July, in the middle of summer vacation.

It was hot almost every day, otherwise the whole day it was torrential rain and occasional thunder and lightning.

Kiyo is not afraid of thunder, but both Ryota and Sunny are. Every time there was a "BOOM" sound outside, the two of them ducked into a corner of the room, groaning loudly.

"What's wrong? It's just thunder, it won't hit you." - As always, Kiyo asked that question.

"Neither.. neither of us like the noise, okay?... Besides, just imagine... its flash of lightning seemed to tear through the sky, and it was as if lightning were striking somehow intensely...." - Sunny still can describe thunder.

"..I see." - Kiyo understood how both of them had a past, so he didn't say anything more.

Every time there is thunder, there will be a conversation like that until the two get used to it. During July.

But what they don't know is... Kiyo won't be able to stay with them often anymore.

The thugs in the assassin camp found his whereabouts and caught him right away when he was going to buy potato cakes.

The biggest guy dragged him to a dead end, threw him to the ground, and said:

"This brat is clever, dared to kill his boss and run away for nearly three years!"

"We should kill him!" - Smaller person joined in.

"No, I heard about this guy's performance the other day, hit him a few times and don't let him escape."

Kiyo tried to stay calm, but inside he was still very scared.

"Rest assured kid, there aren't as many kills here as in Machi."

Then he let his accomplices violently abuse Kiyo, who also had to fight back and tried to run out.

One of them tried to get up:

"This guy is really tough, keep him here."

The big guy turned around and blocked Kiyo's way:

"Where are you going, kid?"

Then kicked him against the wall, making him groan because the kick was so strong.

"Remember to come here tomorrow so we can train you again, I'll make it worse. Let's send you home for the time being. Every Saturday at midnight, remember!"

Finally, he left. The person that just hit him laughed and said:

"You killed your boss when you were in eighth grade, huh? Well, maybe he was too lenient with you. I tell you, the assassin training camp at Chushin is one of the most brutal and harsh, it's a blessing if you're still alive. Are you sixteen years old this year? You look good too!"

Kiyo ignored what he said. Sounds like a punch in the ear.

"I also heard that you go to Ikusaba school, I have an acquaintance there, what title do you have?"

At this point, he got angry and punched the guy in the face, then got up and left.

Far away from that dead end, Kiyo pulled out twenty-five CVD bills. For some reason, suddenly something welled up inside him, grabbed the money, sat down, and cried.

He cried because of anger, because of the dishonest people and no way out. There are camps in every province, some of which  linked together, such as the one in Machi and this city.

Kiyo expected this, but found it difficult to accept the fact that he had to take someone's life.

If Sunny, Ryota, and our whole class knew, what would they think? Especially that bad-mouthed Angie... Those cruel pieces of shit, why are they pushing yourself and innocent orphans into this hell? What did they do wrong? What did I do wrong to be dragged into that place twice? Cosmic Vietnam... did he ever pay attention to this problem?!

I can't let anyone know about this.. Never..

Thinking like that, he started pulling his hair, resting his head on the wall and wiping away his tears, trying to regain his composure.

At this point, his mind was empty, unable to think of anything.

Strange voices whispered in his head again, reproaching him with the harshest words.

Kiyo immediately realized that it was the voices of the people he had killed.

Shut the fuck up!!

Without tears, exhausted, and irritable, he stood up and took the money to buy a cake for Sunny.

When he got home, Sunny rushed to the gate:

"Kiyo, you're back! Oh my god, why are you so injured? Fighting with someone again?"

Kiyo said nothing, lounging, taking off his slippers and entering the room.

"Let me get the medicine and cotton for you!" - Sunny ran to find the medicine box.

Ryota, seeing Kiyo in such a tattered form, was also startled, asking the same question as before, but he still refused to answer.

Sunny returned with the first-aid box, applied for medicine, and bandaged his friend.

Witnessing the concern of his loved ones, his earlier thoughts came back, his eyes were red as if he wanted to cry.

"Kiyo, is something wrong? Tell us."

"It's okay, don't worry about me. Potato cake.. I left it in the living room, take it out and eat it." - He shook his head.

Sunny was about to ask more but stopped because he knew it would hurt Kiyo more. Instead, he hugged his grieving friend. Ryota saw that, so he did as well.

This situation might lead closer to the time
when I have to tell the truth, but... Will they accept a murderer like me? Normally, no one would ignore it, and take extra precautions. Both Sunny and Ryota are probably the same, there will be a chance they will sympathize, but there will still be cases where they will be skeptical...

Well, I will think about it... I'm gonna just hide it for now..

Kiyo motioned for both of them to let go of their hands and let him share the cake.

So since then, every Saturday at midnight, he would sneak out, and only come back at three o'clock in the morning.

The early days they smithed were terrible, even more so in Machi. The pain was much worse, every time he went home, the medicine wears off and he had to wear long clothes.

Seeing that, Ryota wondered:

"Why are you wearing long clothes these days? It's summer."

"I like that."

But then he had to get used to it like before.

The hardest part was that he had to carry a gun and carry a knife on real people. Many times he wanted to throw them away and smash them, but if he did, they would pound him a few more times, and he would probably die from it.

***

In August, all Ikusaba students receive new books.

The school also renovated the flower garden, farm, and computer and provided some new equipment in the rooms: Entomology, Agriculture, Construction - Mechanical, Artificial Textile Factory, Music, and Drama, mostly for new underclassmen.

