During this time, Ken never dealt directly with the bigwigs in The Great Four. In his opinion, they are a bunch of elites. The most respected person by his subordinates. Or some kind of busy elite who is not just anyone and time can be found and encountered, especially just to take care of trivial matters. Elites with great minds who are able to lead their group to its heyday.
But it seems, among the elites, there are also many things that are covered up. Something that may not be appropriate to be seen in public, or maybe something that is covered with strong and neat protection to never be exposed to anyone.
"Duel?"
Aoki crossed his legs while grinning. "If you knew about the existence of the Chosen Elementor, surely you also know how people see on them. Whether it's a good or bad, pro or a con."
Actually, Morita Abe (as the first person who gives Ken the information about Chosen Elementor and etch) didn't give him any information until that far. However, Ken can guess a little bit of the answer from Aoki's intention.
Ken shrugged his shoulder, waiting for Aoki to continue his words.
"Unfortunately, not a few of them regarded the appearance of the Chosen Elementor as a catastrophe. The peace that was supposed to be created and bridged the relationships of the Elementalists was destroyed by the existence of the Chosen Elementor. Nonsense even though they said if their strength was on par with the predecessor leaders. In the end, they just brought back the past events. You know what? Nobody wants to repeat the same dark history, Boy."
Ken was still listening. Aoki observes every inch of Ken's gesture and movement.
"Who would have thought that one of them would come this year!" Aoki hit the folder containing Ken's identity file on the table with his fist. As a result of his actions, the two cups of water that were there shook and almost fell down spilling the water inside.
"Last year from Suimi. The previous year from Jikai. This year from Higami. Futen remained. Then what? It's just a matter of time until they mess up the balance and peace that exists over the past years between The Great Four! Hah!"
The man seems to be enjoying his emotional release session.
Somehow, Ken thought about the possibility if Aoki switched professions to become a teacher. Will he also do this to his students? Emotional, likes to grumble, likes to release his emotions to the others? Thinking about that, it made him grateful that Taniguchi, his homeroom teacher, wasn't this scary when talking or when punishing his students.
"And if you're smart enough, you'll also know that Higami's reputation is the worst among the other Great Four. Simply because they saw this group with fire elements and considered it the most dangerous!" Aoki grumbled incessantly. He took a sip of his drink, then put his cup back on the table with a strong stomping. Fortunately, the cup is not as brittle as it seems.
"So, you took me on a duel to find out how dangerous my power is?"
The grin was again engraved on Aoki's face. His eyes flashes. "I like a quick-witted kid like you!"
The man stood up and began to get ready. He rolled up the sleeves of his long shirt to the elbow. He unbuttoned his shirt, deliberately showing off a burn marks that stretched out along his collarbone. Meanwhile, Ken remained silent, sitting on the sofa. He stared at Aoki's movements calmly like the audience enjoying the scene performed by the main actor.
"Why you don't move? You scared?"
Ken shook his head. "I have no reason to fight you, Aoki-san."
The young man in the black jacket staggered forward when Aoki suddenly pulled his shirt. As a result, the jacket hood that had covered Ken's head, hair, and part of his face from the beginning, is now exposed.
"I don't care about your reasons. I'm insist, not asking to wait for an answer 'yes' or 'no'. I don't care even if you refuse for whatever reason it is."
Aoki clenched his fist into the air. At the same time, the flames enveloped his fist. Ken still doesn't know and isn't sure if it's really fire, optical illusion, or just hallucinations. The reason is, the fire is like blowing with a smooth movement, as if it were dancing. It seems beautiful to attract the eye and reminds Ken of his favorite game visuals. Supprisingly, Aoki didn't appear to be injured or feeling hot even though the fire was now seen enveloping almost his entire right hand.
"Oh ... it seems that you really have no intention of serving me, huh?"
Ken nodded. "I didn't change my mind."
Aoki's fist was immediately thrown into Ken's face when he had received confirmation. Reflexively, Ken closed his eyes. He only hoped that his body would not bounce far away and make him hit the wall to injure his backbones.
However, Ken didn't feel anything.
Until a minute Ken waited, still nothing happened.
Out of curiosity, Ken opened his eye.
"Good job, Imai. I can say you are truly a Chosen Elementor who is different from most Higami members. If I were you, I would have taken up the duel without a second thought."
Aoki sat back on the sofa while crossing his legs. He grabbed back the folder containing Ken's personal information sheet, read it for a while, then wrote something down there before throwing it back on the table. Ken looked at him, somewhat exasperatedly.
"If you avenged my attack earlier, then I wouldn't hesitate to take it seriously. But since you still don't want to resist, I'll hold it until later ... if you suddenly lost of control."
"Are all the new members treating like this too?"
Aoki shook his head. "Of course not. 'Cause we can still manage them if they lost control."
Ken immediately understood.
Aoki handed a pen from his shirt pocket, then handed it to Ken along with the folder he had thrown on the table earlier. He tapped on the blank white section at the end of the page, telling Ken to write his name there.
"Listen, I won't always keep an eye on you just because you're The Chosen Elementor. We free all members to do whatever they want, as long as they don't damage Higami's image and don't act against the applicable laws of the country. Since you are already a part of us, even though it's not official yet, you can already get that right. There is only one condition: control yourself! That most important part to remember, especially for you! You already know the reason."
