Fool: Makoto Itou & Kotonoha (The relationship meter), Rank 4
Magician: ?
Priestess: Kotonoha Katsura, UNLOCKED
Empress: ?
Emperor: ?
Hierophant: Mr. Katsura, UNLOCKED
Lovers: Sekai Saionji, UNLOCKED
Chariot: ?
Justice: Kokoro Katsura, UNLOCKED
Hermit: Sarujima, UNLOCKED
Fortune: ?
Strength: ?
Hanged Man: ?
Death: ?
Temperance: Manami Katsura, UNLOCKED
Devil: ?
Tower: ?
Star: ?
Moon: ?
Sun: ?

Previously on The Power of Everything:

An intense conflict happened between Makoto, Kotonoha and her parents. After a shocking truth spilled from Kotonoha, her parents were in extreme shock. Mr. Katsura who was angry became saddened and guilt due to being unable to protect his daughter. Makoto managed to comfort Kotonoha and the two had a talk with her parents in the living room. With the awkward atmosphere finally lifted, the family began to put what's in the past aside. Mr. Katsura decided to apologize to Makoto and escorted him to train station despite Kotonoha's reluctant to let him escort. The two had a talk and they got closer and finally trusted Makoto to protect his daughter.

CHAPTER 17

SUNNY JOYFUL LITTLE SISTER

As the train arrived, I walked slowly to my apartment. It was so peaceful night. I thought lots about my life. Thinking so much that I didn't notice Sekai was standing in front of me.

"Makoto," Sekai called me.

"Sekai? Why are you here?" I asked her.

"I went to your apartment but I couldn't find you there. However, I noticed that Saru was there. Is that a bag? Did you buy it?" she asked me.

I told Sekai that I had a date with Kotonoha earlier and went to buy bag for something. Of course, I didn't tell Sekai about incident with Kotonoha earlier, why I purchased this bag and the conflict with Kotonoha's parents earlier. I asked Sekai why she went to my apartment. I thought she had no business with me or I thought that I forgot something from her. She told me that she just wanted to see me and check my condition. The moment when I heard that, Sekai really did care to me. However, I see no reason in doing that act. She sees me every day at school except Sunday though. I mean, wasn't she overexaggerating? Sekai said something to me that interrupted my plan to go on pool with Kotonoha on Sunday.

"Makoto, do you want to come to my apartment on Sunday?" she asked me.

"I'm sorry, I will go with Kotonoha and Kokoro to pool in Aqua Square on Sunday. Her father gave us two tickets and he would buy one extra for Kokoro," I told her.

"Eh? Sounds like you have got yourself father-in-law. That's too bad," she teased me.

I just laughed briefly of that. Sekai didn't mind of it. However, I could notice that she felt down from me rejecting her invitation. She then walked past me.

"Well, it's all set. I'll go to pool too with Setsuna, Hikari. You should bring Taisuke too. He's your best friend," Sekai suddenly turned and said that with a huge smile.

"Wa… wait a minute. I," I tried to say something.

Before I could continue, Sekai interrupted me.

"I wanted to go to pool to have relax. Don't worry, I won't bother you with Katsura-san and her little sister. Later," she smiled and waved behind to me.

It just turned even more disaster. I just wanted to be alone with Kotonoha and Kokoro. But with Sekai and the others, I don't think I could. What a way to ruin the mood. With that, I kept walking until I finally arrived at my apartment just before entering the building. An unexpected event just occurred. A voice called me and when I looked at the voice's direction. It was Itaru, my little sister.

"Big brother," Itaru called me.

"Itaru!? Why are you here? You shouldn't be here by yourself," I was shocked

"Itaru ran away from home. Itaru wants to see big brother. I hate daddy," she told me.

Itaru must have waited too long. But, Sekai said she went to my apartment not long ago. She should have met Itaru. The fact that she didn't tell me or mentioned anything must have meant that she didn't encounter Itaru.

"Itaru, did you wait long?" I asked her.

"No, Itaru just arrived," she replied.

My suspicion was correct. That's why Sekai didn't see her. It's one thing after another. I don't have any choice but to bring her in and let her stay.

"Alright, Itaru. Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?" I asked her.

"Hmmm, anything is good. Itaru will eat anything that big brother cooks," she didn't mind for the food.

"Okay, Carrot and peaches then. Your favorite food," I smiled to her.

"Okay! Big brother? Is that a bag? Did you buy it?" she smiled and asked.

"Yes, big brother's bag is too small already. I bought it for wider space," I lied to her.

Then, we walked until we reached to my apartment's door. I took my keys off from my pocket and opened the door. Hold on a minute, now that I mentioned it. Where did Sekai get the keys to enter my apartment? I never gave any keys to Kotonoha nor Sekai. Don't tell me that Saru opened the door for her. As if a normal monkey could know how to open the door. Saru is indeed special. But, Sekai not even once knew that Saru could talk or behave like normal human. I just hope Saru didn't expose himself. As I opened the door, Saru was standing there looking at me with pissed but comedic face. He's also grumbling.

