Act: 60
[ After school ]
"Big bro, each match that you performed in, you were amazing! Your movement, fighting technique, and will to win. I love to see it. This is why you're my big bro! I know for a fact you're winning the tournament."
Shizu drifted his eyes off Chul-Moo as he performed some odd fighting poses that seemed to imitate how he fought. He looked toward where he lived, not as if he were rushing to go home. However, he had a thought hit the back of his head, feeling as if he couldn't meet up to Chul-Moo's standards. Yet he somehow didn't want to disappoint him as his older brother.
"You know... I'm not that strong, and I haven't even mastered my own star; I honestly have no clue about everything I thought I knew. To be genuine, what else am I truly capable of? And I can give you that information now... Nothing. I will let my team down and end up being dead weight..."
"Big bro! No, don't think like that. Trust me, you're strong; it's only a matter of training. You won't be strong as a top Ranker in one day; It will take time and practice. Truthfully, you may even have your own sub-abilities. It's a matter of awakening them or not. That could potentially be some healing or body regeneration. Which could make sense?"
"I genuinely doubt it... I have resurrection and nothing else. I'm a 2-star. It does feel strange to be here and this far. Chul-Moo, do you ever think that it'll change?"
"Big bro. Listen to me. Yes, it will, and I will be here till the end and be by your side throughout the whole way. Just focus on training and preparing yourself for the finals. I can help if you need anything or want a sparring partner?"
"I don't deserve your kindness. I feel as if I have nothing to offer you, although I really, deep down, am grateful that you want to be by my side. Thank you. I know exactly where I will go. See you later."
Shizu ran away from the direction in which he lived, waving bye to Chul-Moo, followed by a big smile. Going to the one place he knew felt like home. The one person who helped him start his journey. The man that Shizu calls family is his Shishou, whom he has always wanted to call grandpa. Once he arrived, it was empty again, though the lights were on this time. Taking off his shoes by the entrance. He slowly walked towards where his Shishou normally meditates. His master felt as if something was off in the air, a subtle movement from his body while his arms started to glow, yet not visible to the naked eye.
"Hey, Shishou!! How are you doing?"
Slowly opening his eyes, he felt the piercing gaze of a pair of eyes seeking deep within his soul. Responding in an old, raspy, yet soft tone, his arms started to lose their glow.
"Shizu. It's you... What brings you in today."
'That boy... I couldn't feel his presence one bit... How the hell is that possible? Yes, he's a 2-star, but I can always feel star energy, even from infants. That presence, although no star energy to transcend something that dire.'
'Those eyes.'
"Oh, oh! Shishou. I have an extremely important question I would like to ask you. Are you able or would you like to come and watch me at the tournament which is being hosted at central Tokyo's big sight? Surprisingly, I made it to the finals, and it's open to the public for hundreds of people to watch. I happen to be on Taku's team, too. You know, my childhood friend who used to come here with me all the time."
'Taku? Who is he?'
"Now, now, Shizu. You made it so far, and I'm proud of you. Looks like my training has done some good for you. I do have to ponder about going. Because of running the dojo. Truly, I'm glad you got far; keep it up."
"Aww... Please, Shishou."
Shizu bent over, bowing, and placed his hands together, praying.
"I wanted you to come as my grandpa. You've done so much, and I care deeply about you. Pleaseee!"
Shizu looked at him with his cat-eyed look.
"Grandpa!? I'm not that old, ha-ha. I will think about it, though. Is there anything else that I can do for you?"
"Uhm? Oh yeah. Question. So, about star abilities, how do people access sub-star abilities? I heard about it from a friend of mine. What do you do to use it?"
"Sub abilities, is that the new name your generation is calling it? It's a technique that low-numbered stars presumably won't have, though who knows? For example, I had to focus energy on the location of my star to unlock it first, and then I went from there. It's hard to say because I don't know if you have one or what it'll be. Therefore, I wouldn't want you to waste your time trying when you may not even have one."
Shizu's face dropped, though he remained humble about it all.
"Hm. Even if you had one, learning or getting a feel for it takes quite a while. People perhaps can learn more quickly than others. If I had to give you an idea randomly? Healing would be the core subject. This generation sure seems to surprise me."
"I see, I see... Well, Shishou, thank you for the advice. From then on, it's my job to understand what to do and figure my star out to get stronger?"
Shizu left the dojo, considering what his Shishou had said to him. Dazing in the sunset, his shadow casting afar, the sun bleeding throughout the sky, he took one step after another, stepping further in the darkened night.
Cold breath, lightly shedding on the back of Shishou's neck. As a masked man spoke.
Pure evil.
"Old friend. I won't waste time and will get straight to the point. Or shall I kill you right here and now."
Shishou's body tightened as he was ready to use his star but stayed quiet.
"It's next week. You know where. Do I make myself clear?"
"Hmph. Understood, now leave."
The masked man began to chuckle.
*Hehehe! *
- - - -
Shizu soon arrived at his house. Tossing his school bag on the sofa, he sat and thought about what Chul-Moo and Grandpa Shishou had said. After some time, he wandered around before beginning to cook food and make himself some of Shizu's special home-styled noodles.
A thought popped into his head, looking down at his hand. With his pointer finger, he placed the tip of his fingernail on the bottom row of his teeth. Closing his mouth as hard as he could. Breaking the nail completely off his finger.
*Snap*
*Plop*
"Arghh!"
Shizu shrieked and jolted in pain as the nail fell, and he quickly moved over to the sink so the blood wouldn't spill onto the floor. Focusing his star energy on the tip of his finger, he concentrated. Feeling the pain and flow of star energy all around his finger, he tried to put more energy into it, gradually finding the right balance.
Nothing happened.
"You have to be kidding me. I'll be without a nail until next week... I could ask a nurse to heal it."
Soon after, the wound began to close, and the keratin started to build up. His nails were growing back altogether and healthy.
"What!! No way! Haha, ah! This can't be!? I did it! That was so easy, oh!! I can't wait for the tournament and the looks on everyone's faces! I'm going to rise to the top."
- - - -
[ Next week ]
The start of the tournament. April 16.