AN: Hello, this chapter was supposed to be posted last week, but there were some last-minute things, I would say. First, I won't hide it, but someone broke my heart to the point where I needed a break. Additionally, I had a major project to submit for my school, and I had to do it in three days; believe me, creating a whole graphic design isn't a walk in the park. But you know, I think this surprise exam at least helped me think about something other than these crappy problems. Anyway, remember to be honest and stop hiding things just to please others. You'll always do more harm by being hypocritical than by being honest.
Chapter 30: Dancing between Sun and Moon
Saito gazed at the white room that had been his refuge for what felt like an eternity. Lying comfortably on his pillow, he heard the creak of the door and spotted a young nurse entering the room. A timid smile formed on the little boy's lips as he tried to sit up and reposition himself more comfortably on his bed to greet the young woman.
"Hello, Saito-kun, I'm here to give you your daily infusion," she declared as she approached him.
The young child nodded silently, accustomed to this routine. The nurse moved to the apparatus, changing the bag in the blink of an eye. He made no comment, letting it happen out of sheer habit. He briefly glanced at the landscape outside the window, remaining calm... But suddenly, a sharp slap struck his cheek, causing him to turn his head abruptly. Pain shot through his entire body, his heart racing violently in response to this unexpected sensation of suffering. The machines began to emit a cacophony of noises, indicating the sudden increase in his heart rate. The nurse, who had just finished changing the bag, reacted with palpable concern, thinking she had made a mistake. She rushed to the child, completely panicked.
"Saito-kun, are you okay? What happened? I'll call a doctor!" she said, her voice trembling. However, he weakly grasped her wrist, urging her to stay, then pretended to sneeze, a forced one. He wiped his nose and tried to smile despite the weakness that threatened to make him faint at any moment.
"It's okay, I just have an allergy," he replied calmly, masking his pain while trying to reassure the nurse.
The nurse widened her eyes, not at all reassured by his response. Nonetheless, she decided to stay by his side, urging him to stay lying on his pillow. While keeping an eye on the monitors, she noticed that his heart rate gradually slowed down, returning to a weak but steady rhythm. When she noticed that he was also looking at her, she breathed a sigh of relief. She gently touched his face, noting that he was slightly sweaty.
"I'll wipe your face, it should help you feel better," she declared before heading to the bathroom. Saito simply nodded in approval. He raised his hand to timidly touch his cheek, still feeling lingering pain. He was almost getting used to it, even though he hadn't really received the slap.
Later in the morning, his mother arrived, accompanied by his younger brother, Netto. Haruka, his mother, was dressed in a lovely summer dress that she had paired with her white work blouse. Her long hair was tied up in an elegant hairstyle at the back of her head. The little boy she held gently by the hand had a rather dramatic look in his eyes, and he wore a white mask to protect himself from diseases, covering his mouth and nose. When they entered the room, the nurse initially greeted them with a slight look of panic.
"Hello, Hikari-san, you've come early," she remarked initially. Haruka glanced at her son, who had hidden behind her legs while still holding her hand.
"There was an issue at school, and Netto was excused for today. Since I had no one to watch him at home, I thought it would be better to visit Saito before lunch," she explained.
The nurse let out a small gasp upon seeing the little boy avoiding eye contact and slowly releasing Haruka's hand. He almost timidly raised his head towards the other boy lying on the bed, who was patiently waiting. Saito gently nodded and wore a curious expression as the little boy approached while looking elsewhere. The sick boy gave a small smile and tapped a spot next to him on the bed.
The two women observed closely, noting that Netto was slowly shaking his head in the direction of his older brother, who was looking at him with slight surprise, still tilting his head the other way without saying a word.
"It's incredible how they can understand each other without even communicating," the nurse commented in a hushed voice, so as not to be overheard.
Haruka nodded gently, wearing a smile. "I suppose they have their own way of communicating, after all, they're twins."
Netto remained indeed silent, not even glancing at Saito as the latter sat quietly on his bed, waiting.
"Don't you want to tell me what happened?" Saito's voice echoed in Netto's head.
Netto slowly shook his head again, still without speaking, still avoiding Saito's gaze.
"Did you get sick?" Saito's voice asked again, resonating in the younger boy's mind.
Finally, he nodded but remained silent. Saito looked down, slightly furrowing his brows.
"Take off your mask," he said abruptly, finally making Netto turn his gaze toward him, eyes wide. "I need to see for myself."
However, the child stepped back and shook his head, refusing his older brother's request.
"Please..." Saito's voice echoed again.
"No..." the young boy finally replied, but his voice surprised the two women in the room.
Saito's irritation skyrocketed, and he raised his arm without giving his twin a chance to react, grabbing his mask as the other tried to resist. Seeing the situation take a critical turn, the two young women in the room had no choice but to intervene, fearing that Saito might lose control and deeply upset Netto.
"Ah, Saito!" exclaimed his mother, trying to dissuade him from further touching his brother.
However, the mask was abruptly removed, and Saito finally saw his brother's full face; his wide, trembling eyes filled with emotion. On Netto's face, Saito noticed a bruise against his cheek that the child had evidently tried to hide. Slowly but surely, the little boy burst into sobs, shedding large tears. Haruka stepped in front of the younger child, gently holding his shoulders as he rushed into her chest, crying profusely.
Saito remained frozen for a moment, making no sound, his breathing becoming louder as he watched the child in his mother's arms. The nurse approached, covering her mouth with her hand upon discovering the boy's injury.
"My goodness, what happened? Should I go get some ice?" she asked, visibly shocked.
"It'll be okay," Haruka replied calmly while doing her best to comfort Netto. She then turned to her other son, who, in turn, lowered his eyes in shame.
"Saito..." she said softly.
"I just wanted..." he began, but didn't finish his sentence, not wanting to explain his suspicions.
She sighed, understanding Saito's concerns for his brother. "Did they..."
"They were severely punished...but well..." Haruka trailed off, looking away to the side, clearly annoyed.
The nurse had a saddened expression. "So young and already so cruel..."
Haruka didn't respond, just observed the boy's reaction in the bed. He was showing nothing, but she could tell he was seething inside. His fist had involuntarily clenched.
"I'm sorry, Saito-nii-san..." Netto murmured with a barely audible voice, still nestled against his mother.
His mother caressed his head, comforting him with her words. Saito could see it and feel deep within him all the distress and sadness that his twin was expressing.
"One day, I'll confront them myself," he thought again in his head.
However, he knew he had to recover first and get out of here. As long as his condition wasn't healed, he would be useless to his brother.
