Chapter Text
[ ⟡ ]
As the years passed, the group of kids slowly grew accustomed to their new life at the inn.
Four years went by easily since the group first arrived, and the kids had grown and changed; with another routine and lifestyle.
The once ragged and weary children had blossomed into young adolescents, with everyone having grown several inches taller. They were now almost teenagers, their faces a mix of the youthful innocence of their younger selves and the emerging maturity of adolescence.
It was in one specific sunny summer day when Akito, Toya, and Mizuki found themselves walking together along the streets of the capital. The sounds of the city filled the air, with the hustle and bustle of people, the clinking of shop wares, and the distant sound of carriage wheels rolling over cobblestones.
“Hey Akito.” Mizuki said, her voice casual but focused. “Did you bring the list of things we need to buy?” She walked and looked down: counting one by one the little leaps she managed to make in her new black shoes. Because of that, her ponytail kept bouncing over and over again.
The passage of time had changed not only their age but also their appearances. Akito, Toya, and Mizuki had grown taller, their lean bodies now filling out their new clothes.
Akito, a little bit taller and slimmer than the girl, gave a small nod in response to Mizuki's question.
“Of course.” He said patting his right pocket. “I've got the list right here. Let's make sure we get everything we need.” His trousers were a little dirty around the knees, but the boy didn't seem to mind.
Mizuki, on the other hand, did.
“Akito...” She exclaimed, her voice filled with a hint of annoyance. “Look at your trousers. They're filthy!”
Akito, upon hearing Mizuki's scolding, looked down at his trousers, and a scowling expression appeared on his face.
“Ah, right.” He murmured, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn't even notice.”
At that response, with her hands on her hips, Mizuki gave a small huff. “Seriously, Akito.” She chided. “You really need to pay more attention to these things. We can't have you walking around looking like a mess.”
The taller among the three, seeing the interaction between Akito and Mizuki, chuckled lightly.
“She’s right, you're always getting your clothes dirty, Akito.” He teases with a smirk playing at the corners of his lips.
With his face reddening slightly, Akito shot a glare at Toya.
“It's not my fault!” He protested, his voice slightly defensive. “Minori's always getting me into trouble. She's the one who drags me around and gets me messy.”
Mizuki let out a scoff, not fully believing Akito's words. “Sure, blame it all on little innocent Minori.” She said teasingly. “As if you're not always willingly going along with her crazy ideas.”
Akito huffed, knowing that Mizuki had a point. “Okay, maybe I do go along with her sometimes.” He admitted reluctantly. “But it's not like I can say no to her when she's all excited and insistent. You know how persuasive she can be.”
Toya, his gaze still playful, chimed in with a smirk.
“Don't you think you're the one to blame here?” He said, his tone light. “You're the one who started spoiling her when she was little. You'd give her anything she wanted just because she made those big eyes and pouted.”
"Don't act like I'm the only one who does what Minori says." Akito tried to defend himself.
Toya chuckled at Akito's words. “Well, that's true.” He admitted. “Nobody can resist those big, pleading eyes of hers. She's too cute for her own good.”
And Mizuki, too, couldn't help but agree. “Yeah, she always gets her way when she pouts.” She conceded.
So Akito, eager to change the topic, fished the list from his pocket. “Alright, enough about Minori for now.” He said, unfolding the piece of paper. “What's on the list that we need to buy first?” The three of them halted their steps, and Mizuki and Toya leaned over to see the list, their chins resting on Akito's shoulders. “Let's see…” Akito said, skimming over the list. “Looks like we need to buy some vegetables first.”
Mizuki scanned the list and then pointed towards an item on it.
“Hey, wait a minute.” She said, a hint of excitement in her voice. “It says 'bread' on here. Can we go to the bakery first? I remember Mrs. Hanasato mentioning that she wanted some fresh bread today.”
At hearing those words, Akito smiled, eager to give in to his friends' desires, and quickly agreed.
“Yeah, to the bakery first.” He said with a smile on his face while trying to seem nonchalant.
But Toya chuckled, knowing all too well Akito’s love for sweets. “You just want to get some pastries, don't you?” He teased.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Akito chuckled sheepishly. “What? Me? I just- I mean- they have really good pastries there.” He said, trying to defend himself.
And Toya, with a smirk, leaned in and nudged Akito jokingly. “I know how bad of a sweet tooth you have, Akito.”
“Alright, alright.” But Mizuki, feeling pity for Akito’s embarrassment, chimed in, a wry smile on her face. “Let's stop making fun of Akito and move on already. We still have other things to buy.”
Akito, grateful for the reprieve, nodded in agreement. “Right. Let's get moving.” He said folding the list and stuffing it back into his pocket. Akito then breathed a sigh of relief, thankful that the attention had shifted away from him. “The bakery is just around the corner. Let's head there first, and then we can get the vegetables after.”
