1

Gen and Itsuwa were a hell of a couple.

The flamboyant, ravishing pair never ceased to amaze me with how joyful, yet frightening life can be. A small price to pay for being part of the adventures they embark upon. Or so I heard.

Seeing as the two of them became my best of friends since high school, I guess life should’ve prepared me for the day I, Kiyoshi Ubuya, will go treasure hunting in the big year of 2102 with them. Partly because we were friends, and mostly because of my ability. Well, mana detection is a pretty useful ability for hunting down sacred relics.

“Here we are, Jitomu Cave,” Gen’s low and composed voice spoke as the three of us gazed upon the dark, rocky cave. “Remember, our goal is only to find the relic and head out.”

To give some context, this Jitomu Cave we were staring down at has been recently discovered and apparently is rumored to be home for a divine lance. ‘Time Sealing Lance,’ as they call it. What business does the two of them have with the lance, that - I have no idea.

“Yes, yes, we know, dumass,” Itsuwa retorted.

“You talk an awful lot for someone who hasn’t brushed her teeth today. Your breath stinks, so would you please keep it down a little?”

“You wish!”

I really did mean “a hell of a couple.” Ever since they invited me to this hunt of theirs they’ve been arguing. Argue, argue, argue. Was this really how they always were since high school? Four years have passed since then, so maybe their honeymoon phase is already over, but still…

“Ugh, let’s get going, anyways. I want to get out before it gets dark,” declared Gen, breaking their fight. “You’re giving our guest a bad impression, right, Kiyoki?” …Of course, he had to leave another bitter remark. Did they really love arguing this much?

“...I’m just happy to be here. I don’t usually get to hang out with you guys aside from the occasional meetups. And I’ve heard a lot about your adventures!”

“Huh, that’s good to hear. Maybe this will shine some light on Itsuwa’s dark heart, am I right?”

“You’re crazy, tell him he’s crazy, Kiyoki!”

They just couldn’t stop. Funnily enough it seems the only thing these two agreed on is to keep calling me “Kiyoki.”

We traversed through the rugged cave as the two continued their endless bickering. It was pitch black, but our phone’s flashlight was more than enough to illuminate the path ahead, which I led, for some reason. We walked, and walked. When we came across split path, we just chose one and gambled our way down. Again, and again. Was this always how their adventures went? Maybe it’s just this one in particular. At least their arguing made for a fine enough background noise.

“Are you feeling anything already, Kiyoki?” Itsuwa asked after about two hours of straight walking, referring to my ability.

“Nah, nothing.”

“Come on, do your mind scan thingy. What was it, Focus or something? The one that lets you see around you,” Gen suggested.

“Yeah, Focus. But it doesn’t matter, it’s only for a close radius around me and we’re not even close. I should be able to detect it when we get near the lance, if there is one to begin with.”

“There is, there has to be. We got the info from a reliable source, with a hundred percent success rate so far.”

“Say, what are you even planning to do with the lance? I never saw any other relic when I came over,” I asked finally.

“Sell it, duh. Do you know how much sacred artifacts like this go for? You’ll get your share, don’t worry.” Answered Itsuwa. Although they also included me in the share, I couldn’t help but feel mocked by her reply.

I looked back at her, but our eyes never met. Preparing myself to retort, my concentration was cut short by the flying knife, thrown straight towards my face by Gen. Way to exacerbate the situation.

“H-hey! What the hell?!” I managed to dodge only by a hair.

“You should really be paying attention, bro,” he said, pointing to my back.

Behind me, was the bloody figure of a three legged creature covered with fur from head to toe. It was small, but terrifying nonetheless. The monkey-like figure laid dead by the crimson pool of its own blood, oozing from the center of its forehead where the knife struck.

“...!”

My heart was pounding, and not because I could’ve straight up died had I dodged half a second late. I’ve really never seen… a monster! I just couldn’t keep my excitement from showing.

“Don’t worry, I wouldn’t have let you die even if you hadn’t dodged,” Gen said as he pulled back a thin, silver thread. The throwing knife came off the monster’s head and flew straight back toward his hand.

I feel like he could at least have given a warning, though.

“Look what we have here! That’s some progress,” Itsuwa clapped her hands.

“Hm? What do you mean?”

“Oh, foolish Kiyoki. Do you have this ability for nothing, or what?” Yes, actually, I never made much use of it anyway. “Monsters are attracted to the mana emitted by relics, which means we’re getting closer. Well, really, any mana, but they’re usually afraid of humans which is probably why you never saw one.”

