You can look at any and all of the files we have listed in this program. All of them should be titled 'SK' with a number behind it."
"And SK stands for Shadow Keeper, right?"
"Mhm."
"Thanks, Kyo. This really means a lot to me."
"No problem. If Yuta and Ushio trust you, then so do I. So take your time, Hiro."
I spent that entire night in front of the laptop, going from file to file, document after document, furiously searching for anything and everything that could bring me closer to finding out where Hanako might have been. Each document listed several reports, most of which were written by Kyo, and each one of them gave an overview of a major event that took place. The reports dated all the way back to the month of June, 4 years ago...
June 25, 2019
It was around 11 o'clock at night, and I had been up to my usual business. Roaming around the city streets, avoiding my brother no matter what the cost. He had been seeming...more upset then he normally was. Kyo wasn't around to console him—in fact, Kyo hadn't even called in a very long time, and I think that might have been one reason for his mood. However, ever since he graduated my brother stopped showing anger, so he would just sit at home, staring at the wall, nearly driving a hole straight through it with his eyes, which were always emotionless. Watching him was painful, and I couldn't bear to see him in the state he was in. So I left home.
It was incredibly lively outside, despite it being so late at night. Things here were so much different than where I grew up, and even after all this time, it still sometimes made me uncomfortable. Sick to my stomach. But I suppose that's what I get for living in the country's most populated city.
I had decided that I might as well do some shopping while I was out, since we were running low on food anyway. I picked up a couple of things from the grocery store, then left, but didn't plan on going home for another hour or so. I figured Ushio would be asleep by then. So instead, I just continued to roam. Up and down the streets, circling the park at least twice, then back to where I had begun.
It wasn't that I was lost. I certainly knew my way around the city after all the years I had spent living here. My house was smack dab in the center of it all. I was free to wander anywhere I wanted, and I would always know the way back home. Back home...to my brother...who was currently sitting alone in the core of the city, practically rotting away while I was too afraid to stay by his side. A while his best friend was overseas at some college.
These thoughts of shame and depression haunted me each and every waking hour, and even occasionally as I slept. On this specific summer night, the guilt induced by these thoughts was far worse. I couldn't walk straight. At one point, I had mistakably walked into a telephone phone. My forehead began to bleed, and I dropped my bag of groceries. A couple of people passing by offered to help, but I pushed them away.
It was then that I decided it would be best to go home before I did anything else stupid. As I started on my way back, I lost my sense of direction and wandered a bit too far off course. I still knew where I was, but it would take even longer to get back home now, and frankly, I was growing too tired to walk. So I allowed my thoughts to guide me. Little did I know what a mistake I had made by doing this...
I was in the act of crossing a busy street when it happened. The light was red, but, having tuned out the rest of the world, I attempted to cross anyway. It was only upon hearing the sound of a loud truck horn that I was brought back to reality. Unfortunately, I wasn't quick enough to move on my own. The giant truck tried to swerve out of the way to avoid hitting me, but at the short distance we were from each other, doing so would be nothing short of impossible.
But I felt something grab onto me. At first, I thought it was death, finally having its hold on me, trying to drag me down to my grave. I soon dismissed this thought as the image of a magnificent, inhuman creature filled my eyes with wonder. He wore a mask to hide his face, but I could still see the beautiful eyes that he was trying to conceal behind his mysterious disguise. And I could have sworn I saw wings on his back. They were sharp like the blades of a sword, pitch black like the night sky, and much unlike how I pictured the wings of angels to be. He held me in his arms, staring at my face for what seemed like forever. He carefully let me down, then looked into my eyes. I wanted to say something, but I just couldn't find the right words. To my surprise, he was the first to speak up. "It can't possibly end here," he told me. And that was all it took for me to burst into tears. I covered my face with my hands, not wanting this man to see the horrible look on my face as I lost control of my emotions. I felt him place his hand on my shoulder, but only for a second, because as soon as I looked up, he was gone.
I went home that night, tears still falling from my eyes. I found Ushio still sitting in the living room, staring at the wall, heavy bags under his eyes. But the second he heard me crying, I could sense that something had clicked in his brain. He hurried over and threw his arms around me, then did all he could to comfort me. I told him everything that had happened, and he ended up in tears, too. It was the first time either of us had cried in years, and we were both overwhelmed.
