The morning light filtered through the infirmary curtains, soft and hazy. Ryujin opened his eyes slowly. His body felt fine — but his chest was heavy, filled with that same ache that always returned.
He stared blankly at the white ceiling. "I need to control my emotions," he muttered, voice low. "But how can I make my past disappear… when it's the only thing that defines me?"
He sat up, running his fingers through his messy black hair, sighing. "I should apologize… especially to Hikari. He's strong, confident… everything I couldn't be."
As he stepped out into the corridor, sunlight streaked across the polished floor. Every step echoed faintly. The world looked peaceful — but Ryujin's mind was storming.
When he entered his classroom, all voices stopped. The students' laughter died mid-breath. A few mouthed words, some whispered behind their hands, others simply stared.
He could feel it — pity.
Then, breaking the silence, Nami shot up from her seat."Ryujin!" she said, rushing to him with Kenji, Kai, and Brod. "You're walking already? You should still be resting!"
Kenji crossed his arms. "Yeah, man, you passed out cold! That's not something you brush off."
Kai added in his calm, practical tone, "You could still have mana instability. You shouldn't be pushing yourself."
Ryujin raised his hand, smiling faintly. "I'm okay, really." He patted Nami's head softly — the same way he used to when they were younger. "Don't worry, I'm not hurt."
Nami froze for a second, then puffed her cheeks slightly, embarrassed but relieved."Still… you scared us."
Ryujin's smile warmed a little. "Sorry about that."
Then, he turned toward the back of the room. Hikari Nakamura was sitting quietly, his pale hair catching the light from the window. Their eyes met.
Ryujin took a slow breath and walked toward him.
"Hikari…" he began quietly.
Hikari looked up, calm as always. "How are you feeling now?"
"I'm fine," Ryujin said. "But… I wanted to apologize. I made you lose because of me. I—"
"Who said I lost?"
Ryujin blinked, caught off guard. "Eh?"
Hikari stood, his voice firm and sharp enough to silence the class again."Who said someone like me could lose?" he said, eyes narrowing. "After you fainted, I asked Sensei for a retest. I completed it alone — without a partner."
The class murmured in surprise.
Hikari's tone hardened. "If your Reikon is unstable, fix it. If you're scared, face it. But don't drag others down with you. And if you can't even do that much…"
He paused, voice low and cold."…Then maybe you shouldn't be here."
The bell rang just then — loud, metallic, echoing through the tense silence.
Without another glance, Hikari grabbed his bag and left.
Ryujin stood frozen. His hands trembled slightly, eyes unfocused. The words hit deep — not because they were cruel, but because they were true.
Nami stepped closer. "Ryujin…"
He shook his head and smiled weakly. "It's fine… he's right."
He grabbed his bag and headed for the door. "You guys get ready to leave. I'll talk to Sensei."
The Teacher's Office
Knock. Knock.
"Come in," Yamada Sensei's voice said from inside.
Ryujin bowed deeply the moment he entered. "Sensei, I'm sorry!"
Yamada looked up, puzzled. "Sorry? For what exactly?"
"For causing a mess in class… for fainting… for—"
"Stop," Yamada interrupted, standing up slowly. "Ryujin, you don't need to apologize for being human."
Ryujin blinked, confused. "But—"
"I don't know what's haunting you," Yamada said, crossing his arms, "but I've seen that look before — the fear of your own power."
He walked closer and placed a hand on Ryujin's shoulder."You're not weak. You're burdened. But you can't let that control you forever."
Ryujin's throat tightened. "Sensei…"
"You're strong, Akuma," Yamada continued. "A fighter. A hard worker. But strength isn't about never falling — it's about getting back up every single time you do. So stop running. Face it."
For the first time, Ryujin felt something stir inside — like a spark of courage buried deep under the ashes of fear.
He bowed again, his voice steady. "Thank you, Sensei. I'll… I'll do my best."
Yamada smiled faintly. "Good. Now go — your friends are waiting."
Evening — Matcha and Moonlight
When Ryujin stepped outside, the sun was already melting into orange dusk. His group was waiting near the gate.
Kai noticed him first. "So, how did it go?"
Ryujin smiled slightly. "He told me to face my fears."
Kenji laughed. "Classic Sensei quote."
Nami added, "Then you better listen to him, or I'll tell Sensei to double your homework."
Ryujin chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. I'll face them."
They all laughed lightly. Then Nami tilted her head. "Hey, you still remember our matcha deal?"
Ryujin blinked. "You mean…"
"Yes," she said with a teasing smile. "You promised me matcha after the trial. And a gentleman never breaks his promise."
He exhaled softly, smiling. "Fine. Lead the way, Miss Matcha."
They walked side by side down the stone path, the air carrying the faint chill of evening. The little matcha café glowed warmly under the lanterns outside. The aroma of roasted tea and sweet syrup welcomed them inside.
They sat near the window, where the golden sky framed their reflections in the glass.
Nami took a sip first. Her eyes brightened instantly. "Mmm! Still the best!"
Ryujin smiled, resting his chin on his hand. "You really love this stuff."
She grinned. "Of course. It's bitter, but sweet. Like life."
He raised an eyebrow. "You sound like Sensei now."
Nami giggled, taking another sip. "Well, I am wise sometimes."
They swapped drinks for fun — Nami nearly spitting hers out at how sweet his was, while Ryujin blinked at how strong hers tasted. They both laughed until their stomachs hurt.
When the night finally deepened, they left the shop together.
Outside, the moon hung full and silver above the rooftops. The streets were quiet, only the hum of distant lights filling the air.
Nami walked a few steps ahead, holding her matcha cup, then looked up and smiled softly."Isn't the moon lovely?"
Ryujin stopped for a moment, looking up too. The moonlight washed over his face — gentle, calm, and endless.
He smiled faintly. "Yeah… it really is."
Nami turned to face him, her hair swaying slightly in the night breeze. "Goodnight, gentleman."
He chuckled quietly. "Goodnight, Miss Matcha."
As they parted ways, Ryujin glanced at the moon one last time — his smile fading into something fragile.
When he entered his empty house, the silence felt heavier than ever. He sat by the window, moonlight spilling over his desk.
And quietly, tears slid down his cheeks.
"You're worthless," he whispered to himself. "You can't even use magic… you can't save anyone…"
He clenched his fists. "You can't even forget what you did."
The moonlight reflected in his eyes — soft, silver, and sad. The world outside looked peaceful, but inside Ryujin's heart… the war had only just begun.