The year was 2048.

The arrival of summer started with the massive boost in support and advertisement to Vanguard's secondary and much less player format, Premium Format, at the hands of Ryuzaki & Co. and its president Ryuzaki, who thought it'd be cool.

Along with it came the return of the much forgotten Quest System, where fighters could partake in quests, be it made by someone or sponsored by the official branches in Tokyo, to obtain points and increase their fighters grade.

The first week went by without anything special happening, besides some festivals on the branches, titled Stride Festivals.

It was at the end of the first week, with the date for a Stride Festival hosted by the Star Gate branch on the horizon, that a massive event involving anyone who'd like to participate was announced by Ryuzaki himself.

The event was titled "Dream Team Challenge", where players would make teams and participate in quests on the branches to obtain points. Each branch had a different quest, and the quests and special guests changed everyday, meaning a big portion of the quest was left up to wherever a team decided to go.

On the second week, the two top teams of the event participated in one of Zoo's quest, a survival test in a forest outside Tokyo.

One of those teams were Hanabi, made by the Royalty Killer and boxing star Fuchigami Gin, a high ranking student of GEN Academy and legend by name Mikazuchi Kaido, the leader of the runner up team of the previous' year national champion Onizuka Masato from Apex, and the leader of the national champion's winning team and King of Heiwa Royalty Sawada Ryuuga, the leader of Spiral Terra.

The other was Gekkoukan, a small time team made by the middle school best friend duo of Sawada Izuru and Serebryakov Tametomo, with the occasional tag-along of a member of a pro team called Team Dropout.

On the first weekend of the Dream Team Challenge, Gekkoukan annihilated the Dark Zone quest, which settled them with enough points to have a colossal advantage over all other teams, so after a few hours spent on Zoo quest, they chose to leave early.

Because of the excruciating heat that came with summer, Izuru and Tate sat under a shade set up by the Zoo branch employees overseeing the quest. This was before they hit their explosive height growth, so the two looked like good and innocent small boys, the type that didn't read doujins for two hours everyday.

"Good work out there, Tate-kun, Izuru-kun!" The special guest of the day exclaimed, waving at them from the distance.

"Thank you, Aijou-san!!!" Tate replied, waving excitedly at the fact a smoking hot girl praised him. "Dude, I could totally score Aijou-san whenever I get bigger!"

"She's into losers so you might actually have a chance." Izuru sighed.

This was back when Izuru still had a bang of hair covering one of his eyes. Yeah, that pretentious style was already a thing back then, and he even told his mom it wasn't a phase.

"That's mean, Miyuki! Mark my words, when I hit high school, I'll totally date Aijou-san!"

When he hit high school, Aijou-san got totally married to her current husband.

"Go wild. Why not play Darkface without Gredora because she plays her?" Izuru asked. That was a joke, a complete and utter joke.

"...Miyuki, you genius!"

Tate's brain cells didn't evolve that much between then and now.

"...indeed I am. Why not go buy some soda to thank me for my ultra brain suggestion?"

"You got it! I'll go find some vending machine or whatever!"

"Good luck, get us dome cold colas!" Izuru waved as his best friend ran away. "Do they even have vending machines around here? Oh well."

During the challenge in the forest, a team made up of three girls broke apart, leaving behind one of their members. She tried to find them by climbing up a tree, but instead fell and hurt her ankle. Thankfully, she was rescued by Hanabi and soon met by her friends, who helped her return to the entrance.

The two friends help their lost friend sit down in the same bench as Izuru, and then left to go find some branch members to take a look at her ankle. She was a beautiful girl with long and dark purple hair, and bright blue eyes. Her name was Nijimura Airi, and she was a first year student at Heiwa Academy.

Even though they first spent a good minutes not talking or looking at each other because of a mutual lack of social skills when it came to approaching new people, Airi eventually spoke up.

"Uhm, excuse me, but... Aren't you Sawada-san's younger brother...?"

That was a very poor attempt at breaking the ice.

"Yeah but that's about it. I don't have the patience to handle random girls who think they can talk to me thinking I'm the key to having  shot at dating Ryuuga." Izuru scoffed.

That never happened before. It's Ryuuga, after how bad dating his first girlfriend Fujiko went, who'd in their right mind would go out of their way for a piece of that. No one can have tastes that bad.

"N-no, that's not I meant...!" Airi sweatdropped, waving her hands. "Sawada-san helped me when I was lost in the forest. Honestly, if you ask me... I think the president is kind of a loser at times." She whispered.

