Hey- Normal talking

Hey- Kazuto's inner monologue

'Hey'- People thinking

(Hey)- Inner circles mean places or time skips

~Flashback~


{Queue Song: "Through it all" -From Ashes to New}


There were sounds of raindrops peddling on the hard ground. The rain being the only sound in the darkness.

'Wh-where am I?' a voice called out as he saw a lake. A lake filled with shadows, but no light.

"You murderer!"

"Monster!"

"Demon!"

"How could you!?"

'Wh-what?' the person thought. 'Who's there?' As the person went to look for the voices, he only saw small tendrils of darkness with many people surrounding him. A small corpse is lying down besides him.

"You killed him!"

"Fuckin' Murderer!"

"I-I didn't…" the person said with a small bit of doubt.

The small tendrils grew in size. Its voice overlapping into more. A more demonic sound was all that was heard.

"Get out!"

"Get out!"

"GET OUT!"

Kazuto woke up with a sharp intake of breath. 'What the hell was that!? It felt...surreal.' His eyes were wide open as he continued to catch his breath.

"You're awake." a voice said blandly. "That's good."

"E-eraser is that you?" Kazuto asked as he stared blankly at the wall opposite to the door.

"Yeah, it's me kid." Shouta reassured monotonously. "How are you holding up?" he asked with a bit of concern. "You were moving around quite violently."

"Yeah, it's just that the...images. And that guy…" he stayed with a faraway look until his memories of the night from before came with a vengeance. "Oh god." he heaved, "t-the guy...I-I killed him!"

"*sigh* I told you that this wouldn't be easy." Shouta said, "You are essentially taking a person's life away from them. Be it good or evil, a life is still a life. It's only natural to feel guilty." he reassured.

"No!" Kazuto screamed out hysterically, "You don't get it! I-I killed him with such ease! Without batting an eye! Th-I'm a monster aren't I?" he asked with tears in his eyes.

"I saw the events unfold Kazuto," Shouta stated with a serious expression. "You lost yourself to bloodlust. That's understandable considering the circumstance. However, this doesn't mean it is right." at Kazuto's growing sobs, he pulled him into a hug. "Look kid I'm not here to reprimand you. Hell, I've lost myself to bloodlust once as well. When I was on patrol, there were certain...circumstances unfolding. The best thing I could tell you, in the same words as my instructor, is that "You've been exposed to the outside world, up close and personal. You've had that fear of killing integrated into you. And yet, you've endured it. Overcome it. You'll grow from that experience... and forget how to hesitate." It is within human nature to endure hardships. If you could overcome your demons, you'll grow as a person Kazuto." he finished as he ruffled his hair and walked out the door. Leaving Kazuto to stew in his thoughts.

But...how can I overcome my demons if I myself am one? These hands...these same hands I see upon my limelight were used to kill. All tainted in velvety red. No matter how many times I'll try to wash away my sins, the stench would always stay with me. So, how can I ever grow?

Kazuto was staring at the door Shouta left without any emotion. Just the thought of what he did made vile rise into his throat. It made him feel uneasy. Just then, the door opened with a loud thud and Hizashi came running into the room.

"Kazuto! Good to see you up bro!" he said with a big grin.

"Hey." Kazuto said blandly.

"Oh no! You're turning into Shouta! Ah! The sorrow…" he sobbed with comical tears.

"Don't worry! I'll remedy this! There's no way a world is ready for two Shoutas!" Hizashi said with fire in his eyes. "Alright! Go and get changed. We're heading out." he semi-ordered.

"Why should I?" Kazuto asked blandly.

"Nope. We got no time." Hizashi said as he got random clothes that were scattered around the room and threw them at Kazuto. Seeing that there is no point in arguing, Kazuto agreed and went to change clothes with a long sigh.


(Few minutes later)

"What no-" Kazuto was going to ask, but was cut off as he was pulled onto his feet and was off the room.

"Mic, where are we going?" Kazuto asked emotionlessly.

"Well, outside of course!" he said cheerfully, "If you stay cooped up inside, you'll start brooding. So, I took the liberty of taking you outside. On a side note, didn't I tell you to call me Hizashi when we aren't on duty?"

"Hm? Not that I recall." Kazuto said blandly.

