Sixteen years later.
A vast mirror of water stretched to the horizon, reflecting a white and silent sky.
The morning mist still lingered above the surface, as if the world hesitated to awaken.
A teenage girl stood there, her feet immersed in the icy water.
Her breath was short, her shoulders trembling. Her head bowed, she struggled against fatigue.
Hinata murmured between two gasps:
— It's still not enough…
She slowly lifted her head. Her eyes remained closed, as if searching for an answer within herself.
— I have to do more. I feel it… but I'm not there yet…
She stepped out of the water. Her steps were heavy, almost painful.
Her hands, completely wrapped in bandages, formed clenched fists.
A bandage bra wrapped her chest, and a long scar crossed her side, pale and deep, like a memory that refused to heal.
She stopped, wiped her forehead, and let out a bitter sigh:
— Why… why is it so difficult?
A presence appeared behind her.
— Because you want to reach something that doesn't belong to everyone.
She turned around.
A boy stood there, long hair, dark chestnut color, falling to his shoulder blades.
His eyes, a deep red, shone under the hood of a worn pullover.
He also wore bandages around his hands.
In one hand, he held a can.
In the other, a bag full of food.
Melokosa smiled slightly.
— Here, Hinata. I found what you like best. You should enjoy it.
She frowned.
— Melokosa…
— And then, he said shaking the bag, I got us enough to last the day. You need to be in good shape for classes.
Hinata looked away.
— Classes start in three hours. I've got plenty of time. And I don't see why you're always behind me… Don't you have anything better to do?
Melokosa shrugged with gentle weariness.
— It's my break. So yes, I have the right to check on my little sister.
He looked at her for a moment, his smile softening.
— You're young, Hinata. Yet you train as if you're carrying the world on your shoulders. You could enjoy yourself a little… you know?
Hinata crossed her arms, irritated.
— I do what I want. It's my life, not yours.
Melokosa raised his hands, as a sign of surrender.
— Okay, okay. If training makes you feel alive, I have no reason to oppose it.
Just… eat. Gather strength. You can only keep going if your body follows.
A brief silence.
Hinata sighed… then her expression relaxed slightly.
— Okay, big brother… By the way…
She looked up at him, with a discreet smile but full of expectation:
— Did you think about what I told you last night?
The breeze grew colder.
Melokosa remained motionless a moment too long.
As if that question was a fragile thread pulled for sixteen years.
His red gaze flickered for a moment — a shadow passed through it.
Then he answered.
— You want to talk about your registration for the martial arts festival, right?
Melokosa looked up, surprised, before sketching a slight smile.
— But… in which category will they place you, exactly? You've already mastered all the martial arts they can teach.
She crossed her arms, a fierce gleam in her eyes.
— I'll enter in my own category.
He raised an eyebrow.
— Is that allowed? Being a lone wolf?
Hinata shrugged, a small smirk.
— As long as I've paid my entry fee, they can't say anything. The inspectors will probably ask questions, but I'll tell them I'm from elsewhere… just to challenge the champions.
She paused, her eyes darkening slightly.
— They love the show. Well, they'll get one.
She looked away.
— I don't want to win anything. I just want… to test my power.
— Test your power?
— Yes… — her voice lowered —, and understand why I feel like something… is watching me every time I train.
A chill passed through the air. Melokosa stared at her, at a loss for words.
It wasn't the first time she said such a thing.
Sometimes, she seemed to perceive a shadow he could not see.
Hinata resumed, in a lighter tone:
— So I'll go masked. That way, nobody will recognize me.
Melokosa let out a quiet laugh.
— Well… well then.
Then, he sighed.
— Now I just have to find the twelve thousand needed for your registration. It might work if I work hard this week… or if I ask for an advance.
Hinata frowned.
— Big brother… if it's too much for you, you can give up, you know?
Melokosa shook his head.
— No. It's not a problem. Seeing you happy is worth more than all that.
He gently placed a hand on her head, almost trembling.
— Now, hurry up. You're going to be late at this rate.
She pouted.
— Tsk… I still have all the time in the world.
2:28 PM.
The monotonous ticking of the clock blended with the clear voice of the instructor.
The students copied mindlessly the equations drawn on the board, and Hinata, bent over her notebook, wrote in fine, methodical handwriting.
She spoke to no one. She didn't need to.
The newcomer was named Jack.
Rumors preceded him — a tattoo on his throat, a wild look, a troubled past. They said he had sent a classmate to the hospital, that he had even known the cell before turning eighteen.