"At times? As if! That guy's a full time loser." Izuru laughed. "He overworked himself so much he got dumped and then had to go to New York to amend the dumb shit his dumb ass created. I'm shocked he even became King and president. No, scratch that, the King before him was also a loser. They're like monkeys, they're strong when the're together."

"Right?!" Airi giggled. "This one time, after that bench rumour began spreading through the school, he was walking with some important paperwork on his hands and they well flew out the window and fell into a pong of water! He had to re-do them all again!"

"Oh I remember that one! He got yelled at by the cooking club for losing their funding paperwork so much that Aijou kicked his ass!"

"I was there when that happened! I even got to record it and everything!" The purple haired exclaimed.

"No way!! Let me see it!"

"Mhm! By the way, my name is Nijimura Airi!"

And that's how that weird friendship was born. 

With a mutual enjoyment of making fun of the dumb things Ryuuga did as the loser they saw him as, Airi and Izuru became friends, until the eventual day where Izuru confused real life with an episode of God of Highschool.

As the months went by, their friendship only grew closer. They met almost everday after school, sometimes even during holidays and on the weekends, and Airi even visited the Sawada residence on occasions. Shouto and Yu became especially fond of her, and annoyed Izuru ever so often by asking if they were dating yet.

At the same time, Izuru began his explosive hight growth. They first met when he was tall enough to reach her chest, but by the end of the year, they were the same height, and when the school year ended, Izuru surpassed Airi's height by a longshot. He even got rid of that janky haircut that kept an eye hidden from the world. Turns out it was actually a phase.

They met a final time before the start of their second middle and high school years, under the tree where they usual waited for the other at a park close to Heiwa and Hirabayashi Middle School, the school Izuru and Tate went to.

"Your brother? Wait, you have a brother?" Izuru asked.

"Mhm." Airi nodded with a smile. "He's called Nobuyuki and he'll start attending Hirabayashi this year. Please treat him well. I know he can be a pain in the ass sometimes."

"Huh sure, but I'm just surprised you never mentioned him or anything."

"Oh, that... W-well, it's not a big deal, really. I got a brother, so what? Nobu-nii is Nobu-nii, and I'm me!"

"So you think yourself lower than him?" Izuru asked. Maybe being a little less blunt than that would have helped a little.

"A-ah?! H-how did you know?!" She didn't bother to hide it either.

"It's a standard anime trope!" The black haired deadpanned. "It usually goes down with the younger sister not liking to be compared to the hotshot megastar older brother or some crap!"

"Wait... WAIT THAT SOUNDS LEGIT BUT I'M THE OLDER ONE!" Airi exclaimed, grabbing her head.

"You dummy." Izuru sighed, smacking Airi's head lightly. "Go on, what's up with this Nobuna- Nobuya- Nobu... Nobu... Nobunobu dude?"

"Nobuyuki." The purple haired sweatdropped. "Just don't worry about it, it's not a big deal."

"Time to flex by 69,000 IQ and get to the bottom of this in an instant. Hm..." Izuru placed a finger on his forehead and began thinking.

"Wait... For real?"

"Foe real."

"I said it's-"

"Your brother has an additional set of arms!"

"How would that even be possible, dumbass?!"

"If you set your mind to it, you can grow an additional set of arms."

"I don't think that's how biology works." Airi sweatdropped. "Well... Nijimura isn't exactly my last name."

"Hm, I get it." Izuru nodded.

He didn't get it.

"What I mean by that is that I got the name after my mother married my stepfather when I was little." She explained, sitting on the ground. "My real dad passed soon after I was born. When I was little, my mom met father and they got married. We ended up living together and I got the Nijimura name added to mine, but I wasn't a Nijimura by blood. They soon had a child, a small boy father chose to name Nobuyuki. Nobuyuki's his pride and joy, and he treats him with great respect because of what he will achieve in his future. And honestly, I can understand why. Nobu-nii's amazing. He's great at sports, he's great at academics, he's great at Vanguard, he's great at making friends, he's great at everything. It's like he's perfect... No, he is perfect. He's a shining star in the family, shining so bright that it blinds everyone from the rest of the family."

"Sounds like a dick if you ask me."

"You'd think that, but even his personality is perfect. He doesn't get into any problems and is great at difusing fights. It's kinda sad to say this, but he's so fantastic that most friends I have approached me because they wanted to learn more about him." Airi let out a small chuckled.