“This one’s pretty weak, though. Don’t expect it to end here,” added Gen.

“W-well, I’d like to fight one as well, it seems fun!” I said as I began to tread onward. “Come on, let’s go.”

To be honest, I didn’t expect any fighting to break out. I didn’t even know about that throwing knife of Gen’s, but now that I’m thinking about it, they both came with a variety of equipment. Gen with his hand gun held by his belt, and Itsuwa with what I could only describe as a large, rectangular package she carried on her back. It seemed heavy… How did she carry it all this way? Must have some strong back muscles.

Moving boulders, discovering paths, seeing new sights, we kept on moving forward. Of course, the pair never stopped arguing, but it didn’t matter much to me. We didn’t get to experience anything too exciting in that meantime, but my spirit never let up. Like a kid waiting in line for forty minutes or so just for a minute and a half of thrill at the amusement park, I kept going.

Our peace broke off when the screeching sound of a steel knife scratching against glass echoed through the walls of the cave. Up there, right in front of us, jumped what seemed to be an arachnid creature the size of a human baby. Its speed was immense as it launched itself with webs stretching out of all nine limbs. It was so ugly I wanted to throw up. This time, however, I was quick on my feet.

Besides ‘Focus’ - the ability Gen mentioned that lets me scan the area without even a glance - abilities also improve your physicality in all aspects. Though less trained, I was even stronger and faster than both my two friends. The beating of my heart sped up, but it didn’t matter. This was the perfect opportunity, a chance to prove myself as capable enough for the both of them.

I wanted to be just like them.

“I’ve got it!”

I held back my fist and clenched it hard, charging straight toward the monster. Even if it attacked, I could easily fend it off. I was much stronger than the average human, after all. Block, dodge, I didn’t need any of that. Predicting its next move, locating its weakspot, that was all there was to it. A nice, clean hit with all the weight of my body was sufficient to end it.

The thoughts swarmed my mind when I stumbled and fell to the ground with all my momentum. A pebble I hadn’t noticed was in the way. Really, a stupid pebble. Huh, guess that’s it. I raised my head for the last time before meeting my end, to see the head of the creature flying up in the air, cleanly severed by Itsuwa.

She was quick, and I didn’t even hear her steps. Perhaps because of the sound the monster made, but I had a feeling I wouldn’t have heard her regardless.

“Good grief… Rushing into a fight with a monster like that? You’re not the fighter here, you know,” she mocked me again, but I couldn’t be mad. She saved my life, and well, she was right after all. It was stupid of me, to get excited all over fighting a monster, to think I was on par with them.

“...Sorry.”

“Just, stay safe, alright? I’m saying this for your own good.” Itsuwa put her knife right back into her… boot? They even had weapons there?

“I think it makes for a good stopping point for today, let’s continue tomorrow from here,” Gen suggested.

“At least one thing we can agree on. It’s probably already dark out, let’s go back and get some sleep.”

“Wait, huh? Why stop now? Don’t we want to get this lance as soon as possible?” I asked, puzzled.

“Stupid Kiyoki. This cave is so huge, we’ll probably end up spending a couple more hours in here before we reach the relic.”

“We mapped our way here, so it won’t take as long to get here as it was before,” added Gen.

“But… What if someone else comes and snatches the lance away?”

“Probably best not to think about it. Come on, let’s go.”

The comment by Gen made me think they planted traps as we went in… But they wouldn’t do that, I don’t think so. After the brief exchange, we set out on our way back. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t take us long to exit the cave - an hour or so, compared to the five we spent there. When we got out, Gen immediately went on his way home, leaving both me and Itsuwa behind. She didn’t go with him, which at first seemed strange, but after spending the entire day listening to their many little disputes, I got the sense that the two probably won’t last long as a couple.

“Hey, Kiyoki. Wanna grab some dinner if it’s the both of us?” She asked.

“Sure, why not.”

And so back to Sendai we went, where we searched for a place to eat. Itsuwa led the way to a Korean restaurant next to Osaki Hachiman Shrine. It was quite fancy for my liking, but I still decided to join her on the suggestion.

The atmosphere felt too expensive, with dimmed lights, luxurious art pieces and even a special home made wine they serve to customers as an appetizer. The menu didn’t even have the prices written on it. Guess it was time to kiss my wallet goodbye…

Itsuwa ordered a bowl of rice and bulgogi, and even though I didn’t want to, I felt like I had to order something, so I got myself a beef bibimbap. She also got two glasses of the place’s premium red wine, which I had no say in.

