Chapter 30: Forcing Blow

(To Kaaru, after spending his time resting at Ippei's shop. He was seen in his room, exploring some things in his laptop. He got a video call from his friend, Chen in his laptop. So he picks it up)

CHEN: Hey Kaaru. Wassup.

KAARU: Hey, Chen. How you doing?

CHEN: I'm just the way I am.

KAARU: (Chuckles) How do you know I'm using my laptop.

CHEN: I know you always used it every evening. You always go online finding stuffs out.

KAARU: Shit, you got me Chen. You really know what I do.

CHEN: Yeah. So you done with your homework.

KAARU: Yes. You?

CHEN: Same with me. Maybe today, we can meet at the basketball court.

KAARU: Er... What are we doing then?

CHEN: Playing basketball. Dude what else are we going to do.

KARRU: Sorry, Chen. I can't.

CHEN: You have started again Kaaru. Remember I told you this before.

KAARU: (Sigh) I know Chen but...

CHEN: Is your aunty at home?

KAARU: No, she just head by store couple of minutes ago.

CHEN: You know where she's coming back?

KAARU: I'm not sure. Well she comes home any time, maybe around seven.

CHEN: There's still time. It is just past four. We can just play till six o clock. What do you say?

KAARU: Well... Okay okay. That's fine with me.

CHEN: Good, I'll see you then.

KAARU: Yeah... I'll see you there too. (Close his laptop)

(To Junri, she comes out of the supermarket and waited for a taxi to show up and pick her up and at last, she found one and entered inside)

JUNRI: Please take me to Takuo lane. (Then the man drove off the car. She turned outside the house window and noticed that the driver passed it) Driver where are you going? You just missed it.

(The man turned to her and to Junri surprised it was Nikomaru)

NIKOMARU: Sorry about that.

JUNRI: (Shocked) Niko.

NIKOMARU: That's right... Junri. (He said while covering his nose with a mask and suddenly a gas came out causing Junri to feel sleepy as she did)

(Back to Kaaru, he made it to the basketball court and sees Chen and two other boys)

KAARU: So you actually brought people?

CHEN: Yeah. That's Juzo and Ishii. Guys that's my friend, Kaaru.

JUZO: Hey man.

ISHII: Wassup.

KAARU: Oh it's nice to meet you guys.

CHEN: They played for Tomoyuki high for the last year basketball school championship.

KAARU: For real. So how did you find them?

CHEN: In the neighborhood playing basketball.

KAARU: Oh right.

CHEN: Now (Ishii gave him the basketball and he bounces it up and down) Clear out guys. I'm gonna play against Kaaru, I'm with Ishii.

KAARU: And I'm with Juzo. Let's do this.

CHEN: (Runs while heading to Kaaru, bouncing the ball)

KAARU: Okay! Bring it!

(Later by 7:00pm, after the basketball match, Kaaru walked home feeling tired)

KAARU: (Thought) Is sure playing with those two fellas. It's a good thing I won. (He finally head home and calls his aunty) Junri! I'm home. Junri! Oh must she been sleeping, though buying stuffs must have really stressed. (He went to her room and didn't see her on her bed) She isn't back. (He decided to go back to the supermarket. As he got there, he asked a lady who was in charge of the counter machine) Good evening ma'am. Did you see a lady that just left an hour ago.

WOMAN: Well I don't know.

KAARU: Why wouldn't you know. Customers attend to you.

WOMAN: Young man, if there's something you want to buy, everything is all here. I don't know who is the lady. I see different people going out and coming in at the same time.

KAARU: Okay, you know what. Just forget about it. (He said as he left the place. He was seen at home in his room, checking his laptop to see where she is as he heaved a sigh and said) Thank God she on her location. (He track her down and found it) Riza! I've never heard this street before but it's far away from Takuo. So that means Junri must been kidnapped. (Stood up from his seat and stared at his mask)

(Meanwhile, elsewhere, Junri had just woken up, with some confusion and weakness. As she saw Nikomaru her eyes were fully woke and realize that she wasn't at home, nor in the hospital but in an old abandoned building. As she was able to get up from the chair she was seating from, she noticed that she was tied hands and legs with a rope)

NIKOMARU: Welcome Junri.

JUNRI: (tries to remove the rope but no use as she gave up and turned around to Nikomaru) Niko! What do you want? I thought you said it was over.

