The Hanatami Family

THE DEVIL'S PLANET -「 悪魔 の 惑星 」- AKUMA no WAKUSEI

BY TADA TANOSHI & KAMIKYO SOZO

Samurai & Amplifier Selection Arc

Arc By: Kamikyo Sozo

Chapter: 1 - "The Hanatami Family"

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We? Who were born and cultivated from the mystery of blades?

Compressed and Compulsive….

From shining clean, to rusted cleavage...

From none, to one who started to live their days written inside of them…

Day by day, month by month, and finally….

Era by era!

“Living in a world where balance is everything”

Akuma no Wakusei

— — — — — — — — —

“Every time I shined, I kept looking for you guys”

A desolate atmosphere filled with decay and death, a man stands before me…

He towered over the entire place like a mountain….

He seemed unaware of my existence….

So, I climbed up a nearby cliff instead.

And then he noticed me; he seemed amused as he said…..

“Good, keep climbing”

- “First cliffs, second hills and third…. Mountains! ”

“I am sure, one day, you will be able to reach what you desire…”

District No. 8 - Sakura Prefecture

The sounds of practiced swings hit my ears as I woke up from my weird dream. Again, a dream with some weird stuff. Yesterday’s dream was way better, because that dream was about the three of us leaping on large daisies, not concerned about the struggles of life.

“Oi, wake up! Mise! It’s morning already…”, beside me is my little twin sister. Today is the day we were all preparing for, and here she was sleeping like a log. Normally, I would let her sleep as much as she wanted. But this day is a different day. Because an overseer like me also has an overseer who will end me if I don’t complete my daily tasks…

After shaking her until she had to give up and open her eyes, she stood up almost immediately…

“Oh no! Today is the day!” She said… “Why couldn’t you wake me up sooner?”

“I did wake you up sooner. Look around your surroundings; isn’t it miraculous for both of us to be awake this early in the morning? Slowly take a good breath; this is our first ever sunrise we have witnessed after a long time.” -

“You said that as if we always wake up at night!….. Anyway, I hope Onii-sama will be happy to see us awake at the proper time. Today, we will finally become Samurai, right?”

Hanatami Kenji (16)

“Yah, I am excited. I can’t wait to breathe in the air of Genbu after a long, long time.” He stood up as he gave a long stretch. The stretch made some questionable cracking sounds; he just wished it were not bones being shattered.

Hanatami Mise (16)

“Where is Onii-sama anyway? Oh, well, I guess he didn’t kick you awake this time. You know, for our great achievement?”

“Goke? Can’t you hear the sound of someone whipping the air? He is training. Come on, let’s go downstairs. We gotta eat before we pack everything up and set out on a journey to the Capital…”

Mise tried to stretch as far as her brother, as she said, “You are on cooking duty today?”

“Who cares? Today is our last day here…. Anyone can pick the pan up if they want”, Kenji smiled nonchalantly as he walked downstairs with Mise.

“By the way, morning to you, idiot brother~”, she chuckled.

“Yes, morning to you too, dear sister of mine~”, Kenji said as he stroked her hair with a smile…

She went straight out of the house to meet her eldest brother, while Kenji went to the kitchen to prepare a quick breakfast for the three of them…

Outside, stood a familiar man; maybe it was his perfect stature that made him look exceptional? But it is still not the right way of describing him. Something that always emerged from his stature, something that could make anyone harbor an odd respect for him. He is their eldest in the Hanatami family.

He stopped swinging his sword as he looked behind, sensing a presence,

Hanatami Goke (18)

“......”

“???”, Mise was puzzled. Goke looked at her as if he saw a ghost, with no words coming out of his mouth. He seemed unable to comprehend her existence on this bright morning. He genuinely did not expect her to wake up early in the morning.

“Y-you, am I seeing it right? Mise…? Oh no! All this sweat is blurring my vision”, He said….

