Raijin, The Rank 0 of Asterisk
Chapter 5
Revelations
BANG!
Silence permeated the room as the handgun disappeared, Hikaru deactivating the Lux, and the
daggers shattered into tiny particles.
daggers shattered into tiny particles.
Hikaru asked, “Sylvie, are you okay?”
“She’s fine. She’s just a bit shaken up that’s all.”
“That’s good.”
“Was it necessary? Killing her?”
“I won’t make the same mistake twice. Leaving her alive would have been a mistake. I believe what I
did was necessary.”
did was necessary.”
He walked towards the door while summoning his scythe.
“Wher-”
“To blow off some steam.”
However, he didn’t need to go far as someone appeared at the door.
Black hair shadowing yellow eyes, lips twisted into a vicious snarl and his hand outstretched.
“Master wants the brat.” He spat.
“I’m not coming.”
“What did you say?!”
“I said that I am not coming. I’m bored of seeing that stupid mask. Now, since I am pissed off, you’d
better leave if you don’t want to die.”
better leave if you don’t want to die.”
“You brat! You are going to pay for disrespecting me, the great Frost!”
He pulled out a gun and started firing at him.
A single swipe cut the gun and the man’s right arm in half.
“Okay. Now, I’m seriously pissed off!”
“You bastard!” Suddenly, the temperature got lower and lower as ice started to form around him.
Spears of ice started to form around the Void Order Executive and were fired at him.
Spears of ice started to form around the Void Order Executive and were fired at him.
The scythe was now discarded and the blue tinted chokutos appeared in his hands.
He slashed a few times and each slash met empty air. Suddenly, blades of lightning cut through the
ice and dissipated.
ice and dissipated.
“Next?”
The same technique was used again and again.
Each time, Hikaru destroyed the spears with a nonchalant expression on his face.
“Hmm… you are the guy who hit me with that big-ass hammer. Let me return that favor!”
With a sinister smirk on his face, Hikaru suddenly disappeared and appeared behind Frost.
“Tag. You’re it.”
Suddenly, a pack of wolves made of lightning started tearing into him.
“Too loud.”
A sphere of lightning surrounded him while Hikaru walked back to the group calmly, the two chokutos
in his hands deactivating with a twirl.
in his hands deactivating with a twirl.
The crackling sound of lightning drowned out the screams of the Void Order executive.
When the sphere disappeared, a big puddle of blood was seen on the floor.
“Hmm… didn’t think it would be that effective.”
He then deactivated the scythe and said to himself, “That leaves 10 executives and Reaper.”
With those words, he walked towards the doors.
“Wait.” Arashi called out. “Where are you going?”
“Where? To take care of the others.”
“Can’t you at least wait for some time?” He pleaded. “Everyone is shaken up.”
“And?”
“It would be reassu-”
“Reassuring if I stayed here? Arashi, I killed two people right before everyone’s eyes. If anything, they
would be a bit scared. Reassured, maybe, but scared, yes.”
would be a bit scared. Reassured, maybe, but scared, yes.”
“I’d feel reassured if you stay.” Sylvia said quietly, still a tad shaken by the situation.
He looked into her eyes and almost flinched at the tears in her eyes before sighing and nodding.
“Fine. I’m hungry. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”
“Fine. I’m hungry. Let’s go to the cafeteria.”
XXXXXXXXXX
Cafeteria Courtyard
Hikaru was sat at the table, a lightning dagger in his hand, spinning it as if it were a pen. In his other
hand was a can of coffee.
hand was a can of coffee.
The others were seated around the table, eating quietly.
“Arashi, I need to talk to you about something after this.” Hikaru whispered to the teen next to him.
The black haired student nodded imperceptibly and replied, “Your house.”
“Fine.”
As Sylvia was about to ask him something, Hikaru suddenly jumped out of his chair, turning around, a
magic circle forming behind him, a lance of lightning ready to fire.
magic circle forming behind him, a lance of lightning ready to fire.
Everyone had their Luxes out and activated, ready to fight.
Almost everyone relaxed as they saw a young man, about 18, with red hair and eyes, looking coolly at
them. Keyword, almost.
them. Keyword, almost.
Hikaru stood in an even sharper stance, holding the two chokutos tighter. Another burst of killing intent,
this time from Hikaru, was emitted, directed at the teen.
this time from Hikaru, was emitted, directed at the teen.
“Another one… the rats are crawling out of their holes, huh?”
Suddenly, flames appeared around the teen and spread out, making everyone jump back by a wide
margin.
margin.
Immediately, some of them realised one thing.
The teen was in the centre of the courtyard and the flames spread outwards, heading towards the
other tables.
other tables.
“Like hell I will let you!” Nestor and Hikaru shouted. Immediately ice started to form around the flame
while Hikaru ran on a platform of ice straight towards the teen.
while Hikaru ran on a platform of ice straight towards the teen.
“Woah! Be careful where you swing those things around. You could hurt someone.” The teen said as
he dodged a swing from Hikaru’s chokuto.
he dodged a swing from Hikaru’s chokuto.
“I am trying to hurt you so I don’t give a shit!” Hikaru replied, annoyance clear in his voice.
The ice melted without resistance as they met the flames.
“Damn it!” Nestor shouted in frustration.
A second later, lightning struck the ground around the flames in a circle, clashing against the flames.
“Nestor, create the ice around my lightning in a sphere. No, scratch that. Create two spheres around
the lightning sphere, enclosing the area.” Hikaru shouted as he swung with the right.
the lightning sphere, enclosing the area.” Hikaru shouted as he swung with the right.
“Make it as thick as possible. And create a vacuum between the two spheres if you can.”
He then made a small gesture with his right hand. Arashi understood that gesture and immediately, a
shield of darkness appeared between the students and the Void Order terrorist.
shield of darkness appeared between the students and the Void Order terrorist.
“Alright!”
Nestor started to create a sphere, linking the mana around him with his arm, directing it into a sphere,
feeding it his Prana.
feeding it his Prana.
A thick sphere of ice started to form around the flames and the sphere of lightning and quickly
enclosed the two fighting teens.
enclosed the two fighting teens.
Inside, the blue-haired teen swung his two chokutos at the red-haired teen. The red-haired teen had
summoned a longsword and was parrying Hikaru’s blows.
summoned a longsword and was parrying Hikaru’s blows.
“Enough!”
Hikaru suddenly became covered in lightning. His speed increased drastically as he cut the teen a few
times.
times.
“Guh!”
“I shouldn’t have held back.” Hikaru said, his whole being surrounded by blue-white.
“That is!”
“Kanmuru!” Claudia exclaimed, recognizing the attack.
“Kanmuru will damage my body if used to the extreme. However, because I am a Regenerative, it
won’t hurt me. But what about you? Can you handle the speed of lightning?”
won’t hurt me. But what about you? Can you handle the speed of lightning?”
With a smirk, Hikaru disappeared and reappeared before the teen, who now started swinging his
longsword like crazy, trying to keep up with the suddenly powered-up teen.
longsword like crazy, trying to keep up with the suddenly powered-up teen.
“0.1 second is your limit, huh? Too bad… I can go faster!”
Suddenly, the teen threw the two chokutos at the man before landing a palm strike at the heart. A burst
of electricity shocked the man and Hikaru suddenly appeared above him and drove his foot straight
into the man’s face.
of electricity shocked the man and Hikaru suddenly appeared above him and drove his foot straight
into the man’s face.
Another burst of lightning and he appeared below the man, kicking him up into the air. In an instant,
Hikaru was above the teen. The younger teen drove an axe kick straight into the pyrokinetic’s gut,
making him cough out some blood as he crashed to the ground.
Hikaru was above the teen. The younger teen drove an axe kick straight into the pyrokinetic’s gut,
making him cough out some blood as he crashed to the ground.
Hikaru landed on the ground gently and walked towards the teen.
“Lightning Wolf.”
Another pack of wolves suddenly appeared. And the same scene as the auditorium occurred again
and Hikaru walked back to the group.
Another pack of wolves suddenly appeared. And the same scene as the auditorium occurred again
and Hikaru walked back to the group.
“Wait. I’ll remove th-” Nestor started but was interrupted by Hikaru.
“No need.”
He swung his chokuto once and the sphere itself shattered into small particles. The flames flickered
out as their conjurer was dead and Hikaru walked back to the group.
out as their conjurer was dead and Hikaru walked back to the group.
The small pieces of ice glittered in the light, making for an overall beautiful scenery, not counting the
blood stain.
blood stain.
“Did I mention that you could kick anyone’s ass in this school if you fought seriously?” Arashi said,
scared slightly at the cold expression on Hikaru’s face.
scared slightly at the cold expression on Hikaru’s face.
“You didn’t, Arashi.”
“Man, these guys are strong.” Nestor said with a depressed sigh.
“Strong? These guys are all on Page One level. The upper ranks. This guy is 4 or 5. The only reason
you couldn’t stop him on your own is because your ice has a natural weakness to fire.” Hikaru said
while deactivating the chokutos.
you couldn’t stop him on your own is because your ice has a natural weakness to fire.” Hikaru said
while deactivating the chokutos.
“I just have to get stronger then.”
“That you do.”
“Hikaru, you said that all of them are on Page One level, right?” Arashi asked.
“Yeah. Don’t even think of fighting them. All of them are at a stronger level than us.”
“Stronger than us, not you.” Nestor grumbled.
“What are their levels?”
“The weakest of them are at Rank 6 or 5. Those guys are about about 5 in number. There are 3 at
Rank 4 to 3 and 4 of them are Rank 2 and 1.”
Rank 4 to 3 and 4 of them are Rank 2 and 1.”
“What about Reaper, their leader?”
“His power… if there was ever a Rank 0, exceeding Rank 1 by a large margin, Reaper would be that
guy.”
guy.”
His grim tone made everyone gulp.
“How can we beat him?”
“We can't.” His words made everyone widen their eyes.
“However…” He continued. “I can kill him.”
“How? And how can we help?”
“I can't say. I don't have enough faith in my abilities and my plan to risk your lives on it.”
“Let's hear it anyway.” Arashi said.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Not here. There are too many people here. And we also have an eavesdropper.”
He threw a dagger at a tree. A moment later, a man in a black cloak jumped down, holding a dagger.
“Leave, now. I've already killed 3 executives. 1 more won't matter to me.”
“I didn't come here to fight. I come here with a message.”
“A message?”
A holographic screen appeared before the Raijin. Reaper's visage was on the screen, the red eyes
looking at him coldly.
looking at him coldly.
“What do you want with me, Reaper? Is forcing me to kill people not enough? Is torturing my mind not
enough?!”
enough?!”
“I have come to make an offer to you, boy.”
“Offer, you say?”
“A substitution. I will allow another student to fight in your place. A certain student.”
His words made Hikaru glance at the group of close-knit friends behind him and then turn his gaze
back to the screen.
back to the screen.
“The purple haired girl…”
“!”
“She seems to care a lot about you.”
“What are you implying, Reaper?!”
“If you ask her, I'm sure she'd be willing to take your place.”
“!”
He wants to have Sylvie take my place?
He wants me to take Hikaru-kun’s place?
Hikaru was shaking slightly as he considered the offer.
I don’t want to kill anymore. I just want to stop all of that.
Sylvia was trembling violently at the thought of being forced to kill.
Meanwhile Hikaru looked at his own hands and at his sword which had blood on it.
Those voices… the looks they send… those glares, the hatred… monster, killer, murderer… I want
everything to stop… it is alright, right?
everything to stop… it is alright, right?
Sylvia was trembling as images flashed through her mind. The sight of corpses, the calls of ‘monster’,
‘killer’, ‘murderer’, the blood on her hands…
‘killer’, ‘murderer’, the blood on her hands…
I want to help Hikaru-kun! A cold voice calling her a monster made her flinch. I am scared.
The two sides clashed in her mind as she trembled violently.
“I will give you 2 hours, boy.”
With these words, both the holographic screen and the executive disappeared.
XXXXXXXXXX
“What do you think he will do?”
“He is a monster! He enjoys killing people! He enjoys watching them suffer!”
“He won’t let Sylvia-san suffer, right?”
These were just a few of the comments being whispered among the students.
The news of Reaper’s offer had spread like wildfire and many of the students had started gossipping
about it, thinking about Hikaru’s answer and next course of action.
about it, thinking about Hikaru’s answer and next course of action.
Meanwhile, the two people in question were at opposite ends of the auditorium, one at the door and
the other at the wall opposite it.
the other at the wall opposite it.
Hikaru was just staring off into space while Sylvia was huddled into a ball, holding her head in her
hands as she trembled violently.
hands as she trembled violently.
