Epilogue
The day to enter class had arrived.
It was no surprise that we would draw the students' attention.
We were the new students admitted to Seiren Private Academy.
A prestigious academy to begin with.
As we walked down the hallways, I could tell they feared me,
A situation different from Juliet and Ai.
They received looks of admiration and envy because of their beauty.
It was something expected of them.
After walking for several minutes, we arrived at our classroom.
[•••]
Class 1-C
Ayano Kimishima's eyes showed evident surprise.
She knew they were going to be admitted today, but she hadn't known about the beautiful girl with purple hair and eyes who entered with them.
"I'm Senji Muramasa."
"Julie Sigtuna."
They bowed, introducing themselves briefly and bluntly with just their names and nothing more.
"Hi, my name is Ai Hoshino! I'll be delighted to make friends!"
That girl's vibe was more friendly and open, unlike the monotone introductions of Senji and Julie.
The teacher told them to take seats at the empty desks in the back.
Senji ended up sitting between the two.
Julie on his right and Ai on his left.
"Alright, let's begin History class."
[•••]
Ding, Dang, Dong.
Senji was the first to rise from his seat, followed by Julie. Ai went her own way, having already made some friends and leaving in a group of six girls.
"Where shall we go?" Julie asked, walking beside Senji.
"We'll look for Homura and Suzuka."
Julie nodded.
Climbing the stairs to the next floor, they were lucky to run into a teenager with golden hair and violet eyes.
"Homura."
Senji greeted him by name.
"Senji." Homura approached them. "I'm glad to see you here. Have you been doing well, Julie?"
"Yes. How is Suzuka?"
"She's fine, and a little excited about having won the position of Student Council President."
"I see."
"You haven't changed much, haha." Homura let out a light laugh at Julie's blank look. "If you're looking for Suzuka, she's in the other building. You'll need to go down to the main floor and walk straight in this direction. You'll find the path that leads to the next building since they're connected."
Homura said goodbye to them.
They walked to the main floor and followed the direction Homura had indicated. At the end of the hallway, just as Homura had said, there was a connecting passage leading to the next building.
There they saw some teachers and students walking through this path to get to the central building.
Entering the building, they saw the modern interior with classical touches.
They continued upstairs to look for the student council office.
Reaching the place marked by the sign above the wooden door, they knocked softly.
"You may come in."
They heard a boy's voice from the other side of the door. Entering the office, they saw the students who made up the student council.
At the desk in the center near the windows was the girl they had been looking for.
"Senji! Julie-chan! It's been such a long time since I last saw you, I missed you so much!"
Her beautifully kept brown hair was tied into a left-side ponytail with a yellow ribbon with red polka dots. It swayed side to side as she hurried over to Senji and Julie.
"What are you saying, Suzuka? We saw each other a month ago. And you saw Julie two weeks ago, so it hasn't been that long since we last met." Senji teased Suzuka.
"The situation was totally different, Senji-baka! One locked up and Julie working hard for the clan! Before, we used to go out as a group, have fun, and travel to different places in Japan thanks to you! But everything changed that day!"
Senji shrugged.
"I guess you're right." A smile formed on Senji's face. "How about this weekend we travel to Okinawa?"
"I'd love to go! I'll bring Ayato with us as always!"
"Haha, seriously, you shouldn't force her to do things she doesn't want to."
"Hmph! She belongs to me!" Suzuka pouted.
"In your imagination, maybe." Senji tilted his head with a light laugh.
"Hmph. Stupid Senji and Homura-nii." she complained with a childish angry expression.
"Anyway, I have a lot of work as Student Council President." Suzuka sighed, regaining her composure. "But don't worry, I'll find time to talk later!"
Senji nodded, watching Suzuka return to her desk with renewed energy. Despite her position and responsibilities, she hadn't lost her contagious cheerfulness.
"She seems busier than I thought." Julie commented.
"That's what happens when you take on an important role." Senji said. "But I'm sure she'll handle it well."
"Should we stay or let her work?" Julie asked, glancing at her from the corner of her eye while Suzuka frantically organized papers.
"It's better to let her work. We have things to do as well." Senji replied.
Suzuka looked up, as if she had overheard, and gave them a quick smile.
"See you later!" she said, still checking documents. "I promise we'll have fun in Okinawa this weekend."
Senji and Julie left the office, letting her focus on her duties. As they went down the stairs, the bustle of the academy became more evident. The day had only just begun, and although the school routine wasn't particularly exciting, Senji knew this facade of normality was necessary.