"Do you hate him?"

"Mhm? O-of course not! Even if he's the pride of the family and someone everyone puts on a pedestal, I still love him for what he is behind all of that! He's my little brother! It doesn't matter what he has because we have the power of love!" Airi exclaimed, punching the air.

"...dude, so lame..."

"It's not lame, you're lame!" She pouted.

"Wait, and he's moving to my school? Why's he leaving his old one then?"

"Oh, he said it didn't feel challenging enough and wanted to try a harder school."

"Oh he's a dick, no doubt about it."

"He isn't, I swear." Airi sweatdropped. "The way he acts may annoy some people very easily, but he's a good boy. I'm sure of it. So please, just bear with him. I'm sure you two could even be friends one day!"

"Eh, I doubt it. But... Ah, fine. Since you're the one asking, sure."

"Thanks! You're the-"

"But I need you to do something for me in return. Be a little more confidant, will you? Leave the lack of self-esteem up to me." Izuru said, placing his hand over Airi's.

Damn, unprotected hand holding before marriage with an older girl who may or may not be into him? Talk about bold. If only his brother had this much boldness when he was that young.

The new school year began the very next day. Once again, Izuru and Tate were in the same class, but this time they were joined by their friend Yukiko, and as fate would have it, Nijimura Nobuyuki was there too. He was a tall boy, with grey hair like his father and bright blue eyes like his mother.

When the subject for class representative came up, Nobuyuki was the first get up from his seat and speak up.

"I'd like to volunteer for the role of class representative."

He spoke in a calm and gentle manner that calmed those around him. It charmed the girls around him and made the boys feel a sense of brotherhood coming from him. It's like he oozed the aura of a natural born leader.

'So. That's her brother? Yikes.' Izuru thought.

Lunch time arrived and Yukiko ran out of the classroom at full speed. Her priority was to be with Kasumi and keep her safe from potential bullies, Izuru and Tate could wait to talk to her. Tate also left to go have lunch with the football team and come with ways to get new members this year.

By the time most of the class left, only Izuru and Nobuyuki were left. He had gently declined all of the invitations he got to have lunch with someone.

"Excuse me, but are you perhaps Sawada-san?"

"Hm? What about it?" Izuru asked, taking out a small bento from his school bag.

"Ah, so it is you." Nobuyuki smiled. "I heard alot of you from my sister. It's an honour to finally meet you. I admire you alot!"

"...sure, nice to meet you too. I'm gonna have lunch now."

"No, wait!" The grey haired called out. "Let's go have lunch together." He suggested.

'I know he's Airi's brother but still...' "...eh, sure..."

Luckily, the school's rooftop was empty, so they ended up going there to have lunch. They sat on a small space that had a shade, but that was also hidden from anyone that could enter the rooftop at anytime.

'Sheesh, this guy's supposed to be the perfect guy? He's so weird.' Izuru thought. "So, was Airi nervous for the new school year or-"

"Give me just a sec." Nobuyuki requested.

The grey haired let out a long sigh and slumped his shoulders. It was like he was letting out all of that pretty boy energy like a deflating balloon.

"Honestly... The only thing I feel towards you is spite."

This time, Nobuyuki let out his real voice. That calm and gentle demeanour was gone, giving way to a more harsh and aggressive tone.

"I'll need you to expand on that subject." The black haired asked, narrowing his eyes.

"How you can live your pathetic life just like that, without any worries." Nobuyuki smirked. 

"The hell are you talking about?"

"Hm? You're a Sawada, aren't you? People should expect you to do great things like your brother, but instead they just don't give a damn. The fact you can carry such a name and have nothing riding on your back is really annoying.'

"Ah? You really think I'm some promised child 'cause of my brother? If anything, the only expectation anyone has of me is that I don't turn out a bigger loser than Ryuuga."

"My point exactly. Even despite your name, you can life a pathetic and worthless life like everyone else."

"I think you're underestimating everyone else, rich cuck. Just because I'm friends with your sister doesn't mean I'm fine with you talking shit about everyone else. I may live without being expected much from, but that doesn't mean the rest isn't."

"Ah, you're actually friends with that junk? I really ended up giving you too much credit."

"Oi! Watch your mouth, shithead! She's still your damn sister!" Izuru exclaimed, grabbing Nobuyuki by his collar.

