Dark Soul Hunter.
A fan fiction by Aoi Kitsukawa
Disclaimer: Joker Game belongs to Yanagi Kouji and its related committees; I only borrow the characters in the manga/ anime (or related sources).
Author's Note: Thank you very much to BabyKangaroo in FFN for being my first reviewer and follower of the story, and to lazyjoy and nklmg in AO3, thank you very much for the reviews, I really appreciate it!
Salam Eid Fitri to everyone and thank you again for reading my story. So here is the second chapter of the story!
Summary: An organization called 'Hunter' that having its branches operated whole worldly; which associated with the Keishichou were responsible to deal with several unsolved cases that suddenly increased in Tokyo. It had a small section named 'D-Agency' to help gathering information after one big incident that happened 3 years ago. The team received several new members, but none of them wonders if it was a fate or the consequences of their past karma…
Hunter 02: The Gathering and Invitation
"Turning the secret that you gave me into a sign
I go through the silence of the pale night"
-Lacrimosa, Kalafina
Shick.
Clink.
Shick.
Clink.
The repetitive sounds of the metal lighter filled the silence with each flick of the thumb.
Night in Tokyo was never truly considered night –it is a city that never sleeps. The ever-present neon lights illuminated the winter sky, creating an illusion of a false day. Even in the dark of night, many frequented the streets of Tokyo, taking in the beauty of those lights and liveliness. There were places, however, that the light did not touch; places that seemed to exist in a world of their own, away from the sounds and sights that defined the metropolis. Here he was, all alone, in one of dark districts of Roppongi (1) in Minato Area.
Shick.
Clink.
Shick.
Clink.
The grounds of Roppongi Hills (2) were one of these lively places. With lots of skyscrapers built in the said area, they created many dark areas from the shadows of these building. The quiet atmosphere however, set the area he was standing off from the world around it, the paths through the trees and hidden alleys undisturbed in the chill of the late winter night.
Shick.
Clink.
Shick.
Clink.
The lighter snapped shut one last time.
Shick.
And again.
This time, he was no longer playful with the flame.
He smirked.
He lit up the lighter in his hand, slowly appeared the orange-red flame that glowed the dark area. Roppongi was an area, which is famous with foreigners, lived in that area, whether they were diplomats, migrants or students. The area features numerous of bars, nightclubs, strip clubs, restaurants, hostess clubs, cabarets, and other forms of entertainment. Among the emigrant community, the area tends to be favored by business people, students, and off-duty US military personnel. Overall, the neighborhood caters to a younger crowd.
The man, with messy dark brown hair and eyes, looked at the alley he was standing, and saw another silhouette appeared within the shadow. Brown hair with long bang at left side, blue coat and pants with white shirt and red scarf, the other person slowly approached the former with smirk crafted on lips.
"Have I made you wait?" He asked.
"A little bit," The lighter-man said as he blew his breathe, before pulling out his cigarette and lit the flame once again. "What are you doing inside the hostess club that late, Miyoshi?"
The person named Miyoshi smirked as he took one cigarette from his friend and lit it up. "Taking our payment, of course. You're so busy flirting with the ladies even after our working hours and I had to take your part too, idiot Kaminaga."
Kaminaga Kazuo and Miyoshi Katsuhiro were students of Tokyo University (or known as Todai), majoring in Laws as well as Criminology. They also took some minor courses such as arts, political sciences as well as history. However living in Tokyo which is known as one of the expensive places in the world had given some impact on their financial budget. It was not that strange if even dean list students such as Kaminaga and Miyoshi had to feed themselves constantly with instant ramen and took part-time jobs to support themselves. The 23-years-old Kaminaga who was in his last year can be considered as lucky, since he will be graduate in mean time. However, it also meant that job-hunting needs to be done before the convocation day or he will end up jobless.
While the 22-years-old Miyoshi still in his third year, he also had to prepare himself to be the next final year student; means that he probably won't be with Kaminaga anymore. The said man already tried his luck in job-hunting related with his course, but so far he still unable to receive replies from the bureaucrats or companies him applied to. Instead, he was offered to be a model or actor in entertainment business (much to these two's chagrin since they were not interested in becoming celebrities) or worst, working in the sex industry. They usually rejected the offers in gentle way, but sometimes they had to use harsh methods since people whom wanted to take advantages on their pretty faces were always the persistent ones.
