Disclaimer: I do not own any characters appearing on this story/fic.
Hello guys, Caelus here. So this is the second chapter of the story. I hope it is to your liking. As for the reviews, Dead Apostle Ancestors and Anti-Heroes will appear on the later part of the story, especially James Moriarty (I like this genius). If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment. So without any further delays, let's go to the story.
CHAPTER 2: Kishinami ~ Discovery ~
Seeing the title of the second episode, Miya and Maya glanced each other, sharing a knowing look with their eyes while Honami had her orbs widened a bit.
"Could it be... ...!"
It was the same thought that geared up inside both twins and unexpectedly, Honami's heads. If Maya was surprised, so was also Miya. Like her younger twin sister, Miya was very intrigued about this man. After all, within a few people of the Main Household it was no secret that she, her younger twin sister, and her Guardian have the same "sperm donor". And like her sister, she also funded a private search for this "Kishinami" man, using her position as President of Four Leaves Technology.
Honami on the other hand, stared at the flat screen as if there was no tomorrow, her eyes glimmered with spark and interests. In all honesty, the Guardian never imagined that the day would come that she could have a chance to see the face of the man, who was the instrument of realizing her wish; her daughter Minami.
As an Artificial Magician, it is a common knowledge that people like her would live short lives. So knowing that certain fact, Honami asked her Mistress one day if she could have a child of her own. When she was asked about her reasons for such desire, Honami bluntly and honestly told Miya that she wanted to experience "what it is like to be a mother". In which the private conversation was accidentally overheard by Genzou, who paved the way for her to traverse the path to motherhood.
Sadly, this certain truth was something that Honami didn't disclosed to her daughter as of yet. Even though she sworn an oath of secrecy to never reveal the link that connects her daughter to the twins' progenies, Honami's maternal conscience were poking her every now and then but she mentally noted that as of now, withholding it was the best course of action.
"Is it about my... biological father... ...?"
Miyuki asked weakly, as her mother's and aunt's eyes dawned on to her, even the Head Butler Tadanori and the Guardians. Within the clan, she was simply known as Miyuki Yotsuba, daughter of the clan head's sister Miya Yotsuba and one of the heir candidates to the clan. Out in the public however, she was Miyuki Kishinami, daughter of the President and CEO of Four Leaves' Miya Kishinami. They used the surname as a cover-up to hide their identities as members of Yotsuba, as per her grandfather Genzou's orders.
Knowing the fame and infamy that the Yotsuba gained after their marvelous exploits in Dahan, many Japanese Magician families and from overseas feared them. It wasn't the staggering amount of 4,000 Dahan individuals, most of them were politicians, magicians, and researchers, that her clan had slayed during their retribution that cause such feeling of terror but because of the phenomenon where Dahan end up being swallowed entirely by the sea, to which the whole magic community attributed to them, branding them as "Untouchables". Even the International Magic Association presumed that the Yotsuba is in possession of a Strategic-class magician within their ranks.
Because of that, there were elements that sought their destruction out of fear and of the detail that the Yotsuba is eclipsing the Ten Master Clans both in strength, recognition, and influence. Then there's the problem of them being hunted by certain individuals for their unique genes and abilities, though Miyuki could sigh in relief that such attempts were being culled on the get go. So putting a facade was a necessity, even using someone's surname that they have no knowledge of. Though the young Yotsuba teen knew that she was born using an unusual but practical method, still she wanted to know her origins notably on her father side.
Glancing at her daughter, whose eyes were shimmering with trepidation and excitement, Miya knows what was exactly going on inside Miyuki's heart. She felt the same way too at the same time, there was also a little fear circling in her heart. She could only pray that Miyuki's father wasn't someone who is an inhumane and cruel fellow. No one couldn't blame her since in the modern age, such kind of people were predominant in the current society.
"We hope so, Miyuki. You're not the only one who is excited."
Miya replied to her daughter, all the while giving a small yet almost teasing smile towards her sister Maya who only avert her eyes away as a reaction, which made Miya to giggle.
On her end, Maya didn't engage her sister's teasing and instead focused all of her attention on the screen.
Year 2064 AD...
"A timeskip... ...?"
Maya voiced out of surprise, with a hint of disappointment blended in her tone. She was very eager to see how her father and her kinsmen did during their infiltration in Dahan that she wasn't amused of the sudden narrative device used in the video.
