NOVEL NEXT Chapter 24: Sincerity Kills
(As another day at school starts,Saiki isn't the main character today.)
Kaidou: The Dark Reunion is planning something big… but as the Jet-Black Wings, I won't let them win!
(Yumehara, walking nearby, hears him and sighs. She notices some students pointing at Kaidou and laughing.)
Student 1: Does he really believe all that?
Student 2: He's so weird, but it's funny to watch.
(Yumehara clenches her fists and marches over to Kaidou.)
Yumehara: Kaidou!
(Kaidou looks surprised but quickly recovers, putting on his "cool" face.)
Kaidou: Yumehara, don't worry. I have everything under control. The Dark Reunion won't harm you while I'm here.
Yumehara (rolling her eyes): That's not what I'm talking about. Those people are laughing at you!
Kaidou (grinning): Laughing? No way! They're clearly impressed by my heroic plans.
(Yumehara sighs, pulling him by the arm into an empty classroom.)
Yumehara: Listen, Kaidou. Those people aren't impressed. They're making fun of you!
(Kaidou looks confused for a moment, then shakes his head.)
Kaidou: Impossible. They're just hiding their admiration behind laughter. It's how normal people handle greatness.
(Yumehara stares at him, stunned by his delusion, but also feels bad for him.)
Yumehara: You're too nice to see how mean they are.
(Kaidou, still convinced he's a hero, doesn't take her words seriously.)
Kaidou: Don't worry about me, Yumehara. I'm used to being misunderstood. It's part of being a true hero.
(Yumehara crosses her arms, frustrated.)
Yumehara: I hate how people take advantage of you. You don't deserve that.
(Kaidou, oblivious, smiles at her.)
Kaidou: Wow, Yumehara. You really care about me, huh? Don't worry, I'll protect you too!
(Yumehara blushes slightly but quickly hides it.)
Yumehara: Just… don't let people walk all over you, okay?
(Kaidou gives her a thumbs-up, completely missing her point.)
Kaidou: Got it! The Jet-Black Wings always stand strong!
(Yumehara sighs but can't help smiling a little. Even if he's clueless, she admires how genuine he is. Meanwhile, Kaidou walks out of the classroom, ready to face the "Dark Reunion," while Yumehara watches, feeling both annoyed and amused.)
Yumehara (to herself): He's such an idiot… but I guess that's why I like that fool.
(And with that, the strange duo continues their day, with Yumehara silently defending Kaidou from the shadows and Kaidou unknowingly thinking he's saving the world.)