AN: Not much from me today, I haven't got the slightest clue at the moment, I am 'Mr Inconsistent'. One moment I can write for thirteen hours, then I cannot even look at my TBTR documents full of all my 'scrapped', 'incomplete stories' 'concept stories'.
TBTR is not something i can give up on, but I do feel something coming soon, I believe I may have to do what I did on my other account 'Ichikka' now Kaanoo2, If you do not understand, I'm saying I may have to take a step back from everything for a while.
If I did then it would purely to look after myself and to prepare to go full force back into this story. If I was a car, I'm running on fumes, but my confidence in writing is close to zero percent.
Anyway... Onto light hearted topics! I want IS fanfic writers/readers to join our discord, I do not want it to be just TBT but an IS fanfic Discord... I would put a link in my bio but it never copy and pastes properly so add me on discord:
Kano#1948
You'd be surprised at the benefits of having IS fanfic readers/writers all in one discord, I have a few friends on there that help me with idea's for this story and help others with there's.
I'm out.
Making his way deeper and deeper into the cavern he was sceptical to search, Ichika found his vision to be useless other than the odd torch next to the wall he would pass by to give him any sight, the small and crowded cave was instilled with darkness and nothing less.
Leaving Ichika to use his senses in order to be careful as he entered further down into the cavern he did not know about.
Although Ichika was almost certain that there were no other signs of life, he could not be certain as any life within would have heard his loud footsteps by now, Ichika considered the thought that something was in the way, waiting and biding its time until it got the jump on Ichika.
Ichika shrugged the thought off as he thought of it being childish.
'I wish Nobume would have given me some other form of flashlight or something... beginning to become annoying that I cannot see, who knows what I've probably missed from not being able to see anything.'
Shivers crawled up Ichika's spine as he began to imagine the worst things possible that he had casually strolled by, dead bodies, bones and blood splatters across the wall. Shaking it off, Ichika found the vision unnecessary to think about whilst proceeding in his mission. His mission? Ichika wasn't sure of that either... he knew he would find out soon enough.
It didn't stop the anxious feeling in Ichika's mind from disappearing.
Ichika knew that whatever was instore for him, wasn't going to be easy, especially when Nobume told him to be careful. Ichika wondered what she knew that he did not.
'I wonder how old this place even is? It showing its wear and tear so it must be ancient or something... Explains the damage done to this place.'
The sound of crunching could be heard as he walked into the darkness, rubbles of small and big rubbles of stone were scattered across the floor as Ichika stepped over them, the feeling of the raw pebbles under his foot, hurt the soles of his foot as he gritted his teeth slightly. Leaving with Ichika thinking about his own safety within the small cave he currently walked deeper into.
Ichika could not shake the weird feeling as he felt as if he was staring at someone within the darkness of the caves, although it never appeared to be true, the cave got brighter as Ichika continued to walk deeper with everything behind Ichika fading into darkness once again. Ichika's [Jusunia Reiki] crowded around his body as it left a thin line over the outline of young man, leaving a small and dim light that showed the surroundings of Ichika.
'At least I have progressed with my [Jusunia Reiki] training, I am somewhat better than what I was like before... especially with the molesting I did to big sis... Thank god I was not at the academy at the time... it's somewhat early to be exposing this new relationship with Chifuyu already.'
Ichika's thoughts crossed his elder sister as he thought about the relationship they had; it was complicated to some degree but Ichika knew it was simpler than he made it out to be. The thought of Chifuyu Orimura was enough to make Ichika smile slightly as he thought about the moments between the him and her.
'I wonder how she's doing right about now...? She's probably complaining about the intensity of the training, I wonder what Nobume has in stock for Chifuyu and Madoka? Surely it has to be much different from mine.'
For Ichika, there was a lot of questions he had but no answers, although Ichika had accepted that he wouldn't know anything until he finished his own specific training, it didn't stop him from wondering as the darkness around him began to disintegrate without Ichika's knowledge. Clearing up slowly as it showed signs that Ichika approached the destination.
Or was that the case? Ichika being lost in his thoughts on Chifuyu, did not realise entirely, instead leaving his body on auto pilot.
'Hard to believe that someone of Chifuyu's calibre is now my lover... although I haven't truly declared it in all seriousness, how the hell am I supposed to keep this relationship with me and Chifuyu secret for now, when I have to answer the confessions of the girls?'
Ichika knew he had his work cut out for him, although Ichika had never been one to look at everything that was happening from a far, for once Ichika thought about it in a different perspective than usual.
