Thirty-two – Before and Silver

“We live for reasons and purposes that we are yet to know.”

▪ ▪ ▪

It was something that I never expected to happen or to come. It was my father standing before me, suddenly intruding to our conversation that may just depend on our lives as the outsiders of this world we live in.

“Dad… Why are you here?!”

“I guess I have a lot of explaining to do.”

“Wait, you are Mr. Sakato?

Sean! Why didn’t you tell us earlier?!” asked Tenth who is still in shock.

“I’m sorry, Tenth. Even I was too flabbergasted that I can’t speak.”

“Anyways, it seems that you’re all having fun here.”

“What are you saying, Dad? I’m not a shounen protagonist and you’re not a shounen protagonist’s dad and this is not a shounen story!

Hahh… hahh… hahh…

Timeout… I’m out of breath…”

“That’s why I said I have a lot to explain, Gin. And part of it is why I brought Ringo here.”

“How about the other four?”

“Oh, well. I just took Ringo and ran away.”

“Yep. That’s my old man.”

“More importantly, Mr. Sakato. What could be the reason of your sudden visit here?

I have barely disclosed my identity and you came in like you know me and the reason why your son is here. I demand for an explanation of you coming in the middle of an important matter we’re dealing with.”

“It’s as you said, Take. This is an important matter, indeed. But it’s just a coincidence that I ended up meeting with my son in your office.

First of all, I’m here to apologize to him.”

“…Dad?”

“I’m sorry for turning the blind eye and feigning ignorance for the whole time.”

The air surrounding the room suddenly became tense and the situation took a huge turn as we listen to my father’s words.

“The truth is… I have known of the existence of Exiles for a long time, so is my wife.”

“Even Mom?!”

Even at that time, Amano played the role of the ignorant when Sean came explaining what happened to Gin.

“Another unknown fact is that Ringo and I are in the same position.

Those humans who have entered the hideout of the beings called Exiles, and trusted are considered and called ‘subordinates' or in some words, 'companions' or 'associates.'”

“Mr. Sakato… Don’t tell me, you are…”

“Yes, Take. I am related to your mentor.”

With the outburst of words that came out from the throat of my father, Tenth was left being stunned and shivering on his chair.

“I myself don’t even remember if we have met up close, and I presume this is the first time you have seen my face.

But I have seen you many times, being his closest aide.

In all honesty, when Sean Hickory went to tell us what happened to Gin, I felt a huge relief instead of fear that my son may just leave us. And when Gin told us that he decided to become an Exile, I am so glad that he chose this path.”

“An associate? This is the first time I am hearing that.

And Rin is also one of those?”

“I guess I should explain first.

So Mr. Sakato, you claim to be a subordinate and had relations with my teacher.

Several years before this present time, the head before me, gave someone a title of being a ‘subordinate’ to an outsider. He was the first non-Exile to have entered our underground base.

But I have been filled in with it properly since I was doing business on the surface.”

“That’s right. I was that human who was given the first title of being a subordinate of your kind. Then I heard that Ringo came to your base…

On their date…

And in the history, she’s the second outsider to enter the base but that is debatable since Gin went underground before he was one of you.”

“It seems that Dad knows a lot of things.”

“May I ask, Dad. Who is the mentor of Tenth that you were talking about earlier?”

For a moment, he shifted away his eyes from me.

“Gin, are you sure you really want to know who he is?

Rather, are you ready to know who he is?”

“That sounded like it is very serious but I want to know your story.”

“Well, not even Take knows this so I will spill everything.”

▪ ▪ ▪

April 1993, 25 years ago.

My name is Amano Sakato, 17 years old. It is currently summer and I was asked by some of my family if I can help in an orphanage.

It was an orphanage in Sector 226, which is two sectors away from home. It was not that far, as it is still in Cotona.

“Good morning. I’m looking for Mrs. Goodman.”

Immediately, a lady approached me.

“Good morning, too. I’m Mrs. Goodman. Are you by chance Amano?”

“Yes, I am.

I’m here to help in this orphanage since it is summer vacation. I would assume that my aunt told you about me.”

“How old are you now?”

“I’m 17.”

“Hmm… I think I can introduce you to the eldest of the orphanage.

Can someone call him over?”

~ ~ ~

“Hey, there. Uhh… I am Seijirou. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m Amano and nice to meet you too.”

“Amano, he’s the eldest of our orphanage and he’s currently 20.”

“I decided to help out here ever since I became an orphan. I guess I won’t be leaving this orphanage since I was taken good care for eight years now.

