Chapter II: The Test

On the morning when Inori transferred into Shu's class, Shu suspected Gai put her up to it to monitor him. Shu's classmates were more than thrilled to have a famous singer in their class.

"Wow, we have an online idol sensation in our class! But, not just any idol!" Souta went up to Inori and tried talking smoothly with her. "Say, can I say I'm your biggest fan, Inori?"

Inori nodded. "I don't know. Are you?"

"Excuse me, Souta! You're creeping out our newest classmate!" Kanon interjected, cutting him off from interacting with Inori. "Please excuse him, Miss Inori. He can't help himself. Ask me if you need me to put him in his place."

"Hey, Inori. What made you decide to come to our school?" Hare queried.

"Well, I…" As Inori tried to explain herself, Shu interjected on her behalf.

"Let's give Inori some space, ok? This is her first day after all," Shu suggested.

"Good idea. We don't want to scare our new classmate. Let's take this slow," Yahiro concurred.

Inori smiled and sat down next to Shu. She leaned over and whispered to him.

"Just act naturally, Shu."

"Ok, but I'm going to have a talk with Gai about this."

"By the way, I have a surprise for you after school."

"A surprise for me?"

Souta glanced over and noticed their murmuring. "Huh? Do you two know each other?"

"So, Inori. How about I introduce you to my classmates?" Shu chuckled, feigning ignorance. "Your so-called biggest fan is my best friend Tamadate Souta."

"Sorry about that. I hope we're cool, Inori" Souta sheepishly replied.

"The two girls over here are Menjou Hare and Kusama Kanon. The other guy is Samukawa Yahiro," Shu introduced Inori to the others.

"It's nice to meet you, Inori," Hare kindly greeted her.

"Hey, aren't you gonna introduce us to the internet singer, Shu?!" Akiko hollered over as she and Heath approached Shu and Inori.

"Oh yeah, these two are Heath and Akiko Jones. They're new students, too."

Inori bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

Heath nodded. "It's a small world having the internet idol in our class. My sister and I are big Egoist fans."

"Hell yeah! We love Egoist! I know all the songs and lyrics to each of them!" Akiko openly boasted her devotion to the aforementioned band and its lead singer. Hearing this intrigued Inori, who opened herself up to conversations with Shu's friends.

"Hey, Shu, why don't we show Inori around after school?" Hare queried.

"Sure we could do that," Shu replied.

"Mind if we join you? Besides, it's customary that the last new students give a school tour for our newest ones," Akiko offered.

"Wait, is that something we do?" Heath wondered.

"Yeah, didn't you read the Tennouzu High student handbook?" Akiko chuckled, blowing a strawberry at her brother and giving him a wink.

As the conversations continued, Yahiro and Souta keenly noticed Shu being more engaged in a conversation. Before he would often only talk when someone approached him. As soon as Heath, Akiko, and now Inori joined the class, Shu became an open book and spoke to his other friends. They noticed whenever someone asks where Inori came from, Shu would try and change the subject.

Yahiro muttered under his breath. "I don't know what's changed about you, Shu, but it's very peculiar."

"What's that, Yahiro?" Hare asked him.

"It's nothing, Hare."

"So, why join this school, Inori?" Souta asked her.

"I suppose for a change in scenery," the pink-haired Egoist singer vaguely answered, referring to being let out of Funeral Parlor's headquarters without referencing it.

"Hey, I totally get ya, Inori. Sometimes you just gotta move," Souta said.

As he watched Inori talking with his classmates, Shu genuinely smiled. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all, Gai."

While Hare shared a brief conversation with Inori, Arisa and the Pack (Nanba, Sudou, Ritsu, and Miyabi) watched the other students interact with the newest transfer student. While Arisa opted to stay out of the group's interaction, the Pack commented on Inori's presence.

"So, this is that Egoist singer I've seen and heard all about?" Nanba wondered, meticulously staring off toward Inori.

Ritsu scoffed. "She doesn't look that special to me."

Sudou sneakily grinned. "She's a hell of a lot prettier than you, Ritsu."

"Hey, shut your face!"

Miyabi quietly observed Inori. "She does have a unique look that makes her stand out."

Nanba added. "Yes, based on her outlandish hair color and pristine-looking face, she reminds me of a doll."

Looking off from a corner of the classroom, Arisa monitored Inori. "Why would a famous internet singer transfer to our school though?"

After another busy school day, Shu returned to his apartment expecting no one home. Much to his surprise, he saw his stepmother, Ouma Haruka, who shamelessly walked around in a dark purple evening dress and beer in hand. It's not often Haruka is present when Shu is home from school. However, that wasn't even the biggest surprise. Before even opening the door, he saw Inori placing her hand on the door's hand scanner, which unlocked the front door.

Upon seeing Inori not just standing beside him and opening the door, Shu was bewildered by her unexpected appearance. "Wait, Inori?!"

Inori turned and blinked. "Hmm? I thought I told you about that surprise today?"