"My sister? You really think I ever saw that thing as such?" Nobuyuki asked, a grin appearing in his face as he forced Izuru's hands away from him. "Maybe you're too much of a simple ape to understand, but nothing good has ever came from human waste! You think anyone would care if she stopped existing? That's what should have happened in the first place!"

"If you think I give a damn whatever you feel towards Airi, you're preaching at the wrong person." He scoffed, pushing the younger Nijimura away from him. "You know, I tried to give you a chance because she asked me to do it, but you're just another insufferable prick like the rest. Enjoy your stay at Hirabayashi, and please leave as soon as possible."

"Heard you loud and clear." Nobuyuki cackled, waving as Izuru left. "And thanks for the magnificent company, Sawada-san!" He exclaimed, using that gentle voice once again.

"Alright! Question for the class!" Yukiko exclaimed.

There wasn't actually any class. Or a classroom. She was actually just talking to Tate and Izuru. The three headed there after the school day ended, since no clubs had returned to their activities yet.

"Hai, sensei!" Tate exclaimed.

"From one to ten, how much do you dislike that new shithead in class! I'd say a nice nine works perfectly!"

"Ten billion." Izuru scoffed.

"Actually, I don't think Nijimura-san's that bad. I think he's kinda neat, y'know? He's smart and being around him attracts ton of girls, it's a match made in heaven, dude!"

"He's an insufferable jackass I wish hadn't left his old school and it's sad that he's Airi's brother since she deserves much better than that trash can."

"C'mon Miyuki, just give the guy a chance. I know you aren't all that keen on new people but you gotta give 'em a chance, dude."

"I gave him and like an ungrateful child, he threw it on the ground. Honestly, fuck him and fuck the shitheads that defend that trash. If you wanna be friends with him, go for it, but don't drag me into shit involving that fucking cunt."

"Someone's aggressive." Yukiko snickered. "I dislike him since a pretty boy like him will totally come after Kasumi-chan!"

"I don't think anyone has tastes that bad, Yukiko." Tate sweatdropped.

Oh yeah, this was before Kasumi became the current ultimate bombshell she is now, back when she did her hair in braids and wore huge glasses that made her look like a giant nerd.

"Ah?! Watch it punk, I'm gonna break your nico nico kneecaps if you say that again!" 

"Miyuki, Yukiko's going wild again, help!!"

"You got yourself in that situation, you get yourself out of it. I don't know about you but I'm gonna leave, I still have to go meet Airi."

"You two dating yet?" Yukiko asked.

"Hell no."

"I wouldn't mind dating her, she's super cute!" Tate exclaimed. "Her eyes are so pretty, her that ass is so-!"

"You go ahead, I'll teach this dumbass a lesson." Yukiko said, slamming her fist over Tatet's head to stop him from saying crap.

Some time after that, Izuru met up with Airi at that park near their schools. Despite him ranting about how boats were dumb and being called out on just not knowing how to swim, Izuru was dragged into rowing a boat on a small lake in the park.

"If you dragged us here, you could at least do this dumb thing." Izuru deadpanned.

"Teehee, you're such a gentleman." Airi chuckled. "So! How was your first day at school?"

"The only difference between my first day of first year and of second year is what I ate for lunch. I had a good egg sandwich back then. I had a bad egg sandwich today."

"Geez, you sound like such an old person." The purple haired sweaydropped. 

"My ID may say something, but my soul says something else. That's why you should go get some friends your age instead of hanging out with some bratty middle schooler all the time."

"You say that like high schoolers are any better. Let me remind you that neither of us will develop actual brain cells until we turn twenty." Airi sighed.

"Shit, you're right." Izuru sighed. "How much of a loser was my brother today?"

"Hm? Oh, he had this massive tsundere attack because he and Homura-san are in the same class now! Did you know they already have plans to get married?!"

"Yes, I'm the best man at that wedding against my will."

"And their homeroom teacher is this super unpleasant guy everyone calls the Rulling Douchebag. Thankfully, I've managed to two two years without him!" She grinned, holding up a peace sign. "What about your first day?"

"It was... It was something."

"Come on, don't be so vague." Airi sighed, placing her fist on top of Izuru's head. "Did you meet Nobu-nii?"

"Meeting would be an understatement, I had the nice displeasure of being in the same class and having lunch with that person."

"Oh, so you did meet him! He's just like I told you, right?"

