School Trip Arc (1st Year)

(The Opening Theme Plays) (play Kurae Telepathy by MHRJ)

Sora leaned against the window, watching the sky blur into clouds. His reflection in the glass betrayed a small yet fleeting smile but his eyes held shadows of names and memories that refused to fade.

"My True Love...? What is that... and Why do I yearn for it so much.." Sora continued in his thoughts for a moment, as he began to mention the names of the girls who's been by his side.

"...Moriko..."

"...Emi..."

"...Hana..."

"...Luna..."

"...Aika...."

"Why do I feel a burning sensation in my heart whenever I even mention or think of Aika?" Sora's chest tightened the very moment he mentioned the name of Aika. His Blush was soft yet his very sadness ran deeper than words. Because before them, before this life he now lived, there was someone else who had once stood between him and the darkness when he was still considered an Lone Wolf back in junior high.

Sora smirked faintly, whispering to himself: "...If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be who I am today."

The buzz of his phone snapped him back to life. Aika's name glowed on the screen. His pulse jumped as he answered with a low chuckle.

"Hey Aika... I was thinking I could pick you up, maybe go shopping for the trip?"

"...S-sure, we can..." Aika's voice was soft, carrying a nervous blush even through the line.

"Alright. Noon, then."

Sora would hang up the phone, his body tensed for a moment but overall he was happy, mostly at himself for becoming someone confident unlike what he was in his past.

Sora began to step towards his closet in order to pick out a decent but street like outfit that would be comfortable while at the mall.

The doorbell began to ring for a moment, causing Megumi to walk downstairs in order to unlock the door.

Megumi (annoyed): "Sora, are you finished getting dressed yet?"

Sora (yelling): "Where's My Piercings?"

Megumi (facepalming): "You don't have any piercings, Stupid Brother."

Despite the normal sibling banter, Sora was finally ready to head out to the mall as He and Megumi placed their shoes on their feet and head out.

...

By the mall's entrance, Sora and Megumi spotted the others---Aika, Hana, Emi, Hiroyuki, Luna and Moriko who were sitting or on their phones waiting for them. Each had their own awkward way of greeting him; some waved too quickly while some blushed too obviously.

Hiroyuki immediately broke the moment: "The new Sharkmon volume just dropped!"

Sora blinked for a moment, deadpanning: "I thought we were shopping for the trip...?"

Megumi tugged his sleeve, glaring. "Stupid brother..." She pointed at a Sonix: Crisis Core in the Gamehub window, giving him puppy eyes.

"You're broke, huh?" he smirked.

"I'll tell everyone you cried during Magical Girl Eternity's finale." she mentioned back coldly.

"...Fine, I'll buy the stupid game for you.." He sighed irritably, as brought the game for her anyways. She hugged him so tightly it nearly knocked the air out of him before she stormed off triumphantly.

The group split off across different stores---Aika lingered in a boutique, Emi turned crimson over a dress she imagined Sora noticing, Luna picked out clothes that screamed individuality, Hana muttered about Spender's, and Moriko surprised herself with something bold.

When they regrouped, the girls were laughing and showing off their finds except Hiroyuki who caught sight of Sora's distant expression. That expression was the shadow of something old, and it stirred a memory in him and Moriko both.

We would flashback to Sora's Second Year of Junior High.

The courtyard behind the decrepit gym was silent, save for the crunch of gravel beneath Sora's sneakers as he pulled Hiroyuki along. Moriko staggered behind, clutching her schoolbag like a shield. The three of them were running blind anywhere, as long as it was away.

But their pursuers were very relentless.

Freddy's voice was raised as it boomed across the walls, heavy and commanding almost like a war drum.

"Oi, oi, oi! You think you can keep running, ya' mutts? Don't make me chase you down all day. Face me already!!!"

From the darkness stepped Freddy as his presence towered over the rest of his gang. His towering frame blocked out the dim evening light, his lips pulled into a cruel grin. He was the one everyone feared; not because he was the loudest, but because when Freddy spoke, the others obeyed.

Beside him came Yui, crowbar twirling lazily in her hand, her sharp eyes dancing with the joy of cruelty. Jeff followed, cracking his knuckles like a fighter about to warm up, the smirk on his face wide and unshaken.

And then came Rito, who was the group's muscle.

Tall and broad-shouldered yet his presence was impossible to ignore. A jagged scar cut under his left eye, his hair was messy but very unkempt, his smile crooked yet terrifying. His energy was very chaotic, fluctuating between eerie calm and violent mania, a storm wearing a human form. While Freddy stood as the undisputed leader, Rito was the kind of monster who amplified his command as an enforcer who thrived in chaos, but bent to Freddy's will with unshaken loyalty.

Rito shouted, voice booming for a moment while his veins began to bulge against his neck.

"Quit stalling, Freddy! Let me at 'em already! My fists are starving! These weak little brats won't last a whole minute!"

Freddy's grin widened for a moment.

"Patience, Rito. We do this my way. We don't just beat them...we humiliate them."

The gang laughed. Yui cackled, swinging her crowbar against the wall with a metallic clang. Jeff stomped the ground like some boxer loosening up.

Moriko whimpered, tugging Hiroyuki's sleeve.

Moriko: "We... we should call someone..."

Hiroyuki would mutter through his clenched teeth.

"No one's coming, Moriko. Not for us."

Sora turned, planting himself between his friends and the gang. His fists began to shake while his chest heaved, but his glare burned with defiance.

Sora: "If it's me you want, then leave them out of this!"

