INSTINCTUAL IDEAS.

"After her speech, she approached the man and offered him some help getting up. The man, however, was so stunned by what she had displayed that he couldn't help but tremble when she reached her hand..."

Miyuriaki kept on with her story, one she had told for the hundredth time but not for naught. The reason lay on her son himself, but they could never tell him why. He was as charmed as ever while listening and it caused a pang in her chest.

Feeling the stare, she turned to see her husband's face. He looked as hard-nosed as always, but as the one who knew him most, she could tell there was a thicker layer of sternness there at this moment.

Her chin rumpled. When will you realize this is only hurting him and you?! For a moment she was pursing her lips. She gasped when she took notice of it and returned to her bright self in an instant. This prior to Ren looking back confused about why she had stopped talking.

She turned him back before he could say anything and resumed brushing his hair. I truly wish I could do more for you, my son. But the stone never lies. She glanced toward Sakamoto, and he nodded for her to continue.

"Moth—"

"My apologies, my apologies... I trailed off. Where was I at? Oh, right, the woman." She cleared her throat. "So when the homeless man saw her hand coming in his direction—"

"Uh, actually, Mother..." Ren repeated himself, though sounding timid as he looked down. "There's something I've been meaning to ask you for a while..."

Miyuriaki raised a brow. "Mm? What is it, Ren?" she said, tone of voice wielding her curiosity. Her son wasn't the type to question much during these recountings she knew. And this shyly too.

"Sorry for interrupting, and... well... it's because I... was wondering if... uh, if it's really possible that..." He then looked up, voice firmer and: "... someone could turn so strong they could cut the sky even!" he said aloud finally, spoken as if enticed by the fable. With his arms up and wide as if to signify the grandiosity of the feat.

For a good moment, only the sound of wind sweeping through the snowy yard came. His enthusiasm and question had caught both of them off guard.

"Uh... I didn't mean..." He tried to avert them from the question when he saw their awkwardness, but he barely managed to whisper the words out. His ears flushed and his gaze downed again when he recalled how childish he must have appeared while speaking about a thing as idiotic as it.

A few meters away, his father coughed loudly before walking toward him. There was a hint of... embarrassment on his face as he got closer?

Ren frowned. He had a hard time telling if he would be scolded or whatever else—what may it be, he would prefer it over the former.

But not long passed and the man sat by his side careful, tapping his shoulder too. His eyes were mild in a way Ren had never seen before.

"Son... Ren, look," he started, looking anxious for a second Ren captured in him before he snapped out of it. "See... if you dedicate yourself the right amount, most of your wishful wishes don't stay wishes only. Your grandfather used to say to me... The more you put in the work to achieve something, the likelier it is for you to get it, so before you haven't tried your best, don't even think of letting go of your ambition.

"That was something I lived by in my heydays and was what got me this far— ah." Sakamoto stopped, and... he smiled frailly realizing himself.

Then he reverted. "I guess... something like that should do, right?" He smirked but awkwardly. In his eyes glowed a light of affliction that was far weaker than the fatherly one that shone ibidem. And so no one would ever notice his worry.

However, it was forever the time since Ren had great vision. So his brain melted when he felt the ambiguity in the man before him.

Is he cheering me on?

What does he mean by that?

Is he trying to motivate me?

What is he trying to do now?

Numerous thoughts came through and off his brain at light speed. He was so confused. Sakamoto spoke those words? The man who never cared? The doubt he felt became thrice. He couldn't believe his own father and... it was not his fault.

So he denied him and his words.

If only you knew what I truly dream about, Ren thought and cut eye contact with him.

Noticing his son was still down, Sakamoto tried laughing it off. "You shouldn't trouble yourself too much about this. Cheer up, dinner is coming." He gave Ren two harsh pats on the back and raised from his seat.

Ren took a deep breath and looked up, offering the man a smile before he would go—a nod to show he understood what was said. Although his gaze of affirmation contained the whole of his uncertainty within, it wasn't as if he was incapable of masking it as something else.

(Hah... always hiding your feelings like the coward you are. Don't you have the guts to try back? Oh, right... you were supposed to be trying much harder to resist me, but look at you.)

Sakamoto smirked relieved and said, "Now's time for me to work... Continue strong... Son." He roughly ruffled Ren's hair, face hidden, and minded his way.

Miyuriaki chose to null her whole mind from the moment or she would explode. Only the thought she picked to worry about was that she would have more brushing to do, glaring daggers at the back of her husband.

Ren though, watched with blank eyes as the man left. The snow pellets were bright as they fell. He glanced up at them and his iris reflected their clarity however a mess his head was. Just how was he supposed to feel? There was no way that man thought he could yet be something else if he only changed how he acted. As abruptly as that. This far into life. No way Ren was thinking there was the slightest possibility his change would continue true. There wasn't enough work put in for him to believe in that chance... And so his head turned messier.

Ren brushed himself off that realm of doubt sighing slightly, low enough so his mother wouldn't hear him. And gradually, his heart rate reverted back to what it was.

"Now, now..." Miyuriaki called, and Ren's pink eyes were back on her—though he was made to turn a second later to have his hair brushed. "Let's finish the story, shall we?"

Ren nodded, which caused her to gently slap his head for messing up the brushing.

"So, when she offered her hand to the man, he was so shocked he couldn't help but tremble at the sight. For a moment they stood there, staring at each other, one with a smile and the other having their whole body shake. Only after some good, long seconds was when he finally took a hold of—"

"Pardon my intrusion, Mistress, Young Master." A senior maid appeared by the door connecting the courtyard and manor. She curtsied a bow and continued, "Young Master's bath has been prepared."

Ren lit up and jumped to his feet as his mother's grip went lax. He forgo all the compromise he had here and ran away to the door. His awful luck had finally harbored fruit.

"Wait—!"

"I'll be going now! Thanks for everything, Mother!" he shouted from away and waved toward her before he entered the manor with no regret on his trail.

"Hah... he sure has the energy to spare when it benefits him... Could've used some of that to listen to the rest of the story." Miyuriaki sighed, face tired. Then she got up and went inside too.

"When a beast doesn't follow its natural instinct, its instinct will someday hunt it back into its nature. However, through great effort, that nature can be denied."

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Inside the Ashikaga Manor.

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Thump. Thump. Thump.

Heavy steps lashed onto the ground. A man taught only grimness traversed many corridors aiming for his next obligation. The whole day went like this, one task after another. But this time, it was him walking alone. A rare thing. No servants. So he had some time with himself and his head.

