Ryo leaned back with his arms folded, nodding thoughtfully as Misora finished her report. “Alright, I get the picture.” His gaze shifted to the blue-haired girl. “So, Aoi… what’s your story?”

Aoi gave a light shrug. “Nothing major. I saw a girl being hassled by that Night Claw member, so I stepped in. That’s all.”

Ryo nodded again, closing his eyes briefly. “Mm. I see.”

“Well, that settles it. Nice job, Aoi!” Reina chimed, her words muffled by the food in her mouth. Everyone turned to her, wide-eyed.

“That’s it?!” Ayane yelped.

Reina blinked, cheeks puffed with food. “… Pretty much.”

Ryo chuckled and brushed a grain of rice from her cheek. “You really shouldn’t talk while eating, you know.”

Reina swallowed with a grin. “You’re right. Still, your cooking’s amazing, Ryo!”

He smirked. “Told you.” Across their table, Raito’s jaw clenched, his shoulders shaking. Abruptly, he slammed his palms on the table, making Rikuya flinch beside him.

“Are we seriously ignoring what’s important here?!” he snapped, as Ryo looked at him, while Reina shoved in another spoonful.

“What, you mean Kurohyou?” Ryo asked, raising a brow. “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Are you kidding me right now?!” Raito barked.

“C-Calm down, dude,” Rikuya urged, raising his hands.

“Yeah, relax. I just helped someone, that’s all.” Aoi’s tone was casual, almost dismissive.

Raito shot her a glare. “Oh yeah? And where’s the kid in question?”

“I told her to get away,” Aoi replied flatly.

“That doesn’t sound believable one bit. Why send off a witness like that?”

Aoi’s eyes hardened. “To keep her safe, genius. Believe me or not, I don’t care.”

“Believe you?” Raito scoffed. “Give me a break!”

“Guys—” Ayane tried to interject, but they both ignored her.

Aoi leaned forward. “I did what had to be done. You expect me to just stand there and do nothing?”

“You should’ve called for backup!” Raito shot back.

“So, I should’ve left a little girl in danger?” Aoi’s tone sharpened. “Sorry, shadow boy, but I don’t turn my back on people.”

Raito clenched his fists, “And where’d that get you, huh?”

“It was necessary.”

He scoffed again. “So, you think you can do whatever you want? News flash, bluehead — Sokyoshi’s not your clean, cushy Tokyo.”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“You don’t know anything!” he snapped.

“I think that—” Ryo began, but was cut off.

“That Night Claw girl was a threat,” Aoi insisted, getting up to her feet. “I had to step in.”

“Oh, you think you can do as you please with other people? Just like you did with that gang last night, huh?”

Reina swallowed, before exchanging a confused look with Ryo. “Wait… what gang?”

Mei rose her hands slightly, smiling as always. “Now, now. We shouldn’t jump to conclusions, right? Even if it’s true, at least the town’s a little safer.”

“That’s not the point,” Raito countered, his voice quiet but firm. “If she’s out there picking fights, it’ll come back to bite her—and us.”

Aoi’s lips curved faintly. “Then maybe you should worry less about me and more about yourself.”

“I’m not worried!” Raito shouted. “If anything, I’m being cautious—with you around!”

“Whoa, burn,” Mitsuru whispered to Rikuya.

“Not now,” Rikuya muttered.

“Watch it, Kazehaya,” Aoi growled.

“Why should I?! You’re a walking disaster! Bad things happen everywhere you go! You don’t think—” His voice cracked slightly. “You drive me crazy! It’s like you’re cursed or something!”

“Raito!” Reina hissed, her sharp tone freezing the room. Raito blinked, glancing at her—then back at Aoi. Her expression had changed; the defiance was gone. Her eyes were wide, stunned… hurt. The anger drained from him instantly.

Aoi lowered her head, her voice soft. “I see. My bad, I guess.” She straightened, eyes distant. “Excuse me… I, uh… I need a minute.”

Everyone watched as she slipped away to the back room, the door shutting with a quiet click.

“Dude, that was way too harsh,” Mitsuru sighed.

“You didn’t have to go that far,” Mei added, frowning.

Raito groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I know, okay?! I already feel like crap.” He sat down, his mind flashing back to Aoi’s expression, the hurt in her eyes forming a tight knot in his chest.

Ryo spoke calmly, though his tone carried weight. “We’ve talked about this, Raito. About your temper.”

The younger boy looked away, jaw tight. Ryo exhaled softly, fingers interlacing on the table. “Does this… have to do with Kurohyou? With what happened last time?”

Raito flinched but said nothing.

…………...

In the restroom, water trickled from the faucet as Aoi stared at her reflection. Raito’s words echoed in her head, slicing deeper each time. “You’re a walking disaster! Bad things happen everywhere you go! You don’t think—” His voice cracked slightly. “You drive me crazy! It’s like you’re cursed or something!”

