---
A Warning Note
The day passed by.
Although Ishin barely heard the words the teachers said, his thoughts kept returning to Aika.
Was she really his friend, or was this a lie?
It felt real - the way she smiled, the way she spoke. For the first time in a long time, he felt someone close to him. It was a strange feeling, Isshin couldn't understand anything. However, he felt the loneliness disappear.
But deep down... he felt that there was something wrong with all of this.
When he returned to his desk after lunch, he saw something.
A small, folded piece of paper.
He picked it up in surprise and curiosity and carefully unfolded it.
One sentence.
"You must have been tricked. If you want to know the truth, come to the lab after class."
His heart rate increased.
What is this truth...?
He looked around the classroom warily, but no one was looking at him.
His thoughts were locked around this paper. Was this a joke? Or was this a warning?
There was only one way he could find out.
---
Betrayal
The final bell rang.
Isshin walked towards the lab, his heart beating fast with great curiosity and he was terrified.
As he approached, familiar voices flowed through the door.
He slowed down.
Carefully, he hid against the wall, barely visible.
As he entered the lab, he saw them.
Ryo. Daiki. Toma. Kenji.
and Aika.
They were laughing together.
He was waiting to see what would happen here.
"Man, I can't believe you fell for that," Kenji growled.
Toma laughed. "I told you, a loner like him would crave attention."
Daiki sneered. "Man, do you really think Aika likes that? Poor guy...that's a bit sad."
Isshin felt his body go numb with sadness.
Then—
Aika sighed, crossing her arms. "It's not my fault. It's easier to fool him than you think."
Laughter.
Isshin felt a pang of regret.
He clenched his fists and stared at her. His chest hurt, but not from anger at the pain.
That was even worse.
Betrayal.
They played with his helplessness. They used him like a toy.
He let them.
His breathing slowed, his breath was shaky.
He went to the lab before they saw him. He had to get out of here.
Now.
---
A soft voice
Ishin hid in the empty lab, closing the door behind him.
His vision blurred. His mind raced.
Why did he trust her?
I knew it was the same gang.
He leaned against a table, gripping its edges tightly, a harsh breath escaping his lips.
Then—
A voice.
"Ishin."
Soft. Soft.
His breath caught.
He turned sharply, his pulse quickening.
By the window, a girl stood, dressed in the same university uniform.
Long black hair flowed down her back. Her blue eyes sparkled in the dim light.
She looked familiar.
Too familiar.
Ishin's body froze.
Something about her... something real seemed to remind him, but he couldn't quite place it.
"Who are you?" His voice was barely above a whisper.
The girl tilted her head slightly. "Don't you remember me?"
Ishin's heart pounded.
What...?
"I've never seen you."
A small, sad smile touched her lips. "You've forgotten everything, haven't you?"
A shiver crawled down his spine.
"What the hell are you talking about?"
The girl stared at him, her eyes unreadable.
Then, in a voice tinged with something ancient, eerily familiar—
"Ishin, it's time to wake up."
---