Outside, they found Shion and Ryuzin waiting. No words were needed; it was clear why everyone was an hour late, but the comfortable silence spoke volumes. Aki and Yuki waved them off, mentioning they wanted to explore a bit and promising to meet back at the hotel.
As Shion and Ryuzin walked hand in hand down the bustling street, Shion spotted an ice cream stand and tugged on Ryuzin's arm, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She pointed towards it, a mischievous grin on her face. "Treat me to one?" she asked playfully.
Ryuzin chuckled and obliged, buying her a strawberry-flavored cone while he chose chocolate for himself. They strolled through the lively streets, savoring the cool, sweet treats. The air was filled with the aroma of fresh pastries from a nearby bakery, and laughter echoed from a group of children playing nearby.
"Does it taste good?" Ryuzin asked, noticing how much Shion seemed to be enjoying her ice cream.
"It's really good," Shion replied, licking her cone with a contented smile.
Ryuzin leaned over and took a quick, unexpected lick of her ice cream, his eyes glinting with playful mischief. "It's good," he confirmed with a smirk.
Shion blushed, feeling a flutter in her chest at the thought of their indirect kiss. Gathering her courage, she took a small bite of his chocolate cone. "It's good too," she murmured, her cheeks warm as their eyes met, holding each other's gaze in a silent moment of connection.
Their smiles lingered, eyes locked, when suddenly the wail of a siren pierced the air. The peaceful afternoon shattered as people around them began to flee in panic. Shion and Ryuzin looked around, alert as the siren signaled an imminent demon attack. The streets emptied in seconds, people rushing toward nearby bunkers, their footsteps echoing against the empty walls.
In the eerie silence that followed, the only sound was the distant boom of gunshots. Shion and Ryuzin turned, their eyes widening as a massive shadow loomed over the buildings. A giant demon, its dark form towering above, grazed the buildings as it moved, its presence casting a chilling darkness over the city.
Ryuzin was about to leap toward the monstrous demon when Shion called out to him, urging him to stay safe. Just as he steadied himself, a figure suddenly dashed past him—a blur of speed and precision—and delivered a powerful punch to the demon. Ryuzin watched in awe as the demon's body twisted grotesquely from the sheer force, before exploding from the inside out. Flesh and blood splattered across the scene, painting the ground in grisly colors. Ryuzin stared, wide-eyed, realizing that the person responsible for this destruction was someone like him—a warrior with a hidden power.
As the dust settled, Ryuzin's gaze fell on a boy, about his age, standing amidst the carnage. The boy's fist was still raised, a few droplets of blood dripping from his knuckles. His intense gaze met Ryuzin's, and Ryuzin could tell this stranger had the same unwavering spirit. Shion quickly ran to Ryuzin's side, her eyes scanning him anxiously.
"Are you alright?" she asked, breathless.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Ryuzin replied, his voice steady but his mind racing with questions about this new figure.
Together, they turned to face the boy who had single-handedly defeated the demon. The boy stepped forward, his eyes sharp and confident. He gave Ryuzin a smirk and extended his hand, expecting a handshake. "You must be Izanaji Ryuzin from Shinjuku," he said, his voice smooth yet cocky.
Ryuzin glanced at the offered hand but didn't take it, his expression impassive.
Undeterred, the boy turned his attention to Shion, his smirk widening. "And who might you be, beautiful lady?" he asked, his tone flirtatious. "I'm Midori Yoru."
Midori Yoru, with his striking features and effortless charm, was clearly the type who was used to turning heads—a 17-year-old heartthrob with a reputation for being a playboy. Shion, sensing his intentions, leaned closer to Ryuzin, wrapping her arm around his protectively.
"I'm Shinjuku Shion," she replied coolly, "Nice to meet you."
"You're a lucky guy," Yoru said with a grin as Ryuzin opened his eyes, a newfound determination burning in them.
"Whatever… Just tell me how you managed to take down that demon," Ryuzin demanded, his curiosity overtaking his pride.
Yoru looked at him, slightly amused. "You mean to say you don't know how to do that yet?" he replied with a smirk. Ryuzin's silence was all the answer he needed.
