-----Past-----

Hesitantly opening the classroom door, you stepped in side the classroom of which you will be getting more educated.

Many kids your age whispered around, giving you curious glances from time to time.

Keeping your head down, you waited until it was your turn to speak.

The teacher quieted everyone down and introduced you with a smile.

Looking up at your classmates, you nodded to them. Some caught glimpses of your tears but didn't question it.

-----Time Skip-----

It was the end of the school day and yourself with a few other nine years olds, waited outside for your parents/guardians to pick you up.

Minutes have gone by and nearly all the kids have been picked up. It was just you and another boy you recognized from your new class.

He had teal hair, onyx eyes, and pail skin.

Taking a glimpse at him, you jumped at his sudden question. "Is there something you need?"

Blinking in surpirse, you thought about how he must of known you were looking at him.

The boy turned to you annoyed. "I asked you a question child. Are you gonna answer or are you gonna keep starring?"

Quickly looking away embarrassed, you mumbled an apology. "I'm sorry."

He just hummed and looked away.

A few more minutes have passed and it seems as though neither of your parents/guardians came yet.

A teacher came over and took the two of you back into the school. You both sat at the office, as they made phone calls to your parents/guardians.

Kicking your legs back and forth on the chair, you looked around the office curiously. It was kinda weird seeing so much things in one room. Like, grown up stuff. Papers with large and fancy words, plaques around the office, many folders containing papers ect,.

"Can you stop?" The boy next to you grumbled annoyed.

Staring at him worriedly, you cocked your head to the side confused.

He rolled his eyes, understanding your confusion. "Stop swinging your legs. It's annoying."

Gasping quietly, you mumbled out a sorry before staring down at your legs. Oh how you wished your mommy would hurry and get here and away from the boy.

--------Present--------

You walked down the cell block with handcuffs around your wrists.

"You seem to be the same age as one of your cell mates." The man you recently met, Inori, said.

You stayed quiet, head still hanging low.

Inori came to a stop, nearly making you run into his leg.

He unlocked the cell and gave you a push into the room.

Quickly turning to the guard, you stammered out, "Wait! My hands!"

"I know I know. Calm down kid." Inori leaned down to unlock the handcuffs.

After a minute, he had left the room, mumbling something about a horse race.

Tensed up, you turned around to face you cell mates.

An older man chuckled, "Hey Upa. She's your age. Try not to fall for her."

Hearing the name Upa, brought back memories of the boy in school who seemed more professional than others at that age. That was four years ago though. After you switched schools, you never thought you'd see him again. So....there was no way he's here. Many people could be named Upa.

A teen boy then spoke up, "You must be our new cell mate. My names Liang. The old man over there is Qi, and the boy over here is Upa." Liang introduced your to everyone.

When it came to Upa however, your eyes widened to see the familiar boy.

He floated from the grouns, meditating.

"Upa?" You gasped.

He opened his eyes annoyed before widening them to shock.

"(Y/n)?" He gasped, falling to the ground.

--------Time Skip--------

"Upa...." You tugged on your boyfriends sleeve.

"Yeah what is it?" Upa asked, turning away from the new years tournament.

"Can't I participate in the tournament? I won't get hurt, I promise." You practically begged him.

It was your first New years tournament and luckily, cell 8 was able to be the building representative again. Upa, being in the tournament last year, told you about the tournament and who to look out for.

However, he doesn't want you to participate, despite the rules saying you have too, just like everyone else representing the different buildings.

"No. You could get really hurt. I already almost lost you during the Enki incident. I'm not risking anything again." He pats your head.

Staring down the the floor with a pout. You mumble, "Fine."

Pretty quickly, the next event began and Upa got chosen to participate in it, along side Samon.

He took a quick glance at you, before diging into his pocket.

"Here. It's yours." With that, he jumped into the arena.

You blushed, smiling at the adorable plushy of Upa.