Chapter 21: An Important Talk Between Junior and Senior

After the awkward and rivalry-filled introduction in front of the school, Arata started teaching as usual. He knew today would be a long day, and his premonition was correct. Not long into the lesson, he received a call from the faculty room. He thought it was a new problem with his students, but when he arrived, he was met with an unexpected sight.

Waiting for him was his junior from the past, Iori Kuhera. Kuhera stood tall, wearing a military uniform. In the corner of the room, Chisa Ibuki stood with a slightly jealous expression, occasionally glancing at Kuhera and Arata.

“Senpai, it’s been a long time,” Kuhera said with a military salute.

Arata returned the salute. “Oh, Kuhera. What brings you here?”

“There’s something I need to discuss,” Kuhera replied, his eyes briefly glancing at Chisa, who was pretending to be busy. “But we need a private place to talk about this.”

Arata nodded, understanding the signal. He quickly led Kuhera to an empty classroom. Kuhera closed the door behind him, making sure no one could hear.

“So, what did you want to talk about, Iori?” Arata asked.

Kuhera sighed. “Senpai, this is about your past… Are you sure you’re okay with me giving you this news?”

Arata looked at Kuhera sharply. “Just say it, Iori. Don’t beat around the bush.”

“Yes, if that’s what you want, Senpai,” Kuhera replied, his voice a little shaky. “ARAAF has returned. They’ve bared their fangs in Japan.”

Hearing that name, Arata’s face, which was initially calm, changed instantly. His hands clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from suppressing a surge of anger. The old grudge and trauma from his past came rushing back. He remembered the faces of his fallen comrades, and now the anger and trauma merged into one.

“Has Commander Ishuri done anything?” Arata asked, his voice strained.

“Yes, of course,” Kuhera replied. “He’s currently in a meeting with the national police and the army. We’ve received intelligence that they’ve arrived in Japan. What we don’t know is when and where they’ll strike. But don’t worry, Senpai, the country will announce this threat and danger to the public after the meeting is over.”

However, far away from their conversation, in the bustling Shibuya District, six ARAAF members had already launched their attack. They were wearing masks and military uniforms, firing their guns into the air and throwing smoke bombs at the panicked civilians. Screams and sirens began to fill the streets, signaling the start of a chaos that would spread throughout the city. The country may have been about to announce the threat, but for the people of Shibuya, the threat had already arrived.