St Maple Academy – After Class
Marina chuckled softly as she walked out of the classroom, her two friends flanking her.
She had meant to greet her boyfriend, Masato Oono, on the way out.
But the moment she turned to him—she stopped.
Masato was staring at her.
Not with warmth. Not with affection.
With something cold. Unsettling.
Marina hesitated, instinctively shrinking back. There was something off about his expression—possessive, unreadable.
And so, without a word, she left.
"Phew, time to head out."
After Marinah left, Blake stood, stretching slightly, and casually walked out of the classroom.
From the back of the room, Masato glared at Blake's retreating figure. Turning to his two companions, he commanded them in a low voice before trailing after Blake himself.
Masato was seething. He had pieced together the closeness between Marina and Blake and was furious, though he wasn't ready to confront Marina directly yet. Losing the school beauty as his girlfriend was not an option. His plan? Scare Blake enough to keep him away.
"Come out. Stop hiding."
Blake deliberately led the trio to an isolated corner of the school. Turning abruptly, he leaned against the wall, fixing a cold gaze on the three hiding in the shadows.
"Blake Silva! Just because you're some transfer student doesn't mean you can act all high and mighty! Stay away from Marina, or I'll put you in the hospital!"
Masato stepped forward, his face dark with anger. Gesturing to his two lackeys, he barked orders to surround Blake, blocking any chance of escape.
"If you're that eager for a fight, I won't hold back."
Surrounded by three, Blake's eyes glinted with sharp confidence, a faint smirk curling his lips.
Enraged by Blake's arrogance, Masato lunged forward, throwing a fist aimed directly at Blake's face.
"Too slow and too weak."
Before Masato could react, Blake caught his punch effortlessly, twisting his wrist. A loud snap echoed in the alley.
Masato cried out, his face twisting in agony from the sharp pain shooting up his arm.
The other two lackeys rushed forward, fists and feet flying.
But Blake, ever composed, merely tightened his grip on Masato. With a swift pivot, he used the writhing Masato as a shield, letting the two lackeys' attacks land squarely on their friend.
Blake watched as Masato let out a bloodcurdling scream. One of the lackeys had landed a solid kick right where it hurt most—Masato's groin.
"Masato! I-I didn't mean to!"
The guilty lackey froze, staring at his foot and the growing bloodstain on Masato's trousers. Panicked, he stammered an apology. The ominous crack he'd heard during the impact only deepened his dread. Had he just... permanently ruined Masato future?
"Apologizing in a fight? That's a first."
Blake's calm voice broke through their panic. He didn't plan to let this drag out any longer.
Blake's swift kick sent the apologetic lackey sprawling to the ground. Picking up the barely conscious Masato, he hurled him at the remaining lackey. Both collapsed in a heap.
"Take him to the hospital," Blake said, his tone as indifferent as ever. "If you're lucky, he might still be salvageable. Though I wouldn't hold much hope for his descendants. Oh, and one more thing—"
Pausing, Blake glanced down at the trembling pair. "Tell him to know his limits before picking a fight."
With that, he turned on his heel, walking away like nothing had happened.
"This is bad... really bad..."
The two lackeys looked at each other, then at the groaning Masato. They scrambled to their feet, carrying him toward the school gates as fast as they could. Other students stared, whispering and snickering at the sight of Masato's bloodstained pants.
Blake had barely stepped past the school gates when a cheerful voice called out to him.
"Blake! Did you come to pick me up?"
Airi Akizuki approached, her steps light, her smile as bright as ever. Without hesitation, she slipped her arm around his.
Blake glanced at her, his expression relaxing slightly.
"Something like that," he said with a small smirk. "Transferred to Saint Maple this afternoon."
Airi's eyes lit up. "That explains why you were here yesterday."
She tilted her head, a teasing pout forming. "But you were totally going to go home alone today, weren't you?"
Blake chuckled. "Maybe."
"You're so neglectful." She huffed, though the glint in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
Blake exhaled, shaking his head. "I'll make it up to you."
"Hmm... Knowing you, that probably means something ridiculous," she mused.
He smirked but said nothing.
Airi, satisfied, held onto his arm a little tighter as they walked.
Around them, students stared.
Whispers spread through the crowd. Some watched with envy, others with disbelief.
But Blake ignored them all.
And as the two walked off, leaving the school behind, Masato Oono was carried toward the hospital—his fate uncertain.