Despite their resistance, they had no choice but to work as hosts at one of the host clubs located in Roppongi as the final solution for their financial crisis. Being poor students with scholarships being used to pay the fees, they decided to take the offer after the manager guaranteed them there will be no harassment to them (especially to Miyoshi since he's some sort of pretty man), the working hours depend on their schedule and, as long as they can attract many customers to the club, their payment will raise as well.
Well…at least the pay was enough for them to keep on living, paying the rent and utilities, books and notes, as well as for their commodities. They still need to spend their money carefully or they'll ended up in red alert!
"What!? I really forgot it's our payment day!" Cried the man named Kaminaga, quickly snatched away the envelope from Miyoshi.
"We almost late for our payment to the landlord, and I want to eat something rather than the instant ramen~!" Whined Kaminaga as Miyoshi frowned.
"You're not the only one, Kaminaga…" Said Miyoshi as he pulled a mineral water from his bag and drank it. "If only you didn't flirt with that bitch, surely we'll still have some money to eat something decent."
"I can't help it! She looked so sad and in trouble! Surely you'll help her too, Moyoshi?"
"But you gave her almost all of your money with fake tears, and I had to cover up your expenses as well," He said angrily. "You're lucky we're roommates. What if you have to cover your expenses alone?"
"Alright, alright, I understand…don't be so mad, geez…" A sound coming from a cellphone appeared and Miyoshi flipped it open, reading the contents as his eyes narrowed. Kaminaga read the text as well as he said, "Should we go there?"
Miyoshi closed his cellphone as he left the alley with Kaminaga. "It's past 11 P.M, and the location is a bit far away. But the café is a bit interesting."
"Should we take a cab?"
"Well…the message said that if we want to take the cab, we should call this numbers and wait at this place," He once again looked at the phone. "Since it's already past the time to take the train, let's just call this number. Besides, it's in the house according to the sender."
"Well…if you say so…" They then called the cab and waited for their transport to arrive. They took the cab and went to their destination, and as their expectation, it was already paid.
Kaminaga and Miyoshi looked at the main entrance of Amanogawa (Milky Way) Café that located a bit far away from the main town. It's nearly midnight, yet many people; mostly young adults were inside the café. Currently there was a magic performance led by a tall, young man in blue navy suit. Lots of pigeons flew from his suit, and at one point gave a lovely white rose to a young girl who cried after her ice-cream fell on the floor. The audiences clapped their hands happily, as the said magician gave his bow and left the stage.
"That's interesting performance, Tazaki Tetsuya," The magician turned around in shock and saw both Miyoshi and Kaminaga were standing behind him, grinning ear to ear.
Tazaki smiled as he recognized them. He led them to one of the tables in the café. "Miyoshi, Kaminaga. How long have you two been here?"
"At least 5 minutes," Said Kaminaga as he eyed the café. "Wow, lots of customers huh? I remember it just open 6 months ago."
"Thanks to the connection that our boss had, we managed to gather lots of customers despite our location. So far, the feedbacks are good," Said Tazaki as he waved his hand to one of the waiters. "Fukumoto, where's the table?"
There was a nametag 'Hajime' on his left chest, yet Tazaki called his surname instead of his name. Fukumoto saw them and smiled as he waved his hand, "Table number 12. I'll go grab the menu."
Kaminaga and Miyoshi tried to stop him but Fukumoto already took his leave. Tazaki just smiled as he said, "Don't worry, boss Kurosawa knew about this meeting already."
"So…he also knows the reason why we're gathering like this?" Asked Miyoshi as he secretly glance his surroundings. He felt suspicious as why they need to meet in such place, although he and the others knew the real reason why they were summoning there, at all places.
Miyoshi, Kaminaga and the others knew they were the reincarnation of their past lives that lived as agents of D-Agency prior to World War 2.
Miyoshi did not know how it happen, but for some times he always had flashbacks upon memories he never had in his life, until one day he just…snapped from it, and realized that he was reborn into the world again. He remembered his past, his life, as well as the people he was with in his past karma.
Yet, he felt that he still missed some fragments of his memories.
