*ೃ༄

Meanwhile, Sanju was visiting the beach that has been restored its' normal beauty; sparkling sand as the sunset glowed behind him, as he closed his eyes while the wind was blowing softly and his hair was covering his eyes as always. He also recruited some new employees from his Kusuma Kencana Hotel Yogyakarta while retaining the originality, together with the HR Director none other than Rika herself for the beach resort and villa--along his father's restaurant because his customers keep asking for making new branch locations. He sat at the edge of the pier as he took off his shoes, rolling the pants legs to his knees as he stepped into the water while looking down at the clear reflection.

He could see his reflection with a small smile, before the sun rays made him covered his face--seeing the scene; more like the sunset felt so serene and promising for new beginnings. "Boss!" one of his employees called him, making him take a glance at the man. "We already finished with the preparation for the opening, when we will began the opening?" the employee asked him, Sanju closed his eyes and pondering. Then, he replied. "Next month, because I need to check everything and invite the guests before the opening," he answered, as the employee nodded before he left.

He watched the ripples were affecting his reflected, the reflection was nothing but a ghost to him. He always wanted to swim in the beach, it was a sunny day in the morning and his friends were going to play some games in the beach. "I need to buy some swimwear first..." he muttered, before he began to head towards the beach marketplace where there was a department store had that sells swimwear and some souvenirs too. He hummed, he always liked monochrome fashion which he likes black and white with semi-masculine clothing style. His father raised him well when he was young, and he become a fine upbringing.

First, he had a fucking small waist despite being lean and muscular--it made him actually skinny since his body shape is great and nope, not gonna skip the abdominal because he got some sick 6 pack. Second, his height only reached to 180 cm despite his family members' gene are very tall, even though he doesn't play basketball often but it didn't matter to him as he doesn't play or hate sports in general. And lastly, he doesn't like showing off his skin aside from his limbs and his neck.

Then, his eyes widened at the sight of the summer outfit that made him baffled. It's a white collared tank-top with a black sleeveless bodysuit with small slits on both sides that reached to the mid-thigh and blue lines over it, with a black fingerless gloves and black tights. There are white and blue sleeveless hooded summer jacket over the outfit with small blue hose and batik patterns, it shows a water over its shoulder and a pair of white mid-calf boots with blue and gold accents. The outfit is... freaking cute. He usually wear sleeveless since it helps his movement, and no one hasn't asked him why does he wears the black tights all the time. The outfit also has accessories like blue and gold tennis cap, swimming goggles on its neck part, white and blue belt and a single white and blue sachets--this is officially, an 'armament suit' for ADVENT or casual or outdoor activity. "Hmm, Kirana must've designed these..."

Sanju muttered, but he decided to buy it anyway. Later, he went to the counter to pay the bill of it and get the bag to place the clothing inside--he even had a bonus from the cashier, for free! Cool, right? The extra is a red visor. After purchasing the swimwear, he went back to the beach as he already donned the swimwear attire--with the visor on the tennis cap and he began to walk towards the ocean and sat on the pier, his feet swinging on the water and wetting. Then, Sanju suddenly let out a short yelp and the water immediately splashed upward when he has been greeted by a shark who went up to him.

"Okay... you're asking for it."

Sanju muttered with a grin, before he summoned his Brahmastra; Exalted Yudhistira that has his usual three sets of weapon--the color of his weapon also changed from black, red and gold into blue, white and black with summer theme. He slammed the chain-blade into the water, creating a blue-white colored chains and hitting a whale shark from below as it turned upward to surface with a water splash. He swapped his weapon into a polearm that colored in blue and has white bone-like shark teeth being attached on top of it and launched it towards the whale shark, destroying the water pillar that caused a tidal wave. Sanju was enjoying his play and decided to spar his Brahmastra against the whale shark, who also played along until one of them won.

The shark landed in front of Raiden, who was flabbergasted by the creature's defeat against Sanju when the last one emerged from the sea by the water wave and landed onto the edge of the deck with a pout. "WOAH! RAIDEN, WHERE'S SANJU AND--? WHAT'S WITH THE FUCKING SHARK IN THERE?" Sanju and Raiden their heads to the sudden voice, it was Akito who just got changed. "Oh, it attacked me... so, we spar--wait, how come you're fast?" he told him after seeing Akito wear his swimwear.

