A New Chapter

"How long it's been?"

The beads of water from the shower slowly rinse my body. They are cold, shocking my nervous system with their extremely contrasting temperature compared to my body's. But it feels good, refreshing. If I exaggerated it, it was like changing my skin, like a snake would do.

I leaned on the wall, letting the water stream through my body. Rinsing every inch of my body, bringing the dust and the stain down with it. I closed my eyes, intending to enjoy this rare occasion. For me, which is quite odd.

By the cold water, I let out a shaky breath. It's truly cold. But it's so invigorating. So good. I would even say that it surpassed hot water. Of course, many aspects have to be included if I want to make a correct judgement based on satisfaction level.

"What's with these unnecessary thoughts?"

What I found interesting about baths is the subconscious flow of thoughts that keep coming across my mind. And ironically, it is a conclusion based on it.

"...Perhaps I do fulfil the qualifications to enter that school."

Sometimes, my thoughts could get quite bizarre. Sometimes, complexity turned into simplicity and weirdly enough, the reversed version often happens too. Maybe this is normal in actuality?

But that aside, the school issue is not the main problem. I do know that it was big enough, but if I consider the other one...

"...Living truly based on my own."

I thought that I have to live in such a means only when I was already at the university. But guess what? I'm 3 whole years earlier. You know, technically, my father actually shortens my punishment. I've been useless for 5 years yet I only need to live on my own for 3 years. Till the end of high school, in other words.

But currently, I wasn't really worried. I have a quite amount of money from my savings. If I calculated it correctly, then I have over 61,000 yen based on my savings.

But I gotta pay the bills and all.

...On second thought, I do have to be worried about this problem.

If I used up my savings for those, I'll be doomed. 25,000 yen per month to live in a boarding home is not realistic at all.

I gotta find a job. To live.

But those aside, I'm pretty sure I would not live in this house as a college student after I completed high school. Memories flashed by and I sighed with a smile. Parents were sometimes like that, they would bait you into doing something that they knew you would get used to.

But in this case, instead of baiting, it's more like forcing. Which, in my utmost seriousness, I definitely deserved. Who the hell wanted to take care of a useless bump? Who's capable of doing normal activities like any normal human being?

Parental love exists and all but they're humans. They are no stranger to negative emotions.

They are not responsible?

I cannot bear to spout such a thing when I did nothing to deserve the things they've been granted. Even without my conscience, this little bit of pride within me would refuse it. An ungrateful bastard I had been but I sure would know what I don't deserve.

It reminds me of those comments I saw on social media. "I did not choose to be born." that's what I remembered. I agreed, but presently, I completely disagree.

Two things.

Covetousness.

It destroyed many blessings from the eyes of many by staining their worlds with its presence.

And of course, awareness.

A term that covered many aspects and elements of our lives. It does not have a defined meaning. It could be good, bad, and perhaps good and bad at the same time.

Dump one and keep the other.

Well, of course, the other option will be always available. If you don't want to live.

Suicide.

The resource is getting quite scarce. Quite mean of me but logically, it quite makes sense. Though I could empathize since I was a sufferer of this "Not wanting to live" disease. So in a sense, it is a message for myself.

Live, to the fullest. Or suicide, to save up this world's resources.

...

"My mind is getting weird."

Nevertheless, well, considering my father, I guess I do inherit some of his traits.

I sighed, still letting the water rinse my body. With closed eyes, which for me, is the best form to enjoy this moment. My tensed muscle relaxed by adapting to the temperature and my body feels cool. Not cold. When I feel I wash myself enough, I step aside from the water stream, adding soap and shampoo to my body.

It is because of my clear mind? That many bizarre thoughts replaced the paranoid ones?

...I think my thinking-while-taking-a-bath session is enough.

I reverted my position to be under the water stream, stroking my body to clean off the stain that was left off. Perhaps the water stream alone isn't enough to clean them off. The amount of satisfaction I received from cleaning off these piled-up stains on my body is immense. I gulped in satisfaction. A weird habit, but it feels good.