Then, the three of them started walking again, the list of items they needed to buy fresh in their minds.
Arriving at the bakery first, the aroma of freshly baked bread and the sight of colourful pastries greeted them as they entered the shop, and after selecting a few loaves of bread and a couple of treats for themselves, they made their way to the nearby vegetable stand on the plaza; navigating past the crowds until their eyes caught sight of a stall that was positioned against one of the city walls.
It was bustling with activity thanks to the variety of items were displayed, and as a few customers browsed the wares, a random vendor behind the stall was busy trying to sell his wares, his voice calling out to passers-by to entice them to stop and have a look.
But the stall owner, a friendly man who recognized the trio from previous visits, greeted them warmly as they approached.
“Well, if it isn't my favourite customers!” He exclaimed, a broad smile on his face. “What can I do for you today, kiddos?”
The trio chuckled at the stall owner's cheerful greeting, then Mizuki spoke up, holding up the list of items they needed.
“We've got a couple of things on our list that we need to buy.” She said, glancing down at the list. “Do you happen to have any of these items?”
Upon seeing the girl hand him the list, he rapidly cleaned his hands on the small apron wrapped around his waist, then took the list between his thick fingers; skimming through it.
“Ah, yes, of course!” He said, his eyes scanning the list while squinting his eyes. “Just a couple of vegetables you need, right? Give me a moment, I'll be right back.”
He then disappeared into the back of the stall, leaving the trio waiting patiently around all the busy people, so in order not to get in the way of their shopping, they stepped a little out of the way from the crowd; approaching the nearest wall and leaning their backs against it as they waited.
It didn't take long for Mizuki and Akito to start talking; discussing the contents of the list and the route they should take, but Toya remained silent.
He stood, simply observing his surroundings and admiring everything around him. It was a clear day, with few clouds gathering in the sky and the sun shining brightly. The sunlight flickered strongly, and a few gleams glinted in his grey eyes. He was able to smell the fruits of the stall, too, and the serenity he felt was undeniable.
However, his sharp eyes caught something unusual at the top of one of the city walls.
His attention was captured by the sight, and he tilted his head slightly, peering upwards.
Curiosity piqued, Toya interrupted the conversation between Mizuki and Akito, and leaned closer to them.
“Hey, guys.” He said softly, gesturing upwards with a slight nod of his head. “Did you see that?”
Mizuki, feeling curious, was the one who talked first among the two of them.
“See wh-” She started to ask, yet her words were cut off all of the sudden because of a deafening explosion.
Startled, the trio instinctively ducked and looked around with wide eyes, trying to locate the source of the noise.
The explosion, which had originating from the top of the city walls, caused panic to spread through the plaza; filling the air with screams and gasps as people darted around disoriented and confused.
The trio, with their hearts pounding, tried to make sense of the chaos, and Mizuki, feeling his face pale with fear, asked. “What was that?”
But before Mizuki could utter another word, Toya’s voice cut through the commotion with a loud, urgent tone.
“The explosions are coming from the top of the walls!” He shouted, his voice barely audible over the chaos. “We need to get out of here! Now!” He said, grabbing both Akito and Mizuki by the arms. “Come on!”
Yet as they were trying to flee the scene, another explosion occurred, this time much closer to them. The blast sent a shockwave through the area, and people around them screamed in terror.
Dust filled the air, making it difficult for them to see clearly, but Toya shielded Mizuki and Akito with his body, trying to protect them from any falling debris.
The crowd was frenzied and people were pushing and shoving to flee the area, making it difficult to move and see, so it wasn’t a surprise when, in the midst of the panic and chaos, someone accidentally stumbled into Akito, knocking him to the ground.
He tumbled to the ground, dazed and bruised from the impact, feeling a deep pain in his left arm.
Disoriented from the sudden fall, he reached his fingers to the source of the pain; realizing with a pang of dread that a trail of blood was seeping through the fabric of his sleeve.
The warm trickle snaked its way down his arm, staining the once pristine cloth a deep red, its progress halted prematurely where the cloth met his wrist. But the adrenaline coursing through his veins dulled the pain somewhat, allowing him to push through the shock of what had just happened; the explosion; the blood; the chaos.
With her voice trembling, Mizuki panicked at the sight of Akito's wounded arm.
“Akito, you're bleeding!” She exclaimed with her voice laced with concern.
She then hurried to Akito's side despite the panicked voices and cries around them, focusing on helping her friend.
With a firm grip, she grasped his good arm and hoisted him back to his feet, her eyes scanning over his wounded one.
“Let me help.” With a swift and steady hand, Toya tore a strip of cloth from the fabric of his blouse using a random shard of glass from the ground without doubting, the rip echoing softly through the chaos around them. He stepped forward and, without a moment's hesitation, knelt beside Akito and began to tightly bind the makeshift bandage around the bleeding gash on his friend's arm.
