January 21, 557 E.R
Morning, in a hospital, a little boy wakes up. He tried to get up on his bed but he felt a sudden pain in his body.
"Please don't get up just yet!", he heard a voice at his right side. He took a glance beside him and saw a little girl with tears on her eyes. The girl looked really worried and sad. Tears are starting to stream out of her eyes, dropping along her cheeks onto her chin. He has no idea who the girl is but one thing is for sure, she looks familiar.
"Taka-kun!", the girl shouted and hugged him. "I thought you were dead! Father took you here from your family's house. He said you were just unconscious. I'm so glad.", she added while crying.
"Who are you?", asked by the boy. Upon hearing what the boy asked, the girl's expression changed to shock. She was surprised by the fact that the boy that she was worried about has no idea who she is.
The girl then changed her expression, an expression of having an idea on what to do. She decided to go outside the room. Seconds later a man with a general uniform enters the room with the girl dragging him. Upon seeing the man's face and body shape the little boy thought "The man from last night".
"Papa! Why can't Taka-kun remember me?! Please help him!", the little girl begged the man who turns out to be her father.
"I'm sorry Taka-kun and *****-chan. If only I arrived in time this could have been avoided. He lost his memories because his tachi ate them.", the man said while lowering his head in front of the little boy. The man's face got blocked while he was lowering his head but the little boy spotted water dripping from his face. It was tears.
"...", the little boy went silent for a couple of seconds then replied "He said he wanted me to live in the kingdom's capital city. His retainer is waiting for me there".
The man raised his head and looked at the boy. The boy's face looked calm.
"I will arrange that for you right away.", said by the man while picking his phone out of his pocket.
The man made a call. Minutes later, a male and a female in military uniform entered the room.
The female soldier addressed the little girl's father "General, is this boy general Kinshi's son?" and looked at him. She looked at the boy with pity.
The general nodded in response.
The male soldier then called the boy, "Hey, Takashi right? Wanna come with us? We are heading for the kingdom's capital city".
The boy then looked at the general with worried eyes. Like he was asking for any confirmation or approval. The general then nodded and smiled.
"They will take care of you. They will make sure you reach the city safe and sound.", said by the general with a gentle smile on his face.
"This is the least that I can do", he added.
He then turned his eyes to the soldiers and they stiffened their bodies.
"Your last mission as general Kinshi's men is to escort his son into the kingdom's capital city. I hand picked the both of you amongst the best. Please.", he ordered them and lowered his head.
"Please don't lower your head general. We want to take this mission ourselves. It's the least we can do for this boy.", said by the female soldier.
The male soldier then took the boy's belongings, amongst the things he picked is a sword wrap by a black cloth. The female soldier then held the boy's hand and asked "can you move?".
"Yes, the pain's gone.", the boy answered.
After hearing the boy's reply the female soldier then escorted him outside of the hospital where their vehicle is waiting.
"Wait!", before they could enter the car, they heard a shout. After hearing the shout they then heard several foot steps approaching. It sounded like someone is running towards them. The male soldier then smiled with the female soldier. The male soldier nodded facing the female soldier and entered the vehicle.
"Looks like you have someone who wants to say good bye.", said by the female soldier.
The boy turned his sight towards the source of the shout. He saw a girl running with snot on her face and tears on her eyes. She tackled him with a hug.
"Even if you don't remember me, I still remember you! I promise, someday, I'll make you remember!", said by the little girl while hugging him tight.
Suddenly a man appeared behind the girl. The little boy, the male and the female soldier noticed the man's sudden appearance. The man then tapped the girl's shoulder and said "It's time to let go *****-chan". The girl looked at the man and let go of the boy. She recognized him, it was the general from earlier.
"Heh, you are still using that technique which your family made, huh?", said by the male soldier.
"Please take care of the mission flawlessly. Taka-kun please refrain from drawing your sword's power unless you are in a life and death situation, okay?" the general asked Takashi with an expression of someone asking a favor from others. Takashi nodded in response.
"Don't worry, I can still remember my father saying something similar to that.", the boy answered.
The female soldier then opened the back passenger seat door of the car. "Let's go", she said to the little boy. The little boy entered, the female soldier closed the car's back door and entered the front passenger seat.
