A week passed quickly. It was finally the day of the Ranks Battle — the day that would test every student's training and courage. Some were excited. Some were terrified.
Hide still hadn't gotten a weapon. He'd have to fight unarmed — or so everyone thought.
That morning, Hide and Minami ate breakfast together before heading out.
"Hide, did you hear? The battle's going to be broadcast all over Japan," Minami said, eyes bright with excitement. "The BCC will be watching too. This is our chance to prove ourselves!"
Hide just nodded, uninterested. He didn't care about showing off for the BCC.
"Are you sure you're ready, Minami?" Hide asked calmly.
"I'm ready," Minami said, eyes blazing with determination.
When they arrived at Edens High, the campus was packed. Crowds filled the stands, ready to watch the next generation of beast-fighters. Hide spotted Mr. and Mrs. Fujishi in the audience, waving.
Minami eyed the wooden sword Hide carried. "You're really going to use that old bokken?"
"It's all I have," Hide said with a small smile. "Besides — I'd rather not hurt anyone too badly."
Minami wondered if a wooden sword could survive the battle at all — but Hide didn't seem worried.
Inside, students lined up at long tables to sign in. Minami went to his own class table while Hide found his Rank F classmates.
"Hide! Good news!" Fujikawa said, hurrying up to him. "Not everyone has to fight, since there are so many students — but every class must send a few people. Killian and I are in — are you?"
"I signed up too," Hide said. "Are you okay with fighting?"
"I didn't really want to, but Mrs. Taka made me," Fujikawa admitted.
"Don't worry — I'll be with you," Hide said reassuringly.
"Are you sure? You don't have a real weapon — that's such a disadvantage," Fujikawa said.
"I have this bokken from Mrs. Taka. It's allowed," Hide said calmly.
Killian joined them, signing his name. "They'll match us against other ranks based on the data. We'll know who we're fighting once we're called."
The loudspeakers crackled. "Students, the Ranks Battle will now begin. All classes, please proceed to the arena. Fighters, report to the waiting rooms. Good luck to you all."
The crowd roared as the first matches started. Hide sat in the waiting room, glancing at the TV that showed the current fight — a Rank C student clashing with a Rank B. He didn't bother to watch closely.
Minami, waiting in his own room, was buzzing with energy. Hide knocked on his door. Minami opened it, surprised.
"Hey. Don't overdo it out there," Hide said quietly. "Everyone's watching. Good luck."
Minami nodded, his chest swelling with confidence. Hide returned to his room just as Fujikawa's match was called.
"Let's see how you do…" Hide murmured.
Fujikawa faced a Rank A student — a tough match. They clashed in a fierce back-and-forth, Fujikawa shifting between her gun form and her new blade. But her opponent was more experienced. In the end, Fujikawa lost, her technique not yet fully in sync with her weapon.
Back with the class, Mrs. Taka praised her effort anyway. Fujikawa looked disappointed but determined to improve.
Other matches came and went. Killian fought hard and won his first match. Then it was Minami's turn — up against an SS-rank opponent named Delin, famous for his missions.
Minami stepped onto the battlefield, eyes narrowed. His parents cheered from the stands. Delin appeared across from him, his blade already gleaming.
The fight began — Minami fired corrosive rounds that pitted the arena floor, but Delin dodged easily, moving at impossible speed. Finally, Minami landed a shot that grazed Delin's arm — but Delin simply ripped off the melted fabric and grinned.
Then Delin vanished in a blur, closing the distance. His blade struck like lightning, cutting Minami down with a flurry of hits. Within moments, Minami was on the ground, bleeding.
The crowd roared for Delin. Medics rushed in to carry Minami to the med bay. Mr. and Mrs. Fujishi looked on, helpless.
It was a test, Hide thought grimly. They wanted to see if Minami could handle it.
Then his name was called.
Hide stepped out into the arena, passing Delin in the hallway.
"I'll get you back for what you did," Hide murmured.
Delin didn't even look at him.
Hide entered the arena to laughter — some people pointed at his wooden sword.
His opponent, a Rank D student, smirked and twirled his metal blades. Mrs. Taka watched closely. Killian and Fujikawa held their breath.
The signal sounded. Hide stood still as his opponent charged, blades flashing. Hide parried with the bokken, blocking strike after strike. He made it look awkward — like he was struggling — but his eyes were calm.
The Rank D student split his blade in two, attacking from both sides. Hide blocked one, dodged the other, retrieved his bokken after a fake slip, and kept going.
After a few minutes, Hide sighed — bored. He stepped in, knocked his opponent's blade aside, and landed a single blow to the gut. The student crumpled. The crowd fell silent.
Mrs. Taka raised an eyebrow. He's holding back.
