Ria found herself trapped in a perilous situation, expecting Zac in knight armor but finding him absent. To her surprise, the person holding her wasn't Mark; it was Kaito, affiliated with the Shadowstar Sinister, infamous for their ruthless deeds. It dawned on her that she might not escape this ordeal alive. The chilling realization pierced through her, casting a pall of uncertainty over the dimly lit surroundings. Caught in the grip of the Shadowstar Sinister, her mind raced, trying to devise an escape from the clutches of impending doom.
Silent viewers observed the unfolding scene, their assumption veiled by the belief that it was a scripted segment within the performance.

"I knew you would come, Zero," Kaito smirked.

"Ze... rro," Ria mumbled, unable to discern his face behind the helmet of his armor.

"Zero? So the children went this far. They have turned a simple love story into a complicated one," remarked the woman beside Takeshi.

"But it's a nice idea. Isn't it? Zero is quite popular these days. Such an amazing young fighter he is," Takeshi agreed with a smile.

"Kaito, your game is over," said Zero.

"Haha. You are in no position to say that. If you try to move, I'll kill her at once."

"What do you want?" Zero tensed, unable to freely attack in front of the audience. Revealing the severity of the situation to the viewers would complicate things.

"I just want to play with you," Kaito smirked.

"Let the girl go," Zero frowned.

"I can't. She's a part of our play."

'"Let her go. This is the last time," Zero growled.

Kaito started laughing, tightening his grip, causing Ria to hiss in pain. "Haha. Don't frighten me like this."
Mid-conversation, Kaito was abruptly interrupted as Zero delivered a swift, powerful kick to Kaito's face, sending him hurtling through the air. In a split second, the scene unfolded. Fortunately, Ria, by chance, had lowered her head, avoiding harm during the chaos, though she lost her balance and fell to the ground. Swiftly, Zero reached out, picking her up, causing her cheeks to flush crimson with admiration for him.

"What are you doing? Put me down!" She struggled against Zero's hold. "I said put me..." She fell silent when Zero placed a finger on her lips.

"You're quite a bothersome girl. Want me to toss you aside? I wouldn't hesitate to do that."

"Who do you think you are?" Ria retorted, annoyance evident in her voice.

"Stay quiet and listen closely. I need you to faint," he whispered.

"Huh?"

"Don't give me 'huh.' Lie here quietly and don't move," Zero instructed, gently placing her down and closing her eyes.

"I can't believe it. He's really Zero. The hero I admire a lot." Her heart raced in awe and admiration.

Meanwhile, Kaito stood up, a persistent smile lingering on his face as he wiped the blood from his mouth.

"Where's the real boy you've shifted bodies with?" Zero demanded.

"Ah, that person. He's presently indulging in a bath."

Zac and Darrin exchanged glances. "Darrin, handle the situation here. I have to look for Mark," Zac said to Darrin.

"Don't worry. I'll handle it," Darrin assured, prompting Zac to leave.

"Well, let the show begin now. Let's see how you save your audience." A glowing blue orb started to materialize in Kaito's hand. As the orb appeared, Darrin swiftly brought the curtain down.

"You are coming with me, Kaito," said Zero.

As a flash of lightning illuminated behind the curtain, the sudden darkness caused a wave of panic among the students, leaving them bewildered and questioning why the lights had been switched off. After a few tense moments, the lights slowly began to flicker back on.
The audience discovered Jessica and Jack lying on the stage, clasping each other's hands, both severely injured. Nearby, Robert lay on the floor, lifeless and motionless.

Jessica: "Jack, why did you hide it from me?"

Jack: "What?"

Jessica: "That you are Zero."

(Jack remained silent, looking away.)

Jessica: "Anyways Jack, you did it. You killed Robert. I still can't believe it. He was Kaito. That traitor."

(Jack stayed quiet.)

Jessica: "Why aren't you saying anything, Jack?"

Jack: "We can't live together anymore."

Jessica: "Fine by me. At least we are dying together."

