( Guys I'm Adding Previous Chapter Recap here So enjoy New Reader 😝 )
The Cyber Ascension – Arc 3: The Battles of New York
Volume 3 | Chapter 25 : The Love
The sun was sinking behind the horizon, painting the sky with warm orange and rose-gold streaks. Inside the hall, Shioinkin Sensei stood proudly with his hands on his waist.
Shioinkin: "Alright, students! Today, I have a surprise for everyone!"
Nashino yawned lightly, leaning forward with his usual lazy grin.
Nashino: "Ya…? What's it, Sensei…?"
Jin Yuan watched silently from the side, calm as always.
Yuzurei: "OLD MAN!!! DON'T LEAVE US HANGING!!!"
Musukoni immediately smacked him on the back of the head.
Musukoni: "Yuzurei! Say Sensei! At least ONCE in your life!"
Shinoki hurried behind Yuzurei, tugging lightly at his sleeve.
Shinoki: "Ah… i-if Yuzu-kun is going… then I'm coming too…"
Emily walked up beside Jin Yuan, her smile warm like morning sun.
Emily: "What's the surprise, Sensei?"
Youchina entered from the corridor and stood next to Nashino, her presence instantly softening the atmosphere.
Youchina: "What's going on here?"
Shioinkin puffed out his chest proudly.
Shioinkin: "Tonight, we're all going to see… FIREWORKS!"
Everyone froze for a second—then their eyes lit up instantly.
Yuzurei: "YES!!!! SENSEI YOU'RE THE BEST!!!"
Jin Yuan gave a small nod. Emily nudged him with her elbow.
Emily: "Come on, Yuan. Be a little happy. After everything that happened in New York… we deserve this."
Jin Yuan's cheeks turned faintly pink.
Jin Yuan: "…Fine. I'm coming."
Musukoni sighed but smiled.
Musukoni: "Yuzurei, you better not cause trouble like last time. Especially with snacks."
Nashino grinned and pinched Youchina's cheek gently, making her blush instantly.
Nashino: "Fun night ahead, huh?"
Youchina: (soft, flustered) "N-Nashino…"
---
The Fireworks…
The group arrived near the city outskirts, where festival lanterns glowed softly. Everyone had changed into kimonos, giving the night a dreamlike charm.
Nashino wore a black kimono, its sleeves slightly loose, matching his easygoing vibe.
He leaned against Youchina with a lazy smirk.
Nashino: "Ya ya… this kinda stuff is nice."
Youchina, dressed in a purple kimono with black floral patterns, stood calmly beside him—her cheeks faintly warm.
Youchina: "Yes… Nashino. It really is relaxing."
Emily twirled a little in her red kimono, standing beside Jin Yuan, who wore a deep green one.
Emily: "See? I told you this would be fun."
Jin Yuan: "...Yeah. You're right."
A rare, gentle smile appeared on his face.
Meanwhile, Yuzurei was already bouncing around in his blue kimono.
Yuzurei: "FIREWORKS ARE THE BESTTTT!!"
Next to him, Shinoki in a pink kimono with soft red flowers, blushed as she looked at him.
Shinoki: "Y-Yeah… they are, Yuzu-kun…"
Musukoni, wearing a sky-blue kimono, breathed in the calm evening breeze.
Musukoni: "Sensei… this really was the best idea."
And finally, Shioinkin stood tall in his white kimono, striking a grand pose.
Shioinkin: "Heh! Of course it was! I AM the best Sensei!"
The first firework burst into the sky—
BOOM!
A brilliant blue flower of light spread above them, illuminating everyone's faces.
Yuzurei instantly yelled,
Yuzurei: "WOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!! LOOK AT THAT!!!"
Shinoki flinched from the loud boom, then shyly grabbed the sleeve of his kimono.
Shinoki: "Y-Yuzu-kun… it's so loud…"
Yuzurei blinked, then gently shifted closer.
Yuzurei: "Then stand next to me! I'll cover your ears if it gets too loud!"
Shinoki's entire face turned red.
---
Nashino & Youchina
The fireworks reflected in Youchina's purple eyes, making them shimmer.
Nashino watched her more than the sky.
Nashino:
"You love fireworks… huh?"
Youchina nodded softly.
Youchina:
"Yeah… but watching them with you… feels different."
Nashino smirked and slid his hand behind her back, pulling her closer.
Nashino:
"Careful. I might think you're flirting with me."
Youchina smiled—calm, innocent, and heart-melting.
Youchina:
"I always am."
Nashino froze for one second.
Nashino:
"…You really know how to kill me softly."
He rested his head on her shoulder while she gently held his bandaged hand with both of hers.
---
Emily & Jin Yuan
Emily looked up at the fireworks, hands folded behind her back.
Emily:
"It's pretty, right?"
Jin Yuan didn't respond immediately.
He was looking at her, not the sky.
Jin Yuan:
"Yeah… It is."
Emily blinked, then looked back at him with a small, warm smile.
Emily:
"You're warming up lately, Yuan."
Jin Yuan:
"…Maybe. Because of you."
Emily's heart skipped.
Emily:
"…Then keep warming up. I'll help."
Jin Yuan turned slightly pink again and looked away.
---
The Chaos Pair
A huge firework burst.
BOOM!!!
Yuzurei panicked and threw the popcorn box he stole from somewhere.
Yuzurei:
"HOLY—!!! THAT ONE WAS TOO CLOSE!!!"
The popcorn rained down on Musukoni's head.
Musukoni closed his eyes, breathing slowly…
Musukoni:
"…Yuzurei."
Yuzurei:
"Yes?"
Musukoni:
"Run."
Yuzurei:
"WAIT NO—"
He sprinted for his life.
---
Sensei Shioinkin
Shioinkin stood with his hands behind his back, smiling proudly at his students.
Shioinkin:
"Hah… Kids. They finally look peaceful again."
His smile softened.
---
A Moment Between Nashino & Youchina
Nashino turned toward Youchina again.
Nashino:
"Hey…"
Youchina looked up.
Nashino:
"Thanks… for staying by my side through everything."
Youchina gently touched her forehead to his.
Youchina:
"Always."
A firework exploded behind them—
a bright purple one, reflecting in their eyes.
---
But… not everything was calm.
Far behind the festival crowd, on top of a ruined building at the outskirts—
A silhouette stood watching them.
Long coat.
Sharp eyes.
Hands in pockets.
A cold voice muttered:
??? :
"So… those kids are still alive."
Another firework flashed behind him, revealing a faint scar across his left eye.
??? :
"Nashino… we'll be meeting very soon."
He disappeared into the shadows.