Because that's what losers do

As Kenta and Ghost parted ways to their respective classes, Ghost sat in the second-to-last row next to the window, trying to focus on his work. But he couldn’t stop thinking about the dodgeball game he was about to play.

Ghost (thinking): Dang it… Kenta really screwed up this time. Out of everything he could’ve said, why did he have to involve me?!

Flashbacks of Ayame’s words came to mind.

Ayame (flashback): Nice try — you can’t fool me with an ugly dude!

Ghost (thinking): Come on, I’m not ugly! I’m at least average! But… those girls are the big three of the dodgeball squad. There’s no way I can compete with that. Who the hell could I possibly get to help me?!

As he pondered, he felt kicks at the bottom of his chair. At first, he ignored it, but they grew progressively annoying, causing him to mess up some words. He looked behind him and saw a boy twisting his neck — black cornrows, darker skin than the others.

Ghost: Hey… do you mind?

Souta: Oh! Uh, sorry about that… Woah! You’re an Oni, right? I just realized because of your eyes!

Ghost’s face showed a hint of surprise at his enthusiasm.

Ghost: Yeah, it’s pretty much a giveaway. Sorry… but who are you?

Souta: The name’s Souta Nishikata! What about you?

Ghost: Ghost Shinbara. Nice to meet you, Souta… Wait — I’ve heard that name before. You’re the captain of the track team, right?

Souta: Yep! That’s me. I’m not that well-known, so thanks for noticing.

Ghost: You’re perfect!

Souta reeled back at the sudden statement.

Souta: Perfect, you say? Is this some kind of confession?

Ghost facepalmed.

Ghost: No, I didn’t mean it like — forget it. I want to ask if you’d join me for a dodgeball match.

Souta raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical.

Souta: Dodgeball? That could be fun… sure. Who are our opponents?

Ghost hesitated, thinking quickly.

Ghost (thinking): If he knows we’re up against the big three, he’ll quit for sure. I gotta lie.

He took a deep breath.

Ghost: It’s a secret!

Souta’s excitement made him fidget with his fingers as the bell rang for PE. As they walked out of the classroom, Ghost spotted Kenta approaching, introducing Souta to him. They all headed to the PE field and saw the girls in orange crop-top shirts and matching shorts.

Souta looked confused.

Souta: Hey… why are the big three here, guys?

Ghost and Kenta’s faces flushed pink as they realized how perfect the girls looked in their outfits, but they quickly shook their heads to calm down.

Kenta: Their bodies… perfect angles, sharp eyes that could break diamonds… such hotties.

Ghost: Agreed…

Souta: Guys!

Ghost: Surprise, Souta! They’re our opponents, so you’re still helping us, right?

Souta paled as he screamed at Ghost and Kenta. They all got into a heated argument, while the girls stood by, chewing on the scene with confused expressions. Eventually, Ayame stepped forward.

Ayame: Hey, weirdos!

Everyone stopped shouting and looked at her.

Ayame: Quit fooling around already! You guys obviously know the basics of dodgeball, right?

They all nodded.

Ayame: To spice things up a little, if you’re hit with a dodgeball, you don’t lose… we keep going until one team can no longer stand.

The boys felt genuine fear, but quickly regained composure. They lined up: Kenta on the left facing Yui, Ghost in the middle facing Ayame, and Souta on the right facing Suzu.

Yui: 3… 2… 1… GO!

Everyone ran to the middle, screaming their war cries. Yui and Ayame got balls faster than Ghost and Kenta could, sticking out their tongues tauntingly. Souta grabbed a ball faster than Suzu and cheered.

Souta: Oh yeah!

A ball connected to his cheek, and his nose began bleeding — Yui had thrown it.

Yui: Too slow, punk!

Kenta: Souta!

Kenta and Ghost dodged incoming balls and ran to Souta.

Ghost (thinking): Not good… not good! They already got Souta! That ball came too fast even for him!

