“That too they only started talking because I asked them to speak with Sakura the day before… until then they only talked to me.”

****

Inside that vast space…

> “What’s baka nii-chan saying? He’s embarrassing us in front of everyone.” Amaya puffed, kicking the cushion.

> ‘You only gave the signal, and now you’re arguing?’ Saku said with a frown.

> “So what? He can just ask and open, that’s sufficient right? I hate him. He even says what I did when I was a baby!” She shouted.

> ‘Then tell him directly you hate him.’

> “You! I just said in a flow! Why would I hate, idiot?” She hurled a pillow across the space. “He likes me and cares for me more, so of course I argue.”

> ‘Huh? Go away, dummy. He likes me more than you …and why is nii-chan still not opening?’

> “He’s just telling stories to embarrass us... I’ll talk to her first.”

Saku raised an eyebrow, > ‘Don’t you want to talk with nii-chan’s maa too?’

****

Outside…

“Okay, okay… I’ll open. But if they want to talk, fine.” He lifted a finger in warning. “If not, don’t ask anything.”

Diya huffed, “First open, nii.”

He sighed and opened a small crack—

Within a second, TUP! A carrot fell right on Sakuragi’s head.

> “You idiot! Attempting suicide and making nii-chan cry?”

“Huh?!” Sakuragi flinched, looking around.

“Hey! You idiot?” he shouted, face heating. “I opened just because you asked, why are you bringing that topic?”

Thud! A stool came flying at him, he dodged just in time.

> “You don’t talk! Embarrassing us in front of your family like that?”

“Oi! It’s not like that—”

Bam! A tray slammed into his arm. “Argh!”

Everyone froze.

“Stop.” He raised both hands quickly. “Sorry, sorry.”

> ‘Hmph, she’s just an idiot, niichan,’ Saku sighed, floating around lazily. “We wanted to talk to them, no worries.”

“Hey! Who dropped the stone on me?” Diya asked, squinting up.

> “Me.” Amaya crossed her arms inside the vast space. “What will you do?” She shrugged with a grin. “Actually, I wanted to throw more, but nii-chan would scold me, so I didn’t.”

“You’re agreeing?!” Diya’s eyes widened in disbelief.

> “So what! I already said that. You can’t do anything to me.” She grinned proudly.

“Amaya!” Ren’s voice carried a warning.

> “Haaii, okay okay.” she muttered, poking her tongue out.

Just then, Tanvika walked in, drying her hands with the edge of her saree. “Huh? Arguing with my daughter?”

> “T-that’s… you didn’t see, maa… she grabbed—”

“I know.” She smiled sweetly. “She already told me.”

“Hey! You threw a stone at me when I came!” Diya snapped, eyes flashing. “And I didn’t grab his collar at that time, okay?” She turned away with crossed arms. “Besides, he’s my nii-san.”

> “Aha?” Her voice turned teasing. “Well, nii-chan said about you… so we played.”

> ‘Can we also call Maa as nii-chan?’

“Ha, the other one already called, right?”

On the side, Rina and Sakuragi stood silent, processing the storm with blank faces, like, ‘What just happened!’

“Take this.” Tanvika kept the carriage basket close, her gaze soft but pleading. “Hey… you can stay, right? Just for today? They’ll come soon. You can talk with Pa too. Please, request from your maa.”

“Yes, stay here.” The other three voices joined in unison, gentle but insistent.

“Maa, if I stay, then you’ll have to explain everything to Yuna.” He glanced at the door, hesitating.

“But in public, we can’t speak freely like this,” she lowered her voice. “Here, we can.”

“Sorry, maa,” he looked down with a sigh, then stood.

From the crack, Amaya’s voice called, > “Come here! We’re waiting, naaa~”

Tanvika shot a sharp glare in the air.

> “Maa, I’m nervous! But you know this too, you can’t do anything to me, even when you glare like that. Right? Buuu~” Amaya snapped back, bold and bratty.

