"You sure, you okay?"
Early in the morning, Chikara came to Ken's house. The original intention was to check on Ken's condition, and then turn to Yasuhiro's house with the same purpose. Although yesterday Chikara had told him if their friend, Yasuhiro, got a same 'fate' like Ken, he didn't expect if today Ken would also want to come to Yasuhiro's house to check on him. Chikara who doesn't like to take a risks has actually insisted this one who had a stubborn head to stay still and just rest at home. But as Chikara had expected, his ban was completely ignored by Ken.
"Ah ... I'm tired of hearing the same question since yesterday," Ken complained. Both of them are now on their way to Yasuhiro's house. "You have eyes. And both of them are still in very good condition. So you can see for yourself what my current condition, isn't it?"
"Then, behave as you normally do." Chikara let out a long sigh. His hand pulled out Ken's hood. "You never cover your head with a hood like a cold person even though the weather is so cold. Or if you embarassed by your new appearance, it's even worst 'cause I knew you as the most thick-face person ever."
Ken raised his jacket hood again. "I'm not used with this new look. And suddenly, I became popular like a superstar thanks to yesterday's incident. I get annoyed with the weird looks people give when they see me like this."
Chikara clicked his tongue. His hand hit the back of Ken's head, then pulled out the hood of his jacket again until Ken's head and hair was exposed for the second time.
"See, what did I say? You never once cared what people thought of you. This is definitely a sign that you're still not okay! Anyway, what's the problem with your current look? It's kinda annoying though 'cause your hair color is became so similar to mine at first glance, but what's the difference with the effect of hair dye? It's not that odd, you know? After all, you used to imagine wanting to dye your hair too when we 14 years old, didn't you? Consider it so."
Ken himself just noticed his physical changes when he wanted to take a shower last night. When he looked in the mirror, he felt like he was looking at someone who looked like him, but not completely like him.
Ken was born with naturally dark brown hair. He never did any experiments with his hair even though he once wanted to dye his hair in junior high school. But now, when seeing his wish come true, Ken actually feels strange. It's like ... he not recognizing the reflection of himself that he sees in the mirror.
The dark brown color that should have been seen in Ken's hair now looked to be a dark reddish. The gradient from the base to the tip consists of dark brown to dark red shades. Ken then ventured to touch and stroke his own hair. At that time, he concluded that there was no significant change in his hair other than a change in its color. The rest hasn't changed.
"Is it possible that the discoloration of your hair is like this scar?" Chikara asked as he opened his right fist. There are visible burn scars from palms to the elbows which are elongated in shape like roots. Compared to be said to be a scar, the mark looks more like a tattoo, but still shows like a burn scar. "You know, right? The mark that the fire elementalists got for the first time when Ketteibi?"
Ken knew it. In addition to being a symbol that someone is a fire elementalist, the scar is also a marker of the location of the greatest power of a fire elementalist. Mostly, it is seen on the right or left hand of a person depending on the dominance of the hand they uses. Chikara, for example, had the mark engraved on his right (palm) hand indicating that his center of power comes from the energy sourced in the area around which the mark was located.
Of course, since Chikara had those burn marks, he is also a fire elementalist. Just like Ken. The difference is that Chikara elements is more specific to lightning elements. An element affiliated with the fire element and joined together with Higami, with two energy outputs in the form of electricity or lightning. It's just, Ken doesn't know if Chikara got into the team that produced an electric shock from his hand or even brought lightning from the sky.
"If that's the case, why should it be my hair that has changed color? Why not just put the mark on my face? As long as I not that care about my appearance." Ken murmured as he brushed his hair. The cold spots of snow were felt on his palm when he touched the top of his head.
"How do I know? Besides, your case is unusual. Yasuhiro and I who saw you from the LCD screen almost thought that you were burned to death by the flames coming out of almost your entire body. What I couldn't understand was seeing you come out of the arena rink alive, not burnt, and fine. Even if you ask any genius people, they'll definitely think that your case is impossible. Only a miracle is the most acceptable answer. I mean ... your own fire literally enveloped your whole body! From head to toe! I'm kinda watching people get burned alive, you know?!"
"Eh? Seriously? How horrified!"
"But it's you! And I'm not kidding or exaggerating! Just heard it yourself from Yasuhiro then!"
Right after that, they could already see the building of Yasuhiro's house from five meters away. The semi-traditional Japanese style house stands firmly with confidence among the houses dominated by modern style. Ken walked on tiptoe to be able to look inside the yard of his friend's house from behind the wooden fence while Chikara knocked on the wooden gate.
Someone came out to open the gate. A shoulder-length haired woman with a yellow apron that is still attached to cover her clothes. She smiled when she realized two boys the same age as her son standing in front of her house. She immediately took them in and escorted them to the second floor.
"Yacchan, there's Chikara-kun and Ken-kun!"
The woman opened the door of her son's room. Ken and Chikara walked in, looking at the owner of the room who was sitting on the bed, leaning his back on the headboard while reading a book. The young man in the long-sleeve blue shirt was instantly distracted from his book.
"Yo, Yacchan! You good?"
"Ken!!!"
Ken almost staggered back when Yasuhiro suddenly called out his name and got out from his bed with a lightning-fast nimble movement.
"You alive? You okay?! You—"
"Oi, we're here to see you because yesterday you looked very drop. So just think of yourself for now before thinking of anyone else," Chikara cut in while encouraging Yasuhiro to return to his bed.
"But, Chikara, you also saw yesterday! Ken, he—"
"Yasu, shhh! I've been tired of the same questions since yesterday. The important thing is that you can see now that I'm okay," Ken also cut in as he forced Yasuhiro to sit on his bed again. "And now, the problem is you. How are you feeling? Is it getting better?"
Yasuhiro blinked his eyes. His head lowered, then nodded.
"Thank you, you two, for bothering to come here. I already feel better than yesterday. It just ... I still can't believe what had happened to me, and also to you Ken."
For now, Ken and Chikara unable to commented anything, but indeed they relief if their friend is alright. In their circle, Yasuhiro is the most understanding figure and is willing to offer anything in order to help his friends. Since Ken and Chikara still have empathy and human values, they repay Yasuhiro's kindness by visiting him when he is sick, just like this.
Kazuhiko ... who knows. Maybe in a matter of hours he will show up and join his three friends there.
"Ken, I'm sorry."
Ken was obviously taken aback. "What you apologize for?"
Yasuhiro lowered his head. He twisted his ten fingers indecisively. "Do you remember the morning when I called you yesterday?"
Ken nodded. "Yup, I am. Why?"
Yasuhiro was silent for a moment. His head looked up slowly before his mouth opened again.
"At that time, I dreamed of seeing you on fire. Burn alive. It's exactly like what happened in the arena yesterday."