Chapter 8
The moment Rayzon caught up to Aleza, she came to a jarring halt. She spun around, her eyes blazing with a sudden, sharp fury. "Rayzon! Why were you lurking near my house this morning?" she demanded, her voice echoing through the quiet street.
Rayzon looked away, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well... your place is quite far from school," he murmured softly. "I just thought it would be easier if I gave you a ride in my car. That's all. No big deal."
Aleza's gaze softened for a fleeting second before a flicker of suspicion returned. She looked at the ground, her voice tight. "Did you... did you see everything?"
Rayzon took two steps forward, a gentle smile on his face. "I saw it. But don't worry, I have no interest in prying into your family matters. Although, Aleza... if she really was your sister, that slap was a bit much, don't you think?"
Aleza's head snapped up. "Stay out of this if you know what's good for you," she hissed. "Otherwise, that next slap might find your face instead."
Rayzon flinched playfully, whispering to himself, "Good grief... looks like she's going to be in this mood all day." He hurried to catch up with her. "Wait up, Aleza! Let's at least take the car together, okay?"
"No thanks," Aleza replied, her chin held high as she walked away without looking back. "I'm not getting in your car. And if you show up at my apartment tomorrow, you'll regret it. Trust me."
A cold sweat broke out on Rayzon's forehead, but his voice remained steady. "Look, Aleza, things are about to get chaotic at school. You're going to need a team. If you keep pushing everyone away, you'll end up facing it all alone. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Aleza didn't answer; she simply started to run. "I prefer a quiet life!" she shouted over her shoulder.
She was sprinting so fast that as she rounded a sharp corner, she lost her footing. She managed to steady herself, but she collided heavily with another girl. The impact sent the other girl stumbling back, a small cry of pain escaping her lips.
Rayzon's heart nearly stopped when he saw who it was. "Oh no... not Mami-chan. Not now," he muttered in terror. "Mami is going to lose her mind. This is going to be a disaster."
To his surprise, Aleza didn't run. She knelt beside the fallen girl, her expression full of genuine concern. "I am so sorry! I wasn't looking where I was going. Are you okay?"
Mami-chan squeezed her eyes shut in pain, but when she opened them and saw Aleza, she froze. "Wait... you're the new girl, aren't you?"
Rayzon held his breath, waiting for the explosion. But Mami-chan simply swallowed her anger and forced a smile as she stood up. "It's fine. Everyone makes mistakes. Just... watch where you're going next time." With a curt nod, she turned and disappeared through the school gates.
Rayzon stood there, his jaw dropping. What just happened? Mami didn't scream? She didn't cause a scene? he thought, bewildered. Something is wrong. The Mami-chan I know would never let this slide. She's definitely planning something.
Aleza's eyes followed Mami until she was out of sight. "Who was that?" she asked, her voice filled with a strange wonder. "She's... stunningly beautiful."
Rayzon leaned in, whispering close to her ear. "That's Mami-chan. The most beautiful girl in school."
Aleza didn't flinch, but a faint, rosy tint crept onto her cheeks as she looked away. Rayzon noticed the reaction and grinned. "What's this? Why are you so quiet all of a sudden? Your face is practically glowing."
"It's nothing! You're imagining things!" Aleza snapped, quickly regaining her composure before marching into the school.
Rayzon chuckled. "I do so much for you, and yet you never listen to me, Aleza."
The first two periods passed in a blur. Aleza continued to mesmerize everyone. Within just four days, her name had climbed into the Top 20 students list—a testament to the five years of grueling hard work she had endured. The hallways were buzzing with a single name. Aleza, the first-year student who is rewriting the history of this school.
During lunch, an announcement crackled over the speakers.
"Aleza Misaka, please report to the Principal's office immediately. I repeat, Aleza Misaka to the Principal's office."
Rayzon, sitting beside her, leaned back with a smug grin. "Look at you. You're such a star that even the Principal wants a private audience."
Aleza, who was midway through her meal, sighed in annoyance. "Ugh, people won't even let me eat in peace." She finished her food quickly and stood up, an air of supreme confidence radiating from her. "This is just the beginning, Rayzon. Just watch what I do next."
"I'm watching," he replied, amused. "Let's see how capable you really are."
Aleza stretched and headed for the stairs, her excitement evident in her stride. But in her haste, she left her lunchbox behind—the one she always used to bring extra food from home.
Rayzon looked at the box and shook his head. "You really are a glutton, Aleza. School lunch wasn't enough for you?" He picked up the box to bring it to her, but his fingers froze.
Tied to the handle was an old, weathered keychain. Rayzon's eyes widened, his breath hitching in his throat. He picked up the charm, staring at it as if he'd seen a ghost.
