"Going to Australia, tragedy strikes in the town of Mullumbimby, when a small family restaurant made up of 4 workers comprising of family and friends, were found dead in their own workplace."
"Reports stated that the victims were stabbed and hacked, but still no evidence on the murder weapon and the prime suspect. The entire town is still in mourning, while the rest of the nation, paid their respects to their fellow dead."
"In other world news, Pakistan has successfully tested the Shaheen 1A nu-"
CLICK!
Akari turns off the T.V. before she goes to the dinner table, seating herself next to Maki, while Ryuken and Kenzaki are sitting opposite them. She pours everyone a glass of oolong tea from a bottle.
MAKI: (stares deeply into Kenzaki, eyes glowing)
RYUKEN: (notices Maki, disgusted)
AKARI: I hope you don't mind. We didn't have time to prepare anything better.
KENZAKI: This is perfectly fine, Ishinara-san. Besides, oolong is my favourite. (sips tea)
AKARI: Oh, really? (chuckles) I just bought it because it was on sale.
KENZAKI: It may be cheap, but the taste is splendid.
AKARI: Well, (points at the bottle) you have to thank Aioi's Beverages for that.
KENZAKI: (chuckles) I'll gratefully send them a personal gift.
AKARI: (chuckles) I'm sure they'll give you a lifetime supply of oolong tea.
AKARI, MAKI & KENZAKI: (laughing merrily together)
RYUKEN: ...
MAKI: By the way, Tetsunou-
KENZAKI: Please, call me Kenzaki. I know we are years apart, but I feel very comfortable among you in your humble home. Your familial warmth is very welcoming and I deeply appreciate it.
AKARI: Aww, that's very flattering of you.
MAKI: (blushes) Um... well, Kenzaki-san... if I may ask, your name does sound... familiar... but I don't remember where I heard it from...
KENZAKI: Well, you may have heard of my father.
MAKI: Your father?
KENZAKI: Tetsunouji Shirou, of the Tetsunouji Organization.
AKARI: Really? No wonder your name sounds familiar.
KENZAKI: I get that a lot.
MAKI: Mmm... (scratches head)
AKARI: You seem too young to be his son.
KENZAKI: I get that a lot as well.
AKARI: I guess I'm not up to date with the Tetsunouji family these days.
KENZAKI: He does his best to keep his family life private. I... can't say the same for my older brothers.
AKARI: You must have quite a life.
KENZAKI: You could say that.
AKARI: I couldn't imagine being someone who would bear that na- (quickly shuts her mouth) Oops... I'm sorry. I didn't mean to-
KENZAKI: It's alright.
AKARI: I'm really sorry. I shouldn't run my mouth like that. I don't really dive deeper into those kinds of news, but... word has leaked out a bunch of times.
KENZAKI: (chuckles, whispers) Many times...
AKARI: You probably aren't even interested in all that business stuff, right?
KENZAKI: As a matter of fact, I do.
AKARI: Really?
KENZAKI: It is expected of me to be a part of the organization one day. Just like my brothers, my father has high hopes that I would continue his legacy as well.
AKARI: ... that must be tough for you.
KENZAKI: Well, I am more than prepared to take whatever responsibility that the corporate world would throw at me.
AKARI: For someone so young as you... to be pulled into that life so easily...
KENZAKI: Well, I-
AKARI: I mean, look at you! You're so young and handsome.
KENZAKI: (blushes) Oh... uh, thank you.
AKARI: You still have a lot of years under your belt. You could just... you know... try something new for a change. Who knows? You might find something that you like.
KENZAKI: Oh... um...
AKARI: It's all about... you know... finding your worth.
KENZAKI: ... my worth?
AKARI: Like... is your worth the kind where it is held by someone, or... is it the kind that you need to find on your own, you know?
Kenzaki stares quietly at Akari, deep in thought after hearing those words.
KENZAKI: ... ah...
MAKI: (rubbing the sides of her head) Mmm...
RYUKEN: (turns to Maki) What are you doing?
MAKI: I felt like I heard his name somewhere else... but... I can't place when-
RYUKEN: He caught Makise smoking last year.
AKARI: He did?!
