Five years later
…
The sea never changed, but the life around it certainly did. No longer did children swim in the rough waves or seals sleep in the warm sand. Long ago the sea breeze smelled of salt, but now the scent of blood overwhelmed any visitor's nostrils. Hajime would have longed for that nostalgic scent, but then it would just remind him of her. He never would have stepped foot on the sand had he not heard a woman scream.
Down by the water, a chimera shade made of a scorpion and a leopard raised its stinger to put the woman out of her misery. Before it could, Cain grabbed it with his tail fist and smashed the beast into the water. As it struggled to breathe under the intense waves, Hajime ran ahead and stabbed it right in the back of its neck with his sword. The beast let out a distorted roar gargled by salt water before fading away leaving only its blood in the water.
"Oh dear," Cain said upon realizing who they just saved.
Before Cain could stop her, the woman got up and punched Hajime in the back. Hajime barely felt it and just calmly looked behind him. The woman they saved was Akane, now a complete mess with overgrown matted hair, wearing rags, and walking on a terribly old and decayed prosthetic leg.
"I told you asshole, I don't need your help fighting these beasts!" Akane shouted.
"It was going to kill you," Hajime said.
"Then I would have died like a hero!" Akane shouted.
"I'm wasting my time," Hajime shook his head and walked away with Cain at his side.
"Good riddance," Akane spat.
"A shame to see such a warrior fall so hard from grace," Cain spoke to Hajime.
"I don't blame her," Hajime said. "We're not much better."
"I suppose," Cain said. "But unlike you I can still manage my fur and not let it grow out into that messy thing behind your head."
Hajime didn't even dignify Cain's comment with a response, creating an awkward silence as they walked into town. They were rather common these days, as was the overwhelming despair that loomed over the village. Since that fateful say infertility had rapidly increased along with shade attacks. Many shades now fused together to make bigger and uglier monsters killing more humans that dared venture out of their village. Yet not even the village was completely safe as the leopard scorpion shade proved today. The end never felt closer and yet Hajime and the villagers kept living out of spite. At the very least everyone knew who Cain was by now so he could walk freely around the village. Of course he would still get stares, but he could deal with it
Halfway to their destination, Hajime stopped at the shop Fuyuhiko used to own. Now the shop was more focused on building swords after Fuyuhiko's widow, Peko took over. At the front, Kazuichi welcomed him with a toothy grin.
"Hey, Hajime, Cain!" He waved. "How are ya?"
"We're good," Hajime said.
"You're in a rather cheerful mood," Cain said. "What for?"
"I'm almost done drawing up the plans for your new weapon," Kazuichi grinned. "Once it's done, man that's gonna be one mighty fine weapon."
"Assuming you have all the materials you need," Cain said.
"I'm sure they got plenty at that junkyard," Kazuichi said.
"Let me know if you need me to make a material run," Hajime said.
"You sure? I don't wanna stretch you too thin," Kazuichi said.
"I'll be fine," Hajime said.
The conversation was interrupted when Peko walked in with a basket of fish. She didn't say anything and just walked to the back of the store. However she did manage to glare at him from the corner of her eye. At this point Hajime expected it. Once she left, Kazuichi instantly turned back to Hajime.
"Sorry about that, usually it takes her longer to fish," Kazuichi said.
"It's fine," Hajime sighed.
Ever since that day they found Fuyuhiko mauled to death in Hajime's house, Peko was silent. Had Hajime not asked him to go there during the attack, it's possible he would be alive today. But no matter how much he regretted it, Hajime could not change the past.
"I better be on my way," Hajime said.
"Okay…," Kazuichi said. "Stay strong buddy."
"Thanks," Hajime feigned a smile.
"It's only been a few hours since you woke up and yet you look exhausted," Cain said.
"Fighting shades non stop will do that to you," Hajime yawned.
"I suppose a rest would help just this once," Cain said.
"Sounds good to me," Hajime said.
Rather than walk back to his house, Hajime walked over to the village Inn. Inside, the remaining waitress, Mikan, was wiping down the tables.
"You're back so soon," Mikan said. "Are you hurt?!"
"I'm fine," Hajime said. "Just tired from fighting shades all morning."
"Oh dear," Mikan said.
Although Mikan was a waitress, she was more well known as the village nurse. She was the one that saved Hajime from his life threatening wound from Abel and who also nursed him back to health alongside Usami. As such she was always concerned about his health, more so than anyone in the village. Sometimes forceful when it came to health, Mikan was a very soft and tender friend. Her wife on the other hand not so much. Just thinking about her seemed to summon the owner of the inn as she walked down the stairs.
