Chapter 8 —A step Forward.
Miyu didn't realize she'd been crying until a warm thumb brushed her cheek.
Her grandmother's arms wrapped around her, soft and steady, smelling faintly of lavender and old pages.
"Sweet girl…" Grandma whispered, stroking Miyu's hair like she was six again.
Miyu forced a small laugh and pulled back. "You shouldn't have come all the way here."
Grandma gave her a light slap on the shoulder. "You think I'd sit at home while my granddaughter is falling apart? Please. I'm old, not fossilized."
Miyu let out a weak chuckle—but it died fast.
Silence settled over them, heavy like wet cloth.
They sat on the bed together.
And Grandma's gaze sharpened—she knew. Miyu didn't cry like this. Not when her mother died. Not when her father vanished into his work again.
This… was different. This was Miyu breaking.
"Miyu," Grandma said softly. "Tell me."
Miyu's fingers tightened around the blanket. "…It's Itsuki."
Grandma blinked, searching her memory. Then her eyes widened. "What happened to him?" She scooted closer without hesitation.
"We were attacked," Miyu whispered, her voice trembling. "He tried to protect me and… he got beaten badly. He's in the hospital now. And Dad—" her jaw tensed, "—he's nowhere."
Her nails dug into the sheets.
Grandma exhaled, a slow tired sigh, like she'd carried the world before and didn't want Miyu to carry it too.
"Your father loves you, Miyu."
Miyu shook her head. "He loves his job more."
"That job helps keep the world standing." her grandma tried to give a reason.
"That job keeps him away," Miyu snapped, eyes burning.
Grandma didn't argue. She just held Miyu's hand tighter.
After a moment, Miyu whispered, "Grandma… is there anyone—anything—that could help Itsuki? I can't let him die. I won't."
Grandma looked away for a moment, weighing something heavy, ancient.
Then she spoke.
"…There is one person."
Miyu's breath caught.
"Your father's twin brother," Grandma continued. "Genzo."
Miyu blinked. "Dad has a WHAT?"
She wanted to ask so many questions but it doesn't matter now.
"A twin," Grandma said, lowering her voice. "But they haven't spoken in years. Genzo once worked for G.E.M—the Gem Experiment Moderators. He believed their research could destroy humanity. So he quit… hid himself from the world."
Miyu's heart thudded hard. "If he knows anything—anything at all—I have to find him."
Grandma nodded slowly.
"From what I know, he lives in Sawara. But be careful. Genzo doesn't like visitors… especially ones connected to his past."
---
Hospital Room — Moments Later
Miyu sat beside Itsuki's bed, her fingers threaded through his limp hand. The soft hum of machines filled the dim room. Outside, the setting sun painted the sky neon-orange, streaking the walls with burning light.
She leaned closer. "You idiot," she whispered, brushing stray hair from his forehead. "You weren't supposed to push yourself like that…"
Her throat tightened.
Just wake up. Please.
No response.
But then—
A faint warmth pulsed beneath her palm.
His index finger twitched. Itsuki is really struggling within but his body isn't responding.
Her breath hitched. "Itsuki…?"
Silence. Only hospital chatters and sounds of cars driving by.
"…I'll go to Genzo tonight," she whispered. "After Daichi's match."
Something inside her chest tightened—like a thread pulling, linking her to him. Like he was hearing her in a place she couldn't reach.
Her phone vibrated violently.
Daichi: Fight starts in 1 hour. You coming or not?
Miyu wiped her eyes and stood.
"Hold on, dumbass. I'll fix this. I'll keep everything running until you wake up."
She shoved her notebooks into her bag and sprinted out of the hospital.
---
Tokyo Arena — Pre-Match Warm-up
The arena pulsed with energy the moment she stepped inside—crowds shouting, cameras snapping, the smell of sweat and electricity filling the air. The stadium could fit 70,000, but tonight was just a rookie rumble final, so only about half the seats burned with excitement.
Miyu scanned the warm-up area—
There. Daichi.
Shirt off.
Muscles gleaming with sweat.
Headphones on.
Moving like a beast trained in silence.
He shadowboxed with that same dangerous calm Itsuki used to tease him for.
When he spotted her, he tugged off his headphones.
"You made it," he said, voice low.
"Obviously." She dropped her notebook on the bench. "Okay, listen carefully—Kenzo is stupid fast. Don't let him drag you into his tempo. Keep your footwork tight. Don't chase."
Daichi chuckled. "Yes, coach."
But when she stepped closer to adjust his stance, something hit her.
The way he lifted his chin—
That stubborn determination—
That little spark in his eyes—
For a split second, he looked exactly like Itsuki.
Her hand moved on its own.
She cupped his cheek.
Daichi froze. "Uh—M-Miyu…?"
Her eyes widened. "I—No—I mean— It's just— muscle memory. Shut up." She snatched her hand away.
Daichi blinked like his brain blue-screened but he wasn't complaining.
He poured water over his hair, wrapped tape around his arm, and stepped forward as the lights dimmed.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN—THE FINAL MATCH OF THE NIGHT!"
The crowd erupted.
ROOKIE RUMBLE FINAL, A match that will see the winner advance to the D-tier and become a gem fighter.
"IN THE RED CORNER… DAICHI KAWASAKIIII!"
He bounced into the ring with relaxed swagger.
Some girls screamed like their souls left their bodies.
"AND IN THE BLUE CORNER… KENZO RYOTAAA!" the local commentator did his best to hype the fight.
Kenzo walked out smooth—lean, sharp, cold.
His footwork was clean even as he entered the ring.
Miyu narrowed her eyes.
This won't be easy…
Daichi Vs Kenzo
DING!
The bell rang.
Round 1— Fight.
Daichi exploded forward—
A straight right.
It landed clean.
Kenzo staggered back—
"You're quick, time to increase the pace." he smiled.
Daichi clenched his fist. He hates fighters like this. "I'll knock that smile of your face."
He launched a quick combo—left, right, uppercut.
Kenzo dodged everything.
Effortlessly.
Didn't even flinch.
"…he's extremely fast." Daichi whispered, eyes wide.
Miyu's stomach dropped.
"Daichi! Don't fall into his rhythm!"
"This is bad," she muttered. "He's baiting him for a takedown…"
Kenzo's smirk widened.
Then he moved.
Fast.
Too fast.
"The real fight finally began!" The commentator said.