The morning sun filtered into Shizuoka High, painting long shadows across the courtyard. Students wandered between classes, gossiping, laughing, and pretending the previous field trip incident hadn't shaken them all.
Kaito walked alongside Ryo and Daichi, still trying to process the sudden appearance of Daniel.
"Do you think he'll show up again?" Kaito muttered quietly.
Ryo shook his head. "No. People like that don't linger. They solve problems and disappear. But…" He glanced around the courtyard. "…there's someone you should know about here, too."
The Strong Ones
As Kaito turned, a group of students approached — tall, confident, walking with purpose. Their mere presence seemed to tilt the air around them, as though the world itself recognized their weight.
"This is the true backbone of the second-year class," Ryo whispered.
Takumi Endo – Broad shoulders, piercing green eyes, known for raw strength. A former junior wrestling champion before he joined Shizuoka.
Hiroki Fujimura – Slim, fast, almost always smirking. Masters mixed martial arts with unorthodox strikes. Quick reflexes that could catch a student off guard.
Keisuke Arai – Quiet, calculating, always observing. Can predict opponent movements before they act. Rumor says he trained in underground gyms outside the school.
Shun Kadowaki – Cheerful, playful, but hides brutal endurance. Loves teasing but won't hesitate if someone disrespects the school.
They stopped in front of Kaito. Not aggressive. Not antagonistic. Simply… sizing him up.
Ryo muttered, "These are the second-year legends. The ones the third-years respect quietly. Most students only hear about them."
Kaito felt small, overwhelmed. These were his peers, yet they carried a presence like kings of a small kingdom.
The Legend of the Second-Year
During lunch, Daichi leaned over to Kaito. "You know the story, right?"
"What story?"
He grinned, lowering his voice. "The legend of the second-year who went from nothing to the top… they call him 'The Phantom'.
Nobody knows his real name anymore. He appeared ten years ago — second-year, weak at first, bullied like everyone else, but…"
Daichi's eyes sparkled. "He trained secretly, challenged every upperclassman who dared underestimate him, and defeated the leader of the first-years in a single match during the cultural festival. By the end of the year, he was untouchable. They say even the third-years respected him without question."
Kaito's heart raced. A second-year? Rising from zero to legend in just one year?
Ryo leaned in, smirking. "The funny part? Nobody knows where he went after graduation. Just vanished. But… his shadow lingers. Anyone who fights at Shizuoka feels it, like a whisper in the hallways."
First Encounter with the Strong Ones
After lunch, the legends gathered in the training yard. Kaito hesitated at the gate.
Takumi noticed him immediately. "You're Hoshino, right?"
Kaito nodded, feeling awkward.
Hiroki grinned. "I've heard about the new kid. Training with James, right? Heard you're trying to stand on your own."
Kaito swallowed. "…Yeah. I want to… be able to defend myself."
Shun chuckled. "Ambitious. Good. We like that."
Keisuke remained silent, studying Kaito like a chessboard.
"You'll need more than ambition," Keisuke said finally. "Strength here… isn't just muscle or speed. It's timing. Instinct.
Endurance. And understanding people."
Takumi stepped closer, placing a hand on Kaito's shoulder. "Stick with us for a bit. We'll see if you have what it takes."
Kaito felt the weight of their expectation. Not a challenge, not a fight — but respect. And for the first time, he felt he belonged somewhere.
A New Goal
That evening, Kaito trained in the backyard, fists blistering, arms burning.
James observed quietly. "You've met them."
Kaito nodded, eyes wide. "They're… amazing."
James smirked. "They're not the strongest yet. But you? You have a spark. Keep learning, step by step. One day, maybe you'll stand among them — not just as a student, but as someone the next 'Phantom' legend would notice."
Kaito clenched his fists. "I'll… I'll get there. No matter what it takes."