REBORN IN TOKYO REVENGERS

The school hall was filled with the usual buzz—students laughing, whispering gossip, tapping pencils, and making weekend plans. But Asuka sat alone, her gaze distant, her mind far from the noise around her.

What happened that night… was I starting to forget my reason for being here? she thought, chewing lightly on the end of her pen. After everything I've done, what if it all ends up in vain?

Her stomach turned.

"I can't stop here. The big problem is yet to come," she murmured to herself, as if saying it aloud would help her believe it.

She looked up. Across the room, she spotted Chika and Haruka laughing together. They noticed her and walked over.

"Hey Asuka, you alright?" they asked, their smiles fading slightly.

She nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, it's fine. Just tired, that's all."

They exchanged glances, clearly unconvinced, but said nothing more and turned their attention back to the lesson.

Manjiro, sitting a few seats away, glanced at her briefly. His usual cheerful expression had faded for a second, his mind clearly back on the festival night. Then, just as quickly, he looked away and resumed doodling in his notebook.

Asuka, however, sank deeper into thought. Keisuke and Kazutora… how do I stop them? If they really go through with this, Shinichiro—

She shook the thought off.

When school ended, everyone rushed out like they were being chased by a bell. Within minutes, the classroom was empty. Asuka quietly packed her things and walked out alone.

At home, she went straight to her room. No greetings. No dinner. Just silence.

She sat on her bed, eyes fixed on the calendar. 4th August.

"Ten days," she whispered. "Shinichiro dies on 14th August. 3 a.m."

She grabbed a pen and started scribbling down ideas.

"No drama. No attention. It needs to be clean and simple…"

The night passed with papers scattered on her bed and her mind spinning with plans.

Two Days Later – The Restaurant Scene

Noon sun blazed above as Keisuke and the boys gathered at their favorite budget-friendly restaurant. The fans inside whirred lazily, barely fighting the heat, and the smell of fried dumplings filled the air.

Manjiro was already halfway through a chocolate brownie parfait —the problem? It wasn't his.

"MIKEY!" Draken barked, slamming his chopsticks down. "I SAID one bite! Not a full adoption!"

Manjiro blinked, the tip of the cone still between his lips. "Huh? Oh. My bad, Ken-chin." He glanced at the now-empty glass. "I guess it... melted into my destiny."

Draken narrowed his eyes. "Melted into your stomach, you idiot."

Keisuke sipped his soda and sighed. "He does this every single time."

Pah-chin chuckled, patting his pudding like it needed protection. "I'm putting mine in a safe next time."

Mikey grinned. "Too late, I already saw it."

"YOU—!"

Before anyone could lunge at him, Pah cleared his throat loudly. "Anyway! Let's talk trip plans! It's summer—we need a gang outing!"

Keisuke leaned forward, nodding. "That's not a bad idea. We deserve a break."

Mikey raised his hand like a kid in class. "BEACH. Let's go to the beach!"

Everyone turned to look at him.

He sat up straighter. "I mean—it's hot. Beaches have water. Water is cool. So is fun. I rest my case."

Silence.

The group looked ahead, pretending to be fascinated by soy sauce bottles.

"I think the lake would be nice," Pah suggested.

"Okutama?" Keisuke asked.

"Yeah, I've heard it's popular."

Draken frowned. "That's pretty far."

Mikey raised his hand again. "Which is exactly why we should go to the sea! Let's gooooo to the sea!"

Everyone ignored him again.

Mitsuya jumped in. "How about Mount Fuji?"

"That's even farther!" Draken groaned.

Keisuke tapped the table. "What about the Metropolitan Expressway ride?"

The group brightened. "Oooh, good one!" they all agreed—except Mikey, who was now slouched, arms crossed, sulking like a kid denied candy.

"It's summer. Sea. Sand. Sun. Swimsuits," he muttered dramatically. "But noooobody listens to the man with vision."

Pah was about to say something, but Mikey suddenly leaned over and pinched his forehead.

"OW OW OW! WHY ME?!" Pah yelled.

"Because you're the closest," Mikey snapped. "Why is everyone ignoring me?!"

"We're not ignoring you," Keisuke said, deadpan. "We're just… strategically not responding."

Mikey turned slowly to glare.

"I'm going. Whether you guys join or not."

Draken raised an eyebrow. "You don't even have a bike."

"I have Hawky-maru," Mikey said proudly, puffing out his chest.

"…That rusted moped from the dinosaur age?" Mitsuya muttered.

"She's not rusted. She's vintage. And exceptional," Mikey said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart.

"You can't take a moped on the Metropolitan Expressway, genius," Draken shot back.

Mikey didn't flinch. "Hawky-maru is exceptional."

"I bet it flies too," Mitsuya added dryly.

Pah looked amazed. "So… she can get on the expressway?"

"Pah-chin," Mitsuya sighed. "Shut up before I make you."

Draken threw up his hands. "Fine. You can come. Just don't run out of gas halfway or fly off a bridge or something."

Mikey grinned and gave a proud thumbs-up. "Trust in Hawky-maru."

"I don't even trust it to survive a slope," Draken muttered.

"So Hawky-maru IS exceptional!" Pah gasped again.

Mitsuya gave up. "I swear, I lose brain cells every time he speaks."

At last, they decided: Trip to the beach on 13th August.

Mikey and Pah high-fived. "This is gonna be awesome!" they said in unison, already imagining volleyball, sea waves, and watermelon smashing.

"We'll need stuff to wear though," Mitsuya reminded them.

"Shopping time!" Kazutora announced, pointing dramatically to the door.

With that, the boys set out to buy swim trunks—some stylish, some questionable—and later hit the roads for a quick evening ride. Laughter echoed through the city streets, Mikey seated behind Keisuke, arms stretched out like he was flying on Hawky-maru already.