As Toshinori entered the classroom, the students' shocked expressions were evident. He looked around, his presence commanding attention.
Toshinori: "Is there something wrong? You all act as if you've seen a ghost."
The students, caught off guard, remained silent. Izumi, unable to hold back, stood up and glared at Toshinori.
Izumi: "Why do you have such power? You're nothing but a monster."
Toshinori's gaze was cold and dismissive.
Toshinori: "A monster, you say? Well, it's intriguing to see why 02 and 03 are here among what seems like a bunch of weaklings."
Katsu's anger flared at the comment.
Katsu: "How dare you look down on me!"
She charged at Toshinori with an explosive blast, but he effortlessly used his Aura to counter her attack. The force of his aura made her fall to her knees, overwhelmed.
Toshinori: "What a disappointment. I expected more from the daughter of the No. 2 Hero, Dynamite. But it seems you're even less impressive than I anticipated."
Ellen, holding back her tears, stepped forward and subdued Toshinori's aura with ease. Toshinori looked at her with a hint of surprise.
Toshinori: "Ah, the Royal blood of the Azarias. Ellen Azaria, the future Queen of Russia. It's truly an honor to meet you."
Ellen's eyes glistened, struggling to keep her composure in the face of Toshinori's acknowledgment. As the students stared in shock, Ellen stepped forward to address Toshinori, her voice steady but tinged with emotion.
Ellen: "You might not remember me, but I remember you all too well. You can't just walk away after causing so much pain. I won't let you."
Toshinori, looking slightly puzzled, responded with a calm demeanor.
Toshinori: "I don't even know you. What could you possibly want from me?"
Ellen's eyes flashed with a mix of determination and hurt.
Ellen: "You will remember. One way or another, you will face the consequences of what you've done. You can't just brush off the past like it's nothing."
Toshinori shrugged, showing a nonchalant attitude.
Toshinori: "The past doesn't matter to me. I'm fine with who I am now. It's better to focus on the present and the future."
Ellen's shock deepened, and her voice trembled slightly as she tried to understand the person before her.
Ellen: "How can you be so indifferent? You've changed so much, and not for the better. The person I once knew—where did he go?"
Toshinori's expression remained unchanged, but there was a brief flicker of something in his eyes, perhaps a hint of regret.
Toshinori: "I'm not the same person I was. I'm here now, and that's all that matters. The past is behind me."
As Toshinori turned to leave, Izana stepped forward, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and concern.
Izana: "Are you really okay with forgetting everything? Don't you want to know about your past?"
Toshinori glanced back, his face unreadable.
Toshinori: "I don't really care about that. The past is behind me now."
Izana, feeling a mix of frustration and desperation, asked:
Izana: "They mentioned I have an interesting dormant quirk. I've been trying to awaken it, but it hasn't worked."
Toshinori's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of interest showing.
Toshinori: "Let go of the past, and you might find a way. Sometimes, holding on too tightly prevents us from moving forward."
Ellen, still grappling with her emotions, looked at Toshinori with a mixture of anger and sadness.
Ellen: "You seem so detached. What happened to the person you once were?"
Toshinori's gaze turned cold and distant.
Toshinori: "The person I was died a long time ago, I'm just what remains of him."
After Toshinori left, the classroom was filled with an uneasy silence. Ellen stood motionless, her face pale and eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and disbelief. Kaori and Shinwa, who had been watching the scene unfold, approached her with concern.
Kaori: "Ellen… Are you alright?"
Ellen's voice trembled as she tried to hold back tears.
Ellen: "No… I'm not alright. He's… he's completely detached. It's like he's a different person entirely."
Shinwa, who had been quietly observing, placed a comforting hand on Ellen's shoulder.
Shinwa: "It's clear he's struggling with his past, Ellen. But the way he spoke… it's like he's given up on ever feeling anything about it."
Ellen shook her head, her emotions surfacing.
Ellen: "He said the person he was is dead. It's like he's erased all memories of the people who cared about him. How could he say that?"
Kaori, her own eyes brimming with tears, spoke softly.
Kaori: "You still have to believe there's a part of him that remembers. Maybe he's just burying it deep down, because it's too painful."
Ellen wiped a tear from her cheek and looked at her friends with a pained expression.
Ellen: "He hurt me more than I ever imagined possible. I wanted him to remember, to see how much I've suffered because of him. But he's so closed off… so distant."
Shinwa's expression turned serious.
Shinwa: "Ellen, he may have pushed you away, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care. It's just that he's built walls around himself. We need to find a way to break through those walls."
Ellen nodded, her resolve hardening despite her anguish.
Ellen: "I don't know how yet, but I'll find a way. He can't just walk away from his past and from the people who loved him. I'll make him remember, even if it means facing this painful reality."
The next day, the atmosphere in the classroom was charged with anticipation. Shinso stood at the front, addressing the students with a serious expression.
Shinso: "Today, it's time for combat training. Everyone will team up with someone."
Ken's eyes lit up with interest, and he leaned forward slightly.
Ken: "Interesting. Do we have to fight against anyone?"
Shoya glanced around, considering his options.
Shoya: "I think I'll choose Kaori Satoru as my opponent. She's strong."
Shinso shook his head with a hint of a smile.
Shinso: "No, this isn't a direct combat exercise. You'll be teaming up to save people in a building. There will be dummy citizens inside, and you have to find a way to rescue them from villains."
Ken leaned back, looking a bit disappointed.
Ken: "That's too boring. But since it's part of the school activity, looks like we don't have much choice."
Ellen, standing nearby, looked determined.
Ellen: "It's not just about fighting. It's about strategy and teamwork. We can learn a lot from this."
Kaori nodded in agreement, her eyes focused.
Kaori: "Exactly. We need to be prepared for all kinds of situations, not just battles."
Shinwa glanced at her friends and then at the other students.
Shinwa: "Who are we teaming up with, Mr. Shinso?"
Shinso looked around the room, assessing the students.
Shinso: "Teams will be randomly assigned to ensure everyone learns to work with different people. I'll announce the teams shortly. Get ready."
As the students began to prepare for the exercise, Ken and Shoya exchanged a glance, both eager to see how the training would unfold.
Ken: "Guess we better get used to saving people, huh?"