2687

In Osaka, Japan, Kioko was sleeping on her desk at school. “Kioko,” a voice called out. She shrugged it off, still half-asleep. “Kioko, wake up!” The voice yelled louder. Then, she felt a karate chop on her head. Startled, she jolted awake and saw her friend, Suzuki, standing there. “What was that for?” she asked, rubbing her head.

“It’s lunchtime, and our friends are waiting outside in the courtyard,” Suzuki said.

“Coming,” Kioko replied. Both of them walked together and soon saw their friends in the courtyard, eating food and chatting. “Hey, Kioko!” her friend Fumiko called out.

“Hello, Fumiko! Whatcha eating?” Kioko asked, eyeing the food curiously.

“My mom went to America and brought back the recipe for hamburgers. They’re so good!” Fumiko said between bites.

“Oh yeah, your mom’s a chef, right?” Suzuki chimed in.

“Mhmm. She sometimes travels the world to learn new recipes for the restaurant,” Fumiko explained.

“Is she going to cook at the festival?” Suzuki asked.

“Yup! I’m going to help her at the booth too, so you both better come, okay?” Fumiko said with a grin.

Both Kioko and Suzuki nodded in agreement. “Sounds like fun,” Kioko said. “I can’t wait to taste your mom’s cooking again.”

As they chatted, a tall boy approached their group hesitantly. Fumiko noticed him first. “Hey, isn’t that Haruto from Class 1-A?” she asked.

Suzuki nodded. “Yeah, I think so. I wonder what he wants.”

Kioko smiled and waved him over. “Hi, Haruto! Do you need something?”

“Yeah, Kioko, I was wondering if I could talk to you in private,” he asked, his voice slightly nervous.

“Sure,” she said, following him away from the group. Suzuki and Fumiko exchanged glances and silently cheered her on, putting their hands together and rooting for her.

When they were alone, Haruto looked at her shyly. “Saito, I was wondering if you’d like to go with me to the festival at school tomorrow,” he asked.

“Of course I would!” Kioko replied, smiling brightly.

“That’s great to hear. Do you want me to pick you up at your house tomorrow?” he asked.

“Yeah, sure, that’s fine. My aunt and uncle probably want to meet you,” she said.

“Your aunt and uncle?” Haruto looked confused.

“I live with my uncle and aunt since my parents aren’t around,” she explained.

“May I ask what happened?” he asked hesitantly.

Kioko shook her head gently. “My dad died when I was younger, so I never really met him. As for my mother, she left me with my aunt and uncle. I barely even remember her face,” she explained, her voice steady.

“That’s horrible. I’m really sorry for asking,” Haruto said, bowing slightly in apology.

“No, it’s completely okay. I don’t really mind at all. I didn’t really know them, so I don’t mind talking about it to people,” she said, giving him a reassuring smile.

Haruto looked up and saw her smiling. “You really are a kind person. That’s why everyone likes you so much,” he said, admiration in his eyes.

“Thank you so much,” she said warmly. As the bell rang, the two parted ways. Kioko was happy that someone had asked her to the festival. After school ended, she went home, her heart light.

At the Osaka International Airport, Griffin and Iris were walking together. “So why did you want to come down here to Japan? It’s been three months since your sister died,” Iris said, her tone probing but not unkind.

“I’m here to talk to someone and ask if they want my help,” Griffin replied, his voice firm.

“You mean Night’s daughter, right? I don’t know why you would want to help her. Night killed your sister and almost ended your life,” Iris reminded him, her brows furrowing in confusion.

“I feel like I owe Night this after she was the one who helped me learn to use Flux energy on my deathbed,” Griffin explained, his eyes distant as he recalled the past.

“Because she almost killed you, you want to owe her this?” Iris asked, incredulous. Griffin shook his head, not bothering to elaborate further. “Oh well, let’s get in a car and drive over there right now,” Iris said, dropping the subject. They both hopped into a car and headed to the location of Kioko Saito.

The next day arrived, and Haruto picked up Kioko from her house. “So you’re the boy who asked out my niece, huh?” her uncle said, scrutinizing Haruto. The young boy was a little scared, so he quickly put his arm around Kioko’s shoulder for reassurance. “Protect her and make her happy, okay?” her uncle said sternly.

“Yes, sir,” Haruto replied, his voice steady despite his nerves.

Both Kioko and Haruto walked together, eventually arriving at the school. But as they reached the school grounds, Griffin and Iris arrived at Kioko’s house. They knocked on the door, and Kioko’s aunt answered. “Hello, who is it?” she asked.

“Hello, nice to meet you. My name is Iris Smith from the Yeager Force. We’re here about Kioko Saito,” Iris said, her tone polite but firm.

“What do you want with her?” the uncle asked, his voice laced with suspicion.

“We want to talk to her about her mother,” Iris said.

“She’s not here. I sense she’s going to her school. Probably you talk to them, and I will go to her,” Griffin said, his voice resolute.

Without waiting for a response, Griffin ran straight toward the school.

As Kioko and Haruto were walking together to the school, Haruto turned to her. “So, Kioko,” he began.

“Yes?” she replied, looking up at him.

“Would you like to hold hands?” he asked, a slight blush creeping up his cheeks.

Kioko felt her own face flush. “Yeah, sure,” she said softly. They started to hold hands as they walked toward the school, their steps in sync.

“Slow down, you two lovebirds!” a voice called out from behind them.

Both of their heads turned to look at the man approaching them. “Who’s the black man?” Haruto asked, confusion evident in his voice.

“I have no idea,” Kioko said, her brow furrowing. She walked up to the man. “Who are you?” she asked, her voice steady but curious.

“Wow, you can speak English. That’s amazing! I’m here to tell you about someone,” Griffin said, impressed by her fluency.

Kioko and Haruto exchanged puzzled looks before turning their attention back to Griffin.

“Who is it?” Kioko asked.

“Your mother, Night Saito, sold you to her family, known as the Sora Family, which is the second-biggest family in the world. It makes your blood boil, doesn’t it?” Griffin said with a smirk.

“Wha…” Kioko couldn’t even finish her sentence, her mind reeling from the revelation.

“I can save you if you want me to,” Griffin offered, his tone almost casual.

Kioko looked at him, her eyes searching his face. “If I say no, will my aunt and uncle be able to come with me?” she asked.

“Absolutely not. The Sora family would just consider them outsiders; they will never let them in,” Griffin explained.

“Then can you save me?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

“Of course I can. I have a big influence in the two biggest families, so I can definitely pull strings. But as for your mother, I was the one who k—” Griffin was cut off by Kioko.

“I don’t really care what happens to her. She’s probably living a comfortable life with the money she gained from selling me,” Kioko said coldly.

Griffin smiled and patted her head. “I’ll get it done, but I’ll tell you that it’s a pretty interesting story,” he said, his voice almost teasing.

“You two get going now. Have fun at the school festival,” he said, walking away.

“What did you guys talk about?” Haruto asked as they continued toward the school.

“Oh, right, you can’t speak English. He was really having a hard time getting through the city, so I was giving him directions,” she lied smoothly.

“Okay, are you ready to go to the festival now?” Haruto asked, letting the matter drop.

“I would love to,” she replied, her smile returning.

The year is 2687, as Rex was sitting on a bench with his eyes closed he woke up and he sees a girl looking at him who had been calling his name.

“Who the hell are you?” Rex asked

“My name is Baluka, sir!” she yelled, her posture stiff with respect.

“And you’re the one going with me to Japan?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” she confirmed.

“I understand. Let’s get going,” he said, getting up and preparing to leave.