The shark growls while still on the sandy ground, still won't accept that its' been beaten by the human, and was about to charge against them. However, Kanae landed on the shark and knocked it unconscious with a ball of strength. "You overdone it, did you?" Kanae muttered, before Raiden beamed. "Oh! Both of you wake up and join the game, we should play volleyball before everyone else arrived here. Karina, Kinana and Senja will be joining too, it'll be a double battle!" he said with excitement in his eyes.

"Count me in since it's volley."

Raiden's swimwear is a black sleeveless bodysuit underneath his purplish-blue and black waistcoat jacket with small lines from above to his chest and white and red accents, he also wears a white belt with the buckle designed as a thunder wave, a black-pink wristband on both of his hand and black fingerless gloves--he also wears a white boots with black socks--along wearing his blue visor. "How do I look? I look cool, right? Cooler than you, dude?" he bragged, making Akito frowned. "At least I'm handsome than you, asshole."

"Hey, guys. Quit arguing before Sanju and I take you both on," Kanae interrupted them, her sleepy eyes may seen harmless but she is no different than them when she's drunk. Kanae wears a black, red and white summer dress with a separate sleeves that has reminiscent of crane's wings--underneath her dress is a black sleeveless bodysuit with unzipped collars to her collarbones, she wears a single black tight-gloved and knee-length boots--she also wears a red visor. Akito stared at her swimwear for a moment, his gaze was so intense that he made Kanae sighed. "How long will you keep staring at me?" she questioned, about to play with her swimwear's fur.

Akito immediately took off his own aviators as his reply, grinning. "What do you think about my attire? I'm a great bartender after all," he smirked, being seductive by smoldering his eyes at her direction. Sanju and Raiden gulped, not wanting to get involved in their weird conversation. "You imbecile," Kanae murmured under her breath, blushing madly at Akito's seduction while her mind were turning wild over his outfit. He wears a white collared summer shirt with buttons, with a black sleeveless bodysuit underneath and black short pants--he also donned a black and purple fingerless gloves. He happens to wear a purple visor and tennis cap on his golden blonde short messy hair, lastly he wears a white boots with black and white thigh-highs.

Karina has arrived with Senja and Karina towards them, she wears a black and red summer bikini with white frilly petals underneath her black sleeveless bodysuit that reaching her mid-thighs and long black fingerless gloves. Her black hair with red streaks pulled into high ponytail with black ribbon, she also wears a black and white tennis cap with batik patterns on it--just like her bikini and she wears a brown visor. Senja's swimwear attributes consists of full black bodysuit underneath his dark blue, red and gold jacket with batik-like patterns and shoulder pad. He wears a simple red glove and red and black boots, with a similar cap like Karina--he also wears an orange visor. And lastly, Kinana shyly popped out from behind Karina--wearing a black sleeveless mid-thigh bodysuit underneath her white, neon-green, blue and gold bikini and white belt over her white shorts. She looked adorable for that outfit, thus she was considered 'adorable' among them, and they love hugging her very much to tease her and ruin her temper. She wears a white boots as well, just like the rest and she wears a neon-green visor.

"Hey guys!"

Kirana waved at them that made them turn around to see her, seeing her wearing her summer swimwear as well. She wears a dark purple, black and white frilled bikini with separate white sleeves on her arms, along wearing a black sleeveless bodysuit reaching her upper thighs and a black skirt with white frills and black tights. She has a dark purple frilled ribbons on her snowy-white long hair with gradient purple at the end and her bangs, her bangs almost covering her purple eyes and white boots. At first, they were mesmerized at how beautiful she was until...

... her father Rayhanda came to beat the fuck up of Sanju, Raiden, Akito and Senja (because they are boys) because they got caught taking a quick glance to her new swimwear. After that, they headed towards the open volleyball, having fun with their friends and they got to play. Sanju became a referee as he blew the whistle, seeing the people in the beach has arrived in the area and with that... the summer festival about to begin. "Sanjaya Adinata."

Rayhanda addresses Sanju by his real name, making him quivered his eyes that almost made him almost dropping his visor--not this kind of man who uses his real name, it makes him terrified with Rayhanda's eyes on him. Sanju gulped, before he shrieked to see him glaring down on him like a helpless kid. "Y-Yes, Mr. Tjahyadi...?" he asked, scared shitless since he actually wants to join the game but seeing Rayhanda's face prevented him to make a small excuses. "Is there a shop nearby or I suppose it's Hyang Seram's summer beach resort as usual?"

