Serenia Preparatory Academy — Ryo's School, Kyou Ren's Entrance
The moment Kyou Ren steps onto campus, the air shifts.
Girls whisper behind cupped hands as he passes—some giggling, others too stunned to speak. His silver hair catches the sunlight like a blade unsheathed; his expression is aloof but sharp with quiet amusement at the chaos he causes just by existing. One braver girl rushes forward with a love letter—only for him to side-step without even glancing her way, leaving her stumbling into her friends in embarrassment.
Ryo watches this circus unfold from his desk near the window and scoffs around a half-eaten apple. "God, what a show-off."
Yua flicks his ear from beside him (since when did she get here?). "Jealous?" she taunts under her breath before stealing his lunchbox outright and popping a rice ball into her mouth smugly. (Because revenge is sweet.)
Before Ryo can protest—the classroom door slides open again… and there stands Kyou himself leaning against it casually as if he owns every atom of space around him already without trying... Because of course he does...
And then their eyes meet across rows of students still whispering about him—and that same damn smirk returns full force like an insult made flesh: "Yo." Just one word dripping with provocation aimed solely at one person here… And everyone notices instantly who that person is when Ryo's chair scrapes back violently beneath clenched fists now planted firmly atop the desk surface instead where food used to be moments prior (thanks Yua).
The teacher gestures for silence before introducing their "new transfer student." But nobody cares about formalities once Kyou start talking:
- He doesn't bother bowing properly like expected etiquette demands; just dips chin slightly mockingly while gaze stays locked onto defiant amber burning holes through skull front row center where certain someone sits grinding teeth loud enough to hear next town over probably...
- Voice cool but carrying easily across room despite its lazy cadence:
- "Name's Kyou Ren."
- "I could care less about making friends here."
Kyou scans the room, ignoring wide-eyed whispers that trail in his wake. They reach the back where Ryo sits bristling in his chair. Their eyes meet for a beat before Kyou continue speaking as if it never happened:
"... I'm only here because of my parents."
His words are met with confusion. Most assume a rich kid's pampered life sent him here. But Ryo tenses, his grip on the desk tightening...
because he recognizes the bitter edge in Kyou's voice—the same one he used to have whenever someone forced him into something.
The teacher clears her throat awkwardly before motioning toward an empty seat. "Well, welcome Kyou-kun! You can sit there by the window."
Kyou doesn't move immediately. Instead, his gaze flicks toward Ryo again—slow, deliberate. A silent challenge hangs between them before he finally saunters past and drops into his seat like a king settling onto a throne.
Ryo exhales sharply through his nose and mutters under his breath:
"Great."
(Just what I needed today.)
As the lesson continues, Ryo feels a faint warmth at his side—subtle but undeniable.
"Stupid fox," Yua grumbles under her breath beside him, crossing her arms. "Stop licking your paws in my head."
Ryo blinks before glancing at her.
"...The hell are you talking about?"
She ignores him, too busy internally arguing with the six-ringed Kitsune whose presence thrums just beneath her skin—more restless than usual today for reasons she can't quite place...
But one thing is clear: Mizaru doesn't like Kyou Ren. Not one bit.
Ryo raises an eyebrow, intrigued by Yua's strange behavior but wisely decides not to ask. He's got enough on his mind without adding "psychic fox dramas" to the list.
Instead, his gaze drifts back to the silver-haired transfer student a few rows up. Kyou catches him looking and smirks.
"Problem?"
"... Nope," Ryo growls before looking back to his notebook in feigned distraction. "Just trying to ignore your existence."
Kyou chuckles softly.
"Ah... the classic method."
Yua snorts but quickly covers it with a cough when the teacher shoots her a disapproving glare.
Kyou turns lazily in his seat to lean his chin against a propped up hand.
"Doesn't seem to be working though." he observes, tone dripping with amusement.
Ryo's pen digs into the paper so hard it nearly tears.
"... Shut up."
Kyou Ren speaks to himself
Stay focused.
He forces his attention back to the teacher, but his mind lingers on Ryo's simmering glare. Good. Let him be pissed. Let him wonder why a guy like him would suddenly show up at this random school in the middle of nowhere.
Because Kyou knows exactly why he's here—and it has nothing to do with parents or academics or playing nice with strangers who don't matter in the grand scheme of things...
