He's Awake!

*RAIZO'S POV*

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It was dark. All I could see was an ever-expanding blackness - a wave of coldness and loneliness swept over my body, making me shiver faintly. I also felt like I was weightless as I steadily floated in the pitch-black scenery.

(Where even am I? Wait... the last thing I remember is...)

It seemed like I was sauntering amidst dreams and reality - my conscious, in more specific terms. It really was peculiar to experience such a sensation. Nonetheless, I knew I had to get out of here somehow, or the very least, start by finding an exit or an opening.

Just as I was thinking on my next course of action, I spotted some dust-like particles of a greenish hue emerge out from underneath my feet and start to meld at the center. The mingling blob soon turned into what looked like a figure right in front of me. A feeling of concealed familiarity zapped my mind the clearer the figure got.

(Hah?! What's he doing--?!)

"Hmhmhm... Long time no see, Raizo."

(...!!! NO, IT CAN'T BE-!)

My eyebrow twitched with sickening remembrance at last. Though it should have been absolutely impossible, I was finally able to make out the still figure lithering ever so smoothly.

"......Jean. What are you doing here? What do you want?" I asked in a serious tone as my expression grew dark with a subtle shadow overtaking my eyes.

This man... This man whom I thought I had purposely buried aside to be forgotten for as long as I lived, brought back all those horrid memories of days long past. He was that one being with which I had finished all my ties with who appeared before me, smirking irresistibly.

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"*chuckle* I just wanted to have a little chat is all. After all, right now - at this very moment, you're lying down unconscious... The perfect opportunity, is it not?"

(W-What?! Unconscious?! No... How did I--)

Suddenly, all those memories of the incident not too long ago came flooding back, finally satisfying the bothersome and nagging feeling I was having this entire time.

"Then, was it your doing?! Did you use that dirty trick?!"

That's right. I somewhat remember now! We returned back from the portal... Asuna and I were falling... I tried using my reaper powers, but--

My train of thought was cut short by Jean's sarcastic tone.

"Ah, by the way, may I ask you. How's your eye doing?"

I covered my right eye reflexively as I shot back through gritted teeth, "Shut up...!!! I thought I made it clear that we were done that day! That I didn't need you anymore!"

Jean simply turned his back to Raizo's lashing out as if he had heard enough. "So, you did think you got rid of me didn't you, well... Surprise! I've been reborn once again and it couldn't have been done without your help. I am eternally thankful for your sacrifice, as it should be..."

I pursed my quivering lips in anger as I ran up to him -- more like, flew up to him and tried punching him as soon as he faced forward again. "Yaaahhh!"

But Jean was too quick. Without so much as blinking, Jean simply disappeared from my vision and appeared in my blind spot only to clench my arm and twist it with incredible strength as he rested his knee on my back.

"Now, now, don't be so hasty. Don't you want to receive my thank-you gift? It deeply hurts me to think so Raizo..." Jean spoke under his breath, fresh delight evident on his features.

"Arrrghhh...! No...! I... don't!!!"

I tried resisting him and breaking free from the weighing restraint, but Jean only snickered as he let go before holding my hair in his other hand and leveling me until his gaze. He then proceeded to engrave a symbol on my right, red eye.

Seconds later, it felt like my right eye was on fire as the irritating sensation gradually intensified.

"Ughhhhh... AHHHHHHHH!!"

Jean finally let go.

I couldn't help groaning irregularly while clinging onto my eye. I had no idea what Jean just did, apart from that excruciating affliction.

"Hmhmhm... With this, you WILL be mine after the next full moon rises high in the sky 3 years from now. You'll have no choice but to work for me without resistance."

Saying only that, he vanished for good, leaving me in pain and skepticism.

"N-No... I-I will never join you... Never...!"

I looked at my hand which, moments ago, was resting on top of my closed eye and clenched it tightly, making a fist vibrating with rage.

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*ASUNA'S POV*

I slowly opened my heavy eyes to the periodic sound of rustling cloth a bit away from my bed.

"Mmm... hmm? What's that sound..."

I peeked up to see Raizo tightly clutching onto the bedsheet with a disgruntled expression as he still laid there, unconscious. I walked up to his side and tried releasing the sheet from his solid grip and barely managed to.

"Raizo... What's going on in your mind...? What are you seeing right now?"

The lively chirps of the birds outside got my attention. I noticed then that it was already morning as I walked up to the window, placing my fingers on the warm glass and sliding down gently. Getting a day's rest did manage to revive my stamina and heal some aching muscles. I was feeling much better. But then, my thoughts drifted back to Raizo's condition.

(I wonder if he would even wake up today? Perhaps I really am wasting my time right now...)

Just as I was thinking this, I heard a small moan from behind which made my entire body stiffen up instantly.

"*groan* ...A-Asuna...?"

I swiftly turned my head back to be greeted by the awake Raizo.

"*gasp* Raizo...!"

Tears of happiness dampened my eyes and my nose felt prickly at the same time. I hastily ran up to him, hugging him tight - he lightly returned the embrace.

"Raizo! Thank goodness you're awake! I was so worried...! I didn't think you'd wake up so soon..."

I conveyed my stifled dismay to which Raizo slightly laughed.

"It's okay Asuna, I'm alright... See?"

I gazed up to see his usual smirking face.

"But still... if it weren't for my clumsiness, you never would have--"

"Don't blame yourself too much. I already told you, didn't I? What happened is all in the past now. I'm alright though, but thanks for being this concerned about me."