“Damn it…” she hissed, gripping the edge of the sink.

The droplets blurred her reflection—the lavender eyes she’d grown to hate staring back.

Those eyes… those damned eyes.

Memories flickered.

“Don’t look at us with those cursed eyes!”

“Freak!”

Her hands trembled. The tears wouldn’t fall. “Damn it…” she whispered again.

………

Back at the table, Ayane frowned. “What do you mean, ‘what happened last time’?”

Reina leaned back, her tone soft but serious. “You all know Kurohyou, right? Their laws, their ideals?”

The first-years nodded, prompting her to continue. “Well, the rumors are that they’re our main rival… but that’s not all there is to it. Their leader, Miyako Kaneko, she… was a friend of ours. Back in middle school.”

The group, excluding Raito, gasped.

“Really?!” Ayane blurted.

Reina nodded. “She, Ryo, and I once planned to rebuild Sayonaki together… but somewhere along the way, she changed. She created Kurohyou—and the Night Claws.”

“And also, late last year,” Ryo took Reina’s hand gently, “… our groups clashed. Reina was hurt… badly.” He let out a wistful smile, as memories resurfaced. “I lost myself for months after that.” He gave Raito a faint look, “I think that’s why he’s so on edge now. He doesn’t want to see that happen again.”

Raito’s face flushed, “Huh?! Don’t give me that crap! I never said that!”

Rikuya grinned, “You’re just looking out for your big brother. Admit it.”

“I ain’t admitting anything!”

“Sure, you aren’t,” Mitsuru chuckled.

“If you ask me, Miyako probably wants revenge.” Ayane tapped her pen against her notebook, “Whatever her reasons, she’s not done with you two yet.”

Her words made the older teens exchange wary glances, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Just then, Rikuya stiffened, his sharp hearing catching something outside.

“Uh… guys—” he began.

“I got it,” Misora cut in, already rising to her feet. She strode to the door without another word, drawing every eye in the room.

“Wait… why’d she move so fast?” Mitsuru muttered, brow furrowing.

“Um… that’s becau—”

“Found one of ’em!” a rough male voice bellowed from outside, cutting Rikuya off.  Everyone froze as heavy footsteps approached. The next sound was a woman’s startled cry—

“H-Hey! What do you think you’re—!” followed by a dull thud and a pained grunt.

Ayane had barely stood when she felt the air shift, pressure filling the room. She turned—Ryo and Misora were already heading for the door, anger radiating from them.

What’s with them? she thought, blinking as Ryo held the door open for Reina before stepping out himself. Snapping from her trance, Ayane rushed after them.

“W-Wait up!” Raito called, following her lead as the rest hurried close behind.

…………….

“Gah!!” Blood and saliva sprayed as Misora’s kick sent two assailants flying, their bodies skidding across the pavement to land at the group’s feet.

A few meters from the restaurant’s entrance, Misora lowered her leg, exhaling sharply. Her eyes hardened as more figures approached from the shadows.

“Misora,” Reina’s calm voice called. The brunette glanced back to see both her and Ryo stepping out, Raito and the others right behind them. The first-years froze in shock—recognition flashing as they caught sight of the black hooded jackets on the newcomers.

“Man… they didn’t waste time,” Mitsuru muttered, a nervous bead of sweat forming on his temple.

Ryo’s expression turned cold as the opposing group stopped. The crowd parted—and from the center strode a young woman, her smirk cutting through the tension.

“Well, this just got off a lot worse,” Misora murmured under her breath.

“I’ll say,” Reina replied, chuckling softly.

“Well, well…” The newcomer’s voice dripped amusement. “Looks like we won’t need to visit Sayonaki High after all. The big names came to us.”

“Hey there, Miyako,” Reina greeted evenly, stepping forward with a faint smirk.

Ryo joined her side. “It’s been a while.”

Kaneko’s grin widened. “Ryo. Reina. Misora.” Her amber eyes glimmered dangerously as her chestnut ponytail swayed in the breeze.

Rikuya swallowed hard. “S-So that’s her… Miyako Kaneko. Leader of Kurohyou—and the Night Claws. She’s terrifying up close.”

“She’s the one who made Reina back down from fighting.” Mitsuru muttered, uneasy.

“And she’s got plenty of backup,” Mei noted calmly, her eyes scanning the ranks behind Kaneko.

“D-Did we do something wrong?” Ayane stammered, paling. “Don’t tell me…”

Kaneko’s grin faded into a steely look. “Nice reunion and all, but I’m not here for small talk.” Her voice was smooth yet laced with venom. “I heard a certain first-year of yours assaulted one of my Claws.”