Ken placed the pen on top of the folder he had signed, then pushed it forward slightly. "What happens if we act too freely?"
"Reprimands, punishment ... sort of. The Disciplinary Department takes care of it," Aoki replied while shrugging his shoulders. "But if the case happens to you, there might be an additional short lecture from Hirano."
Since entering this room, Ken has heard many names coming out of Aoki's mouth. Sasaki, Maeda, Sakurai, then now Hirano. Ken whose status still doesn't know anyone, is actually confused by himself. However, Aoki seems to have no intention of explaining who they are to Ken, or at least their position in this organization.
"This is my card and also Hirano's." Aoki took out two pieces of business cards and placed them on the table. "And don't forget to be present at the inauguration ceremony on the 30th!"
Ken took the two business cards given to him. The first business card is none other than Aoki Daisuke as the Vice Chairman of Higami. Ken didn't have to look at it for long. He then switched to a second card. There is written the name of Hirano Masayuki. Under his name is written 'Chairman of Higami'.
"This person?"
Aoki extended his neck to see the business card Ken was looking at. "Hirano? As it is written there. He is the chairman, the highest leader, who should be talking face to face with you at this time. But now he went to take care of something out of town while the business here was just thrown at me."
"... By the way, what did I sign that for?" Ken asked again, pointing towards the folder, as his left hand moved to insert the business cards into his waist bag.
"... Guarantee, " Aoki replied after choosing the best vocabulary he felt was most appropriate. "If something happens to you, that document will play the role of your insurance. In essence, we'll be responsible."
Ken scanned the folder with a probing look, then glanced at Aoki. "Is this a right for all members?"
Aoki simply shook his head.
***
Sasaki escorted Ken all the way to the lobby. The man in the gray sweater had just introduced himself as a human resource department staff who specifically took care of the new members. Not much different like Morita Abe.
"Actually, the new members can't go home before attend the meeting this afternoon. But since Imai-kun has been replaced with a one-on-one meeting with Aoki-san, I thinks that's enough and you can go straight home right now. The next meeting will be held on 30th at the central headquarters. Don't forget to come, alright?"
Ken nodded in doubt. "Can I really go home right now?"
Sasaki smiled warmly. "Yes, sure. I can't keep your family waiting."
Ken was speechless. He doesn't know what to do with his parents. He doesn't want them to worry too much. He doesn't want them to exaggerate the problem. The only thing Ken wants is for them to calm down.
"Ken!!!"
His mother's exclamation made Ken somewhat flich and immediately turned his head to look at her figure who was standing accompanied by his father and also Suzume. His mother instantly cuped Ken's cheek and look at his face with a worried look that couldn't be covered up. Ken who didn't like to see her like that, sank his head in the recess of his mother's neck.
"No need to panic. I'm fine."
Still hugging his mother, Ken could clearly hear her deep breaths as her hands stroked his back. Another hand moved to patting his shoulder. This hand was larger than his mother's.
"We know you're strong," his father said. Ken nodded respectfully.
Between her father and mother, Suzume observes Ken's condition closely. The two pairs of eyes met, then gave each other an unspoken code that only the two of them understood. Ken nodded to convince Suzume that he was really okay. Even so, his sister seemed to distrust him one hundred percent. She opened her mouth silently, which Ken caught saying, "Later again, at home."
Imai family decided to go home because they felt that there was no more business in the arena. In the car, only the mother's voice accompanied their journey. While the two children sitting in the back listened in silence, their mother vented her anxiety which was occasionally punctuated by the soothing sentences coming out of their father's mouth.
Arriving home, it was already late afternoon. Ken's parents, especially his mother, told him to go straight to his room and rest. Ken simply obeyed her. But before entering his room, Ken pulls Suzume's hand and invites her to come into his room.
"Why? What's wrong?" Suzume asked when her little brother immediately buried his face into the pillow. "You sick? Just say it, Ken. Don't hide anything. I can't understand if you just mute."
Ken shook his head. He lifted his head slightly from the pillow. "Nah. I just felt sick while in the arena. After that, I felt my soul being sucked out. I feel all limp now."
"If that so, rest. I can wait till tomorrow for your story."
Suzume intends to get out of Ken's room and let him rest. However, Ken tuged Suzume's wrist so she turned her head and let out a long sigh.
"What happened in the arena? Did I cause a stir there?"
Suzume was silent. If only Ken hadn't asked that, she chose to stay away from the topic. However, his gaze made Suzume have no choice but to give the answer he wanted know.
Unfortunately, Ken's phone ringing interrupts Suzume's answer so she closes her mouth again. Ken frowned, but still picked up his smartphone and answered the incoming call.
"Huh? You're not kidding, are you, Chika?"
Suzume observes Ken's face that turned strange. Expressions of shock, disbelief, and fear mixed on his tired face.
"What's wrong?" Suzume asked after Ken turned off his call.
He put down his phone, then turned to look at Suzume blankly. "Yasu. He ... just like me."
Suzume frowned.
A moment later, her eyes widened.