Raizo's lively expression was so convincing that I ended up agreeing involuntarily. Maybe a part of me was simply waiting to hear these subdued words come directly from him.

"O-Okay..." I muttered as I looked down, a bit less guilty than before.

I continued after parting away, "Um, can I ask you something?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Is... Is it true that your powers got blocked externally during the fall by something? Since you weren't able to transform at all, and..." I cut myself short; I wasn't sure if mentioning that weird reaper overlapping of his was a good idea.

There were a few seconds of lingering silence.

"I'd rather not mention this bad feeling I'm getting, but... if you already have a hunch, I'd have to agree with you. So yeah, it does seem like my powers were locked in that moment. As to who did it or why, I... I don't know."

So, what Mizore and the others guessed was all true. It only made me curious as to who this maniac is that's targeting Raizo out of everyone. And I also think that Raizo wasn't telling me everything he knew judging by his tone drop at the end.

(I don't think he's still being completely honest here, but I guess I shouldn't press him further for now.)

"Oh yeah! Are they still blocked? Maybe you will need time to recuperate after all."

"Ah, right! I should try it out."

Closing his eyes, that same transformation process replayed in front of me, but by the time the light died out, Raizo was still in his normal state. He again tried summoning his scythe, but still no luck.

"Eheheh... Guess it's still useless..." He scratched his cheek with a wry smile.

"I'm sorry... I shouldn't have suggested it, I mean, you just woke up after all! It may take time after all..."

"R-Right! It's fine, I'm sure it's not permanent, right? Maybe in a few days, I'll be back to normal!"

"Of course! The nurse confirmed that your damage's not permanent, so I guess just give it time to heal."

Both of us nodded simultaneously as if convincing the other.

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"Haaaa! Feels good to wake up, that's for sure. Hey, what do you say about surprising the others?" Raizo suggested as he stretched his long arms and legs following that brief incident.

I grinned, "Sure!"

After changing into the uniform which was conveniently set on a table for us both, we proceeded to head outside. For a second, Raizo's eyes glinted with a mix of seriousness and another emotion I couldn't really pick up on as we walked, but that flash swiftly reverted back to his usual gleam.

(Hmm, must be my imagination?)

Since we wanted it to be a surprise, I called everyone to the club room from the 'waiting' class nearby. Today was a weekend, so it was alright to stay at school considering none of us wanted to leave Raizo and I alone.

Since last night, everyone waited patiently in class 3-1 to the point that some even slept. They all accompanied me to the club room where Raizo was waiting in secret.

"Asuna, is everything alright? I mean, why are we going to the club room?" Mizore asked, but I just giggled with a 'you'll see soon.'

We were finally standing before the room's door. I opened it slightly and out came Raizo, beaming with happiness.

"I'M BACK~!" Everyone gasped in return, including Yuichi.

"Rai-nii!!!"

Nikki scampered towards him, hugging him tight with Natsuno following her lead.

"Whoa, aren't you just happy?"

"Oh man! We weren't expecting you until a week! It was such a serious injury!" Natsuno stammered behind tears.

Nikki had started sobbing the moment Raizo appeared before us.

"*chuckle* Now why would you think that? You should have a little-- Waaah!"

All of them toppled to the ground with Natsuno and Nikki on top.

"...Okay kids, give him some space." Yuichi murmured while extending his hand out to Raizo.

"Raizo... Welcome back." Mizore whispered with a gentle smile.

I also couldn't help but sigh in delight at the happy picture.

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"Raizo, you-!" A loud voice called from afar.

(Yikes... Talk about trouble right off the bat!)

Yup, Sadashige sensei was the one stomping our way.

"You have some nerve showing up after all the things you said!"

"Sadashige sensei, give him some time - Raizo's still recovering." Mizore stated which somewhat calmed his fuming rage down.

"Tsk, whatever!" He spat.

Raizo, too, looked away with disgust.

"Ahem! Sooo, what are we to do now? Asu-nee has already proven herself to be fit for this club thing." Natsuno asked curiously, in order to divert the subject.

"Um, yeah, about that..." I raised my hand shyly.

"Actually... I don't think I'm cut out for this, so I might as well just go for another club..."

"What are you talking about?! You're just the member we were looking for to complete our team!" Raizo refuted my polite decline.

"No, Sadashige sensei IS right. I really am useless in this... I don't even have powers like you all, just some average combat skills..."

"Asuna, that's not true! Your power is beyond anything else, it just needs a little shove is all. You may have not noticed it, but we've watched your potential. Sadashige sensei just overdid it a little too much with his antics......" Mizore glared at him while stating the last bit.

"Please Asu-nee!" Nikki and Natsuno also pleaded.

"...We won't let you decline, so might as well give in." Yuichi added, almost like a warning.

"You guys..." I smiled at them with overwhelming happiness, finally giving up.

(If... they still have whatever faith I have lost in myself, I should just return it to them! I can still find a place for myself - alongside them!)

"Ahem!!! Well, seeing as you have now joined this club, you better be prepared for the intense training I've planned to build up stamina and some muscles for your puny body! Don't even think for a second that I'll go easy on you just because you're a human!" I nodded lightly at Sadashige sensei's usual rude words.

Relieved, we all walked back to our residence. But there was still some stuff that I'm curious about, like what was Raizo seeing when he pulled on the sheets? And what is this power that Mizore keeps bringing up? It was all far too transparent for me to catch a glimpse of. I just hope I don't regret any of it... And whatever is waiting for me ahead, I hope my siblings will be there to give me the courage I'll need to conquer it...

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~to be continued...