Hajime returned home around dinner time, exuberant over the day's events.
"They have grown stronger! I am one step closer to freeing us from Goto!"
The seventeen-year-old felt he was not advancing quickly enough to one day defeat his stepfather, but today's occurrences had put things into perspective.
Hajime was already more potent and formidable than an ordinary mage, as demonstrated by his encounter with the White Corps. A few months ago, the thought of being able to take down adults with years of experience would have seemed utterly implausible, yet now, the situation had been entirely reversed.
"I doubt any ordinary person could defeat me now, even if they were a White Corps member!"
As he approached his home, Hajime tried to suppress his smile. If anyone noticed his excitement, it would lead to trouble.
"I'm back!"
"I'm in the living room with Mom, onii-chan!"
As Goto's stepson went to greet the two most important women in his life, he couldn't help but think about the outing he was supposed to have with his sister the following day.
"You're back late today."
"I know, Mom. I had things to do."
Fortunately, neither woman said anything further or asked additional questions. They were both too absorbed in watching television. As Hajime glanced at the screen, he felt his blood run cold.
[Breaking news: This afternoon, a car carrying White Corps members was ambushed by two unidentified individuals. Fortunately, there have been no fatalities or permanent injuries to the agents, but some evidence has been stolen. According to the agents' descriptions, the two individuals were wearing a red oni mask and a white skull mask.]
(This happened only hours ago, and they're already discussing it!? Something is amiss!!!)
The young mage fell into a panic, beginning to hyperventilate.
"(Have we attracted too much attention!? What if Goto finds out I wasn't at school today!? Would he connect the dots!? No! No! No! I must remain calm; I wore the mask, and even if it broke, my face was mostly covered! Furthermore, I am classified as human, not a mage! Breathe, Hajime! Breathe… I must stay composed.)"
Though the boy's face remained somewhat pale, the understanding that it was unlikely anyone could identify him allowed him to relax enough to maintain a semblance of calm. Or at least, that's what he thought.
"Onii-chan? Are you okay? You look pale and anxious."
"Y-yes, of course. I'm going to take a shower."
Kaori focused on the television, not wishing to intrude too much on her brother's privacy. After all, there was no reason to disturb him today; he would be in a foul mood tomorrow upon discovering what his sister had arranged.
***** The following morning, Hajime woke up and went to school, attempting to act as if nothing significant had occurred.
Goto's stepson spent the night awake, trying to process what had transpired. After the mission, the initial euphoria gave way to panic and fear before finally settling into calm acceptance.
"(At the first mission, I could fabricate some excuses… But after yesterday, that's impossible. I chose to assault and injure police officers… Well, it doesn't matter; in the end, no one died… this time…)"
Perhaps it was the grimoire, or perhaps just paranoia, but for some reason, the seventeen-year-old felt deep within that he would soon be "tainted" by horrific crimes.
***** The day was remarkably calm compared to the one before. Hajime had just completed his afternoon training with Fumio and Kuro.
The boy hurriedly emerged from the sewers, eager to reach home in time for his appointment with his little sister.
"Kaori-chan, I'm back. Give me a moment to change, and then we can go out?"
"As you wish, onii-chan."
The young mage eyed his sister suspiciously. Her usual excitement was absent, evident in her body language as the girl avoided her older brother's gaze.
(Has she done something wrong? Perhaps that's why she wants to go out with me? Well, I suppose she will tell me soon enough.)
Realizing this would not be a serene outing, Hajime decided to mentally prepare for anything. One could never predict how things might go awry.
"I'm ready, Kaori-chan. Where would you like to go today?"
"Ah! There's a place I'd like you to take me."
"Alright, let's go."
As Goto's daughter and stepson walked together, an uncomfortable and heavy silence descended between them. The boy with silver hair felt certain that something was amiss with his little sister.
"Onii-chan… can you promise me something?"
"Yes, as long as it is within my ability."
"O-ok, then swear that you won't get angry regardless of what happens."
"Kaori-chan, what have you done? You're making me worry…"
"Promise me. You'll understand soon."
"Alright, I promise."
When Hajime and his sister arrived at their destination, the teenager profoundly regretted having promised to remain calm.
The pair had come to a secluded part of a park, surrounded by trees, where a figure awaited them on a bench.
The seventeen-year-old recognized her immediately; her orange hair was not difficult to spot even from a distance.
"H-Hajime."
"Kaede… Kaori… is there something you need to tell me?"
Attempting to control his anger, Goto's stepson began to stare at his little sister, who appeared decidedly uncomfortable under his accusatory gaze.
"I-I… she called me a few days ago; she wanted to have a chance to talk to you after… everything that happened… I thought she was sincere, so I arranged everything. I know you're disappointed in me now, but I'm doing this for your sake, onii-chan."
Hajime truly could not remain angry with Kaori, especially considering that she was unaware of what had truly happened on the day of the school fight.
"I understand… go home; I think I'll be here a while."
"As you wish, onii-chan."
Goto's daughter seemed a bit hurt by her older brother's words, but she quickly shook her head, realizing she should not feel that way after what she had done behind his back.
(Right! Onii-chan deserves at least some privacy after all! Better for me to leave.)
The young mage took a deep breath before sitting next to his former best friend, not even sparing a glance or a word.
They remained in silence for at least five minutes before Kaede, timidly, offered Hajime a drink.
"For you." (Kaede)
"Is this what you chose every time we went out together?" (Hajime)
"Yes, if you don't want it…"
"No, I'll take it."
Silence fell around them once more, but this time it was less uncomfortable and heavy.
"I'm sorry for the earlier situation… and for scaring you… I shouldn't have been so violent with you." (Hajime)
"N-no, it's alright; it was my fault; I shouldn't have followed you so abruptly. I suppose I put you on edge."
"It's nothing; I shouldn't have laid hands on you…"
The adolescent with silver hair sighed softly; now that he was trying to manage his anger, he could say with absolute certainty that having a calm conversation with Kaede was something he greatly missed.
"I know you want an explanation regarding why I and the others lied that day… at the very least, you deserve the truth." (Kaede)
"It doesn't matter; I know who was behind it and for what reasons… the method is irrelevant."
"Hajime, I-I… I can't imagine how you felt when I and the others, your friends, stabbed you in the back… but… I know it may sound like an excuse, but we had no other choice… I will understand if you want this to be our last conversation…"
The seventeen-year-old looked at his former best friend with pain as she wept freely. A new anger surged within his heart, but it was not directed at the girl beside him; no, it was aimed at the only one responsible for the entire mess: Goto.
(Should I console her? Perhaps… after all, I know how that bastard operates… what if he threatened their families? Friends always come after family, after all… if the situation were reversed, then I would have done the same?)
Hajime already knew the answer. To protect his sister and his mother, he had ventured into a story greater than himself. Had the circumstances been different, he too would have betrayed his friends, even if it had caused him lifelong suffering, to keep his family safe.
"Kaede, I… cannot forgive you… but I can understand why you did it..."
"I understand..."
"It pains me just to think about that day… but I miss my friend, so how about we try to be friends again?"
At those words, the girl burst into tears once more, embracing her former best friend and crying out: "I'm sorry!"
(This is all your fault, you bastard! She wouldn't suffer, and neither would I, if it weren't for you! One day, I will make you pay.)