OVA 3: Secluding My Emotions – Isana Kiryuu
私の感情を隠す - 桐生 勇魚

Molecular Biology and Autism (MAU BIO 320)
Lynwin-All University, Downtown Campus

"And that is all I have for today. Next time we'll be discussing the effects of molecular structure and comparison of a normal brain to an Autistic brain," Professor Marotta concluded, "Oh and do not forget that the first exam is in two weeks from Friday!"

The class dismissed and packed their things while Isana Kiryuu read through his notes, curious but yet somewhat horrified on the amount of notes he struggled to write, not to mention the intelligence of the professor. He spoke in a way that was almost easy to understand but the textbooks were rather insanely difficult.

He almost wanted to talk to the professor, but he was already packed up and left the lecture hall. The student sighed before taking off as well, returning to his apartment. Life here was quite a relief, at least from Japan after what happened years ago. As soon as he returned to his room, Isana took out a group photo of him and his friends back in their high school swim days.


Flashback: Tachikawa, Western Tokyo
3 years prior to Alex's arrival in Iwatobi

Location: Suda East High School

It was a busy time for spring as the schools were wrapping up the year soon. The third years of high school were preparing to make their farewells to the past and onto their future.

A younger, happier Isana couldn't wait to see what the world would be like. He had many dreams of traveling but he was entering the first year along with Shin Sagae, Tsubasa Hoshikawa, as well as Kotarou Terashima. The four friends grew up together in the neighborhood and were also on swim teams together including the Kiva Elementary and the Tachikawa Rise Middle.

"Yo! Isaannaaaaa!" a voice called out.

Isana turned to see Shin and Kotarou arriving with Tsubasa. All of them were getting ready for another swim practice when they saw him looking at the Sakura Tree.

"These flowers were blooming rather earlier this year, don't you think?" Isana shrugged.

"Oh it's just the ways of mother nature," Shin answered.

"I know but, it feels weird…it's like I've seen this tree forever," Isana said, "But we should get moving to the pool."

The group arrived at the Suda East natatorium where the class welcomed a new student from Hokkaido.

"Thank you everyone, my name is Hikaru Unita! I've been known as the King Salmon of the North!" he chuckled.

Some of the students giggled while others stared in confusion. Isana was already getting good vibes out of him. He always wanted a dorky student but also a strong built that would give extra power to the team.

"We welcome you to our swim club," Tsubasa Hoshikawa replied, "We'll have you demonstrate your best style to us and we'll begin our usual routine, and have you transition to training likewise."

"Sounds great!" Hikaru smiled.


As the five friends were walking home, Isana couldn't help but realize how cheerful and attractive Hikaru was. He knew of that name from a manga book he read but it was used for a female character who donned he power of fire from her rune god. Their personalities were kinda similar the more he thought about it.

"So then, Isana, what do you think about swimming in a medley?" Hikaru asked.

"Oh uh…well…I like it! I'm more familiar with freestyle and butterfly though," Isana replied.

"Hm well, I also do those two…maybe we can race each other sometime?" Hikaru answered.

"Eh…uh, I guess there's only one way to find out then," Isana smiled while trying his hardest not to flirt.

"Look if it's too much for you," Hikaru said.

Kotarou looked at Shin with a chuckle. Shin could only facepalm and wonder what sort of relationship this will develop. Tsubasa already had to diverge from the group at a crossing point.

"Behave now gents and get ready for more training tomorrow!" he called out.

The four bowed in gratitude before continuing their way through town.

"Hey, I know what we should do, let's do some karaoke!" Shin sparked an idea.

"There's an arcade nearby that has karaoke, Dance Dance Revolution and other fun things," Kotarou said, "Besides my girlfriend Misae works there too part time."

"Let's go then!" Isana agreed, "We can enjoy this weekend for once before things get crazy with school."


As the guys were having a blast at the arcade, Kotarou and Hikaru were competing at the DDR while Shin ordered an appetizer platter. Isana was on his phone to upload some pics from the fun they were having on social media when he saw something unusual going on with some of the people he followed.

The headlines were like, "Mysterious legend sparks a hunt for Gods" and "Conspiracies of a swim team with magic, did they cheat during their medley?"

"What's up?" Shin asked.

"Just some weird articles," Isana shrugged, "Something about gods and…"

"Oh, I think I saw the article too. They say some guys in this isolated town called Iwatobi were harbored to hold magic on students," Shin said, "But no one saw anything usual in the town as of late."