As they ran, Ayame threw a ball at Kenta, but he ducked. It hit Ghost in the cheek, making him stumble to his knees.

Ayame: Bullseye! Hehehe! I didn’t think you guys were this weak.

Ghost (thinking): Get up… it isn’t over yet!

A machine launched a ball onto the court. Suzu caught it, her hand veins bulging.

Suzu: Something Ayame forgot to mention — balls will be coming from everywhere. Conversation over.

Suzu hurled the ball with incredible speed, creating wind as it raced toward Ghost, who couldn’t react in time. At the last second, Souta scooped him up just as it hit the wall, and they rolled together.

Souta: You okay, man?

Ghost: Yeah.

Ghost looked up and saw Yui charging a throw, but a ball knocked her off balance — Kenta had thrown it.

Kenta: I hate hitting women, but I’ll do anything for my friends.

Yui: What a gentleman…

Ghost and Souta covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.

Souta: Yui usually throws unexpectedly, while Ayame goes full pressure.

Kenta appeared behind them.

Kenta: And Suzu is full power. Winning might be impossible.

Ghost: But we have to try. Let’s go!

They scattered, grabbing loose balls. Ayame threw two at once; Ghost blocked them all.

Ayame: The more hits you block, the harder it is to hold that ball!

Ghost: Guys, now!

Ayame gasped as Kenta stomped on Ghost’s back, propelling himself higher. Souta used his speed to gather balls and tossed them at Kenta, who slapped them toward Ayame, but Yui blocked the hit.

Yui: Don’t worry about me — focus!

Suzu threw a ball at Ghost, hitting him in the stomach. His eyes went fully black for a second as he was knocked into the wall. Kenta and Souta stared in shock.

Souta and Kenta: GHOST!

Suzu: Ayame, now!

Ayame’s eyes sparked as she threw a ball at Kenta, who was distracted. It hit his nose, making his ears ring as he fell backward. Souta tried to run, but another dodgeball hit his cheek, knocking him down. The girls laughed.

Ayame: That was a bore. I honestly thought you’d put up more of a fight. Disappointing!

Ghost twitched as he rose from the ground, body shaking. Ayame raised a brow, surprised.

Yui: Well, well, looks like he still has some fight left.

Kenta groaned, vision blurry.

Kenta: What are you doing, Ghost? Stay down and this will be over.

A dodgeball hit him in the stomach, but he stayed standing. Dodgeballs rained down on him, and Ayame was confused.

Ayame: Why won’t he stay down? Why is he so persistent? Fall already!

Ghost remembered his younger self, watching heroes save people on TV.

Kaito (TV): No matter how dire the situation, a hero and a keeper will always rise!

He smirked. The girls stared, surprised.

Suzu: Something funny?

Ghost: I refuse to fall because, no matter how dire the situation… I will keep fighting!

Everyone looked at him, perplexed. Even Kenta and Souta’s jaws dropped. Something hit deep inside Ayame’s heart as she shook.

Ayame: Nice speech… but I’ll still blow you away!

She hurled a dodgeball as hard as she could. Ghost took a deep breath, spun, and grabbed it midair.

Ghost: I’m going to show you something…

Kenta smiled, understanding.

Kenta: Uh oh… bad news, guys…

Ghost’s eyes sparkled as he wound up his arm.

Ghost: Extraordinary!

Ayame’s heart skipped a beat as Ghost launched the ball. It missed her face, slamming into the wall — he hadn’t aimed.

Meanwhile, someone watched the footage. A person in a plain white shirt and grey sweatpants sat on a chair, eating cake, scratching the side of his head. Behind him, a man in a black jacket and jeans, a scar across his face, watched. Both had red eyes.

Vesper: Renji, do you think he’s the one our master sent us to find?

Renji: Yes. No doubt about it. There’s no mistaking him.

Vesper laughed, zooming in on Ghost’s unconscious body.

Vesper: Alright… kill some random kids. This is going to be fun. The late-night parade will be nothing short of a massacre!