Kaizo stepped off the arena floor, the quiet hum of the private facility surrounding him. He was heading up to get his secretary and his cat, because he wanted to get home as fast as possible. Today is Saturday, and why was he awake on a Saturday?

  He wasn’t expecting to run into anyone—but there she was.

  Miyu Kohana, now back in her school uniform, sat curled into herself near a quiet hallway corner. Her arms wrapped around her knees and her head buried low.

  She looked nothing like the scary “illusionist” from earlier—more like a regular kid lost in a school hallway.

  Usually, Kaizo would ignore it. People deal with losses in their own way. However, he just had this feeling that he was gonna be forced to talk to her, so he decided to check…

  Kaizo (internally): “Do I have to talk to her?”

  “Yeah”

  “Fucking hell…”

  He walked over and sat beside her. Not too close—just close enough.

  Kaizo: “Are you ok?”

  No response at first.

  Then, after a shaky breath—

  Miyu (softly): “…Not really.”

  She looked at him sideways, expecting sarcasm or ignorance. But Kaizo just waited, after all, he had nothing else to do.

  That seemed to get her to start talking.

  Miyu (quietly, but clearly): “I go to St. Divinity Academy. It's... the school under the Golden Goddess.”

  Kaizo: “The number one Horizon user?”

  She nodded.

  Miyu: “Yeah. I’m part of her Cabinet, and she calls it the Divine 10, well, at least it used to be. Anyway, I’m part of one of her most important parts of her team, and it's “important” for all of us to be strong, and demonstrate our authority. After she hears what happened today… I don’t want to know what will happen to me.”

  Kaizo (to us):

  [“Is she a supervillain or something?”]

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  She fidgeted with her sleeves.

  Miyu: “I only got this position because my Horizon type is rare. Everyone knows I’m not the strongest individual. I’m really only useful in a few ways. They just keep it to themselves...”

  Kaizo (thinking): To be fair, ALL Horizons are rare so I think your position might be more on favoritism, to be honest…

  Miyu (softer): “But if they find out I lost today... they might not be as willing to help me. I could lose my Cabinet seat or maybe be punished for the loss, as that's been happening lately, and she might act differently towards me… She’s changed from how she’s been in the past. She’s not mean, she’s just more… pushy, she expects more from us now… I don’t know why…”

  Kaizo didn’t interrupt. Just leaned back, arms behind his head, eyes half-lidded, staring at the ceiling, listening to her words carefully.

  Kaizo: “Tough place. Sounds more like a kingdom than a school.”

  Miyu gave a sad chuckle as Kaizo’s joke got through to her a little. Kaizo looked at her nervous smile and thought to himself a little bit.

  Kaizo (still calm): “You’re not weak. You just haven’t figured out how to use your Horizon in a way that suits you.”

  She looked at him. She’s never heard from other people that a Horizon can be used in unique ways. .

  The elevator dinged behind them.

  As the doors opened, he stood up, got in the elevator and pressed the button for the second floor.

  Kaizo (without looking back): “If you’re still afraid or don’t know what to do…”

  She blinked, looking up.

  Kaizo (quietly, but clearly): “...come with me. I’ll try my best to get you a better experience at school.”

  Then the doors closed. And he was gone.

  Miyu sat there, stunned.

  For the first time in a long time...

  It felt like someone was looking out for her with genuine interest.

  In the VIP Lounge, Kaizo called out with a smug grin, “Hey Grace, let’s get a move on!”

  Yumi sighed under her breath, cheeks lightly pink, knowing she wasn’t escaping that nickname anymore. She stood, careful not to disturb Infinity’s nap in her arms, and walked toward the elevator with her usual quiet poise.

  Airi (flirtatiously): “Hey, tiger…Go easy on me next match?”

  Kaizo (smirking): “Depends… what’s in it for me?”

  Airi gave a theatrical gasp and giggle as Yumi passed by Kaizo—giving him a subtle little tap on his lower back with her elbow, a silent “quit it” that carried all the embarrassment in the world without saying a word.

  He raised an eyebrow but said nothing, following her with hands in his pockets as the elevator doors opened one again and the two left the stadium.

  Once they were gone, Riko scoffed, obviously ticked off by Kaizo’s personality despite this being her first ever encounter with him.

  Riko (annoyed): “Man, guys like him make me mad. They win one little fight and now they think they have a chance with anybody.”

  Airi (slyly): “I don’t know, Riko, I feel like he’s the real deal.”

  Riko (getting up, sighing): “Welp, there’s only one way to see if that’s true.”

  Airi (following Riko): “I agree…”

  After all, if he was gonna continue to climb the ladder, he would have to defeat her. And for most people like him, he would stand no chance.