14 Blaze

"Based on what Stella-senpai told us, Jin Hanzo was a student with many records of poor behavior, and as I said earlier, he's in class 3-D," Kyouko said,

"I see. Should we pay him a visit? I can't just let anyone go around and bullying girls in this academy." Ryujin said as he cracked his fingers and plastered a smile in contrary of his murderous expression.

"Calm down Ryujin. *sigh*. Anyway, Ayumi-chan, can you tell us what class are you from? and the purpose for the exousia and hurting this individual right here?" Kyouko raised her hand to point to Ryo.

Ayumi averted her eyes to the side, feeling a hint of guilt. It took a while before she started speaking.

"I'm from 2-B. First of all, I'm very sorry!" She earnestly bowed her head to Ryo. Ryo was taken aback by her sudden apology. He sighed as he unsympathetically said,

"Raise your head up... No need for you to apologize, the apology I need to hear is from Jin, not from you."

"And... about the exousia stone... Jin told me to forge one on his sword. He wants to defeat someone here," She looked at Ryujin, meaning she is pertaining to Ryujin.

"He actually bullies almost every person he takes his eyes on, mostly the ones who don't have much status or very little known in this school, especially the introvert ones and I'm one of them. He threatens us that he would beat us up if we don't follow him and if we involve the council, he'll eventually make things harder for us, and so, none dared to let the council know, and he's also really good at hiding his crimes, so even if the council investigated, they won't find any pieces of evidence that pertain his crimes.

A melancholy feeling reigned over the atmosphere.

Ayumi raised her head up but can't make eye contact with Ryo, as reason being she's embarrassed at her own self, for hurting someone that would help her later on and that she's feeling utterly guilty. But, she feels that she can't just apologize, she hurt someone, It is only normal for her to do something in return.

"Uhm... Could you please raise your arm, Kyosuke-Kun?"

"Raise up?" Although reluctant, Ryo gently raised his wounded arm. Ayumi slowly walked up to him and place her hand on the wounded part of his arm. Then, a bright yellow light shined inside her palms.

She hums in a soothing voice and fills the atmosphere with a delicate song that is very pleasing to the ears, almost like a lullaby. As the humming went on, the wound on Ryo's arm disappeared. Ayumi releases his arm. Ryo stared at it and slowly removed the bandage and raised his sleeves up.

And surprisingly enough, the wound isn't there, as if it was never there.

"Impressive," Ryujin remarked.

"I-I hope that's enough for compensation..." Ayumi embarrassingly said. Ryo saw her earnest determination to apologize for the things she did. A brief hint of emotion appeared on his face, and he said,

"Thanks. I guess,"

A genuine smile emerged from Ayumi's face as she heard his response.

"Ehem! Back to the topic, So you were the first one to bravely talk?" Ryujin said,

"P-Probably,"

"Do you know who were the others that were also bullied?"

"I don't know them..."

"I see."

Then unexpectedly, a voice spoke from behind them. They simultaneously turned around and saw a figure slowly approaching them. As the ray of light shined through them, they recognized the person. It was Stella.

"Jin Hanzo, with no solid pieces of evidence, found that precisely pertains to him, the council, specifically the officer who maintains order within this school, the second, can't expel him. On numerous occasions of judgment, most supposed victims would drop their accusations. I personally tried getting them to say the truth but they won't, they'll just say it's another person that did this to them and was indeed not Jin."

She then took out several pieces of paperwork regarding the judgment cases.

"S-Stella-Senpai?!" Kyouko blurted in surprise

"Sorry, Kyouko-chan, I figured I'd tell Ryujin himself about this Hanzo guy you've been looking for."

"N-No need to apologize!"

"I see, good girl! Anyway, Ryujin here's some extra papers about Jin's identity!" She walked over to Ryujin and handed him the papers.

"Oh... Amplitude...Fire, weapon, double-handed sword... I'm quite ashamed of myself that I've never heard of him. "

"Examine that real close Ryujin... And you little sweetheart," She turned towards Ayumi,

"I want you to come with me. I have some questions for you. I do expect some answers from you, okay sweetheart?"

"G-Got it!"

Stella grabbed her by the hand and dragged her towards the building for the council members.

"Kyouko-chan, have you ever encountered him?" Ryujin asked as he intensely and carefully looked at the papers. There is nothing on his papers, no achievements whatsoever.

"As far as I know, I haven't yet." She responded.

Ryujin looked at Jin's picture on the top right corner of his papers. Black eyes with blacks bags underneath and an undercut hairstyle. A hint of annoyance and exasperation began dwelling up inside him as he tightened the grip on Jin's papers.

Not long after, Stella and Ayumi returned from inside. Stella's face was as usual but Ayumi's face was a shade of bright red.

"What the hell did you do, Stella?" Ryujin asked as he folded the papers he's holding.

"It's nothing of importance. Anyway, I think we should go, it's already 2 pm, there's another meeting to be held." Stella said as if she's trying to get rid of all the council members including herself.

"Oh, yes. I almost forgot. Ryo, handle the situation for now." Kyouko said,

"Huh? Why me? I mentioned I don't want to get involved too far."

"Come here for a second" Kyouko forcefully dragged Ryo out of there and brought him in an alley. She sighed before she looked him straight in the eye.

"The council, or specifically the two of them wants you to help in this situation."

"First of all, don't include me when I didn't even agree yet. Second, I won't gain any merit in doing so."

"With merit or not, you should help others with no payments."

"That's not the belief I live in. Moreover, what can I do here? The council didn't succeed over that supposed 18 incidents, what could a new student like me do?"

"Now, calm down, it's simple, I just want you to find a piece of evidence that proves it is his doing."

"Isn't the bruises enough?"

Just then, Ryujin steps in and walked from behind Kyouko. He raised his arm holding a tablet that displays numerous information about Ayumi. Ryo examined it and surely, he found a record of having a broken family. His father isn't in a normal state, as he uses drugs and sometimes beats his own family.

"Just a piece of evidence and I'll compensate you adequately," Ryujin said in a begging voice.

With no choices to go on, Ryo forcefully accepted even though It's against his will. He took the device from Ryujin's hand and thoroughly looked at each word.

By just looking at them, numerous possible incomes of different plans came to his mind. What will happen if he does this? Can the opposing side use this information against us? He answers each and every question possible in his mind.

He raised his head once again and returned the tablet over.

"What methods have the council tried?" Ryo asked,

"Lures and recording devices, even cameras, but caught none," Ryujin answered in dismay.

"Leave it to me. Tell Ayumi to return to wherever she came from."

A hint of murderous look ascended from his eyes. A look serious than ever, something that can be compared to a look of someone who genuinely desires to kill from anger over something or someone.

He walks out of the scene without saying anything, ignoring the callings from the council. He stepped out of the forest and arrived at the clearing.

"Where could he possibly be?... What is his reason for desiring the exousia stone? And... why is the 2nd-year student here?"

He pondered to himself as he walked inside the hotel.