Hikari's POV
We went to the kitchen for breakfast. While we (Nagi and me. Rise was sleeping) were eating, someone called Sis. She picked up.
-Hello? Oh, Ms. Kirijo, good morning. Yes.
At the same time, I got a message from Naoto.
"I owe You something. Call this number. You should hear Omega's and Mitsuru's talk. It's important, but don't let Your emotions act like last time." I did as the message told me so. After a while, I heard Ms. Kirijo's voice.
-How are You feeling after awakening?
-I'm fine. There's nothing wrong.
-Good. Do not forget that You are actually closer to being called "artificial human" rather than "robot" so we won't be able to repair You.
-I am well aware of that.
-How's Omega doing?
Wait. Nagi is Omega, right? What are they talking about?
-She... she's trying to break through whenever I let my guard down. I don't know how long will I be able to hide it from them.
-That's not good. It looks like We will have to take You. I cannot risk another massacre.
I could hear my sister's cry over the phone. I snapped again, snatched Nagi's phone and shouted:What the hell are You talking about?
-You again? Look, I don't know what You heard, but believe me, You don't want to know the rest.
-I demand answers! Who is the other Omega!?
-Sorry, but I cannot answer that question.
-Stop dodging my questions! Did the risk of chronostasis really put You in such state!? WAKE THE HELL UP!
-HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT CHRONOSTASIS? WHO THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? YOU DON'T KNOW HOW BIG OF A THREAT THIS SITUATION IS!
-I know, but I'm also concerned about my little sister, so please, tell me what's happening to her.
My sudden change of tone calmed Mitsuru. She took a deep breath.
-All right, I'll tell You. But, You will leave that matter alone. You cannot save her.
-...
-Actually, Kusanagi is equipped with experimental "Omega Drive". It allows her to enter "Omega Mode" similiar to Aigis's Orgia Mode. But the drive itself is another personality of Kusanagi. Before we put her to sleep, a test run of the Omega Drive was conducted. We wanted to see her battle potential in protecting her"owner"(in that case, we programmed dummy to act as her "owner"). She was protecting it, but some of the oil from the defeated machine got into dummy. Omega considered it a threat and... You can imagine the rest.
-Why? Why didn't You remove Omega Drive from her?
-Because we couldn't. Omega is part of Kusanagi and vice versa. One cannot exist without the other.
-That aside, what did You mean by saying that Nagi is the "artificial human"?
My sister answered that question.
-Actually, I was born as a human. My real mother left me, and mr. Kirijo took me in. My health condition was so bad, that doctors gave me five years at best. When I was reaching that time, He proposed a solution. Since I was going to die, He wanted me to take part in "Omega&Ultima" project. The changes that were made to my body extended my lifespan. I stopped being human, but at the same time I felt alive as much as possible...
-Enough, Sis. Ms. Kirijo?
-Yeah?
-What is the name of a scientist who stole Chronostasis data? I will do what I can to find him.
-And what can You do? You are just a high schooler.
-I have my ways.
-Argh! Dammit, why do You have to sound like HE used to?-The only thing I could hear after that, was silence.
-Fine. Gen Shitoki, Nickname: Jikan. He might be using this nickname as a fake name. He was last seen near airport in Lübeck, Germany.
-Lübeck? What was he doing there?
-Beats me. Most probably, he intended to lose the chase, and he succeeded.
-Could You send me all flights from the day he was lost?
-I'm on it. Good luck, Hikari. And remember, I'm doing this just because You and He are too similiar!
-Please, rest. With such high stress level, You can't think straight. Thank You.
She hunged up. At the same time, I got a message from Naoto with one word: "Idiot." If that Shitoki guy really was in Lübeck, then I may find him faster than I thought.
-Hey Bro...
-Huh? Oh yeah. What's wrong, Sis?
-What are "Your own" ways?
-You know that I was a martial artist right?
...ack ...ind!
-Yes, You told us that yesterday.
-Well... I'm a little more than normal one.
...ack Wind!
-A little?
-Yeah, You see I'm...
GODDAMNIT! BLACK! WIND!
I looked through the window. There could be only one person, who would call me like that.
-Faust?
Zachary "Faust" Friedrich, an excellent martial artist and one of my old friends. Born in Lübeck, Germany. He is my rival, but we get along well.
-Yo, Black Wind. You live here?
-Temporary. Anyway, What the heck are You doing here in Inaba, far away from home?
-I'm here for the tournament of course.