I was separated from my family when I was 12.”

“Well then, I will be in your care.”

…

I have been coming here for the past two months and I had a lot of experience of taking care of children and knowing their stories and personalities.

I became the closest to Seijirou since he’s almost my age. I treated him like an older brother because I didn’t want him to suffer loneliness of being separated from his family.

June came, and I became a second year in college.

But that didn’t stop me from visiting the orphanage. I became deeply attached to the people there and I have seen how kind they were.

Even in the middle of my studies, I still visit them and I was even helped by Seijirou on studying. It turns out that he liked reading textbooks and that is how he learned various things and collegiate lessons.

The course I took is Accountancy and I have been in that department for the second year now. At that time, I became friends with a student named Senna Kurogane.

“Hey, Amano. I heard that you were helping out in an orphanage.”

“Yeah, I am. Even though I’m studying, I still visit regularly. It feels like it’s my second home now.”

“Can I tag along?”

It seems that the young lady was quite enthusiastic, and so she requested.

“Huh?”

“Well, I like interacting with children and I like to satisfy their curiosity when they ask me random things.

If I have a son, I will be happy if he can also interact with children normally.”

Future: “I’m telling you, your second son is not good with children.”

▪ ▪ ▪

“When I met your mom when we were second year, she had the same style of hair with Ringo. That’s why when you first introduced her, I know it will be Gin’s turn.”

“Dad… You’re gross. Can we just go back to your story?”

▪ ▪ ▪

“Oh, good afternoon, Amano-

Oh…?” Seijirou, who seems to have just woken up greeted us in front. His struggling eyes suddenly opened wide.

“Good afternoon, Mrs. Goodman. I brought a friend from my college.”

“Yo, Amano. Who’s with… you…”

Seijirou suddenly paused and stood there doing nothing but staring at Senna for some reason.

“Earth to Seijirou?”

“Sorry, sorry… I forgot that I have things to do. Catch you later, Amano!”

“Wh… What was that…? He just woke up, right?”

“Oh, I haven’t introduced myself yet. My name is Senna. I’m Amano’s friend.”

“Nice to meet you, Senna. This is the first time Amano brought a friend.”

“She said that she wants to help with taking care of the children. She’s the same age as me, and I think he can be friends with Seijirou too.

Oh, the guy who just left is Seijirou. He’s the oldest orphan here.”

“Come on, you too. I’ll introduce her to the children.”

~ ~ ~

A few months have passed and so I regularly came here with Senna.

“Welcome back! Hey, hey… care to catch my pitches, Amano?

Hey there, Senna!”

And in that duration, Seijirou surprisingly became close to her.

“We’re back.”

“Jeez… I’ll catch your pitches once I’m done with the things I need to do.

Oh, Seijirou, can you help Senna on carrying the bags? I have some stuff I need to buy.”

“Sure. Be back by dinner.”

“Okay.”

…

“Hey, Senna. Are you and Amano in a relationship?”

Senna spew out her drink.

“Pfft… Ahahaha! Did I surprise you? Hahahaha!”

“Seijirou, that’s mean…!

And why ask that question?! We’re not!”

“Seriously?! I really thought that you were already dating when he brought you here!”

“That’s not the case at all! We’re just friends, you know?

Can we just drop off the bags and please stop teasing me!” sulking, she stomped.

“Hahahaha! Sorry, sorry~”

~ ~ ~

Seijirou is always like that—teasing the two of us every single time. He never got tired of it.

“Amano.”

“What is it?”

“Do you like Senna?”

“Why is a question coming from North Pole suddenly came to your mind?”

“What? I’m just curious. Last time, I asked Senna and she said you’re not going out. I was really bummed when I heard that from her.”

“Ehh… It’s not like it’s your business. But it’s not like I don’t like her but she’s just a friend.”

“Spineless.”

“Shut it.”

“Oh, come on! I’m still rooting for you, you know. I just want to act like an older brother from time to time~

I’m hinting premonitions for you, okay? Who knows, may be in a month or two, you’ll be together now.”

“Oh, please… Let’s just remove the sheets and get it washed.”

~ ~ ~

We became third years and by the time we were 19…

“Congratulations, you two!”

“I’m really feeling a sense of defeat…”

“Huh? What do you mean? Look, you and Senna are now dating. What’s something to be bothered about?”

“It’s because you keep flapping your mouth and teased us every breakfast, lunch and dinner like it’s your meal everyday!”

“Ehh… What’s wrong with that…?”

