The aftermath of the last encounter quietly reshaped Alan's place within the school.
Whispers followed him wherever he went.
Stories spread faster than facts.
Some said he defeated Bob, a C-rank, with a single effortless move. Others claimed his strength rivaled Daniel's. A few even dared to say he stood above him.
No one truly knew the answer. But everyone felt it.
---
That night, Daniel sat across from Daisy at a small restaurant, steam rising from the bowls between them.
Daisy stirred her food absentmindedly before glancing up.
"Uhm… Daniel?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he replied casually.
She hesitated for a moment.
"What do you think about the rumors?" "About Alan being that strong… maybe even stronger than you?"
Daniel paused. He lifted his spoon, took a slow sip of soup, then spoke calmly.
"What about it?" "They're free to think whatever they want."
He looked thoughtful.
"You don't see someone one-shotting a C-rank every day." "Honestly, Bob had zero real skill. Any proper C-rank would've beaten him."
He lowered his spoon.
"But Alan…"
Daniel's eyes narrowed slightly.
"He's different."
"I've never seen someone fight that smoothly." "No rage. No excitement. No fear."
He exhaled softly.
"It's like he feels everything… and shows none of it."
Daisy shivered exaggeratedly.
"Okay, stop. You're creeping me out," she laughed.
Then she tilted her head.
"But seriously… are you gonna stay friends with him?"
Daniel smiled without hesitation.
"Of course." "I want to get stronger." "And more than that…"
His eyes gleamed.
"I want to understand what kind of fighter he really is."
---
The next day at school.
Alan walked through the hallway, sensing the change immediately.
Eyes followed him.
Some filled with admiration. Others with envy. A few with hostility.
The girls whispered just as much — some drawn to his appearance, others to the rumors surrounding his strength.
Alan ignored it all and entered his classroom calmly.
There was no teacher.
Suddenly, arms wrapped around him from behind.
"Gotcha!" Daniel laughed.
Alan didn't flinch.
"…Daniel?"
"Tch," Daniel sighed. "Didn't even scare you."
Daisy rolled her eyes.
"Stop messing around and just ask him already."
Daniel snapped his fingers.
"Oh right. Alan, wanna eat together?"
Alan paused briefly.
"…Sure."
Daniel grinned.
"That's how a friend answers. Let's go."
He grabbed Alan's arm and dragged him toward the cafeteria, Daisy following behind.
They ate together.
Talked casually.
Nothing special.
Yet for Alan, it felt unfamiliar.
After lunch, they parted ways.
Alan returned to his classroom, grabbed his bag, and headed toward the exit.
Daniel walked alongside him.
Then—
A single word caught Alan's attention.
"Ellie!"
He froze.
Alan slowly turned his head.
A girl ran past, calling out to another.
Brown hair. Short. Familiar.
His heart skipped.
"…Ellie?" he whispered.
A name from a past he never forgot.
To be continued.