Kuroyuki was surprised by Kazuki's reaction to his memory projection, revealing the hidden past between the two, and how they were swapped as babies by Kazuki's real father over his obsession with the luck-bearing date. "W-What do you mean?" Kuroyuki asked him anxiously, as his memory projection faded away.

"I already know all of this," Kazuki took even Hoshikawa by surprise, he then explained that he knew the truth after reading some documents in the Itsuka family grand bedroom, "it was the vacation, when I was left to take care of the house, you remember that, Hoshikawa?" he glanced over to his supposed brother.

The moment he realized that he's not a genuine Itsuka and his birthdate has been falsified, something clicked in his mind. He had to make sure that he got every privilege he needed before it would crumble down someday. "I also know our parents' plan. In one of their notes, they put together a scenario that would convince people that Itsuka Kazuki had died of a freak accident... not only that broke my heart, but also shows how much of a circus they were with their superstition," he then chuckled thinking of the stupidity. Kazuki finally revealed his true self.

"No way... no way mom and dad had that kind of plan!!" Hoshikawa was still trying to grasp the reality of everything. He trembled and walked backward some steps while holding his head tight, "this... isn't happening..." Hoshikawa whispered to himself shakily.

When asked about his motive by Kuroyuki, Kazuki answered, "I planned to keep the status quo as long as possible. After that, if I survived this war, I will be known as the only one Itsuka remaining, and be the hero of this highly regarded family... absorbing every influence it has---"

"Brother, stop--- you're lying, right? There's no way this is true... it's just a distraction strategy, right?" Hoshikawa was still trying to convince himself that all of this was a facade. His facial expression said it all, his eyes were pulsating while his movement was jittery, he also laughed nervously while still holding his head.

In turn, Kazuki just smiled at him, "Unfortunately... I am not lying," he said calmly, without the two realizing, his light sword was glowing behind his back. He then launched himself towards Hoshikawa.

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----"Watch out!!" Kuroyuki shoved Hoshikawa away from Kazuki's plunge, the two then tumbled into the rubbles. But even after that moment, Hoshikawa refused Kuroyuki's touch.

Kazuki laughed after landing to the left of the brothers, "I just don't get it, how can you be so stupid? Even our hair colors are different..." he then laughed even more, "well then, I guess this is my final act... to be the hero of this clan," he prepared his blade again.

Kuroyuki stepped in front of Hoshikawa with his hands spread to protect him, "You have to survive... I have the answer to this curse, but I can't come back to the warriors again," he smiled to him, "it's nice to finally meet you, brother," then focused on his enemy.

----

Kuroyuki summoned some hunters in the area to ambush Kazuki from every direction, while he jumped forward while transforming his right arm into a sharp blade. Kazuki dodged and slashed every one of the hunters Kuroyuki threw at him, then launched himself towards him.

Kazuki's light sword and Kuroyuki's dark blade clashed and made some sparks, right when the sky was surrounded by gray clouds. "Isn't it funny? Our parents held onto this superstition, believing that it'll bring them luck, but instead it brings us misery..." Kazuki gripped his sword tightly.

Drizzle then began to pour down to earth. "The Itsuka family needs a rebranding," Kazuki proclaimed, as the rain poured on his blade, evaporating instantly as his blade was blazing hot.

"You're just like your father... willing to take any ways to achieve your insane goals... I will not forgive you. For all the things you've done, deceiving the warriors--- my brother. I won't let you live much longer!!" Kuroyuki transformed his arms into hardened black goo.

He tried to punch Kazuki multiple times, some of them hits, some of them got blocked by his smoldering blade. When Kuroyuki's left hand was blocked by Kazuki's sword, he transformed his right arm into a blade once again, then stabbed him right in the center of his torso.

Kazuki's blood splattered onto his opponent's face, as his body limped forward. Kazuki's vision was increasingly blurry, his consciousness slowly went away.

Kuroyuki then pulled back his blade, and let Kazuki's face hit the ground. He took a step back, then turned his head towards Hoshikawa, a breeze of serenity hit him for a short while. But then he heard Kazuki's laugh again---

....

"Wh--" Kuroyuki's chest suddenly burst, blood and darkness seeped through his chest, as he looked down, he saw Kazuki's light sword went through his chest, while his wielder rose up again.

"Don't you know?---" Kazuki laughed, "those who wield light element can also regenerate,"