Kaminaga was his childhood friend in his current karma and only one year ahead from him. Therefore, both of them shared lots of commons, being together from kindergarten until their enrolled to Todai. Somehow, during their middle school, they met with the high schooler Fukumoto Hajime, who was in his final year and studying in Private Cuisines and Culinary School Totsuki (3). He lived alone in an apartment shared with the beginner magician Tazaki Tetsuya, who was the same age Kaminaga. They somehow got along and realized who they were as well. After Kaminaga entered his second year at Todai (and Miyoshi as first year), they finally met with the last remaining members who were in high school.
"Wait, that reminds me. Which boss Tazaki?" Asked Kaminaga. "Is it Takumi or the elder one?"
"Both, and make sure don't call Eiji-san like that. He'll kill you if you degrade his youth," Kaminaga muffled his laugh, Miyoshi grinned cheekily and Tazaki let small chuckles escaped his lips. "Takumi-san is still 18, but he's going to be the heir of this café after his uncle."
They then walked towards the table along with Tazaki and saw there were two more members who sitting inside of the Amanogawa Café. They recognized them as their former friends and comrades as Miyoshi slowly looked at the surrounding café.
The café where both Fukumoto and Tazaki were working recently located not far away from the city, but it was near greeneries, which meant that it was surrounding with nature. It was near at the housing area where some amount of people living there. Not only that, at the right side of the café', there was a small river running peacefully, making it the best place for people to take some rest and to avoid from the noisy road and sounds.
Miyoshi looked at the café again. The café' was special and had a large space. It was design in classic-style and with two sides of the building; the patio of the café was inside the wooden fences and was expose to the outsider, which meant people will be easily been seen by other people while the inside café' was connected to the outside café. However, the roof for the outside café was a transparent roof; the sunrays can stab through the roof. There were terrace-like walls that can be move; the wind can easily blow to the customer, creating a cool and calm atmosphere. The roof was design with extra spaces as it can avoid customers from wet if the rain fell heavily during the bad weather. Mainly, people would choose to sit at the outside café', as it was expose to the cool breeze and nature, however since it was about to enter spring and the air still chilling, mostly the customers were inside the café.
At the inside of the café', it has the same design just like the outside, however it had counters where various cakes, breads, foods and drinks that served there. Besides, it also provided seven special rooms for private and large enough to fit five to six people at once. The inside of the café' had air conditions and more romantic; it was the favorite place for couples to have a romantic dinner, especially during the Valentine's Day.
Another special thing about the café was it had a stage for performances, performed by the workers at the café. It only showed at certain nights, and the wall at the inside café would be open for the customers to see the performances. Because of the special features of the café, it once had been interview by a popular female magazine and begin popular since six months ago. Another reason for the popularity was the manager of the café –Kurosawa Eiji was a handsome bachelor despite him already in late 40s and his nephew named Takumi, would be the sole heir to inherit the café. Many women felt attracted to them due to their youthful and handsome appearance, thus making the female customers as regulars visiting the café.
Grabbing the chair, Kaminaga said, "Hey, it's past curfew time! Hatano Ryousuke, Jitsui Kunio!"
Both quickly turned around and saw the others already stood in front of them. Still in their school uniform, both teenagers dropped whatever they hold and greet the older men.
"What the hell~! Saying our name in full, are you sure you're not old that much?" Said Hatano as he shook hand with Kaminaga, which angry vein popped on his head.
"I'm not that old you shitty brat!" Said Kaminaga as he tried to squeeze Hatano's hand harder. The young lad quickly pulled his hand away and returned to his seat, which is next to Jitsui. "How long you two had been here?"
"Just half an hour ago," Said Jitsui as he took a bite of a chicken pie in front of him. "Tazaki and Fukumoto had evening shift tonight, so…guess how long they've been here."
As on cue, Fukumoto came by along with a tray of cold drinks and two cups of coffees, placing them on the table. Two waiters came by, bringing food to them as well. Six plates of Chaliapin steaks, rice, miso soups, karaage as well as eight slices of dark chocolate cakes were served on the table. It was not unnoticeable that there were some odd numbers on the dishes, but all of them decided not to say anything.
"Thank you for your help, Mitsurugi-san, Hasegawa-san," Said Fukumoto to the young girl and boy that helped him carrying the dishes.
"It's alright, we're gladly to help Fukumoto-san," Said the girl named Mitsurugi. She had short black hair but long bangs, with black eyes that shone mysteriously. "Eiji-san said that you too, can take time off Fukumoto-san. Oh, and everything is in the house!"
