The final bell rang through the college halls, sharp and clear.

  Departure time.

  The building came alive instantly. Doors swung open, footsteps echoed, and voices overlapped as students poured into the corridors, eager to leave. Sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting warm golden patterns across the floor-ordinary, comforting, almost convincing enough to make the last few days feel unreal.

  They walked together, blending into the crowd.

  "So," Saijin said casually, adjusting the strap of his bag, "how are you feeling today?"

  "Better," Shizune replied. "Still weak sometimes... but it's manageable."

  "That's good," he said. "You gave everyone a scare that day."

  She let out a small breath of laughter. "I scared myself more."

  They continued toward the exit, shoulders occasionally brushing past other students. Everything felt normal-too normal. The fear, the chaos, the beast from a few days ago... it all felt distant, like a bad dream fading under daylight.

  At the gate, Saijin suddenly stopped.

  "Wait here for a minute," he said. "I left my stuff in the classroom. I'll be right back."

  "Oh-okay."

  He turned and jogged back inside.

  Shizune stood near the gate, watching the crowd thin as students disappeared onto the main road. For a moment, she simply breathed, letting the warmth of the afternoon calm her nerves.

  Footsteps approached quickly.

  "Got it," Saijin said.

  "That was fast," she smiled.

  "Didn't want to keep you waiting."

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  They stepped outside the campus.

  The main road ahead buzzed with noise-students, vehicles, voices overlapping in every direction. But instead of heading straight toward it, Saijin turned left.

  "This way," he said.

  Shizune glanced down the narrower path. "Isn't the other road faster?"

  "This one's quieter," he replied. "Less crowded."

  She hesitated for a second, then shrugged. "Alright."

  They walked on.

  With every step, the noise faded. The chatter of students softened, then disappeared altogether. Trees lined both sides of the road, their shadows stretching long and thin across the pavement.

  "It's peaceful," Shizune said. "I didn't know this road existed."

  "Most people don't," Saijin replied. "They prefer noise."

  She smiled faintly. "I guess I don't."

  They walked in silence for a while, their footsteps the only sound.

  Then she spoke, her voice thoughtful.

  "Our lives have totally changed after that incident."

  He nodded. "Yeah. Some things don't go back once they move forward."

  She glanced at him. "Do you think about it often?"

  "Sometimes," he said. "But thinking doesn't undo what's already happened."

  The answer felt practical. Normal.

  A few more steps passed.

  "You know," she said softly, "despite being strangers back then... you saved me."

  He slowed slightly.

  "That's not something to hold onto," he said. "Anyone would've done the same."

  She frowned. "Not everyone would risk themselves like that."

  "Risk depends on perspective," he replied calmly.

  She tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

  He paused, then said, "Some moments demand sacrifice. Whether we want them to or not."

  Something about the words made her chest tighten-not fear, just awareness.

  They walked on.

  "You're quiet," she said lightly.

  "So are you."

  The silence lingered.

  She lifted her gaze casually-

  And froze.

  Her eyes locked onto his neck.

  The mark.

  It wasn't there.

  Not faded.

  Not hidden.

  Gone.

  "...Where is it?" she asked quietly.

  "Where is what?"

  "Your mark," she said slowly. "You had one. Right here."

  She lifted her hand, stopping inches away.

  He stared at her.

  Then smiled.

  "You noticed."

  Her heartbeat slammed violently. "You're not him."

  "He must be dead by now."

  "No," she said immediately. "You can't kill him. He has powers."

  The smile widened.

  "You are underestimating us, girl."

  The skin over his chest cracked apart like stone splitting under pressure. A shining dark core revealed itself beneath-etched with deep scars, pulsing with a dull, unnatural light.

  The human shape peeled away.

  What stood before her was tall and muscular, skin dark and scarred, long ears rising sharply, long canines gleaming beneath a cruel grin. Its eyes were stretched and hollow, swallowing the light around them.

  "This was never his body," the beast said. "Only a skin."

  "Where is he?" Shizune demanded, forcing the words out.

  "Far enough," it replied. "If alive."

  Her chest tightened. "You won't get away with this."

  The beast chuckled. "We already have."

  Its form dissolved into shadow.

  The road fell silent.