When I finally found Hiroshi's store, I decided to walk in. I saw that he was at the counter polishing some type of gun. He was just standing there with his eyes closed and slowly sipping his cigar. His attitude was just like this morning, Cold and serious.

On the other hand, his shop was much different from his aura. The atmosphere it had was like an old-time medical store, but it felt nice and warm. There were many guns on the shelves, very much cleaned and polished like hundred times before. Some powder, smaller versions of some guns, extra hilts, and installable parts. 

It was maybe the most detailed gun shop I have ever come across, being the first one that I saw.

But just as I was about to wander around it with curiosity, Hiroshi realized me looking at his shop in a goofy way, and decided to talk to me.

"How can I help you, partner?"

His way of talking was very working toward an attitude. His voice felt like it had deep anger in it, however, he was very calm while talking. It was like he didn't intend on doing something, but he was ready for it.

So straight to the point, I didn't want to waste his time,

"I saw your movements with the gun today. And thought it was pretty smart and effective. You have to practice many many times before you can get that one on spot."

"Practicing many times before is a phrase that I'm not familiar with anymore. To gain something that I want, I don't calculate my aim or count shots, I focus on the current one and shoot right at it."

He then lifted his head and added,

"Why are you here anyway, Kid? I don't usually chit-chat with kids and I don't say I like doing it either."

"I think that what you have done there is pretty respectable. Helping someone is not always someone's intention. And doing it with such efficiency is something that I admire. At least that is what I have learned from some people I know."

"You've seen my moves, huh? Very few people usually see the moment I pull the trigger. So I got caught?"

Then he looked me dead in the eye and added once more,

"I remember you. You're the one who saved that woman. Just like, you have your own moves too, Kid. You were quick acter and weren't that bad. So, why are you here?"

And that moment finally came. 

The first-ever moment that I felt that I have to make a choice. After training with Ronk for months, and everything that my uncle left me and taught me, this was the very first moment my journey could start. It was finally the moment I found a person that could have helped me.

Someone whom I can trust.

So I reached out my hand to Hiroshi, I tried my luck and said with a sure voice tone,

"My name is Ryuu, nice to meet you, uhh...."

Maybe I had heard his name before, but not knowing his surname would be offending, I thought to myself.

But Hiroshi smiled slightly. Took the cigar in his mouth, and shook my hand,

"Hiroshi, Hiroshi West. Nice to meet you, Kid."

And as he got back to talk, he asked,

"Now tell me what I can do for you, Kid?"

Just like before, straight to the point.

"I came here because I need your help."

"What kind of help, kid?"

He seemed confused at first. After all, I didn't have any explanations that I told him before, and we just met that day.

What was I going to say? How was I going to introduce myself? Was he going to kick me out, or find the words that I will say logical?

With no words, nor hesitation, I still asked,

"I have actually come to talk to you about something. Something that matters to me and leaving you without a thank and something unanswered would be bad."

"You are making it complicated, Kid. Just tell it."

He said with a little bit of anger in his voice. I guess it was annoying for him to be left out at work. And also, the situation was getting more nervous than it should have been. So I stood in front of him. Changed my expression into a more serious one, and told him.

"I'm forming a group."

"And what does that group stand for?"

The prejudice and pre-created thoughts that were currently wandering inside his head, were kinda visible to me at that moment. Through his eyes, I saw that he didn't look at this idea that close. At least, just like me at that moment.

But even though the idea was crazy, the process was going to be difficult too.

"This is a group that will stand against the Epics. Actually, towards all evil and bad people that live within it. I am forming and gathering many types of people because I am thinking that no man or woman nowadays has the willpower to stand against it anymore."

Then I added with a smile, "At least, I can say I'm trying."

"You are kidding right?"

Kidding? What does he mean by that?

I scratched my head and replied,

"No, I am not good at jokes."

*sigh*

"I just don't want to leave them out suffering, I just want to he-"

"Wait for a second, let's see if I understand you correctly."

He stopped for a moment, looked at me, and added,

"You need help, and instead of asking for help from someone more competent, you come to me. A shopkeeper that should have no business with you at the start."

"I'm not looking for their job, I'm looking for people that I can trust their personalities to."

Hiroshi getting less interested in the idea, rubbed his eyes.

"Kid, if you need help, you have to ask other people. I'm not a mercenary. And I'm not willing to work for money."

I couldn't give up at that moment.

