“Bleeeergh”

“Well, there goes yesterday's seafood special. This is why we tell you not to overeat, Coach Dansen.”

“What comes from the sea must go back to the sea. Such is the circle of life.”

“I don't think that's how that works, Kai.”

“Urgh, it's okay boys. Master George compensates me for my seafaring travels.”, He proudly claimed while smiling and giving a thumbs up before puking again.

“Well at least we'll be home soon. I can already see The Lighthouse from here.”

They could hear the cheers of celebration coming from The South Edge Pier as the yacht slowly docks. Family, friends and workers from the Brennwick company came to congratulate Kai. He gave Ollie the Side eye as he was told specifically by Him not to throw a huge party. The South Edge Pier was an exclusive Pier for the use of Brennwick's fishing company. It had a large warehouse area that they cleaned up for Kai's celebration. Even though Old George was a fighter at heart, he was also a family man that gave a stable roof for his family and those who worked under Him as a fisherman.

Everyone hugged and praised Kai while the coach and Oliver unloads all the baggage.. It had been a long 12 years of struggle for him. Oliver still remembers the night Kai was abandoned by his family. The storm was at its peak when Ollie, Kai and his sister Rin barely made it back to The South Edge Lighthouse. They had decided to go venturing into the forest earlier that day. Initially it was only Kai and Oliver, but Rin was so attached to her older brother to the point she snuck away. The heavy rainstorm caused a nearby landslide. When their mother came, everyone could see the difference in treatment. Despite having injury and bruises all over His body from saving Rin, Valerie Kernarde was only focused on her daughter and ignored the son. Everyone thought She was finally going to care for Kai when she walked towards him. Silence invaded the room when she slapped His face. George was the first to act, stepping in between the mother and son to berate her.

“What the hell did you just do, Val!?”

“I punished him for being a reckless brat that endangered MY daughter.”

“He's also your son! And he's injured!”

“And whose fault is it? Who told them to go into the forest like a couple of monkeys and get my daughter injured?”

“......Choose your words carefully, Val. One of them is my son.”

“Maybe you should discipline your offspring better then.”

“That's rich coming from you.”

“You know damn well how dangerous this city is, George.”

Vera rolled her eyes, having lost interest in the conversation and held out her hand towards Rin.

“Come, dear. We should leave this trash heap soon”

Rin loves her brother but she was more scared of Valerie. She took her mother's hand and walked towards the car.

“Aren't you forgetting about your son!?”

“He failed to protect the one thing that's important. He's a complete and utter failure.”

Valerie walked away with Rin in hand and drove away. George couldn't do anything but shielded Kai, but it was too late. The impact was set. Everyone thought Kai was going to break down. What they saw was the complete opposite. It was as if a fire was lit in his very soul and George could see it in his eyes when he spoke these words,

“Teach me how to be stronger, Uncle George!”

It took him a while , but he finally made it to the finish line. Oliver thought proudly of His sworn brother. Yet, he wasn't the only one. Sound of heels clacking against the concrete grew frequent and louder as the girl in pink sweater and white long skirt ran and wrapped her arms around Kai.

“Welcome home, big brother.”

“Rin!? What are you doing here? You didn't run away from the house again, right? I was already planning to drop by the mansion later.”

“Don't worry, they've been lenient ever since I went to college. I'm glad I can see you again, big brother.”

“I missed you too, Rin. I'm glad you're safe.”, Kai hugged her back tight,

Everyone was melting at the scene of a lovely reunion between siblings. That didn't stop them from wanting to join in the hug and everyone ending up falling on the floor.

“While this is all very touching, did you get a place to stay?”

“Not really, i thought i would just crash at the Lighthouse or maybe your place, Ollie”

“You think Haley is gonna let you get past the front door?”

“Why does she hate me so much?”

“Uuuuh…” rubbing the back of his neck.

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

Oliver knows exactly why. Haley's friend came to the house one day to cry about how she felt ignored and dejected by Kai's lack of romantic awareness.

“Let's just say you're both natural enemies. Alright guys, break it up.”

The workers got up and congratulated Kai once more. They head towards Ollie's car with all of Kai's bags in tow. Rin followed and let herself onto the backseat.

Oliver turned up the music as they rode into the night side of the city. It all felt different to Kai and yet some things are still familiar.

“Oh wow, they still have the ramen shop at the corner of Cavanaugh street. We should go there again sometime.”