“Stay still.” He spoke calmly, his words a stark contrast to the chaos surrounding them.
Toya's trembling fingers wrapped the strip of cloth around the deep gash in Akito's arm, pressing gently to staunch the flow of blood; tightening the makeshift bandage around Akito's wound with a firm yet gentle touch, his eyes locking for a moment with Akito's as the shorter winced in pain.
The pressure of the cloth caused another wave of discomfort, and Akito instinctively pulled back, a hiss escaping his clenched teeth. But even in his pain, his expression was etched with a mix of gritted determination and a hint of trust in his friend's steady hands.
It was minutes later, with the bandage in place, that Toya tied off the strip of cloth securely before standing up. Then, noticing the look of gratitude but pain in Akito's eyes, spoke up, his voice cutting through the chaos. “We need to keep moving.” He said, his tone firm but gentle. “The explosions are still going, and we need to find a safe place to hide.”
“Over there!” Mizuki suddenly exclamation cut through the tension. She pointed towards a small, concealed spot near the wall, tucked away and relatively hidden from sight. “That spot looks safe. We can hide there for now.”
At hearing that, Akito, with his mind racing with worries and doubts, hesitated for a moment. He glanced at the spot Mizuki had pointed out, and his instincts screamed at him that it wasn't the safest hiding place, yet he kept his concerns to himself, not wanting to cause any more trouble for the group.
So taking a deep breath, Akito nodded in agreement to Toya's decision. “Fine. Let's go there.” He said, his voice tinged with reluctant acceptance.
With Akito reluctantly in agreement, the trio hurried over to the small, concealed spot near the wall. They squished into the area, pressing their bodies close together as they sought refuge from the chaos outside.
From their hiding place, the trio then peeked outside, their eyes scanning the chaos unfolding in the plaza.
The sight was nothing short of chaotic.
People were running in all directions trying to flee from the danger as the damage from the explosions was evident: debris scattering the ground and stall stands lay overturned.
Mizuki, in an attempt to comfort her friend, spoke in a soft tone, her fingers gently caressing Akito's injured arm.
“Just hold on for a little while longer.” She said, her voice barely above a whisper. “The knights will be here soon, and then we can head back home.”
Still with his arm still throbbing with pain, Akito managed a slight nod.
He leaned against the wall, trying to steady himself. “Yeah, you're right.” He murmured, his voice a barely audible hoarse whisper. “We just need to be patient and stay hidden for a bit.”
A sudden, almost eerie silence descended upon the plaza, breaking the cacophony of chaos and panic. The three of them held their breaths, listening intently to the sudden quiet that had enveloped the area.
But just as the conversation died down, Toya suddenly rose from his position, his eyes fixed outside their hiding spot: the abrupt movement startling the other two.
With his eyes fixed on the plaza, Toya whispered in a tense whisper. “There's a kid out there all by themselves.” Nevertheless, Akito, concerned and worried, tried to get up, but Toya placed a firm hand on his shoulder, gently pushing him back down. "I'll go and help him."
Akito grew more agitated then, with his mind racing with thoughts and worries. “What do you mean you're going to help? We can't just go out there.” He protested, his voice a strained whisper.
At those word, with his gaze holding steady on the pair, Toya spoke with a calm certainty, his words a firm reassurance. “Just stay here.” He said with a soft yet resolute command. “I'll be right back. You'll be safe, I promise.” And without another word, he slipped out of the hidden spot, his footsteps silent as he left the shelter of their hiding place and entered the chaos beyond.
Akito, feeling his anxiety mounting, only was able to shoot a frustrated glance at Toya's retreating back.
He wanted to protest, to urge his friend to stay safe, but the words died in his throat as he knew he couldn't risk drawing attention to their hiding spot.
He instead swallowed his worries and slumped back against the wall, his gaze flickering between Mizuki and the chaotic plaza outside their sanctuary.
“Of course we’ll be safe, but what about you, dumbass?” The words were nothing but a whisper; loud enough for just Mizuki to hear, hanging in the air, merely unspoken but filled with worries about his reckless friend.
At Hearing the whisper, Mizuki glanced towards Akito in an attempt to cheer him up; falling silent, instead, the moment she laid eyes on him.
She was struck by the sudden sight of him staring at Toya's distant silhouette.
There was a hint of sadness in his eyes, mingled with an unknown yearning that puzzled her; as if he was seeing something beyond the moment, something more profound and personal.
Yet she gently placed a hand on his shoulder, offering a silent comfort.
“He'll be okay, you know him.” She said softly, her voice gentle but confident. “Toya knows how to take care of himself.”
But as Akito turned to look at her with eyes glistenning with unshed tears, Mizuki was taken aback.
