After humbling Koza a bit, Loma starts taking down class notes. But his mind isn't on the paper.
Loma (thinking, frowning): Darn it… why do I keep thinking about Tsuriki?
He shakes his head, closing the notebook. I should go home for now.
He packs his bag and steps into the hallway. The late afternoon light spills in from the windows, stretching shadows across the polished floor.
From behind, a soft voice cuts through the quiet.
Tsuriki: "You going, Loma?"
He stiffens, caught off guard. Turning, he finds Tsuriki smiling faintly, her presence warm against the empty hallway.
Loma (stammering): "Um… y-yeah."
Tsuriki: "Ohh! Goodbye then. Make sure you don't skip tomorrow. Where do you live?"
Her tone is casual, but her eyes are sharp—watchful, like she means what she says.
Loma: "I live on the 2nd street of Hoshin District… with my brother."
Tsuriki: "I'll be sure to visit if you don't come. Take care, Loma."
For a moment, his usually tired face softens. A warm smile creeps onto his lips, rare and genuine.
Loma: "You too, Tsuriki."
✨ Scene shifts — Outside the school gates.
The evening air is cool, the streets buzzing faintly with voices and distant traffic. Leaning casually against the wall, arms crossed, Darok waits. His sharp eyes scan the students leaving, like a wolf among sheep.
Darok: "How was your day?"
Loma: "Not bad."
Darok (relieved, with a faint smile): "That's a relief."
Loma: "Yeah… let's go home then."
Darok: "Oh, sure."
As they start walking, Tsuriki with a few of her friends notices them. Her gaze lingers on Darok—the tall, intimidating figure beside Loma.
Tsuriki: "Is he your friend, Loma?"
Loma: "No, my big brother."
Tsuriki: "Ohh…"
Darok's voice rumbles low.
Darok: "Who's she?"
Loma: "She's the student council president."
Tsuriki (nodding politely): "Alright then, I'll be leaving, Loma."
Loma: "Alright."
Darok watches her leave, then glances down at his brother with a small smirk.
Darok: "She seems nice. Are you friends with her…?"
Loma (hesitant, but honest): "Yeah… kinda."
Darok: "Good. Let's go."
Loma nods, and the two walk deeper into Hoshin's streets. The neon signs flicker, alleyways stretch like dark jaws, and the hum of the city grows heavier with each step.
✨ But suddenly—
A figure blocks their path. A young man in the fangs' colors, his grin twisted and cocky.
???: "Hand over your money."
The street falls silent. Even the air feels colder, the weight of confrontation settling like a knife between them.
— Chapter 63 End —