Ayumu Hikaru

Darien's POV:

Why can't I use anything from my status window? Wait... That's impossible, right? How about my powers then--Eh? Nothing happened either? ... Why now, of all times? 

Thump!

"... It's too early... It's not supposed to happen now..." I whispered, but none of that matters now because my life is in danger. Because a wolf suddenly jumped towards me. I closed my eyes, my hands trying to protect myself.

'I'm going to die again...'

Slash!

I froze in place when I heard the sound of a 'slash' from a blade, followed by whimpers from the wolves that had come to eat me. Besides that, I could feel something splash on me just now.

I turned my head forward and, once again, froze with wide-open eyes at a sight that would definitely make me vomit right now, but all I could do was stare.

The wolf had been split in two, with blood starting to pool beneath it. I cringed in disgust when I realized the splash earlier was the wolf's blood. The other wolves immediately backed away, whimpering in fear until a strange voice emerged that sent a chill down my spine.

"Go away. You almost ruined my plan."

All the wolves immediately ran back into the forest in terror. I felt a little relieved, but when I remembered the voice I didn't know, I immediately turned to my side and saw a man standing next to me with a sharp knife in his hand.

I swallowed nervously and slowly tilted my head up to see the man's face. I didn't know him, and he wasn't someone I had ever seen or known, but he gave off a very unsettling aura. 

With that knife still in his hand, still dripping with the wolf's blood, he smiled.... He smiled like a psycho, and his eyes were full of a maniacal glint. I don't think he's here to help me.

When I remembered what he said earlier, and how I ended up here, I could feel my blood run cold and my heart pound rapidly until my eyes caught something on his wrist that sent a shiver of terror throughout my body.

That red tattooed bracelet... It's the same as the one in the book Eirian and I studied yesterday! It belongs to... That organization... Even without that book, I will recognize that red tattooed bracelet because it's the same as my idea.

This is not good. Why must it happen now?

That explains why I couldn't use my powers and status window earlier. It's not supposed to happen now, not after Darien just got his powers. It was supposed to happen in a few years. This isn't good... I'm going to be kidnapped by them now.

What should I do? Who will come and save me? Eirian? But we just fought, and he... Wait, I think I heard Eirian's voice screaming my name earlier, not... It's his brother's name. 

But still, there's still hope! I desperately hope Eirian was there and has already called Aidan to save me. Even if he hates me, he's not a bad person.

What I need to do now is buy them time. I noticed the man still hasn't looked at me, so if I run away and hide somewhere, maybe it'll be enough to give Aidan time.

But how can I run? My leg is sprained. While I was deep in thought and retreating away from the man, I didn't realize there was someone behind me until my back hit something hard, making me immediately look up.

I was shocked when I met eyes with a large, muscular man with a terrifying face full of scars, and his deep forest-green eyes gave me a shiver of dread. I think I prefer Toru more. Even his big, but he doesn't look so scared!

I tried to run or do anything to get away from him because I could feel my situation getting worse, and I might not be saved in time.

But the mighty man grabbed the back of my shirt collar, then easily lifted me like a kitten. But my collar was shocking me now. I can't breathe!

"Ah! Le... Let me go! Urggh..."

"Aww! Where are you going, my Darien?" asked the man who killed the wolf earlier with his crazy smile, and his tone was so creepy! What did he just say!? My Darien!? How does he know my name so quickly? It shouldn't be now!

"Jen, let him go. We can't let the boy die now, he's too fragile," admonished a woman with a look like she was scolding her child. The man who had lifted me immediately let me go, making me fall and land on my butt. That hurts!!

Can't you put me down gently!? Seriously, this is the second time today I've fallen this badly. What is my luck today?

"And you, Royce. Seriously, can we finish this quickly? This is your last-minute idea again. Niko told me that damn dragon is on his way to save his adopted 'son'," the woman grumbled this time at the psycho man, who just smirked playfully.

