I was summoned to the central square and immediately set out for the Adventurers' Guild. I had contacted my father earlier that morning to inform him of our meeting. When I arrived at the guild, I saw my father waiting on the left side of the building.
"Hey Shinji, how have you been?"
"I am fine, do not worry."
"And why did you want to see me so urgently?"
"I have some questions about Hoyo's parents."
"Eh? You mean Fuhoyo? Why do you want to know about her parents? What's wrong?"
I signed and explained everything that had happened. I did not mention the moments of torture and killing yet. I wanted to know what had happened first and then I would talk to him about it.
After I finished my story, my father shook his head and said.
"Hmm, I see. I did not really want to tell you this, but now I guess I have no choice."
"What do you mean? Why did not you want to tell me?"
"All right, I'll start from the beginning. Fuhoyo's parents were extraordinary engineers. I met them when I married your mother. You know about the LYNX reactor at the city's power plant?"
"Yes, I know that."
"They built it."
"What?"
"Yes, that's the truth. So in order to not let anyone know about it, they left the city and lived a normal life after that."
"So that's why they are in such a hurry to leave town."
"Exactly. But here comes the answer you have been waiting for. Before they left, they had received a message. I do not remember exactly what it contained, but let us just say it was not good. So they told me that if anything happened to them, they would let Fuhoyo stay here with us until they could return safely."
"Wait, who sent that message? Why would anyone want to harm them?
"That... I do not know."
"You do not know, or you will not tell me?"
"Look, Shinji, there are a lot of things you should not know from the beginning. And this is one of them."
"A lot of things? Maybe you are also referring to the consequences of the training?"
I had started to get upset at his answers. I do not know if it was the side effects of the training or just him not telling me the truth.
"Wait, what happened to that?"
"Did not you hear the news?"
"No, I am completely cut off from the outside world."
"Huh? Why?"
"I'll tell you about it another time."
"Are you kidding me? Oh, never mind. To make a long story short, I killed four people and tortured another. Before I kill him too."
"WHAT THE FUCK? Why would you do such a thing?"
"That's what I want to know too. It was like I could not control my urge to kill."
"Shit, I guess the side effects have started to kick in."
"So you knew this was going to happen. How do you feel now that your son is a murderer?"
"Yes, it's true that I knew about the side effects, but since you are still at that age, I thought it would not be so bad. But now there's nothing I can do. You should just stop using this thing."
"First you told me to protect my mother and gave me this thing, but now you want me to stop. No, no, you obviously do not understand."
"Shinji, what are you saying?"
I grabbed my father by the throat and pushed him against the wall.
"You are not going to take it away from me. I am not going to let you. That thing is a part of me now. It belongs to me."
"S-Shinji, stop this nonsense. You have lost your mind. Calm down." my father said wearily.
"Oh, but I am calm. Can not you see that? I am fine." said I, tightening my grip.
The sound of my father coughing brought me back to my senses. I let go of him and took a step backward.
I grabbed my head with my hands and slammed it against the wall on my right side.
Blood began to flow from the right side of my head.
My father immediately grabbed me and held me until I was back to normal.
"W-what happened? What... Why did I do that?"
"Shh, do not worry. It's all right, it's all right. You are fine now." my father said, taking me in his arms.
I... I lost my mind again. This is too dangerous. What will happen if the same thing happens to my mother or Miko? And generally everyone else?
"Tell me, Shinji, how do you really feel about all this?"
"I... My life has become a beautiful fairy tale because of the people I want to protect, and when I protect them and make them feel safe together with me, I feel like a hero. But now, with these side effects, I am afraid to be around them. I am afraid of hurting them. What will I do if the same thing happens again? Everyone will leave me. I might as well kill someone close to me. I do not want that." I said and tears started to flow from my eyes.
"Do not worry, do not worry. It will not happen to the people around you. It will only happen when you are angry. And I do not think you'll be angry with your mother or Miko."
"If that's the case, will I be able to go on with my life like a normal person?" said I, wiping my tears with my hand.
"Well, you will not be able to live a normal life, that's for sure. But you do not have to worry about hurting your loved ones."
"T-that's good then."
My father smiled and said, "You do not have to go now, do you? Your mother will be back soon."
"Eh? How do you know what she's out?"
"Because you would be here with the others if she knew you were playing the game. So I can assume you have not done your homework." He said with a grin.
"Well... no, I have not."
"Well then, we will talk some other time. Go do your homework."
"Okay, okay, I'll go. But do not think I am really going to do my homework."
"Just go."
"All right, I'll go now. See you."
"Bye."
With that, I logged out.
I took off the dive gear and put my notebook on the desk. And just in time, too. My mother had just arrived with Hoyo.
"Shinji we are back, come help us with the bags."
"I am coming."
I walked down the hall and arrived at the front door. There I saw my mother with four bags in her hands.
"Is that all?"
"No, get the rest from the car."
As I walked to the car, I saw a little surprise for me. The whole back seat was full of bags.
Hoyo was trying to carry five bags at once. She could barely hold herself up.
I went to her aid and took three of her bags. I also took three more from the car, so I had to carry a total of six bags.
It took me half an hour to carry all the bags into the house. Thank God they were not too heavy. But how many things did they buy? I mean, they were only there for two hours. And how? Just like that?
And it was not just about carrying bags, they also wanted my opinion on whether the clothes they bought were good enough. So I had to watch them try on different dresses for an hour. I saw everything. So many different dresses. Why are not they like me? Just the necessary trousers and shirt. Just like that.
But I have to say that everything Hoyo tried on looked good on her. She has a nice figure and can wear what she wants.
But enough with all the shopping.
I'll have to tell Yuuki and Miko to play the game tomorrow. I promised Ruby to organise a meeting for her and Yuuki.
After organising everything for tomorrow, I did my homework and before I knew it, it was midnight.
Hoyo was already asleep, so with careful movements I also learned on the bed.
Hmm, let us hope everything goes well tomorrow.