She hadn't expected to see such raw emotion staring back at her, so the sight tugged at her heartstrings, and a mix of tenderness and surprise filled her chest.
Akito, tearing his gaze from Mizuki, muttered under his breath. “I don't think so.” His voice was hoarse with emotion. “He can be so reckless sometimes...” The words hung in the air, carrying a weight of worry and frustration that Akito couldn't quite hide.
“It’s going to be fi-” Mizuki, struggling to find the right words in response to Akito's outburst, was suddenly interrupted by another explosion that rocked the vicinity.
The force of it caused her to flinch, her words swallowed by the deafening blast.
All fell silent within moments, interrupted and distrubed only by Akito's sudden shout.
With a frantic shout, Akito cried. “TOYA!” The word escaped his lips with a mixture of desperation and panic.
Without a moment's hesitation, he sprang out of the hiding spot, adrenaline surging through his veins, pushing him to act, and started running towards the direction where Toya had disappeared between debris.
The explosion occurred right where Toya had been heading, the force of it sending a plume of smoke and dust rising into the air, so the sight was chilling; with the aftermath suggesting something explosive had happened in his path.
Akito, with his heart in his throat, ran even faster towards the site of the explosion at noticing that, fear and worry fuelling his panicked sprint.
But his mad dash towards the explosion site was suddenly halted by a pair of strong, armoured arms that seized him from behind.
Caught off guard, he struggled against the unyielding grip, fear, and frustration mingling in his wide eyes.
“GET OFF ME!” Akito cried, his voice filled with a mix of anger and panicked desperation. He writhed and twisted against the grip on his arms, ignoring the pain from his injured arm. “LET ME GO! I NEED TO GET TO TOYA!”
The armoured figure restraining Akito only tightened their grip, holding him firmly in place. “Calm down.” A gruff voice commanded from behind the mask. “You can't go out there, it's too dangerous.”
Akito let out a frustrated growl, his eyes wild with anger and worry. “I DON’T CARE!” He shouted still struggling in the unyielding grip. “I HAVE TO FIND HIM! JUST LET ME GO!” His frustration and fear reached a boiling point, unleashing a primal anger within him. He bared his teeth, almost animalistic in his desperation, fighting against the restraining arms with renewed fervour. “LET ME GO.”
The armoured guard, holding onto Akito's struggling little form, let out a blunt statement that cut through the chaos. “It's useless, kid.” His voice was firm but with a tinge of guilt. “There's nothing more than dust where that explosion occurred.” The guard, feeling the fight leave Akito's body, softened his grip a bit. His voice took on a gentler edge as he continued. “Calm down.” He said, his tone less severe. “We can go check out the area once the dust clears. But you need to calm down first, alright?”
Just then, Mizuki arrived on the scene with a worried expression on her face and quickly took in the situation. Her panicked gaze met Akito's and for a brief moment, they simply held each other's gaze, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them.
Akito responded with a single, firm nod after an imperceptible shift took place as the fire in his eyes seemed to dim.
His body still trembled slightly, the worry and fear for Toya barely contained. However, he managed to school his features into a mask of Stoic composure, his eyes flickering back towards the armoured guard.
The guard, satisfied that Akito had quieted down, slowly released his grip on the young boy and looked critically at Akito's injured arm, the visible gash now staining his gloves with blood. “You're hurt.” He noted, his voice gruff but not unkind.
But with his mind focused solely on the situation at hand, Akito only responded with a dismissive wave. “It doesn't matter.” He said without a single shred of emotion in his voice. “I'm fine.” Despite the obvious pain etched on his face, he was determined to push past it. “Take me there.”
But not convinced by Akito's protest, the guard let out a huff of disbelief. “You're bleeding.” He pointed out bluntly, gesturing to the blood seeping through Akito's shirt. “That's not fine.”
“I said.” He repeated, his voice sharp as a knife's edge. “Take me there.”
The knight, caught off guard by Akito's sudden intense gaze and firm voice, couldn't help but feel a shiver run down his spine as there was a dangerous silver glint in Akito's eyes that brooked no argument.
So after a moment, he simply gave a curt nod, respecting Akito's stoicism.
He let go of the boy and turned to Mizuki, nodding his head and motioning for her to come closer. Then they started walking; with the man in front and the two of them behind.
The scene was chaotic, the air thick with smoke, the ground churned by the force of the blast, and as they approached, the sight painted a grim picture; the aftermath of the explosion had left a devastated landscape. Dust coated the area, and the air hung heavy with a thick haze.
There was an air of urgency and grave seriousness as the knights worked tirelessly, their faces taut with concentration. The atmosphere was charged with confusion and worry as they whispered among themselves with their voices hushed and filled with disbelief. “How could this be?” One muttered, their voice tinged with disbelief.
