Hayashi

I looked at the report for the third time and I couldn’t find any gaps in his story, but something told me otherwise. Nero was withholding information, and I didn’t understand why. The reason must have been important enough to keep it from me, someone he’d been open with ever since he came to Utoro. There wasn’t anything going on with his hunting career that I didn’t know about, until now.

That license meant the world to him. He wouldn’t risk losing it by doing something stupid….

I had to trust that whatever he was up to wouldn’t jeopardize the integrity of the Corp. Even so, this unease in his hidden agenda was bothering me. Whatever the reason, pushing Nero for answers right now would likely only make him withdraw further. The best thing would be to wait and let him come to me when he was ready.

I set the report down on my desk with a sigh. Nero was one of my best agents, and I had come to rely on his honesty and intuition. When local authorities released their own findings, I’d make a comparison and review the intel further. For now, I would put the case on hold. I was expecting a guest tonight.

I’d invited her to the second floor of my dojo, an area reserved for only me….

When I turned toward the doorway I saw Reina there looking at the photos of my family—my wife Amelia, and my daughter Mai. She was a little younger than Reina at the time of the family photo, Reina picking up the frame and leveling it closely to her eyes. I was sure she noticed the resemblance. My Mai was a demi-human as well, with fox ears and long silky auburn hair. She got it from her mother, who passed down her beauty and wisdom to our only child. Watching Reina study her left me with an empty feeling I fought to dismiss right away, before I made myself noticeable.

“They are in a better place now,” I said standing under the doorway, startling Reina.

She immediately placed the frame back on the end table and apologized. “Sorry for touching your things. It’s just… I couldn’t help but notice you and your family.” She frowned. “What happened to them?”

“Nothing I am in the mood to share with you right now.” She looked back at me like she’d offended me, before I reassured her. “In due time.” I gestured my hand for her to sit in my study across from us. As I followed her inside, I noticed how Reina’s keen eyes scanned around my study, absorbing every detail. She was especially interested in my ornate sheathed katana displayed along my wall, crowning my oak bookshelf. Her eyes widened with child-like interest, before she said, “My mother has something that looks just like that.”

I grinned. “Then your mother has good taste,” I said, and offered her tea as she sat on the floor mat.

“So, am I in some type of trouble?” she began. “I’ve heard that no one has ever been here before, not even your earlier hunters….”

“This is true.”

“Which part?”

“The latter. If it eases you, I can confirm that you are not in trouble, even though you may feel like you should be with all of the back-talking you’ve been doing ever since you got here.”

She pursed her lips shamefully.

“You remind me so much of her. My daughter, Mai.”

“She does look quite a bit like me. Doesn’t take from her father at all. Which is why she’s so beautiful.”

I chuckled. “She was one bratty entitled child, too. You couldn’t tell her no—that word was just another challenge to overcome. Everything her heart desired, she made sure to get one way or another. It didn’t make things easier on us that she was a daredevil at heart, either.”

Reina smiled, seeming to relax a little as I reminisced.

“There was never a tree too high for her to climb, or a river too wild for her to cross.” I laughed at the memory. “Mai was a firecracker from the start. Even as a young child, she had a knack for getting into mischief. Addicted to thrill and danger. She certainly inherited my stubborn streak.”

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“She sounded like a handful.”

“One time when she was about four, she somehow got a hold of a pair of scissors and cut off all her hair, just so she didn’t have to let me brush it anymore. Her mother was horrified when she saw her, her head nearly bald with tufts of uneven strands sticking out here and there. It took all my strength not to laugh at the sight of my little girl, grinning up at us guiltlessly while still clutching the scissors in her hand. Really, she had no shame.”

Reina giggled. “I would never destroy my beautiful locks. What a brave little girl.”