“Hahh… you really are a pain…”

We graduated, found ourselves decent jobs and three years later, Senna and I got married and got blessed with our first child and named him Kei.

But it’s quite sad that Seijirou can’t attend the ceremony since he’s not feeling well and so he ended up taking care of the children instead of being my best man.

It’s not that long when Kei learned how to walk and speak a handful of words. Seijirou then came to visit us in our house.

We moved in a very quiet environment in Sector 527.

“Thanks for the visit, Seijirou.”

“Yeah, yeah…

…

Amano.”

“Hmm?”

“Ah, Senna. Can I borrow your husband for a bit?”

“Sure. I’ll take care of Kei for the meantime.”

“Thanks.”

…

“So you went here by car?”

“Yeah. But I’d say… White Street is really peaceful. Good choice of a location to settle in.”

“It’s still a bit noisy, but it’s a great place when the street is literally silent.”

“Hop in.”

“Huh? Are we going somewhere?”

“Yeah.

To a place that you have never seen before.”

~ ~ ~

It was a bit of a long travel but we arrived in a boundary of Cotona. As far as I can see, there is an abandoned greenhouse that is covered with greens all over the place.

“A greenhouse?”

“Yes it is. But this is just a deceptive structure.

Come on, we’re going down.”

“D-Down…?”

Inside the greenhouse, there is a small passageway leading to something down the ground. After a bit of walking, we found an elevator going down a handful of meters more.

The doors of the elevator opened and what came to my sight is a large underground base with a lot of people there.

It’s not something like a base of operation, but more like a shelter.

“What… is this?”

I’ve noticed that everyone is greeting Seijirou with smiles on their faces and even others say: Welcome back.

I’ve been really confused and surprised that there is such a place under my hometown.

“Amano, this is the head of our people. All of the people you see here are considered legends of the outside world.

I am an Exile, Amano.”

“Wha… E-Exile…? I thought-“

“That is why I said legends because all of them that are ‘living’ here are considered dead on the surface.

And you could consider me as one.”

I don’t know what to say. I have only heard the Exiles from petty stories. I know that they really did exist, but the world thought that they instantly vanished a few decades ago.

“Seijirou, who is the young man that you brought here?” the head stepped forward and asked.

“Ah, he’s Amano. He’s not one of us, but I trust him that he will be our ally.”

“So then, Amano. Have you ever heard of the history of us?”

“Y-Yes, sir…”

“Then I guess were not going to start from square one.

I have a question. With the knowledge of our history, are you going to spread the news of our existence once you step on the surface again?”

“N-N-No, sir! I will never do that! Hearing your story, I can't do something like that!”

“Quit it with the formalities. If you wish, consider everyone in here as your family. Even if you are not an Exile, I will entitle you as the very first subordinate of our people.”

“Hahaha… You instantly befriended with us, huh? Seems like the head took interest of you.”

~ ~ ~

From time to time, I go with Seijirou in their hideout and visit them. With those few visits, I realized their kindness. It was like out of this world. They treated me like family and I enjoyed my few stays.

I was permitted by them to tell my wife about their existence. She really enjoyed listening to my stories about them even though she has never gone underground.

The year 2001 came, and at that month of January, we were blessed by another child growing in Senna’s womb.

But when April came, we were stunned by the news.

Seijirou was diagnosed of Stage 3 Colon Cancer. Ever since then, he has been confined in the hospital so I often visited him to cheer him up.

▪ ▪ ▪

“Colon Cancer?!”

“Yes, Gin. But he never once said the phrase: ‘Of all the people, I only got the disease.’ He humbly accepted it.”

“Dad, is he gone now?”

“I’m still reminded of those times… but yes, he died because of that disease.”

“I have never known of those stories that he is telling us right now. But what I never expect the most is Dad’s relation to the Exiles 25 years ago.”

“And then in a random day, he called me and asked to come to the hospital alone.

He confessed everything that he hasn’t said yet. I didn’t even realize that he had a lot of secrets back then. He even told me his real name.”

“Real… name? Does that mean his name wasn’t originally Seijirou?”

“Take, Gin… His real name is…

Eijiro Kurogane.”

(!)

When I was a child, I heard a story from my mother. I really thought that time that it was quite sad. I watched my mom cry while I sat on her lap.

And so my memories came down on a vertical flow… just like a waterfall.

“Gin~ Do you want to sit on my lap? I’ll tell you a story.

…

You see, when you were not yet born, I lost my brother when I was nine years old. When I became a college student, I met your father and a friend of his. But father’s friend suffered from a disease.