Another knight shook his head, his face etched with shock. “I've never seen anything like this before.”
The guard that had been guiding Akito and Mizuki then spoke up, addressing one of the other knights. “Report the situation.” He barked; his voice echoing with authority.
The knight he'd addressed stepped forward, saluting and reporting the situation. “Sir.” He said, his voice grave. “There's no trace of the culprit. Only dust and traces of blood remains.”
The man stood in silence for a moment, digesting the initial report. Then, the same knight posed a new question, his voice carrying a hint of uncertainty. “What about the two children seen standing there before the explosion? Any signs of them?”
The reported knight hesitated, his eyes flickering to where Akito and Mizuki stood.
“The children, sir.” He replied, his voice tinged with a bit of sadness and remorse. “We cannot find any traces of them either.”
Akito's heart felt like it was being wrenched out of his chest, and he struggled to keep his composure as he listened to the knight's report as a wave of despair threatened to crash over him. His eyes widened in shock, a mixture of fear and despair flooding his system.
A part of him refused to accept it, a deep, guttural denial welling up inside him.
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words would come, the pain too raw and overwhelming. His jaw clenched too, and his knuckles turned white from how tightly he was clenching his fists.
The thought of Toya being lost in the explosion was too much to bear, his body trembling slightly despite his efforts to stay calm.
Akito's mouth worked silently, struggling to form words. “What-” He began, his voice hoarse and broken by emotion. But before he could formulate a full sentence, his voice failed him, the weight of the news bearing down on him like a crushing weight.
‘No. It can’t be true.’ Was the only thing that passed through his mind.
Akito and Mizuki, still reeling from the news, were jarred by an unexpected voice calling their name. “Akito! Mizuki!” The kids exchanged a bewildered glance before turning their gazes towards the source of the voice.
The voice, familiar yet unexpected, came from Mrs. Hanasato's: her face etched with a look of pure fright as she rushed towards them.
Her eyes were wide almost to the point of bulging, and her usually composed expression was replaced with one of unguarded panic. Each step she took was heavy with desperation as the distance between them closed quickly.
And at reaching them, any pretence of composure shattered.
She threw her arms around Akito and Mizuki, drawing them into a tight, almost crushing embrace. Her body trembled against them, her voice quivering as she spoke. “Are you okay?” Mrs. Hanasato held them tightly, her grip almost desperate. Her breath came in short, quick gasps as she repeated her question. “Are you okay? Are you hurt?” Her eyes searched their faces, desperate for reassurance, even as her voice cracked under the strain of her worry.
Standing nearby, the guard who had been watching quietly throughout the exchange, chose that moment to speak up. “They're not physically hurt.” He assured her, his voice gruff but gentle. “But they’re in shock.”
Mrs. Hanasato glanced at Akito, her eyes falling on the blood-soaked bandage wrapping his arm. “He is hurt.” She stated, her voice taking an edge of worry. “And bleeding.” She gently pushed back Akito's sleeve, her mouth set in a tight line as she saw the extent of his wound. “This needs to be cared for.” She said, her voice filled with a sternness that came from worry. Her trembling hands tried to stop the flow of blood, applying pressure to the gash. “We need to get these kids home.” She declared.
Turning to the guard, she asked with a hint of anxiety in her voice. “Where's Toya?”
Mrs. Hanasato, sensing the seriousness of the silence that settled suddenly, turned to look at the knight. They exchanged a look, and the guard gestured towards a spot nearby, signalling for her to follow him. “We need to speak privately.” The guard said, his voice low and solemn.
After some seconds of exchanging eye contact, Mrs. Hanasato patted Akito and Mizuki gently on the shoulders. “Stay here.” She instructed before following the guard to a nearby spot.
The kids nodded, watching as they moved away, hearing their voices gp away in a soft murmur in the distance. And after a few moments of hushed conversation, Mrs. Hanasato returned with her face looking graver than before.
Her voice was steady as she spoke, but a shadow of grief lingered in her eyes. “We're going home, okay, sweeties?” She said quietly. “Come on.”
The tenderness in her face was evident, yet Akito's thoughts returned to Toya. He couldn't ignore the gnawing worry and fear for his best friend, so he swallowed heavily and found the courage to ask the question that weighed on his mind. “What… what about Toya?”
At that question, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, yet her voice remained steady, albeit with a slight quiver. “I don't know.” She admitted, her grip on his and Mizuki's shoulders tightening. “We don't know anything… yet.”
As Akito tried to protest, a surge of fear and anxiety threatened to take over. However, Mrs. Hanasato's pleading voice stopped him.
Her eyes, filled with a mixture of worry and sadness, met his. “Please.” She implored, her voice gentle but firm. “Let's just go home, Akito. It’s dangerous here.”
