[Scene: Evening – Rooftop. Naizaka stares into the horizon. Yuki walks over, quiet but determined.]
Yuki: "He looked just like you. But colder."
Naizaka: "He is me… or at least who I could've been."
Yuki: "No. He's what they made. You chose who you are."
[He says nothing. Wind rustles. For a moment, the rooftop is silent.]
[Scene: Secret clubroom – Mio spreads old blueprints over the table.]
Mio: "Beneath the gym. There's a second level under Layer Zero. It's called the Vault."
Aoi (bandaged): "The Heart Core's stored there?"
Mio: "That's what the documents say. And if Naoya reaches it first…"
Naizaka (firmly): "He won't."
Toma (nervously): "Can someone explain what the Heart Core even is?"
[Flashback cut: Lab footage on Mio's old tablet. Scientists speak in hushed tones. A glowing sphere pulses in a chamber.]
Scientist 1: "The Core absorbs psychic potential—pure emotion converted to energy."
Scientist 2: "If we lose control, it could rewrite memory structures on a national level."
[Scene: Night. School gym. The group gathers at the center. Mio finds a hidden floor panel.]
Mio: "Here. Help me lift it."
[They reveal a steel hatch with a digital pad. Naizaka touches it—his hand glows. The hatch opens with a hiss.]
Yuki (impressed): "Your DNA still unlocks it…"
Naizaka: "Guess they never changed the locks."
[Scene: Descending the Vault stairs. Lights flicker on as they move. A strange hum vibrates in the air.]
Aoi: "Feel that? The whole place is alive."
Toma: "I think I'm gonna throw up."
Riko: "You always say that when it's serious."
[Scene: Deep vault chamber. In the center, floating above a massive platform—THE HEART CORE. A pulsing, crystalline orb, spinning with violet and gold streaks.]
Naizaka (staring): "It's… beautiful."
Mio: "It's also a bomb."
Yuki: "Then we destroy it, right?"
Mio: "No. If you damage the Core, it releases all stored memory energy. We'll lose everything—including our own minds."
[Suddenly—ALARM BLARES. A steel door slams shut behind them.]
Naoya's Voice (echoing): "You found it for me. How considerate."
[He appears above them, arms crossed, standing on a catwalk.]
Naoya: "The Heart Core's mine. Just like your story was supposed to be mine, Naizaka."
Naizaka: "Then come and take it."
[FIGHT SCENE: Naoya leaps down. Naizaka blocks a punch, retaliates with a taekwondo combo—spinning back kick, elbow strike. Aoi joins in, launching a fire-enhanced punch.]
Naoya: "Still using borrowed tricks? You'll never win."
[Suddenly, Toma steps forward. His hands glow electric blue. Everyone freezes.]
Toma (shocked): "Uh… guys? I think I just awakened."
Riko: "NOW you get powers?!"
Toma (grinning): "Better late than never."
[Toma fires a lightning arc that stuns Naoya. Naizaka seizes the moment, landing a roundhouse that sends Naoya flying.]
Naoya (growling): "This isn't over…"
[He throws a small cube toward the Heart Core—it latches on and begins draining light from it.]
Mio: "He's activating the protocol!"
Yuki: "We have to stop it!"
[Yuki runs forward, touching the Core with both hands. Her hair lifts, eyes glowing fully violet.]
Mio (stunned): "She's synchronizing… but she wasn't cleared for this!"
Naizaka (running): "YUKI!!"
[Yuki floats slightly—visions flood her mind: her and Naizaka training together as children, crying in the lab, locked away. She remembers everything.]
Yuki (tearfully): "I was part of this too… I was part of YOU…"
[She yells, releasing a massive pulse of light. The cube device explodes. Naoya screams, clutching his head as his body glitches.]
Naoya: "No—NO! My link—!!"
[The Core dims, stabilizes. Yuki collapses. Naizaka catches her in time.]
Naizaka: "Yuki… you remember?"
Yuki (faint smile): "All of it."
Naoya (crawling away): "This isn't the end. You'll never be free. The system… it always resets."
Mio: "Not if we finish it first."
[Scene: Later – Vault sealed again. Everyone walks out silently. Toma tries to smile.]
Toma: "So uh… I guess I'm a superhero now?"
Riko (smacks his head): "Focus, idiot."
Aoi (to Naizaka): "We'll need to end this soon. Naoya won't stop."
Naizaka (holding Yuki's hand): "Then we won't stop either."
To Be Continued…