This is the 37th chapter. Over 10K views, that's something I wasn't expecting, but thank you guys for reading this. I know that some of you like and some of you don't, that's fine by me. Again, I just want to say thank you for reading this story upfront.
I don't own the series of Maken-Ki.
Okino Island, Forest Area
Ever since the fight against Kamigari, Zane have finished him by decapitating Yamato's head which it was an intense fight. Himegami knew of Yamato's 'Soul Collector' ability which he might be able to revive him, but thanks to Zane's Anti-Element ability and the fragment of Habakiri, he won't be able to revive himself. But unknown to them, an incoming projectile was heading towards them since both Himegami and Zane was able to sense it.
"Get Down!" Himegami yelled as she and Zane ducked down, forcing Leo and Takeru to get down to the ground.
"...You people..." The voice of Miyabi as she revealed herself with anger expression when they turned to her, carrying the corpse of Yamato and his head.
"You're...Miyabi!" Leo shouts with shock.
"How dare you...To be able to do this kind of thing...To Lord Takeru Yamato..." Miyabi growled.
"So you knew that this guy was Takeru Yamato." Takeru said seriously.
"If that's the case, then we can quickly get to the point!" Leo shouts. "That guy is not the Ouken that you so dearly adored! He was saying stuff like what I'm doing is for some ability user, but it's obvious he wanted to be good-"
"...Shut up...Shut...The Fuck Up!" Miyabi interrupts, yelled with pure anger. "What I had fallen for was this person's calibur! His absolute strive for ambition! You dared to get in the way of it!"
Miyabi then began to use her Element to make the seal, leaving Himegami shocked for seeing her power.
'That's...the same as Minerva's teleportation barrier.' Himegami mentally thought as Miyabi then activates her ability.
"We'll definitely return the favor! Grand Eater" Miyabi then activates her Maken to teleport.
"She's planning to run away!" Himegami shouts Yuuka readied her kunai's and readied his gunblade.
"Like I'll let you!" Leo grunted, activates his Maken.
Miyabi scoffs as she then uses her phone to calling someone.
'Going against these kids...I can't believe...Even Kamigari needs to retreat!' Miyabi mentally shouts as she began to call out those Yomatsuri agents to activate the barrier in thirty seconds. 'I was prepared for the worst case scenario...But what a disgrace this is...!'
Miyabi then was about to get attacked by Leo's lightning ability, but the teleportation ability have mange to get her out just in the nick of time.
"Whoa...Amazing!" Takeru exclaimed.
"With this, we might be able to take down the barrier." Leo stated with the smirk.
But when the dust clears, they've noticed that Miyabi and the corpse of Yamato was no longer here because of her teleportation ability, much to their dismay.
"It's...Gone!?" Leo shouts with shock, gripped his fist. "She used teleportation magic or whatever it is...That was the perfect opportunity too, dammit!?"
"For the moment, Kamigari have retreated since they've already lost Yamato." Zane told them seriously. "For now, we have to get back with the others. They may need some help."
"Zane's right, given the little time that has passed, I don't think they could've gone far." Yuuka agrees. "I'm going to go around the area to investigate Amado's spy agents."
"All right then, we'll also-"
"Nope, I've got something that I need you and Himegami to do." Yuuka interrupts, activating her Maken. "First, you must recover, even if it might be a tad brutal."
With that, Yuuka then uses her Makaru to recover Takeru and Himegami which she told him to use his Overblow to erase the dark element from the locals while she told her to use the nature element to recover the environment in this island. Even though, Zane asked her of what he want him to do. She told him to go to his sister since she might be worried.
Somewhere in Tenbi, Harbor
When the Yomatsuri agents manage to teleport Miyabi in time, she was angry which she was mad about Maken-Ki foiled Yamato's plan, but that was not the case.
"Welcome back." Gokaku greets, earned a glare from Miyabi. "Don't give me that look. We got is activated in half the time you ordered. Was quite a feat."
"What I'm angry about is you! Tesshin!" Miyabi shouts with anger, punching him in the stomach but no effect. "The punch that the shitty kid threw. There is no mistake that it was your Zekken, the 'Ultimate Fist'. What's that about? If you can explain yourself then try me!"