“Say, Itsuwa, should we really be eating here? I get the feeling we seem out of place for the others…” Our clothes were still drenched with sweat and covered with dirt. Itsuwa never took off her equipment either.

“Don’t worry about iiiiit. We fit in perfectly. Come on, Kiyoki! It’s time to eat!” Seeing how I didn’t touch my food for a good minute, she took a spoonful of my dish and shoved it into my mouth.

Wow, it was good. Probably one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. I mean, it looked as good as it tasted, I was simply too afraid of touching it myself. I thought maybe if I didn’t take a bite I could return it, but Itsuwa had other plans. I caved in and started eating.

“So, how was your first day with us? Did you enjoy it?” She asked, swirling her wine in her hand.

“Yeah of course, I always have fun hanging out with you.”

“Well now we have time to spend it together, so let’s make the most of it!”

She seemed awfully nice compared to how she was during our trip today. Almost like how she used to be during our time in high school. She was pretty and laughing, unlike her grumpy attitude when we were with Gen earlier. I wondered, were these two on such bad terms? Up until a couple of months ago when I last saw them, she was the same old Itsuwa I always knew.

“I also had a good time with you, by the way. Don’t think that because of our squabbles I wasn’t enjoying being with you.”

“Oh, yeah, don’t worry about it.”

Itsuwa searched her pockets for a while and took out a green box and a lighter. She opened the box, popped a cigarette into her mouth and lit it up. A big inhale, then an exhale. The white cloud of smoke filled the table.

“I didn’t know you smoked.”

“Really? Did I never tell you?”

“You never told me you and Gen were on bad terms also.”

“Well…” She flicked her cigarette before continuing. “He hasn’t really been a person you can talk to as of late. Something has gotten into him.”

“...What happened?”

“I don’t know, he’s just been so stubborn and irritating for the past couple of months. He really hates you for some reason as well.”

...Huh? He… hates me? For what reason? I don’t recall doing anything to him. Besides…

“But, he’s the person who invited me in the first place.”

“Don’t always trust everyone, Kiyoki. That’s just how the world goes. He specifically really hates your attitude and your pushiness. ‘He’s always trying to meet up with us, doesn’t he have any other friends for god’s sake?’ or so he says.”

I tried looking into her eyes, but they were closed as she was talking. I couldn’t believe my ears… I really thought we were best friends. I really don’t have any other friends.

My heart ached.

“Say, do you really think he meant to grab the knife had you not dodged? Even with the thread connected, you can’t stop its momentum this fast. Just think for a second.”

“You’re saying… he was trying to kill me?” What was I saying? Gen was my friend, he had to be.

“Yes, he was.”

No… these were lies. She couldn’t be speaking the truth. So why couldn’t I stop shaking? She was right, he did throw a knife right at me, and even now she acts sweeter than ever. Was she not lying after all?

“Don’t worry, though. He can’t do anything to you when I’m around. In fact, he will be helpless against the two of us.”

“Huh?”

“I think it’s about time we put a stop to his madness. Whatever has gotten into him, if we both work together we can beat him. He will probably try to kill you, as he can always blame your death on an accident inside the cave. And don’t try to run away from it, he’ll try to kill you even if you don’t come along tomorrow. It’s the only way we can save you, believe in me.”

I gulped. What was I hearing… I was being hunted down by my best friend? What the hell… My heart was beating so hard, I felt the food coming up from my stomach. It hurt. It hurt so much.

I looked at my glass, at the image reflected on the red liquid. It was the image of a scared little man, his gaze trembling with fear. Was that really… me?

“You got it?”

“...Huh?

“I’m asking if you got what I said.”

“Oh, yeah…”

My heart was aching, pounding. I could hear my own swallow, and feel my own pulse. I felt cold, as the thoughts scribbled through my mind.

Itsuwa stood up.

“It’s getting late, anyways. I should get going, but I’ll go pay the tab first, so don’t worry about it. Tonight’s on me.”

She was being too nice. I was starting to feel bad for getting mad at her earlier. She truly was my friend… Well, my only friend now, as it seems…

“Feel free to order anything you want next, I’ll leave my card for them. Goodnight, Kiyoki, and see you tomorrow!”

She went on her way.

“Y-yeah, thank you. Goodnight, Itsuwa.”

Goodnight… was the only thing I was capable of saying.