Far away from Reikosha Academy, in a place called Dragonbone Ridge, a man stood alone.
"I erased the dogs… the people… their existence," he murmured coldly. "I erased the houses too."
His eyes were empty.
"All I want now… is to destroy the world and bring my wife back."
He clenched his fist.
"But since I can't… then I will face the gods themselves and erase them."
Someone once told him that if he faced the gods and erased them, they would bring his wife back.
And he believed it.
"I never cared about people," he whispered.
"Now all I want… is to face the gods."
Dragonbone Ridge was known as a normal place.
At least… that's what people thought.
Back at Reikosha Academy.
Kairo casually threw a small rock without looking. Unfortunately, it hit a girl walking past.
The girl slowly turned around and gave him a disgusted look.
Kairo quickly covered his mouth.
"My bad…"
"Pervert," the girl said coldly.
Tyouro burst out laughing.
"Ohhh! So Kairo is a pervert now?"
"What the—"
Before Kairo could respond, Takahano stepped in.
"Please respect girls. Don't make fun of them, don't do dirty actions, and don't stare at their bodies."
"I wasn't even doing anything! I was just throwing rocks!" Kairo defended himself.
"That's unfair! Girls should respect boys too!" Tyouro added loudly.
Takahano sighed.
"Well… girls are usually more mature," he said calmly. "Anyway, it's time. Go back to your classroom and wait for your next teacher."
Kairo and Tyouro walked back inside the building.
Takahano watched them leave and quietly sighed.
"The world is becoming sad these days… I wonder if something bad will happen later."
He removed his glasses and looked toward the sky.
"I'm worried about my students… I hope they will become stronger, surpass me, and save the world someday."
His voice became softer.
"What will happen if they face someone truly powerful…?"
He paused.
"Since they're good at teamwork… I believe they'll do their best."
A faint sadness crossed his face.
"It's just hard watching them have fun."
He looked down.
"Because someday… there may be no fun anymore."
Inside the classroom.
Yura sat at her desk with her hand resting against her temple.
"These days feel boring," she muttered. "Maybe I should join Tyouro's group."
She stood up and looked around the room until she spotted Tyouro, Kairo, Deren, and Arlot laughing loudly and joking with each other.
She sighed.
"Immature."
"At least they're having fun."
The voice came from behind her.
Kimimaru stood near the wall.
"Yeah, I know," Yura replied. "But when people are too happy… something bad usually happens."
"You actually believe that?" Kimimaru asked.
"Hmm."
Yura glanced at him and gave a small smile before walking out of the classroom.
Kimimaru watched her leave and shook his head slightly.
"That girl is different."
Kimimaru sat at his desk.
"I never care about small things," he thought quietly.
"But deep inside… I actually do care."
He leaned back in his chair.
"I care about my friends… my teachers… pets… and many other things."
He closed his eyes.
"But I'm scared to show it. I don't know why… it just feels strange."
A small breath escaped him.
"I'm nonchalant… but that doesn't mean I don't have feelings."
He rested his head on the desk.
"Such a wonderful life…"
And soon, he fell asleep.
Meanwhile, across the classroom.
Kairo placed his arm around Arlot's shoulder.
"Man, I still have a lot of things to do later backflips, dancing, jumping, and playing basketball."
"That's all?" Tyouro laughed. "Ha! I can use Yami energy, Hikari energy, and Reikou energy!"
"Guys."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Tyouro groaned.
"Stop doing that! You always say 'guys' and then nothing!"
"Stop joking. It's not funny."
"Oh really? Then why are you laughing?"
"So what?!"
Kairo leaned back in his chair.
"These days are more fun," he thought.
"Having fun… makes me happy."
"It feels like freedom."
He looked at his friends.
"There's nothing wrong with joking… unless people take it too seriously."
A quiet smile appeared on his face.
"I'm glad I have friends now… unlike before."
Yura walked back into the classroom and sat down quietly.
She watched Kairo laughing with everyone.
She slowly shook her head and closed her eyes.
Hmm…
*How does it feel to be dead?*
*Do people care when someone dies?*
*Would my family care?*
Her thoughts drifted deeper.
Energy is difficult to master… but once you understand it, it becomes easier.
Her expression hardened.
*I will never forget those things.*
*How could they do that…?*
*Do they understand pain?*
*Are they even human?*
She sighed softly.
"Things are becoming cruel."
Suddenly
RING!
The bell rang loudly.
The school instantly became noisy.
"Finally! We can go home!" Tyouro shouted.
"Yeah! And you're the reason I'm tired!" Kairo replied.
"Yeah yeah… all you did today was cause trouble and make noise."
"Sorry."
Kimimaru walked behind them.
"You know… I thought you were a quiet guy before," he said to Kairo. "Now you're the loudest one in class."
"You're right, Maru," Tyouro laughed. "Kairo is noisier than me."
"You're the one causing most of the trouble," Kimimaru replied calmly.
Yura shook her head.
"Let's hang out. For memories."
"Sure!" Kairo and Tyouro replied at the same time.
The group spent the afternoon together.
They bought snacks, ate food, rode roller coasters, and played games.
They laughed more than ever.
Kairo drank several bottles of water and wiped his mouth.
"Damn… today was really fun!"
He looked at Tyouro.
"Tyouro, are you okay? You look like you're about to pass out!"
Everyone burst into laughter.
Even Kimimaru started laughing.
"Guys! Stop!" he said between laughs. "When Tyouro rode the roller coaster his face looked like a dragon!"
"Hahahahaha!"
Kimimaru laughed harder than he ever had before.
He slowly caught his breath.
"It's my first time laughing this hard…"
He looked at his friends.
"I'm glad I met them."
He sighed quietly.
"I hope I never lose them."
"I hope when we grow up… we'll still be friends."
"Best friends."
"Guys, I'm going home now!" Kairo said.
"Be careful!" Yura shouted.
She watched him walk away.
"I'm glad Kairo isn't the quiet boy he used to be," she thought.
"There was a time… he was like my baby boy."
Yura smiled to herself before grabbing her bag.
"I'm heading home too. Take care, everyone."
Kimimaru looked at Tyouro.
"Alright. Let me take you home."
Tyouro swayed slightly.
"You're drunk."
"Hehehe… thanks, Maru."
Kimimaru supported him as they walked.
"He's like a brother to me."