Chapter Four

Elsewhere, atop the ruins of a crumbling, abandoned building, Kashikoi stands...

His scarf flutters in the wind, his gaze cold as he watches the distant cityscape.

(So… instead of taking the boy's life, you decided to save him.)

He exhales slowly.

(You only make my job harder. But that's so like you, Joki.)

Suddenly—

BZZZT.

The static crackle of a walkie-talkie pierces the silence. Kashikoi tenses for a split second before sighing.

He already knows what's coming.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulls out the device, pressing the receiver to his lips.

"So," a woman's voice hums from the other end. "When do you plan to track down the boy?"

Kashikoi scoffs. "Don't be stupid. I can only track him if he activates his Sakusei. Even then, I'd run the risk of running into Joki. That would be… foolish."

The woman chuckles softly. Her voice is smooth, but her surroundings are anything but.

The home she's in is a nightmare. Torn-up sheets, rotting walls, the lingering stench of death.

"You're not scared of Joki, are you?"

The question lingers.

Kashikoi doesn't answer right away. The wind howls around him, cold and merciless.

Then—he speaks.

"Taking on Joki unprepared is suicide. I would know." He exhales sharply. "I know Joki better than anyone else."

An Unwanted Encounter

Before the woman can respond, Kashikoi's sharp eyes catch movement below.

A group of men—three of them—shouting up at him.

"Hey! Asshole! Get your ass down here before we tear this building to shreds and bring you ourselves!"

Kashikoi watches them with disdain.

"Tch. I have to go," he mutters into the receiver. "I'll update you when I learn more. And one more thing—take care of yourself, Nyssa."

A pause.

"Here you go with that again. I'm as happy as can be, Kashikoi."

He closes his eyes briefly. (Lies.) But she won't tell him the truth, and he knows he can't force it out of her.

The transmission cuts off.

Without another word, Kashikoi leaps from the rooftop.

The three men stand waiting.

One wears a mask, concealing his identity. The other two keep their faces bare, arrogant.

Kashikoi lands with effortless grace, facing them with a look of thinly veiled disgust.

The masked man steps forward.

"I don't get it. Why hide your identity?" Kashikoi mutters. "It's not like anyone knows who you are. You're not a threat to anyone."

The masked man chuckles darkly.

"Big words. But soon enough, the whole world will know me. Until then, I have to keep a low profile." He tilts his head. "Which brings me to my question."

Kashikoi arches an eyebrow.

"Why don't you join us? Think about it—we can provide you endless supplies. And with your strength, we'd rise to power fast. You'd help us get recognized real eas—"

"So you're weak."

The masked man jerks back.

Confusion. Anger.

"What?!"

Kashikoi's gaze sharpens.

"I've been suppressing myself. Holding back my true strength. And yet, even in this weakened state, I stood out to you?"

He scoffs.

"Pathetic. If you were strong, my power wouldn't have even registered to you."

The man's fists clench.

"How dare you? We gave you an opportunity to prove yourself, and you mock us? Besides—what reason would you have for suppressing yourself?"

Kashikoi meets his gaze, unshaken.

"Because a true god walks unseen… until they choose to be known."

The three men stiffen. A shiver runs down their spines.

Kashikoi walks forward. He doesn't stop.

He brushes past them.

"Hey! You walk past us with your back turned? We could strike you down in an instant!"

Kashikoi smirks.

"I sensed the fear in your voices. I know I have nothing to worry about."

He pauses.

"Also, you should probably look up."

The three men glance upward—

CRACK.

Bolts of purple lightning split the sky.

A second later, it strikes.

Their skin sears. Their hearts rupture. Their bodies collapse—lifeless.

Kashikoi doesn't look back.

He keeps walking. Without a shred of remorse.

(Kashikoi's Reiki Percentage: 99%)

(Emotional Quota: Sane)

Elsewhere, a day had passed...

Dawn sits on the edge of his bed, his hands gripping the worn pages of an open book.

His eyes scan the words, but none of it makes sense.

His frustration builds.

(Damn it.)

He shuts the book, tossing it aside.

(It's pointless. I can't understand half these words. None of this makes sense.)

A knock at the door.

Dawn's head snaps up.

Before he can react—the door creaks open.

Joki steps inside.

A long pause.

Joki's eyes flicker to the book clumsily tucked behind Dawn's back.

"Is that one of my books?"

Dawn hesitates.

"...Yes. Sorry."

Joki frowns slightly.

"Why are you hiding it? There are plenty here. They're free for you to read."

Dawn stays silent.

Joki watches him carefully. Then—he smirks.

A quiet chuckle.

Dawn bristles.

"Hey! It's not funny, you piece of shit!"

Silence.

Regret flashes across Dawn's face.

Joki sighs. "I'm not laughing at you, kid." He gestures toward the book. "But why so secretive? What aren't you telling me?"

Dawn's anxiety rises.

He doesn't want to say it.

But eventually—he forces himself to.

"I… I can't read."

The words feel heavy.

"I tried. All night. But I just… I couldn't understand it."

Joki's eyes widen slightly.

Then—everything clicks.

(He never had a chance to learn.)

Joki exhales.

"There's no shame in being young and not knowing something. The only shame is refusing to learn."

He stands.

"Come with me."

Dawn hesitates. Then—he follows.

Joki tosses him a book.

"We'll study together. Then I'll teach you how to control all that raw power."

Dawn looks down.

Then—his lips curl into a small, genuine smile.

"Thank you."

For the first time—he feels understood.