Flashback
The sun shimmered over the park, golden rays dancing across the grass as two children stood side by side.
A six-year-old boy, chest puffed out and face full of conviction, declared:
"I'm going to be a hero one day. The greatest one to ever live! Ha ha ha!"
Yoko, with hopeful eyes and tiny fists clenched at her sides, beamed.
"Me too! I want to be a hero too!"
Kousuke turned to her, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.
"You can't be a hero. You cry too much."
Then, with a dramatic pose, he placed a fist against his chest.
"A hero always stands tall, even in the face of evil. No matter how scared they are… because a true hero isn't measured by their powers, but by their heart."
Yoko's smile wavered. Her voice trembled.
"I can be a true hero. I can stand tall... even in the face of danger."
Kousuke looked at her for a long moment before stepping forward. His expression softened as he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, princess. You'll never have to. I'll be a hero for you."
Cutscene
Flames crackled and screamed as fire devoured the park. Smoke curled into the sky like a warning.
Amid the chaos, Kousuke stood tall—blood dripping from a deep cut across his chest. In his arms, Yoko sobbed, her small frame shaking against him.
He held her tightly, shielding her from the ruin with the only strength he had left.
Present Day
The school year began with a sea of new students gathered in the great hall of Seraphis Academy. Angels and demons alike filled the space—cloaks of magic and mistrust trailing behind them.
A man at the front, tall and sharp-eyed, stepped up to the podium—the student council vice president.
"I know among you there are angels and demons," he said evenly. "But for years, we've coexisted at this school. That is not going to change. Now, please welcome the top-ranked first-year student."
Yoko strode confidently to the podium, eyes blazing with purpose.
"My name is Fuji Yoko," she said, proudly placing her hands on her hips. "And I'm going to be the greatest hero to ever live!"
She grinned, then recited words long etched into her heart.
"A hero always stands tall—even in the face of evil. No matter how scared they are. Because a true hero isn't measured by their powers… but by their heart."
Yoko ended her speech and with it, the ceremony came to a close.
Though the school preached unity, the glares exchanged between halos and horns told a different story. The students questioned the unity as they dispersed.
Outside
Kousuke trudged lazily along the school's side wall, the late summer sun bearing down on him.
"Too hot…" he muttered, dragging his feet. "I need to find some shade…"
A scream split the air.
He looked up just in time to see someone falling from above.
Without hesitation, he dashed forward—and caught her.
Their eyes met.
"Wait, don't I know yo—" she began.
He dropped her.
"Hey! Why'd yo—"
"So you're the wannabe hero," he said flatly.
"'Wannabe!? I'm going to be a hero—th—"
"The greatest hero to ever live. Yeah, I heard. That would make you my rival."
She blinked. "Wait, so you want to be a hero too?"
"Nope. You've got it all wrong. I'm going to be the greatest villain ever."
She folded her arms. "Well, considering the fact you just saved me… you're already failing."
He turned away without a word.
"Hey!" she called after him.
"You'll see, princess," he muttered.
Classroom
Kousuke slumped into the back corner by the window. Prime nap zone.
"Can't believe I let her talk me into coming to this school," he mumbled. "Too crowded. Too loud."
Yoko appeared beside him.
"It seems we're in the same class," she said. "And forced to sit next to each other."
He ignored her.
"Don't ignore me!"
Another boy stood up sharply.
"How dare you ignore Yoko! You don't even deserve to sit next to her, you disgusting demon. You're not even from an honored family."
Kousuke lazily turned his head.
"And what family are you from?"
"I… it doesn't matter! Just apologize—"
"Attention, class," the teacher interrupted. "We're starting off differently this year. A semester-long selection event."
That got everyone's attention.
"You'll be paired with someone from the opposite side—angel or demon. If your partner fails, you fail."
Kousuke scoffed.
"A futile attempt to make peace. What a joke."
"Your partners will be determined by row," the teacher continued. "You'll partner with the person to your right."
Yoko turned slowly.
"And now we're partners."
Kousuke sighed.
"Just think about how I feel."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means I'm stuck with the hot-headed princess."
"You again!" the same boy shouted. He grabbed Kousuke by the collar.
"Wait—!" Yoko stepped in.
"I should kick your face in," the boy growled.
"Enough," the teacher snapped. "This school has zero tolerance for fighting. If you wish to settle this, take it to the arena—under supervision. The next task on our agenda was a tour of the building." She smirked. "Let's start at the arena."
Kousuke smirked.
"I'll pass on the tour, Teach. I'd rather nap."
"That wasn't a request. Besides, we hold class ranking duels—and there is no better time than the present."
He stretched, cracking his neck.
"Guess you've forced my hand."
"So it's settled," Koji said with a grin.
Arena
The colosseum buzzed with noise, dozens of students packing into the stands, eager to see the commotion.
Kousuke and Koji stood in the center ring.
Kousuke remained slouched, hands in his pockets, like none of this interested him in the slightest.
"Knockout or surrender," the teacher said. "That's it. Begin when ready."