"Don't tell me this is it?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Now, let's get inside. Gai already told me you live with your stepmother. Her name is Ouma Haruka, correct?"

"Yeah."

"Perfect. Please introduce me to her."

When Shu introduced Inori to Haruka, Haruka permitted Inori provided she can help keep Shu occupied while she's working. Haruka's occupation is a senior researcher at Sephirah Genomics, a pharmaceutical company in charge of developing a cure for the Apocalypse Virus, and has also seen the development of three Void Genomes. Unbeknownst to Haruka, one of those Void Genomes became infused with Shu.

"So, I thought to celebrate our newest roommate, why don't I buy us some pizza?" Haruka offered to buy them dinner.

"Are you sure? We had pizza last week?" Shu remarked.

"Who complains about too much pizza?"

"I'm fine with it. Thank you," Inori replied.

"I don't get to cook a lot at home since I'm away working. Shu usually makes his breakfast, lunch, and dinner."

Inori spoke up. "Then, if you'd like, I'd be more than happy to make meals."

"Oh, you don't go through the trouble, Inori. You're our guest!"

"Please, since you're allowing me to stay and I'd like to give something in return. I'll make sure Shu is well fed," Inori insisted.

Haruka smirked. "Well, ok, if you must. I'll leave you both money and a grocery list starting tomorrow. Thank you, Inori."

If there was anything Haruka loved to do, it was to provide Shu love and security, even to the point of hugging Shu into her chest. Having seen the unconditional affection Haruka gives Shu, Inori wondered if anyone could give her that same affection.

During an evening session, and with Haruka away at work, Shu and Inori met with Funeral Parlor at their headquarters. When he explored their headquarters, Shu was amazed at their internal network. Upon gathering the other Undertakers', Gai announced that Shu will receive training from them to learn about their system.

"Listen up, Shu. Starting today, you'll begin your basic training. You've opened our eyes with your Void Genome capabilities and helped us out against that GHQ abomination, but if you want to be part of Funeral Parlor, you'll have to learn to survive out on the field," Gai instructed Shu, who nodded knowingly. "Good. I've elected Ayase to be your starting mentor."

"You did well slaying that monster, Shu, but I want to see how well you do in other attributes," Ayase addressed him.

"I won't let you down, Ayase, but are you sure about your condition? I can go easy while I'm working with you." This remark elicited chuckles from the other Funeral Parlor members.

Hearing this, Ayase grinned. "Don't worry about me, Shu. I can handle myself just fine." When she extended a hand to Shu, he reached to shake it. Then, she quickly seized Shu's hand and judo flipped him on the ground. With a sadistic grin, she then grabbed and shook Shu's hand. "Thanks for your polite sympathy, but don't underestimate me. I can easily take you down when you least expect it!"

"Yeah, noted," Shu muttered as Inori offered to help him up. "Thanks, Inori, but I'm ok."

"Basic training starts today, Ouma Shu. Show me what you've got!" Ayase announced.

Initially, Shu and Ayase had a rocky start. With time, Ayase would warm up to Shu's kindness.

For one week, Shu was put on a Funeral Parlor trial basis and instructed to take various field tests administered by several Funeral Parlor members. Argo tested Shu in knife and hand-to-hand combat. Oogumo showed Shu how to hold and use firearms. Shibungi placed Shu in an obstacle course. Tsugumi and Fyu-Neru were in charge of Shu's stamina test, which consisted of him jogging up to a mile. Inori helped Shu properly shoot with a firearm. All of these were prerequisites Shu needed to clear before taking on Ayase's final exam: a mock battle against her Steiner Endlave. In Shu's mind, these were overwhelming tasks for someone with no military training but his battle against the Fafnir rex opened everyone's eyes to Shu's ability to adapt to new situations.

The first two days didn't go exactly as Funeral Parlor hoped. Shu couldn't properly fight with knives, collapsed when holding heavy firearms, and nearly passed out from running a quarter of a mile. He couldn't even focus on firing a gun. His firearms instructor, Inori, was more than enough to distract him from his training. Ayase was reluctant to fail him.

By day three, Shu got the hang of most of his sessions and showed improvement in areas. With and without knives, he was able to dodge Argo's blows. He could manage to carry a heavy weapon. Shu was able to clear a quarter of a mile. Although, he still needed work on the obstacle course. And while he couldn't hit a bullseye, Shu was able to score higher points in the shooting range.

On the day before the big test, Shu stepped out for a walk. Along the way, he met with Ayase.

"You're doing better than I thought. I thought after the first two days, we were wrong about you, but you kept going. I'm glad you didn't give up. You're not quite there yet, but your training results have been improving," Ayase informed him.

"I couldn't have done better without you, Inori, and the others."

"Yeah, but know this. The final exam will be your toughest. It'll be a make-or-break test for you," she warned him.

"Whatever it is, I feel like I'm ready."

She smiled and nodded. "Actions do speak louder than words."

During their conversation, they spotted Inori with Gai while taking him into a closed-door room. He wondered what was going on between Gai and Inori.

