Chapter 1: A Quiet Morning, A Quiet Conversation

"It's finally quiet..."

Ink muttered at the window. In front of his eyes, the sunlight was softly shining in, casting white shadows in the corridor of the old school building.

Camael nodded silently, and Ghost stood there with a slightly nervous look on his face.

Then, NO2 (Reich) appeared. He walked slowly, but with a firm will.

"...Hey, you guys. Will you join me for a bit?"

The three of them quietly nodded at his voice.

"What I'm going to talk about now is... about the past. About me and Chronicle. No, about 'us'."

Chapter 2: Between Affection and Destruction

"Chronicle... used to love me deeply."

NO2 spoke quietly, with eyes that seemed to be looking into the distance.

"He always responded to my posts, and no matter what I said, he would smile and follow me. ... He was my account's 'minion.'"

Ink and Ghost listened in silence. Kamael's expression also clouded slightly.

"But one day, he changed. Without saying anything to me, he suddenly sent me an anti-comment. He said, 'You should disappear.' ..."

NO2 clenched his fist.

"And he tried to take over my account. I didn't want to believe that he was working behind the scenes."

Silence. Anguish, anger, and deep sadness enveloped the place.

Chapter 3: Light in the Darkness

"At that time... I was in darkness. I couldn't believe anything."

Ghost called out.

"... Mr. Reich..."

"No, it's okay. I'll continue."

NO2 smiled faintly. "Then Ares came. He said to me, 'You may no longer be able to trust anyone. But there are still people who believe in your words.'"

Ink nodded deeply.

"Ares... you saved me, didn't you?"

"That's right. At that time, I finally recovered. And then... I decided to face Chronicle once again."

Chapter 4: Reunion and Confrontation

Chronicle was waiting behind the old school building, a place where no one comes.

His eyes were filled with impatience and irritation.

"I didn't think you'd come, No. 2."

"Yes, I'm here. I came to talk to you."

Chronicle laughed. It was a cold, dry laugh.

"Reconstitute? What now... Do you think the betrayed one is going to forgive me?"

"It's not to forgive. -- To face each other."

At those words, Chronicle's expression wavered.

Chapter 5: A broken heart and a rekindled light

"I... believed in you."

No2 spoke directly.

"But you betrayed me. You trampled on my words, targeted my account, and left anti-comments..."

"...No! I did too...!"

Chronicle shouted.

"I wanted to be recognized too! I got tired of being called a 'underling' and being behind you...but...but I really wanted you...!"

That shout came from the depths of his cracked soul.

"I've been watching your back for a long time...but I can't reach you. That's why I wanted to destroy you. Everything about you...!"

Ghost muttered softly.

"But even so, Reich...didn't abandon you."

Ink spoke.

"Reich never said he forgave you. He just...wanted to face you."

Chronicle knelt on the spot. He covered his face with both hands and cried silently.

Chapter 6: The Choice of Rebirth

NO2 gently reached out his hand to his back.

"I... want to believe in you again. No matter what happens, I want to face forward together with you."

Chronicle slowly raised his head.

"... I don't have the qualifications..."

"I don't need qualifications. What's needed is... from now on."

In the silence, the wind blew. The sun shone in, casting a faint light on the back of the old school building.

Chapter 7: Beyond the Shadow of Sorrow

A few days later. Chronicle was spending time with Ink, Ghost, and Kamael.

The past cannot be erased. But he was still looking forward.

"... NO2."

Chronicle called out softly.

"Thank you. I'll try to live again."

"That's fine. This is the beginning of your life."

No one acknowledges me--I no longer need those words.

The one who once betrayed someone now supports someone.

And so, little by little, people are reborn.

Chapter 8: And to a new light

The sky was clear, and all the Yatagarasu comrades were gathered together.

Reich muttered, gazing into the distance.

"I'll leave all the betrayal and hatred in the past... Now I'll live in the light."

Chronicle smiled.

"Can I become No. 2's subordinate again?"

"Don't mess with me... we're equals. This time, as family."

The sky was filled with a gentle light.

It was the light of rebirth that only fell on those who had cut off their sorrow.