"Geez Yukari, you seem friendly today. You're not trying to hit one of them aren't you?" Said the boy named Hasegawa cheekily, before the girl smacked him he called Yukari.
"JUST SHUT UP YOUR MOUTH AND GO BACK TO WORK KURYUU!" She shouted angrily as she hit his head with the tray, shocking the group minus Tazaki and Fukumoto. "Say that again, I'll kill you!"
"Geez! No need to hit me, you monster –BUHUK!"
"Oh, no need for you to worry about them," Said Tazaki casually as everyone minus Fukumoto looked at him with wide eyes. "That two best friends always like that, but there's no worry of Kuryuu-kun being kill by Yukari-chan although it's true she's a bit…'stronger' than any average girls." Tazaki paused a moment as he tried to choose words that suitable to describe Yukari's personality.
"And I was about to hit on her…" Said Kaminaga as he sighed in defeated, before Miyoshi elbowed his arm. "So, what's her full name? Do you know her Fukumoto?"
"Mitsurugi Yukari, age 18," Said Fukumoto as he took a sip of his drink. "She's Kurosawa Takumi's childhood friend along with Hasegawa Kuryuu and Kirihara Sayoko, though the other girl didn't work here."
"But as you see Kaminaga, she's not the person you can deal with, since that's how she do with people who annoying her," Kaminaga gulped silently while Fukumoto glanced at him with sly grin. "Nether less, she's a good acquaintance, just don't make her like being use or we'll end up being her punching bag."
"So you once had been the one with her?" Asked Jitsui, flashing his innocent smile.
"By accident. She tried to punch Hasegawa-kun but instead, I was the one who got it. She's strong so don't make her as our enemy," Everyone sweat dropped, but nodded their head as the information sink into their mind. Then everyone started to eat the food without saying anything.
Kaminaga secretly looked at everyone who was eating; Fukumoto, being the silent person ate his food without saying too much, but Kaminaga do realized he sat next to Tazaki who seemed to eat his food slowly, and he appeared gently persuade Tazaki to eat. It might be his imagination since he did not know much about Tazaki's past, but Tazaki seems to be having some problem that related to food. Jitsui, being Jitsui, just eating while talking to Miyoshi in his gentle way, and Hatano who sat next to him sometimes interferes with their conversation. Not that they mind though.
After some time, they finished their late supper and left with desserts. Hatano already ate half of his part while Jitsui took a bite while talking to Tazaki about his performance. Tazaki just chuckle a little as he shoved his part to Hatano who gladly accepted it. Fukumoto drank his cold lemonade; Miyoshi took his fresh orange juice while Kaminaga finished his dessert. As he was about to grab his ice coffee, he saw two people were walking towards their direction, hands in hands.
They were adults, a man and a woman, probably in late 20s. The man had a pair of emerald eyes shone with calmness and wisdom. His black hair was long, barely passes his shoulders but tie up in ponytail. His dark grey suit matched with his tall and built-up body and long limps. His partner was a woman with braided black hair, reaching her back with a pair of black eyes that showing her cool, maturity and independent. Her white blouse, clad with dark cardigan and black long skirt fit her figure perfectly, making her as a beautiful and elegant woman.
Both of them wore a pair of matching rings.
So both of them were married, as what Kaminaga had thought. He could not help but admitted that they were both elegant and beautiful adults perfectly match with each other. The only thing he was uncomfortable with them was the eerie feeling he got just from watching them. He felt a bit hostile, and surely, he knew the others also felt the same, judging from their body language, yet no dangerous treat can be sense from the couple.
They stopped next to Fukumoto and Tazaki's side, before bowing humbly to them.
"Greetings, everyone. We're sorry for the sudden appearance, but we're here as the representative of the Hunter Division regarding your answers," Said the man, coolly. Fukumoto and Tazaki stood up to take extra chairs for the guests and placed them next to their seats. The guests kindly accepted the offer.
Miyoshi narrowed his eyes, before he gave signals to others. So they knew that they already recognized their identities as former agents of D-Agency that established prior World War 2. Means that they knew the reason why they were summoning to this place that ended up meeting with the couple.