Behind closed doors, Gai was being given a blood transfusion. The reason for this is Gai having been infected by the Apocalypse Virus. No one else but Inori knows about this secret. With Inori the only one to know, Gai required her blood to keep himself and his secret infection stable, which in turn would also allow Gai to see other people's Voids while helping out in missions.

It has been a whole week since Ouma Shu shook Tsutsugami Gai's hand and joined Funeral Parlor. Since then, Inori, under Gai's orders, was instructed to enroll in Shu's school and closely monitor him.

After joining the underground organization, Shu was put through training regiments by various Funeral Parlor members to test his resolve in a one-week trial. While still attending school by day, Shu had to balance school and training, which would eventually lead to him balancing school life and Funeral Parlor duties if he passed these field tests.

The basic training regiment consisted of jogging long miles, hand to hand knife combat, carrying & handling heavy firearms, and shooting targets. Needless to say, Shu's results were initially abysmal considering his lack of field training, or just lack of intense physical fitness.

However, after some practice training and another field test, Shu was asked to return to complete his basic training.

Upon meeting the expert hand-to-hand and knife practitioner Argo, he and Shu were outside on an open field in an abandoned vicinity. Standing his ground, Shu readied a knife. Taking a fighting stance, Argo rushed head-on with Shu and swung his blade a few times. Having seen Argo's fighting patterns, Shu predicted his moves and evaded Argo's knife slashes. When Argo went for a straight thrust, Shu narrowly sidestepped Argo. Nearly tripping himself, Shu got up behind Argo and put a knife to his back.

Smirking, Argo raised his hands with the knife still in his grasp. "Nice maneuvering there, kid. Looks like you're getting the hang of it. But, don't forget…" He quickly turned and swung his knife at Shu, who got taken aback by Argo's sneak attack. He madly swung his knife and moved back, creating a distance between them.

"I'm not going to be as foolish as last time! I know your moves!" Shu declared.

"Remember this is just field training. Out there, you're not going to have time spouting flashy catchphrases like you're doing."

"Right!"

"Good, now let's keep this going," Argo smirked. With that, he and Shu resumed their duel. After taking heed of Argo's advice, Shu applied more swift attack and defensive moves. He also stopped spacing out in the middle of practice, which cost him a few duels. After a few sessions, Shu passed the hand-to-hand knife and combat training.

During his training, Shu learned Argo attends Ryusen High School and has a girlfriend named Emi.

Observing Shu from her wheelchair, Ayase graded him on his field tests. She marked a check on a box with Knife/Hand Training next to it.

"Good. Now, the stamina test."

Initially, Shu became winded after a quarter of a mile while carrying a firearm. Shu couldn't clear even a quarter of a mile without passing out in what was supposed to be one of the most basic regiments. This was an area Tsugumi had to diligently push Shu since stamina was required for missions. She had almost given up on Shu, but he insisted on keeping going.

However, after a few sessions and with enough push, Shu was able to clear half a mile without fatigue. Today, he was halfway through a one-mile run and only needed to stop two times to catch his breath, which astonishingly is impressive as he initially passed out a couple of times during the first running test.

"You're doing great, Shu! I was a lamebrain to not believe in you! You've almost cleared one mile!" Tsugumi's voice was heard ringing out from Shu's earpiece.

"Oh please, you practically gave up on me on my first try," Shu sardonically remarked, eliciting unrestrained laughter from Tsugumi on the other line.

"You were totally pathetic that time! I wasn't even sure whether to pity or call you a wimp."

"Well, that was then. Now, I'm going to become a new Shu," he narrowed his sights toward a yellow flag on a pole. Letting out an impassioned yell, Shu lunged forward and landed past the flag.

"Yay, you cleared one mile, Shu! Way to go!"

As he collapsed, Shu took a minute to breathe and put the firearm down. Staring toward the sunset, he chuckled.

"I did it. Still, I've got a long way to go before I'm up to par with some of you."

"This is quite the accomplishment for you, Shu. So, how about 1.5 miles next time?"

"I guess but I use some water."

"Take a rest. I'll have Fyu-Neru over there in a jiffy!"

Wiping sweat from his forehead and brows, Shu let out an exhausted sigh. "I hope you're keeping tabs over this, Gai. I'm getting the hang of this." Having gotten to know Tsugumi since joining Funeral Parlor, Shu learned that she and Ayase currently attend Tora High School.

Observing Shu from a distance, Ayase marked a check on the category marked Stamina Test.

"You think he's ready, Aya?"

"Not until he's cleared these next phases but I have hope."

During another training exercise, Shibungi observed Shu climbing a rope and scaling a wooden barrier. Through a whole week of training, Shu was also placed in an obstacle course, which Shibungi administered to determine his fitness.

"Well done, Ouma Shu. You're certainly getting the hang of this," Shibungi keenly monitored Shu's progress. He then turned over to Ayase. "Well?"

"Much better than he started. Gosh, maybe there is a chance for him," Ayase remarked, marking a check next to the Obstacle Course category.