Sanju pointed his finger at the buildings ahead from where they are. "Um... the main hall, we're in the other area where the volleyball event is gonna held and the public opened recently but there's a sign saying the 'executive club' over there," he answered him, the man nodded before he take his leave. 'Nope, definitely not going to get along with him...' he thought, seeing that Damian also got the same intimidation vibe because Rayhanda picked up his daughter.

He began to focus on the volleyball match, seeing that they're so competitive over the win. "YOU CAN NEVER DEFEAT ME, RAIDEN AMAGIRI!" Akito snapped, glaring down at Raiden. "NOW, WE KNOW THAT YOU LIKE KANAE--OWW!" Raiden yelped, as the ball slapped on his cheek and the ball was being hit back against them. Kanae jumped and swiftly got the ball, throwing the ball right into Akito's face without hesitation that causes the spikers became alerted. Damian cheered them, together with Nadine, Juha, Masaki, Izana and Marthen who also participating in the volleyball. "Those guys are starting to get into it," Raiden grunted, he and the others slammed the ball--making them rolled away from the board, but it ricocheted and bounced right back at them--in even higher speed and faster.

Yukito was in charge of scoring the team's points, even though he rather sleep in order to be energized but nope--this game needs his attention because he loved this sports. "Alright, Round Two!" Sanju shouted, blowing his whistle that they will be gathering points in this game. Althair watched from the distance, it seems like he didn't want all of them to be sealed away even himself--because he can't bear seeing them during their slumber mode or dormant state. He sat down on the sand, in deep thought that he need to talk to Salihin about this.

Salihin stood beside Althair, he observed them with his eyes closed. "The scenario wouldn't happen if you can make them mentally and physically stable by training them, and no worries... we still have the time for us," Salihin reassured, before turning his heel and walking away with a paper in his left hand. He yelped when Althair grabbed his tailcoat behind him, making Salihin fell backwards. "Ow!" he whined, before Althair grumbled. "I know the way, to prevent that fate from happening... they won't have to seal us back in that void of despair. But, please... I wanted them to have some good fun without any danger," he begged.

"Then we shall show them, what we are going to do at this very day."

Althair heard him stated, sitting up to look him in the eye--well, he's lucky that Salihin is aware in what the hell was he gonna talk about with him. "Can you tell me how?" he asked, the Psychic Raksha fell down on the ground again comically. "You messed up my perfectly intact tuxedo now..." he muttered, frowning a bit. "Come on, get your ass up and help me already. You're my friend too, you know."

"Fine..."

Few hours later...

Sanju got out from the shower room after he took a shower from the summer festival, he noticed that Althair making a hut-like tower with bridges and lighthouse in the forest with Salihin, but Althair have had an extra strength that made it looking like a resort. He was interested with it, but he really need to rest because it was nighttime and there's party in the beach--but he really need to rest so bad so he laid down on the bed. 'What the hell are those guys doing?' he thought.

Kanae also walked out from the bathroom, the first thing she wanted to do is resting in the resort because she was so exhausted from walking around the beach which is very nostalgic to her since she lived there--she sighed as she laid down on her bed inside her master bedroom. "So tired..." she yawned, staring at the ceiling as she quickly fell asleep. Until, she felt a ticklish fur rubbing her leg and she woke up--seeing one of Akito's three cats was on her bed. It was Mocha, the female Ragdoll cat who got a white long hair with brown tip on the tail, ears, its' paws, chin, the stomach and black rings on its' fur--and blue eyes.

Kanae sat up, surprised as she took a quick glance over to her back and see whether or not Akito was in the room or not but apparently, no one was in the room except her--and his cat. There's no one in the room or on her bed, she looked around the room again before she finally picked up the cat and pat its head, making the cat meowing softly. She placed the cat onto the bed, bringing Mocha onto her lap while stroking her softly. "What a cute cat... you are. I wonder if the others were here?"

