Training Field
The sun hadn't even reached its peak…
and the air was already tense.
A man with a rigid posture and eyes sharp as blades stood with his arms crossed before the students.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — Very well, listen up.
My name is Yamaguchi Sasaki. I am the coordinator, and I'll be responsible for your physical education… combat training… and the refinement of your abilities.
A student whispered from the back:
Student: — Since when does a coordinator teach classes…?
Silence.
A mistake.
Yamaguchi's eyes slowly shifted toward him.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — I see you have energy to talk… so let's put it to use.
20 laps. Now.
Student: — S-Sir Coordinator… wouldn't it be better to train combat—
Yamaguchi Sasaki (cold stare): — I said… 30 laps.
Before the chaos could settle, a voice rose.
Ren: — Yamaguchi-san said 20… now it's 30? Are you sure you can even count?
The entire field froze.
Yamaguchi smiled… but it wasn't friendly.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — Boy… it's Mr. Yamaguchi Sasaki.
Since you want to act smart…
100 laps.
Ren (yawning): — That escalated fast, grandma.
…Dead silence.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — …What did you call me?
Ezonku: — Shut up, idiot.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — Very well.
200 laps. Anyone who stops… will be punished.
— MOVE!
Everyone started running…
or rather… trying to survive.
Ren shot ahead like a human rocket, leaving everyone behind.
Meanwhile…
Akira was already on the verge of collapsing.
Ren: — What's wrong, Akira? Not much left!
Akira (dying): — NOT MUCH LEFT?! THERE ARE 194 LAPS LEFT!
Ren: — Relax… you'll lose that belly in no time.
Before Akira could respond—
BOOM!
A wave of heat blasted past them.
Ezonku, engulfed in flames, surged forward like a missile.
Ezonku: — OUT OF THE WAY!
They jumped aside in shock.
Ren: — Hey! Try not to kill anyone, okay?!
As they ran…
voices began to rise.
Low. Filthy.
Student (whispering): — Freak…
— Disgusting…
Akira stopped, furious.
Akira: — What did you just say?!
But Ren…
didn't react.
He simply picked Akira up…
threw him over his shoulder…
and kept running.
Ren (shouting): — EZONKUUU!!
Akira: — R-REN?!
From above… Yamaguchi watched.
Yamaguchi (thought): — So this is the boy… the director mentioned.
A smile appeared.
Yamaguchi Sasaki: — Very well… now…
300 push-ups.
Collective despair erupted instantly.
After Training
The students were destroyed.
But the worst part wasn't the exhaustion.
It was the looks.
Disgust. Contempt. Judgment.
Two students approached Akira.
Student: — So… what's it like being friends with someone without Reikon?
Akira: — Say that again.
Student: — I'm just curious… how someone like him is still here.
Akira stepped forward, but they backed away, laughing.
Conflict
Hana arrived, worried:
Hana: — What's going on?
Akira: — They're bullying Ren!
Hana: — That's wrong! We should tell the coordinator!
Ezonku: — You guys really are idiots.
Silence.
Ezonku (cold): — Reporting it won't change anything.
You'll just become targets too.
Akira lowered his head… frustrated.
Akira: — I can't just stand and watch!
Ren helped me when no one else did!
Ezonku looked at him… serious.
Ezonku: — You talk about friendship…
but you don't trust him.
…Silence.
Ezonku: — Ren might be an idiot.
But he's not weak.
Ren arrives
Smiling. As always.
Like nothing had happened.
Ren: — Ezonku's right.
You don't need to get involved.
Hana: — Seriously…? You're just going to let this slide?
Ren (lightly): — It's not the first time.
Pause.
Ren (laughing): — Besides… seeing Ezonku worried about me is kinda funny.
Ezonku: — I'll burn you.
Hana: — Do whatever you want!
She storms off, annoyed.
Akira: — Hana!
Ren: — Let her go… she'll be fine.
He looks at Ezonku.
Ren: — You should show that side more often.
Ezonku: — You trying to die?
Principal's Office — Night
The atmosphere was calm.
But the conversation… wasn't.
Hayato: — So… what do you think of him, Sasaki-san?
Yamaguchi: — Immature. Irresponsible.
But he learns fast.
Even being despised… he doesn't break.
Pause.
Yamaguchi: — He's like a mountain.
Hayato smiled… satisfied.
Hayato: — Interesting… very interesting.
Yamaguchi: — It's rare for you to take such interest in someone.
Pause.
Yamaguchi: — And about the bullying?
Hayato walked slowly… hands in his pockets… a faint smile.
Hayato: — We're not going to do anything.
Silence.
Hayato (sharp gaze): — I want to see… how far he can endure.
Knock knock
Ren: — Sorry to interrupt, I'll come back later—
Hayato: — Relax, we're done. Come in.
Yamaguchi walked past Ren… stared at him… and left.
Ren: — That guy's scary…
Hayato (light chuckle): — Feels like a general ready for war, right?
Ren laughed.
Took a deep breath.
And spoke.
Ren: — Director… I accept.
Silence.
Ren: — I want to become your student.
Hayato looked at him…
and smiled.
Not a normal smile.
The smile of someone who already expected this.
He stepped closer.
Hayato: — I knew it.
He extended his fist.
Ren smiled… and answered.
TOC.
Their fists met.
Hayato (confident, calm): — Then let's see… how far you can go, Ren.