Home ? (being translated)

December 14th. The snow is falling. It covers up the trees without leaves, all plants as tiny or big as they can be, and some snowflakes manage to lodge on the top of the head of any passerby.

I am on the way to University with my twin brother, Mana. Even though we only have a few minutes apart people always ay I am the oldest (it upsets him) and today is our birthday. We're finally 20 and can officially enter at W.A.C.U. ,Weapons of All Categories University, as students. Since our early childhood -when we were three- we've been learning to use every kind of weapon you can imagine : katanas, sabers, bows, spears, axes, everything. Self-defense techniques and martial arts weren't excluded, in fact it was quite the contrary. We were initiated to a lot of them, the most difficult, yes, but the most efficient ? Certainly ! We are what we could call the country's "elite", that's the reason we were raised inside the school which is the most prestigious one in the whole world regarding combat and weapons techniques.

Being stressed was never a personality trait for us because we trained to stay calm whatever happens and stay unmoved not showing anything. It might be because of our impassive faces that everybody is weirdly staring at us. I mean, let's think from their perspective for a minute. They are all stressing out like ever because they barely succeeded, that's what we can read on their decomposed faces. And as if it wasn't enough they see two tall men, emotionless, going straight in without saying a word.

However some are getting some attention, like this young man walking towards us who seems quite stupid-looking. His sufficient and arrogant air makes Mana sneer. Yes, must be pretty simple. As for me, I decide to stay put, let's see what happens.

- Hey both of you, why aren't you smiling ? My buds tell me you're the Blake twins but I think they're wrong, he says with a sadic smile. I think you're just spoiled little rich boys who are so afraid they prefer to shut their mouth and keep quiet. Am I right guys ?

- I'll let you deal with this, whispers Mana, or else he won't even see anything in the school like the Yakuzas' Dojo. Remember when we went there to train when we were around 6, big Bro ?

- How could I forget this beautiful time..

- Don't pretend I'm not here !

- Oh sorry but you blend into the background in such a nice way that I forgot about you. So now I will take care of you so that my brother and I can go greet our former teachers with all the respect they deserve.

- Wha..

My fist just went on a meeting with his stomach for his greatest misfortune, I am the fastest one. He is thrown one meter away before falling under an big amount of pain. This guy doesn't have any balance or self-control, what is he doing here ? This school is reserved for the most hardened and the strongest, otherwise you get expelled if you don't answer the teachers' expectations. This guy won't last the first semester, or even the first two weeks.

- Try one more time to stand up to us and it'll be something else than my fist that you'll have to meet. Is that clear ?

- Just you wait that I report this to the headmaster ! You'll not get away with this, you crazy !

- You're just gonna loose time this is our home, to Mana and I. Since we're three of age we live here. Our family being part of the teaching staff and in the head of the school, we got the best teachers and masters in all areas. So I'll tell you one more time, stand up to me again and nobody will remember you. Is it clear ?!

- Ye..Yes.

- Good. Let's go, Mana.

_ I am the one waiting for you, Allen. Let's not hang around, Uncle Hiro is waiting for us.

The young rebellious man stands up, quivering with his head down. Inspire fear this way gives me a breath of pleasure and satisfaction that I don't find anywhere else. You could consider me a sadist, I never deny those accusations. Most of the people around can't stop but staring at us with big bulging yes and wide opened mouths. None of them is moving even just a finger. We keep walking, as calm as possible like always, towards the gate. Our presence is already sign of agitation which is everything our Uncle Hiro, headmaster, hates.

The winter breeze makes our hair white as the snow falling and covering up our footprints, fly. As if nobody ever set foot here. Everything is so beautiful in winter, pure and white snow, freezing wind making the skin shiver, some raindrops to revive fallen nature. Everything I need to relax, unless summer where the heat slowly "kills me".

The building didn't change a bit and still as impressive as always. The path leading to the Yakuzas' dojo is marked out by cherry trees without their pale pink leaves and gravel. My heart is beating faster, we are getting close to the front gate. Closed, yes. However, I happen to have the key to open it. The temptation is too much for me I can't control myself anymore. My hand slowly slips in my jacket's inside pocket to bring out a silver key ornamented with a majestic phoenix. A sweet heat bring my mind back to reality from this little trance. Mana put his hand on mine to get the key back where it belongs. Thank god he came to dissuade me from doing it or else I would have run inside before everybody. I missed this school so much. We're waiting there, in front of the gate with the new students who are looking to learn everything you need to know about weapons. Seven fifty-eight. Two minutes left and I'll finally be able to get back to this place that made my childhood the best I could ever ask for with my twin brother. Seven fifty-nine. One minute left and I can finally go back to living normally and this moment is the longest one in my life. Five.. Four.. Three.. Two.. One..