The cat purred, liking the tone of her voice and her touch as it closing its' eyes as if it's asleep in Kanae's lap. The cat mewling again, Kanae hummed as she lifted the cat--it was heavy but she actually couldn't sleep so she decided to take a look around the Moon Sanctuary where it was close to the beach. "Let's take a look around, shall we? Where's Akito?" she asked it, the cat only let out meow as a reply while trying to claw her shirt's neck. Kanae began to went out from the bedroom, to the hallways while holding Mocha in her arms.

"Do you know where's your master?" Kanae asked, the cat seemed confused and stared at her blankly until it lifted its' paw and tried to grab on something that caught her attention. However, the cat suddenly sniffing her chest before meowed softly. "Hey... you shouldn't sniff my chest like that. It's disgusting..." she murmured, keeping her eyes everywhere as she noticed there's no presence in the entire hallways. She sighed, she should keep the cat company with her or else, something must've been hidden on it.

"Boo."

Kanae kicked the person who scared the hell out of her, making them jumped back several feet as the cat hissed and scratched the person. "... Akito," she called his name, as Akito glanced at her. "Sheesh, you almost got me slapped!" he pouted, she frowned before she put down the cat and stepped towards him--poking his side ribs. "What are you doing in this place then?" Kanae questioned, crossing her arms while one of her light brown eyebrow twitched. "Looking for Mocha, of course."

Mocha was rubbing her head on his leg, Akito beamed as he bent down and picked up the cat into his arms. "Man, thought I'm going to become mad because you leaving me all of sudden," he cooed, holding the cat as it yawned while purring. "How old is she now?" she asked, Akito eyed Mocha. "She's like four years old, I got her when the kitten from that other litter was going to be euthanized at the animal clinic. She's the cutest of all cats that I've seen," Akito smiled.

Kanae playfully tugged the cat's tail, making Mocha hissed. "Hey, what did I tell you about pulling a cat's tail like that," Akito scolded, pinching her cheek that her sleepy-like state whining out. "Yeah, yeah. I know... I was joking, Akito," Kanae said, before Mocha suddenly swatting her paw at her owner--that made Akito yelled that he forgot to trim her claws a bit and it still not that bad... yet.

"WOAH! WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME NOW?!"

He yelled at his cat, seeing her continue to become innocent from her snuggling head to his chest. "No idea," she responded, Akito couldn't help but chuckled in pure amusement. Mocha started to lick his cheek gently, Kanae's gaze softened. "Ah, I have something to show you," he pulled Kanae out from the hallways to the outside, seeing there's a lot of paper lanterns hung up around the place. Akito saw Althair and the others were busy preparing the party by doing the music and stage near the beach, there are so many different people that they haven't met before. Mocha was trying to stick her head between them, feeling a bit restless but she eventually curled on Akito's shoulders and fall asleep.

"Alright, what is it?"

Mocha let out another meow, Akito sighed as he patted his pet cat's soft fur and make sure if it won't stress her much more before he turned to Kanae again--giving her a genuine smile. "Are you a party person?" he asked, Kanae yawned--folding her arms. "I'm not a party person, you know my narcolepsy sucks. I just don't want it to act up, even at important matters--" Kanae protested, before Akito suddenly grinned and yanked her towards the dancing crowds at the back of the building. She simply grumbled a little, letting herself dragged by her childhood friend.

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"Where the heck we going now, hm?" she yawned again, as Akito gave her a light smile. "Just follow along, Kanae," he stated, as Kanae opened one of her drowsy eyes at him. "I'm tired, Akito..." she muttered, before Akito stopped his tracks, sighed, before lifting her to his arms. "W-What are you doing now?!" Kanae blushed furiously, his hazel brown eyes made her speechless from looking at him. "Well, don't expect to drag you around with your half-asleep situation. You're not a party person, but look at them... having fun and their life are about to change in a good way," Akito said, carrying her while watching the sea foam glimmered with moonlight.

Mocha was snuggling on his neck to stay warm, not bothering her since it was usually too cranky like her owner--when he wasn't intoxicated much by the liquor and the cigarette smoke. He heard Kanae fell asleep and he heard fireworks were blasting in the air as the melody rang, making him glanced down to see Kanae was sleeping against his neck. He sighed, before he placed his chin on top of her head and taking his time with her--his Mocha and the others to enjoy the rest of the summer. 'Kanae... even though we've known each other in our childhood. You are dear to me the most because you're my best friend, a partner and perhaps... someone special,' he thought as he let her fallen asleep, the Ragdoll cat of his curling up and decided to share the warmth.