'I still need to figure out this relationship I have with Chigusa, Chisaya, Yuuko, Misaki, Saya and Madoka. Looking at it from a different perspective... I could be accused of using their feelings for my own gain... same could be said with Houki, Cecilia and the others.'
Shaking himself out of his own thoughts, Ichika no longer wanted to go down that route of thinking, it frustrated him slightly to think about it, especially when Ichika knew himself that he meant no harm by his own actions. Ichika wanted to avoid getting more annoyed for now.
After all, there was something much bigger to focus his mind on.
Before Ichika knew it, the fog that covered his vision had begun to disappear into thin air without a trace of it being there in the first place, this left Ichika confused as the walls that were to his sides were also no longer there, leaving Ichika in a state of confusion.
'Well, it appears I'm here now... wherever here is... I really should pay attention to my surroundings more.'
Ichika continued to watch as the darkness began to disappear, giving Ichika Orimura a better view of his surroundings. Although it was no slow process, Ichika made sure to pay attention everything he could see as of far.
Looking up, the young man could see a light that was coming from the outside of the giant crevice, shining light into the cave and onto Ichika as he stood still and let out a breath. The sight of the light beaming in was simply breath taking for Ichika as he stood completely still and continued to stare into the light above him.
After a few moments, Ichika turned his attention to everything around him as got a clear-cut view of the specific thing laying in-front of him, it did not take Ichika long to readjust his eyes as he began to feel taken back by the view in-front of him.
A large castle stood largely in the middle of a floating island that had water flowing beautifully off of its sides and into the abyss below it. Tree's surrounded the castle as they bloomed with life and several paths stretched out in different directions.
'Woah... this is like something you would see in fairy tales...'
Ichika's thoughts were quickly taken back at the magnificent sight he was currently able to experience, the thought of entering the castle seemed like something he shouldn't do as it gave off the distinct aura that it was forbidden.
Although playing devil's advocate, Ichika felt the slight growing urge to explore the large castle in-front of him. Especially when he remembered his main reason for being here in the first place, Ichika assumed Nobume wanted him to enter the castle.
Ichika made sure to look around the huge cave that he currently stood in, looking for any signs of where he was supposed to go before pulling his attention to the castle that was across from him. Ichika walked slightly closer towards the edge as he narrowed his eyes at his objective.
'Well, it appears to me that Nobume wants me to explore this castle, I wonder what she has laying within the walls of this building...'
Ichika wondered what Nobume was thinking when sending him here, Ichika already had an idea on what type of person Nobume was but he had no idea what she was planning. Ichika already knew that he was soon going to find out.
Without holding himself back from his desire to explore the large castle, Ichika let out a breath and stepped back as he began to prepare himself, both mentally and physically, to jump enough to make it to the floating island.
"Guh!"
Just about making it, Ichika felt the slight pain of his body colliding with the ground as he made the jump, due to Ichika's training, Ichika was able to take the pain easily. Without thinking about the pain any longer, Ichika pushed himself onto his two feet and got comfortable standing up once again.
The beautiful atmosphere outside the castle was enough to leave Ichika bewildered as he got to see nature's beauty up close. Ichika wondered how it was possible to create an atmosphere so magnificent.
Shaking it off, Ichika knew he would never find the answers to his myriad of questions.
'lucky for me, the draw bridge is already down... should be fun to explore this amazingly big castle... I wonder what would even need to be in here? Surely they must have rooms that are empty in this place.'
Ichika walked closer and closer towards the draw bridge to get a better view of the entrance, two large dark coloured wooden doors stood at the opposite end of him, cannons on the bridges of the walls in-front of him, several different small and big towers surrounding the castle as some sort of defence. Ichika wondered whether or not the castle was used for battle, although it became a glaringly obvious conclusion for Ichika as the castle didn't have an ounce of damage on it so far.
Taking a step onto the draw bridge, Ichika slowly but carefully walked over it towards the castle as he became wary of the possibility of falling into abyss below him, that was something Ichika wanted to avoid at all costs.
After thirty seconds or so, Ichika finally reached the other end as he stepped off of the draw bridge and began to look around.
To his sides, where gated off area's that led a pathway towards the top of the walls above, Ichika walked a few feet into the castle a bit more and saw an old rundown well onto his left, the roof of said well had many broken wooden panels that weren't close from eroding itself and collapsing in on its self.
To his right was two small wooden doors that led into an underground passage way, however it appeared that the only way to open it was through a key of some sort, Ichika wondered whether or not if he had to explore that area at one point.
'Meh... I may just come back and explore whatever lays beyond those doors, regardless of if I need to explore it.'
