something about that man's presence felt… off.

He turned back–

And his breath caught.

The man he had bumped into looked exactly like Haruto but older.