MAKI: (eyes widen) Oh, that's where I've heard him before. Makise used to curse you back then.
KENZAKI: That sounds just like him.
AKARI: (embarrassed) I'm really sorry for what Makise did. I don't know why... he's just... well-
KENZAKI: Oh, please. I was just doing my duties. And you don't have to apologize. I know that you're not responsible for your son's actions. If anyone were to blame, it would be himself and the company that he keeps spending time with.
AKARI: (sigh) I tried to knock some sense into him, but he is as stubborn as a mule.
KENZAKI: Hopefully, he would change for the better.
AKARI: (chuckles) You wouldn't bother helping an old lady teaching his son some manners, would you?
KENZAKI: Oh, that would be more impossible than taking over my father's company.
AKARI: (laughs) You're definitely right!
KENZAKI: (laughs) And, if I may say, I don't think you're that old at all.
AKARI: (shock) Maki! Did you hear that? He thinks I'm young!
MAKI: Hmm...
AKARI: (smirks) My youth will always be everlasting, even when I rot in the ground!
MAKI: There she goes...
AKARI: Oh, you'll be in my shoes very soon...
MAKI: Eugh, don't say that!
AKARI: Kenzaki-kun, try guessing my age.
KENZAKI: Uh... your age?
AKARI: Yeah.
KENZAKI: Um, okay. Hmm... if I have to guess-
RYUKEN: (nudges Kenzaki, looking flustered)
KENZAKI: Oh, uh... I'm sorry to waste your time-
AKARI: Oh, not at all. It's nice to have some guest from time to time. Would you like to stay for dinner?
KENZAKI: I would love to, but I'm actually here to talk about your son, Ryuken.
AKARI: R- Ryuken? Did- did something happen?
MAKI: (smirks) Ryu-nii... What-cha do?
RYUKEN: S- shut up...
KENZAKI: Nothing to worry about, Ishinara-san. In fact, it's the opposite. Your son has been quite valuable to the student council, helping us with certain matters that even we couldn't handle. Without his assistance, we would be in terrible shape.
AKARI: Ryuken?
MAKI: Ryu-nii?
RYUKEN: (whispers) Uh... Kenzaki-sempai? What are you-
KENZAKI: (whispers) Don't worry. Let me handle it. (clears throat) Yes. Your son is a lifesaver. I couldn't do anything if it weren't for him.
AKARI: Is he a part of the student council?
KENZAKI: Yes.
RYUKEN: No!
KENZAKI: ...
RYUKEN: ... uh, I mean, ye-
KENZAKI: No.
RYUKEN: Yes. No!
AKARI: No?
MAKI: Yes?
RYUKEN: ... yes?
KENZAKI: I mean, he's not-
RYUKEN: I am!
KENZAKI: ... no, I mean, he's-
RYUKEN: Yes, I'm not! I mean... I'm... uh...
KENZAKI: ...
AKARI: ...
MAKI: ...
KENZAKI: ... yes and no. He's an important piece of the puzzle, but he is not a member.
AKARI: I mean, it doesn't concern me if he is one. I was just curious.
RYUKEN: (looks down, embarrassed)
KENZAKI: I assure you, if he ever decides to join our council, I will gladly welcome him. Your son would be a great addition to our team.
MAKI: Wait... what kind of... "matters" are we talking about anyway?
KENZAKI: Well... (turns to Ryuken)
RYUKEN: (stares back, looking clueless)
KENZAKI: ... we can't say.
MAKI: What?!
KENZAKI: It's confidential.
MAKI: What do you mean?
KENZAKI: This is... as much as we can say without disclosing any further information.
AKARI: This sounds really serious.
KENZAKI: You don't have to worry, Ishinara-san. I assure you that your son would not be in any danger.
AKARI: Danger?
KENZAKI: Oh! Um... I mean-
RYUKEN: (whispers) Kenzaki-sempai, why-
KENZAKI: (whispers) I'll handle it. (faces Akari) I'm sorry for using such poor words. No danger would befall onto your son. That is a guarantee. This task has no risk in it.
AKARI: ... okay?
KENZAKI: And- and even if there is danger, I would definitely make sure that your son's safety is our top priority.
AKARI: ...