Ichika made a mental note to come back at one point, for now, he turned his curiosity to what lay beyond the giant wooden doors in-front of him. Ichika walked ever so closer towards the door as he imagined the different things that could be lay beyond the door.
His thoughts crossed the idea of there being a secret relic that he can wield once he pulls it out of the ground, after a few moments of thinking about it, Ichika shook his head and almost wanted to laugh at himself for such an idiotic thought.
'What am I evening thinking... this isn't one of those isekai anime's that Kanzashi watches... sure wish it was... that way I could wield some 'magical sword that can save everyone'.'
Ichika wanted to laugh at his own thoughts as he remembered the countless times that Kanzashi would show him an isekai anime and how she would go in depth about how he reminded her of the isekai hero in those types of anime.
Shrugging it off, Ichika knew he had something much more important to deal with, and that was to find out the aim of Nobume's training, Ichika's main goal remained absolute as he took a breath.
'Here's to seeing whatever mysterious thing lays behind this door... Please don't be some sort of video game boss that's overpowered... I'd taking anything over that.'
Ichika could only pray to himself before he entered the castle in-front of him, without wasting time Ichika began to push open one of the doors on his right, this took some strength to open due to the size of the door.
"Come on..."
Ichika used a bit more strength as the door opened enough for him to be able to slip inside the castle, after slipping through into the inside of the castle, the door closed behind Ichika creating a noise behind him that resembled a small slam. Ichika turned his attention to the door for a few moments before shaking it off and looking ahead.
Ichika had a perfect view of everything in the ginormous hall in-front of him, the torches on each side of the pillar gave light to everything in-front of him and around him.
'Woah... this place is fit for some sort of king... there's even a throne... wait... what is that?!'
The torches allowed the atmosphere of the castle hall to be slightly creepy as there were still shadows in the large castle hall, it was enough of a difference to make Ichika slightly wary as he knew there was a possibility of enemies lurking within the shadows. Although Ichika did not want to believe so, he still had it in the back of his mind.
His thoughts were shaken off as he snapped back to reality and back to something he saw before he got distracted, Ichika squinted his eyes as he leaned both his head and neck forward to get a look at something on the throne, Ichika could see what appeared to be bones of a body on the throne, Ichika wondered whether or not it was someone who lived in the castle previously.
Taken a step forward, Ichika looked down as he noticed continued to look around to get a better idea of his surroundings.
Ichika's eye got caught by a piece of red writing on the wall on the left of the hall, Ichika let out a breath and turned his attention towards the wall and began to walk over towards the writing to check it out.
'PLASTIC DREAMS AREN'T WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE! TREAD CAREFULLY! THEY WILL SHOW YOU THE WORST AND THE BEST PARTS OF WHAT MAKE YOU WHAT YOU ARE! STAY AWAY!'
Ichika picked up the piece of paper as he admired the writing for a few moments, Ichika wondered whether or not the red colouring to the text was blood. Ichika's attention was taken off the page as something was caught in the corner of his eye.
A bloody hand print on the lower half of the castle's wall.
'Someone had something traumatic happen here then... what the hell is a 'plastic dream'? Odd...all that aside, the person who wrote this can't decide whether or not we should stay away or tread carefully...'
Ichika dropped the piece of paper on the floor and turned his attention to what interested him the most, none other than the throne at the back of the hall. Without thinking any longer, Ichika turned around and got himself back on track.
Ichika released his tense shoulder to allow himself to relax as he walked slowly towards the throne, Ichika had been on guard since the start of his training, the atmosphere so far didn't allow him to take a true breather.
Ichika stopped gripping the handle of his sword as tightly as he did, instead held it softly as he walked along the red carpet.
'So, it is just a skeleton corpse on the throne huh? I wonder who this person was... wait... what's that in his hand?'
Ichika narrowed his eyes at the object the skeleton corpse held in its hand as It was placed in a sitting position in the throne. Ichika made it out to be a flower of some kind, a dark blue flower with an aura irradiating from it, Ichika couldn't help wonder what it was as he was a few feet away from the throne.
The aura behind the flower crowded around as a thin layer radiating a weird aura that Ichika wasn't used to feeling or seeing, Ichika walked up the small flight of stairs and got a better look at both the corpse and the flower that the skeleton held.
To Ichika's surprise, he let out a small yawn as he felt tired all of a sudden.
'Odd I'm tired... maybe it's because of all this training I've been doing recently...'
Ichika covered his mouth as he tried to stop the yawn, using his left hand, Ichika reached out for the dark blue flower and slowly pried it out of the skeleton's hands with care, the aura began to hit Ichika like a rock as the sudden feeling of tiredness began to wash over him.
