Kaoru falls asleep again instantly after entering the car. After being in bed for a day , you would think that she had enough energy to stay awake. Meanwhile Mitsuya , or as you may know his by Akemi , is staring silently outside of the window. He rolls it down a little bit , so that the wind blows through his dark brown hair. The breath of fresh cool air on his face relaxes him , but he remains alert. If Himura tries anything suspicious, he and Kaoru will leave in an instant. He tries to get some rest , but his head is filled with a storm of thoughts. Why did Himura leave the Organization ? What's his story ? How long has he been watching us. Mitsuya finally decides to ask Himura a question.
" Where are you taking us ?" he says , still trying to sound intimidating.
" Oh , about that. I forgot to tell you. Mitsuya , from this day forward you and your sister will be apart of my family. You'll live with my wife and I at our house. We'll take good care of you."
" Your wife ? I can't picture a man like you to be married." he says , trying to solicite a reaction.
" Well, why is that kid ?" Himura says , trying to hold down his rising anger.
" You really want me to go down the list ? Well even though I've only known you for a few hours , I have several complaints and concerns to address to you. For one , you're a certified man child. Second , you saw fit to use your powers on an innocent child. Third , you're a sad excuse for a respectable gentleman , no matter how nice you dress. Fourth , your treat me as if I'm a child when you have clearly failed to realize my genius intellect. Fifth , you're old."
Himura takes the cigar out of his mouth and throws it out of the window onto the pavement outside. " Okay , well I can rebute all of those arguments. First off , I'm usually a very serious person unless the situation that I'm handling doesn't need much attention. Second , you yourself must have known that that attack wouldn't have injured you. Third , there are many ways to define a ' gentleman'. Every man is a gentleman in his own manner." He waits a few seconds , as if he is collecting his thoughts. " Fourth , I'm gonna make this plain and simple. You are a certified idiot until proven otherwise."
Mitsuya tries to say something clever back , but is cut off by Himura" Fifth , I'm only 26 , moron." Mitsuya sits back and collects his thoughts. In his mind , he tries to picture something , a list - " Mom would be 40 this year. Dad would be 42. He's a friend of mom. He's 26. 14 years younger. What could that mean ?"
" YOU'RE WHAT ??!!!" Mitsuya shouts , practically jumping over the seat in front of him. Himura is in such shock by Mitsuya's dramatic reaction that he swerves the car uncontrollably , almost hitting a large tree. The air is filled with Mitsuya's screams and Himura's cursing , while Kaoru remains sound asleep. Ceasar is in a frantic panic , scratching the covers of the backseat and purring in his loudest voice as to avoid being thrown out of the window. Fortunately , Himura is able to pull the brakes in time before the car can hit the tree. He lets out a sigh of relief , stating " That was a close one." He looks to Kaoru and says " Good , still asleep" then to Ceasar , saying in a whisper to himself " I think I'll have to get some new seat covers." He pauses , and realizes something. Mitsuya isn't even in the car anymore. Himura looks out of the window , to see Mitsuya laying in the grass shaking , rolling back and forth. " I almost died. I'm too young. I haven't even gotten a girlfriend. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING." Just as he is about to let out a loud hysterical cry , he sees a shadow over him. " Hey kid." a voice calls to Mitsuya. He looks up , to see Himura hovering over him. " Get back in the car , or you're dead." Mitsuya immediately runs to the car and hops in the backseat. Himura takes his time walking to the car , every moment Mitsuya's heart rate grows faster. He cuddles Ceasar and tries to fall asleep. Himura knocks on the window and says " You're sitting in the front this time." Mitsuya pretends to faint , but Himura opens the door and forcibly removes him.
Throughout the next 5 or so minutes Mitsuya stares out of the window , trying his best to avoid all contact and interaction with Himura. On second thought , he doesn't need his questions answered right now. He can wait until he's in a better mood. Himura has his eyes on Mitsuya the entire time. This leaves Mitsuya wondering " How can he drive without looking at the road."
Then suddenly Himura says " I bet you're wondering how I can drive without seeing the road." A shiver goes down Mitsuya's spine . " HOW DID HE KNOW ?"
