So a quick note before the start of the chapter.
It may come as a surprise to many but the truth is people cannot know what you feel unless you tell them. So this goes both ways from me as an author, to you who is the reader.
I'll be upfront with you all, this is my first book, as in ever. It's a learning experience for me and I think I'm growing.
Still that may not be enough. My expectations for this book is for it to be a long running series, the minimum goal is 500k words.
Granted i read through the whole thing and realized that I may have been showing a whole lot of nothing that could have been skipped and mentioned as happening offscreen. Granted everything looks simple in hindsight.
I'm not one to talk because I also have the bad habit of not commenting on the stories I read, so I'll be a hypocrite if i start expecting such behavior of others. What I want to say in essence is if you like the story, have suggestions or don't like some things that are going on. I'd like to believe I'm a reasonable person (I'm most definitely not) If your suggestions ae solid I'm fully ready to delete my drafts to make changes. I've already deleted two chapters worth of draft since i realize it adds nothing to the story.
Still is the pacing really to slow.
Yes.
No.
Sorry for the rant though, here's the chapter.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
"Will you be going to the center tomorrow?" Mom asked as she set down her fork.
It had been two weeks since Rio got acquainted with the Naruhata Vigilantes—and the Pop Army, as they liked to call themselves. They sent him constant updates, little bursts of information to keep his spirits up. But the hope that had briefly flared in his chest had long since smoldered into cold ash.
No one had seen Takeru. No traces, no signs. Nothing.
"You know you don't have to go if you don't want to," Mum said, her voice soft. "Unlike others, you don't have any mandatory obligations to the state to be there."
It was just the two of them at the dinner table. Grandma Yukina was off brokering some major partnership with Detnerat, negotiating access to their supply chain. The deal had come out of nowhere—suspiciously convenient, Rio thought—but Grandma wasn't the kind to look a gift horse in the mouth. She'd accepted the cooperation agreement without blinking. Honestly, Rio couldn't even imagine what her company had that might impress a behemoth like Detnerat.
Mum hadn't spoken much about Takeru's departure, but Rio could see the toll it was taking on her. Grief had chipped away at her pride and strong opinions. One of the things she'd quietly let go of was her insistence that Rio continue with quirk counseling.
"I don't know, Mum," he said, poking at his food. "I think I like it there… the people, I mean."
They're weirdos, he thought with a dry smirk, but they're my weirdos. I wouldn't trade 'em for anything.
He looked forward to those monthly meetings more than he cared to admit.
His mother didn't answer right away, just gave a small nod and went back to eating. Rio glanced up, about to say something else, but stopped. Another change. She no longer challenged him, even when he knew she disagreed. Instead, she bit her tongue and quietly accepted his choices.
Any other kid would probably be thrilled. Total freedom, zero resistance from their parents—that was supposed to be the dream, right?
But not like this.
This wasn't freedom. This was just guilt and silence wearing different masks.
I wish she didn't feel like she had to tiptoe around me, he thought, his appetite fading completely.
"Thanks for the meal," Rio said suddenly, rising from his seat.
Izumi reached out halfway, as if to touch his arm or say something—anything—but her hand hovered for a beat… then fell back to her lap with a sigh.
"I'm gone!" he called out, not really expecting a reply, as he exited the compound.
Sebastian was already waiting at the door, giving him a warm wave. Rio nodded and headed down toward the garage, where the family chauffeur stood by the car in patient silence.
Today's ride was a Rolls-Royce. Again.
The last time I showed up in one of these, they acted like I brought a space shuttle, Rio thought as a small laugh escaped his lips.
Whatever. They're just jealous. Might as well roll up in a new one, just to spite them.
The chauffeur moved to open the car door, but Rio waved him off. He might've been wrapped up in the decadent atmosphere of the upper class, but he wasn't rotten... Yet.
The car glided smoothly out of the Hayami estate. Rio leaned back with his eyes closed, watching the darkness behind his eyelids more than the city crawling past.