His face was deeply serious. So much so that it was scary. So much so that he was as resolute as he could be.

"Hah... what am I doing? Failing everything after keeping up the effort for so long... I... can't back down now... until the end comes. I hope you'll be able to accept my apologies then, Son."

...

Ren floated alongside the bubbles in his bathtub, eyes closed to increase the pleasantry. The water was hot to perfection as he preferred it and the smell was a flowery combo of many. Meanwhile, two maids washed his body, a privilege his nobility afforded. Did he prefer it? He thought of himself as someone who deserved a break sometimes so yes—most properly. If any time was relaxing time, this was it.

However, today when he needed it the most, his head felt as if filled with rocks weighing his thinking down and leaving space for nothing else. Barely anything was coming cohesive for him.

He blew some bubbles in the water and then drowned all aside his eyes. Can I even?

He heard the maids complaining and chose to go all in despite their pleas for him not to. Inside there, all screamed silent. The rocks floated lessening their weight and he got a narrow stretch for himself to think.

I don't have the option of avoiding the ceremony anyway... I will become the heir and then sometime after, I will be the patriarch... even though the fruit hasn't chosen me too...

(Don't be such a crybaby.)

"Huuff..." He went up, breathed heavily, and began humming. He didn't want the maids asking why his face was as harsh as it was. So the humming created an illusion of himself he wanted seen.

One of the maids pouted. "Young Master! Please don't make it harder for us to take care of your hair!"

"Yeah, I apologize for that, haha." He smiled at her and closed his eyes again. Maybe... I should just... enjoy the bath for now. He veneered his face with superficial calm the best he could and hoped he would fake it until true. He could finally relax.

...

The maids who were by the side of the room awaiting all looked at each other. Their nervous stares said something was up.

Ren currently looked for the most comfortable piece of clothing he could find. Casualness, or appearing unbothered if one may say, was the best revenge sometimes.

Or for him, to defy being called the bearer of a golden spoon by his cousins.

I'll have them see how ordinary I can be too—

"Young Master... wouldn't you perhaps feel better wearing something more... luxurious might I reason?" The youngest, Aki, was the first to speak as she saw Ren was putting common whites on. No kimono; only a white shirt, white pants, and white socks. No accessories too.

"Oh, no, no. It's okay. I'll only go dine with my family after all," Ren answered away a fast excuse awkwardly.

"But, Young Master, there will be—" Aki tried again.

"Please, don't worry about it." He interrupted her, smiling the friendliest he could to stop them from insisting on the matter. "I'm sure they won't mind it, so... you guys have not a need to worry."

Please let it stop at this, he thought, now fidgeting from the tone he had used.

The maids quickly exchanged glances but said nothing. Aki went back to her place shifting and too didn't speak another word.

Frowning, Ren ceded and decided he would go through his wardrobe a last time. And while making it obvious by his face he was hugely dissatisfied by it. Then his frown increased when he saw how unfitting all were. There are only so many clothes that I can actually use now since I get much taller every year... Maybe I should just throw all of these into a fire.

He stopped for a second to consider changing or throwing these away, but he noticed the hour and forgot all. Crap, I shouldn't get there too late or else Hara will pick on me.

He rushed outside and slammed the door behind him, not offering another word to the maids inside. Not sure if he forgot or had chosen to avoid further interaction.

They immediately sighed, faces like they were cowards. Aki looked down too, as if disappointed in herself.

"Well, no need to blame yourself." One of the maids approached and patted her tall shoulders. "This was... kind of a good happening. At least we try... unlike everyone else." But even she looked uncertain of her words.

For a sliver of a second, Aki's face broke out of its sadness. Then again, her expressiveness came back and she spoke, "Yes, thank you. Then, I'll excuse myself." She bowed despondently and walked away for her next duty.

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"Why would you in good faith assume that we'd propose such a thing expecting it to fail? We aren't crude like the rest of these clans and families." A voice spoke among many others. It scented the crowded room as a small tang if compared to the huge voices speaking everywhere.

"You know exactly why!" the other answered and pointed toward the subject of the conversation.

And not only them, but the whole room spoke of the same thing. Aside an occasional partner of prior chats, they all looked in a state of dissidence with the other.

In this dining room, two powerful families met but not for the first time. This occasion. the location chosen was the Ashikaga Manor.

A single table spanned through half the room and divided them. On one side were the Ashikagas themselves, and on the other were the Kozukis.

The Kozukis wielded the current Shogun, Kozuki Sukiyaki. Meanwhile, the Ashikagas continued their perpetual role as the isolated guardians of Wano. Of course, with Ashikaga Sakamoto as the Head.

Rarely they would hold meetings, yet it for long remained an unchanged tradition as maintaining order and assuring progress was made in the country was greatly their responsibility.

Food was being served left and right but most mouths were too busy with the commonplace prattle or business talk that would always happen. This time, mostly dissatisfaction from both sides about a topic raised recently. The strong smell of the country's signature dishes, though, entered their noses and left them desiring. But it was rude to let their companion hang while they ate all on their own. Always these meetings ended with wasted food.

"I'm telling you!" One of the Ashikagas rose from his seat smashing his fist on the table. "How d'you think we'd spend so much for a troublemaker's project?!"

"We are telling you we have the graphics, and I doubt you haven't heard about how the farm's been performing!" The other retorted as altered as the first. And it seemed like none would agree ever.

The fervor of having a common topic of disagreement always reached a boiling point during these meetings. Until the leader from a side decided it was their time to interject having listened enough.

The main man coughed and raised his voice. "So..." —all conversations happening immediately ceased. Even the clanking of silverware of the few eating stopped.

The target of the stares was properly on one of the two ends of the table. When all eyes were on him, he continued. "... what you are trying to say is that you want to mass-produce these Paradise Farms and that you will need both the manpower and financial help from us?" Sakamoto's permanent frown seemed even bigger now.

The issue wasn't the discussion around the topic itself that caused him his gloom. It was the pushing they were doing directly to his face caring not if they looked shameless. Proposing and demanding—felt like it with their approach— were two different things. Sakamoto saw the reason for this to have even begun was Kozuki Oden from their side.

The one known as Wano's biggest troublemaker... Sakomoto thought and glanced at him. The latter reciprocated the stare, though he grinned while so. Sakamoto snorted, but had to give him props. This was a strategy in and of itself, to raise the issue as hugely as this escalating it until it turned unavoidable. Really, when the meeting started, this topic had barely attracted the attention of three or two. But all it took was Oden's loud and obnoxious self.