"Mr. Shibungi. Are we done here?" Shu communicated through his earpiece.

"Yes, that will do, Ouma Shu. Well done."

When the large man Oogumo handed Shu a large firearm, he half-expected Shu to double over and collapse. Despite struggling to hold it, Shu walked around and carried the heavy firearm. Shu saw Ayase observing him like a hawk.

"Did you get it, kid?" Oogumo asked Shu, who was getting a handle of holding a weapon half the size of his entire body.

"Yeah, this thing isn't as heavy as it used to be," Shu steadied himself and gripped the heavyset weapon.

"Yeah, you practically fell flat on your ass holding that."

"Heh, but I'm a long way off from throwing it over my shoulder like you."

"Alright, try holding it like this." As Oogumo demonstrated Shu how to properly hold and aim the heavy weapon, Ayase already marked more checks for Shu.

"Next, and I hope he clears this one," Ayase muttered.

After shooting a point-blank shot through the target's chest, Inori stepped aside and gave Shu room to demonstrate his marksmanship. Having grown accustomed to holding a firearm, Shu faced and aimed his pistol toward a shooting target.

"Remember what I told you, Shu. I know you can do this. I'll make us a good meal if you can clear this."

Nodding, Shu took a deep breath. Following a loud bang, he fired a shot that nearly hit the centermost spot, which Inori cleared easily.

The pink-haired singer encouraged him. "It's ok, Shu. Try again. You'll make it."

With that, Shu concentrated on his intended target site. Meticulously eyeing the center spot, Shu fired a successful shot through the target's chest spot. Inori openly clapped for Shu, who turned and sheepishly smiled toward her.

"Well done, Shu. I knew you could do it," Inori smiled back.

"That's good and all, but try again," Ayase interjected. "I want to be convinced that wasn't a lucky shot."

"What? But, I…"

Nodding, Ayase motioned him toward the shooting target. "Convince me, Ouma Shu, that you're not a fluke." Upon suspecting Shu's body language, she could tell she was slightly annoying him. "Are there any objections? Unless you want me to fail you here and now?"

"No," Shu furrowed his brows as he faced the shooting target and aimed his pistol forward. Following a deep exhale, he fired a clear shot that went through the target's chest again. "Bullseye." He smirked much to Inori's delight, who is seen clapping for him.

Having seen Shu's performance before her eyes, Ayase's view of Shu had changed dramatically since their first encounter. The meek boy who initially mistaken Ayase to be a fragile woman was evolving into an average and competent field soldier. She didn't know how Shu improved this dramatically since his first field tests. He initially failed every test but now he passed all of his categories. Granted, it took him a few tries to get where he is now.

"So, you're not a fluke, Ouma Shu. I'm impressed," Ayase nodded and smiled coolly. "I misjudged you. At least, you and Inori aren't flirting with each other right in front of me."

Hearing this, Shu and Inori's faces flushed as they realized Ayase called them out on turning the field test into a dating session. Ayase marked a check next to Gun Marksmanship.

Nodding, Ayase smiled. "You've passed this test. Now, are you ready for the final exam? The one that decides it all?"

"The one you mentioned the other night?"

"Yep, so are you ready?"

With resolve plastered on his face, Shu eagerly nodded.

A large gathering of Funeral Parlor members was summoned to witness Shu's final exam. Many who had their highest doubts were impressed that Shu made it this far. However, some remained skeptical and put their money on Ayase easily beating him.

Argo, Oogumo, Shibungi, and Kyo are also present to witness Shu's final exam. They saw Ayase in front of her Steiner Endlave giving Shu a rundown of his field test.

"What do you think? Think he'll pass Ayase's test?" Oogumo asked his two colleagues.

"It's Ayase. Hardly anyone passes her test," Argo remarked.

"But, Shu has been very impressive lately! Don't sleep on him yet!" Kyo added with enthusiasm.

"Of course, this test will determine if he's meant to be with us," Gai interjected as his colleagues turned around and were taken aback by their leader's surprise appearance.

"Gai? You're here? I didn't think you'd be here! I thought…" Argo couldn't finish as Gai sat next to him.

"I do have an investment in Shu's progress. Don't forget he carries the Power of the King," Gai said, his view facing forward and eyes firmly fixated on Shu.

"You came just in time, Gai. They're about to start," Oogumo said.

"Good. Now, Shu, let's see the fruits of your training," Gai keenly observed Shu.

Once Shu finished scanning the Funeral Parlor audience watching him, he felt anxiety swallowing him up from the inside. Knowing this was a make-or-break moment, Shu realized he couldn't make a complete fool out of himself and Funeral Parlor. However, once he saw Gai watching him with a bird's eye view, Shu felt the pressure mounting on him. He knew he couldn't mess this up.

"Eyes on me, Shu. Now, let's put your training to the test. This mock battle is called scenario D14 and it's modeled after the Leukocyte mission. It assumes a possible situation in which you have to face an Endlave by yourself. If you want to pass this test, you have to pass Steiner and seek shelter in the train car. Try not to get hit or you'll get knocked unconscious."