If this psycho man is Royce, who is the most dangerous and crazy, and the man with the body more massive than human is Jen. So, this woman is... Ayesha. But who is Niko? I've never heard that name. Another character I don't know who feels important, sigh.

But Ayesha said Aidan is on his way now. So, I really wasn't hallucinating! Eirian really came back just now. I must buy time--

"Hey, my Darien, you know us, don't you? And you know why we're here?" Royce asked, pulling me out of my thoughts and making me focus on him. When I met his purple eyes, it seriously gave me the chills and made me want to dig a hole and hide from him.

I stayed silent and shook my head at his question, trying to put on a pitiful face, scared and act truly clueless, even though I knew them very well. Because they are one of the villains I made.

"Hm? Hahaha, you must be very good at lying, huh? Anyone else would have been fooled, but unfortunately, not me, my Darien~" Royce whispered in my ear, giving me goosebumps and making me feel disgusted. I didn't have time to pull away when he grabbed my arm with an iron grip.

That hurts, you crazy man!

"... I saw it earlier, your face when you saw the tattoo on my wrist. A face that looks like you know and recognize who we are... So, there's no point in lying."

"..."

"Royce, we need to go. Niko is ready to open the portal now."

What!? No! I can't go now! I still have an explanation for Eirian, and I want to apologize to him! I don't want to!

I tried to fight with all my might, trying to free myself from the maniac's grip, but he was too strong, and the harder I pulled, the stronger and more painful his grip became-- it would definitely leave a bruise.

What made me distracted and unaware was Ayesha sneaking behind me before she used her power, making her palm glow white, and touching the back of my head, which immediately silenced me before I realized that my awareness had been taken, and my mind was being controlled by her.

... Damn it... I didn't know she had a power like that...

End of Darien's POV.

Third-Person POV:

Royce smiled broadly, seeing that the little boy's crimson-red eyes had become dull and were no longer fighting. Darien then slumped against him. He waved his hand in front of Darien many times while snapping his fingers to see the boy's reaction.

When he was sure Darien was under their control, he smiled in satisfaction and picked up Darien in bridal style before turning to Ayesha and Jen, who were already waiting at a black-and-pastel-green portal door.

"... I didn't think you would kidnap this boy now? Shouldn't we make a plan first?" Jen asked. Royce just chuckled at him before turning to look at Darien with an unreadable look because of he shadow from his bangs.

"I thought we wanted to take his brother, too?" Ayesha asked.

"Well, we did, but... My Darien doesn't have a greater power? You all saw his power last week, didn't you? It's amazing~"

Ayesha and Jen fell silent, not knowing what else to say because what Royce said was true. It had been a long time since they had seen such power. Their master would surely love it.

"Besides, the opportunity is right in front of his eyes~ So, we should use the chance we have to kidnap him now! Before someone else takes him, hehehe," Royce said again with a toothy smile, and his eyes glinted with sadism.

Before he could step into the portal, he felt something coming towards him quickly. As fast as the wind, he avoided the thing aimed at him, which was a sword, and he recognized that sword.

Royce laughed mockingly before turning in the direction the sword had come from. There. Aidan stood with a calm aura, but his eyes were blazing, having already returned to his human form.

Meanwhile, Len and Nana stood ready with their weapons beside him. Hirayuki, on the other hand, was hiding in one of the trees not far from them.

His eyes caught Darien in the embrace of the crazy man. He felt worried, almost sick to his stomach. The young detective desperately hoped Aidan could save Darien before they took him away, which would make it much harder to find him later.

Royce picked up the sword that was stuck in the ground after missing its target. He threw the sword back at Aidan forcefully, but Aidan didn't budge, even though Len and Nana almost fell because of the wind.

"My Aidan~ I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly, hehe. Looks like this boy has become a part of your life, huh?"

"... Shut up, Royce, let him go now. I don't want to fight right now."

"Eh~ So cold! Sigh, after so many years we haven't seen each other, is this how you treat me? Well, I understand you hate me very much, but you don't have to be so cold~" Royce whined dramatically. Len cringed, and Nana only focused on Darien in the crazy man's arms.