A very loud grinding noise can be heard, the door finally opens to let us come inside this magnificent et scared domain, the W.A.C.U. The lined up trees show us the way to the Jyoki Room, with a size of a concert hall, it is used for all the presentations, performances or any events that would require it. Even though it's forbidden to run we can't help it, we missed that place so much !The other students follow us and start running a few meters behind us. Bad idea, we're the only one really allowed to run here without receiving a punishment in addition to the teachers. They're quickly going to understand we don't play with the same cards and they won't last long if they keep copying everything we do, Mana and I. The atmosphere is pretty tensed for a first day, this is unusual and most of the students seem worried, with good reason. Two professors wait for us in front of majestic doors of the Jyoki Room. Master Yuka, teaching Katana, Kunais and Shurikens, in short weapons that ninjas used centuries ago. To his left, Master Williams , teaching Firearms. They are like the foundation of the school and are flawless, strict about everything -except us, we don't know why they are so kind with only the both of us- and the best in their own sectors.

- Come in, take a seat and wait here, announces Master Yuka.

- The headmaster will appear in a moment, by then don't make a sound or you can't leave this academy right now, states Master Williams loud and clear.

The newcomers are stressing more and more, if only they knew Uncle Hiro's nature, they would run away immediately and they never set a foot again in front of those gates. Fortunately we're here with Mana to calm the minds if needed. Because yes, our Uncle, despite is Headmaster status, is a professional fighter. Let it be students, their parents or even teachers -it only appeared once though- he doesn't restrain himself and wins against everybody. Nobody has ever defeated him, except me.

- Hey you aver there on the third range with the pink scarf. Leave this school with the gentleman on your right.

- Excuse me ? Why ?!

- You are chatting during a very important moment of this day, you disturb everybody. SO I'm gonna ask you to get out of this room and leave for the gate you came through a few moments ago.

- Get out before I do it myself, ordered Master Williams, you have 30 seconds.

The two young men silencly stand up, take thir belongings and leave the place that was part of their dreams. All would look at them with a stunned face except us, the Blake twins. Our Uncle Hiro, from what we heard, has always been on the severity side of the family and that he was born to be a leader. He has everything needed for this, appeal, authority, allies, a network spreading all over the world and most of all, spies searching for new weapons or ancient treasors to refine his personal collection. It's funny to see all the other students staring at us as if we were from another world. They don't understand that our sole joy is to fight, train to get better and be useful for our Uncle Hiro.

- Everybody listen, your headmaster needs to talk to you about something important.

- Indeed I do. But first I want to know how are my nefews feeling. Allen, Mana, stand up and come greet me just like I taught you when you were kids.

- Yes, Uncle.

In a very deep silence my brother stands up. Mana is always the first one to greet our Uncle Hiro with the most gracious way possible. He throws away a kunaï but unfortunately for him Uncle Hiro still has his reflexes. A long katana is taken out from his kimono to block my brother's throw. Of course, my uncle likes to be a show-off, today more than usual since there are so many people around us this instant. All the future apprentices are impressed, even shocked ! Their eyes bulging and their mouths open wide. No reasonable living being and fully in possession of his neurones greets their family in such a way ! Nobody. Except us.. We are a fmaily with uncommon values and manners. It was reproched to us for a long time when we had company at the house who didn't know us very well. People haven't been paying attention for a long time now.

My brother just got ejected at the other side of the room, he lost, again. It's gonna be my turn ut I don't want to, I'm going to hurt all those beginners in the room. At worst it'll make some decide to leave and they'll be less people around getting under my feet. We'll see. Mana stands up, bends over as a sign of respect and comes back by my side. Even though it was quite quick, he fought well.

- Allen, come greet me. You know how much I love when you do it.

- Yes Uncle, coming right up.

I stand up, bend over with some sadistic glow deep down in my eyes, I'm gonna give my heart and soul into this greeting. Uncle Hiro bends over too. Perfect timing ! I rush to him, dagger in my hand. He didn't see me coming and is unbalanced, but his reflexes emerge, allowing him to jum on the side, his back on the door.

- You're going to lose again today, Uncle. By making him get out of the room we end up having more space and not being blocked by all the nuisance inside. Yes, I am arrogant, but with this specific education you would have done and said the same. worst part ? These idiots sitting in the room are fully aware of that.

Uncle Hiro stands back to fully think about what technique to use in such a situation. He's scared, scared his nefew ridiculises him once more but this time in front of all the newcomers. We start a front fight in a deep silence, only our screams and the jingling of our weapons can be heard.

~oOo~

'' Comment se fait-il qu'Allen-Senpai ne se fasse pas battre aussi facilement que toi, Mana-Senpai ?

_ Mon frère et moi avons reçu la même éducation stricte au possible en tous points. Il y a pourtant un détail d'une importance capitale qui fait toute la différence entre nous.

_ Et quel est-il ? demande un élève à la droite du jeune homme.