Tesshin then began to explain to Miyabi while heading towards Kamigari HQ since Takeru Yamato needed a full recovery.
Okino Island
Before long, both Takeru and Himegami began to work since it was Yuuka's orders. Takeru have made his way towards the beach, used his Overblow Maken to erase the Dark Elements from the locals while Himegami uses her nature element with the help of Nozuchi to bring the ground and the trees back to normal since Yamato was mostly the cause of this because of the 'Soul Collector' ability. Zane was dragging the locals back at the inn which he doesn't have any problems doing that with a little help from Azuki and Chacha. Eiji and his family were very grateful for what they've done for them.
That morning, one of the locals groaned while raise his body up, rubbing his eyes.
"You're awake, Masa." Eiji said with a smile, bringing the tea to him.
"Mr. Suginoki!?" Masa exclaims with shock.
"You surprised me." Eiji said surprisingly.
"The islanders all collapsed at the same time." Eiji's wife added.
"N-No, that's not it! We...definitely...had something done to us by the ability users-"
"You guys collapsed in front of the only inn around." Eiji interrupts with a chuckle. "Are you sure you didn't eat spoiled food or anything?"
"Yeah, we may have been having a big barbecue, but...was I just having a bad dream?" Masa questions.
"That's right." Eiji answered simply, hiding the fact that the locals tried to attack the members of Maken-Ki. "But you've already awoken from it...isn't that enough? Letting it be like that is enough."
Even though, Eiji have already learned the explanation from Zane and Jin which now he know the truth about Kamigari since they have to give Hakuto and the Kamigari agents a proper burial. When the members of Maken-Ki have arrived at the shore since they're leaving the island, both Himegami and Takeru were completely exhausted from all the work they've done. Zane was also tired, but only a little since he got a helping hand.
"You guys, thanks for the hard work." Yuuka thanked them with her usual smile. "Thanks to you two, the repairs went smoothly. Takeru returned the islanders to normal, Himegami restored the forests, everyone took part, and thanks to that, our work was accomplished without hindrances or delay. Had a few people collapsing from overwork, though."
"But, was that all right?" Haruko questions with worry. "Leaving the island without saying a word to Kuuna."
"There's no option." Zane told her with serious expression his face. "With everything going on recently, we can't get them involve and the rest islanders will be really angry if they find out about Kamigari's true intention. It's for the best."
"If she's involved with us any longer." Inaho added with sad look.
"Yeah, she'll be pulled into danger again." Furan finished her sentence.
"Bu-But, by leaving us to take care of matters peace was maintained, I guess." Takeru said. "If Kamigari comes to this island again."
"That won't happen." Zane shook his head. "Kamigari was after us and they want Himegami."
"He's right, their target was us." Furan agrees, sighed. "Besides, I don't think Kamigari will come to this island again."
That got Takeru's attention which he was confused as she spoke.
"This island was originally Kamigari's, Otohime Yamato's experimental district, so I hear." Furan explains. "As long as one satisfies the condition to not retaliate against the ability users acts of conduct, people like criminals, debtors, who are engaged with problematic matters are accepted into the island. However, with the current events taking place, there have been reports saying that Ouken and Otohime's positions are being sought after. As long as we ourselves not involved, they should be able to live the days in a safe manner."
"EVERYONE!" The voice of Kuuna shouts when she ran towards to island to find her new friends, but found out the they were leaving as she panted heavily. "Why...didn't you say anything..."
It got their attention when they've noticed Kuuna was here which she's upset that they haven't said a word to her. She knew that it's for the best and having her not getting involved with their actions.
'Even though I had so much I wanted to say everyone, especially Zane. So much, yet I don't know what to say, so...' Kuuna mentally as she then throw the scarf to them. "HERE!"
They were looking at Kuuna throwing her scarf which it won't make that far until, someone uses the element to give the scarf an elevation as Haruko manage to catch it, wondering who would do that. Zane knew who did it as he look at the cliff, noticed that Leo was the one who uses his element, causing him to smirk.
