Academy Hallway
Akira: — Where were you?
Ren walked calmly, hands behind his head, like nothing had happened.
Ren: — I can't tell you… I made a promise.
Before Akira could respond—
THUMP!
Ren bumped into a girl.
She almost fell… but he caught her in time.
For a second… silence.
Ren: — Are you okay?
Ino: — Y-yes… sorry, I was distracted…
Ren: — It's fine, I should've been paying more attention too.
She smiled, a little shy.
Ino: — My name is Ino.
Ren: — I'm Ren… and this is Akira.
Ino (hesitating): — Oh… you're the boy without Reikon… sorry…
Ren (smiling): — It's okay. Nothing to be ashamed of.
She looked at him for a moment… as if analyzing something.
Then—
Ino: — You seem interesting…
Want to go to a café later? With some friends.
Ren: — Sure.
Ino: — I'll come get you later then.
She walked away.
…But the atmosphere shifted.
A heavy presence emerged behind them.
Ezonku.
He stared at Ino.
A cold gaze.
The girl immediately lowered her head… and hurried off.
Suspicion
Akira: — I don't trust her… something's off.
Ren: — Relax.
He looked at Ezonku.
Ren: — Hey, where are you going?
Ezonku: — None of your business.
Ren: — Then we're coming with you.
Ezonku: — No.
Ren: — Let's go, Akira.
Ezonku: — You idiot… I said no.
Akira sighed.
Akira: — Just drop it…
Further ahead…
Ren saw Hana.
He waved.
She ignored him.
And walked past.
Ren: — Hey… didn't even see me?
Akira: — She's been like that since yesterday…
Ren went quiet for a second.
Then—
Ren: — Ezonku! Wait!
Later — Café
Ino: — Hey, Ren…
She froze when she saw the others.
Ren: — Sorry, I brought my friends.
Ino (forcing a smile): — It's fine… the more, the better…
But Ezonku noticed.
The fear.
Hidden behind that smile.
He said nothing.
Just watched.
Park
Laughter.
Conversations.
Everything felt… normal.
Until it wasn't.
Ezonku stopped.
His gaze changed.
Cold.
Sharp.
Ezonku: — Enough of this act.
Silence.
Yujim: — …What are you talking about?
Ezonku: — Out of nowhere, a girl bumps into that idiot Ren… turns into friendship… invitation… perfect smile…
Pause.
Ezonku (eyes narrowing): — But you forgot to hide one thing.
The air grew heavy.
Ezonku: — Your Reikon.
…Silence.
Then—
Laughter.
Shoji: — Impressive… you figured it out fast.
Akira: — Only an idiot would fall for that.
Everyone looked at Ren.
The Truth
Ino (desperate): — Shoji, stop! This has gone too far!
She grabbed Ren's shirt.
Eyes full of tears.
But—
Ezonku: — Drop the act.
Silence.
Ino lowered her head.
…And smiled.
A smile… empty.
Ren: — Trickin' me wasn't cool, Ino.
Ino (laughing): — You think I care?
Being around people like you makes me sick.
Pause.
Ino: — Trash like you exist to be used.
Akira clenched his fist.
Shoji stepped forward.
Shoji: — After what you did in the cafeteria…
you're going to pay.
Ren scratched his head.
Ren: — …Who are you again?
Silence.
…Explosion.
Shoji: — HOW DARE YOU FORGET ME?!
Akira: — Shoji… this has gone far enough—
Shoji: — Shut up, useless!
After them… you're next.
Declaration of War
Ezonku smiled.
A dangerous smile.
Ezonku: — In the end… you're all trash.
Flames began to rise.
Ezonku: — Come.
I'll burn every last one of you.
Shoji: — Ezonku… you could be on our side.
Pause.
Shoji: — The strong rule.
The weak obey.
Silence.
Shoji: — Choose your side.
Ezonku looked at him.
No emotion.
Ezonku: — I don't have a side.
The flames grew stronger.
Ezonku: — That… is what defines me.
A step forward.
Ezonku: — And the only weak one here… is you.
Battle Begins
Shoji (shouting): — ATTACK!
More than 30 students charged.
At once.
Chaos.
Explosions.
Impacts.
Ezonku moved alone.
Flames danced around him like living serpents.
One by one…
they fell.
Ezonku: — Pathetic…
Suddenly—
BOOM!
A strike tore through the air.
Ezonku blocked at the last second.
The ground cracked.
Silence.
He smiled.
Ezonku: — Now this…
was getting boring.
A figure emerged from the smoke.
Kagashi: — You talk too much.
Ezonku raised his hand.
The flames compressed.
Ezonku: — Then… let's see if you can handle this.
An intense glow.
And then—
Fire shot forward.
Projectiles of flame ripped through the air.