Wizard x MHA Chapter 8

Yuto canceled his transformation, the armor and wizard-like appearance fading away to reveal his casual attire. He knelt down to Ryu's eye level, offering the young boy a reassuring smile.

"It's alright, you're safe now," Yuto said in a gentle tone. "My name is Yuto, and this is my student, Izuku."

Izuku stepped forward, giving Ryu a friendly wave. "Hi there, I'm Izuku. It's nice to meet you."

Ryu looked up at the two older boys, his earlier fear slowly dissipating. "I-I'm Ryu," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yuto explained to Ryu in a serious tone, "The Phantom that attacked you is still out there. It's after you because you have a special power that it wants to take. You need to get home as soon as possible, where you'll be safe."

Ryu's eyes widened with fear, and he glanced around nervously, as if the Phantom might appear at any moment. Yuto placed a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'll escort you home to make sure you get there safely," Yuto said.

Ryu, however, does not want to go home yet. He still has to go to the shrine. Izuku gently says to Ryu that he should go home. Izuku guessed Ryu's parents must be worried, and it is not safe. Ryu, however, was adamant.

"But I have to go to the shrine," Ryu insisted, his brow furrowed with determination. "I made a promise to meet my friend there. I can't break it."

Yuto exchanged a concerned glance with Izuku. "Ryu-kun, I understand you have a promise to keep, but it's not safe for you to be out here right now," Yuto explained calmly. "That Phantom is still lurking, and we need to get you somewhere secure."

Ryu's lower lip trembled, and he looked down at the ground.

Yuto asked gently, "Why do you need to go to the shrine, Ryu-kun?"

Ryu looked up at Yuto, his eyes resolute. "Because I made a promise," he replied simply.

Yuto could see the unwavering determination in the young boy's expression. He exchanged another glance with Izuku, then turned back to Ryu.

"Alright, Ryu-kun," Yuto said. "I'll take you to the shrine, but we need to be very careful, okay? That Phantom is still out there, and your safety is my top priority."

Ryu nodded, his face brightening with relief. Yuto placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and guided him towards the shrine, Izuku walking alongside them. They moved cautiously, Yuto keeping a vigilant eye out for any signs of the mischievous Phantom.

As they approached the shrine, Ryu's pace quickened, his eyes scanning the familiar surroundings. Yuto followed closely, ready to intervene if any danger presented itself.

Ryu hurried ahead, his small feet pattering against the worn stone path as he entered the serene shrine grounds. Yuto and Izuku followed closely.

As they rounded the corner, a massive, ancient tree came into view, its gnarled roots snaking across the ground. Without hesitation, Ryu made his way to the base of the tree and sat down, cross-legged, on the exposed roots.

Yuto and Izuku exchanged a puzzled glance, but they moved to join the young boy, settling down beside him. The shade of the towering tree provided a sense of tranquility, and the three sat in silence for a moment, the only sounds being the rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Yuto turned to Ryu, his brow furrowed with concern. "Ryu-kun, do you come to this tree often?" he asked gently.

Ryu nodded, his gaze fixed on the ancient trunk before them. "Every day," he replied, his voice soft but resolute.

Yuto exchanged a glance with Izuku, then looked back to the young boy. "Why do you come here every day, Ryu-kun?" he asked.

Ryu's fingers traced the grooves in the weathered bark as he spoke. "I'm waiting for my friend," he said, his eyes shining with determination. "We made a promise to meet here, and I can't break it."

Ryu's fingers grasped the locket around his neck as he continued, "My friend moved away two years ago, but we promised to meet here again." He opened the locket, revealing it to be empty. "We were going to unlock this together when we met."

Yuto listened intently, his heart aching for the young boy's unwavering loyalty. "I see. That's a very special promise you made with your friend."

Izuku remained silent, his eyes filled with empathy as he watched Ryu's wistful expression.

"I come here every day, waiting for him," Ryu said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I can't give up. I know he'll come back."

Yuto placed a gentle hand on Ryu's shoulder. "I admire your dedication, Ryu-kun. Keeping a promise is a noble thing."

Ryu smiled brightly, his eyes shining with hope. "I know he'll come back. We made a promise, and I won't give up on it," he said with unwavering determination.

Hours passed, and Yuto and Izuku kept Ryu company, sitting with him beneath the ancient tree. They chatted about Ryu's friend and the special locket they shared, listening intently as the young boy recounted the memories of their time together.

As the sky began to darken, Yuto gently placed a hand on Ryu's shoulder. "It's getting late, Ryu-kun. We should get you home before it gets too dark."

Ryu looked up at Yuto, a hint of disappointment in his expression, but he nodded in understanding. "Okay," he replied softly.

Yuto and Izuku stood up, and Yuto offered his hand to Ryu, helping the young boy to his feet. They made their way out of the shrine, Ryu walking between the two older boys.

"Thank you, Yuto-san, Izuku-san," Ryu said, his voice filled with gratitude. "For saving me and for keeping me company."

Yuto smiled warmly. "It was our pleasure, Ryu-kun. We're just glad we could be here for you."

Izuku nodded in agreement, offering Ryu an encouraging smile. "We'll be here if you need us, Ryu-kun."

Yuto and Izuku took Ryu home and said goodbye. As they watched the young boy disappear into his house, Yuto turned to Izuku.

"That was quite an eventful day, wasn't it?" he said, a small smile playing on his lips.

Izuku nodded, his brow furrowed with concern. "I'm glad we were able to protect Ryu-kun from that Phantom. But I can't help but worry about what might happen next."

Yuto placed a reassuring hand on Izuku's shoulder. "I know, but for now, let's take a moment to catch our breath."

The two made their way to a nearby bench and Yuto approached the vending machine, retrieving a couple of drinks. He handed one to Izuku and sat down beside him, taking a sip of his own beverage.

Izuku accepted the drink gratefully, the cool liquid refreshing after the day's events. He took a few thoughtful sips, his gaze fixed on the can in his hands.

Izuku turned to Yuto, his brow furrowed with concern. "What should we do next? That Phantom is still out there, and Ryu-kun is in danger."

Yuto took a sip of his drink, his expression thoughtful. "I'll keep an eye on Ryu-kun tomorrow, and you can join me after school," he said. "We need to make sure he stays safe."

Izuku nodded, relieved by Yuto's plan. "Okay, I'll join you as soon as I can."

Yuto then says, "And also, Ryu's locket is the key to his connection with his friend. We need to protect it at all costs."

Izuku's brow furrows as he asks, "Why is the locket so important?"

Yuto sets down his drink and turns to face Izuku directly. "Do you remember the significance of the locket, Izuku?"

Izuku nods slowly. "Yes, Ryu said he and his friend were going to unlock it together when they met again."

"Exactly," Yuto says, his voice grave. "That locket represents the promise they made to each other. If it were to be lost or destroyed, it could push Ryu into despair."

Izuku's eyes widen with understanding. "And if he falls into despair, a Phantom could be born from him."

Yuto places a hand on Izuku's shoulder. "That's right. We have to make sure Ryu's hope and the bond he shares with his friend remain intact."

Izuku, with determination, says "Yes, Sensei!" They both said goodbye and went home to prepare for the next day.

Izuku returned to his apartment, his mind racing with the events of the day. He knew that protecting Ryu and his precious locket would be of utmost importance. Grabbing a notebook, Izuku began jotting down potential strategies and contingency plans, determined to be fully prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Yuto made his way home, his thoughts focused on ensuring Ryu's safety. He would need to coordinate with Izuku and keep a watchful eye on the young boy tomorrow. Yuto couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility to safeguard Ryu's hope and the bond he shared with his friend.