“Oh? Then I won’t talk to you anymore.” She narrowed her eyes. “That I can do, right? And besides, you’re listening to his words because of that fear, aren’t you?”

Amaya went silent, then mumbled, > “H-How do you know? You know, maa, he started blackmailing recently. He said, ‘I won’t talk unless we talk to Sakura.’”

She chuckled warmly. “Well, he’s right, though.”

> ‘He didn’t even come when we called. That’s the most frustrating thing.’

“Hey! I would’ve come if I could.” He shot back quickly.

Then he turned toward them, toward Tanvika. “Okay, I’m going.”

He leaned forward, kissed her cheek. “Bye, maa.”

The crack behind him closed. And he teleported.

Tanvika sat on the chair, elbows resting on the table, fingers loosely laced.

“If he stays and Kazu comes… how good would that be,” she murmured, turning slightly. “Yuna, Yuna. I know she won’t tell anyone important things until she decides. But once she does, she gets caught so easily by denying.”

“Maa, in the morning you worried about them.” Rina set the bowl aside. “But now see? We cooked for him. No need to wait. We can talk privately.”

She turned to Sakuragi. “Tell us about them. How they grew up in your village.”

“A-Ah… they didn’t tell names to outsiders.” Sakuragi’s voice lowered. “Ren-nii used to go somewhere in the middle using his katana. Kazuma-san… I cooked for him. Miko-san came to see them.”

“Hey, why are you saying it like that? Like piece by piece.” Rina frowned.

“What can I say?” She scratched her cheek. “It was normal. Nothing special, Rina-san. We didn’t allow him to work. But Sakura always scolded and mocked him.”

“Huh?” Tanvika tilted her head, puzzled.

“Yeah… but she cared for him the most, deep down,” Sakuragi added softly. “In fact, she didn’t even know that everyone actually followed his orders. She just thought he was some timid guy.”

“But today she doesn’t seem like that?” Tanvika’s voice turned thoughtful.

“I already said, Tanvika-sama. She cares too.”

“That too, it’s his birthday. If she argues with Kazuma-san about anything, it’s always Niisan-related.” She looked up at the ceiling. “Hm… I don’t know when she started having feelings.”

“Did that idiot agree?” Diya asked, eyebrows arched.

“Ren-nii said he didn’t agree fully.” Sakuragi’s reply was quiet.

****

On the other side…

“I knew that would happen.” Kazuma leaned back, calm.

“What can I do? She feels nervous.” Ren sighed, shoulders dropping. “Anyway, I already gave it to Sakura. Eat. Tanvika-sama and Sakuragi did this.”

“I think Rina-san also cooked, right?” he asked.

Ren nodded once.

“Hm… then you ate all of it.” Kazuma’s voice turned jealous but light. “Open.”

Ren turned to Hisagi. “Eat first. After that, I’ll talk to you. You’re waiting, right?” His voice turned serious.

“M-Master, did I do anything wrong?” Hisagi asked quickly, nervous. “Please tell me… don’t make a serious face like that.”

Ren just slid the box toward him without answering.

Hisagi popped open the box and sniffed. “Who cooked this, Master? I think… Aunty made it.”

“Yup,” Ren nodded. “Sakuragi cooked it.”

Kazuma picked up one of the small cutlet-like rolls, already halfway into his mouth. “Mmph,” he said mid-bite, chewing fast.

“They asked you to come too?”

“I won’t for now.” Kazuma grabbed another roll, muttering. “I know what would’ve happened. You didn’t want to go either, you just got caught.”

“Then why are you eating?” Ren tried to snatch it from his hand.

“You already ate. Let me eat, idiot,” Kazuma said, twisting away.

Then he added through a mouthful of food, “Sakura went to Yui’s room?”

“Yeah. She looked fine. Miko-senpai’s there, right? We don’t have to worry.”

Hisagi, meanwhile, was eating at full speed, almost too fast.