NIKOMARU: Nothing is over, Junri. Well you see, something came up into my head like a knock. That is to take back everything you did to me.

JUNRI: What did I took from you?

NIKOMARU: It's easy. You killed my girl and made my life miserable.

JUNRI: That girl was no help to the family. Don't you get it and what is your problem?

NIKOMARU: There is no problem in me! You are the problem, Junri! You are!

JUNRI: After we have been through all this. You promise to make the family stand. You promise not to cheat on me, you promise to take responsibility in our home.

NIKOMARU: Yeah, well. It's none of my business. (Then he took his seat while staring opposite to her) You didn't give me a child, Junri. The doctor said you have been suffering for pregnancy challenge... Something like that. What else should I do?

JUNRI: You didn't support me when I didn't have a child. We would have think of something by then.

NIKOMARU: Thinking or no thinking. It's none of my business.

JUNRI: Even though it's none of your business you should care.

NIKOMARU: Care about what? It seems you think what I'm saying it's just bullshit, right? Anyway I haven't finished with you.

JUNRI: Alright, how about we settle this. I will give you a sum of thirty thousand yens, then you will free me and it's all over.

NIKOMARU: Ha. Who's talking about the money? Money doesn't bother me like that anymore. I was formerly in a gang doesn't mean I like money.

JUNRI: But Niko we have to settle—

NIKOMARU: (Interpreted) Settle what? What to settle. You say damn things about me of not marrying a second wife. On the other hand of you, you are always busy. I ask you to go out with me and all you can say is "Sorry I'm busy". You say that all the time.

JUNRI: Don't you know I was trying to raise money for us. I was the source of wealth and you... You use yours to buy nonsense of things.

NIKOMARU: Shut the fuck up! (As he brings out his gun) You know what Junri, I'm sick and tired of this. I'm gonna bang you on the head.

JUNRI: Niko please stop!

NIKOMARU: You telling me to stop. No you think I'm crazy. What's the point of making my life useless. After I divorced you, I quit my job and later joined a secret cult. I thought they can helpe by paying me huge yens but they paid lesser one. I decided to resign and started where I should start from.

JUNRI: Niko I didn't make your life miserable and useless.

NIKOMARU: Shut...! (Points the gun on her head) What you did to me (As he drops his gun) is gonna happen to you. So I'm gonna decided (Went to the table and brought a knife) You killed her with this, right? So I'm going to do this to you.

JUNRI: Please don't.

NIKOMARU: For what you have done to me. (Walks to meet her with the knife on his hand)

JUNRI: Please don't do this to me. I'm still your wife.

NIKOMARU: I got no wife again. No more.

JUNRI: Please No! (As Niko stretches the knife upwards about to come down to her with a stab, Junri scream and a voice was heard which Interrupted Nikomaru to continue)

KAARU: That's not very nice but I think it's a perfect timing.

NIKOMARU: Who are you?

KAARU: I guess it's not everyone that knows me.

NIKOMARU: Hmm I don't even know where you came from. (He said as she shoots him using his gun but Kaaru dodged that)

(Kaaru ran towards him and tried giving him a blow but Nikomaru dodged it by grabbing his hand and threw him away. He got up again and gave him a blow on his face, causing Kaaru to feel the pain)

KAARU: Ouch, that's really painful.

JUNRI: Please don't hurt him.

KAARU: I didn't hurt him ma'am. He's the one that hurt me.

(Nikomaru continues to shoot Kaaru, who was still running and dodging some of the flying bullets with such an incredible stunts. He ran to Niko and quickly grabbed his gun and threw it away)

KAARU: I guess gun isn't necessary this time.

NIKOMARU: Maybe you are right (He said while moving his right arm slowly to adjust it while cracking it)

(Kaaru ran and jumped up in other to give him a kick but Nikomaru dodged it and gave him a punch on his tummy, causing him to fall to the ground. The punch was so hard that Kaaru couldn't get up again)

KAARU: Seriously, what's with this guy?

NIKOMARU: She is very lucky to have a life saver. Anyway, I wasn't going for you but I'll just have to kill you. (Gave him another punch again. While in the air, Niko gave him a kick, causing him to slam himself on two pillars)

(Kaaru felt that pain as he got up and saw Nikomaru running as he gave him a punch but he dodged it making to punch the wall as it broke and Kaaru saw that with surprised)

KAARU: (Thought) Is this man a manipulator?

