As the city passes outside the windows, Kaizo stretches. Then, his aunt tells him something that catches him completely off guard.

  Kaizo: “Wait. You’re telling me this was at the end of the school year?”

  Ayame (from the front): “Yeah, and I think I’m gonna close down the school early so I can… renovate the place a little…”

  Yumi (laughing): “Unreal… I just watched one of the best battles ever and now, school is over?”

  Kaizo: “I know right… This is great.”

  Ayame: “I’m going to lie to your mother and tell her I’m sending you to a personal, recommended summer school for your “summer vacation”, so play along for me.”

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Kaizo: “Did you even have to ask?”

  The laughter fades.

  Yumi looks out the window, eyes shimmering.

  Yumi (whispering): “Hey Kaizo… Could you teach me how to do that… Zenshin thing this summer. I thought it was pretty cool, soooo…”

  Kaizo looks at her—half stunned—then faces us:

  [“Raise your hand if you saw that coming. Yeah, didn’t think so.”]

  He grins and nods.

  Kaizo: “Alright, ‘Flatbread.’ Let’s turn you into a proper super model.”

  After chopping him on the head, Yumi beams — part proud, part scared — but ready for anything.

  As the bus drives into the glowing horizon, some random music rises in volume, and a faint ripple of black aura flares in Kaizo’s palm before fading.