As both of them were walking around aimlessly, Hizashi saw an arcade at a mall and told Kazuto to follow him. They stayed in the arcade for a couple of hours just playing and having fun. Well, Hizashi was. How can one tell you may ask? He started screaming as he was drinking with random people to the point of blacking out since the nearby bar had a 50% off on brand name liquor. Kazuto, on the other hand, just started playing a fighting game the whole time. Meh. Fun nonetheless.

Kazuto was bored and left to find Hizashi to go home.

During his walk, he thought back onto the past events. It all went by in a flash. From meeting Shouta and Hizashi when he was down, to agreeing to join this "Hero Society" to help others, to the training that he had to undergo. He shuddered as he thought back to Shouta's knife dodging. That man may look lazy, but his training showed that he had a whole sadistic side. To think that he became close to a sadist and a hyperactive knucklehead...and no one questioned where he was going! Maybe it was because his mother was too tired to ask.

'I should help her more often. She may be a housewife, but she deserves some freedom as well.' Kazuto continued to walk with a swirl of emotions surrounding him. What he didn't take notice so far, was the fact that there were two kids walking and talking without a care in the world.

Both parties were too focused on something else to see ahead and ultimately bumped into each other. "Oof" both parties said as they landed on the ground rubbing their heads. As Kazuto looked up, he couldn't help but think on how both of them looked familiar. When the two people looked up at the person they bumped into, they couldn't help but grin.

"Hey it's you!" the girl pointed out with a hint of excitement.

"Hey?" Kazuto asked with his head tilted to the side with confusion written onto his face.

"Yeah. You're the guy who won the Kendo tourney some time ago right?" the boy asked with the same amount of excitement as the girl.

"I'm sorry if this offends you, but do I know you guys from somewhere?" Kazuto asks.

"Oh!" the girl blushed, "My name is Alice, Alice Zuberg. Nice to meet you!"

"And I'm Eugeo! Eugeo Gesualdo." the boy said with a smile.

"Oh!" Kazuto said with a snap of his fingers as some light went back into his eyes, "I remember now! You guys were the ones that talked to me at the end of the Tourney!"

Seeing them nod, he smiled and asked them how they were doing.

"Pretty great actually!" Alice said with a radiant smile. "Because of your performance, I was motivated to learn Kendo."

"Cool." Kazuto smiled, "Glad I could help. What about you Eugeo?"

"I'm still not sure what to do." he sighed, "I want to learn too but with my parent's financial problems, there would be no hope in learning."

"What if Alice helped you?" Kazuto asked.

"I wish I could, but my parents live so far that I could only come to visit Eugeo and hang out for three days. Not enough time to teach him the basics." Alice said with a sad smile.

"Hm. What If I were to teach you?" Kazuto asked out of the blue.

"Y-you would do that for me?" Eugeo asked with a small bit of hope.

"Sure why not. All I do is train anyway so I have a lot of time for myself." Kazuto said with a nod.

"But, why go that far for me?" Eugeo asked with bewilderment.

"Hm. Because there's nothing crueler than letting a dream end midway." Kazuto exclaimed with an eye smile. "Besides, my mother did say that I need more friends…" he thought out loud. "So, friends?" he asked as he stuck out his hand.

"Sure!" Eugeo exclaimed with contained excitement as he went to stick out his hand. "If you're willing to go that far for me, there's no way I'd say no to that!"

"Same here!" Alice said excitedly. "Anyone willing to help others is okay in my book." she finished as she also stuck out her hand. They put their hands together into a small fist bump.

"Great! Hm." Kazuto thought as realization dawned in him. "Wait a minute, where do you live exactly Eugeo?"

"Oh! It's in the Mie Prefecture. In Ise City." Eugeo said while scratching the back of his hand.

"Cool. It's not so far from my home. I was worried for a second that you wouldn't be able to make it." Kazuto said in embarrassment as he forgot such an important detail. He would say more but...

"HHEE *hick* EEYY. KAAAZZUUTTOO!" a man shouted from across the door. "IT'S ME *hick* HIZACHI! *hick* I WAS LOOKING EVERYWHERE FOR *hick* YOU." Hizashi finished as he came in stumbling, all the while trying to reach him.

"The bar is directly across from the arcade. Hell, they're connected for crying out loud!" Kazuto said with a hint of exasperation. "How did you not find me?"

"OOOPPSSH *hick* I FORGOT." Hizashi said with a drunken grin. "AANYWAY *hick* WHO ARE THEY? ARE THEY YOUR NEW FWE *hick* ENDS?"