"It's enough."

Though I want to keep bathing, and enjoying this rare soothing experience, I have more things to do at the current moment. So with regret, I turn off the shower and snatched my towel, drying myself with it. I remember I dropped off a fraction of my stock for the month at the threshold, so I gotta pick it up.

Covering my lower body with a towel and snatching my shirt and tracksuit from the hanger, I went out of the bathroom and saw the dark sky through the window. Without my realization, I was pondering for a very long time at the dining table, after my father decided on my punishments and went to announce them.

I looked at the clock on the wall placed in the family room. It is currently 10:30 pm. Unlike most households, mine would turn dark at exactly 9 o'clock. It is because of my father.

I walked through the corridor from the bathroom and saw the plastic bag I dropped off a while ago. Before I picked up the whole thing, I got myself a soft drink from the plastic bag and drink its whole. The current thoughts, stress and exhaustion were lessened thanks to it.

I let out a breath, picked the plastic bag up and went up the stairs. Usually, I would be filled with vigour at the current hour, having my night filled with... certain stuff. But for now, I cannot do it.

It's too exhausting today.

However, I feel fulfilled, and good.

The current problems I embodied keep flashing through my mind. Sleep will be similar to a miracle in my current situation. I opened up my room on the second floor and... I groaned.

"A sh*thole, indeed."

How did I manage to live here for 5 whole years?

Before, my mom would clean it up when I went out. But after that day, by my constant presence within this room, she did not have the chance to do so. Though at the prevailing juncture, my sense told me that at my current age, having my room cleaned by my parent is not quite appropriate.

I look around in repulsion, yet there's a slight comfort and an irresistible attraction to fulfil these longings, despite leaving them for merely hours. I feel like there was a magnet pulling me towards the bed, forcing me to overlook the current condition of my room.

"...This is disgusting. Absolutely disgusting, piece of sh*t of a room."

Like I said, f*ck you, myself.

It took hours to clean the many, many garbage and waste in this damned room I previously, and unbelievably enjoyed. In the end, I sweep my sweats as I dragged the plastic bags I collect from my monthly shopping to compile trash near my door. Group different types of products into different plastic bags. If not, my father would scream at my lack of acknowledgement of the labourers.

Such a thing makes me realize how good of people my parents were, and I, unfortunately, decided to disregard such a blessing by my stupid and brainless covetousness.

Letting out a heavy breath, I could feel my eyelids getting heavier.

This exhausted me even more, and I genuinely cannot wait to throw myself onto the mattress. But a sudden cold breeze passed through, chilling my body. I looked down and realize, I haven't dressed up yet. Still in merely a towel this whole time.

Turning to my dresser, I decided to wear a simple outfit consisting of a white shirt and black shorts.

Striding over to the futon, I feel extreme satisfaction from the relieving feeling my legs gave me when I sit. From there I situated myself in a comfortable position, under the blanket and head perfectly on the middle of the pillow.

Regardless, as always, there would be something that obstructed my wishes. I could feel many crumbs grinding against my skin and my back, making me shiver in repulsion. How could I not feel sickened before?

Grudgingly, I stood up and whirl the futon, letting the crumbs fall to the ground. Meticulous.

Putting down the futon, I could careless about those crumbs. I want to sleep.

"Finally."

I closed my eyes. And from there, I lost track of things.


4 days left.

"...Planning is not as easy as I thought It would be."

Looking out at the blue sky from the window, the blank paper in front of him feels so damn hard to fill. Since he will live on his own, he has to make a schedule for himself. Organise everything in its places. And that's not even counting the divided costs for living wages. Rent, food, even something as simple as a broom. Which, complicatedly, was way, way, more than that.

Kazuma twisted his pen, his green eyes were looking forth absentmindedly, who knows where his mind wander to.

"A job."

The source for any of these plans to be fulfilled. Kazuma cannot focus on these essential plans when the aspect that was even more essential hasn't been covered yet. Because without this aspect, aiming to attain those plans was meaningless.

