Asuna stands in front of everyone without saying anything, but they all can see how hurt he is by his face expression. Ziku comes out of his mom's room smiling and excited.
Ziku: "She's going to be fine everyone!"
Asuna looks at Ziku, looks down and then just leaves the hospital.
Ziku: "What did I say?"
Aiko: "We all just received news that Tora is lost and yet that's another person close to Asuna. He's hurting."
Izumi: "Yeah, he's hurting, but I think it's best if we left him be."
Ziku: "But why? No one deserves to go through pain like that alone!"
Izumi: "I understand that Ziku, but sometimes it's best to..."
Ziku: "No! I'm sorry, but I don't care how strong someone is, this feeling of loss is too much to handle alone! I'm going to be there for Asuna, because who else will when all those close to him are gone?"
Izumi: "Hm, Asuna was right about you. There's no changing your mind about anything. Alright well how about this, I'll talk to Asuna while you go with your mother. I'm pretty sure she needs you."
Asuna is on the rooftop of the hospital just staring into the distance.
Izumi: "Asuna?"
Asuna: "Ziku told me at an young age that this world has broken him. All I could think about is how I was the same. At such a young age being broken by this world. Both of us want to change this world, but it just seems like we're taking forever and those close to us keep leaving and by the time we do cause the change, would it be all for nothing?"
Izumi: "Asuna."
Asuna: "I've lost both my parents, my elder brother, my best friend and now her."
Izumi: "Asuna she's not dead, she's alive and we all know it. It's just how we go about finding her."
Asuna: "I hope we can find her."
Izumi: "Me too Asuna."
Natsumi: "Ziku, are you hungry?"
Ziku: "Yeah, but you need to rest when we leave. Don't worry I'll cook when we get home."
They leave the hospital and head home, but before leaving Ziku invites everyone over to his house for food. Although he invited everyone only a few of who was invited actually came. Out of those few Bezune was one of them. No one was as shocked as Ziku.
Ziku: "You came?!"
Bezune: "Was I not supposed to?"
Ziku: "I mean I'm glad you're here, I just didn't expect you to actually come."
Bezune: "Well I'm hungry, where's the food?"
Ziku smiles and shows him to the dinner table where everyone else is. He sits down and the table is silent because everyone is just looking at Bezune . Bezune becomes uncomfortable, but luckily Ziku walks in from the kitchen and he's smiling carrying a huge tray that is covered. He places it down on the table and has the biggest smile on his face.
Bezune: "Why are you so happy?"
Ziku: "I finally got to cook food for people!"
Omoi: "Well it better be good."
Kanju: "I mean it smells good."
Isamu: "What is it?"
Senpu: "Can we eat it already?"
Jiro: "The suspense of what it is it killing me and making my mouth flow like a river, hurry up!"
Ziku: "Haha!"
Ziku places his hand on top of the cloth and then pulls it off so swiftly. All of their eyes open wide. Their jaws drop all the way to the floor and water flowing out like a waterfall.
Ziku: "Well?"
Omoi: "You made all the good stuff! Chicken, Spaghetti, dumplings, steak, Pork, Rice, Miso soup and sushi!"
Ziku: "I just hope it's enough haha."
Senpu: "Well can we eat?!"
Ziku: "Oh, yeah sure dig in."
They all grab plates and cover them full of food.
Omoi: "This is great Ziku!"
Senpu: "You could be just saying that cause he's your friend."
Omoi: "I mean try it."
Senpu: "This food is amazing! It's almost better than boobs!"
Everyone looks at him.
Senpu: "I said almost."
Kanju: "Yeah, that's what we're concerned about."
Ziku grabs a plate and takes it to his mom. She's sleeping so he just places it on the shelf next to her. He looks at her, smiles, and then leaves silently. Then he grabs a plate for himself and begins to eat. Everyone is eating, smiling and having a great time. Time goes by and all of ten are full and all of the food is gone with nothing but scraps and the dishes.
Ziku: "I have to do the dishes, it's the least I could for my mom who always does them."
Omoi: "I'll help you."
Senpu: "Would you look at the time, it's getting late I think I should go."
