Prologue
"Work is really hard! My back hurts!"
Said by Hajime while touching his back. Kazuya is just smiling, not saying anything. He didn't had a hard time at work since he's used to more extreme work.
"Now that you think about it, Kazuya, summer break is almost gone. We have to do something to spend our youth!"
"Like what?"
"Like spending your time with friends! Going to the beach, or go to karaoke! I will invite all of our friends, so Kazuya, are you in, or not?"
After hearing that, Kazuya thought for a second. It's not that odd for him to spend their lives having fun, since It's so peaceful and all. But at Kazuya's time, he didn't spent his time playing, but he just trained with the sword. So it's a bit of a environment changing for him. But regardless, Kazuya nodded as an approval that he will come to the gathering Hajime was talking about. He don't want to ruin the fun after all.
Kazuya looked at the sky and saw the large ball of gas that makes them hot. It only proves that It's already summer.
+++++
After talking about their plans for the summer vacation, they decided to wrap things and go home. Since Hajime's house is a bit far from Kazuya, they've gone home seperately.
After going home, Kazuya did his usual things. Ate his meal, took a bath, and was about to go to bed. But he noticed that his Master is staring him, since he's home.
"Master, do you have something to tell me?"
Master just let out a heavy sigh then replied to Kazuya's question.
"I'm just thinking if I should tell you or not. But since your already old enough, I guess I should just tell you."
"What is it?"
Master asked Kazuya to sit in front of him. They're now faced to faced with each other, staring at each other's eyes as if to melt them. Silence was enveloping the whole house, no one wants to talk first. But after five minutes, Master broke the ice.
"Kazuya, this is a secret from your mother. Do you know your mother?"
"No, I'm not. I just remembered something about her. She's the one who gave me the name "Kazuya", right?"
Master nodded once and Kazuya understood it. Without further ado, Master continued his speech.
"Then, do you know your father?"
"I don't know too."
"Then, do you know this as well? You have a little brother."
Kazuya raised his head from the shock. All this time, he thought that he was an only child. Even though he don't know his parents, he has an idea that he's an only child, since he didn't saw no one told him about it. Kazuya just stared at his Master, looking for a continuation of the story.
"You have a little brother, but unlike you, he lived peacefully. He played when he's a child, he worked when he was an adult, I don't know what happened next since I'm already here, but I think he got a family then died as a geezer."
Kazuya released a sigh of relief, and looked at his Master with kind eyes. Master continued his story.
"My Disciple, do you know the reason why you never met your parents?"
"As far as I can remember, my parents died at an epidemic, then you took me as an orphan, when I'm already six years old, you took me as a disciple. But if that's true, how did my little brother survived?"
"I'm expecting you to ask that question. Like you, he was taken as an orphan by a certain family. That's why he survived."
After hearing that, Kazuya looked at the ground then spoke once more.
"Master, May I know the name of my brother?"
"It's... Yozuya Satoru."
+++++
Kazuya is sitting at a couch and still shaking, he's so excited. While Hajime was just calm and sat beside Kazuya.
"Your really excited, Kazuya."
"Yes, It's because it's my first time having money from working, not from killing."
"Ah, I see."
Just from hearing the word "kill", the atmosphere suddenly became heavy. Today, is their payday for working. That's why Kazuya is excited.
After hearing his Master's story about his little brother, he was suddenly struck by an inspiration. So he worked 8 hours today, not his usual 4 hours. That's why his salary is expected to be a little higher from Hajime.
"Hey, so your already here."
Soon after, Kaze came and gave them envelopes. Naturally, it contained their salary. They accepted it and bowed. After that, they took their leave.
"How many did you got, Kazuya? I got 10,000 yen, what's yours?"
"I got 12,000 yen. It's still not enough to buy an aircon, but I will keep on working to buy it! For now, I will take 1,000 yen from it and buy a light novel."
While walking at the streets, they started comparing their salaries. They just laughed at each other after hearing their salaries.