“Hey.” Ren snapped at him. “Eat normally. No one’s going to steal it from you.”

“I wanna listen to what you’ll say, Master.” Hisagi’s eyes flickered nervously. “I’m feeling tense.”

“What do you want to talk about?” Kazuma looked up at Ren.

Ren said nothing, just pointed out the food carriage.

They both lowered their heads and focused on the food. Quiet munching followed… until every bit was gone.

Hisagi finished the box and sat up straight on the right-side bed. “Master… say now.”

Kazuma leaned back against the wall, one leg on the bed, arms folded. He waited silently.

Ren smiled faintly and walked up. Then—

Suddenly slapped Hisagi hard across the cheek.

Hisagi jerked from the blow, twisting as his hand flew to his cheek. “M-Master…” his voice shook. “If I did something wrong… say it. I’ll accept the punishment.”

“What do you think I slapped you for?” He asked quietly. “I didn’t speak about that to you after that.”

Hisagi looked down. “F-for not admitting defeat?”

“No.” His voice grew heavier as he stepped closer. “I hit you because you asked him to teach that art.”

“You want to learn because I used it?” Ren lifted his hand again. “You think it’s a joke? You know how you’ll change, idiot?”

Kazuma straightened. “Hey, he’s still—”

“Don’t interrupt me!” Ren snapped, looking over his shoulder. “He’s twenty years old, Kazuma. Not a child.”

He turned fully to Hisagi. “Say it. What kind of nonsense reason is that?!”

“T-that’s… I never saw you use anything. I didn’t know how you were going out of the village.” Hisagi held his cheek, gaze lowering. “So I know I can’t learn that… I just thought, maybe if I asked simp—”

Ren moved to raise his hand again.

Kazuma was already beside him, catching his wrist. “Hey! It was a fun conversation. Don’t get serious.”

Ren swatted his hand away. “I already said don’t interrupt. He thinks it’s a kid’s game.”

“Do you think you just look younger, or actually become younger?” Ren asked, voice sharp. “You think it’s some de-age art? It’s not. It’s not even healing related art, it’s a forbidden art… you don’t know the consequences. DON’T JOKE LIKE THAT AGAIN.”

Hisagi’s eyes glistened, breath shaky.

“Why are you crying now? Haa? DON’T CRY. You’re looking at us, right? We changed into kids. It’s not a game.”

“He’s like you,” Kazuma muttered from the side.

“I’m different.” Ren snapped quickly. “He doesn’t know anything.”

“I’m sorry…” Hisagi’s voice cracked. “It was my mistake. I shouldn’t have asked without knowing. But Master… please train me. I want to become strong like you. I don’t want to lose again… not like that.”

“What am I even saying, and what are you replying to?” Ren groaned. “Don’t change the topic.”

“He already said sorry,” Kazuma cut in gently. “It was just a mistake. I’m the one who brought it up.”

“Don’t support him,” Ren said sharply.

Kazuma’s tone flattened. “Fine. Say whatever you want. But don’t slap him again.” He stepped away, going towards the door. “I’m going.”

“Oi, where are you going?” Ren called.

“I don’t want to disturb you.” Kazuma muttered, walking out.

The door clicked shut and the room fell quiet after he left.

Hisagi kept looking down, fingers twisting in his lap.

Ren sighed, softer now. “Raise your head.”

Hisagi quickly looked up, then stood and suddenly hugged Ren’s waist tightly. “Master, I’m really sorry. But please teach me. You accepted me as a disciple, right?”

“First step back, idiot.” Ren stiffened in place. “Didn’t Inori say? No combat, no Kairo energy. Just brain.”

But Hisagi didn’t budge, still clinging to him, voice trembling. “Master, I want to learn. What if a situation comes again? You won’t always be there to help me, right?”

“I’ll be there,” Ren said softly. “Don’t worry.”

“No, pleaase!” He held tighter, voice trembling.