Nodding firmly, Shu responded and cocked his firearm. "Let's do this."

Arriving and looking for Gai, Inori saw Shu on the field.

"Good luck," she muttered.

"Inori! Gai's over here!" Kyo called out to the rose-haired songstress, who spotted Gai with the rest of their crew.

"You made it in time, Inori," Gai acknowledged her presence without glancing at him. His eyes were still firmly locked on Shu.

"Sorry for running late."

"It's fine. You being here might give Shu the confidence boost he needs."

Once he saw Inori, Shu truly realized he couldn't mess things up. He waited as Ayase got inside Steiner's cockpit.

"Ok, Aya, are you ready?" Tsugumi's voice came out of Steiner's communication.

"Plug me in!" Ayase replied. With that, Tsugumi connected Ayase with Steiner's interface. As she and her Endlave linked up, the Endlave raised its body and towered over Shu, who felt overshadowed in its presence. "Ready to start?"

Calming himself, Shu nodded.

Fyu-Neru strolled between Shu and the Steiner Endlave. Tsugumi's voice came out of the robot.

"Ok then! Reeeeady? Go!"

The match started with Shu standing his ground and raising his firearm. Before he could shoot, the Steiner hastily strolled toward him without a second's notice. Quickly surveying his surroundings, Shu spotted metal beams standing horizontally and holding the weight of the ceiling. He pivoted to his left and narrowly evaded the Steiner, which already had a gun ready to shoot with. Shu swung around a beam and fired multiple paintball rounds at the Steiner. The Endlave moved past these rounds, letting the paintballs hit the ground and splatter paint.

Recalling his battle with the Fafnir rex, Shu previously used the terrain to cover up his tracks and escape the dinosaur's peripheral vision. However, when dealing with an advanced war machine piloted by someone as proficient as Ayase, Shu knew he had to up his efforts. He quickly ran from one metal beam to another, prompting Ayase to fire a few paintball blasts.

"You're pretty quick on your feet, Shu, but don't forget you're going to tire yourself out that way! My Steiner doesn't have to worry about stamina issues!" Ayase openly chastised him. When the Steiner followed Shu's quick movements, she turned and fired more shots. "You're bound to make a mistake!"

Upon watching Shu's performance, Gai gritted his teeth. "What are you doing? Don't just run and hide. Show me more. Just like you did against that experimental monster."

"Come on, Shu," Inori whispered, clutching her hands together.

After evading more paintball shots, Shu slipped behind another metal beam. Readying his gun, he fired a few paintball shots into the Endlave's side. Quickly spinning itself around, the Steiner Endlave threw a giant punch with its free hand, surprising Shu.

"Hold on! You never said you'd physically attack me!" Shu shouted, narrowly escaping getting smacked aside by the Steiner's powerful strikes.

"I never said the final exam would be easy nor did I say we'd stick with paintballs! You better show me all you've got!" Ayase yelled out from her Endlave. As her Steiner reached for Shu, the teen barrel rolled away from its reach.

"What are you going to do now, Shu? You should've known Ayase doesn't go easy," Gai muttered.

"Geez, tell me about it. I've never seen Ayase this hardass before!" Argo said, sipping his Dr. Ginger soda.

"Of course, she'd do this after our fight with that GHQ monster. Shu has already experienced a close-up life-and-death battle. This is merely a simulation of that," Gai said.

"Shu's also dealing with a stronger upgrade of the Steiner Endlave that Ayase used to have before. This one just packs more brute power," Oogumo said.

Reflecting on his battle with the Fafnir rex, Shu recalled he needed a Void to slay the monster. He scanned the other Funeral Parlor members, seeking one of them to produce a viable Void to use against the Steiner. On the other hand, he didn't want to hurt Ayase.

Charging out from a hiding spot, Shu saw a canister laying on the ground. He picked it up and tossed it behind the Steiner, which picked up on the loud clank that the object produced when hitting the ground.

"Got you!" Ayase shouted as the Steiner rolled forward and narrowly missed Shu, who slid through the ground and toward Argo's spot.

Quickly taken aback by Shu approaching him, Argo nearly fell back and dropped his soda. Seizing full advantage of the closest person, Shu invoked a translucent bluish light from his hand and shoved it into Argo's chest.

"Sorry about this, Argo!" Shu yelled as clear, crystallized strings poured out of Argo's chest. Although not harmed, Argo felt something being pulled out of his chest. Shu yanked out and summoned Argo's Void: the Pessimist's Torch, which took the form of a mini-flashlight. Grabbing the flashlight-like instrument, Shu dropped his firearm.

"Whoa, Argo!" Kyo cried out as Oogumo caught the unconscious Argo.

Witnessing Shu invoking the power of the Void Genome, Gai smirked. "Well played, Shu. Now, let's determine what Argo's Void is."

As Shu stepped into the open, the Steiner quickly strolled toward him.

