The moment Ru Ryu appeared, the air seemed to shift, thickening with an ominous presence that sent shivers down Hikari's spine. The dark-cloaked figure emerged from the shadow cast by the rooftop railing, his form twisting unnaturally as if he was stepping through dimensions. His sharp golden eyes, gleaming amidst the dark void of his visage, locked onto the upperclassman who had dared to attack Hikari.
Hikari barely had time to process what was happening before Ru Ryu flicked his wrist, and from his fingertips, long, inky-black tendrils erupted like living shadows.
They slithered through the air, crackling with an eerie energy, coiling and writhing like vipers preparing to strike. The upperclassman barely managed to react before the tendrils lashed out, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle.
"Watch closely, kid," Ru Ryu said, his voice a deep, velvety growl. "See how a real battle unfolds."
The upperclassman, eyes widening, reacted swiftly, his arm morphing into gleaming steel once more. With a grunt, he slammed his metal fist into the incoming shadows, sparks flying as the dark tendrils clashed against the reinforced alloy. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, rattling the rooftop tiles beneath their feet.
A sinister grin spread across Ru Ryu's face. He stepped forward, his body dissolving into pure darkness, vanishing into the rooftop's shadow before reappearing behind his opponent in an instant.
The upperclassman barely turned his head before Ru Ryu's hand phased through his shadow and emerged from the other side, grabbing the boy by the collar.
"Tsk, slow," Ru Ryu whispered before effortlessly hurling him across the rooftop. The metal-armed attacker crashed into a row of potted plants, dirt and shattered ceramic flying in all directions.
Hikari stood frozen, his hands clammy, his breath shallow. It was unreal. He had never seen anything like this before—no, he had never even imagined such power could exist. His heart pounded against his ribs, his mind struggling to grasp the sheer supernatural force Ru Ryu wielded so effortlessly.
But the fight was far from over.
With a snarl, the upperclassman pushed himself up, brushing debris from his uniform. His metal arm whirred as gears clicked into place, shifting into a large bladed appendage.
He bolted forward, his speed shocking for someone who had just been flung across the rooftop. With one fluid motion, he swung the blade straight for Ru Ryu's midsection, the steel singing through the air.
But Ru Ryu was already gone.
His body melted into the rooftop's shadow once more, dissolving like ink into water. The blade sliced through nothing but air, the force of the swing carving a deep gash into the concrete behind him. From below, Ru Ryu's voice echoed, playful and taunting.
"Too slow again. Try harder."
The upperclassman barely had time to register the taunt before a thick, jagged vine of shadow burst from beneath his feet, wrapping around his leg.
With a powerful yank, Ru Ryu pulled him downward, slamming him into the cold, hard ground. A sharp gasp escaped the attacker's lips as pain surged through his spine. The shadows tightened around him like a vice, constricting his movements, rendering him helpless.
Ru Ryu loomed over him, one knee pressing into the boy's chest. "You came to attack my successor? Bad idea," he murmured, his fingers tightening. "You're just lucky I don't kill for free."
The upperclassman gasped for breath, his struggles weakening. Ru Ryu's shadows slithered around him, tightening just enough to make him panic. Then, just as suddenly as it started, Ru Ryu let go. The shadows dissipated like mist in the morning sun, leaving the upperclassman coughing, his limbs trembling from the residual pressure.
Ru Ryu straightened his coat and turned to Hikari, who was still rooted in place. "Go back to class, kid. We'll talk later. This fight was easy speasy." He waved his hand dismissively. "No need to get yourself involved."
Hikari swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding hesitantly before backing away. His legs felt unsteady, but somehow, he managed to force himself toward the stairwell, leaving the rooftop behind.
By the time he reached his classroom, Mitsumi was already waiting for him, her bright eyes studying his face carefully. "Lunch plans canceled?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah," Hikari muttered, rubbing his temple. "Something…came up."
She didn't press further, instead sliding a lunchbox in front of him. "Then eat here."
Hikari sighed in relief, grateful for the normalcy, even if his heart was still pounding from what had happened earlier. He had barely started eating when Sekai Totsuke strolled over, the self-proclaimed narcissist of the school.
"Oi~ how did you do that, Hikari?" Sekai nudged his shoulder, the ever-present smirk on his face growing wider. "And how long have you two known each other, huh? You seem pretty closeeee~" He dragged the last word out, his playful tone laced with mischief.
Hikari groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Stop it. We only met yesterday," he snapped. "And she can hear you, you know."
Mitsumi suddenly stood up, her fists clenched tightly. Her expression darkened, a mix of frustration and something else—something Hikari couldn't quite place. Before he could say anything, she stormed out of the classroom, her long hair swishing behind her.
Hikari blinked. "What the hell was that about?"
Sekai whistled. "Now you've done it."
Hikari hesitated. Should he go after her? They had only met today—was it even his place to chase after her? A heavy sigh left his lips as he stared at his half-eaten lunch. His stomach twisted uncomfortably. In the end, he decided to gulp down his food as quickly as possible before heading out after her.
Just as he was about to stand, fate had other plans.
A chunk of food lodged itself in his throat. His eyes widened in sheer panic as he choked, his hands clawing at his own neck. He tried to force it down, pounding on his chest, but nothing was working.
His vision blurred. His lungs burned.
Just when he thought he might actually die in the most humiliating way possible, a cold can of coffee was shoved into his hand. "Here."
Mitsumi stood in front of him, arms crossed. "I didn't know what you liked, so I got the drink that most people buy."
Wheezing, Hikari popped open the can and chugged down the liquid, the bitter taste hitting his tongue like salvation. He let out a long exhale, coughing a few times before looking up at her. "You saved my life. I owe you one."
She simply shrugged. "No, I should be the one thanking you. You lost all your money because of me the other day."
Before Hikari could respond, Sekai grinned. "You said you only met her yesterday, but you were out together the other day? What was that all about, hmm?"
Hikari ignored him, focusing on finishing his meal. He wasn't about to explain the whole mess to someone like Sekai.
"He met me at the Love Bridge," Mitsumi answered instead.
Sekai gasped dramatically. "Whoa~!"
Hikari groaned, grabbing Mitsumi by the wrist and whispering, "Please don't tell him what actually happened, Mitsumi. Just say we met there."
She nodded. "Uhn~! Sure Hikari, if that's what you want." A soft expression and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Sekai, however, wasn't done. "By the way, why are you two calling each other on a first-name basis already?"
Hikari froze, realization dawning on him. Whaaat?! When did that happen?! He forced a smile, but for once, he had no answer.