(Jack looked at her. They exchanged a smile and closed their eyes forever.)

Dina, Derrin, Mark, and the other supporting characters stepped onto the stage. Zac and Ria stood up as well. All of them bowed in gratitude. Cheers erupted, and the audience rose to their feet, applauding vigorously.

"Say Takeshi, what do you think about it?" the lady beside Takeshi nudged him.

"The kids these days have grown smarter. I have acknowledged it," he said as both of them made their way towards the stage.

☆☆☆

The clock struck midnight as he lay in bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. Despite being a soldier of the dark, the room's light remained on; he feared the darkness, an ironic contradiction.

"I shouldn't have come back," he thought. Takeshi had invited them to his home, but he returned earlier than expected, missing the chance to speak with Darrin.

"Why did Kaito appear in the school back then?" he pondered.

"I knew you would come, Zero," Kaito's words echoed in his mind.

"How did Kaito come to know that I study in this school? It worries me. I can't risk putting others' lives in jeopardy."
As the realization settled that the figure in the knight's armor was indeed Zac, a vivid flashback surfaced in his mind.

When Zac sensed an unusual power, he investigated further and realized that Kaito had disguised himself as Mark.
Utilizing the shadow clone technique-a skill that generates copies of the user-Zac created a single duplicate of himself. While he remained on stage, his clone stood guard alongside Darrin and the others.
A

blue orb materialized in Kaito's hand. As he prepared to strike, Zac suddenly appeared before him, seizing his arm. Zac harnessed the power of "Instant Transmission," deftly transporting himself and Kaito away from the stage in an instant, causing them to vanish from sight.

His clone hastened to locate Mark, discovering him in an empty bathtub, in a dire state-ropes piercing his skin, his mouth taped shut. Swiftly removing the tape and the tissues blocking Mark's mouth, Zac also cut the binding ropes.

"Zac! Someone..." Mark coughed.

"I know," Zac replied softly. "Mark, please keep it a secret. It's a humble request."

In the midst of his recollection, a message tone interrupted Zac's flashback, pulling him out of his reverie. Zac, switching sides, reached for his phone. Hiyono bombarded him with messages about his whereabouts, ending with the confession about breaking their mother's cherished vase.
H

e grinned while typing a reply, just as she rang him up. Answering her call, she immediately delved in, "Where were you? I've sent-"

"I've seen enough of your messages," Zac interrupted.

"Zac, I've accidentally broken Mom's favorite vase. What should I do?" Hiyono's voice trembled slightly, seeking guidance. On the other end, Zac maintained a playful demeanor.

"I'll just tell Mom it was you," Zac teased, a mischievous edge to his voice.

"What? No, you can't!" Hiyono pleaded urgently.

"Oh, but I can," he continued in jest.

"Zac, please!" Her tone grew more concerned, hoping to dissuade him.

"Trust me, Hiyono, Mom's got a radar for these things. She'll sniff it out quicker than a detective on a case!" Zac teased, confident in Mom's uncanny ability to uncover any mishap.

Angered, she lashed out, regretting seeking his advice. Though she didn't hang up, her silence spoke volumes, conveying her anger and frustration. Zac, unperturbed, ended the call abruptly, leaving Hiyono simmering with annoyance at his insensitive remark.
Zac sighed, understanding Hiyono was upset. Despite his teasing, he knew he needed to make things right. He messaged her a thoughtful solution, suggesting she buy a new vase, wrap it as a gift, and include an apology letter for their mom. Hiyono found the idea helpful and replied positively.

A text from Hiyono about his dad's money deposit wiped the smile off Zac's face. His father, Steve Damen, never seemed to reach out directly. Their relationship remained distant and Zac couldn't fathom why. It was an exclusive treatment; his father adored conversations with his daughter but avoided him. Despite Tokou's immense love for her son, Zac had grown used to this dynamic.