'But... I must focus on what I am supposed to, even though I might be changed... you don't have to accept me too. Maybe, because no one seems to love me after that fateful day... I'm just a playboy and nothing else,' he looked up to see the full moon glowing brightly, he can sense his cat is giving him a gaze. "EWW! AKITO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH KANAE?!"

SHIT--RAIDEN IS HERE?!

Akito dropped Kanae instantly when he heard Raiden's voice, causing Kanae to woke up by surprise from the fall and Mocha hissed at her master for dropping both of them to the ground. "Raiden..." he muttered, before he glared at his rival for 'interrupting' him while he was with her, goddamnit. Raiden shrieked as he noticed how wrathful Akito was, screaming for his life.

"Oh great, a chaos."

Mocha meowed, gazing up at Yukito who also helping them and escorted Kanae away from the carnage that'll be emerging later. All they heard is the sound of lightning strike and constructive slash altogether, Yukito facepalmed--seeing both of them fighting AGAIN. What they didn't realize was someone was watching them. As he held out his hand that made they stopped from fighting. Althair observed when he was in that scene, hearing the whispers said to him: "You both are not kids, you have to end the rivalry now... you guys don't have to hate each other but--"

Althair yelped when Raiden struck the lightning from his katana to him by accident, electrocuting him from the beach as he laid down on the sand motionless.

"ALTHAIR!"

"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING, YOU FOOL?!"

Sanju froze to see Althair was taken to the hospital after the thunder strike hitting him by accident, good thing he's alive before Senja began to confront the two and used his fingers to pinch their ears. "You two are seriously no better than children!" he snapped, as the two gulped that Senja caught them. "Maybe we should just... let them stay at the cellar?" Karina suggested as she holding Althair's bag, before they locked them there inside--Senja kept scolding them while waiting for him to wake up. Kinana was terrified to see Althair got struck down, she saw Kanae approached them with Mocha in her arms. "Sorry about that, I tried to stop them but I kind of... you know, this stupid cat... it didn't stop me from waking up. She's the cutest, right?" Kanae spoke to her, as Kinana nodded sadly as she couldn't calm down with this awful situation.

Mocha was rubbing her head to Kinana, making her cheered up a little. Then, Akito and Raiden got struck down by cyclone and knocked them out. It was Raiden's father--Ryoma, before he snapped. "YOU TWO REALLY NEED TO STOP ARGUING!" Ryoma shouted at the knocked-out state, before he saw Sanju sighed. "Yup, here we go again... I thought this is over."

Few hours later...

Thankfully Althair recovered, but he already scolded both of them for fighting in the party and almost causing troubles. Kanae was holding a feather stick, playing with three of Akito's cats--Dango the female calico and Gray the gray and white male Scottish Fold. Mocha was trying to catch the feather stick that dangling above her. They started having a huge nap session with the felines, petting and snuggling them that they liked very much. Kinana spend some time with his cats too, laughing at how much of an animal lover Kanae is--and decided to learn how to treat felines well from her as a mentor.

Althair decided to cancel the plan before the time comes to be in deep slumber, because he finally found the solution through that--he already consulted Karuna regarding this and he told him that as long their mental and physical well-being is in a good state, no one could change the fate that he was facing through his past until a tragedy changed everything. However, he also realized that the Cores will make more than simple and ordinary beings a part of a collective destiny. After that, he witnessed to see the time--when the group started to activate their Raksha forms.

"I have announcement for all of you, so please be there to listen to my explanation," Althair informed, the entire group glanced at him before he exhaled loudly. "The new enemies are probably stronger than the human beings and we have no choice but to help out for the sake of preventing any destruction to the country. But... if one of you fell in their evil hands, I cannot guarantee that you might turned into pawns for their ambitious plans," he warned them, the entire group only sighed but then nodded. "So, I decided to cancel the plan about sealing all of you to prevent that terrible scenario--so that I had a different alternative. Salihin and I discussed about that," Althair explained.

"But, how we gonna face this world?" Kinana asked him.

