At Yuri's family cabin, The news anchor's voice echoed throughout the living room as Takami sat quietly on the couch, his eyes glued to the television screen. The image of a tall, calm-looking man appeared—his features sharp, almost serene, with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. The caption read: Shougo Matsuda, Japan's 13th Spirit Keeper.
The man, who had been evaluated just hours earlier at the Grand Spirit Evaluation Center, was now the talk of the entire nation. Takami sat motionless, hearing the voice of the reporter continue in the background, explaining how Matsuda had been evaluated and immediately offered contracts by several of the country's most prestigious guilds.
"Spirit Keepers are rare," the reporter's voice chimed. "But Matsuda is something even more exceptional—his power is beyond even the strongest of us."
Takami's fists clenched. It felt like a punch to his gut. Every day since his evaluation, the weight of his low rank had been bearing down on him. But now, seeing the excitement around Matsuda's evaluation, it only reminded him of how far behind he was. Even with the natural talents that set him apart from other low Grant Level humans, it still wasn't enough.
Yuri noticed Takami's stiff posture as he turned off the TV and sat in silence.
"Hey, you've got to stop sulking," she said, her usual playful tone softening just a little. "You'll get there eventually. Trust me."
Jimin leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a half-smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, and don't forget—we've got your back. No matter what happens. Besides, who else would be there to protect us if you just stayed home all the time?"
Takami managed a weak smile, though it didn't reach his eyes. The truth was, he couldn't afford to sit idly by. Every mission he joined with Yuri and Jimin wasn't just about getting stronger—it was about proving to himself, and to everyone around him, that he wasn't some weak low Grant Level human.
Later that evening, when Takami returned home, the atmosphere was different. His mother, who was always so busy working, was sitting at the dinner table with his younger brother and sister. The meal was simple, but it was filled with the warmth of family. Yet, beneath the surface, Takami could feel the weight of the unspoken words—the burden of his mother's struggle to raise them all on her own.
"Takami," his mother said softly, as she set down a bowl of rice in front of him. "I know you're doing your best, but please… don't push yourself too hard. I can handle things here. You don't have to be the one to save us."
Takami looked at her, his heart aching. He wanted to say that he understood—that she was just trying to protect him. But the words that came out were raw, full of emotions he had buried for so long.
"No, Mom," he said, his voice trembling. "You shouldn't have to handle everything on your own. You've already done so much. You work all the time, barely have time to care for yourself, and I just… I can't even help in anyway, I'm 20 for crying out loud, no job, no little chips to make money and now my evaluation sinks my boat deeper into the vast ocean of helplessness and defeat, I wanna help more than you think ." His chest tightened, and the tears that had threatened to fall all evening finally broke free. "I'm not planning on losing any of you. I don't want to lose you the way I lost Dad."
His mother's face softened, and she reached across the table to take his hand. "Takami… I know you're trying to protect us, but you can't carry the weight of the world alone."
Takami sniffed, wiping his eyes. "I'll be okay, Mom. I just want to make sure none of us have to go through what we went through before."
His younger brother and sister were quiet as they ate, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. The rest of the evening was spent in silence, each of them reflecting on what Takami had said, each of them understanding in their own way how much his family meant to him.
---
Time had passed since that evening, and Takami had faced countless dangers on his path to becoming stronger. Each mission with Yuri and Jimin pushed him further, brought him closer to death, and taught him the true cost of power. He had nearly died on several occasions, each time returning with a new scar to add to the collection. Takami's only natural talent was his ability to sense the presence of any kind of spirit that he couldn't see, it's movements, size, posture and even hear them at times.
But he wouldn't stop. Not now. Not when his family's future was on the line.
"Takami, we told you to stay home," Yuri said one evening, her usual carefree attitude replaced with concern. "This isn't some game. You've already been through enough."
Jimin stood beside her, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable. "You're pushing yourself too hard. We'll bring you the spoils. Just stay out of this one."
But Takami shook his head. "I'm not staying home. I can't. I won't be a burden."
Yuri sighed. "You're not a burden. You're our friend. But if you die out there, how does that help anyone?"
Takami met their eyes, determination in his gaze. "I'll do whatever it takes. I won't sit around waiting for things to change. I'll make it happen. I'll make sure I'm strong enough to protect all of you."
Despite their protests, they finally relented, and the three of them set out for their latest mission—a dangerous task that had already claimed the lives of other guilds. The mission was clear: they had to hunt a high-class spirit that had been terrorizing a small town on the outskirts of Tokyo.
As they arrived on the outskirts, the town was eerily quiet. It had been abandoned, its streets littered with debris, signs of destruction left behind by the spirit's wrath. Takami's heart raced as he followed Yuri and Jimin down the narrow streets, their eyes scanning every shadow, every corner.
"This doesn't feel right," Jimin muttered, his sharp eyes scanning the empty buildings.
"I know," Takami whispered, his instincts on high alert. "Something's wrong."
The air seemed to thicken as they entered the heart of the town, and suddenly, a dark figure appeared in the distance—its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.
It was the spirit.
And it was waiting for them.
Takami felt the surge of adrenaline in his veins as the spirit advanced, its form becoming clearer with every step. It was a high-class spirit, powerful, dangerous, Takami feeling it's presence alone as not all low grant level humans can see high class spirits, and he was among the weak few who couldn't. But Takami wasn't afraid. Not anymore. He had to fight. He had to be strong.
The battle that followed was brutal. Every strike, every blow, felt like it could be his last. Takami was pushed to his limits, barely dodging the spirit's attacks, his heart pounding in his chest. But through it all, he refused to back down. He wouldn't stop. Not for his family, not for Yuri, not for Jimin—he was doing this for himself.
And as the battle raged on, Takami knew that this mission would be the one that changed e
verything. The stakes had never been higher. The risks had
never been greater.
But it was a risk Takami was willing to take.