Freddy stepped forward, eyes locked on him.

Freddy: "You've got guts, Tanaka. But guts don't stop bones from breaking."

Yui smirked, swinging her crowbar directly at Moriko. The metal connected against her shoulder, sending her crashing to the ground with a cry of pain. Hiroyuki rushed to protect her, but Jeff intercepted, driving a brutal knee into his stomach. Hiroyuki gagged blood and collapsed causing his body to fold.

Sora eyes widen, as he began to scream.

"STOP IT!"

He lunged forward, fist slamming into Freddy's jaw. For a brief second, it looked like the punch had landed true until Freddy's massive hand caught him by the collar. With terrifying ease, Freddy slammed Sora onto the gravel, the impact rattling his bones.

Freddy snarled, looming over him.

"You've got a wolf's bark... but all I see is a damned puppy."

Pinned, Sora coughed violently, spitting blood. That's when Rito stepped into view. His grin stretched wider as he crouched down, their faces only inches apart.

Rito spoke with a chilling calm, his tone almost tender.

"Look at you. Shaking, bleeding, gasping like a fish. You can smell your own fear, can't you?"

He pressed his boot hard into Sora's chest, forcing the air out of his lungs.

Rito whispered.

"And fear... makes breaking you so much sweeter."

Then, as if a switch flipped, Rito's voice exploded into a roar.

Rito: "Scream for me, Tanaka! Let's hear it!"

Rito froze for half a heartbeat, then laughed. The sound was wild, manic, rolling across the courtyard like thunder.

Rito: "YES! That's it! That's what I wanted to hear! When I tear you apart, remember you chose this!"

Just as Rito's fist rose to strike, the air hissed. Smoke burst from a small canister, swallowing the courtyard in a thick fog.

Jeff shouted.

"What the fuck?!"

From within the haze, footsteps approached. A girl's silhouette emerged, sharp yet unyielding. Blonde Hair gleamed, glasses caught the weak light, and her red and black outfit burned against the gray mist

The girl smirked.

"One... two... three..." Her gaze flicked to Rito. "...and four. Four pieces of trash."

She cracked her knuckles.

???: "Perfect. The name's Natsuki Shimizu. Try not to blink since I'll make this quick.."

She launched forward, swift yet merciless.

Yui swung the crowbar but Natsuki managed to parry, driving a palm into her ribs, then axe-kicked her to the ground once she was about to duck down. Jeff charged with a hook only to be countered with a spinning elbow to the jaw. Freddy barreled in, fists wild, but Natsuki swept his legs and hammered a right hook into his face, dropping him like a stone.

Then came Rito.

Unlike the others, he wasn't panicked. His grin only widened, his eyes glimmering with madness. He licked the blood on his lip and roared.

Rito: "FINALLY! A real fight! COME ON, ANGEL... BREAK ME!"

He rushed her with savage blows. Natsuki blocked, countered, their strikes colliding with bone-shaking force. She kneed his stomach, he coughed blood, and yet he laughed, staggering but unbroken.

Rito growled through clenched teeth, ecstatic.

"You're strong... hah... but strong people always leave. They always disappear!"

That single slip cost him. Natsuki's eyes hardened. She slid under his guard, palm-striking his throat with precise force. Rito staggered back, choking, but even then his grin remained.

Rito rasped, coughing blood.

"Tanaka... you got lucky today. But she won't always be here. And when she's gone..." His eyes glinted with wild devotion to Freddy's will. "...I'll break you myself."

He dragged himself upright, grabbing Jeff, Yui, and even Freddy by their arms. Together, the gang limped into the shadows, Rito's laughter echoing long after they vanished.

Sora collapsed, barely conscious. Natsuki knelt beside him, offering her hand.

Natsuki said firmly, her voice steady as steel.

"Get up, Sora. You're not some stray to be beaten down. You don't have to act like you are always alone... You have your friends and they mean something for you."

Sora's trembling hand grasped hers, and as she pulled him to his feet, the world seemed to tilt.

Time rushed forward after that violent day, blurring into the memory of another moment; One far quieter yet no less life-changing.

Sora stood in front of Natsuki's home, heart pounding in his chest. The street was too still, the kind of silence that carried the same sorrow that has yet to fill his heart whole. He lifted his hand and knocked on the door, but his eyes caught the edge of a folded note, pinned crookedly to the wooden doorframe.

Sora: (reading softly; voice cracking) "Leaving...? What do you mean she's leaving...?"

The words didn't make sense. He stood there frozen, unable to believe it until he felt the weight of a presence behind him

Natsuki: "Sora..."

He turned for a moment, as he felt his chest beginning to tighten for a while.

Sora: "...Natsuki..."

The sight of her nearly undid him. A small suitcase was clutched in her hand, her parents' car idling at the curb. She stepped forward, eyes shimmering as though she wanted to say a hundred things but knew she had no time. Before he could even find words, she pulled him into a sudden embrace.

Her warmth stunned him, her heartbeat fierce against his chest. Sora's face flushed red, but beneath it lay a knot of sorrow.

Natsuki: "Tell Moriko and Hiroyuki... goodbye for me. Please."

Sora: "...I will."

For a moment, it felt like time itself paused. Then, leaning in, Natsuki pressed a quick kiss against his cheek which was soft, fleeting yet strong enough to sear itself into his memory forever.

And then she turned away. Just like that, she was gone as she slipped into the car, leaving behind only silence and the fading exhaust of departure.

The flashback ended with Sora staring into the void of his own thoughts, his friends' voices pulling him back.