I want to help Hikaru-kun. The images of corpses and bloody hands flashed before her, making her
widen her eyes and flinch in fear. I am scared! I don’t want to do that! I don’t want to kill!
widen her eyes and flinch in fear. I am scared! I don’t want to do that! I don’t want to kill!
The two opposing thoughts clashed in her mind as she trembled violently. Arashi tried to comfort her
but in vain as she was still trembling no matter what he tried.
but in vain as she was still trembling no matter what he tried.
Meanwhile, Hikaru was lost in his own thoughts.
I don’t want to kill anymore. But… A frightening image of Sylvia killing people popped up in his mind.
I don’t want Sylvie to become like me. I don’t want Sylvie to be shunned for my sake. I don’t want to
make her suffer.
I don’t want Sylvie to become like me. I don’t want Sylvie to be shunned for my sake. I don’t want to
make her suffer.
Come on. You know you want this.
A dark voice whispered enticingly in his mind.
Want this? I don’t want Sylvie to suffer.
You don’t want her to suffer? What about you? Will you just keep sacrificing yourself for their
sakes?
sakes?
I want to protect them.
Protect?! They shun you! Call you a monster! A murderer! It’s time to make one of them
experience it for once!
experience it for once!
No! Shut up! Not Sylvie! She didn’t shun me!
She didn’t?! How can you say?! What is there to say that she didn’t talk behind your back?!
Didn’t shun you behind your back?! Didn’t pretend to care for you?!
Didn’t shun you behind your back?! Didn’t pretend to care for you?!
SHUT UP! I DON’T KNOW WHO ARE YOU BUT SHUT UP! JUST GET LOST!
He punched an adjacent wall in his anger, creating a deep crater along with a lot of noise.
His eyes were filled with rage as he thought about his inner conversation.
I want to stop killing. However… I want to protect Sylvie.
Hikaru looked up as he saw someone’s shadow on him and recognised the pair of violet eyes and the
wavy blonde hair.
wavy blonde hair.
“Claudia, what is it?”
“Can I sit here?”
Hikaru moved to the side to make space for her and she sat down beside him.
“You will have to pay for that crater you created.”
“Fine.” He replied, frustrated before turning serious. “What did you want to talk to me about?”
“What will you do?”
“I will… *sigh* I’m… still not sure.”
“Do you want to accept?”
“I don’t know, Claudia.” Hikaru said after a sigh. “On one hand, I don’t want to kill anymore.”
“But you don’t want Sylvia-san to suffer.”
“Yeah. Sylvie is… she’s the first person I could truly call a friend. She means more to me than anything
or anyone.”
or anyone.”
“Hmm… ne, Hikaru-kun, think about your past. Maybe you can get an answer from that.”
“My past?”
“Better yet, why don’t you talk to someone about it?”
Talk, huh?
He gazed at Sylvia before standing up and starting to walk towards her.
“Thanks, Claudia.”
The sound of almost silenced footsteps caught the attention of both Sylvia and Arashi, who were
shocked and surprised by his appearance.
shocked and surprised by his appearance.
“Sylvie, can you accompany me for a minute?”
“What do you want with her, Hikaru?” Arashi asked, unintentionally sounding cold and guarded.
Hikaru’s face showed sadness and surprise momentarily at his tone before he replied, “Nothing. I just
want to talk to her, Arashi. I won’t do anything.”
want to talk to her, Arashi. I won’t do anything.”
Both of them were interrupted by said girl’s timid and small voice.
“It’s alright, Onii-chan. Hikaru-kun just wants to talk, right?”
The purple-haired girl stood up and grabbed Hikaru’s hand before pulling him slightly. He got out of his
surprise and led the way.
surprise and led the way.
The closest person to me… Sylvie, I won’t hurt you.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hikaru and Sylvia were now sitting on a bench under the shade of a tree.
“What did you want to talk about, Hikaru-kun?” Sylvia asked in a timid voice.
“Please, Sylvie… I am not going to hurt you. Or let you be hurt. You don’t have to be so scared around
me. I am still the Hikaru that you know.” Or I was the Hikaru that you know. “I won’t ever hurt you,
Sylvie.” He tried to make his tone as reassuring as possible.
me. I am still the Hikaru that you know.” Or I was the Hikaru that you know. “I won’t ever hurt you,
Sylvie.” He tried to make his tone as reassuring as possible.
She seemed to relax slightly but fear was still visible in her posture.
“Sylvie, can I make a selfish request of you? You are the only one I can ask of this.”
“Wh-what is it, Hikaru-kun?”
“I don’t want to kill anymore, Sylvie.” Her breath hitched. “I don’t want to stain my hands with blood
anymore.”
anymore.”
At his words, Sylvia started panicking and shaking with fear.
An arm wrapped around her shoulder and brought her into an embrace while a hand rubbed her back
comfortingly.
comfortingly.
“It’s alright, Sylvie. I won’t hurt you. I will never let you be hurt.”
They stayed like that till she stopped shaking and had calmed down.
“Sylvie, I have a lot on my mind ath the moment. My actions, the past… you’re the only one I can trust
with this. Can you stay and listen to me? Just for a little while?”
with this. Can you stay and listen to me? Just for a little while?”
She was surprised to say the least at his sudden request and didn’t utter a single word in response.
“I don’t know what to do anymore. What’s right? What’s the correct choice? What can I do to protect
you? I don’t know anymore!”
you? I don’t know anymore!”
“What did you want to talk about, Hikaru-kun?” She asked hesitantly, reaching out towards him, trying
to calm him.
to calm him.
“My past… the only thing that I never came to terms with. You are the only person I trust enough to
reveal that part of my life to, Sylvie. Can you just stay and listen, Sylvie? Please?” He desperately
pleaded.
reveal that part of my life to, Sylvie. Can you just stay and listen, Sylvie? Please?” He desperately
pleaded.
“I will.” She said with a voice filled with conviction and said, “If it helps you, Hikaru-kun, I will listen to
whatever you have to say. No matter what it is.”
whatever you have to say. No matter what it is.”
His eyes widened momentarily before he closed them as he recalled everything.
“Hikaru-kun?”
“I will start with tou-san.”
“Hmm… I thought you would start with your mother.”
“Tou-san, Tatsuya Shinichi, was a simple man. He was, from his young age, a very handsome man,
my mother said so too. Piercing blue eyes, almost like a cat. They went well with his black hair. He was
well-mannered. Kind, caring, strict, friendly, courteous.”
my mother said so too. Piercing blue eyes, almost like a cat. They went well with his black hair. He was
well-mannered. Kind, caring, strict, friendly, courteous.”
“You inherited many qualities from him… is what I would like to say but, you don’t seem to have.”
“Hey! I can be kind and caring if I want to.”
“No. You aren’t strict like him at all.”
“I inherited the qualities he didn’t want me to. He was a talented businessman and negotiator, able to
talk his way out of many tough situations without any effort.”
talk his way out of many tough situations without any effort.”
“Hmm… that is true for you too, I think.”
“Not as good as him. But I inherited his talent for business and hacking too. He also liked cooking. He
and mom would often quarrel about who would cook and mom would almost always wreck the kitchen.”
Both of them laughed at that part.
and mom would often quarrel about who would cook and mom would almost always wreck the kitchen.”
Both of them laughed at that part.
“But… his cooking was tasty. I always ate seconds and sometimes forced him to cook. His singing was
pretty bad though. My mom used to electrocute him everytime he tried to sing. And he had an addiction
to games.”
pretty bad though. My mom used to electrocute him everytime he tried to sing. And he had an addiction
to games.”
“Virtual reality games, right, Hikaru-kun?” Sylvia asked knowingly. “You even made me wait for a long
time while you played a game with him!”
time while you played a game with him!”
“Hahaha… that seems like a long time now. Yeah. He would sometimes lock himself in the game room
for hours on end and play games till kaa-san would bust the door down and damage the circuits. I
used to laugh about it a lot. He forced me to play along with him once. I think he regretted it. I beat all
his records in no time at all.”
for hours on end and play games till kaa-san would bust the door down and damage the circuits. I
used to laugh about it a lot. He forced me to play along with him once. I think he regretted it. I beat all
his records in no time at all.”
He laughed a bit at the memory.
“That day was the first and last time I played with dad.” His voice had took on a sad tone as he wiped
away a few tears. “He was pretty simple. I spent more time with kaa-san than tou-san as he was very
busy. However, I felt that he loved me just as much as kaa-san did.” This time, he let a few tears fall
freely.
away a few tears. “He was pretty simple. I spent more time with kaa-san than tou-san as he was very
busy. However, I felt that he loved me just as much as kaa-san did.” This time, he let a few tears fall
freely.
“My mother, Narukami Rin, was an orphan. She used to live at a shrine. She was invited as a special
transfer student to Seidoukan.”
transfer student to Seidoukan.”
“She was just like you then.”
“Well, Arashi talked to me about that. And he gave me permission to use the Narukami since it was
mine to begin with.”
mine to begin with.”
“Hikaru-kun, your mother, you referred to her as Narukami Rin but you said that she was an orphan.”
“The shrine she lived at was dedicated to Narukami-sama, a lightning god. So she got the name
Narukami attached to her.”
Narukami attached to her.”
“So you have the name of a god.” She commented with a giggle.
“Hardly. But getting back, my mother was what you would call a tsundere, I guess. She met tou-san
when she was at the shrine and he came there to pray. Tou-san always used to tease her that she
behaved much like a tsundere.”He continued after a laugh. “She was a bit of a tomboy but she was a
lways kind and caring. She never liked it when someone tried to flirt with her. I still remember when
someone tried to flirt with her at a party and she froze him solid. I laughed so hard that day.”
when she was at the shrine and he came there to pray. Tou-san always used to tease her that she
behaved much like a tsundere.”He continued after a laugh. “She was a bit of a tomboy but she was a
lways kind and caring. She never liked it when someone tried to flirt with her. I still remember when
someone tried to flirt with her at a party and she froze him solid. I laughed so hard that day.”
“That’s funny.”
“There are many things I remember kaa-san for. She was very beautiful. It was her hair and eyes that
captivated me.” He closed his eyes as he tried to remember her. “Her long hair was a beautiful shade
of blue I can neither describe nor compare with any other thing. Her eyes were another shade of blue,
almost like my own. I used to see small hints of red in her eyes at times, but even then, they were
beautiful. She was extremely kind and caring. Very protective of me. She was the one who taught me
how to fight. The katana was the main weapon she used. And chokutos as well.”
captivated me.” He closed his eyes as he tried to remember her. “Her long hair was a beautiful shade
of blue I can neither describe nor compare with any other thing. Her eyes were another shade of blue,
almost like my own. I used to see small hints of red in her eyes at times, but even then, they were
beautiful. She was extremely kind and caring. Very protective of me. She was the one who taught me
how to fight. The katana was the main weapon she used. And chokutos as well.”
“She was a Genestella, right?”
“A Strega. With the same abilities as mine. However, compared to mine, her power was more…
beautiful. Whenever she used her power, I always found her to be a comfortable person. I felt safe
with her.”
beautiful. Whenever she used her power, I always found her to be a comfortable person. I felt safe
with her.”
He paused for a brief moment before continuing.
“She had a good sense of style too. But most of her clothes were Japanese though. Her kimonos were
always so elegant, I guess. She was always beautiful. Her clothes always contrasted with her pale
skin and dark hair. She always looked so fragile, like you wanted to protect her. But she had a strength
none of us had. She was always there for me. Whenever I was sad and cried, she comforted me. Her
cooking was very tasty too. Honestly, I think I got my chocolate addiction due to her baking cakes and
her hot chocolate.”
always so elegant, I guess. She was always beautiful. Her clothes always contrasted with her pale
skin and dark hair. She always looked so fragile, like you wanted to protect her. But she had a strength
none of us had. She was always there for me. Whenever I was sad and cried, she comforted me. Her
cooking was very tasty too. Honestly, I think I got my chocolate addiction due to her baking cakes and
her hot chocolate.”
He laughed
“Whenever tou-san and kaa-san quarreled with each other over who would cook, I would sometimes
have to break up the fights by forcing one of them to cook dinner and the other to make dessert or
something.”
have to break up the fights by forcing one of them to cook dinner and the other to make dessert or
something.”
“That is… effective.” She commented with a small giggle.
“Anyway, my mother was the one who taught me how to fight. Mainly close combat and swords. She
was… strict, for the lack of a better word. She didn’t even hold back, even once. But that is why I was
able to improve myself, I think. She wanted to make me strong and prepared for opponents who
outclassed me. And she made me use an Orga Lux at a very young age, when I was 4, I think. She
wanted to make me accustomed to the feel of the Narukami.”
was… strict, for the lack of a better word. She didn’t even hold back, even once. But that is why I was
able to improve myself, I think. She wanted to make me strong and prepared for opponents who
outclassed me. And she made me use an Orga Lux at a very young age, when I was 4, I think. She
wanted to make me accustomed to the feel of the Narukami.”
