The afternoon sun bathed the streets of Grimreach in warm golden light as the small restaurant Karukaru bustled with life. The aroma of grilled meat, fresh rice, and hot soup filled the air.
Inside, Tyouro sat at a table stacked with empty plates.
He was already on his hundredth onigiri.
"...This is the last one," he declared confidently before immediately grabbing another.
Across from him, Kairo quietly enjoyed a large bowl of special ramen, occasionally glancing at Tyouro's growing mountain of empty dishes.
"You're going to bankrupt this restaurant one day."
"Nah," Tyouro replied with his mouth full. "That's tomorrow's problem."
Nearby, Kimimaru finished his meal and calmly stood from his seat. He brushed the crumbs from his clothes before clearing his throat.
"I'm going outside for some fresh air."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked toward the exit.
Ishika watched him leave while stuffing food into her mouth.
Her cheeks puffed out like a squirrel's.
"Hmm..."
She tilted her head curiously.
Before she could follow him, Shougo suddenly spoke from the corner of the restaurant.
"Everyone."
The students immediately looked toward him.
"Tomorrow, the Griffin students will be returning to Reikosha Academy."
His calm gaze swept across the table.
"I'd appreciate it if you introduced yourselves properly."
Tyouro nearly choked on his onigiri.
"Really?!"
His eyes widened.
"How's Oko doing? He was such an underdog before. Did he finally get stronger?"
Kairo looked confused.
"Who's Oko?"
Tyouro leaned back in his chair.
"He transferred here two years ago. Back then he was weak, always losing fights, and everyone underestimated him."
A moment later—
BONK.
Shougo smacked the back of Tyouro's head.
"He's not useless."
"Oww!"
"And I think it would be good if you and Oko became friends, Kairo."
Kairo scratched his cheek.
"Maybe."
Meanwhile, Lady Chōko continued eating with terrifying efficiency.
Plates were stacked around her like miniature towers.
"Oh~"
She happily swallowed another bite.
"I'm still hungry."
She looked toward Shougo.
"Can you order more food for me?"
Shougo stared at her.
For several seconds.
Then sighed.
"Stop acting like you're part of this group."
Lady Chōko blinked.
"What?"
"I'm still suspicious of you."
Shougo crossed his arms.
"For all I know, you're pretending and planning to betray us."
The woman immediately puffed her cheeks.
"You're so mean!"
She pointed accusingly at him.
"I just want food, and you're treating me like an enemy!"
She dramatically turned her head away.
The entire table stared at her.
Tyouro slowly leaned toward Kairo.
"...She's acting like a kid."
"Yeah."
Kairo nodded.
"I thought the same thing."
Suddenly, another voice appeared behind them.
"Lady Chōko."
Everyone turned.
Eru stood near the entrance.
"I heard you were looking for me."
Chōko's face instantly brightened.
"Of course!"
She stood up excitedly.
"You're still handsome and obedient."
Then she glanced toward Shougo.
"Unlike a certain teacher."
Shougo's eyebrow twitched.
Without another word, Lady Chōko happily walked away beside Eru.
Tyouro watched them leave before looking toward Shougo.
"Professor."
"Hm?"
"How old is she?"
Shougo thought for a moment.
"Probably sixteen mentally."
For the first time that day, Kairo burst into laughter.
---
Elsewhere, on the roof of a small storage shed near the academy, Yura stood alone beneath the afternoon sky.
The sunlight illuminated the world around her, yet somehow it never seemed to touch her.
She quietly stared toward the horizon.
The wind gently moved her hair.
Her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
To that woman.
The mysterious illusion.
"I wonder where she is right now..."
Yura lowered her gaze.
"She said she was only an illusion."
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
"Yet I couldn't even defeat her alone."
The memory returned vividly.
The battle.
The overwhelming strength.
The feeling of helplessness.
Then another memory surfaced.
Doro.
Yura's expression immediately weakened.
Her hands slowly clenched.
"I can't do this..."
Her voice trembled.
"I feel so weak."
She covered her face.
Tears slipped through her fingers.
"I just miss him..."
For a long time, she remained there, crying quietly beneath the setting sun.
---
Back at Reikosha Academy, a blur shot across the training grounds.
"YOO HOO!"
Dracula sprinted forward at incredible speed, laughing loudly.
"This is so fun!"
He suddenly appeared beside Tatsuo.
"Hey! How's your day?"
Tatsuo glanced at him with his usual calm expression.
"Good."
He folded his arms.
"I was just thinking about the Griffin students."
His gaze shifted toward the academy gates.
"I want to see how much they've improved."
Dracula smirked mischievously.
"Sure."
He leaned closer.
"But I think you're really waiting for Yuki."
Tatsuo's eye twitched.
"You used to blush around her all the time."
Dracula laughed.
Tatsuo immediately rolled his eyes.
"I don't like her anymore."
"Uh-huh."
Dracula's grin widened.
"I totally believe you."
For a moment, silence settled between them.
Then Dracula's smile slowly faded.
"...You know."
He looked toward the sky.
"I'm glad you became my best friend."
Tatsuo remained silent.
Dracula lowered his gaze.
"I still can't move on from what happened back then."
The atmosphere suddenly grew heavier.
Tatsuo's jaw tightened.
"Stop."
His voice became firm.
"Stop looking at the past."
Dracula didn't respond.
"Move forward."
The wind passed between them.
Neither spoke again.
---
Far away, within the distant lands of Reishin, the halls of a dark fortress echoed with footsteps.
A man slowly walked through the corridor.
His black uniform fit tightly against his frame, decorated with crimson accents that reflected the dim torchlight.
Several swords rested at his side.
A grin stretched across his face.
Then—
He laughed.
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
His voice echoed through the halls.
The servants nearby froze.
"World!"
He spread his arms dramatically.
"The god has returned!"
His laughter became even louder.
"That pathetic leader really thought he killed me!"
His eyes gleamed with madness.
"But look at me now."
He placed a hand over his chest.
"Still alive."
A smirk slowly appeared.
"Thanks for saving me, my beloved wife."
A voice suddenly called from deeper within the fortress.
The laughter stopped.
The man turned.
"Is that you, Raizen?"
His grin widened.
The torches flickered.
And from the darkness emerged a name once believed dead.
Raizen Kurobane.
Had returned.