He and Infinity burst out of the forest, sprinting across rooftops, cutting through alleys, weaving over crowds like two birds, zipping through the sky. Wind whipped Kaizo’s face as they crossed the city—then everything stopped.

  Kaizo stands in front of Hoshikawa High. He has a clean, composed, duffel bag over his shoulder.

  His physique wasn't quite monstrous, but sharper—lean, defined, efficient.

  He had improved dramatically from how he looked just a few days ago.

  Infinity (tilting his head): “What was that white thing you were doing in the forest called?”

  Kaizo (calmly): “It’s called Kensei…”

  Infinity (curious): “And what’s that?”

  Kaizo (checking his phone): “I’ll have to tell you later. We’re almost there.”

  The time on the screen: 7:57 AM.

  Three minutes early.

  He approaches the school buses.

  Ayame (eyes widening): “…I know you said a week, but what the hell have you been doing?”

  Kaizo (straight-faced): “Sleeping.”

  Yumi glances up and down his frame.

  Yumi (thinking): (That is not a one-week body…)

  Kaizo (thumb pointing behind him): “Oh yeah, Old Lady—this is Yumi. My secretary. She’s the one I invited.”

  Yumi (blinking hard): (Secretary??)

  Ayame (smirking): “Okay, slick brat. She can come along.”

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  Yumi takes the window seat. Kaizo slides in beside her as the bus engine rumbles awake.

  Yumi (teasing): “So… you really have been training, huh?”

  Kaizo (arms behind head): “Yep yep.”

  He shifts, lowering his head toward her lap.

  Kaizo (slyly): “Can I lie here? My neck’s still sore from yesterday’s aerial scrap—”

  Yumi (instantly): “No!”

  Kaizo (fake offended): “Damn. Didn’t even hesitate.”

  He reaches into his shirt and pulls out Infinity like a stolen item from a vending machine.

  Kaizo (handing him over): “Here. You’re my secretary, remember? You’re in charge of this guy.”

  Yumi (holding Infinity awkwardly): “Okay… wait—are we seriously running with the secretary thing?”

  Kaizo (lying back): “Commit to the bit, Flatline.”

  Infinity (smirking): “Meow.”

  {Translation: This is gonna be fun.}

  Yumi stares.

  Yumi (squinting): “…Did he just—”

  Kaizo (deadpan): “Yeah, we had to make a compromise on the talking thing. You’ll get used to it.”

  Yumi (to Infinity): “So… what were you two doing the past week?”

  Infinity (curling into her lap): “Meow.”

  {Translation: Watched him do some insane bullshit— with my help. He’s what you call a visionary.}

  His tail thumps rhythmically.

  Yumi (thinking): How is this cat’s vocabulary better than mine?

  Kaizo flicks open his tablet—sleek, modded, and elite coverage and access to information.

  Kaizo (to the audience, unimpressed): “I remodeled it to work like an iPad because—let’s be honest—every other tablet brand sucks.”

  He scrolls through info on the Apex Circuit.

  Kaizo (reading): “Two-bracket elimination: male and female divisions. Hosted by some rich sponsor trying to develop new talent for ‘entertainment purposes.’ Any fighter can enter, as long as they represent a school or brand.”

  He pauses.

  Kaizo (confused): “Last year’s champion… ‘The Flame Empress’?”

  Kaizo (thinking): (Who the hell is this? Cringy ass title.)

  Yumi leans over.

  Yumi (peeking): “I’m gonna assume she’s strong. You think she’ll participate again this year?”

  Kaizo (muttering): “If she is, I’m gonna have to put more effort into this than I thought.”