CHAPTER 2: RAIN, COFFEE, BLACK X

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...Character Encounter: Akira Izumi, Denzuka Kirin, Zedd Harake, Shaun Sazaki, Brixton Uhera...

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The rain had started to pour heavily outside. After

finishing their final class early, Akira and Denzuka decided to stop by the campus canteen to wait it out. The scent of warm pastries and coffee beans filled the air, wrapping them in comfort from the storm.

They ordered drinks—black coffee for Akira, hot milk for Denzuka—and took a cozy seat by the large glass wall. Rain droplets trailed down the window as students hurried by with umbrellas outside.

Akira took a slow sip of his drink.

“Mmm… this coffee's actually really good.”

Denzuka nodded enthusiastically after sipping his milk.

“Mine too. So creamy—I love it!”

They were deep in light conversation when they noticed a shift in the atmosphere. Students at nearby tables were beginning to clear out, quietly picking up their things and moving away.

Before either of them could question it, a low voice cut through their conversation.

“Well, you two look cozy.”

Akira’s head snapped up. His eyes widened.

Denzuka, on the other hand, looked starstruck.

“Y-Yes,” Akira replied cautiously.

“Of course!” Denzuka beamed.

Zedd stood before them, hands in his pockets, his presence almost too large for the space. His voice was deep, calm—and sharp like a blade hidden under silk.

“Mind if I sit?”

His tone wasn’t a question. It was a statement cloaked in politeness.

Denzuka leaned forward eagerly. “Y-Yes! I mean—sure! It’s just us here, so… feel free.”

Akira glared at his best friend, silently screaming, What are you doing?! But Denzuka ignored him completely, too thrilled by the encounter.

Zedd sat down with an air of casual dominance. A moment later, two others approached.

“Z—” one of them began.

“Shaun. Coffee,” Zedd said flatly.

Without argument, Shaun Sazaki nodded and turned back toward the counter.

Brixton Uhera, leaning on the side of the table, scanned Akira and Denzuka with thinly veiled irritation.

“New recruits or something?” he asked.

Zedd gave a lazy smirk. “No. Just sharing space.”

Akira and Denzuka stayed quiet, not daring to chime in.

Brixton’s tone sharpened. “Then why are they at 'our' table?”

The words hit like a slap. Akira’s face drained of color.

“Ah! We—we’re sorry,” Akira blurted, standing so quickly he nearly spilled his drink. “We didn’t know this was your spot.”

He bowed politely, nervously grabbing his bag.

“It’s fine. Relax—” Zedd began.

“Gomen!” Akira cut him off with another quick bow, grabbing Denzuka’s wrist.

“Let’s go, Denzuo.”

“W-Wait—!”

But Akira had already dragged them both out of the cafeteria.

Back at the table, Shaun returned and placed a cup of coffee in front of Zedd.

“What was that? They bolted,” Shaun said.

“Forget it,” Zedd replied.

“You looked disappointed. I figured you were sizing them up for recruitment.”

“Brixton scared them off.”

“Me?!” Brixton snapped. “All I did was ask why they were here!”

Shaun sighed. “Still, you do come off… intense.”

“Excuse me? If anyone’s scary, it’s Zedd. That deadpan face of his is enough to paralyze a room.”

Shaun smirked, sipping his drink. “Confident today, aren’t we?”

Brixton rolled his eyes. “Seriously though, why would we even want those soft-looking kids? They’d fold under pressure. Total deadweight.”

“We already have a full roster anyway. They wouldn’t last a day,” Shaun added.

“Shut it,” Zedd muttered.

Both fell silent immediately.

“I’m not scouting. I don’t invite strangers into Black X. Especially not ones that flinch over a seat.”

“Understood,” Shaun said quietly.

Brixton leaned back. “Still… they think we’re that scary? Come on. I mean—Zedd’s handsome. Intimidating, sure, but someone out there’s got to like that brooding face of yours.”

Shaun smirked again as he took another sip.

“Funny,” Zedd said, deadpan.

They leaned back in their seats as the rain continued outside, unaware that this brief encounter had already planted the seed of curiosity—and maybe something more—in two second-years.

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