"Uh...yeah" Kazuto answered with a sweatdrop as he saw Hizashi stumble onto a seat and fall back laughing.

"AWW. KAZZUU GREW UP! *hick* IT ALMOST BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE." he said with an obnoxious wail of despair. "WHY I OUGHTA *Zzzzzzzz*" he couldn't finish his sentence as fell asleep on the ground.

"Hey um Kazuto?" Alice asked while shifting her body from side to side in order to quell down her blush "Do you know this guy?"

"Ugh. Unfortunately…" he answered with a blush as he tried to drown out the giggles from the crowd and the hysterical laughter coming from Eugeo.

"Heh." Eugeo snickered. "Nice crowd."

"Tch. Do you want me to train you or not?" Kazuto asked with his cheeks puffed out.

"Yes sir." Eugeo saluted with a grin.

"Hmm…" Kazuto just gave him a small glare.

"Oh no." Alice said with worry, "We have to go Eugeo! My family leaves in ten minutes to take the train! It was nice knowing you Kazuto!" she said as she started running towards the Exit.

"Oh crap." Eugeo said in a panic. "Here's my house phone number if you really want to train me Kazuto. Give me a call sometime later. See ya soon." he said with a wave as he went to catch up to his blond-haired friend.

"Yeah." Kazuto said with a small smile. "See ya."

"So, *hick* they seemed nice." Hizashi said with a grin as he put his arm around Kazuto.

"Heh. Yeah..." Kazuto said blandly before screaming as he realized that Hizashi was awake. "Ah! What the hell! You scared me dude!"

"Oops." Hizashi said with a huge grin. "Welp *hick* we should get going! Come on Kazu-" he couldn't finish his sentence as sleep overtook him...again.

"Ah." Kazuto sighed with exasperation. "I have to carry him to Shouta's home now...son of a…"


(An hour later)

Kazuto dropped off Hizashi without much explanation and headed home. Since meeting Eugeo and Alice, he forgot about his own dilemma. It was a great distraction for a while. However, it didn't last forever and he now found himself near the front porch of the estate.

"I'm home!" Kazuto plastered a smile as he entered his home.

"Welcome home sweety." Midori said with a smile.

"Hey big bro!" Suguha said with a wave as she was playing a small game on her tablet.

Kazuto went to plop himself in the sofa as Suguha stood up and joined him, all the while showing him the game she was playing.

"Look big bro! I almost passed your high score!" Suguha said with a huge grin.

"Huh?" Kazuto looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Yeah! Mom let me play with your PS4 while you were out." she said with a smile, until in contorted into worry. "You're not mad are you?"

"Ugh. I can never be mad at you." Kazuto smiled back as he started petting her head. "Besides, I don't play as much. Which reminds me, hey mom!" catching her attention, he continued, "I met two people in the arcade. You know, the ones from the Tourney from some time ago. We caught up while talking and I found out that Eugeo wants to learn Kendo but doesn't have the money to get a proper instructor. So, what I'm trying to say, is If you could give me permission to teach him." he asked with hope in his eyes.

"Sure." Midori asked brilliantly "I'm just glad you've got friends your own age. Don't think I don't know that you hung out with some people older than you. While I didn't approve of them at first and was about to tell you to stop hanging out with them, I saw that they helped you move on from him. So, I let you hang out with them. Now, I don't have to worry about you not having friends you own age!"

"Heh." Kazuto said with a grin as he combed his hair with his hands. 'How much does she actually know?' he thought with worry as he visibly didn't show it.

"Hey" he said with a small smile, "Can I go up to my room to call him and tell him the good news?"

"Sure honey. Just make sure you come down to eat lunch or else." she said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Y-yeah s-sure. Well...bye now!" Kazuto bolted into his room.

"Hm. Still got it." she said with a smirk.


(Kazuto's room)

Kazuto went to his room and pulled out the paper that Eugeo gave him before he left and started dialling it in his phone.

{Hello. Gesualdo residence. Who is this?} a voice rang out through the phone.

{Um, hey this is Kazuto Kirigaya. Eugeo expected a call from me some time today. Is he there by any chance?}

{Yeah he's here. Big bro! Someone's calling you!} the voice hollered out.

{Coming!} another voice shouted.

{Eugeo here! Who is this?} Eugeo asked through the phone.