"You're crazy if you think you stand up against the Steiner! Don't cry when I pulverize you!" Ayase shouted. Before she could reach him, Shu activated Argo's Void, which produced a bright flash that knocked out the Steiner's peripheral vision and sensors. "What the hell?!"

What was a bright light was the black light that came out of Argo's Void. Everyone witnessed the Void creating a black light that looked like and contained the properties akin to a Black Hole engulfing the Steiner. Trapping the Steiner within, it and Ayase were unable to see anything but pitch darkness.

"I see, it's the light that brings darkness," Gai assessed the Pessimist's Torch. "He's got Ayase trapped. This match has been decided."

"Shu, go for it!" Inori cheered him on.

Then, everyone witnessed Shu running past the black light and sprinting toward the train car. Making full use of the stamina training, Shu kept running toward the finish line without tiring out. He jumped forward and landed inside the train car, clearing the field test.

"Yes, I made it!"

"Shu has reached the train car! Therefore, Ouma Shu wins the mock battle!" Tsugumi yelled through Fyu-Neru.

As the black light faded, the Steiner was free and scanned its surroundings. Ayase surveyed the field for Shu. He was nowhere to be seen from her viewpoint.

"He did it? I'll be damned! He did it!" A Funeral Parlor member yelled out as he rallied the others to clap for Shu.

As Shu walked out of the car, he was taken in by the unanimous clapping from Funeral Parlor. Modestly taking in their praise, he also saw Inori clapping for him. Then, he saw Gai nodding in approval, which was what he hoped to see. He had completely won Gai over. He even spotted Kyo not only clapping for him but eagerly dancing and jumping around. Not only did he earn their approval but became one of them. Shu couldn't help but smile over this.

Upon viewing Gai and Inori again, Shu reflected on childhood memories. When he saw Gai, he had a brief memory of a childhood friend whose appearance vaguely resemble Gai and when he saw Inori, Shu recalled a pink-haired girl from his life.

"No, that can't be," Shu nodded, finding himself unable to remember who those people were before and dismissing them as nothing more than coincidences. For a moment, Gai noticed Shu spacing out a moment and picked up on his signals.

Gai knew something was amiss and expressed sympathy for Shu. When Inori noted Gai's sympathetic look, she tapped his shoulder.

"Gai?"

"Let's go and congratulate him, Inori."

"Ok."

After receiving praise from the other Funeral Parlor members, Shu was met with congratulatory remarks from four individuals called the Reigizan. The Reigizan consisted of four young men with matching black hair. They also wore matching black Funeral Parlor outfits with red armored shoulder padding and armored shields on their backs that resembled turtle shells.

"Those were some nice and swift moves you pulled, Ouma Shu. Even my brothers and I couldn't pass Ayase's mock battle on our first try. I'm Kameyama Aneko and these three are my brothers," Aneko, a young man with short black hair, remarked.

"I'm Kameyama Yoshitsugu. Indeed, you played to your strengths and covertly turned the tables against Ayase's Steiner," Yoshitsugu, a young man with shorter, flatter-styled black hair, stated.

"Hey, I'm Kameyama Masaru. I was hoping somebody knocked Ayase off her ass one day. Good one, kid!" Masaru, a young man with long black and styled in a ponytail, said with a thick accent.

"Totally! Smooth moves, dude! Call me Kameyama Subaru or just Subaru!" Subaru, a young man with black curly hair, energetically shouted, earning him a head flick from Masaru. "Ow!"

"Together, we make up the Reigizan!" The four brothers announced, wholly impressing Shu.

"You certainly have my praise, Shu. That makes you an official member now," addressed a tall, young Caucasian man with a slender build, a light complexion, short platinum blonde hair, and sky blue eyes. "By the way, my name is Walter Robertson." Shu also identified him as dressed in a black coat, gray pants, and brown shoes.

"You, too, Walter. Thanks. No, thank you all," Shu nodded. He then turned the other way and saw Ayase about to leave the Steiner cockpit while Tsugumi wheeled out Ayase's chair. "Hey, Ayase. I suppose you want to rule that as cheating?"

"Hmm, that's debatable. All you did was utilize the abilities that make you unique," Ayase smiled. "You definitely pass in my book." She flashed a wink, making him blush.

"Thanks," Shu nodded.

"Aww, are you blushing, Shu?" Tsugumi openly teased him. "Hey, Ayase, I think he has it in for ya." The hacker's sly remark elicited a flabbergasted and flushed expression from the Steiner pilot.

"What?! Don't be ridiculous, Tsugumi! As if! I only have a newfound respect for him! That's all!"

"Right," Tsugumi chortled as she helped Ayase into her wheelchair.

"And as far as we're concerned, Shu. We're just comrades during missions and friends now," Ayase reminded him, waving a finger at him.

"Loud and clear," Shu replied.

Once Shu returned the Void to Argo, the crestfallen soldier muttered. "So, my Void makes a light that creates darkness. I didn't realize I was that gloomy on the inside. Maybe I need to lighten up more." He drank and finished his soda.

