Part 1: A Warm Promise
Time: Late Afternoon, Sunset. Location: A traditional Japanese Minka-style house.
It was around 5:30 PM. Takuto was recovering, both mentally and physically, after successfully manifesting his Aura Flare. Aoi sat quietly near him on the tatami mat in the living room, an atmosphere of tranquility and security enveloping the space.
Takuto: (Sitting up from his rest) "Aoi-chan, what should we have for dinner? You've been here a while. Is there anything you'd like to eat?"
Aoi blinked. She rarely spoke much, but hearing Takuto's warm voice, the temporary loneliness she felt as the possessor of the Void Oculus seemed to vanish.
Aoi: (Softly, slowly) "Mama... Nikujaga... that Mama cooked..."
Takuto's eyes softened. Nikujaga is a traditional Japanese comfort food cooked by homemakers, symbolizing maternal love and warmth.
Takuto: (With a smile) "Okay! Nikujaga! Alright... I've never cooked it before. But I'll do my best with your help."
For the first time, Aoi responded with a childlike giggle. The smile that bloomed on her face was a power more precious to Takuto than even his Aura Flare.
Takuto: "I'll try my best to cook it for you. That dish reminds me of my own mother."
Aoi sensed a flow of Stella, tinged with loneliness, coming from Takuto. Noticing his slight sadness, Aoi moved closer and gently stroked Takuto's head to comfort him.
Takuto: "Huh? Aoi-chan?"
Aoi: (Softly/slowly) "Mama used to do this when Aoi was sad. Are you feeling better now, Takuto-kun?"
A small, sweet smile appeared on Aoi's face.
Takuto: (Smiling back) "Aoi-chan's mother must have been a very kind person."
Aoi's smile became more pronounced, and Takuto also smiled. This small room was filled with a warm, comforting atmosphere.
The next morning. Takuto was dressed in his school uniform, preparing to leave through the front door. Kaori checked the security perimeter and was ready to follow silently nearby.
Takuto: "Let's go, Ichinose-san."
Kaori: (With a serious expression) "Be careful, Takuto-kun. Ayano might have some follow-up plan after yesterday's visit. We don't know what she's plotting."
Takuto: "I understand, I'll be cautious."
As Takuto opened the door, Aoi rushed out from the room and stopped near the doorway. This was an exceptionally unusual action for the typically quiet Aoi.
She looked at Takuto, her face radiating with a sweet, blooming smile.
Aoi: (Clearly, with excitement) "Have a good day, Takuto-kun!"
Takuto was surprised, and then a look of pure joy spread across his face.
Takuto: (Responding warmly) "Thank you, Aoi-chan. I'll buy everything I need to make Nikujaga for you and come straight back home."
Takuto smiled, then, with Kaori discreetly securing the rear, he headed toward school. Aoi stood silently by the door, watching him go.
At school, Takuto attended class as usual. He looked around the room and noticed that Ayano was absent again.
Takuto: "Ayano isn't at school today either. I wonder what she's planning."
While the teacher was lecturing, Takuto glanced out the classroom window.
Standing by the school gate was a man with snow-white hair and red eyes.
Takuto felt a strange Aura emanating from the man. Takuto was startled, and when he blinked and opened his eyes again, the person was gone.
Takuto: "Was I imagining things?"
Part 2: The Quiet Unease
At school, Takuto returned to his ordinary student life. While he felt a sense of relief at not seeing Ayano all day, her words from the previous day created a quiet unease in his mind.
(End of school day. Kaori provides covert security.)
Takuto didn't head straight back to the Minka house but went to the nearest supermarket. He bought meat, potatoes, carrots, and Dashi (Japanese broth base) to cook Nikujaga for Aoi.
While shopping, Takuto noticed an item: a little white rabbit plushie.
Takuto: "This is cute... I think Aoi-chan would like it."
Takuto bought the fluffy rabbit toy as well.
Takuto: (In his mind after finishing shopping) "I need to hurry back. I have to cook dinner for Aoi."
Takuto walked toward the Minka house, holding his shopping bag. The setting sun cast long shadows over the neighbors' yards.
At 5:55 PM, Takuto approached the fence outside their Minka house.
Just as Takuto reached out to open the door...
Part 3: The Sudden Seizing
Takuto's Phoenix Ember power suddenly sent a chilling warning.
Takuto: (In his mind) "What is that Stellar Flow? It's so fast. Completely freezing... and it's inside the house! Wait, I know this one... that guy, Hayate!!"
The power he felt was the Elestro Flash of Hayate, the Shadow Syndicate agent from their previous fight.
Takuto dropped the shopping bag in his hand. The potatoes and carrots spilled out onto the ground.
Takuto: (Shouting) "Aoi!"
Takuto immediately activated his Aura Flare (Step 3). His eyes glowed with Pure Crimson Red, and Stable Red Marks appeared on his face. He threw open the door and darted into the living room in a flash.
Inside the living room...
