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It was graduation day, a day that should have been filled with joy and excitement for the future. Smiles were everywhere as students celebrated advancing into the next phase of their lives. 

But for Takimo, the day felt hollow. Kato, his best friend, was nowhere to be seen, missing out on a moment they had both eagerly anticipated. The absence of Kato cast a shadow over the day, dampening Takimo's spirit.

After the ceremony, Takimo wandered through the school, lost in memories of the times he and Kato shared since they first entered high school. Each corner, each classroom, held a piece of their friendship. As he walked, he could feel the stares and hear the whispers of his classmates. 

"Isn't he Kato Hamura's best friend?"

"The HFA found out that Kato is a shadow huh? What if Takimo is a shadow too?"

"Ugh I can't believe I ever fell for Kato. He might've just killed me"

"I feel bad for Takimo. He was played by Kato thinking he really wanted to be friends with him" 

"Huh?? Why do you feel bad for him? He's the one who made friends with a monster" 

"No wonder he always stood out too much, he was a monster the whole time" 

"Thank God he was caught before he could kill anyone else" 

"He was in my class. I can't believe I sat close to a shadow and still survived" 

"Monster" 

"Monster" 

"Monster" 

"Creep" 

"It's a good thing he's gone now we have breathe more in this world"

"Why do shadows even exist? I wished the HFA killed all of them" 

As Takimo passed by, each comment was like a knife, twisting deeper into his heart. The words that screamed in his mind—YOU’RE WRONG! YOU’RE WRONG! YOU’RE ALL WRONG! —were too heavy to say aloud, trapping him in silence and misery. 

Suddenly, a gentle tap on his shoulder brought him back to reality. He turned to see Mira standing there, concern in her eyes.

Takimo: Mira?

Mira: Hey Takimo. You okay?

Mira led him to the football field, the place where he and Kato had last hung out before their exam results came in two weeks ago.

As they sat on the bleachers, Takimo opened up, pouring out everything he had been holding inside.

Takimo: (irritation creeping in his voice) I just…I just feel like people are always ready to say the worst things about you the moment something bad happens and It makes me sick

Mira: I get it. But you know how people are. Shadows are seen as evil, so they assume the worst. It’s hard to change what they’ve been conditioned to believe.

Takimo: But it doesn’t make it right. I’ve known Kato for nine years. He’s not evil. An evil person wouldn’t be the kind of friend he’s been.

Mira: (softly) You really care about him, don’t you?”

Takimo: Of course I do. He’s my best friend, and… he’s like a brother to me. 

Mira looked at Takimo, understanding the depth of his pain. 

Mira: So what do you think about Kato now? 

Takimo: Huh??

Mira: Do you think he’s evil? I mean, he’s a Shadow, but does that make him bad?

Takimo: No. I’ve accepted that he’s a Shadow. If he didn’t tell me, it’s probably because he was scared of losing our friendship. But that doesn’t change who he is. He’s still Kato, my best friend. So no, I don’t think he’s evil.

Mira: (smiles softly) I don’t either

Takimo: (notices her smile) Mira. Do you like Kato?

Mira: (eyes widened in shock) HUHH?!!

Takimo: I mean, you talk about him a lot, and I’ve seen how you look at him sometimes…

Mira: Okay, enough!! (playfully swats Takimo's head) Just stop!

Takimo: (laughs) So, that’s a yes?”

Mira hid her face which had turned red in embarrassment, unable to answer.

Takimo: (laughs)

Mira: (cartoonish face) What's so funny huh????!!!!

Takimo: (still laughing) It's nothing really.

Takimo's laughter eventually faded, and Mira's mind drifted back to earlier that morning…

**************************************

Three hours earlier 

Mira was preparing for her graduation, trying to avoid Kato so he wouldn’t have to see her in her uniform—a reminder of the life he was now cut off from. 

But as she stepped out of her room, Ervin, her father, was already waiting in the hallway, beaming with pride..

Ervin: (cartoonish face) Mira! You look just like your mother! (starts playing with her face)

Mira: (cartoonish face) Dad! You’re going to ruin my makeup! (swat his hands away) Don't be so loud!! I don't want..........

