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The Cyber Ascension — Arc 3
Volume 3 — Chapter 27: The Truth and The Past
Jin Yuan stood frozen.
Breathing uneven.
The world he saw moments ago—
Blood…
Death…
Purple moon…
The lifeless faces of everyone he cared about…
His heart was still racing.
His fingers trembled as he looked around the silent hall of the nightmare.
He felt Emily's cold weight in his arms…
And then—
A violent jerk.
A gasp.
He woke up.
---
Morning Light
Jin Yuan's eyes shot open, sweat on his forehead. His chest rose and fell sharply. His senses tried to adjust—
the scent of blankets, the soft morning breeze, and—
Emily.
Sleeping beside him.
Breathing.
Alive.
Warm.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she dreamed, face peaceful.
Jin Yuan's throat tightened.
He instantly pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her shoulder.
A single tear escaped his eye before he could stop it.
Jin Yuan (whispering, shaken):
"…That was… the worst nightmare…"
Emily shifted slightly, unconsciously snuggling closer.
Jin Yuan exhaled shakily, pressing his forehead against hers.
He checked the rest of the house immediately.
---
Everyone Is Alive
Nashino and Youchina were curled together in bed, arms wrapped around each other.
Youchina blinked awake, still half-asleep.
Youchina:
"…So warm… but this morning feels unusually cool, Nashino."
Nashino opened his eyes slowly, adjusting to the faint light.
Nashino:
"Yeah… Youchina?"
His tone wasn't joking.
Not playful.
Almost serious.
Maybe thoughtful.
Youchina turned slightly, already sensing something.
Youchina:
"What is it, Nashino?"
Her voice was calm, soft, but clearly concerned.
Nashino didn't look up right away.
He pressed his cheek against her chest, letting her warmth sink into him.
His fingers curled gently around her kimono sleeve.
Nashino:
"…Do you remember the first time we met?"
The room fell quiet.
Youchina's eyes softened.
She immediately pulled him into a deeper embrace, wrapping both arms around him, stroking his hair gently.
Youchina:
"Of course I remember…
It was the first moment…
the exact moment our journey started."
Nashino closed his eyes, breathing into her embrace.
Nashino:
"Yeah…
That's when everything changed.
That's where our love started."
And with those words—
the past returned.
---
NASHINO'S PAST
Chapter 27.1 — A Boy With No Past
Nashino.
Before the world feared him—
before the title S-Rank Assassin clung to him like a shadow—
before he became the weapon everyone wanted to use—
He was just a little boy holding his mother's hand.
Tiny.
Innocent.
Bright blue eyes.
Soft black hair.
A smile full of life.
His mother lifted him easily into her lap, hugging him close.
Mother:
"Nashino, listen to Mommy."
Her voice was gentle, warm, full of a love that could melt the toughest heart.
Nashino (energetic):
"Yes Mommy! Tell me!! What is it!?"
He bounced excitedly, legs kicking lightly.
His mother laughed softly, pulling him closer and kissing the top of his head.
Mother:
"I want you to promise me something.
Always stay happy.
Always stay energetic like this.
No matter what happens.
I want to see you smile…
because Mommy can't bear to see your tears."
It was all she ever wanted.
After losing her husband, Nashino's father, to cancer, she raised Nashino alone.
Her world revolved around him.
Little Nashino nodded eagerly.
Nashino:
"Yes Mommy! I promise!!"
She extended her hand.
Mother:
"Promise?"
Nashino placed his tiny palm in hers.
Mother:
"Mom and her cute little one's promise."
She hugged him tightly.
Nashino giggled.
Nashino:
"Yes Mommy!!!"
Then he perked up suddenly.
Nashino:
"Mommy! I have a surprise for you!!"
She smiled warmly.
Mother:
"Oh? My little one wants to surprise me? Tell me."
Nashino cupped her face with his little hands—
leaned forward—
and placed a tiny kiss on her cheek.
Nashino:
"Muah!"
His mother froze.
Then melted.
Mother:
"Oh my little boy is so affectionate!!"
She kissed him back and hugged him tightly.
He giggled proudly.
Nashino:
"How was my surprise!?"
Mother:
"I love all your surprises, my little one."
Those were the warmest days of his life.
---
Chapter 27.2 — The Day His World Ended
Nashino grew older.
At nine years old, he returned home from school…
Only to see—
His mother on the floor.
Blood.
A collapsed figure.
Robbers surrounding her.
Nashino froze.
His heart cracked.
Tears filled his eyes instantly.
He didn't scream.
He didn't panic.
His mind went silent.
