"What were you talking to Claire about yesterday?"
"It was nothing major. She just had a few questions."
The next day—the day of the final battle—Yugo and Ryuga chatted idly as they made their final preparations.
Yugo answered his partner’s question with a casual tone, then gave a long, deep stretch to test his physical condition.
"Right... no problems here."
Claire’s healing magic had completely mended the damage Dogma’s Group had inflicted on his body. Confident that he could fight at full strength, Yugo gave a satisfied nod. Yui called out to him then, her voice trembling slightly.
"Yugo-san... please, look after my brother. And you have to come back—you and Fee both!"
"Of course. Yui-chan, stay here where it’s safe with Skull."
Yui gave a small nod. Her expression was anxious, yet her gaze was filled with a profound trust in both him and her brother. Yugo turned toward his loyal steed, silently entrusting the girl's safety to him. Skull let out a soft neigh and gave a sharp, resolute nod.
"I wish you luck in battle. I will be praying for everyone's safety!"
"Yeah... we’re off."
With a brief word to his sister, Ryuga gripped his katana and stepped out from the cave that had served as their hideout. Yugo followed close behind, and the two began to walk side by side.
"This is going to be a grueling fight," Yugo said. "Likely the hardest one yet."
"Undoubtedly. But we can't afford to lose... can we?"
"No. I promised everyone—and Zenon, too—that we would win and seize our future."
Yugo spoke with a voice heavy with conviction, his mind flashing back to their conversations the night before and their desperate retreat from the academy. They continued their quiet dialogue as they headed toward Luminous Academy, where their friends, Yugo’s younger brother, and the masterminds plotting the world's end awaited.
"Ryuga... thanks for everything. Between you and Zenon, I know I wouldn't have made it this far alone. If you hadn't seen through Dogma’s plan, I’d be done for."
"Don't mention it. I have been saved by you and the others just as often. If you hadn't risked your life to hold back Zaraki, I wouldn't even be standing here. I am simply returning the favor... No, that's not it. As your friend, it was only natural."
Friends helping each other in a crisis—to Ryuga, it was as simple as that. He turned to look at his partner once more.
"As I said, a grueling battle lies ahead, but... 'With you by my side, I don't feel like losing!' That’s how it goes, right?"
"Whoa...!"
Yugo’s eyes went wide in surprise at the sudden declaration. Ryuga seemed a bit embarrassed by his own words, though his expression remained steady.
"...Didn't you tell me before that you wanted me to say things like that? It’s rather awkward when you don't react."
"A-Ah, sorry! You just caught me off guard!"
"Hmph. Is this another of those 'Nichiasa' things you like so much?"
"Yeah! That’s a classic catchphrase from one of my favorite heroes! Actually, there are plenty more... though, come to think of it, you’ve been practicing them unconsciously anyway."
Yugo grinned. The line was perfect, but so was Ryuga’s habit of refusing to answer questions and his tendency to 'shake things off.' He really was the perfect No. 2 hero.
Ryuga let out a faint smile at the sight of his cheerful partner.
"Then you can tell me more about this Nichiasa later. Tell me about your world, and your past... you’ll tell me everything, won't you, partner?"
"Heh... don't ask me questions, partner."
Yugo answered with a smirk, throwing Ryuga’s own habitual phrase back at him.
They continued their pace, relaxing as they discussed their plans for after the battle. But as they walked, a cold, suspicious presence began to thickle through the air.
"So, they've finally shown up. A bit earlier than I expected."
Luminous Academy was still a fair distance away, but it seemed the enemy had prepared a welcoming unit. Unfazed, the two kept walking until a crowd of men with familiar faces stepped out to block their path.
"Heh-heh-heh... we’ve been waiting for you, Yugo! Ryuga!"
"So the welcoming unit is you guys. I had a feeling."
Yugo let out a weary sigh as he stared down the Former Hero Candidates. They were nothing more than bottom-tier villains now, lackeys who had sold themselves to Dogma. Brimming with hostility and naked greed, the group erupted in a frenzy of excitement.
"We can finally slaughter you! Then everything will go exactly as we want!"
"Melt, Anhel, the Warrior Shrine Maidens... every last one of the female characters will be mine! I’ll finally have my harem!"
"We get to settle our grudges, and as a reward for the kill, we get the girls. It couldn't be more perfect!"
"I'm going to do it! I'm really going to do it!"