“But she wasn’t all rebellion. Mai had a heart as fiery as her spirit. When she was six, she found a wounded bird in the backyard. For weeks, she took care of it, feeding it, warming it, whispering sweet words to it until it was strong enough to fly away. She cried for days after that bird left, but that was Mai--all toughness on the outside, but inside, she was just…” I paused, fighting tears from forming in my eyes.

“Hayashi?”

I batted my eyes to hide their glossiness, and I smiled sadly, lost in bittersweet memories of my beloved daughter. “Mai was so full of life. She was full of passion, and felt everything so deeply—joy, anger, love. Especially love. She loved fiercely, with her whole heart. Even as a young child, she was protective of those she cared about. I loved her very much.”

Reina’s expression softened. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said sincerely.

I poured her a cup of the hot brew before continuing. “Just like my Mai, you too Reina have passion for everything you care deeply for. You express yourself without limitations, so after seeing your outburst a few times, I had to wonder where these emotions were coming from.”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve read your file. Thoroughly, on several occasions. You can almost say that I know you inside and out, but it takes more than a file to give me a deeper insight and understanding of your persona. It doesn’t align with your reason for being here.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean a head-strong, independent, self-minded wealthy woman wouldn’t care about being compatible in this line of duty. The main reason why many gifted individuals want to become hunters is for fame, fortune, and glory. And then, a small percentage of them want to get out of their poverty stricken lives and make a name for themselves. You don’t need fame, the fortune, or the glory. You’ve been receiving that back home. You’re also not desperate for cash, which brings us to the bogus reason that everyone’s going by—Mr. Faust wanting you to shape up and be somebody.”

She gave me a stern look. “Why are you calling it bogus? It’s the truth!”

“There’s something behind all of that passion that hits closer to home. So why not tell me? Do we still have trust issues?”

Her face softened. “I trust you, but I have nothing to hide.” Reina looked down, her cheeks flushing pink. “I suppose my emotions have gotten the better of me at times. It’s just… I care so deeply about this. I want to protect them, but I feel powerless.”

“Protect them?”

She looked up to me. “Protect the people of Utoro.”

“I genuinely believe that you want to do the right thing. From your very first mission to your last, I’ve seen you evolve from someone selfish and self-centered to someone who could charge into the fray and rescue those in danger, without any regards for yourself. You’ve become a symbol of hope for the people, a beacon sparking up even in the darkest corners of Utoro.”

A pained smile crept up on Reina’s face. “A beacon doesn’t feel hopelessness and uncertainty.”

“But neither does it shine alone. It’s backed by countless people who fuel its shine, who provide the strength to keep it alight,” I reassured her, reaching out to gently hold her shaking hands. “You have a team who supports you. You’re not in this alone.”

“Things aren’t well at home,” her voice shook. “I’ve had others protect me and my family… never had I needed to do it on my own. And that’s what I feel… like it’s all on me. The burden…. It’s like the world is on my shoulders, and if I don’t make it here, it’s over….”

I gently peeled my hand away, concerned. “Reina, what do you mean?”

“I’m sorry,” she said, getting up on her feet. “I’ve said too much already.”

I got up and intercepted her as she tried to leave. “Reina, you are not as powerless as you think. Your courage and determination will see it through. And you won’t have to stand alone. I will be by your side, along with your team. Lean on us when you need strength. We’re in this together. Whatever you’re going through… you’re not alone.”

She nodded, looking up to me as she wiped tears from her eyes. “Thank you, Hayashi.”

Just like Mai… holding everything in. Thinking she’d be a burden to her family. Pretending she could handle everything by herself. It was the death of her, and I didn’t want to see the same thing happen to Reina.

I wish she’d open up and tell me. A little voice in the back of her head told her not to get anyone involved. The outbursts, the resilience, it all had to do with protecting her family. From what and who, I really wanted to know….

Despite being desperate, I allowed her the opportunity to tell me on her own time.

“You don’t need to tell me everything. I understand whatever you’re going through is difficult. But I’m here for you, no matter what. When you’re ready, I’ll listen.”