"Then, what about you, Hajime, how are you going to spend your money?"
"I'm going to save it so we can go somewhere before summer vacation starts."
"I see. You've really changed, Hajime. Although, your voice is still rugged, you became cheerful without having to rely on your mask."
Hajime scratched his cheek and smiled at Kazuya. While they're walking at the streets, they heard shouts and screams from dark side of the road. It's on their left corner.
They reflexively gone to the direction of the shout and saw a man getting beaten up by a bunch of thugs. Judging from his uniform, it seems he's a high school student but not at the same school as them.
His face was already swollen and full of blood. Not long after, The group of thugs noticed the two.
"Hey, you've got something to do us?"
"Put him down."
"What? Trying to be a hero? Then, we'll show you the rea-"
The leader is still not finished with his sentence but Kazuya glared at them with eyes full of bloodlust. Everyone except Hajime was terrified at the bloodlust Kazuya was emitting that they couldn't even utter a single word.
Kazuya picked a nearby stick then... in a flash, all of the thugs was defeated. Even Hajime was surprised and amazed. The man saw the whole thing but he's still lying in the ground. After seeing, Kazuya's move to defeat all the thugs, he lost consciousness.
"Hajime, go on before me. I'll still take this man to the hospital."
"Then, I'll come with you."
With that, the two called an ambulance then approached the man. His face was swollen but you could still see his face. When Hajime saw his face, he couldn't avoid to say:
"Is it just me, or this boy has the same face as you Kazuya? Maybe because of the darkness."
"No, Hajime, your right! He has the same face as me!"
+++++
The ambulance has came, and taken the boy to the hospital. The two came with the boy to the hospital, mainly to confirm something. Right now, they're waiting at their seats until visitors are already allowed.
"Are you the two people who brought him here?"
"Yes."
The doctor took his exit at the boy's room, and approached Hajime and Kazuya. The doctor said that they can visit the patient now, so the two walked slowly and opened the door.
After opening the door, the two saw a man sitting on his bed. He has a coal black hair and eyes, average bodybuild, and a face very similar to Kazuya.
"So It's really true that you have seven look alike in the world, huh?"
Hajime couldn't help but spout that. The two slowly approached the guy. Soon after, the guy noticed them and immediately grabbed Kazuya's collar.
"Please win the tournament for me!"
After the boy shouted that, Kazuya received an aura. It has the same feeling as before. It means that this guy possesses a Soul Seal. After confirming that this guy has a Soul Seal, Kazuya clenched his fists.
"I can't understand what your saying so why don't we take it slow and go back to the very start."
After the introductions, Kazuya asked Hirokawa to tell the story from the very start. Hirokawa nodded in return, as a sign that he agrees.
"First, why are you being beaten up by that guys?"
Kazuya's first question to Hirokawa. Both of them feels awkwardness since they have the same face. It feels like they're talking to themselves. But despite that, Hirokawa still talked and told the reason for that.
"I saw a bunch of guys harassing a girl, so I negotiated with them to let the girl go, and just beat me instead. The guys didn't agreed but while were talking I signaled the girl to run so while they're back are turned to her, she ran away. After that, they took their anger to me and beaten me up."
Kazuya understands the story now. He asked that question in hopes that he can gather information about his depression. But it seems it's not useful for now. He goes on to his next question:
"Then, what do you mean when you said 'Please win the tournament for now."
Hirokawa seems to remember something like that happening. He panicked at first, but he closed his eyes once then opened it again. After he opened it, he calmed down and talked to Kazuya.
"To tell you the truth, my family runs a dojo. My ancestors trained with the sword at times of war. But when the modernization came, we decided to forget fighting and just use it to protect the weak and play it as a sport."
"I see."
In this era, swordfighting is just an act of sports, like kendo. Even Kazuya understands it, since he lived at this world for almost 3 months. He don't know why swordfighting became a sport but he can't deny the fact that swordfighting is just a sport now.
