Part 4 — Transition & Authority
Renjiro knelt slightly and said softly, "I'll carry you. You don't need to worry about standing."
Haruto hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Carefully, Renjiro lifted him onto his back, adjusting him so he was secure but comfortable. Haruto rested his head lightly against Renjiro's shoulder, eyes half-closed, and within minutes, the exhaustion overtook him. His silver eyes fluttered shut, and he drifted into a deep sleep as they left the house.
The streets of the village were quiet in the morning light, the calm after the storm lingering in the air. Renjiro walked steadily, Akari close behind, her eyes vigilant as they moved through the familiar streets. Haruto slept peacefully on Renjiro's back, unaware of the small noises and movements around them.
Soon, the massive gates of the Central Authority rose into view, towering and stern. Guards stood at attention, clad in black formal coats, minimal insignia, no visible rank badges, their presence calm but quietly intimidating. The faint weight of authority radiated from them, a silent reminder of the power within.
Renjiro stepped forward, carefully adjusting Haruto so he remained secure on his back. Akari stayed close, hand lightly resting near Haruto.
One of the guards, voice measured, asked, "Do you have permission from the National Police Bureau to enter?"
Renjiro and Akari exchanged a glance but said nothing. A younger officer standing beside him spoke up quietly, "We're… sorry. You may proceed. This officer is new here; follow the proper protocol inside."
With the gates opening, Renjiro moved carefully, keeping Haruto balanced, while Akari stayed close. Haruto stirred slightly, blinking sleepily, his silver eyes slowly opening. He took in the austere courtyard and the imposing architecture of the Authority, still weighed down from exhaustion but gradually becoming more alert.
They passed through the gates and made their way to a large office. Behind a massive desk sat a man, calm but commanding—the nameplate read Raijin Homura.
Renjiro carefully set Haruto down, who now sat upright, leaning slightly but attentive. Akari and Renjiro took their seats across from the desk. Bowing respectfully, they greeted in unison:
"Sensei."
Haruto, still recovering from the morning's events, now fully awake, looked at Raijin Homura, sensing the weight of authority and the seriousness of the situation that awaited them.
As Raijin began to ask more details about the incident, a soft knock came at the office door.
"Enter," Raijin called.
The door opened and Arashi stepped in, carrying a neatly packed tiffin. "Here, Father," he said respectfully, placing it on Raijin's desk. "Lunch is ready."
Raijin's stern expression softened. "Thank you, Arashi. You've got perfect timing."
Arashi glanced at Haruto, who was sitting quietly, still recovering from the morning's exhaustion. "Haruto," he said with a small grin, "come with me. Let's go outside and play for a while before it gets too late."
Haruto blinked, stretching lightly, his silver eyes catching Arashi's friendly expression. "Play…?" he asked, curiosity sparking despite his tiredness.
"Yes," Arashi said. "Just for a bit. You can eat later."
Haruto nodded, a faint smile appearing, and stood carefully. Akari gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Go ahead, Haruto. Get some fresh air."
Renjiro gave a small nod as well. "Be careful, little brother."
With that, Haruto followed Arashi out of the office, stepping into the courtyard and the morning light, leaving Raijin, Akari, and Renjiro inside to continue the serious discussion of the incident.
Inside the office, Raijin, Renjiro, and Akari sat quietly. The discussion of the incident was detailed—what mattered was that the Central Authority understood the gravity of the situation.
Finally, Raijin leaned back slightly, his expression softening. "If there's anything else, anything at all, you can inform me at any time," he said, looking at both Renjiro and Akari.
Renjiro shook his head gently. "It's okay, Sensei. We don't want to put any burden on you."
Raijin's eyes widened slightly. "Burden?" His voice boomed for a brief moment, startling even the young officers in the room, before he quickly returned to his calm tone.
"See," he said, a faint smile appearing, "they may be your Sensei's children, and you may be close to them, perhaps even more than to me or Sayuri—but before your Sensei, they are my best friends' children. You don't need to hide anything from me, okay?"
Akari and Renjiro nodded firmly. "Yes, Sensei."
Outside, Haruto followed Arashi through the streets to his home. The afternoon air was crisp, and for the first time that day, the weight on Haruto's shoulders felt a little lighter.
Arashi's younger brother, Akashi, came running toward them, a small grin on his face. "Haruto! Let's play!"
Haruto managed a tired but genuine smile. "Okay," he said softly.
The three of them ran into the small yard, laughter and shouts filling the quiet neighborhood. Haruto's exhaustion didn't vanish entirely, but for a while, he could forget the tension of the morning and the danger of yesterday. The simple joy of running, dodging, and joking with Arashi and Akashi gave him a moment of peace—something rare in his life these days.
The meeting at the Central Authority concluded smoothly. After greeting Raijin Homura and providing the details of the incident, Akari and Renjiro stood.
"Thank you, Sensei," Renjiro said respectfully.
Raijin nodded, his expression calm but firm. "Remember, if there's anything else, you don't need to hide it. I trust you."
With that, the two left the office. The sun was high, casting a warm afternoon glow over the city streets.
