Chapter 10: Kanji's Secret
The world seemed to freeze in place.
From a distance, Iris, Hyana, Ueno, and Ron had witnessed it—Ryo collapsing into the arms of that man.
Tears. Real tears streaming down the boy who never allowed himself to show weakness.
Iris whispered, her voice trembling:
"…Ryo? Crying?"
Hyana's eyes widened.
"I–I've never seen him like that…"
Ueno clenched her fists nervously.
"But… why with a man like him?"
Ron stood silent, his jaw tight, fists trembling.
"…Damn it."
---
The Dormitory – Later That Night
The four sat together in heavy silence. The air was thick with tension.
Finally, Ueno broke it.
"Who is that man? Why would Ryo run to him and… cry like that?!"
Hyana's voice shook.
"Wasn't he supposed to be in prison? Everyone knows he was locked up…"
Ron avoided their eyes, sweat beading on his forehead.
"He… disappeared from the country for years. Everyone just assumed he was imprisoned, but… the truth is, nobody ever knew."
Iris slammed her hand on the table, her eyes burning with determination.
"Then there's only one person who can tell us the truth—Teacher Kazuki."
---
Kazuki's Office
The four entered the room with grim faces.
Iris stepped forward, her voice sharp.
"Sensei… we need to know the truth about Kanji."
Kazuki froze. His eyes flickered, and he turned his gaze away.
Ron's voice was firm.
"You're the only one who can explain this. Ryo will fall apart if we don't understand what's happening."
---
The Truth
Kazuki exhaled deeply. Slowly, he opened his desk drawer and pulled out a worn, dust-covered file. He placed it on the table before them.
His voice was low, heavy with old memories.
"Kanji… was never an ordinary man. His past is drenched in violence, in crime. Ryo… he never had a normal childhood. He was raised under Kanji's hand."
Gasps filled the room. The students stared at the file, their hearts pounding.
Kazuki continued, his tone darker.
"Years ago, Kanji vanished. To protect the school and the students, we spread the story that he was imprisoned. But the truth… is that he escaped."
---
The Weight of Truth
Iris covered her mouth, her voice breaking.
"So… Ryo grew up his whole life with a criminal?"
Ueno shook her head slowly.
"That explains everything… his coldness, his harshness… even the fear inside him."
Ron slammed the desk, his anger boiling.
"Then why is he back now?! What does he want from Ryo?"
Kazuki closed his eyes, the weight of his words heavy.
"That… is what we all fear."
---
Closing Scene
The screen fades to Ryo, sitting in a dim, shadowed room.
Kanji sat across from him, his lips curved into a chilling smile.
His voice was soft, but carried a dangerous edge.
"It's time, Ryo… to return to the real world."
Fade to black.
End of Episode 10.