The following day, Kiro felt a mix of excitement and anxiety as he stepped into the school building. The events of last night replayed in his mind like a vivid dream. After the fight with the Hito, Mako had vanished along with her sword, leaving him with more questions than answers. He had barely slept, and the lack of rest weighed heavily on him.As he entered history class, he spotted Mako sitting in his usual seat again. This time, she was focused on her notes, appearing completely at ease. Kiro hesitated before approaching her."Hey, are you really new here?" he asked, trying to gauge her intentions.Mako looked up and smiled innocently. "Yeah! Just transferred in. I'm still getting used to everything."Kiro raised an eyebrow but decided not to press further. The teacher began the lesson, discussing historical revolutions and the importance of justice. Kiro couldn't help but think about the quote that had resonated with him: "What good is freedom if there is no justice?" He glanced at Mako, who seemed engrossed in the lecture, and wondered if she truly understood its significance.After class, Kiro met up with his friend Jason by their lockers. Jason was tall and athletic, with a laid-back demeanor that made him approachable. They had been friends since middle school, bonding over their shared love for video games and late-night movies."Hey man, you look like you've seen a ghost," Jason said, noticing Kiro's distracted expression."Just a rough night," Kiro replied, trying to shake off the lingering unease. "You wouldn't believe what happened yesterday.""Try me," Jason said, leaning against the locker with a smirk.Kiro hesitated but decided to share a bit about his encounter with Mako and the Hito. He left out the supernatural details for now, focusing instead on how he had defended Mako from those bikers."Sounds like you're turning into some kind of hero," Jason joked. "Next thing you know, you'll be wearing a cape."Kiro chuckled but felt a pang of seriousness in his gut. "I don't know about that. It's just... things are changing."During lunch, Kiro spotted Mako sitting alone at a table outside. He nudged Jason and suggested they join her. As they approached, Mako looked up with a bright smile."Hey! Mind if we sit?" Kiro asked."Not at all!" Mako replied enthusiastically.As they settled in, Jason wasted no time in striking up a conversation. "So, Mako, what brings you to our little corner of the world?""Oh, just looking for a fresh start," she said casually. "I've heard this school has great programs."Kiro watched as Jason effortlessly engaged her in conversation. He admired how easily his friend could connect with people; it was something he sometimes struggled with.After a few minutes of light banter, Kiro felt compelled to steer the conversation toward what had happened last night. "Mako, I've been thinking about what you said—about being part of something bigger."Mako's expression shifted slightly; she seemed to sense the seriousness in his tone. "Right... about that." She glanced around as if ensuring no one was eavesdropping before continuing. "I know it's a lot to take in. But being part of the Soul Weaver Agency means you have responsibilities—like protecting souls from Hitos."Jason raised an eyebrow at Kiro but stayed silent, intrigued by this new layer to their conversation."You'll need to train hard," Mako continued. "And soon you'll take an entrance test to become an official Soul Weaver."Kiro nodded slowly, feeling both excited and apprehensive about what lay ahead. "I'm ready for it."Jason chimed in with a grin. "As long as it doesn't involve capes or tights!"Mako laughed lightly at Jason's comment, and for a moment, the tension eased between them. Kiro appreciated how easily Jason could lighten the mood; it was one of his best qualities.As lunch came to an end and they headed back inside, Kiro felt more grounded than he had that morning. With friends like Jason by his side—and Mako guiding him through this strange new world—he knew he wouldn't have to face whatever challenges lay ahead alone.Little did they know that darker forces were already gathering on the horizon, waiting for their moment to strike. This chapter introduces Jason as Kiro's friend while developing their dynamic and setting up future interactions with Mako and the challenges ahead!