Weary, Zac set his phone aside and closed his eyes, drifting into sleep. It was a familiar routine, yet the enigma surrounding his relationship with his father lingered, a void he hoped would one day be filled with understanding and connection.

☆☆☆

Under the soothing shade of a sprawling tree, Alice sat engrossed in a book, while Ayumi indulged in a chocolate treat nearby.

"Wanna eat?" Ayumi offered, extending the chocolate towards Alice.

"Sure." Alice accepted it with a smile. "You seem to have an undying love for chocolates."

"Love 'em!" Ayumi confirmed, enjoying her sweet indulgence. Alice grinned in response.

"Alice, I've been pondering something," Ayumi began after a brief pause.

"What is it?" Alice inquired, curious about Ayumi's train of thought.

"I think I've met that boy before."

"Who are you referring to?"Alice questioned, her curiosity piqued.

"The Gem Breaker," Ayumi replied.

"You mean Levin?" Alice asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yeah. I've seen him somewhere before," Ayumi mused, trying to recall.

"Isn't he your distant relative? Earlier, you mentioned him as your cousin." Alice inquired, a touch of confusion evident in her voice.

"Seriously?" Ayumi chuckled, a hint of amusement in her voice. "I was just joking about that." She found it surprising that Alice had taken her earlier comment seriously when it was meant in jest.

"Hey, Alice!" Daniel's voice echoed through the field as he neared them, clutching a football. "Wanna kick around some soccer?"

"A game of soccer?" Ayumi raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised.

"He's a huge soccer enthusiast," Alice explained. "Sorry, Dan, I'm a bit tied up."

"Busy again? What's the charm in those books?" Dan asked, a hint of perplexity in his voice as he tried to comprehend Alice's interest in the books.

"Books are our companions," Alice replied with a smile.

"

Alright, suit yourself," Dan shrugged before walking away.

"Where's he off to?" Ayumi asked.

"He's off to play soccer," Alice informed her.

"With whom?" Ayumi probed further.

"Just on his own," Alice clarified.

"Hmm?" Ayumi seemed puzzled, wondering about Dan's choice to play soccer alone.

''What happened?" Alice inquired as she saw Dan returning.

"I kicked the football, and it disappeared," Dan replied, visibly flustered.

"Dan!" A voice bellowed from behind.

Without needing to turn around, Dan recognized the owner of the voice. Alice chuckled quietly as Ayumi observed the girl standing behind Dan. She had distinctive greyish-blue hair and deep blue eyes, holding the football in her hand.

"She seems to like soccer too," Ayumi mused silently.

"So you've taken my football. Give it back," Dan demanded.

"Stop pretending, Mr.," she retorted angrily. "Alice, he deliberately hit me and ran off. I-"

''Liar!" Dan interrupted.

"You are a liar," the girl, Dawn, shouted.

"Fine. I did it on purpose. So what?" Dan admitted.

"I'll tell Mom and Dad. They'll sort you out," Dawn threatened.

"Do as you please. Now, give it back," Dan insisted.

"No!"

"Give it back!"

"No!"

"Dawn, there you are! Come on, I've got something to show you," said another girl as she spotted her. She had a slender frame, fair skin, and long, thick mousy brown hair styled with prominent side tails, accentuated by a side fringe that gracefully fell across her forehead.

"Wait, May, let me teach him a lesson first," Dawn insisted.

Dan's laughter filled the air, provoking a furious expression on Dawn's face.

"Come on, Dawn. I've bought a new dress. Let's go," May intervened, tugging Dawn away.

"I'll see you!" Dawn shouted, tossing the football into the air before following May.

Dan and Alice breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who was she?" Ayumi inquired.

"She's his twin sister, Dawn," Alice explained.

"Siblings? Woah!" Ayumi seemed surprised. "I also have a brother, but we never fight."

"Haha. These two are special. You'll get used to it," Alice reassured Ayumi, as they watched Dawn and May stroll away, leaving the tension behind. The group chuckled, relieved that the moment had passed, and continued their day with lighter hearts.

☆☆☆