The day, like any other, moved slowly; each hour of the day gradually dwindled one by one. The busy conurbation of Heiwa no Kabe and all of its residents knew this all too well. Compact pathways brimming with middle-aged employees fleeing to work; polluted air tainted by ever-growing factories, heralding the dawn of new technologies—not to mention extreme discrimination.
If you possessed anything other than a red or blue Aura Sense, your life was considered purposeless, impractical, and overall dispensable. That was simply how the nation of Shanti functioned, even along the massive border known as Heiwa no Kabe.
Just like the day before, an impoverished, slovenly man was stationed on the side of a pathway with hundreds of civilians traversing it each hour. He stood behind a concession stand with various grilled meats pricked with thin, wooden sticks.
"...Just my luck."
As per usual, not a single soul visited his stand; nobody ever considered purchasing the "best yakitori in Shanti," as the vendor typically proclaimed ecstatically.
And with how the day was going, he would walk home poor once more.
With a forced smile, the vendor threw his arms upward. "Cheap yakitori for sale! Get them while they're nice and hot!"
No one turned their heads, glanced his way, or listened to his announcement. Everyone ignored him. The man could only sigh. Suddenly, the vendor brushed his concession stand with his right hand, gently rubbing the wooden material that harbored the grilled yakitori.
"Well, it looks like this'll be the last day we see each other…"
A pained expression was etched onto his features, his cheek bones hardening as he held back tears from escaping his eyes. He was officially too poor to buy any more yakitori, and without the food, he had no concession. He was going to be homeless. Useless and homeless.
"Huh, these remind me of the ones back at home."
Without warning, a voice broke the vendor out from his dismal stupor, his head shooting up in the blink of an eye. It was a customer!
The moment the vendor's eyes hooked onto the potential customer, he instantly evaluated them
Jet-black hair, a gray cloak, and a blue bandana; and based on their face alone, the vendor could describe them as a mere teenager. Though he was elated to have garnered somebody's interest, he could not help but gaze at the blue headband on the teenager's head, neurotic about what it could relate to.
"Welcome to my stand, boy! I have the best yakitori in Shanti, and for cheap!" The vendor boasted, a bright grin stretching across his face.
The jet-black-haired boy perked up, meeting the vendor's gaze with his blue eyes. "Oh, sorry—I don't have any cash on me."
The vendor held back the tears. "Then I'm afraid that I can't serve you anything, kiddo."
The boy smiled mirthfully. "It's no problem, mister. I just thought that the yakitori looked good."
The teenage boy's words stumped the vendor. That was the first time anyone had complimented his stand, his work, and his food! To think a teenager would have a bigger heart than most adults.
"Haha! You tell no lies, boy! Here, this one's on the house!" The vendor declared, boldly shoving a fresh stick of yakitori towards the teenage boy with exuberance.
An apprehensive look settled in on the boy's countenance. "No, no—I can't take your food for free, mister. I'm sure city life is hard already."
"Oh, do not fret! I'm afraid that I can no longer afford this stand anymore, so you'll be the last to enjoy my delicious food!" The vendor replied, disheartened.
Those words dampened the mood instantly.
The teenage boy grew sorrowful. "Huh… I'm sorry to hear that."
Hesitantly, the teenage boy reached out and curled his fingers around the stick of the yakitori, raising the grilled food to his lips.
"I'm Tanjo, by the way." The boy introduced himself, sinking his teeth into the yakitori.
The vendor grinned heartily. "Nice to meet ya, Tanjo. I'm Keitaro."
"So," Tanjo started. "Are there no other jobs to apply for, Keitaro? I hope you don't mind me asking."
Keitaro acknowledged the teenage boy's inquiry along with his polite gesture. "It's fine, boy. And, quite frankly, I'm shit out of luck when it comes to obtaining jobs."
Tanjo craned his head to the side, arching a brow. "Really? I'm confident that Heiwa no Kabe has hundreds of occupations within it. Maybe you're just stumbling upon all the bad ones."
Keitaro wanted to chuckle at the boy's words. There was no toxicity behind his questioning, but it also showed that Tanjo was clueless about one important factor in his life.
"Sadly, that is not the reason." Keitaro admitted, leaning forward to rest on his concession stand. "Truth is, I have a yellow Aura Sense."