He told me that time that he was my long lost brother. I cried, and cried when I found that out. But our time as being siblings didn’t last long…

Because of the illness, he left the world and passed away. It’s just sad that you didn’t get to see your Uncle Eijiro when he was still alive.”

Her tears were also like a waterfall. They fell down like it was one. My memories paralleled to the present and the tears that my mother once shed, traveled through time and went from my eyes.

▪ ▪ ▪

Senna was asked by Eijiro to come and have a talk. He was a bit hesitant since he knew that she’s carrying a child with her. But he told the truth anyways.

The illusions of the past will vanish once the truth is said. It may be painful to hear, but that’s just how reality is…

Painful.

“Why?! Why didn’t you tell us sooner? Why…

I’ve been looking for you the whole time… and you were just in front of me! This is unfair… No… Please…

Brother, live… Please! I want you to live…! Don’t die! Don’t die on us!

You still have to cradle my child…!”

…

“Senna, cry it all out. Let it all go with your tears. Even without me, never stop seeking for happiness. Look, I am still here… but you have Amano, Kei and his sibling.

They are more special than me. But I am still a part of your big family.

…

I decided not to tell you because I thought it was for the best. But I was wrong. If only I did tell you earlier, I may have cherished my life more and be happier.

And my wrong decisions led to regrets, but it was all gone now. It maybe late… but I will say it anyways since I only have a few months.

I love you, Senna… I love you all…

It’s best to say those words instead of ‘sorry.’ I do not want to shorten the life I had remaining on me.”

~ ~ ~

After that, there’s always a young man that always came to visit him. It was also an Exile who was probably his guardian.

In the middle of everything, October came…

“Is he some kind of your guardian?”

“No… he’s my student of some sort. His name is Taketo Juushiro, but I call him Take.

It was said that he will be the next head of our people. He’s a really wise young man. I think he once said that he had been experimented when he was a child, and his left eye turned a different color afterwards.”

“But why did you ask me to come here again?”

“Well, it’s October now, and my second nephew is about to be born right? Is he a boy? Have you already picked a name?”

“Sorry for not telling you that, but he’s a boy.

About the name… we’re still arguing about that. But we listed a few choices for a name. Those are Tsuna, Gin, Jirou, Katou, Shin, and uhh… Nagi.”

“Gin.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“I said Gin. I think that would suit him the best. Also, Gin in Japanese means ‘silver.’ I don’t know, but it just sounded good and short.

But it’s just my personal choice… You don’t need to use it if you don’t want to.”

“No, it’s alright. I’ll have a talk with Senna about naming our child Gin.”

“Eh? Seriously?”

“Now I’ll be completely honest… I wish for him to be just like you.

Thanks, brother.”

“See ya.”

And so, Amano left with Eijiro sat on his bed, alone.

“Nurse?”

“Yes, Mr. Kurogane?”

“Can I have a pen and a handful of papers?”

▪ ▪ ▪

“Shameful as it is, neither me nor Senna named you… but her brother.”

“Wait…! He died that da-

…” Tenth suddenly exclaimed with a raised voice, but immediately took back his words.

“Take? What is it?”

“N-No… Nevermind…”

“I still feel sad on saying this, but the date he died…

Was October 27, 2001. Gin… that was the day you were born.”

The few words that Amano uttered echoed in Gin's head with the thought of the tragedy amplifying to his heart. He froze, without anything to say.

“I… I knew it…

That is why I stopped from saying that… Mr. Sakato.”

“…

Well, before he died, he wrote letters to his family, Senna, me, Kei, everyone in the orphanage, and even for you, Gin.

But he said that I can only let you read it when you finally have an understanding to the world. He’s really specific.

Here.”

Dad gave me an aged envelope with a red candle wax seal. I opened it and it seems that the paper inside was preserved. At first look, it really is a letter… but from 16 years in the past.

"It's now that time, son."

The date is October 19, 2001.

“Dear, Gin.

I do not know what time or generation you are reading this, but I would guess that you’re 18 now? Surely I'm mistaken.”

“What the heck. That’s spot on…”

“Anyways, I am the long lost brother of your mother, Senna. I actually don’t know what I really want to write for you. This has been my fourth draft of your letter now.

By the time you’re reading this, Amano probably told you about his story, and who knows? Maybe you’re also an Exile? That's too far-fetched, though.”

“Wait, seriously… Is my uncle really dead?”

