In The Academy As Sukuna

Ch 28 - A Vow Forged in Grief

"Sometimes even the best words are not enough; in the depths of despair, a single spark of determination can ignite a relentless fire."

It was a beautiful evening, the sky was painted a pretty orange by the light from the sun setting in the horizon.

A boy was pacing around nervously in the middle of a park, on a pathway which was lined by beautiful flowers on both sides.

Next to him was a vending machine, as well as a bench.

The boy, Johan, kept checking his watch, as if he was waiting for something...for someone.

A figure caught his eye, a person coming towards him. The person was only a shadow, illuminated by the setting sun behind them.

It was a magnificent picture, it was as if a divine being was standing on earth.

Johan froze as he looked at the majestic view, the figure slowly walked, passing him and going to the vending machine, a clink of coins echoing in the air.

(Some time ago...)

(POV: Ryomen Sukuna)

I walked back to my car, the driver was standing outside. Seeing me, he quickly walked and opened the car door.

I sat inside, and the driver closed the door to my side.

He was quite an old man, he had been serving under my parents for many years.

He had a well-styled mustache, which was completely white due to his old age.

One could immediately spot wrinkles on his face. But, his mind was still young. He was fun to talk to, sometimes we even cracked jokes together on long trips.

Suddenly I remembered something.

Taking out my phone from my pocket, I messaged Johan to meet me at a certain vending machine in the Academy.

.

The driver dropped me near the dorms, bowing respectfully before driving away gracefully.

I walked leisurely, in no hurry to reach where Johan was.

As I neared the vending machine, I saw Johan pacing around impatiently.

As soon as he saw me, he stopped walking and stood motionless.

I walked past him. Going towards the vending machine, I pulled out two coins from my pocket.

A cling echoed in the air as I put the coins in. I extended my hand to the buttons, pressing them one by one.

The beeping of the machine was heard as I chose what to drink, which was two cans of coffee.

A low hum resonated from the machine, followed by a THUMP as the cans fell into the slot for picking them up.

I picked up both cans from the slot, one in each hand.

I threw a can to him, which he caught, and sat on a bench next to the machine, motioning him to sit next to me.

I opened the can, the heavenly aroma of coffee entering my nose.

Johan sat next to me, keeping the can on his side.

"So..." I said, my voice carrying curiosity as I took a sip. "What did you want to talk about?"

Johan's fists clenched, his head dropped, as if he had something weighing down on his mind.

I patiently waited for him to start, taking sips from the can occasionally.

"Sukuna..." He began, his voice a light whisper which sounded as if he was hurt. "Do you really feel nothing for Anny?"