A Vengeful Retribution

Chapter 29: Defeat

3rd POV

The classroom was alive with chatter and excitement, maps of Kyoto spread out over desks as Class 1-1 buzzed with ideas. From historical sites like Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama to street food spots and souvenir markets, everyone had something to add.

"Let's make a vote later!" someone called.
"We need a balance between sightseeing and food!" another added.

Yap Haruto sat in his usual seat, chin resting on one hand, his other tapping a pen against his notebook, only half-listening. His mind wasn't on temples or kimonos. It was still on the H.A.R.P. documents. On that file.

Asset-Class XRA. Duality. Suppression.

He sighed softly, letting his gaze wander across his classmates. They were smiling, planning, arguing over takoyaki stalls and hotel curfews. Normal. Human. Predictable.

Meanwhile, he was thinking about how many non-human forces might be watching him.

"I'm the Academy's bogeyman." He muttered inwardly, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Sure. Nothing too surprising there. But it's... a good baseline, shall I say. Still confined. Measured. Contained within the walls of this school."

His hand unconsciously brushed the edge of his desk.

"If the world catches on... If every agency, every underground cell, every goddamn forgotten project like XRA decides I'm too dangerous to live..."

His breath slowed.

"Then it won't be just Arclight's assassins that'll come after me."

And then, as if summoned by his very thoughts, SoVR—the deeper, more sentient echo of his former IS, now fully Yalter-bound—spoke in his mind.

"Correct. You are a beacon. A living experiment. They will come for you—not out of fear, but curiosity. Greed. Control. You are an anomaly they cannot quantify."

"And when they realize that neither suppression nor research can contain you...they'll resort to elimination."

Yap bit his lower lip slightly, grounding himself.

"Then let them come." he answered mentally, not with bravado, but quiet resignation. "I've danced with death before. All they're doing is buying a ticket to the same show."

SoVR's voice, deep and strangely amused, rumbled one last time for now.

"Just don't forget, puppet...
You are still dancing with me."

A chill ran down his spine, but outwardly, Yap said nothing.

"Hey, Haruto, you okay?" Charlotte asked, turning slightly toward him from across the table. "You've been spacing out more than usual."

He blinked, offering a small, polite smile. "Mmh. Just trying to picture which street stall has the best mochi."

She squinted at him. "You're such a bad liar."

He shrugged. "I try."

The morning of the Kyoto trip arrived in a flurry of half-packed bags, last-minute checks, and sleepy yawns drowned out by growing excitement. Students buzzed around the departure platform in their casual wear—hoodies, jackets, and backpacks slung with snacks and essentials.

Amid the crowd, Yap Haruto approached Ichika Orimura, handing him a compact but high-end digital camera with a teasing glint in his eye and a smile that, if anyone had looked close enough, didn't quite reach his eyes.