15 - The View From Above

“Every-body!!!” Diego yelled again. “The best soulful on earth has now devised a plan to kill our enemies!!! Ain’t that awesome?!” He grabbed Ichigo by his uniform. “Hey, boy, I said ain’t that fucking awesome?!”

“Mr. Diego, please, let’s get to the meeting...”

“Aye, no need for one!” Diego said, finally letting go of him. He puked up inside his mouth, with a bit of the cheap booze leaking from his lips. “I c-came up with everything anyways...you guys...you guys are useless sacks of shit anyways, all rolled up in nice little silk bags. All of you, every single one of you except Ichigo here. But still! We can make something work!” He exclaimed, moments before throwing up again. This time most of the barf landed on the table.

The brightly lit meeting room, now reeking of undigested alcohol, was filled with an atmosphere of disappointment. The pearly white seats and the large crystal table were completely different from the unstable personality of the wasted star. Most of the members were already used to such episodes occurring during important meetings, or in the worst case scenario, during public displays, where they had to drag him away by force.

“And what do we do?” Hwang asked.

“G-good question!” Diego replied, his voice loud and shaky. “First of all, we are g-gonna...what was I gonna say...right! First off, we all get ready as fast as we can. I want them dead as fast as possible. Hwang, boy, I’ll get you one of those fancy prosthetic arms, okay?”

“I think he meant the battle plans.” William commented.

“Good catch, William!” Diego said. “That’s...precisely what I meant! We will...butcher them yeah, right? Butcher them! Divide and conquer, baby! I thought of a plan even more insane than the most...insane...plan ever!” He puked again.

Ichigo sighed in disappointment.

“Our big guns will eat the...the...small guns, until they have...no guns! No guns whatsoever for them, ahaha! Nothing!”

“Unserious piece of drunken shit...” Luca mumbled under his mouth. Unfortunately for him, the words were intercepted.

“Huh? Whaddya say?” Diego asked, stepping closer to him. “Whaddya fucking say?”

Luca remained silent. His anger was clearly visible in his eyes.

“Would you like to repeat that?” Diego asked, his hands slowly enveloping themselves in a thin layer of flames. “You know, your brother could use a visitor, he’s been alone in hell for quite a while.”

“Mr. Diego!” Ichigo said. He had his palm open, there, two of Diego’s mint candies resided.

“Right.” He reached for the pills and tossed them into his mouth. “I need to refresh my breath before yelling.”

“Double the dosage...just to keep me in check...”

“Anyways, like I said, we divide and conquer.” Diego said. “We distract their strongest fighters, ambush them...uhh...separate them, and use f-favorable matchups to kill off whoever we separated. Yeah. Should do the trick for sending them to hell.”

“What about Hayk Nakama himself?” Ichigo asked.

“Well, just gotta pray he doesn’t show up.” Diego said. “Although I doubt he will, considering how badly I cooked his friend. Oh, you should've seen the look on his face, guy looked like he...uhh...fuck...” He leaned on the table, presumable from a worse onslaught of nausea.

“Dibs on the asshole that took my arm.” Hwang said.

“Sure thing, buddy. Sure thing.” Diego said, as if knowing that it won’t end well. “You’ll get your little revenge.”

“And now...Kouta!” Ausra said, excited. “Everyone, say something about him!!”

“Can you keep on acting humble?” Sakuto jokingly asked, picking at Kouta. The six of them, after a nice bowling session, were enjoying some time off at a nearby cafe. It was a cloudy day outside, or more specifically, it was a sunny day made cloudy, but it felt comforting nonetheless, as if the clouds acted as a warm blanket, protecting them against the blazing sun. Outside, the birds were chirping, and the air seemed fresher than ever. It was that pleasant air that emerged before it was raining.

“I’d never think I’d enjoy myself at an event like this.”

“Uhm...I’ll start.” Sakuto said with a subtle smile. “Kouta...he’s like a brother to me. I’ve known him for a while, but recently, he’s only been helping me out. I'm proud of having someone like him with me, when it feels like I might day any second.” Sakuto said. Kouta seemed caught off guard by that remark, but in a good way. During the whole game he was preparing himself for his own round, overthinking about every phrase that could’ve been said.

“Aww, cut with the wholesomeness!” Ausra exclaimed. “You guys were butchering me, now you’re acting all nice!”

“But, yeah...” She continued, smiling. “Kouta is a bit gloomy and quiet, but he’s kind. And he’s also super strong!”

“Kouta taught me how to fully utilize my soul expression, in a way, he’s my second mentor after Hayk.” Dima said, putting his phone away. “People like him are really rare to meet, but they’re the people who would do anything for what they care about.”

“Kouta is a scary fighter!” Oskar exclaimed. “He’s really caring too. When Hayk was going through it, he was the one handling all the odd jobs.”

“Kouta is a really serious guy.” Ichika said. “He doesn’t let his gloominess get to his head when he needs to get the job done. Out of everyone here, he’s not just the strongest, he’s also the kindest.”

“You guys...” Kouta chuckled. “...are giving me too much credit.”

“But...”