'You see...It's a symbol of our friendship.' Kuuna thought with a smile as she shouts. "NEXT YEAR, TOO...PLEASE COME, OKAY!?"
Kuuna then waved with teary eyes, hoping to see them again. Zane chuckled with a small while Takeru, Inaho, Haruko, and Himegami all smiled.
"WE PROMISE! KUUNA!" Inaho, Haruko, and Takeru yelled in unison with a smile on their faces, waving her goodbye.
"It's a promise Inaho, Haruko, Kodama...Cross your heart and hope to die, Takeru." Kuuna said with a smile. "And Zane, hope I will see you again. Because I really wanted to say 'I love you' before you leave."
With that, members of Maken-Ki left Okino Island with there smiles on their faces, hopefully next year in summer, they might come to this island to see Kuuna again.
"Let's head back to our room, shall we?" Haruko asks, wiping the tears.
"Yeah." Inaho nods with a smile.
"You girls go on, I just need some time alone." Zane told them, earned a nod from with an understanding as Haruko and Himegami head towards their room. Inaho was about to head to her room as Takeru spoke.
"Inaho, you got a minute?" Takeruo asks with a smile, leaving Inaho confused. "I've finally recalled what happened back then."
"Have you...really?" Inaho questions.
"Um...Yeah, I had a chance to meet your dad." Takeru answered with a chuckle.
"My father!?" Inaho exclaims with shock expression on her face, but calm down as she asks. "Is father still in Kamigari?"
"Yeah, I received plenty of beatings from him, but they really saved me." Takeru stated, clenching his fist. "Someday, I've gotta returned the favor."
"I'm glad." Inaho said with a smile. "To hear you speak so kindly of father."
Zane have overheard of their conversation, decided to stay quiet and not to interrupt them which they just need some private time.
"Not bad, remembering something that happened more than 10 years ago." Inaho said.
"B-But Inaho, too...Haven't you remembered it all this time?" Takeru protests with a blush.
"Of course!" Inaho answered, twirl around with joy as she stopped, leaning against the rail. "Because to me, it will always be a fun-filled and precious memory."
With that, both Inaho and Takeru began to remember of how they first met when they were children.
Flashback, 10 years ago
It all happen 10 years ago at the park when Takeru have first met Inago. Takeru was playing with his friends at the park while climbing up at the tree, but one of his friend noticed Inaho was hiding from behind the tree as he spoke.
"Hey Takeru, look at that." One of his friend call him, pointing at Inaho. "That girl's here again."
"Alright!" Takeru exclaims, jumping down at tree as he then goes after Inaho.
Inaho just kept looking at the boys climbing, but noticed that one of them wasn't here.
"Hey." Takeru greets, hanging upside down while Inaho shrieks as she turned to him. "Why are you peeking at us?"
"I...I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to..." Inaho apologize with a blush.
"It feels way better to be up high!" Takeru stated with a smile. "Let's check it out together! My name is Takeru Ooyama. What's yours?"
"Kushiya...My name is Inaho Kushiya." Inaho introduced herself with a smile as she then grabbed his hand.
With that, Takeru was helping Inaho climbing up the tree to see the view of the city and the sunset. Also, Inaho was making some new friends when she played soccer with them while getting to know with Takeru and the others. That night, Inaho and the others were saying goodbye since they're heading home. Inaho was happy that she made some new friends.
The next day, Takeru and the others were about to play soccer, but noticed that Inaho was missing, wondering why was she isn't here which they were worried and hoping that Inaho was alright.
Few hours later, Takeru was rushing home while carrying the umbrella with him since it was raining.
"Will I make it in time for my lesson?" Takeru questions himself, panted when he was heading home.
But what stopped him was that he saw someone at the park, seeing Inaho at the swing, but he noticed that she was beaten up as he rush towards her.
"Inaho!? What's the matter!?" Takeru shouts, earned her attention. "You...You're hurt!"
"Father got mad at me." Inaho told him with a smile, but sad. "He was saying stuff that was hard to understand...So there was a lot that I didn't get. But he said...That I'm different from other kids...And that I shouldn't get too close to them...That I much understood...That's why...I've come to say goodbye..."
