The Harada household was not its usual serene haven but a wary environment, especially after the unwelcome visitors that day. Fumio and Elizabeth discussed the matter before Jake and Luna returned home from their trip to Japan.

"Honey, what are we going to do about this? I don't want any danger to come to our son," Elizabeth said, her voice heavy with worry.

"Do you want to tell Jake about it after he gets back from his trip?" Fumio pondered deeply, considering the consequences of informing their son about the incident.

"Dear, let's keep this incident from Jake," Fumio finally decided. "If Jake knows, he'll be uneasy and will try to stay around us to prevent any danger, and I don't want that to happen."

"But what if they come at him directly? Doesn't that make it more dangerous for our son?" Elizabeth asked, her concern palpable.

"When I bestowed the Sword of Flames on Jake, I informed both you and him about the dangers that await. He holds great responsibility with that sword, and he has grown up enough to handle it. Allowing him to travel to Japan was already a dangerous trip, so this should not be any different," Fumio said, giving Elizabeth a warm hug. She sobbed softly, unable to control her tears but eventually agreeing with Fumio's reassurance.

Meanwhile, in the cab back home, the tension between Jake and Luna was palpable. They had not exchanged a word for about 40 minutes. Unable to stand the silence, Jake broke it.

"Luna, are you okay? You don't seem like your usual self since we returned from Japan," he asked gently.

Luna looked at him with a weary expression. "I'm just tired, Jake," she replied. "This Japan trip took a lot out of me. I just want to take a break from hunting the other swords. Even though we didn't manage to retrieve the Sword of Spirit, everyone is safe, and that's what matters most to me."

Deep down, Luna knew her mission and the importance of the sword, but at that moment, seeing her friends safe was more important. "I'm just a normal teenager too, Jake. Don't you have other things you want to do during this summer break? Let's take a break for now."

Seeing no room for argument and not wanting to escalate the tension further, Jake nodded, and they both fell silent for the remainder of the journey back to the Harada household.

As their cab arrived at the Harada household, Jake and Luna felt a wave of ease and homeliness wash over them. At the door, Fumio and Elizabeth were waiting, their faces lighting up with warm smiles.

"Welcome back!" Elizabeth exclaimed, pulling her son into a warm hug. She and Fumio had agreed earlier to pretend nothing had happened regarding the unwelcome visitors that had disrupted their usual peace.

"How was the trip to Japan? Did you manage to learn more about the swords from Uncle Kenjiro?" Fumio asked, his curiosity evident.

"Yeah, a lot happened," Jake replied, his tone heavy with unspoken experiences.

"And what did you..." Fumio began before Elizabeth gently interrupted him.

"Mr. Harada, we have the whole evening," she said, smiling. "Look at Jake and Luna, they look exhausted from traveling. Let them settle down first, and then you can continue with your questions." Fumio nodded, agreeing with his wife's wisdom.

"Let me carry your luggage," he offered. "We can chat more later. I'm curious to hear all about what happened in Japan." With that, they entered the house, the warmth of family enveloping them.

After Jake and Luna had showered and had dinner, they all settled together in the living room to talk about the trip. Jake and Luna began recounting their meeting with Uncle Kenjiro and his cousin Yoko, their adventures in Shibuya, and their tense face-off against the Yakuza gang, Kurokaze-kai.

Jake described how he nearly lost the Sword of Flames and detailed their battle against Kazuo Mori, the gang's boss and the beholder of one of the legendary swords, the Sword of Spirit. He explained how he, Kenjiro Nomura, and Kaito Fujimori teamed up to defeat Kazuo Mori, bringing down the entire Kurokaze-kai gang through their combined efforts.

"This sounds incredibly dangerous, like you said, honey," Elizabeth whispered to Fumio, her eyes wide with concern.

"I told you our son could handle it. It's part of his growing journey," Fumio replied with a reassuring smile.

Fumio then shifted to another question. "Did you see Yoko's mother in Tokyo?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern for his sister, who was married to Kenjiro.

"Auntie Nomura? Yoko told me she's residing in Osaka. When the decision was made for her and her father to relocate to Tokyo for his career and my academic pursuits, she opted to remain in Osaka. She's always been drawn to the serenity it offers, a stark contrast to Tokyo's relentless pace," Jake explained.