In this stifling darkness, Saito perceived himself floating in void. His only glimmer was a distant memory, one from a time when he was still human. A time when he still had a heart and was so vulnerable that the slightest touch could shatter him into a thousand pieces. He gently placed his hand on his chest, but he couldn't tell if what he felt were heartbeats.
As he continued to descend into the void, he was overwhelmed by a sensation mingling sweat and cold, unable to clearly discern his emotions. He felt lost, but in the distance, he spotted a figure, a bright silhouette. Saito thought it best to open his eyes to see this familiar silhouette, and that's when he heard his name.
"Saito!"
The boy opened his eyes, weakly sitting up on his bed. He surveyed his surroundings and saw Iris, who was sitting at the foot of his bed, and Netto, who was looking at him with concern from the side. He noticed they were in a hotel room rather than outside. Saito turned to the young boy beside him, noting he had removed his cape and sweater, and stared at him with some unease.
"What time is it?" he asked first, noticing that night had fallen outside.
"Almost two in the morning. You passed out when you found us," Iris announced, looking at him attentively.
Saito hiccupped slightly and looked more closely at the child beside him, whose presence seemed to deeply disturb him. His heart was pounding in his chest, making him uneasy. He took a deep breath through his mouth and glanced sideways at the child.
"Why are you still awake?" he asked in a low voice.
"I... I was worried about you," he began, blushing slowly, explaining his presence.
Saito took a moment to absorb his words but didn't change his expression. He maintained a serious demeanor while slightly pursing his lips.
"Netto, you need to sleep. Tomorrow, you have to have enough strength to continue the journey," he said authoritatively.
Netto opened his mouth and furrowed his brows, moving back slightly as Saito got up from the bed, feeling weak enough to risk falling. He ran a hand over his face while taking a deep breath, then bit his lip.
"I want you to sleep, Netto," he insisted.
The child pouted and stared at Saito with narrowed eyes. "And you? Are you going to stay here and watch me? You need to sleep too," he retorted.
His elder moved towards the window, feeling the need to get some fresh air. The events of the day had given him indigestion, and unnoticed by anyone, he touched the spot where he had been injured...but to the touch, he could feel there was nothing left, just the ghost of his wound. He concealed his reaction and gazed outside while sighing, feeling almost sick, but he slowly shook his head to dispel those dark thoughts.
"Hey! Saito!" called out Netto, as the female Navi had yet to say anything.
"Of course!" he responded quickly, wishing for Netto to stop talking. He turned around, and his tired eyes settled on the floor. "But I just want to get some fresh air for five minutes." He breathed deeply, then looked back at the young boy with a serious tone. "I want you to be asleep by the time I come back."
Netto let out an annoyed sigh and lay down in his sheets, turning his back to Saito, refusing to look at him. Saito heard his discontented grumble once again and sighed once more. He turned to Iris, who had remained silent all this time. The fact that she didn't need to sleep worked in their favor.
"I entrust him to you for a while," he said without waiting for a response, and then headed for the door, leaving the room. He couldn't help but hear Netto's disgruntled grumble from his bed.
Saito walked slowly outside, feeling the cool air on his face. He put his head in his hands and exhaled deeply, then let his arms fall to his sides as he inhaled and exhaled once more.
The boy eventually lifted his head, trying to orient himself in his new surroundings. It was a small village with houses scattered amid fields. The night was dark and there was no one outside. He began to walk slowly, carefully observing his surroundings. Taking advantage of being out of sight of others, he opened his jacket and lifted his white t-shirt. Seeing the bandages Iris had wrapped around him, he removed them to examine his wound. Indeed, it had disappeared. He could see a positive side to this whole story: he could regenerate more quickly.
Saito heard a strange noise that made him turn his gaze toward the forest a little further away. He furrowed his brow, thinking it might not be important, but he felt irresistibly drawn to the sound he had just heard. He hugged his arms around himself, listening attentively to the sounds of birds and an owl in the trees.
His heart began to beat faster in his chest, a shiver running down his spine. His breathing quickened, and he realized he had only been outside for a few minutes and now found himself caught in a morbid curiosity that had led him here. He scanned the surroundings, clenching his teeth, and a feeling of unease washed over him. He had suddenly lost his sense of direction, and he didn't know how to get back to the hotel now.
Then, he heard a breath, a kind of melody. And he saw red eyes gleaming in a dark corner.
Saito's heart started pounding even harder, as if it wanted to escape his chest. A shiver ran down his spine, warning him that an attack was imminent. With almost inhuman agility, he narrowly dodged a powerful strike that destroyed everything in its path behind him. He was barely breathing, eyes fixed on the same spot, pupils narrowed.
"You seem well-trained for someone who exudes the stench of decay," he heard in a dark, almost otherworldly voice.
A red scythe materialized in the moonlight, and a purple and red Navi emerged from hiding. Saito's eyes widened as he realized who this Navi was. Fragments of memories came back to him, like a distant nightmare. He slowly got up, stepping back while trying to clench his fists to hide his fear.
"W-who are you?" he asked in a trembling voice.
The purple Navi chuckled softly, bringing his scythe back to him.
"Don't you remember me?" he asked, almost amused.
Saito didn't answer, feeling his heart beat faster and faster, using all his strength and gradually exhausting himself. He took a deep breath and scanned the surroundings with his gaze, desperately looking for an escape route. It was the middle of the night, and his Rockman side wouldn't be there to help him.
He heard the same Navi chuckle again, still focused on the boy in front of him.
"I see," he said. "You simply met my beloved operator."
He began to move to the side, and Saito did the same, trying to stay in front of this Navi.
"I am Killerman. Quite ironic, isn't it?" he added sarcastically.
If the situation wasn't so stressful, Saito would probably have laughed at the name Killerman, which he found rather silly at its core. However, the Navi seemed to fit his name well, and Saito forced himself to dismiss that thought to stay focused.
"What do you want from me?" he asked quickly, hoping to end this confrontation.
Killerman leaned back, a smile spreading across his face. He planted his scythe in the ground, letting it rest on the floor.
"Since we met, my operator and I have felt a certain obsession with you," he said, ending his words with a chilling chuckle that sent shivers down Saito's spine. "It's true, a human boy with the scent of death following you."
Saito stepped back slightly, continuing to struggle to keep control of himself. Fear was still present, but he couldn't afford to give in now. He had to find a way to get out of this safely.
"So, we've been trying to find you. And that Navi who was there that day, he arrived at the right time, didn't he? By the way, I know he's wanted. Him and...a child, I believe," added Killerman, posing a question that seemed laden with meaning.
Saito felt anger rising within him, and he lowered his head while clenching his fists. He tried to appear threatening, baring his teeth.