Several days before the gathering, Miyoshi, Kaminaga, Fukumoto, Tazaki, Hatano and Jitsui; all of them had received a large envelope along with a letter that was put into the envelope, offering them an opportunity to be the members of Hunter Division's sub-group, named D-Agency, the same name as the agency they enrolled in their previous lives. It also stated that the person in charge of the sub-group was someone they familiar despite the sender were completely different people aside from the benefits they will have for being the members. The offer might be interesting due to the amount of payment they offered, but what triggered their curiousity was how the division knew who they were during their past lives.
When it comes to the Hunter Division, generally many people had no idea what kind of role they had exactly in the police force. The Hunter Division, which operated world widely, is an independent organization and yet not associated with any NGOs, related to personal, companies, or even any countries. According to the official information, it was found at the same time Britisth SPR was establish, but only officially appeared to public during 1960s in selected parts of the world. It was regard as a mysterious organization where most of its history and information hidden deep into the darkness, but had strong relationship with every country's police force. Many people tried to gather the organization's secrets but so far, it was a futile effort.
In addition, how people were recruiting and working with the Hunter Division is a mystery as well.
It was unknown to the public on how much members found working in the said organization. In Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department is Hunter Division Japan Branch's main association and always involved with many cases related to the police. Generally, common people were inform that the Hunter Division usually solved cases that required complicate methods to deal with, unsolved for many years or related with sensitive issues (politics, diplomatic problems, terrorist etc.). However, it was rare to see the members appeared on the TV to inform of the case's status themselves; usually it was the representative of the police force. There were also rumors regarding the said division; some said it was actually a false group and was the police's do to gain frame after some scandals and some even said it was nothing more than a fiction story.
Therefore, it was a surprise they never thought would be happening to them when they received the invitation to the Hunter Division's sub-group. Especially when it comes to the part related to their past karma.
"By the way, could you two please introduce yourself?" Asked Miyoshi not long after the couple sat down. "It's kind of rude to not introduce yourself after coming here."
The woman chuckled a little while the husband just grinned. She accepted the coffee that Fukumoto gave to her and her husband as he said, "Oh dear, I'm sorry. My name is Tsukidate Yasufumi, and this is my wife Mogami Rio."
None of them said anything, despite the married couple seemed to keep each other's surname for reasons them knew. Tsukidate pulled out something from his suit and put it on the table.
"These are the people who invite you to the division," He said as Kaminaga took the photo and widened his eyes.
It was a photo of two person, both stood behind the building that apparently the Hunter Division. One of them was a young man with gentle black eyes and hair with long bangs, stood within 180-185 cm, clad with deep purple suit. Despite his young appearance, the said man had the air of authority and calmness that rarely possessed by young men. However, he was not Kaminaga's true attention, it was the person with familiar grey hair and stern eyes and expression clad in grey suit, white glove and cane on right hand with limp stance…
"YUUKI-SAN!?" Everyone snapped their head as some stood up, looking at the photos and the rest looked at each other in shock.
"We know there is something that bothering you people, even now," Said Tsukidate as he slowly looked at Miyoshi deeply into his eyes, startled the said man. There was something flickered in the elder man's eyes but it was disappear quickly, so Miyoshi could not read it. However, he could not shake the feeling that this man probably knew something they might want to, yet trying to make things turned into puzzle-like game.
"Is Yuuki-san the director of this D-Agency?" Asked Jitsui after the long pause.
"Yes, he is. However, unlike in the past, he is in police force, rank Chief Superintendent," Explained Mogami for the first time. She pointed to the young man who stood next to Yuuki in the photo. "This man however, is one of the people who hold the highest authorities in the police force."
"What? I thought that the one who holds the highest authority in police force would be the Superintendent General. This person is way too young?" Said Fukumoto, shocked. He once saw the said person in TV in one of nationwide events so he still remembered it.
"I believe you already heard some rumors regarding the Hunter Division," Said Tsukidate as he smirked slyly. "The Hunter Division is not an ordinary organization, and usually the members dealt with something that beyond normal circumstances…"
"And you youngsters are including in that abnormal circumstances…" Said Mogami as she put down her cup. "Don't you think it's weird that you manage to meet again with your friends in your past karma so easily? It's a condition where people would easily said to be some sort of coincidence or miracle…"
The group widened their eyes as realization sink. True, they did think that being reborn to this world was strange enough, but to all of them being born as well? It really sounds suspiciously abnormal…
"But to us from the different 'kind'…" Said Tsukidate as he leaned his head against his palm.
