Hajime Gekitsuden
Chapter 1: prologue~ Arc 1: Start of a new journey
In the shadowy embrace of the night, the rhythmic chirping of crickets permeated the air outside. An eight-year-old boy, wrestling with anticipation, tossed and turned in his bed, the looming prospect of his inaugural day at the academy hindering the embrace of sleep. Breaking the stillness, a heated argument echoed from downstairs, rousing him from his restless state.
"What the..." he exclaimed, rubbing his eyes as he sat up on his bed. Glancing at the clock, he noted the lateness – past 2 a.m. With determination, he forced himself out of bed, the cold floor sending shivers through his bare feet as he ventured down the hallway toward the source of the commotion.
Stealthily approaching the kitchen, he concealed himself, an eavesdropper on his parents' dispute.
"...too young; he can wait until he's 9 before joining the academy!" protested a female voice, identified as Ise Kawa, the kid's mother.
"Darling, most kids his age already enlisted last year. I'm sure next year we'll have the same conversation," responded sternly a male voice, belonging to Ise Takeru.
"But..." attempted Hajime's mother, only to be interrupted by her husband.
"I know, but we can't live in fear for the rest of our lives!" exclaimed Takeru, gently placing his hand on top of his wife's. "I'm aware you don't want Hajime to become a Shinobi like us, but someday he will be my successor as the leader of the Ise clan. It is his duty." He continued, holding his wife's hand tighter.
As Hajime continued to eavesdrop, a sense of foreboding crept over him. Unsettled, he grappled with thoughts, struggling to comprehend why his mother, who had never voiced her concerns about him becoming a Shinobi, was suddenly so hesitant and afraid.
"What happened two years ago, the Uchiha..." began Hajime's mother, only to be abruptly silenced by her husband.
"Stop it!" warned Takeru with a flash of anger. "We vowed an oath never to talk about this again!" His voice tensed.
"He will be crushed if he ever discovers what really happened to her," murmured Ise Kawa with a shaky voice, holding back tears. "Mayumi-chan..."
At the utterance of this name, Hajime's heart raced. Yes, he knew Mayumi, his best friend until two years ago when she mysteriously vanished. His parents had explained her departure, citing personal reasons. However, now he sensed something amiss, a hidden truth. The revelation that something had befallen Mayumi, concealed from him, filled him with fear.
Unable to bear more, Hajime retreated to his room. Heart pounding, hands shaking, and head spinning, he grappled with the implications of his parents' conversation.
"Mayumi," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes. Convinced that something terrible had transpired, he felt a profound sadness. His mother's pained voice confirmed it. Confused and disheartened, Hajime succumbed to sleep, despite the storm of emotions within him.