"If you ever lay a finger on that child..." he threatened, his rage palpable in his voice.
"Oh, so you know them!" responded Killerman, feigning surprise, which widened Saito's eyes. "But then, I'd like to know, what's your role in all of this?"
Saito was left speechless, completely shocked. He unclenched his teeth but kept his fists tightly clenched, biting his lip.
"You haven't—" he began, but he was interrupted by the purple Navi.
"No, actually, who are you? What are you? You're not supposed to be here, are you?" the enemy corrected with a dark tone, seeming to haunt him.
Saito trembled and took a few steps back. His face seemed to lose almost all expression, and he stared straight ahead into space, his mouth slightly open. He was unable to utter a word. Meiru's face flashed in his mind, causing his breathing to quicken. He felt several shivers, a familiar sensation, almost a presence that seemed to caress his skin.
"Saito-onii-san... Are you coming with us?" he heard from behind him, a childish and feminine voice.
"You should come with us," added a masculine voice this time, also coming from a child.
He took a deep breath as he vaguely recognized the voices of these individuals. He felt something wrapping around his arms, hugging against his back.
"Saito, come with me, we must be together," the voice whispered.
Meiru's voice and memories haunted Saito, causing uncontrollable panic. He let out a scream of terror and rushed forward, desperately trying to escape these nightmarish visions. Images of the burning house and the voices of the children haunted him, and he shook his head frantically, hoping to banish these demons from his mind.
"No, I'm sorry..." he murmured, holding his head in his hands.
Saito recoiled as the voices continued to haunt him. When he raised his head, he was confronted with spectral forms of the children and Meiru in front of him, their eyes black and empty, like the ghosts that haunted him. Tears in his eyes, he backed away until he hit something. Turning around, he faced the violet Navi waiting for him, sporting a wide sadistic grin.
The Navi quickly raised his scythe, attempting to attack him, but Saito managed to narrowly dodge it. He landed on his side, his body tense like a trapped animal facing a potential predator.
"I would like to know," Killerman began, "will that beastly Navi return? When you fled, it arrived. I just want to see it again!"
He raised his scythe again and attempted another attack, but Saito rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the red blade that struck the ground.
Saito, in his state of stress and panic, tried to get up and run away, but he was quickly caught by a violent kick to the stomach. He was thrown backward, his head hitting the ground, his nose bleeding, and a tear escaping from his eye.
"Where is the beast?" Killerman screamed, still violently, raising his leg to strike Saito.
Saito tried to dodge the blow again, but this time his left arm was hit, blood spurting from his skin and sleeve. The boy cried out in pain, his eyes widening, overwhelmed by a nauseating metallic smell.
"Saito..." Meiru's voice continued to haunt him.
He let out another cry of pain as he received another blow that forced him to stay on the ground.
"If the beast won't come here, then I'll have to find that child, maybe he'll eventually show himself," the same Navi threatened.
Saito struggled to get up, grimacing in pain, spitting out blood. He stared at Killerman, filled with anger.
"I forbid you..." he began, his voice full of threat, even though he had trouble speaking clearly.
Saito was unable to continue speaking as he was struck on the shoulder by Killerman's blade, almost falling to the other side. Blood continued to flow from his wound, and the voices of the dead children haunted him more and more like a devastating virus.
"Saito-onii-san!" Akane's voice rang out.
"Saito-san!" Yusaku's voice spoke.
"Come with us!" This time it was Sota.
"It would be cooler." Kohaku said.
"Saito... I would like us to stay together..." Meiru's voice echoed.
Saito shook his head desperately. "N-no! You know very well that Netto needs me!" he cried, his eyes closed.
"I thought it was Rockman he needed," Meiru's voice said, amused, terrifying Saito. "But it doesn't matter, now he has found someone else... You must return that heart, Saito."
Sweat dripped down Saito's face, ignoring the growing threat of Killerman approaching him. The voices persisted in his mind, tormenting him further.
"Saito!"
"Come!"
"Come with us, Saito!"
"Saito!"
Saito let out a piercing scream upon hearing a voice louder than the others. In an instant, he found himself plunged into the void he knew so well. He stood there, isolated, his eyes wide with terror, at least until he heard the roar of the Cybeast behind him. Slowly, he brought his hands to his head and let out a scream, while the gigantic monster began to advance.
The boy opened his eyes again, his eyes blazing with crimson, his voice growling. His body lit up with a dark aura, and he took on the familiar form of the dark green armor. Rockman, in his beast form, was back, as the moon timidly emerged from behind the clouds. In a fit of anger, the Navi charged straight at the violet Navi with lightning fury. Killerman chuckled as he blocked the beast, using the staff of his scythe that he held tightly in Rockman's mouth.
"My suspicions were correct; this Navi couldn't just appear out of nowhere when the boy simply vanished!" He managed to push him back, adopting a fighting stance. "So this is the deadly scent of an anomaly like a hybrid!"
Rockman growled fiercely, his eyes burning with rage, biting down on the scythe's staff with a ferocity reminiscent of a tiger holding its prey. His face no longer showed any trace of the human expression he had when he was still Saito; he had lost all humanity. Despite his ferocious attacks, the opposing Navi managed to push him back violently, forcing him to attack with his blades, but he was quickly thrown back, his back almost bent in half.
Suddenly, smoke emanated from the wild Navi's body, and his muscles swelled to the point that his silhouette slowly grew—almost reaching Killerman's size—giving him the appearance of an adult. His helmet hid his eyes, and his mask covered his entire face. It seemed as though his helmet had become his head, his red eyes gleaming with a sinister light. His tail had lengthened and swayed like a beast ready to pounce. The red and violet Navi felt a chuckle rising in his throat, not so much from surprise at this sudden transformation, but from some sort of unhealthy fascination.
"Magnificent," he began in an ecstatic voice. "Imagine all that you could destroy."
Rockman didn't respond verbally. Instead, he brutally lunged at Killerman with surprising speed, catching the latter off guard for the first time. The blades on the arms of the wild Navi had grown larger, their power sufficient to destroy several trees in a single blow. The monster snarled in anger while continuously striking the violet Navi.
However, Killerman skillfully managed to avoid each of the attacks while continuing to laugh maniacally. He moved with agility, putting Rockman in positions where this new monster destroyed everything in its path. This battle could have continued indefinitely if a third person hadn't arrived. Behind him, Rockman sensed a new presence, and he managed to stop a blue blade with his extended blades. It was Iris in her Navi form, her helmet concealing her reaction. The monstrous Navi managed to push her back, emitting an inhuman cry of rage.
