He had become a troubled kid, as many older classmates took advantage of his youth to try to bully the smaller and weaker students. However, they had made a mistake by underestimating Neizan, who was undoubtedly the strongest boy in his first year of secondary school.
Among other events, Neizan became a trusted friend of Joel, a very shy boy who was often bullied. They had known each other since they were little, as they attended the same school, and now they were starting to become more confident with each other. Neizan struggled with math, so Joel helped him with his homework in exchange for a favor: Neizan had defended him several times from bullies at school, including once back in elementary school. They enjoyed spending time together talking about their favorite books and playing in the street, and over time they became great friends.
At thirteen, Neizan made his first female friend, Elena, a girl with whom he had also shared classes since childhood. Elena was friendly and pleasant, so sweet and beautiful that she drew all the attention. The first time they established a relationship was when Neizan defended her from Marcos, a boy who was bothering her; later, Neizan defeated him in a fight on the street.
Since then, Elena began to approach him little by little, as Neizan was quite popular in his class. After the fight with Marcos, rumors started to spread everywhere. Normally, Neizan didn't get into fights, as he was good at interacting with people and was highly respected. The main reason for his good reputation was that almost all the bullies at school knew his best friend Marck, who was then twenty years old and the second-in-command among the most important bullies in the neighborhood.
That same year, Neizan started taking boxing classes, where he began to strengthen himself even more so that no one would look down on him anymore, even though he was the smallest. This made him a more agile, fast, and skillful boy. At that age, he also began to earn money working for his friend Marck, distributing drugs around the neighborhood.
Neizan kept his activities a secret to help his mother cover household bills, as well as to fund his own boxing classes and, if possible, save money to take his pet, Rudy, the puppy he had adopted the previous year, to the vet.
However, months later, his mother asked Marck, the neighbor who spent time with her son, about the situation. Marck admitted that he had been involved in how Neizan had managed to get enough money to even buy his first television. They agreed that he wouldn't get Neizan into trouble and that he wouldn't give him any more work.
Neizan spoke with his mother, who reprimanded him for getting involved in things he shouldn't, although she eventually forgave him. The boy accepted the scolding and decided not to sell drugs again.
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During the summer vacation stay, both Neizan and his two friends had grown very close, so they often hung out together.
『???: If you want, you can stay over with Neizan tonight. 』
Neizan, feeling a slight blush on his cheeks, looked at his mother with a surprised and somewhat uncomfortable expression.
『Neizan: ...No need, Mom... 』
Neizan's mother smiled, ignoring his protest, and turned to his friends, Elena and Joel, who were spending the afternoon together at their house.
『Joel: I want to stay! 』
Joel, with a big smile and excitement in his eyes, gave a thumbs-up while looking at Neizan.
『Elena: I'll ask my parents to see if they let me. 』
Neizan's mom smiled upon hearing that the kids were interested in staying over.
『Mom: Well, I'll go ahead and prepare dinner. 』
As his mother walked away, Neizan shrugged, feeling that maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
『Neizan: ...Do you want to play something? 』
Elena, jumping with excitement, nodded vigorously.
『Elena: Yes! 』
『Joel: Of course! 』
Neizan and his friends dove into an afternoon full of laughter and games. They watched a movie, laughing and sharing popcorn, and even organized a little sleepover. The night was filled with jokes and whispered secrets as they got ready to sleep.
Finally, after such a fun day, they went to bed, sleeping on three mattresses with summer sheets. It was the first time someone had stayed over at his house as Neizan's friend, and he couldn't help but smile at the thought of the new tradition beginning.
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The dreams of her memories faded slowly as she woke up.
『Lina: «What did I just dream? Were those Neizan's memories?» 』
The girl sleeping next to the boy in the bed asked herself this silently. She was Lina, lying behind him, with one of her arms stretched over his body. Last night, perhaps she hadn't realized that she had put her arm over him due to her dream, or maybe she was already asleep.
Lina squinted and rubbed her forehead, trying to remember.
『Lina: «Why was I able to see this tonight? What just happened?» 』
As she pondered unanswered questions, she got out of bed and stepped out of the room, still a bit confused.
『Lina: «I don't understand anything...» 』
When she stepped into the hallway, what she saw froze her in place: a boy tied up, held by men dressed as guards. It was Arthur, who was trying to scream, but his voice was muffled by the black tape covering his mouth. Lina felt a rush of fear at the sight, her eyes widening, but it was too late; other guards behind her grabbed her firmly.
『Lina: Aaaah! 』
The boy they had come to capture was not Arthur, but Neizan. Confusion flooded her mind: how did they find out they were there in that hotel? Maybe the receptionist recognized their true identity, or perhaps it was someone else. No, it must have been...
『Lina: Meilia? 』
Suddenly, Meilia appeared, a noble girl with a malicious smile that sent chills down Lina's spine.
『Meilia: I'm sorry, Lina, but it seems they've caught you. 』
Meilia's smile was unsettling, and Lina felt a shiver run down her back as she realized the gravity of the situation.