"There are no such things such as coincidence or accidently happen…" Said Mogami, and both of them said in the union:
"It's a hitsuzen (4)."
"Hitsu…zen…?" Said Hatano, wide eyes. Tsukidate could trace fear and hesitation in his voice, but said anything.
"We would love to explain more, but since we seemly hit the nail on certain thing that triggers your heart, I believe we should stop our conversation my friends," He said as he grabbed his coat and stood up. Miyoshi quickly grabbed his hand to prevent him from leaving the place.
"Don't even think to leave place without explaining to us everything!" Said Miyoshi with venom in his tone. The others except Hatano stood up, eyes critically analyzing the man in front of them. He smirked as he slowly glanced over his shoulder.
"Then, please accept the director's invitation," He said as Mogami pulled out a letter from her purse and put it on the table. "In that way, we willingly to explain everything you want to ask."
"We didn't say we're agreeing to join in," Said Kaminaga as he narrowed his eyes.
"And we didn't say that you must agree to join and be the member. We're just inviting you to the place if you want to know the reasons," Said Mogami as she chuckled. "Also, we're just a representative of our master who's supposedly come here instead. It is up to you people whether to come or not, but we're inviting to come for visit, not for joining in."
"Well then, let us meet again gentlemen," Said Tsukidate as he turned around with his wife…
"Wait!"
…And smirked as he stopped himself and glanced at the young group with serious expression on face. He sighed as he said to himself:
'My master, apparently there will be more interesting things happen in the future.'
He lay on his back, bleeding on the chest as he coughed blood.
Second Lieutenant Tobisaki Hiroyuki stared at the dark, gloomy sky as he lay on the ground with wound that bleeding on his chest. He knew the moment he was shot by the enemy's bullet that he won't be able to live…
No longer able to return home, to the side of his beloved ones…
Yuriko…His child…
The D-Agency…
Yuuki…san?
The image of the old man, grinning at him as he was about to leave the place that created his other identity –"Odagiri", slowly invaded his mind.
"Lieutenant Tobisaki Hiroyuki."
"Don't die"
…
I'm sorry, Yuuki-san…
I guess…
I have fail you…
To live…
…
..
.
"Do you want to live?"
Tobisaki snapped his eyes open, shock with a sudden voice that appeared out of nowhere. In the middle of the battlefield, with bullets flying over the army's heads; enemies or allies, screaming's in different languages, but this one language was the one he knew the most!
Soft footsteps were heard from his side, as he slowly looked at his right side and saw a dark figure making its way to him. Ignoring the bullets, explosions, screams…as if nothing was happened.
"To think that Yuuki-san easily let you go is something I should know already, but too bad…" it was a woman's voice, almost the same age as Yuuki-san…
But he was unable to see her clearly, as his gaze became blurry due to blood lost and pain. He tried to raise his right hand, but it felt too heavy.
"…You have lots of potentials, as well as the strong desire to live and return."
He saw her, although blurry, kneeling down to his side and grabbed his right hand. Warm hands grasping the cold one and for a moment, he felt that he was safe.
There was a sound of the falling mortar above them and Tobisaki tried to shake off the woman's hand, but surprisingly, she just stroke his head gently, before raising the same hand up to the air. He couldn't hear the words she was whispering, but the next thing he knew, there were sounds of explosions, screaming and ground-shaking, but nothing happened to them.
That was when she spoke to him again.
"Do you want to live, Tobisaki Hiroyuki-kun?"
"…Uh…me…why…?"
"…I need your help…" She said after a pause. "Something urgent happened, and we need someone to help with it. Besides…"
"This is also related to one of the spies Yuuki-san had within his circle."
What!?
Tobisaki tried to speak, but he started to feel his breathe slowly becoming heavy. For some reasons unknown to him, he could see a part of her face; smiled slyly as she placed her other hand onto his wound. He hissed in pain by the pressure she put on, but suddenly felt warm from the said hand.
"Do you want to live?" She asked again, while Tobisaki struggled to speak.
"I…"
"Do you want to live?"
"I…I do..! PLEASE!"
He was never this desperate, even though he had to face his failure during one of his missions that eventually made him left the D-Agency. But this time, he felt like he was no longer able to stay calm and remained in the army; its ideology itself had been a torture to him long before Yuuki-san recruited him to D-Agency. Serving for the country and family, yet his own grandparents just sent him off to the military academy not because of the patriotism spirits; they just wanted to kick him off the ground (5).
