Season 2 - Chapter 1

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The school bell rang.

Students poured through the corridors, talking loudly as they rushed toward their classrooms.

Among them walked Kazama.

His school bag rested neatly over one shoulder.

His uniform was perfectly arranged.

His expression was calm.

"Hey, Kazama!"

He turned.

A boy from his class waved at him.

"You coming to the library after school?"

"Maybe. I have some homework."

"You're always doing homework."

Kazama smiled.

"Someone has to."

His friend laughed.

"You haven't changed."

Kazama raised an eyebrow.

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"Definitely."

They continued walking together.

It was an ordinary morning.

Nothing special.

Nothing unusual.

And yet...

there was a time when ordinary mornings had looked completely different.

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During lunch, Kazama sat beneath a tree with his friends.

They talked about school.

Sports.

Music.

Weekend plans.

Kazama listened more than he spoke.

Every now and then, he laughed.

Australia had stopped feeling like a foreign country a long time ago.

It was home now.

He knew the streets.

The shops.

The school.

The people.

He knew where to get his favorite snacks after class.

He knew which bus arrived late.

He even knew which teacher would notice if someone forgot their homework.

Years ago, everything had felt unfamiliar.

Now...

he couldn't imagine waking up anywhere else.

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After school, Kazama walked home.

The afternoon sun stretched long shadows across the pavement.

He stopped at a small shop.

"One, please."

He bought a snack and stepped outside.

For some reason, the packaging reminded him of something.

A childhood afternoon.

A playground.

Five children sitting beneath a tree.

A boy making everyone laugh.

Kazama smiled faintly.

"...Shinchan."

The name slipped out before he realized it.

He paused.

Then continued walking.

It had been years.

Life had moved on.

So had he.

-------------------

At home, Kazama's mother was preparing dinner.

"You're home."

"Yeah."

"How was school?"

"Fine."

She smiled.

"Your father will be home late tonight."

Kazama nodded.

"Again?"

"He has an important meeting."

Kazama sighed.

"He's been busy lately."

His mother glanced at him.

"He's been working hard."

"I know."

Kazama placed his bag down.

"I'm going to finish my homework."

"Don't stay up too late."

"I won't."

He walked toward his room.

Before closing the door, he glanced at the small shelf beside his desk.

There was an old box tucked behind his books.

He hesitated.

Then pulled it out.

Inside...

the past was still waiting.

The old purikura strip.

The faded photograph.

And the little friendship badge.

Kazama picked up the badge.

His thumb brushed over its worn edges.

For a moment, he remembered a small hand holding his.

A promise.

You'll come back.

He smiled quietly.

"I haven't forgotten."

He placed the badge back inside.

Then closed the box.

Outside his window, the evening sky slowly darkened.

Kazama returned to his homework.

Another ordinary day.

Another ordinary life.

He had no idea...

that the life he had built so far was about to change.

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TBC...⭐

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