His vision disorientated and his legs were gone, Ichika found It hard to concentrate as he fell to his knees. The feeling him going to collapse became apparent as his hands began to struggle to keep his body up.
"What... The... Hell..."
Ichika dropped the flower to the side as he tried his best to keep push himself back onto his feet, to Ichika's dismay, this only resulted in Ichika falling flat on his stomach as he tried to focus his disorientated vision on the flower in-front of him. Ichika watched as the dark blue aura surrounded him like his own aura's.
'Goddamit... what... the... hell...is... that flower...'
Ichika's eyes began to close as he felt himself drift off into the land of dreams, the feeling of something being unlocked was the last feeling Ichika felt before he closed his eyes.
Ichika's body began to become still as it was now free from Ichika's attempts of trying to move constantly, his body remained asleep in-front of the throne.
A dark blue aura crowded Ichika's body like a thin layer coated around his figure as he slept peacefully.
Odd feeling began to become apparent... it was a weird feeling for Ichika whom began to feel the throes of waking up. His surroundings completely blurry as he hadn't adjusted to waking up quite yet, instead, continued to look around as he tried to make out what everything was around him.
The feeling of being uncomfortable began to become noticeable as Ichika moved slightly to readjust how he was lay down; his body sprang out sporadically across piles of garbage, the feeling of waste digging into Ichika's back was enough to wake him up mostly.
"Ughhh..."
The sound of glass bottles can be heard jingling in the black garbage bag below him, Ichika opened his eyes once again and slowly but carefully began to push himself off of the rubbish below him, the feeling of laying on such stuff left him with an annoyed expression as he struggled to get up onto his two feet.
Different waste items spilled out of the garbage bags through little slits in the bags, clearly showing wear and tear in the bag.
Using the wall to help him, Ichika forced himself up as he felt the beaming sunlight began to cover his vision, Ichika used his bruised right hand to cover his forehead, in return, covering any possible sunlight getting into his eyes. Cheeks slightly red, bags under his eyes, it became evident to anyone that could walk out that Ichika had been in a rough state. Ichika was yet to figure out the horrible state he was in.
"The hell...? Why... did I wake up in a trash pile...?"
Ichika turned around as his eyes became used to being awake once more, the mere site of the trash pile made Ichika worried that he would smell of anything horrible.
'What... What the hell is going... on? Why do I feel so... horrible...?'
The feeling of an oncoming headache approaching became more and more apparent to the young man as he ran his hand through his hair. Letting out a sigh of frustration, Ichika did not know what do from the predicament he was in. His head throbbed which was all boy could focus on.
Ichika shortly closed his eyes for a few moments, breathing in and breathing out slowly in attempts to regain any composure or energy he had lost prior, although Ichika found it idiotic that he did such a thing, he was well aware that he woke up a few moments ago.
Ichika's breath steadied as his eyes began to feel heavy...
The feeling of wanting to collapse was something Ichika almost caved into doing, instead, choosing to keep himself stood up and active. Ichika assumed the raw feeling would go away in time.
Ichika knew it was going to be a while until then.
'Where the hell... am I? What... the hell even is this place?'
Brushing the palm of his hands across his cheeks, Ichika felt the warm sensation on his cheeks, both sides felt a little too warm for his liking. Ichika wondered whether or not he was coming down with a fever.
Putting all that to one side, Ichika control his breathing and began to look around and analyse his surroundings to the best of his ability, A pile of trash in the corner next to a tall wall, to the left of the trash, a gaping hole in the brick wall, Ichika once again used the palm of his hand to cover his face from the sun as he walked closer towards the gaping hole.
The sound of Ichika stepping over stones could be heard as the ground was concrete and had loads of small individual stones on the floor.
'Whatever this place is... no one has made the effort to even attempt to clean this place... I wonder who owns such a place? And why I am here in the first place...?'
Ichika gritted his teeth as he stepped over the destroyed debrief that was little all over the floor next to the gaping hole. The hole in the wall was big enough to fit a human life through it, Ichika slowly stepped through as he made sure to be careful of tripping himself over onto the broken bricks below him. The feeling of his head pounding became annoying for Ichika, all the young boy could do was pray to heavens for his headache to disappear as soon as possible.
Ichika let out a sigh of relief once he realised, he was out of small enclosed space where the trash pile he slept on prior to him waking up, letting out a yawn, Ichika began to analyse his surroundings once again as he felt freer to explore what was in-front of him.
A large building stood in-front of him, looming over him with an overwhelming feeling coming from the mysterious building, it was enough to make Ichika hold his breath.
'Woah... this place is magnificent... perfect home to live in... whoever lives here... I'm jealous of you.'
