Chapter 25 – Bonds and Beginnings
"You're serious?" Sora blinked, mouth halfway open, a rice cracker hanging awkwardly from his lips.
"Completely," Riku replied, arms folded, leaning against the wall in Sora's room. "Something's coming. And we're all a part of it."
Yuki and Ren exchanged glances from the couch.
Airi stood in the corner, silent but present. She knew this part would be the hardest—convincing hearts that only wanted peace to prepare for chaos.
"I thought you were just having weird dreams," Ren muttered, rubbing his temples. "Not dragging us into some… fantasy anime plot."
"I wouldn't drag anyone," Riku said. "But the Bloom already chose us."
Yuki crossed her arms. "The Bloom? Like the mark on your chest? That's real?"
Riku hesitated, then lifted his shirt slightly. The faint red glow shimmered across his skin like living ink.
Ren's jaw dropped.
"Holy— That's… kinda sick," Sora grinned, then froze. "Wait. You're not dying or cursed, right?"
"No," Airi finally spoke, stepping forward. "He's awakening."
She looked at each of them. "And so are all of you."
Sora scratched his head. "Okay, cool. Awakening. Superpowers. Ancient whatever. But uh, do I still have to do my math homework?"
Everyone laughed—even Riku.
It was the kind of laugh that made the tension lift for a moment. The kind that reminded them they were still just teenagers caught in something way too big.
Ren sighed. "If we're in this, we're in this together."
"Agreed," Yuki said, though her brows furrowed with concern. "But if we're going to fight something, we need to understand it."
Airi nodded. "That's why I brought you all here. We begin training tomorrow."
Sora's eyes sparkled. "Training?! Like—secret dojo training? Do we get weapons?"
"You get whatever awakens inside you," Airi smiled. "Each Bloom manifests differently."
"Wait," Yuki asked. "Did you awaken?"
Airi's gaze grew distant. "A long time ago. But my path was… painful."
The room quieted.
Riku stepped forward. "Then let's make sure ours isn't."
They all looked at him—quiet, loyal, steady Riku. Not the loudest. Not the flashiest. But the one who would carry their pain without hesitation.
Sora bumped his fist against Riku's. "Then we're your crew, Captain."
"Captain?" Riku blinked.
"Well, duh," Sora grinned. "You're the Zoro of the group, but you've got Luffy energy today."
Everyone chuckled again, even Airi this time.
Riku smiled faintly.
Maybe this was how it started—not with destiny or prophecy, but with friends, laughter, and a tiny room full of snacks and scattered dreams.
Tomorrow, their world would change.
But tonight… they were just kids. Together.
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