Fight after fight, Hide kept winning. He beat a Rank A opponent. Now, only four fighters remained: Hide, a Rank A, an S-rank, and Delin — the SS-rank.
Hide defeated the Rank A student easily, earning a spot in the final. Killian had fought well too but was eliminated by a skilled ranged fighter.
At last, Hide and Delin stood face to face under the arena lights.
"You've done well, Hide — but this is where it ends," Delin sneered.
Hide's eyes narrowed. "You'll learn what it's like to lose — beaten by a 'weakling' without a weapon."
Delin laughed. "Big words for someone swinging a stick."
In the stands, teachers and students leaned forward. Fujikawa and Killian shouted Hide's name. In the med bay, Minami watched on a small screen, whispering, Go, Hide…
The match began. Delin lunged in, blade flashing. Hide blocked, dodged, absorbed each blow with small movements — still using the plain wooden sword.
Sparks flew as Delin pushed harder, faster. The crowd gasped as Hide staggered — but then he planted his feet and spoke softly.
"Let's end this."
Delin grinned. He prepared his ultimate move — a blur of speed and a final slash. He vanished and reappeared behind Hide in a whirlwind of force. Smoke and dust blasted across the arena. The crowd held its breath.
Neo, the Rank B teacher, exhaled. "It's over."
But when the smoke cleared — Hide was gone.
A voice whispered behind Delin's ear: "You shouldn't leave your back open."
Hide snapped his fingers. A shockwave burst out — strong enough to crack the barrier, rattling the arena. Delin hit the ground, knocked cold.
Silence — then chaos. The audience erupted. Mrs. Taka's eyes widened. He's been hiding this the whole time…
Hide stood calmly, eyes closed. He snapped his fingers again, feeling the old power flicker in his veins.
A figure ran onto the arena floor and wrapped her arms around him. The crowd fell silent.
Hide opened his eyes — and saw her. Sona.
"Hide," she whispered. "I've been waiting so long."
The guards tried to intervene. "Miss Sona, please step away from the student—"
Sona turned, glaring. "He's not just a student — he's my love. And you can't stop me."
The crowd erupted in shocked gasps. The news feeds captured every word.
"Lover?" a guard stammered.
"That's right," Sona said proudly. "We've been together since before he slept. I waited three months for him to wake up."
Hide's eyes softened. "Sona…"
"Come on — let's talk." She grabbed his hand, ignoring the stunned crowd. Together, they slipped away.
They stopped on a quiet bridge, the wind rustling their hair.
"Sona… you really came back," Hide murmured.
Sona smiled, tears in her eyes. "I woke before you did. The world was strange at first — so much has changed. But the beasts and fiends never went away. They say the FCC and BCC protect people — but really, they're fighting what we failed to stop long ago."
She looked down. "I've grown stronger. But even as the strongest in the BCC… I'm not as strong as you, Hide."
Hide pulled her close. "You're strong enough. You waited for me. That's more than enough."
A car pulled up. Sona wiped her eyes. "My ride's here. Don't worry — I'll see you again soon."
She stepped inside and was gone. Hide stood alone on the bridge, heart pounding.
Back home, his phone buzzed — Miss Yumi's name. He answered.
"Hide! Why didn't you tell me you were Sona's lover?" she snapped.
"Sorry. Didn't think it mattered," Hide said lightly.
"It does matter! Anyway — congratulations on your win. We'll talk later," she said, exasperated.
When Hide arrived home, reporters swarmed the gate, cameras flashing. He ignored them, slipping inside.
Mr. and Mrs. Fujishi and Minami were waiting in the living room.
"Hide…" Mr. Fujishi began. "Is it true? Sona's your girlfriend?"
Hide nodded. "Yeah. We've been together for a while."
Minami's eyes widened. "How did you two meet?"
Hide rubbed the back of his neck. "Long story. We trained together back home."
Mrs. Fujishi smiled knowingly. "How long have you two been together?"
"About two years," Hide said softly.
Minami burst out, "Do you know how many people have a crush on her?! She always said she didn't have a boyfriend!"
Hide raised an eyebrow. "Minami… you have a crush too?"
Minami's face turned beet red.
Mr. Fujishi cleared his throat. "One more thing. If you never had a weapon… how did you train with her?"
Hide smiled faintly. He lifted the wooden sword. "This? Watch carefully."
The bokken shimmered — shifting, growing sharper, becoming a sleek, gleaming blade.
"This is Tricky Tricky — my true weapon. It looks plain, but it can become anything."
The Fujishis stared, amazed.
Later that night, Hide lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The world felt different now — the past and future colliding.
He closed his eyes, hearing Sona's voice echo in his mind.
I waited for you.