KENZAKI: I promise.
AKARI: ...
KENZAKI: (sweating)
RYUKEN: (whispers) Kenzaki-sempai?
KENZAKI: (whispers) I'm... handling it...
AKARI: Um, I do want to ask...
KENZAKI: P- please, ask away.
AKARI: I think it's best that I should know more about what this "matter" is before I allow Ryuken to even join in.
KENZAKI: Oh... um...
AKARI: I mean, I don't mind having Ryuken going out with his friends, but it seems this is not as simple as having a karaoke night.
KENZAKI: ... uh...
AKARI: I just need more clarity on it, that's all.
KENZAKI: Uh...
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
AKARI: ...
MAKI: ...
KENZAKI: (sweating)
RYUKEN: (whispers) Sempai?
AKARI: ...
MAKI: ...
KENZAKI: Uh... it's just...
RYUKEN: (whispers) Sempai...
KENZAKI: It's just... not-
MAKISE: (walks into the dining room) Whaaaat's cooking, mom?! (pats belly, laughs) My stomach's growling like an animal here! (notices Kenzaki) Ah!
KENZAKI: (notices Makise) Oh?
MAKISE: Why is that glass-eyed dirt-magnet smart-ass freak sitting on my chair?!
...
Outside of the Ishinara Residence, Tsuyuki, Mie and Kouga are standing next to the house.
TSUYUKI: ...
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ... they sure take their time.
MIE: (serious tone) Who knows what danger lurks beneath...
KOUGA: Hmm?
MIE: (serious tone) The search for the mysterious Demon Weapon... the one that grants power to anyone who touches it... such tales have never been told before... because none has ever existed... until now. And that weapon... is now kept in the most unsuspecting, yet ingenious places to hide... a suburban Japanese home.
KOUGA: Ooh, Mie-chan... you're sending chills up my spine.
MIE: Really? (chuckles proudly) I knew my voice is flexible enough to be creepy and menacing. Maybe I should be a voice actor...
KOUGA: (smirks) As if! Nothing in this world can scare me! (looks at Tsuyuki) Mm... well... but seriously, though. They're taking too much time just to grab the sword. How hard could it be?
MIE: I like to imagine that the sword is in a cave underneath the house. Picture this, alright: Kenzaki-kun and Ishinara-san... Adventurers of the Deep! The road to the treasure is filled with challenges and danger, tests and trials. The path is treacherous, but they can outcome anything, as long as they have each other. With love on their side, nothing can stand in their way.
KOUGA: Man... I wish I could be in that adventure, except for the "love" part.
MIE: There'll be poison arrows and saw blades and quicksand and-
KOUGA: Oo! Oo! And a bunch of giant ruffians with giant stone clubs-
MIE: And fire pits and metal spikes-
KOUGA: And a giant golem with big, giant hands that can crush anything-
MIE: Rushing Waters!
KOUGA: Giant Lizards!
MIE: Rolling Boulders!
KOUGA: Giant Wolfs!
MIE: Voodoo Dolls!
KOUGA: Giant Giants!
MIE & KOUGA: (continuously spouting nonsense)
TSUYUKI: (frustratingly annoyed, whispers) For the love of God, what's taking them so long?!
...
KENZAKI: Y- your chair?
MAKISE: Yeah! My chair, you idiot!
AKARI: Makise! Don't treat our guest like that!
KENZAKI: I'm sorry. I didn't know that this was your sea-
MAKISE: And what are you doing in our house?!
KENZAKI: Well, I-
MAKISE: (turns to Akari) What is he doing in our house?!
AKARI: Ryuken invited him. Now, be qui-
MAKISE: (turns to Ryuken) Why did you bring him to our house?!
RYUKEN: Uh...
KENZAKI: Well... I am here to inform his mother of his son's involvement in... uh...
MAKISE: Involve in what?
KENZAKI: Um... uh...
MAKISE: Wait, Ryuken did something?
RYUKEN: No, I'm not-
MAKISE: Woah! (laughs) Way to learn from your bro, bro!
RYUKEN: I didn't do any-
KENZAKI: He didn't do anything wrong. He is only helping me out.
MAKISE: Why would someone like "you" need his help?