He entered with an overly confident smile, a bad energy that made some heads lower.
And naturally, he heard about her.
Hinata, the friendless girl. The one who, at sixteen, had already broken the bones of three students.
The one the teachers carefully called by her name.
The emptiness around her seemed palpable — a dead zone where no one dared to sit.
Jack, seeking domination, saw a challenge there.
He stood up, dragging his chair loudly, and sat next to her.
Glances immediately turned, the atmosphere became heavy.
Hinata, impassive, kept writing.
Jack examined her from the corner of his eye. His jaw tightened.
A nasty smile formed on his lips.
— Hey… little one. So you're the boss, huh?
No answer.
The regular scratch of Hinata's pen seemed the only real thing in the room.
— Hey, I'm talking to you! Are you deaf or what?
This time, she raised her hand without looking at him.
— Miss?
The instructor stopped, slightly surprised.
— Yes, Hinata? You didn't understand something about this theorem?
— Yes, I understand the theorem very well. However…
She calmly turned her head toward Jack and pointed at him.
— He changed seats to come provoke me. He's preventing me from following the class.
A murmur ran through the class.
The teacher crossed her arms.
— Mr. Jack, I remind you that you're new here. You could at least try to behave well?
Jack snorted.
— That's not true, ma'am, she's lying!
The teacher raised an eyebrow.
— Oh really? Then why are you sitting next to her? That seat has always been empty.
An oppressive silence.
— Change seats, Mr. Jack. Immediately.
Jack clenched his fists, fuming, but obeyed.
Hinata calmly resumed her notes, as if nothing had happened.
Classes ended in ordinary silence. The students' chatter gradually faded, leaving behind the clatter of chairs and the sharp noise of closing bags. Hinata calmly packed her things, slung the strap of her bag over her shoulder, and left without a word.
The corridor brightened as she walked, but behind her, footsteps echoed. Jack, accompanied by a few students, followed her at a distance, a smirk frozen on his face.
Hinata took her usual path, walking along the narrow alley between two buildings. The place was quiet, almost empty. That's when Jack's mocking voice rang out:
Jack: Well well… the pretty little boss!
Hinata didn't respond. She kept walking, her gaze fixed straight ahead, as if she hadn't heard anything. This indifference made Jack grimace; something inside him flared violently. His eye contracted, his steps quickened. In an instant, he grabbed her by the collar and slammed her brutally against the wall.
The impact made the few onlookers shudder. No one dared to intervene.
Jack: What's wrong with you ignoring me, huh? You think you can snub me, little bitch?
Hinata kept her head down. Her silence chilled the air.
Jack: Lost your tongue?
His voice trembled with anger, but Hinata murmured in an oddly calm tone:
Hinata: If I hit you… I'll still have trouble with administration. So… leave me alone.
A dry laugh rose in the group.
— Woooh, the scaredy-cat!
— She's making excuses!
— The school terror doesn't look so tough now!
Jack turned to them, puffed up by the mockery. He sneered in turn, approaching Hinata with predatory air.
Jack: You know, you're really cute. Hard to believe a girl like you scares anyone…
Hinata remained silent, her gaze still vacant.
Jack (sadistically): One day, if you come to my neighborhood, I'd be happy to introduce you to my friends. We could… have some fun with you, if you know what I mean.
The tone slid into unhealthy vulgarity. Hinata didn't flinch. Not a word, not a gesture.
Frustrated, Jack tore the bag from her and emptied it on the ground. Notebooks, pens, a few sheets scattered. Laughter resumed, louder, crueller.
Jack: From now on, you're my maid. I'm the new boss here since I humiliated the old one! Now, everyone get out of here!
An awkward silence settled. Then, one by one, the students moved away, some ashamed, others amused. Jack left last, triumphant:
Jack: See you tomorrow, my maid! Hahaha!
The alley regained its calm. The wind lifted a dust-stained leaf. Hinata bent slowly to gather her things, without a word, without a glance. Her movements were slow, mechanical.
Then, a hand stretched out in front of her.
A thin, delicate hand holding a pen fallen near the wall.
Hinata lifted her head.
A girl stood there — orange hair, bright red eyes, gentle and slightly shy demeanor.
??? : Here… I think this is yours.
Her smile, discreet but sincere, contrasted with the cruelty of a few moments before.
Hinata froze for a moment, surprised that someone would show her kindness. Then she took the pen, slowly.
Hinata (softly): …Thank you.