When the Remembrances Spoke to Me

The tension inside the dojo could be cut with a blade.

Hayashi, still seated, watched the young director in silence.

Elcrist and Twisty, for once, remained quiet.

It was Seiji who broke the silence.

— Orion.

His tone was gentle, but the director's request had clearly struck a chord.

It wasn't anger. Nor fear.

It was… restlessness.

— I'm sorry. That life? I've left it behind.

Now I have my dojo… even if I've only just begun.

He sighed.

— I'd rather live like this.

A heavy silence followed. Irrevocable.

Orion lowered the hand that, just moments earlier, had seemed charged with meaning.

— I understand. I didn't mean to pressure you.

He reached into his coat.

From the inside pocket, he pulled out a small white card.

He flicked it toward Hayashi, who caught it effortlessly, reflexes from another life still intact.

— If you ever change your mind…

That's my number.

With a bow—both to Hayashi and to the pistols—he made his way to the door.

— Next time, I hope it's just for a drink.

Don't make me wait another four years, my friend.

And with that, he was gone.

Leaving the dojo cloaked in a strange sense of unease.

— Wooow! Didn't see that coming, Master Hayashi! — Twisty exclaimed.

— I thought for sure, with everything going on, we were heading back into action!

Elcrist said nothing.

She was waiting—waiting for her master to speak.

Cliiin. Cliin.

The gentle chime of the dojo's entrance echoed softly.

Hayashi took a sip of his tea.

The scent of incense and tobacco slowly filled the tatami room.

— I didn't expect you to be so talkative, Seiji.

A male voice drifted through the air.

The two pistols fell instantly silent.

As if they recognized it.

Hayashi smiled.

— Yeah. Let's just say… I've got other things on my mind now.

Come out, Fox.

A soft breeze passed through the dojo.

Petals from the great cherry tree danced into the room, swirling and gathering until—

A figure began to take shape.

Icy blue canine eyes.

Pale skin.

Two fox ears poking from long silver hair.

A powerful yet elegant frame.

A kiseru pipe gently resting at the corner of his lips.

A rose-colored katana at his hip.

— Four years without seeing that man…

Didn't think it would shake you this much, hahah.

His fluffy tail swayed lazily behind him.

Grace and majesty radiated from his every step.

Shiranui, the Doomed Fox.

— You know, you really ought to learn the concept of privacy — Hayashi grumbled.

— And what's with this form?

Shiranui chuckled, his small bell chiming in rhythm with his laughter.

— Hahahaha! I've been watching you since you were just a boy, Hayashi.

You've always been entertaining. And never boring.

— Yeah? Too bad you always left the dirty work to us — Twisty snapped, her voice vibrating from the workbench.

Shiranui looked theatrically toward the crimson pistol.

— Oh! My bad, sisters. Didn't see you there.

Must've been the smoke in my eyes. Hahah!

— Arrogant as ever… — Elcrist muttered coldly.

— Comes with the charm. I'm a major spirit, after all.

Not just some artificial engrams like you two — he teased.

— Alright, enough. — Hayashi stood up with purpose.

— Time to go. Kairo will be here any minute. I have a lesson to teach.

Shiranui huffed like a scolded child.

— Again with that kid! You never talk to me anymore!

— Maybe ask yourself why, Fox — Hayashi replied, gently pushing him out of the room.

— Fine, fine! I'm going, I'm going…

With a dramatic pout, Shiranui vanished in a cascade of glowing sakura petals.

Hayashi exhaled and picked up the pistols.

— Playtime's over. I'll see you two later.

— But why won't you let us meet your student? — Elcrist asked.

— Yeah! We're fun! — Twisty added with a mischievous laugh.

Hayashi opened the storage room and gently placed the pistols inside their ornate box.

— Not yet. It's too soon.

Maybe one day, if the time ever calls for it.

— Ehhhh?! You always say that! It's not fair! I wanna meet this Kairooo! — Twisty whined loudly.

— For once, I agree with my sister, Hayashi — added Elcrist dryly.

— Hey, old man! Are you even listening? Oi!

But Hayashi was already walking away, chuckling to himself.

He took two steps toward the entrance.

And there, standing before him, was a smiling young boy…

Beside a man with tired eyes.

— Sensei Hayashi!! — the boy shouted, leaping into his arms.

— There he is, my little disciple — Hayashi smiled, ruffling his hair.

— He's been asking the whole ride when we'd arrive — Kenji said with a sigh, somewhere between amused and jealous.

— I see. Couldn't wait to get here, huh?

Alright, go get changed so I can chat with your dad.

— Okay! — grinned the young Kaiaba, running inside with his wooden bokken and training bag.

— Kids never cease to surprise us, do they, Mr. Kaiaba?

You look tired.

Hayashi extended a hand warmly.

Kenji chuckled, scratching his head before shaking it.

— Sharp eyes as always, Seiji… Actually, I needed to talk to you.

Hayashi pulled his hand back gently and smiled.

— What's on your mind, Mr. Kaiaba?

— Just call me Kenji, please. No need for formality.

The garden around them was filled with floral scents and a soft breeze.

Underneath the great cherry tree, Kenji lowered his gaze.

— It's about Kairo.

Hayashi's eyes narrowed slightly.

— I see. Then come with me. Let's walk.

He'll take at least fifteen minutes to change. He loves poking around at all the bokkens and blades, ahahah.

Kenji followed, puzzled.

The garden behind the dojo was surreal.

