---
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.
---
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.
---
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?"
---
To Be continue