The courtyard was quiet.
Not the normal quiet before a fight.
Not the tense quiet of the Top 100.
This was the kind of quiet that only happened when something big was about to happen.
Kaito stood in front of the ranking board, hands in his pockets, staring at the glowing numbers without saying anything.
ARATA KAITO - Rank 2
Six years.
He exhaled slowly.
"…Six years," he muttered.
Tanaka stood beside him, arms crossed like always.
"Yes."
Kaito shook his head.
"I was ten when I got here."
"Yes."
"I thought I'd be strong in a year."
"You were weak in a year."
"…You didn't have to say that."
Tanaka didn't react.
"You climbed."
"Yeah."
"You didn't stop."
"…Couldn't."
Kaito looked up.
Rank 1.
NAOYA NASUKAWA
The name still felt heavier than the rest.
Even after all this time.
Even after five breakthroughs.
Even after reaching Rank 2.
His chest tightened slightly.
Not fear.
Not doubt.
Just distance.
"…Six years," he said again.
Tanaka didn't answer.
"You're fighting soon."
"I know."
"You're not ready."
Kaito smirked.
"You always say that."
"Yes."
"…Still fighting him."
"Yes."
Kaito nodded slowly.
"…Good."
He turned away from the board.
Then stopped.
"…Sensei."
"Yes."
Kaito hesitated for a second.
Then asked quietly...
"…Where's my mom."
Silence.
For the first time in a long time, Tanaka didn't answer right away.
The wind moved across the courtyard.
Kaito frowned slightly.
"…You always dodge that question."
Tanaka looked at the board.
"…She left."
"I know that."
"She had to."
"…Had to what."
Tanaka didn't respond.
Kaito crossed his arms.
"It's been six years."
"Yes."
"You never told me anything."
"No."
"…Why."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Because she asked me not to."
Kaito blinked.
"…She what."
"She knew you needed to stay here."
"…She knew about this place?"
"Yes."
Kaito froze.
"…Since when."
"Since before you came."
Silence.
Kaito stared at him.
"…You're telling me she just dropped me off with the strongest training ground in the world and left?"
"Yes."
"…That sounds like her."
Tanaka almost smiled.
"Yes."
Kaito looked back at the board again.
Rank 1.
Rank 2.
Six years.
"…Where is she now."
Tanaka was quiet for a moment.
Then...
"Close."
Kaito blinked.
"…Close?"
"Yes."
"…What does that mean."
Before Tanaka could answer...
Footsteps echoed across the courtyard.
Not loud.
Not rushed.
Slow.
Calm.
Kaito turned.
A woman stood at the edge of the stone path.
Travel cloak.
Dust on her boots.
Same calm eyes.
Same steady expression.
For a moment, Kaito just stared.
Then his eyes widened.
"…Mom?"
She smiled slightly.
"…You got taller."
Kaito froze.
Then walked toward her.
Slow at first.
Then faster.
"…You just show up like that?!"
She laughed quietly.
"You're Rank 2 now."
"That's not the point!"
He stopped in front of her.
Six years older.
Six years stronger.
Still looking at her like he was ten again.
"…Where have you been."
She looked at him carefully.
"…Watching."
"…Watching?"
"You think I'd leave you here alone?"
Kaito frowned.
"You did."
She shook her head.
"No."
She glanced at Tanaka.
"…I left you with the only person who could train you."
Kaito blinked.
"…You knew Sensei before?"
She nodded.
"Long before you."
Kaito looked between them.
"…Okay now I'm confused."
She crossed her arms.
"You were never meant to stay weak."
"I noticed."
"You were never meant to live a normal life."
"…Definitely noticed."
She looked at the ranking board.
Her eyes stopped at the top.
Rank 1.
Then at Kaito.
Rank 2.
"…You climbed faster than I expected."
Kaito smirked.
"…I get that a lot."
She looked back at Tanaka.
"…You kept your promise."
Tanaka nodded once.
"Yes."
Kaito frowned.
"…What promise."
Neither answered.
He looked between them again.
"…You two are really bad at explaining things."
His mom sighed.
"You weren't ready before."
"I'm Rank 2."
"Yes."
"…That sounds ready."
She smiled slightly.
"…Almost."
Kaito groaned.
"You sound like him."
Tanaka crossed his arms.
"Yes."
Kaito looked at the board again.
Rank 1.
Rank 2.
Six years.
Five breakthroughs.
Countless fights.
He clenched his fist slowly.
The air trembled without effort.
Not loud.
Not wild.
Just power.
"…So that's it," he said.
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…Next is Rank 1."
His mom watched him carefully.
"…You know what that means."
"I fight him."
"Yes."
"I win."
She didn't smile.
"…Maybe."
Kaito laughed.
"…You don't sound confident."
She looked at Tanaka again.
"…I never am when he fights him."
Kaito frowned.
"…Why does everyone say that."
No one answered.
The courtyard stayed silent.
The ranking board glowed.
Rank 1.
Rank 2.
Six years since he arrived.
Ten years old then.
Sixteen now.
Kaito turned toward the field.
"…Alright."
Tanaka looked at him.
"Yes."
Kaito smirked.
"…Let's finish this."
Far above the courtyard, Aoi stood on the railing.
Ryo beside her.
"She came back," she said.
Ryo nodded.
"Had to."
"He reached Rank 2."
"Yes."
She looked at the board.
"…Six years."
Ryo smirked.
"…And now the real fight starts."