"What time do you think this is? I am so hungry," he grumbled.

"Ha ha ha. I am sorry, Saru. I will cook for you now," I laughed briefly.

"Big brother? A monkey? It just screamed," she asked me.

As she said that, I looked at my little sister with shocking face and Saru got pissed even more.

"Who are you calling a monkey, you little child!?" he shouted out loud.

"Th… this is my pet. Ha ha ha ha. His name is Saru. Don't call him that, okay? Itaru?" I gave her instruction not to call him that.

"Wow, big brother has a pet named Saru. It's wonderful. Itaru loves it," she ran to Saru and hugged him.

"Gah!" Saru got suffocated.

"It… Itaru, go easy on him," I told her that while reaching to her.

Itaru released the hugged and Saru was able to breath easily then. I just laughed from that comedic actions. Itaru then went exploring my apartment.

"*puff, *puff. Who is this?" Saru asked me while whispering when Itaru is not looking.

"It's my little sister and she doesn't know that you can talk or behave like human. So, keep it down until she's asleep," I warned him.

We both agreed that he would act like usual common monkey and I did my part. After that, I cooked in the kitchen before taking bath. I told Itaru to take bath first and she followed it with joyful. When I looked at Itaru, it seems that the burden of my life has been gone. She's so cheerful. I envied of her. I love my little sister. As I finished cooking carrot, peaches and bento for Saru and myself, I put them on the table. Saru went ahead and ate first due to extreme hunger since I left him in the morning. He finished it instantly and his stomach was full of food. While Itaru was taking bath, I showed the bag to Saru.

"Here it is. With this bag, you can now join me to school," I showed him with happiness.

"Finally, I couldn't wait at this apartment every day anymore. The bag is big enough. This should do," he expressed joyfully.

We tested the bag's space and it was enough for Saru to fit in. Turns out it wasn't a wasted at all. Now, Saru can officially join me anywhere. That's assuming that we don't get caught by school's staff. I put the bag aside and started eating as well. While I was eating, I turned on the TV. A very shocking news made me stopped eating. It showed the picture of the alley that I went earlier. There were reporters showing those 4 punks I encountered that evening.

"We interrupted you viewers to bring up the news from recent incident in the evening earlier. 4 people have been reported attacked by a young high school man. They claimed that he was a monster who had supernatural powers. The injury part from their body chests indicated from being slashed by a giant sword. A woman witness saw that young man and reported to nearby police station. The police came and managed to call ambulance for them. Their status currently is recovering from those injuries. The woman mentioned that his appearance is plain with a slightly skinny build and average height. He wore a school uniform," the reporter reported.

"He…. He was.. a monster. A spirit came behind….. him and it slashed us," one of the punks said with struggling.

"We interrupted the viewers with another news…," the reporter continued.

I turned off the TV. Saru and I looked at each other. It seems that he wanted to ask me something as he had seen my expression earlier.

"That was you, wasn't it? Did you use Persona to beat them up?" Saru asked me in serious tone.

"I couldn't help it. They were molesting, harassing her and Kotonoha was in danger. Although despite injured them, I also healed them bit with my Persona."

"*sigh, well you did what you must do. Just be mindful next time and try not to overkill," Saru sighed.

I felt guilty at all. I decided to continue eating until I finished the food. Itaru just finished taking bath. She looked at me with confusion.

"Big brother? What's the matter? You look sad," she said.

When I looked at her, my burden was gone again. She's so cute and innocent. I figured that she's the light of hope. I told her that I was okay. Then, I went to take a bath. I took bath long enough since I was thinking of the life. My whole life is to battle against Shadows from society but also to protect what's most beloved for me. It seems like contradicting a bit, a paradox. When the time comes, there will be time for me to make a hard decision to change my fate. I thought so hard that I took too long in the bath and cleaned up and get out of the bathroom. I put my pajamas on and get ready to sleep. Since Itaru was here, she could sleep beside me on my bed. I told Saru that I wanted to sleep and he did too. So, he once again slept on the couch and I went to my bedroom with Itaru and turned off the light.

Itaru and I lie down and looked at the roof.

"Big brother? Itaru is so happy," she told me while hugging me.

"Me too, Itaru," I hugged back.

I remembered that I would go to pool in Aqua Square on Sunday. I figured that I should bring Itaru along.

"Itaru, would you like to come with me to pool on Sunday? I will go there swimming with my girlfriend and her little sister," I invited her.

"Waaaaah, really? Itaru wants too. Itaru wants to join. Thank you so much, big brother," she smiled widely to me.

"Sure, then it is all set," I smiled back.

Looking at Itaru really makes me happy at all. Our bond as brother sister is really strong and full of love. Suddenly, a vision showed me a tarot arcana, Star. Then, a voice echoed.

"I am thou, thou art I… Thou has acquired a new bond. It shall become the core of universe that dispels even the world. With the birth of Star Arcana, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to universe and new power."

Both voices and vision vanished. I hugged my little sister and then she fell asleep. I decided to sleep too for the next day.

TO BE CONTINUED