The streets were filled with chatter and footsteps as students crowded the sidewalks.
Vendors called out, bicycles rattled by, and laughter echoed between the tall buildings.
As usual, Yū was reading a history book about supernaturals, not paying much attention to the noise around him.
Then—
"Yo! Good morning, Yū-chan!"
A hand slapped his shoulder, nearly making him drop his book.
It was Ren—his best friend.
"Good mor—wait, what happened to your face?" Yū asked, frowning.
"Ah, this?" Ren chuckled, scratching his cheek. "I had a bad dream last night, fell off the bed. Hahaha."
"Wuahh, that must've hurt," Yū said. He believed Ren easily; Ren never lied—at least, that's what Yū thought.
"What, still reading that book? What's so great about history?" Ren teased.
"Well, sometimes I dream about the past," Yū replied without looking up.
Ren blinked. "What are you, a reincarnated hero or something?"
"No, idiot. It just feels like… when I read this, I remember something."
"Heeeh, weird as always. Anyway, let's eat together later, okay? See you, Yū-chan!" Ren said, waving as he ran toward his classroom.
Yū smiled faintly. For a moment, everything felt normal again.
Just a loner who liked books—a normal student living a quiet life.
Until—
"Hey, normal student. You got a minute?"
Yū froze. He didn't need to look to know who it was.
Ayato.
Girls in the hallway whispered and giggled, their eyes sparkling.
"Why is Prince Ayato talking to a nerd?" one said.
Yū sighed in defeat. "My normal life…" he muttered, disappearing behind his book.
---
On the Roof
"Why on the roof again?" Yū thought. He never liked coming up here—it was too much of a hassle.
"Listen, normal student," Ayato began, leaning on the railing, "you're on Valeheart's watchlist now. If you want your quiet life, don't do anything stupid. Though… if you want to end up like me, I'll gladly welcome it. Hahahaha!"
"Don't just die out there or get yourself arrested for using your essence. But if you really want chaos—" he grinned, "—I'll gladly help."
Do you want to do good or bad? Which is it? Yū thought.
"Why would I die anyway? You're the reason I died last time," he muttered under his breath.
"Who knows?" Ayato shrugged. "Just remember—you're a registered supernatural now. Be careful."
They headed back to class. Yū brushed off the conversation… not knowing what was about to happen.
---
Later That Day
"Yū, run! I can't protect you, just go! I'll handle this, like always!"
Blood trickled down Ren's forehead as he smiled.
"Ren…" Yū whispered.
---
Thirty minutes earlier…
Riiing!
The bell rang. Break time.
Ren was already outside Yū's classroom, waving.
Yū packed his lunch, carefully sneaking past Aria. She didn't stop him, just quietly unpacked her own meal, eyes cold and distant.
Guess she's got her own problems, Yū thought, relieved.
He spotted Ayato surrounded by girls, clearly occupied. For once, everything felt normal.
Once Yū and Ren found a seat in the cafeteria, they began eating.
Then—
"Hey! Are you Ren Akiyama?"
Yū turned. A tall student with dyed hair—Kaito, the known bully, stood with his group.
"Yeah, that's me," Ren said.
"Come with us."
"Hey… what did you do?" Yū asked quietly.
"Probably just some errand," Ren said with a grin. But as he turned to leave, that grin vanished, replaced by something cold.
Yū's gut twisted. Something was wrong.
He followed them.
They walked through the empty streets… until they reached an abandoned warehouse.
Kaito's gang wasn't known for mercy.
Word spread quickly around the school someone had beaten up his underlings last night.
That "someone" was Ren Akiyama.
And now, Kaito wanted payback.
---
Yū, unaware of the situation, was looking for Ren.
They got separated after crossing the busy street earlier.
"Ren? Where did you go…" he murmured, glancing around the quiet roads.
Then—
Clang!
A metallic sound echoed from a nearby alley.
Yū froze. "What was that?"
Curiosity and worry pulled him forward until he reached an abandoned warehouse.
Peeking through the half-broken door, his eyes widened in shock.
---
Ren was fighting.
Surrounded by more than six students, some wielding bats, pipes, even a thick wooden plank.
"Kaito! Don't you think this is too much?!" one of the gang members asked.
"Shut up! He messed with my crew first. He'll pay for it!" Kaito barked.
Ren dodged a swing, his movements sharp, precise, too precise for a normal student.
Even Yū could see it.
He's fighting like someone trained… like he's done this before.
But no matter how skilled he was, Ren was outnumbered.
Every hit he blocked just led to another.
He was slowing down.
Yū's heart pounded. What do I do? Should I call for help? The authorities?
But before he could decide, a pipe smashed into Ren's head.
Blood spilled down his forehead.
Ren dropped to one knee.
"Ren!" Yū's body moved before his mind could stop him. He ran into the warehouse.
"What the hell?!" Kaito snapped, turning toward him. "Don't interrupt us, nerd!"
Yū's legs shook, but he stood firm. "W-why… are you doing this? Isn't this enough already?!"
Kaito grinned coldly. "Not your business. But if you really want to help your friend…"
He raised the bat. "Then you can join him!"
"Y-Yū! Run!" Ren shouted, forcing himself up, blood running down his face.
"I can't protect you, just go! I'll handle this, like always!"
"Ren—!"
But Yū couldn't move.
His fear and anger tangled together. His heart pounded harder.
Then… something deep within him began to stir.
Then one of the bullies lunged forward with a yell.
Ren grabbed Yū's arm and pulled him aside just in time.
"Go, run!" Ren shouted. Yū could see the worry in his friend's eyes.
For a split second, Yū remembered all those times they laughed their way out of trouble, how Ren always found a way to protect them without ever fighting back. Sometimes he'd even take the beating himself, smiling through the pain.
But this time… it was different.
"Wuaah!" Yū charged forward, swinging at the oncoming bully.
"What?!" Ren's eyes widened. "What are you doing, idiot?!"
"Helping your ass, you idiot, Ren!" Yū snapped back.
---End of Chapter 8---