“That… I don’t know what to say about that.”
“She knew that I was a fighter. My personality was far too much like hers, always wanting a new
challenge, wanting to protect the people I love, wanting to become stronger, pushing myself to the limit,
training, learning new techniques… I also trained in secret a few times before kaa-san caught me.”
challenge, wanting to protect the people I love, wanting to become stronger, pushing myself to the limit,
training, learning new techniques… I also trained in secret a few times before kaa-san caught me.”
“Naughty boy, going out in secret without telling your parents.” She teased with a giggle.
“Yeah yeah… I did many things without my parents knowing. I even ditched them so that I could play
with you.”
with you.”
“You didn’t play with me as much as I would have liked…” She accused, making him apologetically
smile at her.
smile at her.
“Yeah.. In hindsight, that’s entirely my fault. I just….wanted to grow stronger. To be able to protect what
I love. I threw myself into training. I pushed my limits and then pushed myself even more. I could do it
because of my Regenerative powers. Because I could train without getting any injury, without any
damage to my body, I was able to train to the fullest.”
I love. I threw myself into training. I pushed my limits and then pushed myself even more. I could do it
because of my Regenerative powers. Because I could train without getting any injury, without any
damage to my body, I was able to train to the fullest.”
“Was that even necessary? You were pretty strong for your age.”
“No, Sylvie, I needed to grow stronger. I trained where no one would interrupt me.”
“That brings me to the question. Where did you even train, Hikaru-kun?! I couldn’t find you at all!” She
pouted at him, making him laugh slightly.
pouted at him, making him laugh slightly.
“I trained in the shrine. Kaa-san used to train in a room under the shrine. She lived in a big house
behind the shrine. She had it constructed with the prize money from the Festa. I had the mansion
made according to the design of the house behind the shrine. But larger in size.”
behind the shrine. She had it constructed with the prize money from the Festa. I had the mansion
made according to the design of the house behind the shrine. But larger in size.”
“A holiday home?” She guessed.
“You could say that. Tou-san was abroad for a business meeting and kaa-san took me there. We had
lots of fun there, cleaning the shrine. Kaa-san also dressed up in one of her old kimonos she kept there. That was when I was 4. It was the first time I spent a night there. She was also the first one who taught me about happiness. Happiness is like glass.”
lots of fun there, cleaning the shrine. Kaa-san also dressed up in one of her old kimonos she kept there. That was when I was 4. It was the first time I spent a night there. She was also the first one who taught me about happiness. Happiness is like glass.”
“It exists but is unnoticed. But if you change the angle of viewing a little, then it will reflect light more
beautifully than any other. You told me that so long ago.”
beautifully than any other. You told me that so long ago.”
“Also, it is very fragile. I have to protect it and make sure that it is not shattered.”
She smiled sadly at his words. “That was also the first time she sang.”
“How was her voice?” Sylvia asked gently, recognising the nostalgic tone in his voice.
“It was beautiful. Melodious even. I could feel the emotion in her voice. The caring feelings with which
she cared for me, the comfortable warmth I felt when I was close to her. I had a bad nightmare and
was sleeping next to her. She hugged me tightly. I felt very comfortable and relaxed. Even her Strega
powers were very calm and beautiful when she sang. The ice powers created a beautiful mist and her
lightning powers created a beautiful sparkling light. That was the most beautiful scene ever, no, one of
the most beautiful scenes ever. She sang the same song once again. And the next moment was when
both she and I sang a song. She and I wrote the lyrics together. All those times, there wasn’t a single
camera. But… I remember those moments more clearly than any photo can ever do.”
she cared for me, the comfortable warmth I felt when I was close to her. I had a bad nightmare and
was sleeping next to her. She hugged me tightly. I felt very comfortable and relaxed. Even her Strega
powers were very calm and beautiful when she sang. The ice powers created a beautiful mist and her
lightning powers created a beautiful sparkling light. That was the most beautiful scene ever, no, one of
the most beautiful scenes ever. She sang the same song once again. And the next moment was when
both she and I sang a song. She and I wrote the lyrics together. All those times, there wasn’t a single
camera. But… I remember those moments more clearly than any photo can ever do.”
He was now crying freely with a nostalgic smile on his face. “I remember those moments. The mist and
the lights, the smile on my parents’ faces, the joy in their eyes, the happiness I felt at that time… those
moments are in just another place, untouched by all my sins.”
the lights, the smile on my parents’ faces, the joy in their eyes, the happiness I felt at that time… those
moments are in just another place, untouched by all my sins.”
A few moments passed in a comfortable silence as Hikaru wiped his tears before saying, “Kaa-san
was always the one who stayed with me at all times. And she was the only person I opened up to. And
she was the only person who was able to comfort me when I was scared.”
was always the one who stayed with me at all times. And she was the only person I opened up to. And
she was the only person who was able to comfort me when I was scared.”
“You really loved her, didn’t you?”
“Yeah….Yeah I did.” He answered sincerely with a sad voice.
“The last song we sang, I still remember it clearly. It was midnight. My birthday. And it was kaa-san’s
birthday as well. We sang happily, ate cake, sang again. I didn’t sleep that night. When I came back to
the living room, it was because I heard a crash. When I entered, the first thing I saw was my parents.
Stained with blood. Their blood. I tried to cry out. Run to them. Just do something. Just move. I
couldn’t. Fear. When I saw him, what I felt was fear. The cold fear that gripped my heart, it was cold.
Different from the cold when kaa-san froze me with her power playfully. It was darker, colder, uninviting
and scary.”
birthday as well. We sang happily, ate cake, sang again. I didn’t sleep that night. When I came back to
the living room, it was because I heard a crash. When I entered, the first thing I saw was my parents.
Stained with blood. Their blood. I tried to cry out. Run to them. Just do something. Just move. I
couldn’t. Fear. When I saw him, what I felt was fear. The cold fear that gripped my heart, it was cold.
Different from the cold when kaa-san froze me with her power playfully. It was darker, colder, uninviting
and scary.”
He had his arms wrapped around himself tightly.
“It was like a pair of cold hands gripping my heart tightly. No matter what anyone says, that fear I felt…
it was real.” His voice was quivering a bit and he was also trembling. “My parents were just at arm’s
reach away. Had I taken a step forward or something, I could have touched them. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.
I even had the stupid Narukami with me. It was strapped right to my wrist. Just like this!” He showed
his right wrist to her, where the pitch-black Orga Lux was strapped.
it was real.” His voice was quivering a bit and he was also trembling. “My parents were just at arm’s
reach away. Had I taken a step forward or something, I could have touched them. But I didn’t. I couldn’t.
I even had the stupid Narukami with me. It was strapped right to my wrist. Just like this!” He showed
his right wrist to her, where the pitch-black Orga Lux was strapped.
“If I had just moved, if I had just used my abilities, I could have saved them at least. I could have
stalled him. I could have saved them. Ryu was going to come over in just a few minutes. If I had
stalled him for at least some time, even if I was hurt, I would have healed! If it was a few minutes,
kaa-san would have healed too! She would have healed tou-san as well! Only a few minutes… I
couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do anything.”
stalled him. I could have saved them. Ryu was going to come over in just a few minutes. If I had
stalled him for at least some time, even if I was hurt, I would have healed! If it was a few minutes,
kaa-san would have healed too! She would have healed tou-san as well! Only a few minutes… I
couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do anything.”
He was now trembling violently.
“Many people tell me that I'm strong. Page One, Rank 1, Raijin… I trained very hard. I trained to my
limits to grow stronger. Even now, I still want to grow stronger. But when strength was needed most, I
was weak. I was powerless when I needed power. When I needed to be strong for everyone.”
limits to grow stronger. Even now, I still want to grow stronger. But when strength was needed most, I
was weak. I was powerless when I needed power. When I needed to be strong for everyone.”
“The pressure that he was exerting, it forced me to my knees. When I collapsed, there was blood. My
parents’ blood. I remember that clearly. My hands, even my hair and clothes, they were stained with
their blood.”
parents’ blood. I remember that clearly. My hands, even my hair and clothes, they were stained with
their blood.”
“Stop. I know you’re hurting, so just stop. That’s enough, Hikaru-kun.” Sylvia gently said as she saw
the fresh tears rolling down his cheeks.
the fresh tears rolling down his cheeks.
“No, let me finish this. I want to have the courage to do at least that.”
He continued, albeit with tears and a quivering voice.
“He turned towards me. Said something about how he didn’t have to search for me. Kaa-san tried to
stop him. She caused an explosion. I don’t know why but I think I saw both of them say only one thing
to me, “Hikaru, sorry for not being there for you. Live happily.” Can you imagine that?!” His voice was
breaking. “Not being there for me? If they had left me to die, they could have lived! I am still alive! I am still alive because of them… because I was too afraid to act, they sacrificed their lives. If they had just thought of themselves… if they had just been selfish that one time! If they had left me for dead that one time!”
stop him. She caused an explosion. I don’t know why but I think I saw both of them say only one thing
to me, “Hikaru, sorry for not being there for you. Live happily.” Can you imagine that?!” His voice was
breaking. “Not being there for me? If they had left me to die, they could have lived! I am still alive! I am still alive because of them… because I was too afraid to act, they sacrificed their lives. If they had just thought of themselves… if they had just been selfish that one time! If they had left me for dead that one time!”
He was trembling violently as he spoke and his voice was close to breaking.
He felt a pair of arms wrap around him comfortingly.
“You can cry if you want to, Hikaru-kun.” Sylvia spoke gently as he trembled. She looked at him with a
sad gaze.
sad gaze.
“I’m such an idiot, though.” He said, while still crying. “They died to protect me and here I am, thinking
that they shouldn’t have.”
that they shouldn’t have.”
They stayed like that for a few minutes while he cried silently.
“What about your other family?”
“My father’s family, well, I didn’t like them very much.”
At the expression on her face which required him to elaborate, he said, “Whenever I met them, they
looked so… fake. Always trying to fool me, always trying to fool tou-san. Tou-san wanted people to
work for their earnings. Those people didn’t want to. Once Tatsuya Corp. reached a good place, they
wanted to cheat him and make some easy money. He didn’t budge. He refused always. That is why I
hated them. They also hated me and kaa-san. They hated Genestella. Kaa-san used to tell me to not
trust them because she too didn’t. I didn’t trust them at all. Every time they took me somewhere, they
tried to hurt me. It became very severe that kaa-san stopped me from even meeting them. Tou-san
tried to repair our relations but it wouldn’t work.”
looked so… fake. Always trying to fool me, always trying to fool tou-san. Tou-san wanted people to
work for their earnings. Those people didn’t want to. Once Tatsuya Corp. reached a good place, they
wanted to cheat him and make some easy money. He didn’t budge. He refused always. That is why I
hated them. They also hated me and kaa-san. They hated Genestella. Kaa-san used to tell me to not
trust them because she too didn’t. I didn’t trust them at all. Every time they took me somewhere, they
tried to hurt me. It became very severe that kaa-san stopped me from even meeting them. Tou-san
tried to repair our relations but it wouldn’t work.”
“They were that bad, huh?”
“Yeah. However, there was another person in that family I liked and respected. Tou-san’s elder brother,
my uncle. Tatsuya Jin, my oji-san. He was a Genestella as well. Tou-san was kind of a scaredy-cat and was scared of many things. Oji-san used to protect him, from bullies and other things. Tou-san respected and loved him very much. I too respected him. He is the one who taught me how to fight with the scythe and all. Kaa-san taught me how to fight with swords of different types. Oji-san taught me how to fight with scythes, guns and other weapons. Even the scythe I have now and the guns I have, they were his Luxes.”
my uncle. Tatsuya Jin, my oji-san. He was a Genestella as well. Tou-san was kind of a scaredy-cat and was scared of many things. Oji-san used to protect him, from bullies and other things. Tou-san respected and loved him very much. I too respected him. He is the one who taught me how to fight with the scythe and all. Kaa-san taught me how to fight with swords of different types. Oji-san taught me how to fight with scythes, guns and other weapons. Even the scythe I have now and the guns I have, they were his Luxes.”
“Your uncle fought in the Phoenix, didn’t he?”
“His team was the runner-up. Kaa-san beat him.”
“Please continue.”