Props, really... props, Sakamoto thought grinning the other way.

Oden knew they wouldn't refuse the project so openly if his side raised a fuss about its importance. Sakamoto was aware of all that and so he was restrained. But he had listened. And by listening, he had understood that if the project failed, it would cost a great percentage of his clan's total savings. All they would have gained was nothing and occupied their men with a useless task. The materials needed to build these factories were incredibly high-priced and rare as per seeing the layout given by Oden himself.

Sakamoto's head was beginning to ache from all the politics, so he made a sigh noticeable. Now, he waited for the current Shogun of Wano, Kozuki Sukiyaki, to step up himself.

Catching the hint, Sukiyaki held the cup he had been drinking from since he came here and started, "You see..." —but, he immediately stopped to sip from his drink. With visual exaggeration, he eyed Sakamoto whose mood looked worse by the second he drank. Meanwhile, his own mood was bubbly, eyes laughing, until he slammed his cup down when he finished. It was bad manners not to show in some way he appreciated the good alcohol.

The Ashikagas had remained quiet but quiet only of voice. Oh, if only their eyes could kill.

Sukiyaki grinned and restarted. "You see, my son, Oden, did a greeeat feat... one that will be talked about for generations to come." He pointed behind him and there was Oden, on the other end of the table facing Sakamoto. Now his face was as straight as iron, as if speaking the pedestal was below him.

Jibuemon, one of Sukiyaki's retainers, had begun eating. He wanted to occupy himself from the nervousness of hearing his leader talk. He knew how Sukiyaki would always try to compare his son to Sakamoto's daughter when groggy. The man loved poking fun at the oh-so-serious Patriarch of the Ashikagas.

"As you might know, I had previously banished my son to Kuri, an area known to be a lawless one and where criminals roam free... However!" Sukiyaki jumped up and slapped the table. "Not so much to my surprise, he did a great feat which was taming all that jumble of nasty personalities, then having them work to make the region a better one! And that was years ago!" he said, eyes shining like jewelry.

The silence was immense after he finished. It would continue for a long second before someone—one heavily annoyed by the nonsensical and braggadocio self the Shogun currently squandered—said: "So, what would that do with anything?"

Sakamoto's first retainer and advisor, Hisashi, spoke, his blue eyes locked onto Sukiyaki's. If you won't accept the sobriety yourself, may sobriety be forced onto you then—was what the stare said. And the blond man although an advisor, was also known to be one of the strongest within the strongest clan.

That fact and stare caused Sukiyaki to sober up and sigh off his ruined playing time. Do not taunt the pride else the lion attacks, he thought and sighed over their overbearing somberness. But this should be enough too...

Sukiyaki cleared his throat and finally began with what they wanted to hear. "Well... a few years back, my son came to me with an idea that might help with Wano's most surging problem: the lack of food." Sukiyaki took from his pocket a map covering all of Wano's regions and placed it on the table. It rolled over until it almost reached Sakamoto and eyes laid on it curiously. "As you might see on this map, there are regions or towns in red, yellow, and green. The red ones are the places that need food the most while the yellow and green ones don't need as much." He then pressed his finger on top of Kuri, the reddest region on the map. "Right here, my son had asked me to test and build a sort of factory he had idealized, saying it would greatly help with the food demand in the area.

"I liked his idea and wanted it done. However, for it to first turn possible, we'd have to get the criminals on Kuri under control. While hard-fought, it was a battle he and our clan won as you all know, and thereafter, Oden brought all the vagabonds and ronins there to work together under his wing to test-build his creation. That was right before he sailed outside the country four years ago. Since then, the farm—mind you, only the prototype of it—has produced incredible amounts of healthy food at the cost of using water, seeds, and performing some animal husbandry only.

"You see, Wano has evolved, but at the cost of abandoning what was once our origin. At the same time humans have grown, nature was gradually sidelined. We forgot the preservation of it because it was always there for us... in abundance. This farm aims to concretize the most optimal ambient crops and greens and animals can grow in. The nature of our country has changed. It cannot fulfill the needs of these things we undermined for a long period anymore. We have to establish a method for nature to replenish itself, and this prototype is only the start. Barren soils will regain life—I promise that. Pumping fertilizers directly into the underground is merely but a second stage of many too."

The room looked as if a single thinking bubble. As expected. All of the chattering and playing until they would return with a most convincing speech... All part of a single-woven plan by father and son.

Hisashi hummed and hummed, until he was the first to return to real life. "That is a speech I will say, but how do you intend to show your words aren't merely words?"

Sukiyaki smirked. "Well... now that my son has returned, we've made an updated map of all Wano. It was a tasking job like the first time, but here, take a look." He took another map out of his pocket, and all eyes rushed to look at it as it rolled over the other spreading through the table.

Sukiyaki continued. "As you can see, surrounding the point where we built the farm is a yellow color this time. That in only four years... four years! You could always ask about our methods of judging later of course, but it means that the need for food in that area has decreased significantly." Sukiyaki then slid his finger through the map. "But, the further we stray from the point the farm was built, the more the red parts, or should I call it, places affected by hunger begin to appear. Even in Kuri itself."

"You gave us the layouts right... that's what we wish to know about the most now. If it's a feasible construction or not, the costs, how these materials work together... places to build these, how many..." Hisashi said, still frowning over the tone of a braggart he hadn't let off hearing from the Shogun.

"We will get to that most definitely, Mr. Advisor." Sukiyaki smiled and looked back at Oden, motioning with a finger for him to step up. It was finally time.

Sakamoto's curiosity which was barely there at the beginning, had been gradually fabricated for this single moment. Curiosity around the one who managed to make himself a statement in a meeting of powerhouses.

He spoke first. "I find it... peculiar to say the least, that you left Wano... hidden... for a couple of years back then. Was it so much of a sage trip you now intend to change the reason for your title of Most Famous?" Sakamoto grinned. Then with his palms out, he showed Oden the stage was all his. "Do present your idea the best you can. I'm hopeful it won't be a waste of my time."

Oden gave him a cheeky grin, snorting almost. There was no need to point out the obvious, he thought. From the beginning this was his plan. All of it.

He pumped his chest, posture demanding the room's attention, and began. "So as said, the production will function through the use of o—"

The dining room's door screeched loudly as it opened, stopping all discussions. Oden looked back, brows raised. But he smirked when he saw who it was.

