Location: ??? (Dark Alley)
Date: 2nd June 2035
Time: 6:04 p.m.

Why is he here? In this alley?

Fortunately, there's a big trash bin I can hide behind from letting Ray notice me. Just as I hid, I took a peak to see Ray stop. It seems he is more exhausted than I last saw on the road.

Feeling a bit bad, maybe I can ask him if he's alright again this time...?

Before I could show myself and ask him, suddenly a new voice he didn't recognize was heard.

"おや? Ray-kun? I didn't know you're here!" said the mysterious person. From the sound of it, he can sense a bit of Japanese accent from the person.

Ray didn't say anything nor did he look at the person.

"And Furuchan? She isn't here?" The sound of disappointment can be heard from that tone of voice、 "残念な。あなたたちが今一緒にいれば、私はいつも大好きです。"

"Mits'.. 'suomi..." I can hear a bit of a glimpse of Ray's voice. But the word he said was a name? Is this person's name 'Mitsuomi'?

"Hm? Did I get your attention? Did I!?" Mitsuomi's voice seems to turn to a happy one? I can hear the giggle, not to mention how creepy it sounds like with the echo...

"ね, ね! Don't leave me hanging Ray! I work so hard tracking you down!" Mitsuomi continue, even if I can't see what they do, I can tell they make a pouting expression but at the same time, a grin appeared on their face, "Besides, isn't past your tutoring session with one of the tutor-"

Before Mitsuomi could finish, suddenly a light beam was shot through Ray's finger, pointing at Mitsuomi. However, Mitsuomi didn't get any hits. Instead of being terrified, the expression that is on display was a grin, the same grin I've seen when Colby has something in mind to plan for the next prank.

"Oh dear? Did I hit the breaking point?" Mitsuomi said, walking slowly forward Ray, the tone of voice started to sound like a mocking, "Don't tell me our dear president is skipping class! Oh, what would his father dearest think! You're not gonna be a failure in your daddy's eyes, right-"

"Have you ever shut that shit up from your mouth?!" Suddenly Ray shouted, while I was shocked over him saying a curse word, Mitsuomi didn't show any sign of worry or scared. Why is that grin still on your face?! Did you really find this amusing?!

I can see Ray try to raise his hand but then it quickly falls down as he seems to fall forward. Suddenly a glimpse of wind passed me, despite a wind that can't be this big to be at the alley.

Just from the flash, I saw Afuru in front of Ray, shielding him from Mitsuomi. I felt a shiver down my spine as I remembered the storage room time...

Mitsuomi doesn't seem to be shocked, rather he was amused about this situation. "Ah, if it isn't my favourite cold princess! Furuchan!"

"State your name and business about this shit." Just by hearing that soft and yet demanding voice of hers, it was so easy making me feel nothing but fear...

"Takahide Mitsuomi, I am just here to help our dear president, of course!" Mitsuomi, Takahide Mitsuomi? I never heard of him but that name does nothing to calm me at all, "Am I not qualified?"

"Yes." Afuru said, very straightforward as expected!

"Ah, I'm hurt..." Mitsuomi said as he put both of his hands on his chest that had resided in his heart.

"Good." Afuru said.

Mitsuomi didn't feel offended, rather found it amusing. He started to chuckle and give a stare at Afuru, "I guess you haven't changed since last year but..." He seems to take a glance at Ray, "Maybe you did change..."

"What?"

"Nothing, Furuchan!" Mitsuomi said, "Anyway, gotta run! I have a client to meet!"

"..."

Afuru didn't say anything as Mitsuomi walked past her. She did steal a glance at Mitsuomi until fully turned around and looked down on Ray's unconscious body.

I didn't fully leave my hiding spot until Mitsuomi walked past the trash bin I hid behind. He stops and he slowly glances at my direction... He can't notice me, right?

He couldn't. Yeah, he couldn't-

He saw me, he saw me looking at him. Our eyes were locked together as he slowly lifted his hand and lifted his finger...

'It's okay, your secret is safe with me.'

...

He's already left. I was frozen until I realised where exactly I am right now. I look back at where Afuru and Ray were supposed to be, only to be met with nothing.

They have got to be left, right?

"Oh, yeah. Absolutely." Nyx said.

...Did you peed your pants?

"Yes, but be lucky I am a wraith and it can't touch you." They answer.

... Yeah, I should.

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Location: DownGolden High School | SilverUp Academy
Date: 5th June 2035
Time: 11:50 a.m.

"Ugh, this would take an hour!" Colby groaned as he put the decoration box down.

"A favour is a favour you must fulfil, Ashton." Fiona said, as she glanced at Colby, "Unless you don't want those baked cookies."

"Pfft ah! Please! I am over those cookies-"

"Strawberry with Chocolate Mint cake."

"..."