"Then, I understand that you have a dojo, they why are you telling me to replace you at the dojo?"
"Because I saw how you fought with those guys. The way you wield that stick as if It's a sword, It's so beautiful. Your so strong, unlike me. Not to mention that we look alike. You see, I like swordfighting but I'm very weak, I can't even wield a wooden sword properly. My family entered me to a tournament, but I feel like I can't do it. So I want you to replace me, and fight to the tournament."
Horikawa looked at Kazuya's house with expectation. He wants to Kazuya to replace himself, even Kazuya can see that. Kazuya just thought:
"Then, from what he told me, he was entered at a tournament but he's too weak so he can't fight, and he don't want to give shame to his family, huh? So If I just replace him, things will be resolved, right?"
Kazuya touched his chin and thought again for a while. Horikawa was just staring at him anxiously and Hajime was just looking at Kazuya. He wants to know Kazuya's move. After 6 minutes of waiting, Kazuya gave his answer.
"All right. I will replace you in that tournament. You don't need to worry about a thing. For now, tell me the date of the tournament."
"It's August 15."
"Then, we'll meet again at August 15, come at this address when that day comes."
Kazuya gave a piece of paper to Hirokawa. Kazuya's address was written in that piece of paper. After that, Kazuya bowed at him, and leaved the room. Hajime left after him.
"Why did you accepted that, Kazuya? I can tell from your expression that he has a Soul Seal, right? Then, why did you accepted it!?"
"Because It's the right choice."
+++++
"Oh, he has the same face as you? That's a rare sight."
"Yes, he also said that his ancestor trained with the sword. Is it possible that..."
"Yes, it's possible."
Kazuya came home and now having his usual meeting with his Master. He consulted about Hirokawa's case.
"So, it's really possible that the blood of Satoru runs on him. Now that you think about it, his surname is Satou."
"Please don't go to any conclusions yet, My Disciple. I just said that It's possible. There could be many possibilities. Maybe it's just a coincidence. Even if the blood of Satoru runs on him, your little brother is the only one who had a family, and he didn't even trained a sword. So the only possibility is someone from his family, either his grandson or great grandson had trained with the sword and passed it to this era."
No one knows if Kazuya and Hirokawa is in the same bloodline. But the fact remains that they share the same face.
"But, My Disciple, in the same bloodline or not, that boy is still possessed by a Soul Seal, you know what to do, right?!"
"Yes!"
With that, Kazuya's meeting with his Master had finished.
Thus, the day of the tournament, August 15 had come. Hirokawa was already dismissed at the hospital, so he walked straight to Kazuya's house when August 15 came.
It's still early in the morning, yet Hajime is already waiting at Kazuya's front door. Hirokawa saw Hajime and just did a slight bow.
"Oh, thanks for waiting. You can come in now."
Said by Kazuya as he open the front door of their. Hajime already came in his house, so he's not really surprised at the traditional house. While Hirokawa on the other hand, is not surprised too since he lived in a dojo.
The three had gone to the living room, and took a seat at the floor, in front of the table. At the table, there are 3 herbal teas. While it's still hot, Hajime and Hirokawa immediately took a sip at the tea. While the two of them are sipping tea, Kazuya strikes a question.
"Hirokawa, do you really want me to replace you at the tournament?"
After Kazuya asked that, some kind of awkward silence occurred. Hajime didn't noticed until now, but the neighborhood is actually quiet. Since it's still morning, majority of the neighborhood is still sleeping. If the neighborhood is already silent, adding the awkward silence here, the atmosphere will become cold as well! So Hajime immediately took a move and spoke:
"Hey, Kazuya! You already agreed to replace him, right?"
Hajime doesn't mean anything by it, he just want to break the silence. Kazuya noticed that and proposed something:
"If you won't talk, then let's come to an agreement. Let's have a swordfight! If you win, I'll join the tournament! If you lose, you'll join!"