Himura lets out a little chuckle. " I've taken the same path from my home to your house almost every day for the past 2 years. I've checked on you every night in case danger came your way." He pauses for a second. " Fortunately , that never happened. After 2 hours sitting at your house every night , tirelessly reading countless novels , I realized that you were perfectly fine."
Mitsuya thinks to himself " He's in a good mood now. I can probably ask him something now." He decides to speak up.
" I knew I felt something. A creepy man spying on me , my sister and my cat. No wonder I always heard those bushes rumbling outside at night." Himura chuckles. " Yeah , most times I thought you were looking out of the window, so I would often stay on the ground to avoid being seen. I know it seems creepy , but in a way it's actually very kind of me." Mitsuya wants to say something , but doesn't want to face the calm wrath of Himura once again. So he just decides to ask a question.
" Hey Himura , how did you and my mother meet ?" Mitsuya asks.
" Good question kid. But before I answer , I advise you to call me Sensei instead of Himura from now on."
" And why exactly would I do that."
" It makes me feel important , and it sounds kind of cool." Mitsuya stares at him with a look of high disappointment , almost as if he is saying " Are you serious ?" on the inside. But he just shrugs the look away and mumbles under his breath " Whatever." After several moments of awkward silence , Himura says " Soooooo , you aren't going to say anyth-"
" ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION NOW !!!" Mitsuya yells , almost as if he is fed up with him.
" Right , right." Himura says in an almost apologetic tone. " Your mom was my tutor while I was in mage school. I lived with her for quite some time while I was studying in Paris , and she taught me how to do basic magecraft. She even introduced me to my future wife while I was a year one." He looks gloomy , but then smirks , almost as if he is remembering something of the past. " You're mom was a good woman. I even came to think of her as my adoptive sister while I was at the Mage's Academy." Mitsuya smiles sorrowfully and says " Thank you for that."
At that moment , Himura says in an enthusiastic tone " ALL RIGHT , WE'RE HERE" and brings the car to a frantic stop. Mitsuya can't see anything in the darkness, but he grabs his suitcase and Ceasar and opens the door of the car. Himura flashes a light so he can see , but there's one problem. " Uuuuuummmmm , where's the house ?" Mitsuya says. He is standing in front of an open field of freshly cut grass. There is no dwelling here , only grass and a few trees. No signs of human life either. " Don't tell me he's homeless" , Mitsuya whispers under his breath.
" Oh , about that. Do you see that tree over there ?" Himura points towards a large oak tree , it's red leaves and golden brown color being it's most lively characteristic. " Go up to it , place your palm on it and say ' Release'. Mitsuya doesn't know why , but he just does it. When he gets to the tree , he can clearly see that there's something wrong with it. It takes him a few moments to realize that he's touching a magical tree. It has abnormal characteristics due to the fact that it's been inhabiting the planet for hundreds , maybe thousands of years. " I bet you don't even need water to survive. Imagine how many things you've seen in your life." Suddenly a leaf falls on his head. He suddenly feels lightheaded , and the scraps on his knee from falling into the river instantly heal. " That tree has healing properties. It was planted by my family generations ago. We've supplied it with mana ever since" Himura says.
Mitsuya looks at the gigantic trunk " Sounds neat. Imagine having to see this man child grow up. Couldn't be me. Welp , time to see what happens. But there's still the chance that it may not work. He touches the tree again and says " Release". Nothing happens.
" I wonder what interfered with it. All mages should be able to activate it." Himura says. Try again. Nothing happens. He makes Mitsuya do it 8 more times. He then instructs Mitsuya to step 10 feet away , and run towards the tree while chanting Sigillum Gaudete.
" You really expect me to run into a tree like an idiot while saying 'Break the Seal' in Latin."
" It should be accessible to all people with magical lineage. Just do it." Himura says to him.
" Fine , but don't judge me if I look stupid." He steps back , calms himself and prepares his running form. Mitsuya runs headfirst into the tree while repeatedly chanting the phrase. Right before he gets there , he closes his eyes. He counts in his head. He will collide with the tree in 3 , 2 , 1. He doesn't feel anything. His eyes are still tightly shut. He could have sworn that he just hit the tree. " WHAT HAPPENED ??!!!"