(Then Nikomaru kicked him as Kaaru took a few step backwards. Kaaru kicked his head but Nikomaru cracked his neck while looking at him and this made Kaaru to be surprised. So he kicked him on his gut, making him to slam himself on a wall)

KAARU: (Thought) He's invincible. Will my powers work on him? (He said as he produce out fire from his two hands) Let's hope so.

(Nikomaru ran towards to Kaaru, same with Kaaru, who ran towards Niko. As the two arrived they started exchanging blows and Kaaru blasted out his fire on him. Niko dodged it and tried to punch Kaaru, but dodged with a fly as he goes up in the air and came down as he slammed Nikomaru to the ground. Nikomaru got up and saw the boy, who gave him a blow, making Niko to take a few step backwards.)

(As the two were still attacking while exchanging blows, Junri decided not to waste time by unknotting the ropes but she couldn't. Now to the two fighters, Nikomaru punched Kaaru but dodged and kicked him and gave him a punch on his face, while feeling that Kaaru quickly blasted out fire on him, making him to feel the pain as he fall on the ground while Niko was still on the ground, Kaaru decided to meet Junri, who was still unknotting the ropes)

KAARU: Are you alright? (He said in a deep voice so that she wouldn't recognize or find it similar to be Kaaru)

JUNRI: Yes, I'm alright.

KAARU: (quickly cuts the rope using his fire powers and same goes to the leg) You need to get out of here.

JUNRI: Look out!

(As Kaaru turned back, all of a sudden, Nikomaru punch him, making him to feel that as he slammed himself on ground)

NIKOMARU: Very good of you who tries to kill me. A manipulator like you with fire really suits you.

KAARU: That's impossible. You supposed to burn down. (As he gets up)

NIKOMARU: Don't be stupid. Fire doesn't work for me infact all elements doesn't work on me. (As he said that, he sees Junri taking her leave by running) Where do you think you're running to? (Kaaru ran to him and Nikomaru saw him) You aren't going to give up. You know I'm not your target. (Then he hold Kaaru's hand, who was able to give him a blow but unfortunately, Nikomaru cracked his wrist making the boy to felt that pain. After that, he punch him and he slammed himself on another wall)

KAARU: (Thought) Damnit, there's no way I can defeat him all by myself. I'm weak like what Shin said. What I'm I going to do?

NIKOMARU: (Walks close to him) It feels good to be good beating a feeble hero who tried to save a lady. (Kaaru wasn't able to move since he was already weak. Nikomaru raises him up by holding his shirt) So let's see the feeble behind this mask.

KAARU: Don't... (So Nikomaru pull off the mask and he couldn't believe on what his eyes were seeing. Junri comes out from her hiding spot and was also surprised)

NIKOMARU: It can't be you, Kaaru. Is this really you.

KAARU: Huh! (As he didn't know who he is while was confused)

NIKOMARU: It's good to you again, nephew.

KAARU: (This made Kaaru to be shocked after hearing him saying "nephew") What, you are my uncle?

NIKOMARU: I must be dreaming. (He said as he drops him on the ground and started to touch his head)

KAARU: No you are not. (As he runs to meet him)

NIKOMARU: Stay back!

KAARU: What's going on with you?

(Then surprisedly, Nikomaru gave Kaaru a punch on his face but Kaaru blocked that with his arms while taking few steps. Again, he tries to give him another blow and Kaaru dodged that and had a thought)

KAARU: (Thought) Has uncle been brainwashed? By who?

(And Nikomaru gave him a kick, making him to fall to the ground)

JUNRI: Kaaru! (While feeling worried to see that)

(Kaaru was still on the ground in pain. And Niko walks close to him, carries him up and threw him away, making Junri to be worried about Nikomaru)

JUNRI: Nikomaru, snap out of it. I know you are still in there! (He didn't listened but continues to fight Kaaru as he punched him multiple times) Kaaru! Run and forget about him!