Kanju grabs Senpu as he tries to run away.
Kanju: "You're staying to help us, you ate just as much as we did."
Senpu: "You can't make me!"
Kanju just looks at him.
Senpu: "Hmm, fine you convinced me."
Ziku: "Actually, do you mind cleaning off the table?"
Senpu turns around and starts cleaning the table. Then he starts mumbling to himself. While he's angrily cleaning the table he glances out the window to see it snowing.
Senpu: "Hey guys look! It's snowing!"
All of them rush over. Then they all run outside. Ziku runs outside and the first thing he does it fall down and start making a snow angel. Then he gets hit in the face with a snowball. He looks over and sees Omoi laughing. Then once they start firing more snowballs, everyone else joins in and they all have a big snowball fight. After awhile of playing in the snow they go back inside and everyone decides to just sleep over at Ziku's. Ziku cleans up the rest of what's left over from their food. Then when he goes to his room he finds everyone sleep. Ziku walks over to his mothers room and notices that she's shivering. He covers her with a blanket and starts to walk out. Before he can close the door he hears her breathing heavy. He hurries back in to the bedside to see her sweating, he pulls the blanket off and puts a cold compress on her forehead. He stays with her changing the compress every 20 minutes, making sure she's ok. The next morning Natsumi wakes up to see Ziku on his knees leaning against the bed sleep. She smiles and rubs his head.
Natsumi: "Awww you must be exhausted taking care of me all night, thank you Ziku!"
She leaves the room then goes outside. She looks up in the sky and starts to smile. She closes her eyes and just breathes in and out taking in a special feeling. She starts shivering as the wind blows. Just as she shivers, Ziku places a robe on her as he just stands next to her as they both look in the distance with the same thing on their mind. They both want times like these to last. How it's hard to accept the world they live in.
Asuna: "So what are we going to do about Aizu?"
Izumi: "I'm not sure, I don't know how to help him."
Aiko walks in Aizu's room and she just looks at him. He's strapped down to the bed, with his skin turning purple-ish black. She starts to cry because she can't help him. She goes to the side of his bed and just keeps crying as she grabs his hand.
Aiko: "I don't know why I care so much. I guess it's just because I don't want anyone else to die. I wish I could say it's cause you're special to me, but that's not it. It just makes me sad to see you like this and I wish there was a way to help you. Master Aizu I'm sorry."
After she apologizes she places her hands on his heart. She continues to cry, but then she lifts up her head and notices that his skin is reverting back to normal. She gets scared and backs away. She runs out of the room and calls a doctor. The doctor along with Asuna and Izumi rush into the room, as Aiko peaks around the corner.
Doctor: "I.... I don't believe it! The curse is wearing off!"
Asuna: "What?!"
Doctor: "Yes! I'm not sure how, but his condition and current state is normal! At this point we just wait until he wakes up."
Asuna: "So it's not for certain."
Izumi: "Well have faith!"
They wait 2 hours until finally Asuna notices Aizu's eyes open. Asuna hovers over him and waits for him to say something.
Aizu: "W-What happen?"
Asuna hugs Aizu and starts tearing up.
Asuna: "I'm glad you're ok."
Aizu smiles and then lays back down needing rest. Aiko stays peaking around the corner as she smiles as well because now Aizu doesn't have to die, he's fine. It doesn't take long for Ziku and everyone else to show up. When they walk in they all rush in to Aizu's room excited.
Asuna: "I know you're all excited, but Aizu needs his rest."
Izumi: "Yeah, it's best he gets his rest."
Asuna: "Are you leaving Izumi?"
Izumi: "I have to haha, I have two kids at home waiting for me."
Asuna: "Oh yeah."
Ziku: "Wait you have two kids?"
Izumi: "Yes, my oldest is 4."
Ziku: "What are their names?"
Izumi: "The oldest is Cole and my daughter is 2, her name is Hima."
Ziku: "Cole and Hima, beautiful names."
Izumi: "Thank you Ziku, from what Asuna has been telling me, I'd want my son to be just like you."
Ziku blushes as she leaves the hospital. Then Aiko walks up to Ziku.
Aiko: "Hey Ziku."