From the outside, it looked small—quaint, even.

But once inside… it felt like another world.

Stone paths wove between koi-filled ponds.

The great cherry tree, far larger than it seemed from the gate, towered overhead.

Its blossoms danced like a slow, regal symphony in the breeze.

Kenji, clad in a traditional amber kimono, stopped and stared at the Sakura.

— You both make that same face.

— Huh? — Kenji turned, surprised.

— Nothing. Just noticing that your son makes the same expression…

when something enchants him.

Kenji smiled softly.

— We're very alike, yes.

Though he has his mother's spirit. But…

His eyes darkened.

— I'm worried about him.

He sighed.

— He doesn't want to go to school. All he thinks about is kendo.

Whenever Sayuri or I ask him why, he shuts us out—completely.

He has no friends, except for his brother.

He never goes out.

And I know I sound like a worried dad, but…

He can't isolate himself like this. Not at six years old.

Hayashi remained silent, listening with gentle intensity.

He saw in Kenji something he himself never had: a father's concern.

— I understand. I'll speak with him.

But I can't promise anything. You know how stubborn Kairo is.

Kenji laughed nervously.

— Got it from his old man. And probably made worse by Sayuri's genes, ahahaha.

— Ahahah! That explains his fiery spirit.

But honestly… Kairo is curious, sensitive, and far too honest for his age.

He may be chaotic, rebellious at times…

But he's kind. Genuine.

And his determination is like nothing I've ever seen.

Then he turned.

— Let me ask you something, Kenji.

— Huh? — Kenji blinked.

— Have you ever noticed… anything strange about Kairo?

Kenji paused.

He had always been a bit of an odd child.

Shy. Disconnected. But not… strange.

— Strange, how?

Hayashi exhaled.

— Has he ever spoken to someone who wasn't there?

Claimed to see things others couldn't?

Kenji furrowed his brow.

— When he was little, he'd play with his brother. They were guards chasing imaginary thieves.

But no… nothing out of the ordinary.

— Hmm.

Kenji suddenly felt uneasy.

It was like Hayashi knew something he didn't.

— Should I be worried?

— No, no — Hayashi said with a laugh.

— Just curious, that's all.

Kids like him can be very… perceptive.

Kenji nodded, then smiled again.

— I've already taken up too much of your time.

I just wanted to bring my little warrior here to train.

He bowed.

— Thank you for listening to a worried dad. I'll be back at four.

— Of course.

Give my regards to your wife and young Yuto.

Kenji grinned.

— Will do. Though your student's probably too busy playing samurai to notice I'm gone, hahaha.

He left.

And as Hayashi watched him disappear into the breeze…

Cliin. Cliin.

That chime again.

Shiranui dropped from the cherry tree, landing beside him.

— Ooooh… Now that's interesting, Seiji.

— Just as I thought…

There's energy inside that boy. Energy from this world.

— The child… has a Remembrance within him? — Shiranui asked, exhaling from his pipe.

— And maybe not just him.

Perhaps… the entire Kaiaba family carries something inside.

They just don't know it.

---

Meanwhile, in the changing room…

Young Kairo had removed his modern clothes.

A black jacket. A favorite T-shirt with "The Last Ronin" printed on it.

Black joggers. Red sneakers.

He now wore a white apprentice's kimono—gifted to him by Hayashi himself.

Cherry blossom embroidery shimmered in the folds.

He looked into the mirror.

— You can do it, Kairo Kaiaba.

Hit Sensei just once.

You can do this.

He smiled with resolve.

A challenge—against himself.

He opened the door.

And stepped into the tatami room that led to the garden…

But before his foot could touch the floor—

Fwoorm. Tic. Tic.

A strange noise came from the nearby storage room.

— What was that?

He walked over.

Opened the door.

Click.

The creaking door sounded… ominous.

Kairo dropped his bokken.

Two glowing orbs floated in the air.

One blue. One crimson.

And a trembling box rattling on the shelf.

— Ahhhhh! A human! A tiny human! Elcrist, he sees us!! — shrieked the red orb.

— Twisty, you fool. How could a mere child see us?

Even Master Hayashi can't. And he has a proper spirit guardian — snapped the blue orb.

But Kairo could see them.

He could hear them.

His eyes sparkled with innocent wonder.

— You're beautiful…

A simple, honest phrase.

One that stunned both Twisty and—especially—Elcrist.

Twisty began to freak out even more.

But Elcrist floated forward, her voice softer than usual.

— You… can see us?

Kairo nodded.

— Are you… little spirits?

The red orb growled.

— How dare you call us little—!

She was cut off mid-sentence as the blue orb slammed her into the wall.

— I am Elcrist. And that's my loudmouth twin sister, Twisty.

And no… we are not spirits.

We are Remembrances.

The rattling box popped open, revealing two pistols:

One, black with crimson streaks.

The other, pristine white with icy blue lines.

The two orbs floated back into their respective weapons—

as if returning to their true bodies.

— We are Elcrist and Twisty, loyal companions of the great Seiji Hayashi.

And you?

The boy smiled.

— I'm Kairo. Kairo Kaiaba.

He took a step closer, eyes glowing with curiosity.

He had no idea what this meant.

He had just seen two Remembrances.

Spoken to them.

Something not even his master could do.

Maybe…

just maybe…

Something ancient was moving inside Kairo.

Maybe Hayashi was right all along.

> "Some flowers take longer to bloom…

But when they do, even Death itself envies their beauty."

— Seiji Hayashi