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It was quite the lesson, thought Ryosuke, a faint smile brushing his lips. But well… if this old man wants to play, then let's play.
He lifted his head, meeting Yoshinobu's gaze once again.
"For a question, that's quite the question," he said calmly. Then, after a pause, he smiled. "You know, I've never had the chance to face this Satoru Gojo. But from everything I've heard about him… he really is the strongest sorcerer alive right now, isn't he?"
Yoshinobu slowly nodded, his face unreadable.
Ryosuke shrugged, pushing his hair back with a nonchalant gesture.
"Then why ask me such a question? Comparing a king to a god is a little insulting, don't you think?"
Yoshinobu's brows rose slightly. "A god, you say?" he murmured, intrigued. "And who would that god be?"
And at that precise moment, something changed.
An invisible tension filled the room, icy and suffocating. Yoshinobu stiffened, his hands trembling imperceptibly. Then suddenly, drops of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He could no longer move.
Ryosuke advanced slowly, circling around the desk. Once behind Yoshinobu, he placed a hand on the chair's back and gently spun it.
Their eyes met.
"You've never felt this with Satoru, have you?" Ryosuke murmured, his voice both calm and chilling.
Yoshinobu was frozen. No, it wasn't just fear. It was absolute paralysis, a total impossibility to move. His arms, his legs, even his breathing seemed ripped away from him. It wasn't that his body refused to obey; it was as if his mind had forgotten how. Only his heart continued to beat, frantic, pounding against his ribcage like a war drum.
Ryosuke straightened slowly.
Then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Yoshinobu's paralysis dissipated. His muscles answered him again, but he remained still, trembling like a leaf in a storm. A drop of cold sweat slid down his temple as he lifted terrified eyes toward the young man.
Ryosuke clapped softly, his expression filled with casual amusement.
"Wise. Very wise, old man," he said in an almost mocking tone. "You know when it's better to say nothing."
Yoshinobu didn't respond. He wouldn't have been able to anyway. His lips trembled, but no sound came out. He could only stare at Ryosuke, stunned by what he had just experienced.
Ryosuke turned on his heels. He stopped just before reaching the door, glancing back slightly.
"Now you know who the god is, don't you?"
And without waiting for an answer, he left the room, closing the door behind him with an almost ironic gentleness.
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Ryosuke gently slid open the classroom door. Inside, the teacher was already explaining something to the three attentive students.
Without interrupting his lecture, the teacher gave him a simple nod, inviting him in.
The boy nodded back in thanks and stepped forward. He passed by the robotic entity, which hadn't been there the first time, seated in the front row. Reaching his seat at the very back of the room, he sat down and set his bag beside him.
As the teacher continued his lesson, Ryosuke felt his mind wander, pulled toward a fresh memory from the previous night, his eyes fixed on the back of his robotic classmate.
He recalled the cliff, bathed in moonlight. The wind played with his hair as he prepared to leave.
"It's getting late," he said to Kokichi, who stood beside him, dressed in a simple tunic. "I should head back."
But Kokichi shook his head, his expression serious.
"I can't let your kindness go unanswered."
Ryosuke smiled, a little embarrassed.
"It's nothing, really. Just think of it as a gift."
"No," Kokichi protested. "I want to help you in return… but I don't know how. How can someone like me help someone like you?"
Those words surprised Ryosuke. He stopped, his gaze fixed on the horizon. Then, after a moment, he turned toward Kokichi, a gentle smile lighting his face.
"You want to be useful? Well then, be…"
The memory broke off.
Ryosuke smiled.
You're going to be really useful to me…
The lesson carried on without interruption, the teacher explaining a complex concept about natural energies. Ryosuke, his head resting on his hand, absentmindedly watched the diagrams appearing on the digital board.
When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of class, he stretched with a long yawn, his arms raised above his head.
"I didn't think we'd actually have normal high school lessons here."
Kasumi, who had already stood up, approached the desk where Mechamaru was methodically putting away his things.
"Hey," she said, leaning lightly against the edge of his table.
"Hey," Mechamaru replied in his mechanical voice.
Kasumi tilted her head, curious.
"You didn't come to school at your usual time today. Last night… did everything go well with Ryosuke during your mission?"
At that question, Mechamaru finally looked up, his glowing eyes fixed on Kasumi.
"My puppet was in bad shape," he said in a neutral tone. "I had to replace it before coming."
"Oh, so that's why."
Mai, who had been about to leave the room, froze when she heard the exchange.
"Another mess thanks to our dear genius, I imagine," she said acidly.
Still slouched in his chair, Ryosuke lifted his head and cleared his throat lightly.
"Protecting a puppet is pointless. And honestly, it's insulting to Mechamaru to imply he can't handle himself."
"Yes, it is hurtful," Mechamaru confirmed, his metallic voice echoing.
Facing these two unexpected allies, Mai crossed her arms and turned to Kasumi, as if waiting for support. But Kasumi shook her head, an apologetic smile on her lips.
"Sorry, Mai, but I can't side with you on this one."
Mai let out an exasperated sigh before clicking her tongue and storming out of the room. Ryosuke watched her leave before standing up himself.
"Well then, I'll leave you guys," he said, turning to Mechamaru and Kasumi. "Lovebirds, you do know school relationships are forbidden, right?"
Kasumi opened her mouth to protest, but Ryosuke was already gone, ignoring the indignant complaints behind him.
Ryosuke walked out of the classroom at a leisurely pace, his bag slung carelessly over one shoulder. He had barely crossed the threshold when a thunderous cry greeted him:
"BROTHER!"