Ziku: "Oh, hi Aiko."
Aiko: "Ziku I don't feel good, I was just kinda wondering if you'd umm walk me home?"
Ziku: "Sure, lets go."
They leave the hospital and start walking. For a few minutes it's just silent, but then.....
Ziku: "Hey I'm sorry, I haven't been walking you home as of late. It's just with all that has been happening it's just been rough."
Aiko: "It's ok Ziku."
Ziku: "Also you don't have to be so nervous when you ask me to walk you home. I'd always want to walk you."
Aiko: "Yeah it's just...."
Ziku: "Just what?"
Aiko blushes and just looks down not saying anything else.
Ziku: "Aiko what's wrong?"
Aiko: "It's nothing I'm fine, I promise."
Ziku looks at her and smiles then he just grabs her hand and starts running.
Aiko: "Ziku what are you doing, where are we going!"
Ziku just keeps running without saying anything. Aiko behind him starts blushing again as she looks ahead and all she can see is Ziku. Her mind makes them go in slow motion as she just admires Ziku and feels so special about him. Finally Ziku stops and when Aiko looks up she sees that Ziku took her to a wide plain with lots of trees as she looks ahead and can see the sun setting. Ziku sits down and just smiles. Aiko stares at the sun set as her eyes begin to sparkle. She sits down next to Ziku and turns to look at him, when she does he's looking at her smiling and she blushes and gets nervous. Then they both look back at the sun set, both smiling.
Ziku: "It's beautiful huh?"
Aiko: "Yes!"
Ziku: "It's views like this that makes you smile cause then you think, the world isn't so bad."
When he says that Aiko looks at him and notices that his smile went away. And he started to look a little sad. Aiko doesn't know what to say so she just lays on his shoulder. They just sit there staring off not saying a word for hours. Ziku tries to get up, but he realizes that Aiko is sleep. He grabs her and picks her up to carry her. Luckily for him he's not that far from her house. He runs to her house, walks in and places her down on her bed. He tucks her in and walks out. He looks back at her and smiles.
Ziku: "Goodnight Aiko."
Aiko: "Goodnight Ziku."
Ziku looks at her confused, but then realizes that she's been awake this whole time. So he leaves smiling as she lays down with a smile.
Asuna, Hozu, Izumi, Natsumi, Jaken, Kenshi, Shidai, Sona, Tatsuma and Aizu all stand in the main hall of the tower of glass.
Hozu: "Why did you ask us to meet up here?"
Asuna: "To be honest you all are the only people in this village I trust."
Sona: "What do you mean?"
Asuna: "Well, we need a new emperor and I want to avoid making a mistake like the last. I feel we pick the emperor then we make the decision public after."
Tatsuma: "I get it, that's a great idea considering we all know each other, well to an extent."
Asuna: "I just feel like this should be a closed discussion first. Then when we take it to the public, from there they either agree or disagree it won't change anything."
Aizu: "If that's the case then why don't you be emperor Asuna?"
Asuna: "I don't...."
Hozu: "We know you don't want to, but you have to."
Sona: "Yeah, we all trust your judgement, your leadership, we respect you power and ideology. It's only fitting that you lead this village."
Asuna: "Do all of you feel this way?"
Everyone nods and smiles at him. Asuna just looks down and starts to think. Having a confused look on his face.
Hozu: "If Tora was here she would say the same thing. Asuna you are the strongest person we know. If anyone can do this, it's you. You bring way more than strength to our village. Without you our children wouldn't be excited to become warriors. Asuna you're special, the village needs you. Do it for Tora."
Asuna: "I just don't think I'm worthy to put the lives of all those in this village in my hands. I can't gain the trust of everyone. I'm just not..."
Kenshi: "Asuna if anyone can do this it's you."?
Izumi: "Yeah, you don't have to be so hard on yourself Asuna. We know that you don't feel right for the job, but Asuna we feel like you could do this. If not you then who? Asuna just please, consider it at least."
Asuna sighs: "Alright."
Asuna leaves the castle of glass and everyone else stays. They try to leave, but then Izumi calls them back and tells them she has an idea.