{Hey Eugeo. It's Kazuto. Just wanted to make sure that you were serious about training since my mother allowed me to train you.}

{Of course I am Kazuto! I'm just glad you accepted. You don't know how much I owe you!}

(Sure no problem}

"Kazuto! The food is ready!" Midori's voice rang out throughout his room.

{Well.} Kazuto sighed. {I gotta go Eugeo. It was nice talking to you. Take care. Oh! And before I forget, training starts next week at seven in the morning until one. Is that okay with you?}

{Yeah. That's doable! Thanks a lot Kazuto! See ya!}

{Yeah see ya.} he said as he hung up.


(Later at night: Kazuto's room)

'Well, I'm alone again. And I still don't feel right.' Kazuto thought as he turned on his bed. He tried to close his eyes, but to no avail. Every time his eyelids closed, the picture of the dead corpse brings him back to reality. "Maybe some TV would help…" he said bitterly.

{We now bring you a report on the incident that took place yesterday. It seems that a man was stabbed to death by an assailant in the night.} a news reporter said through the TV.

'Oh come on! Does the world hate me or something?' he thought with an emotionless face.

{Yes, Tom. The police surveyed the whole area and came to the conclusion that it was an act of self-defense. From who, we don't know. However, we do have a witness with us tonight. She claimed to had seen the events unfold before her very eyes. Now, onto Chelsea with the interview.}

'Great. So what? Am I going to become their scapegoat now? Tch. Just throw me into prison while you're at it' Kazuto thought with a glare.

{Chelsea here! We are here with none other than pop star idol Miko Fujiwara. So, Ms. Fujiwara, it had come to our attention that there had been a recent crime scene without any actual suspects to accuse of this murder. Care to add your input?}

{S-sure. It was during the Red Dragon Club in Nagiso Town in the Nagano Prefecture where I met a man named Kirei Arashi inside. He was a nice guy. He was really playful and treated me kindly} she said with a small smile.

'Tch. Give me a break...she wouldn't be here if I didn't save her.' Kazuto thought with an even stronger glare. 'Is she going to bash me too?'

{But...he was just hoaxing me into going with him.} she stated with a frown. {As kind as he was, I followed without any problem since I thought he wouldn't be the type to have evil intentions. However…} she couldn't finish her sentence as she started breaking down as the events from yesterday were still fresh in her memories.

Kazuto was looking on with a small pang of guilt at seeing her like that. Why should he care if they labeled him as evil? Wanting justice doesn't necessarily mean fame. He wasn't a person seeking attention after all. After five minutes, the woman was able to pull herself together and continue on with the story. Kazuto had to give her props for her determination.

{...it was all a setup. I was so scared that he'd kill me and I-I didn't know what to do! I was going to call for help but he told me that he'd cut off my tongue if I were to scream! I-It was all so scary! But then…} her smile curved upwards slightly. {...there was this guy in black clothing and a hood that hid his features. He saved me. I was just too scared to say anything because I was too caught up with his appearance at the time. He wore a mask. It looked like a snarling red ape.} her eyes turned glossy as she continued, {he swooped down and killed the man. It was just that...well, he was covered with so much blood that I stood there frozen. Not for my safety, but for the thought that the blood was his when I heard the bullet screech.} she started to cry again. {I was so glad that he survived. I was going to thank him, but when I turned around, he was already gone. All I have to say is that} she turned to the camera and, as if looking at her savior, she smiled a heart-warming smile through the screen. {I'm glad that you were able to save me. If you didn't I-I don't know what may have become of me. So, if you're looking, thank you so, so much for this. Others may see you as a vigilante for what you've done, but I want you to know, personally, that no matter what, you are my savior and I thank you for this.}

Kazuto was left without any words as he mulled over what he heard. She...wasn't afraid? He was her hero? As he continued to think about her statement, the more his lips quirked upwards. Even if he wasn't seeking glory, it was refreshing to know that people aren't afraid of him. So this is what a hero feels like huh? She's right though. Even if the press tries to make him out to be an evil vigilante, just that small glint of hope is what drives him forward. Maybe, that's what Shouta meant when he said to overcome his demons to find repentance. The people's small smiles are all the reassurance he needs.

Demon I may be seen as, but these small bouts of reassurance are more than enough. Nonetheless, it's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me. Her hero huh? I like the sound of it...