Almost everyone inside the room ferl the same way as the 3rd Yotsuba Head.
"Maybe there's a good reason for such."
Miya said in an almost hush tone. Like everyone else, she wanted to see with her own eyes how the Yotsuba rescued her younger twin sister and more importantly, how her father and the others paved well against that rampaging black giant.
Though somewhat disappointed, the older twin Yotsuba decided to focused back on the episode.
Somewhere in the Yotsuba's private rest house in Okinawa,―
"Okaa-sama, that is our vacation house...!"
At Miyuki's unexpected yelped, the rest of the people were surprised too as the view of the Yotsuba rest house came into the flat digital screen. All of them wondered why the video is showing them a location that is part of the Defense Battle in Okinawa event... Does it have some connection with what had happened in Dahan and its demise?
"Why is it showing our rest house now?"
"Beats me, but we better keep the reel rolling."
Maya answered Miya's inquisitive chatter, though the same thought was also running in her head.
―Genzou opened his eyes after reminiscing the events that happened two years ago. The former head of the Yotsuba clan, now Elder, sat on the tatami flooring on the rest house's living room, in a seiza posture alongside his brother and 2nd Head of the Yotsuba Family, Eisaku Yotsuba. Just right in front of him was a man that was the primary cause for cementing a troublesome legacy on the Yotsuba clan but also was responsible for his daughter's safety and to an extent, the reason why he and the men who followed him to Dahan were still alive and breathing up to this day.
The viewers inside the room, especially Maya, Miya, Miyuki, and Honami kept their fingers crossed as they try to quell the excitement and elation in their hearts.
A smile then graced on his face, seeing the man being indulged by the tea that he personally brewed.
"Is it to your liking, Hakuno-sama?"
"Indeed it is. But will you please stop adding a respectful honorific to my name Genzou-san? It doesn't suit me well, you know."
The man on the other end spoke, a small smile on his lips. He has piercing eyes with dark brown irises, and has dark brown hair that reaches his clear dark brown orbs in several unevenly-cut bangs. Other than his erect posture, nothing in his ordinary appearance could be said to be attention-grabbing though the aura that he exude was something that even both Genzou and Eisaku couldn't help but admire. He wore a simple and traditional white yukata much to Genzou's amusement, seeing how his name is associated with the color white.
As the screen portrayed the man, the people inside Maya's office took it to their own accord to dwell on the physical features of the man, except for Maya whose eyes widened with a knowing realization as if she seen a ghost from her past.
For Miya and Honami, they weren't interested on his looks rather they were more interested on his character. After all, only a few could make the former Yotsuba's heads drown in admiration and reverence.
As for Miyuki and Minami, they felt something strange as they gaze on Hakuno's face as if they were drawn to him for unknown reasons.
But one thing that they all noticed was the man's strong and striking resemblance to Tatsuya.
"Nonsense Hakuno Kishinami-sama. I owe you not only my life but also my daughter's and kinsmen lives. For that, the Yotsuba Family dearly thanked you deep within their hearts."
"H-Hey! A former clan head shouldn't bow his head to a mere commoner such as me...!"
"The same can also be said for me, Hakuno-sama."
"Not you too, Eisaku-san!"
The man named Hakuno stammered as he waved his hands frantically as both Genzou Yotsuba and Eisaku Yotsuba bowed their heads to him. After his gesture, both Yotsuba brothers chuckled as they lift their heads, seeing the flustered man stutter in his words, that they both revered and admired so much after the Nightmare of 2062.
"Why I shouldn't? Between the both of us, I have no chance in defeating and beating you in a one-on-one fight, let alone with all the force of the entire Yotsuba."
"After all, you are the ONE who sank Dahan beneath the ocean floor. Making an enemy out of you is like asking a death sentence not just to myself but also to my kinsmen, which is something I won't do."
Eisaku supplemented Genzou's explanation, his eyes showing his true emotions.
"So Hakuno-dono is that strong!?"
Miya asked in shocked as she eyed her younger twin sister.
"Maybe Ane-ue. But from what just Eisaku-ojisama said, this confirms that he is the famous unpublicized Strategic-class Magician associated with us."
Maya replied to her sister. Her mind then drifted to the appearance of the black giant in the last episode which appearance is somewhat resembled much directly from one of Indian myths, judging on its structure.