Althair nodded, folding his arms in front of them. "You need to be prepared with everything, especially with your mental and physical health. You can use the Raksha form in your dormant mode, and you'll be reawakened immediately by our call--with the 'Core' that housed in your soul and heart. Remember, you have the full-control of your power so don't let the fate controlling your hands. We don't need tragedies to occur," Althair lectured, he summoned his sword and pointed to the sky. "The world were always in darkness ever since the year it started, the evolution of humans are fast and changed a lot of things. Fate may be a mess, but there's always a different outcome about to be coming. Anything that related to our being Raksha will be determined to ourselves--for a future," he finally reached his conclusion.

He wanted them to be mentally and physically stable before the crisis begun, to make sure that all of them could overcome all obstacles before they broke mentally. And, to protect the rest of them from the threat. "Keep in mind that World Government is our enemy, we're the resistance that work in secret with the Asuras and the people that want freedom," he addressed them. "What we should do now, is to find out the way to stop them and preventing them from keeping the chaos--until their ambition exceeded and the world will be in chaos for more than ten years."

"In order for us to survive, I really hope we are going to last a day after we're changing in the battlefield or be aware of the possibility that we have a target in our backs," Althair reminded, gripping his fist with regret and concern. "If you got yourself prepared, it wouldn't be easy with all the chaos that involved since you have to keep your head cool in fight, right? Don't worry, we will definitely survive because we have strength. The world was no longer a peaceful place, now how about we proceed with the plan now before the sun starts setting."

Sanju seems determined to achieve a better path, also with the others. "... Yeah, let's see how to survive on a day," he concluded, the rest of the members exchanged glances with him before smiled and nodded. Then, he inhaled and shouted: "ALRIGHT GUYS, LET'S DO THIS!"

"YEAH!"

Althair couldn't help but smile at their determination, he watched Sanju's development from his lowest point in the past until his life changed drastically. 'Be strong, Sanjaya. Because... this is the beginning of our journey,' Althair thought, before turned to Kanae and the others as they began to proceed with the plan. This is not the end, but it's the beginning of their journey. "As for the island, since it's near Yogyakarta--we can go back now while we camouflage the island once again. Then, we teleport ourselves into Kusuma Kencana Hotel," he said, seeing them nodded.

***

Few weeks later in Yogyakarta...

Sanju was eyeing on his resort on the CCTV like usual while they're in Yogyakarta, some goes back home and some are working in Kusuma Kencana Hotel that he owned. Then, he shrieked to see Rayhanda again--seriously why does Kirana's father always intimidating? Not only that, he was his father's rival due to difference and prejudice. "God--you almost scared me, Mr. Tjahyadi!" Sanju groaned, trying not to show a bad impression in the said male. He is a respected lead researcher, also a businessman in the sea-living and he should at least earn the politeness here.

Rayhanda only observed his resort's exterior, his hands in his pockets as always. Why is he acting like that? Sanju went silent for a moment, he still don't understand about this man's nature--he either antagonizes him or not. Until he saw him sat down on the grass, since he was thinking about something. "Why do I get the feeling that the person whom she likes, is you?" he asked, Sanju blinked--before he shrugged. "I mean... we have been friends from high school, but she only saw me as a close friend... why did you ask me? Are you that overprotective?" he asked him.

The latter frowned, but nodded to confirm. "Kirana is so adorable and she often make a gift for me," he responded, before he added. "She's an idol, she always work so hard since she was a child and she's a sweet girl--plus she's a career woman."

Sanju stared him down, before he pinched the bridge of his nose. "Then... why are you giving her problems about being in relationship?" he responded, as the businessman gulped at his words. His cold and stoic expression has melted away with those words, thus he couldn't be saying those falsehood about him or her in his statement. "Well, she doesn't like quitting her job--she had an ex-boyfriend once and if she wants to marry him; she had to quit her job. Then, she said no... and thus their relationship ended abruptly because she's very serious about her passion. So, I got angry at that asshole... he kept harping her about the marriage," Rayhanda explained to him, making his eyes widened. "I must admit, she has male fans--but I don't like some of them are trying to touch her like she was a piece of object," he added, Sanju was utterly surprised and flabbergasted. "Woah..."

"Also, she used to have an ex-fiancé when she was in high school with you, Haruna and Damian... do you remember him?"