Akito, though his heart ached to stay and find answers, allowed himself to be guided along, so he nodded as a silent acknowledgement of her words.
As they turned their backs to the scene, he cast one last, worried look over his shoulder towards the site of the explosion. Then, with a deep breath, he resigned to following Mrs. Hanasato back towards their home.
The journey back to the Hanasato household was filled with an agonized silence, and as they stepped into the house, the usually homely atmosphere now felt heavy with an undercurrent of tension.
Mrs. Hanasato led Akito and Mizuki towards a small table in the living room, and with gentle but firm hands, pushed them to sit down.
As they sat in a suffocating silence, Akito's anxiety flared up, causing him to fidget nervously.
His fingers trembled, unable to find peace. So subconsciously, he began to toy with his fingertips, digging his nails into the already sensitive skin.
Each tiny jab of pain served as a momentary reprieve from the overwhelming heartache he felt, but it did little to soothe his inner turmoil. But Mizuki, observant of Akito's unease, gently placed her hand on top of his thigh as a gentle, reassuring gesture to soothe his trembling fingers; the warmth of her touch contrasting with the cold, sterile air around them.
Mrs. Hanasato, who had so far kept quiet with her head down, decided to speak up.
“Kids.” She began to utter without looking at them; too intent on her own hands and in a quivering tone that betrayed her urge to cry. “I must ask you something, but I don't know if it's the right thing to do.” She squeezed her eyes shut, then opened them to look them in the eye. “This piece of cloth-” She swallowed hard before continuing to speak. “It belonged to Toya, didn't it?”
As she stated the question, she placed her hands on the table; finally revealing the object she had been staring at since they had arrived at the house, unbeknownst to the children.
It was just a torn and dirty piece of cloth; full of dust but with small red stains all over its surface. It looked almost entirely identical to the ill-fitting bandage on Akito's arm, and at that obvious fact, Akito was unable to help but stifle a sob; ducking his head down to his lap to look at his bandaged arm.
“Y-yeah.” He whispered with a crack in his voice.
Even at ten years old, he was no fool, for he had long since lost his innocence. He was fully aware of what his affirmation entailed, but he still didn't feel ready to accept it; too afraid of losing, yet again during his young age, someone so near and dear to him.
The statement, though not unexpected, ultimately defeated the poor woman, who could not help but let out a shaky sigh in an attempt to calm herself.
Mizuki, for her part, simply stared at the piece of cloth.
But just as the silence settled in the room once again, it was suddenly interrupted by a soft knock on the door.
The knock, though gentle, felt like a thunderclap in the tense atmosphere, so Akito and Mizuki exchanged a quick glance, their eyes widening in anticipation.
Mrs. Hanasato, having being the closest to the door of the living room, excused herself from the room and made her way to the entrance. Her footsteps, usually soft and steady, echoed with a sense of foreboding as she approached the door, and with a steadying breath, she reached out and opened the door to whoever waited beyond.
A deep, unfamiliar voice drifted through the air as the door opened, the words making a chill run down Mrs. Hanasato's spine. “Are Ms. Mizuki and Mr. Akito here?” The voice questioned; his tone was formal, carrying an edge that suggested a professional and almost official nature.
Mrs. Hanasato's attention was piqued at that, and after a moment, she responded. “Yes, they're here.” Her voice, though weary, held a thread of curiosity as she continued. “Is there something you need with them?”
Akito and Mizuki slowly approached the corridor, drawn by the stranger's request.
In unison, they silently watched the man standing in front of Mrs. Hanasato while hidden behind her lithe back; their eyes fixed on him, studying his every movement and expression.
The man who stood before them was obviously a Silver-Soul. His bearing, the way he held himself, and the subtle hint of magic that clung about him like an aura — all suggested his heritage.
He was tall and lean, with a rugged, handsome face lined with the passage of time. His eyes, a bright, sharp black, seemed to take in everything around him like a hawk.
The man's voice, though deep, carried an element of seriousness. “I come to you under the authority of the Eternal Sovereign.” He declared, his gaze shifting from Mrs. Hanasato to the kids, who stood silently behind her. The man continued, his firm voice leaving no room for doubt. “The Sovereign has requested your presence at the palace.” He paused, his gaze taking in the weary trio before him. “The matter is urgent.” He addedmwith his eyes lingering momentarily on Akito's injured arm with a simple frown.
Noticing the soldier's steady gaze on him, Akito shrank in on himself; too intimidated to lift his head from the ground and let go of Mizuki's hand; which he had instinctively grabbed at that very moment.
Mrs. Hanasato, hearing the guard's words, instead jumped up defensively.
“Why would the Sovereign want an audience with my kids?” She asked worriedly, not knowing which way to face.
The gentleman standing before her did not look at her for more than two seconds; disinterested and bored.