“I don’t think any of us told any lies.” Sakuto said. After the meetup ended, he and Kouta were aimlessly walking, as if they were walking just for the sake of walking together, something neither of them could imagine themselves doing. Just them enjoying each others’ company was a good enough reason to stay outside longer despite the risk of rain.

“It's all praise that I don’t deserve anyways, Sakuto.” Kouta said, stopping by. He glanced at the darkening clouds.

“And what makes you think that?” Sakuto asked. “You know what type of person I am, I didn’t lie when I said you helped me a shitton.”

“It’s hard. I can’t really see myself as someone who deserves any such recognition. You already know what happened, so...I don’t think I should even be showing my face around.”

“Yeah, it makes sense.” Sakuto said, putting his hand on Kouta’s shoulder, standing by his side and watching the sight. “I hate myself too, I know how it feels.”

“You really shouldn’t.” Kouta sighed.

“And should you?” Sakuto asked, and after a brief pause, spoke again. “We're deprived of recognition, but the moment we get it, we assure ourselves it’s just empty words we don’t deserve. Kouta, you should really find the value you have and appreciate yourself.”

"Wise words coming from me of all people..."

“And after all that happened, how do you think I’m gonna do that?”

“By appreciating others.” Sakuto said with a slightly saddened smile on his face.

“Huh?”

“Well, if you can’t appreciate yourself...just, appreciate others.” Sakuto said, looking into the distance. “It’ll give you people to look forward to. You’ll enjoy yourself by seeing them do well and helping them out.”

Kouta didn’t respond. It took him a few minutes to comprehend Sakuto’s words. When he did speak, he did so with a much softer voice.

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“So instead of fulfilling myself with my own happiness, I could help others for that sense of fulfilment?”

“Yeah, pretty much.” Sakuto nodded. “You’ll make them feel better, which will in return make you feel better, make you feel like you have a purpose. It’s...probably unhealthy to do, but it’s whatever, we lost our health a while ago. I’m making sense, right?”

“It’s fascinating.”

“Yeah, you are.” Kouta said with a subtle smile. “You’re making a lot of sense.”

“I can see the outline of someone’s mind, and talk to it.”

“You gotta find some type of purpose, man.” Sakuto said. “Sometimes just sticking to a group or doing gigs for Hayk might not be enough. There’s this emptiness inside of you, and you need to fill it up with something other than sadness. Considering how you felt like you failed your original purpose, it might fix your life quite a bit.”

“With just words...I can change someone’s perspective on life.”

“Right.” Kouta said. “Well, I’ll try it.”

“Thanks, Sakuto.” Kouta smiled. “You...made a lot of sense, actually. I needed to hear this type of advice. I can’t just waste the kindness everyone shows me. Screw whatever happened back then...”

“For real.” Sakuto laughed.

“I have one purpose on my mind right now.” Kouta said, wrapping his arm around Sakuto and playfully pulling him closer. “To turn you into the strongest soulful there is.”

“Well I’ll be damn honored to have someone as strong as you teach me the ways.” Sakuto said.

“I always viewed this type of understanding as a mountain. When you’re high above, you can see the ones below with clarity, and guide them better.”

“But at the same time...”

Sakuto smiled, taking a look at his phone and seeing a new message from Kouta in the newly made group chat that he shared with everyone else. It was a message thanking everyone for the amazing day, encouraging them to organize more similar meetups. He also received some private messages from Kouta, they mostly contained advice regarding soulful combat and a few initiatives to train.

“It’s lonely at the top.”

“Usually I hate admitting I had fun at meetups like this. But this time, I can be honest with myself.”

Sakuto stretched one last time, preparing to head to bed. He laid down underneath the cozy blanket, snuggling one of the pillows and getting his earbuds out.

“We spent pretty much the whole day out. I ate so much food yet I felt as if I was still hungry. Bowling, target shooting, walking around, playing card games. It felt oddly nice, way nicer than any meetup I’ve ever done before.”

“It was fun, but everyone got tired as shit. It’s late now. Ichika is already asleep on the couch as well, shit, I don’t wanna go for snacks cause it might wake her up.”

[1:30AM]

“This time it’s a different dream. It’s one of my school days...”

“Huh?” Sakuto woke up from an unusual sense. He slowly stirred around in bed, before being alerted once more.

“This is...a soul presence? Am I reading it right? Why is it so-”

At that instant, an ungodly scream pierced Sakuto’s ears. His eyes opened wide from the unexpected desperate yell paired with the flaring soul presence. He instantly summoned his blade and rushed over to who he thought was the source of that terror...

The sight caught him off guard. Ichika was sitting up on the sofa, covering her eyes. Small, gentle tears were shining beneath her pale hands. Her breathing was off rhythm. She didn’t want to be seen by anyone in such a state.

“Ichika?!” Sakuto said, quickly approaching her. He tried to get closer and check on her but ultimately stopped. He heard a soft sobbing noise, which was soon suppressed as Ichika tried to speak.

“Sorry...I didn’t mean to wake you up.”

“Huh? Hey, what’s going on with you?” Sakuto said, rushing over to the sink. He filled up a glass of cold water. “Is this the first time this has happened to you?”

