Today was the school festival, a bustling event where students and their parents gathered to celebrate and explore the vibrant displays showcasing the school's accomplishments. It was an occasion meant to foster a sense of community and pride, but for Leo, it presented an additional layer of complexity.

Amidst the preparations and cheerful atmosphere, a new student had recently joined their ranks. They couldn't have chosen a less-than-ideal time to enter the fray. The school festival took precedence over everything else, and the new student would have to adapt quickly and navigate the unfamiliar terrain. Make stupid choices, and win stupid prizes.

As Leo maneuvered through the school grounds, visiting the various stalls and observing the setup, he couldn't shake off a sense of unease. Himeno, a force of nature in her own right, loomed in the background. Leo was consciously avoiding her, well aware that her presence meant an onslaught of demands and expectations.

Today was the day Yuki would supervise Leo in Himeno's natural environment, and there was no doubt that she would seize the opportunity to push Leo to participate in the festival more than he desired. It was an unspoken challenge, a test of Leo's resolve and ability to adapt. The weight of the impending encounter hung heavily in the air.

From Leo's perspective, participating in the festival seemed pointless. He possessed skills and talents that surpassed the average student, making any competition he entered a guaranteed victory. But where was the fun in crushing the fragile hopes of those who didn't stand a chance from the beginning? Maybe, but today was not one of those days.

Some of the other students, perhaps sensing Leo's reluctance, had resorted to bribing him to abstain from participating. Leo accepted the bribes, pocketing the money without a hint of remorse. The gestures were futile, for Leo knew deep down that he would inevitably be drawn into the festival's activities.

Days prior, Himeno had been insistent that Leo join the competitions. Initially, Leo had firmly declined, expecting Himeno to persist until she got her desired outcome. Yet, to Leo's surprise, she had dropped the subject, at least on the surface. Leo understood all too well that Himeno rarely let go of anything until she achieved her desired results.

As the festival commenced, Leo took a deep breath, embracing the uncertainty that lay ahead. The clash with Himeno was imminent, but he was ready to stand his ground.

The moment the school gates swung open, they beckoned the eager parents to step inside and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere that awaited them. The influx of parents was accompanied by a surge of bustling energy, filling the air with a palpable sense of anticipation.

Amidst the throng of parents, Yuki stood out, accompanied by Shouzou, who trailed closely behind her. Yuki's face lit up with genuine excitement as her eyes darted around, taking in the delightful sights and sounds of the meticulously arranged festival grounds. Her smile was infectious, spreading warmth to those who crossed her path.

It didn't take long for Yuki's keen gaze to spot Leo amidst the crowd, seated at a stall, relishing the delectable taste of grilled cheese. With a burst of enthusiasm, Yuki couldn't contain herself and called out to Leo, her voice brimming with excitement and anticipation.

"Leo!" Yuki's voice rang out, cutting through the ambient noise as she made her way towards him, her steps quick and purposeful.

As Yuki approached, a curious phenomenon unfolded before the eyes of onlookers. The people who unwittingly found themselves in Yuki's path hastily made way, their movements hastened by the formidable glare emanating from Shouzou. His intense gaze alone had the power to part the crowd, clearing a path for Yuki to reach her destination unhindered.

Meanwhile, Leo, aware of Yuki's approach, swiftly finished devouring his grilled cheese, setting aside the remnants of the mouthwatering snack. He mentally prepared himself for the imminent embrace he knew was about to ensue, bracing himself for the surge of affection from his energetic mother.

As gave Yuki gave Leo a heartfelt embrace, the stunned onlookers couldn't help but gawk in astonishment. Eyes widened, mouths hung agape in disbelief. The collective thought echoed through their minds: "He's related to her?!" The stark contrast between Leo's reserved, solitary demeanor and Yuki's exuberant, outgoing nature was enough to shatter their preconceived notions. It seemed inconceivable that these two seemingly disparate individuals could be connected by blood. If anything, they expected the brooding figure trailing behind Yuki to be his relative, not Yuki.