"He's also a massive cunt, that's what he is!" Izuru exclaimed. "He deadass just invited me for lunch just to go 'We both have big names but nonone expects you to do shit, that pisses me ofd.' and call you names! I don't care he's your brother, fuck that guy!"

"Yeah, that does sound like him..." Airi frowned for a brief moment. "But that's part of his charm! Father raised like an extension of himself, always preaching of how Nobu-nii would keep the upstanding legacy of the Nijimura family, just like how father and grandfather did. He always buys him whatever he wants, takes him to whatever places he wants during summer, and even buys him all the high rarity cards for the best decks there are. There is nothing like the love father has towards Nobu-nii."

"What about you, though?!"

"It's fine, really." She sweatdropped. "Father and I have our bond and him and Nobu-nii have theirs. It's not like I ask for much either, I'm good with having what I need and nothing else. The only thing I've asked him in recent years was some cards and they weren't even that rare to find. Nobu-nii is carrying the entire Nijimura family's history on his shoulders, and he's been doing it since the second he was born, it's only fair he gets rough around the edges whenever no one is there to see him."

"I don't care about any of that, that doesnt excuse his shitty beha-!"

"That's enough, Izuru!" Airi yelled. "Just... Just leave it be. It's fine, I promise... Nobu-nii's truly someone special, I just came attached with the woman father married. Just... Just promise me you won't pay too much attention to Nobu-nii. Live how you want to live, and let him do the same." She muttered, showing a small smile.

Though he wanted to keep arguing until Airi saw herself in a better light, Izuru just refrained from it by biting his bottom lip and looking away.

"Yeah... I promise. Come on, I'll buy you a dessert or something."

"Thanks... Oh, can we go buy natto instead?!"

"Wha- Natto's horrible and expensive! I'll need you to pay in that case!"

"What? You don't have that bread?"

"I'm playing tag with my money right now and I'm it."

"You need to start playing hide and seek and go seek a damn job."

"They aren't hiring bratty middle schoolers."

But even with his promise to steer away from Nobuyuki and not paying much mind to his antics, even with his desire to go through with that promise for Airi's sake, the promised day that would become a turning point in many lives still arrived.

The reason behind Yukiko leaving Hirabayashi.

The reason behind the Nijimura family breaking apart.

The reason behind Shouto staying away from his own son.

The reason behind what would become Izuru's expulsion.

The reason behind Airi and Nobuyuki never meeting again.

It was on a friday, a short while after classes ended, right after the first midterms of the year had gone by. It was almost summer, and the air was warm.

Izuru and Airi had decided to meet under a bridge at a riverbank far from from their schools through the texts they shared during their lunch break.

But someone else had arrived first.

Tate fell on the ground, grabbing onto his torso while gritting his teeth, after tanking a strong blow made by one of Nobuyuki's kicks.

"Oh? I thought you were at least worth somethin' in a fight, with being part of the football club and all." Nobuyuki sighed, slamming his right foot down on Tate's face. "Come on, call out to your best friend!"

"W-w-what are... Y-you doing, Nobuyuki..?!" Tate coughed.

"Don't go addressing me so casually!" The younger Nijimura laughed, striking Tate with another kick to his torso. "A child of the Nijimura must be proper, a child of the Nijimura must be like no other! ...that's the crap you came to expect, wasn't it? 'He's from this big and important family, he's without a doubt a super great guy!', isn't that you made yourself believe? Out of everyone I could have ever met in that shithole of a school, I came across the dumbest fool of them all. Not even a little child would get the wool pulled over its eyes this easy. You didn't even make this exciting!" He cackled, blasting another kick at Tate's torso.

"B-but you... J-just..."

"Shut up, trash! If you're going to talk, then call out for that precious best friend of yours!"

At the same time, Izuru descended down a stairway that was on the riverbank. He was looking at the time on his phone.

"Airi's still not here? Dammit, what got her to take this long?" He grumbled.

It was only through coincedence, maybe a straight up miracle, that neither side noticed the other sooner.

"MIYUKI!" Tate's voice cried.

"Hm?"

The moment Izuru looked at the scource of that voice, he felt the world around him stop. Even thought what he saw angered him past what he could handle, his face didn't show any rage.

That rage had spread through his body.

As his breathing became faster and he set out running, his phone fell on the ground. It was broken, but not from the impact with the dirt floor. It was broken by the grip of one's bare hand.

"Took you long enough to say it. Good boy-"

A second passed by.

