"Hmm... so, can we start with introductions first?" Hirata asked with a warm smile.
Meanwhile...
"Hello! Does anyone want to join our team?" Shikai shouted, trying his best to recruit members.
Time passed.
"Ugh... literally no one joined. Hirata's going to kill me..." Shikai muttered, coughing as he made his way back.
Back at the meeting area, Hirata sat on the broken table, waiting.
As Shikai was away, Hirata looked at the three students standing silently before him.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"So... none of you are going to say anything?" he asked.
After a brief pause, he sighed.
"You know... it kind of annoys me. I don't want teammates who never speak."
He looked at them carefully before asking,
"Can I ask something? Is this because of those bullies?"
The moment the word bullies left his mouth, all three of them trembled.
Hirata noticed their reaction immediately.
He smiled warmly.
"If you're scared of them, don't worry. Shikai and I are here."
He paused before continuing.
"But remember... the only people who can overcome your fears are yourselves. If your leader can fight, then you can too."
For a few seconds, no one spoke.
Then one of the girls slowly raised her head.
"I'm joining you."
She stood up and bowed slightly.
"My name is Akira Sato."
She then looked at the girl beside her.
"Come on, Haruka. We can't stay trapped in fear forever. It's time we overcome it."
Hirata blinked in confusion.
He looked at both girls before turning toward the boy.
"Hold on... you two don't know him?"
Akira shook her head.
"No..."
Just then, a loud voice echoed from behind.
"Sorry, Hirata! I couldn't find three members for our cult!"
Hirata slowly turned around with a cold expression.
"...Cult?"
Akira's eyes widened.
"So... are you two starting a cult? I'm out."
Shikai froze.
"W-Wait... who are they?"
Hirata leaned closer and whispered into Shikai's ear.
"They're our new teammates."
Shikai's eyes widened.
Hirata quickly turned back.
"No, no! He misspoke. We aren't making a cult."
Akira stared at them for a moment before sighing.
"...Fine."
Hirata then walked toward the silent boy, who was still trembling.
"What about you?"
The boy remained silent.
Hirata continued calmly,
"Are you going to join us... or keep walking alone?"
He looked directly into the boy's eyes.
"If you join us, you'll have people standing beside you."
"But if you stay alone... those bullies will keep tearing you apart."
He paused.
"And judging by the way you look... they've been doing this for a long time, haven't they?"
The boy lowered his head.
Hirata didn't pressure him any further.
He simply turned around and walked back to Akira.
"Alright. Looks like we're a team now."
He smiled.
"Shikai, let's—"
"Hey!"
Everyone turned toward the voice.
The boy had finally spoken.
"...I want to join too."
Hirata smiled.
"What's your name?"
The boy took a deep breath.
"Ren Hayashi."
For a brief moment, Hirata's expression changed.
Hayashi... I feel like I've heard that surname somewhere before...
The thought disappeared as quickly as it came.
"Welcome to the team, Ren Hayashi."
Ren nodded quietly.
As everyone began talking, Shikai noticed the other girl standing silently.
He leaned toward Akira.
"Is she an introvert?"
Akira laughed.
"No, not at all."
"She's actually really cheerful and playful."
"I see..." Shikai replied.
Hirata looked up at the darkening sky.
"It's almost night."
"We should all head home."
As they began walking, Akira suddenly looked at Hirata.
"Hey... how old are you?"
Hirata answered without thinking.
"...Ten."
Silence.
All three of the new members froze.
"The leader is... ten years old?" Akira muttered in disbelief.
Hirata scratched his head.
"Actually... I'm the vice leader."
He pointed at Shikai.
"The real leader is him."
Shikai nodded.
The two of them had already agreed on this beforehand, knowing that Hirata's young age would make it difficult for others to accept him as the leader.
After clearing up the misunderstanding, the five of them quietly headed toward their homes.
A new journey had finally begun.
To Be Continued...