“To be honest, I really didn’t intend to write a letter for you, but your father wishes you to be like me. I felt really motivated and even if I’m gone, I’m still eager to see how you grow. I didn’t really think that your parents will go with the name I chose. I was moved.

But I guess I will talk about you.

How have you been? Have you got yourself a lover? If so, does she look like my sister?”

“No, seriously. Is he still alive?! Is he watching from somewhere?!”

“Well, enough of my jokes…“

“Nothing of it is a joke, you one heck of an uncle…”

“I hope you’re doing great right now. There will be times where pain is only there and it feels like there is no happiness. There may be despair surrounding you every time, but I know that you will overcome those obstacles.

Please remember that there are people supporting you. You have your parents with you and your brother. Maybe you have friends that you will consider as family too. When you are troubled, always imagine those you love with a smile. When I was an orphan I always do that and I feel relieved every time.

Be careful of humans. As an Exile I have seen the dark side of the world many, many times. It is cruel and unfair. But keep in mind that when there is despair, there is also hope.

The sky is vast. The rain clouds can never envelope it whole. Then there is the sun. The sun will be the hope that will pierce through despair."

"These words… Hope… I just said those earlier…"

"Perhaps you could change something. It may be impossible but you could at least try. Something might really change even if not in the scale that you can reach.

Gin, always value your life more. You don’t need to live to the fullest, but I will be very contended if you have found your happiness.

And lastly…

I will appreciate it if you visit my grave from time to time.

Yours truly, Eijiro Kurogane.”

“Hahh…

Seriously… Now I can’t back down anymore when even a dead man is having faith on me.”

“Well, Gin, Take… My role is done so I will take my leave now.

I will now leave the rest to all of your people. Don’t you dare fail now. My brother is pressuring all of you.”

“…

Thanks, Dad. You got it.”

"Ringo. Take good care of my son."

The door opened, and immediately shut.

I can’t turn back anymore. I had moved this much forward and only I can do is seek through the horizon. I have ventured this journey far enough. Now, on that path, I see a huge storm brewing not far from where I am. We will conquer this once and for all.

“Tenth, can you prepare a car for us?

Let’s go to the base… right now.”

“Gin, I’ll-“

“Rin, if you really are resolved to take on this responsibility, hold my hand for ten seconds.”

Without any hesitation she held my right hand.

"You don't need to say that."

One… Two… Three… Four… Five… Six… Seven… Eight… Nine… Ten.

“Rin, as a subordinate of the Exiles, you’re coming with us.”

"That's just a sorry excuse to hold hands… How shallow, Gin." Tenth scolded.

~ ~ ~

Before we went to the base, I asked Tenth to drop the two of us in our houses so we can get changed from our uniforms and hurriedly arrived to the greenhouse without any danger.

“I wish that the thing that you gave me will help out to this conflict.”

“Everyone…! Is Makoto here?”

“Tenth! Good timing. Look at this. Joseph Horach is being interviewed live on TV.”

“So Senator, with your upbringing with this issue, what do you wish to do now?”

“After a few decades, we must end this now. The Exiles are nothing but trash in this world and shall be burnt, figuratively. Now they disguised as humans of the society even though they never had any functions anymore.

They deserve to disappear once and for all!”

“Hahh… what an unreasonable bastard…” said Tenth, without holding back his heat that piled up.

“Tenth, is that not a reason for us to act now?”

“…

Let’s proceed. We’ll have the plans all set up now. Anyone with suggestions?”

“Yeah, Tenth doesn’t have any plans!”

“Shut up, Hiroomi!”

“Well, I should go first. But I need everyone to gather here.”

"So you already thought up of something, Gin?"

~ ~ ~

Everyone gathered in the first floor and so I stood in front of them.

“Alright, everyone. I will tell you my suggestion. I don’t really know if all of you will agree with this but my plan is…

A population of us shall leave and face this enemy of ours!”

As expected, it became a bit of an uproar. A good number of Exiles were against the thought and questioned the suggestion. But one raised his hand and stated his suggestion.

“Gin! If I may add!”

“Yes, please!”

“I am not against your plan, so I would like to propose for us to wear masks.”

“That is a great idea. Indeed, we don’t want our identities to be exposed. So you’re saying we’ll become ghouls?”

I have expected this reaction of silence. I know that they don’t know what I’m talking about. Well, enough with the gag.

(!)

That thing now plays well…

“I’ve heard that we have discovered an unknown glass-like substance below our base. Can we mix it to other materials as a protective coating?”

