The silence that followed Aoi Kanzaki's words was deafening.
"You belong to me."
Yuuji stared at her, waiting for the punchline. But Aoi's face remained calm, unreadable—as if she had just stated a fact, not claimed ownership over him like some medieval lord.
Hiroshi and his lackeys stood frozen, their bruised faces a mix of fear and confusion.
"Oi, Kanzaki," Hiroshi finally forced out. "What the hell do you mean by that?"
Aoi turned her cold blue eyes on him. "Exactly what I said."
Hiroshi clenched his fists. His pride was already in shambles after losing to Yuuji. But now, Aoi—the girl that even the strongest guys in Shiroyama Academy feared—was taking an interest in the new transfer student?
Unacceptable.
Yuuji sighed, shaking his head. "Look, I don't know what kind of power games you all play here, but I'm not interested in being part of anyone's group—"
Aoi moved before he could finish.
She stepped closer, her scent—a faint trace of jasmine—brushing against his senses. She leaned in, her lips near his ear.
"Do you want to survive in this school?" she whispered.
Yuuji's body tensed.
"This isn't a normal place," she continued, her voice barely audible to the others. "If you stay alone, you'll be eaten alive."
Her breath was cool against his skin, but her words sent a chill down his spine.
Before he could respond, Aoi pulled away, turning on her heel. "You'll sit with me tomorrow. Don't be late."
And just like that, she walked off, her silver hair flowing behind her like a queen leaving her throne.
The alley was dead silent.
Then, Hiroshi exploded.
"FUCK!!"
He punched the brick wall so hard that his knuckles bled. The other thugs flinched, unsure whether to console him or run before his rage turned on them.
Yuuji exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Just what kind of mess have I walked into?"
......
The next morning, Yuuji walked into the cafeteria, expecting the same hushed whispers and judgmental stares as before.
What he didn't expect was the entire room falling silent the moment he entered.
It was like stepping into the den of wild animals—predators eyeing their next prey.
Yuuji frowned. "What now?"
His eyes scanned the room, and that's when he saw her.
Aoi Kanzaki.
Sitting alone at the center table, casually eating her meal as if she didn't have the entire school's attention.
And next to her… an empty seat.
The one meant for him.
Whispers rippled through the cafeteria.
"No way… Kanzaki actually meant it?"
"That transfer student… he's sitting with her?"
"Tch, he's a dead man walking."
Yuuji clicked his tongue. This was exactly what he had wanted to avoid.
But there was no turning back now.
He grabbed a tray and walked toward her, his every step accompanied by a thousand silent threats.
Aoi barely looked up as he sat down. "You're late."
Yuuji stabbed his fork into a piece of meat. "Didn't realize I was on a schedule."
Aoi smirked, finally meeting his gaze. "You are now."
He scoffed. "Mind telling me what this is about?"
Aoi took a sip of her drink before answering. "You're strong, Kisaragi. But strength alone won't let you survive here."
Yuuji raised an eyebrow. "And sitting with you will?"
Aoi leaned forward slightly, her piercing blue eyes locking onto his.
"Shiroyama Academy isn't like other schools," she said softly, her voice a razor-thin blade. "It's a battlefield. Power isn't just about how hard you can punch—it's about who stands behind you."
Yuuji chewed on her words, then leaned back with a smirk. "So you're saying you're my bodyguard now?"
Aoi chuckled—a soft, almost dangerous sound. "More like I'm giving you a chance. The choice is yours."
Yuuji glanced around. The stares hadn't stopped. If anything, they had grown sharper, more hostile.
He sighed, pushing his tray aside. There really wasn't a choice, was there?
"Fine," he muttered. "But don't expect me to bow down and call you 'Master.'"
Aoi smirked. "I wouldn't dream of it."
...
By the time lunch ended, Yuuji's instincts were already screaming at him.
Something was off.
Sure enough, when he stepped into the hallway, a group of six guys was waiting for him.
At the center stood a senior student, arms crossed, a scar running down his left cheek.
Takeda Renji.
One of the top fighters in the school.
Yuuji barely had time to process before Renji cracked his knuckles. "Yo, transfer student."
Yuuji exhaled. "Let me guess. You don't like that I sat with Kanzaki."
Renji grinned. "Smart guy."
Yuuji rolled his shoulders. "You're gonna regret this."
Renji's grin widened. "We'll see."
The first punch came fast.
But Yuuji was faster.
He ducked, weaving past Renji's fist and countering with a sharp elbow to the ribs. Renji staggered, his grin replaced by shock.
But the other guys didn't wait.
One came from the left—Yuuji caught his wrist and twisted, snapping the arm out of place.
Another tried to kick him—Yuuji stepped in, grabbed his leg, and threw him into a wall.
The hallway erupted into chaos.
Fists, knees, bones breaking.
Renji roared in anger, charging like a bull.
Yuuji didn't back down.
He sidestepped at the last second, grabbed Renji's head, and slammed his knee into his face.
Blood splattered.
Renji collapsed, groaning in pain.
The remaining thugs backed away, eyes wide with genuine fear.
Yuuji wiped a bit of sweat from his forehead, shaking his head. "Seriously. What the hell kind of school is this?"
Then, clapping.
Slow, deliberate.
Aoi stood at the end of the hallway, watching with amusement.
"You're full of surprises, Kisaragi," she mused.
Yuuji sighed, rubbing his sore shoulder. "That makes one of us."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice. "You're proving yourself, but this is only the beginning. Stronger opponents will come."
Yuuji scoffed. "Can't wait."
Aoi chuckled, shaking her head. "Then let's make sure you're ready."
She reached into her pocket and handed him something.
A small black card with a symbol engraved in gold.
Yuuji frowned. "What's this?"
Aoi's smirk deepened.
"An invitation," she said.
"Welcome to the real fight."
......
I will be adding scenes from now on