"I know It is so quick to ask this but I really need your help, Hiroshi."

"Then let me ask you, why are you forming a group?"

"To fight against Epics. I have to form this group for the sake of people. There are so many people out there in danger, calling for help. You have to understand me, Hiroshi!"

"Are you out of your mind? You cant take down Epics just by forming a group. Kid, If you are not here to buy anything you have to go."

Apparently, there was nothing we could agree on. Hiroshi didn't intend to make any sense out of what I said, and I didn't have any sentences that could make it make more sense. So it was a lose-lose situation for both of us, and I had to leave his shop after the conversation.

No matter what I said from now on, he seemed unconvinced.

"I have to try later on."

But I had no intention of giving up.

"One more."

It was a must for me to accomplish something before I went on something so dangerous. Neither no experience nor somebody who could guide was there. So Hiroshi was my best chance at that moment and I felt like I could trust him.

At nightfall, I started looking for a restaurant and thought about the things I could do in the morning. I spent all my money on food that day, and I camped in the woods to sleep. After all, the countless pieces of training with Ronk taught me a lot and I was able to camp quickly.

So tomorrow, I went back to Hiroshi's store. On the way, I found myself thinking about how to convince him. About the things he could get along with, I was trying to figure out the words he would actually understand.

But to my surprise, all of my attention drained away after what I saw.

No one was around when I came in, and the shop was completely empty. So I started looking around and thought he could be out to buy some other sources of material.

Hiroshi had all kinds of guns in his store. On the walls, on the tables. From long-range to short-range, it was a store for all kinds of people. There were various weapons everywhere. And they were all carefully cleaned and placed. It looked like he spent a lot of time taking care of those.

And after a little wandering, I saw a picture of a family. A family portrait was standing on the counter and its glass was shining due to little sunshine entering through the old window.

The picture was an old one. A crowded family, sitting on a balcony laughing, maybe only smiling. But they seemed so happy just in a frame. I thought it could be some people that are valuable to him, He also seemed to have a very crowded family.

A big family, and a little boy in the middle.

It looked just like Hiroshi. Sitting right beside a middle-aged man, he was looking at his mother and holding a little box in his hand. It was probably the moment they celebrated his birthday. A moment most people couldn't forget and would like to frame.

But if he had a family like that, why was he here alone? In a store that would suck every drop of happiness from a person. Maybe it was just peaceful. Not fun, but calm.

And soon enough, I heard a sound,

"Not you again."

"Hello, Hiroshi. I was here to talk again."

I was nervous, but like I said I wasn't going to give away a chance like this.

"Why are you here again, Kid? You really didn't think I was going to change my mind in a single day, didn't you?"

"I was just wandering around, and thought I could pay a visit before saying goodbye."

*sigh* "Yeah, yeah. That is probably why."

"And since I was wandering enough, and caught up to the cool things in your store. I saw this thing."

I pointed to the frame, and asked him with an expression he wouldn't think of me as unserious.

"I wanted to ask who are the people in this picture? They seem like people that are very important to you. And you seemed very happy with them."

He looked at the picture, then me, knowing that this wasn't coming anywhere.

"And what is your point?"

"Were they your family? Or some people you couldn't give up that easily?"

I wanted at least to make him trust me on he can talk to me. Even on a matter of importance.

"Yes, they were. A long time ago." 

But he said this with a very quiet voice. He seemed sad while he said that too.

"Sorry." I tried to shake it off and not make him much more disturbed.

"Don't mind Kid, I was thinking about putting that away anyways."

But unfortunately, at a very important moment like that, my stomach rumbled involuntarily. I felt very embarrassed and knew I couldn't continue the conversation any further.

So I tried my last luck trying to open up another conversation.

"I'm sorry, I spent all my money on food yesterday, and today was a little difficult."

And luckily, he grinned,

"Your actions reminded me of someone I loved."

He then looked at my face and said,

"I'll tell you what, Kid. I know a restaurant in town and it isn't that far away. I'll buy you dinner there, and you can tell me what's on your mind again. But this time much properly and in a way that I can understand."

"Thank you very much, Hiroshi. I will tell you everything."

I wasn't expecting him to be gentle towards my behavior, especially after yesterday.

But who knows, everything can happen at any moment.

Around a late time, it had been, we went to the place where Hiroshi was talking about, and we continued our talk there, while we ate a thing or two.