On that unforgettable summer night, Ushio and I both established a dream in our hearts, and we grew closer as siblings than we ever had before.
There was something we could chase after again. A goal other than "getting by" in the world. I still remember the years I had spent in hopeless misery, the memories which so often crept upon me even after their time had passed by. I remember living each day in fear that I would be forever bored by life. That my childish dreams would fade into oblivion. Because of my unpleasant experiences and trauma, I truly believed I would never see a miracle. Of course, when I met Kyo, hope was reintroduced into my life, as well as my brother's, but in the years he's been away, my depression resurfaced. The only person I had to lean on was Ushio, but he was even more reliant on Kyo than I was. He had sunk back into doldrums, only ever playing his beloved piano when his misery was at its peak. And for that reason I could never bring myself to take out my skates again. Few times had I seen him smile sincerely at me...ever since our parents died. He was my mirror image. A twin, yet separated by an entire year.
But the reason I'm writing this isn't to compare my brother and I. Its purpose is to deliver a message, both to myself, and to Ushio. A reminder that we have something to reach for. Something to grasp. Something that'll keep us bonded till death may pry apart our fingers and ask us, "Was it worth it?" I know it will be. And all the while I'll continue to reach for the steadfast hope that remains in my heart.
I'll find him. With the help of my brother and Kyo...the only family I have left...I will find him. Because without the events that took place that day, I might have died an empty shell, and I know now that that wasn't what I wanted at all. I was saved for a reason...or at least, that's what I believe. I never used to believe in fate. But now it's all I can think about. And it's exactly why I will not rest until I find him...and thank him for opening my eyes.
-Yuta
Hanako...saved Yuta's life? My mouth fell open, and I felt myself becoming a bit misty-eyed. If I had never read this...I would have never known how Yuta used to be. She seemed like...such a happy person. Never in a million years would I have guessed that she used to go through such pain. Ushio, too. Does this mean that Hanako technically saved both of their lives? My mouth bent into a very crooked smile, which I hid behind a clenched fist. I fought back a tear that was getting ready to fall from my eye. "Thank you, Hanako..." I whispered under my breath. "Thank you..."
As I continued to search through the files, I came across a folder whose title caught my eye. Curious, I clicked on the file and began to read.
Accident Reports: (#1/1)
January 7: 6:02 a.m.
Early this morning, we received word that there had been a large commotion at Saori Bay. Apparently, a young girl had washed up on the bay and was unable to be identified by anyone who lived in the area. Aiichiro and I decided to check it out, in the off chance that this mysterious girl had any relations to the ML.
By the time we had reached the bay, the police were already there, as well as a decently large crowd of people. We managed to push our way to the front of the line to get a better look at what was going on. I asked one of the officers what had happened, and he told me that the little girl they had found on the shore had been acting strangely ever since she woke up. Unfortunately, when I asked if we could see her, the officer declined.
At 7:15 a.m., I received a call from Ushio saying that he had found #11 at the Center City fountain. When I informed Aiichiro of the situation, he told me I should go and that he would stay behind just in case anything else noteworthy might happen. So I made the mistake of leaving him behind.
I reached the Center City fountain at around 7:36 a.m.. Surely enough, Ushio had secured #11 in a devil's trap and was patiently awaiting my arrival. #11 was bruised, bloody, and in an absolutely horrifying state, but something told me that Ushio wasn't the one responsible.
At 8:17 a.m., the little girl that had washed up on the shore of Saori Bay paid us a visit. She had apparently escaped from the police and had run all the way to Center City to find #11. She demanded the demon's release, but we refused. It was then that Aiichiro came running towards us, frantically shouting something we suspected to be a warning. In that moment, we finally discovered who exactly this little girl was. She was member #10 of the ML, otherwise known as Eaden.
We hadn't even been aware of what was going on until after it was finished. #10 and #11 left the Center City fountain, leaving the three of us behind. Ushio and I had been knocked unconscious and had awoken roughly 3 minutes later, but with no visible injuries. Aiichiro, on the other hand, had been killed. His body was heavily marked with scars and covered in a thick layer of blood. Our guess was that Aiichiro had somehow managed to shield us from the demons' attacks, but in the process, caused his own death.