"Please wake me up when we get there," he said, not waiting for a response as he shifted comfortably into the seat, already slipping into sleep.
"We've arrived at our destination, sir," the driver drawled.
Rio stirred, groggy and half-lidded, and stepped out of the car with a yawn. "Thanks," he muttered, before turning toward the center.
It was still as run-down as ever. The cracks in the plaster, the flickering lights, the general mustiness—it all remained. But Rio didn't mind it anymore. He'd grown used to it. Maybe even fond of it.
He walked up the steps and headed down the hallway, then pushed open the classroom door.
That's odd.
The room was empty.
Usually, Sae and the others were here before him. Hell, Riku was often around earlier than the staff paid to clean the place. But today, the chairs were cold and the silence echoed.
Well… not completely empty.
At the far end of the classroom, Toga Himiko was hunched over a desk, playing with a bunch of pencils. She hadn't noticed him enter.
Rio hadn't interacted with Toga much before—not out of dislike, just… indifference. Sae and Kenji had both warned him she was bad news, though whether that was based on fact or just bias, he couldn't say. Either way, it hadn't mattered to him.
She wasn't one of his own. Her life or death hadn't meant anything to him.
But that was before Naruhata.
Before Samatsu, Namimaru, and the rest of the Pop Army. They'd shown him something different—people helping others not out of obligation, but because someone was hurting.
Toga looked like one of those people. A lonely kid, probably with no friends and parents who kept her on a leash too tight to breathe.
"Hey there, Toga-san. What are you doing?" Rio asked as he walked over and stood by her seat, watching curiously as she maneuvered the pencils in her hands, striking them against each other like blades.
Toga stiffened and turned to look at him. She must've been so caught up in her game she hadn't noticed him approach.
"Nothing," she said quickly, shoving the pencils back into her purse.
It was a clear lie.
Rio considered just leaving. He didn't owe her anything, and she clearly wasn't eager to talk.
But—No.
He pushed the thought away before it could take root.
"Come on, I won't judge," he said, crouching slightly to meet her eye.
Toga looked up, searching his face for any sign of mockery.
"There was clearly a battle going on here," Rio said, his tone lighter. "My trusted knight, Sir Galahad, shall gladly charge into the fray!"
He reached into his bag and pulled out a pencil, wedging it between his ring and index fingers like a sword. He raised his hand in a mock salute.
A small twitch pulled at Toga's lips. She hesitated, then slowly drew her pencils out again. Mirroring Rio, she held one between her fingers—then another, using both hands.
It was an awkward grip on his fingers but somehow she made it work.
Huh. Neat.
"It seems Sir Galahad has withdrawn his sword. He much rather favors using his bare hands to face down his foe. Come tither then—what foul beast shall be slain?" Rio recited as he looked back at Himiko.
"Why of course, Sir Galahad. Today we slay the foul vampire who torments this land—Mr. Truffles," Himiko said excitedly. Rio didn't comment on her naming sense—a vampire named Truffles was better off bathing in the light of the sun than living.
"What is your name, my good fellow, and shall we rescue the princess stuck at the heart of his castle?"
Himiko got stuck thinking of a name for her knight, her wrinkled brows proof of her struggle, but she smiled brightly once she got her answer, giggling excitedly. "You may call me Princess Sheila, and my sister is the one held captive by the foul vampire."
The girl had really sharp canines, her smile stretching into exaggerated arcs that filled up her face. Most would find it unsettling, but it was a beautiful smile.
"Then I greet you, Princess Sheila. Tales of your bravery spread far and wide throughout the lands," Rio continued but was cut short by the sound of the door opening.
Himiko sagged as she looked down at her desk, while Rio looked up toward the source of the intrusion. At the door was Riku, who yawned as he stepped in, kicking his shoes off lazily before setting his bag down. He dragged a chair back with his foot and flopped onto it with the energy of someone half-asleep, laying his arms over the desk to rest.
Riku was, well, Riku. Sae would describe him as someone with "nonchalant dreadhead energy"—whatever that meant. The bottom line was that Riku was chill. Everyone liked him.
