The Cyber Ascension Arc 2: The Recovery After Storm | Chapter 13 |
Jin Yuan finally found his picture, and right beside him, Emily spotted hers.
Emily: "Huh… we finally found them."
Jin Yuan simply nodded and began walking down the mountain in silence.
---
Meanwhile, at the bottom:
Musukoni: "This is too easy… they're taking forever."
He smirked, arms crossed proudly.
---
On the other side, Yuzurei was losing his patience.
Yuzurei: "AHH!!! WHERE ARE THESE DAMN PICS!?"
Beside him, Shinoki timidly raised her hand, holding her picture.
Shinoki: "Um… Yuzurei, I—I found mine…"
Yuzurei's eyes widened. In a flash, he appeared beside her, chibi-like, serious and hilarious at the same time.
Yuzurei: "HUH!? WHY CAN'T I FIND MINE!?"
Shinoki blushed intensely, her cheeks bright red.
Shinoki: "Um… if you don't mind… I can help you…"
Yuzurei: "Huh? I don't need your help!"
Shinoki: "…O-okay…"
Her blush deepened.
Yuzurei climbed a tree with monkey-like ease, scanning the area, still finding nothing.
After a while, Shinoki began walking down the mountain alone.
Suddenly, Yuzurei sprinted after her from behind.
Yuzurei: "You… help me. I can't find that damn pic."
He panted heavily. Shinoki's heart skipped a beat as she looked at him, her face turning even redder.
Shinoki: "O-okay! I'll help you."
Together, they searched again.
A few minutes later—
Shinoki: "I found your picture!"
Yuzurei immediately ran to her.
Yuzurei: "YES! Thank you! …Umm? Huh?"
He tapped his chin, thinking hard, then grabbed his head in frustration.
Yuzurei: "Ummm… what's your name again!? I forgot!"
Shinoki nearly melted on the spot.
Shinoki: "I-It's Aria Shinoki… You can call me Shinoki…"
Yuzurei: "Oh! Okay, Shinoki. Thanks for finding my pic."
The two started walking down the mountain together—
one calm and shy,
the other annoyed and clueless,
both unknowingly growing closer.
---
Everyone stretched in the garden under the fresh morning sunlight while Shioinkin watched over them.
Everyone was present—except Yuzurei.
Musukoni: "Ahh… today's morning feels really fresh."
Jin Yuan: "Where is Yuzurei?"
Emily: "Huh? He's always like that… so late as usual."
At the mention of Yuzurei, Shinoki's face immediately turned pink.
Musukoni: "Maybe he's snoring in his room."
Back in the room, Yuzurei was indeed snoring loudly, mumbling nonsense in his sleep.
Back in the garden—
Shioinkin: "He'll arrive soon."
He grinned knowingly.
After a short while, Yuzurei finally appeared, messy white hair everywhere, left eye covered by a cloth from his last battle.
Yuzurei: "Seems I was early."
He stretched lazily.
Musukoni: "Huh? You're not early. You're late again."
Yuzurei ignored him, grinning, and casually stretched beside Shinoki.
Shinoki: "U-umm… g-good morning… Yuzurei…"
Her cheeks instantly pinkened.
Yuzurei: "Ah—yeah! Good morning!"
He replied energetically.
Shinoki's blush deepened further just from hearing his voice.
Emily: "Seems we can start now."
Jin Yuan nodded calmly, while Musukoni noticed Shinoki's bright red face and smiled knowingly.
---
The morning sun cast warm rays across the garden as everyone stretched.
Yuzurei: "Ha ha ha!! I'm the best!"
Musukoni: "No one asked, you know."
Shinoki snickered quietly but tried to control herself.
Yuzurei: "Huh!?!? You dummy! Everyone knows I'm the best!"
He puffed his chest proudly.
Jin Yuan continued stretching calmly, expression composed.
Emily practiced wooden katana swings with gentle precision.
Yuzurei grabbed two wooden katanas, tossing another two into the air and striking a tree with all four. Sparks flew as his skill shone in the morning light—still training tirelessly.
Shioinkin: "My students… they've grown beyond me. They deserve to be happy."
He smiled to himself, pride behind a calm exterior.
Musukoni and Shinoki watched Yuzurei closely.
Musukoni: "He's truly mastered that style… but he keeps training anyway."
Shinoki: "Oh… he's so hardworking~"
She murmured, captivated.
Yuzurei remained oblivious, spinning the four wooden katanas mid-air, striking the tree with perfect precision.
Shioinkin: "Everyone! Breakfast is ready!"
Yuzurei's eyes lit up instantly.
He sprinted to the house, his katanas clattering behind him.
Shinoki followed shyly, Emily and Jin Yuan trailed, Musukoni walked calmly at the back.
At the dining table, Yuzurei claimed his spot, practically vibrating with excitement.
Shinoki sat beside him, cheeks deep red.
Emily positioned herself next to Jin Yuan, calm as always.
Musukoni and Shioinkin took seats nearby.
Yuzurei attacked the food with both hands, munching loudly.
Musukoni: "Did you even wash your hands?"
Yuzurei: "Huh? …Ah, I forgot!"
He kept eating undeterred.
Shioinkin: "He's not even going to stop, is he?"
Shinoki blushed deeper, using a napkin to wipe crumbs from Yuzurei's cheek.
He didn't notice, absorbed in devouring his breakfast.
Yuzurei continued enthusiastically—toast, salad, everything.
Musukoni: "You're turning the whole table into a mess, Yuzurei…"
Yuzurei: "Huh!? More food! More stamina! More strength!"
Shinoki's blush intensified.
Emily: "He really isn't holding back…"
Jin Yuan (muttering): "He's always like that…"
Shinoki: "Yuzurei… um… eat slowly… you might choke."
Yuzurei: "Oh… okay."
He slowed just slightly—not fully—but enough for Shinoki's face to turn even brighter red.
Musukoni snickered quietly, covering it immediately.
---
Meanwhile, in the Blue Realm, Shinjukuna sat atop a massive high-tech throne, cold and calculating. Before him, Kaizen, Tetsuya, and Eisuke stood alive, a shocking scene.
Shinjukuna: "Hmm… they really thought they killed my Blue Knights. They only fought clones… what a pity."
---
Back on Earth, the group continued breakfast, laughter and chatter filling the room.
For now, everything was calm—and blissfully ordinary.
Yuzurei turned toward Shinoki with a playful grin.
Yuzurei: "Shinoki, can you give me that water bottle?"
Her cheeks immediately turned bright red.
Shinoki: "O-okay… I'm giving it to you."
She handed it over, hands trembling slightly, eyes locked on him, utterly flustered.