Hayate had Aoi restrained, his arm around her neck, using her body as a shield. Aoi's eyes were filled with fear and shock.
Hayate: (With cold eyes) "We meet again, kid."
Takuto roared in anger and lunged toward Hayate at full speed.
Takuto: "Let her go! Aoi!!"
Takuto's Crimson Aura was moments away from clashing with Hayate's Neon Yellow Aura. Hayate felt the power of the Aura Flare, his face betraying disbelief.
Hayate: (In his mind) "He got this strong in such a short time!?"
Hayate took a step back, completely shielding himself with Aoi. Takuto's Crimson Impact seemed certain to hit Hayate, but something unexpected happened.
BOOOM!
Suddenly, the house's ceiling exploded, and Toki Takamatsu landed on the floor. The dark blue power of his Demon Eye blazed in his eyes, and his body was covered in black Stellar Flow.
Toki: (With a manic grin) "Takuto!"
As Toki spoke, he drew power from his Demon Eye and unleashed a rapid Black Energy Wave toward Takuto. Toki's power overwhelmed Takuto's body, hitting him squarely in the chest.
CRASH!
Takuto was violently flung through a nearby wall. His Aura Flare suddenly collapsed, and the Crimson Aura vanished.
Toki: (Coldly) "How do you like my new power?"
Just then, Kaori rushed in, using her Lightning Surge. Her body was glowing with a Warm Pale Yellow Aura.
Kaori: (Staring at Toki) "Toki! How did you get that power!"
Kaori braced herself for a fight.
Ayano appeared silently outside the house and looked at Toki and Hayate.
Ayano: "That's enough. Don't waste any more time."
Ayano focused her eyes. Her eyes suddenly glowed with a Deep Violet light. In front of her, a Dark Blue Portal (energy gate) swirled open in the air.
Ayano: "Hayate, Toki, come."
Hayate, holding Aoi tightly, quickly entered the Portal. Toki gave a final smirk to the fallen Takuto and followed.
Before the Portal closed, Ayano stared at Takuto.
Ayano: "If you want Aoi back... come to the place we had our last date, Takuto. I'll be waiting."
Aoi, struggling to break free, looked toward Takuto and cried, "Takuto!!!"
Takuto, severely injured, could only look at Aoi and whisper, "Aoi...."
With her final words, Ayano vanished into the Violet Portal, and the Portal dissipated into the air.
Kaori, unable to stop anything, rushed over to where Takuto had fallen.
Kaori: "Takuto-kun!"
Takuto was kneeling on the floor, having been thrown through the wall. His body trembled with pain, but the feeling of having lost Aoi was more intense. Determination ignited in his eyes.
Takuto: (Clenching his jaw) "I... I have to follow them!"
Kaori: (Firmly) "Not yet, Takuto-kun! You're injured. If you follow them like this, you'll walk right into Ayano's trap. First, we need to return to the base and get treated."
Kaori gripped Takuto's shoulder and, using her Lightning Surge power, lifted him and swiftly returned him to the Crimson Aegis secret base.
Location: The Infirmary of the Crimson Aegis Secret Base.
Takuto was being treated by Mika Lizumi. His body had sustained severe injuries from Toki's Demon Eye power.
Takuto realized that Mika was the owner of the Green Eye (Viridian Bloom).
Her eyes were green, and a green Stellar Flow glowed around her hands as she touched and treated Takuto's body.
Takuto's injuries were healing rapidly.
Sora: (Calmly) "Your Aura Flare worked well, but Toki's power seems to have escalated. We've never encountered this kind of power before."
Takuto stubbornly sat up on the bed.
Takuto: "There's no time, Sora-san. Ayano told me to come to the place we had our last date. We have to go now."
Kaori: (With a worried look) "It could be a trap."
Takuto: "Even if it's a trap, I have to go. Aoi is in danger because of me. I couldn't protect her. I didn't even get to cook the Nikujaga." (Regret was evident in his voice.)
Sora: (After a moment of thought) "Alright. I understand. This time, we need to plan carefully. This could be the Shadow Syndicate's main foothold."
Sora pulled out a map. Takuto, Kaori, and Sora marked important locations on the map and began drawing up detailed plans for Aoi's rescue.
Sora: "We'll leave at 7:00 PM. Before we head straight to the location Ayano mentioned, we might have to clear out the Syndicate's core agents."
Takuto: (Ignoring the treatment, donning a fitted black outfit) "I'm ready. I'm not afraid of anyone."
Kaori: (Readying her Lightning Surge) "The three of us will go together. Whatever the danger, this has to end now."
Mika: "All three of you, please be careful."
Sora: "Don't worry, we'll be back."
Sora: "Okay. It's time to save Aoi."
Takuto, Kaori, and Sora walked toward the dark paths of the night, leading to the Shadow Syndicate's secret base.
Takuto looked up at the sky. "Wait for me, Aoi. I will save you no matter what. Even if it costs me my life, I will protect you..."
[END OF CHAPTER 8]