“I’m one of the team that found them out. It is possible to make a material out of it with 100% of its durability with the process of casting.”

“Alright, everyone. I know this is a bit risky, and I also know that not everyone will agree to this, so I will ask all of those who wish for this plan to happen to raise their hands. I am not forcing anyone so let’s have a fair judgment.”

This is not what I expected. The majority of them raised their hands for this plan to take effect.

“We are all witnesses of this fair judgment. Thus, this plan of action is our choice.

Yes, we are going outside of our safe zone but we are not to harm anyone. Your tasks are not difficult. You will all be the representatives of our people.

For those who will remain will be taking care of the children. I will leave those to you.

…

Is anyone here have experience of making sunglasses? I just had an idea.”

“I do!” an Exile raised his hand and voice.

“If we are to make masks for our quantity, how long will it take?” he shifted his attention to the one that suggested the masks.

“Approximately twenty days, Gin!”

“Gin! Shall I go where you are?”

“Ken…”

He then stood beside him, with the intention to say something.

“I ask all of you, anyone who is willing to enter the Room of Reality, step forward. I suggest that we make it inside for efficiency of time. Theoretically, you won’t experience the changes in gravity within twenty days.

Gin, I have seen the process of making the glass. It’s pretty simple. If you want, I will assist them inside.”

“Ken…?”

“When you last went here, I was actually inside the Void for four months. Now I understand what it felt when you were inside.”

“Thanks. I’m counting on you.”

“Everyone, I thank you for your cooperation. We are doing this to survive the dangers that is about to storm us. What we need to do is plan for the worst.

I ask for the glass-like material because we are facing a deadly threat. I don’t want anyone of us to get hurt. If we succeed, everyone will turn back to our normal lives as the citizen of this underground base.

We are not trash and we are not disposable. I don’t like anyone to suffer the abuse our people experienced seventy years ago.

This is the reality. Some humans have thrown away their humanity to satisfy their desires. Humans are the ones who harm the same kind. No one is superior, and no one is inferior.

Let us redeem the balance of our existence in the world.”

“I don’t even know if I can graduate now…”

“Acting like a leader, huh. Gin?”

“Nah. I’m not suited for such a thing. Don’t foreshadow things.

Wait, there’s one more thing I haven’t brought out."

In my pocket came out is the hard drive sent to me from overseas.

“Gin…? What is that?”

“I never have used this so I will leave it to the expert. I am a hundred percent certain that this will benefit us so much that I think it's almost unfair."

“Hmm? Where did this come from?”

“It came from an Exile named Marco Lugis."

"M-Marco?! He came in contact with you?"

Hearing the name, Tenth got surprised and somehow became ecstatic.

"Not exactly… He sent this to my address from overseas."

"He's still out of the country, I see. So that's why he asked to map out the entirety of Cotona.

But he could have just told us that he'll do that."

"Map out? You mean, a physical one?"

"A digital map, Gin."

"Oh! So he's a hacker!" I immediately replied.

"You seriously catch on quick. To say the level of his skills, one time he got so mad about a hacker hacking an all-famous site that he countered it in just a few minutes of vulnerability."

"Apples. He's good."

"Anyway, what does that drive really contains?"

"…

Heh."

▪ ▪ ▪

A step backwards in time, and Amano have left the school and went home.

“Okā, I’m home.”

“Welcome back. How was it?”

“Hahh… It feels like I’m looking at Eijiro again.”

“Is that so… Well, let us leave everything to him and the others.”

“He has grown as a man now… and your brother’s wish has been granted.”

"Yeah… If he's alive right now, he may have given his nephew a head lock."

▪ ▪ ▪

“We are here once again for an exclusive interview requested by Senator Joseph Horach.

Senator?”

“Yes. Last night, I looked on my mails and found a rather unique letter. I will show you the letter that was addressed to me.”

“Keep watch. Cotona Square.” - EXILES

▪ ▪ ▪

March 13, 2018.

“Tenth, shall we go now?”

“It is time.”

Three steps remaining.


Chapter Message:

That concludes chapter 32 and I almost forgot to release!

orz

I actually do feel that this chapter suddenly came out all of a sudden from nothing. I really value the foreshadowing of the plot and thankfully I at least patched up some things that were definitely missing from the initial drafts of this story.

But it actually feels refreshing to write about something that I think is unconventional; like how Eijiro was introduced as someone who has already left the world. For whatever reason, I actually like how I wrote his story.

Thank you for reading!

Next

Thirty-three: CONFRONTATION.