As Haruto and Kaito entered the steamed bun store, the aroma of freshly baked buns enveloped them, mingling with the tantalizing scents of savory fillings and fragrant spices. The air was thick with the promise of culinary delights, and Haruto's mouth watered at the thought of sinking his teeth into one of those delectable treats.
The interior of the store was warm and inviting, with wooden beams crisscrossing the ceiling and lanterns casting a soft, flickering light over the shelves laden with steaming buns. Despite the cozy atmosphere, there was an unmistakable tension in the air as the patrons cast wary glances at the two newcomers.
Haruto's eyes fell upon a sign near the counter, its bold letters proclaiming, "Service exclusively for legitimate Jigoku Clan members." His heart sank as he realized the implications. Despite being within the clan's territory, there were still strict rules governing who could access certain services and privileges.
Haruto watched as Kaito approached the counter, a wide grin plastered across his face. "Hey, old man, give us a dozen of your best buns!" Kaito exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
The old man behind the counter eyed them warily, his lips pressed into a thin line. "Are you two legitimate members of the Jigoku Clan?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.
The old man behind the counter regarded them with a scrutinizing gaze, his eyes flicking from their worn uniforms to their bare hands. They lacked the telltale sigil of legitimacy—a mark made of Chi that only members of the Jigoku Clan possessed.
Kaito's grin faltered slightly, but he quickly recovered. "Of course we are! Can't you tell by our uniforms?" he replied, gesturing to their worn attire.
The old man's gaze narrowed, but before he could respond, a voice from behind the counter cut through the air like a whip. "We don't serve your kind here. Get out before I call the guards," he spat, his words dripping with contempt.
Haruto felt a surge of anger rising within him, but he knew better than to provoke a confrontation. With a resigned sigh, he turned and followed Kaito out of the store, the weight of their rejection heavy on his shoulders.
As they stepped back out into the street, Haruto's heart sank at the harsh reality of their situation. The sounds of bustling activity seemed to mock them as they stood there, unwanted and outcast.
Kaito's grip tightened on Haruto's shoulder, his expression a mix of anger and frustration. "Ignore them, Haru. They're just a bunch of arrogant fools who don't know any better," he muttered, his voice tight with emotion.
But despite Kaito's words, Haruto couldn't shake the sting of humiliation that burned in his chest. It was a harsh reminder of the barriers that existed within their own community,
"Go home, Kaito. I'll see you later," Haruto said, his voice heavy with disappointment. With a nod, Kaito turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Haruto to make his way home alone.
Haruto trudged through the streets, lost in thought as he contemplated the invisible barriers that separated them from their peers. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing that no matter how hard they tried, they would always be seen as lesser beings in the eyes of their own clan.
Arriving at his house, Haruto pushed open the door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of home enveloping him like a warm embrace. His mother was sitting at the kitchen table, her gentle features creased with concern as she looked up at him.
"Haruto, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice filled with worry.
Haruto sighed and took a seat opposite her, recounting the events of the training field and their humiliating rejection at the steamed bun store. His mother listened intently, her brow furrowed with sympathy as she reached out to comfort him.
"I'm sorry, Haruto. I wish things were different for you," she said softly, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
Haruto forced a smile, grateful for his mother's understanding. "It's okay, Mom. I'll be fine," he replied, though he knew it would take more than words to ease the sting of their rejection.
After a brief conversation, Haruto excused himself and headed to his room to gather a few belongings. As he rummaged through his belongings, his thoughts turned to the concept of invisible boundaries and the misguided sense of superiority that fueled them.
"Status, money, religion, knowledge, bravery and other factors, these things govern the human world from the shadow, unseen but heard, andyet neglected. How do people achieve peace if all they do is build higher walls between them and anything that inconvenience them, instead of trying to connect with each other's reality. Humans chose to cast judgement."
"I see, it's easier to cast judgment, because it give people a place to hide, from their own weakness, arrogance. it's fear that drives them to this point. No, it's something deeper than that, admitting your wrong means acknowledging the fact that you don't know, relinquishing the power you have and submitting to someone better than you, it's easier to cast judgment than to connect with someone else. judgment offers them a safe bubble away from reality, a bubble filled with what they want, a safe place from the truth."
"And humans think they can achieve peace," Haruto muttered to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. With a heavy heart, he grabbed his things and left his room, only to run into Lord Bloodfire in the hallway.
He quickly fell to one knee and raised his hands to cover his face, with a deep bow, 'Did he hear me? how long was he there for?' His thoughts raced as his heart threatened to burst from his chest.
"Rise!" Bloodfire said, his voice deeper than expected,
'What is he doing here, he never shows up here unless... i see' the realization hit him, this is one of Lord Bloodfire's concubines place, and he showed up to have the stress on his shoulders lifted by the hands off a woman.
"Your hair is disgusting, I will not have my blood displayed in such a manner.Fix it!" he said as he tossed a silver coin as Haruto and went into the mother's room with the mother accompanying him behind. The exchanged glances.
As Haruto picked up the silver coin tossed by Lord Bloodfire, he felt a surge of indignation rising within him. The gesture was not just an insult to his appearance but a stark reminder of his subordinate status within the clan hierarchy. Yet, he knew better than to voice his discontent. With a clenched jaw, he pocketed the coin and rose to his feet, his eyes downcast as Lord Bloodfire and his mother disappeared into her room.
Alone in the hallway, Haruto couldn't shake the feeling of frustration that gnawed at him. It wasn't just about the coin or Lord Bloodfire's disdainful words—it was about the systemic injustices that plagued their society, the invisible barriers that separated them from their peers.
As he made his way to his room, Haruto's thoughts drifted back to his earlier musings on judgment and fear. He couldn't help but feel a sense of righteous anger at the hypocrisy of those who cast judgment without understanding the struggles of others. It was a bitter reality—one that he was all too familiar with.
Entering his room, Haruto quickly gathered his belongings, his mind still reeling from the encounter with Lord Bloodfire. He couldn't stay here any longer, not when the weight of their rejection hung heavy in the air. With a determined set to his jaw, he resolved to seek solace in the familiar company of Kaito and his family.
Leaving the house behind, Haruto stepped out into the cool night air, the stars twinkling overhead like distant beacons of hope. Despite the challenges that lay ahead, he knew that he couldn't afford to lose sight of his goals. With Kaito by his side and the support of his friends and allies, he would continue to fight for a better future—a future where the invisible barriers that divided them would crumble away, leaving nothing but unity and understanding in their wake.
The aroma of food wafted through the air, tempting his senses and reminding him of his hunger. He made a mental note to grab a bite to eat once he reached Kaito's place, eager to fill his stomach and replenish his energy for the journey ahead.
'That geezer visit's his concubine whenever he want's his dick wet, I guess tonight he missed her, I hate it... when my jigoku awakens I'll be able to give her a happy life... a thank you for all she has endured.'
Haruto passed by a dye shop and bought a bottle of black dye and made his way to Kaito's place with a hope in his step.
It was a small gesture, but one that held significance for him. With a determined expression, he tucked the bottle away in his bag, resolving to change his appearance and assert his identity on his own terms.
With each passing moment, Haruto felt a sense of anticipation building within him. The prospect of reuniting with Kaito and his family filled him with a sense of comfort and belonging that he hadn't felt in a long time. Despite the hardships they faced, he knew that they would always stand by each other's side, ready to support and uplift one another in times of need.