Kaizo’s House:
The front door swings open. Kaizo steps inside, his backpack slung over one shoulder. Over the summer, his hair got longer, his eyes sharper, and was giving off a whole different vibe. He’s back from training and he looked like a different species of a man.
Infinity has drastically changed as well, growing from a kitten-like size cat, to a juvenile. His ears were also slightly longer for a cat and looked energized as he laid down on the kitchen counter next to his mom.
Kaizo’s mother pauses mid-sip of her tea. Her eyes widen slowly as she takes in her son’s transformation.
Mirei: “…You’re looking better… What happened while you were gone?”
Kaizo (grinning): “Well, I did break my body down and rebuild it again. I think even my nipples are stronger now.”
Mirei (drops her teacup): “Kaizo...”
Kaizo: “What? You told me to work ‘hard’.”
She walks away muttering, rubbing her temples like her soul aged five years in five seconds.
Kaizo (calling out): “I missed you too, love you!”
Mirei looked down at Infinity, whose big, beady red eyes stared straight into her soul.
Mirei (suprised): “Even you got pretty big, Infinity.”
Infinity: Meow. [Translation: Thanks, Mom. Wait till you hear about what Kaizo did this summer.]
Yumi’s Home:
The front door creaks open, revealing Yumi, luggage in hand, with her lovely all natural skin, and “sharper features” from three months of discipline, especially around her chest area. Her clothing? Too tight in all the new places. Luckily, Kaizo had brought her some new clothes.
Her aunt opens the door expecting the usual Yumi— the one who was quiet, plain, and quite ignorable.
However, once she locks eyes with her niece, she freezes, her eyes widened and her mouth spreads wide open.
Yumi didn't know what to say either, so she just awkwardly waved and went upstairs.
Her aunt just backs away without a sound, letting her pass like she just saw a supermodel enter her house. In only 3 months, Yumi had become almost unrecognizable to her.
Yumi sighs, trudging to her room. Luckily for her, Rinako was dead asleep by this time so she didn’t have to worry about her this time.
The moment the door shuts, a small, tired smile tugs at her lips.
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Yumi (quietly): “Home sweet home...”
She sets her bag down, sits by the window, and daydreams about school starting again.
Even if it meant putting up with weirdos, drama, or quizzes…
Yumi (sincerely): “…I can’t wait to see him again.”
The Next Day…
Kaizo is eating breakfast with Infinity when his phone buzzes.
Unknown Sender: “Congrats. You have been chosen as the next Luminary to participate in the Top Ten challenge. Please arrive at this secret location in the next few hours.”
He smirks, sends Infinity to go get Yumi, and heads off to this private location.
Secret Stadium – Private Invitational Grounds
A sleek, good looking facility tucked between some old building, only accessible by encrypted coordinates. No fanfare, no crowd— it was clear that this place was built quite recently and for only a few people to access.
Yumi and Infinity arrive with Kaizo. She’s back as a secretary again but fully committed this time, with a clipboard in one hand, her glasses perched above her head, and her hair all tied up. Infinity sits on her shoulder, purring with excitement.
Kaizo (sarcastically): Glad you're committed to the bit, Grace.
Yumi (annoyed): Shut. Up.
He called me “Grace” again. Was he not joking with this new name?
They enter inside the stadium to see stairs leading to an upward seating area and arena doors almost a few feet in front of them.
Kaizo (calmly): “I’m guessing this is where we split.”
Yumi (nodding): “Good luck, Kaizo.”
Kaizo (smirking): “Thanks, Yumi. Don’t need it though.”
In the room above, looking down on the area’s field, Yumi entered the room and sat with Infinity in her lap. It seemed there weren't many people in the room, just her and some custodian, but the view from her seat was impressive. She couldn’t wait to watch the fight.
Just before Kaizo steps into the ring, his phone vibrates again:
Ayame (his aunt): “Good luck nephew… Btw, I also fixed your grades.”
Kaizo (grinning): “Fantastic…”
He pockets the phone and walks out.
Yumi, from the private booth, crosses her legs and adjusts Infinity to better fit in her lap, and whispering to herself:
Yumi: “Let’s see what kind of opponent he's up against.”
Infinity (whispering back): “Hmm, I think it’s someone he has to fight.”
Yumi (sighing deeply): “Excellent deduction, smartass.”
Meanwhile, Kaizo walks into the center of a compact, silent, almost lifeless arena. The lights overhead suddenly shoot open, damn near blinding Kaizo’s vision as he looks across the arena.
From the opposite side emerges Miyu Kohana—a small, quiet girl with long black hair, brown eyes and almost transparent in appearance. She moved so nervously and quietly; you couldn't even hear her footsteps.
Her presence was cold, eerie, and deliberate and the energy she gave off was so mysterious, even Kaizo couldn’t fully comprehend it. He grinned at the thought of fighting something unknown though, as he’s never felt that way for a long time…
Seated across from Yumi were two girls who seemed to go to the same school as Miyu, the combatant. One gave off a sort of intense but also composed attitude, while the other gave off an easygoing vibe, almost seductive like. Yumi heighted senses through Meikai allowed her to learn these things, and she could tell that those two girls weren’t just your average spectators.
No matter what thoughts were running through everyone’s head, the only thing everyone knew at the time was that: The first Top Ten match in a while was about to begin.
