"Wake up, you idiot!"
Ah... This feeling, I'll never get used to it… And why is it always at this exact moment that this annoying girl decides to shatter my eardrums first thing in the morning?
Akira had regressed to his 15-year-old self.
It was 6:30 AM, and Akira (the Shaolin master) was lazily lying in his room, as if time itself waited for him to move forward. And in a way, it was true.
A beautiful girl with green hair, just like Akira's, had a look of disgust on her face as she stared at him as if he were nothing more than an insect.
Her name was Miku Ishida, Akira's twin sister.
Unlike her lazy brother, deemed a failure by the great Ishida family, she was a brilliant girl with a promising future.
She had an extraordinary talent in a very specific field, classified as a secret to ordinary people like Akira. As a result, she attended an equally secretive school in the United States. For some reason, she had returned to Japan to settle a matter.
The pride of the family.
Although they were twins, they didn't get along. No, it would be more accurate to say that Miku despised her brother. Akira, for his part, is far from his sister Yet there was a time when they were very close.
"You have school today, don't you? So why are you still lying there like you have nothing to do?"
"(Yawn) You're energetic today, sis. What's new?"
Miku replied coldly:
"Do you not realize that your disgraceful attitude tarnishes the Ishida name?"
This guy is acting weird today… Hmm…
her brother who was always intimidated by the star of the Ishida family that she was, spoke to her in a casual manner.
"I believe I've told you before not to call me your sister, haven't I?"
On the outside, Akira seemed like he'd lost all interest. He stared blankly at the ceiling, but his thoughts were filled with nostalgia, entirely different from his attitude.
Despite all his regressions the only things that allowed him to hold on and not go crazy were his friends and his sister who hated him.
Too cute, my sis. I feel like hugging her. But then again, it'd be ridiculous to die right after returning, wouldn't it? During the invasion, I never saw her again… her, father, or grandfather. What happened to them?
His expression hardened for a moment: no matter this time it would be different!
"You bastard, are you ignoring me?"
She said it with an expression colder than before.
At her words, Akira calmly got up and sat on the bed. Then, he stared at her for two seconds.
Despite her impassive face, Miku was shocked deep inside. Because in that brief glance, she saw so many emotions in her brother's eyes: joy, sadness, determination, fear, and more.
She could perceive all that because she was Miku. Yes, Miku of the Ishida family.
And perhaps also because of the invisible bond that tied the twins together.
Something has definitely changed about him. How can a person feel so many emotions? What happened to him while I was in the United States?
"Hey, what are you…" Miku started but stopped abruptly.
Akira had already approached her, reaching out his hand above her head. At first, she wanted to step back, but for some reason, she chose to stay.
What's wrong with him?
Miku's hands were shaking slightly
Then, nonchalantly, Akira gently stroked his sister's hair as if he were petting a small kitten.
Miku's lips moved slightly, as if to say something, but this time, Akira pulled her into his arms.
Ah, screw it. I'm not going to die over something this small, am I? I missed her too much—it's stronger than me.
Akira opened his mouth and whispered softly into his sister's ear:
"You don't need to worry anymore, princess. I'll take it from here."
For some reason, they stayed like that for a moment. Miku, in her brother's embrace, no longer had any trace of the proud and arrogant girl from earlier. There was only a timid little girl in the arms of her big brother.
After a minute, she gently pushed Akira away, and a sinister smile appeared on her face.
I'm not going to die, right?
(Auth: Good luck, bro.)
That day, Akira's room was stained with pure red.
She casually walked out of her brother's room, bloodstains on her clothes, and found her mother sitting on the couch, reading a newspaper.
Miku asked her mother:
"Mom, has Kira learned martial arts recently?"
"Kira?" Her mother seemed slightly surprised because, for the past few years, Miku had been calling her brother degrading names like "trash," "good-for-nothing," or "bastard." And now, she was calling him the way she used to when they were kids.
"Not that I know of."
As if she had lost all interest, her mother refocused on her newspaper.
It could undoubtedly be said that this was no ordinary family because, despite the blood on the girl's clothes and the screams that had echoed earlier from the room, no one seemed bothered. Neither the mother nor the household staff.
"Alright, I'll take my leave now, Mother."
"Are you heading back to the United States?"
"No, I'm going to see Grandfather. I have some business to settle with him; that's why I came back to Japan."
"Ah, okay. Send him my regards, and good luck."
"I won't forget. Thank you, Mother."
Once outside the house, she called out a name:
"John."
"I've got a job for you."
Back in the blood-stained room.
Akira was sitting at his desk in front of his computer, on a video call with two people.
Money Man:
[Hahaha! Damn, where's our green man gone? Hahaha…]
It was Hiroshi Girard, the boy with red hair. He was wearing his school uniform, and judging by the background, he seemed to be in an internet café.