“I'm afraid that does not concern you.” Those were the only words he devoted to answer the question; all said in such an obviously contemptuous tone that even the children could tell. “You are but a low-ranking bronze soul, so worry about following what your role dictates.” The children, hearing such an abrupt change of attitude from the sir, were not startled, yet, instead, frowned in disgust. “You will both be expected in the throne room tomorrow.” They had no way to say anything anyway, for the man communicated his last words as he turned away. “Do not break the Eternal Sovereign's word, or you will suffer the consequences.”
After that, he departed; leaving behind him a confused family.
A few long minutes passed before anyone spoke, but surprisingly, it was Mrs. Hanasato who broke the silence.
“Mizuki.” She called out to the girl without turning around; still standing in the doorway of the inn with Toya's piece of clothing between her fingers. “Go get the girls. They're at the Kiritiani's house waiting for me to return.” Her words left no room for doubt, and the girl noticed that, so without hesitation she nodded; glancing at Akito for a moment before heading towards the house across the street.
The sound of her footsteps as she left was all that could be heard for a long while until Mrs. Hanasato spoke again.
“Akito” The whisper was enough for the boy to look up from where he was staring; at Toya's piece of cloth. “Sorry.” The woman's back was still turned to him, but still Akito was able to see the shaking of her shoulders. “I was uncapable to protect you.” The last sentence seemed to be the perfect trigger, for the lady could no longer bear to hold back the tears and began to weep disconsolately before the boy's eyes.
And Akito, for his part, was unable to do anything but freeze in place; still, silent, and with tears streaming down his chubby cheeks without a single sound.
Early the next morning, they had to get up at dawn.
The palace was gigantic from the outside, and gave the impression of looming over them because of its imposing grandeur, but the four had no choice but to bow their heads to the disdainful looks of the guards and to march to the entrance.
They were greeted in a crude but no less interested manner, and before they knew it, the three children had been separated from the woman.
Shiho, the most confused among them, found herself unable to help but feel self-conscious at the sight of so many huge people in one place judging every step she took.
“What's going on, Mizuki?” She asked with her hands clasped over her blouse, raising her head slightly to look into Mizuki's face.
“I don't know.” Her friend replied in a serious tone.
Shiho fell silent as she sensed it, but didn't stop looking at her, even if they were still walking.
Mizuki looked scared, her jaw was clenched, and her pupils were trembling at every noise she heard. Her shoulders were tense, and every step she took felt too loud against the lonely walls of the palace corridors. Her long hair, remarkably, was tousled in a badly braided plait; something all too rare for the girl who loved taking care of herself.
Akito, on the other hand, looked the same if not worse.
Shiho noticed how his cheeks still bore marks from the rivers of tears that had stained them the night before, and his left arm was now bandaged with thick strips of bandages.
It all seemed too out of place for Shiho, who couldn't understand why she had had to be torn away from her sister so early in the morning to go to such a creepy place. Nor did she understand where Toya had gone, but no one would explain, and she felt far too bad seeing Mrs. Hanasato's tired eyes to make any demands.
Still, she was no fool, and she was aware that something had happened.
After all, news travelled fast in the city.
“His highness will receive you in a few moments.” The sudden voice of a man brought Shiho out of her thoughts.
Raising her head, however, she failed to see the man, for he had retreated as he finished speaking.
What she could see, instead, was how the large gates in front of her slowly opened.
They reached up to the ceiling and were white with gold accents, opening with a certain charming parsimony, for none of the three children were able to look away until they were fully open.
After a few seconds of contemplation, they were forced inside after being urged by the same man — an elder, Shiho was able to see at last — to enter.
Once inside with her friends, Shiho didn't hesitate to try to find comfort in one of them, and unhesitatingly grabbed Mizuki's hand like a little girl.
Her friend, noticing the contact, was startled, but soon regained her composure and looked at her with a soft smile.
“Everything will be okay.” She whispered to her for fear of upsetting any of the residents of that huge but creepy palace.
In response, Shiho nodded sheepishly.
A few seconds passed as they walked from the gate to the throne, and upon reaching the throne itself, they stopped when they found no one.
“Are we alone?” Akito asked in confusion as he saw that there was no one but them.
He looked around, searching for anything or anyone, lost and not knowing what to do, until a voice was heard.
“You're mistaken.”
At the sound of that voice, the three children turned suddenly towards the door — opened again and making way for another small figure — as they recognized a certain familiar voice.
The footsteps of the new intruder echoed slowly against the carpet of the place softly, and for every inch he approached, the three struggled to hold their breath.
The light streaming through the windows down the length of the room shone brightly, making the figure of the person appear distorted, making the children squint to try to see anything more than a slim, short silhouette.
Their hearts were pounding so hard it felt like they were going to burst, but the moment the silhouette stepped through the lights; coming into view before the tear-filled eyes of their friends, everything stopped in that instant.
