Nox, Enai, Sel, and Juno watched silently the situation unfolding before them. Hitsu's lack of a smile, the confusion on Jinsuke's face, the unnerving silence, all combined to make the situation as tense as possible. Hitsu and Jinsuke stared into the eyes of the other with blank expressions, the lack of emotion only fueling the nervousness of the viewers.
Suddenly, as if tired of the silence, Jinsuke hopped down from the table. In two steps he closed the distance between him and Hitsu. Standing only inches away the height difference became more clear than before. Hitsu was the second shortest of the group only being taller than Nox and barely shorter than Enai. As he stared down at Hitsu it was clear Jinsuke was the tallest in the room by a few inches. Despite the height difference, with Hitsu's head just reaching Jinsuke's head, Hitsu didn't back down. He stared back up at Jinsuke with his eyes filled with the same amount of intensity.
"Hitsu..." Jinsuke said in a low and serious voice.
"Jinsuke..." Hitsu responded just as fierce.
In a flash, the two made their moves. Fast as light, their arms shot out for an attack. Both made the same move and their arms quickly wrapped around each other. It took several moments for everyone to realize that the two weren't fighting, they were hugging.
"It's been so long!" Hitsu said while crying an obsessive amount of tears.
"I missed you so much!" Jinsuke said while crying just as much.
"Wha..." Nox, Enai, and Sel all said at once, the three of them all equally confused.
Jinsuke broke from the hug and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Hey, so what is this place?" he asked.
"This is the Future Veins guildhall," Hitsu answered, "a hero guild that you happened to collapse in front of."
"You became a hero?" Jinsuke asked, "Of course you did. All you ever did was talk about heroes."
"Excuse me but I am very confused," Sel interrupted.
"Oh yeah," Hitsu said as if he had forgotten the others in the room, "I should probably introduce you."
Hitsu wrapped his arm around Jinsuke's shoulder, he had to stand on his toes to help reduce the size difference. Hitsu spun himself and Jinsuke to face the others in the room. Hitsu used his free hand to point at each person he introduced.
"That's Nox, Enai, Sel, and the cat is Juno," Hitsu introduced. He used two fingers to point at Juno and Nox, "Those two are official members..." Hitsu then pointed at Enai and Sel, "...and those two are freeloaders."
"Hey!" Enai shouted angrily.
"You invited me you ass!" Sel argued.
"I have no idea who they are or why they are here," Hitsu said as seriously as humanly possible.
Jinsuke chuckled before introducing himself, "It's nice to meet you all, my name is Jinsuke Sone. I know this little guy from when we were neighbors back in Jokia."
"Man, we were still kids when I left that town," Hitsu reminisced, "how long has it been now?"
"I can't remember" Jinsuke replied, his expression slightly puzzled.
"Hold on a moment." Enai suddenly said, any sign of anger gone from her face. "Your last name is Sone and you live in Jokia? Are you who I think you are?"
"Probably," Hitsu responded for Jinsuke while he looked off into space awkwardly. "His family is the famous Sone Slayers."
"Who?" Sel asked bluntly.
Within moments Enai was in front of Sel with her grip firm on his shirt collar. She violently shook Sel back and forth as she spoke.
"You don't know about the famous Sone Slayers?! They are one of the best slayer groups in the world and they are all a family that shares the same power. The four members of the family have been taking out shadows for years now but the last family member has yet to make his debut. Now that member is in this very guildhall." Enai spoke quickly and excitedly like a child on their birthday.
"Jeez Enai," Nox said surprised, "we know you were fond of heroes but we didn't know you were this crazy."
"I don't blame her," Hitsu said, "Jinsuke's family is awesome."
"Yeah," Jinsuke said as he scratched the back of his head, "they are pretty cool."
"Sorry to interrupt," Nox said, "but you two aren't going to fight or anything right?"
"Oh no," Jinsuke answered, "I can see how we might have scared you guys earlier but the two of us are buds. We aren't just going to attack each other."
Nox let out a sigh of relief, "That's good to hear. I was worried we would have to get between you two."
"Hold on just a minute," Hitsu said. Everyone stopped and turned in his direction. It was only then that Enai stopped shaking Sel and the fire user looked as though he could pass out.
"What's wrong?" Jinsuke asked as he looked down at his friend at his side.
"I never said we wouldn't fight," Hitsu replied.
"Huh?!" Nox and Enai blurted out at the same time.
"Don't think I can't read you," Hitsu said to Jinsuke, "you were quick to praise your family but not yourself. It looks like you are doubting yourself."
"Of course not," Jinsuke responded.
"Well either way I don't care," Hitsu continued, "It's been a long while, I want to see if you can keep up with me."
"That's a pretty big challenge," Jinsuke said, "you might be an official hero but I have been training too you know."
"Well then, how about we make this a challenge?" Hitsu said with a raised eyebrow.
"Challenge?" Jinsuke responded curiously.
"Me and you, one on one, the loser has to do one thing the winner demands," Hitsu said.
"So if I win you'll have to wear a chicken suit while you do your hero work for a day?" Jinsuke said smugly.
"Yep," Hitsu replied, "and if I win..."
"...You have to join the Future Veins."
...
End of Episode 37