What sort of job he can do?

Kazuma tried to search for some jobs on the internet, but the requirements were quite hard to fulfil as an inexperienced, 16 years old. And since he wasted those five years on useless trends, it'd be extremely difficult for him to search for an alternative way.

Kazuma thought it was weird. He tried to recall what sort of event resulted in 5 wasted years. Because as a sixth-grader, who's 11, he could be said to be the smartest of his peers. So what, could possibly be the cause of his downfall?

"...Ah."

Slapping the pen onto the table, Kazuma looked up and start to remember. A flash of memory passed by, and from there, it branches off to many of his memories.

"The day the educational system lets me down."

It was one of the occurrences Kazuma absolutely despise the most. That face, a real-life wrinkly-faced old witch. Demanding her students to do some stupid, needless absolutely moronic and pointless workloads. Those useless pieces of knowledge that he would rather not learn, and she, with an excuse of her superior orders, forced the students to perform them.

Despite his current state, Kazuma was actually bright before, and he knew it. By his father's teachings, rather than seeing what was in front of him back then, like grades, recognition and such, Kazuma was told to look for what could possibly play major roles in his adulthood. And when we talked about major roles in adulthood, knowledge and general awareness are certainly encompassed. And the one above all.

The ability to perceive things in a way no one has ever thought.

Like any kid, Kazuma completely disagreed with what he thought, and really, was wrong. Gathering numerous information that took months, with the help of his mother by an excuse of curiosity. He gathered them all, determined and energized to argue and prove that the witch was wrong.

And all of his hard work, was paid off by what?

In conspicuous red ink on the papers filled with information he gathered and wrote for months. There, written by that witch-

"A kid knows nothing."

That was all she wrote. With no effort to counter anything he has written.

What he wanted, at the very least, was a comeback. Is that too much to ask? If you can't do such a simple response, then why the hell are you a teacher? Quit being a teacher if you can't even counter an argument of a 11 years old! Your brain fits to be a blabber mouthed housewife instead!

His vigour, his will, his desire, his passion, his fascination to follow the educational system and pursue higher education. All, dissipated. There was nothing left but disappointment.

He gave up on school. He absolutely refused to follow such a system.

From there, his conscience told him that such a system would make him stupid. Blind. Narrow-minded. Block-head, oblivious and obnoxious to the real things.

He left. He quit. And he did not have a single ounce of intention to rejoin.

...If his hard work to argue for what he believes in was dismissed so effortlessly. Then what's the point? To follow others' arguments?

In the end, it doesn't matter, isn't it? His opinions, his beliefs, his arguments...

In the end, all they want are grades. And how obedient a student could be. Diligence? Responsible? Ethical? Out of the box? They meant nothing to those blockheads compared to the thing that they, and possibly the whole narrow-minded society members, worshipped.

Grades. Which, were mostly based, on memorizing. Not comprehending. And obedience.

In the end, that witch dubbed him a rebellious student and reported the case to the principal. And worse, a punishment has befallen him. And like any kid would be, receiving injustice is not something he could take. Doing worse and worse by demotivation, and finally, it happened.

An expel letter.

Kazuma sighed in anger and disappointment, looking down upon his lap with a saddened gaze.

"Crimson Organisation, do not disappoint me."

He stood up, his silhouette was cleared up by the sunlight from the window, facing his back to his room as he looks up to the sky. Those bright green eyes he possessed all those years ago... they turned murky after the occasion. Constantly trying to find a way that leads to the right path to return to its rightful form. But on the way, he was lost, which leads him to the wrong path, blinded by negativity.

Nonetheless, Kazuma thinks he got it now.

It is his conscience.

He believed it would be the one who would lead him to the most rightful path of life. A life with no regrets, no negativity, no nonsense... Well, logically, such a thing would be impossible to achieve. But it leans more towards a drive, a pusher, for him. A dream perhaps, but it's quite nonsensical for it to be a goal.

...Perhaps.

Turning to the blank paper on the table, Kazuma sighed. He picked up the pen and wrote.