_ Allen a été élevé dans un seul but, devenir le meilleur pour pouvoir reprendre les rennes de l'Académie. Par conséquent il est au même niveau que notre Oncle si ce n'est plus fort car c'est lui qui l'entraînait étant enfant. C'est pour cela que notre Oncle a toujours du mal à le mettre au tapis aussi vite que moi. Ne vous inquiétez pas, quand on le connaît bien il n'est pas aussi brut et effrayant qu'il en a l'air. Il peut se montrer doux et gentil bien que ce ne soit qu'avec ses proches.

_ Comment est-il avec les gens comme nous ?

_ Comme vous ? demande-t-il exacerbé ne demandant qu'à pouvoir suivre ce combat d'une grande beauté.

_ Les débutants.

_ Rabaissant, hautain, désagréable, effrayant. Il voudra toujours montrer qu'il est le plus fort de vous tous -ce qui est d'ailleurs le cas- en toute situation. Maintenant taisez-vous ou je vais vous montrer ma vraie personnalité et vous n'allez pas aimer ça du tout.

_ Tous les élèves viennent de voir leurs espoirs de se lier d'amitié avec l'un des deux jumeaux Blake s'envoler je crois, chuchota un des professeurs à un collègue. ''

Je ne sais pas ce qu'il se passe mais la tension est palpable là-bas aussi. Je n'arrive pas à vaincre Oncle Hiro aussi vite que d'habitude. Ça commence à bien faire, ça commence à m'énerver. Mana vient de comprendre et me supplie du regard de me contrôler. Mas je ne peux pas, je n'y arrive pas et ça il le sait très bien. La colère m'envahit complètement et je me retrouve, une fois encore, dans l'état second que je déteste tant mais qui me procure force et vitesse. Mes yeux blanchissent entièrement telle la neige crissant sous nos pas et ma respiration s'accélère considérablement. Plus rien ne se trouve autour de moi, seul mon Oncle Hiro et Mana arrivent à capter mon attention.

'' Allen, me dit mon Oncle Hiro, calme-toi. Je ne veux pas avoir à utiliser ma technique dès ton premier jour à l'Académie.

_ Vous ne pouvez rien faire contre moi, mon Oncle. Vous avez peur, je le sais, je le sens. Et vous avez bien raison.

_ Allen ! Hurle Mana. Arrête ça tout de suite ou tu vas tous les tuer ! Ne nous force pas à te brutaliser aujourd'hui ! ''

Je réussis à m'autoriser un semblant de minute de réflexion me menant à une fin identique. Un seul coup suffira pour que je puisse respirer convenablement et calmement après ça. Je me dois de montrer à ces incompétents que le talent mélangé au travail intensif de toute une vie sont indispensables dans ce milieu et cette Académie. En deux secondes je me suis jeté sur mon adversaire, l'ai mis à terre et me suis assis sur son dos. La victoire est à moi, je peux enfin reprendre mes esprits. Je n'ai pas les idées claires tout de suite, je me sens toujours un peu dans les vapes après une crise comme ça. Sur mon épaule gauche, un cercle vide et blanc apparaît, prenant place aux côtés de nombreux autres. Chaque cercle est une preuve indélébile de chaque passage en transe que j'ai connu depuis mon enfance. Il y en a dix-sept. Oui, mes crises ont commencé à l'âge de trois ans au début de mon entraînement intensif auprès de mon oncle. Pauvre enfant, disent les gens qui ne me connaissent pas, mais cet entraînement est ma raison de vivre. Les crises ne durent jamais très longtemps et n'arrivent que très rarement. Je ne me plains donc pas. Jamais.

Mon oncle gigote sous mon poids, j'avais complètement oublié que je suis assis sur lui. Je me relève doucement, prends sa main puis le soulève avec autant de facilité que s'il avait été une plume tombant de l'aile d'un oiseau perdu. Nous retournons dans la salle, mon Oncle sur l'estrade devant tout le monde et moi à côté de mon frère au fond de la salle. Il me regarde comme si j'avais fait une énorme bêtise mais il sait que je ne peux contrôler ces crises actuellement. Cela fait partie des choses que je vais apprendre au cours de mes années en tant qu'élève ici. Être présent en tant qu'élève officiel ici est une situation vraiment déroutante car j'ai passé toute ma vie dans ces locaux à m'entraîner, caché au yeux du monde avec Mana. Nous pouvons sortir librement sans avoir besoin de demander ou d'être surveillé pour être sûrs de ne pas être vus. Est-ce ça la liberté ? Cette chose que je ne connais que très peu et ne connaîtrais sûrement presque jamais.

Un des élèves devant moi me regarde fixement, qu'est-ce qu'il a ? Il a jamais affronté quelqu'un de sa famille ? On est vraiment les seuls sur cette planète à agir de la sorte ? Je ne sais pas si je pourrais un jour m'y habituer. Je crois que je vais vraiment pas être apprécié ici, après tout c'est pas mon problème, je suis là pour m'améliorer et apprendre à contrôler ces foutues crises avec Mana. Il est le seul avec Oncle Hiro et tous mes Maîtres à avoir ma confiance la plus totale.

'' Bien, maintenant que le salut familial est terminé nous allons commencer. ''