TYH2 013 New Awakening
...
Even though Vin didn't know what Hojo's words about 'New Awakening' meant. All Vin can do is try to smile instead of saying 'I'm fine'. Vin couldn't guess with the look on Hojo's face that looked very worried or calm as usual.
"You will be fine if you take my word for it," Hojo said like an unnecessary consolation.
"Thank you." but that's all Vin can say.
Somehow Vin did not have the energy to argue. Vin's body was too weak and his vision blurred so that in front of him were three Hojo. Then the despair came. Vin felt like he was going to faint.
Like a flash flood, Vin felt himself no longer of any use. The frustration of not being able to protect Vera suddenly reappeared. Makes Vin want to cry for his useless self.
But on the other hand, Hojo remained sitting on the edge of the bed staring at Vin intently.
"I can't feel what you're feeling right now. Because I've never experienced the 'New Awakening' either. Only a few people have ever experienced a miracle like the one you are experiencing, Vin. But I'll stay by your side until you can get out of bed.
Even though the pain is excruciating, please endure it. Don't lose your consciousness. Because if you pass out then I can't do anything. I will find it difficult to help you. Can you hear me, Vin?" Hojo said softly.
Vin could only nod slowly.
Even though Vin's vision is blurry, Vin tries to stay conscious. There was a Hojo beside him. Hojo who is always there when Vin needs help is also willing to accompany Vin who is currently helpless.
All the joints of Vin's body seemed to be separating from each other. The excruciating burning sensation made Vin want to scream in pain. But Vin still endured it all and only broke out in a cold sweat.
Vin feels he is mature enough and cannot be used as an example if Vin is still crying because of pain. Because Vin didn't want Vera to see her current self, exhausted from the excruciating pain all over her body.
Unfortunately, Vin's eyesight began to waver. Hojo's shadow became more and more. Vin's head hurt more and more and Vin's eyelids couldn't open any longer. In the end, Vin fell into a very faint consciousness.
More than 5 Hojo forms are in front of Vin. Vin can't tell which Hojo is real and which Hojo is just a hallucination.
"Hojo, I can't hold this in any longer." groaned Vin hoarsely.
Even Vin's throat hurt just to utter a few words.
"It doesn't matter. Now you just sleep, Vin. But remember one thing you must not lose consciousness." said Hojo in a voice that made Vin feel slightly comfortable.
"How can I not sleep if Lord Hojo asks me to sleep?" said Vin again.
"I mean, lean your body on the bed and you can't pass out. You have to keep your consciousness intact. I will be with you until you get better. Do you understand?" Hojo replied smiling.
"Well. All right, I'll try. Please don't be angry with me if I can't be what Lord Hojo expects."
"Stop calling me Mr. Hojo. Just call me Hojo, understand?"
"Alright, Mr. Hojo," said Vin slowly.
"What did I say. Just call me Hojo, okay?" Hojo kept insisting on Vin.
Apart from keeping Vint awake, Hojo also doesn't like being called 'Mr. Hojo' by other people. The mere mention of 'master' made Hojo irritated for no reason. Hojo just wanted to be an ordinary person with no title or rank.
"Looks like it's going to be difficult," mumbled Vin trying to open his eyes.
"You just have to keep trying, Vin."
"Well."
"..."
Hojo came out of Vin's room to make porridge. It's been a day and Vin is still in a state between conscious and unconscious. Hojo was very proud that Vin was willing to endure such dire circumstances.
"How's the boy?" asked a voice from the kitchen.
There stood an eagle the size of a sheep perched by the window. The eagle's sharp eyes stared intently at Hojo, continuing to stare at Hojo who remained calm as he walked toward the kitchen.
"What do you think?" Hojo asked back.
"I couldn't detect it because I was too far away. So how is the condition of that unique boy?" said the eagle in an impatient voice.
"His name is Vin. You need to stop calling Vin that boy in front of me, Carra. We promised not to interfere in each other's business, right? Have you forgotten?" Hojo said still calmly.
"Huh, you're still stubborn huh? Don't you know maybe that boy is dangerous for us? Have you forgotten the tragedy 50 years ago? Or are you deliberately closing your eyes?" said the eagle named Carra.
"Certainly not. How could I forget the tragedy that nearly killed you, Carra? But do you think it's better to be close to Vin than me to lock him up and make that poor boy suffer the same fate as you? At least I can take precautions if the power explodes out of control." Hojo said calmly.
"If it's your decision, then don't blame me if I have my own decisions too. Don't ever try to stop me from doing a little experiment." Carra teased with a strange smile.
The eagle's face was terrifying. Part of the bird's face looks like it has burn marks that can't be removed. The eagle's voice also seemed intimidating and made people other than Hojo frightened.
"Won't. After the 'New Awakening,' you are free to do anything other than put him on the edge of death. Carra, aren't you tired of being childish for the past 30 years?" said Hojo with a small smile.
"You mean childish? I'm like this because of who? Because of you, Hojo. Because you are too wishy-washy and make the wrong decisions. Because of you, I had to hide inside this ugly bird's body for 30 years. Have you forgotten all your sins to me?" shouted the bird Rawajali and flew high into the blue sky.
"So you think I was wrong, Carra? You're still being selfish, aren't you? You never admit your own mistakes and always take bad things out on others. I'm just a scapegoat." Hojo muttered, busy chopping radishes then stirring the porridge.
A quiet place for 30 years had accompanied Hojo in solitude. Apart from the work and position that Hojo continues to carry, deep down Hojo just wants to live a quiet life.
"Not. Please don't do that to Vera. Please don't do it. Just let me bear it." Vin shouted from inside the room making Hojo immediately run to make sure what happened.
-TBC-