"Sigh... What are you going to do with him? The boy is still weak and sick. If you want his power so badly, why do it now? I know you... Unless... You have a new plan to conquer Serenity?"

The wind blew gently even though the atmosphere had become more tense and serious now, with Ayesha and Jen ready to fight, and Royce still smiling with Darien still in his hands.

'... This is troublesome... I didn't expect him to figure it out so quickly...' Royce thought, still smiling.

"Whatever our plan is, it's none of your business, but I want to tell you something, his power has attracted everyone's attention now. My Aidan~ His power is stronger and more dangerous than yours.

Of course, now this boy had become the target of all the evil people out there, even the demon king? Fufufu, guess I have to give up this opportunity now," Royce said with a mysterious smile, and suddenly he threw Darien towards the three of them without warning.

Len and Nana immediately acted without thinking and tried to catch the little boy. The two managed to catch him, but because they went at the same time, their foreheads bumped hard, and they fell with Darien safely lying on top of them.

Bam!

Hirayuki, who had almost come out of his hiding spot, then sweat-dropped, seeing the two guards already sporting big bruises on their foreheads after bumping into each other while catching Darien.

'Sigh... Those two never change...' he thought.

Meanwhile, Aidan continued to stare at Royce, who just waved at him with a sweet smile before disappearing into the portal. Aidan then went to take Darien from the two guards who were groaning in pain.

"That damn maniac man..."

"Huh... Aidan-sama, why did they let Darien go so easily?' Nana asked, but Aidan seemed to be in deep thought, so he didn't ask again after that, and they headed back home with Darien successfully rescued.

"... I will come back for my Darien, Aidan-kun~" The words from Royce's eyes were still fresh in his head. He sighed heavily before turning to see Darien looking peaceful now.

Skip...
One day later, at Aidan's mansion,

In Darien's room,  Eirian was seen sleeping on his brother's bed, next to him, with both his hands gripping one of Darien's hands tightly. His face was furrowed as if he was having a bad dream before it returned to peace.

Then Darien's eyes moved slightly. When his eyes opened, the beautiful crimson-red pair looked faint and confused. He closed his eyes again to adjust to the light. It was already night, with only the moonlight entering the room through the balcony window, illuminating the room slightly.

Darien looked around, still lying on the bed, before he felt a weight beside him, as if someone was sleeping next to him.

When he looked to his side, he didn't expect it to be Eirian. Because he still remembered everything that had happened and the fact that Eirian knew he wasn't the real Darien, he felt very confused about why Eirian was still by his side.

He didn't know what to feel now. He was confused, but at the same time, he was sad, disappointed, frustrated, guilty, and worried. As long as he didn't settle everything now, the novelist felt he couldn't sleep or live peacefully.

He needed to explain everything to Eirian and apologize to him. If Eirian hated and ignored him afterward, he would try to figure out a way to cope. This wouldn't be the first time; he was sure he could do it again.

Eirian woke up when he sensed the slight movement next to him. When he opened his eyes, he met Darien's eyes, who looked shocked for being caught staring.

He chuckled softly, making Darien embarrassed and pout without realizing it. Eirian then sat up and tilted his head to the side with an amused look.

"What is it, Darien? Caught staring at your brother because you wanted to run away?" he teased as usual. Darien spontaneously glared at him with an annoyed look before he remembered the fact that Eirian knew he wasn't Darien.

"How long?"

"Hm?"

"... How long... have you known... that I'm not Darien?"

Eirian was stunned for a moment, then he gave a faint smile with a gentle look in his eyes, still looking at Darien.

"Since the Grim Reaper game started, I've known that you're not the real Darien, not my little brother. Even though you two have many similarities and almost managed to fool me, I have a strong bond with Darien.

And I've been with him since he was born and have taken care of him since our parents' deaths. Maybe it's big brother intuition? Hahaha." Eirian explained while chuckling, this time smiling with his eyes closed, making the novelist feel even more guilty and sad.