"I think it's rather ridiculous to think something that supernatural could be even a possibility," Isana replied.

"GAAAAAAHHH I WAS SO CLOSE!" Kotarou grumbled as Hikaru won the challenge.

"Hey, you did great too, your score was very impressive," HIkaru extended his hand.

"Y-you think so?" Kotarou said, shaking his hand.

Misae walked in, "Well, well…looks like we having a boys night out?"

"Misaaeeeeee!" Kotarou smiled widely as he gave her a nice big hug.

"Hey, take it easy, I'm on the clock," she blushed madly.

"It's too bad you're not at the same high school," he replied.

"Well it's probably for the best for now. You gotta pass everything too you know," Misae reminded him.

Isana and Shin joined up with the trio as they played more arcades together. Misae finished cleaning the tables for the customers as well as distributing the prizes from the tickets and lottery raffles. Her dream was to work at one of the animate cafes before going to college and starting her own business.

Misae watched the guys from a distance during her work and smiled. Kotarou had a bit of a harder life when he was younger but swimming a lot kept his stress at bay. She could only hope to one day watch him at a tournament and cheer on.


Months After: The Regionals Tournament

The four friends bonded very well and even won the tournament for the prefecturals/local schools. Hikaru was his strongest at freestyle while Isana claimed the butterfly. Kotarou took on the backstroke and Shin specialized on the breaststroke.

At the diving block of the Regionals, Kotarou jumped in and lifted himself to the bars, waiting for the fated signal. On the three, the noise struck and Kotarou pushed all of his strength out, entering the water like an arrow and flipping in the cycle of arms and legs. As the teammates and the school cheered him on, the vision sent him somewhere interesting…

"KOTAAARRRRR!" shouted Hikaru

"GO GET 'EM!" added Isana.

Kotarou found himself swimming next to a man with green hair and green eyes before turning his head, "Welcome to our visions…our dreams…may my spirit of backstroke guide you to victory. Don't stop no matter what the future holds for you."

The swimmer's eyes widened a little, but he regained composure as he reached the wall and flipped before darting onwards. The vision did slow down slightly, but he regained back to first place. Shin made his mark on the diving block, readying himself for the switch.

Kotarou struck the wall and shouted, "SHIIINNNNNN!"

Shin dove in and raced his way via the breaststroke, bouncing up and down as his legs and arms extended and contract like a heartbeat. The vision around him also changed as he saw several penguins following all around followed by a blond-haired man with a smile on his face. He never seen such a cheerful person radiating like the sun.

The swimmer focused on the wall and made the correct flip turn, catching up back to first as Isana stepped up to the block and readied himself.

"You go this Isa-ai," Hikaru reassured him. Isana tried hard not to blush as he realized that suffix he used.

Could it be, he thought, or is he just playing my feelings?

Shin reached the wall, "ISANAAAAAA!"

The swimmer dove in and unleashed his butterfly in a repetitive pattern of circling arms and trying to create minimal sinusoidal curves for faster speed. In the visions, he saw two other men with a split of hair colors of red and blue followed by sharks and butterflies. A bright ray of light shined upon him, reaching him closer to the goal.

"He's really come a long way," Hikaru noted as Isana made the flip turn.

Tsubasa smiled from the bleachers as he reminded the team to keep cheering on. He knew that the dynamic between Hikaru and Isana was competitive yet almost in a way that they could be as equals. Hikaru readied himself as Isana was close to the wall.

"HIKARUUUU!" Isana screamed after striking the wall. The bigger man dove in as Isana almost blushed to see his strong-built body heading to the water, unleashing his freestyle. Isana got out and cheered with Kotarou and Shin, anticipating the outcome of this fateful day.


The four champions partied at Hikaru's family home as they won the tournament and had some poppers and small sparklers to celebrate with. Isana looked at the team photos; one of them hugging in victory and the other standing in line-up. He was very happy with this.

Hikaru's father, Takaki was one of the top-chefs from Hokkaido but transferred his business to Tokyo, working at a very high-end restaurant while the mother was a doctor of cytopathology. Both were very wealthy backgrounds as the other guys were stunned at the riches in this house.

"Wow, this is amazing Hikaru," Kotarou said, "It must be nice to have such amount of space here!"

"It does…but it's nicer when I have you guys here. It does get lonely at times," Hikaru replied, "I have my dog here Hikari but she's getting old now. I have no idea how much time she has left."