Iris landed with difficulty on her feet, her eyes widened by the appearance of this completely unleashed beast. Her mouth opened and closed, not knowing how to react, except to focus her gaze on the Navi she didn't know.
"You! What have you done?!" she exclaimed.
Killerman gave a small smile and quickly leaped to avoid the monstrous Navi that had targeted him, ending up behind the female Navi. He quickly grabbed her wrist.
"Priestess Iris, if you'll allow me, I'd like you to be my first guinea pig," he said with a maniacal smile. "I want to see how much this thing can slaughter a Navi."
She didn't have time to respond before he pushed her, kicking her in the back and causing her to stagger. She cried out in pain as she felt his blade-shaped feet pierced her. She ended up a few steps away from Rockman, who seemed to be staring at her with his helmeted eyes. He growled again and rushed at her without giving Iris a chance to catch her breath. She opened her mouth and got up, using her blade to defend herself every time he attacked. It was a tough task because he had the advantage of using both arms while she only had a single sword; but with her agility and reflexes, the turquoise Navi managed to defend herself.
The female Navi shouted repeatedly, desperately trying to contain the monster in front of her, devoid of any mercy or humanity. She raised her hand, trying to use the power she knew well, managing to freeze him briefly before he moved again, screaming in her direction. Iris felt panic rising in her as he managed to break the weak controls she had over him.
"Rockman! Rockman!" she cried out while dodging the creature's brutal attacks. "Please, snap out of it!"
Iris narrowly avoided one of his attacks, almost falling to the ground.
"Rockman, this isn't you, I'm sure this isn't what you want!" she continued to plead, struggling. "Think of Netto-kun! Rockman!"
For a brief moment, Rockman seemed to freeze. Iris took the opportunity to move away, raising her hand and trying to use her power again.
"Please, Saito-san! Come back to your senses!" she cried out desperately.
Rockman's fingers clenched as he grabbed his head while backing away. His body trembled as he emitted shrill sounds. His head was flooded with voices and flashbacks, starting with Netto's, but the one that persisted the most was Meiru's, who seemed disappointed.
"Saito, this is not how you should remember me..."
Rockman began to scream, a mixture of a wild roar and a human voice muffled in his throat. Killerman grabbed his scythe, ready to attack the turquoise Navi, but she managed to avoid it.
"What are you doing?!" he yelled angrily.
Iris raised her hand toward Killerman, who quickly backed away, teeth clenched, and glared at the priestess with anger.
"It doesn't matter... My operator is here after all. I'll be back," he said.
He jumped back, suddenly disappearing. Iris breathed deeply and turned to the other Navi, approaching him. She then noticed a white light enveloping his entire body. She tried to help him regain control, but Rockman's body fell to the ground and she discovered Saito's human body in a pitiful state, no longer conscious.
"Saito..." Once again, that cursed voice that had haunted him since he returned among the living. He didn't know how long he had been facing this. He could still feel his body in freefall. Around him, thousands of hands touched him, and one of them was much more intrusive, placing its hand right in the middle of his chest. The boy slowly opened his eyes, widening them as he realized what was in front of him.
Inhuman shapes with twisted and colorless faces were trying to restrain him. Saito tried to scream, but no sound came out of his mouth; he was trapped. These creatures held him, and the one whose hand was on his chest was much larger. Its head was empty, except for its eyes and wide-open, black mouth.
"Saito... You must return your heart," he heard again as he leaned backward, headfirst.
He felt the hand penetrate his skin, sinking into his chest. He screamed in pain, but no sound came out. The creature withdrew its hand, and a beating heart was there, the only thing capable of making noise.
"You shouldn't be here," the same voice continued, followed by thousands of repeated whispers in an uncomfortable cacophony.
But the boy continued to scream and then he sat up, sweat from the nightmare clinging to his body, and he realized he was back in the hotel, in the same bed. A sense of déjà vu washed over him as he realized this was what he had experienced a few hours earlier.
"Saito, are you okay?" asked Netto's worried voice, the boy being beside him.
Saito took several deep breaths, placing his hand on his chest, and looked at the young child, who seemed even more worried than during the previous incident. He tried to calm the rapidly beating heart in his chest.
"Iris told me you were attacked by a Zoanoroid! I was so worried!" added Netto, gripping Saito's sleeve.
The older boy felt his chest calm down and he breathed deeply. He turned his head to Iris, who was staring at him in a strange way—if she had human attributes, she would have certainly shivered with her pupils slightly dilated. He raised an eyebrow when he saw her, trying to remember what had happened the previous night. Then, something unusual caught his attention.
Suddenly, he looked up and noticed through the window that the sky was bright with a clear blue color, and the sun seemed already high in the sky. He gasped for a moment, and slowly, very slowly, his eyes narrowed as he began to realize what was happening. He felt his breath catch for a brief moment, a cold sweat running down his spine. Saito quickly got out of bed under Netto's puzzled gaze, and walked to the window, letting the pale skin of his arms be illuminated by the sunlight.
Then, the events of the previous night resurfaced in Saito's mind like a demon appearing behind him. He had willingly let himself fall, giving him a horrifying fear. He couldn't quite remember how it had ended. He turned his gaze to Iris, his eyes wide, hoping for an answer, but all she did was shake her head slightly without saying a word. This simple gesture reassured him somewhat, seeming to imply that nothing serious had happened, and that Netto probably didn't know anything. At least, if he did know, he would probably have mentioned it.
Taking a deep breath, Saito went straight to the bathroom, seeking a moment of solitude, although the child called him again.
Behind the door, Saito lowered his head, staring at his feet. Everything that was happening was far from normal. He shouldn't have this appearance at this hour. He remembered the wounds he had received, and as he examined his bloodied sleeve, he touched the skin underneath. Like the wounds from the previous night, these had also disappeared. His breathing became more erratic as he squeezed his arm while leaning against the door, then raised his right hand, and that's when he noticed something he had forgotten.
The bracelet that Meiru had given him as a symbol of never being forgotten was securely wrapped around his wrist. He pressed his hand against it, haunted by the ghostly nightmares he had experienced with the Navi the previous night. He wondered how he could relive those moments with Meiru and her children in this way. The pain in his heart increased with each memory. He burst into tears for a brief moment, then touched the Sakurai family symbol before clenching his fist with determination.
He took several deep breaths, trying to control his emotions. Although he was troubled by what had happened, he gathered his courage and left the bathroom, noticing the child who was watching him with great concern.
"Saito, what's wrong?" asked the young boy, still worried.
Saito froze for a moment, then looked at Iris, who had regained her composure, waiting for his instructions.
"Let's go," he said simply, without adding any details.
The child was shocked by these words and approached Saito as he put on his shoes.