"Huh? What's happening here?" Ren asked, confused. He glared over everyone in the room, and all of them glared back. Had he missed something? Why were the Kozuki here?

"Hmph, coming so late on such an important occasion. And while wearing such unfashionable clothing too. How shameful from our to-be heir," a woman spoke, her tone a mockery at the last.

She was from the Ashikagas' side: Hara, a woman with curly brownish-red hair looking so similar to Miyuriaki that she was her older version almost—even if Miyuriaki's hair was straight instead. They were sisters after all, though age played a part when considering one as similar as the other. Her features were slimmer, sharper, more wrinkly, resembling much a snake in her whole.

"Ugh... Aunt Hara..." Ren began back-stepping towards the door. "Maybe I should just..."

"Ren, come here." A sudden voice stopped him. It was his mother's.

"There is a free space next to me," she spoke again and he had to inevitably go and sit with everyone else.

This is so embarrassing... why did nobody tell me this yesterday or even today?! he thought, ears masterfully hidden by his hair on their redness. But then, his mind traveled back to not so long ago when he interrupted the maid, Aki.

Ren groaned. Oh, of course.

"Cough, continuing..." Oden announced, now holding some papers.

While Ren remained in his own world, he saw a trio secretly smirking and poking fun at him.

Really? Not even now can they keep their childish plays in check...? Ren's eyes slanted as he turned to listen to Oden only. A surge of rage came to him like a raving wave, though it returned to its space in his subconscious as quickly as it had come.

The symptoms were worsening.

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Curtains flapped and birds chirped while the wind piped mellowness to the inside through its morning tone. The noises even if gentle, were like continuous thunder inside Ren's ears while he dozed in bed. The open balcony gave the cold morning winds a way inside, and he shuddered as if he was bare from how brisk all felt.

"U-ugh... d-did I forget the door to t-the b-balcony open?" Ren's teeth clattered as he hugged himself in bed to keep cozy. He kept still even afterward awoken—his whole will had remained with the yesterday. Now he wouldn't even pick up the blanket he had kicked away while sleeping to shield himself.

He grunted. Was so exhausted but was unable to rest for a plethora of reasons. So he stood still for some more minutes nevermind the cold, his obligations, and the awful noise.

Even so, the morning was merciless—this one in particular. Ren did not know what time it was but the clarity of the outside transformed his room inch by inch. Until a rare sun came peeping through the horizon's line and its light rushed inside thoroughly.

Ren groaned, helpless against the brightness purging the comfortable dark behind his eyelids. He was forced into squinting his eyes finally before he could open them for a first this morning. Only then did he realize how weary they were. It felt like rocks scraped against his inner lid however carefully he directed his vision wherever at.

"Ugh..." He flinched at the pain, fingers massaging his globes.

The reason for all this was the minuscule time he'd had to sleep. His family's and the Kozukis' fault for talking for so long... Especially Oden! he thought, fingers massaging his temple this time. I can't even count the hours I spent in that dining room yesterday for the meeting. It even extended into today's early hours with all their chatter... ugh.

Sighing, he tried getting up, but his body was as stiff as when he finished sparring with his father. He grumbled, fell back down, and gave up for some more minutes, mind devoid of thought while he lay there. He would've fallen asleep again had it not been for the more daring birds that came all the way to his balcony to chirp—cry—as if begging for food.

"Fuuh..." He finally sat on the bed stretching. Mind's even hazier today... bad timing though since today marks my studying renewal, he thought rueing over it, and forced in his mind his bed would be another redundant thing within the usual clock of twenty-four.

He rose from it yawning and mused, "Sun's peeking in the morning?"

He immediately saw the body of light that shone through his curtains and window. It was an unusual sight for the ones up the mountain—barely a few days where the morning was sunlit there.

"Looks like that time of the year is coming. Weird thing it will probably match with my ceremonial birthday." He noticed the coincidence and wasn't sure if he liked it or not.

Seeing no maid would appear this early—as he preferred it—he went to do his bathroom-ly routine alone. There he began ruminating while brushing his teeth.

Why did that man need to speak as much as he did...? Half of what he said at some point sounded like gibberish only. His voice being annoying didn't help at all either... and I couldn't even leave to change my clothes. Terrible, Ren, terrible...

He glowered at his reflection in the mirror wishing he had done it comically. He had to laugh at himself after to make even.

But anyway, regardless of how I feel about him... looks like his whole idea is actually usable they said, and is a decent long-term plan. It's just that... it is not something our clan can help with on a whim.

Ren finished in the bathroom and went straight for his closet for some presentable clothing. He laughed—yesterday's trauma would be lasting it looked like. Meanwhile, he applied his mother's method of remembering wordy topics so he wouldn't forget as easily... Repeating.

So, where do I start... The two biggest problems with the first stage of the project we decided at the meeting were: products from these farms won't travel as far as desirable due to their fragility; they tested many times and forget whichever means of transport and storing used... none went a good distance with the goods before they became uneatable. This would then force us to build a lot of these all around Wano to facilitate efficient transport. However, the money required to build even one farm is already high... and building a lot of these? Can't even imagine it. That's also why they came for Father's approval and blessing.

But then comes the second thing and the component impeding the success of this... Oden didn't consider the limited resources we have in Wano when revising the layouts. He said that after his travels, what he saw in the exterior gave him so many more ideas as to how he could improve the project, and now, for it to be as functional and efficient as he envisioned—and that's important he said—we must gather all the resources needed.

Ren forgot all about clothing as he began to contemplate strongly, hand on the chin even. This really was the biggest opportunity for his dream to come true. The only reason he was even remotely considering Oden's idea on a positive note.

He recalled the genuine interest his father showed during the meeting. It even seemed he was going to support and finance the idea. However, because of what that would imply, he said he was postponing the decision.

Hah... cowards. Ren frowned but he knew he should have expected it—... as much as everyone else knew there was only one option to solve the country's famine. And that was to venture outside their land borders. Either to bring materials back for the project, learn more about food-preserving matters. Or really, anything else that would be helpful.

However, how could they? It had been so long since Wano's borders closed and for them to be as daring as to be the ones to open them again... it almost pushed Oden's idea out the possibilities wholly.

But Ren could not let it go this easily. This was his dream—to venture outside this land. Because all he heard about it spoke freedom. And all of it came from one person, the freest one he knew—his uncle.

He was a man who would go out or come back to Wano if he only wished. Someone who always told him the most inexplicable and fun stories he could only dream of. The stories of his trips land out.

Now he waited for when he would come back. He was old enough to follow him now and there was no way the man would refuse his service—a very usable service if he may say.