In the end, we had received no new info on the SK's whereabouts. One of our greatest friends had died an honorable death, and in return, we have failed in our mission. The following statement will conclude this entry:
Rest in peace, Aiichiro, our good friend and ally. You will live on forever in our hearts.
-Kyo.
My eyes trembled as I stared at the last few lines of the report. I could hardly believe what I was reading. I didn't want to believe what I was reading.
"I still remember that day clearly."
I jerked my head to the side and gazed up at Kyo with a sorrowful expression. Ushio and Yuta had left a couple hours ago, but I had completely forgotten that he was still here. "Kyo...I'm so sorry..."
"Why are you apologizing?" Kyo furrowed his brow. "It's not like any of this was your fault. His death was a result of my carelessness."
"But you don't understand, I still feel immensely guilty for all of this..."
"Why?"
"Like I said before, I've been searching for Hanako for the past five years. However, despite all the effort I had put into achieving my goal, the most useful piece of information I got from it was that he and the Midnight Legion were here in Aobasani. Or at least...they were at the time. I've never actually gotten the opportunity to see any of them yet. If only I could find one of them, they would recognize me, and maybe that could bring me closer to Hanako." I took in a deep breath, then released it slowly. "But who knows...I could just be getting my hopes up."
"So what you're saying...is that the Midnight Legion knows who you are?" Kyo asked, his tone sounding genuinely shocked.
I nodded. "Believe it or not, I actually shared a dorm with one of them for a year during college."
"You're kidding..."
I let out a quiet laugh. "I'm serious."
"Who was it?"
"I....I don't remember. Sorry." I sighed. "To be honest, I've forgotten pretty much everything about the Midnight Legion. Most of their names, when I first met them, which ones are good, which are bad..."
"I see..." Kyo exhaled deeply, his brow furrowing as a result of what I guessed to be concentration. "Hiro? Would you like to accompany us tomorrow on our trip?"
I raised an eyebrow in question. "What do you mean?" I asked. "Where are you going?"
"Well you see, every month, Ushio, Yuta, and I go on a trip to visit a fr-...well, more of an ally, 'cause I'm not sure he thinks of us as friends... Anyway, this ally of ours happens to be a member of the ML, yet for some reason, he seems to have no intention of helping his fellow demons in...whatever they're doing. In fact, he willingly helps us with our cause. He lives pretty far away from Aobasani, so that's why our visits are monthly. But in my opinion, the trip is worth it. He really is a nice guy."
A member of the Midnight Legion that's on our side? The thought of this actually being true shocked me, but it also made me relieved that we weren't in this alone. "What's his name?" I asked.
"We don't know. He's confessed to being a member of the ML, but he refuses to give us his real name. So, knowing that he's come a long way, we decided to give him the name Traveler. I think it's rather fitting."
"I'm sure it is..." I whispered softly. "Is there anything else I should know about Traveler before accompanying you guys on the trip?"
Kyo hummed thoughtfully to himself for a moment, before eventually saying, "Well, there is one thing. Traveler keeps this photo of this blonde haired man on his wall. When we go to see him tomorrow, ask Traveler about the man in the photo. You'll be surprised at what he has to say."
I smiled softly at him, still keeping a somewhat curious look on my face. "Will do," I said.
+++
I ended up falling asleep in the basement of Kiyoko's Cafe, where apparently Kyo had spent the night on the sofa. He awoke me at around six in the morning and told me to quit drooling on his keyboard and get myself ready. And since I had fallen asleep in my casual daywear, I was set to go. I soon left the cafe with Kyo.
As soon as we set foot outside of the shop, a loud horn sounded and nearly gave me a heart attack. Not a second later, the window of a sleek, black car rolled down, and Ushio's wide, apologetic eyes stared up at me. "Oh, geez, I'm so sorry," he blurted. "That was Yuta's doing, I swear."
I swallowed my breath and forced a smile onto my face, attempting to push aside my nerves and be polite. "It's alright," I told him. "I, uh, like your car."
"Get inside, then." Ushio hopped out of the car and quickly opened the door to the back seat, then gestured for me to climb in. I did, and Kyo soon climbed in to sit beside me. Yuta was in the front seat across from her brother.
