The walk back started normal enough. Kaito and I chatted about random things, tossing playful jabs at each other like we always did. But when we hit our usual shortcut—the alley leading up to the old fire escape—I couldn't help but glance up. The rooftops were calling to me.

"You thinking what I'm thinking?" Kaito asked, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"Only if you're thinking parkour race," I said, already reaching for the ladder.

"Loser buys dinner next time," he shot back, already climbing after me.

We hit the rooftops in seconds, both of us taking off like the devil was on our heels. The night air whipped past, cool against my skin, as we leaped across gaps and scrambled up ledges. I could feel my muscles burning, but it was the good kind of burn—the kind that reminded me I was alive, moving, free.

Kaito was keeping up, as always, though I had the advantage on tighter corners and narrower gaps. He was more about brute force, while I relied on agility and precision.

Everything was going great until I heard the sound of footsteps—heavy ones. I glanced back and froze for half a second.

A hero.

Oh, great. Just what we needed.

"Kaito!" I hissed, dropping my pace just enough for him to catch up.

"What?" he panted, looking at me.

I jerked my head toward the figure gaining on us. "Hero. We've got company."

"Seriously?" Kaito groaned, but I could see the flicker of nervousness in his eyes. We both knew the drill. Getting caught on the rooftops was a one-way ticket to a lecture—or worse.

"Time to pick up the pace," I said, grinning despite the situation.

We took off again, pushing harder now. The gaps seemed wider, the ledges steeper, but we didn't slow down. If anything, the adrenaline just made me sharper, more focused.

But then I spotted him.

Eraserhead.

I don't know why my heart skipped a beat. Maybe it was the intensity in his gaze or the fact that I'd seen what he could do in class earlier that day. Either way, it was enough to make me panic.

"Kaito, split up!" I shouted, barely glancing back as I veered left.

"Are you kidding me?" he called after me, but he didn't argue. He peeled off to the right, disappearing down a narrow alley while I bolted for the nearest ledge.

Eraserhead was fast. Faster than I'd expected. I could see him cutting across the rooftops, his movements almost casual, like he wasn't even trying yet.

I pushed harder, my lungs burning as I leaped onto the next roof. The gravel crunched under my feet as I landed, stumbling but managing to keep my balance.

"Come on, come on," I muttered to myself, scanning ahead for my next move.

I spotted a fire escape and made a beeline for it, vaulting over a low wall and scrambling down the metal steps as fast as I could. The rickety structure groaned under my weight, but I didn't care. I was too focused on getting away.

When I hit the ground, I didn't stop. I darted through the alley, weaving between dumpsters and stacks of old pallets, until I burst out onto another street.

For a moment, I thought I'd lost him.

But then I saw the shadow.

Eraserhead dropped down from somewhere above, landing a few feet in front of me like he'd been waiting there the whole time.

"Crap," I muttered under my breath, skidding to a halt.

His eyes locked onto mine, and for a split second, I felt like a deer caught in headlights.

Then I did the only thing I could think of.

I bolted.

I darted down another alley, my heart pounding as I threw myself over a chain-link fence. My arms screamed in protest, but I didn't stop. I couldn't stop. Not now.

Behind me, I could hear him following, his footsteps unnervingly quiet.

I rounded a corner, spotting an open window, and dove through it without thinking. I landed hard on the floor of what looked like an abandoned apartment, but I didn't have time to care. I was already moving, already searching for my next escape route.

Somehow, I managed to make it out of the building and back onto the rooftops. My chest felt like it was about to explode, but I didn't dare slow down.

Eventually, I found a hiding spot—a narrow gap between two ventilation units—and squeezed myself in, pulling my knees to my chest as I tried to catch my breath.

For a long moment, all I could hear was the blood pounding in my ears.

Then, slowly, the adrenaline started to fade, and the reality of what had just happened hit me.

"Holy crap," I whispered to myself, leaning my head back against the cool metal. "That was way too close."

I waited there for what felt like forever, listening for any sign of pursuit. When I was sure the coast was clear, I finally climbed out of my hiding spot and started making my way home.

Kaito was probably already back, and I knew he'd give me hell for splitting up like that. But at least we'd both gotten away.