It's the next day and Asuna goes for a walk, but he can't seem to find anyone. It's weird cause it's like even the common villagers are no around. He gets a little worried and then starts trying to locate people, but he just can't find anyone. He goes to the villages quad. He goes on to the stage and sees a curtain. He opens it and walks through, but then he gets greeted by the entire village. Asuna is in shock seeing everyone just cheering and clapping. He doesn't move as he is just perplexed by what he is seeing. Izumi walks on the stage.
Izumi: "Asuna thinks that he's not worthy enough to lead this village and become its emperor, what does the people of this village think?!"
The entire village just starts roaring in cheers and applause.
Izumi: "See Asuna, it's not just us that think you are capable, the entire village honors and respects you. They need you Asuna!"
Asuna closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and then steps up.
Asuna: "I'll do it."
Again, the entire village just begins to roar in cheers and applause making Asuna smile.
Ziku: "Wow mom, Asuna is going to be the emperor!"
Natsumi: "I know it's great, and so well deserved."
Kame: "This is exciting, but sad at the same time!"
Jaken: "Why?"
Kame: "Because this honor is well deserved, but this means I cannot prove my strength to Asuna anymore!"
Jaken: "Really Kame?"
Kenshi: "Hahaha I'm sure you'll find another strong opponent."
Kame thinks to himself: "Yeah, Ziku!"
Shizuko: "Didn't see that coming."
Jiro: "I did, it was never a matter of if for me, only when."
Hiroyuki: "I wonder, will this help the village, or destroy it?"
Omoi: "I want to be bestowed upon a great and prestigious honor like this! I want to be emperor as well!"
Kireina: "Speech!"
Entire village: "Speech! Speech! Speech!"
Asuna: "I felt like I wasn't right for this. I mean, I still feel like I'm not. My mind has been altered just a little, seeing all of you here, seeing the trust and faith you all have in me. It's going to make me stronger. I promise to be a great leader, but most importantly I promise to be a great man."
For the third time the crowd roars in cheers and applause, this last time being the loudest and most hectic. When everyone starts to leave Asuna goes to all the kids he's trained.
Asuna: "It was truly and honor to train all of you. I enjoyed it. Just because I'm emperor doesn't mean become a total stranger. It surely doesn't mean stop training because we are not finished. This is just a new beginning."
Kame: "Stop, quit, never, and cannot are not in my vocabulary!"
Kireina: "I heard you say cannot before."
Kame: "You know what I mean!"
Aiko: "We wish you the best!"
Asuna: "Same goes for all of you. There will come a time where all of you will work together, I just hope I'm alive to see it."
Omoi: "Don't worry, nothing can kill you!"
Asuna: "Haha I wish that was true."
Asuna hugs all of them and then leaves.
Aizu: "I noticed something."
Asuna: "What's that?"
Aizu: "Those are our first generation soon to become warriors. And they made you soft."
Asuna: "What are you talking about?"
Aizu: "I mean you use to be all: grumpy, powerful, strict and all business. Now you laugh and smile more, and I never seen you hug anyone but Tora."
Asuna: "Hmm, well what can I say they changed me. Especially that one."
Aizu: "Ziku?"
As they both look at Ziku and see him smiling wide and big. Using such a genuine and friendly smile. Laughing and just overall being himself.
Asuna: "Yes, look. Just his smile draws people towards him. That's a skill I think only he has.
Aizu: "You're right about that. I mean his father was nice, but Ziku is just a cheerful spirit. With just one look into his eyes and his smile a person could instantly trust him. They say the eyes are the mirror of the soul, when you look into Ziku's eyes you see joy, purity, honesty, generosity, prosperity, love hope."
Asuna: "I never looked at it like that."
Aizu: "I just believe Ziku is the key this world needed to unlock peace and harmony. If not him then he will mold it into his fellow pupils."
Asuna: "Yeah, he truly is something amazing. Wait actually I've been meaning to talk to Hiroyuki."
Aizu: "About what?"
Asuna: "I must keep it a secret, I hope you can understand."
Aizu: "No."
Asuna gets confused.
Aizu: "Haha I'm just kidding."
Asuna: "Oh?"