“He used to come over at times. He also had expertise with swords but left that part of training to
kaa-san. I always trained with him when I had the chance. But kaa-san used to try and convince me to
always use less of the techniques he taught me. I never knew why, at that time. Now I know why. All of
those techniques he taught me were used for fatal attacks and killing blows.”
kaa-san. I always trained with him when I had the chance. But kaa-san used to try and convince me to
always use less of the techniques he taught me. I never knew why, at that time. Now I know why. All of
those techniques he taught me were used for fatal attacks and killing blows.”
“Not intended for normal matches.”
“Yeah. He did teach me how to adjust my attack though. Kaa-san was okay with it when I adjusted my
attack so that they won’t hit any fatal spot. That went fine. And I trained and trained.”
attack so that they won’t hit any fatal spot. That went fine. And I trained and trained.”
“What happened to your uncle?”
“I will get to that in the end. Next was Setsuna-san. Kaa-san saved her life and Setsuna-san made an
oath of fealty to her. Setsuna-san and her coming generations would serve my kaa-san and her
children and subsequent generations.”
oath of fealty to her. Setsuna-san and her coming generations would serve my kaa-san and her
children and subsequent generations.”
“What happened to her?”
“She was ill. I met her once when I was young. At a party hosted by my father. Kaa-san always treated
her like a sister. She always wore only white and snow-themed clothes when I met her at formal
parties. I also met Setsura-nee at a party.”
her like a sister. She always wore only white and snow-themed clothes when I met her at formal
parties. I also met Setsura-nee at a party.”
“Yuki-san?”
“Yeah. She didn’t change from that time and now. Kaa-san didn’t treat Setsuna-san as a servant but
as family. After Setsuna-san, her child, Setsura-nee, will carry on the oath and swear herself to me.
She was like an older sister to me.”
as family. After Setsuna-san, her child, Setsura-nee, will carry on the oath and swear herself to me.
She was like an older sister to me.”
“That is obvious to us.”
“Quiet. Let me finish.”
“Alright.”
“Both of them were caring and looked out for me in their own ways. And I was thankful for that.”
“Now… what happened to your uncle?”
“A year before my parents’ death, my father received news from my uncle that their family was dead.
All of them. Oji-san said that he was going to search for their killer. He disappeared for a full year after
that, not bothering to keep in contact. I never saw him again. Things weren’t that bad off after he
disappeared though and while I do wonder at times what he’s doing now or if he’s even still around, it
never bothered me altogether that much because...I had my mother and my father, y’know? Even if
my uncle had just up and disappeared, I still had my parents who I loved with all my heart and who
loved me just as much in turn. The time I spent with them felt like a dream and I always thought those
days would last forever but… life’s no fairy tale. There was no happily ever after for us.. Just a grisly
end and memories of better days long past”. Hikaru's sobbing came to an end, his pained expression
temporarily replaced by a stoic mask of melancholy and resignation.
All of them. Oji-san said that he was going to search for their killer. He disappeared for a full year after
that, not bothering to keep in contact. I never saw him again. Things weren’t that bad off after he
disappeared though and while I do wonder at times what he’s doing now or if he’s even still around, it
never bothered me altogether that much because...I had my mother and my father, y’know? Even if
my uncle had just up and disappeared, I still had my parents who I loved with all my heart and who
loved me just as much in turn. The time I spent with them felt like a dream and I always thought those
days would last forever but… life’s no fairy tale. There was no happily ever after for us.. Just a grisly
end and memories of better days long past”. Hikaru's sobbing came to an end, his pained expression
temporarily replaced by a stoic mask of melancholy and resignation.
He looked at her then smiled that sad, pained little smile he always did when telling her everything
would be alright. Sylvia hated it. She hated that smile so much. “Sorry to make you listen to me rant,
Sylvie”, he said.
would be alright. Sylvia hated it. She hated that smile so much. “Sorry to make you listen to me rant,
Sylvie”, he said.
In response, she reached forward to embrace him before replying, “Don’t be Hikaru-kun. Never be.
I’m glad you trust me enough to let me into your heart”. After a moment, he wordlessly hugged her
back and the two stayed that way for a while, paying no heed to the silence that descended upon
them as they enjoyed the warmth of each other’s embrace. With great reluctance, Hikaru eventually
broke away before smiling a little mirthful smile that set her heartbeat aflutter. He restarted their
conversation again by saying,
I’m glad you trust me enough to let me into your heart”. After a moment, he wordlessly hugged her
back and the two stayed that way for a while, paying no heed to the silence that descended upon
them as they enjoyed the warmth of each other’s embrace. With great reluctance, Hikaru eventually
broke away before smiling a little mirthful smile that set her heartbeat aflutter. He restarted their
conversation again by saying,
“It wasn’t all doom and gloom though. My life still had its fair share of happiness. I got to meet many
new people, made so many memories with my family while they were still around that I’ll cherish for
the rest of my life… Despite everything that’s happened to me so far, I still had a reason to exist, a
reason to live. I always did. And that was more than enough for me.”
new people, made so many memories with my family while they were still around that I’ll cherish for
the rest of my life… Despite everything that’s happened to me so far, I still had a reason to exist, a
reason to live. I always did. And that was more than enough for me.”
She leaned forward, interested as his tone was noticeably lighter and happier.
“The people I lived with, the Amagiri family were friends of my father. He had stated in his will that if I
wanted to, I could stay with them. Or with Ryu. I chose to live with them, don't know why though…
maybe my gut feeling.”
wanted to, I could stay with them. Or with Ryu. I chose to live with them, don't know why though…
maybe my gut feeling.”
He nodded then proceeded to explain, “I met the Amagiri family a while back. Honestly, the similarities
between our families were almost frightening. Masatsugu-san was just like tou-san, strict but caring.
Haruka-nee was kind and caring, but she could be scary if she wanted to. She was, in one word, a
tsundere. Ayato was basically, a clone of me, just more enthusiastic. After my parents passed away, I
moved in with them.”
between our families were almost frightening. Masatsugu-san was just like tou-san, strict but caring.
Haruka-nee was kind and caring, but she could be scary if she wanted to. She was, in one word, a
tsundere. Ayato was basically, a clone of me, just more enthusiastic. After my parents passed away, I
moved in with them.”
“Ah!” Sylvia's eyes widened in realisation. “So that’s why you rarely came over. You lived very far away.”
“I'm sorry about that. I threw myself into training even more. It acted like a distraction, I guess. I
focused on training. I set my goal to become stronger. I didn't want to have any nightmares so I trained
till I was unconscious. Haruka-nee would always scold me about that.”
focused on training. I set my goal to become stronger. I didn't want to have any nightmares so I trained
till I was unconscious. Haruka-nee would always scold me about that.”
“I also met a neighbor. Gah… she was annoying as hell though.”
She laughed at his words before gesturing for him to continue.
“I eventually left the Amagiri house and came to Asterisk. It was here that I met the people I cherish
most. Arashi, Claudia, Nestor, Kyouko-sensei, Setsura-nee… all of them. I was happy during the time I
spent here in Asterisk.”
most. Arashi, Claudia, Nestor, Kyouko-sensei, Setsura-nee… all of them. I was happy during the time I
spent here in Asterisk.”
“I felt… happy for the year. But the happiest memory was not that. My happiest memory was something
that could never be compared to any other.”
that could never be compared to any other.”
His tone and words piqued her interest as she leaned in even more, almost face to face.
“What is it?” She asked excitedly, not even aware of the distance between them.
“That was the time I met a certain beautiful songstress I know, who is, at the moment, so close to me
that I can just lean forward and kiss her.” He answered with a teasing smirk.
that I can just lean forward and kiss her.” He answered with a teasing smirk.
She brightened at his words before realising their closeness and almost jumped away in surprise.
“That was the time I met you, Sylvie. That memory’s still as clear as crystal to me. That moment in the
park… I can still remember hearing your voice for the very first time. I thought an angel had descended
down from the very heavens to sing… a song that resonated with my heart and soul and one I still
remember to this day. Of all my memories, that particular one was and still is the most precious to me.”
park… I can still remember hearing your voice for the very first time. I thought an angel had descended
down from the very heavens to sing… a song that resonated with my heart and soul and one I still
remember to this day. Of all my memories, that particular one was and still is the most precious to me.”
“I wanted to be friends with you. I was a Genestella and people were afraid of me. When I was young,
I couldn’t control my power. I lashed out at times and almost hurt others. They were scared and
avoided me. I didn’t have any friends at that time. I think it was excitement perhaps. A childish desire,
excitement… I don’t know what to call it now. I wanted friends. I wanted someone to be friends with,
someone to play with, someone to share memories with. A good friend to be with me through the ups
and downs of my life. I wanted companionship. I was scared of being alone. When I heard your song
that day, when I saw you, I wanted to be your friend. I was just kinda drawn to you. It just felt right.
When we met for the very first time, for some reason, I knew that you were the one I had been waiting
for all this time. That you’d be everything I ever wanted in a friend.”
I couldn’t control my power. I lashed out at times and almost hurt others. They were scared and
avoided me. I didn’t have any friends at that time. I think it was excitement perhaps. A childish desire,
excitement… I don’t know what to call it now. I wanted friends. I wanted someone to be friends with,
someone to play with, someone to share memories with. A good friend to be with me through the ups
and downs of my life. I wanted companionship. I was scared of being alone. When I heard your song
that day, when I saw you, I wanted to be your friend. I was just kinda drawn to you. It just felt right.
When we met for the very first time, for some reason, I knew that you were the one I had been waiting
for all this time. That you’d be everything I ever wanted in a friend.”
A blush found its way to her face from his words as he continued..
“Eventually, you too became one of the people I cherish dearly. You were another reason for me to
grow stronger. So that I could protect the one I love. So that I could protect you”, he finished, then
stood up.
grow stronger. So that I could protect the one I love. So that I could protect you”, he finished, then
stood up.
“Sylvia, could you go somewhere with me? Just for a little while.”
The dark and cloudy sky started to pour on them a rain unlike any other.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hikaru and Sylvia were now in his mansion and both of them were soaking wet.
“Sylvie, can you take care of these for me? After this is over, the Stjarnagarm will search this mansion. If it is ever destroyed or my things are confiscated, I don’t want these things to be touched.”
He handed her a bag. As she opened it, she noticed the only electronics in there were a laptop and a
phone.
phone.
“They have most of the things I care about in there. And some sensitive data as well. They will open
only by my voice and now, yours too. The other things are just small keepsakes, things I can’t part with.”
only by my voice and now, yours too. The other things are just small keepsakes, things I can’t part with.”
As she looked at the many photos, she spotted something shining in the corner. As she took it out to
examine it, she almost gasped. In the box were a pair of gold rings with a diamond encrusted in each.
Next to the rings was a bracelet with a small but beautiful red-black stone. A locket was next, with a
photo of three people in it.
examine it, she almost gasped. In the box were a pair of gold rings with a diamond encrusted in each.
Next to the rings was a bracelet with a small but beautiful red-black stone. A locket was next, with a
photo of three people in it.
“Are you sure, Hikaru-kun? I don’t think I ca-”
“I trust you, Sylvie. You’re the only person to whom I talked about my past so much.”
He then walked towards the door.
“Can you keep that with you? Always”
“I can… but why don’t you just keep them with you or find somewhere else to store them?”
He didn’t answer but managed a small, sad smile that shattered her heart into pieces.
“Because….with them in your hands, I’ll finally have a reason to keep on living. So that I could come
for them someday….Above all else, it’d give me a reason to see you again….In this cruel, broken little
world we live in, being with you brings me a sense of belonging that I never felt anywhere else, not
since the day my parents died…It’s all I have left to look forward to. Can you do that for me, Sylvie?”
for them someday….Above all else, it’d give me a reason to see you again….In this cruel, broken little
world we live in, being with you brings me a sense of belonging that I never felt anywhere else, not
since the day my parents died…It’s all I have left to look forward to. Can you do that for me, Sylvie?”
She could only nod in response, not knowing how to respond to his heartfelt statement and with that,
the rest of their journey back descended into silence with not a word being spoken by either of them.
the rest of their journey back descended into silence with not a word being spoken by either of them.
XXXXXXXXXX
As the deadline neared, two of Reaper’s executives entered the auditorium, both of them leaking
copious amounts of Prana and killing intent, scaring the students and teachers immensely.
copious amounts of Prana and killing intent, scaring the students and teachers immensely.
At the same moment, Hikaru and Sylvia were just around the corner, nearing the auditorium.
“Hikaru!” Nestor's voice came in short and panicked gasps.
Immediately, the Raijin's eyes narrowed and he dashed towards the auditorium with Sylvia following
closely behind him. Nestor, who seemed to be searching for them, immediately turned around and ran
with them.
closely behind him. Nestor, who seemed to be searching for them, immediately turned around and ran
with them.