Hiroshi had regressed back to his 15-year-old self.
His laughter was justified because Akira, who was in front of him, looked like a human tomato. His face was entirely red, with bumps on his head as a bonus.
HACKMASTER:
[I don't even want to ask why you look like that.]
This was Daiki Anderson, the man with glasses and dark blue hair. Unlike the other two who were skipping class, he was in a classroom at a computer science school, where using a computer was allowed. He was sitting at the back of the class, whispering to avoid being noticed by his teachers.
Daiki Anderson had also regressed to his 15-year-old self.
Green Shaolin:
[Sigh. It's a long story.]
This was Akira's username on the internet.
HACKMASTER:
[Okay, okay, let's move on. I don't have much time, so let's make this quick… Hey, you idiot, stop laughing already!]
Money Man:
[Hahahahaha, sorry, sorry. You actually look kinda cute like that, bro.]
With a sarcastic expression, Money Man gave a thumbs-up.
Green Shaolin:
[Haha, very funny. Laugh it up, jerk.] Akira said, flipping him off.
Money Man:
[So, we're looking for a way to meet up again like before, right? This time, you guys are coming to my place—it's my turn.]
Green Shaolin:
[Tsk.] Akira clicked his tongue.
Money Man:
[Why do you always sulk when it's my turn, huh?]
Each time they regressed, they somehow managed to gather at one of their homes in turns. This time, it was Hiroshi Girard's turn, which meant they would have to head to France.
Green Shaolin:
[Well, maybe because…] Akira started to answer before being interrupted.
HACKMASTER:
[Guys, I think it won't be productive if we do it this time… No, I even think it's a waste of time.]
Money Man:
[Even you, Hacker?]
Green Shaolin:
[What do you mean?]
HACKMASTER:
[You remember the Bureau of Strange Affairs, don't you?]
Green Shaolin:
[How could we forget? We need to contact them—no doubt about it.]
HACKMASTER:
[Back then, I researched them and found out their recruitment methods…]
There was a brief moment of silence, then Daiki continued:
HACKMASTER:
[They are constantly searching for people who have any kind of connection to spirits or even those who are simply interested in them. Then, they make them take a test. If they're eligible, they're integrated into the organization. If not, their memories are erased one way or another.]
Money Man:
[How the hell did you manage to get this top-secret information, even for the state?!]
Daiki (HACKMASTER) removed his glasses, casually wiped them with a handkerchief from his pocket, and said with an expressionless face:
HACKMASTER:
[The internet is terrifying.]
Green Shaolin:
[Hmm... So you're suggesting we get noticed individually? That's a good idea, but don't we need to regroup as quickly as possible? Especially knowing the events that are about to begin.]
Money Man:
[I was thinking the same thing.]
HACKMASTER:
[That's not a problem. Those who are eligible are transferred to the International Academy of the Bureau of Strange Affairs for training before being deployed. And this base is located in the United States…]
[...]
[...]
Hiroshi and Akira were frowning as they stared at Daiki.
Money Man:
[You bastard, just admit you're too lazy to come to my place!]
Green Shaolin:
[So, what's the plan?]
HACKMASTER:
[We simply make ourselves noticeable to them. Money Man, do you have any ideas for that?]
Money Man:
[Money is terrifying! What about you?]
HACKMASTER:
[I already told you: the internet is terrifying.]
Green Shaolin:
[…]
A moment of silence fell as they waited for Akira to speak.
Green Shaolin:
[Martial arts are...]
Money Man:
[Sigh. With that bloody face, you're really convincing, trust me.]
HACKMASTER:
[You have no idea, do you?]
Green Shaolin:
[…]
HACKMASTER:
[Pfff... Tonight, I'll do some research on supernatural events currently happening in your area. I'll email them to you. Try to handle them using the advice of our shaman, Money Man.]
Money Man:
[Screw you! And who's the shaman, anyway?]
HACKMASTER:
[You, of course.]
Money Man:
[Not true.]
They all smiled.
Green Shaolin:
[Now that the big picture is set, let's give it our all. We have to succeed, no matter what. Let's meet at the academy in one month.]
Money Man:
[Hehehe.]
HACKMASTER:
[Hm.]
"Mr. Daiki Anderson, you seem very focused. Can you repeat what I just said?"
HACKMASTER:
[Bye.]
He ended the call.
Money Man:
[I guess I'll get started and put my plan in place since someone set a one-month deadline.] Hiroshi said sarcastically.
Green Shaolin:
[Time is precious.]
Money Man:
[Yeah, green geezer... Or should I say red geezer? Pouhahahahaha.]
Green Shaolin:
[Bastard.]
Green abruptly closed his computer.
Although they laughed or joked within them a deep hatred and determination animated their hearts. The burning desire to change destiny.
---
John:
[This is what happened.]
Miku:
[Huh? What did you just say?]
What?