Name (Part1)

Masuyo Hirano is running towards a silhouette. It’s the shadow of a man, the one he considers to be his older brother. The Shadow opens its arms. Looks like it wants to greet the boy.

“Masuyo, it’s been a long time!” it smiles.

“Brother!” the young boy replies during his sprint. He leaps forward and tries to hug the man, but the shadow faints, and Masuyo falls to the ground.

“Watch out, Masuyo-kun!” a female voice uttered a few meters from him. She was sitting on a chair. “Here, I’ll help you get up.” the young woman typed on a laptop.

“Huh?” the boy felt that something was amiss. He looked down, the ground had disappeared… no, the entire world vanished. Or was Masuyo the one to do so? He didn’t know, maybe he just went blind. He couldn’t even see his own hands after all. The only thing he could do was listen.

“You know, you’re growing up, Masuyo.” Kisho remarked.

“Huh? What is this all of the sudden?”

“It’s just that, as time goes on, people change. It’s inevitable.”

“I know that. You’re saying that I’m changing? That’s it?”

“Yep. That’s it.”

“Hmm… thanks, I guess. But there’s something odd in what you’re saying.”

“Huh? What is it?”

“You’re saying people change, but you’re the one that has always been the same.”

“Oh! Haha, maybe that’s true in your point of view. But you see, Masuyo. People can be seen in various different ways, by all the different people around them.” the man took a deep breath, “I’m sure your mother doesn’t think I’m exactly the same as when we were younger.”

“Hmm… I guess that makes sense.”

“It makes.” Kisho affirmed, “That’s why I'll probably change in your eyes as well.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, it’s possible that someday I’ll stop being your older brother and will become just a normal uncle.”

“Wow, you’re saying that’s what you want? Thank you for being sincere...”

“Haha! Of course not! I’d love it if we could be like this forever, but sometimes things get out of our control.”

“Hmm…”

“Well, that’s it! I should get going now, or else Kaira is gonna kill me!”

“Okay, see you later.”

“See you, Masuyo.”

“I remember that. Wasn’t it the last time we really talked to each other? After that...”

“Your brother and Kaira???!” it was Mr. Hirano's voice, “They’re pregnant?”

“Yes! Do you believe it??!”

“It’s difficult to do so. He’s so young…”

“Are you really saying that?”

“What?”

“That he’s young! We were younger than him, remember?”

“Oh! You’re right...”

“Yes! And I have no doubts he’ll be a great father! Just look at how he takes care of our Masuyo…”

“Hmm… that’s right. I’m sure Kisho is capable of pulling it off but isn’t it kind of odd?”

“What?”

“After all this time, that’s the only thing he says?”

“Oh, no! In reality, they’re five months already.”

“Five months?! Wow, shouldn’t they have let us know before?”

“Yes, but they had… complications.”

“Complications?”

“Looks like they could lose the boy and the mother, so they have to be extra careful.”

“If that’s the case, shouldn’t we be helping them??”

“We could try… but his job won’t allow it. At least that’s what my younger brother told me.”

“Hmm… a complicated situation indeed…”

“After that... it got difficult.”

“Hey, man!” someone shook the boy, “Hey, Masuyo. Wake up.”

“Huh?” Masuyo opened his eyes, someone was staring at him.

“Good morning! I’m sorry for barging in like this, but when someone doesn’t answer after so much time, it’s natural to worry a bit.” Hisoka grinned. “What would I do if you showed up dead when we have an appointment today??”

“Hmm…” Masuyo sat on his bed and rubbed his eyes, “Hisoka, what the hell are you doing here? How did you enter?”

“I’m here to wake you up! Didn’t you want to go to the FuturingTech Building today?”

“Yeah… that’s right. Although it doesn’t explain what you’re doing in my bedroom.”

“Oh, it’s just that, as the leader, I can access all of your rooms.” the young man rummaged in his pocket and showed Masuyo a card, “But don’t worry, I won’t abuse this power!”

“Hmm… I see.” said the still groggy boy.