In front of him stands a gigantic mansion. Three floors tall with a patio and a porch. It looks of the finest neoclassical style , and is adorned with fine gold and silver. The windows are each about 6 feet tall. Mitsuya looks on the ground. There is a finely carved path of tan concrete decorates the ground , leading to a porcelain fountain in the middle of the lawn. Within the windows he can see a glorious hall , decorated with an ornate chandelier in the center. Four tall pillars, all fine in their texture, hold the house up. Mitsuya's mouth drops open in utter amazement. He's never seen such a place as this. Suddenly Himura appears behind him , holding Ceasar in his arm and Kaoru's hand with the other " The tree is apart of a concealing spell set up by my family years ago. The house was there , you just couldn't see it." These words do nothing to quell Mitsuya's baffled spirit. Himura gives him Kaoru's hand and drops Ceasar to the ground. He walks in front of the fountain , then turns around in a dramatic manner , as if he was an entertainer.
" WELCOME TO TSUBASA MANOR". His booming voice pierces the air. When they reach the house , Mitsuya quickly opens the door. He runs directly to the center of the house. Each room is ordained with separate bookshelves , desks , unique plants. When he gets to the dining hall , he is amazed by the large table sitting in front of him. Decorated with a silky white cloth , with plates and forks and spoons and knifes set in perfect position. Eight large chairs are seated at the table. He runs out and explores until he finds a library. It is exquisite in all manor. But there's someone here. A beautiful woman appears in a chair , reading a book. Her striaght black hair and fair complexion are instantly noticed by Mitsuya. Her eyes are a dark brown , and she smiles towards him. Mitsuya is immediately mesmerized by her.
" You must be the new guest Himura told me about. We've been waiting for you. What's your name."
" Mitsuya" , he says , still looking at the woman. She reminds him of his mother.
" Well Mitsuya , my name is Mayuri. From this day on , I guess you could call me your mother." She smiles a bright smile , and lets out a little chuckle.
Suddenly Himura walks in and says " I see that you've gotten yourself acquainted already. This is the lady of the house , my wife , Mayuri Tsubasa." He walks over to her and kisses her. " Isn't she just a doll ?"
Mitsuya wants to slap him right now. " Where are Kaoru and Ceasar ?"
" I put Kaoru in the guest bed. Ceasar is running around the house. He should be somewhere on the third floor by now. Or maybe in the poolroom."
Mitsuya looks relieved and says " Where is my room at , again ?"
" Second on the right , third floor. The one that has the golden doorknob." Mituya prepares to leave the room , but before he can , Himura calls out to him.
" Would you mind waiting for me in the sanctuary across the garden ? We need to talk".
Mitsuya instantly becomes suspicious. Talk about what ? About the plan for the Organization ? About my mom ? He just goes out , but his thoughts are in deliberation. Meanwhile Himura is still with Mayuri.
" How's the little one. Any new developments today ?"
" Ah , yes. It kicked again. A big strong one this time. He or she probably be a fighter." Mayuri laughs.
Mitsuya had failed to noticed that Mayuri was with child. She is now in her sixth month , and will give birth to a girl sometime in the fall.
" Well that's good. Do you think it'll be born with the yin or yang symbol ?"
" Well your family does have it's traits of being calm people. But my family was very will-fired. So it could go either way. But my money's on yang." She laughs.
" I have yin. And that's a promise. If I win , we're having three more." Himura says , giving Mayuri a thumbs up.
" In your dreams." They both laugh and Himura leaves the room.
In the sanctuary , Mitsuya is pacing back and forth on the bricked pavement , nervously thinking about what the conversation could be about. He is surrounded by all sorts of plant life , all of looking as if they are longing for death. There is a swarm of purple butterflies there too , each flying near the center of the dome. Just then , a 10 foot venus fly trap tries to attack him , and he narrowly dodges. He falls on the ground , headfirst.
The door of the sanctuary opens. Himura steps in , walking slowly to Mitsuya , who is still on the ground.
" So ," he says standing above Mitsuya ," do you want to tell me why your magic is so weak ?"