In that declaration, even Hajime was too shocked to even speak. Hirokawa raised his head with eyes full of shock. Hirokawa asked Kazuya to join the tournament so he doesn't have to fight. But Kazuya asked Hirokawa to fight him. It doesn't make sense!
But for some reason, after seeing that Kazuya is very serious, Hirokawa stood up and said
"I'll try! I'll try fighting you, Kazuya!"
"Good!"
+++++
The three have gone to the backyard to swordfight. Hajime was still in the corner, watching the two and refilling his tea.
"Let's set some rules. The first who lands a hit, wins. That's all. Just so you know, I'm not holding back. I'm going to give it all I've got."
Kazuya confidently said while holding the wooden sword. Hirokawa became terrified and hesitated for a bit if he will fight or not.
"Liar. You have all the reason to hold back. I can read you like an open book, Kazuya."
Hajime wants to say that, but the words doesn't come out from his mouth. He just stayed quiet and took a sip from his tea.
"Then, let's start!"
Kazuya's voice became the signal to start their duel. Kazuya rushed in towards Hirokawa, not even wasting any second. In a flash, Kazuya was already in front of Hirokawa.
Kazuya held his sword and swung his sword. Hirokawa took a step back, so he evaded the attack.
"Your pretty good, Hirokawa!"
"Thank you!"
Hajime just released a heavy sigh, and thought to himself.
"This is so awkward. It feels like your watching twins fighting each other. The only thing that separates Kazuya and Hirokawa is that accessory at Kazuya's head."
Kazuya has some kind of accessory on his head. It was made of shells and it was attached to his hair. It was the only thing that separates them.
"Kazuya took a big swing so it's obvious that even Hirokawa can evade it."
Added by Hajime, who is now preparing some more tea. It seems like the tea has run out so he made some more. Too much tea might make his stomach ache though.
Kazuya took a step forward and took a big swing again. Hirokawa saw an opening and rushed towards Kazuya. Hirokawa swung his sword and it hit Kazuya's abdomen. With that, Hirokawa won the duel.
"Hirokawa won!"
Declared by Hajime. Kazuya stood up and gave Hirokawa a handshake.
"Congratulations, you won."
"Kazuya, I won, right? Then, you will replace me at the tournament, right?"
Kazuya looked at Hirokawa with a smile then said:
"You said that your skills are not enough to participate at the tournament, right? But you defeated me, that's because you already have the skill."
"But... that's because you held back against me. Your swing is too big so there's no way I can't dodge it."
Kazuya just looked at the sky, not saying anything in return. Because it's true that he held back, and it's too obvious. He looked at Hajime, for a backup since he don't know what to do now.
"I get it, I get it."
Hajime stood up from his seat, and approached Hirokawa.
"Hirokawa, It doesn't mean that you don't have the skill to fight, your already weak. Just train yourself, and you can do it. Doesn't matter if you train for hundreds of years or even thousands of years, just become strong and you can do it."
"But, Hajime, there's no way I can do that! Do you think that I didn't trained myself for this? I already trained but nothing seems to work! I can't defeat my opponents at all! I don't know what to do! I don't want to disappoint my family!"
With that speech of Hirokawa, Kazuya had an idea. Hirokawa's Soul Seal is Fear.
+++++
Fear is a Soul Seal to use when you want to inflict fear to your opponents. Things like "I can't do it" or "I will never defeat him" will pop at your mind and eventually, you will give up.
But this Soul Seal is not unbeatable. It will not work on people who has high confidence on themselves. That's why the only solution on this is to make Hirokawa's confidence high enough for him to defeat the Soul Seal.
Kazuya is taking the wrong approach all this time. He thought that if Hirokawa was convinced that he has the skill, he will participate in the tournament. But he's wrong.
He held back at that fight, if he wants to give confidence to him. He has to fight with his full strength. But if he fought with his real strength, he's certain that Hirokawa will die
So Kazuya thought on how he can fight Hirokawa with full strength, but he will still win. Then, Kazuya was struck by an idea.