"Kazuma's Plan."

...He got nothing.

"Ah damn, I think I need their help."

He admitted that managing his own life is way harder than he thought it would be. The parents were amazing.


3 days left.

"Kazuma, your father gives you a file of instructions for your punishment. No wonder he was in his room for the whole morning yesterday."

A soft, motherly voice called him out, halting Kazuma in midway. He turned around from his computer and opened the door, scantily looking up to stare at the face of a person who has given him everything. An urge to turn his back to her out of shame spiked out yet he suppressed them. Mentally preparing himself, he took a quick breath and answered.

"Yes, thank you, Kaa-san."

Kazuma was intending to haste the process and turned around as quickly as he faced her but his mother grabs his shoulder, stopping him. He stiffened, not wanting to face her yet too scared of hurting her any longer by ignoring her. Like always, he was stuck in between.

Then, she started.

"Kazuma-chan... you know, I've been extremely worried about you these past five years. You barely came out of your room, never interact with us the way you used to, always on a bad façade every time we saw you. You might be surprised, but the one who was concerned the most wasn't me, it was your father, who was never the same after you changed."

Kazuma faced her mother with a bowed head, intently and silently listening to her.

"He was a strict, logical and disciplined man. But for me, for us, he was nothing more than a desperate man, who wanted the best for us. He knew that if you are the way you are now, you will suffer in the future. He doesn't want that to happen to you, Kazuma-chan. Do you think he treated you the way he is by of the shame he received? By the disappointment, he felt towards you? The anger he embodies for you? This whole time, he only felt concerned for your being. For yourself. For your future."

His mother took in a shaky, heavy breath. And Kazuma merely lowered his head even more.

"Why would I and your father despise you? Why would I and your father hate you? You are our son, our first, eldest son, who was with us at the start of our journey with a carriage we called household, with a horse we called marriage and with a rider, that we called love. In our sadness, grieving, and the injustice we received, you know Kazuma-chan, how much your smile is worth to us? In your baby face, with a few teeth showing through your smile... It is a reason we break through all of the things that could possibly shatter us."

"You are the carrier of your father's name. You are a Satou. Your father believes that you are strong. And he, as always, managed to convince me that you are strong. Perhaps you did not understand why did we treat you the way we did. It was because we absolutely refused the change you had. After all, it would ruin your future. The future that we, and you, Kazuma-chan, worked so hard for. Your father and I immaculately agree with your decision to stop following the educational system, because your father believes that you aren't meant to be taught that way. You are more than that!"

A couple of tears streamed through his face, and his mother merely embrace him to her chest, smiling softly. A motherly love, is what Kazuma could feel. An immense one, a thing that he doubted the world could carry. A love that is so heavy he was sure it was enough to be shared for everyone, not that he would.

"My son, a boy required to mature so he could become a man. And in the way you are now, even I, your mother, doubted that you could carry yourself in the future. We don't want you to grieve, to suffer, to regret. We want you, Kazuma Satou, to live a good life. A life, that you're satisfied with. A life where you act with knowing what is right and wrong."

"...I-It is my conscience, Kaa-san?"

"Act with knowing what is right and wrong, Kazuma-chan."

For the first time in five years, he could finally hug his mother again. A person surpassed that of even an angel. The safest place in the world was what he thought was fake, but now, he certainly knows where that was. It is in her embrace, knowing that she would love him no matter what.

For minutes, Kazuma stayed in her embrace, feeling the most peaceful he had ever been. Without his consciousness, his mother sat down, bringing him down with her, placing his head on her lap like she used to do. Without his realization, he has fallen asleep, getting stroked by the hand of his mother.

"...Ayame, how is he?"

A voice with a rough, yet uniquely soft tone called out from behind. Kazuma's mother merely glanced and smiled.

"You're too worried."

"How could I not? With the way he is, he will live a miserable life in the future. I did not want history to repeat itself yet again, the history of my father. I did not want my offspring to live a miserable life..."