"Wait," Iris finally said, who had remained silent until now. "You were attacked. Are you sure you don't want to rest a little longer?" Her words betrayed her concern, but she tried to remain discreet so as not to worry the child further.
Saito picked up his bag without looking at either of them. "No, we must continue," he replied in a somber tone. His head was muddled, filled with the recurring thought that something was wrong with him. He slowly shook his head, wondering if at some point...
"Saito, for once you're sleeping well and staying with us, you could at least avoid rushing!" exclaimed Netto, obviously panicked by Saito's behavior.
Saito glanced at him from the corner of his eye while holding his bag close to him, almost as if it were a stuffed animal.
"It's just that... Netto, you don't understand, I don't want us to...to fall behind," he explained, stammering, trying to maintain his facade.
"You're not going to leave, are you? For once you're here," Netto said in a softer voice.
Saito remained silent, looking away. He clenched his fist, closing his eyes in pain.
"I don't know..." he replied honestly.
He glanced at Iris, who seemed just as desperate. He swallowed hard and still tried to reassure the boy.
"I'll stay... Yes...but if I have to leave, I will," he said slowly.
Netto gave a faint smile, but his eyebrows remained slightly furrowed. He clung to Saito's sleeve and began to walk.
"Let's go find Rockman together," he announced.
Saito began to feel sweat on his face again. While it was relatively easy to hide Rockman at night, the daytime situation would be much more complicated. A thought crossed his mind, and he raised his hand to the child.
"Netto, would you mind lending me your PET?" he asked, although it made him uncomfortable.
Netto, curious, frowned. "Why? What do you want to do with it?"
"N-nothing! I just want to check something," he explained.
However, this did not convince the boy, who crossed his arms. "But what would you do with it? You don't know how to use it, you've never had a PET!"
Saito clenched his teeth, realizing he had completely forgotten what he had said earlier and that it could backfire on him. Iris approached, positioning herself behind Saito, wearing an impassive expression.
"Netto-kun, show us Rockman's PET," she simply requested without giving the impression of giving an order.
Netto looked at her, feeling somewhat unsettled. Saito grimaced at the thought that Iris had inserted herself into the conversation, but the child opened the bag held by the older boy and first examined what the screen displayed. His eyes widened at first, and then he immediately pointed at the screen.
"The PET is off!" he exclaimed.
Saito reacted by opening his mouth to speak, but deep down, he felt relieved. Iris raised an eyebrow, took the blue PET in her hands, and examined it closely.
"How is this possible?" she asked, then looked up at the boy beside her, who let out a bead of sweat.
"Normally, the PET turns off for some reason at night and turns back on during the day, but now it's still off!" Netto explained in an increasingly stressed voice. "I hope nothing happened to Rockman."
The two people in front of him slowly raised their heads, but Iris gave Saito a suspicious look. Feeling sweat trickling down his temple, the older boy took the PET from Iris's hands and returned it to Netto. Then, he took a step forward.
"Anyway, I feel like Rockman isn't far. He's probably waiting a little further ahead..." he began, but he stopped, looking at the ground. What if he transformed again into that...monster? Fragments of memories of what had happened came back to him: Iris had arrived and Killerman had enjoyed seeing him destroy everything. He no longer had control; he was driven by one thing: rage. It wasn't even the same rage he had felt at the beginning of his journey or when he had to protect Netto. No, it was much worse, a desire to destroy everything without stopping, just like when he had killed the woman who had killed Meiru.
Saito's heart raced as he remembered these dark events. He might not have realized it yet, but he had coldly taken someone's life. He had done it again when Netto was kidnapped by that cult. Blood stained his hands, just like the data of hundreds of Navis he had deleted. However, he felt just as responsible for Meiru's death…if only he had arrived earlier.
He shook his head, biting his lip, and then opened the door. "Shall we go?" he said softly.
The other two didn't respond, but Iris now looked concerned for him, while Netto sighed as he approached him.
They departed together, leaving the village enveloped in heavy silence. Iris guided their way while Netto slowly approached Saito. Saito, on the other hand, stared at his hands under the sunlight. It was the first time he stood like this in human form under the sun, and although it brought him a hint of happiness, his mind was still preoccupied with his nature as Rockman. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not even for a moment, as Netto's protection was his top priority.
Suddenly, Netto broke the silence by teasingly asking Saito a question. "So, are you stressed?" he asked with a mischievous smile.
Saito jumped, letting his arms fall to his sides. He turned his gaze to the child, raising an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?" he replied quickly, hoping he hadn't been exposed.
Netto smiled, raising his hand to play absentmindedly with his nails. "Well," he continued, "usually, you leave early without saying a word, get absorbed in your usual activities, and only come back in the evening. But today, you're with us, and knowing your habits, I bet you're way too anxious for no reason." He continued to smile mischievously.
Saito let out a breath that was almost amused upon hearing the boy's words. He rubbed his nose with his finger and bit his lip. "A bit, but it's not a big deal," he replied with a forced smile.
He tightened his arms around himself slightly, all the while aware of Netto's caring attention. The child slipped his arms behind his head and, looking visibly pleased, declared, "I'm fine with it. I like traveling with you."
Saito slowly opened his mouth, a slight warmth coloring his cheeks. He was deeply touched by these words, and it brought him great happiness.
"It's not Saito he needs..." A voice resonated in his head, and he bit his lip.
It wasn't a ghost as he was used to, but rather an intrusive thought that only added to his stress. Saito shook his head to rid himself of this mental intrusion and moved closer to Netto, patting his head, leaving the boy confused.
He approached Iris, his brows furrowed. "Regarding yesterday..." he began in a low voice.
"Later," she cut him off before he could continue.
"Yes, but... What if I turn back into Rockman at any moment, and I..." he started, expressing his concerns.
She looked at him, raising an eyebrow, finding his concerns somewhat bewildering.
"What are you talking about?" Netto asked, sending shivers down Saito's spine.
"N-nothing, it's about last night!" he quickly replied, adding a hint of truth to divert attention from the delicate subject that troubled him.
The child tilted his head and scanned the surroundings as they moved away from the village, finding no sign of his Navi. "Rockman is nowhere," he murmured softly.
"He's probably not far," Iris reassured, glancing at Saito, who felt a shiver run through him.
Ignoring the signs of anxiety from the other two, Netto let out a soft sigh while holding his bag close. "I really hope he's okay. I don't like it when my PET is out of service," he said, biting his lip.
Iris remained silent, waiting for Saito to speak on the matter. She had noticed his unease. Saito finally spoke when he felt the young girl's insistent gaze on him.