"Hirokawa, I'm sorry I held back at that fight even though I said that I won't. So I'm going to have a rematch with you! This time, I'm not going to hold back!"
Hirokawa just stared at Kazuya and saw that he's really serious this time. Hajime also saw Kazuya and attempted to escape since he knew that if Kazuya became serious, something disastrous will happen. Like with Kakuju, for example. But...
"Hajime, hold it. You will become our referee so It's rude to go back to the corner."
Hajime used Escape, but It's not very effective. With no choice to have, Hajime became the referee of the fight. Hirokawa picked up his sword again and formed a sword stance.
"Then, we'll start!"
The moment Hajime signaled, Kazuya immediately made a move and rushed in towards Hirokawa. He swung his sword, but It's not like last time, he used a moderate size of swing so Hirokawa can't easily evade.
"Eeek!"
Hirokawa noticed the change, so he can't evade it now. So he used his sword to block Kazuya's attack. Hirokawa's grip was so weak, because he's shaking out of fear.
Because of that, Kazuya put more force on his sword and moved it near Hirokawa's face. Hajime was beside them, watching the fight, and just thought:
"Seriously?! Your really serious, Kazuya!?"
If Hirokawa does not put more force in his sword, Kazuya's sword will overwhelm him, and hit him at the face.
"I guess, this is it. I gave my best. I can't defeat Kazuya after all. He's a really strong swordsman."
Hirokawa already gave up, and was about to let go of his sword, when:
"One last push! You can do it!"
Hirokawa heard a voice similar to his and said those words to him. For some reason, the strength came flowing on him, and he used that to push Kazuya's sword away from his face.
"I can do this!"
Hirokawa thought to himself then used his pure force to make Kazuya's sword fly away. After Kazuya's sword flew, Hirokawa pointed his sword towards Kazuya and said with a smile on his face.
"I won! It's my win!"
"Yeah, congratulations."
+++++
Kazuya used Berserk at Hirokawa, when his sword is already at his face. Because of that, Hirokawa was urged to have extra strength and one last push. In a sense, Kazuya didn't held back
"Still, I'm surprised that you used Berserk at Hirokawa. I thought for a second that your really serious."
"I'm serious at that fight though."
The two was now in their way to go home since the case was already closed and they retrieved the Soul Seal. It's now 5 PM, Hirokawa's fight has just finished, and they're already going home from watching it. Sadly, Hirokawa lost the fight, but instead of frustration, he felt that he needs to train again and get stronger. He wants to try reaching for the top by himself.
When Hirokawa won against Kazuya, it gave him confidence that he could challenge the tournament. With that, the Soul Seal was extracted from him, and the problem was solved.
Kazuya said that Hirokawa can train with him if he wants to get stronger and Hirokawa thanked him for that.
"Are you sure that you didn't used Berserk at Hirokawa for him to win at the fight?"
"No, I didn't. He should gain confidence on his own. That's why I told him to train with me if he wants to get stronger. Though, it's a bit awkward trying to teach someone who has the same face as you."
"Haha, you got a point."
Kazuya clenched his fist, and thought:
"In the same bloodline or not, I saved you, aren't I?"
+++++
Haruka Side Story: Summer Plans
"Okay, this time for sure! I'm going to call him!"
But that time failed too. I was planning to call Kazuya and invite him somewhere but... for some reason, my hands can't move. As if it has a life on it's own.
But it's not right that I'm the one inviting this guy, when he's the man. That's why this time, he should take the initiative. But I just remembered that we're not dating or anything like that.
"Geez, what should I do?"
Until recently, I'm so cold to him, but now, I'm feeling like this. I can't help but feel guilty at what I have done before. But the past is already in the past, I'm sure Kazuya doesn't mind it at all!
Now, let's get back at the topic on hand. How the hell can I invite him? I can't use the phone! But I will try again.