Fumio whispered to Elizabeth, "I think Nariko and Kenjiro have relationship issues. They're just keeping it from Yoko to avoid hurting her feelings."

Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully. "I'll give her a call to understand what's happening," she said, determination in her eyes.

Fumio then turned his attention to Luna, his curiosity piqued. "So, Luna, which sword are you planning to seek next? With the information from Kenjiro, you have options to visit Europe, China, or the GCC. Any thoughts on your next destination?" He understood the gravity of Luna's mission—to find all seven legendary swords and prevent the overlord from getting their hands on them.

"For now, we're not going anywhere, Mr. Harada," Luna replied with a gentle smile, surprising both Elizabeth and Fumio with her unexpected answer. "The trip to Japan has taken a lot out of me, and I think it's best if we take a break for now."

Elizabeth and Fumio exchanged a glance, their initial surprise giving way to understanding. "I understand, Luna. A globe-trotting quest to find all the swords is incredibly demanding. Planning the next steps carefully would certainly help," Fumio said, his tone considerate and supportive.

Elizabeth nodded in agreement. "It's alright, Luna. If you need anything, you can always come to us. We're here for you," she reassured, her voice full of warmth and genuine care.

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Jake watched Luna silently, his brow furrowed with concern. As her friend, he could sense that something was off, that Luna was not quite herself. He wanted to help but felt helpless, unable to offer anything but his silent support. The day's events weighed heavily on them all, and they decided to rest, awaiting what the next day would bring.

The Harada household, usually filled with laughter and light-hearted banter, was now enveloped in a contemplative quiet. As Jake lay in bed, his mind churned over the day's revelations and Luna's uncharacteristic weariness. He knew the journey ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty, but he also knew that with the support of his family and friends, they would find a way to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Luna, in the guest room, felt a mix of relief and guilt. She appreciated the Haradas' understanding and hospitality, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of urgency tied to her mission. Closing her eyes, she vowed to herself that after this much-needed respite, she would be ready to continue the fight against the impending darkness, with renewed strength and determination.

Fumio and Elizabeth, back in their room, shared a quiet moment of reflection. "Our son is growing up so fast," Elizabeth murmured, her eyes moist with a mix of pride and worry. "He has so much responsibility on his shoulders."

Fumio squeezed her hand gently. "He's strong, just like his mother," he said softly. "And he's not alone. We're all in this together."

With that, the household settled into a tentative peace for the night, each member drawing comfort from the presence and support of the others, ready to face the future with courage and unity.

As the morning sun rose, the Harada household basked in its usual serenity. Despite their underlying worries about the unwelcome visitors, the family continued their daily routines. Elizabeth busied herself with housework, humming softly as she moved from task to task, while Fumio sat comfortably in the living room, engrossed in his favorite baseball game on TV.

Jake woke up feeling aimless, as Luna had requested a pause in their quest for the legendary swords. Without the thrill of the hunt, he found little interest in video games and preferred outdoor sports, a passion instilled in him by his father who had introduced him to baseball. As he trudged into the kitchen, the aroma of breakfast greeted him—Elizabeth had prepared a hearty spread.

"Morning, Mum. Has Luna had her breakfast already?" Jake asked, his voice still groggy from sleep.

Elizabeth looked up from her laundry folding and smiled warmly. "Good morning, Jake. She hasn't come out of her room yet. She might still be exhausted from the trip," she replied, a hint of concern in her eyes.

Not suspecting anything unusual, Jake munched on his toast and drank his glass of milk, appreciating the familiar comfort of home. Meanwhile, in her room, Luna was far from resting. After a brief nap, she had delved back into Kenjiro's cryptic clues, determined to uncover any hidden information about the swords. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she scoured the web for any hint of the swords' whereabouts.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/53/Digital_Blade.png]

Tapping on her Digital Blade, Luna used it to interact with the laptop Elizabeth had given her the night before. Her light saber's advanced technology allowed her to hack into news portals and government CCTV networks, searching for any confidential footage that might provide new leads. She believed that while the world remained unaware of the swords' existence, some governments might be hiding the truth to prevent global panic.