Ichika chuckled slightly as he knew the person who lived in the building in-front of him, would not be able to hear him think, Ichika could only hope.
Ichika couldn't help but feel surprised at the beautiful nature surrounding the building, a clear garden in-front of him that led to the building, Ichika hesitantly walked closer towards the start of the pathway, many flowers blooming around the pathway with a garden arch made out of leaves, a bench at the end of the first pathway, Ichika readjusted his eyes and squinted to the sign in-front of him, that lay on the bench.
To no avail, Ichika could not read it from a distance, Ichika almost swore in-frustration as he felt like he was going blind.
Passing the overarching garden arch, Ichika looked to his left and saw a beautiful water fountain that continued to flow, it became evident to Ichika that everything around him was well looked after, Ichika could not help but be surprised at the tidiness of his surroundings.
Ichika almost did not want to believe it was real.
Behind the fountain, Ichika could see different pathways leading to different area's in the garden, Ichika assumed they lead to specific area's that held their own beauty.
'This place is perfect to live in... quiet... peaceful... I don't think there is many people that wouldn't love to live in a place like this...'
Ichika smiled slightly.
Letting out a yawn, Ichika covered his mouth with the sleeve of his jacket, the feeling of the leather texture brushing against his mouth made him tingle as he wasn't used to the feeling. Although after a few moments, Ichika took the weird feeling into account and looked down slowly as he thoroughly checked his outfit.
The outfit he wore was something he never wore before... a black leather jacket, skinny trousers and combat boots to go alongside it alongside a black top and a bullet proof vest of some sort, Ichika was left very confused with the attire choice.
'I could have sworn I was wearing a Yukata earlier... when did I change? Or better... yet... who changed me into this attire?'
Ichika was left with a burning curiosity as he wondered how he ended up in the situation he was in, Ichika felt slightly annoyed at having no answers to his dozens of questions. Although by now, Ichika was very much used to having no answers to his questions. After all he was raised by Chifuyu Orimura.
Ichika scratched the back of his head as he let out a breath, knowing full well that his answers were not going to be answered, for now, Ichika shook his head and looked forward towards the magnificent building in-front of him. His thoughts were solely on finding life within the unknown place he was currently in.
'Surely there has got to be some sign of life around here...anyone will do at this point... good or bad... let's hope it isn't the latter... but still.'
The sound of footsteps can be heard entering the garden, Ichika heard the loud and obvious footsteps and recognised the sound instantly, the sound of high heels treading the floor from a distance. Ichika let out a sigh of relief as a curious expression began to grow on his face, the need to find out who the person was, drove him to listen in and see which direction the noise was coming from.
Closing his eyes, Ichika listened... the sound of the mysterious person walking around in the garden became quiet... too quiet for Ichika's liking, especially when he needed to figure out where he was, the mysterious person causing commotion, was his way of finding out.
"Ichika...? What are you doing out in the garden? And why do you look like you just had a fight...?" The mysterious stranger voiced their concern, to Ichika's surprise, he was very familiar with the voice. However, too much to Ichika's dismay, he couldn't put a face to the voice.
'it couldn't be... I could have sworn she was...'
"MOOMMM!"
The sound of an energetic child shouted as footsteps that came behind from Ichika were heard rushing ever so closer, Ichika turned around to see who the new arrival was.
"Ichika! My boy!"
"hahahahaha!"
The boy came zooming past him and ran into another pathway that led deeper into garden, Ichika's expression quickly became a confused expression as the boy looked so much like him, it left him with a myriad of emotions.
Shaking that off for now, Ichika followed the footsteps of the young boy as he jogged to try to catch up to the child. It dawned on Ichika that the young child that zoomed past him had completely ignored his existence, instead choosing to follow another person within the garden
This disturbed Ichika slightly.
'What the hell is happening? That kid looks exactly like me! And these clothes I'm wearing are completely different! Why did that kid just ignore my existence like I wasn't there?!'
Ichika had many questions to ask but very little answers that were most likely never going to be given, it annoyed Ichika greatly, instead of becoming annoyed any further, Ichika wiped the stress of his face as he entered a different area of the garden. The sound of water can be heard dripping as Ichika got closer, a wonderful waterfall appeared in Ichika's vision as the water appeared to be clear.
The long bushes that covered his view on the outside areas of the garden were neatly trimmed so that they were not messy, next to the waterfall was a bench where the young boy and a familiar woman sat on.
The woman was crouched down as she looked up into the young boys' eyes, she wore a golden yukata and had beautiful jet-black hair, Ichika held his breath as he could feel nature's beauty within the woman.