“They've actually opened up dozens of branches now, but nothing beats the original taste of Mrs. Ayase's cooking. How about we go tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I agree, I love Mrs. Ayase's cooking too.”

Hollow's Edge was a city built upon the backs of the seven families, including his own. The city has prospered in terms of economy. Unfortunately, the pillar of that prosperity is the sacrifice of many.

The darkness that creeps behind the scenes, the crimes that transpire for the sake of that prosperity. While the cops aren't entirely corrupt, some of them were orphans raised under the Hayashi foundation. So when a deal is made between the families, they look the other way per their orders.

“Tell it to me straight, Ollie. How bad is it?”

Oliver gripped the steering wheel tighter and sighed.

“It's been getting better for a while until recently. Do you remember Lady Katherine?

“From the Vestals? Yeah, why?”

“She basically looked out for the middle to lower class, and fought for them. For a time everything seemed fine.” He paused, making eye contact with Rin and nodded.

“Big brother, Lady Katherine died a year ago. I was there at the Hospital because I had volunteered in her program and gotten close with her. It didn't take long for the vestals to prey on her assets and pick it apart. There was nothing left for the program.”

“Then there's the Church of Deigsir….”

“You mean like a youth group?”

“I mean like a cult. They want equality for all citizens, but at the cost of overthrowing the seven families.”

“Holy fuck, do they want to start a war!?”

“Most likely, everyone's stocking up on personnel and ammo at this point. Alright we're here. Rin, you want me to drive you back to your apartment as well?”

“It's okay, brother Ollie, I want to talk to big brother first.” She gets out of the car with Kai and waves goodbye to Oliver.

They walked inside the Hotel. Kai paid the bellhop and sent his bags up to his room then sat next to Rin at the main lobby.

“So, how is college? Met any guys I need to punch?”

Her face showed concern but for the her suitors that would catch the famous Kai's [Flying fist].

“Big brother, if you punch them outside the ring, they'll definitely press charges.”

“Then I'll just punch them some more, hahahahaha.”

She smiled, “i'm glad you've grown up happy, big brother”

“Well, that's cause I can finally show Vera that she's wrong. Your big bro is strong now, I can keep you safe from anything or anyone.”

“She's not going to be happy that you call her by her name.”

“She was never happy with me to begin with.”

“How about you, big bro? Any lucky lady?”

He quickly took out his phone and showed her the personal number of the famous Shimizu Rie. Her eyes sparkled at the possibility of having a sister in law.

“Did you text her yet?”

“No. I don't know what to say, this is like the first time I'm aware of someone else's feelings and I'm a bit nervous.” His expression showed how much he's panicking and feeling flustered, a side that Rin had never seen.

“You should just say hi, a lady doesn't like to be kept waiting.”

“Right….i know that,” He quickly sends a text to Shimizu.

_______________

“Hello Miss Shimizu, it's Kai. I hope you're well rested and got back safely after the ICL.”

it didn't take long for her to reply and caught Kai off guard.

“Hey, what's with the formal way of talking? Are ya nervous or some shit? Just call me Rie, Hehehe. I'm good and back home in Velgaria, wanna say to your future in-laws? Maybe it will cheer you up ;)”

“Please spare me the teasing T^T….I'll stick with Shimizu for now. I'm glad you're safe and please send my regards to your family too.”

“Well, you can tell them yourself when we get there. We plan on going to Hollow's Edge for the holidays. I heard the sunset at the beach is wonderful and you can see the stars clearly at night, is it true?”

“Yeah, you heard right. There's also a really delicious ramen shop that I love to go to, I'll take you there when you get here.”

“Oh, is that a date proposal I hear? How bold, Mr. Kernarde. Very well, I accept ^v^ Don't blush too hard now. See you later, xoxo.”

“=/////=.......see ya.”

_______________

“Oh my gosh, big bro, that was so cute!”

As they continued to talk, a young man in black robes entered the hotel lobby and walked towards them. Kai became wary and stood up in front of Rin in case anything happens.

“Finally, I found you. Wow, you are definitely better looking in person, Mr. Kaiser. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Neil Barrein and I'm a priest at the Church of Deigsir, could I have a moment of your time?”

He had a wide grin full of warmth, yet eyes pitch black and devoid of emotion as he extended his hand to greet them. What does he want with Kai?