Moriko: (gently, understanding) "So... that's why he always looks so weighed down."

Hiroyuki: (sighing, nodding) "Yeah. That's the shadow he's been carrying."

Sora: (confused, snapping out of it) "...What?"

Before he could deflect, Moriko and Hiroyuki wrapped him into a sudden hug. His eyes widened, heat rising in his cheeks.

Sora: (embarrassed, smiling despite himself) "H-Hey, cut it you, you two..."

Still, deep inside, he was grateful but more than he'd ever admit out loud.

Aika's voice cut through, her tone slightly sharp yet tinged with awkwardness.

Aika: (clearing her throat) "Well... see you guys later, I guess."

The group scattered, each to their own path. But the camera of fate lingered yet not on Sora, but far away.

A car door opened with a soft click. A young woman stepped out, her long hair catching the sunlight. She was older now, more mature, yet unmistakably the same girl from Sora's memory. Natsuki's lips curved into a wistful smile as her eyes looked toward the horizon.

Natsuki: (blushing softly, whispering to herself) "I can't wait to see you again, Sora Tanaka..."

Her daydream was interrupted by a yawn behind her.

Rin: (stretching, casual) "You know I'm going to the same school as you, right?"

Natsuki: (chuckling, shaking her head) "Yeah, I know, Rin..."

Rin; 5'5, fiery red hair tied loose, her posture relaxed in contrast to her idol stage confidence stepped out with an easy smirk. Like Natsuki, she was part of the idol band Yorozuya, but Rin carried herself with less fire and more laid-back detachment.

Rin: (yawning) "Still... it's nice knowing we don't have to juggle tour schedules for once. This might actually feel like a normal year."

Natsuki: (Smirking playfully) "Normal? with us? Don't get too serious, Rin. Try being laid-back for once."

Rin only shrugged, her smirk tugging at the edge of her lips.

Meanwhile...

The classroom buzzed lightly with chatter, first-years still giddy from the trip. Sora sat by the window, tapping his pencil against the desk, occasionally glancing back to wave at Hiroyuki, Moriko, Luna, Emi, Hana and Aika. Their laughter lightened the room.

But not everyone was smiling.

The door slid open with a sharp clack. Shion, the class representative, strode in with her usual rigid posture, clipboard hugged against her chest. Her eyes swept across the room with practiced detachment until they landed on him.

Sora.

Her composure cracked. For a fraction of a second, her brows furrowed, lips tightening, as though irritated by his effortless presence. Why did he draw so many smiles? Why did those girls -- Moriko, Aika, Luna, Emi, Hana -- cling to him like moths to a flame?

Her nails dug into the wood of her clipboard. The faintest scritch sound escaped, masked by the noises of the class.

And yet... as her eyes lingered, her irritation melted into something else. Her cheeks flushed, her lips parted, breath catching in her throat. The corners of her mouth trembled upward, torn between anger and hunger.

Shion: (whispering under her breath, voice trembling with excitement) "...Sora-kun~... mine."

Her legs wavered beneath her, heat crawling up her neck. A drop of drool glistened at the edge at the edge of her lips before she quickly licked it away, shivering at the taste of her own desperation.

Sora, oblivious, looked up and caught her staring. He flashed his usual easy smile.

Sora: (grinning, casual) "Yo, Shion."

Her heart thundered against her chest. His voice echoed in her head, distorted and amplified, twisting into a melody only she could hear. Her knees nearly buckled, but she forced herself upright, her expression snapping back to calm neutrality.

But beneath the mask, her thoughts spiraled, dark and hungry.

He noticed me. He said my name. It's a start. No one else deserves that smile. Not Aika. Not Moriko. Not Luna. Not Emi. Not Hana. Me. Only me.

Her fingers squeezed the clipboard tighter, so tight the wood threatened to crack. She lowered her gaze, hiding the manic blush spreading across her cheeks, but her eyes were half lidded yet sharp as she remained locked onto Sora.

They'll all learn soon enough. I'll make sure of it.

The chatter of students died instantly as Yamato Fuchizaki strode into the classroom, a stack of forms under his arm and a cigarette already dangling between his lips. His eyes swept the room, hard and unamused.

Yamato: (annoyed, voice gravelly) "Alright, brats. Tomorrow morning, train station. Don't be late. Any questions?"

The students looked at one another and collectively shook their heads. No one dared speak.

Yamato: (snorting) "Don't think so."

He turned on his heel and marched on, the door sliding shut behind him. A moment later, he leaned against the wall in the teacher's lounge, finally lighting his cigarette

Yamato: (sighing, smoke curling from his mouth) "These kids are gonna be the death of me. Especially that Sora brat..."

Footsteps approached. Ms. Miyuki Higashiyama, graceful as always, and Mr. Daichi Kadokawa, grinning smugly, entered the lounge. Both caught Yamato mid-drag, smoke swirling lazily around him.

Miyuki: (teasing chuckle) "You never change. You know smoking's banned in here, right?"

Yamato: (smirking tiredly) "Yeah, well, so is babysitting a bunch of walking disasters." he puffed out another stream of smoke "Your class must be saints compared to mine."

Miyuki: (Warm smile) "They're just... more interactive. Maybe your students need that."

Yamato: (raising a brow, amused) "Interactive, huh? That's your diagnosis."

Their eyes lingered on each other a beat too long before both quickly looked away, cheeks faintly flushed.

Daichi cleared his throat loudly, folding his arms with exaggerated superiority.