"Hmmmm... What are you doing here Ichika? Did you miss me that much? Which servant brought you to my quarters?" The woman asked with curious tone lacing within her voice. Ichika from a far continuously looked back and forward between the mother and her child.
'That child's name is Ichika...? There's no way that's... me...right? He even looks like me... surely... not...'
"I wanted to see mom! Aunt Shiori said I could see mom after I finished practice! So, I rushed as quick as possible and came here with Aunt Shiori!" The boy explained as he wore a giddy yet playful smile on his face, this earned a giggle from the woman.
Ichika held his breath, he recognised those brown eyes as something he had too, Ichika couldn't get the thought of the in-front of him and the woman being him, it made him wonder what was happening. With the brief yet noticeable mention of Shiori, his aunt, Ichika knew the child in-front of him was indeed him.
Ichika found himself at a loss of words, no matter how much he tried, he could not find the words to speak out and try to alert them of his presence.
"You completed your practice today? Oh! What a good boy!"
The woman launched herself in to cuddle the boy as she smothered him with kisses, the boy responded by laughing hysterically as his eyes began to water in happiness. The boy tried to desperately escape the loving grasp of the woman he was being hugged by.
Ichika watched this from a far and began to feel lost.
"AHHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHAAH MOM! STOP THAT HAHAHAHAHAH!"
"Hmmmm... I will for now, but I will get to smoother you more later on, my boy."
The woman let go and leaned back before standing up and petting the boy on his head, the boy responded by closing his eyes and enjoying it. Ichika moved to the side as his view was now obstructed by the woman standing up.
'That must mean that she is my mother... mom... this explains that 'plastic dream' letter I saw earlier... is this my dream? '
Ichika bit back the tears welding in his eyes as he felt completely overwhelmed with emotion, although her back had been to him the whole time, the voice and the attire was enough for it to click.
Although Ichika couldn't help but shake the feeling that he and his mother were worlds apart from each other, regardless Ichika felt happy to get a glimpse of the woman that remained a mystery in large proportion of his life.
It filled a large heart in Ichika's hole for now.
"Well, I was supposed to be at that meeting but I think I want to spend that time on something more important instead." The woman leaned down and picked up the boy before sitting down herself, giving Ichika the perfect view of the woman's face.
'Mom... She looks exactly like Chifuyu and Chigusa...I should've have known...'
The Mysterious factor of not knowing what his mother looked like was no gone, with a clear view, Ichika continued to stand stunned as he stared into the blood red eyes of his mother, completely ignoring his surroundings. Instead, losing himself in his mom's eyes. There was something that told Ichika that the woman in-front of him was all but a memory, Ichika didn't know what to make of that.
"Hey Mom... I have a question that's been on my mind for a long time." The boy looked up into his mother's eyes as she tilted her head at her son, she began to feel curious what her son wanted to ask.
"Oh, what is it Ichika? You have gotten me curious."
"What am I? I mean as an Orimura... I've noticed recently that... I'm much different from you, nee-san's and my aunts... I even get a lot of anger directed towards me from our family..." The boy asked his mother as he had a sullen expression on his face. Ichika stared at the boy as he felt like he could relate.
Izanami took a deep breath as she thought of the numerous ways how she should go about explaining. Both Ichika's eyes landed on Izanami as they waited for her answer on the young boy's question.
'You do not have to answer that for me mom... I know you cannot explain every little thing for me after all.'
"You are an anomaly my boy... those low life that we are related to do not understand how 'unique' you are... just know this, not matter how much you might be discouraged or tired, you have a greatness within you that no one can ever match up to... does that answer my question my son?"
"Hmmmm… Thank you mom... I needed to hear that..."
The younger boy's expression changed back to a neutral expression before placing his head into his mother's chest. Ichika's mother responded by pushing her son into her as she comforted him with all the passion and love in the world.
The words of Izanami Orimura resonated with Ichika as he looked at the ground.
'No matter how discouraged or tired I get... there's a greatness inside of me? I have yet to see it in myself, I trust mom's words more than I do my own... I hope I can truly live up to that statement one day mom...'
Ichika felt a sudden wave of tiredness wash over him, in response Ichika used the palm of his hands to try to wipe the tiredness out of him. His breathing slowed as he looked up to see what was happening with himself. A dizziness hit Ichika like a rock as he became disorientated quickly.
"The hell?"
Ichika closed his eyes for a few seconds before reopening them, in attempts to try to make his vision clear once again, Ichika could just about make out the frozen yet disappearing figures of his younger self and his mother. Ichika reached his arm out in attempts to stop the sudden disappearing happening.