A smirk appeared on her lips, as she said to him in deep and dark tone:
"Very well, I shall grant your wishes. However…"
"There will be prices as the payment of your wishes."
Tobisaki slowly looked at her. Her face still dark, and he couldn't see it, but he realized that the area surrounding them was no longer noisy; it was eerily silent.
What had happen?
"When you open your eyes, you'll no longer able to be in the military, or any forms that related to them except one place," He felt his eyelids grew heavier each words were spoken, but strangely he still able to hear everything.
"You never ever, getting involved with those foolish and fanatic high-ups that already losing its place within the flow of time; instead, you're going to return to the place you should belong to."
His…place?
"Also…" He couldn't hear the words, or knowing each details of the things she was saying to him, but he slowly nodded his head, understood everything she said.
"Now, go to sleep my boy," She said as she placed her hand over his eyelids, and slowly closed his eyes.
"Will I…ever…go…home…?" He said, slowly, as he felt the darkness slowly pulled him into the unconsciousness.
The smirk dropped from her face, her expression turned grim. She slowly stroke his head, reminds Tobisaki of the young lady who raised him during his childhood.
"You will…" She said. "You will."
He finally closed his eyes, but not before hearing the last sentence before losing his consciousness.
"Since you've pay for the prices of your wishes."
End of Chapter 2
Hints or Explanations:
(1) Roppongi (六本木, literally "six trees") is a district of Minato, Tokyo, Japan, famous as home to the rich Roppongi Hills area and an active night club scene. Many foreign embassies are located in Roppongi, and the night life is popular with locals and foreigners alike. It is in the southern portion of the Yamanote Line loop, south of Akasaka and north of Azabu.
(2) Roppongi Hills (六本木ヒルズ, Roppongi Hiruzu) is a New Urban Centre and one of Japan's largest integrated property developments, located in the Roppongi district of Minato, Tokyo. The construction of this area started in 2000 by building tycoon Minoru Mori and complete in 2003. Seventeen years after the design's initial conception, the complex opened to the public on April 23, 2003.
(3) Private Cuisines and Culinary School Totsuki –If anyone familiar with the name 'Totsuki', yes this is the culinary school in Shokugeki no Souma manga. Don't worry, I just borrow the name (I don't even know if it's the right name for the school aside Totsuki) since I don't know if there is any culinary high school in Japan.
(4) Hitsuzen –It's meaning inevitability, destiny, or fate, as being the driving force in the world. Himitsu states that there is no such thing as coincidence, and that every single action and decision is inevitable, because without them, other related events in the future could not happen.
(5) "Serving for the country and family, yet his own grandparents just sent him off to the military academy not because of the patriotism spirits, they just wanted to kick him off the ground" –This has been mentioned in the novel (according to the source I found in tumblr), originally Tobisaki Hiroyuki was send to the army by his grandparents like some sort of wanting him to serve the country. However, in reality, they actually think of him as some kind of burden, thus making him unable to stay loyal to the military since one of its prospects is that serving for their loving family as well. Odagiri (Tobisaki) did not feel that way.
To be honest, when I post this story in FFN and AO3, it was not done with excitement and joy. Instead, I was still in grieving for losing my late grandmother who passed away on 23rd of June 2016. I was in depression because her death was so sudden and us family did not expect her to rest in peace just several days before our big celebration. I was very unhappy, crying sometimes even now, and her passing like a heavy toll to me that I tried to find comfort in many ways; working, sleeping, eating…my works at office and the other stories still ended up interrupted with these negative emotions. Regret and sadness are the main ones that still shook my heart whenever I was alone and remembered my grandmother.
And yesterday (15.7.2016), a neighbour who lived in front of my house suddenly passed away due to internal bleeding (just like my late grandmother). It was sudden, and I received the news while I was about to left the office. This situation reminds me of my late grandmother's passing, and his granddaughter is a friend of mine during high school. She cried so much when I visited her, as it appeared that she was the only one to stay at his side until his last moment. I can't say anything more than condolence, since I knew too much words can't describe the feelings sometimes…
I'm sorry for the sudden revelations. Thank you for those who read this story, I really appreciate it.
–Aoi Kitsukawa.