"Welcome aboard, Shu," Oogumo said.

"Starting today you are one of us," Gai approached Shu as they shook hands, sealing his official membership.

"I won't let you down," Shu openly vowed, noticing from the corner Inori smiling knowingly for him.

"And as promised, I'll make one wholesome dinner for us. How do homemade udon soup, edamame, and rice with teriyaki sauce sound?" Inori reminded Shu about cooking for him.

Shu pleasantly smiled. "Thanks, Inori. I'm looking forward to your home cooking."

The next day in school, Gai relayed a message to Shu that someone from Tennozu High witnessed Shu leaving the Funeral Parlor headquarters. This occurred the night after Shu passed his test. While no name has been disclosed yet, the perpetrator, with the codename 'Sugar', is a Norma Gene drug seller who knows about Shu's involvement. Gai also mentioned to Shu that he can see through Voids, although Shu had already figured it out before Gai even told him. Shu knew this when Gai discerned Daryl's Void a few days back.

Above all else, Gai instructed Shu to find this specific student ('Sugar')'s Void. With Inori's assistance, Shu scoured the school while examining several students' Voids, finding the one with 'the shears'. During his prior training, Shu learned that making eye contact with a person was crucial when extracting their Void. At one point, Shu swiftly ambushed his classmate, Kanon, in an empty hall with no student witnesses and extracted her Void. Having realized he accidentally touched Kanon's breasts, Shu felt horrible for his unintended approach. However, he felt somewhat relieved that Kanon won't remember anything after waking up since she barely saw it was him.

Another Void he extracted from a random student turned out to be a big refrigerator, which fell right on top of Shu, prompting Inori to comically freak out and help pull him out. Shu surmised that this was karma for putting his hand through Kanon's chest.

Meanwhile, Heath and Akiko followed Shu and grew suspicious of his latest activities. As they went to check in the gym, they found Shu interacting with Yahiro with no other witnesses except Inori. Shu found out that 'Sugar' is Yahiro, which angered the latter.

"Since you found me out, Shu, I just wanted to tell you that I noticed you've changed," Yahiro addressed Shu's latest change in demeanor. "I've noticed you've talked to us more. Not that you haven't talked with us, but now you're starting conversations. And now judging that look in your eyes, you've gotten… bolder? Has something happened to you lately?"

Shu frowned. "What's all that got to do with you selling drugs? And so what if I have gotten bolder? Am I not allowed to change?"

"But, it's been happening so suddenly."

Shu patted his chest. "What goes on in my life now is my business."

"Hey, what the hell is going on, Akiko?" Heath whispered as he and his sister watched in hiding.

Akiko responded dumbfoundedly, ignorant of what was happening in front of them. "Uh, your guess is as good as mine."

At that moment, Shu used his Void Genome to pull out Yahiro's Shears of Life Void. Having witnessed Shu's Void extraction ability, Heath and Akiko were taken aback so much that they stumbled from their hiding spot.

"Gah, Shu just pulled something out of Yahiro!" Heath yelled out.

"Idiot, they're going to know we're here!" Akiko angrily chastised him.

However, it was too late for the Jones siblings. Shu and the others quickly found them out.

"Heath? Akiko? What are you two…?" Shu asked as he heard a gun being readied.

Before he could question them, he saw Inori pointing her pistol toward Yahiro.

"He knows too much. We have to eliminate him, Shu," Inori suggested, aiming toward Yahiro's head.

"Wait, don't, Inori!" Shu adamantly disavowed her direct action.

"Whoa, hold on a second, Inori!" Heath called out as the pink-haired songstress turned and pointed her pistol toward the siblings. "Hold on! Let's talk!" He and Akiko raised their hands.

"Don't shoot, Inori! We're friends, aren't we?" Akiko reminded her.

Narrowing her hardened gaze, Inori turned the pistol back toward Yahiro's direction.

"Listen, don't shoot. I promise…"

"Promise not to tell anyone about what happened here?" Shu asked while placing the Void back inside Yahiro's chest.

Nodding, Yahiro vowed not to reveal each other's secrets. Likewise, Heath and Akiko promised not to tell what they saw.

"We're good at keeping secrets," Heath said.

"About as much as you like to shout and give away our hiding spot," Akiko sardonically quipped.

"Hey, I was caught in the moment, Akiko. I'm sorry."

Lowering her pistol, Inori deeply sighed. "Ok, Shu, I'll trust you." She then pulled Shu aside and whispered without Yahiro, Heath, and Akiko hearing them. "But, we have to keep a close eye on him."

"Right."

"Is everything cool over there?" Akiko asked them, prompting Shu to give them a thumbs up.

"Well, that's a relief," Heath said as he veered toward Yahiro. "So, you're a drug seller, huh? I hope you don't get caught, man."

Yahiro merely said nothing and kept to himself.

The next day, Shu, Inori, Yahiro, Heath, and Akiko took the morning train to school.