But then she saw Kato and Yamato walking toward the training grounds. Kato noticed Mira and realized what day it was.

Kato: Hey, Mira. You look pretty (scratches his head awkwardly) 

Mira blushed, feeling a pang of guilt. She had wanted to spare him the pain of seeing her like this, but now her plan had failed.

Yamato: Heyyyyyy Mira. You look like those fairies in those princess movies 

Mira: Thanks Yamato. (to herself) Damn it. I really wanted to avoid him seeing me like this. I don't want him to feel bad at all.

Kato: (scratches his head and seems too glad) Today’s graduation, huh? Me and Takimo had plans for this day. Now he’s going to be alone. 

Ervin watched his daughter’s conflicted expression, knowing how much she cared for Kato.

Yamato: Hey Kato. Who's this Takimo guy?

Kato: He's my best friend. Come on Yamato. Mr Arou is waiting for us for training. Mira, can you help check on Takimo and see how he's doing?

Mira: I know. I was going to do it without you asking me.

Kato: (with a grateful smile) Thank you Mira. See you later.

Mira and Ervin watched as Kato and Yamato walked away towards the direction of the training grounds while Mira couldn't help but to feel bad for him and….

Ervin: Woah! Don't cry now. You'll ruin your makeup.

Mira: (whispers) But why him, dad? Why? He doesn't deserve any of this.

Ervin: (tapping her head to console her) You're right. He doesn't deserve any of this but we live in a world where it doesn't matter if we deserve what's coming or not. It's mostly the innocent ones who end up suffering when they try their best to live their best lives. I can tell that he thinks about the same thing everyday. To be honest I don't know if he'd be able to stay strong. That's why I'll be there to help him get up when he falls. I promise you that Mira. 

*******************************************************************

 

Mira remembers this and smiles.

Takimo: You're smiling again

Mira: Of Course I'll smile. We graduating from high-school.

Takimo: (laughs) That's true. 

Mira: Takimo, I don’t think Kato is evil. No one is born that way. It’s the life they live that shapes them. Kato saved you and became your best friend. He’s helped me in ways he doesn’t even know. I’ll never believe he’s evil. 

Takimo: (surprised) For real???

Mira: Yes. I won’t let the world’s perception of him change how I see him. You shouldn’t either. He's like a brother to you after all isn't he?

Takimo: (smiles) Yeah. Man if Kato could see you now saying all these nice things about him. (feeling motivated) Alright!!!! I know what I'm gonna do now!!!! 

Mira: (tilted her head) Really??? What's that? 

Takimo: I'm going to enroll into the Hunter Force Academy so I can become a hunter and find a way to reach out to my best friend and ask him what really happened. 

Mira: (smiles) That's great! 

What they didn’t know was that Kato and Ervin had been watching from a safe distance. Ervin had sneaked Kato out, knowing how much it would mean for him to see Takimo and Mira. 

Kato had heard everything, and it brought a rare smile to his face. He was relieved to know that Takimo still considered him a friend, despite everything.

Kato: Thank you Mr Ervin. I really needed this.

Ervin: No problems. I couldn’t stand to see you hurting when you didn’t do anything wrong. It's the least I can do. 

Kato: At least I know Takimo doesn’t hate me. I’m glad.

Ervin: That's a good friend you got there. Make sure you hold on to him

As they left the school grounds, Kato turned to Ervin with a request…….

Kato: Also Mr Ervin, I have a favor I want to ask you.

Ervin: What is it?? 

With the help of Dana Hashido, Kenji’s mother and the doctor assigned to Korra Hamura, Ervin was able to sneak Kato into the hospital. Kato entered his mother’s room quietly, his heart heavy as he saw her lying there, still in a coma.

He sat beside her and gently took her hand. 

Kato: (smiling) Hey there mom. I'm here. Sorry it took so long to come and see you.

Kato’s voice was soft, filled with a sadness that had been building for the past two weeks. But being there with her, even if she couldn’t respond, brought him a small measure of peace.