(Ukon and Araki are having a meal inside Lord Okita's home. They are alone.)

"I believe the boy is ready."

"How can he be ready? He did not pass the final test."

"What do you mean?"

"The girl he talked to was one of his friends. He was not afraid to talk to her."

"But he did use it to his advantage. That shows that he is resourceful and can handle the pressures of this profession."

"You know best, I suppose. I would still feel better about it if the boy had not cheated."

"You can not always play the rules, Araki. Let us go tell the boy the news."

As the two slayers went to go find Lord Okita, Araki thought about what Ukon had said.

"… He did us it to his advantage."

The boy cheated and he still passed? Anywhere else and the boy would have been punished. We are taught to be upright people and uphold the virtues of this world. Honesty is one of them. This boy tricked his elder and he is to be rewarded? I pray that Ukon is not making a mistake.>

(The two slayers, Tetsumi, and his parents are seated.)

"Congratulations, Tetsumi. I am going to recommend to the Council that you be allowed to join the Order."

"Thank you Master Ukon! I promise that I will be a demon slayer! You will not regret this!"

"For both are sakes, let us hope that you are correct."

"Must he go so far away for his training? Could he not stay and continue training with his father?"

"I am afraid not, my lady. If your son wants to become a slayer, he must come back with us so he may be trained properly. I mean no offense Lord Okita, but you know our procedures."

"Of course. My wife is just afraid that the boy would be so far away from his parents."

"I assure you, your son is in good hands. We will not allow anything to happen to him. We must leave as soon as possible."

"Could you not spend the night? It is late and the road is long. You could set out tomorrow, before the sun rises."

"I suppose it would be fine if we stayed tonight. It will give your son one last chance to say good-bye to his old life."

"My old life?"

"Yes, my son. Once you begin your training, you must do everything that the Council asks of you. I am afraid that you will not get many chances to come back home."

"I see… May I be excused?"

"Where are you going?"

"To say good-bye."

This was it. Soon, Tetsumi would leave all of this behind and fulfill his dream. He was not too sad about leaving his home. He would miss his family, but they could get along without him. There was one person who he would remotely miss.

(The sun has set and the moon is high in the evening sky. Tetsumi is outside the door of his friend Iria. She quietly opens the door.)

"Tetsumi, what are you doing here? It's almost midnight!"

"I came to see you."

"What is it this time?"

"I'm leaving. I'm going to start my training. I don't know when I might come back. I wanted to tell you."

"Really? I'm going to miss you, but I won't feel too bad. I know that this is what you want."

"Yeah… what I want. Iria, I was wondering if you would like to go to the beach."

"Right now? My parents are asleep. I don't want to wake them."

"Okay, I guess I should leave…"

"Tetsumi, wait. Let me get my cloak."

The stars were at their highest point. The dark blue sky was like a blanket, dotted with points of light. The air was cool; the heat of the day had risen from the ground. The two made this night especially comfortable. The breezes coming in from the western sea had come in, gently blowing the leaves in the trees. The chorus of the night had already begun. Crickets had commenced their serenade of the night. Frogs were croaking in the rice paddies, calling for their mates to join them. The air was heavy with the sounds of tranquility. Many were now asleep, resting their weary bodies from the day's work. Soon, the moon would set in the west and the sun would rise, marking the beginning of a new day. For now: serenity.

"Nice night, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is beautiful."

"Iria, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?"

"I already told you that I'll be going away. I was just wondering; will you miss me?"

"Why do want to know?"

"Just asking."

"I don't think that matters right now, Tetsumi."

"I guess not…"

"What's on your mind Tetsumi? Are you having second thoughts?"

"No… maybe. I just wanted to know if you would miss me. If you did, then I might stay, at least a bit longer."

"Tetsumi, I'd be lying if I said that I wouldn't miss you. But you have to do what you have to do."

"That's the thing. I'm so confused right now. My mind says stay here, but something else is pulling me away. I just… (sigh) don't know what to do."

"What does your heart say?"

"My what? My heart can't talk!"

"That's not what I mean, Tetsumi. You have two choices: stay here with your family and friends, or go and become a demon slayer. Which ever you choose, you may look back and wonder what your life would have been like if you chose differently. I'm saying: which will you regret the least?"

"Regret. You sound like my father right now."

"He's smarter than you give him credit for, Tetsumi."

"Maybe. But he didn't help me make my decision. You did. Thank you."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow; and I'm not looking back."

"I see… so I guess this really is good-bye then?"

"Seems like it. I'll miss you Iria. I will never forget you."

"Promise?"

"I promise. Whatever happens, I will remember you."

"You better, or I'll never talk to you again."

"I wouldn't want that. It's getting late, we should go home."

"Okay."
The two left, both of their minds racing. This would be the last night the two children would see each other. Their childhoods would end this night. No longer would the two of them be able to enjoy the worry-free world that all children enjoy: the world of innocence and joy. They both would realize that the world is filled with choices; choices that affect the whole world. They walked; hand in hand back toward their homes. They left the sea that bared witness to the birth of their friendship and the death of their worlds as they knew it. .