It's about the Main Course, and the Preparatory Course is just like normal schools, with nothing outstanding except serving in the military.

Returning to the situation of Kiyo's class, everyone gathered together at... Mattia's farm.

As always, they had to see if he was in the tree, or else they had to call.

Suddenly, everyone saw Mattia jump out of the barn, swing on the nearest tree, and land smoothly.

Tomoyo was stunned.

"Damn, you're so fast, no one noticed."

"Thanks. What did the class come here for?"

"Well, with the new school year coming up, we wanted to talk about... the situation of each person in the class."

Mattia took off his hat:

"Where's Miss Charlotte?"

"She's training.."

"..Ok, so we want to talk about each person's income, health, or something?"

"Something like that. Can we come in? Are you feeling better?"

"Thanks, I'm fine. Come in." - He opened the gate.

Waiting for everyone to sit down, Tomoyo began to speak:

"As we all know, we'll be 11th graders here, and have been together for more than a year, now you guys have something to say, let's do it. Angie, pay attention to your words."

"Hmph, how unnecessary. I know." - Angie looked away, irritated.

Sunny spoke up:

"I have an opinion. Among us, some things will be difficult to explain all at once, and I'm sure many here do too. So you try to ask open-ended questions so that they would be comfortable?"

"Hmm, but how?"

"You should pay attention to what we have in common. Like Genjitsu, for example, he carries a scarab. Without fire, how can there be smoke?"

"No, Sunny, let them speak for themselves." - Kanryo countered. "What if asking that makes them remember something painful?"

Sunny kept quiet as if he was thinking about something.

"Makes sense..."

So he rejected the idea.

From there, each person gradually opened up about their story.

Kiyo only said half of it and didn't mention him being an assassin.

We have already known the story of Genjitsu, Mattia, Sunny, and Angie.

Kanryo said that he was born in this city, the firstborn in a family of famous flower artisans. His life was quite peaceful, except for when he was love rejected twice in middle school.

Junko also only talks about her career, because her background is too ordinary.

Nam and Kaori refused to talk about their affairs.

"What's the matter?" - Tomoyo asked surprised.

"The topic is quite sensitive.. So I don't want to talk about it here.." - Kaori said sullenly.

"I don't even remember where I came from." - Nam replied.

"How can you forget where you come from?" - Genjitsu also wondered.

"I don't know.. My longest memory is when I was in sixth grade.. I woke up in the hospital, there was no one around the room.."

"And then what? Do you remember who you were then?"

"I forgot it completely. People.. the doctor, to be exact, call me Nam, read the whole date of birth, and then say that the whole family is gone. I don't know if they're right..."

At this point, everyone felt sorry for him and sighed, Angie didn't show any expressions.

Did he have an accident? Kiyo wondered.

"After that, I stayed in the hospital for a year and a half, was taught all the knowledge from the first grade to that year, then sent me to go to middle school, then came here until the ninth grade. What else.. I've been so focused on the work that I've forgotten."

"Hmm, then why do you like graphic design?"

"Let's see... I think it's because I like cartoons and I'm a big fan of computer artists on the internet.."

"If you're forgetful like that, you should get some rest. Go out to exercise, get some fresh air, or hang out with us. I told you a few times, didn't I?" - Junko said.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Well then, take care of your health." - Tomoyo summed up.

Followed by discussions about class plans, electing someone to be the vice-class (albeit quite late) followed by funny stories, or lying on the grass.

In the end, they all left, feeling happy in their hearts. Tomoyo stayed behind, waiting for Neon to leave the classroom.

When he saw him come out, Tomoyo ran over:

"Neon!"

"Oh- Tomoyo! That early? Damn, I shouldn't have stayed so long, sorry." - He scratched his head.

"It's okay, I don't have any plans with you. Sit down." - Tomoyo pulled his hand down.

"A-" - Neon involuntarily blushed.

"Let's take a break from piano practice today. Play again tomorrow. Anyway... I want to sit alone with you like this one day.." - Tomoyo embarrassed.

The two of them didn't dare to look at each other.

I feel so awkward... We haven't met for a while anyway... Neon thought.

Gathering up his courage, Neon spoke up:

"Excuse me.."

"What?"

"I went into the music room one day... and I saw this paper.."

Neon handed Tomoyo that piece of paper - her school invitation and basic personal information.

"Oh god, when did I forget that?"

"And I saw your birthday up there, March 26, so.."

Neon rummaged in his pocket for a rice cake and gave it to her:

"Extremely late birthday present. I wish I'd known sooner..."

Tomoyo was surprised, but then happily accepted the gift:

"You can wait until next March, but thank you."

"How can I wait... Missed your birthday a long time ago."

"But hey, you gave a present before."

Neon startled:

"What??"

"It's not about the material things, it's about your interest in our friendship for a year now. Tell me the truth, did you spend the whole summer looking for my address, just to see me?" - There, Tomoyo giggled.

"Ah, how do you know?" - Neon blushed.

"Just kidding, but the most precious birthday present is when you're here, and my classmates too. I consider you guys like family, I don't have any parents or brothers, only take the piano as a friend. Now that there is both human warmth and piano, isn't it fun?"

Her thoughts were simple, but also for Neon to ponder. Those words were enough to make him feel that he wasn't worthless to Tomoyo, but he still wished he had at least one talent, just to match Tomoyo and everyone in her class.

Neon breathed a sigh of relief, placing his hand on the other.

"You're right..."