AKARI: Makise! Don't say things like that to him.
MAKISE: Come on, mom! You know he's a-
AKARI: It doesn't matter who he is, he is not here to cause trouble.
MAKI: He said he wants Ryu-nii to help him on some "matters" with him.
MAKISE: "Matters"?
KENZAKI: (stands up slowly) It's not that serious, I assure-
MAKISE: If you're thinking about getting my brother to do some shady bullcrap, no way you're getting through me.
KENZAKI: It's... not shady, I guarantee.
MAKISE: Only a shady person would say that.
KENZAKI: Then... how do you want me to say it?
AKARI: Calm down, Makise!
MAKISE: How can I calm down?! This guy got me suspended!
AKARI: And that's "his" fault?
MAKISE: Of course, it's his fault! This fake goody-two-shoes can frame anybody he wants.
KENZAKI: I would never misuse my duty to the school and the students.
MAKISE: Oh, yeah? (smirks) But you do know someone who would do such things, right?
KENZAKI: (glares quietly)
AKARI: (stands up) Makise! Haven't you learned anything? You know for damn sure that that is entirely your mistake from the start.
KENZAKI: Your mother is right.
MAKISE: Huh?
KENZAKI: What you did was your own responsibility. We have judged you and your friends fairly. If you can accept that fact, then all will be solved between us. But you still won't let that go.
MAKISE: (glares angrily)
KENZAKI: Because all you wanted was a sandbag to punch your fist into.
MAKISE: (glares sharply) ... you piece of-
AKARI: Makis-
RYUKEN: ULTRA RIDER SENTAI!
Everybody in the room got quiet and stares in disbelief and shock at what Ryuken just yelled.
MAKISE: ... what?
RYUKEN: Uh... Ultra Rider Sentai. You know? The- the show that I watched all the time. (chuckles nervously)
AKARI: ... what about the show?
RYUKEN: Th- that's the "matter"! (laughs nervously) You see... Kenzaki-sempai wanted to find... someone who knows about the show. And... he found me. (stands up) But... you know... the uh... Kenzaki-sempai thinks it's embarrassing to talk about it out loud, so... he just didn't feel like... saying it. Right, Kenzaki-sempai?
KENZAKI: ... um?
RYUKEN: (mouths his words) Just go with it.
KENZAKI: Uh... yes! He's right! Well, I... I just wanted to... spare your son's shame by not saying what the real "matter" is about. That is all...
RYUKEN: (fake laughs) What are you talking about, Kenzaki-sempai? There's nothing shameful to talk about your favourite pastime with others. (fake laughs, slowly walks towards the stairs) S- speaking about that, I got to... go to my room and... grab my books and... boxsets of the show. You know... for research, tonight! It's gonna be a... big project ahead of us, and... we need all the right material for... tonight's preparation. (chuckles nervously) So, let me just... go up there and... get them.
Ryuken dashes up the stairs, leaving the rest of them, all quiet after the storm.
KENZAKI: ...
MAKISE: ...
AKARI: ... Makise.
MAKISE: Hm?
AKARI: You're hungry?
MAKISE: Uh... y- yeah.
AKARI: Take a seat. You too, Kenzaki.
KENZAKI: Oh. Y- yes.
AKARI: Maki, would you mind help-
MAKI: Of course! (bolts up and walks to the kitchen)
AKARI: (goes to the kitchen, preparing dinner)
MAKISE: ...
KENZAKI: (slowly sits down, stops halfway) Oh! Do you want to sit he-
MAKISE: Nah... I'll sit in the dad chair. (walks to it and sits)
KENZAKI: (continues sitting down)
They both intensely stare at each other, while cooling themselves down from earlier. They later slowly break their gaze and look elsewhere.
...
Ryuken enters his room, shuts his door and quickly goes under his bed to grab the sword bag.
RYUKEN: Well... that was terrible. I don't think anything can beat that.
He carries the bag and walks to his window.
...
Tsuyuki stands quietly, staring at the house, while Mie and Kouga are facing a wall, playing tic-tac-toe together.
Mie pulls out a small piece of paper and leans it on the wall.
She fills an empty box. He fills another. She fills another. She wins.