(Kaaru didn't wanted to do that as he wants to fight back to snap out his uncle. Kaaru tried to give him a blow but Niko gave him another blow on his face, however, Nikomaru was faster while hitting Kaaru. Kaaru didn't give up and tried to give him a heavy blow, making Nikomaru to go back a little)

(Nikomaru looked at him with a smile on his face. To Kaaru, he runs to attack but Niko gave him a kick on his face and Kaaru hits his back on the wall as he didn't get up again. This made Junri to be shocked thinking if Kaaru was dead and...)

JUNRI: Kaaru!!!

(To Kaaru, he opened his eyes and noticed that he wasn't in the old abandoned building where the fight took place, he got up and the whole place was dark)

KAARU: Where I'm I?

KARIN: How does it feel like?

KAARU: Karin. What I'm I doing here?

KARIN: You should be asking yourself that question.

KAARU: I don't understand.

KARIN: What are you here for? You don't know the essence of your powers, how strong it is.

KAARU: What?

KARIN: I have watched you for some time now and have been in your mind.

KAARU: Why?

KARIN: I observed that you have something inside you and you have to let it come out.

KAARU: Let what come out exactly?

KARIN: You have something inside that is very powerful. I'm just saying, if you can release it and finished your uncle.

KAARU: Finished him up. Is it that powerful?

KARIN: Your manipulation level activates and deactivates at the same time making your level not to be well balanced, whether it will be 60% or not. I'm I right?

KAARU: Wait, how do you know?

KARIN: That's what I observed about you.

KAARU: So what do you expect me to do? To kill him just like that.

KARIN: What else? Kaaru all you have to do is to release it and it's all over. Your source of powers may not come from the mind but from the heart that is believing yourself.

KAARU: If you say so.

(After that, Nikomaru walks to meet him as he said)

NIKOMARU: I guess this might be the end. (As he was able to give him a punch, Kaaru holds his fist while cracking it as he gets up) What da—

(Kaaru interrupted that with a blow on his face, making Niko to go back in full speed as he slammed himself on a wall. Kaaru was seen on blood dripping on his face and was in rage mode as his hair from black turned to blue and his eyes from black were also blue)

(Junri was amazed to see Kaaru in a whole new level, and same goes to Nikomaru as he gets up to prepare himself. Kaaru runs with speed and to Nikomaru surprised, he was already at his back getting ready to give him a blow as he did so. Kaaru punched him multiples times and gave him the last one which was so hard that he slammed himself to the ground)

NIKOMARU: You piece of shit!!! (He yelled while stretches out his hand to give him a blow)

(But Kaaru hold his hand and gave him a blow on his tummy, making saliva to come out of Niko's mouth and then... Slammed himself on the wall. Nikomaru didn't give up as he continues to run towards him. He lunged towards him with a punch, Kaaru avoided that with a jump, but he looked down and saw that the punch was so strong that it destroyed the ground. He tried giving him another blow, even though Nikomaru was fast with the help of his throwing blows, Kaaru was able to dodged all of that with such a stunning skills. He jumped and gave him a kick on his jaw, making Niko to be more furious)

NIKOMARU: How can you be stronger and faster than me?! This is not possible! (After saying that, he run towards him, the way he was running even made Junri to be afraid and looked at Kaaru more worried)

KAARU: (Thought) Now I know what to do.

(He runs towards him and started to produce blue fires, jumped up in the air to give him a punch and... BOOM! Smashing Nikomaru to the ground making the ground where he got smashed to be destroyed as dust erupted)

(After that, Nikomaru was still left on the ground no longer moving in the midst of the dust and Kaaru stared at him while thinking of what doctor Muto said to him about his manipulation level)

(Flashback)

MUTO: A new cell was beginning to form... Some places or areas were turning blue... You have a secret power inside you.

(End of flashback)

(After all of those keywords he could capture on his saying, his body were gradually turning back into normal while still continues to stare at his uncle and...)

NIKOMARU: Kaaru, be... Strong...

KAARU: Uncle.

NIKOMARU: Tell Junri I still... love... her... (And after that, he didn't say anything again and this made Kaaru to gather tears)

(Junri came in the scene and sees her dead husband after the dust faded away and said...)

JUNRI: Kaaru...

(When Kaaru heard her saying his name, he turned back to look at her, and his eyes were getting crystallized before several tears started to pour down his face. Junri couldn't hold herself to see the poor boy crying as she also felt the pain, then she ran to him and hugged him with all her strength as Kaaru didn't stop crying)

JUNRI: I'm glad you're alright. (She said as Kaaru hugged her back while sniffing his nose to hold his tears)

(Later, inside Kaaru's mind, Kaaru and Karin were seen seated on the ground)

KARIN: So sad about your uncle.