“Yep! So, go and get ready. We’ll eat something, and then leave.” saying that, Hisoka walked to the front door.

After seeing the young man leave, Masuyo looked at the hour, “Shit.” it was pretty late already. “What am I doing waking up so late every day?” he quickly got up and prepared himself to leave.

“If you’re curious, it looks like she didn’t come back since yesterday.” Hisoka remarked when he noticed Masuyo glancing at Sute’s door, “When I called her, she just said she went to her house to spend the night.”

“Huh? Her house?” Masuyo diverted his gaze from the door and headed to the stairs.

“Yep, it looks like she lives with her mother, but I don’t know where that is if you’re looking for her.”

“I wasn’t.”

“Anyway, if you want, you can visit your parents as well. Especially this week when we’ll be focused on accomodating Kazashi-chan.”

“Kazashi-chan? She’s coming here?”

“Yes, although she had somewhat of an annoying demand.”

“Demand, huh?” Masuyo scoffed.

“Yes, do you have a problem with that, Masuyo-kun?” Kazashi’s voice came from before Hisoka and Masuyo. She had an eyebrow raised and was holding a bag. Right behind her, there were two other people: her brother Hikaru, and Adda, the chauffeur.

“What…?” Masuyo stared at the girl.

“Well, if you’re not going to say anything, please let us pass.” she started to walk, being followed by Hikaru, who quickly stopped before Masuyo.

“I’m sorry for the problems I caused you!” Kazashi’s brother bowed to the boy and then continued to follow the girl.

Masuyo turned to Hisoka with a questioning expression. He was not only surprised by the boy’s attitude, but he also wondered what the little boy was doing there. Hisoka was talking to Adda, letting him know that the two would leave after eating something. When their quick exchange ended, the young man answered Masuyo’s doubts:

“I thought it’d be nice for you to see Hikaru-san. So you’d know your job has results.”

“My job?”

“Yes, it was because of what you did yesterday that he went back to ‘normal’. Don’t you see that he isn’t aggressive as the last time you saw him? And that he isn’t holding that toy anymore?”

“Hmm...”

“Besides, Kazashi’s one and only demand was that her brother could visit us at almost any time.” Hisoka smiled as they went down the stairs, “So, I figured it’d be two birds with one stone if he came here today to drop some of his things.”

“And they’re going to be in the same building as us?”

“Yes! Kazashi’s apartment will be right next to yours. The side other than Sute’s I mean.”

“Okay…”

After having a quick snack, Masuyo and Hisoka met Adda in front of the main gate and he drove them to the FuturingTech Building. It was the weekend, so it was even more crowded than when Masuyo went there: the previous huge line of people was replaced by a huge crowd, but oddly enough, the gates didn't have more staff members to keep everything organized.

“Isn’t that odd?” Masuyo asked Hisoka while they struggled through the crowd. He stopped before one of the staff members and showed his A.M.A. card.

“Kind of, but it should help us blend in more easily.” Hisoka crossed the gate.

“Hisoka Kubo, twenty-three years old.” a robotic voice announced.

“Hmm... yeah...” Masuyo followed the young man. The two started to walk while looking at the various outdoor activities of the place until Masuyo stopped suddenly.

“Huh? What’s wrong, man?” Hisoka looked at the boy.

“It’s just me, or do you also feel like something is amiss?”

“Hmm…”

“Masuyo Hirano.” a voice called his name.

“Yeah, that’s it but…”

“You can come with me.” it wasn’t a robotic one.

“Huh...?” Masuyo turned towards the voice. It was from a man, the leader of the security team, who was accompanied by various guards.

“Shit.” Hisoka murmured besides Masuyo.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it.” Masuyo whispered to the man while grasping his A.M.A. card.

“Wait.” Hisoka held Masuyo’s shoulder. “Using it on them will only worsen things now. Leave this to me.” he whispered back.

“Hmm…” the boy looked at the hand on his shoulder and then at the man’s serious stare towards the guards, “Okay.”