"I'm very impressed with you gentlemen for being first years on the way to nationals. It won't be easy, but I know you guys will score high!" Tsubasa reassured, "Even if you don't make it to first, you have two years to build it up."

"But we'll miss you though if we are in our third years and enter nationals!" Kotarou said.

"That means one of you guys will be taking the shots," he answered, "But that's for another day."

The five cheered the glasses happily before discussing the strange things they saw in the water…


3 Years Later:
Events during
Heart of the Sixth Magic Trilogy

Terror of Shadow Mafia
(During
The Last Legend)

It was during the matsuri season as Suda East High School as the students were allowed to wear yukatas and kimonos for this cultural event. Various goods and food from around the country were presented along with the events hosted by the school such as fish catching and other small games for the kids.

In due time, Hikaru was appointed by Tsubasa to become the next coach. This led to Isana's feelings for him more intense. He couldn't bear to tell him as he feared for rejection or worse. However, this event had to be an opportunity to talk to him to the side.

"Hey Hikaru, I want to speak with you alone if it's alright," Isana answered after he and the others walked around and explored the market areas.

"Of course, is something wrong?" he asked.

"Not really but…there's something I wanted to tell you for a while," Isana replied.

The two made their way to the rooftop of the school where it was safe, private, and away from the crowd. The sun was going down slowly for the evening.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" Hikaru asked.

"Yeah…the lights…lanterns…all of it," Isana said, "Oh that reminds me…did you decided where you wanted to go?"

"…well, I was accepted to a university in Hokkaido," Hikaru replied, "They got a swim team there too and I kinda miss it out there."

"Y-you don't like it here?" Isana asked.

"I do…it's just…my childhood memories, I want to relieve it one more time at least," he said.

"I see," Isana nodded as his heart beat was faster and started to sweat a little.

"Was there something you wanted to tell me? You had something in mind?" Hikaru asked.

"Hikaru…I'm going to miss you if you do go back…and it's just that I…" Isana began, his hand trembling.

Hikaru held his hand to comfort it, "Isana…"

"I love you, Hikaru!" Isana answered, "Please don't leave me!"

Hikaru gasped as his heart too was starting to beat rapidly as his hand touched Isana's face gently. He leaned in for a kiss, but something struck him from behind. Isana gasped to see blood leaking out from the chest with a sharp blade punching out.

"W-what is…" Isana stuttered in shock.

A dark-cloaked figure unsheathed his sword out from Hikaru and pointed at Isana. It was followed by a group of other figures as the atmosphere turned chaotic and horrific. The Shadow Mafia were ready to kill Isana but several policemen appeared and tried to shoot them down. Isana was struck by a stray bullet and fell too, landing next to Hikaru and looking at him briefly before the vision turned black…


Isana woke up in the hospital bed with a bandage around his chest and abdomen. He was informed that the stray bullet was removed and after a few days of emergency operation, he would recover his injuries and be monitored before discharge. Tsubasa, Kotarou and Shin were also present in the patient room as they cried in joy to see Isana waking up.

"Isana!" Shin and Kotarou hugged him with tears.

"Y-you guys…" Isana replied softly before crying with them. Tsubasa lowered his head for a moment to reflect on Hikaru's fate as he and the others knew…

After a few moments, Isana asked, "Where's Hikaru?!"

Tsubasa looked at Isana in the eyes for a few moments before lowering his head. Isana cried even harder as it didn't take much for him to realize what happened.

"He told us a while ago that he had feelings for you too," Kotarou said, "He was so grateful to have met you as a rival and friend…"

"B-but…he's gonnneeee!" Isana tearfully replied, "I…I wanted a future with him…but THOSE BASTARDS!"

"They were the Shadow Mafia…and it turns out that those legendary water gods were real, and they defeated them," Tsubasa explained.

"T-the Suiei Gods? You mean…they actually EXIST!?" Isana gasped.

"Yes, but they do not wish to reveal their civilian identities. It was a statement that they declared after they created a new continent," Shin continued.

"W-what in the name of…?" the patient asked but started to tear up again for Hikaru's loss of life.

"How is Misae doing?" Shin asked Kotarou, "She got injured too?"

"Yes, but thankfully it wasn't more than a scratch," he replied.

Isana hugged Shin as he couldn't bear to lose Hikaru in such a horrible fate. The others remained silent as the nurse walked in to provide Isana a menu of food to eat.