“What the hell happened, Nestor?!”
“Two of those executives appeared! They looked sorta insane! Arashi is fighting them!”
With a low growl, Hikaru disappeared in a burst of speed, the familiar glow of Denko Sekka visible
around him.
around him.
XXXXXXXXX
“What are you doing?! Hikaru isn’t here!”
Arashi was clashing blades with the first man and was on the losing side, only barely holding off the
executive.
executive.
“Get out of my way, brat!”
He was kicked in the gut and coughed out some blood before attacking again.
“Where’s the bitch?! Master wants her!”
“What do you want with her!?”, Arashi shouted in protest.
“You know EXACTLY what we want from her! I’ll have you know Fang there is a bit messed up in the
head you see, so if you know what’s good for you, you’d hand her over!” The man known as Claw
said as he blocked Arashi’s attack.
head you see, so if you know what’s good for you, you’d hand her over!” The man known as Claw
said as he blocked Arashi’s attack.
“You bastards!”
At the same time, a burst of lightning hit the floor between Arashi and the executives, making both of
them jump back.
them jump back.
Hikaru appeared between the two groups, his eyes almost a crimson red, glaring at the executives.
Suddenly, a screen appeared before the teen, showing Reaper's face, which made Hikaru glare at the
masked terrorist before glancing at Sylvia and Nestor, who were still at the entrance to the auditorium.
masked terrorist before glancing at Sylvia and Nestor, who were still at the entrance to the auditorium.
“Have you come to a decision, boy?”
At his words, the blue haired teen recalled a conversation that he had with the people he cherished
the most.
the most.
Flashback
“Hikaru-kun, what do you think happiness will look like?”
Everyone who heard this question had their interest piqued as Sylvia looked expectantly at Hikaru.
“Happiness?”
“If happiness takes a physical form, what would it look like?”
With a small laugh, Arashi said, “For him, I’d say it would be chocolate.”
“Shut up.”
“Am I not correct?”
“For you, it would be Setsura accepting your confession then, I guess.” Hikaru retorted in a teasing
tone with a smirk.
tone with a smirk.
“Huh? What do you mean?” The Student Council President tried to feign ignorance, but the blush on
his face gave it away.
his face gave it away.
“Heh… what’s this I’m hearing about, Arashi? You have a crush on Yuki Onna?” Nestor asked, clearly
interested.
interested.
“W-what?! No!”
“Arashi-kaichou has a secret crush on Setsura-san, which is-”
“Which is not so secret as he believes it is.” Hikaru finished for Claudia.
“No! Shut up and mind your own business!”
“Aww… onii-chan is flustered!”
“Sylvie, not you too!”
With a laugh at Arashi’s predicament, Hikaru said, “Well Arashi, out of my good will and kindness-”
“Kindness and good will, my ass.” Arashi muttered. “-I will give you one piece of good news. Setsura
likes you too.”
“Kindness and good will, my ass.” Arashi muttered. “-I will give you one piece of good news. Setsura
likes you too.”
The blush on his face intensified and his face turned a bright red.
“So after everything is over, just confess to her.”
Arashi’s eyes were replaced by swirls from his confusion, making everyone laugh.
“Returning to the original question at hand, I don’t think happiness can be given an exact form, but I
guess it would be moments like this.”
guess it would be moments like this.”
“Didn’t expect you to be so sentimental, Ibara.”
“For me, it would be an ocean. Deep but not enough.”
“Sounds like you.” Nestor commented on Feardorcha’s answer while Hikaru nodded at that answer.
However, it is deep and can hide many dark things. It can deceive you and also drown you.
However, it is deep and can hide many dark things. It can deceive you and also drown you.
“For me, I guess it would be the happy moments I carved into ice so that they can be preserved.”
“Nestor, you always were like that. Making ice sculptures.” Hikaru commented. “What do you mean?”
“Always simple. You know, even if you don’t make it big here, I think you can make it big as making ice
sculptures for people. I know a lot of people in Tokyo and even my company who would pay a fortune
for that.” The others laughed at his expense while Nestor said with a huff, “Anyway, returning to the
original question, I will give Hikaru’s answer.”
“Always simple. You know, even if you don’t make it big here, I think you can make it big as making ice
sculptures for people. I know a lot of people in Tokyo and even my company who would pay a fortune
for that.” The others laughed at his expense while Nestor said with a huff, “Anyway, returning to the
original question, I will give Hikaru’s answer.”
“Huh?”
“For him, I’d say that it would be digging into a giant chocolate cake and not having to share it with
anyone.”
anyone.”
Immediately, their minds were filled with a mental image of a chibi Hikaru digging into a big cake with
a happy grin on his face, making everyone, including Hikaru, laugh out loud.
a happy grin on his face, making everyone, including Hikaru, laugh out loud.
Suddenly, a small hammer made of ice smacked Nestor up the head before shattering into small
pieces. The small pieces of ice shimmered in the light before their eyes. “Ow!”
pieces. The small pieces of ice shimmered in the light before their eyes. “Ow!”
“Glass.” Hikaru said with a smile.
“What?”
“If happiness takes a physical form, I think it would be glass.”
“Why?”
“Happiness is just like glass. It exists, unnoticed by everyone. However, if you change your angle of
viewing a little, it will reflect light more beautifully than ever. That is what I believe happiness is.”
viewing a little, it will reflect light more beautifully than ever. That is what I believe happiness is.”
All of them seemed stunned for a few moments before Sylvia said, “Glass, huh? I think that sounds
about right.”
about right.”
As the others continued their happy discussion, Hikaru watched on with a smile.
Suddenly, his nightmare appeared before his eyes, overlapping with reality.
His smile turned sad as the image shattered like glass.
Happiness is like glass. Fogged over by darkness. So fragile.
The happy moment before him also shattered as he tried to sleep for a while.
So fragile. Always needs to be protected. So easily… destroyed.
Flashback end
“Happiness… I can't just let it shatter like that so easily without even trying, right?”
His words were more of a question to himself than anyone else.
“I need to take responsibility for my actions. My pride won't allow me to do anything less!”
“Arashi, get back and protect Sylvie.” He appeared behind Arashi, throwing him back immediately and
slashing with his right hand as the Lux started materialising slowly.
slashing with his right hand as the Lux started materialising slowly.
As the blade was materialising, it took the form of a chokuto. It was pitch-black in colour, the blade, hilt,
guard, everything.
guard, everything.
As it materialised fully, the pitch-black blade cut straight through the neck of one of them while the
other jumped back.
other jumped back.
As the headless corpse fell to the ground while blood spilled on him, Hikaru looked coldly at the
remaining man and at the holographic screen before him.
remaining man and at the holographic screen before him.
“You think I’ll let someone I love become a killer for my sake? Suffer for my sake? Suffer for your
enjoyment?” With each word, his anger grew and lightning crackled in the air.
enjoyment?” With each word, his anger grew and lightning crackled in the air.
“If I do that, I’ll be no different to you. I won’t be human anymore.”
“Hah! To think a monster like you talks about being human… hahahahaha!”
“Just because I am a monster doesn’t mean I don’t have a heart.”
“You are making a grave mistake, boy. I implore that you reconsider very, very carefully”
“Heh…Am I now? We make many choices in life. I won’t deny that everything will always turn out
alright because they don’t. Not always. Sometimes, decisions end badly and ultimately lead to nothing
but pain and regret. Still, that doesn’t mean that we’re monsters! The fact that we make mistakes and
can learn from them means that we’re human! If I’m making a mistake, then fine! I will learn from
those mistakes, grow stronger and use my newfound strength to put you down!”
alright because they don’t. Not always. Sometimes, decisions end badly and ultimately lead to nothing
but pain and regret. Still, that doesn’t mean that we’re monsters! The fact that we make mistakes and
can learn from them means that we’re human! If I’m making a mistake, then fine! I will learn from
those mistakes, grow stronger and use my newfound strength to put you down!”
“Do you realize the consequences of your choice, boy!?”
“Yeah, I do. But if there’s anything I’ve learned over the course of my life, it’s that no matter what
choice I make now, I’ll eventually come to regret it later however much or little… That’s why, I’ll do
what I feel is right, what I want to do right here and now regardless of what the future may have in
store for me! I've made my choice! I will live with the consequences of my decision and fight to
protect Sylvie and the people that I love!”
choice I make now, I’ll eventually come to regret it later however much or little… That’s why, I’ll do
what I feel is right, what I want to do right here and now regardless of what the future may have in
store for me! I've made my choice! I will live with the consequences of my decision and fight to
protect Sylvie and the people that I love!”
He moved his hand at a high speed for a slash.
Suddenly, the second executive fell to the floor, cut to pieces.
“Rest in pieces, bastard.”
Hikaru then glared at Reaper.
“Send them after me, Reaper. Send all your executives after me. I will slaughter each and every last
one of them!”
one of them!”
The screen disappeared at his words and he sheathed the chokuto in a scabbard hanging at his waist.
“I won’t let someone I love suffer for my sake due to me. That weakness is something I hate.” He
spoke to himself.
spoke to himself.
As the screen disappeared, Hikaru turned towards Sylvia and walked past her, ruffling her hair a bit as
he did so.
he did so.
“Don't worry, Sylvie. I'll protect everyone.”
Before she could so much as utter a word, he was already gone.
XXXXXXXXXX
Hikaru walked towards the door, feeling a powerful killing intent just outside the auditorium.
“What are you going to do now?”
He walked towards the door while lightning danced around him in arcs.
His Kanmuru had activated.
“This is just the beginning, Arashi… the beginning of their end!”
He then disappeared.
“Where did he…?”
Arashi's question was answered moments later when a series of explosions ripped through the college
building.
building.
“What the!”
A group of students immediately ran out, witnessing a large wolf made of lightning biting onto a snake
made of water.
made of water.
On the now damaged building, on one of the outer staircases stood Hikaru, locking swords with a
woman with black hair.
woman with black hair.
Suddenly, a fist made of purple smoke headed towards them.
“This is bad! That's poison!”
Both of the sword users jumped back as the fist crushed the metal.
The lightning wolf then bit at the water serpent's neck and tore it off, making the water form a giant
puddle.
puddle.
Hikaru landed on that puddle, standing on a destroyed part of the roof.
A big wall of ice formed before Hikaru and he immediately turned towards the middle-school building.
Nestor and Arashi were standing on the roof.
“You idiots! Get back!”
“Let us support you in the very least! You have been fighting for our sakes long enough!”
With a glare at the two students, Hikaru slashed at the ice wall and cut through it, while slashing at a
fist with his second chokuto. As the ice broke into chunks, he slashed at each chunk in quick
succession, breaking them into tiny pieces.
fist with his second chokuto. As the ice broke into chunks, he slashed at each chunk in quick
succession, breaking them into tiny pieces.
A whip of water caught each of his limbs and suddenly, electric cables were thrown into the puddle.
An electric charge ran through the giant puddle, severely shocking the teen in the centre of the puddle.
“Hikaru!” Arashi shouted in concern.
An evil laughter rang out as Hikaru suddenly disappeared, the whips of water not holding.
Suddenly, Hikaru appeared behind them and a sharp pain erupted at the neck before they were
knocked out.
knocked out.
XXXXXXXXXX
Sylvia was utterly shocked as Hikaru suddenly appeared before her, carrying a knocked out Arashi
and Nestor.
and Nestor.
“Take care of these two idiots.” With those words, he disappeared.
A short moment later, a huge lightning bolt struck the college building.
The sound awoke the two knocked out students.
“Wh-what happened?”
“I don’t know either. Hikaru-kun carried you two here. The two of you were out cold when he arrived.”
Sylvia briefly informed them.
Sylvia briefly informed them.
“How were we even knocked out?”
“That bastard!” Arashi said, quite angrily. “Hikaru knocked us out.”
“Isn’t there anything we can do?” Sylvia asked. “He told us not to interfere but…. I don’t want to leave
him to fend for himself. Who knows what could happen to him?”
him to fend for himself. Who knows what could happen to him?”
They had no answer to her question and simply hung their heads low.
A sudden burst of killing intent from the front made them immediately jump back before a blade of
lightning cut through a snake made of poisonous fog which was at the spot where they previously
stood.
lightning cut through a snake made of poisonous fog which was at the spot where they previously
stood.
“Don’t involve them in this, Cobra!” Hikaru shouted in anger at a man who stood at the tail of the snake.
He had brown hair and only one blue eye, the other covered by an eyepatch.
“You involved them!”
“Shut up!”