“Yah yah whatever, the ‘waking up’ thing is genuinely getting too far. Good morning, Onii-sama…” Mise wished respectfully….

“Hmm, Good Morning, Mise. One of my wishes has been granted on this very first day. I got to say good morning to you, lousy brat!~…” Goke warmly smiled as he politely took the towel offered by his young sister, wiping his face.

“Yo!” Kenji called from the kitchen window, leaning against the frame as the kettle slowly came to a boil, waving his hand…

Goke looked at him…. “Oh, Good morning, Kenji! Well, I guess for your case, it’s less surprising than Mise…”

“Dude, you were out for like a whole day. Where were you?” Kenji said, as he prepared breakfast for them…

“Did some early preparations…. Not relevant right now…”

“Oh, is that so?…”

“Yes. Anyways, we gotta eat! Kenji and Mise, give me your swords! I will polish them for you before we leave”, Goke said as he entered through the front door, wiping his sword…

A few hours later - Outside the house.

The three of them stood outside their house, ready with their luggage and horses.

A distant cry was coming from one of them….

“Uwahhhhhhh! Nooo!! House! I am not going!” Mise started crying, looking at their house and memories they proudly made with each other, piece by piece. Now, left abandoned, they won’t be living here anymore, which is why it pains her to leave it alone….

This ‘House’ in particular sheltered them after the great incident; since then, they lived here, creating new memories, training, and growing altogether…. It contained 9 years worth of memories….

The ‘House’ was neither neat nor flashy: broken pipes, rusty edges, some places even grew green moss from water leakage, wooden floors that creaked and crackled whenever stepped upon….

Yet A ‘House’ that was still with them, still beside them, even if it was in a defective condition….

Something still made it Perfect….

“Don’t worry, we will visit here sometimes…D-Don’t c-cry,” Kenji said, while also starting to shed tears. The sorrow not only pains Mise, but also Kenji…..

Mise embraced Kenji, “Let’s cry together!!~”

Goke stood there silently, admiring the house as if it were just as new….

“.......”

Goke then looked at them, smiling with peace of mind, thinking they grew with a good personality.

“Let’s go! Come on, in five days it's Selection day…stop whining~ the house won’t go anywhere”, Goke said. “I thought you two matured up a bit; I was just wrong…”

- “Let’s say goodbye and pay respects to our house~.”

Goke, Kenji, and Mise bowed to the House as they said together…….

“Thank you for being a shelter over our heads…”

They started walking as Kenji looked behind, “Bye, House!!~”

“Byee!!” Mise joined. After that, they finally looked forward, not looking back anymore…

Goke sighed as he said with a tired look, “Gosh, such babies!”.....

After paying respects, they left the village. Riding their horses. While on the road, they encountered some bandits and eventually reached the border of the Capital of Kenshi….

Hoshin Bridge - Outside main District No. 1 “Capital of Kenshi- Genbu”

They were able to recognize Genbu after a long time, since their absence. Maybe the springtime aspects helped them navigate the breathtaking nature of Genbu all over again?

I guess it was true after all, many of the people living outside Genbu, to them, Genbu is a fairy tale….

Looking right now, Genbu only became more beautiful. It was as if nothing happened to this grand Capital just a few years ago; one of the biggest tragedies in Kenshi’s history unveiled, leaving Kenshi with a deep, visible scar….

“Hmm, it didn’t take that long! I thought it would take at least five whole days. It just took four and a half days to reach here.” Kenji said, as he came down from his horse, wrapping the lead rope around his hand, slowly moving forward. Taking in the scenery as much as he could….

The scenery was indeed beautiful. The bridge was spectacular at both ends, with starting poles carved like a human welcoming people entering the Capital and ending poles carved like a human blessing people leaving the Capital. The river flowing under the bridge wasn't that deep, and it was so clear that anyone could see the bottom. The Sakura trees weren't that wide or tall, with pink petals and birds sitting there singing a melody; it became a scenic beauty to art. The overall picture was Pinkish. The birds' melody made the atmosphere more lively.