Daichi: (smirking) "Maybe if you had my students, you'd understand what real talent looks like. They don't give me headaches."

Yamato: (irritated sigh) "Here we go..."

Daichi's grin widened. Yamato crushed his cigarette underfoot, exhaling one last plume of smoke.

Yamato: (gruff, but softer when looking at Miyuki) "Anyway. Trip's tomorrow. Once it's over..." pauses "Miyuki. You free the day after?"

Miyuki blinked, then nodded shyly. Without hesitation, she leaned forward and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek. Yamato froze, face burning crimson.

Yamato: (muttering to himself after she walked away) "Sometimes I wonder what I'd even do without her..."

The next morning, the station buzzed with life. First-years huddled with their luggage, buzzing with anticipation. Yamato stood off to the side, cigarette in hand, glaring at his rowdy class.

Yamato: (muttering) "Just sit down and don't make me regret waking up."

The students boarded, scattering to different seats. Sora sat by the window, joined by Hiroyuki, Moriko, Hana, Emi, Aika, and Luna.

Sora: (eyes wide, pressed to the glass) "Whoa... this view's amazing."

As he spoke, Douya passed by with Shion at his side. He sneered.

Douya: (loudly, trying to provoke) "Can you believe it? That loser beat me up for no reason."

Aika sighed, rolling her eyes.

Aika: "Ignore him, Sora. He's not worth it."

The others nodded in agreement. Shion, however, offered Sora a polite smile, hiding the obsessive glint in her eyes.

Shion: (sweetly, waving) "Hey, Sora."

Before Sora could reply, Yamato barked from down the aisle.

Yamato: (glowering) "Don't embarrass me. Sit down, both of you."

Douya paled, Shion quickly slipped into her seat, and silence returned.

Hours later, the train screeched into the station. Students poured out, stretching, laughing, and shielding their eyes from the late-afternoon sun. Most of the first years followed their teachers toward the hotel, chattering excitedly.

Sora and his friends lingered behind, deciding to wander for a while. That was when trouble came walking.

A tall boy swaggered up to Aika, smirk plastered across his face. His eyes roamed too freely, and the stench of arrogance rolled off him.

Guy A: (grinning) "Hey Beautiful" gestures dismissively at Sora "Save some attention for the rest of us."

The girls stiffened, discomfort flashing across their faces.

Sora stepped forward, his voice low and edged with venom.

Sora: "Leave them alone, imbecile."

The stranger blinked, caught off guard, then his expression twisted with rage.

Guy A: "The fuck did you just call me?"

Sora: (eyes narrowing, his tone sharp and lethal) "I called you a imbecile, you fuckwad."

The boy roared, charging forward with a raised fist. But Sora didn't flinch. His body moved on instinct, honed by years of bottled anger and quiet discipline.

He sidestepped, catching the boy's wrist. In a single fluid motion, Sora twisted his arm, lifted him off balance, and slammed him onto the pavement with a resounding crack.

Before the boy could even groan, Sora's foot came down hard against his chest. The stomp rattled bone and muscle, knocking the air from his lungs. He coughed violently, spitting blood as he gasped for breath.

The crowd froze. Murmurs rippled through the students.

Sora glanced down, expression cold, his eyes unreadable. And that was when he noticed the glint of steel which was a pocket knife sliding free from the boy's shaking hand.

The stranger lunged weakly, blade flashing upward.

Sora's body reacted before thought could form. His hand lashed out, knocking the knife away with a sharp clatter. His glare cut deeper than any blade.

Sora: (quiet, menacing) "You bring a knife, and you still can't stand? Pathetic."

The boy whimpered, eyes wide with terror. For a moment, everyone could see it: the cold predator behind Sora's usually gentle smile.

Then he turned, walking back toward his friends without a word. Aika rushed to his side, her hand slipping into his. Both of them flushed, but neither pulled away.

Behind them, the boy lay trembling in the dirt, his fear of Sora greater than the pain in his chest.

Sora sighed as he casually cracked his knuckles, trying to ease the tension.

Sora: "...Anyway.. Let's go meet the others."

Aika slipped her hand into his, and Sora stiffened up while his face warming in a heavy blush. She noticed his heavy blush and smiled nervously, blushing as well. The two walked off together, their hands still locked.

When they finally met up with the group, Luna and Hana's smiles faltered.

Luna: (jealous, voice sharp) "You two look like you just kissed.." her voice tone lowered again as she spoke. "Don't even think about it... Sora should only have eyes for me."

Hana: (jealous scoff, rolling her eyes) "In your dreams, billboard brow..." Her voice tone slightly risen up as she turned to Sora "He should only have eyes for me, not you."

The air between the two girls cracked with the usual rivalry as they began to glare daggers at each other.

Meanwhile, Emi fidgeted, glancing at Sora, her cheeks was flushing with a pinkish tint.

Sora: (dense) "What's wrong, Emi?"

Emi: (snapping, flustered) "N-Nothing, idiot!"

Sora started to laugh it off, only for Emi to slam her fist into his shoulder, leaving him twitching in pain. The group bursted out laughing, their bond was stronger than ever despite the jealousy brewing.

After successfully sneaking past the staff, the group reached their rooms. Exhausted, Sora collapsed onto his futon.

Sora: (in thought) "I'm glad I got to be here... with all of you. Someday... I'll see you again then, Natsuki..."

Both girls appeared before him, blushing, leaning closer, their lips near his for a moment before he jolted awake, heart hammering.

Sora: (muttering to himself) "...I'm still thinking about them." sighs "I just hope they're alright."