Tanjo stood still for numerous moments, his expression blank. After five seconds of pure silence, Keitaro's heart collapsed—his only clientele was now going to be driven away due to what he had been born with, just like everything else he had ever dreamed of.
"...Okay?"
Keitaro's eyes bulged immediately. "What do you mean, 'okay?'!?"
The boy scratched the back of his neck. "Well, why does your Aura Sense matter? It's not like you or anyone around you can even use magic if they wanted—they're not warriors."
"No, but it's how society here works. You must be really new around here not to know that." Keitaro spoke, hunched over.
Tanjo hummed. "I was told of Shanti's discrimination, but I wasn't aware that it prohibited people from acquiring a job."
"Then leave, boy; unless you have a red or blue Aura Sense, you're treated like trash here." Keitaro informed, his voice dropping.
The unintelligible chatter and stomping of the civilians of Heiwa no Kabe filled the duo's ears as silence broke out between them once more. Keitaro has truly given up, which is what Tanjo could rapidly deduce. All of the man's confidence was drained from his body, leaving nothing but a husk of who he once was.
"Look, Keitaro, I—!"
*BOOM!*
Before Tanjo could utter another word, a loud explosion emerged from a small building adjacent to Keitaro's concession stand, warranting everybody in the vicinity to duck for cover, shielding themselves with their arms and legs. Debris flew everywhere.
Shortly after the explosion, a wave of screams rang throughout the crowd as a large chunk of a building soared through the air, heading directly towards Keitaro. The vendor could see his life flash before his eyes, unable to move faster than the impending debris.
Finally, after holding it all back, a tear slipped away, cascading down his face.
'...how sad, this life of mine…'
Just as the giant piece of debris was going to slam into Keitaro, Tanjo swiftly dashed in front of the vendor and slapped the debris away with the back of his hand. Just then, the massive chunk of the exploded building shattered, flying into the sky.
"Are you good, Keitaro?" Tanjo asked as he lowered his arm, shifting his head to look backward.
The vendor nodded mutely, his throat too stressed to relinquish words.
Tanjo's eyes narrowed slightly, returning his gaze to the burning building before him. After a few seconds of waiting, a wave of new senses barraged his mind. A group of people could be seen walking out of the smoke and fire, a smirk on each of their faces.
"Hello, Heiwa no Kabe! We're glad to make your acquaintance!"
XXX
A few miles away, Asami flawlessly slipped through the crowds of people, her eyes glued to the capital of Heiwa no Kabe. More specifically, the very top. The blue-haired woman perpetually dashed forward, until she had eventually stepped foot outside the entrance to the building.
Asami tilted her head back, her eyes launching themselves up to the top of the capital. Subtly, the woman surveyed the area and ambled up to the tall structure, practically sticking to the wall.
'No easier way in…'
Before anyone could spot her, Asami had melted into a puddle of water, clinging to the wall of the capital. After a moment, the water proceeded to advance up the wall, seeping into the building and becoming no longer visible.
After a few minutes, at the top of the capital, water could be seen leaking in through the crevice of a window and falling onto the solid marble floor below. Once all the water had congregated, it quickly morphed back into a humanoid shape, enabling Asami to return as herself.
The woman adjusted herself, analyzing the room she currently resided in. It was big and empty, with a long desk surrounded by chairs being the only objects in sight.
"He never had good taste in decorations…" Asami murmured, letting her hood fall off her head.
*CLICK!*
With a faint sound, the light was illuminated instantly, every lightbulb installed into the ceiling flashing on, dispelling light everywhere. Asami's eyes calmly tracked down the cause of the event, her face falling slightly.
"I was talking about you, by the way, Kyoshiro."
Standing on the opposite side of the room, a bald, dark-skinned man with a red shirt and black pants could be seen, grinning.
Kyoshiro promptly responded, "Glad to see you again, Tansu outlaw."
XXX
Tansu outlaw? What could have Asami done to become an outlaw in Shanti? Much less want to return to the nation in the first place? And what will happen to Tanjo and his new friend(maybe) Keitaro!? Who are the assailants behind the explosion and what are they after? Stay tuned for more!
Have a Great Day!
Peace - Cr1ticalz_