While the bystanders were still grappling with their newfound revelation, Yuki pulled back slightly from the embrace, her face beaming with joy and excitement. With her signature radiance, she greeted Leo, her voice filled with warmth.

"Hi," Yuki greeted, her eyes sparkling with affectionate enthusiasm.

Leo's classmates were left dumbfounded, their internal voices shouting in disbelief. How could this be? But the surprises were far from over. To their utter astonishment, Leo, against all expectations, reciprocated Yuki's warm greeting with an unexpected smile. The walls he had erected around himself cracked, and his classmates' perception of him shattered into countless fragments, leaving them utterly bewildered.

As Leo's classmates struggled to process the bewildering scene unfolding before them, Yuki, ever perceptive, caught onto the mixture of surprise and curiosity that hung in the air. A soft chuckle escaped her lips, an acknowledgment of the stark contrast between herself and Leo, and the amusement she derived from witnessing the reactions of those around them.

Curiosity piqued, Yuki couldn't contain her inquisitiveness any longer. She turned her attention to Leo, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Where's Himeno?" Yuki inquired, her tone filled with genuine curiosity.

The moment Yuki uttered Himeno's name, Leo's smile swiftly faded, as if a dark cloud had momentarily cast a shadow over him. Without even needing to turn around, he could feel the approaching presence of the enigmatic girl. Her smug aura seeped through the atmosphere, unmistakable and all-consuming, even from a distance. The mere mention of her name was enough to summon her, like an ominous force responding to its call.

"Hello, Ms. Tsukumo," Himeno politely greeted, her presence immediately catching Yuki's attention.

"Oh, Himeno! How are you?" Yuki responded, her excitement evident in her voice.

Leo remained silent, hoping to slip away unnoticed and blend into the background. But Himeno had different plans in mind.

"Hey, Leo, enjoying the festivities?" Himeno asked, a sly smirk forming on her face as if she already knew the answer.

Leo's jaw clenched, anticipating the inevitable outcome of this exchange. He wanted to spare the rest of the school, especially those who had tried to bribe him, from his overwhelming dominance.

"Yes," Leo replied, his tone carrying an air of forced compliance.

Observing the unfolding interaction, Yuki sighed inwardly. She was acutely aware of the stark contrast between Himeno and Leo, yet she held onto the hope that they could find common ground and become friends despite their differences. Yuki saw Himeno as a potential catalyst to help Leo break out of his shell, given her outgoing nature.

Lost in her thoughts, Yuki was abruptly brought back to reality by Himeno's next question.

"Are you sure you want to sit out of the athletic event?" Himeno questioned, her voice dripping with an underlying challenge.

In the background, the students who had pooled their resources to bribe Leo into not participating in the athletics event were now sweating bullets. They had gone to great lengths to scrape together enough money to sway Leo's decision, and now they anxiously watched as Himeno attempted to undermine their efforts by convincing him otherwise. But what transpired next shattered their hopes completely.

Before Leo could respond, Yuki jumped into the conversation with her own query, her eyes brimming with playful mischief.

"Eh? What do you mean you're not participating?" Yuki playfully pinched Leo's face, her words carrying a mix of surprise and playfulness.

"It wouldn't be fun," Leo replied, his tone stoic and unwavering.

"Please, Leo, participate," Yuki practically begged, her eyes filled with earnestness. "I really want to take some amazing pictures."

The students in the background clung desperately to a glimmer of hope. Surely, Leo wouldn't go back on his word for a simple picture...

"All right," Leo relented.

A surge of betrayal coursed through the students as their hopes were shattered. Had they not offered enough money? Why would Leo fold so easily?

Disheartened, the students dropped to their knees in despair, while Yuki celebrated her victory with unbridled delight.

"Yay!" Yuki cheered, her excitement contagious. "I'll make sure to capture only the best moments in my pictures!"

As they sank deeper into their despair, the students couldn't help but question if Himeno truly understood the essence of the sports festival. It was meant to be a showcase of skill, a test of competitiveness, not a one-sided spectacle dominated by a force that could effortlessly bulldoze through any opposition.

