Two hours after Kaito's victory, the passengers slowly disembarked from the train, still shaken. They had decided to wait for the arrival of the Reikeitai.
But when their eyes fell upon the devastated cabins and the torn-up ground, every whisper died out instantly.
"Wh-What...?" the conductor stammered, going pale at the sight.
No one could speak. A heavy silence fell over the valley, like a veil draping over every emotion.
Then, the rumble of an engine broke the waiting.
A dark car slowly approached. The passengers snapped out of their stupor and sighed in relief.
"They've arrived," someone murmured.
Two men stepped out of the vehicle.
They both wore long black coats down to their knees. A white circular symbol stood out on their backs, with the kanji of the four great nations carved inside. The same emblem was displayed on the chest, right over the heart. The jacket's white zipper was left open casually.
"Dear, are those from the Reikeitai?" an old woman whispered.
"Yes, those are their uniforms. You can't forget them..." her husband answered, reverently.
One of the men stepped forward. His appearance was striking: red hair with a black streak, and vivid red eyes piercing.
"Is everyone alright?" he asked, firm and composed, yet with a hint of concern.
The conductor stepped forward.
"No one's hurt, thankfully… but look at that!" he pointed to the destroyed part of the train, still smoking. "Can you tell us what happened?"
The man followed his finger, then replied calmly:
"Don't worry. From now on, we'll handle it."
He turned to leave, but something caught his attention a trembling child, hiding behind his mother. His gaze softened for a moment. He crouched slightly and gave the child a genuine smile.
The child stopped shaking.
For a moment, the fear vanished.
The man continued walking toward the battleground.
(From the scale of the damage, I can tell the one who fought here wasn't that strong...) he thought, observing the scene closely.
He approached the destroyed cabin and, with a fluid leap, entered through the gaping hole in the roof.
He remained silent for a few moments. Not because of the destruction but because of the blood. So much of it.
(What could've pushed them this far...?) he wondered.
"Mr. Akizame!" his colleague called. Akizame walked over.
"Look," said the colleague, pointing toward a nearby mountain. The rock was split open a wide gap cutting through the mountainside.
Akizame looked, surprised.
"Something's not right about this," he murmured.
"What do you mean?"
"I sensed only one spiritual energy on the entire train... as if someone had fought against themselves."
He turned toward the cabin, staring intently.
"But the blood traces inside... clearly belong to two different people."
"What do you think happened?"
"I don't know yet," he replied, gazing up at the sky.
The clouds drifted slowly above the valley, unaware of the mystery unfolding below.
Several kilometers away, at an inn on the edge of the village, the mood was completely different.
A chair flew into a wall.
"You bastard, what did you say?!" growled an old man with a thick beard, striking another elder who fell to the ground.
"Son of a bitch!" the other got up, staggering, ready to fight back.
But a figure stepped between them.
"You're both drunk out of your minds this early in the morning. Out of my inn!" Hauromi barked, his voice firm, his expression exasperated.
Still grumbling, the two men left, furious.
"Tsk... I didn't even want to open today," Hauromi sighed, a tinge of sadness on his face. Kaito's words from earlier echoed in his mind.
Hauromi, open the inn today.
What? I have to focus on business at a time like this?! he had replied, annoyed.
That's not what I mean. I think it'll be easier for Yume to return to normal if she sees a place she remembers.
Hauromi had been shaken by those words. Then Kaito added:
I told you. I'll bring her back.
His thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell.
"Don't tell me you two came back, idiots..." he muttered, turning.
But he froze.
Standing before him were two familiar figures.
Kaito.
And Yume.
"Kaito?" he whispered, stunned. Then his eyes landed on the girl.
"Y-Yume... you're back," he said, voice cracking.
"Hauromi, I…" Yume began, but fell silent when she saw him cover his face with one hand, hiding his tears.
She froze.
Then Hauromi walked over and pulled her into a tight, trembling embrace.
Yume returned the hug, her eyes glistening.
Meanwhile, Kaito watched the scene unfold.
A faint smile formed on his lips.
He was exhausted, injured, and barely holding on. But in that moment, all the pain seemed to fade. He was happy to see them together again.
Moments later, his vision blurred. (That's it… I can't go on) he thought, as his body collapsed to the ground.
"Kaitooo!" Yume and Hauromi shouted, rushing to him.
"Hauromi, what's going on? He was fine... I healed him!" Yume cried, panicking.
The old man examined Kaito carefully. Then sighed in relief.
"He's fine. Look."
Though unconscious, Kaito was still smiling.
"Let's take him to his room, Yume," the old man said. She nodded.
Hours later, night had fallen over the inn.
Kaito slowly opened his eyes. He lay on a bed, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
"You're finally awake," said a familiar voice.
He turned his head weakly.
"Yume," he murmured.
She stood by the window, then grabbed a stool and sat beside the bed.
"How are you feeling? I expected you to be up already," she teased.
"I'm alright... and you?"
"Well... my heart's still racing from everything that happened. But… I'm happy," she added with a smile.
Kaito looked at her for a moment, then turned his gaze, slightly embarrassed.
Then he grew serious again.
"Yume, you don't need to worry anymore. You're finally free."
Yume blushed faintly.
"It's all thanks to you, Kaito. I'm sorry for dragging you into this… after all, we barely know each other. But… thank you."
She lowered her gaze to her hands resting on her long skirt.
"Tsk… you're such a pain. I didn't do it for some apology," Kaito said, a touch of sarcasm in his voice.
Yume looked at him, surprised. "I thought you'd be more polite," she said, mock offended, rising to her feet. "I'll let you rest."
She reached the door, then stopped.
"Oh, I almost forgot: Mr. Hauromi asked me to see if you'd be willing to stay at the inn a little longer. As a thank you."
Kaito looked at her and nodded.
"Sure. I was planning to stay until I recover anyway."
Yume smiled. "Perfect. I'll let him know. Goodnight, Kaito."
She closed the door softly.
Kaito lay in silence, staring at the ceiling. Then a memory returned.
It was the beginning of the fight with Shirogane.
"They even sell children. I don't care what happened to you to become like this, I despise you, Shirogane. And that's why I'll kill you."
He had said.
But Shirogane, angry yet sincere, had added:
"Do you think I'm heading to Shinkase just for the auction?"
"What are you talking about?" Kaito had asked.
"Very likely... the Mugentamashii will be at the Shinkase auction!!"
Kaito returned to the present.
And came to a conclusion.
"My next destination is… Shinkase."