Rikka shouted desperately, "He'll turn into your biggest fear!" She attempted to run towards them to assist, but it was too late; he had already been touched by the pole. A swirling cloud of white smoke enveloped Negumi for several moments.
Benji gasped, "Oh no! My biggest fear... are... are..."
Everyone stared awkwardly at Negumi after his transformation.
Benji stammered, "Frogs!!!"
Isshiki and Rikka stood in awe as Negumi metamorphosed into a frog.
Negumi (as a Frog) croaked indignantly: "Hey!! Are you teasing me?"
Benji: "Ahhh!! And it talks too? Where did this thing come from?"
Rikka urged urgently:"Benji, let's run, quickly!"
She and Isshiki bolted past a stunned Benji, who soon followed suit.
Negumi (as a Frog):"You damn punk!"
The trio dashed towards the forest, hoping to find refuge on the other side. Despite Negumi's transformation hindering his movement, he continued to chase after them, visibly irritated by his current amphibian formUpon reaching the forest, they marveled at the towering trees that surrounded them. The ground was covered in brownish grass dotted with glowing flowers, adapting to the light-filtered environment beneath the dense canopy.
Benji: "Wow, this place is so beautiful," he remarked, taking in the surreal surroundings.
Isshiki: "Hey Benji! He's still coming after us!"
Benji cursed, "Oh crap! I forgot about him."
Rikka reassured them: "He'll stay like that for a while. Let's just keep running until we find cover!"
They ran for several more minutes until they glimpsed the edge of the forest. Opting to rest on a nearby rock, they caught their breath and assessed their surroundings for safety.
Benji: "Jeez... I'm exhausted," he panted, wiping sweat from his brow.
Rikka: "Yeah, we've been running for quite a while," she agreed, trying to steady her breathing.
Benji: "So, what's the deal between you two and that Negumi guy?" he asked, curiosity piqued.
Isshiki "Well, we have a story to tell," he began, his tone serious.
Rikka started, "Our father was a prominent figure in the Japanese crime world in the 1960s. But in 1970, the Japanese police intensified their operations against our father's mafia, making them vulnerable. By 1974, after a two-day battle, our father's faction lost 96% of its men and had to retreat. Isshiki and I were only six years old at the time."
"From that day onward, we were on the run," Isshiki added solemnly.
Human World, Tokyo, 1974 (21 years ago)
Rikka (6 years old): "Daddy, why do we have to move? I love this house; it's so big and cozy!"
Mr. Kageyasu replied firmly: "We have to, Rikka. There's no discussion."
Isshiki (6 years old): "Please! Let's stay here!"
Mr. Kageyasu's voice hardened: "I wish we could. But we can't. End of discussion."
Rikka: "Where are we even going?" she asked with frustration.
Mr Kageyasu: "To Matsumoto," he answered shortly.
Isshiki: "But we hate it there! Every time we go, you're always working, and we hardly see you and Mom!" he protested.
Rikka: "Yeah! And we have to stay with that annoying..." she started, only to be cut off by their father.
Mr Kageyasu: "Enough! I said, end of discussion!" His tone brooked no argument.
Disappointed, they exchanged glances and returned to packing their belongings. Leaving their grand mansion in a convoy of cars, they headed for the train station. Mr. Kageyasu had secured an entire train car to maintain their anonymity during the journey.
On the train, Rikka asked her brother, "Isshiki, why do you think we're moving?"
Isshiki: "I have no idea. It must be something to do with Dad's work," he replied thoughtfully.
Rikka: "What does Dad even do for work?" she pondered aloud.
Isshiki: "I don't know," Isshiki admitted. "And I'm not sure about Mom either, but hey, at least we won't have to deal with those annoying kids from school anymore."
Isshiki: "We'll probably have to go to another school there," she speculated.
Isshiki: "Dad didn't mention that," he remarked. "He just said we're not going to school anymore, but I don't remember exactly what he said."
The train plodded along through snowy, windy weather, causing delays. Mr. Kageyasu grew increasingly impatient, shouting at the conductor to speed up.
Mr. Kageyasu: "You damn driver! Hurry this thing up! I don't care about the weather! I have business to attend to! Do you know who I am?!" his voice echoed through the cabin.
Mrs. Kageyasu: "Honey, calm down. No one will find us here," she interjected, attempting to soothe her husband.
Isshiki: "Dad, what's happening?" he asked tentatively.
Mr. Kageyasu lashed out, striking Isshiki across the face. "Get out of my way, you punk! I've spent so much money on you brats. Money I could've used for my men! It's all your fault! You lazy kid! And you, you bitch! Don't you dare tell me to calm down ever again!"
Isshiki recoiled, sinking to the floor in shock and fear
To Be Continued...