Everyone gathered in front of Kaizen's house, but, as usual, the brat was still asleep.
"HEY BRAT! WAKE UP FAST, YOU MORON! It's already 10 A.M.!" Akane's voice boomed like a siren.
Kaizen's messy head popped out of the window, half-asleep, "Ughhh… why are you so damn noisy? I'm awake now, alright!"
"Then come down already!" Akane shouted, arms crossed.
Yui giggled, "We tried calming her down, Kaizen, but… you know how stubborn Akane is."
Krish added, shaking his head, "Bro, she was this close to breaking your door."
Kaizen yawned, "Fifteen minutes. Chill."
…Twenty minutes later, Kaizen finally came out, stretching. "Hellooo, fellas! So, are we ready?"
Akane stomped her foot, "READY MY FOOT! You made us wait in this scorching sun, you sleepyhead!"
Kaizen rubbed his neck. "Why didn't you guys come inside? My mom's out on a business trip anyway, so I'm all alone these days."
He glanced at Yui and Krish. "And how did you two even wake up so early?"
Akane answered for them, "Yui's always ready on time, and Krish has to open his fancy café. You're the ONLY lazy one, brat."
Yui and Krish laughed as Kaizen muttered, "Fine, fine. I stayed up playing games all night, okay?"
Krish clapped his hands. "Enough chitchat. Let's head to Rex's place. Kaizen, you have the address, right?"
Kaizen pulled out a crumpled note. "Yeah, Akio gave me this address yesterday. Said Rex is staying here these days."
"Then let's go!" Akane ordered.
They reached the address… only to stop dead in shock.
The place was a filthy, broken-down neighborhood where poor, downtrodden people lived. Garbage littered the streets, the stench of alcohol and smoke filled the air.
Akane's jaw dropped. "Wait—Rex lives HERE?!"
Kaizen's fists clenched. "No way. Rex is from a rich family—his parents are respected teachers across the state. What the hell is going on?"
Krish narrowed his eyes. "Yeah… something's definitely wrong. We'll have to ask Rex directly."
Yui placed a hand on Kaizen's shoulder. "Don't worry, Kaizen. I know you're upset, but we'll find him."
Kaizen growled, "I just… I need answers. Screw this—let's find Rex, now!"
The group began searching. Kaizen muttered, "Akio told me Rex hangs around alleyways nearby… where bad people live. Let's check there."
With that, they split up.
Kaizen and Yui went down a dark alley—and froze.
There, surrounded by thugs, was Rex, bruised and bleeding, being kicked around like trash.
"YOU BASTARDS!" Kaizen roared, charging in.
He launched a flying kick that sent one thug crashing into the wall. "Touch him again, and I'll kill you!"
Yui ran back to fetch Akane and Krish, leaving Kaizen surrounded.
One thug sneered, swinging a bat. "Who the hell are you? Get lost before you get smashed!"
Kaizen's aura burst out, dark and furious, shaking the ground beneath them. His eyes glowed with rage. "You picked the wrong friend to mess with."
The thugs rushed him—but Kaizen was merciless. He dodged their swings, countered with bone-crushing punches, and knocked them flat with kicks that cracked the pavement.
"Pathetic…" Kaizen spat, slamming another thug into the ground.
Even after they were down, Kaizen kept pounding them. Blow after blow, his anger only grew. Blood splattered, groans filled the alley.
"KAIZEN, STOP!" Yui's voice cried as she returned with Akane and Krish.
But Kaizen didn't stop. His fists kept hammering the thugs, his aura swirling violently.
Finally, Krish stepped in, grabbing Kaizen's arm. "Enough, bro. You'll kill them. Focus—your friend needs you."
Kaizen panted, sweat dripping, fists trembling… then slowly turned to Rex, who lay weakly on the ground.
He crouched down, his voice softer, almost breaking. "Rex… don't say anything. Just rest. We'll talk later."
Rex's eyes fluttered open faintly, recognizing him—but then closed again.
Kaizen carried Rex on his back, his face set with determination. "Let's get him somewhere safe. Then… I want the truth."