In silent sulking, they begrudgingly altered their plans, knowing that from this point forward, whichever team managed to have Leo on their roster would be virtually guaranteed a victory by default. Determined to stand a chance, they resolved to put forth their utmost effort in convincing and persuading Leo to join their team.

The stakes were raised, and the competition intensified, as they realized they had to pull out all the stops to secure Leo's participation and increase their chances of winning.

The students embarked on a mission to win over Leo, employing various tactics and strategies to sway his decision. Some appealed to his competitive spirit, emphasizing the thrill of challenging formidable opponents and the opportunity to showcase his unparalleled skills. Others tried a more lighthearted approach, highlighting the camaraderie and fun that could be experienced by participating as a team.

Leo, aware of their ulterior motives, observed their desperate attempts with a mixture of amusement and annoyance. He had grown accustomed to being the center of attention, but this time, it felt different. It wasn't just about his reputation as the untouchable prodigy; it was about their desperation to level the playing field. It intrigued him.

As the day progressed, Leo found himself engaged in countless conversations, negotiations, and persuasive pleas. Each student presented their case, trying to outdo one another in their efforts to convince him. It was a relentless battle of words and promises.

Taking advantage of the situation, Leo began accepting bribes.

Meanwhile, Yuki watched from the sidelines, torn between her desire for Leo to break out of his shell and her concern for the fairness and integrity of the competition. She understood the students' frustrations, but she also recognized the importance of fostering a healthy and balanced environment for everyone involved.

"Maybe it would've been better if he sat this one out," Yuki murmured, whistling innocently as if she hadn't started a feud between classes.

As the deadline for team registrations loomed, Leo finally made his decision. He called for a gathering of all the students who had sought his participation, their faces filled with anticipation and apprehension. Leo stood before them, his expression unreadable.

"I have decided," Leo said ominously.

The majority of the students sat on the edge of their seats, while the ones that asked their parents for bribe money sat smugly.

"I'm going to flip a coin," Leo said casually.

The students sitting on the edge of their seats almost fell off from how far they were teetering. The ones who bribed him however felt distraut.

"A coin flip? A fucking coin flip!? Are you kidding me!?" they shouted internally.

From the corner of his eye, Leo spotted the kids who gave them money gritting their teeth in frustration. He had to fight back a laugh and a smile knowing full well they weren't getting their money back.

The atmosphere grew tense as Leo's words hung in the air. The students, desperate for a definitive answer, struggled to contain their anticipation. Meanwhile, the students who had resorted to bribing Leo felt a surge of panic and frustration, realizing that their carefully orchestrated plans might have been in vain.

With a mischievous glint in his eyes, Leo swiftly retrieved a coin from his pocket. He held it up, his fingers poised to flick it into the air. The room fell into complete silence, and time seemed to slow down as the coin spun gracefully, reflecting the flickering light.

With a flick of his wrist, the coin spun through the air, catching the sunlight as it twirled. Time seemed to stand still as it descended, the fate of the sports festival hanging in the balance.

The coin landed with a soft thud, bouncing once before settling on the ground. Leo placed his foot over it, shielding it from view. The students leaned forward, straining to catch a glimpse of the result.

Finally, Leo removed his foot, revealing the coin's verdict. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation as he held up the coin, displaying it for all to see.

"Heads," Leo declared, his voice echoing through the silent crowd.

A wave of excitement and disappointment swept through the students. Those who had aligned their hopes with heads erupted into cheers, while the others tried to conceal their frustration. The bribers, however, were left dumbfounded, realizing that their attempts to influence the outcome had been in vain.

Yuki, observing the scene unfold, couldn't help but smile. It was a reminder that despite the intense competition and the lengths people would go to gain an advantage, fate could still have the final say.

Except it wasn't fate. The coin Leo used was double-sided, the winner was chosen before he even flipped the coin, he simply wanted to rub salt in the wound for the people that paid him.