"You have to eat. Don't starve yourself, Hikaru wouldn't want you to suffer," Shin said gently.

Isana nodded and accepted the menu with a heavy sigh.


The rise of Lynwin-Mu resulted a series of immigrants from several countries moving. As they were welcomed by the Suiei Gods, the Magic Six stayed hidden from the public eye for a while, knowing that they will have to just appear as normal civilians for the rest of their days.

The Unita family set the funeral for Hikaru in Lynwin where his final resting place was on a hill not far from Mount Aluk. While it was typical to do the cremated to ashes, the family decided to do a burial instead. Everyone placed a rose on the coffin after a viewing. Isana couldn't stop tearing up this whole time after placing his rose to the decoration.

"I know I should be happy for world peace but…it feels like I have nothing left…" he said, looking at the coffin while wiping his face, "I miss you…my love."

Tsubasa and the others circled with him before departing from the site. Now that they were here on this new land, each of them could hope to find some sort of a happy ending.

"Hey, I have to return to Japan for some time, but I'll be back," Tsubasa said.

"We'll settle our lives together here…" Kotarou nodded as he and Misae were engaged for their wedding soon.

Shin also made his return to Japan but promised Isana that he would move in with him after he finishes his studies at Shimogami.


Present Day: Isana's Apatment

Isana sighed heavily, looking at the photos from the past. The swim team looked so happy and cheerful. Since that funeral, everything felt disconnected. He had not heard from Tsubasa nor Shin. Kotarou and his wife were busy with a search party for their missing child.

He got up from his couch and was about to wash the dishes when he heard some young ladies giggling and gossiping about a stripper under the name of Wingman.

"Did you hear he was once a swimmer?" the first girl asked.

"I didn't know he was one, is that why his moves are so…unique?" the second one replied.

"Gurl you better come with me tonight. Wingman's performances are outstanding! He said he might do some bigger projects soon too. Maybe he'll tease us with something!" the first answered.

A swimmer, thought Isana, hmm…maybe?

10 minutes later, he made his way out to the nearest convenient drug store to buy some shampoo when he saw a blue-haired man also looking for some hair products. A familiar aura struck Isana but he dismissed it for a moment. A box fell from the shelf and they both tempted to pick it up but their eyes crossed paths and they both jumped.

"E-EHHH!? T-TSUBASA?!" Isana gasped.

"ISANA!?" Tsubasa replied.

"I-I's really you!" they both answered followed by a hug.

"I guess we both changed our hairdo since that day…" Tsubasa answered, "You made it purple?"

"And yours is blue and wow, you fluffed it to the one side," Isana noticed, "What happened? You never contacted me about your return here!"

Tsubasa lowered his head, "I'm sorry. I ran into some trouble with my family after I came back to Japan…I had to work for a while on my own to save up and get my way back here."

"I see," Isana answered, "Have you visited Hikaru?"

"…I haven't," Tsubasa said, "It's too depressing for me to go there. I can't even imagine for you."

Isana smiled sadly, "You're right. However, it's been really peaceful here. I'm at the Lynwin-All University actually, going into science."

"Oooooh, that sounds complicated but at least you found something to do. Are you still swimming?" Tsubasa asked.

"I workout yes but swimming has decreased. I occasionally go to the beach or the gym's pool not far from my place. How about you?" Isana replied.

"I…uhhhhh, well, I work on third shift at um…a local bar," Tsubasa improvised, "I don't like it as much but…"

"Are you busy tonight?" Isana asked.

"Yes, we got a party coming over to the bar tonight…I gotta go and get ready actually," he replied, "But listen…good luck with whatever you are doing, maybe we'll hang out sometime."

Isana watched him leave but something fell out of Tsubasa's pocket without the latter noticing. He walked up to pick it up but recoiled it in shock.

A-a condom, he thought, what the hell?

He followed him from a distance to see where Tsubasa was going. Sure enough, it led him to the Lynwin Adult Entertainment area as the stripper walked towards the Lynadad Adult Cabaret.

Holy shit, he's a stripper, Isana mentally noted this.

"Extra! Extra! We got shows tonight!" a promoter passed out fliers to random people. Some accepted the form, but others scurried away like roaches when they realized this was an R-18 zone. Isana received one and gasped to recognize Tsubasa on the picture with his stripper name was 'Wingman'.

Now it all makes sense, he thought.