The one on the ground was now Nobuyuki, bleeding from a large open wound on his forehead left by one of Izuru's strikes.

"Fantastic...!" Nobuyuki cackled. "That's what I wanted to see! Come on, show me-!"

Izuru didn't bother with any words of his own, or cared enough to give Nobuyuki a chance to explain anything. The only thing in front of him was something that chose to hurt the wrong people, and that was the bare minimum needed for what followed.

To stop Nobuyuki from barking one more word, Izuru raised his right foot and slammed it down on Nobuyuki's left hand. Two cracking sounds followed suite.

But the younger Nijimura wasn't given a chance to scream for having two his fingers broken, because the second he opened his opened his mouth, Izuru repeated his last action, but this time slamming his foot down on Nobuyuki's mouth to keep him shut.

The fact he didn't broke any of his teeth with that was a miracle.

"I... I REALLY TRIED TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE, DAMMIT" Izuru yelled, forcing Nobuyuki back onto his feet by pulling him by his hair. "FOR AIRI, I TRIED TO BARE WITH YOUR STUPID PRESENCE!"

"You really... Are a fool..." Nobuyuki muttered with a small grin.

Izuru grit his teeth and shoved Nobuyuki into the wall next to them. Blow after blow, he pummeled him into the wall. Whenever he hit the wrong spot and allowed Nobuyuki to hit the ground, he forced him back up by pulling his hair. Nobuyuki didn't try to fight or dodge either.

"...mi ...miyu..."

Even though it started with Nobuyuki hurting him, Tate didn't want thefight to keep going. His heart and mind told him to stop it, but he couldn't move from where he stood. All he could do was be there and watch.

"DAMMIT!" Izuru roared, punching Nobuyuki into the ground.

"...that... All you got..." Nobuyuki coughed.

"SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!"

Blinded by his rage, Izuru didn't bother to pick Nobuyuki up after that. Instead, he just started blasting his torso with kick after kick.

"What would... Airi think... If she saw... This..." Nobuyuki muttered during the instance Izuru wasn't kicking him.

"SHUT UP! DON'T DRAG HER INTO THIS!" He exclaimed, forcing Nobuyuki up by his collar and slamming him into the wall. "It's your fault... IT'S ALL YOUR-!"

"Izu... Ru...?"

"...Airi?" Izuru looked back.

Airi stood before the three, staring at the scene with widened eyes. Her whole body trembled, but she wasn't able to move from where she stood.

Though his heart told him to stop, though Airi's presence made him want to stop and explain everything, it was neither of those who were in control.

Izuru's instinct just told him to keep fighting, and so he did. He grit his teeth and punched Nobuyuki once again, this time blasting a tooth out of his mouth.

"N-nee-san... H-help... Me..." Nobuyuki muttered.

"SHUT UP!" Izuru screamed, raising his fist.

"PLEASE STOP!" 

In tears, Airi's body began moving. She grabbed Izuru's arm with all the strength her thin body could muster, and hugged it tightly.

"P-please... Please stop this..."

"Airi... Shut up... SHUT UP!" Izuru yelled. He threw Nobuyuki's body into the ground and tried to break free from Airi. "WHY DO YOU STILL DEFEND HIM?! LOOK AT THAT, THAT'S YOUR BROTHER'S DOING! HE'S THE WORST OF THE WORST, A SCUM ON EARTH! WHY DO YOU KEEP DEFENDING SOMEONE LIKE THAT?! IT'S HIS FAULT, EVERYTHING IS HIS FAULT!"

"I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW!" Airi cried. "BUT I DON'T CARE! EVEN IF MY PARENTS STOPPED LOVING ME BECAUSE OF HIM, I'D STILL FORGIVE HIM! EVEN IF HE HATES ME AND WANTS ME TO STOP EXISTING, I'LL KEEP LOVING HIM! HE'S MY BROTHER, STOP HURTING HIM PLEASE!"

Another second passed.

Airi was on the ground, covering a dark red bruise on the side of her side with her hands. She was only able to mutter one phrase.

"Please stop..."

Nobuyuki tried to crawl away, but Izuru grabbed him by the back of his collar and slammed him against the wall once again. This time, he slammed his foot on one of Nobuyuki's knees, breaking it.

Izuru punched him again.

And again.

And on the third strike, the mark of Izuru's knuckles was left on Nobuyuki's bruise face, but not from how hard he punched. Those marks were painted by the small drops of blood that had been left on Izuru's knuckles after striking Airi.

