The courtyard was quieter again.
Not because nothing was happening.
Because everyone was watching.
Kaito stood in front of the ranking board, arms crossed, staring at the glowing numbers.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 78
He read it three times just to make sure it didn't change.
"…Still feels fake," he muttered.
Tanaka stood beside him, arms crossed like always.
"You earned it."
"I got punched a lot for it."
"Yes."
"…Still worth it."
Kaito looked higher up the board.
Top 70.
Top 50.
Top 20.
Top 10.
The names near the top seemed different.
Not just stronger.
Heavier.
Like the air itself changed when he looked at them.
His chest tightened slightly.
"…They feel weird," he said quietly.
Tanaka didn't answer right away.
"Yes."
"Weirder than before."
"You're closer now."
"…Closer to what."
Tanaka looked at the board.
"The top."
Kaito frowned.
"…You say that like it's a bad thing."
"It's not easy."
"It never is."
Tanaka nodded once.
"Good."
Kaito smirked.
"You really only say one word answers now."
"Yes."
"…You're impossible."
He kept staring at the board.
His eyes stopped near the very top.
Rank 10.
Rank 5.
Rank 3.
Rank 2.
Rank 1.
The name at the top glowed brighter than the rest.
Not flashing.
Not shining.
Just… heavier.
He frowned.
"…Why does Rank 1 feel different."
Tanaka didn't look at the board.
"Because it is."
Kaito looked at him.
"…You ever fight him?"
Tanaka was silent for a moment.
"…Once."
Kaito blinked.
"…And?"
"I lost."
Kaito stared at him.
"…You lost?"
"Yes."
"…Okay now I'm scared."
Tanaka didn't react.
"You should be."
Kaito looked back at the board again.
Rank 1.
He couldn't explain it.
But just looking at the name made his chest feel tight.
Not fear.
Pressure.
Like something far above him.
"…He must be insane," Kaito muttered.
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Yes."
"…You don't sound surprised."
"I'm not."
Kaito shook his head.
"…I want to fight him someday."
Tanaka looked at him.
"You will."
"…You say that like you know."
Tanaka didn't answer.
Before Kaito could ask again...
A voice came from behind.
"So you're Rank 78 now."
Kaito turned.
Ryo leaned against the stone railing, arms crossed.
Same smirk as always.
"…You climbed fast."
Kaito shrugged.
"You hit hard."
Ryo laughed.
"You're still weak."
"I know."
Ryo looked at the board.
"…Top 50 is different."
Kaito nodded.
"I figured."
Ryo's eyes moved up.
To the very top.
Rank 1.
His smile faded slightly.
"…Top 10 is worse."
Kaito followed his gaze.
"…You fought them?"
Ryo didn't answer right away.
"…Once."
"And?"
Ryo smirked again.
"…I learned not to try again."
Kaito blinked.
"…That bad?"
Ryo looked at Tanaka for a split second.
Then back at the board.
"…Worse."
Kaito frowned slightly.
He noticed it.
Just for a moment.
Ryo looked at Tanaka like he knew something.
Like he wasn't just talking about the ranking.
Kaito looked between them.
"…What."
Ryo shook his head.
"Nothing."
Tanaka didn't move.
Didn't react.
Didn't even look at them.
Kaito frowned.
"…You guys are weird."
Ryo laughed.
"You'll understand later."
"I hate when people say that."
Ryo pushed off the railing.
"You should."
He walked past them.
"…Rank 78 isn't the top."
Kaito smirked.
"I know."
Ryo stopped for a second.
"…Good."
Then he left.
Silence returned.
Kaito looked at the board again.
Rank 78.
Still far.
Still low.
Still climbing.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled slightly.
Controlled.
Steady.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
"…How long did it take you to get strong."
Tanaka didn't answer right away.
Then he said quietly...
"Longer than you."
Kaito smirked.
"…Good."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
Kaito looked back at Rank 1 again.
His chest tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Just pressure.
"…I'm getting there," he muttered.
Tanaka didn't say anything.
But for a moment...
Just a moment...
His eyes moved to the top of the board.
And then away.
Far above the courtyard, Aoi stood near the roof railing, watching the board silently.
Ryo walked up beside her.
"He's looking at Rank 1 already."
Aoi nodded.
"…Too early."
Ryo smirked.
"…He always does that."
She glanced toward Tanaka.
"…He doesn't know yet."
Ryo laughed quietly.
"…No one does."