“We meet again.” The blond boy, dressed in white clothes full of gold-coloured ornaments and with his blond hair neatly combed, looked each of them in the eye. “It's been a long time.”
The last words were accompanied by a smile, making it impossible for the others to hold back tears.
Surprisingly — or not so much, as the boy's emotional state was at rock bottom — Akito was the first to throw himself into Tsukasa's arms to hug him.
He was followed by Mizuki, who let go of Shiho's hand in order to join in the embrace. And then it was Shiho, who stood there for a few seconds, once again not knowing what was going on, and then ran to her friends.
[ ⟡ ]
“I see.”
Mrs. Hanasato and Mizuki sat across from each other, each holding a delicate porcelain cup filled with steaming tea. The soft and aromatic scent of the tea spread across the small room, mingling with the soft sunlight that filtered through the window.
Mrs. Hanasato took a small sip from her cup, her now old but tender gaze fixed on Mizuki.
Then, setting down her cup, let out a gentle exhale, a small smile gracing her lips. “I'm glad everything worked out at the end.” She murmured softly.
Mizuki nodded in agreement, her fingers tracing the rim of her teacup. “Yeah, at first we were afraid with Shiho’s reaction about-” She stopped, and swallowed saliva before continuing. “About Toya and everything else, but we were quite busy, so somehow everything ended up working out.”
At that response, Mrs. Hanasato glanced at Mizuki over the rim of her cup, eyes filled with a mix of relief and concern. “When the Sovereign told me that you were going to start special training to become the next generation of Holy knights years ago, I was afraid.” She confessed with a certain sadness in her eyes. “You were so little; kids, one must say.” And then gazed at Mizuki with fondness. “But I guess I was underestimating all of you.” She reached Mizuki’s cheek with her right hand to caress her face. “Look at you, how strong and pretty my little soldier had become.” And smiled at her. “I’m so proud of all of you.”
The words were sincere, and beautiful enough to make anyone's heart flutter, yet the only thing that Mizuki ended up doing was smile uncomfortably.
Mrs. Hanasato, noticing that, stopped her caresses, and instead opted with changing the topic with obvious regret behind her eyes.
“How’s work going?” She sipped at her tea, noticing with a glance that it was almost finished.
Mizuki smiled sideways at sensing the abrupt change of topic; feeling grateful.
“Everything's good, we just completed a mission faraway from here, but nothing spectacular.” Having her tea finished already, Mizuki spoke. “Today we have a meeting with the Sovereign, so it’s probable that we are going to be sent to another one.”
“Oh, that’s awesome!” The woman exclaimed, unaware of the turmoil inside the girl at those words.
‘I don’t think so, Tsukasa’s right, there’s something going on.’
“Yeah.” Yet Mizuki replied with a forced smile before glancing at the clock displayed on one of the walls. “Mrs. Hanasato.” She caught the woman's attention, having the woman turn to look at her with curious eyes. “I should be going now, I don't want to skip my training hours, let alone the meeting.” With one of her fingers, she poked at the cup perched on the table in front of her, frowning even if she spoke in a soft tone.
“Oh, I understand, dear, but...’’ Was all the woman replied for a long moment; in a solemn tone and setting aside her own cup as well. “Nevermind, just go, don't worry about this old woman.” Suddenly, she stood up and started to clear the table while trying to dismiss the girl in a polite manner. “I don't want to bother my girl any more, I'm ashamed to waste your time when you surely have so many more things to do.” She sounded content, but her strained sing-songy voice wasn't able to mask the sadness and guilt reflected in her eyes.
And Mizuki saw it, but decided to not say anything.
She pursed her lips in a final curt smile, and nodded, merely saying, "See you then, Mrs. Hanasato." And rose; walking with delicate steps to the door to open it and leave.
It was only once outside and a few steps away, that she let a sigh escape her lips.
All she could do was stare at the façade of the house for a few moments. "If you wanted to ask about Akito that much you could have done so." She ended up whispering with sadness while she turned around; starting to walk towards the plaza.
[ ⟡ ]
Author note!!
HI, as promised, here's the new chapter ദ്ദി( Ò ,<)~✩‧₊
So many things have happened, haven't they? Who would have thought that the children's past would be so tragic... ( ˶°ㅁ°) !!
I wonder what will happen in the next chapters, being warriors from such a young age doesn't seem too cool .·°՞(¯□¯)՞°·., and with so many important people gone, poor things
Anyway, I'll upload the next chapter soon, so I hope you're liking it! ദ്ദി・ᴗ・)✧
I hope u have a fantastic week, don't forget to smile, and drink water (and mabye prepare some tissues for the uncoming chapters hehe =͟͟͞͞(꒪ᗜ꒪‧̣̥̇))
Comments and kudos are appreciated ♡