At her cue, a figure stepped forward—Yuri. Her left arm was in a sling; a plaster stretched across her cheek.

Ryo and Reina’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. Did Aoi really do that?

“Tch. Liar,” Mitsuru muttered under his breath. “She was bounding up those walls like a cat earlier. I bet those bandages are just for show.”

Reina glanced at him before turning back to Kaneko. “We admit it was a misunderstanding. Maybe we can—”

Kaneko’s tone dropped, her eyes hardening. “You and I made a deal, remember? No one from either side crosses the line without reason. Yet here we are.”

Ayane and Rikuya went rigid, sensing the air grow heavier. Ryo and Reina stood tall, ignoring the chill creeping down their spines.

“Without reason?” Raito muttered, scoffing. “What, the victim didn’t tell you what really happened?”

Kaneko tilted her head, a cold smile curving her lips. “Enough talk. Where’s the blue-haired culprit?” Her voice sharpened. “Where’s Aoi Sakuraba?”

The group exchanged uneasy looks, silent. Ayane and Rikuya’s hearts pounded in sync.

Crap… this is bad. Really bad, Rikuya thought, chest tightening.

It’ll be fine, Ayane told herself. As long as Aoi stays inside, they can calm this down…

“What’s the commotion about?” Every head turned. Aoi strolled out casually, hands tucked into her shorts’ pockets, her expression unreadable.

What the—?! Why is she here?! Rikuya’s eyes bulged.

No, Aoi! You were supposed to stay put! Ayane panicked, mirroring his shock.

The others looked just as stunned as Aoi stopped beside them, ignoring their silent protests—and Raito’s tense stare.

Kaneko’s smile widened, gleaming with malicious delight. “Well, well… so this is the girl I’ve heard so much about!” Her amber eyes glimmered. “Gotta say, you’re even prettier in person.”

Aoi arched a brow, unimpressed. “Yeesh, what’s with the Cheshire Cat eyes? Who’s she supposed to be?”

Ayane and Rikuya both paled at her comment. Misora, Mitsuru, and Raito sighed almost in unison, while Ryo pressed a palm to his forehead. Reina gave a small, nervous chuckle.

“That,” she began, glancing toward the smirking woman ahead, “…is Miyako Kaneko—leader of Kurohyou and the Night Claws.”

Aoi followed her gaze, humming. “Kurohyou, huh?” she said, raising an eyebrow again.

Miyako stepped forward, her grin sharp. “So, you’re the one who roughed up Yuri.” Her amber eyes gleamed. “That was a pretty dirty move, kid.”

“Nah,” Aoi replied coolly, still hands-in-pocket. “She did herself dirty pulling the stunt she did earlier. I just returned the favor.” She tilted her head slightly. “Funny, though—I thought Kurohyou were supposed to be this big deal, and the Night Claws? Your elite female unit? Deadliest in the game, right?” A smirk tugged at her lips. “Guess someone forgot to tell your people that.”

A visible vein pulsed on Miyako’s temple, her smirk twitching. The rest of her crew bristled with quiet fury.

“Oh my…” Mei giggled softly, her eyes closed in amusement.

“O-Okay,” Rikuya stammered, trembling. “Let’s maybe… not poke the psycho hornet’s nest?”

Aoi shot him a sidelong glance. “What? I’m just stating facts.”

Ryo sighed. “Aoi…” At his tone, she let out a small “tch” and fell silent, though her expression remained defiant.

Miyako’s grin returned—colder this time. “You’ve got quite the mouth for a first-year. I’ll give you that.”

Her tone sent a chill through Ayane. Reina quickly stepped forward.

“Kaneko, that’s enough—”

“I wasn’t talking to you, Reina,” Miyako cut in sharply. “This is between me and Sakuraba. Stay out of it.”

“It is my business,” Reina snapped back, glare meeting glare. “I’m the vice leader of Sayonaki. If it involves one of mine, I’m stepping in.”

The air thickened as the two locked eyes, a spark of heat flashing between them. Ryo placed a hand on Reina’s shoulder.

“Easy,” he murmured. “Don’t let her bait you.”

Reina exhaled slowly and eased back half a step.

From behind Miyako, a voice chimed in mockingly. “Seriously, boss. You shouldn’t waste your breath on losers like them. And honestly? I’m glad I ditched that pathetic school.”

Aoi’s gaze flicked toward the approaching figures—a girl with a smug grin and a guy trailing beside her.

Rikuya adjusted his glasses, muttering, “Wait, her again?”

Mitsuru groaned. “Oh, perfect. Just what we needed.”

“Nakano Murase,” Ayane muttered darkly. “Figures,”

Nakano smirked as she stopped beside Miyako. “Hello, Nightingales,” she sneered. “Miss me?”