I stare at frozen Colby, that probably gets his attention. I took a glance at Fiona, who seemed to hold her smirk. I sigh, after giving Colby's the cookies, he came over to Homecoming class for the cookies again. Fiona caught him and made him do something for the club in favour of getting his cookies.

"It's alright, Colby. I can help you with the lifting!" I said, before making sure Fiona gave me an approval of it, I can see her looking at me with a surprised expression but sigh.

After that approval, I am helping Colby with lifting the decoration and some props to set up the tent for my club.

It was alright, just me and Colby. Alexis was helping his own club. Even with this calm atmosphere, the thought of Ray, the Mitsuomi guy and Afuru... Does Ray and that guy have a connection with Afuru and those black inks...?

I look up to see Colby setting up the banner of our club. Just as he was almost done with it, I can't help but ask out loud, "Is Ray alright?"

Colby suddenly stops but has done the set up as he slowly turns to me, I can see he was caught off guard by my question. I felt a bit tense at the silence, "I'm sorry, maybe I shouldn't-"

"What? No, no, no! Nix, it's okay." Colby said, trying to reassure me there's no fault of mine, "It's just, well... It was so sudden for you to ask me that..."

I didn't say anything as I found myself speechless as well. I don't need to say anything as Colby looks at me with those sad eyes...

"Why do you want to know about Xever's condition?"

Wait, Xever?

"Who-" Before I could ask about that name, and also Colby's shocked expression, suddenly a loud voice called for Colby and I.

"Colbs'! Pheeny!" A loud feminine voice was called upon from a far. I turned around as I saw Nicole running towards us.

She's already in front of us as she is trying to catch her breath. I was concerned for her, as Colby also walked towards us.

"Nicole? What are you-" Nicole interrupted Colby with just those sentences and that name.

"It's Ray."

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Location: The Student Council's room
Date: 5th June 2035
Time: 12:54 p.m.

"You should be lucky that your representative brought me here and not Ma'!" Colby yelled at the sick Ray, who lay down on the sofa that's been put in the room, "Seriously! She said you're sick! Just learn to stay at home, will ya'?!"

"But, the work-"

"For fuck sake-"

Seeing those two fighting as brothers was really a rare sight for me and the others, but at the same time, I can feel the worry and concern for the president from the other Student Council. Though for Afuru...

"Put down that game console of yours, and make sure Ray is alright!" I can hear how angry and upset that tone of voice is from Nicholas.

"Nico..." Damian, the oldest of the Student Council and supposed-to graduate last year, was sweaty nervously at Nicholas.

"You guys are here, what use of me would I do for Ray, exactly?" Afuru said as she didn't look up at Nicholas and continued playing the game.

I felt like storms were gonna come before rain. Well, the term calm before the storm does have its meaning and the right time for it.

Just as the Ashton brothers were arguing, Damian tried to control Nicholas, who's ready to rip Afuru's head off, which I doubt and Afuru would be the one ripping someone's head off instead.

Suddenly a sound of the door opened. It may not seem like a big of a deal, but the person who opened it was none other than the man Colby hated and Ray feared. It's their dad.

Mr. Ashton walked towards Colby and Ray, he took one glance at Colby and looked fully on Ray. Then he sighs in disappointment, I can see how Ray tries to control his flinch while Colby was trying to control his anger as he gritted his teeth.

"I heard everything before I came here-"

"Can't believe eavesdropping was your talent-"

"-The point is," Mr. Ashton gives Colby a look when he get interrupt by him, "Ray," Ray flinched again just by hearing his name coming out from that man's mouth, "If you can get sick by some small flu, you know very well that you don't only disappoint me, but you will disappoint the tutors who took their time to taught you about this cruel world."

...Those words... It felt so wrong...

"Besides, I'm sure that sickness of yours won't last long till' the tournament-"

"Old man," Colby interrupt Mr. Ashton, "Fuck you."

"Do you have more to say than just that foul language?" Mr. Ashton said, as he seemed unfazed by Colby's words.

"Yeah, yeah, I have more than just my shitting language." Colby said with a smile, the smile of his is the smile he never showed before, "Do you have any, I don't know, thought, feeling, empathy, sympathy? Hell, any words that can make you read the room?! Because I don't think so with how you suddenly came barge in here without anyone noticing. Not to mention, if you're only here to downplay Ray, better think a better one then. The tutor disappointing is started to get real old-"

"I don't think you understand of this situation-"

"Oh, I do understand the situation, father dearest!" Colby started to shouting, as some of the people in the room, including me, took a step back from the Ashtons, "Because from what I see here, is the father does nothing but insulting and degrade his own son-"

"Then what's that makes you?" Mr. Ashton said that so suddenly. Just by those sentences, Colby froze on the spot.

"What?"

"I am asking you, Colby Ashton, what makes you? Are you an Ashton or not?" Mr. Ashton asked.

I didn't realise I was holding my breath when finally I heard a giggle from Colby, slowly turning to laughter.