"Well look what the fox dragged in," Hiyoko said. "Little early isn't it?"
"So?" Hajime asked.
"Just that you've been looking worse and worse by the day," Hiyoko said, "and that's saying something."
"Can I just go back to my room and rest?" Hajime asked.
"Actually I've been thinking about that," Hiyoko said. "How long have you been staying here?"
"Four years," Hajime said.
"Nope, it's five counting today," Hiyoko said, "and in all that time me and Mikan never charged you to give us money. Instead you do us favors."
"Let me guess, you want a favor," Hajime sighed.
"Yep," Hiyoko said. "Tonight I'm holding a big party for the village and I need music, so I want Usami and Chihiro to perform tonight. So go get them and I won't kick you out."
"Fine," Hajime groaned, learning a long time ago not to disobey his landlord.
…
"That landlord of ours is quite bossy," Cain said as they walked to the pier.
"Yeah, I can't believe her and Mikan are married," Hajime said. "Though I guess tragedy brings people together."
"Indeed," Cain said.
Suddenly Cain was tackled by a litter of puppies. Each one licked him and whined to play, but he was having none of it. One snap was all he needed to startle most of the puppies to run off, say for one brave pup that tugged on his tail.
"Hawk, come back here," a masculine voice called.
Over where the puppies retreated was Gundham, the man Hajime reunited with his dog years ago. The pup refused to listen to its master, so Gundham whistled.
"Apologies Cain slayer of despair," Gundham said. "This precocious cerberus seems to have inherited his grandfather's tenacity."
"Clearly," Cain looked at the pup still tugging on his tail.
"I assure you in the next few moons I will mold Hawk to be a strong warrior like his grandfather, but also wise enough not to tug his ally's limbs," Gundham said as he scooped the pup up.
"I'm sure you will," Hajime said. "The last generation you bred has been really helpful with detecting shades."
"Of course, for the great and mighty Chum-P's blood flows through their veins!" Gundham bellowed. "Although he has departed this mortal coil, I can still feel his presence watching over his descendants."
"I'm sure," Hajime said.
"Speaking of the descendants…," Cain looked over, "it appears they've run off to antagonize the seagulls again."
"Gah!" Gundham turned and ran after the misbehaving pups. "Come back here!"
"Still a character as always," Hajime said.
"Why is it that he is the only one to call me by my full name?" Cain asked.
"Because he's just as full of himself as you," Hajime said.
"Aren't we clever," Cain said sarcastically. "Let us move on to the task at hand before we were so rudely interrupted."
"Right," Hajime nodded.
Up ahead by the fountain, Usami was playing her lewt as usual. Although she didn't seem to be in a singing mood. Regardless, Hajime and Cain approached.
"Oh, Hello Hajime, Cain," Usami greeted.
"Hey," Hajime said.
"Do you need something?" Usami asked.
"Yes, our landlord has threatened to remove us from her inn unless we can convince you and your brother to sing at her event tonight," Cain said.
"I heard rumors she was planning something, but it is nice she requested me to sing," Usami said. "Although getting my brother to sing might be a bit difficult."
"Yeah, I don't think I've ever heard him sing before," Hajime said. "I guess he has stage fright?"
"Exactly," Usami said.
"If he can manage this village he can sing in front of an audience," Cain said.
"Well I guess I can go with you to ask," Usami said. "It's not like I really have anything to do these days."
"You keep morale up with your songs," Hajime said.
"Thanks," Usami smiled.
Together the three walked into the town hall. As they walked upstairs, Hajime averted his eyes from Natsumi's statue. Upstairs, Chihiro was busy in his office. He barely noticed any of them until Usami coughed.
"Oh, Usami," Chihiro lifted his head from his papers. "Is something wrong?"
"No brother, Hajime and Cain are asking us to sing at Hiyoko's inn," Usami explained.
"So that's her plan for the remembrance party," Chihiro said. "She gave me the plans just yesterday, but she conveniently left the singing part out."
"Then you know what this means for the village," Usami said. "It's our way to honor those we lost five years ago and the time since then."
"I know," Chihiro said. "Although I don't really like to sing in front of a crowd, it would be disrespectful to everyone if I refused."
"So you'll sing tonight?" Hajime asked.
"Yes," Chihiro nodded.
"That's great brother!" Usami smiled. "If you get nervous just remember I'm right there with you."