"G'morning, Hiro!" She said, shooting me a smile from over her shoulder. "I see Kyo managed to persuade you to come along?"
"He didn't really have to persuade me," I mumbled, turning my head away shyly.
Yuta laughed as she turned to face her brother. "Hey, Ushio, can I drive? Pretty please?"
"No way on earth," Ushio replied in a strict tone. "I'd rather die than go on a car ride with you in the driver's seat."
"If Yuta was driving, we'd all be dead anyways, so..."
"Hey!" Yuta snapped at Kyo, who had already hid his face and was laughing snidely under his breath.
"Good one, Kyo," he whispered to himself. "You still got it..."
Heaving a great sigh, Yuta spun around again and crossed her arms in defeat. "You guys are so cruel to me..."
"Oh, lighten up, Yu, we were only joking," said Ushio, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth told me otherwise. "Now sit back, shut up, and....okay, that's all I got. Just sit back and shut up."
+++
It took about a three hour trip to get to our destination, which, to my knowledge, was a large, grassy field just a few miles from the small and quiet city of Sorillia. It was owned by a man who lived in a little house at the edge of the field, who apparently was the same man we had driven here to visit. Traveler.
We all stood in front of his door now, car parked afar off on the dirt path that led to the little house. Ushio looked at each one of us, nodded, then knocked three times on the door. Then we waited.
Just about a minute later, we heard footsteps coming from inside the house. Soon the door was opened, and a tall, blue haired man greeted us. His eyes were wide, yet filled with emptiness. It was strange...so very, very strange...because the second my eyes met his, our mouths fell open, almost as if we had both received the same mysteriously nostalgic sensation.
It was then that I noticed a single tear had begun to form in the man's eye. His lips bent into a frown, and his expression changed from cheerful to heartbroken in a split second. "My eyes are surely deceiving me..." He breathed, almost inaudibly. Then, without another word, he slammed the door in our faces and hurried back into his house.
Kyo, Ushio, Yuta, and I remained frozen in place, unable to make sense of what had just happened. I slowly turned my head to look at them, my eyes opened to their full capacity and flooded with confusion. Kyo raised his hand in the air, then forcibly grabbed a handful of his hair. "That's the most emotion he's ever shown to us before..."
"He was about to cry..." Ushio said under his breath.
"He recognized you, Hiro..." Yuta lifted her head and narrowed her eyes at me, shooting me a look that was just demanding answers. "How come Traveler reacted that way? What are you not telling us?"
"His name isn't Traveler..." I said. "I know that now. I know his real name...why did it take this long for me to remember his name?" Overcome by the memories that had so suddenly entered my mind, I swung my fist at the door and landed a hard knock at its center, creating a sound that was surely loud enough for him to hear, no matter where he was in the house. I did the same with my other fist, and soon I heard a voice from behind the door cry out.
"My eyes are not what they used to be!! I must be hallucinating!!"
I firmly gripped the doorknob and rattled it, attempting to open the door, but it was locked. "If you think you're hallucinating, then why are you locking me out?!" I shouted at him. Honestly, I hadn't meant for myself to act this way, but there was something inside of me that was telling me what to do, and I lacked the strength to resist. "Niall, answer me!!"
There was dead silence coming from inside the house, but it was soon broken by the sound of a soft voice weeping. "I know who you are..." He cried. "I didn't know...I didn't think you were still alive. I thought you died in the fire...all those years ago."
"Well I didn't," I told him in a tender voice, my frustration now having settled. "I'm sorry...if I worried you, Niall. Can you please open the d-...?"
"You're still looking for him...aren't you?"
Niall's words echoed in my ears as a painful reminder, and I clenched my fists in frustration. "I've had no progress...up until now. Seeing your face again has given me hope. Please don't let it stop there."
It was shortly after I had said this that the doorknob clicked, and the door to the little house opened fully. Niall stood directly in front of me now, a crooked smile on his kind, heartwarming face as he forced himself to stay upright. "Hello again," he said softly. "It's nice to finally see you."
I returned his smile with an equally lopsided one, and I nodded slowly at his greeting. "It's good to see you, too, Niall."