We all start heading toward the big gate at the other side. Takashi deactivates his technique. He seems very angry. Minato talks to him: “Heyyyy, Takashi, calm down a bit.” “SHUT UP! And you, the idiot who beat the Scourge, you just got lucky that's all!” “Ummm… okay dude, but I think you did pretty good.” “Are you trying to butter me up, you fool!” I give up and just look straight and keep walking. A bus arrives, and we all get on. Me and Kuro sit in the back. “That was more difficult than I thought it would’ve been.” Kuro sighs: “That's how it is in this world. You either learn to get used to the surprises and survive, or you die.” “So like Sensei Haru, the strongest, had to learn that too.” “Yes, but he isn’t the only one cursed with power and knowledge.” “Cursed? Isn’t that a blessing?” “No. See, the ones with power in this world are not treated like humans, they are treated like weapons, tools. Just to be thrown away when they are no longer useful.” “Damn, this world is cruel.” “Not just this world. I bet every world probably has people like these.” “Every world? There are more worlds?” “Well, I think so, because we can’t be the only ones. Think about it, space is already massive, and it’s always stretching, and this planet came from somewhere, right? It wasn’t always just there. Our planet, in fact, was just cosmic trash at first, but over time it became habitable, so what stops that from happening to another piece of cosmic waste? I’m not saying that it has to be just like us, it can be different too.” “Woah, I didn’t know you were a scientist too.” He laughs. We finally reach the school podium. “ALRIIIIGHT, ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR MEDALS?” No one really says anything. “GREAT! ALRIGHT, FIRST PLACE, DRUM ROLL PLEASE! IT’S REN AND KUROOOOOOO!” We both look at each other and smile, then go and get on the podium. “NEXT, SECOND PLACE GOES TO TAKASHI AND MINATO!” Takashi doesn’t even look happy, he just goes and stands there. “THIRD PLACE GOES TO, RIN AND MEI! LETS GO, GIIIRLS!” Me and Kuro got a gold medal, Takashi and Minato got silver, and Rin and Mei got a bronze medal. I ask the host Mio: “I thought you said the top three get a gold medal.” She looks embarrassed. “Um….. It was an accident, guys.” Takashi says: “What's wrong? Why aren’t you yelling anymore? You failed at your job. Such a disappointment.”
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