Akari turned to Renjiro. "Go get Ayame and Kaito home. I'll bring Haruto," she said.
Renjiro nodded. "Got it. Take care," he replied, and the siblings separated, each heading to their respective tasks.
Akari walked briskly toward Arashi's home, the soft sounds of laughter already reaching her from the yard. By the time she arrived, Haruto, Arashi, and little Akashi were playing together, running, tumbling, and laughing under the warm afternoon sun. Haruto's silver eyes gleamed faintly, a rare moment of unburdened joy as he chased Akashi and dodged Arashi's playful attacks.
Near the edge of the yard, Sayuri was seated on a bench, watching quietly. Akari approached and took a seat beside her, eyes fixed on the three children as they played.
Sayuri glanced at Akari, her tone gentle. "They look happy," she said softly.
Akari settled beside Sayuri on the bench, watching Haruto, Arashi, and little Akashi running and laughing in the yard.
"They look happy," Akari said softly.
"Yes," Sayuri replied, her tone calm. "It's good to see them like this."
Akari nodded, then hesitated before speaking again. "Sayuri Sensei… I… I get frustrated sometimes. Especially with Haruto. His sickness, the way he's different, and how the hunters keep targeting them…" She trailed off, shoulders heavy.
Sayuri placed a gentle hand on hers. "Akari… you're doing more than you realize. I know you're small, only sixteen, but you're already carrying so much. You're keeping them safe—Haruto, Ayame, Kaito—guiding them, being there when they need you. That's everything a guardian can do."
Akari took a deep breath. "I know, but it feels like nothing is ever enough. Haruto… he's unpredictable, and I can see the weight he carries. And the hunters… they're always coming for these three."
Sayuri's eyes softened. "Yes, they are dangerous, but look at them now. Haruto, Arashi, Akashi—they're laughing, playing. Ayame and Kaito will be just as fine—you've done everything you can for them too. That's proof your guidance is working. You're not failing any of them. And when you feel overwhelmed, remember you don't have to bear it all alone."
Akari watched Haruto chase after Akashi, a faint smile touching her lips despite the lingering worry. "I just… I want them to grow up safe, Sayuri Sensei. No more nightmares, no more hunting… I want them to be free, even for a little while."
Sayuri smiled warmly. "And they are, because of you. That freedom, even if brief, is priceless. You've already done so much. Keep holding onto that. You're stronger than you think."
Akari nodded, letting a small sense of hope sink in. She turned her gaze back to the children, letting their laughter wash over her—a rare calm amidst the storm of their lives.
The afternoon sun dipped slightly as the laughter in the yard slowed. Haruto bent forward, hands resting on his knees, breathing a little heavier than before.
Arashi noticed first. "Hey… you okay?"
Haruto nodded, forcing a small smile. "Yeah. Just… tired."
Akashi tugged at Haruto's sleeve. "Already?"
Haruto ruffled his hair gently. "I'll play again later."
Akari watched closely from the bench. The way Haruto's movements slowed, the faint dullness returning to his silver eyes—it wasn't dramatic, but she knew him too well. She stood.
"That's enough for today," she said softly. "Haruto, we're heading home."
Haruto didn't argue. That alone worried her more than anything else.
As he walked toward her, Sayuri stood as well. She leaned in slightly, her voice low enough that only Akari could hear.
"This calm you're seeing," Sayuri said, eyes still on the children, "hold onto it. But don't trust it too much."
Akari's fingers curled slightly. "You felt it too?"
Sayuri nodded once. "Yes. Very faint… but familiar."
Haruto paused beside Akari, swaying just a little. She steadied him instantly, pulling him close. He rested his forehead briefly against her shoulder, eyes closing.
"I'm okay," he murmured. "Just sleepy."
Akari brushed his hair back gently. "I know."
As they began walking away from the yard, Sayuri remained behind, her gaze lifting—not toward the children, but toward the rooftops beyond the houses.
For a brief moment, the wind shifted.
Nothing moved.
Still, Sayuri's expression tightened.
"…They're patient," she whispered.
Unaware of it all, Haruto leaned more of his weight onto Akari as they walked, his steps slow but steady. The laughter behind them faded, replaced by the quiet rhythm of footsteps and an uneasy peace that felt like borrowed time.
The evening air had cooled by the time Akari gently steadied Haruto beside her. He leaned closer, steps slow.
"Aka…" Haruto murmured softly.
Akari's grip tightened just a little. "I'm here."
They stopped near the gate of Arashi's home. Sayuri stood there, watching quietly, her presence calm and grounding. She didn't move to follow—this was where she belonged.
She bent slightly toward Haruto. "Go home and rest properly," she said gently.
Haruto looked up at her, silver eyes tired but clear. He nodded. "Okay."
Sayuri's gaze shifted briefly to Akari. "You're doing well," she said, not loud, not soft—just certain.
Akari gave a small nod in return.
With that, Akari guided Haruto away. Sayuri remained behind, watching them disappear down the road before turning back toward her house—toward Arashi and Akashi.