"I will," Chihiro chuckled
…
After Usami and Chihiro agreed to sing, Hajime thought he could finally go back to the inn and rest. Of course Hiyoko put him to work moving tables outside the moment she caught him sneaking in. Cain was forced to pitch in as well, using his fire ability to light lanterns. By the time they finished setting up, the sun was starting to set and people were already starting to arrive. Now the thirty five year old and his fox spirit were stuck waiting tables alongside Mikan. Eventually everyone was satisfied, save for Akane who demanded more alcohol. Despite the hassle of setting up, Hajime did feel a sense of comfort and pride looking out at the festive gathering.
"Alright everybody," Hiyoko shouted from the inn entrance, "the main event has arrived."
The crowd cheered seeing Usami and Chihiro sitting on stools behind her ready to sing.
"But before that I want to say some things," Hiyoko said. "I didn't just throw this party so we get drunk, no I wanted to make something to honor those we lost. Mahiru the original innkeeper who was sweet as she was strict, Teruteru that pervy chef that worked here, Ibuki our star singer despite her melodies being an acquired taste for some, Nekomaru that lovable giant that guarded us all to the bitter end, Fuyuhiko who acted all tough even though he hated milk, and many others who left us one way or another these past five years. Now I originally planned to make a beautiful monument dedicated to them, but my wife said the animal bones would be too scary. So instead I'll dedicate this party to them. Hopefully they're listening somehow."
The audience clapped prompting Hiyoko to bow. When she took her seat next to Mikan, Usami began to play her lewt. Even from the back table, Hajime could see the reservation on Chihiro's face, but one warm look from his sister was all he needed to start singing with her. Their song echoed on the wind and into everyone's ears. It was a melodious time and yet hearing it made Hajime's chest tighten. Seeing his work was done, Hajime decided to slip away and sneak into the inn through the back entrance.
...
Back in his room at long last, Hajime plopped down into his freshly made bed. Cain stood by the bedside, his ears perked to listen to the music outside. His body was utterly exhausted, a sign of his age. Yet despite the passage of time, the memory of that day was always fresh in his mind.
"You're thinking about her again, aren't you?" Cain said.
"How could I not?" Hajime said. "She's my daughter."
"I understand," Cain said. "The love a father has for his child is an incredible power and burden."
"Why then can't I find her?" Hajime asked. "We've looked everywhere only to find more shades and at the same time more people die."
"Oh don't act so hopeless now, lest you become the village drunk alongside Akane," Cain said.
"A drink sounds good right now though," Hajime said.
"No!" Cain snapped. "What would Kana think?"
"She'd be rather disappointed I know," Hajime sighed. "What does she even look like now?"
"Long curly pink hair, pale skin, and violet eyes," Cain said.
"You know what I meant," Hajime growled.
"It's unfortunate she wasn't frozen in time like Natsumi," Cain said. "Then we could at least wait for Makoto to find a way to reverse it."
"Whenever that happens," Hajime said.
"Excuse me?" Mikan knocked on the door. "Can I come in?"
"The door's open," Hajime said, prompting Mikan to enter with an envelope.
"Sorry to bother you, but this came for you," Mikan offered the envelope to Hajime."
"That scent," Cain said. "It's Makoto's."
Instantly Hajime ripped the envelope open and read the letter as fast as he could. To his relief he found the exact words he wanted to see.
"Well, what does it say?" Cain asked.
"Makoto says he might have found the cure," Hajime said.
"That's wonderful!" Mikan smiled.
"Wait a moment, he said 'might'," Cain said.
"Who cares, we need to go right now!" Hajime said.
"No!" Cain and Mikan said at the same time.
"You need to get a proper night's rest!" Mikan said.
"And the shades are stronger and in larger quantities at night," Cain said.
"But-," Hajime said.
"No!" Cain and Mikan both snapped at him.
"Fine," Hajime groaned. "But first thing in the morning we're going to Makoto's manor."
"I'll go pack a to go breakfast," Mikan sighed knowing he wouldn't eat without it. "Good night."
"Good night," Hajime said. "And thank you and your wife again for everything."
"It's only natural we'd want to help you so you can reunite with Kana," Mikan smiled.
After Mikan left, Hajime tried to go to sleep, only to find he was wide awake. Meanwhile Cain was content sleeping on the rug using his tail as a pillow. Regardless of his newfound energy, Hajime was determined to sleep. Even if it meant dreaming of his lost daughter.