KOUGA: Crap.
They play again. She wins.
KOUGA: Crap.
They play again. She wins.
KOUGA: Crap.
A window opens from the house. Ryuken pops his head out. He sees Tsuyuki, and waves at her. Tsuyuki notices and turns to Kouga.
TSUYUKI: Oi, Knuckle Head! Your turn!
KOUGA: Whaaaaat? Can't you see I'm winning?! (looks at the paper) Crap.
TSUYUKI: Just come here and do something, will ya?!
KOUGA: Ugggghhhhhh, fine.
Kouga throws the pencil above his head and walks to Tsuyuki. As it twirls down, Mie catches it and raises a thumbs up at Kouga.
MIE: Good Game!
She kneels down to pick up all the papers on the ground while humming a tune.
KOUGA: (sigh) Why don't you do it?
TSUYUKI: Do I look like someone who loses in tic-tac-toe for the past 5 minutes?
KOUGA: I've won a few!
TSUYUKI: Sure...
Ryuken pulls the bag out of the window.
KOUGA: Alright, alright, alright. Come on, Ryuken. Give me your best sinker. All for the home run, baby!
TSUYUKI: ...
KOUGA: That's how baseball works, right?
TSUYUKI: (sighs vexingly)
With the bag in his hands, Ryuken raises his arms and back backwards, lifting it higher, preparing to throw the bag over the wall, only to hit his head on the windowsill.
BUMP!
RYUKEN: Ow!
He drops the bag on the bottom roof.
RYUKEN: Ah!!!
...
MAKI: You should try some, Kenzaki-san. (hands a bowl of food)
AKARI: I made them with my special sauce.
MAKISE: (stares at Kenzaki, furiously eating his rice)
KENZAKI: Ah, thank y-
CLINK! CLANK! CLUNK!
KENZAKI: (eyes widen)
AKARI: (shock) What was tha-
KENZAKI: (coughs loudly)
AKARI: Ah. Kenzaki-kun, are you al-
KENZAKI: I'm... fine. It's just... (coughs) my throat... has been dry all day. (coughs) Do you mind... if I could get some... warm water?
AKARI: Uh, okay. I'll bring you one. (stands up) Just a moment. (leaves the table)
KENZAKI: Thank you. (coughs)
MAKI: (stands up) There's some syrup in the fridge.
KENZAKI: (coughs) That would be nice.
MAKI: (leaves the table)
MAKISE: Damn... you sick buddy?
KENZAKI: (turns to Makise)
MAKISE: I feel bad for you. (drinks from his glass, smirks)
KENZAKI: (stares coldly at Makise, lets out a small cough)
...
RYUKEN: Ahhhhh... they definitely heard that...
KOUGA: Huh? Where the bag go?
RYUKEN: (wildly waves his hands to Kouga, pointing at the ground)
KOUGA: DON'T WORRY, BUDDY! I GOT THIS!
TSUYUKI: Don't shout! They'll hear us!
KOUGA: Oh... sorry. (whispers) Don't worry, buddy. I got this.
TSUYUKI: Why are you-
Kouga runs toward the house and with his last step, jumps 10 feet in the air, over the 8-feet wall, and lands safely on the grassy ground, astounding Ryuken the whole time. Kouga grabs the bag and slings it by his shoulder before he thumbs up at Ryuken, smiling.
RYUKEN: (shock) How did you-
Kouga jumps over the wall again, accompanied with a spinning somersault and lands safely on his two feet. He strikes a confident pose.
MIE: Woohoo! 10 out of 10!
TSUYUKI: Glad you didn't break a bone this time.
KOUGA: (smiles proudly) Thank you, thank you. (chuckles, rubs his nose)
Ryuken stood frozen, amazed by what he just witnessed.
He then snaps back, remembering what he has to do.
RYUKEN: Ah! I gotta hurry!
...
KENZAKI: (chewing, eyes glowing) W- wow! This is... really good.
AKARI: Aww... thank you.
KENZAKI: Do- do you mind if I have... one more bite?
AKARI: Of course! Help yourself.
MAKISE: (whispers angrily) I can't believe he's eating our food...
MAKI: (whispers) Mom... you gotta teach me how to make these.