2 hours had already passed, but I still can't bring myself to the phone. What the hell!? What's wrong with me?! At this rate, I will spend all my summer, not even seeing his face.
"Honey, I heard you shouting and punching the floor. Are you okay? If you are frustrated about something, I want you tell me."
While I'm frustrated here, my mother suddenly came here and tried to console. I see, in this times of trouble I should rely at my parents. With that, I tried to tell my mother, what my problem is.
"This is because of a friend of mine, he wants to call a boy he likes but he doesn't have the courage to do so. What should she do in that situation?"
"I see, so who is this boy you like?"
"Mom, It's not me! It's my friend!"
Even though I told her that it was for my friend, for some reason, she said that it was me. Mother's intuition is scary.
"So, for a summary, you, I mean your friend, is trying to call the boy he likes, right?"
"Yes, that's the problem."
"But do you have that boy's phone number?"
At that sentence, the world stopped for me. Even if I muster up the courage to call him, I can't do that because I don't have his number. Reality sure is scary.
+++++
Hirokawa Side Story: His Master
Although, I lost at the tournament, for some reason, I feel like I shouldn't give up. Right, I should train more! I asked my father to be my trainer for today, but he's busy today.
I asked all of my family members but it seems they're all busy training with their own skills. I shouldn't disturb them. So I left the dojo so I can speak to the other swordsman I know, it's Kazuya.
"So, everyone is busy at your house, so you figured that you can train here?"
"Yes, is that okay?"
"It's okay, I guess. But my Master is here right now."
Kazuya's Master?! What kind of person is he? I'm really curious about the man who trained Kazuya. It seems Kazuya noticed that I was curious about him so he proposed something:
"Then, do you want to meet my Master? I think he'll disappoint you, though."
"Yes! I'd love to!"
Yes! I'm going to meet Kazuya's Master! I'm not sure If I'm going to be disappointed or not, but I'll still see him! Kazuya walked on his way, and I followed him. After some walking at the house, we stopped at a certain room.
I think this is the room of his Master? It has no door, only a curtain. Behind this curtain, resides Kazuya's master! I wonder what kind of person is he.
Kazuya slowly lifts the curtain, and while the curtain was disappearing, I'm seeing an old man, with a white beard. He's expression indicates that he's a very serious person.
Theoretically, I think he's over 60 years old, but his body is still ripped. Oh, he's reading some kind of book too, I wonder what it is? Maybe it was a legendary book about swords!
So this is Kazuya's Master, huh? When Kazuya completely lifts the curtain. What I saw is beyond reason. This old man, was just reading a porn mag!!!
"Oh, Kazuya? What are you doing here? Do you want some advice from me?"
"No, not really."
"Then, do you want a porn mag?"
"That kind of book is not necessary for my life."
After seeing this man, I decided that... I won't get involve with him. He's already so old, yet he's still reading a porn mag! I would understand it, if he's still a young man! But It's not the case! It just means that he's still not matured!
"If you don't have any business with me, could you please return the curtain, and please don't lift it for the time being."
After this old man said that, Kazuya immediately returned the curtain to what it's state before, and walked on his way. While were walking towards the backyard, I asked Kazuya something:
"Kazuya, is that really your Master? My father said that you have to be mature to wield the sword."
"Yes, that's true. But Master is mature before. You won't believe it, but he's actually an existence where even children will cry just by seeing his face."
Is that really true? From what I've seen earlier, it's really hard to believe. But considering that he trained Kazuya, it must be true.
"I remembered the time when he sit at the floor and concentrate. For some reason, when he concentrates, all living beings can feel this odd aura."
That's really incredible! That's really something else!
"But when he encountered that porn mags, his whole personality changed. I didn't saw him for a long time, so even I don't know how strong he is right now."
Is that really true? When I'm trying to compare that old man, to Kazuya's story, it feels really hard to connect! Geez, so people can change this greatly, huh?
END OF CHAPTER 9