-What tournament?
-Wait, I did hear that You gave up on martial arts, but is this really true?
-I'm afraid so. You of all people should know why I gave up.
-Bro, what are You talking about?
-Zachary is the person from "that day"
-You mean...
-Aw, c'mon. So You just beat me down a little. No big deal.
-So, they really did hide the truth from You-I was sad. Not because of these memories, but because he never knew how close to death he was. The doctors gave him 48 hours at best, but they continued to help him. When they said that they are looking for pretty rare type of blood (AB Rh-), I volunteered since it was my type. They later transfused it to him. The next day, a miracle occurred. A boy with half of a lung torn apart, heart pierced by one of the broken ribs, and half of his skull removed due to severe brain damage, was doing push-ups to keep his form. He was also smiling, and saying that he wants a rematch. The examination showed that all missing organs, rebuilt themselves. It is still unexplained how he did this, but since I'm not a human, I might have had something to do with it.
-Hmm? What truth?-Faust was curious.
-Oh, nothing, nevermind. Anyway, since You will be participating, I guess I'll go cheer You on then...
-Don't screw around!- His voice became so cold, I could feel it in my .
-"Cheer me on"? Did that little accident really made You like this? I am truly disappointed. I expected something more from someone called "successor".-He said the last word with such sarcasm... I couldn't recognize him. What's gotten into him?
-I do recall being called by that name. But it's still just a nickname nonetheless.
-grr... If You are about to insult the greatest title, a martial artist can achieve, and the one You were secure to obtain, then go die already!-With that he turned back and walked away. Suddenly, he stopped around ten meters away.
-But if You really love martial arts, then I will still be waiting for You near the summit.-And he walked away. When I was digesting what he just said, Nagi grabbed my arm.
-Ankoku, What was he talking about?
-He was talking about the title of a "God".
-?
-Basically, there is a limit to ones abilities. But there are always exceptions. The people who overcame the limits in martial arts are given the title of a Martial Arts God, While those rendered to be close to this barrier are called "Martial Gods' Successors". They are the keepers of traditional martial arts, The ones used for defense, not competition. Along with Sword Saints, representing Swordsmen and Heavenly Eyes, Being a representatives of Archers, They are Martial Arts Association, a group that supervises any kind of freelancing tournaments.
-Ohhhh...
-I was chosen as the successor after a sparring battle against one of the Gods. A nine-year old boy keeps up against a Martial Arts God. Furthermore, He was the one on the defense, not me.
-wow...
-But this is a closed chapter. I have no intention of taking over the title of a God. First, it would mean that challengers would go on and challenge me to a duel. Second, I would also be called "the new generation" since I'm underage, and that's a lot more trouble than it sounds.
-But, don't You love martial arts? Is it really okay to give up?
-Well...
-What about what You said this morning? That You would fight this battle?
-What I meant was a battle against that part of myself that nearly killed Faust. I had no intention of returning. "Kuroi Kaze"(The Black Wind) is dead.
-Kuroi... Kaze?
-It was my nickname at the time. Because my self-taught fighting style consists of moves mostly associated with wind, I thought it would be cool if my style was also called like wind. And since I was also fighting dressed in black, I started being called a Black Wind style-user, thus my nickname.
-...
-What's wrong sis?
-...
-Hey, Nagi?
-...I'm fine.-She said in emotionless voice.-Anyway, we have to hurry up, or we'll be late for school.
-Are You sure You all right?
-Yes.
Nagi's POV
It's wrong! He shouldn't give on up on what he loves no matter the case! I saw it, regret he had in his eyes while talking about Black Wind. But... what can I do?
He already made his mind. But I... don't want him to be sad!
-What's wrong sis?
I feel so useless. I should have never awaken. Than they should have at least one problem less.
-Hey, Nagi?
-I'm fine.-Why? Why I cannot do anything? What good am I? No, He doesn't deserve this! I'll do whatever I can to make him change his mind!
-Anyway, we have to hurry up, or we'll be late for school.
-Are You sure You all right?
-Yes.
?'s POV
-Man, what a pain.- I did want to be a teacher but c'mon! So much of boring paperwork, before I'm even officially part of the staff. Lame~
-Huh?- I checked 2-C rooster.
-Ankoku Hikari...-I grit my fang-like teeth in something that is a smile of mine.
-Heh. Looks like I may be able avenge You, Tsubame...
Hikari's POV
Btw. We were unable to wake Rise up, so she didn't go to school with us.