"What shall we do now?" Julie asked.
"Maybe explore the academy a bit more. I want to see what this place is like before the days become monotonous." Senji said with a slight smile.
Julie just nodded, showing little interest. They walked silently through the hallways, observing the other students as they tried to adapt to their new life.
As they walked through the academy, Senji and Julie passed several windows overlooking the sports fields. Students were immersed in activities: soccer, basketball, tennis, and baseball, each in their own space. Senji stopped for a moment, watching the teams in action.
"How about we play for a while?" Senji asked with a faint smile.
Julie glanced at him sideways, apparently indifferent, but with a faint gleam in her eyes that betrayed her interest.
"Alright." she replied in her neutral tone.
Both headed to the soccer field. Senji was the first to approach the students, who looked at them with curiosity and some wariness upon noticing their presence.
"Can we join?" Senji asked.
The players nodded without much confidence but didn't refuse. As soon as the match began, Senji and Julie showed surprising physical skill. Senji controlled the ball precisely, dodging defenders with agility, while Julie, with her expressionless face, managed every pass with impeccable accuracy. Within minutes, they pulled off several plays that ended in goals, leaving the other students impressed by their skill.
"They're good..." one of the players muttered, barely believing what he saw.
After a while, they left the soccer field to try their luck on the basketball court. Again, their physical skill stood out. Senji dunked effortlessly, while Julie, though not expressive, shot with a precision rivaling the best players. Every time she threw the ball, its trajectory was flawless, and the students watching from the bench couldn't help but exchange looks of amazement.
They went on to the tennis courts, where their speed turned the matches into a spectacle. The rackets whistled through the air with each strike, and their coordination was such that they won every set with ease. Julie, calm-faced, moved with grace, while Senji never stopped smiling, enjoying their time together.
"I think we've had plenty of fun today." Senji said, stretching after the last tennis swing.
Julie nodded, walking beside Senji.
Senji and Julie continued their walk across the academy grounds, enjoying the tranquility and the atmosphere the place offered. Passing by a row of trees, they reached an area overlooking a large pool. From there, they could see several students in full-body swimsuits lined up at the water's edge. The sound of a whistle echoed in the air, marking the start of a swimming competition.
The students dove into the water in sync, showing their skills as they glided quickly across the surface. The atmosphere was competitive yet relaxed, as if the pool were a place to challenge one another without the pressure of being the best.
Senji stopped for a moment, watching the scene with interest. His eyes lingered on the swimmers, and a faint smile appeared on his face.
"They seem to be having fun." he commented, crossing his arms as he observed the races.
Julie, however, didn't show the same enthusiasm. Though not completely uninterested, her eyes wandered across the pool without focusing much. Keeping her typical neutral expression, she simply nodded.
"It doesn't really catch my attention." Julie replied, not taking her eyes off the students.
Senji noticed her indifference and, without insisting, let it go. Julie had always been reserved about activities like this, and he had no intention of making her uncomfortable. He knew that if something didn't interest her, it was best not to push her.
"You don't have to join if you don't feel like it." Senji said with a light smile. "I'll just enjoy the pool for a while."
Julie nodded but stayed at the side, watching as Senji headed for the locker room. The students remained focused on their competition, not noticing Senji at first. However, once he entered the locker room and began changing, attention shifted toward him.
When he removed his shirt, the boys in the locker room couldn't help but notice his physique. He wasn't a massive bodybuilder, but his body was clearly trained: defined muscles, a firm abdomen, well-built arms and legs, the result of years of training. The atmosphere in the locker room filled with whispers and astonished glances.
But when Senji turned around, the atmosphere completely changed. On his back spread an imposing tattoo of an Oni, with large raised horns and a terrifying expression. Its fierce face bore a twisted smile, showing sharp teeth and two large fangs at the corners, while its eyes glowed with a malignant aura. The intricate black-and-white design details emphasized the demon's ferocity, making it look almost alive. Though the tattoo didn't cover his entire back, its presence and detail were enough to capture everyone's attention. The boys exchanged nervous looks, and many came to the same conclusion: Senji must be connected to the yakuza.
Unbothered by their stares, Senji finished changing and walked out to the poolside. The students in the water fell silent for a brief moment, impressed by his presence. Senji ignored the looks and dove in with a perfect dive, breaking the tension of the moment. His swimming skill was evident, each stroke firm and efficient, gliding through the water with surprising speed.