"Good...bye...?" Takeru said with shock, not wanting to see Inaho gone.
"Because my father said...I'm different from you and the others...Because of that-"
"You're wrong." Takeru interrupts with anger, leaving Inaho confused. "YOU'RE WRONG!"
Inaho didn't want to leave because she made friends with Takeru and the others, but her father was furious since he beat her and forcing her to leave with him and not getting attach to anyone. With that, Takeru then began to bang his head on the rail, causing his forehead to bleed.
"See? With this...We're the same..." Takeru stated with a smile, leaving Inaho shocked as she rush towards him.
"What are you doing!?" Inaho shouts with worry, manage to catch him.
"See? We get hurt just the same...We play together...And we laugh...Just the same..." Takeru told her, leaving her shocked. "That's why...There isn't a need for us to say...Goodbye. We'll always be together...I promise."
That got Inaho shocked, felt that her heart have skip a beat as she then began to smile with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, Takeru." Inaho thanked him with sincere, leaving Takeru chuckle with a smile.
Flashback Ended
Present Day
"How nostalgic." Inaho said with a smile, remembering while looking at the sky.
"Sorry." Takeru apologize, chuckled a bit. "After that, I was taken to the hospital. Anything that happened in that couple of days flew outta my head. Because of my head injuries, I recall catching glimpses of you at the dojo afterwards, but I didn't end up remembering any of it."
"I should be the one to apologize." Inaho told him. "Just because you promised me that 'We'll always be together', I got carried away and said you were my fiance."
Haruko was about to head up, but noticed that both Inaho and Takeru were talking privately as she hides. Zane noticed that Haruko was hiding, but decides not to call her.
'I hid myself in the nick of time' Haruko mentally thought with a blush as she peeks. 'The atmosphere makes it really hard to interrupt...'
"It might only have been a childhood promise, but I really am glad." Inaho said with a smile, leaving Takeru surprised with awe. "Even after meeting you again, my feelings for you have never changed. I love you Takeru. If it's possible, I want to be with you always."
That got Takeru shocked of hearing Inaho's words which he would love to be with her. Haruko was also shocked, but felt sad that her childhood friend would be with her. Zane was surprised of hearing Inaho which he already knew that she was in love with Takeru as he spoke.
"I'm sorry." Takeru apologize, bowing to her with guilt. "I...already have...someone I like. I'm so sorry...for breaking our promise..."
Zane and Haruko were shocked of hearing his apology. Inaho then approaches him with a smile as she spoke while extended her hand.
"I already...knew...but...for breaking out promise, you need to be punished..." Inaho said, leaving Takeru confused. "I'll let you off...with this..."
With that, Inaho then flicked his forehead with her strength, sent him flying towards the ocean as he then splashed.
"Told you! It's punishment." Inaho told her, sticking her tongue. "Injuring a young maiden's heart is a grave sin!"
Zane then sighed, knew that Takeru had that one coming which that was an overkill as Inaho spoke since she knew that he heard.
"I guess you heard?" Inaho questions.
"Every word." Zane confirms. "But still, was that really necessary? That was a bit overkill."
"Well, that's what happens when you break a maiden's heart." Inaho told him. "You're already with Chacha. Please take care of her."
Zane then chuckled, knew that Inaho would be on his ass if he's not careful as he gave her a nod. Inaho then head down, but noticed that Haruko was hiding.
"Haruko." Inaho called her, gained her attention. "It's just as you heard..."
"Oh, no. I mean...I wasn't trying to eavesdrop on you guys..." Haruko told her, trying to find the right words.
"I leave him to you." Inaho said to her. "Please take good care of Takeru."
With that, Inaho then rush down towards the second floor as she then leaned on the rail, crying and feel hurt that Takeru have broken her promise. Haruko then began to questioned herself as to why she felt relieved which she doesn't know why would Inaho would tell her to take care of Takeru. Takeru however, swam towards the ship which he has the strength to catch up. Although, he did deserve that since Inaho did flick his forehead with pure raw strength, but he decided to set things right and settle things with him.
That's it for the 37th chapter.