AKARI: Oh, "now" you want to learn, huh?
RYUKEN: (rushes down the stairs with a stuffed schoolbag) Um... uh... Kenzaki-sempai?
KENZAKI: (chewing) Oh, Ryuken. You're done?
RYUKEN: Uh... yeah... I'm... ready to go now.
AKARI: Oh, Ryuken. Did you hear that strange noise a while ago?
RYUKEN: I... dropped some books on the floor.
AKARI: ... sounds too loud for books.
RYUKEN: ... they were heavy books.
AKARI: ... oh, well... sit down, Ryuken. Have some dinner first.
RYUKEN: But... we got... stuff to do.
KENZAKI: (stands up) My apologies, Ishinara-san. We are quite busy. I believe that it's best if we lea-
AKARI: No, no, no! I don't mind having my son working hard for your... whatever... but I won't let him do it on an empty stomach.
RYUKEN: But, mom...
AKARI: I can't let you starve all night. I save some chicken for you. See. (shows a bowl of chicken)
RYUKEN: (drools) Sweet and sour chicken...
AKARI: (smiles) Come on.
RYUKEN: Hmm... okay... (drops his bag on the floor, walks to the table and sits down)
AKARI: You too, Kenzaki-kun. Join us, please.
KENZAKI: Um... (slowly sits back down)
AKARI: (fills a bowl with rice) Here. (hands it to Ryuken)
RYUKEN: (hands it to Kenzaki)
KENZAKI: (smiles softly, receives the bowl) Thank you.
AKARI: Your family won't mind about you eating dinner with us, won't they?
KENZAKI: No worries. I already called my mom that I would be home late.
AKARI: She won't be mad?
KENZAKI: No. She's very understanding. Normally, by this time, we would be having dinner together.
AKARI: Does she cook?
KENZAKI: ... not really. Our cooks would prepare the meals for us.
AKARI: Oh... but she knows how to cook?
KENZAKI: Uh... kinda. She once tried helping the cook make roast chicken, but it didn't go well.
AKARI: (smiles) I see...
KENZAKI: She knows how to boil an egg, though.
AKARI: Oh.
KENZAKI: Ah... I shouldn't have said that. She would be embarrassed.
AKARI: (laughs) There's no need to be embarrassed about it. Believe it or not, I was a mess of a cook once. I would screw up everything. Too salty, too raw, too bland... I've done them all. I even burned a rice cooker once! (laughs) Now that's even more embarrassing.
KENZAKI: (laughs) It must take a long time to hone these skills.
AKARI: Oh, tell me about it. It took way longer than I thought. I'm just glad Nao was there for me the whole time.
KENZAKI: Nao?
AKARI: She was a friend of mine. She taught me everything when it comes to cooking.
KENZAKI: ... "was"?
AKARI: Oh, uh... yeah. She...
RYUKEN: (happily eating his chicken)
AKARI: ... she passed away.
KENZAKI: ... I'm sorry for asking.
AKARI: Don't be. It happened a long time ago.
MAKISE: Don't you start making my mom cry, you hear?
KENZAKI: ... wha-
AKARI: Calm down, Makise. He was asking nicely. You should try learning a few things from him.
MAKISE: Why would I ever be like him?
AKARI: Why won't you ever wanna be like him?
MAKISE: What's so good about him anyway?
AKARI: I'll tell you what's good about him. He's nice and kind, he's proper and... dare I say it, a handsome devil.
KENZAKI: (chokes his food a little, clears his throat) Um... (chuckles nervously) that's very kind of you...
AKARI: Even Maki here got a little crush on ya...
MAKI: (spits her food) Um... no, I don't! I mean... not that I- uh... Mom!
AKARI: (laughs) Look at you, blushing like a peach. You should be more assertive with this kind of man. They don't fall off the tree that easily.
MAKI: (blushes, continues eating)
AKARI: Hell, if I was your age, I'd marry him in a heartbeat.
KENZAKI: (blushes, chokes on his food)
MAKISE: (sigh) Can you stop it, mom? I don't like seeing you fancying all over him.
AKARI: I'll fancy whoever I want to fancy. Just because I'm your mother, doesn't mean I can't feel all young again.
