Rosario + Vampire: Yokai Legacy

33. Back To Basics

Kurumu leaned forward, her eyes dancing with mischief. "So, what's the plan now? New semester, new adventures?"

Kenji exchanged a glance with Moka, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Absolutely. We've got a lot on our plates, but we'll face it all together."

Yukari's grin was infectious. "And don't forget, we've got a Headmistress on our side now. Ruby's got our backs."

Mizore's voice held a note of anticipation. "And there's Kato too. He seems pretty mysterious, but he might just be the help we need."

As Kurumu's mischievous plan gained traction among the group, the excitement in the classroom grew palpable. Kenji, Moka, Yukari, and Mizore exchanged amused glances, their curiosity piqued by the idea of a spontaneous game to kick off the semester.

Kurumu stood up, her energy infectious as she addressed Miss Nekonome. "Miss Nekonome, would it be alright if the five of us—Kenji, Moka, Yukari, Mizore, and I—went outside for a bit? Just until class is over?"

Miss Nekonome considered the request for a moment, a playful smile on her lips. "Of course! It's a beautiful day, and a little outdoor time sounds like a wonderful idea. In fact, how about the entire class takes a break outside? Enjoy the fresh air!"

A cheer erupted from the students as Miss Nekonome's words spread throughout the room. With her permission granted, the classroom quickly emptied, and students spilled out into the sunny courtyard.

As the class gathered outside, the warm sun bathed the campus in a golden glow. The students mingled, some engaging in conversations, others sitting on the grass, soaking in the relaxing atmosphere.

Amidst the laughter and cheerful chatter, Kenji's eyes caught something peculiar—a tree at the edge of the courtyard, adorned with a faint, otherworldly glow. He squinted, his curiosity piqued as he gazed at the phenomenon.

He nudged Moka gently, drawing her attention to the tree. "Moka, do you see that?"

Moka followed his gaze, her brow furrowing slightly. "Yeah, there's definitely something strange about that tree."

Yukari, always attuned to supernatural occurrences, joined in. "I'm getting a weird vibe from it too. It's like there's some kind of energy coming from it."

Mizore's eyes narrowed as she observed the tree. "It's not like anything I've seen before."

Kenji's curiosity got the better of him as he found himself drawn to the strange, glowing tree at the edge of the courtyard. Moka, Yukari, and Mizore joined him, their collective senses tingling with the unusual energy emanating from the tree.

As Kenji reached out to touch the tree's trunk, a strange sensation enveloped him. He felt a momentary disorientation, a shift in reality. And then, all at once, the world around him seemed to freeze.

The students in the courtyard stood motionless, their expressions frozen in time. The gentle breeze that had rustled the leaves of the trees came to a standstill, and the sunlight hung suspended in the sky.

Kenji looked around, his heart pounding with a mixture of confusion and awe. He was alone, surrounded by a world that seemed to have come to a halt. And then, out of the silence, a figure materialized before him.

It was Akira, but his form was translucent, his features flickering as if he were a mere reflection. Kenji's guard immediately went up, his voice laced with suspicion. "What the hell do you want?"

Akira's voice carried an eerie echo, his words cold and detached. "I see you have undone my work. The academy, the restoration... it seems you've managed to mend the damage I caused."