Ch.2

Akira entered inside his house to see his mother peeling some apples in the living room. He smiled widely before hugging her from behind the couch taking her off guard.

His mother, Mrs. Hanako Enatsu, smiled warmly before turning back. "Aki, you are early today. Where's your sister? she went to pick you up"

"Mom! I'm here! look who came along with us!", Izumi exclaimed entering the living room with Luca.

Mrs.Enatsu looked back with a surprised look but smiled warmly seeing her son's best friend."Luca! It's been a long time! What a pleasant surprise "

Luca smiled scratching his neck. "I'm sorry Mrs.Enatsu. I was busy with the midterm test"

Akira rolled his eyes before strolling towards Luca with a piece of apple in his mouth. He put a headlock on his neck, choking him playfully. "Mom! Don't talk to him. Books are more important than us to him"

Akira could see his sister starting her warm-up exercises while walking away towards her training grounds in the backyard. "Mom, dad is not home right?", He asked loudly making sure her sister heard him.

Mrs.Enatsu nodded softly, still keeping her heartwarming smile.

Akira frowned when his sister left even after hearing their father is not at home.

"Izumi is really hard on herself"

Akira heard Luca mumbling, who was still in his death-like grip.

"Aki, if you are worried about her, why don't you go and talk to her?"

He heard his mom speaking. He pulled a poker face, rolling his eyes as if he didn't care."Who said I cared?! Nonsense! Mom, don't be ridiculous!"

Akira was startled when he found himself floating in the mid-air. For a minute, he thought he was thrown away from the window but Luca just kept him in the mid-air. "What the fuck —put me down!Hey! don't use your tricks on me, you idiot!"

Luca just ignored him and sat next to Mrs.Enatsu, devouring the apple pieces. Akira wasn't that much surprised seeing his mother treating Luca like her own son when her real son was hanging in the air like a piece of meat in a shop. Being the invisible creature, he shut his mouth with a humph.

He waited a few more minutes with crossed arms but it seemed like Luca had no intention of putting him down any time soon. He was about to throw a tantrum but stopped seeing his father walking inside the house with a tired face. Akira was instantly delighted.

"Dad!!"

Mr.Enatsu Hiroto, Akira's father, looked at him with a startled face.

"Oh, Luca is here?"

Akira, "Why do you think I'm hanging here like this?", sarcasm was dripping down from his tone.

"Mr.Enatsu! Good afternoon!", Luca greeted, waving his hand, still sitting on the couch.

"Luca! Good afternoon! seems like this son of mine had done something. Let him hang in there for a few more hours!", Mr.Enatsu winked before leaving towards the training field, probably to check on his daughter.

Akira scoffed. "Hey! Tell me the truth! I'm adopted right! Why so unfair?!", He wiggled in the air throwing his tantrum like a kid who got ignored by his parents which was the case this time.

Mrs.Enatsu only chuckled seeing her cute son whining like a brat. "Luca, let him down. The brat must have learned his lesson"

Luca, "I don't think so. But since you say so,", he put Akira down and soon darted away towards upstairs knowing what's coming.

Akira immediately chased after him towards the upstairs. "Just wait for you, little bastard! Don't even expect me to save your ass in the school again!"

"I'm sorry!! Hey, stop hitting me with your pillow! —ahhh! You bastard! Hey!!"

Izumi held the rough and thick rope, swirling it in the air. Being blindfolded, she couldn't see in anything. The field was a large area with various weapons hanging on the walls. It didn't have a roof and was exposed to the clear blue sky. It was specifically made for her by her father. He had taught her every single thing she needed to know in order to fulfill the purpose of her life. She lived for one reason and if she ever to fail, then she shall slit her own throat, that was her oath.

Concentrating on her surrounding, she tried to catch a sound. And yes, she heard. Swinging the thick rope which had a heavy knot at the end of it, she broke a heavy ball which was made of clay. The broken pieces fell onto the ground with her attack. Not a second passed, she found another sound and swing her rope breaking another ball.

Her hair was in a high ponytail but due to her fast movements, hair strands were loosely hanging on either side of her forehead, sticking to her skin with sweat.

Swinging the rope, she attacked the balls which were hurling towards her like magnets. After spending her time training till her bones are shattered, she stopped, panting heavily. She removed the blindfold and threw it away. It was already midnight when she looked up.

"Rest for today"

She heard her father's voice from behind. She knew that he had been watching since a while ago. Turning back, she lowered her head a bit in respect and gave her usual smile.

"Father", It came as a mere whisper due to her exhausted self.

"Go", he said.

She nodded without a talkback and started walking past him. Just as she passed him, she stopped hearing his question.

"Do you.....hate me?", It was meant to be a self-question but somehow Izumi heard him.

Izumi blinked a few times. Looking back, she saw him still back facing her. She wondered if she should answer him or not. But she wasn't a rude brat who would ignore her father. Since childhood, she was the kindest soul anyone could ever find.

"No father —"

"I'm sorry Izumi"

Izumi stared at him with a dumbfounded face. Tilting her head, she wondered why he apologized. She was simply doing her job so why should he apologize, she thought.

Even before she could speak, her father walked away leaving her alone.

Shrugging her shoulders, she followed her father, entering the cozy house. The house was quiet. It seemed like everyone had gone to their beds. As she passed through the dark living room, she hissed feeling a pain in her shoulder. It was normal for her. Massaging her shoulder, she entered her room only to see her mother.

"Mother!", Izumi beamed in happiness before running to her arms.

Mrs.Enatsu chuckled stroking her hair.

"Mother! What are you doing without sleeping?it's already past midnight!"

Mrs.Enatsu smiled pinching her left cheek. "Why? Can't I come here to see my tired daughter? You've been overworking these days. I was so worried!"

"Tired? Who said I'm tired?! Look at me! How could I be this energetic if I'm tired? Huh?", She babbled jumping up and down like a bunny.

"Fine fine! My super strong daughter, now take a shower. I reheated the food. After that let me massage your shoulders. They have become stiff", Mrs.Enatsu said caressing her hair.

Izumi smiled widely and did an army salute before dashing inside the bathroom.

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