"Don't worry, he'll be here soon," the older boy announced with a smile, but he suddenly froze. An intense shiver ran through his body, his heart racing. He looked around, scrutinizing every corner, especially his own chest, relieved to find nothing abnormal. He shook his head to dispel these thoughts, but he could still sense that presence, that feeling of being watched...and it could only be the Navi from the previous night.
Saito began to back away slowly, his breathing quickening, while casting worried glances at Netto. The child noticed his behavior and raised his eyebrows, concerned. "Saito, is there a problem?" he asked again, worried to see Saito moving away.
The boy didn't respond and noticed Iris's serious gaze, thinking she understood what he was feeling at that moment. He bit his lip, the feeling persisted, and he wanted to protect Netto by keeping him away from this strange threat.
"I-I have to..." He took one more step and then turned abruptly, his lips trembling. "I have to go!"
Netto jumped, his eyes wide, seeing his friend run away. He clenched his fists in frustration.
"No, wait, Saito!" he shouted as he chased after him as fast as he could.
"Netto-kun!" Iris also cried out and joined the pursuit.
Netto was running out of breath, his mouth wide open, determined to catch up to Saito. He wondered what could terrify the older boy so much, what was driving him to flee like this? He needed to know the truth. Saito's trail eventually disappeared, and Netto groaned in frustration. Why was Saito doing this to him? Netto had clearly noticed that Saito's presence made him uncomfortable to be around them, so why hadn't he told him what was happening?
As he ventured deeper into the woods, Netto found himself face to face with a boy who forced him to stop abruptly in his tracks. He was initially frozen, but he had a feeling he knew this boy. His dark blue hair, purple attire, and the fact that he was looking at his PET with a slight smile all seemed familiar. It wasn't until he could see his face in full that he felt he had seen him before. Was this the same boy who had confronted Paxi when he was with the rebels? He had only seen him in black and white with few details, but the boy's expression and clothing strongly matched that memory.
Netto stepped back, gritting his teeth. He now knew for certain that this boy was the one he had seen before, and he knew exactly who he was. Like Chirol, this individual seemed to be searching for the deformed children, perhaps even to eliminate them, and Rockman was clearly in their sights. The urge to flee overwhelmed him, but something about seeing the PET in the stranger's hand made him stay silent, choosing to keep his mouth shut.
While the blue-haired boy awaited his response, he leaned forward, still wearing that insidious smile. A noise behind him drew their attention, and Iris appeared, encircling Netto with her arms.
"Netto-kun!" she exclaimed, keeping him close.
Netto remained silent, still staring at the boy in front of him. The latter stopped smiling and straightened up when he saw Iris with the child.
"And you..." he began in a weary tone.
Iris furrowed her brow and forced Netto to step back, following her lead.
"I don't know who you are, but leave us alone. We have other concerns," Iris declared in a very serious tone.
The boy chuckled, his hands in his pockets. "I can't let you go. This child is involved in a Variety case, so I have to deal with it," he said with a sadistic smile.
Iris grimaced, realizing who he was. She firmly grasped Netto's shoulders, causing him sharp pain.
"I won't let you take him," she said with a voice so dark that even Netto could feel the fear coursing through his nerves.
The boy in front of them showed no impression. He lowered the hand that held the PET, keeping the other two on edge.
"Very well, but perhaps we can consider an arrangement," he began, still with the same air of confidence. "Where is the other boy?"
Iris blinked, while Netto twitched. "Saito?" he exclaimed aloud.
The blue-haired boy's smile grew wider upon hearing his name, raising the hand that had been hidden in his pocket.
"Yeah, Saito," he replied, scrutinizing the child in front of him, hoping for some kind of reaction. All he could perceive in the child's gaze was confusion.
"What do you intend to do with him?" Netto asked, apprehension showing on his face.
The boy in front of him lost his smile, tilting his head as he stared at Netto. "You really have no idea?"
Netto was instantly gripped by fear, huddling against Iris, his body trembling slightly. He slowly shook his head in denial.
"You really don't know?" the same blue-haired boy asked again, looking surprised by Netto's unexpected reaction. Despite her icy demeanor, Iris also seemed affected, a thin layer of cold sweat forming on her forehead. He let out a mocking laugh, as if making fun of them.
"I can spot those who hide dark secrets," he said, fixing his gaze on Iris, who nearly gasped in response.
Netto slowly raised his head, watching the young girl who was still looking at the boy intently. He wondered what the connection was with Saito.
"Where is he? If you allow me to meet him, I'll leave you alone," he stated, although his voice betrayed an obvious lie.
The child gritted his teeth. "We don't know, and even if we did, we wouldn't tell you!" he exclaimed.
In reality, Saito was standing nearby, having successfully pinpointed the source of his discomfort. Now that Netto had found this individual, he felt incredibly uneasy. For the time being, he had to stay in the background, waiting for the right moment to intervene.
"Really, you know nothing then?" the boy asked again, bringing a finger to his chin. "Is he a friend to you?"
Netto hiccupped slightly, while Saito clenched his teeth, summoning his courage to prevent the situation from escalating further. He stepped out of hiding and approached them from the side.
"Hey, you, if you were looking for me, I'm here!" he exclaimed, clenching his fists.
Netto let out a sigh of relief, but Iris firmly held the child back to keep him from moving. The other boy, on the other hand, displayed a mix of joy and sadism in his expression.
"Saito-senpai!" he exclaimed, leaving the other three bewildered.
"S-senpai?" the older boy repeated, clearly uncertain about what he had just heard.
"What?" Netto asked in a confused tone, also taken aback.
Iris, however, remained silent, wary and convinced that this might be a trap.
"I've been wanting to see you again since our last encounter, Saito-senpai," the mysterious boy continued, his tone quick but still filled with an eerie quality.
Netto pointed at the two boys, still deeply puzzled. "Do you know each other?"
"No!" Saito quickly replied, not wanting to be associated with this individual in any way.
"That's right, we've only met briefly. I really wanted to see you again. After all, it's the first time I've met someone like you," he explained, as if he were completely fascinated by the boy in front of him, making Saito increasingly uncomfortable.
Netto tilted his head, perplexed by the strange words directed at his elder.
Saito, on the other hand, growled, "I don't even know what you really want. Who are you exactly?"
The boy straightened up, hands in his pockets, wearing a sly expression and a smooth smile, reminiscent of a serpent sizing up its prey.
"I go by a thousand names, but the one I prefer is Kirisaki," he announced in an emotionless voice, his black eyes fixed on the group.
Saito only reacted with a furrowed brow upon hearing his name. Suddenly, Iris had an epiphany, her eyes widening.
