"If all you wanted was an apology from Ion why did you not want him to attend the academy along side you?" Reiji ask Kazuki.
"Well… I just really hate it when am in the same room with someone I hate!" With a smile across his face.
"Then will you be attacking Nero when you see him in class?"
"Depends on how feel at the moment!" This question puzzles Reiji and knowing Kazuki for just a few days he has come to realize that he is the type to snap when he sees a person he considers an enemy.
***
It has been 4 days since the survival exam had started. Kazuki and Reiji have collected the scrolls they need.
However Reiji took Ion's scroll which made him quit the entrance exam. During this time the two boys found out there are spies inside the state and that they were responsible for murdering 100 children.
Even with all that they have at least made it to the Tower and now stand face to face with the metal door of the Tower.
*Creak* Kazuki opens the door.
Just as the two boys hoped, there has been an increase of children to pass after the four days of they spent in the forest of truth.
Though what is shocking is to them is how cramp the room of the tower is and the dim light of the tower which is being shoned by a globe that only cover the center of the tower.
But the children seem to have found a way not to breathe in each other's faces. As well a way to convers, while some keep to themselves.
However there is a sense of deja Vu on Kazuki feeling like his been here before as well be stared by so many people the same way.
Though this does not worry him that much because this time his with Reiji. He turns to Reiji and shows him a big smile.
The enter the tower observing everyone, but it is cramped they wait at the door before it closes behind them.
***
After several minutes of waiting and observing the other children a explosion is heard on the ceiling with only smoke surrounding the place.
All the children look up. The smoke slowly fades and the children notice a men with grey military boots , grey skinny pants, forearm guards and short sleeve grey military vest. Hanging on the ceiling with both his feet and no rope attach to him.
The men has grey eyes wearing a black bandana and from what Reiji can assume he might be 182 cm or maybe 180 cm.
"Congrats! Congrats Rank 1's!!" The men's voice cheerful and clapping his hands to show that.
"My name is Kaito Hein and am the head admin of this year's entrance exam."
Kazuki is shocked by this revelation that he literally opens his mouth. As he thinks that this kind of entrance is made by tricksters to scum people.
"Wow only one kid is surprised." His voice now sounding depressed. "Then I take it this year is going to be interesting."
Murmuring to himself with gin creeping on his face.
"I will presume most of you already know why am here, even so I also think some don't." He claps again to further say. "All of you present here in this room have officially become students at the ninja academy."
"Sadly the number of rank 1's have been decreased by three leaving only 25 of you present." Hearing this the two boys doubt this might be the work of Nero.
"None the less am sure it doesn't concern you as long as you pass." Kaito spots a hand possibly to ask a question. "Sorry rank 1's, but no question will be asked until am done."
"Now the academy is the place where you all will be taught for a whole year to be a ninja. Of course I don't want to spoil anything regarding it, though be prepared to work fast cause they will be no time of playing around."
"So with all that said I want you to write down your address when you leave this tower on a piece of paper that you will be given by one of my colleagues. We will come to you in a month to collect you and send you to the a academy." Kaito pulls a black ball from his vest.
"Also another thing I ask for all of y'all to give in the weapons we gave you." He smile before raise his arm and throws the ball on the ceiling. To everyone's surprise it explode leave only smoke behind with no trace of Kaito.
Even though he should be happy, Reiji feels unsatisfied as Kaito left without allow him and the other children to ask questions.
"Reiji!!" Flapping his hands on Reiji's face. "Are you done being lost?!" Reiji just smiles at him.
The two boys turn around and open the door of the tower and as they are about to step a foot outside the tower, they meet the colleagues that Kaito mentioned holding a piece of paper.
They both write down what they were supposed to write alongside everyone else. Leaving the forest as well as the examination venue.
***
After 5 days Kazuki feels delighted that he can feel once again smell the delicious food of the town.
"So you live in the Capital City of Sora?" Reiji ask Kazuki.
"Yes!" He runs to one of the establishment called Rento U where seem to sell and cook unagi meals.
Reiji follows suit, sitting right beside Kazuki as they ravish their food.