MAKISE: What do you mean "young"?
AKARI: (menacingly pinches Makise's ear) You just hit a nerve, boy. Pray you didn't hit any further...
MAKISE: Ow, ow, ow! Okay! I give up, I give up!
MAKI & RYUKEN: (laughs)
KENZAKI: (chuckles, smiles faintly)
...
Tsuyuki, Mie & Kouga are still waiting outside.
Tsuyuki taps her feet impatiently in front of the house, while Mie and Kouga, with the bag on his lap, are sitting by a wall, staring at the crescent moon.
KOUGA: ...
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ... have you ever thought... that the moon is like... laughing at us, whenever it's all smiling like that?
MIE: Why would it laugh at us?
KOUGA: I don't know... because it's looking down on us, thinking that we are just stupid creatures, roaming endlessly with nowhere to go... or something like that.
MIE: Hmm... I like to think of it as a warm smile, telling us all to... keep moving and don't lose hope, and... never forget yourself... you know?
KOUGA: Hmm... that's a nice way to think about it.
MIE: Yeah...
KOUGA: ...
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ... you should probably go back home, Mie-chan.
MIE: Huh?
KOUGA: You don't want your mom to be mad at you.
MIE: ... no. She won't be mad at me.
KOUGA: Hmm...
MIE: (hides her head on her knees, sadly whispers) She never does...
KOUGA: ...
MIE: What about your parents?
KOUGA: My dad won't mind. My mom though...
MIE: You didn't call her?
KOUGA: She would still smack me even if I did, saying stuff like "Where are you going late at night?! You better come back now or I'll shoot my sandal right at your butt cheek!".
MIE: ... she sounds lovely.
KOUGA: (chuckles) Something like that. But the sandal part is not an exaggeration. Believe me, it still stings.
MIE: (chuckles)
KOUGA: Yeah... she can get pretty loud, but... she's alright.
MIE: ... mm...
KOUGA: (stares at Tsuyuki) Wonder what she's thinking?
MIE: Eagerly anticipating their arrival, perhaps?
TSUYUKI: (whispers furiously) Dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit, dammit-
KOUGA: More like pissed off, if you ask me.
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ...
MIE: ... Kouga-kun.
KOUGA: Hm?
MIE: Can I take a look at it?
KOUGA: ... aren't we supposed to wait?
MIE: I mean... you wanted to, right?
KOUGA: Of course, I want to look at the sword. It's a freaking sword!
MIE: Come on... just a peek.
KOUGA: And risk my life by the hands of her? No sword is worth her grasp of pain...
MIE: Please... just a tiny second.
KOUGA: No.
MIE: Pleeeeeeeeeease...
KOUGA: No!
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ...
She grabs the bag from his arms and pulls with all her might. Kouga fights back by pulling away. Unable to hold it any longer, she let go of her grasp and fell on her bottom.
MIE: Ow...
KOUGA: Ha! You think you can out-strength me? (menacing tone) You're a fool to believe that you cou- (notices a shadow casting from behind, looks up) Uh... Tsuyuki... um... we were just...
TSUYUKI: Open it.
KOUGA: What?
TSUYUKI: Open the bag.
KOUGA: ... shouldn't we wait fo-
TSUYUKI: Don't make me ask again.
KOUGA: Okay, ma'am. (proceeds to place the bag on the road, slowly opens the zipper)
TSUYUKI: (kneels down near the bag)
MIE: (crawls closer to it) Oooooo...
KOUGA: (opens the bag, revealing the sword) Woah...
MIE: Shiny...
TSUYUKI: (approaches to grab the sword)
KOUGA: Wait! You shouldn't do that!
MIE: Yuki-chan!
TSUYUKI: (grabs the sword, eyes widen)
KOUGA: Uh... what happened?
MIE: Do you... feel anything?
TSUYUKI: (slowly unsheathes the sword, inspecting it thoroughly)
MIE: Yuki-chan?
KOUGA: Er...
TSUYUKI: ... I'm not good in detecting the presence of souls, but... I can tell...
MIE: ...
KOUGA: ...
TSUYUKI: This blade... it's breathing.
End of Chapter 9