"Hehehehe... I am Ashton, by the name and blood. By the flesh and DNA... But I am never gonna be like you. Regardless, I am not like you, I am nothing like you. By our blood, we are Ashton. By DNA, prove us as Ashton. But I am nothing like Ashton, my name is Colby Ashton." Colby slowly looked up at his father, "And I am never gonna be a scum like you, old man."

It was all silenced and no one dare to speak a word or broke the atmosphere that Colby give. I can hear a sound of video games end, does this argument got Afuru's attention now?

I can see Mr. Ashton look at Colby with an unreadable expression until he sighs in exasperation, "Still a disappointment I see." Mr. Ashton said, he looked back at Ray, avoiding Colby's glare, "You better stop this act of yours Ray. Or else, the tournament will be cancelled for this foolish act of yours."

"...Yes, sir." Ray said, as if that flu of his might be more dangerous with how dry and hurt that tone of his.

"That's good to hear."

"If you have no business here, I recommend you get out of here, Ashton-san." Suddenly Afuru was behind Mr. Ashton, as the man quickly turned around and was greeted with a blank stare from the girl.

"Even if this school is owned by your relatives, I don't think they would be kind enough when they found someone like you loitering around in school." as Afuru said that, she sigh, despite no emotions display on her, "It would be really bad for the highlight tomorrow, "The CEO of Enterprises ASHES going to school for no reason purpose, must be trying to abduct-"

"I'll be going then," Mr. Ashton quickly cuts off Afuru's sentences, as he looks at Afuru as if she dares to challenge him. "I'll try to make an appointment to come here then, if you're so certain that's going to be a highlight for tomorrow."

"Wanna bet?"

"..."

Mr. Ashton didn't say anything as he walked past Afuru and went to the door. Finally as the sound of the door opens and closes, all eyes are on the Ashton's brothers.

Colby looked at Ray for minutes, before he started to shout at Ray again, "When are you gonna cut those strings, huh?!"

"..." Ray didn't say anything.

"No one is making you choose this role, no one is forcing you to do it. No one told you to do nothing about this. So why..." That unreadable expression was displayed on Colby's face as he looked at Ray with nothing but pity, "Why are you still playing the strings he set up...?"

"...you..."

"What?"

"It was all because of you!" The sound of anger from Ray's voice shook all of us, Colby was surprised and shocked by that voice of Ray. Afuru remains still but I can see she seems to try to hold herself.

"What the fuck are you-"

"You ever want to know why I have to do this? It was all because of you! You, who is nothing but irresponsible, immature, a nuisance to the family, are not worthy to be an Ashton! It's true I can choose something for myself, it's true I can speak up whatever shit was landed on me, it's true I can just toss it all away and choose for myself but I can't!" Ray shouted at Colby, that anger in his voice, the wrath in his eyes, and fury displayed on his face, "I can't, I can't! After being in your family, I never had a choice. Not even I trust my mother after they told me what happened if I did. They-"

"Who's they?" Colby's question interrupts Ray. Suddenly all the anger in Ray turns to realisation and panic.

Ray didn't say anything. Nicole looks at Ray with a worried expression. Isabella seems to get and know who "they" meant. Nicholas was holding himself from breaking the argument, even taken back by Ray's yelling and Colby's question. Damian closed his eyes and mumbled something under his breath. Afuru was still standing at the same spot but she seemed to be holding back something...

"Ray, talk to me-"

"Get out."

"Ray, please-"

"Just get out, Colby..."

"Xever!"

"Lárgate de aquí, Colby!" Ray shouted at Colby one last time before he was silent again and back laying down on the sofa.

Before Colby could say anything to Ray, Afuru's already in front of him, "How about you leave?"

"I have no time playing with you, you bastard-"

"By our dearest president's order, I would like you and him to leave this room and come back when our president is in good condition."

"..." Colby didn't say anything, but I can see he is already holding himself from lashing out at her. Colby sighs and turns around, he walks towards the door and opens it.

As he left the room, I started to get more nervous without him. Should I stay here or follow him-

"All of you can leave as well." A soft voice said, I turned around to see Afuru look at all the members of the Student Council. All of them seemed surprised by her words. I can see they're trying to reason with her to stay but it seems like it didn't work as some of them seem like there's no point in reasoning.

As everyone already left, I was going to be the last one to leave before she said something that made me halt, "Make sure that Colby is alright. I doubt this whole situation makes him any happier." Afuru said, I glanced at her as she looked at the sleeping Ashton. She didn't move until she knelt down towards him.

Finally, I am out of the room. I have to find Colby before he does something that he might regret later...

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Translation:

おや? = Oh?

残念な。あなたたちが今一緒にいれば、私はいつも大好きです。 = Too bad. I always love if both of you were together right now.

ね, ね! = Hey, hey!

Lárgate de aquí, Colby! = Get out of here, Colby!