Two hours later, the first years regrouped in the hotel lobby. Laughter and chatter dulled into silence when three figures stepped through the entrance.

Jeff. Yui. Freddy.

Their grins sliced through the room like knives.

Sora froze, tension locking his body. Hiroyuki and Moriko stiffened beside him, both visibly shaken.

Aika: (quietly, touching his arm) "Sora...Relax."

Jeff licked the edge of his knife, eyes locked on her.

Jeff: (smirking) "This one's smoking hot."

Yamato entered just in time, his expression souring further than usual. He cracked his knuckles, glaring at the trio.

Yamato: (coldly) "I assume you know one of my students"

Freddy stepped forward, his sheer presence pressing against the room.

Freddy: (low toned, steady) "We'll speak to him later."

He smacked Jeff across the head for mouthing off, then walked past. Their departure left behind a strong tension that clung like smoke.

Douya: (mocking tone, smirking) "So much for 'great ole Sora."

Aika finally snapped at Douya. Her glare alone made him stammer and pale.

Aika (icy toned) "Shut up."

Douya: (shaking voice, nearly in tears) "S-Sorry!"

She pulled Sora into a tight embrace. Soon the others joined, circling him in warmth. Still, inside, his chest twisting in fear.

Sora: (thinking, shaken tone) "Why... why do i feel like how I was back then?"

Later that night, Sora asked Aika to walk with him. She blushed for a moment before nodding.

Aika: (smiling faintly, soft tone) "Are you okay? After what happened back there?"

Sora: (serious tone, smiling back) "Yeah. Sorry for worrying you."

Their footsteps echoed down the quiet street. Then they stopped for a moment as they began to hear dozens of footsteps from both ends.

Sora: (grimly, serious tone) "...Aika. Hold my hand."

She obeyed, squeezing his hand tightly.

From the shadows emerged Yui, Jeff Freddy who were backed by over thirty delinquents. But tonight, another figure began to step forward, standing behind them.

Rito. His presence was quite heavier yet calmer than the others. His eyes were half-lidded but his expression remained unreadable, he radiated in both amusement and menace.

Sora: (defiant, smirking) "Look at this. A gang of rejects and dropouts..."

Freddy: (snapping, raised tone) "What was that, boy?"

Jeff: (furious, annoyed tone) "He's got a death wish..."

Yui: (sadistic smirk, low tone) "I'll gladly take this girl off your hands."

Before Sora could react, Yui lunged, snatching Aika. She screamed as Yui shoved her back into the mob.

Sora's jaw tightened for a moment. He exhaled once, then smiled but it wasn't his usual smile that felt kind... No.. it was the same smile when he fought those guys when he first met Aika which was filled with a growing yet terrifying edge.

The mob of delinquents began to rush forward at Sora. Sora pivoted forward like a wolf fighting it's own prey. His fists, elbows, and knees impacted into the bodies of delinquents one by one. One went down from a rib-shattering elbow, another folded from a brutal knee strike. Sora dodged and weaved like a predator who danced in blood.

When the dust cleared, thirty men were laid out, bloodied and battered on the ground.

Sora: (yawning, menacing tone filled with malice) "That's it? Is this all you've got?"

He laughed, low yet very menacingly, a sound that froze even Freddy.

Jeff: (terrified, shaky voice) "No Way... is this the same fucking bastard from junior high...?"

Freddy: (furious, hiding his terrified tone) "Enough!"

Yui: (sadistic grin, annoyed tone) "I'll make her suffer like you made us suffer."

She turned and viciously kicked Aika, sending her crashing unconsciously to the pavement, blood began to trickle down her temple.

Sora: (eyes widened, broken tone) "...Aika..."

His vision blurred for a moment, as his memories of him and Aika swirled around him. He began to see that same scene of Yui kicking Aika on repeat, before laughing again but this time it was now different as it felt dark, unstable yet terrifying all at the same time almost like Rage finally consumed him.

Sora: (hollow, cold tone) "...Guess it's time...that I stop holding back.."

He exploded forward, his movements became more fluid yet sharper and brutal. Yui swung at him but he ended up slipping past, driving his elbow into her stomach. She staggered for a moment, before reaching for a knife, but Sora knocked it away and leapt, his foot slammed into her skull. She dropped instantly.

Jeff charged for a moment. Sora spun on his heel, delivering a devastating hook kick to his jaw. Jeff's eyes rolled back as he crumpled, out cold.

Only Freddy and Rito remained.

Freddy roared, throwing every punches, kicks, headbutts at Sora. Sora tanked it all, laughing like a demon.

Sora: (mocking tone) "That's it? That's your best?"

Then he grabbed Jeff's discarded belt, wrapping it around his fists equally. His body shifted into a wild rhythm, weaving left and right, fists slamming into Freddy's body in a brutal Dempsey Roll. Freddy staggered, coughing up blood.

Sora: (low tone, manic) "This was quite fun.."

With one last strike, Sora swung the belt like an scissor blade attack that Syuko used in alive la alive, sending Freddy crashing into the ground. He crawled, trembling.

Freddy: (terrified tone, broken) "N-No more..."

Sora mounted on him, fists rained down on Freddy like a storm started. Blood splattered across his face. Freddy's terrified pleas drowned in the thundering of fists. Finally, Sora ended it with a hammerfist to the temple, Freddy limp beneath him.

And then Rito finally stepped forward.

Unlike the others, he wasn't trembling or angry, he just smiled faintly... his scar would be noticeable in the moonlight.