The boy then heard a weird loud sound.
TINININING!! TINININING!! TINININING!!
With an annoyed eye Takashi turned the alarm off.
"Tsk! Another day in school, huh?", he muttered.
The door was slammed open and Aoi entered spinning like a ballet dancer.
"GOOOOOD MOOOOOORRRRNNIIIIIINGGG!!! Taka-sama!!", she said while continuing her spinning. She stopped spinning and said "Time for breakfast!" with glitters in her eyes.
"Okay okay", Takashi replied with a poker face expression.
August 9, 561 E.R
After school.
The school's third floor corridor is full of first year students who are exiting their classroom to either go home or go into their clubs. Takashi's decision is the former. He decided to go home with Aoi.
While walking along the corridor they saw Rikka and Shizune happily talking with each other.
"I wonder if miss prodigy over there has any friend in their class, I mean the only person she talks with is Shizune from our class", Takashi said.
"Now that you mention it", Aoi replied.
"Yep, I think they started hanging out after they owed each other.", Kotaro said.
"You might be right." Aoi agreed.
"Wait, why are you with us? Not to mention appearing out of nowhere!!! Stop doing that!!", Aoi added with a surprised expression.
"He's been following us since earlier's afternoon bell like a puppy. I thought you've noticed him already.", Takashi said.
"Now now Aoi-chan. Nevermind me, I heard Rikka-chan over there is a loner inside their class. She was elected as their class rep for the tournament via default since she got the highest grade in our entrance exam.", Kotaro said.
"I see", Aoi said.
Rikka noticed Takashi's group approaching their direction. She saw Takashi's face. Her expression change faster than the lightning. She looked annoyed seeing him.
"Hiragi Takashi! Why must you pass here? You're ruining my mood!", she said.
"Eh?? You're being unreasonable. Of course I have to go pass through here since the stairs going down is just beside your classroom.", Takashi replied.
Shizune is waving with a friendly smile at the group while the two are arguing.
"Tsk! Just pass along already!!!", Rikka angrily said.
"Okay okay miss prodigy.", Takashi answered while he goes through Rikka and Shizune in a bothered expression.
After the group passed by Shizune turned her sight towards Rikka.
"Hey Rikka-chan, why are you so angry--- I mean annoyed is the right word. Why are you so annoyed at him?", Shizune asked.
"Eh? It's just that-- I just feel disappointed. Maybe I'll tell you about it when I'm ready.", Rikka answered with sad expression."Let's go to the cafeteria! I'm hungry.", she added.
Upon seeing Rikka's sad expression Shizune then said "Okay, I won't force you but if you need someone to listen to you please don't hesitate to talk to me. Let's go" with an expression of trying to cheer someone up.
Meanwhile in one of the roads in the capital city. On their way home, Takashi and Aoi parted ways with Kotaro who've been tailing them since they're still inside the campus. They walked home.
"Hey Taka-sama, what do you want for dinner? ^_^ Otto-san will be joining us", Aoi asked cheerfully.
"Ramen!", Takashi answered with an excited expression.
"EEHHH? But ramen is not healthy. You should eat healthy foods, you know?", Aoi voiced her objection on Takashi's food choice.
"Then you shouldn't have asked.", he replied with a disappointed expression. "So it's time for him to report, huh?", he added.
"Yes. He's very excited earlier on the phone. Looks like they got something for you Taka-sama", she replied with a serious face.
"That's good to hear. Then don't give me any details for now. We don't know who's ears might caught our conversation", Takashi said with a calm expression.
"Very well", Aoi replied.
7pm
Evening
Inside Hiragi mansion, Aoi is preparing dinner. Takashi is reviewing some papers in his personal office.
Knock Knock Knock!
Upon hearing someone knocking Aoi opened the door. After opening a middle-aged man in casual attire entered the residence. The man is wearing black jeans and a yellow shirt with sun glasses on.
"I'm home", the man said.
"Welcome home otto-san! How was your secret mission?", Aoi greeted the man who happens to be Aoi's father.
"Ohh Aoi-chan, I'm fine and about the mission, I'd rather talk about it with Taka-sama's presence", Aoi's father replied. "How are you doing Aoi-chan? Did you miss otto-san? HUH?? Now give me a hug!!!", he added.
