Robin feinted left, then darted right, staff whipping in a deceptive arc. Ryotaro caught it barehanded, twisting his body and yanking Robin forward.
But Robin released the staff mid-spin, flipping over Ryotaro's shoulder. He landed behind him, boot striking the Rider's back. The impact staggered Ryotaro forward a step.
Robin reclaimed his staff with a snap of his wrist. "Score one for me."
Ryotaro's voice was calm, even through the filter. "That was sloppy. If I were serious, you'd be down."
Robin twirled the staff like a baton. "Then get serious."
For the first time, Ryotaro moved faster. Joker Memory's true strength wasn't raw power—it was balance, agility, speed. He darted in with lightning footwork, every step perfectly timed.
Robin barely had time to react. Punches rained like hammers—each one a precise strike aimed at joints, ribs, weak points. Robin blocked with his staff, sparks flying from the impacts.
The last punch slipped through—landing square on his chest, knocking him back. He hit the floor, rolling with the momentum.
Robin coughed, grinning even as he rose. "Okay. That hurt."
Both combatants reset. Robin crouched low, staff leveled. Ryotaro raised his fists, Joker stance solid and centered.
For a moment, silence filled the hall.
Then they lunged.
Robin spun forward, staff whirling like a storm. Ryotaro advanced head-on, slipping between the arcs, parrying with forearms, elbows, knees. The rhythm was relentless—strike, deflect, counter, repeat.
Robin's acrobatics turned into desperation flips and rolls, trying to outpace Ryotaro's precision.
Finally, Robin aimed high, sweeping the staff at Ryotaro's head. The Rider ducked under, pivoted on his heel, and slammed a palm strike against Robin's chestplate.
The impact sent Robin flying back—his staff clattering across the floor.
He landed hard, sliding on his back.
Breathing heavily, Robin looked up at the armored figure standing tall, fists still raised.
"Alright… you win," Robin admitted, panting. Then he grinned. "But I made you move faster. That's something."
Ryotaro deactivated his stance, lowering his arms. The Joker armor shimmered faintly. "Not bad. You're quick. Unpredictable. But you leave openings when you get cocky."
Robin sat up, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, well, it's called style. You should try it sometime."
Ryotaro tilted his head slightly, visor glinting. "…Maybe. But style doesn't stop monsters."
Robin's grin softened into a smirk. "And maybe monsters aren't the only thing worth fighting for."
For the first time that day, Ryotaro didn't argue. He then walked towards the door.
"Oh... right. Where are you going? Others are not here yet." Robin asked curiously.
"Today I need to attend my class. Exams are coming."
Robin looks Ryotaro silently for a moment and laugh at him.
"I just thought that you are joking. Man, do you need me to guide with your study? I am very good at it."
"Hard pass."with that Ryotaro walked out of the hall and went back to his class by riding his Hardboilder bike.
The classroom was unusually quiet for once.
Not because the students had suddenly decided to behave, but because the teacher had just announced the midterm exams.
Papers rustled, pens tapped nervously, and several groans filled the air.
Ryotaro sat by the window, his notebook already half-filled with neat, concise notes. His posture was calm, but his mind wandered. He had faced Orphnochs, Gaia Memory monsters. But somehow… none of that compared to the dread of high school exams.
The teacher clapped her hands once. "Alright! I hope all of you are preparing. No excuses. This exam will decide your placement for the next semester."
The bell rang shortly after, and the tension broke like glass. Students chattered, some already planning group studies, others despairing over math or literature.
Ryotaro closed his notebook slowly. His uncle had told him to study seriously. His mother had sent money, reminding him in every call: "Don't waste this chance. Focus."
He sighed quietly. A double life wasn't easy. Rider in the shadows. Student in the daylight.
"Excuse me—"
The voice startled him, soft yet clear. Ryotaro lifted his head, and his gaze met a girl standing beside his desk. Blonde hair, bright eyes, a nervous smile.
Kara Danvers.
She clutched a pile of books to her chest, shifting from foot to foot. "Uh, hi. You're Ryotaro, right? The transfer student?"
Ryotaro blinked, then nodded. "Yes. Ryotaro Nogami."
Her smile grew. "I'm Kara. Kara Danvers. And this is my sister."
A second shadow fell across the desk. Alex Danvers leaned casually against the nearby chair, arms folded. Unlike Kara's warmth, Alex's eyes carried a sharper weight, like she was already measuring Ryotaro.
Ryotaro straightened instinctively. "…Hello."
Alex gave a nod that was neither rude nor welcoming. More like: 'I'm watching you.'
Kara laughed softly, trying to ease the tension. "Sorry about my sister. She's just… protective."
"I noticed," Ryotaro murmured, adjusting his books.
Alex raised an eyebrow but didn't reply.
Kara leaned closer, lowering her voice slightly. "So, um… exams. How are you holding up? I heard you're good with science?"
Ryotaro hesitated. "I… try."
In truth, balancing combat training, secret missions, and late-night investigations left him exhausted. Studying required discipline, but his mind was often elsewhere.
Still, he met Kara's curious gaze. "…Math and physics are fine. History… not so much."
Kara brightened immediately. "Perfect! I'm great at history. Maybe we could—"
Alex cleared her throat. "Kara."
Her tone was enough to make Kara flinch. "Wh-what?"
Alex crossed her arms tighter. "You barely study for your own exams. And now you're volunteering as a tutor?"
Kara pouted. "I do study!"
Alex shot her a look.
"…Sometimes," Kara muttered, then quickly looked back at Ryotaro with an apologetic grin. "Anyway! If you need help, I wouldn't mind. Group studying is… fun."
Ryotaro tilted his head slightly. Kara's energy was disarming. She was clearly hiding something, though not in a malicious way. More like someone juggling secrets, just like him.
He nodded. "Thank you. That might… help."
Kara's smile lit up like sunlight.
Alex, however, narrowed her eyes. "Ryotaro, right? Where are you from, exactly?"
Her voice carried suspicion—protective sibling instincts at full force.
Ryotaro met her stare calmly. "Japan. I came here for school."
"Alone?" Alex pressed.
"My uncle lives nearby," Ryotaro answered evenly.
Alex studied him, her gaze sharp. Ryotaro didn't flinch. He had faced monsters that could burn cities. He wasn't about to be unsettled by one protective sister.
Kara noticed the awkward tension and quickly stepped in. "Alex! Please, he's just a classmate. Don't interrogate him like he's—"
Her voice stopped short. The word suspect hovered unsaid.
Ryotaro caught the pause. Interesting. Alex wasn't just a protective sister. She had training, instincts. Perhaps military or law enforcement. Her presence reminded him faintly of Batman's watchful suspicion.
"I don't mind," Ryotaro said quietly, gathering his books. "It's natural to ask."
Alex blinked at the calm reply. She didn't push further but kept her eyes on him, like cataloging every detail.
Kara, clearly embarrassed, nudged her sister. "Alex…"
Alex finally sighed. "…Fine."
Kara beamed, relieved, then looked at Ryotaro again. "So, um, maybe tomorrow after class? We could study together. At the library?"
Ryotaro thought for a moment. Exams were important, but so was maintaining appearances. And… maybe learning more about these sisters could be useful. Kara seemed ordinary, but Alex carried the weight of secrets.
He nodded slowly. "Alright. Tomorrow."
Kara nearly bounced with joy. "Great!"
Alex muttered something under her breath, but Ryotaro didn't catch it.
The bell rang again, signaling the next period. Students shuffled back into their seats.
As Kara and Alex walked away, Ryotaro leaned back in his chair, staring briefly out the window. The sky was clear, blue.
A normal life. Friends. Exams.
*********
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