Rito: (almost amused, calming tone) "You've grown stronger than I expected. But tell me, Tanaka... how much longer can you keep control of that rage and adrenaline of yours?"

Sora would freeze for a moment, chest heaving, while Freddy's blood still dripping from his hands. Rito tilted his head, grinning wider.

Rito: (Chilling voice, smirking) "Because I'd like to see what happens when you lose it completely... TANAKA!!!"

His roar cut through the night like a battle cry and then he lunged.

Rito's fist tore through the air with an monstrous weight, a straight aimed to shatter bone. Sora tilted his head barely an inch, the punch grazing past his cheek. His eyes didn't waver for a moment. His grin matched Rito's, but colder.

Sora: (calming voice, dangerous grin) "...You'll regret this."

He answered with a brutal liver shot, his fist sinking deep into Rito's side. Rito flinched, but instead of faltering, he laughed through the pain while licking the blood from his mouth.

Rito: (grinning, pained tone) "That's it, Tanaka. Show me more!"

The street exploded with the sounds of fists colliding with faces. Rito swung heavier, each punch carrying the weight of a sledgehammer. Sora weaved, countering with strikes to counter Rito's own blows. Rito felt his jaw crack due to one short hook that was caused due to Sora.

Rito caught him once; a crushing right hook that sent Sora staggering back, blood dripping from his lip. The mob of delinquents gasped, watching with wide eyes while trying to hold themselves up despite the pain.

Rito cracked his neck, pointing at him.

Rito: (low voice, evil smirk) "You can bleed. Good. Makes this look realer than it already is.."

Sora spat the blood aside, smiling through it. He began to step forward, while his rage was still harnessed, no longer wild but almost as sharp as a blade.

Sora: (menacing, slight whisper) "I'm not the same weak kid from junior high."

He dashed forward, faster than before. Rito barely had time to block or counter before Sora's spinning back elbow smashed into his guard, rattling his bones. Sora followed with a lightning-fast one two, then slipped under Rito's counterpunch, burying an uppercut directly into his chin.

Rito's head snapped back, but he roared, grabbing Sora by the collar and slamming him into the ground. Rito's raised his fist for a finishing blow but Sora's eyes lit up for a moment as he began to think of something terrifying.

He caught Rito's wrist mid-swing, twisting it violently causing his bones to creak. Then, with monstrous strength, Sora rolled and flipped Rito onto his back, slamming his elbow into his chest.

Sora: (snarling, serious tone) "You wanted to see me lose it? Fine then. Watch Closely."

He unleashed a barrage of blows from both sides which was both faster, heavier and sharper than the next. Hooks to the body, knees to the ribs and a brutal stomp that rattled Rito's chest. The echoes of his strikes rang like gunshots in the night.

Rito tried to rise, but Sora wrapped his fists with Jeff's discarded belt again, his movements slipping into that of a wolf who hunts it's prey as he then performed the Dempsey roll again but this time it was heavier, sharper and stronger than before as Each swing pounded Rito's body like cannon fire.

Rito: (bloodied, coughing, pained tone) "Hah... hahahahaha... yes! THIS is the Tanaka I wanted!!"

Sora stopped rolling, his body trembling with unrelentless fury. He grabbed Rito by the collar, dragging his face inches from his own.

Sora: (calming, low tone) "You're not getting the satisfaction. I control this rage... not you."

Rito's grin finally faltered. His eyes widened in terror as Sora's fist came down in a clean, surgical strike to his temple. Rito's body hit the pavement hard, finally motionless.

The street fell silent. Only Sora's heavy breaths filled the air.

He looked at his bloodied hands, than at Aika's unconscious form, and his expression hardened.

Sora: (in thought) "...I've grown. But it's still not enough. I have to protect them. I can't lose anyone again..." Sora paused for a moment as his mind drifted to remember Marl for a moment but it felt like a dream and a reminder for him to try and get stronger.

He turned his back on Rito's crumpled body and knelt beside Aika, brushing her hair from her face.

Behind him, Freddy and Jeff were still unconscious. Yui stirred faintly, but froze when she saw Sora's silhouette.

No one dared move.

Luna: (sighing, worried tone) "...What happened here?"

Emi: (wide-eyed, confused tone) "Did Sora... really do this all on his own?"

Hana: (smirking, soft tone) "Looks like it."

Moriko: (staring at Sora, quiet tone) "Sora... you're amazing."

Hiroyuki: (kneeling beside Aika, worried tone) "Sora... wait, what happened with Aika?"

Sora: (quiet tone, trembling but slightly steady voice) "...Take her to the hospital for me. Please."

They nodded with zero hesitation this time, lifting Aika carefully and rushing her towards the walk in hospital. Sora stood there in silence, his fists was twitching and trembling as his bones felt like giving up on him.

Then, slowly, he turned back to broken heap of bodies. Jeff groaning, Yui twitching, Freddy sprawling and bleeding.... and Rito. The mountain of muscle was sprawled flat, chest heaving, a crooked smile still plastered faintly on his bruised face even in unconsciousness.

Sora's eyes narrowed before he crouched low and slapped each of them in the face so that they could wake up, one by one.

Sora: (cold tone) "...Wake up. We're not done talking."

Jeff's eyes flickered open, filled with terror. Yui stirred, trembling. Freddy coughed, glaring but unable to rise. Rito groaned, chuckled through broken ribs, and tilted his head with that same maddening grin.

Sora: (glaring, aggressive tone) "Who sent you after me?"

