The kids have come back to the Academy, their faces worn from what little almost took their lives out in the Veil. They are all standing outside the infirmary, waiting to hear word of Professor Shinigami's injury. The air is tight with tension.
Headmaster Kuroshi:
(The headmaster stands before them, his eyes icy cold staring out into the group.)
"You were sent on a simple mission. Yet, it almost cost you your lives. It is what happens when arrogance and disobedience lead the way."
Daiki:
(Visibly shaken, his voice trembling.)
"I. I thought we were ready, but. we weren't expecting something that strong."
Headmaster Kuroshi:
(His gaze sharpens, focusing on Kyo, who is standing silently at the back.)
"No, you weren't. And you, Takahashi—"
(Kyo stiffens as Kuroshi's attention falls full upon him.)
"Your impulsive actions nearly doomed your team. What do you have to say for yourself?"
Kyo:
(With his fists clenched, he sounds guilty but still defensive.)
"I thought I could handle it. I didn't mean for things to get out of control."
Headmaster Kuroshi:
"Meaning well is not enough. If you ever wish to survive here, you must learn to obey orders, Takahashi. Recklessness will not be tolerated in this Academy."
Mei:
(Watching from the side, her arms crossed. She had said nothing until now, where she stepped forward, and the iciness of her tone cut through the air.)
"You could have gotten all of us killed. You went off on your own without thinking."
Kyo:
(With teeth clenched, he doesn't look in her direction.)
"I said I understand, all right?"
Mei:
(Shocking, clear voice cut into the very thick air.)
"That is not acceptable. The thing is, you put the professor in danger. What if he hadn't come to save us?"
Daiki:
(Still shaking, trying to ease the tension between Kyo and Mei.)
"H-Hey, chill out, it's over. We all made it back, didn't we?"
Mei:
(Her tone relenting not a bit.)
"We made it back because of Professor Shinigami. Not because of you, Kyo."
Kyo:
(The breaking point reached, his voice elevating.)
"I didn't mean for this to happen! I'm sorry, alright?"
(He turns and storms off, his guilt and frustration too much to bear.)
[Scene shifts to Kyo alone in a training room, later that evening.]
Kyo:
(Pacing back and forth, clenching his scythe. He swings it wildly, his attacks uncoordinated, driven by frustration rather than focus.)
"I thought I had it under control.I thought I could handle it."
(He swings the scythe again, harder, but it slips from his grip and crashes into the ground.)
"Darn it!"
Kyo:
He falls to the ground, running his hands through his hair while panting heavily.
"I almost got them all killed. If the professor hadn't stepped in. what am I, crazy?"
[Meanwhile, in the courtyard of the Academy, Mei keeps sharpening her sword; every move is sharp and smooth, every swing calculated.]
Mei:
muttering to herself, furrowing her brow as she practices.
"Kyo. acting like he is the strongest here, and yet look at what happened. If he cannot learn to be a team player, he'll get us all killed."
Mei:
(Her eyes glaze slightly as she lowers her sword a bit.)
"Still. I don't get it. Why does he always act so he has something to prove?"
(She continues her training, though a flicker of interest about Kyo lingers in her mind.)
On the roof, Sora sits by herself, looking down to the training grounds, where Kyo and Mei are both lost in their own worlds.
Sora:
(Mumbling softly as if to nobody in particular.)
"Everyone here had some reason for becoming reapers, but look at them all struggling. And that kid. he's pushing himself like that, for what? What could he possibly run from?"
(She looks at Kyo swinging his scythe in frustration down below, slight furrowing on her eyebrows.)
"It doesn't matter. If he keeps acting like this, he'll drag us all down with him."
[The scene shifts to the infirmary. Professor Shinigami rests on his bed, while Headmaster Kuroshi stands by the bedside, looking at the wounded professor.]
Headmaster Kuroshi:
(Low, almost speaking to himself)
"This academy has witnessed too many promising reapers go down just because they couldn't control themselves. I hope your student isn't going to be the next one."
He looks in the direction of Professor Shinigami, whose eyes are still closed, his body still recovering from the fight with the Death Shadow.
[End of Chapter]