"This keychain... this was a limited edition reward for winning a game five years ago," he whispered, his voice trembling. "Nobody has this anymore. It's impossible."
Suddenly, a dormant memory erupted in his mind like a lightning strike. His pupils dilated with horror as he stared at the small object. "This is it... this is the exact same keychain that was on Sofia's lunchbox. I haven't forgotten that day. I can't forget."
[Flashback: Five Years Ago]
Sofia had crept behind the school building to eat her lunch in solitude. She opened her box, a fragile smile on her face—a smile that carried the weight of a thousand sorrows. "Mom's rice balls... my favorite," she whispered.
Suddenly, the rooftop door burst open. Rayzon and his group of friends stepped out, cruel smirks plastered on their faces. Sofia gasped, clutching her lunchbox to her chest, her innocent eyes wide with terror as she looked up at the boys.
"So, this is where you hide to eat, you filthy, dark girl?" Rayzon sneered, stepping closer. He turned to his friend. "Go on. Take it from her."
Sofia curled into a ball, trembling. "Please... don't. My mom made this for me. Please, I don't want to lose it..."
The boy looked at Rayzon, hesitant for a second. But Rayzon's voice was cold. "I said, take it."
One boy grabbed Sofia's arms, pinning them behind her back, while the other ripped the lunchbox from her grasp. Sofia tried to scream, but a hand was clamped firmly over her mouth.
The boy handed the box to Rayzon. Rayzon looked at the keychain and laughed. "What a pathetic, ugly little charm. Just like the owner."
In front of Sofia's tear-filled eyes, Rayzon emptied the entire contents of the box onto the dirty ground. He ground the rice balls into the dirt with his shoe. "A disgusting girl like you deserves nothing better than this."
He leaned down, his face inches from Sofia's violet eyes, which were now overflowing with tears. "Leave this school. If you don't, we'll make your life a living hell."
He turned to his friends. "Come on, guys. That's enough for today. We'll have more fun with her tomorrow."
They walked away, laughing. But Rayzon stopped at the door and looked back. He saw Sofia, sobbing silently, picking up the dirty food from the ground and placing it back into her box with trembling hands.
Rayzon watched from the corner of his eye, exhaling a long breath. "She really is pathetic..."
[Present Day]
The memory hit Rayzon like a physical blow. His eyes were wide, and for the first time in years, tears were streaming down his face. He clutched the lunchbox and the keychain to his chest, sobbing uncontrollably.
"So it's true... you really are Sofia," he choked out. "You became Aleza so I wouldn't recognize you... so I couldn't hurt you again."
He pressed the keychain to his lips, his voice breaking. "But the things I did to you five years ago... they are unforgivable. How can I ever ask for your mercy? I know you will never, ever forgive me, Sofia... Aleza."
He wiped his eyes and forced a heartbreaking smile. "But I will try. I will spend every second being so kind to you that you'll never have to feel that pain again. I promise."
Aleza returned to the roof moments later. Seeing her lunchbox in Rayzon's hands, the same agonizing memory flashed through her mind. Her face turned crimson with rage. She stormed over, snatched the box from his hand, and delivered a thunderous SLAP across Rayzon's face.
Rayzon didn't flinch. He didn't make a sound. Instead, he looked at her and smiled—a genuine, peaceful smile. "That was good. Really good. Honestly... it felt like a relief."
Aleza glared at him, her chest heaving. "I don't know what kind of 'relief' you're talking about, but anyone who touches my food or this box gets a slap. Period!"
Rayzon touched his stinging cheek and stood up straight. "Yes, Queen Aleza. Whatever you say. From this day on, my life is yours to do with as you please."
Aleza narrowed her eyes. "Did that slap scramble your brain? What kind of nonsense are you talking about?"
Rayzon laughed, a light, airy sound. "Something like that. But truly, Aleza... hitting me gave my heart some peace." He leaned his face forward again with a grin. "It hurts like hell, but I like it. Do you want to hit me again?"
Aleza turned away, her nose in the air. "Stop talking rubbish. I'm going downstairs."
She marched away, but deep down, a strange restlessness was stirring in her heart. I haven't forgotten anything, Rayzon, she thought sadly. That slap... was for that day.
On the roof, Rayzon watched her go. "To the world, you are Aleza. But to me, you will always be Sofia. I'll keep your secret... I'll let you take your revenge."
He touched his cheek again, his smile widening. "If I have to take a thousand slaps to pay for what I did, I'll take them gladly. Because even a thousand slaps wouldn't be enough to make up for the hell I put you through."