The only thing that stopped the fight was the sound of approaching voices.

Nobuyuki grabbed onto Izuru's collar and pulled himself up, until his head fell on Izuru's sturdy shoulder. Then, he revealed everything.

(Media - Judgement)

"She... She really loved you, you know... She was confidant in meeting you here, on this romantic spot her beloved brother recommended... And tell you her true feelings... Ah, your beloved Airi is such a nice girl... Why did you go and hit her, Sawada Izuru...?" Nobuyuki cackled, grinning. "I found her gesture... So sweet... That I invited... Some of the people of our class to come watch and celebrate the happy couple... Oh well..."

"What... What are you talking about...?" Izuru muttered.

"The Nijimura... Are an unrivaled shining star... There could only be one shining star... The Nijimura... Or the Sawada... And now the Sawada will never shine... Nor will the Serebryakov... I win...!"

"...run..." Tate muttered.

"Eh...?" Izuru looked back.

"LET'S RUN, MIYUKI!"

Tate grabbed one of Izuru's hand and pulled him as he ran far and away from that place. By the time the people Nobuyuki invited there arrived, the duo was already gone. But that didn't stop the weakened Nobuyuki from telling them everything, and them from believing every lie he told.

They stopped at a park far from the riverbank, so that they could rest.

"...hey, Tate..." Izuru muttered, staring at the ground with widened eyes. "Why were Airi and Nobuyuki... On the ground...?"

The rest is history.

Izuru's fear of being expelled and never entering Heiwa consumed him to the point where he begged Ryuuga to help him and created the alter ego of Takagi Ren to run away from his problems.

A living miracle was able to overturn the decision of expelling Izuru and made it so that Nobuyuki would be the one to expelled. 

He did it because maybe it was his fault to some extent, for being the mastermind behind the event that allowed for Izuru and Airi to meet in the first place, but most importantly, because he saw Izuru as the rare example of a truly good person. So instead of trying to get him to be his next student after the current one graduated, that living miracle only asked one thing from him.

"Keep being someone who fights for others, even the world stands against you for doing it."

Even so, Izuru and Tate were still suspended because of the entire ordeal. When their suspension ended and they were able to return to school, Nobuyuki had already been expelled, and the Nijimura had already been thorn apart. Yukiko was also gone from the school, because of her parents' decision to transfer her to keep her safe.

On that first day of a new stage of their lives, Izuru sat on the corner of the class, looking down at his desk. The rest of his classmates kept their distance from him, fearing to become the next Nobuyuki. But that fear didn't stop them from muttering with one another about what would happen next.

Their mutters ended when Tate arrived at the classroom. His arrival made Izuru look up.

'Yeah... Just end it all here, Tate... Yukiko left because of me, it's fine if you want to leave too... So please, just end it here...'

But what happened was the exact opposite of his thoughts.

Instead, Tate just greeted him with a large smile and took out a small card binder from his school jacket.

"Good morning, Miyuki! Check this out, Boris and I got some boxes after ye arrived from Russia yesterday and look at my insane luck with the two pack strat!" Tate exclaimed, placing down two cards on the table. "I got a SP Scharharot and a SP Susanoo! I don't really plan on building OTT, so he's all yours!"

"E-eh...?" Izuru muttered.

"Hm? C'mon, turn that frown upside down, dude! Let's sneak in a game before the sensei arrives, I totally wanna flex this super awesome SP Scharharot!"

But before they were eventually reunited by him becoming a student at Heiwa, Izuru saw Airi one last time, on his way to school.

The only thing he was able to do was watch her as the Nijimura family's private car drove by. The brightness in her eyes was gone, and streaks of grey hair had began overtaking what was before a beautiful and long dark purple hair.

"I got 'em beans!" Tate exclaimed, slapping Izuru on the back. "The konbini natto is really cheap, holy crap!"

"Hey Tate, can you answer me something?" Izuru asked, looking up.

"Hm? What up?"

"Why did you keep being my friend after everything that happened... Happened?"

"Because why wouldn't I? You're my best friend, Miyuki. That's that. Now come on, last one to get to school is paying for the drinks!" Tate laughed and began running.

"Come on, man... Why did you have to go and do me like that?" Izuru chuckled. He took out a handkerchief from his pocket and used it to wipe his eyes. "Hey wait up, this isn't a fair race, you know I'm slow!" He called out, running after Tate.