The Yuuki resident is exceptionally lively lately. Their neighbors one after another comes to congratulate the young couple and give blessings to their newborn daughter, though Saibai suspects they are mostly here to meet his son.
It is no secret that Rito is the best kid in town. He is kind, hard-working and surprisingly good with children, he also doesn't nag or cry, which is a big plus.
"If only they knew..." Saibai can't help snickering, if a hundreds years old monster cried like a little kid, now wouldn't that be embarrassing.
Regarding his son's confession, Saibai has many conflicting thoughts. While he is grateful of him for telling them the truth, he just can't see the kid in the same light as he had been before. Fortunately, Rito doesn't push it either, and for that, Saibai is thankful.
Part of him thinks 'what if?'. What if he had been there the day the accident happened? What if he had been able to save his son? Would any of this still happen? Would his son become this? Too many questions left unanswered, and as time goes on, this list only grows.
Of course, he could ask the kid directly, but he knows there are things better left unsaid. Ignorance is bliss after all. Beside, if realising his son is a reincarnator has this much effect on him, he couldn't imagine what would happen if he knew all of it.
Does a multiverse exist? Are gods really benevolent as described? These thoughts linger in his mind since that day, the more he thinks about it, the more his fear feasts and grows, the fear of knowing how insignificant he actually is. His body softly trembles as a realisation dawns on him.
Beings that can destroy planets at whims truly exist, they lurk in that dark void known as the universe, waiting for a chance to strike.
His tremble increases, his face pales, turning several shades whiter than its initially healthy bronze color. It's at this moment that a hand, small but firm touches his shoulder. Waves of comfortness wash over him, somehow forcing his overactive mind to calm down.
For a brief moment, he swears he could hear sounds of bird chirping in the background.
"It's alright." Then, a soft voice, as if afraid of scaring him away reaches his ear. "I know how it feels."
Turning left, he sees his son, hands glowing, an apologetic and guilty smile plastered on that childish face. "I'm sorry." Rito apologizes, leaving Saibai both baffled and confused.
"It is my fault. I knew from the start that this could happen but I told you anyway... I should've left quietly, but I was afraid of losing my family, of being all alone again." A single drop of blood falls down from his violet eye, staining the floor.
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Seeing the normally calm Rito in this state, Saibai realises how hard it must've also been for him. He is sure that he hasn't been told everything, but he knows enough to see how much pain his son feels, how he is being slowly crushed by the guilt that plagues his conscience.
"It's alright... I forgive you." He gives Rito a small hug, patting his back wanting to console him.
•▪•▪•▪•
Two men sit opposite, their faces deep red in color, the obvious prove of their embarrassment. Sharing a look, they both resolutely decide in their hearts that what just happened will never leave this room. And if it ever did, they'd make damn sure it can't spread using all means necessary.
Coughing, Rito breaks the awkward silent. "I've cooked dinner, Kaa-san and Mikan should be coming down soon so..." Before finishing, he already darts towards the door next to him.
Yet he doesn't go out, a solemn look creeps over his face. "Also, about the growing fear inside you." He points, seemingly at Saibai's chest, but is actually pointing at his soul. "It's due to the corruption in your soul, I've already sealed the corrupted parts, but you should be careful. I'm currently not strong enough to remove it, I'll soon so wait."
Done, he continues on his way towards the dinning room, leaving a baffled and in awe Saibai behind.
As he walks, Rito sighs tiredly. He really didn't expect this to happen. After all, the Void doesn't normally reach out to mortals since their movements are restricted by the gods, and if they're going to possess someone, it's often time a strong person.
Despite having no concrete evidences, the only reason that Rito can think of to explain their action is him. By doing this, they're pretty much declaring war on him. What bugs him the most is how they found him, if they wanted to attack why didn't they possess him instead, surely the current him won't pose any threat to them? And lastly, why?
While he wasn't exactly best friend to the Void, he could be considered their ally due to his bad relationship with the gods. Not to mention, targetting him would've been much easier, why bother with his father?
"I guess I'll know it once we meet..." Rubbing his temples, he fakes a smile and gets to the kitchen. Although he did not voice it out, Rito knew if he wanted to protect this new family of his, he must get stronger fast. That day, despite the happy atmosphere, Rito ate with heavy heart.