"Kirisaki? So you're that Variety Swallow, known to be the most vicious of them all, Dark Scyth?!" she exclaimed, losing control of her voice.
Netto opened his mouth wide, while Saito clenched his teeth as he looked at him. Kirisaki slowly turned towards Iris, tilting his head back, his eyes half-closed.
"Oh? So I'm not as discreet as I thought?" he said softly.
Saito, growing increasingly irritated, finally shouted, "What do you want exactly?"
Kirisaki slowly turned back to him, maintaining that small malicious smile.
"Death," he said softly.
The older boy took a step back, swallowing hard, while Netto looked at him as if witnessing a theatrical performance.
"That's right, Saito-senpai. I've never met anyone like you before. My partner can show me so many things, but you, I really feel like you're her sole avatar!" Saito stepped back, a bead of sweat forming on his temple, and those behind him seemed equally anxious. Netto, on the other hand, was completely shocked. He turned his gaze to the older boy, not understanding why this whole situation seemed to revolve around him.
"You're completely insane," Saito concluded, looking Kirisaki straight into his black eyes.
The dark boy emitted a sinister laugh upon hearing this, then started licking his lip.
"Now, please, call forth the beast," he said quickly, as if he were impatient.
Saito slowly opened his mouth, about to protest.
"Wait, what are you talking about?!" called Netto, approaching with concern.
Kirisaki completely ignored the child, focusing on Saito's reaction. The latter seemed frozen, just like Iris.
Netto looked up at the older boy, then at Kirisaki, frowning. "You want Rockman, but..." he began, as if pondering. "What does Rockman have to do with Saito?!"
Kirisaki sighed heavily, closing his eyes. He pulled his PET out of his pocket, causing Saito to gasp in fear when he saw the familiar symbol on it.
"Do you mind if I get rid of it? Do you really need it?" he asked, a thin smile on his lips.
Wide-eyed, anger welled up in Saito, but he wasn't the only one reacting. Iris, who had stood back, had quickly and discreetly advanced towards Kirisaki, grabbing him by the arm while placing her sword under his throat. The boy made a surprised sound, feeling the Navi's face come close to his ear.
"If you ever try to do anything to this child..." she threatened in a chilling voice, holding his wrist so tightly that he almost dropped his PET.
"Tss, Priestess Iris, is it? Who would have thought?" he said. "Do you really think this PET contained something?"
Iris's eyes widened beneath her helmet. Saito stepped back, and almost immediately, something passed near him, narrowly missing the boy next to him. Behind him, he could feel the menacing presence of the other Navi he had encountered the previous day. He broke into a cold sweat, almost fainting. On the side, he saw a red blade land just next to him, triggering memories from the previous day and making him feel nauseous. The others looked around, seeing the purple and red Navi. Even Netto felt terror rising within him.
"I told you I'd be back," he heard from behind him.
Saito recoiled, mouth wide open, then fell to the ground, crawling backward. Iris growled and raised her arm toward the Navi. He managed to raise his scythe again and cut the connection, then unleashed a wave of energy with his weapon, toppling the turquoise Navi. Netto screamed, but Saito remained motionless.
As Killerman closed in on Iris, ready to attack again, Kirisaki approached the still-terrified boy, ready to take his hair or part of his face.
"Are you coming with me, Saito-senpai?" he began in a malicious tone.
Netto watched them, feeling a burning anger. He clenched his fists and charged straight at the blue-haired boy, knocking him to the side. He grabbed his clothes, staring at him with fury.
"I don't know what you want with him, but I won't let you touch him!" he yelled, then took the liberty of punching him in the face, causing him to recoil with blood in his mouth.
The boy wiped the blood from his lip and growled. Then, with surprising speed, he grabbed Netto by the throat and rolled to the side, pinning him to the ground with his hands around his neck.
"You're useless, you know absolutely nothing!" he shouted, while the child struggled.
Saito finally emerged from his stupor and saw the critical situation Netto was in. Anger surged within him, and his eyes turned red as he approached unnoticed by Kirisaki. With a swift motion, he struck the blue-haired boy on the head, causing him to fall to the side, clutching his head in pain.
"S-Saito..." Netto murmured from the ground, trying to catch his breath.
Iris quickly turned around, still facing Killerman. She gasped in terror as she saw the older boy gradually losing control. She had no choice but to raise her hand in his direction in a desperate attempt.
"Saito-san! Don't give in!" she cried out, while Saito grimaced, clutching his head and screaming. His mind was flooded with a cacophony of voices, urging him to either regain control or give up.
"Run, Saito-san!" she desperately repeated.
However, the boy didn't move. He was lost in his own mind, while Killerman focused on him and raised the blade of his scythe. "No! Break free!" he shouted.
With clenched teeth, Iris finally decided to attack the violet Navi's arm, causing him to scream in pain. She managed to reveal some data on his shoulder, but she soon found herself with no other option. She plunged her sword fully into the ground, creating an intense light that blinded Killerman in moments. When the light dissipated, the priestess, along with the two boys, had vanished. Killerman, nursing his injured shoulder, growled and approached his operator, who had gotten back up.
"Saito-senpai..." he murmured weakly.
Iris landed on the ground, holding the two boys in her arms. She let them drop and knelt down, returning to her normal form. Netto watched the young girl, concerned, and then noticed that Saito was quickly getting up, his arms held tightly around himself, his eyes wide.
"Saito, what's wrong?" called out Netto.
The older boy remained silent, still tormented by the incessant voices echoing in his head, a struggle he was finding difficult to win. In the meantime, without being noticed by the young boy, Iris raised her hand and attempted mental contact.
"Saito-san, leave," Iris's voice murmured in his mind. For a brief moment, Saito turned his gaze toward the girl on the ground and then to the young boy. His eyes flickered briefly, and he stepped back, his body gripped by a strange resentment. He shook his head with effort, then turned around and walked away, leaving the young child utterly disturbed.
"Saito!" he called out behind him, helpless to catch up with him, while Iris held him back.
"No, Netto-kun… Let him go," she said.
Netto looked at her, wide-eyed, then turned his head in the direction where Saito had disappeared. He bit his lip, worried for his friend, and felt the urge to cry.
Colonel knelt, one knee on the ground, in front of the towering being that gazed out at the horizon.
"Duo-sama, it seems that Rockman has experienced a malfunction in his transformation. Should I intervene?" he asked, while Duo appeared to be staring into the void.
"No, this could be interesting," Duo began. "He has managed to push beyond a limit I imposed on him," he declared, intrigued.
"So, you're leaving things as they are?" Colonel asked, his gaze troubled.
"Barrel-san taught me that things must happen as they should, isn't that a normal thing?" added Duo without moving.