His body became heavy as he tried to take steps, not long after, Ichika felt himself collapse to the ground, the feeling of sleepiness overwhelming his senses. Ichika felt a strong desire to remain conscious so he can find out what happens next.
"No! I want to see what happens next..."
His body refused to work with him as he felt the feeling of shutting down entirely, the world around Ichika began to disappear into darkness before swallowing him up entirely.
"No..."
Ichika began to feel himself slip into the land of dreams once again. The feeling of everything not being real around him, was more apparent than ever. Ichika closed his eyes as he allowed himself to be taken.
Somewhere within the mountains of Kyoto.
Izanami, Minazuki and Beverly currently resided in one of the Orimura's luxurious mansions that the clan owned, Beverly was forced to tag along with the two matriarch's as they demanded her to accompany them today, Beverly did not understand why, instead of thinking about it, she accepted it and came along.
"I wanted to ask you something Izanami-sama, how come you decided to hold off the attack suddenly?" A woman known as Beverly inquired to the Matriarch as she sipped her cup of tea in hand.
Placing her tea down, the older woman began to think as her eyes became infused with [Jaaku Reiki] the more she thought. Beverly watched Izanami Orimura with a nervous expression on her face as she became worried about Izanami hurting her in anyway. After all, Izanami Orimura was pretty much feared by most. Beverly was no different.
Izanami turned her blood red eyes towards Beverly as a grin began to grow on her face.
"No need to be nervous, the progress of that Charline woman is simply unacceptable so I decided to delay it until I deem that it is ready." Izanami picked her tea back up off of the coffee table in-front of her and took another sip.
An umbrella was in the middle of the table as it covered Izanami from the sun getting in her eyes, Izanami demanded to her servants earlier for an umbrella to cover her as she was becoming irritated by the sun, the servants complied and got to work immediately. Leading to Izanami becoming pleased with their efforts.
"You delayed that attack...? Ah yes... I remember now, is it the one on that damned Tachibana clan?" Minazuki who sat at the opposite end of Izanami, asked the eldest sister whilst looking out into the nature. Izanami turned her attention towards her red head younger sister.
"And that... blonde piece of trash... I'm no good at remembering Ichika's toys... All I know Is her family is causing problems in France, so we are going to get rid of one big bug before more ants decide to cause more problems." Izanami struggled to remember the name of one of Ichika's comrades.
"I think you are talking about that IS student otherwise known as Charlotte Dunois." Beverly gave Izanami and Minazuki a name to the face they were picturing. The two sisters in response, turned to the other woman.
"Hmmmm... It seems like you are aware of who Ichika's toys are."
Beverly held her breath as she tried to keep herself calm under the pressure she felt from, Izanami's and Minazuki's auras began to put slight pressure on her body. Izanami grinned as her fangs laced barren.
"I-I am... After all Miss Izanami sama, I have to be aware of these things so you do not have to be." Beverly secretly hoped that her answer was enough to make the matriarch satisfied with. On the latter side, Beverly turned to Minazuki who was also giving her an evil grin.
Minazuki's eyes told Beverly a different story entirely.
"Hmmm that's correct, the idea of remembering Ichika's toys are too far below me as you know." Izanami crossed her legs before she took another sip of her tea, Minazuki nodded as she agreed with her eldest sister.
"Speaking of which, where is that sleepy sister of ours up to? I haven't seen her all day; I wonder if she's held up in that old and personal library of hers?"
Minazuki placed her index finger after she finished speaking and wore a thinking expression, knowing her sister, she suspected that Shizuka was going through one of her 'phases' by now. Minazuki and Izanami were well aware when they occurred, to leave their green haired sister alone until she came back to them.
'She still has the tendencies to lock herself up during these times... these years have become so busy that I've hardly noticed Shizuka becoming a book worm like she used to, well I hope she doesn't continue this when we have more important matters to attend to.'
Minazuki was so caught up in her own thoughts that she missed what her elder sister was saying to her, in response, Izanami let out a sigh of frustration before leaning back into the chair and relaxing more.
"Did you even take any consideration that I was talking to you?"
Izanami's infamous fangs appeared as her [Jaaku Reiki] began to crowd around her body like a coat. It was clear as day to Minazuki that she had annoyed her elder sister. Minazuki could only roll her eyes in response. Unlike Beverly, Minazuki looked at peace as she relaxed with her elder sister who glared daggers at her.
Minazuki payed no attention to her.
"I was in deep thought about our sister's old habits she gets up to around this time of year, makes me think back to our days with Izanagi actually..." Minazuki's expression soon turned gentle as she thought about the countless memories she created with her husband.