Isana returned home to try to get a hold of Shin on social media. He was able to talk to him this way for a little while after the latter made his return to Japan for studying. Isana couldn't wait to graduate the same year as Shin. The other student had a dream of working in Physical Therapy with water sports.

Isana: Shin-chan! You online?

Shin: I am, what's up?

Isana: I met up with Tsubasa for the first time since his return to Japan. Apparently, he is a stripper now

Shin: I see…he was doing some of that stuff back in Japan. He told me that his family kicked him out and he dyed his hair blue and had it stylized too.

Isana: No way!

Shin: Yeah…I ran into him once at a strip show with some of my classmates. He definitely changed.

Isana: Are you still on track for graduation?

Shin: Yep. Nothing's changed. I'm hoping to get an abroad study in Lynwin actually…

Isana: DO IT! I miss ya!

Shin: :D

After he wrapped up, Isana smiled happily and rested his phone down. He hoped to see him again at the least. If Tsubasa has changed, could a reunion possibly help figure out why their old coach evolved the last few years.


2+ Weeks Later: the Exam result

Isana gasped in relief that he passed but he was also bummed that his grade wasn't what he hoped to be. With that said, the class was dismissed but he felt a gust of wind coming from the front of the lecture hall.

"P-professor!?" he blushed.

"Please call me Alex," the professor replied.

"Oh uh ok…Alex, I'm sorry if I didn't meet your expectations on the exam…I mean…" Isana began.

"You did your best and you passed at the very least," Alex smiled.

"You seem so young; how did you work so hard?" Isana asked

"Well this is just the youthful glow," the professor chucked briefly before continuing, "However…I did struggle like you once. It was a course back when I was in Santa Monica…microbiology. At first I didn't understand it since it's been years since I've learned the DNA at such a higher level. However, I managed to pass despite going against my perfectionism and took some of that knowledge with me when I went to Japan."

"Y-you were in Japan!?" Isana gasped.

"I did," Alex smiled as he tried to be careful on not revealing his identity and his events in Iwatobi.

"Where did you go? Were you in Tokyo?" the other man asked.

"I went somewhere beyond Tokyo…somewhere that was calling for me," Alex replied, "But I have seen Tokyo once…quite an endless city."

"Yeah, I grew up in the Tachikawa district," Isana added, "It was quite a home…both joy and sorrow."

Alex's powers twitched a little, noticing a hidden pain inside the man. However, he ignored it as Isana continued, "You know…I took this course because of the story about a man with Autism who was saved by his brother. I always wanted to help people like that so much…"

"I see," Alex nodded, "Well I do hope that story continues to inspire you to find happiness."

"Me too!" Isana agreed.


Alex returned to his home as Haruka prepared a mackerel-pineapple pizza with hot pepper on it.

"I'm worried one of my classmates is finding out about us," Alex said.

"Oh? You mean the one who…" Haru began

"Yes, him. I sense a terrible pain in his heart…I tried to ignore it, but I think my own power is beginning to leak out," he replied, "All I sensed was that the person whom he loved was killed by someone…"

Probably the Shadow Mafia, thought Haru, but doesn't Alex remember that era? He changed the last few days…

"So, are you gonna contact Suiei Marotta if he tries to pry more info off of you?" he asked.

"If it does come to that point, I might have to erase some memories of our conversations yes," Alex said, "It's not like I am leaking anything but…he's definitely after something."


One rainy day…

"Hello?" Isana answered the phone.

After several moments, he dropped it and was beyond shocked and mentally unstable. It couldn't be true? No…

Isana ran towards the gravesite of Hikaru as he took out a knife, saying, "First you…now Shin…I might as well just join you guys and find a way to paradise…WHY DOES EVERYONE I LOVE HAVE TO DIE?!"

He fell to his knees and readied to stab himself. However, a blast of water knocked the knife out of his hands. Isana turned to see a man dressed in armor and outfits like that of ancient Greeks.

"Y-You…?" Isan muttered.

Alex approached to him, "Do not die because others before you did…but do sleep for now…"

His Suiei magic put the young adult to sleep as Suiei Marotta appeared, "This young man has lost quite a bit."

"I'm surprised he hasn't bombed my class yet either…" Alex said, "But I'm afraid this era is going to have to end."

"What are you saying?" the god asked.

