Tsukiko had already left his home after their time last night. It was time for the mission.
However, it finally hit Ryu that he'd be leaving for almost half a year.
At first, he seemed to take it as any other mission.
But now, it felt different.
He sighed, knowing that he wouldn't see his mother's smile for some time.
He decided to say goodbye to his mother.
"Goodbye, Mother" Ryu said softly, hugging her tightly, knowing he wouldn't see her for half a year.
His mission to travel between worlds weighed heavily on him, and she didn't even know yet.
She pulled back slightly, giving him a curious look. "You've been acting strange lately. Is something going on?"
Ryu hesitated, his heart pounding. This was the moment.
He couldn't leave without telling her, not when the thought of being away gnawed at him every second.
Taking a deep breath, he finally said, "There's something I need to tell you."
Her expression shifted, a mix of concern and curiosity. "What is it?"
Ryu took a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly as he searched for the right words. "I love you," he said, the words tumbling out more easily than he expected, yet filled with a deep-seated emotion.
"Not the way a son loves his mother, but the way a man loves his wife."
Mamako's eyes widened, surprise and a hint of confusion reflecting in them.
For a moment, she seemed frozen, unsure of how to react.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Mamako found her voice. It was barely above a whisper, but it carried a world of emotion. "Ryu...," she began, her voice trembling slightly.
She paused, collecting her thoughts and emotions. Her gaze never wavered from Ryu's, a silent communication flowing between them.
"I... I don't know what to say," she admitted, her words laced with a mix of surprise and genuine affection. "I've always loved you, Ryu, but in a way that I never thought could be like this."
Mamako's hands dropped to her lap again, and she looked down for a moment, as if gathering her courage.
When she raised her eyes to meet Ryu's once more, they were filled with a soft, warm smile.
"So do I," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with conviction. "I love you too, Ryu."
The world around them seemed to freeze as those words left her lips. Without thinking, Ryu closed the distance between them, and their lips met in a tender, heartfelt kiss.
The kiss was filled with everything unspoken between them, a culmination of years of affection and a new beginning.
As they pulled back, Mamako's smile was still there, but it was now tinged with a hint of sadness and the knowledge of the journey ahead.
"I have to go, but I promise I'll come back. At least by later today," Ryu said, his hand gently caressing her cheek.
Mamako nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. "Then I'll be waiting," she replied, her voice laced with a mix of emotions.
With a final, lingering kiss, Ryu turned and walked away.
He was ready to travel to Assassination Classroom!
Just as he approached the Dimensional Gate, it flickered open before him.
It would be a half year before he could return, but he didn't hesitate. Ryu stepped through, his heart resolute.
He was going to save Koro-Sensei.
Ryu exited the gate, landing on his feet.
As he stood in silence, watching the world around him and noticed that there was still a moon, a sudden thought struck him like a bolt of lightning.
"When exactly did I arrive?" The question sent a chill down his spine. "Could I have come too early… before Koro-Sensei's creation?"
Panic surged through him. His mission was clear, but the timeline wasn't.
What if he was here, in this world, before Koro-Sensei even became the being he was meant to save?
He had no time to waste.
Without another word, he took off running, his feet pounding against the ground.
He knew exactly where he had to go—a place mentioned in the anime, a crucial point in Koro-Sensei's history.
As he raced through the world, it felt eerily quiet, as though time itself was holding its breath.
Every step Ryu took seemed to echo in the air, a reminder of the delicate balance they were now treading.
Before long, they reached the spot—a yellow blur, the unmistakable figure of Koro-Sensei fleeing from a nearly lifeless body.
It was Koro-Sensei. He was still alive, but not for long.
The world around them blurred as they dashed through it, the landscape shifting rapidly until, at last, they arrived at the spot—a site seared into Ryu's memory.
But the sight before him was far more devastating than he imagined.
There, amidst the debris and shadows, lay a figure—motionless, barely clinging to life. Ryu's breath caught in his throat as recognition dawned on him.
It was Aguri Yukimura. Her body was broken, bloodied, but she was still alive.
This was the woman who had tried to save Koro-Sensei—the one person he cared for most in this world.
For a second, Ryu was frozen in place. I've arrived just in time. If I don't do something, she'll die.
Ryu's mind raced. I can't let her die. Not here. Not now. His hands hovered over her, his thoughts swirling with desperation. He had some healing abilities, but he wasn't sure they were strong enough.
He suddenly thought of an idea. He went to the System Store and purchased a Senzu Bean from Dragon Ball!
"Stay with me, Aguri," Ryu whispered, feeding her the bean.
A soft glow began to emanate from his palms, the energy flowing from him to her.
Sweat beaded on his forehead as he concentrated, pushing everything he had into saving her.
Aguri stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for the briefest of moments. Her lips parted as if she wanted to speak, but no sound came out.
Still, the faint recognition in her gaze told him she knew someone was there—someone was trying to save her.
Time seemed to slow as Ryu poured everything into her healing, his energy dwindling but his resolve unshaken.
Aguri's breathing grew stronger, the color slowly returning to her face. But he knew this was only the first step—she was still fragile.
After what felt like an eternity, Aguri gasped, a shuddering breath that seemed to bring her back from the brink of death. Her eyes fluttered open, and this time, they focused on Ryu.
"You... who are you?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Ryu smiled softly, his heart pounding with relief. "A friend," he replied, his voice gentle. "You're going to be okay."
Aguri's gaze flickered with confusion, but she didn't press for answers. Her body was weak, but alive. And that was all that mattered.
Suddenly, a figure appeared near Ryu. It was Kaede Kayano, her little sister!
Before she noticed Ryu, Ryu knocked her out
"I need to move quickly," Ryu thought. "The longer we stay here, the more we risk being noticed."
After Aguri recovered, Ryu planned to go to Kunugigaoka Junior High School!