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Chapter 7 - Not the Same Riku”---

Page 1

Panel 1:

Aoi charges at Hashimaru with intense focus.

Caption: The fight begins...

SFX: WHOOSH

Panel 2:

Hashimaru easily dodges Aoi's attacks with calm precision.

SFX: SWISH SWISH

Panel 3:

Hashimaru punches Aoi in the stomach, sending him to the ground.

SFX: THUD

Panel 4:

Kiojiro watches with arms folded, unimpressed.

Kiojiro: Dude doesn't stand a chance.

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Page 2

Panel 1:

Itsuki runs forward, distressed.

Itsuki: Hashi, stop this!

Panel 2:

Close-up of Riku, fists clenched, watching with fire in his eyes.

Riku (thinking): Aoi is hurt… even if he wasn't, Hashimaru's style is dangerous.

Panel 3:

Flash image of Hashimaru's fighting stance – wild but calculated.

Riku (thinking): He waits for openings, uses dirty tactics… this isn't good.

Panel 4:

Riku: Pick on someone your own size!

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Page 3

Panel 1:

Hashimaru glares at Riku, smirking.

Hashimaru: If you want to replace Aoi, fine. But remember, this is the last round.

Panel 2:

Aoi pushes himself up, blood on his lip.

Aoi: Don't... I don't need your help!

Panel 3:

Riku: Shut up. You can barely stand.

Panel 4:

Riku and Hashimaru clash, fists and kicks flying.

SFX: BAM! WHAM!

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Page 4

Panel 1:

Kiojiro watches closely, expression unreadable.

Kiojiro (thinking): What happened to you, Riku?

Panel 2:

Hashimaru is knocked down, shocked.

Hashimaru: H-How?! Who… who are you?!

Panel 3:

Riku: My name is Riku… and I'm new here.

Panel 4:

A boy in the background reacts, whispering to another.

Boy 1: Wait! That's the guy who stopped us from kicking Aoi's ass!

Panel 5:

Hashimaru clenches his fist.

Hashimaru: So it's you...! Don't get cocky—last round, and I'm not holding back!

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Page 5

Panel 1:

Hashimaru and Riku fight again, evenly matched.

SFX: THWACK! BLOCK!

Panel 2:

A boy sneaks behind Riku with a stick.

SFX: CLUNK (stick lifts)

Panel 3:

Kiojiro steps in, blocking the hit.

Kiojiro: Don't even think about it.

Panel 4:

Three boys gang up on Kiojiro and begin beating him.

SFX: WHACK! UGH!

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Page 6

Panel 1:

Riku sees Kiojiro being attacked—his expression turns cold and furious.

Panel 2:

He knocks Hashimaru down with powerful blows.

SFX: BAM!

Panel 3:

Riku rushes to defend Kiojiro, shielding him.

Riku: Stay away from him!

Panel 4 (Flashback):

Young Riku being bullied, Kiojiro stepping in to protect him.

Young Kiojiro: Stay away from him!

Panel 5 (Narration by Kiojiro):

Back then, you were so weak. I was always saving your ass.

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Page 7

Panel 1:

Back to present, Kiojiro watches Riku with a soft smile.

Kiojiro (thinking): But now… you've changed. Now you're saving mine.

Panel 2:

Hashimaru grabs Itsuki and holds a katana to her lap.

Hashimaru: Admit defeat, Aoi, or she gets it!

Panel 3:

Itsuki cries.

Itsuki: Hashi, don't… don't do this, please.

Panel 4:

Aoi grits his teeth from the bed.

Aoi: You coward!

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Page 8

Panel 1:

Hashimaru licks Itsuki's neck.

Hashimaru: I'll make sure you regret ever meeting her.

Panel 2:

Riku throws a rock—

SFX: CRACK!

—breaking Hashimaru's glasses.

Panel 3:

He rushes in, grabs Itsuki, and kicks Hashimaru to the ground.

SFX: THUD!

Panel 4:

Riku, holding Itsuki protectively.

Riku: Did you think hurting a girl was a smart move?

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Page 9

Panel 1:

Hashimaru on the ground, furious.

Hashimaru: You still side with them… you whore!

Panel 2:

Itsuki, still crying, looks at him.

Itsuki: It's over, Hashi.

Panel 3:

Hashimaru: This isn't over, Riku! I'll come for you!

Panel 4:

Riku with a calm, cold stare.

Riku: I'll be waiting.

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Page 10

Panel 1:

Aoi lies in bed, Kiojiro helping him.

Kiojiro: Get some rest. You're gonna need it.

Panel 2:

Itsuki walks to Aoi's bedside.

Itsuki: I'm so sorry, my love. I hope you—

Aoi (cutting her off): Don't do that. I'm not your love. Not now.

Panel 3:

Itsuki: But you said you'd die for m—

Aoi: Not now. Please. Just leave.

Panel 4:

Itsuki walks away, crying. Riku nods at Aoi.

Riku: Get well soon.

Aoi: Just get out.

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Page 11

Panel 1:

Riku walks out. Kiojiro follows, catches up to him.

Kiojiro: Thanks, man… for everything. For having our backs.

Panel 2:

Riku: It's nothing. That's what friends do. I'm just returning the favor.

Panel 3:

Kiojiro tears up, then hugs Riku tight.

Caption: The bond remains.

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Page 12

Panel 1:

Riku nears his room. Itsuki approaches him, teary-eyed.

Itsuki: I've never been hurt this much… but thanks to you, it didn't get worse. What do I do now?

Panel 2:

Riku: It's simple. Move on.

Itsuki: Huh?

Panel 3:

Riku: Start again. A new life. You'll feel better—probably forget the past.

Panel 4:

Itsuki looks up at Riku, blushes slightly as she sees his calm, cute expression.

Itsuki: I... I should go. Thanks. If you ever need help—educationally—I'm here for you.

Riku: Sure thing.

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Page 13 (Final Page)

Panel 1:

Riku watches her leave, then walks into his room.

Riku (thinking): What a day...

Panel 2:

He sits down, looking at the floor.

Riku (thinking): But something's not right.

Why did Hashimaru have a katana?

Caption (bottom):

To Be Continued...

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