"He cannot stay here anymore…" the human replied as he looked at the sleeping man, "His lover and friend are both dead…his other friend still cannot find his son…and the coach has lost himself in lust. None of these things are healthy for him."

"What do you suggest we do then? Suiei Marotta looked at him.

"A simpler life…something that will allow him to keep pressing on. Even if it means his memories of his friends and swimmer must go. One day, he will remember all of it and will no doubt be devastated but…maybe one day, there's hope for him to reunite with them and his price will be paid for," Alex answered…

Suiei Marotta picked up the human and floated away back to Japan while speaking with witch boy to start a new chapter for Isana. When he would wake up, the life led him to Shibuya working as a coffee barista with false memories of a normal life and swimming but he would never recall who the teammates were nor their fates.

Forgive me, Alex thought, but your story needs to pause for a while…


Sometime Later: Caribbean Café, Shibuya Tokyo

"And will that bit it for you today ma'am?" Isana asked.

"Yes," the customer answered as Isana rang up the total. After handing back the change, the customer asked, "You seem rather familiar? Have I met you before?"

"I'm afraid not," Isana answered.

"My name is Aki Yazaki-Nitori," she revealed, "My husband Aiichirou and myself were swimmers but we've swapped our careers to education."

"Oh, so you're a teacher?" Isana questioned as he passed the order receipt to his coworker for a sakura frappe.

"I am…I teach the middle schoolers at the Lynwin-All of course but my husband trains students in conditioning workouts and stuff for the high schoolers," she explained.

"I'm glad you and your husband found some peace," Isana replied, "Anyway we'll talk some more later. Another customer is walking in."

A hooded figure walked in as Isana stared at the stranger before him. The person walked over to the counter.

"Uh excuse me, can we please see you face…unless you got a medical condition…?" Isana began.

The figure cast out his hand as everyone but Aki fell asleep. She already realized what was happening. This stranger was after her.

"Stay back!" Aki answered, backing towards the wall.

The attacker strikes but Aki dodges his blow before taking out her spraying mace and fired at the figure. The figure screamed before making another attempt to strike her down. Aki struck him on the hoodie part, unveiling his face of orange-spiked hair and sickly yellow eyes.

"T-This can't be!" Aki gasped.

Kaede's blank stare of vengeance was all that rage through his veins. Aki knocked him down as the spell wore off and the staff woke up to see this fighting taking place. Isana readied his baseball bat to whack him down but stopped to see the face of this man before him. Even though he never met this person before…everything that was physically on this person…

"K-kaede…?" Isana whispered.

He growled in response before lifting up his hand to disappear into the orange clouds.

"Y-you know him?" Aki asked.

"…unless I am hallucinating, this person," Isana muttered before looking at her, "I feel like I've known this person but from whose family…?"

"Your Sakura Frappe miss," one of the other baristas announced. Aki took her drink and thanked them before leaving her contact info to Isana.


The purple-haired man was walking his way back home when he saw a strange looking mansion surrounded by a tall-wooden fence. He felt a drop followed by the start of heavy rain. Isana ran into the foyer without realizing he was entering a different place without announcing.

"Uh, I'm sorry for intruding…the weather turned bad!" he called out.

"There is no need…for your arrival…is hitsuzen," a voice replied.

Isana saw two girls approaching to him, grabbing him by the hands before leading him to where the master rested. Watanuki took a smoke from his pipe before adding, "You've come quite ways to get here Isana…"

"E-eh…what? You know my name!?" he gasped.

"A friend of yours once came to this store…and left this," witch boy answered, handing Isana a photo of himself, Hikaru, Kotarou, and Shin when they were in the medley team and won.

"That's not me," Isana said, "You got the wrong person."

"If that wasn't you then tell me how else you entered this shop?" witch boy replied.

"It just rained outside and…" Isana began.

"This is a store that grants wishes," Watanuki continued.

"Wishes?" the young man asked.

"Ideal and odd jobs per se," he replied, "For each wish you make, something of value must be exchange."

Isana looked at the photo more closely…noticing that the eye colors were familiar to him…especially…

"If this is me, then why do I not remember anything except living and working here my whole life?" Isana asked, "But then again…that man whom I saw earlier…"

"That cannot be answered but do you want to know more about the meaning of this photo?" Watanuki replied, "Think carefully on your response."

Isana sat for a moment, reflecting today's weird event and meeting with Aki at the shop. Everything prior to today was only stagnant and unchanging. Could tomorrow be the same as if nothing happened or…? Could he find answers to what happened at the very moment?

