When they reached the top, Kaizen and Akane found a group of students ganging up on someone. Akane shouted, "Hey, you morons, stop this! Leave him alone!"
Kaizen blinked, confused. "What's going on?"
One of the students turned and barked, "Shut up, you brat! Who the heck are you? Get lost!"
Akane, furious, stepped forward. "Who are you calling a brat, you clown? Let him go!"
The ringleader, a bulky guy with a smug face, sneered. "Name's Tazz, you brat. Show some respect before I knock you out."
The others laughed. Akane didn't hesitate. She slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed.
Tazz staggered and shouted, "You damn brat!" He grabbed a metal bat and swung at Akane, but Kaizen leapt between them.
Tazz snarled, "Who the heck are you? I've never seen you before."
Kaizen smirked. "Mai mai, big guy. Name's Kaizen. Didn't your parents teach you not to hit girls?"
Tazz scoffed. "I'll do whatever I want."
Kaizen rolled his eyes. "Guys like you seriously annoy me."
Tazz tried to swing again, but Kaizen broke the bat with a clean punch. Tazz stumbled back, eyes wide.
"Akane, stay back," Kaizen said. "This moron's making me sick."
Akane stepped back, arms crossed. "Sure, brat. Do your thing. Just… be safe, okay?"
Kaizen smirked again. "What was your name? Tazz? Or was it little rat?"
"You cocky bastard!" Tazz lunged, throwing punches.
Kaizen dodged every move, completely unbothered. "Man, you're so slow. I'm getting bored."
Tazz launched a kick, but Kaizen sidestepped and countered with a side kick that sent him flying.
Kaizen stood over him. "You weaklings, stay away. Get your stink boss out of here."
The gang scrambled, dragging Tazz away.
Akane walked up to Kaizen. "Are you okay?"
"Fine," he said, brushing dust from his sleeve.
Akane smirked. "Not bad. You don't look strong, but you made Tazz look like a joke."
Kaizen shrugged. "Just a warm-up."
"Don't get cocky," Akane warned.
"I saved your life. A little gratitude would be nice."
They started bickering again, but then Kaizen looked around. "Wait, what about the guy they were beating up?"
Akane blinked. "Oh crap, I lost him during the fight."
The bell rang.
"Break's over," Akane said. "Let's go, brat."
"Stop calling me brat, brat."
They headed to class, still arguing.
After their classes, Kaizen and Akane walked out of the college building. A sleek black limousine was parked by the gate.
"What the heck?" Kaizen muttered. "Who's showing off?"
Akane giggled but said nothing.
A sharply dressed servant stepped forward. "Good evening, little princess. How was your day?"
Kaizen did a double take. "Wait, what? This devil's no princess."
The servant glared at him. "Mind your tone. She is the boss's daughter."
Kaizen froze. "You're kidding me."
Akane gave a smug smile. "Surprise."
"My dad owns a few companies," she said nonchalantly.
Kaizen stared. "You rich, and you STOLE my money?!"
"Forgot my wallet," she said with a wink.
"Unbelievable," Kaizen muttered.
"Get in," Akane offered. "He's my friend, treat him respectfully."
The servant nodded. "My apologies, princess."
Kaizen hesitated, then climbed in.
Inside, Kaizen's jaw dropped. "This is INSANE. It's like a hotel on wheels."
"You're such a kid," Akane teased.
Kaizen crossed his arms. "Hey, don't get all high and mighty, princess."
"Why do you think I walk to college?" Akane said. "This would spoil me."
"Just say it—you're getting fat."
Akane punched him lightly. "Who are you calling fat, brat?"
Kaizen laughed as they bickered the whole ride.
Eventually, Kaizen shouted, "Stop! That's my house!"
The limo halted. Akane nodded. "See ya, brat."
"Later, brat."
Inside, Kaizen saw his mom coming home from work.
"Mom, you're here?"
She pulled him into a tight hug. "My boy! How was college? Make any friends?"
"Woah, Mom, stop hugging, I can't breathe!"
Kaizen told her everything—Tazz, Akane, and the shocking limo twist.
His mom listened with pride. "Bring Akane over sometime. She's your first friend in college."
"Yeah, yeah, I will," Kaizen replied.
After a while, Kaizen asked, "Has Rex come back?"
His mom frowned. "Rex? Your childhood friend? I don't know, sweetie. Last I heard, they moved away too. I'll ask around."
Kaizen sighed. "Yeah, just curious."
His mom pulled him into another hug. "You still care about your old friends. I'm proud."
"Okay, okay, I'm tired now," Kaizen said, yawning.
They had dinner together, laughing over stories and teasing each other.
After dinner, Kaizen headed to his room. As he lay back, his thoughts drifted.
"Rex... where is that stupid man?" he muttered. "It's been years. I'll ask around tomorrow."
He stared at the ceiling, a faint smile tugging at his lips.