Chapter 5 : The Shape Of A Son

Whilst Celia took a shower — Haru having to carefully instruct her how to use one beforehand — he decided to prepare one of the bedrooms.

There were only two. His, which was an absolute no go, he didn't want her seeing how much of an otaku he was, and his parents, a bedroom he hadn’t been in since—

“It’s been years, huh…”

That signature smell of parental figures had long since vanished but its spiritual aroma long since stood the test of time. Pictures of him, a kid and his parents lined the walls. Parents he had always believed were his.

What if…. No, I’ve always been their son, it's nothing more than a coincidence.

If he was honest, he had always known that he didn’t look like them. His father and mother always looked like the stereotypical Japanese couple, and he always looked like the mismatched kid.

His light brown skin and golden eyes, always giving people confused looks, but they had always said that he was theirs. So he decided to believe them, no matter how much he doubted.

He finished making things ready for her, sorting through some of his mothers old clothes. Hopefully this will do the job for now…

“Haru, I've finished. Is everything alright?”

She had caught him cold handed, his eyes locked in on a peculiar picture and his body frozen mid-motion.

“Huh! Oh Celia, sorry didn’t see you there. Was the shower alright?”

“Hmmm, a unique invention but quite efficient indeed.”

“That's good but eh, why are you still wearing your armour?”

She perked her head sideways in response.

“.....I’m just saying y’know, isn't it a bit dirty?”

She let out an audible ‘ahhh’ before lightly giggling. Haru’s eyes once again mesmerised by her smile. So angelic… is she sure she’s a half-elf?

“You aren’t incorrect but I assume you forgot that I did not bring any other garments with me?”

Oh….

“Shoot. Forgot about that, well…” He pointed to the drawer of clothes. “I got some spares here, my moms, but If I think about it, we should probably go get you some brand new clothes tomorrow. Dontcha’ think?”

“I don't disagree but I will be unable to pay you back at the moment?” Her face filled with guilt and concern at Haru’s one sided generosity.

Haru simply smiled, clicking his fingers and pointing at her with an impromptu finger gun and a sly wink. Clearly trying to act cool. “Don’t worry about it, plus — you saved me earlier, remember. So I'm just paying you back for that!”

“I suppose…”

“Good, cause that’s an order. From your ‘prince’ as well.”

She smirked. “Ohhh… so now you're my prince. The second you want to order me around?”

Haru paused, cringing at his own logic being exposed. Before sharply retorting “Well I wasn’t the one calling a random guy a ‘prince’ earlier!”

“Uhuh…” She was not impressed, more amused than anything else.

Uhhh… she definitely has an understated tsundere side… but I do kinda dig it.

If he was honest, he would dig whatever sides of her she gave him. He wasn’t in a position to be picky after all.

“Welp, I’m out of justifications already. Imma head off to sleep, call me if you need me, my rooms down the hall.”

He pointed left, clearly ready to leave the room so he could relieve his nerves.

She simply nodded, letting him leave the room. “Goodnight Haru, I’m in your debt.” She bowed.

“Yeah, goodnight too Celia. Sweet dreams.”

He finally left — the sound of meows and 'leave me alone, it's too late for food cat!’ echoing throughout the hallway — leaving Celia to her own devices as she looked around the room, slowly lifting up the pair of silk pajamas resting on the bed.

“A subtle yet fine texture, they must be a richer family than they appear. Though rare, It is not unknown for nobles to disguise their wealth, this strange silk alongside that powerful black beast is more than enough evidence for that.” She muttered.

Turning her head sideways, she caught sight of her initial objective. The picture that had caused her ‘not-prince’ to stop cold.

“I don’t quite understand the significance.”

The picture had a young Haru, no older than 10 or 11, at an amusement park with his parents, his body less mature and more…

“Awww so cute!”

Her squeal was authentic at the chubby Haru, undoubtedly obese but only adding to his adorable charm. “Maybe he’s just insecure about his past weight struggles…?

Nonetheless, he should be proud of himself for overcoming his vices. Yes. There is much to be proud of…”

Her voice whisked away, carrying her to memories of a former time in her life.

— — — — —

Far away from Japan. North of London in the United Kingdom, hidden away in the pleasant green lands, a large mansion stood tall in the distance. Perched upon a hill, with only plain fields in view. Making it seem rather isolated compared to the rest of the country's abodes.

But what isn’t important isn’t the facade that is the mansion, rather it is the base underneath it. Dark and quiet, filled with advanced scanners that traced the entire world for various forms of signatures.

Sitting at a desk, a wall of monitors before him, sat a red panda?

Not normal in any regard, its left eye was a lightning blue and its right eye was a mischievous crimson, he wore a black leather jacket and bottoms. Its height and physical features more humanoid than a regular red panda — its left arm cybernetic — its right arm lifting a bottle of unknown liquor.

“Took ya’ long enough!?” The red panda took another sip of its drink, impatient.

“Apooolagiiiiesss Akariiii” Elongated vowels escaped the invited guests throat, his voice squeaky yet still masculine as he stood at the doorway.

The man was incredibly tall, broad and aesthetically well-built, he wore a pristine purple suit and a pair of black polished shoes. A bright yellow tie fitted around his neck and wore purple gloves that paired nicely with his suit.

His eyes were a piercing emerald, his hair was long and violet with purple highlights, but his most peculiar attributes was not his muli-coloured clothes or strange manner of speaking.

It was his face; masked in clown makeup with powdered skin and subtle purple lipstick that would make him stand out in any room.

“Soooo! Why have you called me here, Aka-ri…?”

Akari took another sip of his drink, thoughts recentering on the matter at hand. “Theirs been a breach in Japan, outside of Tokyo — a mid-sized seaside city called Urahama, numbering just under a million people. Got it this mornin’, originally thought it was a glitch cause it was a serious surge, no normal summoning but recently a report of a suspicious murder has come out.”

“Iiiii see…”

“.....” Akari sat silently, awaiting more.

“Apologies for my absence then, I was unfortunately quite busssyyy — were you unable to call for the others?”

“All busy, or in need of respite. Only one available is Angel…” Akari abruptly took another splurge of his drink before continuing. “And you know Angel.” He snickered.

“Hmmmmm, quite troublesome indeeeed. Please elaborate on that muuuurrrrder for me.”

“Only one, a guy named Akaji Masumoto, 57, married father of two and works as a grand master at Tatsukikata MMA Club on Takeba street. That's where he died as well, no known reason, police are thinking it's a suicide case cause theirs no sign of struggle.” Akari turns back to his keyboard, bringing up some personal details. “But when I did a look over his files, I got nothing that would resemble chronic depression, and the recent summoning only makes It more suspicious”

The clown put a hand to his chin in thought.

“I see….”

“Yep.”

“Any leads?”

“Students that saw him, last say they witnessed him talking to a former student. Young kid, eighteen years old. Goes by the name Haru Tadashima, that's our best lead.”

“Does he have prior history in this world?”

“Yep, aside from his lack of birth details, we've got everything from what school he went to, to his parents’ death when he was only fifteen. Tragic that’ “

“Tragic indeeeeed.”

“Yep.”

“I will charrrter a flight to Japan.”

“And Angel?”

“I will take him with me.”

Akari snickered in joy, taking another satisfied sip of the destructive substance.

“Alert me if something takes place in the manor, or… to do with the mission.”

“Will do boss.”

The prestigious clown went his way, leaving Akari to gamble and drink to his heart's content. Neither of them quite knowing the narrative they were writing themselves into.