Adrenaline, Rain, and the Broken Mask

Shiun reached out toward Meiyu. She backed into the cold brick of the wall, her path blocked.

"Don’t you dare touch me!" she commanded, her voice like ice, though her hands trembled slightly.

Shiun smirked. "It’s over now, princess."

He lunged for her

THUD!!

A body slammed into Shiun from the side with the force of a runaway truck. Shiun staggered back, clutching his shoulder in pain.

Reikou stood there, panting like a wild animal. His uniform was disheveled, and sweat poured down his face. He had run faster than any human should, fueled by pure adrenaline. He stepped directly between Meiyu and the three bullies.

"How... how dare you touch her?" Reikou spat, his eyes burning with a terrifying, protective rage.

‘Why does this donkey look so creepy?!’ Shiun thought, his heart skipping a beat.

"Master Shiun," one of the lackeys whispered, "maybe we should run. He looks scary!"

"Don’t be cowards! Just grab him!"

The two boys lunged, pinning Reikou’s arms behind his back. He struggled with everything he had, but they were stronger. Shiun recovered and sneered, pulling back his fist. "Before I deal with her, I’ll break you first, you bastard!"

THWACK!!

Reikou didn't give up. He lifted both legs and kicked back with a double-mule kick, shattering Shiun’s balance. In the chaos, he delivered a brutal headbutt to one of the boys pinning him. CRACK. Meiyu watched, stunned. She didn't see the fool who forgot his homework she saw a man fighting with the soul of a lion.

SMASH!!

Shiun’s fist connected with Reikou’s stomach. Reikou coughed, a trail of blood escaping his lips. Meiyu gasped and tried to run to him, but the third boy blocked her.

Meiyu didn't hesitate. She delivered a slap so powerful it felt like a thunderclap.

"I said... keep a distance of 0.5 meters!" she shouted, clutching her bag like a weapon.

‘She’s still thinking about the protocol... what a dedicated lady,’ Reikou thought, even as the boys continued to rain blows on him. He finally crumpled against the wall, exhausted but smiling faintly.

Shiun stepped toward Meiyu, his face twisted. "Now it’s your turn."

"Stop right there."

Two figures blurred into the street light. Kiyoshi and Ryuuto had arrived. Kiyoshi stood like a stone titan, his muscular frame casting a long shadow. Ryuuto, holding his phone up, had a look of cold, calculating menace.

"You've committed assault," Kiyoshi said, his voice deep and dangerous. "And you're threatening a Sazanami."

Ryuuto tapped the screen of his phone. "Smile for the camera, boys. This footage goes straight to Sazanami Entertainment & Media (SEM). You didn't just hit a student you damaged their property. Think about what the corporate lawyers will do to your families."

The boys froze. Physical pain was one thing corporate ruin was a death sentence.

"Get out of here! Now!" Shiun hissed.

"Please forgive us! We won't do it again!" they stammered, fleeing into the darkness.

Reikou struggled to his feet, leaning on the wall. "DON'T SHOW YOUR FACES AGAIN! OR I'LL KICK YOUR DUMP-ASSES SO HARD!"

Meiyu sighed, adjusting her bag. "You fool." She turned to leave, her mask sliding back into place.

One hour later...

"FEEEEEW—! Finally done!"

Reikou presented his completed homework to Yinglan-sensei.

"Hmm... acceptable. You may go home now, Shion-kun."

Reikou packed his bag and walked down the stairs. Outside, the night had turned into a gentle rainfall. The sound of the drops hitting the pavement felt like a soft piano melody. It was peaceful.

"Yo! You're finally done?"

Reikou looked up. Kiyoshi and Ryuuto were leaning against the school gate, soaked but smiling.

"What are you two still doing here?"

"Waiting for you, obviously," they replied in unison.

Reikou felt a lump in his throat. He threw his arms around their shoulders, getting dramatic. "You guys... you're going to make me cry! You two are my best friends!"

"Don't get weird, Reikou-san!" Ryuuto laughed.

The trio marched into the rain, laughing and shouting. "TOMORROW IS THE WEEKEND! NO TENSION! JUST FREEDOM!"

That night, Meiyu Sazanami stood at her window, watching the rain dance against the glass. The image of Reikou standing between her and the world wouldn't leave her mind.

"Why do I feel this way?" she whispered to the empty room.

A soft, genuine smile one that no camera had ever captured tugged at her lips.

"Love...?"

She closed her eyes, feeling a warmth that no protocol could provide.

"Tomorrow... I’ll say thank you to him."

[End of Chapter 8]