"Alright, listen up," Yoru began, his tone shifting to one of mentorship. "It's called Kai—the life force within every living being. I've trained to amplify it, to mold it into different forms. The technique I used on that demon? That's called wave nature. It's like sending a shockwave of energy that obliterates anything in its path."
Ryuzin hung onto every word, absorbing the explanation like a sponge.
"So, how does one learn to use it?" he asked, his voice laced with determination and curiosity.
"A lot of training," Yoru replied, his tone serious. "Not everyone can master it. In fact, only a few in Japan have truly harnessed its power, the Big Five—the strongest Kai users in the nation." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "And here's a little secret: I'm one of them. My specialty is wave nature."
Shion, who had been silently listening, tightened her hold on Ryuzin's arm. "Don't underestimate my Ryuzin," she said confidently, her gaze fierce. "He'll learn it in no time." She clung to him possessively, a proud smile on her lips as if she were staking her claim on him.
Yoru chuckled, casting them both an appraising look. "Well then, Izanaji Ryuzin," he said, his voice tinged with respect. "Let's see if you've got what it takes to join our ranks."
Suddenly, a blaring siren shattered the moment, filling the air with a sense of urgency. The three of them looked around, tense and alert. A voice crackled through an earpiece in Yoru's ear, instructing him, "Agent Midori Yoru, head east. There's a giant demon causing chaos."
"Another one?" Yoru muttered, his expression hardening. Without a second thought, he leaped into action.
Ryuzin, not wanting to be left behind, scooped Shion into his arms and sprinted after Yoru. They arrived at the scene, only to find a towering demon wreaking havoc in the streets. Its claws slashed through the air, tearing down anything in its path, while terrified people scrambled to escape. Soldiers fired at the creature from all directions, their bullets bouncing harmlessly off its thick hide. From the rooftop of a nearby building, the trio had a clear view of the demon's rampage.
Yoru smirked, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Izanaji-kun, let's see what you've got. I'll guide you on how to use Kai. And don't worry—I'll take good care of your lady," he added with a mischievous grin.
Ryuzin clenched his fists, casting a quick glance at Shion before turning back to Yoru. "You better do. Now, tell me what I need to do."
Yoru nodded, his playful demeanor turning serious. "First, you need to stop relying solely on your strength. Focus on the energy within you—your life force."
Ryuzin's brow furrowed in concentration. "How do I do that?" he asked, his voice filled with determination.
"Close your eyes and feel it," Yoru instructed. "Imagine the energy flowing from your core, spreading through every inch of your body. Let it become a part of you."
Ryuzin took a deep breath, closing his eyes and allowing himself to relax. He focused inward, searching for the warmth of his own life force. Suddenly, he felt a gentle touch on his chest—Yoru's index finger, guiding him. "Imagine it like a river flowing inside you," Yoru whispered.
"Focus your kai on your entire body. Do you see it?" Yoru's voice held a calm intensity, his gaze sharp and unwavering.
"Yes!" Ryuzin replied, his eyes igniting with determination.
"Now, try to let that out," Yoru instructed, his tone urging Ryuzin forward.
"Ryuzin-kun, you can do it!" Shion encouraged from the sidelines, her voice filled with unwavering faith.
Yoru's expression hardened as he glanced at the approaching demon. "Hey... hurry up. That demon's gonna kill all our soldiers," he said, urgency lacing his words.
Ryuzin growled, his muscles tensing as he charged forward, his fist clenched with raw power. With a roar, he swung his arm and punched the demon with all his might. The force of his punch sent the creature flying several meters away, crashing through rubble and stirring up a cloud of dust.
Shion's face lit up with amazement. "Did you see that?" she beamed, her eyes wide with admiration.
Yoru crossed his arms, nodding thoughtfully. "It was good, but it wasn't 'kai,'" he replied, a hint of a challenge in his voice.
Meanwhile, inside a protective bunker, Shion glanced nervously at Aki, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I hope Shion and Ryuzin-kun are safe," she whispered, her voice betraying her anxiety.
Aki placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry," he said with a calm smile. "They're in a bunker, just like us."
Yuki leaned in and embraced Aki. "Yeah, right. They'll be okay," she said softly, his arms a comforting presence.
END OF CHAPTER : 17 : KAI