Luna's fingers flew across the keyboard, her eyes scanning through streams of data. She was determined to uncover any hidden information about the swords, believing that every minute spent on this mission brought her closer to preventing the catastrophic future she had come back to change. The weight of her responsibility bore heavily on her, but she knew she couldn't afford to rest while so much was at stake.

"Almost there," she muttered to herself, her eyes narrowing as she honed in on a particularly encrypted file. "This might be it."

In the living room, Fumio noticed Jake's distracted demeanor. "You look lost in thought, son. Anything on your mind?" he asked, lowering the volume on the television.

Jake sighed, pushing his plate away. "I'm just not sure what to do with myself. With the sword hunt on hold, everything feels... aimless."

Fumio nodded understandingly. "Sometimes, a break is necessary. It gives you time to reflect and gather strength for the challenges ahead. Why don't we head to the park later? A good game of catch might clear your head."

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/5f/Jake_Harada_Smile.png]

Jake smiled slightly, appreciating his father's effort to lift his spirits. "Yeah, that sounds good. Thanks, Dad."

Just then, Jake's phone rang, and he saw Carter's name flash on the screen. "Hello?" Jake answered, curiosity in his voice.

"Jake, have you checked your mailbox yet?" Carter's excitement was palpable. "I just got my invitation for the Athenaeum Games!"

"The Athenaeum Games?" Jake echoed, surprised. "I haven't checked my mail yet. I didn't get invited last year, so I wasn't expecting anything."

"Don't be so sure!" Carter replied, his enthusiasm undiminished. "I was invited again, and I'm heading to your place now. Check your mailbox and let me know if you got one too. I'll be there in a few minutes!"

Before Jake could respond, Carter hung up. Taking his friend's advice, Jake quickly went to the mailbox. His heart sank a little when he found it empty. As he had suspected, there was no invitation. Walking back to the house with slight disappointment, he reminded himself to stay optimistic. At least he could help Carter prepare for the tournament.

As he walked into the house, Elizabeth noticed Jake looking for mail. "Are you looking for something specific in the mail, Jake?" she asked, glancing over from where she was ironing clothes. "There's actually a letter for you that arrived last week while you were in Japan. It's on the table with the other mail."

"Thanks, Mum. I'll check it out," Jake replied. He headed to the table where they usually placed collected letters. His heart raced as he saw an envelope with the prestigious seal of the Athenaeum Games. The bold letters on the front read: "Invitation to the Athenaeum Games."

Jake's eyes widened in disbelief and excitement. He clutched the envelope and burst into the living room where his parents were.

"Dad, Mum, I got it! I got the invitation to the Athenaeum Games!" Jake exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.

Elizabeth set down the iron and looked up, her face lighting up with pride. "That's wonderful, Jake! The Athenaeum Games are such an honor. I'm so proud of you!"

Fumio smiled broadly, his eyes twinkling. "See, son? Good things come when you least expect them. This is a great opportunity."

Jake eagerly tore open the envelope and read aloud. "Dear Jake Harada, we are pleased to invite you to participate in this year's Athenaeum Games, recognizing your exceptional abilities and potential in baseball and contributions to sports. Your university, Starlight University, has selected you as a shortlist, and we are pleased to include you as part of the participants in this year's competition. If you are interested in joining, please respond by stating today's date."

Jake fumbled, his heart pounding. "The deadline is today!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his voice.

"Oh no, Jake! I didn't realize it was such an important invitation, or I would have told you earlier," Elizabeth said, her face filling with concern.

Jake dashed to his room, grabbed his laptop, and hurriedly typed up his acceptance email. His fingers trembled as he composed the message, double-checking for any errors.

"Dear Athenaeum Games Committee," he wrote, "I am honored to accept your invitation to participate in this year's Athenaeum Games. I appreciate the recognition of my efforts and contributions to sports, and I look forward to competing. Sincerely, Jake Harada."

He hit "send" and leaned back in his chair, a mix of relief and excitement washing over him.

Returning to the living room, he found his parents waiting anxiously. "I sent it!" he announced, his smile wide.

Elizabeth sighed in relief, and Fumio clapped his son on the back. "Well done, Jake. Now, you can focus on preparing. This is just the beginning."

Jake nodded, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. As he sat down with his family, the anticipation for the upcoming challenges filled the room. It was the perfect moment to end his day on a high note, knowing that a new adventure awaited him.