"Hah?" Hakai stared into the mirror as steam rose from beneath and fell above him.
"I don't wanna cut my cute hair!" He ran his fingers through his long, lushed black hair, tears falling down his face.
"I mean, Amaterasu used to sing to me while brushing my hair and putting it into a bun." He smiled softly. Tears shimmered in his eyes as he finally made up his mind.
Yet, he also wanted to move forward. His resolve set, and his new journey would start along with the simple trim—one with unknowing ends. His past story now comes to a close. What was in the hurtful past must fall and remain in the past. The new him must find the courage and face the present to secure a future.
"Lord Hakai, your hair?" Miko blushed, holding her hands over her face.
"Haha." Hakai chuckled with his tongue out to the side, rubbing the back of his head. "Does it fit me?" He asked Miko about his new haircut. He buzzed the sides, close to his scalp, and had left the top and back a slightly lengthy. He had essentially cut his hair to a Mohawk style that rested instead of styled.
"Mhm." Miko nodded, confused, yet she liked the haircut. It seemed to fit his slim face and his sharp jawline. His eyes, obscured by the bangs, were shining like a sea of blood.
"Well, that's good to hear." He smiled, slightly blushing as he stepped into the massive office.
"Suits you." Hachiman complimented him, as he seemed busy with some scrolls.
"Thanks, monkeyface." Hakai walked up to his desk with a slight smile. "What're you looking at?" He asked, leaning in.
"Well, the High Heavens weren't pleased with my outburst, so these are some repercussions." He explained as he shut the scrolls and leaned back into his chair, crossing his arms.
Miko strolled over in a wheelchair she was temporarily bound to because of her injuries.
"You shouldn't worry yourself over me, my lord. The incident was all but an understandable result. You care about Lord Hakai, and it wasn't in your hands at the time to control your emotions. God or not, we all have someone we care about." She smiled at him as both Hakai and Hachiman blushed.
"I... I don't care about a wimp!" Hachiman jolted out of his chair with relation, all while blushing.
"Heehee." Hakai giggled behind his hand, brimming with taunting intentions.
"Don't get ahead of yourself! Youa' bag of wussy excuse!" Hachiman yelled at Hakai, who was flattered and enjoyed the news.
"Come on. Come on, Hachiman. Is that a way to yell at a loved one?" Hakai broke into a peal of prolonged laughter, teasing the flustered Hachi.
"You... Why would I care about you?" Hachiman took a seat, pouting.
Hakai slowly suppressed his laughter. "Don't be so mad. I care about you as much as you care about me, Hachi." Hakai smiled at him, catching him off guard and making him happier.
"Not that I care..." Hachiman answered, looking away, trying to hide his slight smile.
"Hmm, hmm. Now, it's time I go." Hakai stood tall in his new uniform. Content, yet nervous about what this new journey held for him. Now, his tasks increased, not only to protect humanity from evil spirits and invaders, but he will also to serve the Gods to attain more strength.
"Are you ready, Hakai?" Hachiman asked him, genuinely concerned.
"Hmm, I will do whatever it takes to attain Eternity of Peace for all." His face brimmed with honest feelings yet serious intentions.
"I can see that," Hachiman said, handing him a scroll. "Take this, and seriously look over it as it contains the new Evil Spirit Ranking System, abilities, and information." He stared into Hakai's eyes. His words deeply echoed, as this was the newest of pieces of information regarding the Evolved Evil Spirits.
"I will, thanks." He accepted the scroll while a question caught his attention.
"My lord, my savior, and destiny. I have, but one wish. May I please accompany Hakai on his journey?" Miko, with tears in her eyes, shouted out loud. Then, her hand against her chest, she waited for an answer.
Caught off guard, Hakai remained silent, yet his Godly heartbeat increased.
"Miko, you know that it's dangerous for a Human spirit to wander the human realm, let alone fundamentally live there during this journey." Hachiman reminded her. It seemed as though he rejected her wish. "However, I will not stand in your way if Hakai wants you to be with him." He crossed his arms again and closed his eyes. He knew of her love for Hakai and the extremes she would take for a God in which she did not follow or harbor any religious faith.
"Haki-Kun, please let me be with you?" She looked over at him. Dread was written all over his expression.
"No." Hakai looked at the ground, rejecting her wish.
"But..." She tried to retaliate.
"I can't protect you. I can't lose you too..." He held in tears, remembering Amaterasu's face.
"Hah..." Miko gasped. Realizing this, she gave in. Holding her tears, she smiled and wished him a safe journey, full of visits. "Please, don't forget us. Visit whenever you can, and please be safe, Haki-Kun." She bowed while in the wheelchair.
His heart raced, and his smile couldn't remain in the dark anymore.
"Hmm, Miko-Chan. I love you." He smiled while telling her these unexplainable current emotions.
"You... Love Me? As lovers, or like friends, or like family?" She held her cheeks. Her temperature rose to an uncountable number.
"I don't know, but I know that I love and care about you, Miko-Chan." However, his smile fell short on one side.
"Well, I... I love you a lot, family and all." She said, her heart racing, trying to find the words to explain her feelings.
"Thank you." He smiled at her. Finally, the two couldn't go any further. For Hakai, these feelings were unexplored. His heart also felt a certain way for a living human. In her case, she couldn't express these feelings accurately.
"I told him I finally did." She leaned back into the wheelchair with a soft, content smile while hiding her eyes under her forearms.
Turning around to face the cheeky smiling Hachiman, he told him it was finally time to depart for the mission.
"Time to go, Miko, Hachiman. Thank you, and don't slack off and fall short." He smiled as his body vanished, standing at the dimensional transpiration bridge in the main room.
"Come back safe." Miko smiled.
"Be careful. We will run into each other occasionally, but do not neglect yourself, Warrior of Humanity, Hakai." Hachiman left him important departing words.
"Hmm!" Hakai grunted as his body flickered and disappeared.
Wham!