Kousuke exhaled.
Maybe I'll just surrender.
Koji stepped forward, serious.
"My ability is Iron Fist. I enhance my punches. What's yours?"
Kousuke tilted his head.
"And why would I tell you?"
"It's the honorable thing to do."
"Koji, I'm a demon aiming to be a villain. I do not care about honor. Besides, I won't be using an ability."
"What!?"
"Let's just start."
"Begin!" the teacher called.
"Stop being arrogant and remove your hands out of your pocket—!"
Koji charged forward.
"Mmm... no, he's not being arrogant," Yoko murmured, eyes narrowing. "He's looking up, not down, at his opponent. It's strange... his stance says one thing, but his demeanor says the complete opposite."
"Don't, Koji! Don't rush him!" she shouted, desperation lacing her voice.
Koji charged in, iron fist cocked back, fury burning in his eyes.
But Kousuke didn't move.
He remained slouched, hands still tucked in his pockets, gaze locked forward with unsettling calm.
Koji roared and swung.
In the blink of an eye—Kousuke vanished.
Whoosh.
He reappeared behind Koji, right leg already raised high above his head like a guillotine. Without hesitation, he brought it crashing down.
Crack.
His heel struck Koji square in the back of the head. The impact sent him collapsing face-first onto the arena floor.
A stunned silence followed.
"And—match!" the instructor roared, her voice cutting through the silence like a whip.
Koji stirred. A groan escaped his lips as he blinked up at the ceiling, barely conscious—his mind reeling, trying to piece together what had just happened.
"Guess you've got some skill," Yoko said.
Kousuke shrugged.
"Nah. He lost before it started. Too hot-headed."
Koji blinked. "How did you…?"
"Fighting is like a magic trick," Kousuke said. "And illusion is everything. I gave off a lazy vibe, and drew his aggression. He charged. I dodged. I won."
From the edge of the ring, the teacher narrowed her eyes.
Wow... This kid's a genius, she thought, suppressing a grin. They probably don't even realize it, but after just that first exchange with Koji, he'd already mapped out a plan to beat him. Calculated and precise...
This one could easily become number one in his class.
Later
Back in class.
Yoko was amazing. She easily beat everyone—that puts her at rank #1 without question.
I would've loved to see her go up against Kousuke...
But I still can't believe he surrendered in all his matches.
That technically places him dead last in the rankings.
But because he defeated Koji in an instant...
I was forced to rank Koji last because of the rules, but—wait...
Did he plan this?
Yoko scowled.
"How could you forfeit all your matches?"
Koji clenched his fists, glaring at Kousuke.
"You coward."
Kousuke shrugged, calm as ever.
"Well, this coward is ranked higher than you."
Koji growled.
"That's only because—"
"You're not making excuses, are you?" Kousuke cut in smoothly. "I beat you fair and square. Your ranking reflects that."
He turned toward Yoko, his tone shifting, almost playful.
"Since I beat him and I'm ranked higher... does that mean I'm good enough to be partnered with the princess?"
Yoko rolled her eyes with a sigh.
"Enough with the princess stuff. And as for being my partner—" she shot a glance at the teacher, "the decision is final."
The teacher blinked, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Wow… this kid is evil.
Did he really forfeit all his matches just to drag Koji to the bottom of the rankings?
She glanced at Kousuke, who looked entirely unbothered—maybe even smug.
Unbelievable. Cold. Calculated. And somehow still within the rules.
The teacher raised her voice, commanding the attention of the entire class.
"Attention, class! As your instructor, it is my duty to evaluate and assess your true abilities. Therefore, your wins and losses from yesterday's battles are not the only factors that determine your rankings. Your performance and choices during each fight will play a significant role as well."
She paused for dramatic effect, eyes scanning the room.
"I will now announce the new rankings."
One by one, she called out the names:
"Yoko. Akira. Koji. Haruto. Sota. Sakura. Riku. Yui. Akari. Hana. Mei. Yuto. Haruki. Kousuke."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Now that you're at the bottom, the teacher thought, what will you do?
Koji grinned.
"Serves you right!"
The teacher stepped forward, arms folded behind her back as she addressed the class with a firm voice.
"Now that we've seen what you can do individually," she said, "it's time to see how strong you are with a partner."
A quiet stir moved through the room.
Yoko crossed her arms, shooting a glance at Kousuke.
"You better not slow me down."
Kousuke yawned, unfazed.
"Don't worry, princess. You could probably wipe out all these pairs on your own. You don't need me."
Yoko rolled her eyes.
"Annoying… but true. Just stay out of my way."
"Yeah, yeah," he muttered. "If you need me, I'll be napping."
The teacher raised her voice to cut through the growing noise.
"The tournament will be held in one week. You have that time to prepare—or waste. But remember, the point of this tournament is to evaluate your ability to work together as a team."
She turned and pointed to the display board behind her.
"The bracket has been posted. Study it. Plan accordingly. Class dismissed."
The teacher watched Kousuke quietly.
This year… is going to be interesting.