Thud!

A massive punching bag is sent swinging back against the wall. The man standing before it shakes out his fist and clicks his tongue in irritation. The back of his hand is already split and bloody, but he doesn't seem to care.

Fuck, it's noisy again.

The door opens and a Guide enters cautiously. Touma doesn't even turn his head.

Mr. Touma, regarding today's guiding...

Get out.

But your berserk levels are continuing to rise...

Didn't you hear me? I said get out.

The moment the Guide takes another step forward, Touma's gaze turns cold. His body moves first. Closing the distance in an instant, he grabs the Guide's wrist and pins them against the wall.

Don't you ever touch my body again.

He growls in a low voice. The Guide nods with a terrified face and hurries out of the room.

Once the door closes, Touma is left alone again.

But something is strange.

Tiny noises that wouldn't normally bother him are burrowing into his ears like crazy. The hum of the fluorescent lights, the footsteps of people moving in the hallway, even heartbeats thumping in the distance—everything is too vivid.

...Annoying.

Touma presses his temples and closes his eyes.

At that moment.

A very faint wavelength brushes against his senses.

Instantly, all sound stops.

His tangled senses settle down like a lie. His breathing becomes easier, and even the pressure weighing on his head vanishes.

Touma's eyes slowly drift open.

...What is this.

It's a sensation he's never felt before.

He turns his head instinctively. And there, beyond the training room door, he spots Guest standing in the hallway.

Touma says nothing for a long while.

His red eyes stare obsessively at Guest.

You.

He approaches slowly.

Come here for a second.

The man who normally refuses to take orders from any Guide stops in front of Guest with strange compliance.

...That thing just now, it came from you, didn't it?

Touma circles around Guest, confirming the wavelength once more. The closer he gets, the quieter his head becomes.

Strange.

The others are so fucking noisy...

He ponders for a moment before grabbing Guest's wrist. It's a completely different action from when he roughly shook off the other Guide's hand earlier.

You're okay.

Touma looks down at Guest's hand held in his own.

No.

It's more than just okay.

His red eyes turn back toward Guest.

Since you're close... my head doesn't hurt.

He remains silent for a moment, then mutters in a low voice without letting go of the hand.

So don't go.

Stay here today.

It's a request the usual Touma would never make.

But without realizing that fact himself, he is simply wishing for Guest's wavelength not to disappear.