But he could not push the thought away that he had a perduring bad luck. He had waited right. But four years had passed since his uncle last left. This was his longest trip Ren knew of and he hadn't sent a message to signal his wellness or whereabouts or his return a single time.

And so he sighed soundly. Less than a week away from the ceremony and from being bound to this place forever, he thought and prayed.

Because what he needed right now was a miracle.

Ren realized he hadn't moved for a whole minute now. Kept overthinking as always. Thinking if his uncle would even come back home. Thinking his coming of age was nothing but an elaborate cage that would have him rotting in this country. What else could he deem it if he would have so many responsibilities the office would be his second home?

That's why I need to go before I become the heir...! But I won't have a say in this as per... he thought, not expressing an ounce of frustration outward. Keeping it for himself and himself. As per.

...

The Ashikaga family,

For hundreds of years, they have been the guardians of Wano, expelling far all that posed a threat to the common and the land. And as such, they would be the ones then to guide the country into abundance's path.

The most common tale told about the Ashikagas was that they were bound by the heavens to this land to protect it as punishment for an unforgivable crime they had done. However, the skies as pitiful as they were, had sent down a divine dragon that would bless them with power and fortune no other had. And so, they could perform their task with no interference.

Because of the dragon's gift albeit their crimes, the Ashikagas swore they would keep the people of this land out of harm's way no matter what. It was an eternal promise.

The dragon, satisfied with the resolve shown, was said to later go into a deep slumber inside Mt. Fuji and even today is said to reside there.

This single tale of unknown origin, coupled with the many times they paved the way for the country to flourish, remained their prestige atop all the other families and clans in the land for hundreds of years.

This would also mean that most things in Wano are centered around them, and by that, the presence of the dragon's head—or the patriarch—will always be of utmost importance. Otherwise, the dragon, or Wano, will not ever function toward amelioration.

When one rises to the position of patriarch, whichever personal feelings they hold are like pebbles compared to the responsibilities that follow. Pebbles that are meant to be kicked toward bottomless ponds.

...

Ren brushed himself off of the monomania consuming his thoughts.

"Really stupid..." he mumbled on the idiocy people went to length with these tales.

Suddenly, however, something entered his senses.

He warped his view, face bothered, to the door to his room.

"This early...?" He squinted when he realized the type it was.

Two knocks came from the door and a second later, a maid entered his room. It was the youngest in his most recently earned maid squad, Aki.

"Uhh... hello. What is it?" Ren asked in his most polite tone and while wearing an untightened kimono still. Mayhaps revealing a fresh middle section. Mayhaps having his chest muscles slip into brief view.

For their comparable age-set, his build was the most aesthetically pleasing possible for the average girl. And so, Aki's face flushed when she saw it, hands roving about to cover her embarrassed eyes, eyes on which kept searching for a peek.

The spruce maid seemed shyer for some reason when no other accompanied her, Ren noticed and raised a brow.

"I-I apologize for intruding, Young Master, but your mother had previously asked me to call you for your studies the earliest you'd wake up," she spoke, bowing slowly as she regained her composure.

"Ah, yeah..." Ren scratched his head. Why was she being this shy around him? From his knowledge, they didn't talk much besides the formalities implied in their servant-employer relationship. And it wasn't that long of a relationship too if he recalled.

"I'll go-... I'll be there in an i-instant," Ren said-fumbled, making it obvious he shared her nervousness. Maybe it was the talking to a girl close to his age he'd say—she was sixteen he had overheard. But it was not like he ever got nervous next to other maids his age too. So he was confused by himself.

"I see. Then, if you'll excuse my leave..." Aki bowed again, turned, and wasted no time to leave the room. Before she closed the door though, her eyes traveled to Ren a last time and trails of rosy cheeks were the last he saw before she warped away.

The thud of door meeting frame reached his ears finally. And as if he had been holding it in for a while, he sighed the heaviest he had in a long time. Weirdly, his heart had been pounding like crazy the whole time his eyes were set on her and he had no idea why.

Is this some instinctual, natural-borne premonition I have for detecting inbound enemies? Ren thought and laughed off the thought and his heart rate.

He went in front of a full-body mirror to fix his clothes and saw his whole midsection was open for viewing. He blushed and groaned. "So that's why she was... ugh..." He became as red as a tomato. "Wouldn't she tell the others I'm indecent? What if she thought I was being improper on purpose? Did I come off as creepy? I swear I'm not like those other pigs in the house... agh..." He grunted more like he panicked as his hands went to cover his face but not the shame.

Still, when he recalled his bawdiness, he slapped himself. Not once, but until his cheeks were so red one wouldn't be able to discern the reason they were red in the first place.

...

Ren huffed and pumped his chest as he came face-to-face with it, though maybe, he hadn't done it with as much vigor as he would have desired for the task inbound.

Now, the same torture of always commences. He grinned nervously while facing the corridors of his house for the millionth time, his for-ages-known enemy.

Even though he knew these like the lines on his hand, it was troublesome traversing them nevertheless. They were just that big.

He sighed off the facade of an energetic young man and occupied his mind with whatever else while he began the monotone way. At least this seemed like a good occasion for me to use that beauty I had been itching to... My kimono made to look like violet plums! Hehe. He must have patted some invisible dust off the cloth how nothing flew out.

Mm... though, I hope Mother will forgive me when she sees I don't remember much of what she taught me about ancient language. Truth is I've ditched most classes this year and the past. They knew it but allowed it since I wanted to focus on training for the ceremony. Ah, maybe I should get something to eat... mm... maybe not. Probably taken too long already. I shouldn't have wasted time in bed—

"Ren!"

Ren swiveled on his feet, posture awkward and same for the face he had on. "Huh?"

He swore he had heard some voice calling from behind as he looked back.

It was small and barely seeable how distant she was in the corridor, but he was sure he knew who that was. He cocked his head to the side while squinting just to be sure she was the one who was making her approach. He squinted them a bit more and finally his vision and memory failed on failing him.

"Sen?!" he yelled, sounding shocked. "What are you doing here?! I thought you were going to lock yourself for some months to train alone!"

The one in the distance was his older sister who had secluded herself in one of the training yards the week before, saying she would stay there for at least a year as she wanted to further hone her skills with the sword.

Though that seemed kind of untrue now how she was in front of him.

(Ugh, a pest has appeared.)