Hisoka smiled and patted Masuyo’s shoulder, “Great! Now...” he let go of the boy and smacked his own head: “W-What is going on?!” he exclaimed as he shook his head and turned to Masuyo: “Y-You!”

“Huh?” Masuyo tilted his head.

“Get away from me!” Hisoka quickly turned around and ran, but ended tripping... no, he fainted his trip, going to the ground with a thud.

“Are you alright, sir?” a group of tourists asked Hisoka.

“I’ll be just fine if you can help me with those guards! I’m from FJIA, it’s an undercover operation!” Hisoka stealthily showed them his card and told a blatant lie.

“Of course, officer!” the tourists instantly walked to stay between Masuyo and the guards, who were closing in on him.

Masuyo started to head to the Arcade building’s front entrance when Hisoka held him back once again: “Hey, what are you doing?”

“What am I doing? I’m going in, of course!”

“I know that much, but you should pay more attention.” the man pointed at the entrance, “Aren’t you seeing those suspicious-looking guys over there? I’m sure they’re waiting for you.”

“Suspicious…?” Masuyo looked to where Hisoka was pointing, some men were wandering around the entrance while murmuring to themselves.

“Go to the rear gate.” the man ordered.

“Rear gate? But…”

“Just go!” Hisoka glanced at the guards, some of them were almost breaking free of the crowd, “And pay attention to your phone!” he gave Masuyo a little push.

After Hisoka insisted, Masuyo sighed but returned through the front gate of the place. “BE BE.” his phone received a call.

“Hello?” the boy picked up the phone.

“Hi, love! How are you doing today?”

“Huh?” Masuyo looked at the number, it was from Hisoka.

“Oh, yeah! I’m already waiting for you here at the FuturingTech Building!”

“Hisoka, what are you talking about?”

“Hehe, don’t worry about it! I’m sure you’ll look great as always!” the man kept talking nonsense.

“Hisoka??”

“Yeah, it looks like I’m a lucky guy, hehe...” Hisoka was uttering loud enough for everyone to hear until he suddenly stopped and began to whisper: “Hey, Masuyo! Are you already near the rear gate?”

“Of course not, this place is huge!” Masuyo struggled to get through the crowd.

“So hurry up already! I found a place where I think they can’t see me, but I don’t know how much it’s going to last. They probably have cameras everywhere and they’re a bit suspicious of me since I was walking with you.”

“Ugh.” the boy sighed, “Looks like things are getting complicated now. If only she hadn’t stopped me before…” Masuyo thought aloud.

“Don’t be too harsh on her, man, these types of things happ… what??! You’re bringing a friend?! But I thought today was going to be about the two of us!” Hisoka started to utter again, “Hey, are you sure?! I mean, I have no problems with that, but are you comfortable doing it with your friend as well?”

“Seriously, wouldn’t Yoko be embarrassed with those stories you invent?”

“What are you talking about? Playing at the arcade together is something for an even group, not an odd one!”

“Well, forget what I said.”

“Okay!” Hisoka exclaimed and then the whispering returned: “It looks like you’ll take some time getting to that entrance. I have to keep moving so they don’t catch me, so I’ll go check how the security is around there, okay?”

“Okay.” 

After the boy replied, he could hear Hisoka running. It took some minutes, but the man finally stopped, taking some air and informing Masuyo:

“So… they have guards here as well. It’s not as much as in the front gate, but we shouldn’t mess with them. You can see it for yourself when you arrive.”

“Oh, shit, are you serious? I’m almost there.” Masuyo was walking as fast as the crowd allowed him to.

“Yeah… this is going to be complicated.” Hisoka murmured, “But I have an idea.”

“An idea? What is it?”

“Well… you can tell me what you want, and I’ll try to get it for you.”

“Hmm…”

“Yeah, I know it might be difficult. Last time we talked, you didn’t seem interested in giving the details, and I’m not even sure I can find what you want.”

“Yes, it’s not a certainty…”

“Anyway, it’s your call. We can try and come back another day.”

“But I have to know, so…” “Okay, I’ll tell you. So, please help me, Hisoka.”