"Chew. Where do you stay Reiji?!" Spitting all over his food.
"I stay by the Kōshin Region of the state."
"Is that far?!"
"Well it depends on which mode of transport you take."
Kazuki nods not knowing what to ask next. He goes back to eating his food and the atmosphere around becomes silent like a baby who is sleeping.
After they are done eating the two boys head to Kazuki's house where he hopes to show Reiji the sister him about.
***
Now the two boys stand outside the front door. Kazuki sigh opening the wooden sliding door.
As they enter the house they are greeted by the gentle whisper of the wind and the mesmerizing light streaming through the window.
Brown tatami mats line the floor, and a low table sits in the center accompanied by two flat chairs and a simple tea set.
The soft glow of paper lanterns illuminati a handwritten scroll adorned on the wall. Beside it, an open shelf holds two vases each containing delicate Sakura Cherry Blossoms.
To Reiji perspective the house seems small that it only has room for 3 people. He also notice that the kitchen, toilet and two other rooms are right across each other.
They take off their shoes leaving them at the door. The two boys then head to go sit at small table that reach their ankle when they sit down on to the two low chairs.
"This is where you and your sister live then?" Looking around the house.
"Yea! She should be awake right about now!" Looking at the door right behind Kazuki.
"Oh?" Reiji looks behind seeing a sliding door.
*Swoosh* The sliding door opens
Dark circles all over her eyes, her black a mess and a soft sound escape her lips revealing her tiredness as her eyes slowly.
To her surprise she sees two boys starring at her one resemble her brother and the other exuding an air of nobility and effortless charm.
"Am back Hina!" Her brothers cheerful voice and smile wakes her up from her thoughts, realize the most good looking person she's in her life has just notice looking a mess.
She waste no time as she dashes past the two boys and into the bathroom. Slamming the door behind her.
"Ahhhh!!" Her voice echoing throughout the house.
The two boys stare at each other and a laughter escape their mouth thinking how funny that situation was.
***
The girl comes out of the bathroom all new. Her short black hair shinning with oil , her eyes clear with no dark circles only the brown color of her iris and her clear light skin color.
She walks up to the two boys and sits beside Kazuki.
"Wow Hina you smell nice. Did you go bath?!" He laugh hysterical.
This question remind Hina of the embarrassing moment she just felt. Out of anger she punch Kazuki in the gut.
Kazuki lays down on the tatami mat feeling pain on his stomach, asking Hina why she hit him.
"Your such an idiot!!" Hina shouting while her cheeks turn reddish.
She looks back to Reiji and makes her expression serious.
"Who-who are y-you?" Yet her words can not come out thanks to Reiji's charming face.
Reiji notice how much she is struggling and decide to hold her hand.
"My name is Reiji Kōshin and am Kazuki's friend." His voice and smile makes Hina's mind go crazy leading to her to faint.
She falls beside Kazuki.
Kazuki sigh once again, standing up and picking her sister. He takes her to her room and sits on his chair.
"Sorry bout that. That girl was Hinata my sister,but I call her Hina!" His smile back again.
"Am curious is it only y'all in the house?"
"Yea! Our mother passed away after giving birth to Hina. Our father took care of me, big brother and Hina. However 6 years ago our house caught on fire killing both my brother and father." Kazuki staring on the handwritten scroll on the wall that says "thive no matter what."
"Sorry for your loss." These are the only words Reiji can think of to comfort Kazuki after hearing about his past.
"Don't worry Reiji, it's just life!" Reiji can tell that Kazuki is just showing a fake smile.
"Anyways, I remember you ask me what motivates me info being a ninja right?!" This question changes the atmosphere of the whole house.
Time feels to have stopped for Reiji holding his breath in anticipation.
"The reason why I chose to be a ninja is…" From Reiji's ears the words come out as slow as a sloth none the less Kazuki continue.
"…That I want to kill the person who caused that fire." His hands tightly holding his sword.
On the other hand Reiji is shocked sense he is not lie.
"Then do you know who caused it?" Reiji ask.
With a smile on his face he says. "Yea! His name is…"
TBC.