It was Indeed, a Breathtaking scenery.

Mise handed her rope to Kenji as she freely walked around; she indeed had the look of ‘Is this finally Genbu?’

“Where are the people? No people all over the journey, just bandits and unruly Seishi Users lurking around almost everywhere,” Mise said….

“Yah, those fuckers really liked to play ambush, huh? Well, we levelled them up almost immediately,” Kenji said, while patting his horse…

“What was the extra effort of tying them up with trees, Kenji?? Did you realize how much time we have wasted?” Goke sighed again, for the second time.

“Goke, are you serious? We arrived rather a bit earlier, more like, the perfect use of time to me. And besides, it's more fun beating the hell out of them and then tying them up”

“You make no sense, but yah, after the incident, terrorism and Devil Act became very common these days…” Goke inhaled deeply…

Kenji looked at him with curiosity. “I see…”

Goke was pissed as he said, “Why are you acting like you are a tourist!!?” (I swear, this kid just straight up pisses me off)

“Hehe, sorry”, Kenji apologized...

Goke continued, “So, we are outside the capital royal, which is District No. 1. If we walk towards this straight path over the bridge, we will be able to see the main gate…”

A few minutes later

Genbu main gate –

A polite female voice….. “Welcome to the District No.11 Aoshika Prefecture, dear travellers!~.”

“......”

“Before entering, can you please tell us your names, where you are from, etc., for Information logging?” The tall guard lady said….

“I am Hantami Kenji, by the way. You are pretty cute!.... He said, then he looked behind at Goke with a disappointed look ... "Wait, Aoshika? Ain't we supposed to be in Genbu?" 

Goke looked away, dodging his question, whistling and sweating...

The guard lady blushed as she continued, saying, “T-Thank you.... Yes, it’s Aoshika, not Genbu. It’s been 9 years since Genbu was separated from this new district No. 11. Now it's called Aoshika, under the Aoshika Division.

Oops, I guess I mistook some details in the narrative, uhhh, never mind….

Kenji again gave Goke a disappointed look as he continued, “I see, but why did it happen?” 

“The Emperor never really disclosed the details of this decision, although people assume the cause must be linked with the Extermination of Shibitos along with the retirements of Genbu Division's strongest members.” The Lady stated….

Everyone remained silent. Signs of sorrow can be seen on Kenji and Mise’s faces….

Goke, without flinching, continued, “I see. Well, it's not mere assumption; I would say it’s the reality and the best decision made by the Emperor. By the way, I'm Hanatami Goke."

Mise, as always with a cute, confident face, “I’m Hanatami Mise, Aoshika sure looks beautiful.”...

She continued, saying, “Were you three pre-established samurai or seishi users?”

Kenji said, “No, we are back for the selection program…

- “Thank you for your cooperation! Please enter safely…”

As the gleam of raging light faded away, they finally reached Aoshika, the bustling streets, markets, etc. Just like way back then, but improved. Everything from back then is now rebuilt, and anew.

“Hmm, everything’s changed…” Goke said, while looking around…

“Yes, it’s now quite neat and modern”, Kenji added, while settling his horse nearby….

Kenji bumped into an extremely gorgeous woman. “Hey?! Don't you care to pay attention when you are walking?” the woman said with an aggressive look…

“I'm sorry, but hey, you look stunning!” Kenji exclaimed. The beautiful woman was caught off guard by his compliment and his familiar face. She blushed and said, “W-well, I will overlook this.” "Have we met anywhere before?” she asked…

"Well, I don't think so. I won't ever forget a beauty.” Kenji assured her with a smile….

Her face grew more red as he praised her looks. "I-I see. I’m Kizanagi Ayane, yes, the youngest of the Kizanagi and the beautiful young sister of the most Beautiful Woman, Kizanagi Miyoko, the Grand Amplifier" She claimed with a proud smirk….

