Present Time

We see a teenage Hinto lying in his bed with headphones on, trying to recall the past.

"I remember finding my mom's body as if it happened yesterday, but why do I have so much trouble remembering her funeral...?"

The days after my mom's death have been a blur for me. I remember being at her funeral, yet I felt like I wasn't there at all. And for some reason, the color purple keeps popping into my mind every time I think back to it. I don't remember what I thought or what I did during it all, but I remember it being unbearable.

Talking to myself has become a normal thing. For some reason, saying these things out loud feels soothing—almost therapeutic. Every time I do, it feels like I find some peace in accepting these vague memories.

A few things still bug me to this day, though.

As Hinto was thinking this, he looked at a photo on his desk of him and Nikko.

Right after the funeral, Nikko and her mother, Asa, left our city. According to my grandpa, they left because Asa got a job in another city. Grandpa helped me write them letters, but they never sent one back. Which is why, eventually, I stopped believing the reason for their sudden disappearance.

Sometimes, I wonder if she thinks about me...

Hinto closed his eyes, sighed, and went downstairs. When he glanced into the hall, he saw his father's old kendo sword lying in the umbrella stand.

That brought back some memories...

7 years ago

After Ame's death, Hinto would spend his time watching his father train in the garden. He felt an urge to spend time with his father, like any child would. But he also developed an urge to impress him. Maybe if he became great at kendo, his father would finally pay attention to him. His father was an expert at kendo, so Hinto asked him to train him.

Hinto saw it as a fun activity to do with his father, but his father thought otherwise. He said he wanted Hinto to aim to be the very best. And he certainly made sure Hinto would stay committed.

For two years, Hinto was swinging his sword and making progress, getting better at handling it. Everything seemed to be going well until...

"FATHER, I CHALLENGE YOU!" Hinto said confidently, pointing his kendo sword at his father with the biggest smile on his face.

Ikari was unamused and wore a serious expression. "Come show me the fruits of your training."

Hinto ran toward Ikari and tried to strike him. He thought to himself, Finally, I get to show my father how strong I've become!

During his strike, he let out a battle cry.

"HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

But, unfortunately, Hinto stood in front of his father, swordless. His sword was knocked out of his hand by his father with a single strike.

"Pick it up!" his father said.

Hinto remembered shaking in fear. His father used to speak in a certain manner, but something had changed. He seemed colder than usual.

"I SAID PICK IT UP, YOU BRAT!"

"YOU DARE DISOBEY YOUR FATHER!? YOU TRAINED FOR TWO YEARS AND THESE ARE THE RESULTS?!"

These were the words coming out of Ikari's mouth as he spoke to his 7-year-old son.

Hinto felt like the strength drained from his legs, and he collapsed to the ground. This made his father angrier than Hinto had ever seen him.

"I GUESS I'LL HAVE TO TEACH YOU SOME MANNERS!" he yelled, blinded by rage, swinging his sword toward Hinto.

Hinto closed his eyes in fear.

"ENOUGH!"

Hinto opened his eyes and saw his grandpa standing in front of him, holding his father's sword.

"Grandpa!?" Hinto asked, tears in his eyes.

Chapter End