Freddy: (spitting blood, mocking tone) "...We ain't telling."

Sora's grin began to widen after Freddy talked back.

Sora: (smirking, happy tone) "Okay."

His fist drove into Freddy's stomach like a sledgehammer. Freddy gasped, coughing up blood before his eyes rolled to the back of his head, dropping unconsciously again.

Sora shifted to Jeff.

Sora: "And you? Who sent you?"

Jeff: (low grin, shaky tone) "...We came for you on our own accord. No one sent us."

Sora: (sinister smile, scary tone) "...heh, Nice answer."

His elbow smashed across Jeff's jaw, snapping his head sideways and causing him to slump back unconsciously.

Sora's gaze faltered onto Yui, causing her to flinch instantly. Her bravado fell instantly.

Sora: (flat tone, deadpan) "It's your turn..."

Yui: (voice trembling, teary eyed) "I-It was all Jeff, Rito and Freddy's idea... I-I didn't---"

Sora: (serious tone, interrupting with a glare) "Shut up. I didn't ask for a sob story."

He seized her by the collar, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Yui gasped, as her face flushed in terror. His merciless glare pierced into her, and for a twisted moment, she found herself blushing or at least falling for him.

Sora: (low toned, calm) "You touch my friends again, and I'll kill you. No second chances."

He let her dangle there, trembling, before slamming his elbow across her temple. She went limp in his arms. Despite all his cruelty, Sora lowered her on the ground, placing her against the wall as he didn't want to harm her fully despite already knocking her out.

Finally, his eyes shifted to Rito.

Rito coughed, laughed, and spoke through the blood in his mouth.

Rito: (hoarse tone, grinning) "...Heh, You've grown from the kid we've used to bully, tease and beat up all day long, TANAKA!!"

Sora: (cold tone) "No. I'm not."

Sora crouched lower as he gripped Rito by the collar in order to stare into his eyes, his voice stripped itself of all pretense.

Sora: (monotone tone, only Rito could hear) "And that's why you'll never drag me down again."

Sora let go of Rito before he rose up, turning his back on the four broken delinquents. None of them dared to move. Even Rito's grin faltered finally as he passed out, silence swallowing the alley.

We would fast forward about a week after the incident.

The train back to Sakura Falls was uneventful, but Sora's mind still wasn't at ease. The memory of Aika bleeding in his arms replayed in his head over and over.

Sora: (in thought) "Maybe I should improve my techniques a bit.." His Frustration within his own mind bubbled beneath the surface.

That Night, he collapsed into bed, letting the darkness take him.

We would fast forward to the next morning.

Aya's voice cut through the quiet.

Aya: (shouting, energetic tone) "Food is ready, come eat your breakfast!"

Satou: (yawning, tired tone) "Thanks, hun."

Sora blinked, dragging himself down the stairs. Aya kissed Satou passionately, then hugged both her kids, planting kisses on Sora's and Megumi's foreheads.

Sora: (staring, confused tone) "...Huh?"

He ate quietly with his family which shocked them more than any battle could. Sora almost never sat at the dining table. Aya and Satou exchanged surprised looks but said nothing.

After finishing his breakfast, he slipped his shoes on, waving goodbye.

Sora: (hurried tone) "Alright..."

On the way to school, Sora stopped walking for a moment to caught a commotion before two girls and one loudmouth guy. A crowd circled the commotion, as the arrogant student, Kaito, sneering and annoyed both girls.

Kaito: (mocking tone) "Going to cry?"

The girl mumbled under her breath, her tone was low and venomous.

???: (mumbling) "...You're going to cry."

Kaito leaned down, confused at what she said.

Kaito: (smugly, cocky tone) "..What? I can't hear you."

The girl's eyes snapped open, blazing in anger.

???: (Shouting) "YOU'RE GOING TO CRY!!"

Her fist cracked into his jaw with a strong force. Kaito crumbled instantly, sprawling out on the pavement.

She stood over him, smirking coldly.

???: (smugly) "Kaito? Earth to Kaito. Earth to Dumbass."

Her friend laughed from the sidelines at the sight of Kaito being knocked out.

Yuki: (grinning, joking tone) "You hit him good, didn't you, Mia?"

Mia: (annoyed tone, eye rolling) "Shut up, Yuki."

Yuki: (snickering, playful tone) "Not my fault that you put too much power into one right hook."

The two noticed Sora watching. His eyes lingered on them for a second, unreadable, before he walked away. Their annoyance were very evident from his staring.

Back in the classroom, Sora leaned against his desk, smirking as he chatted with his friends.

Sora: (sighing) "Today was very odd.."

Hiroyuki: (smirking) "I read three new manga volumes..."

Sora: (intrigued) "What was the series name for them?"

Hiroyuki: (cont.) "...I got Volume 26 of B Red Man, Volume 2 of MYUU & Volume 1 of Curtain Call."

The room was light, laughter spilling across the desks, until Yamato stepped in, sighing heavily.

Yamato: (droggy tone, sighing) "Alright. You two, come in."

The door slid open, gasps rippled through the class. Two familiar faces stepped inside.

Student A: (excited) "Wait, that's the idol duo Yorozuya?"

Natsuki and Rin smiled, waving politely.

Natsuki & Rin (together): "Yes, we are."

Yamato: "Anything else you'd like to say before sitting?"

Natsuki nudged Rin, grinning.

Natsuki: "Rin... look. Our childhood friend from junior high."

Rin: (blinking, happy tone) "...Huh."