Kenji, with a surprised tone, “Y-You’re Ayan-” Goke stopped Kenji in his tracks and took over the conversation hastily. “Well, I’m sorry for my idiot little brother for bumping into you; please don't kill him!” he said while bowing straight….

“N-no, it's okay. Tell him to pay attention next time. Well, who are you guys?”

Ayane asked with serious determination. She felt a close tie to Kenji, something that told her she knew him and they were close. Furthermore, his behavior felt familiar to her.

“I'm Hanatami Goke; they are my younger brother and sister, Hanatami Kenji and Hanatami Mise,” Goke explained while sweating buckets….

“Ohh, so you guys are from the clan that decorates flowers for weddings, but judging by appearance, don't tell me you guys are here to take the Selection Exam?” Ayane asked with disbelief all over her face….

Goke confidently answered her, “Yes! You are right; we are all here to take the exams and join a Division.” ….

Ayane thought to herself, “Grandpa Gaja told me to find three Hanatami's. Two men and one woman from the main gate and show them the way for the exams, so these must be the people he was talking about. They are from the Hanatami clan; I didn't ask Grandpa much about them. Because it would have been disrespectful to him, but...”

Kenji interrupts Ayane, his gaze deadlocked with hers, “Are you assuming we are not eligible for the exams because we are from the Hanatami clan? I'm sorry, but you should reconsider that. Maybe we're from a low-ranking clan, but still it's-

[Kenji, being serious, caught Mise's attention as she tried to stop him, but he paid no attention and lectured Ayane]

-rude. You should respect people for their ambitions, not their class.”

Goke punched Kenji in the gut and shut him up, asking Ayane to forgive his rude behavior.

Ayane wasn't angry, nor did she hate his behavior. She was surprised; these words, the intensity in his rightful sense of justice, the tone of speaking with a prideful chest, were totally similar to the person she once admired. The person she loved and was betrothed to. But alas! That very person died 9 years ago. Losing him shattered Ayane, leaving her filled with attitude.

Silent tears rolled down her reddish cheeks.

Kenji felt sad and apologized after seeing her tear up, “Hey! I'm sorry, I really am! It's just I couldn't control my anger; please don't cry...”

“D-dumb, who's crying? It's just... Some dust came into my eyes. Nothing else...” Ayane claimed, while forcefully wiping her face, making it look more red….

“Still...”

“Shut up, I told you it's just dust.” Ayane stopped Kenji in his momentum…. She continued, “Listen, I've been told to get you guys to the Exam enrollment center. Be good boys and girls and follow me.”....

“Told to? But by who?” Kenji asked with a heart full of curiosity….

“Shut up and follow me.” Ayane ignored him and led them to the Exam enrollment center….

Meanwhile, within the Chambers of the Grand Amplifier inside the Emperor's Royal Palace.

A beautiful figure seemed to sense a strong feeling from a certain person, Hanatami Goke. Goke also felt that sheer, sharp connection to his heart.

A Tale that was forgotten by the cruel fate of life. A Void that remains empty due to a certain incident.

A Thread separated by Nature,

Yet intersecting each other again,

but so far away,

Yet with a forgotten past,

It appears,

even after their great separation.

The red thread of fate remains its knots as pristine as ever.

Uncut….

Chapter 1 - End

Information;

★★★ What does ‘District’ in particular mean?

- Kenshi is a country made of 11 districts, e.g., District No. 8 Sakura Prefecture, District No. 11 Aoshika Prefecture. Well, it had 10 districts 9 years ago; now Kenshi has 11 districts…. The current Aoshika area was formerly under District No. 1.

★★★ Word meanings ;

Genbu is Japanese for Black Tortoise….

Aoshika is Japanese for Green Deer….

★★★ Divisions are Military Barracks that look after and are in charge of their district…. For example, the District No. 1 Genbu Prefecture is under the supervision of the Genbu Division of the Military. They are the guardian of Genbu Prefecture, also the guardian of the Northern Sky of Kenshi….