Sanju recalled everything in the past, he knew that man--he was quite popular but also a bad boy with a heart of gold; despite being born from a noble family. "Maximillian Tjandrakusuma... Max, was it?" Sanju guessed, Kirana's father nodded--before he explained. "I remember when I visited his mansion, he was said to bear a resemblance of you--from your black short messy hair with long bangs, dark brown eyes under his bangs and porcelain complexion with light tan shades. He passed away from a car crash, not only that... it was the day where he was supposed to attend the engagement with Kirana," Rayhanda stated with heavy tone.

His eyes still gazed into Sanju's appearance, smiling at the former. "Sanjaya Adinata, I hope it won't shock you on why Kirana was absent for two weeks from high school that day," he said, Sanju was shocked and terrified as he gulped--recalling back on their high school days. 'Shit, is that... is that true?' he thought, thinking that Kirana was avoiding him for those times. "I see... I remember when the servants in my mansion told me about how Max has split resemblance of me--except his crimson-colored eyes and neat black hair. I never met him in person, until my father told me that... one of his younger siblings married the second heiress of Tjandrakusuma Family--a distant relative," he sighed, remembering his distant relative.

"At least you don't behave like a black cat he is."

Huh? What does that mean? He and Max has very close resemblance? "He is, a quiet, but very intellectual and serious man," he muttered, glaring at the moon. "You know, I was planning to make her engaged to him... even though knowing that she might have someone who will take care of her--other than me. But, they lasted for two years before the graduation of your high school--it lasted after Max's death," he explained, before he continued. "He is very calm, he would tell Kirana his problems and comfort her during sad moments. He's a shy person, I guess it make sense that why you two never met each other."

"By the way, at least you don't act like a fucking cat he is," he added, but it make Sanju raised his eyebrows at his words. "Black cat...?"

"He's an annoying brat, he always rebelled against me during our training--including sword lessons. He tends to act as if he was the best and stronger than me, despite knowing I'm older than him," Rayhanda recalled his past, Sanju gulped--it's not weird for him to inherit his mother's personality, but why it doesn't apply for him...? "I didn't tell Kirana that you're one of his distant relatives, because she thought you're Max's fraternal twin brother. Well, it wouldn't change a thing with her," he sighed.

Sanju decided to go back to his mansion across his hotel, he wanted to get to know about Max and why his family never told him about his distant relative who has a strong resemblance of him. His father Radithya was managing his restaurant that filled with many guests, especially during breakfast--lunch and dinner time that no one would want to miss out his food. Then, he decided to take a break to the mansion--seeing his son Sanju was looking for something--specifically his hidden ancestry as his ancestor's faces weren't clear. "Um, do we have an album of our ancestors or maybe a photograph of his distant relatives?" Sanju asked his father, making him perplexed before nodded. "Yeah... we have, but let's ask Sanata if he knows about them."

Sanata was in the garden of Adinata Mansion, he was standing in front of the koi pond as he was feeding the fish. His short scruffy black messy hair almost reaching his neckline, his bangs framing over his dark brown eyes as he retained his pale complexion. He still looked youthful as always, even as an Arbiter who lived for more than 50,000 years and doesn't grow any hairs on his body. His attire consists of bluish-black high-collared outfit that similar to cassock, with gold platinum borders and wears a black pants tucked into his knee-length dark brown riding boots. He wears a white split coat with brown batik tapestry underneath that exposed his shoulders by the slitted parts--also exposing his outfit as he has gold brooch with red ruby gemstone that kept the two sides of his coat fastened--it was a gift from the princess in the past where he used to be in Old World.

His cold and indifference attitude towards them aren't letting down, he behaved like that due to his long lifespan and it was difficult to him to interact with people he recently met--not even bothered to make new friends. At first glance, it appeared that he wasn't interested in doing any work--but actually, he was intelligent, wise and respectful in every aspects of his work and he's knowledgeable of humanity ever since that golden and peaceful world--so that's why he's experienced and mature.

He was in deep thought, focusing on the time--since he didn't want to go far into the future to know what's coming next--perhaps this group will play important role of in this New World. "Master Sanata," Sanju addressed his forefather, showing him the picture of Max that Rayhanda gave to him in Kusuma Kencana Hotel during their conversation. Sanata swiped his glasses before stared down at the younger Adinata, while Sanju's father Radithya is startled at the sight. "May I ask you whether do you know about this person or maybe the Tjandrakusuma family, sir?" he asked him, finally a question that raised his interest in few seconds.