He hugged both his legs and rested his chin on his knees with a sad, understanding, and guilty look. He couldn't bear to look at the softness and kindness in Eirian's eyes anymore.

"... That long? If so, why did you never mention it? Aren't you angry? Don't you hate me?"
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.
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.
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"Hmm..." Eirian leaned back against the headboard, as if in deep thought, trying to figure out the right answer.

"Of course, I was angry. I was angry why Darien left me? I was angry at myself for not taking good care of him before he was killed because of my mistake. I was also confused and didn't understand why you could be in my brother's body, and who you are. 

I didn't understand why I couldn't be angry and hate you, and without realizing it, all the time we spent together... Well... I guess... I've grown affection and fondness for you..."

"..."

"I've wanted to ask you for a long time, but I couldn't find the right time, or... I just wasn't brave enough to face the truth yet..."

"... So... You don't hate me?"

"Hahaha, I already told you. I can't hate you. Besides, Darien entrusted you to me to take care of you. That was my last promise to him."

"Huh?"

"I'll explain everything, but... If you don't mind... Could I know what really happened... and who you are?"

The novelist felt nervous now, but after hearing Eirian's confession and seeing Eirian's true feelings, he didn't feel like he could hide anything anymore.

"... You might change your mind after hearing the truth..."

"Hm?"

Skip...
After the explanation from Hikaru...

The hazelnut-haired boy looked increasingly nervous and anxious, seeing Eirian silent for so long after he explained everything. He already assumed... Eirian would definitely hate him now and ignore him--

"So, I was supposed to die?"

"!!!"

"But instead, Daried died, and you unknowingly ended up in his body. You created this world, and we... We are just characters for your storybook?"

"I... I know it sounds unbelievable! If me, I would have a hard time believing it or wouldn't believe it at all. You don't have to believe it! You can blame me, hate me—"

"How did you end up in this world then?" The novelist was startled again and swallowed nervously. He felt sick remembering how he died before.

"... I... I was stabbed by someone on my way home... And when I woke up, I thought I was in heaven or hell or the afterlife, but instead, I found you... And that's when I realized I was in my own imaginary world..."

"... You were... murdered?" Darien looked surprised, wondering why Eirian looked shocked and angry. "Who!?"

"That... I don't know... But, likely a fan or my stalker..."

"What? Sigh... Seriously?"

"..."

"Are you... Okay?"

"Yes?"

"No, because you were murdered, and then you were forced into the world you created, in the body of a character you created... Are you okay with all of that?"

The hazelnut-haired boy blinked many times with a shocked and disbelieving look. He looked at Eirian as if the blond boy had grown two heads.

"... Eirian... You're not mad at me?"

"Huh? Why would I be mad at you?"

"EH? It's because of me... This world... Darien..."

"It's not your fault, and you didn't want any of this to happen, did you? Besides, I've seen you try your best all this time to save me and others, trying to change our original fate. 

And Darien's death wasn't caused by you, I know that. So, stop blaming yourself and overthinking. I'll continue to treat you as usual, Darien. 

So please, continue to call me 'Eiri-niichan' like usual. I'm sorry for everything I said back in the forest... I never mean it at all... Sorry, but I hope we can be siblings even though we don't have bloodline, haha," Eirian said with a smile full of tenderness and eyes full of trust.

Darien was touched; he felt like crying, but held it back. He was relieved that everything didn't happen as he had imagined. He was also happy that Eirian accepted him and didn't question him further, instead trusting him completely.

"Oh yeah!"

"Hm?"

"What is your real name? I know you live in this world using the name Darien, but... I'm curious about your real name, but it's okay if you're not comfortable! I'm just curious—"

"Hikaru."

"Huh?"

"My name is Ayumu Hikaru. Nice to meet you, Eirian Alarie, or Ryuu Eirian now, right, hehehe."

"Pfft—That's right, Aidan adopted us, so of course the family name has changed. In that case... Nice to meet you, too, Hikaru."

Hikaru smiled gently and reached for Eirian's hand to shake it before the two of them burst into laughter.