No—this is about something far bigger than high school drama could ever touch upon... Something buried deep beneath layers upon layers worth secrets kept hidden away from prying eyes lest they attract unwanted attention from certain parties best left undisturbed until now anyway... But most importantly?
This is about hunters.
And if there's one thing Kyou despised more than anything else? It's hunters who think themselves gods among men when really all they are just glorified killers dressed up as heroes saving worlds no one asked them save begin with—least not those whose lives were ruined because these so-called "protectors" failed protect anyone but their own interests first last always every single time without fail ever since dawn creation itself began unfolding across endless realms unseen mortal comprehension entirely…
But that's fine because soon enough everyone will see the truth whether ready for it does not matter little end day anyway once everything starts falling apart at seams like always does eventually anyhow right?...
So yeah let Ryo stew hatred all wants while can still afford such luxuries emotions before reality comes crashing down around both them alike forcing hard choices be made either side divide too wide bridge anymore after certain lines crossed irrevocably moving forward into unknown futures neither fully prepared face head-on yet here we are regardless isn't that funny how life works sometimes huh?...
Kyou eats alone outside beneath a cherry tree. It blooms out of season, its delicate pink petals drifting softly down around him as if nature itself wants nothing more than to comfort the brooding boy beneath it today.
Ryo watches him from the cafeteria windows with narrowed eyes.
Yua notices and rolls her eyes.
"Just go talk to him if you're so curious."
Ryo scowls.
"I'm not curious."
Yua snorts skeptically. "Right…"
A cherry blossom falls as Kyou opens his half-empty bento box. He flicks it away absently, more interested in the way the petals dissolve into embers upon contact with his fingertips. (Weird.)
He leans back against the tree, closing his eyes—until shadows block the sunlight filtering through branches above him. Without looking:
"What do you want?"
Yua stands over him, arms crossed, her expression unimpressed.
"Your vibes are ruining my lunch."
Kyou cracks one eye open to glance at her before letting out a dry chuckle. "And here I thought hunters had thicker skin."
Yua's scowl deepens. "I'm not a hunter—"
"—lie," Kyou interrupts smoothly, sitting up slightly as his smirk sharpens. "Because you carry the stench of one all the same." His gaze flicks past her to where Ryo lingers awkwardly in the distance—clearly debating whether to interfere or not. "... Him too."
Something about his tone makes Yua stiffen—because it isn't just disdain she hears lurking beneath those words... It's something darker. Something personal.
Yua rolls her eyes while Kyou smirks lazily—undeterred by the threat.
"Cute." he comments dryly. "Trying to protect your friend? How noble."
Ryo bristles at his tone, taking a step forward.
"Stay away from her," he growls warningly.
Kyou sighs as if bored. "Or what?"
"I'll make you regret ever coming near her." Ryo swears, fists clenched tight like coiled springs ready to strike the first chance he gets.
Kyou raises both hands in mock surrender. "Alright alright, whatever."
Yua shoves Ryo back before he can do something stupid. "Stop acting like a moron," she mutters, irritation creeping into her voice. "I can handle myself just fine, thanks."
Yua glares at Ryo as they walk.
"What is wrong with you?!" she demands. "You just made yourself look like an idiot."
Ryo scoffs, still riled up from the confrontation. "... So what?"
Yua throws up her hands in frustration. "What the hell was even your problem? I could have handled him just fine without your macho chest-thumping."
Yua catches the muttered words. Her expression softens somewhat. "... Wait, what did you just say?"
Ryo looks away, embarrassed by his own admission.
"... Nothing. Forget it."
Yua studies his profile, noticing the slight flush staining his cheeks. "You were jealous," she states bluntly. "That's why you barged over when you did. You were worried."
"I wasn't jealous, alright?!" Ryo retorts sharply, cheeks now thoroughly flushed. "I just... I didn't like the way he was looking at you, that's all."
Yua snorts, trying to hide her smile. "Oh really? And how exactly was he looking at me that bothered you so much?"
"Like he was sizing you up or something," Ryo mutters, avoiding eye contact.
Yua lets out a surprised laugh. "Are you serious right now? You were jealous because you thought he was checking me out?!"
Ryo splutters, trying to deny it. "That's not—Ugh, shut up! It was more than that!"