"Yes," he finally answered.


Back in Marotta-Nanase Mansion

Alex sat down on a bench swing, staring up at the stars with Haruka resting/cuddling in front of him. They both sensed a change in the air as the former sighed.

"What's wrong?" Haruka asked.

"His story will resume soon but I am sure the path he will take will cross ours again soon…someday…" he replied.

"May I ask why you are curious about these other people?" Haru questioned.

"Haru, you know what my power can do…it senses potential even if its weak," Alex said, "I already wrote down of list of potential people too and he's definitely on that list."

"How may others do you have down?" Haru continued.

"Enough hopefully," Alex chuckled.


After answering yes, Isana found himself standing alone in a field of mixed flowers including hydrangea, lilies, sunflowers, roses, and sakura petals. The air felt soft yet filled with scent of the flowers blooming all around.

"Isana…Isana…" a voice echoed.

The young adult turned to see two men staring at him. For a moment, he had no idea who they were but the one approached him and gave him a kiss. At first Isana tried to retaliate but them…

WHOOOSSSHHH!

The memories hit hard as Isana teared up to see Hikaru standing before him. They both embraced a hug as Isana cried.

"I thought you were gone!" Isana said.

"I am…but I'm also in here…always," Hikaru replied, touching Isana's chest towards his heartbeat.

Shin smiled and joined in to hug as the living man was so happy to see them both once more.

"So remind me, what was the cause of your death?" Isana asked to Shin.

"…I had a heart attack and unfortunately, I was already dead upon entering the emergency room," he revealed.

"Isana, don't grieve for us. We have been told that someday a great paradise will be constructed and we will reunite there," Hikaru added.

"But how can I live on without you?" Isana asked, "I wanted us to get married and…"

"We will, someday…" the other man smiled, "Our story may be short, but it is nowhere less epic. This love will transcend time as long as you remain true to your heart."

Isana nodded before waking up back in the room with witch boy. His face was filled with emotions and tears but he wiped them off and looked at him with a new look.

"I'm going back to Lynwin…I'm going back so I can help Tsubasa and Kotarou as well as finishing my dream," Isana answered.

"Your trip will be one way…and your price…will be your anxiety of the past. Be free from those emotions and you will find happiness both in the realm of living and beyond," Watanuki instructed.

Isana could feel his head spinning before waking back up to old apartment in Lynwin once more with a loud bang on the door. He got up to answer and sure enough, Tsubasa, Kotarou and Misae were present.

"Are you alright Isana?" Kotarou asked.

"You haven't been answering to anyone," Tsubasa noted.

"…was I dreaming?" Isana muttered.

"Dreaming? You were unresponsive for at least 3 days!" Misae answered, "We had the doctors coming here to check on you to make sure you were alright."

"I'm sorry that I worried all of you. I found out that Shin also died from a heart attack but he and Hikaru are in a safer place now," Isana explained, "They'll be waiting for us to reunite down the road."

He took out the group photo as Tsubasa and Kotarou felt a sentimental moment of their past.

"And we'll find your son," Isana vowed, "Together. No matter how far he's become…"

"Isana…I…thank you," Kotarou smiled as Misae started to tear up a little.

As time passed, Tsubasa would then be infected with HIV/AIDs and face his adversary but none of them were alone. Kotarou and Misae mysteriously fell out of the picture but Isana couldn't remember them (thanks to a memory wipe).

In so, he changed his career path and decided to work as a swim instructor for the Lynwin All University as well as setting up his own donation/charity to disabled athletes. With his heart burning for Hikaru someday, he decided to not pursue the Suiei Gods as he knew that one day there will be a time to deal with them.

Unfortunately, Tsubasa would also die many years later from the infection while Isana couldn't put a finger on what happened to Kotarou and Misae. However, it didn't stop him from trying to enjoy life as a 'single man'.

Someday, we will be back together, I am sure of it, Isana thought, staring out at the sunset as an older man who lived many years of life.

~END OF OVA 3~


OVA 4 Preview:

A massive reunion strikes in the paradise heavens of Idaina Magna as the five swimmers reconnect once more. However, all is far from being well as the Witches of the Adversary and Kaede Kinjou invade the heavens to raid the Le Fay family and break them apart. This invasion along with the events from Book 0 collide as the Dark Curse will set forth a new era of darkness!

OVA 4: The New Heroes!