Kazuma's mother, Ayame, turned her head to face the man she's been with for decades, yet the feeling she embodies for him did not change for a single bit. She thought it has increased, instead. And with a stroke to her son's hair, she replied.

"When none spout a single thing, my son didn't. He provoked a conflict and tried to argue for what he thought, and I too thought, was wrong. And the consequences have revealed themselves. But so what? In the first place, he was brave enough to voice the things he disagreed with. And whether he could handle the consequences? It's what I thought I called, and probably many called, maturing. A process where a person learns and rises from the mistakes they had done and the injustice they received. Becoming a better person they could ever be."

"So you thought he...?"

"Mistakes make you stronger, Anata. Kazuma has learned from that occasion."

"And what he learnt from that?"

"Who knows."

A 5'10 man, with a polished middle-aged face, a fit posture and a seemingly tall stature, merely by the straight stance he always exhibited. Auburn hair and a pair of black eyes, complemented his tan skin. He could be considered attractive merely by his demeanour alone. If not for Kazuma's green eyes and his current circumstance, he would look the same as his father.

He strides over behind his wife, crouching beside her to take a closer look at his son. A moment later, he merely sighed, slowly placed his arm around his wife's shoulders and stated.

"...Do your best, my son. You weren't mean for the current educational system that glorified obedience. You weren't meant to be the way you are, but I guess your mother is right, it is indeed an occurrence that will mature you. Now, you accepted your second chance. By attending the Crimson School. My son, I hope that... Crimson Organisation will incite you to do your best."

"...Perhaps I said hurtful things and you overheard it, my son. And so, I apologize for that. My humanly emotions are something I haven't completely comprehended to control yet. I hope you can forgive this foolish father for his mistakes."

Placing her other hand on her husband's hand on her shoulder, Ayame leaned on him slightly. Finally, she turned around and showed her worry by her distressed complexion.

"Hide, do you... really think that he could live on his own while simultaneously providing for himself? A-And attending such a prestigious school nonetheless... a school that has the same requirements as a university to graduate. I... fear, that Kazuma can't handle the burdens. Especially since he was just out of his shell for the first time in five years..."

The man merely smiled, placing his hand on top of his wife's that was on top of Kazuma's hair, stroking it by motioning his wife's hand.

"You underestimate him, Ayame."


3 hours left.

"Nii-san, you're back!"

"Yeah, and I bring better food for you."

"W-Woah, N-Nii-san, can I eat it?"

Kazuma just sighed, pushing a box of sushi to the kid.

"Of course."

"T-Thank you so much!"

"You are welcome very much."

"That's unnecessary for you, Nii-san."

Sitting beside the boy on the same bench as before, Kazuma brings out a box of sushi of his own, peacefully enjoying the current morning air. And thus, an hour has passed since he arrived. Kazuma found it appealing yet odd, that by merely spending time with this boy by eating meals, he could attain inner peace.

Perhaps Kazuma would chat with the boy, and with his childish perception, the boy would try to give out some advice. Nope, they aren't helpful in logic, but Kazuma felt that the innocent words this boy spouted is something he'd try out. Though he only suggests for Kazuma be good and nice.

Be good and nice. If it was any other day before he changed, Kazuma would scoff, as such attitudes would be looked down upon by society. Deception is what compels people to bask in the glory of the current era. Being accepted by the majority by being a "valued" person. Clearly targeting to earn many privileges it could bring.

Be successful, by any means. Spout good bullsh*t and you will receive the title "Good".

Kazuma could only regret the fact that the majority of people have been deceived by those rats. Well, that's how it goes. When a world where value and qualities could only be assessed based on worldly aspects, what did he expect from such a place?

The current society and its forefathers were never perfect. But at the current state of humanity, it is undeniable that the current system is the best option.

In conclusion, it all depends on the members. After all, what created many stereotypes and standards are themselves.

Though he often thought about this issue, Kazuma is way too lazy to be involved in such things. Instead of throwing himself into a pit of sh*t, he would rather live peacefully, maybe opening a business or perhaps get himself a decent job. Being as your everyday Japanese citizen from the eyes of the people.