Aizu: "Hmm, well I'll just Umm, leave."
Asuna: "Wait Hiroyuki."
Hiroyuki: "Yeah?"
Asuna: "I have a proposition for you?"
Hiroyuki: "What is it?"
Asuna whispers: "I want you to be a member of the core."
Hiroyuki: "Why?"
Asuna: "Because you would work directly under me. That way I can keep an eye on you and monitor your behavior."
Hiroyuki: "Why is that necessary?"
Asuna: "Hiroyuki, I want you by my side as it is the best thing for you right now. You have the potential I need and the trust I want."
Hiroyuki: "I'll do it."
Asuna: "Great, we'll talk to your mom together."
Hiroyuki: "My mother is dead."
Asuna: "What?! How?!"
Hiroyuki: "I ended up telling her about my father, but I couldn't tell her the whole story as she interrupted me and sent me outside. While I was outside I heard her smashing stuff and crying. Until it all just stopped. When I walked in I seen her body just laying on the floor with a sword through her chest. I couldn't figure it out, I couldn't understand why. She killed herself!"
After yelling his final words he jumped into Asuna's arms and began to cry.
Hiroyuki: "I've lost everything!"
Asuna: "No you haven't, you have me, the core, your pupils and the village. Take that however you want, but you still have lots of us who care about you and will be there when you need us most."
Hiroyuki just looks at him then looks down. After he lifts his head back up. His face gets serious.
Hiroyuki: "Well, then let's go."
Asuna takes Hiroyuki to the core HQ. He introduces him to all the members. Which as of late only consist of 9 members. All of the members look at Hiroyuki as a joke because of his age and the fact that he's way smaller than everyone else. Hiroyuki just stands there looking at everyone until one guy steps up.
Kisijo: "I'm number 7 of the core, each of us have ranks based on our abilities and skill set."
Hiroyuki: "So does that mean you're the 7th strongest?"
Kisijo: "Yep, the lower the rank the least amount of missions you carry out and you mostly help the border patrol."
Hiroyuki: "Hmm, so who is number 1?"
Kisijo: "Look over there, you see that intimidating guy and his aura. Yeah that's him, that's Tanji."
Hiroyuki: "What make him the strongest?"
Kisijo: "Well the fact that he was the only person trained by Toko."
Hiroyuki: "Who's Toko?"
Asuna: "Alright, ready to start training?"
Hiroyuki: "Yes!"
Hiroyuki goes through 24 hours of intense training with little to no breaks. By the time it's finished he could barely stand.
Asuna: "The Core go through some of the most intense and difficult training. It's because The core is close to the emperor, so they have to be strong, and when carrying out missions they must have discipline and honor. The core are made up of special people, they're not your average warriors!"
Hiroyuki: "This is too tough for me, I'm only 12!There's obviously other people who are stronger than me!"
Asuna: "Hiroyuki you have the potential to be great here. Like I told you I picked you because I trust you and I want to specifically watch you grow. You can do this, I'm going to need you to trust me as much as I'm trusting you."
Hiroyuki: "Fine."
Whilst everyone else is either training or trying to figure out just what they want to do, Aiko is at home and has been home the whole time. She starts cooking and out of no where her mind drifts off and she begins thinking of Ziku. She tries to stop and snap out of it, but nothing is working Ziku just stays on her mind.
Aiko blushes: "I wonder if this means Ziku is thinking of me."
Then all of sudden she hears a noise outside. It sounds like a flute. She goes outside and sees a woman at a tree playing the flute.
Aiko: "umm can I help you with something?"
Woman stops playing the flute.
Airi: "No, but maybe I can help you."
In the same instant of her saying that she rushes towards Aiko grabbing her by the throat and putting her against a wall.
Airi: "I've finally found you Aiko, it's been years!"
Aiko: "I don't even know who you are!"
Airi: "That's right! You let them erase your memory!"
Aiko: "Let who?"
Airi lets go of her and just stares at her before placing her hand on her face.
Airi: "You poor thing, still so nice, so kind hearted, and so foolish!"
Aiko has a confused looked on her face just standing rubbing her throat.
Airi: "Here go inside, I'll tell you everything."