As the students absorbed the outcome, Leo's gaze shifted to Yuki, who had been watching him closely. He saw the conflict in her eyes, torn between her wish for his growth and the fairness of the competition.

With a small nod, Leo made his way toward Yuki. As he reached her, he leaned in and whispered, "I hope you're ready to capture some epic moments."

Yuki's face lit up with joy and relief. She understood that Leo had chosen not to be swayed by bribery or unfair tactics, but rather by the genuine excitement of being part of a team and creating unforgettable memories.

The new student watched in awe with stars in her eyes, she had followed Leo and seen him accept bribes and make empty promises, she was even the one who gave him the double-sided coin when he saw her spinning it and asked if he could use it. From this sole interaction, she realized.

"This guy's a pathological liar..." she thought contemplating. "Maybe lying isn't so bad."

The sports festival concluded predictably, with Leo's team emerging victorious by a wide margin, leaving the other teams in their wake. The competitive gap was just undeniable.

Yuki, despite the absence of grandiose and awe-inspiring moments in her captured photographs, found solace in the glimpses of Leo's genuine smile. It may not have been the triumph she had envisioned, but witnessing that flicker of happiness on his face made it all worthwhile.

The day had taken its toll on Yuki, her energy depleted from ceaseless cheering. Sensing her fatigue, Leo offered his back as a makeshift transportation method. Yuki gratefully accepted, nestling against him, her grip tightening as she fought off a yawn.

Apologizing for the inconvenience, Yuki mumbled a tired apology, to which Leo reassured her, "It's fine."

As Leo walked through the quiet streets, Yuki, nestled on his back, softly hummed a familiar tune, her voice soothing and comforting. Its melody resonated in Leo's memory, though he couldn't quite place where he had heard it before.

Lost in his thoughts, Leo was jolted back to the present by Yuki's voice.

"Today was fun right?" Yuki suddenly asked.

"Yeah," Leo responded.

"That's good," Yuki hummed.

The streets seemed quieter as they strolled along, Leo's steps guided by Yuki's gentle humming. The melody, now familiar yet elusive, tugged at Leo's memories, stirring emotions he struggled to grasp.

Lost in his thoughts once more, Leo was jolted back to the present by Yuki's voice.

"You know, I've never managed to win a sports festival," Yuki revealed, her tone tinged with a hint of nostalgia.

"Yeah?" Leo asked.

"Uh huh," Yuki responded. "From middle school all the way to college, I just couldn't win... but that's fine."

Her words carried a hint of melancholy, yet she continued with a sense of acceptance.

"However, you were able to achieve it on my behalf," Yuki murmured, her cheek pressed against the back of Leo's head as she embraced him. "Thank you."

Leo listened attentively as they continued their journey, the weight of Yuki's words sinking in. He remained silent, allowing her emotions to envelop them both.

"You're more than just a good kid, Leo," Yuki whispered, her voice filled with sincerity. "You have a strength that goes beyond physical abilities. It's the strength to care for others, to bring people together, and to inspire them."

Leo's steps faltered momentarily, his mind processing Yuki's words. The streets around them seemed to fade into the background as he absorbed the depth of her praise.

"You see things in me that I've struggled to see in myself," Yuki continued, her voice tinged with a mix of awe and admiration. "And that's why I believe in you, Leo. I believe in the person you're becoming."

A warm smile graced Leo's face, a genuine expression that mirrored the blossoming connection between them.

"Thank you," Leo whispered, his voice filled with gratitude.

As Leo carried Yuki on his back, her words lingered in the air, their weight sinking deep into his heart. He had always seen himself as a solitary figure, an untouchable prodigy who excelled in his own world. But at that moment, he was nothing more than Yuki's son.

"Thank you... Mom," Leo said softly, his voice filled with a rare warmth

As they walked into the sunset, Leo carried Yuki's weary form with a newfound sense of purpose. The sports festival might have ended, but their journey together was just beginning.

And so, under the fading rays of the sun, Leo and Yuki continued their quiet walk, their steps in harmony with the melody that intertwined their paths.

November 10, 1984

The Gun Devil hit Japan.

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