KAARU: Like I'm always thinking, will he have to do this wanting to kill his wife. I thought she told me he was nice man.

KARIN: It's an easy observation, your uncle was manipulated by someone.

KAARU: Is that what you think? Guess you are thinking the same.

KARIN: Consider it, if you know the attribute of a nice person, a nice person will not go for revenge.

KAARU: (didn't say anything but was reflected on that)

KARIN: Kaaru there's something I'll like to ask you? (She said while was blushing)

KAARU: O... Okay.

KARIN: Promise me you will be alive till the end.

KAARU: What, is that supposed to be a question or a promise?

KARIN: You believe you can't do it?

KAARU: Sure I can. What make you to say that?

KARIN: Nothing. (She said as she turned her face away from him feeling nervous)

KAARU: But thank you.

KARIN: Why are you thanking me?! (She said reacting in a comical defeated face)

KAARU: If not for you, I would have been dead. You were right about me, not knowing the essence of my powers.

(This made Karin to blush a little as she said...)

KARIN: Manipulations are unique. Mine helps me know what a person is thinking and what type of powers he have.

KAARU: Okay, tell me mine.

KARIN: I already know you are a fire manipulator and what you are thinking of is... (Then she stopped while thinking of Kaaru's thought as she said) going to the movie with your friends and... me.

KAARU: Sure you like it, right?

KARIN: I think I can't follow you to the real world.

KAARU: Why?

KARIN: I'm... I'm shy!

KAARU: (Surprised as he said) But you're talking to me frequently without shivering.

KARIN: Talking with you is like talking with my brother, but I'm the only child. Because we are getting along, I don't have to shiver myself. (She said with a smile on her face)

KAARU: Karin, you don't have to be in here forever. You need to go and explore what is life out there. Now I'm making a promise to come see your brother. (And this made Karin to blush as tears gathered her eyes) Hahaha! You are crying, guess we are the same.

KARIN: Thank you. You are such a caring brother.

KAARU: Karin, how was I when I fought with my uncle?

KARIN: What? You don't remember?

KAARU: No. Not even the way I fought him.

KARIN: I don't know but that was what I observed in you. Looks like the form is in control of you or something. Well I don't know anyway.

KAARU: Alright. Guess I'll find out. (He said as he looked at his palm and had a thought) Or I'm I becoming something?

KARIN: Kaaru it's time for you to go.

KAARU: Okay. I'll see you some other time... in my head.

KARIN: (Chuckles) So have a good sleep and a wonderful day.

(After that Kaaru woke up from his dream and then smiled. Later he was seen walking around six o clock in the morning as it was raining. He goes to his Nikomaru's house after Junri told him the address as he went inside while there was a flashback)

(Flashback)

(Little Kaaru was walking as he saw a dog, who was afraid to meet him)

KAARU: Come here boy. (So the dog walks slowly to him as Kaaru lift him up and the dog started to lick his face and Kaaru started laughing. He then looks at the dog's neck collar to see him name) Kenichiro...

NIKOMARU: You can just call him Keni.

KAARU: Okay. (He said as the dog licks him again and started to laugh) He's such a nice dog. (He said as Nikomaru made a sincere smile)

(End of flashback)

(As Kaaru looked round the untidy place. He went by the book shelf and sees a photo book and goes through the pictures of Nikomaru and his wife, Junri and then had a thought)

KAARU: So uncle still missed her?

(He continues flipping pages and was displeased of the two divorced and he didn't know about it. He shut the book back and continues to walk as a dog stopped him with a growl with its angry clenching teeth. Kaaru was a bit afraid but saw its neck collar and...)

KAARU: Keni? (The dog continues to growled at him, preparing for an attack but Kaaru quickly took off his hood to reveal his face and the dog stopped and walks to him) Good boy (He said while rubbing the dog's fur) So you stay alone?

(And this made Keni to drop his two ears down with a sad look on his face)

KAARU: It's okay. Let's go home. (He said as Kaaru leaves the house and Keni followed him. Then Kaaru wore back his hood and place his hands on his pocket as the scene ended)