Ren crossed his arms. It was weird she wasn't answering him back. Only her figure kept increasing in his view as her legs gyrated in full potency toward him in worrisome unhingedness. Her face was sprayed with sweat like she had run a marathon too.

Maybe it is because she's too far and can't hear me? And why is my ear itching so much?

For some seconds Ren stared at her come to him, until something turned right the corridor behind her and began running after her.

"What the hell?!" Ren yelped, his gaze so wide his pupils could have been four.

The floor, which for a while only trembled, now shook as if an earthquake had ensued, the tottering rhythmic as if borrowing from the gallops of a horse.

Ren swallowed the wrong way. "What is that thing, Sen!?" he yelled, palms surrounding his mouth to spread the sound.

"Reeen! Help meeee~!" But she just shouted again forget his calling. For some reason she was giggling while all this unfolded too.

What is actually wrong with her?! Ren thought, worry worsening. He had been stuck in place for the entirety of this. He could only watch as the two menaces covered the distance between him and them in seconds left.

What am I supposed to do?!

Ren cracked another stare at the thing behind, and suddenly he had an epiphany. Wait... isn't that the Kozuki's boar?! He then looked back at Sen, her face beaming a smile. What is she doing with it?! Wait, this isn't the time... I must act quickly! Ren anxiously prepped himself. Is this why she can't hear me? Its steps?

Ren's ears turned itchier by the second with the shaking. Two breaths. Three breaths. Four breaths. But he inhaled until in his mind all unnecessary thinking was excluded. He grasped the katana he always carried with him by the hilt and held the position, halting off its unleashing until the ambit between him and his target would be enough he could slice the thing into porkchop.

And it continued approaching.

The fifth breath. And the moment he was waiting for came as he shouted: "Imperial Charge—!" His katana slid on the scabbard as he cited the attack, whistling inside as the blade scraped against the sheat, and while not even half a second had passed at that moment, someone had still acted quicker.

"Stop." A sudden voice came as if a singular droplet had met the ocean. However, in this motley of happenings, everything around him was much more memorable. Because only his steps carried no sound. Only his feet wouldn't rustle. The single subversion in this maniacal setting. And so Ren held his breath when he appeared in his front—in the boar's front too—without a warning he would spawn in.

But as bewildered as he was, he still had to stop himself or else he would cut the man in half. His muscles twitched as he switched gears, the pain excruciating, and he barely managed not to explode into action—though he trusted the judgment of the man before him.

Meanwhile, the man stood still while he waited for his voice to do all the work. It was a surreal sight; the creature listened as if his pet even though they hadn't met ever. It braked frantically until right before him and its eyes shrunk to the size of dots. Dots that had deemed through maybe not a rational thought but an instinctual cue, that it better not.

Sen stopped by Ren's side, puffing her nose and tapping his shoulder and talking in her brightness of always. But Ren was entranced. The type of strength the man omitted was like a magnet for the gaze.

"I see you are a smart boar," the man mused, and the beast flinched. "Had you covered a bit more distance between us... I fear thinking wouldn't have remained as one of your privileges."

The boar moved not an inch after the man ruined its confidence in its own beastly power. It only kept trembling and shaking and quivering for a good, unending second. Then, when it got a hold of itself, it ran back to wherever it came from while causing mini-earthquakes—and itching some more ears.

The itching was what awoke Ren out of his trance as he finally looked at the whole, not just the man. And he swallowed all the fear and admiration he had fostered in this moment back deep and away. But for what?

(You know why.)

"My students," the man finally spoke while turning to face both with a thin smile. He then nodded toward Ren. "I see you managed to stop yourself after I came in. That was commendable, Young Master."

Ren reciprocated the nod quietly while Sen jumped toward the man, punching in his direction with the fluidity only a master of their craft could have—though Ren wondered how as he saw she would barely train.

"Hyaap! Huup!" She kept punching, but the man simply stepped sideways every time her fist approached him, negating her a single hit would connect.

"That was my exercise of the day, Teacher! Why did you scare him away?!" She spoke and continued her flurry until he grabbed both of her fists.

"There were noise complaints, my dear student." He smiled.

She grunted as he let her go. "So, are we having classes or not?"

The man looked like he had considered answering for a second. But he began walking away before that, having his hands hold each other on his back like any other scholar would. That was a sign for them to follow—they knew—and Ren and Sen began their trot side-by-side after him.

Ren looked at his sister's face for a moment. He saw scribbling there today, probably his imagination playing him a magician's trick as his parents would tell him. But he was feeling twice the weird today. It is coming. Everything was, even if slightly, becoming foreign—I am coming—his recent and old memories, faces, and even places. All of those were as if at a country's length away. Today especially...

I am coming.

Noticing him staring over, Sen smiled and waved simply. Ren did the same but he gave her a small nod too. She was the older sister and had an air about her sometimes—the chosen one they say.

"Today your mother will have full reign of your studies." Their teacher started abruptly. "Do note I won't be able to interfere in the slightest and will only be accompanying you two today. She's been anticipating this for the longest, your return to studying with her I mean, so be careful not to show boredom or discontentment." He chuckled.

"Eh... but I wanted to have your classes too..." Sen said pouting.

Ren observed his teacher's whole garb. He was wearing the simplest outfit a scholar would use, which was a long-sleeved robe of black and white. And because of no adornments too, the highlightable part of him was his black and graying hair he had in a ponytail that arrayed his back like iron sprung into a spear, pointing downward and barely swaying as he walked. His eyes one couldn't see, only the long lashes as he kept them closed, were the last condiments for the product to be sublime mysteriousness like all was a backdrop for something more meaningful. And he was in his forties looking as jovial as he did.

Ren huffed and puffed. Again and again. Huffing and puffing. One, two—

Say something.

"Uff... Teacher?" Ren started, something urgent feeding him anxiousness. He thought of something quickly. "Can I ask what the Kozuki's beast was doing here?"

"I apologize, Young Master... I've just realized I haven't told you about Kozuki Oden's six-day stay here. I suggested it and the patriarch permitted his stay here himself, though it wasn't much necessary."

The anxiousness went how it came. "Ah, that's... okay I guess," Ren said, tone reluctant at how he would probably see the man—pest—more frequently.

"Also, the boar just decided to tag along for some reason and we allowed it the manor's purlieus," the man said and continued in not so much of a hurry so the next words would set in. "Though... I don't really remember the time I permitted it to come inside the manor on any occasion." He glaringly looked at the culprit of all this mess.

Sen noticed the jab and, "Ahah-hah... erm... my training was really boring so I decided to use the boar to spice things up... then things somehow developed into this." She scratched the back of her head as she blew small awkward laughs out.