“I’m fine.” Ichika replied, watching as Sakuto put the glass next to her. She reluctantly took a few sips before putting the glass away, laying back and covering herself.

“You really don’t look like you’re fine.” Sakuto sighed. He sat on the armchair next to her, unsummoning his blade.

“And so what?” Ichika responded, more aggressively. “It doesn’t concern you.”

“Don’t care about me, you’ll just end up getting hurt. Cause that’s all I do.”

“I just make things worse for everyone, me...”

“Your soul presence tells me everything.” Sakuto said. “Kouta taught me about what causes presences to get stronger or weaker.”

“And what are you gonna do about it?”

“Don’t know.” Sakuto said. “I don’t want someone screaming from nightmares in my home, especially you.”

“It wasn’t a nightmare.”

“Oh?” Sakuto asked. “What was it then...?”

“Why do you care?” Ichika asked, suddenly raising her voice. “What do you even get from being here right now? You don’t realize it but you really messed up getting into all of this! Why are you acting like everything is alright?!”

They shared a strange silence.

“I’m sorry.” Ichika said. “I just...you already almost died a few times. I didn’t want to drag you into all of this.”

“You’re acting like I wasn’t the one who made the choice initially.” Sakuto said. “Not your fault.”

"I'm the one who caused the school incident."

"And I'm the one who chose to help you." Sakuto replied. "Hey, I did some thinking, and I realized that I'd make the same choice a hundred times out of a hundred."

“You’re just saying this to make me feel better.” Ichika complained. “So I can cope with the fact I brought you into this shitty life.”

“Hey, don’t call it that.” Sakuto said. “Soulful life...is pretty fun.”

“Huh?” Ichika seemed surprised.

“Yeah. Normal life, going to school, hoping to land a job and suffering through the rest of your life slaving away for some corporation just to survive...it feels dreadful just thinking about it.” Sakuto said. “At least as a soulful, you’re different. And the people are different too.”

“You have faith in that?” Ichika asked. Slowly, her empty face was converging into a hidden smile. “I guess I can’t imagine that regular life either. I’m just surprised, how empty were you that becoming a terrorist is fun?” She asked. “Is this really making you feel fulfilled?”

“You’d think I’m a piece of trash for saying this, but...it’s fun. It’s like discovering a brand new world. All these powers, these...missions...people...it’s all so refreshing. Feels like I was thrown into a daydream.” Sakuto smiled. “Soul prowess makes me better at bowling too.”

“Don’t even mention that!” Ichika laughed, a little annoyed. Her sad face began to slowly heal.

“Hey, I’m not the one who had to make the floor slippery to win and almost got us all kicked out.” Sakuto said.

“You were the one convincing Kouta to use gravity on the bowling ball and almost break the machine!”

“All is fair in war...”

An hour or so later, after a strangely long and enjoyable conversation, Sakuto was lying comfortably in his bed, scrolling on his phone. His eyes were half-open, at this point, only a fraction of his mind was still awake.

“It was a refreshing conversation for sure. I think I managed to calm her down from her bad dreams...or whatever they are.”

“It’s a bit odd how often she keeps changing her mood, but it’s not like my life depends on it. She’s just cold at times and that’s it.”

A new notification on his phone caught his attention.

“Right, the group chat is still active. It’s mostly just Oskar rambling. I’m glad I’m connected to everyone now. Wait, this is...”

“A direct message from Ichika?”

“She said she’s feeling better.”

Sakuto laid his phone to the side, stretching and drowning in his pillow.

“Now tell me, Sakuto, how’s the view from up there?”

“I’m trying my best to find her.”

“Elementals...”

“Hayk Nakama...”

Kaito Kamiki leaned back on his office chair with black and white patterns. Behind him was the GSC's logo, with the slogan beneath it carved out with special care - 'Salvation of mankind; Beneath a soulful sky.' He placed a wet towel on his forehead, staring at the ceiling. The glass of iced water was half empty.

“Adler Group...”

He sighed deeply. A quiet knock on his door was followed by his short and loyal assistant entering the room which no ordinary soulful sees. He slowly walked up to Kaito’s desk, bringing him a small box of sashimi and a cold can of soda.

“Here, Mr. Kamiki. It’s what you asked for.”

“Did you get the fresh tuna ones too? Or did you go to the corner shop instead?”

“The corner shop, Mr. Kamiki.” Miyuki replied, opening the plastic box. He took the soy sauce and small bowl of ginger out, neatly placing them on the table.

“Nice. Thank you, Miyuki. I’ll handle the paperwork, go and enjoy your night.” Kaito said, not moving an inch.

“At your service.” Miyuki bowed, before promptly leaving the room. Kaito didn’t touch the food at all, he just remained in the same tired position.

“The Heisei will be on standby both for Otto Richter’s movements and for the upcoming election season. The kid might have been a spy but he gave me an idea.”

“If a storm is inevitable, should I stop concerning myself with wetting my clothes and prepare for the thunder?”

“I can make quite the bold gamble here.”

He took a deep breath and smiled.

“Elementals and Hayk are at war, huh?”

“Go ahead, you distasteful lot.”