"Shut up! Who would hug a drunkard old man like you?", Aoi answered "And as for your question, I've been working fine without you", she added.
"You've become such a harsh talker! Papa's sad. T-T", the man said with a sad expression. "Jokes aside, where is the brat?", he added.
"Is that how you address your master?", they heard a voice coming from upstairs. A young man is making his way down on the mansion's main stairs. It was Takashi.
"Yo! It's been half a year Shiro-san", Takashi said to the man. They stared at each other. A couple of seconds later they suddenly hugged each other like father and son who've not seen each other for a long time.
"Let's talk in the office later after dinner. For now rest. You earn it.", Takashi said to Shiro.
"Please do rest otto-san. I am still preparing dinner.", Aoi responded to Takashi's offer to Shiro.
"Okay. Wake me up when dinner's ready, kay?", Shiro replied.
"Okay, I shall wake you up otto-san", Aoi said.
Hours later, the dinner is ready. Aoi called both Takashi and Shiro. The three ate dinner together like a family. They have no time to talk with each other while dinner since they are busy gulping foods on the table like hungry pigs. Aoi watched them with a happy expression since they looked like they love her cooking.
After dinner, they both wiped their mouths and took deep breaths. The atmosphere inside the dining area became serious.
"Okay then, lets talk about your report right now", Takashi said.
"Very well. I have 2 news for you. First is the fruit of my 5 months worth of searching for your father's trails and second is all about next week's event.", Shiro replied.
"Are those two related?", Takashi asked.
"In some way, yes they are", Shiro replied.
"I see, then start reporting about what my father has been doing", Takashi said.
"Understood. Actually I have little to say about that part since all he does is attack military bases around the continent, all by himself", Shiro answered.
"I see. Just a question about his goal. Is he attacking military bases out of rage or was it planned?", Takashi asked.
"About that I can't really say for sure but one of my sources told me that he is affiliated into a group. I have no idea about it's name but what I know is that they have a plan that involves next week's event. That's all I know", Shiro answered.
"I see", Takashi said with expression full of thoughts.
"I suggest you do not attend next week's event for the safe side, Taka", Shiro said with a worried expression.
"Thanks for the concern Shiro-san but I can't do that. I have formulated a plan for next week after hearing your report", Takashi answered.
"But--", Aoi is about to object but then shiro interrupted her.
"Wouldn't they think that I am the one pulling the strings if something bad happen and I am not around when it does? I mean the whole kingdom knows what my father did. I can't risk them doubting me. Like I said I need to keep my profile low", Takashi said.
"..." both Aoi and Shiro went silent. They could not give a counter for what Takashi said.
"Don't worry I won't die. I can take on anyone. Easy as a---", Takashi said but was interrupted.
"Don't get ahead of your self kid. You can beat anyone but you of all people knows that you can't beat your father yet without drawing your sword's power. When you draw it's power you who knows which memory it will eat. Don't rely on your sword too much.", Shiro said with an angry expression. A expression made by parents who lectures their naughty children.
Takashi sighed after hearing Shiro lecturing him. "Haaa, here you go again.", he said.
"It's not for me! It's---", Shiro said and was interrupted.
"But thanks, I am still far from being matured. Thanks for always staying near me and lecturing me. I needed that", Takashi said.
Shiro kept quiet.
Aoi smiled.
Takashi stood up from his seat and left the dining area.
August 15, 561 E.R
Trinity Royal Academy. The student and visitors are gathered in front of the academy's gate. The academy's school gate is still close.
"Fellow Students! Teachers! and Visitor! Welcome to the Trinity Royal Academy's opening ceremony for our school's foundation week celebration! May you enjoy the events we've prepared and go home with smiles on your faces. Without farther ado, I will officially announce 'The Trinity Royal Academy's Foundation week celebration has begun!' ", the student council president announced the official opening of the foundation celebration using a megaphone.
The academy's gate has begun to open. Visitors and students are entering the school campus.
Takashi and Aoi are both gazing the school's entrance.
Announcement: Next chapter is volume 1's final chapter and will be followed by a epilogue chapter ^_^ Stay tuned.
[Translation: Tachi is a long japanese sword/katana]
[Eron_Otaku]
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