Ren face-palmed at her antics.

"But teacher," Sen said quickly, disallowing the shame from marinating further. "Aren't only great warriors with grand accomplishments permitted to stay here? Of course, I heard about his feats on Kuri and I know that he accompanied that Roger—whatchamacallit... but it shouldn't have been enough for him to be allowed here, right? It's usually through the accumulation of great acts for the good of the people that some are allowed here as guests of honor. He shouldn't have the catalog still... I think. The last was that Hammer of Glory samurai or so wasn't her?"

The man chuckled in response. "Mmm... let's just say that I, as this clan's vice-leader, found him amusing and allowed him to stay here for a couple of days. Don't worry as I'm monitoring him to the best of my capabilities as is deserving for one his caliber."

"Eh... only for that...?" Sen pulled her lips. Men and their odd thinking.

Ren thought her doubts unnecessary as much as he would hate to admit it. He was not Wano's Most Famous for no reason.

...

Ren lumbered in soft feet behind his sister and teacher. They walked down the mountain through the route most used, one Ren hadn't gone through in a while since, being honest, seldom was he allowed to leave the manor. Only if he would go to their library and even that wasn't in the city. Instead, it was roughly located at half the mountain's height.

Not even its feet but the mountain's stomach, he laughed. Funny he sometimes reasoned himself to be the clan's nutrient so it could keep living or something like that so it would explain the restriction on him. A bit pretentious yeah, but in the fun of his head it wouldn't hurt a soul he thought.

"Fuuh..." He soughed with the breeze whistling, his breath gelid and condensing, and he recalled the feeling of his feet sinking into snow whenever he stepped was as odious as ever. The crunchy sound it made too. It gave him the irk.

Regardless, the snow's depth kept lessening with every tree they passed and he thanked the damp wouldn't stay in his step much longer.

Now about the library, he remembered. It was their famed library, the Library of the Ashikagas as it was named, one where scholars in the whole country would die for just an hour inside, though it was mostly kept private for members of the clan.

A while had passed since he had last seen just the look of it. He used to take this path every day a few years back. Now it was just memories. Foggy but they were still there.

He huffed, air and feet weighing, and wondered how these two monsters ahead of him never lost their pace. Ugh, some unnatural-born creatures are what they are. I can't even lie out of this one if they ask why I'm dragging as much as I am. Guess, I will have to... stall!

He thought of what he hated most and instantly the word studying came home. And since his memory was always terrible, his mother's favorite subject was his most hated since it relied on that for the most part... History oh History. And all that branches off of it...

Finally he decided the subject with some hurry and held from stumbling on a harder bunch of snow as he spoke, "Teacher... huff... I don't understand... Why is it important for me... to take as many classes as you guys require me to when really... I only need some strength and... uh, huff... and some good intuition as the heir... I guess? Huff..."

In response, his teacher turned to him with a raised brow and he asked funnily back, "Who said that?"

"Uh... huff... I guess myself?" he instantly replied, pulling his lips and shoulders.

His teacher turned his stare back and continued walking down the road, however.

Ren had no option but to wait until the man would decide to speak in goodwill.

And... it didn't take long before he heard him again.

"Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I will explain it to you simply, so look at it like this..."

He nodded for him to proceed.

"Knowledge is an important weapon for one to have, it being just as reliable as your blade." His teacher turned back at him as he spoke the last, and Ren's doubtful eye gave away the uncertainty he had on his words.

"Don't believe me? So you think being the guardians of Wano means a single thing..." The teacher grinned, and he looked like he would begin reciting a whole book afterward.

And sure he did.

"Look... everything from the likes of strategies of war to how even geography plays a part in the battlefield. The history of your predecessors and how they thrived until what we are, their choices. The very important medical insight for first-aid and country-scale health issues. How you would understand the way our society births structural mayhems daily and how you would solve them. And, even these annoying political affairs your father goes through every day... that would then not be as annoying.

"All of these are areas our eyes are at first opened to through word of mouth, or through these beloved books we have, and trust me, these will help you even when you become just the heir, now imagine the patriarch to the very important clan that is the Ashikaga Clan. And, regardless, since you will lead a country that goes through these problems every day and off, you must, at least to a degree, have some knowledge in these areas so you can exert your help for those in need. Or what kind of leader would you be if you were incapable? And even if forgetting the fact that studying and forcing yourself to learn is a way to keep these neurons in your brain strong, you will in turn be more diligent in doing what you like if you put in the effort to do something you dislike first. You'll be more rigorous, more attentive, and principally, your cognitive abilities and thinking process will go up some stages too.

"And, those two are of great importance in a battle where decisions must be taken within a split second... and well, from what I heard, it seems that our dearest Young Leader's been encountering trouble when dealing with what to do in combat when in short clocks." He raised a brow at the boy. A got you moment he would dare say.

And correspondingly, the boy threw his arms up, face scrunched. He gave in. All points made were valid. There was no way he could find a way to refute his words with his all-brawn brain.

"He gave you no opening, Ren," Sen spoke, her eyes pitiful as she patted her brother's shoulder.

"Those were words only! I won't be persuaded by them." He crossed his arms, mocking and scoffing away.

"Oh, if that's what you think, then I will make sure to have a more practical example to give someday. On why wits are as important as blades." The teacher chuckled and his pupil sighed as they resumed walking at a faster pace.

Ren this time chose to trail behind.

(Just say it... that you don't want the responsibilities. Like the wuss' you are. The coward... the pushover you are.)

"No... I'm not..." Ren mumbled.

"Mm? Said something?" Sen spun around, gaze tilted toward her brother expecting some fun tea from him.

"Nothing at all," he answered right back and she pulled her lips.

"Umm, well, okay then..."

Gotten a bit weirded by his response, she turned to look ahead at her teacher. "Well, Teacher... something I heard is that the fruit was only seen by as many people as you can count on your fingers... Is that true?!" She was already enthusiastic back.

"You shouldn't mention it so casually my dearest pupil," the man said tersely. "Its existence is not known by many... And may this serve as a lesson that even the snow can have ears."

Sen looked at him squinting, looking confused as to what he meant. But Ren behind her saw the man, their teacher, had glanced at a random location on the snow path while his lips, O devilish grin, curved into the tiniest smile.

.

..

...

..

.

A gigantic structure came into their vision. He and Sen looked beyond the verdant trees to the letters highlighted in the building. It read Library of the Ashikagas.