Their eyes locked on Sora. He froze, confusion turning to recognition. His chair scraped loudly as he stood, pointing.

Sora: (shocked) "....It's you guys again!"

Natsuki strode up while Rin was close behind.

Natsuki: (smiling, soft tone) "It's you again."

Rin: (warmly, soft tone) "Hi, Sora."

Sora couldn't help the small smile tugging his lips.

Sora: "Hey, Rin. Natsuki."

Then, in front of the entire class, they both embraced him tightly. The room erupted in whispers and gasps.

The rooftop wind tugged at Sora's hair as he leaned on the fence, staring out at the fading clouds. For a moment, everything was still. Then, footsteps was heard causing him to turn his head slightly as he spotted Yuki and Mia, the two girls from earlier.

They weren't saying anything, just watching him. Their eyes lingered in a way that was halfway between curiosity and irritation.

Sora: (mumbling, sighing coldly) "...I wonder."

He turned back toward the sky, purposefully ignoring them both.

Yuki: (clicking her tongue, annoyed tone) "Oi... is he ignoring us?"

Mia: (arms crossed, annoyed tone) "He is. He totally is."

Sora glanced back, expression flat. His voice cut through the air like a knife.

Sora: (irritated tone, deadpan) "You two are annoying... But you both are also cute. So I'll leave you alone. If you want to be friends, fine. If not, stay out of my way. See ya."

The words came out sharp, dismissive, but oddly casual at the same time. He didn't wait for an answer. With a bored wave, he stepped past them, heading toward the stairs.

Halfway down, he stopped for a moment. Aika was waiting, her hands fidgeting nervously behind her back, cheeks tinted pink.

Sora: (blinking, confused tone) "...What's wrong?"

Aika: (blushing harder, quiet but firm tone) "This is what I wanted to give you... after you risked your life for me that day."

Before Sora could ask what she meant, but before he could answer, Aika leaned in and pressed a quick, soft kiss against his cheek.

The world stopped.

His face turned crimson instantly, his body frozen in place. Aika, equally red, darted away down the hall, her hair bouncing as she disappeared around the corner.

Sora stayed standing there, dumbfounded, until his knees buckled and he fainted upright while he was still leaning against the wall with a stunned, dreamy look plastered on his face.

Sora: (in thought) "That... actually happened. I guess."

Not far away, hidden in the shadows of the stairwell, Shion had seen everything. Her nails dug into her palm, drawing thin crescents of blood. Her face twisted between heartbreak and rage, the corners of her lips twitching into something unnatural.

Shion: (muttering, furious tone) "...AIKA...!!"

Her teeth clenched while Her eyes dilated.

Shion: (venomous tone) "I'll destroy anyone... who dares interfere with my love for him."

Her lips curled upward, and a manic laugh slipped out, growing louder, higher, until it rang down the stairwell.

Shion: (laughing darkly, unhinged) "Fufufufu.... ahahahahaha....!!"

Her laughter warped, manic and sharp which looked eerily reminiscent of Suno Yasai from Kirai Mikki. Her shadow stretched long against the wall, face half-lit, half-shrouded, her yandere intentions seeping out like a crack in a dam.

Anyone watched in that moment would have sworn she wasn't the class rep anymore, but was something else entirely

We would fast forward to a day after...

The classroom buzzed with energy the next morning. Students chattered about the trip, about Yorozuya's surprise transfer, about everything except the strange tension hovering just under the surface.

Sora sat slouched in his chair, half-listening to Hiroyuki explain some ridiculous plot twist from B Red Man. Emi tried to look annoyed but was clearly enjoying the story. Aika sat nearby, sneaking glances at Sora, her cheeks turning pink each time she remembered the kiss from yesterday.

Sora? He still faintly rubbed the spot on his cheek, dazed, as though confirming it wasn't just a dream.

From across the room, Shion watched.

Her pen scratched against her notebook, but she wasn't taking notes as she continued writing Sora's name. Again and again. Each stroke of the pen grew harder, more frantic, until the paper nearly tore.

When Aika leaned slightly closer to Sora to ask him something, Shion's pen snapped in her grip, causing ink to bleed across the page, staining Sora's name in black.

She didn't speak, didn't lash out. She simply just started to give a wide but polite class rep esque smile.

But her thoughts hissed like poison.

Shion: (in thought) "Don't get too close, Aika... Don't any of you get too close. Sora is mine. He's always been mine."

At lunch, Sora headed out into the courtyard with Hiroyuki, Moriko, Natsuki, Rin, Aika, Hana, Luna & Emi trailing behind. The group laughed easily, their bond strong even after everything.

Shion lingered near the windows, her gaze never leaving him. Her bento was left untouched. Her classmates whispered about how strange she seemed, but no one dared to approach her.

She tapped her chopsticks against the table in rhythm. One two, one two, one two, almost like a heartbeat.

Each tap matched the thought hammering in her skull.

Shion: (in thought) "I'll erase them.... one by one. Until there's no one left between us."

Her eyes softened when Sora laughed at something Moriko said, but the softness quickly warped into something darker.

She lowered her head, hiding the yanderish grin spreading across her face.

Shion: (whispering to herself) "...And when that day comes, Sora-kun, you'll finally see... you were meant to be mine alone."

The bell rang, snapping everyone back to routine. Everyone except her.

Shion's obsession had already begun tightening its claws.

...

(The Ending Theme Plays) (play -No Title- (10 Years Later Edition) by Reol)

((Preview Of The Next Arc))

"Shion"

((End Of Preview))