"Are you guys ready for another day at the institute of learning and good manners?!" Akiko tried perking everyone up with an extravagant speech.

"Sure, I guess," Shu muttered.

"C'mon, sis, since when do we learn good manners in high school?" Heath asked her.

"I was trying to liven everyone up after what happened to us the other day."

As the train made a stop to pick up passengers, they saw GHQ guards with a man named Makoto Waltz Segai. It was then Yahiro took immediate action as he shoved Shu, Heath, and Akiko out in front of the GHQ guards.

"Sorry, you three. It was either you or me," Yahiro spoke out.

Inori tried to save them but was stopped by Kyo, who followed them under disguise. Turning around, Shu saw Yahiro giving him a judgmental glare and apologizing for selling him out. The three students were then arrested by Segai and taken into GHQ custody.

Watching the three being taken away, Inori pressed her hands on the train car's window helplessly.

"We've got to save them," Inori said, determined to break them out of GHQ's wardship.

A/N: So instead of just Shu getting apprehended by GHQ, Heath and Akiko get taken, too. What a tough break for them. But, Inori's already on the case and about to call for reinforcements.

Having almost finished writing this chapter, I took note of the criticisms toward the summarized sections of the last chapter. In response to this, I've incorporated scenes and dialogue into some summarized sections of this chapter. Believe it or not, the only dialogue scenes were Shu's training and his final exam against Ayase. I followed through to incorporate everyone's reactions and thoughts on Inori, Heath and Akiko's interactions with Inori & Yahiro, Yahiro's view toward Shu's bolder personality, elaborated on Ayase's initial interactions with Shu (before the exam), gave Inori more dialogue including around Shu, and added more to Yahiro's reveal as 'Sugar' & him giving Shu, Heath, and Akiko up to GHQ.

Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be any more summarized sections. They're mainly reserved for events and scenes with less relevance. It's also a strategy to balance my time spent writing this and crafting my first original novel. Of course, that's a good enough reason for me to forego the 'show don't tell' method. I know I broke a cardinal rule with writing fundamentals 101, but I have a good reason. I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't busy with other writings.

This chapter showed us progress with Shu's training. As it happened in the original, Shu fumbled with his training. Unlike in the canon, Shu with his new confidence (and Inori promising to cook delicious meals) managed to pass his training fields with better results.

Unlike in the actual show, Shu faces Ayase and her Steiner Endlave for the mock battle. While some areas play out similarly like in the show (Episode 5 specifically), Shu makes better use of his surroundings and doesn't just run around aimlessly. And this mock battle happens earlier than in the original. And quite frankly, Shu (AnGC) did pretty well against a stronger and improved Steiner Endlave than the weaker Endlave Gautier in the canon.

This chapter even introduced a few new Funeral Parlor members, including Arisa (with dialogue), Kyo (with dialogue), the Pack (w/dialogue), the Reigizan, and Walter Robertson. While the Reigizan will make tertiary appearances, Walter will be an OC that will play a vital role alongside Heath and Akiko.

For the sake of giving them a group title, Nanba, Sudou, Ritsu, and Miyabi have been bunched together as The Pack. They'll make a few appearances before their roles expand later on. This chapter helps establish their (and Arisa's) presence.

Inori is revealed to be an excellent cook. This is a talent she does have based on flashbacks from the GC manga (which does exist)'s 18th chapter. A panel shows Inori efficiently cutting and cooking better than Ayase, who doesn't take it well. That's where I've incorporated Inori's knack for cooking.

Other changes from the original: Gai and Kyo being present during the mock battle. Shu pulling Voids out of random students happens with Inori accompanying him in some places. Shu extracts Kanon's Void completely off guard and does not know it was him. Then, as karma for sticking his hand through a girl's chest, he gets nearly crushed by a refrigerator Void, which shows Inori exhibiting a rare comical freakout moment (deviating from her mostly calm and stoic personality). And of course, Heath and Inori's involvement during Yahiro's 'Sugar' reveal and them getting captured alongside Shu.

All There in the Manual - Chapter II

-The Reigizan's clothing/attires have elements of two Japanese extinct turtles: Mesodermochelys and Anomalochelys.
-Before joining Funeral Parlor, these four brothers (Aneko, Yoshitsugu, Masaru, and Subaru) lost their parents back in Lost Christmas, resulting in them becoming orphans.
-The brothers' personality traits are based on the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Aneko - Leonardo, Yoshitsugu - Donatello, Masaru - Raphael, and Subaru - Michaelangelo. Appearance-wise, they are based on The Rising of the Shield Hero characters: Kameyama Aneko as the Naofumi expy, Kameyama Yoshitsugu as the Ren expy, Kameyama Masaru as the Motoyasu expy, and Kameyama Subaru being the Itsuki expy.
-Walter's appearance and hairstyle are based on Dimitri from Fire Emblem: Three Houses in his pre-time skip look.

The next chapter is all about the rescue mission and a few surprises that deviate from the original show. Until that chapter comes, leave a comment and review!