He took a long breath and, "I haven't come here since... well... huff... since I stopped taking classes," he spoke short of breath from the walk.

Sen nodded while now walking behind her brother. "Mhm, it's also been a while for me," she said, bright eyes not as bright as she scanned the compound of a place. Even she wasn't so enthusiastic about studying.

On that intricately built building in their front laid just as intricate knowledge—hundreds of years of it, to be precise. Be it their family's history or the country's, there was a bit of everything there. And with it being as important as it was, guards were on heavy on the vicinities at all times. Perhaps a good one-fifth of the clan's troops standing stationed around the area right now.

So really, it would be insane just the thought of anyone even daring to attempt something to it or in it, Ren noticed. And history attested to its invincibility.

"Ugh... only bad and I mean, horribly bad memories of studying hours 'n hours nonstop are popping up now," Sen said, face scrunching. "I think... I might not be able to do it, Ren..." She held her belly and faked mulligrubs the best she could as she dragged her walking.

"Oh, of course... some are popping up... for me too..." he replied while smiling back, eyes without any rugs.

"We have arrived my students. No running off now." Their teacher was behind them as he pushed their backs just slightly so they wouldn't run. Naturally, they groaned at that.

Approaching the entrance, two guards met the trio in their stout method, each standing on one side of the door with faces unchanged. They carried spears as big as their bodies, and these weapons were similar to one another too. Only the pattern of one was a dragon and the other was a tiger. Their bodies also appeared particularly similar beyond their armors, so much so that even through their helmets one could argue they were brothers.

And well, they indeed were. Called Spear Twins by many, their title was a way to show respect toward their skill amongst even the best within the clan.

Coming off their reputation as well, their professionalism fell not short as the two promptly bowed when the trio came by the door and they welcomed them inside afterward. One would then go to guide them while the other stayed behind to guard the entrance.

Ren eyed the one at the entrance for a second and the bloke's face was unkept off its stoutness even as his to-be liege passed by. Ren then lost his face as the setting changed when through the door and said for himself: They must and well... should take their job very seriously.

Eventually, he turned to look around and the punch in the eye came. The motley of beautiful carved wood as pillars, colorful stained-glass windows, noble green and red tapestry, and the enormous shelves extending above the head never failed in exploding the sight of first-timers. Even he was barely spared from the headache that usually came afterward the shock. Of a library being this grandly decorated out of all things.

He realized the voices of his sister, the guard, and his teacher had all been drowned as he focused on the never-ending shelves in his around. Books of all sorts were organized in mosaic form or as puzzle pieces that would complete a much larger piece of art when seen from above. He could also see so much accumulated dust on the book's capes that if the wind decided a whipping in here then a sandstorm would be borne.

Everyone's been working hard on the training grounds to show off at the ceremony lately and these books are so old and there are so many of 'em, so I don't blame them. But shouldn't there be people cleaning these? Ren thought and brushed himself off it. Rather he focused on what he cared more for. Anyway, where is the martial arts area again?

He looked at both sides and found in a distant corner lots of kids about his age, if not a bit younger, sitting there and reading through the books. Well, case solved. Children and fantasy will always be pairs.

Or kids will always be children, he thought and chuckled.

He kept observing and saw some of the ones reading looked disinterested. Others he saw didn't seem to appreciate or know the value those books held. And others looked as if they didn't care or were simply forced there. However, he noticed a small group in their circle that read through the books carefully, treating them as if an extension of their limb.

"We might have some promising warriors on the clan soon." Suddenly, his teacher spoke ahead on the stairs they had begun going up.

He immediately cocked his head back to look ahead. He was embarrassed to have been caught prying.

The awkward silence continued as they went up the stairs. Though he was sure it was only uncomfortable for him. Or maybe he still couldn't hear their voices and had been ignoring their questions. Or maybe he wasn't even being mentioned.

All of it felt deafening, and this silence was given power while overlapping with the constant stepping of the four when going up the stairs.

He sighed and, I should try thinking about good things, he thought, eyes only on his feet as he walked. Or maybe the ground as he felt embarrassed.

What about the time I studied here with Sen and Mom? There should be some pretty neat memories... He started a whole search through his memories but nothing came.

How stupid... why am I feeling nervous at a time like this? Sen is probably feeling nervous too, right?

And then. It all hit. He looked at her and saw on his sister's face only a powerful grin. It suddenly made him remember who she was.

Oh right, the chosen one. She probably doesn't even feel nervous anyway.

Her hair was of the color of a lotus, resembling a bit if half his head of purple and red were to be mixed in one and given bright and purity. Because hers shone whenever sunlight came upon it. And her ensemble was of a queen and her poise was incorruptible. And confidence solidified with her every step and her will to do as she wished and cared was incomparable—he thought it.

And she was only one year older than him.

He had always been the target of people comparing. Ever since his baby eyes caught their first feel of this worldly light. Light that wasn't meant for him. Because every accomplishment of his after trying his hardest was always bound by the inevitable:

"Well, that's nice, but your sister did this better when she was younger than you are now."

"Oh wow... but I remember when your sister did it thrice the amount you did when even younger."

"What? You can't do it? But your sister..."

"But your sister..."

"BUT YOUR SISTER!"

He stopped on the stairs. Some wind gentle enough it wouldn't cause a sandstorm inside chose to carry his hair instead as it floated on his back.

"What's wrong, Ren?" Sen asked as she looked at him from up the stairs.

Ren?

Panting a bit, he smiled thinly and reassured her, "Nothing, go on ahead. I'll... I'll accompany you right after checking something out."

"Don't try to run away without m— I mean... don't go out there running away, eh?! Hehe." She spoke in her mischievous smile of always.

"The kids picked your attention, huh? Well, go on. I will stall for you with your mother," the teacher added playfully.

Believing his words, they went on ahead and he stayed behind.

And finally, he allowed himself a gaze inside. To everything wanting out.

(Finally some action after a whole while! Just let it consume you! No need to fight the inevitable!)

Ugh... why must it happen right now, he thought with his hand clasping his chest.

(You see how unjust it is that they ignore you and what you do simply because she is the one chosen, right? You feel it is unfair too, right? You feel this anger boiling inside you because of it, right?!)

What bullshit. His eyes went grim as he tried fighting back non-welcomed thoughts.

Memories that once faint now came back to mind stronger than ever. Knocking so they could rumble inside and awaken everything.

He felt like he was remembering something so important, but—

(Don't fight it. Let me take control.)

His consciousness began to slip.