Ryosuke, undeterred by the earlier rejections, turned to Eugene, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed his friend. Despite their occasional clashes, they shared a deep bond of friendship. "Are you in?" Ryosuke asked, his tone a mix of determination and hope.
Eugene, never one to be swayed easily, considered the proposition for a moment before giving a measured response. "I'll be like them on paper," he said, his tone indifferent, making it clear that his participation would be minimal.
Ryosuke, realizing that he couldn't push Eugene further, nodded in acceptance. He wasn't about to force anyone to join; he wanted genuine enthusiasm from his members. "Fine," he replied, not in the mood for a power struggle.
Just as it seemed like Ryosuke's efforts would go in vain, Jun stepped forward, his right hand lifted in a determined gesture. "I will become your active member," Jun declared, his eyes reflecting his commitment.
Shino, although initially hesitant, followed Jun's lead. "Yeah, count me in," he said, his voice steady despite his reservations.
Ryosuke's eyes glowed with satisfaction, his irises taking on a reddish hue in his excitement. "Thank you, guys," he said, gratitude evident in his tone. "The equipment will be arriving tomorrow. Get ready; we're about to embark on an exciting journey together."
Mikey, ever the mischievous one, couldn't help but interject with a smirk playing on his lips. "So, I believe this little shindig of yours is finished? Can we now return to our classrooms?" he asked, his tone dripping with amusement. "I was just about to plan an epic attack on the 11th grade."
Draken and Shino, both equally amused and intrigued by the prospect of Mikey's mischief, chimed in eagerly. "When is it?" Draken asked, his eyes glinting with excitement. Shino, too, leaned in, anticipation evident in his voice. "Yeah, when are you planning this grand scheme?"
Ryosuke, nodding in agreement, was clearly intrigued by Mikey's proposal. "Indeed, when are you going to do it?" he asked, curiosity flickering in his eyes. He was always up for a little excitement, especially if it involved a well-planned prank.
Eugene, who usually maintained his calm demeanor, cracked his knuckles with a menacing grin on his face. "Whenever you decide, count me in," he said, his voice laced with a thirst for vengeance. "I've got some scores to settle from last time."
Mikey, feeding off the energy of his friends, grinned devilishly. "Oh, don't worry," he said, his tone mischievous. "We'll show them the kind of revenge they won't forget from last time. It's going to be legendary."
With their minds buzzing with the thrill of their impending scheme, the group of friends couldn't help but exchange excited glances....
As the group of friends left the room, the bell rang, signaling the start of the break period. Students poured out of classrooms, their chatter filling the corridors with energy and excitement. Among them, Jun took a detour from the usual route to the school grounds. Carrying his bag casually over his shoulder, he made his way to his favorite spot under the shade of a large tree in the corner of the school grounds.
The school grounds buzzed with activity. Boys of various ages scattered across the area, engaged in different pursuits. Some played soccer, their shouts of joy mingling with the sound of the ball hitting the ground. Others engaged in spirited races, their laughter filling the air as they sprinted across the field.
Underneath the tree, Jun settled down on the grass, his back against the sturdy trunk. The shade offered a respite from the sun's rays, creating a cool oasis amid the bustling school day. Around him, groups of friends gathered, some sharing their homemade bento boxes, while others hurriedly made their way to the cafeteria, eager to indulge in the school's offerings.
From his vantage point, Jun observed the lively scene. As Jun rested his head against the cool, comforting surface of the tree trunk, he allowed his mind to wander into the depths of his memories, seeking fragments of a life that felt both incredibly distant and eerily close. The knowledge and skills from his past life were embedded within him, a treasure trove of expertise that he had carried into this new existence. Yet, when it came to the personal memories, the essence of who he once was, there existed a strange void, a gap that seemed impossible to bridge.
He closed his eyes, trying to summon the face of a person, the sound of a familiar voice, or even the touch of a loved one. But no matter how hard he tried, the details slipped through his fingers like sand, leaving him with a sense of profound emptiness. It was as if a veil had been drawn over the memories of his previous life, shielding them from his conscious mind.
Frustration tugged at the edges of his thoughts. The dichotomy between the wealth of knowledge he possessed and the absence of personal memories baffled him. Who had he been? What had he cherished? Whom had he loved? These questions echoed in the recesses of his mind, unanswered and elusive.
With a sigh, Jun opened his eyes, gazing out at the lively scene before him. The laughter of his peers, the camaraderie shared among friends, and the innocent playfulness of youth surrounded him. In this moment, he found solace in the present, accepting the enigma of his past life as a mystery yet to be unraveled.
He realized that while the memories of his former self might remain shrouded, he had been given a chance to embrace a new identity, to forge connections, and to create a life filled with purpose and meaning. The skills and knowledge he retained from his past life were tools, guiding him toward a future he could shape with his own hands....
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the town, the school day came to an end. The group of friends gathered at their favorite cafe, a cozy spot where they often retreated to unwind after a day of classes. Laughter and conversation filled the air as they sipped on their favorite drinks, the clinking of glasses and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee adding to the ambiance.
After finishing their drinks, they stood up, ready to head home. Outside the cafe, the group made their way to the bicycles they had parked nearby. However, their path was blocked by a group of boys who were loitering around Draken's prized motorbike. One of them was daring enough to sit on the motorbike, his casual attitude hinting at a lack of respect for others' belongings.
Draken, protective of his motorbike, approached the group with a stern expression. "Hey, get off my bike," he demanded, his voice firm but controlled. He was about to take Mikey and leave for home, and he wasn't in the mood for any trouble.
One of the boys, brimming with misplaced confidence, tried to intimidate Draken, puffing out his chest in an attempt to assert dominance. "Why don't you make me?" he sneered, clearly underestimating Draken's resolve.
Draken, never one to back down, met the boy's challenge head-on. His eyes narrowed, and he squared his shoulders, his confidence matching, if not exceeding, the other boy's bravado. "I suggest you listen to him and get off the bike," Mikey chimed in, his tone laced with a warning that went unheeded.
The tension between the two groups escalated rapidly, fueled by stubbornness and pride. Draken, not one to tolerate disrespect, shot back, his words cutting through the air like a knife. "I won't say it again. Get. Off. Now."
The boy on the motorbike, feeling threatened and unwilling to lose face in front of his friends, lashed out, shoving Draken with unnecessary force. The shove was met with a swift retaliation as Draken's patience wore thin. His reaction was instantaneous – a powerful punch landed squarely on the other boy's shoulder, his retaliation swift and unyielding.
Jun's instincts kicked in. Spotting one of the instigators making a move towards his friends, he acted swiftly and decisively. With a burst of speed, Jun sprinted towards the approaching aggressor, channeling his frustration and determination into a powerful leap.
In one fluid motion, he leaped into the air and landed a forceful stomp on the instigator's head, pinning him to the ground. The impact reverberated through the air, the suddenness of the move catching everyone off guard. The instigator grunted in pain, momentarily disoriented by the unexpected attack.
The scuffle erupted into a full-blown brawl, words turning into fists as tempers flared. The friends of the boy involved jumped in, defending their comrade. Amidst the chaos, punches were thrown, and voices raised in anger.
In the end, their unity prevailed. The instigators, realizing they were outmatched, retreated, nursing their wounds and their bruised egos. The group of friends, their resolve unshaken, watched them leave before turning back to each other, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.
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