"Crimson School huh... I wonder if it was based on those sh*tty standards and policies..."

Though considering its tendency to put anything to the utmost front as long as it increased their knowledge, Kazuma was quite sure that such an organisation would scoff at those policies. But, well, considering its influence based on his father's explanation, he guessed they do have the power to do so.

"Nii-san, Nii-san, that's such a big car."

"That's a bus, a public transportation."

"What's the difference with the normal ones?"

"Well, it would carry many people at once, whilst the normal ones usually could only carry a couple of people. Well, some could but they were used for carrying a big amount of stuff."

"Oh..."

Inconspicuous gazes that Kazuma feels instinctively, staring at him who was sitting beside a derelict. Judging and self-proclaimed their higher status to this unlucky person who has been befallen by a cruel fate by their worldly aspects. Well, Kazuma was one of them, and admittedly, he was quite depressed.

Indeed, the awakening occurrence taught him that worldly aspects as the foundations to do selective socializing is a quite bad judgment. For him now, society's standards are close to zero in terms of importance. They are hilarious, pathetic, and useless in his perspective. Needless, unnecessary stereotypes people gotta attain to feel good and all. Looking presentable in the eyes of many merely just to fulfil their useless ego to be recognized as a "Superior" side of a damned hierarchy.

Man, sh*tty world is this. F*cking hell.

Well, it is important to get a job though. Despite his principles, Kazuma is not so narrow-minded to be so ignorant. Father and Mother thought him how to be smart, after all.

"Hey, Kid."

"Yes, Nii-san?"

With his small body, the boy eats the box filled with sushi at a slow pace. Even after an hour, there are still a couple of sushi rolls in the box. Different from Kazuma, who finished it long ago.

Kazuma took in a breath. He might not know the boy for long, but this person changes him. So the role of this boy in his life is way more than that of a derelict, a mere passer-by. He is a provocateur of the awakening, enlightenment that makes him realize how many blessings he's been disregarding.

"...I think I can't meet up with you again."

"W-W-Wha- What?"

Despite merely meeting on two occasions, the boy already showed an intense reaction to this. Kazuma sighed, patting the boy's head in empathy.

"It is a pity, but I have to move from where I live..."

Kazuma sighed, it seems like he gotta do some constellation here-

"W-Where will you move, Nii-san?"

"Near a school. Since it was far away-"

Not really, it's actually since his father punished him-

"-from my current dwelling, I have to move."

"...Which school it is, Nii-san?"

Kazuma just smiled with a shaking head, but since he kindly asked, of course, he would give him the answer to satisfy his curiosity. Kazuma doubts the kid would know it anyway, by that, he didn't really give out a clear, precise answer to his previous question. Before doing so, he picked up his empty box of sushi and stood up, turning his back to him.

"The Crimson School."

"...Ah."

A squeak was heard from behind, and Kazuma walks forward. Although he halted, because the boy called him out again, and perhaps for the last time.

"N-Nii-chan! Before we part, c-can you at least give me your name?"

"...My name is Kazuma Satou. Forenamed Kazuma, surnamed Satou."

"...Mine's Kurimu." [An: it is quite mean for me to say this, but it's quite hilarious to see the crimson in japanese could be converted into Kurimuzon]

Kazuma was somewhat surprised by the boy's name. But since there were a lot of cases where boy's names were like that, he just shrugged.

And with that, he took off. While somewhat doubtful, he is ready to write another chapter of his life. Oblivious to the gleaming eyes the "boy" possessed, that weirdly glowed crimson despite "his" black irises.

"Kazuma-oniichan..."


"Son, are you ready?"

"I'm ready, Kaa-chan."

Taking in a heavy breath, Kazuma looked at the van that roled as a medium to transport his furniture. Wearing a set of uniforms with a green suit his mother wanted to give him long ago. The uniform consists of a grey shirt and a pair of black trousers, with a tie and a belt to complement the set.