From the poolside, Julie watched him, maintaining her usual composure. Though she had chosen not to participate, she was attentive to each of Senji's movements, with the same calm as always.
After several laps, Senji emerged from the water, breathing deeply. He walked over to Julie, shaking the excess water from his hair.
"That was a good time." Senji said with a smile.
Julie looked at him with her usual neutral expression and simply nodded.
"You did well." she commented in her monotone voice.
Senji smiled faintly at the remark and headed back to the locker room to change.
[Okinawa]
The sea breeze caressed Senji's skin as he settled into a comfortable wooden chair on the terrace of the seaside shop. It was a sunny day in Okinawa, and the sound of the waves crashing on the shore created a relaxing atmosphere that contrasted with the usual bustle of his life. From where he sat, he watched his friends enjoying the ocean: Julie lay stoically on a float, letting herself be carried by the gentle waves, while Ai pushed her playfully, laughing as she tried to make her move.
A few meters away, Suzuka and Homura were having fun tossing a ball back and forth, while Ayato joined in. Their laughter rang out in the air, and Senji couldn't help but smile at the sight. That image of happiness, far from the problems that always loomed over them, was exactly what they needed.
However, his moment of peace was interrupted when a notification buzzed on his phone, resting on the wooden table beside him. Curious, he reached out and unlocked the screen.
When he opened the email, his brow furrowed at the name at the bottom of the message: Shiroyasha. The message was clear—meet with her in Italy, the location of the meeting already specified. The smile that had lit up his face instantly faded.
"Great..." he muttered, irritated by whatever Shiroyasha wanted that required them to meet in person.
With a deep sigh, he took a sip of his drink, trying to suppress the frustration that began to build. They had traveled to Okinawa to relax and have fun, after all.
His gaze shifted toward Julie, still calmly floating, enjoying the water's tranquility. A small smile appeared on his lips at the thought of how much these moments meant. He wouldn't let anything ruin their time here.
"Today is for enjoying," he told himself, trying to set the worries aside—at least for a little while longer.
[Italy]
The sun shone brightly over the small Italian town, filling the streets with a welcoming warmth. Senji Muramasa, dressed in a white linen shirt and dark pants, strolled through the main square, savoring the calm the place offered. For a moment, he had forgotten about Shiroyasha's email, letting himself be carried away by the vibrant atmosphere of Italy.
But the peace was suddenly broken. The clouds darkened, and a torrential rain began to fall, sending tourists and locals alike scrambling for shelter. Caught off guard by the drastic change in weather, Senji quickly looked for cover. As he ran, his attention drifted to the chaos around him.
Meanwhile, Tōka Takanashi had taken the day off from her work as a chef at Ristorante Aroma. She had decided to enjoy the beauty of Italy on her own, but like Senji, she was taken by surprise by the sudden downpour. With her long black hair and distinctive choker, she tried to take refuge under a small awning, but the rain kept pressing in on her.
In the confusion, Tōka didn't notice the direction she was running. Trying to dodge a puddle, she lost her balance and was about to fall.
Senji reacted quickly when he saw the situation. With an agile movement, he caught her before her body hit the ground.
"Thank you so much," Tōka said, a mix of relief and surprise in her voice.
"It's nothing," Senji replied, letting her go gently.
With that, he turned away and started running again, leaving Tōka somewhat confused by the brief encounter. The pouring rain reminded her why she had been looking for shelter in the first place.
As she hurried off to find a dry place, she couldn't help but think of the stranger she had met in the storm.
Meanwhile, in another corner of the city, Senji continued running toward his destination. The rain drenched him completely, but his mind remained fixed on the meeting that awaited him with Shiroyasha.
The Hotel Imperiale rose before him, its luxurious façade a sharp contrast to the storm. After shaking some of the water from his clothes, he entered the lobby, where the warmth and low hum of conversations offered a brief respite.
With the key in hand, he headed to the elevator, which quickly carried him to the third floor. Exiting, he walked to the room he had been assigned, his thoughts focused on what Shiroyasha wanted to discuss.
Opening the door, he was met by the expectant gaze of the woman who had summoned him.
"Senji," Shiroyasha said, her tone direct yet tinged with playfulness. "Thank you for coming."
He nodded, feeling the weight of what was to come. The storm rumbled outside, as if the world itself were preparing to listen to the conversation that was about to unfold.
"Come in," she said, inviting him inside. "We have much to talk about."