Both of them sent an animal made of their Prana at the other. Hikaru’s Prana converted the Mana to
form a lightning wolf while the Void Order executive formed a poison serpent.
form a lightning wolf while the Void Order executive formed a poison serpent.
“You think a serpent can stop a wolf?! Think again!”
The wolf bit into the head of the serpent while using its claws to pin its body to the ground.
Suddenly, a water serpent coiled around the wolf’s neck, crushing the neck.
“Break!”
Suddenly, the lightning wolf dissipated and a lightning dragon formed around the water serpent,
crashing into it.
crashing into it.
The poison serpent headed towards Hikaru, unrestricted by anything.
Hikaru stood calmly, the scythe held horizontally in his hands.
In a single movement, the head of the serpent was split into two and a bolt of lightning hit the man at
the end of the serpent.
the end of the serpent.
“The Narukami gives me power even when it is not in use. I just have to acknowledge that I am killing
something precious to me.”
something precious to me.”
A big sword made of pure lightning beheaded Cobra and Hikaru smirked as the lightning dragon bit
into the water serpent and dissipated.
into the water serpent and dissipated.
A current of electricity travelled through the water. “Tag. You are it.”
Suddenly, wolves made of lightning appeared from the electrified water and started tearing into a man
covered by a black cloak.
covered by a black cloak.
His screams of pain were silenced as a wolf bit into his neck and head, ending his life.
“Next, you are the only one left.” Hikaru said, turning towards the woman with black hair. She held a
longsword in each hand.
longsword in each hand.
“How many have you killed, monster? Frost, Inferno, Cobra, Wave, Fang, Claw, Stone, Storm… I will
take my vengeance for them!”
take my vengeance for them!”
“ Yeah, yeah, I did.” Hikaru replied with a nonchalant tone. “Try all you can. You will be joining them
soon!”
soon!”
With a grin on his face, Hikaru ran towards the man, his blue chokutos held in his hands. Sparks
erupted from the ground as he dragged the blades across the ground he stood upon, running straight
at the woman.
erupted from the ground as he dragged the blades across the ground he stood upon, running straight
at the woman.
He slashed with the right and then the left. As both of the blows were blocked, he continued the left
slash into a semi-circular arc while slashing at her legs with his right sword.
slash into a semi-circular arc while slashing at her legs with his right sword.
“Tch!”
“You are persistent, monster!”
“You are an extremely annoying bitch! Did anyone ever tell you that?!”
With a sudden increase in speed, he cut her right arm, creating a long gash. Another second later, a
similar gash was formed on her left arm.
similar gash was formed on her left arm.
“ARGHH!”
“Just shut up.”
A dagger found its way to each of her legs, creating the opposite effect of his words.
“What? Are you really one of Reaper’s executives? Guess it was wrong of me to expect something
from you weaklings.” His voice was cold and calm, almost like he was stating a fact. “And for your
information, I killed 8 of the executives and the traitorous bitch that you kept as a mole. And now, you
are next!”
from you weaklings.” His voice was cold and calm, almost like he was stating a fact. “And for your
information, I killed 8 of the executives and the traitorous bitch that you kept as a mole. And now, you
are next!”
He jumped back a few feet and arcs of electricity danced around him.
“Kanmuru!”
He ran at her again, clashing swords with his next victim, for there was no other word to describe her.
The difference was clear. There was not a single gash on Hikaru while the woman was bleeding from
various wounds inflicted by him.
The difference was clear. There was not a single gash on Hikaru while the woman was bleeding from
various wounds inflicted by him.
With a sudden motion, Hikaru stabbed her in the neck and left her to choke on her own blood. The red
liquid pooled around her while Hikaru calmly turned his back to her and walked away.
liquid pooled around her while Hikaru calmly turned his back to her and walked away.
“This is just the beginning of the end. Until I kill each and every member of Void Order, I can’t let this
end.” He spoke to himself while sheathing his swords.
end.” He spoke to himself while sheathing his swords.
He then turned to the group who were at a safe distance from the fight, glaring at them.
XXXXXXXXXX
“If you do that again, I will break your limbs and throw you in here.” Hikaru said seriously.
“We wanted to help…” Nestor tried to say in a weak tone.
“Help? Did I look like I needed help?”
“Yes?” Arashi tried to say.
“I was baiting them. Because you idiots interfered, I had to use the Narukami’s price again. Killing off
my own feelings is not something I am very interested in doing.”
my own feelings is not something I am very interested in doing.”
“Sorry.”
“That won’t cut it.” He said with a glare. “If anyone interferes again, I will knock them out and throw
them back in here.”
them back in here.”
“Aren’t you-”
“Not a single word. If I hadn’t stopped that serpent, you all would be poisoned and likely be dead by
now. So, for now, follow my orders.”
now. So, for now, follow my orders.”
“Alright. We’re sorry, Hikaru-kun.”
“Sylvia, Claudia, don’t apologise. You two however…”
Arashi and Nestor had extremely guilty looks on their faces.
“Sorry.”
“Good.”
Suddenly, he threw a dagger towards the door.
“Why don’t you come out and we will settle this? I am tired and annoyed of playing hide-and-seek and
other stupid games. You come out and I will kill you, or I can just wander around and you attack me.
Either way, you are dead.” He said in a cold voice, twirling his scythe around.
other stupid games. You come out and I will kill you, or I can just wander around and you attack me.
Either way, you are dead.” He said in a cold voice, twirling his scythe around.
A man suddenly appeared, as if he was invisible mere moments prior and then said, “You seem to be
mistaken, boy. Your opponent is waiting for you at the roof of the building you just destroyed. If you
manage to defeat both Witch and Wizard, then you may face me.”
mistaken, boy. Your opponent is waiting for you at the roof of the building you just destroyed. If you
manage to defeat both Witch and Wizard, then you may face me.”
“Wizard? Just so you know, I am not very good with wizards and the like.”
“Let’s see. If you beat both Wizard and Witch, then you will face me.”
With an insane laugh, Hikaru walked towards the door, passing by the man.
“Now I know who you are. You are Reaper’s right-hand man and strongest executive. The final guy.
The field boss, I guess.”
The field boss, I guess.”
“Refer to me by whatever you will, boy. You are going to die today.”
“Sorry but I don’t plan on dying today.”
The teen disappeared with a burst of lightning.
A small amount of lightning was left behind.
Touch them and I will kill you in the most painful way possible.
XXXXXXXXXX
Seidoukan Academy
College Building Rooftop
The Raijin of Seidoukan appeared before the Witch and Wizard of Void Order, his face set into a cold
and calm visage.
and calm visage.
“Just so you know, I will torture you mentally and then I will kill you, boy.”
“My opponents are two people at Rank 1, huh? Let’s see how I fare against them.” Hikaru said, not
even perturbed by the words of Witch.
even perturbed by the words of Witch.
He ran at the two while throwing his scythe. It was repelled by Wizard while he suddenly floated in the
air.
air.
He went slack as his mind faded into black and darkness consumed him.
XXXXXXXXXX
Pain.
Excruciating pain which made him scream but not a sound left his mouth as he tried to speak.
Blood all around him. Corpses.
“Where is this?”
Witch suddenly appeared before him, holding a limp person in her hands.
“Sylvie!”
The purple-eyed girl was bleeding from many wounds.
What is this? What is happening?!
“Let’s see how you will scream if I torture her.”
“No, no, no, no, no… NOOO!”
Then his suffering began as she was tortured repeatedly.
“Stop it!”
Repeatedly stabbed.
Tainted.
Violated.
Hurt.
Wounded.
Destroyed.
And it began again.
Her screams echoed in his mind as her eyes lost the light, only for the torture to start all over again.
Each time, a pair of purple eyes, filled with tears and looking at him.
Three words mouthed to him. Three powerful words, which broke him each time they were repeated.
I’m sorry, Hikaru-kun.
His own eyes were bloodshot and widened with fear.
His hair, once a vibrant blue, was now almost white, with just a few streaks of the blue remaining.
Suddenly, another person appeared before him.
An involuntary growl escaped his lips at the person before him.
REAPER!!
Cold red eyes looked down at him, almost mockingly, mocking his efforts, mocking his very existence.
“You are weak, boy.” Each word stung, almost like a knife stabbing him. “You cannot protect the
people you love. How will you protect the whole school if you can’t even protect a group of people?”
people you love. How will you protect the whole school if you can’t even protect a group of people?”
Blue-red eyes widened in rage as each word rang in his ears.
Weakness?
XXXXXXXXXX
“What is taking him so long?!”
“Damn it! Hikaru, what the hell are you doing?!”
A large burst of killing intent suddenly bore down on them.
The temperature of the whole room seemed to immediately drop down by many degrees and the
students started shaking.
students started shaking.
A majority of them fell unconscious from the pressure while those who were still conscious couldn’t
stop shaking in fear.
stop shaking in fear.
Suddenly, a loud crash at the entrance to the auditorium gathered the attention of many, only to be
dispelled by a loud animalistic roar.
dispelled by a loud animalistic roar.
However…
“Hikaru?” Arashi whispered, concern and fear in his voice as the roar sounded a bit like Hikaru’s voice
and the aura also felt like him, but a lot darker and distant.
and the aura also felt like him, but a lot darker and distant.
XXXXXXXXXX
“Just stop this… don’t hurt them anymore.”
His voice was broken as he looked at Sylvia.
Both of them were chained to chairs. However, injuries were visible on their bodies, and various
weapons were stabbed into their bodies.
weapons were stabbed into their bodies.
Her blood was on him, on his hands.
“I’m sorry, Hikaru-kun…”
Again, the same words.
The same lifeless eyes.
The same scream.
Cruel laughter rang out as a sadistic voice said, “What? You think this is the end?” Another laugh.
“This is just the beginning… the beginning of your end!”
“This is just the beginning… the beginning of your end!”
As the torture continued, he was hanging on. Hanging on to those words.
Beginning of my end?
He searched his own memory. Those words. His own voice had spoken those words.
Beginning of the end.
Suddenly, a darker voice started to echo in his mind.
Do you want power? Power to kill all who stand in your way? Power to destroy all those who
wronged you?
wronged you?
Power?
Power! The power to destroy! The power to destroy everything that drags you down! The power
to destroy every obstacle!
to destroy every obstacle!
The faces of a few people flashed before him. All the people he cared about. All the people he loved.
Each of the face was stained with blood, eyes dull and lifeless.
Each of the face was stained with blood, eyes dull and lifeless.
Everything broke. It shattered into pieces. Happiness. Glass.
He snapped. The chains holding him shattered to pieces and ice started spreading around him,
freezing everything around him.
freezing everything around him.
Lightning danced around him violently, destroying everything.
“Not anymore… I will destroy everything that stands in my path!”
He rebelled.
The screams which haunted him stopped as he roared in anger.
The darkness which he was trying to escape from embraced him.
Cold, inviting, enticing, embracing, dark.
He lost control.
XXXXXXXXXX
A beast roared in anger as the dust cleared.
The students and faculty gasped.
Shock and fear ran through them as they stared at the form of Hikaru pinning the two Void Order
executives to the ground with his leg.
executives to the ground with his leg.
The sole member of Void Order stared at the two broken forms of Witch and Wizard in disbelief.
Wizard was still alive, but he felt that he was better off dead.
Only half of their bodies were present, the other halves not attached to their bodies. The lower halves
were a few feet from them, blood pooling around them.
were a few feet from them, blood pooling around them.
A big hole was carved into Witch, right where her heart and lungs were. The heart and lungs, along
with many other vital organs were gouged out and the holes on her body were proof of that. Her arms
were burned beyond measure and some parts of her flesh were missing. Her whole skull was broken
and her head crushed by the force of the crash. Most of her ribs, which were visible through the holes
in her corpse were also shattered, broken into extremely fine pieces.
with many other vital organs were gouged out and the holes on her body were proof of that. Her arms
were burned beyond measure and some parts of her flesh were missing. Her whole skull was broken
and her head crushed by the force of the crash. Most of her ribs, which were visible through the holes
in her corpse were also shattered, broken into extremely fine pieces.
Wizard was on the verge of death and his suffering was clear to everyone. No words could begin to
describe the pain he must be feeling now. He was cut, slashed, stabbed, gutted and mauled beyond
measure. The blood leaking from his eyes or where his eyes should be told everything, or so he
thought. His eyes were gouged out along with most of his vital organs. His jaw itself was ripped out
and his arms were broken, the bones in them shattered into pieces. His ribs were in the same state,
with all 12 pairs of ribs being shattered beyond repair. Various other injuries were visible on his body.
describe the pain he must be feeling now. He was cut, slashed, stabbed, gutted and mauled beyond
measure. The blood leaking from his eyes or where his eyes should be told everything, or so he
thought. His eyes were gouged out along with most of his vital organs. His jaw itself was ripped out
and his arms were broken, the bones in them shattered into pieces. His ribs were in the same state,
with all 12 pairs of ribs being shattered beyond repair. Various other injuries were visible on his body.