Before Kazuma was his family, ready to let go of him. Well, Kazuma honestly wasn't ready but since it was a punishment, and his conscience told him it was a deserved one, he could only harden himself. Ayame has a mixed complexion but her husband merely looked straight at his son, with a gaze the current occupants were familiar with.

"Su-chan, come on, gives it to him!"

His mother suddenly shouted out and a familiar face popped out from Ayame's back, Kazuma faltered to face him. It's his little brother.

'...Daisuke.'

His little brother's name, who is surprisingly become docile. Kazuma remembered the immense naughty acts Daisuke did, and it was such a hard time to take care of him. Nonetheless, Kazuma could only sigh and play along with him. This kid is a weird one, as even with his naughty acts back then, Kazuma rarely did an outburst. It's hard to be angry when he saw the childish giggling little Daisuke chortled.

Daisuke slowly came out and hand out something for him. Despite the age gaps, he already reached his ears. Kazuma, while feeling a little bit inferior, feels serene. The kid now could take care of himself, he only realized it now.

...A key chain? Kazuma blinked.

"...Here, Kazuma-niisan."

Kazuma stayed silent. Then, he slowly picked up the key chain, and carefully inspect it. Treating it with the utmost caution, because by the look of it, it was made by his brother, who was clearly not a professional in this craft.

"Hehe, I helped out too, you know. It wouldn't break."

Ayame chortled out, looking at the key chain on Kazuma's hands with a soft smile. Though his father keeps his stoic façade by standing at the sideline, he secretly smiled.

"...Thank you, Daisuke."

Kazuma has an urge to pat his little brother like he used to, but his conscience comes to play, and he retracted that idea of his. He is, by any means, not ignorant. At least, that's what he likes to believe.

"Y-You're welcome, Kazuma-niisan."

A car engine was heard from across the road, and Kazuma knows it will take him to his new dwelling. He looked at his mother for the last time and bowed.

"I... I'll be going then, Kaa-chan."

Ayame is hesitant to let go of her son, this feeling of rejection towards the suffering her son will have to go through keep enticing her to keep her son. But when she glanced at her husband, he only showed her a gaze of resolute, a gaze full of belief, and faith, towards her son, a gaze that she, a companion of his for decades, could only discern with a glance. If so, how could she not do the same?

A trembling sigh shook her heart but alas, she hugged him.

"...You can do it, I believe in you."

Kazuma could only nod, feeling his mother's black hair brush against his skin. After she was done, he strode over to his father, who indifferently looked at him. Even to this day, Kazuma still feels that demeanour, gushing out from his father's presence.

He bowed.

"...I'll be going then, Tou-san."

"...Do not disappoint me."

Kazuma nodded in his bow. He then straightened himself and stride over to the car. He feels his steps, they were heavy, extremely heavy. He hasn't changed, every fibre of his being rejected this idea.

Yet, he opened the car's doorknob and entered the car.

The van in front of the car has its engine turned on. Kazuma looked through the car's window, staring at his mother who still plastered her concern and his father, who stoically stared forth. His little brother waved his hand, and Kazuma replied with his own.

"You can do it, my son!"

"Good luck, Kazuma-niisan!'

The van moved forth, and the car followed the suit.

With his family out of sight, he looks at the road ahead, feeling an inexplicable amount of feelings. This would be the hardest thing he would ever do in this life.

'...Let's read the files.'

Finally, rationality comes in. Rather than being anxious, it is better to learn what was in the file. A file containing the important steps to manage a life of his own. He was not ready, but he knew.

That this world will never wait for its occupants to be ready before befalling them a sh*tload amount of problems. But on the bright side.

A brand new chapter will be written.

While Daisuke already entered the house, Ayame stood still, staring at the shrinking car worriedly.

"... H-Hideyoshi-kun, are you... truly believe, that Kazuma could do it?"

"Yes."

...

"After all, he managed to get out of a hole by himself."

An: I won't elaborate much, but no, that kid is not an OC.