Prey..

Back to Akira's home.

I slept deeper than I expected.

There were no dreams.. no fragments, no half-remembered images tugging at my thoughts.

When I woke up, it felt as if I had surfaced from somewhere far deep. My body felt rested in a way I hadn’t felt in years.

The tension that usually sat beneath my skin wasn't there this morning.

I took my leave early today, careful not to wake anyone.

The house was still, sunlight only just beginning to creep through the curtains.

I packed lightly, and made sure I hadn’t forgotten anything important.

Before stepping out, I paused.

Hikaru was already awake, sitting cross-legged on the floor with a book about animals that he reads a lot, so he just flips through the pictures now.

He looked up the moment I knelt in front of him.

I placed a hand on his head.

“Study hard and look after Mom and Dad while I’m gone.” I said. “You’re in charge now.”

“Yes, Captain!” He straightened immediately, chest puffing out, grinning.

My father and mother came out to say goodbye.

I hugged my mother, holding on a moment longer than usual.

She laughed softly, telling me not to worry so much.

"Take care of yourself. Stay active, mom. Go on walks."

My father waited by the door.

When he pressed money into my hand, I tried to refuse. He didn’t want me to go empty handed back to Kyoto.

"Thanks, dad.."

In my previous life, I would have turned it down out of pride. Now, I understand better.

Just as I reached the door, my father called out to me.

“Akira.”

I turned.

“Is there something you want to say?” My father asked.

For a moment, I didn’t understand the question.

Then I did.

The silence stretched, not uncomfortable, but I felt like he expected me to say something.

He wasn’t looking at me, his gaze fixed somewhere past the window, as if giving me space to answer honestly rather than answering for the moment.

“I’ve changed, dad... I’m trying to live differently. I want to think about others more instead of running away.”

“Then do what you must do.” My father replied, turning back. “Live in the moment, Akira. Your family will support you, so don't be afraid.”

I nodded, unable to speak anything.

I held my tears back.

The trip to Kyoto passed quietly.

By the time I arrived, the city felt both familiar and distant to me.

I have no place to rest. I'll have to find a place.

After a while of searching the residential areas, I decided to rent a small apartment near my academy.

The landlord is an old lady who knew Ishinori-san, so she gave me a discount on the rent.

The room had barely enough space to stretch, a single window with cardboard thin walls.

'This would do for now..'

After unpacking my things, I warmed up and went on a brief training session.

Just enough movement to remind my body to keep the lingering stiffness away from my muscles.

The inconsistencies in my body reaction that I felt before were still there, but it was within my control, like my body is slowly learning how to listen to me again.

When I finished, I took a quick shower and headed out.

The gates of the Kyoto Academy of Magic rose ahead of me, towering walls shimmered faintly in the daylight. They looked exactly as I remembered.

I slowed my running pace as I approached the gate.

“Not so fast.”

The sound came out of nowhere and everywhere at once, brushing against my thoughts. Virgilia’s voice startled me a little.

“Hide the pendant, Hero." She said, "Mages here are far more sensitive to demonic mana. Carrying this artifact openly would be like spilling honey in an ant pit.”

I froze.

“…Right.”

The realization came too late. I’d been so focused about getting here that I hadn’t considered how the pendant might appear to others. Especially here, where everyone's senses are sharpened by constant training, and exposure to a variety of mana patterns.

I turned around immediately, running back to my apartment.

When I reached there, I was met with an unfamiliar figure.

Someone is standing in front of my door, waiting for me.

The air around him felt dense, as if the space itself had learned to be careful.

'Amaterasu..?'

He stood there as if he’d always been there.

Hands relaxed at his sides, expression unreadable.

His gaze settled on me without urgency.

Like a predator waiting for its prey in the bushes.. And now, I had arrived.