"Ryo—!" Yua calls after him, but he storms off too quickly.
She sighs, shaking her head at his retreating back before turning the other way herself. Idiot. But despite her exasperation... there's something suspiciously close to amusement tugging at the corner of her lips.
Ryo grumbles under his breath as he enters the house.
Kujuro looks up from his newspaper. "Something bothering you, son?"
Ryo tosses his bag onto a couch before flopping down next to it. "Just... a guy at school."
Kujuro chuckles, folding his newspaper with a grin.
"Yua's here so often, she might as well move in," he teases, giving her a warm look. "We already consider you family anyway."
Yua flushes slightly but doesn't deny it—because in truth? This place feels more like home than anywhere else ever has...
Rumi skips into the room then holding up two popsicles triumphantly: one for herself and one clearly meant for Yua judging by how eagerly she shoves it toward her direction while beaming brightly enough rival sun itself were competing against child's sheer radiance right now honestly speaking—
"Got your favorite!" Rumi declares proudly before turning abruptly towards brother still sulking couch cushions nearby adding matter-of-factly: "...You get none since your being grumpy."
Ryo groans into hands while everyone else laughs at his misery (even Mizaru seems amused from wherever ancient fox spirit lurking these days).
Ryo's Inner Monologue
If only they knew she literally lives in my closet now.
The mental image of Yua curled up among his hoodies like some kind of stray cat makes him bite back an unexpected smile—just as Rumi shoves the stolen popsicle into his mouth with a giggle, effectively ruining any attempt at maintaining his brooding facade.
Yua smirks knowingly at him over her own treat, as if she can hear exactly what he's thinking... and honestly? At this point, he wouldn't put it past her.
Later that night Yua is Cross legged and closing her eyes.
Yua opens her eyes to find herself in the familiar mindscape. Mizaru waits for her in the distance, its nine tails waving gently in the non-existent wind.
The fox seems unusually restless tonight, pacing back and forth in front of the moonlit pond that always appears at the center of this dreamspace.
Yua approaches cautiously, sensing something amiss in Mizaru's usually calm demeanor.
Yua approaches the restive fox, concern creasing her brow.
"You seem agitated tonight," she comments carefully, noting the way Mizaru's eyes reflect silver in the moonlight.
The fox snorts irritably before stopping to turn its piercing gaze on her.
"Do I?" it says flatly, tone dripping with sarcasm. "I wonder why that might be."
Yua rolls her eyes at the sarcasm. "Cut the attitude. Just tell me what's bothering you."
Mizaru sighs heavily, resuming its pacing. "If you must know..."
Yua waits, crossing her arms expectantly. She knows the fox hates being prodded, but sometimes patience is overrated.
"... It's that boy," Mizaru finally says, words dripping with distaste. "Kyou Ren."
Yua stiffens slightly. "What about him?" she asks, trying to sound casual even as she feels a pang of unease at the mention of his name.
Mizaru stops again, pinning her with an unreadable gaze.
"I don't like him," it says simply, voice dripping with thinly veiled hostility. "And you shouldn't either."
"... Because he's dangerous."
Yua blinks, surprised by the finality in Mizaru's tone. "...Dangerous?" she repeats slowly. "What do you mean 'dangerous'?"
But before the fox can answer, the dream begins to blur suddenly at the edges, signaling the end of the session.
Yua tries to cling to the mindscape, but everything is fading too quickly. "Hey—" she starts, panic creeping into her voice. "Wait, what- what were you going to say—?"
The last thing she sees before waking up is Mizaru's glowing eyes narrowed in warning—and its final words hanging ominously in the air:
"He's one of them."
Then—darkness.
Yua jolts awake in the closet, heart pounding. She stares at her trembling hands as the fox's cryptic warning echoes in her skull.
Yua sits in the dark closet, pulse still thrumming from Mizaru's warning.
(One of them? One of them? Hunters? No… Mizaru wouldn't react like this over that. Something worse.)
Her fingers curl into fists against her knees as Kyou Ren's smirk flashes across her memory—cold, calculated, and now... undeniably suspicious.
Whatever game he's playing at school, whatever reason he showed up here... it isn't coincidence.
And if there's one thing Yua hates more than lies? It's being used as a pawn in someone else's scheme.
🌀 End Of Chapter Twenty Five