Colonel didn't reply, the answer seeming to elude his understanding.
"Like the time you saved them, after all," he heard from the voice of the cosmic being.
Colonel froze, his eyes widening. Of course, he was aware that he had acted without authorization.
"I allow you to intervene as long as it doesn't affect their disagreements," Duo began. "Their issues should not be resolved through you."
Colonel nodded, feeling reassured but keeping his lips sealed.
"Don't worry, Duo-sama, I will do everything in my power not to disappoint you."
Duo stared at him more deeply, then looked up at the universe.
"After all, they are not the only ones going through this trial."
Iris walked through the forest, the night having fallen a while ago. She had left Netto to rest in a hotel room, but now she needed to find the older boy she had let go earlier in the day. Knowing his secret, she was now concerned about the possibility of his condition worsening. She searched everywhere, hoping he hadn't been found.
A little further ahead, she spotted the creature she had encountered before, the wild Navi seeming somewhat calmer and not as frenzied as the day before. She kept her distance, wary of the state of the hybrid in front of her. As a precaution, she half-raised her hand in his direction, wishing to avoid any risk of harm from the creature.
"Is it you?" she asked softly, looking up at the moon. She found it strange that he was still here in the night.
Rockman's eyes remained closed, making him seem like an enigma to Iris. She finally lowered her hand, and he stared at her with a hint of anger in his gaze.
"I know you'd rather not tell Netto-kun anything, but I think you should at least talk to him about what happened last night. You can't leave him in the dark about what happened this morning," she told him, the wind rustling through her hair.
The Navi growled, which grated on Iris's nerves. She then tried a softer, more compassionate tone.
"If you don't want him to be lost because of your secret, you should at least tell him what happened," she insisted gently. "Show him that you trust him."
Rockman turned, looking to the side, his gaze fixed on the ground. He placed a hand on his emblem, which began to glow, and Iris witnessed his reverse transformation. The armor parts disappeared, and the black suit dissipated like some sort of liquid. Saito didn't even look at the young girl; his gaze shamefully averted.
"Saito-san," the young girl murmured softly.
"I... I can try for that, but... I never want to talk about it again," he replied, finally turning to her.
Iris remained silent, simply nodding her head, understanding what he meant. He approached her, his hand gripping her opposite arm. His nerves seemed to be getting the better of him.
"I..." he began, struggling to find the words. "I'm sorry."
Iris had no reaction, maintaining her usual expression.
"You don't need to say that to me," she stated.
He slowly shook his head and began to bite his lip. Saito appeared hesitant, looking at her several times, but then he found the courage to lock eyes with her, despite them trembling.
"If what happened yesterday were to happen again..." he finally started, his voice trembling. "And if Netto is there... If you can't calm me down..." he tilted his head, his eyes glistening, "Promise me you'll kill me and take Netto to Kaikyuu."
No reaction came from Iris, and the boy expected her to react—to shout at him—but nothing. Her voice didn't even utter a word.
"Is it a big brother's instinct, always wanting to die for their protectee?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion, which grated on Saito's nerves.
"I'm asking you this to prevent Netto from being in danger!" he retorted, his voice growing louder. "I can protect Netto from anything! But if there's one person I can't protect him from, it's myself!" he spoke even louder, almost out of breath.
Saito looked at her for a few moments, conveying all his distress to her and her unreal green eyes. He swallowed hard and looked around.
"I beg you..." He was on the verge of tears from staring at Iris. "I'm scared..."
The female Navi lowered her gaze, then remained silent for a few seconds before finally nodding without hesitation. Saito felt his breath return to normal upon hearing her acceptance.
"Thank you," he whispered, as if she had thrown him a lifeline.
Iris stopped looking at him, simply gazing at a random spot to the side.
"What a sadness for Netto-kun... At the end of the journey, he will be alone," she suddenly uttered, plunging Saito into confusion.
She took her leave, leaving Saito alone, perhaps needing some time alone for herself. Saito shook his head and headed towards the only hotel in the village where they had arrived.
Saito opened the door first, entering the room. He found the child without his sweater and cape, holding his headband in his hands as he sat on his bed with his legs pulled up against his chest. When he turned his head and saw Saito, he rushed towards the pre-adolescent.
"Saito, are you okay?" he began, his eyes trembling. "I was so scared for you!"
"I'm better, Netto, everything's fine," he tried to reassure him, stroking his head as he approached.
However, the child shook his head. "What happened? How do you know that guy?" he continued, still filled with worry.
The older boy swallowed hard, seeing all the distress in Netto's eyes demanding the truth. He grimaced with remorse.
"I met him when I was about to leave the rebels' base," he finally explained, which surprised Netto. "He tried to attack me with his Navi, and Rockman came to save me."
Netto lowered his head, blinking several times, realizing how much he had doubted Saito.
"And... Did he do something to you?" he asked, a worried expression on his face.
"More fear than harm, I'd say... He..." Saito hesitated for a moment before continuing. The young boy looked up to observe him closely, and Saito took a deep breath to continue his explanation. "They know I'm sick, that's probably why... And given how completely insane they seem..."
Netto nodded slowly, biting his lip.
"That guy wanted to kill the child we found with Rockman among the rebels... He must be like..." He suddenly stopped, a shiver running down his spine.
Saito nodded slowly, understanding the meaning of what the child was trying to say. Netto raised his head and gently placed his hand on his elder's arm.
"You looked terrified earlier..." Netto murmured weakly.
"Bad memories, they must find them amusing," Saito quickly replied.
Netto lowered his head sadly, then, without warning, he leaned his head against Saito's chest, clutching his orange jacket.
"Promise me... That nothing will happen to you," he said softly.
Saito nodded slowly and wrapped his arms around Netto, holding him close. He looked to the side with a downcast expression and sighed heavily.
"I promise you," he said, knowing full well that at some point, this promise would be broken.
To be Continued…
AN: I like Kirisaki, and I'm sad that he didn't get a significant treatment in the game or the anime. Kirisaki is a character with a lot of potential, and they wasted it. In the game, he's just a secondary character who helps you when needed, and in the anime, they turned him into an Enzan/Laika-like character (it's not me saying it, the characters themselves say it). Kirisaki isn't a character like Enzan or Laika; he's a true psychopath with a calm nature, and Killerman represents his sadism (explained in the game). Here, he'll be an antagonist; I really didn't see him as a good guy. I used/made a reference to his English name; I found it stylish. In fact, I tend to believe that Dark Scyth could be a code name, whereas Kirisaki is his real name, and Miyabi just uses 'Dark' as a title for assassins. I'll tell you this time, see you next week.