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Chapter 2 - chapter 2 shadows of the past

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Kurojin slowly opened his eyes, blinking at the unfamiliar ceiling above him. He sat up and noticed a girl with long black hair sitting nearby, arms crossed.

She let out a sigh.

> "You're finally awake."

Kurojin rubbed his eyes.

> "Where… where am I?"

> "My apartment," the girl replied flatly.

Kurojin groaned.

> "Great. My day just got even weirder."

He looked at her and then sighed again.

> "Thanks for saving me… My name's Kurojin."

The girl looked away.

> "Don't thank me. I only saved you because Ard is inside you. I have to protect my master."

Kurojin blinked, surprised.

> She knows about Ard?

He looked inward.

> "Ard, do you know her?"

Ard's voice echoed in his mind.

> "Hmm… maybe. I just need her name."

Kurojin turned back to the girl.

> "So… what's your name?"

She sighed again.

> "Yuki."

Ard paused. A flash of memory sparked — a girl in a black robe beside his throne, wise and observant. Her family lost in war, yet she never wavered.

> "Ah… I remember now. She was a witch — one of my most trusted companions."

Kurojin's eyes widened.

> "You're… a witch?!"

Yuki nodded slightly but didn't say more.

> "Wait," Kurojin added. "That woman who tried to kill me… who was she?"

Yuki frowned.

> "I don't know. But she's dangerous."

Kurojin looked back at Ard.

> "You sure you don't know?"

> "Hey, don't look at me," Ard replied. "I'm just as clueless."

Yuki tilted her head.

> "You were talking to Ard just now, weren't you?"

> "Yeah. You can't hear him?"

> "No. Only you can."

Kurojin scratched his head.

> "So why are you here, Yuki?"

> "Because I died. We all did… in that explosion. But some of us were reborn — scattered across this world."

> "Wait… you mean Ard had more followers?"

> "Twenty, actually."

Kurojin's eyes widened.

> "Twenty?! That's insane…"

Yuki simply nodded.

Kurojin glanced at the clock and panicked.

> "Crap! I have to get home or my aunt will worry!"

Yuki stood up.

> "I'll take you."

> "I don't need a bodyguard."

> "I serve no one but Master Ard," she said flatly, following him out.

When they reached his street, Kurojin turned around.

> "Thanks, Yuki—"

But she was gone.

He sighed and stepped into the house.

> "Sorry I'm late."

His sister looked up from the couch.

> "Kurojin, what took you so long? You don't even have friends."

Kurojin grumbled.

> "I do have friends…"

> "Sure you do," Sakura said, clearly not believing him. "Now come eat."

Later that night, Kurojin lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

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The Next Morning

> "WAKE UP!!"

Kurojin flinched as Ard's voice exploded in his head.

> "You don't have to yell…"

Just then, his sister opened the door.

> "Whoa. You're already up? That's new."

She left. Kurojin muttered,

> "I still hate her."

> "Why?" Ard asked.

> "When we were kids… she used to bully me."

Ard sighed.

At school, Kurojin slipped into his usual seat near the back. The teacher called out:

> "Settle down, class. We have a new student."

Everyone looked as a girl with a cold expression walked in. Kurojin's eyes widened.

> "My name is Yuki," she said.

> You've got to be kidding me… Kurojin thought.

Yuki walked down the row — and sat next to him.

Whispers filled the classroom.

> "Why's she sitting with him?"

> "Is she blind or what?"

Kurojin leaned over.

> "Why are you here?"

> "To protect my master."

Kurojin sighed and looked away.

> My peaceful life is officially over.

> "Better get used to it," Ard chuckled.

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Later — Gym Class

The students were outside for P.E., getting ready for a soccer game.

"Hey," one of the boys said. "We need one more player…"

Another pointed at Kurojin.

> "Hey, you. Want to play?"

Kurojin scratched his head.

> "I don't even know how to play soccer…"

> "Let's just give it a shot."

Suddenly, Kurojin's eyes turned red. Yuki noticed immediately.

> "Master…?"

> "I'll take it from here," Ard said, taking over.

> "Don't bow," he said with a grin as Yuki bowed.

Ard approached the team.

> "Mind if I join?"

> "Sure, but… just pass the ball, okay?"

> "Of course."

The game started. When the ball came his way, Ard gave it a light kick — and it soared like a rocket, flying far past the goal.

Everyone stared in disbelief.

> "WHAT?!"

> "How did Kurojin kick like that?!"

The boys rushed over, cheering.

Kurojin blinked back to himself.

> "Wait… what just happened?"

> "Nice one," Ard laughed.

From a distance, a girl watched. Kurojin noticed her.

> Wait… isn't that—?

Before he could say anything, the girl ran up.

> "Kurojin! Wait!"

She blushed deeply, fidgeting.

> It's her… my old crush… Kurojin thought.

Why is she talking to me now?

> "Ooooh," Ard teased. "Her name's Mia, right?"

> "Stay out of my memories!"

Mia looked nervous, her face red.

> "I… I…"

Yuki watched silently from the side.

> "Kurojin… will you go out with me?"

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