"I need to research for that thing after this."
Maya thought as she went back to focus on the television.
Honami silently gazed on her daughter who was staring at the screen with an awe shimmering on her eyes. Miyuki was also portraying the same look.
"That's your Otou-sama, Minami."
Miya's guardian inwardly thought, a smile on her lips. She was, for unknown reasons, feeling proud of Hakuno's prowess even if it brought bewilderment to her.
Even 2 years had gone past yet both Yotsuba brothers could still remember that magnificent and awe-inspiring event that struck Dahan up to this day. They reminisce how they watched the epic battle between this man and the black titan with fear and disbelief, how they witnessed the fall of "Star of Destruction" in the skies of Dahan, cleaving the space as it called a tsunami that only appears in several Great Flood myths, and covered the entire forsaken place in seconds while they and their fellow clansmen departed from Quanzhou in haste with the victims of Kulunfang's debauchery in their tow.
The memory was still very fresh in their minds.
Seeing the image, made everyone to slightly open their mouth in amazement. No wonder the former heads of the Yotsuba admired this man.
"Otou-sama..."
Miyuki murmured with awe, still captivated by the scene where Dahan was submerged and violated by the raging torrent of water.
"You're not the only one amazed, Miyuki."
Both Yotsuba twins thought as they saw the young female portraying an amazed look.
"I'm sorry if it had to come to that."
Hakuno said sincerely, bowing his head in front of Genzou and Eisaku.
"There's no need. We both know you had to do it or else that beast would wrecked havoc in the entire continent. Japan was saved thanks to your efforts. That aside..."
Genzou paused as his mind tried to formed the appropriate words that would come out from his mouth. Seeing his brother hesitating, Eisaku took it to himself to finished what his brother wanted to say.
"Could it be..."
Miya and Maya thought, already knowing what is the purpose of the meeting.
"The real reason we both invite you here is that... we want you to be our daughters husband."
"Sorry but I had to refuse."
Hearing the man's answer, the Yotsuba twins couldn't help but to feel somewhat hurt. Though they knew that such thing was very unlikely to happen, still the throbbing in their chest was already established.
Why Hakuno had to refuse? Are they undesirable?
"But..."
Genzou wanted to refute but before he can do so, Hakuno had already raised his hand.
"There are two points why I refuse. One, I don't want your daughters to be locked in a loveless marriage. I already know why you came up with such abrupt decision. Genzou-san, Miya and Maya are bright and beautiful girls. Himawari is the same, Eisaku-san. I wanted them to be with someone whom they like and someone who will respect and love them, not because of their talents, looks, them being Yotsuba but because they are Miya, Maya, and Himawari. You should know of all people, that most Magi families in Japan took the oath of marriage not because of love but due to their duty to produce an heir. Nothing more, and I want to spare your children from that."
The viewers were amazed by Hakuno's words especially Miya, Maya, and Honami however another thought came to their minds. Tadanori's reaction was only a nod of approval, he could see why the former heads of the Yotsuba respected Hakuno-dono.
"It seems Otou-sama is a good man."
Miyuki whispered with a blush of admiration, though the words were delivered in a soft deliverance it was still heard by the people.
"But does this mean... Himari-chan is my sister...?"
No one has the courage to answer Miyuki's query but Miya and Maya stared at each other with a knowing look. They need to speak with their cousin Himawari after this. As mothers, the twins knew that their cousin Himawari had the right to know about this video and the father of Himari.
"There are some truth in your words. But what is the second point, Hakuno-sama?"
"The second point is... I'm already married."
"EH!?"
Almost everyone inside the room shout in disbelief on Hakuno's blatant declaration.
"A-am I a..."
"No, Miyuki. Don't think it like that. No matter what, you are my legitimate child."
Miya interrupted as she hugged her daughter much to Miyuki's assurance.
"And I'm pretty sure that Hakuno-dono doesn't think of you like that either."
"I hope so, Okaa-sama."
Both Yotsuba brothers blink owlishly as their ears perceive the words that came out from the young man, their mouths slightly agape. Hakuno on his end, just sipped the tea with his orifice as if the the information that he slid out was mundane.
"Well that's disappointing. We were hoping that our daughters could marry someone like you not because of your talents but... ... It's just that I couldn't put my mind at ease everytime marriage proposals came knocking on our door."