Wizard tried to squeeze out a few words from his mouth but failed. The blood in his throat was making
it difficult to even breathe, let alone speak. He was overwhelmed by darkness and was feeling only one
thing. Pain. Lots of pain.
it difficult to even breathe, let alone speak. He was overwhelmed by darkness and was feeling only one
thing. Pain. Lots of pain.
As he tried to slowly get up, a foot crushed his hopes, along with his lungs. His ruptured lungs were
starting to fill with his own blood.
starting to fill with his own blood.
Suddenly, the same foot kicked him on his side, sending him into the air. A crushing force threw him
back to the ground. Sharp claws pierced him, causing him excruciating pain. His heart and lungs being
gouged was the last thing he left that caused him pain before his head was crushed brutally.
back to the ground. Sharp claws pierced him, causing him excruciating pain. His heart and lungs being
gouged was the last thing he left that caused him pain before his head was crushed brutally.
Hikaru, who was now looking coldly at the corpse of the executive, turned towards the last executive
and glared at him. His eyes were a pure blood-red, almost like they reflected the blood that he had
spilled. His hair was now half-white, half-blue.
and glared at him. His eyes were a pure blood-red, almost like they reflected the blood that he had
spilled. His hair was now half-white, half-blue.
The aura surrounding him was a terrifying cold white. Sharp claws made of lightning were forming
around his hands while his sharp fang-like teeth made him look much like a wolf.
around his hands while his sharp fang-like teeth made him look much like a wolf.
Suddenly, a white lightning bolt struck the two corpses behind him and when the bright flash
disappeared, the two corpses were not there. A burn mark was left behind on the ground.
disappeared, the two corpses were not there. A burn mark was left behind on the ground.
“I’ve had enough of your filthy presence in this place!”
The white lightning surrounding him started to shoot outwards, more specifically, shoot towards the
final executive.
final executive.
“Once I kill you, the only one left is him and then everything will be finished.”
A barrier appeared before the final executive, blocking the white lightning.
“Light?”
Another followed, only to be blocked in the same way. A simultaneous attack from all directions was
blocked effortlessly, however, the barrier seemed to be a little thinner. No one noticed that each time,
the lightning started to slowly turn black.
blocked effortlessly, however, the barrier seemed to be a little thinner. No one noticed that each time,
the lightning started to slowly turn black.
This exchange continued for a few minutes before the barrier expanded suddenly, clashing against the
lightning and slowly pushing it back. With an angry shout, Hikaru poured more energy into his attack
and the lightning clashed against the barrier with more force, pushing the barrier back. Eventually,
they settled into a stalemate.
lightning and slowly pushing it back. With an angry shout, Hikaru poured more energy into his attack
and the lightning clashed against the barrier with more force, pushing the barrier back. Eventually,
they settled into a stalemate.
Hikaru spoke through gritted teeth, clearly angry. “Why don’t you drop down and die?!”
“Please spare me. I do not believe that you can defeat me. And neither can you defeat Reaper-sama.”
“Defeat? You seem to have it wrong!” With a shout, he pushed the barrier back. “I plan on slaughtering
each and every last one of you! Each and every last one of you who tried to hurt those I love!”
each and every last one of you! Each and every last one of you who tried to hurt those I love!”
Suddenly, the lightning bolts increased in number, pushing back the barrier towards the executive.
Just as suddenly, the lightning was pushed back as the barrier expanded even more. “You are
persistent, boy. I will give you that.” “You are too annoying!”
Just as suddenly, the lightning was pushed back as the barrier expanded even more. “You are
persistent, boy. I will give you that.” “You are too annoying!”
“My, my… to think that you would insult me, Warlock, in such a way. Such a rude boy.”
Hikaru didn’t retort with words. The lightning attacking again was his answer as he slowly walked
forward. His pace increased as the lightning disappeared altogether and he jumped straight at the
barrier, swiping with the claws.
forward. His pace increased as the lightning disappeared altogether and he jumped straight at the
barrier, swiping with the claws.
As the attack was blocked, he spun and kicked at it. With each hit, the barrier started to slowly move
back. Tiny cracks started to form at the spot where he hit.
back. Tiny cracks started to form at the spot where he hit.
To the people who watched the clash, it was clear.
“Hikaru is outclassed.” Arashi said in a grim tone, the Crescent Moon already in his hands, ready to
jump in.
jump in.
“Don’t know. If he uses his Orga Lux-”
“Even if he uses the Orga Lux, if he can’t break through, then nothing would happen.”
A short moment later, Hikaru brought out a Lux.
As he activated it, there were many perplexed looks.
“Gloves?”
Black fingerless gloves with blue lines on them appeared on his arms and he punched the barrier once.
A big crack developed on the barrier. “What?!”
A big crack developed on the barrier. “What?!”
“Mana is accumulating around his fists.” Nestor said as he looked closely at the fight. “He is turning the
mana into a sharp point, while simultaneously using his Prana to strengthen his blows and manipulate
the mana.”
mana into a sharp point, while simultaneously using his Prana to strengthen his blows and manipulate
the mana.”
With each blow, cracks started to spread across the barrier, before a shattering sound echoed as the
barrier broke.
barrier broke.
Suddenly, whips of light held Hikaru in place as blades of light stabbed into him. His ankles and wrists
were stabbed deeply, the tip of the blade poking out from the other side. With a scream of pain, Hikaru
struggled. The gloves disappeared as the blades stabbed into his palms, breaking the Manadyte in the
gloves.
were stabbed deeply, the tip of the blade poking out from the other side. With a scream of pain, Hikaru
struggled. The gloves disappeared as the blades stabbed into his palms, breaking the Manadyte in the
gloves.
A moment later, he was stabbed in the legs. His arms were next.
Each attack made the teen release an involuntary scream of pain.
Arashi seemed to have had enough as he jumped in, swinging the Crescent Moon.
The blade of light passed through, unimpeded, stabbing Hikaru in the gut.
Suddenly, a burst of black lightning hit the Warlock.
“A-Arashi *cough* get back.”
“What?! You are injured!”
“Get back!”
Slowly, the light blades started to crack as black lightning encircled them.
“You can’t help anyway! Don’t come in my way!” He said harshly as the blades all shattered and he
jumped straight at the man.
jumped straight at the man.
His eyes were a pure red as he punched Warlock in the gut harshly, making him cough out some blood.
As he was bent over, a high kick to his chin threw him into the air. Just as he passed the teen, Hikaru
disappeared into the air and kicked down harshly.
As he was bent over, a high kick to his chin threw him into the air. Just as he passed the teen, Hikaru
disappeared into the air and kicked down harshly.
The axe kick to his chest produced a cracking sound as a few ribs were broken from the blow. As he
started to fall, a punch was aimed at his face, breaking his nose along with parts of his jaw.
started to fall, a punch was aimed at his face, breaking his nose along with parts of his jaw.
He crashed to the ground with immense force. By this time, Arashi was blown back by the force. As
Hikaru started to fall to the ground, he spun into a kick while enhancing the power with his Prana.
Hikaru started to fall to the ground, he spun into a kick while enhancing the power with his Prana.
The crash created a loud explosion and dust flew up. Two silhouettes were visible in the dust, one on
the ground and the other in the air, the second looking as if they were levitating.
the ground and the other in the air, the second looking as if they were levitating.
When the dust cleared, the silhouette on the ground was revealed to be Warlock, holding Hikaru back
with a barrier. Both of his hands were up, struggling with the barrier.
with a barrier. Both of his hands were up, struggling with the barrier.
With a grunt, Hikaru jumped back, springboarding off a tree and coming right back at Warlock. His kick
clashed against the barrier once again. Using the barrier as a foothold, he spun into a roundhouse kick
and then a punch.
clashed against the barrier once again. Using the barrier as a foothold, he spun into a roundhouse kick
and then a punch.
All three attacks were blocked by the barrier.
As he jumped back with a frown, Hikaru said, “I see. That’s how it works, huh? You use your hands as
a medium to focus your Prana and then convert the mana into light. Then you can shape it into various
forms. Very useful. The hands are very easy to channel Prana into.”
a medium to focus your Prana and then convert the mana into light. Then you can shape it into various
forms. Very useful. The hands are very easy to channel Prana into.”
“Have you accepted that you cannot defeat me?” Warlock asked with a mocking laugh.
“Nope. It just makes it a lot more easier.” He said with a grin.
Suddenly, he disappeared and appeared before the barrier. With a palm strike followed by a kick, the
barrier shattered. He kicked Warlock up again. When his legs were at face level, he grabbed Warlock’s
ankles tightly, crushing them with his strong grip while throwing him to the ground.
barrier shattered. He kicked Warlock up again. When his legs were at face level, he grabbed Warlock’s
ankles tightly, crushing them with his strong grip while throwing him to the ground.
A moment later, two lightning daggers stabbed Warlock’s shoulders and palms, pinning his arms to the
ground.
ground.
“You know, that laughter sounds like scorn and disdain to me. I will change it to screams of
dread and pain!” His voice was distorted, as if two voices were speaking at once.
dread and pain!” His voice was distorted, as if two voices were speaking at once.
His grin turned sadistic as he stomped on the man’s left knee, shattering the joint. He then broke the
femur and then each of the toes. Each injury made the Warlock scream in pain. Another stomp
shattered his ribs.
femur and then each of the toes. Each injury made the Warlock scream in pain. Another stomp
shattered his ribs.
Hikaru’s grin was sadistic and devilish while his eyes were wide. The black lightning around him was
dancing wildly.
dancing wildly.
A moment later, he was spun around, his face against the ground and Warlock felt a pair of hands hold
his left leg tightly and pull. Pain erupted as he tried to struggle from the grip while his leg was
dislocated. A moment later, he lost all feeling in his leg. A thud before him made him look forward, only
to see his left leg before him. His detached left leg.
his left leg tightly and pull. Pain erupted as he tried to struggle from the grip while his leg was
dislocated. A moment later, he lost all feeling in his leg. A thud before him made him look forward, only
to see his left leg before him. His detached left leg.
He screamed in fear and pain as his right leg was stabbed through the ankle and foot. The black
lightning dagger caused him immense pain as it burned his flesh. A few painstaking moments later, his
right leg ended up in the same way.
lightning dagger caused him immense pain as it burned his flesh. A few painstaking moments later, his
right leg ended up in the same way.
Warlock felt his own blood pooling around him before a kick to his back shattered part of his spine,
causing him excruciating pain but still keeping him alive.
causing him excruciating pain but still keeping him alive.
“Painful, huh? Well, I felt pain a lot more than this!”
Hikaru pinned Warlock to the ground with one leg and then gripped his right arm tightly.
“You are proud of your hands, huh? Proud of your so-called technique? Proud of your stupid
power?”
power?”
With a strong pull, Hikaru dislocated the other man’s shoulder and with a twist, broke his arm. “How
about I pluck your arms off?” He asked in a grim tone.
about I pluck your arms off?” He asked in a grim tone.
He didn’t wait for an answer before ripping off his arm. A moment later, he broke the man’s remaining
arm with a stomp and then pulled it back.
arm with a stomp and then pulled it back.
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped around him tightly.
“Please stop Hikaru-kun!”
Sylvie?
“It’s over. He can’t fight back anymore. Please don’t hurt him anymore.”
“Don’t interfere, Sylvie.”
“Please stop it, Hikaru-kun! Stop this. This isn’t like you.”
“Let go, Sylvie. Get back.”
He slowly removed her hands from around him and then kicked Warlock again, throwing him forward
into the air. A sharp sword stabbed him in the back and pinned him to the ground.
into the air. A sharp sword stabbed him in the back and pinned him to the ground.
“No, I won’t! Stop it! Hikaru-kun!.”
“Why?” He asked heatedly. “Why are you stopping me!?”
“Because this isn’t who you are, Hikaru-kun! The Hikaru-kun that I know is strong and kind, firm but fair.
He’d never do this! This isn’t like you at all! Please just stop….This isn’t who my friend is.”
He’d never do this! This isn’t like you at all! Please just stop….This isn’t who my friend is.”
“He hurt you. They hurt you!”
“I’m alright. See? Nobody hurt me.”
“Shut up! I saw it with my own eyes!”
He was suddenly spun around. “Then look at me with those same eyes! Am I hurt?” Sylvia’s voice was
gentle yet quivering.
gentle yet quivering.
