Panic at the academy - Part 1

“Kaito, please! Come back with me!”

“No, Rin! What we had is over!”

The television, still turned on, played the usual drama Yu liked so much, while I, on the other hand, felt cornered and completely on edge.

“…What do I do?”

A month had already passed since the incident with the Jawer and the Dead Eye mission. Things had calmed down since then and nothing strange had happened. We patrolled the area frequently, fought a few times inside fog domes, and, in general, everything seemed peaceful… or at least, until now.

On my phone screen, an official announcement from the hunters’ academy I attend was displayed—an announcement stating that all interns must bring our tutor to the academy for a practical class where they would advise us and showcase their abilities.

I didn’t think I’d have to return to the academy so soon. My situation there isn’t exactly the best; I endured two years there thanks to the idea and motivation of becoming a hunter like my older sister, but thinking about having to go back made cold sweat run down my back.

And on top of that, there was another problem…

“Yes, Kaito, yes! Tell that miserable woman who didn’t value you her truths!” Yu exclaimed, tears of happiness streaming down his face.

If I brought Yu—with his problematic attitude and nonexistent status within the hunters’ community—my situation would most likely end up getting worse. I didn’t want to take him with me, but I really had no choice…

“Yu, there’s something I need to ask you.”

“What’s going on?” he asked, wiping his tears.

I hesitated for a moment, but eventually, I spoke.

“…There will be an event at the hunters’ academy I attend in two days, to introduce our tutors, and I need you to come with me.”

“A presentation, huh? I’m not very good at that, but I do know a few magic tricks, like this one.” He responded, then performed the old trick of removing his thumb—something that did absolutely nothing to reassure me.

“That’s not what I meant!” I snapped. “I just need you to introduce yourself, give some advice, and show a bit of your abilities as a hunter.”

“Well, I’m a little better at that. I’m terrible at magic tricks anyway,” he said in a teasing tone. “It’s in two days, right? Count me in!”

“Yeah… thanks.”

Even with his agreement, the truth was I didn’t feel any better. My mind spiraled through endless possibilities, all of which ended badly for me. I felt chills, and my legs grew weaker. Yu must have noticed, because moments later, he looked worried.

“Things have been calm lately, so you can go home early.”

“Huh? But—”

“Go on, get some rest. Unless you find it entertaining to watch me cry over my dramas.”

“…I’ll take my leave then.” I replied, dispirited.

Truly, a pathetic image for a hunter.

“Rest up! I’ll keep doing my own thing!”

I turned around and walked toward the door, ready to leave, but stopped with my hand on the doorknob to ask one more thing.

There was something that had been bothering me for a while now. And every time I saw Yu here, that something gnawed at me even more. It wasn’t something I wanted to admit, but I couldn’t hold it in anymore.

“…Are those dramas really that good?” I asked, doubtful.

Yu’s gaze, previously locked onto the cheap television on his desk, snapped toward me with sparkling, excited eyes.

“Of course! Don’t tell me… have you started getting interested?! I have so many I can recommend, just say the word!”

“N-no! I was just asking… Bye!”

Seeing Yu so hooked on dramas for the little over a month I had been doing my internship here had sparked my curiosity. Watching him so absorbed and emotional made me wonder if they were really that good.

I had been a little curious lately, but that was all. Nothing more. I should have known he would answer enthusiastically.

With my question answered, I left the place and headed home to get some rest. I was going to need it. In two days, my real nightmare would begin.

***

Finally, the day I dreaded most had arrived: the tutors’ presentation day at the academy.

The worst part of all was that, based on what I was told, this wouldn’t be the only time I’d have to come with Yu to the academy. There were at least two more times where I would have to present my progress and abilities too. In other words, things were only going to get worse…

I was lucky that this time Yu was the only one who had to present something to everyone, but that luck was only temporary.

“Wow! So this is the academy, huh?” Yu exclaimed, amazed.

We were standing outside the facilities, but even from here, it was painfully obvious that this was one of the most important academies in the country. There was a reason it had been the first to open officially.

The buildings were enormous and sophisticated, always spotless and perfectly organized—something that starkly contrasted with the way many civilians viewed hunters, often labeling them as savage and violent. Even from the outside, the presence the academy emanated was imposing and somewhat overwhelming.

I remembered my first day here. I had arrived early, nervous beyond belief, yet even then, it hadn’t mattered. I had wasted time standing frozen before the academy gates, stunned and intimidated in equal measure.

Recalling it now gave me an oddly nostalgic feeling, but it also made me realize just how much I’d changed since then.

“I wonder what academies look like inside.”

“Huh? Don’t you remember what your academy was like?” I asked.

“What are you talking about? I’ve never been to an academy. I’m self-taught!”

“…What?”

That meant Yu’s strength and skills—Yu, the careless and irresponsible hunter—hadn’t been taught by anyone?

Every time I learned something new about him, I just questioned things even more. Every answer gave birth to more questions, and the cycle repeated endlessly. I wondered if the day would ever come when nothing about him surprised me anymore.

Although… the fact that Yu had no idea what an academy was like only made me more anxious about how his presentation in front of everyone would go.

Swallow me up, earth…

“So it really is you, huh, bastard?” a voice called out from a distance just as we were about to walk into the academy.

The voice was serious, sharp, soaked in the kind of tone that was clearly looking for trouble—a fear that was immediately confirmed when I saw Yu’s expression shift into something tense and complicated.

He turned and began walking toward the man who had called him.

The man in question was a young guy with silver hair, sleeves rolled up on his black shirt, black pants, black shoes—everything black, making his pale skin stand out even more. His eyes, too, were gray.

Yu approached him with heavy, deliberate steps. The man met him halfway, doing the same, until they were standing directly in front of each other. Their eyes locked, tense and dangerous, while the man’s mouth curved into a defiant grin.

Who is he? What does he have to do with Yu?

And why does trouble have to show up right when we have to go into the academy?!