Izanami's aura that surrounded her suddenly vanished into thin air at the mention of her husband, after all, Izanami always found herself being distracted from a young age when her younger brother was brought up. Izanami knew exactly what Minazuki was talking about, instead the two sisters chose to ignore the existence of Beverly as they thought deeply for a few moments.
Beverly let out a sigh of relief as the sudden pressure placed on her body vanished as quickly as it appeared.
'These two are simply too strong... even their auras are almost enough for me to collapse and surrender.'
Beverly touched her stomach as she felt a slight irritating pain coming from her chest, she wondered whether or not Izanami's aura was enough to leave a mark on her.
"Shizuka did always like being a book worm, she would hide in that library that was in Izanagi's mansion." Izanami's expression slowly turned to a gentle one as she relived her childhood with Minazuki who was sat opposite her.
"Then Izanagi would have to drag her out... Hahahahaha! I remember witnessing the few times actually, Shizuka would try to get Izanagi to join her and most of the time but there was one time where Izanagi gave in and read for hours on end with her actually."
Minazuki smiled at the memory, it came back to her perfectly, it was like Minazuki witnessed it just yesterday. Izanami tilted her head as she waited for her younger sister to continue.
"Oh? Please Elaborate, I believe I have not heard this story in all its glory."
"Well, I was a late to the party but I'll say it how Izanagi described it to me... Well, I believe this was taken place when our husband was sixteen, Shizuka was going through one of her phases as we know where she buried herself for weeks in any type of library, she could get her hands on. At the time, If I remember correctly... Shizuka was staying in one of the many rooms in Izanagi's mansion as her own mansion was destroyed because of us... " Minazuki paused for a moment.
"I remember that..." Izanami placed her index finger on her lip as she reminisced.
"I do as well, but anyway... Izanagi after finishing his early morning training alongside our mother and father, headed back to his mansion to clean up and relax before any other activities happened. If I remember correctly... Izanagi said that Shizuka had sneaked into his room as he changed and dragged him off into the library where Shizuka and the two spent time reading."
Minazuki scratched her chin as she tried to think about if there was anything missing to her story, Izanami nodded in response as Beverly lingered in the background. The two matriarchs did not register Beverly's existence as the two appeared to be in their own nostalgic world.
"Didn't you mention that you were 'late to the party'? You have you to tell me what you mean by that..." Izanami's tone became a curious one as she stared at the red head in-front of her. Minazuki nodded in response and made a wry expression as she figured her elder sister would pick up on it.
"I did indeed nee-san, a few hours later after Shizuka dragged Izanagi out of his room to read with her... I got impatient with waiting around for Izanagi to come and play with me, so I went to his mansion and caught the two sleeping on a one of those... bags full of cotton on the floor? I'm not good at remembering insignificant things but you get the point, I shortly joined them as I would not have big sis getting ahead."
"Hmmm... How did our husband react?"
"not how you would expect him to... after I woke him and Shizuka up... Izanagi in his sleepy state pulled me closer to him and I hugged him from the front whilst Shizuka hugged him from behind." Minazuki made a small smile, a part of the red head wanted to relive those memories once again, although she knew she couldn't, instead Minazuki made an effort to look forward to future moments.
"That's Izanagi alright... I assume he went crazy when he woke up properly?" Izanami leaned forward and placed her arms on the table in-front of her.
"Correct nee-san, Izanagi was too worried about how much he slept as he thought he slept enough to skip training."Minazuki paused for a few moments as she tried to cast her mind back far enough to give her eldest sister all the information. Izanami waved her finger in-front of Minazuki before the red head could continue, instead choosing to turn to Beverly who was on standby.
"Get me more tea, Beverly."
"On it, Izanami-sama!"
Beverly couldn't believe she was playing the part of an Orimura servant, she did not expect her day to be like this, Beverly knew that high priority 'Phantom Task' members should not be ordered around. Beverly knew she was too afraid of the monstruous power of both sisters to fight back, instead she quickly walked off as she wondered where she was supposed to get the tea from.
Izanami turned back to her younger sister before suggesting her to continue.
"Luckily, Izanagi did not need to train on that day due to our parents having a meeting with the others on that day... however we had overheard that you and Shiori were forced to attend whilst me and Shizuka got Izanagi to ourselves... ufufufufu!" Izanami felt slightly irritated at her younger sisters' words but allowed them to slip for once, instead her mind was focused on the image of her husband.
"You got to spend a day like that with Izanagi huh... Must be nice..."
The feeling of jealousy began to make Izanami's heart tighten up, the thought of being able to spend some time with the man she loved the most was the enough to put a small smile on her face.