The time suddenly stopped, so Sanata took a glimpse at the photo as he slowly began to reach to the photo and held it in front of him. "That young man... Maximillian Tjandrakusuma, but we called him by 'Max'," he spoke as his dark brown eyes gazed at him, before he closed his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I know him. His family is the reason why this hotel renamed as Kusuma Kencana Hotel--a namesake for late Maximillian Tjandrakusuma, their first son who supposed to be the next head--before he had an unfortunate accident. His whole family also died by unfortunate events--which is why this former guesthouse-turned hotel was named in regards of them."

Radithya lifted his eyebrows, before he recalled one of his younger siblings married into their noble and respectful family, as it would benefit the Adinata Family for business expansion and alliances. "But it seems... Maximillian is a distant relative of you, from your father's side--his son Maximillian. He was known as Max the Black Cat, because of his cunning, daring and rebellious attitude--" he was interrupted by Sanju's sudden response that made him shrugged. "Like a black cat?"

"Correct. But, he was actually kind and respectful--because they just wanted him to inherit the company and being the heir," Sanata explained, adjusting his spectacles. Sanju was getting more and more interested in knowing Max, even though he never met him or his parents--although they described him exactly the same as himself. Except his eyes is crimson and he had a neatly-slicked hair, unlike his messy hair that he and his father Radithya has. "So, now we all know the explanation about Max is... well, my friend Kirana hasn't moved on from his death--it was long time ago but I was surprised that she used to be engaged with him."

Sanata narrowed his eyes, before he sighed. "Not all families can make a bond with them, I have once worked together with their forefather... it didn't goes well--it ends in abysmal end," he responded, before he turned around to watch the fishes. "I have met Max before, but only when he was visiting my usual spot to chat with me. He's the opposite of you, Sanjaya Adinata. To sum it up, he's... a loud and proud gentleman," he reiterated, before he had his gaze focused on something unknown. "I think you're not that bad, Sanjaya Adinata... because I can't handle his... what's that called? Yapping?"

Sanju and his father trying not to snort at how Sanata pronounced the word yapping, it was sort of hilarious that Sanata tended to speak casually but old-fashioned which people considered them in common with traditional attitude. He realized on how he talked, before he waved his hand. "Ah, yes... the term we mentioned it as 'yapping'," he responded with a grunt. 'Why it's so embarrassing?' he questioned himself, shaking his head. 'Fuck, I can't hold my laugh...' Sanju thought, so does his father Radithya--before both of them finally burst into laughing, making Sanata widened his eyes in a confusion. "Why are you two laughing at me?" he growled, which only intensified their laughter. He can be 'gentlemanly' but sometimes he's clumsy and awkward as Sanju and his father tend to tease him with his attitude towards his job.

"WE'RE SORRY--WE CAN'T CONTAIN OUR LAUGHTER WHEN YOU WERE TALKING TO US," Sanju and Radithya laughed simultaneously. He hit the back of his father's head, pouting a bit. "Shut up, you're as bad as him," he grumbled, he was known to have patience and tolerable--with his soft attitude, but if it ever broke or someone would put him in the line--he would do any action with the slightest mistake. It will make him less awkward and gentler, he loves to use that word since everything would be under his control--no matter what it takes to happen, "If you guys done having your private time to speak of, I am aware of his passing--since I couldn't prevent it. Why? I'm busy hunting Phantom Beasts."

Yeah... that's not the end of the story, because they have to wait for some suspense episodes to occur and it'll make the story more interesting and also Sanju wanted to talk to Kirana--but he wasn't sure if she will avoid him at first or not. Because of Rayhanda's intense mistrust on him and his father that made him anxious whenever Kirana is around him.

Kirana would cry whenever someone speaks to her about Max's death, this made Sanju and Damian couldn't move away from her. "Oh right, do you know Tjahyadi Family?" Sanju asked, wondering if Sanata knows them. "Huh... Tjahyadi... no thanks, I'd rather get out of their sight if they know who I am... especially after what happened in the past, and that's a long ass story that I don't know where to start," he sighed, rubbing his temples that sounds very troublesome to Sanju. "Oh... sorry."

"Alright, time to work on my business."

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