"Hey Riku, good morning. You wanna play a game?" Rio called out. Himiko was already getting nervous with another person in the room. She seemed like she was going to revert back to her default indifference that just marked her insecurity. This might be uncomfortable for her, but she needed to come out of her comfort zone and make friends.
Riku lazily raised his head. "Yeah, sure." He pulled up his seat and sat beside the two. "So what exactly are we doing?"
"It's a fantasy role play. I'm the gallant knight Sir Galahad, and Himiko is the brave warrior Princess Sheila. We're on a quest to free her sister from the clutches of an evil vampire."
If Riku understood a word Rio said, he gave no indication. Still, he pulled a pen from his pocket and settled his right hand on the desk.
"I'm the great mage Ouroboros. Lead the charge, Princess Shailer," Riku said as they started their game.
Rio observed Himiko Toga and smiled in satisfaction as he watched her playing and laughing. It was fairly easy to make friends as a child; life wasn't as complicated as it was for adults. A little nudge and a show of interest in someone else was usually enough.
They played for the next thirty minutes or so, and their campaign was about to end.
"Unhand the princess, Count Truffles. Thou hath a chance to still recant," Rio said in indignation, but the opening of the door cut them short.
In the lead was Sae, with Kenji, Hayato, Daiki, and Kiba. Sae's presence was commanding—she walked into the room with a scowl as she made her way to the seat where the trio was playing.
"What kinda goofy ahh shit is this?" Sae said, standing over them with her arms folded.
"As you can see, we're on a quest," Rio said, not bothering to look up. Riku made a peace sign to Sae as he continued with the game.
"Since when you become all buddy-buddy with Toga? Y'all besties now or something?" Sae continued mockingly.
"And since when was it a matter of concern who my friends are?" Rio asked, brows raised.
She twirled a strand of hair and fake-pouted. "Aw, how cute—you picked up a little freak. So charitable of you."
"Hey, you're being an asshole. Apologize," Rio said, his face setting into a frown.
"Yeah, no. I thought you had at least one brain cell left," Sae scowled as she turned back to her group.
"What the hell is her problem?" Rio asked in annoyance. Riku just shrugged, as if to say he didn't know.
Before the disagreement could escalate into a conflict, Dr. Hibiki entered the room.
"Good morning, children. I hope you've all had as wonderful a morning as I?" she said with genuine enthusiasm.
That was odd in its own right. The woman was as fake as plastic. This was the first time he had ever seen her genuinely happy.
"I have news to share with you all at the end of this session. I hope you all are amenable to stay behind for a few minutes today."
If she was waiting for a reply, she gave no indication as she raced to her seat. Starting up the projector, she immediately went back to her phone.
Rio turned to Sae and noticed she was staring at the screen intently. He had much to discuss with her after today's session.
"Okay, kids. I have an announcement to make." At that declaration, everyone turned to the doctor.
"So unfortunately, you all will have to be reassigned to new instructors. I've been promoted to the national headquarters, so someone else will take over my current duties."
A collective sigh of relief echoed through the classroom.
A tick mark appeared on Dr. Hibiki's face as she swallowed down her rising irritation.
"I know you all would be feeling down that your favorite mentor, Hibiki, will be gone soon. Don't worry—the procedures will be finalized next month. Till then, I'm stuck with you all. Isn't that great?"
A few students groaned under their breath, while others exchanged wary glances. The earlier sighs of relief turned brittle, the room falling into an awkward hush.
No one wanted to be the first to complain out loud, but the disappointment was palpable. Rio didn't miss the way even Riku's eyes narrowed slightly, or how Kiba visibly deflated in his seat.
One more month with her? That wiped the smiles off more than a few faces.
He didn't know what kind of news had her grinning earlier, but judging by everyone's reactions, she wasn't about to win any Teacher of the Year awards.
"Now carry on. You're all dismissed. Zarris"
Author's note: I really enjoyed reading and writing this chapter. It really brought a smile to my face. The last of the sort i suppose.