Genzou replied although a bit shaken from the surprise revelation.
"I agree with Genzou-niisama. The same can also be said to me. I, no, we both know what are they trying to do to us, knowing our "infamous" achievements, they will try to snatch our daughters if not, one in our families under the guise of such proposals just to be used as a guinea pig and a research specimen. Nowadays, someone like you is very rare Hakuno-sama."
Eisaku supplemented his brother words, stating the concerns not just his but also Genzou's thoughts. After his niece rescue, Maya wasn't the same as before. The girl had somewhat started developing antagonism on the opposite sex that her supposed arranged marriage with Koichi was called off. After that, several families sent their own marriage proposals after learning the engagement's cancellation.
Miya then gazed on her sister, she knew what her uncle was talking about. She was present when Maya was displaying a peculiar misandry behavior during these past years but that change when Tatsuya came to her life.
She hoped that wherever her nephew is, he is safe and sound.
"Although it may be rude to grant our wishes, still we want you to be the father of our grandchildren Hakuno-sama."
"If I could just implement my wish, I would like for my daughters to live a life of a single parent than to be married of to someone who only saw them as breeding pigs. Though we may sound desperate and like selling our daughters to someone, the images of Kulunfang's debauchery still hunt us even now and it breaks our heart to imagine our daughters to suffer such fate under the hands of their soon to be new family."
"Otou-sama..."
The Yotsuba twins both said as they saw the grim expression of their father. They also know the people their father were talking about, who were given by the Yotsuba rehabilitation treatment and were now incorporated into the Yotsuba clan.
"You're suggesting me as your daughters sperm donor?"
Both Eisaku and Genzou nod their heads. Hakuno looked at them for a moment before gazing to the scene outside the window before closing his eyes. A breeze came in, gently blowing on his face as if he was communicating with the wind. After a few minutes, he shot his eyes open with understanding before gazing back to the Yotsuba brothers.
"Okay. I will do it."
"But what about your wife?"
"There's no need to worry. Before this gathering, we already both foresaw the topics of our conversation and she already approved it. Besides it is my fault for putting you and your clan in such a tough spot."
This came to a shock for everyone. What kind of wife would allow her husband to donate his sperm?
"Could it be that Hakuno-dono's wife can't give him a child?"
Tadanori absentmindedly spoke out to which the others give a possible consideration.
"So will you..."
"Yes. I will be your daughters sperm donor in one condition."
"What condition?"
"I want you to stop creating Artificial Magicians."
After that the video was cut. Everyone in the room were silent and filled with mixed emotions, from the contents of the video.
"Now we know who convinced Eisaku-sama to cut the Artificial Magician project though I still wonder the motive behind it..."
"Maybe Hakuno-dono knows the effects of creating Artificial Magicians. Anyways, let's stop here. It's getting late and I don't want my niece or should I say my child to be late tomorrow for school."
"Y-Yes..."
Maya smiled as she saw Miyuki stutter due to embarrassment.
"As for Himawari, I'll talk to her tomorrow."
"Please do, Ane-ue."
As Miya, Miyuki and their guardians leave the room, Tadanori gazed at the Yotsuba Head who was still focused on the screen.
"Tadanori-san, I want to be alone."
"As you wish, Maya-sama."
As the Head Butler of the Yotsuba stepped out on her office, Maya then grabbed the remote, went back to her chair and played the episode over and over again until she paused it on a scene where Hakuno's face was visible.
Her jazzberry jam eyes gazed on the screen, her hand then landed on the place between her thighs as she closed her rondures. The resurgent memory was still very clear.
Maya remembered her days inside that research hell. How she was drugged and her hands strapped while lying on the bed strip naked. She remembered how one of the researchers soiled her frame with his harrassing hands while licking her exposed parts with a lustful and evil grin.
It was hopeless and as she could see that evil placing his erect jackhammer in between her thighs going for the penetration, she had resigned herself to the cruel fate that she will embark.
But...
Maya's eyes then opened as she got up from her chair, walking towards the television, her smooth delicate hand on the screen and seemingly tracing the shape of the man's face.
"You came."
Right. Before the researcher could take away her chastity, Hakuno came to her rescue decapitating the man in the process.
She chuckled. Who would've thought that her savior that night was also the father of child?