'Tobikizu was the Lost One. An unpainted canvas. And most importantly, My Brother.
Of course, he possessed incredible innate talent. Born a twin, but fate cruelly claimed his sibling during childbirth, leaving him with a powerful cursed technique and an abundance of cursed energy.
I did my utmost to shield him from the darkness of our clan, for he was too innocent, too pure for the Fujiwara clan.
At times, I wished he had been born elsewhere, away from our clan's influence. And at times, I lamented my inability to protect him.
He was stubborn, that's for certain. He pleaded to accompany me on missions, and I relented.
Yet, in his own way, he understood what curses truly were. Mere manifestations of the negative emotions of non-sorcerers.
He... felt pity for them.'
- Michio
***************
The sun's rays streamed through the shoji doors, casting a warm glow on Kyofu's face, stirring him from his sleep. He woke up, drenched in sweat, and let out a heavy sigh.
What a dream!
A few hours passed, and Kyofu found himself stepping out into the manor codyard, the cherry blossom trees greeting him in full bloom. Despite the lingering sense of shame from his dream, he couldn't help but offer a soft smile.
As he walked along, heading to the pits, he noticed Hanari seated on a nearby bench. He gave her a nod, and she returned the gesture with a slight one of her own.
"Hey Kyofu. You alright?" Hanari inquired, scanning him as he walked passed.
Kyofu hesitated for a moment before responding. "Yeah, i'm fine," he muttered, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
Hanari gave a frown in response, but nodded.
Another hour passed.
Kyofu manuevered around the pit, letting out small slashes towards a hoarde of curses that came at him.
Hanari observed Kyofu. Besides her thoughts of how Kyofu had improved, and how he may improve even more, she couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity that washed over her. He reminded her so much of someone from her past.
"Hanari Fujiwara!"
Hanari's eyes immediately widened as she turned to see a big burly figure, someone who was physically fit with long white hair. He smiled, cracking his knuckles. A smaller and leaner figure was beside him with short dark blue hair.
Hanari scofferd, "Michio Hayashi!" She turned, looking at the figure beside him.
Michio's grin widened at Hanari's greeting. "They there, sis," he said, his voice carrying a playful tone.
Beside him, the younger figure nodded at Hanari. "Hey, Hanari," he greeted, his voice calm and steady.
Hanari's expression remained impassive. "Cut the pleasantries. Why are you here?"
Michio's playful demeanor shifted slightly as he leaned in closer. "We heard about our new clan member. Wanted to see him for ourselves," he explained, glancing past Hanari towards the pits. "So, where is he?"
Hanari planted her hands firmly on her hips, her expression stern. "You can see him later," she retorted, her tone leaving no room for argument.
Michio let out a hearty laugh, his boisterous demeanor filling the air. "Always the strict one, huh, sis?" he teased, glancing over at the figure beside him.
The younger figure, named Takeshi, nodded in agreement. "We've been assigned a mission together," he chimed in, his voice steady and focused.
Hanari's frustration was palpable as she narrowed her eyes at Michio. "Last time you took someone on a mission, they..," she didn't finish the sentence, but clearly Michio knew what she meant.
Michio's expression hardened at the mention of the incident. "I remember," he replied curtly, his gaze shifting to the ground for a moment.
Sighing in resignation, Hanari turned her attention to Kyofu, who was finishing up with the curses. She called him over, and he approached, drenched in sweat. Hanari handed him a towel, and he accepted it gratefully, wiping the perspiration from his brow. With a curious expression, he inquired, "Who's this?" gesturing towards Michio and Takeshi.
Michio wiped his face with his massive palm, exhaling heavily before plastering on a friendly smile. "Kyofu Nakamura!" he exclaimed, his voice booming with enthusiasm. "I sense a brotherly relationship forming already."
Kyofu furrowed his brow, his confusion evident as he glanced between Michio and Hanari.
Leaning in closer, Michio grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Come on, you feel it too, don't you?" he insisted, nudging Kyofu playfully.
Kyofu shook his head, his skepticism clear in his expression. Beside him, Takeshi observed silently, while Hanari rolled her eyes.
Interrupting the banter, Hanari cleared her throat and addressed the group. "You've been assigned your first mission," she announced, gesturing for Michio to explain further.
Michio sighed, his playful demeanor fading slightly. "Yes, there have been reports of missing people in our land," he began, his tone more serious now. "We sent a sorcerer, Akihiro, to deal with it, but unfortunately, he also disappeared."
Hanari raised an eyebrow, her concern evident. "Kyofu got assigned to this mission? Shouldn't a higher-grade sorcerer be assigned?" she questioned, glancing between Michio and Kyofu.
Michio shrugged nonchalantly, a hint of uncertainty flickering in his eyes. "Perhaps," he admitted reluctantly.
Hanari shot him a pointed glare, silently questioning whether Kyofu was actually assigned to the mission.
Michio met her gaze with a steady look, and his expression was unreadable. Kyofu glanced back and forth between the two like a child looking at his parents argue.
Michio looked towards Kyofu, "For your first mission! You have to be on high alert," he informed, "See any threats lurking?" he asked, his voice low but intense.
Kyofu's gaze darted around, his senses on high alert. "Not yet," he answered cautiously.
Michio burst out into laughter. "Right! Haha!"
Kyofu looked at him, his brow raised. "Eh?"
Michio shook his head. "We have barriers."
"Oh."
As they strolled through the sprawling manor grounds, Takeshi and Hanari led the way, engrossed in conversation. Michio and Kyofu trailed behind, the more experienced sorcerer taking the opportunity to engage his younger counterpart.
"You getting the hang of the cursed energy flow?" Michio asked, his tone casual yet probing.
Kyofu hesitated briefly before responding, "Still working on it."
Michio nodded, his expression understanding. "Yeah, it can be tricky at first," he acknowledged. "But with practice, you'll master it."
They walked on, the sounds of nature providing a serene backdrop to their conversation. After a pause, Michio posed another question.
"Thoughts on cursed spirits?" he queried, eyeing Kyofu with interest.
Kyofu pondered for a moment before replying, "They're dangerous, no doubt. But I reckon they're just manifestations of negative energy, you know?"
Michio's expression softened slightly. "You've got a point there," he admitted. "But that viewpoint has gotten people killed, Nakamura."
Kyofu looked up and nodded, "Are you speaking from experience?"
Michi chuckled. "I am."
Kyofu's gaze narrowed as he looked down at the pathway.
And with that..Will Kyofu's resolve carry him through his first mission unscathed?!
***********
Attention, dear readers,
I extend my sincerest apologies for the sporadic updates and the gradual pace of our story's development. Your feedback and suggestions are invaluable to me, and I'm eager to hear more from you.
In response to your patience and dedication, I've decided to shift our update schedule. Instead of adhering to set days, expect updates to drop between Wednesdays and Sundays.
Your continued support means everything to me. Thank you for joining me on this journey.
(And to those who've mentioned the shrine theory, your insights are duly noted 🏛️)