Slowly, the black lightning disappeared while wounds started to appear on his body and his eyes
turned back to their normal color as he collapsed to his knees.
turned back to their normal color as he collapsed to his knees.
XXXXXXXXXX
Where am I?
That was the only thought on his mind as he looked around. Everywhere he looked, it was dark, cold
and uninviting.
and uninviting.
Where is she? Where’s Sylvia?
“ARGHHH!!!”
A pained scream echoed from around him. His eyes scanned his surroundings for the source.
Who is that?!
He received no answer and frantically continued to search for the purple-haired girl.
Where am I? Why is it so dark?!
As he tried to move, black chains made of lightning held him down, holding him in place.
These chains… release me! I need to go! I need to save her! I need to save Sylvie!
The chains binding him became tighter and tighter, forcing him to struggle violently. He started to bleed
as he struggled.
as he struggled.
Suddenly, he felt a comfortable warmth surround him as a pair of arms wrapped around him.
“Please stop it, Hikaru-kun.”
Sylvie?!
“Don’t interfere, Sylvie.”
My voice? His voice was distorted and sounded demonic. No! His eyes widened in realisation.
Narukami! It’s controlling me!
Narukami! It’s controlling me!
He struggled fiercely.
A chain wrapped around his wrists, ankles and neck, trying to suffocate.
“Please stop this, Hikaru-kun. You aren’t like this.”
Her voice was tender and filled with fear. Fear for him. A comfortable warmth enveloped him like a
tender embrace, shielding him from all his fears and worries.
tender embrace, shielding him from all his fears and worries.
“Let go, Sylvie. Get back.”
“No! Stop it, Hikaru-kun!”
“Why?” His struggling increased as he tried to break free. “Why are you stopping me?”
“Because this isn’t something the Hikaru-kun I know would do! Because this isn’t something my friend
would ever do! Please, stop!”
would ever do! Please, stop!”
“He hurt you! They hurt you!”
He struggled even more. His arm was bleeding badly, and the chain holding it was sporting cracks as
he saw Sylvia appear before him.
he saw Sylvia appear before him.
She was alright. No wounds, no blood. Eyes still bright and filled with life. Her lustrous purple hair
untainted by blood. She was… safe.
untainted by blood. She was… safe.
XXXXXXXXXX
Wounds started appearing on his body as the black lightning started to disappear. He collapsed to his
knees and fell forward, unconscious. A small smile was on his face, despite the various wounds on his
body.
knees and fell forward, unconscious. A small smile was on his face, despite the various wounds on his
body.
“So you are safe, Sylvie. That’s a relief…”
Those were his last words before he fell unconscious.
Sylvia caught him as he fell down before Arashi came to support her.
Suddenly, they were surrounded by light.
“What?!”
Warlock laughed maniacally as he used his ability on the trio.
“I will destroy all of you. Be consumed by the holy light!”
Suddenly, a powerful pressure bore down on them and the light disappeared.
“Reaper-sama!” Warlock cried out happily.
“You are useless, Warlock.”
“Reaper-sama, I can kill him. That boy will die today!”
“You are a pawn to me, Warlock. A useless pawn who has outlived his usefulness. You die today.”
Suddenly, blue flames started to engulf Warlock and he screamed.
His face showed despair as he was burned to ashes.
Reaper seemed to look at Hikaru for just a fleeting moment before he walked away.
XXXXXXXXX
“What do we do!? His injuries aren’t healing!” Arashi said as he looked at the injured teen while
replacing the bandages.
replacing the bandages.
“We need a healer!” Sylvia said as she looked at the bloody bandages in her hand. They were fully
stained with blood and were a bit hardened from the dried blood.
stained with blood and were a bit hardened from the dried blood.
“But who’d be willing to? No one wants to interact with him, let alone heal him.” Nestor said in a
depressed tone.
depressed tone.
They were still in the auditorium, but near the door and beside them was a box filled with medical
supplies.
supplies.
Arashi was next to Sylvia, with no visible injuries but still exhausted nonetheless.
“I already tried asking some people if they knew any healers but they all either refused or claimed to
not know anyone.” Nestor said, anger clear in his voice. “He’s alright for now.”
not know anyone.” Nestor said, anger clear in his voice. “He’s alright for now.”
“That’s good.”
“Hey, Arashi, what do you think that was back then? Their leader killed his own man.”
“I don’t understand, Fandorin-senpai. But that was our good luck is what I want to think. Hikaru-kun
might not be alive if he didn’t interfere.” Claudia said in a grave tone.
might not be alive if he didn’t interfere.” Claudia said in a grave tone.
“Rather, what I want to know is why he interfered. If he hadn’t killed his own agent, then Hikaru would
be dead. He’s the only one who could put up a fight and maybe defeat the guy.”
be dead. He’s the only one who could put up a fight and maybe defeat the guy.”
Suddenly, a big explosion occurred, making everyone alert.
“That came from the entrance.” Claudia said as she looked at the door.
“Entrance?”
“Think about it. If the leader is defeated, then we’d be free. What stopped the Stjarnagarm from
entering?” Arashi questioned rhetorically.
entering?” Arashi questioned rhetorically.
“Bombs around the entrance. Maybe mines. But they can be activated by remote.”
“And maybe a barrier. I guess that the strongest Strega, Guard Captain Helga Lindwall is here too.
However, she can’t use her ability to stop the bombs nor take apart a barrier. If she had tried that,
Reaper would have pulled off something else and hurt or killed us all. So they are cautious. With this,
maybe the barrier is weakening and he wants to delay the Stjarnagarm.”
However, she can’t use her ability to stop the bombs nor take apart a barrier. If she had tried that,
Reaper would have pulled off something else and hurt or killed us all. So they are cautious. With this,
maybe the barrier is weakening and he wants to delay the Stjarnagarm.”
“Possible.”
A groan made them turn towards Hikaru who was slowly waking up.
“Ouch… what is that pain, damn?” He tried to sit up and immediately regretted it.
“Hikaru-kun, it’s better if you don’t move much.”
“It would be easier for me to sit.” He answered, still in a bit of a daze.
“Let me help.”
With some help, he sat up and leaned against the wall.
“These wounds didn’t heal, huh?” He muttered to himself.
He immediately turned to Sylvia and hugged her tightly.
“Ouch… Hikaru-kun, what happened back there?” She whimpered in pain and surprise.
She received no response, however. Hikaru was too busy crying again and didn’t let go of her. After a
minute, he released her from his arms.
minute, he released her from his arms.
“Sorry. I really scared you, didn’t I?”
Both Sylvia and Arashi seemed shocked by this display before Nestor laughed slightly.
“I think that is the first time I saw you hug someone and cry. Damn, I wish I had a camera.”
“Shut up.”
“What happened, Hikaru-kun? You weren’t in control back there.” Sylvia asked, concerned.
“Can you tell me what exactly happened back there? I don’t remember it clearly.”
“Let me tell you. I saw it clearly.” Nestor said.
He then described the massacre that had occurred some time before exactly as he had seen it.
Hikaru’s face paled at some points and he asked, “I did all that?”
“As much as I want to say you didn’t, you did. An accurate description would be to say that it looked
like you mauled them.”
like you mauled them.”
“Mauled them? I see. A beast.” He then looked back up. “Continue.”
“Then you fought that Warlock guy. He blocked your attacks many times. I think it was at that time that
the lightning was starting to turn black. Your eyes also were blood-red. The usual blue was not there.”
the lightning was starting to turn black. Your eyes also were blood-red. The usual blue was not there.”
“The Narukami… it was controlling me.”
“You finally overwhelmed him. Arashi had tried to interfere but when your lightning turned fully black,
he was blown back. Frankly, it was his mistake to interfere when you told him not to. And you fought
brutally. More like causing him pain instead of killing him. You broke and stabbed his legs and arms.
And broke part of his spine too, I think. Both of the legs, and the right arm, you ripped them off.”
he was blown back. Frankly, it was his mistake to interfere when you told him not to. And you fought
brutally. More like causing him pain instead of killing him. You broke and stabbed his legs and arms.
And broke part of his spine too, I think. Both of the legs, and the right arm, you ripped them off.”
“And your voice was distorted too, Hikaru-kun. As if-”
“As if two voices were speaking at once.” Hikaru interrupted her.
“Yes.”
“After that, Lyyneheym over there interfered, stopped you from ripping off his left arm and hugged you
from behind. You said some weird things about her being hurt. And she said that she wasn’t and told
you to confirm with your own eyes. Then shit hit the can. You started bleeding, the lightning
disappeared, your wounds wouldn’t heal and you fell unconscious. That Warlock guy then surrounded
us in a barrier spouting some he would kill you shit. And the leader appeared, said that the Warlock
guy was a useless pawn and then killed him. He seemed to glance at you for just a moment and then
left. Then we brought you here and started treating your wounds. We tried to ask for a healing ability
user but…”
from behind. You said some weird things about her being hurt. And she said that she wasn’t and told
you to confirm with your own eyes. Then shit hit the can. You started bleeding, the lightning
disappeared, your wounds wouldn’t heal and you fell unconscious. That Warlock guy then surrounded
us in a barrier spouting some he would kill you shit. And the leader appeared, said that the Warlock
guy was a useless pawn and then killed him. He seemed to glance at you for just a moment and then
left. Then we brought you here and started treating your wounds. We tried to ask for a healing ability
user but…”
“No one wanted to help me. I understand.” After a few seconds, he asked, “Wait, you said that my
voice was distorted. And that Reaper killed this Warlock guy. Right?”
voice was distorted. And that Reaper killed this Warlock guy. Right?”
“Yeah.”
“How did he kill him?”
“The guy just up and burned him.”
“Flames huh? And he glanced momentarily at me before he left?”
“Yup. Don’t know why though.”
I know, Nestor. I think he is the person I thought he was.
“The only thing I remember is going to the college building to fight Witch and Wizard. Then I blacked
out. What I saw was… Sylvie.”
out. What I saw was… Sylvie.”
“Me?”
“You were being repeatedly hurt before my eyes and I couldn’t do anything. I think I snapped then. I
lost control.” He looked at his own hand, which was covered by a bandage which was turning red.
lost control.” He looked at his own hand, which was covered by a bandage which was turning red.
“When I woke up, I was in darkness. Dark, cold. Then I heard a few voices. A scream, Sylvie’s and my
own. I tried to break free and save her. But chains made of black lightning started to bind me. I finally
broke free but I was bleeding from the many wounds I had. That was also the time I saw that she was
safe. And then I fell unconscious.”
own. I tried to break free and save her. But chains made of black lightning started to bind me. I finally
broke free but I was bleeding from the many wounds I had. That was also the time I saw that she was
safe. And then I fell unconscious.”
After a moment of silence, Sylvia said, “At least you’re safe.”
She then said, “I looked at one of the photos. I can positively say that you look like your parents very
much.”
much.”
“W-w-wait… when did this happen?!” Arashi asked, being left out of the loop.
“I’ll tell you afterwards.” Hikaru said before standing up slowly.
“Narukami.” He called and the Orga Lux appeared in his hand. At the same time, a pressure started to
bear down on them as the doors were blasted open by a mysterious force.
bear down on them as the doors were blasted open by a mysterious force.
Hikaru looked at Reaper with no emotion while standing up and looking at him.
“Your wounds haven’t healed?”
“Don’t know why though.” Hikaru replied, almost casually. Many students were knocked out from the
pressure, the only students awake being his group and a few others. Kyouko herself was the only
teacher awake.
pressure, the only students awake being his group and a few others. Kyouko herself was the only
teacher awake.
“I think I know your motives now. You’re not trying to attack Asterisk. No, Asterisk was never the target.
It was simply a means to your true objective. It’s me, isn’t it? I’m the one you’re really after.”
It was simply a means to your true objective. It’s me, isn’t it? I’m the one you’re really after.”
“Hoh? And why would you think that?”
“Because I know who you are. And you know me.” Hikaru answered before suddenly firing a bolt of
electricity at his face.
electricity at his face.
The sudden attack couldn’t be dodged or blocked and a cracking sound echoed in the silence.
The mask which he wore broke while his hood fell off from the force of the attack.
Black hair and piercing blue eyes. A face with some similarities to the teen opposite him.
“How are you doing, Hikaru?” He asked in a warm voice.
“I am doing good but these past few days haven’t been very pleasant for me, all thanks to you. You
know me but you tried to hurt me and even succeeded. I was almost broken and I changed. But I still
can’t bring myself to fully hate you, Jin oji-san.”
know me but you tried to hurt me and even succeeded. I was almost broken and I changed. But I still
can’t bring myself to fully hate you, Jin oji-san.”
No comments:
Post a Comment