“Hey, first move off.” Ren sighed deeply. “I’ll teach you.”

“Really?! What do I have to do?” Hisagi let go immediately, eyes sparkling as he looked up. “I can also open a Dimension por—”

“No, no,” Ren said quickly. “That’s my katana’s ability. You can’t. But you can train with the katana for other techniques, normal cutting types.”

“Um… okay,” Hisagi nodded slowly.

“Don’t disappoint.” Ren looked at him seriously. “First, I’ll ask a question. Do you really want me to be your master? Say it honestly. Because I might not teach you properly. I’ll only tell you what I know… and that too, only what I understand.”

“Yes!” Hisagi answered without pause. “I’ll learn whatever you teach me!”

“Tch.” Ren clicked his tongue. “It depends on you, not me. I’ll just tell the basics today, then later, I’ll explain everything, okay?”

“Okay.”

“First thing. Everyone keeps saying Kairo energy or, in your way, power level. What do you think that is?”

Hisagi tilted his head, confused. “Um… Kazuma-master said just imagine…”

“Ugh!” Ren sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Kairo is divided into two words, Kai means circulation. Ro means flow. So it’s the energy flow that moves through our body from birth. But the level depends on the person. For example, a newborn baby has level 1.”

“Ohhh!”

“And at that level, Sensemitters can’t sense it.” Ren gestured sharply. “Even towers don’t detect anything. No alerts.”

“Miko Aunty is a Sensemitter, right?” Hisagi leaned in. “That’s why she didn’t find Yuna?”

“Yeah,” Ren said, glancing at him. “And after level 200, it’s not really important. It totally depends on you. But yeah, 200 level is for… wait…”

He scratched his head. “Where should I start from…”

“Okay.” He looked at Hisagi. “Solar Plexus. That’s the main node. It generates and supplies Kairo energy.”

Hisagi blinked, confusion still clouding his face.

Ren noticed his blank expression and sighed. “Uff, just think of it as above your belly. Got it?”

“Oh! Then… I have Kairo energy in that?”

“Obviously.” Ren raised his second finger. “And the second main node, equal to the Solar Plexus, is the Heart Node.”

“Heart?” Hisagi leaned back slightly.

“Yeah.” Ren nodded. “It’s your backup. If the energy in your solar plexus runs out, this kicks in. But if that also empties… you’ll die.”

Hisagi’s eyes widened. “Die?!”

“Of course! It’s your heart, you idiot.” Ren smacked his forehead with a groan.

“Alright, for the next part. You can understand them in your own way,” he folded his arms. “The upper and lower nodes.”

“I form my own opinion from what I’ve listened to when others explain it to me: the upper nodes are tougher to use, especially for techniques like… teleportation.”

“Teleportation?” Hisagi blinked. “Master, can I learn that?”

“Not now,” Ren said sharply. “If I tell you now, you’ll just start begging. You won’t be able to even try.”

“Huh?! Why would I beg?” Hisagi frowned.

Ren flicked his forehead. “Try it and then you’ll know.”

“Okay, okay, then I won’t learn it for now.” Hisagi grumbled, rubbing his forehead.

“Upper nodes first.” Ren pointed. “Wrist and palm. Both hands, that’s four. Then temple nodes, brain, memory, throat… and the node at the back - neck’s backside.”

Hisagi started counting on fingers. “That’s… ten, right?”

“Yes.” Ren nodded. “Now lower nodes, ankles and knees. Four in total.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes!” Ren narrowed his eyes. “You want more? First master these, idiot. Calling it ‘that’s it’ already.”

“Okay okay, sorry,” Hisagi said, lips pressed tight.

“Well…” Ren continued, “the third most important node—”

“Brain, right?” Hisagi interrupted eagerly.

“If it was the brain, I’d have said it when I mentioned the upper nodes, right?” Ren snapped, glaring. “It’s the spine node. The solar plexus generates and supplies. And the spine node circulates and balances the Kairo flow.”