He slipped into the kitchen silently—
grabbed a knife with tiny hands—
and returned.
The robbers didn't even notice him.
Until—
Nashino:
"…Die."
His movements were steady.
Precise.
Silent.
The men fell.
And Nashino ran to his mother, who was kneeling, barely conscious.
Nashino:
"Mommy! What happened!? Please stay awake!"
He held her tightly.
Her arms shook as she hugged him back.
Mother:
"Nashino…
Listen to Mommy…
one more time… okay?"
Her voice trembled.
Nashino:
"Yes!! Anything!! Just don't die!!"
She stood shakily, supported by her son, and walked to the kitchen.
From a bag… she took out—
Ohagi.
Nashino's favorite sweet.
She sat at the dining table, patting the seat in front of her.
Mother:
"Nashino… come here."
He sat, crying hard.
She fed him gently.
Mother:
"Say 'ahh'…"
Nashino:
"…ahh…"
He ate, tears streaming.
Mother:
"You promised Mommy you wouldn't cry…
that you'd stay happy… remember?"
Nashino trembled.
Nashino:
"I remember…
but Mommy…
let me cry this one time…"
She opened her arms.
He climbed into her lap, sobbing softly.
Nashino:
"Mommy… I love you so much…"
Mother:
"I love you too…
My little one…
My whole world…"
She stroked his hair gently.
Then—
Her hand fell still.
She died holding him.
And Nashino kept his promise.
He stopped crying.
Forever.
Or… he tried.
With no home, no family, nowhere to go—
he became an assassin.
---
Chapter 27.3 — The Day He Met Youchina
Years later—
Nashino was an S-rank assassin.
Feared.
Silent.
No emotions.
No attachments.
He sat on a rooftop, sipping coffee from a vending machine.
Nashino:
"Mommy… I hope I'm making you proud.
This is the only way I can live…"
Elsewhere—
Youchina stood before a mission board.
Youchina:
"Yes, sir.
I'll kill him."
Later that night—
she found him.
He was drinking quietly when she stepped behind him, katana ready.
Youchina:
"Hey… you."
Nashino turned slightly.
Nashino:
"Um?"
His innocent head tilt made her chest tighten.
Youchina (softly):
"…I'm here to kill you."
Nashino blinked.
Nashino:
"Me?"
She walked closer unconsciously—
and wiped a bit of coffee from his chin.
Her fingers froze.
She pulled back instantly.
Youchina (flustered):
"Forget that! Don't mind it!"
Nashino:
"What did you just do?"
He touched his cheek.
Youchina's face turned red.
Youchina:
"I-I said I'm killing you!"
Nashino shrugged.
Nashino:
"Go ahead."
Youchina:
"…What do you mean!?"
Nashino:
"Your touch…
reminded me of my mom.
So I won't fight you.
If you want to kill me, try."
Her breath caught.
They fought—
Nashino dodging, never attacking.
Youchina (angry):
"Fight properly!!"
Nashino:
"I'll make you an offer."
Youchina:
"…What?"
Nashino:
"I'll stop dodging…
but in return…
I want affection."
Youchina froze completely.
Youchina:
"A-affection!? Why me!?"
Nashino:
"Because your touch felt like my mom's…
and no one has cared for me since she died.
If I die today…
I want to feel affection… once."
Youchina's eyes softened.
She lowered her katana.
Youchina:
"…Okay.
But if I do that…
we might get attached."
Nashino looked down.
Quiet.
Vulnerable.
Nashino:
"I'm ready."
She hugged him tightly.
Nashino trembled—
tears threatening—but he held them back.
Youchina noticed.
Youchina:
"You're trying not to cry…?"
Nashino nodded.
Nashino:
"It was the promise I made…
to my mommy…"
Youchina cupped his face gently.
Youchina:
"Then listen…
Cry once.
Just once.
Set your heart free.
Then you can be happy again."
Nashino's eyes widened.
He bent forward—
hugged her tightly—
face buried in her chest—
and cried softly.
Nashino:
"You can… kill me after this…"
Youchina:
"No.
Not after this.
I don't want to kill you.
I want to stay with you."
Nashino looked up.
Nashino:
"You… don't want to kill me?"
She shook her head.
Youchina:
"No.
I want to stay beside you always."
They hugged each other for a long time.
That was the day everything changed.
---
BACK TO PRESENT
Night fell once more.
Nashino and Youchina lay together, wrapped in each other's arms.
Nashino:
"Yeah…
That moment…
that was where everything changed."
Youchina stroked his hair softly, pulling him closer.
Their hearts beating together under the quiet night.