11 - Stopwatch

Dima’s concern wasn’t unjustified.

It seemed like Hayk himself knew that one day they two would clash, even without the circumstances they were in. His relentless training was just one small part of the preparations he took for that day. An uncertain freedom and a somewhat certain safe space collided in his vision of the future.

So he swung his fists in hatred. Hatred of the things he regretted and the difficult choice he would have to make. He struck the gym’s punching bags and destroyed them one by one, while Rin repaired them and enhanced them even further...

“Take your eye drops.” Rin said. She sat by the gym’s cold wall.

“Don’t need ‘em.” Hayk replied. He summoned his sword and struck it at the surprisingly durable punching bag.

“I get it that you want to destroy every bone in your body, but you’ll end up losing your vision altogether.” Rin said more adamantly. She tossed the small bottle at Hayk, who instead of catching it, sliced it in half with his sword.

“Oops. See, now I can’t take them.” Hayk said. “You know, ‘cause everything got spilled. It would be pretty unhygienic to drag my open eyes across the mats, wouldn’t it?”

“Who are you trying to impress?” Rin asked.

“Huh?”

“You know that using that thing messes up your eyes. I can’t keep using epsilon to recreate your eyes, Hayk.” Rin sighed.

“It might not even come to that.” Hayk said.

“What?” Rin interrupted. “How many times did you bleed? How many-”

“I’m not talking about the eyes, damn it, if only you actually listened to me instead of interrupting.” Hayk said. “I meant, if I were to fight Otto, it might not even come to that point...whatever.”

“...”

“And yes, I meant to sound like a dick.” Hayk continued, replying to the silence. “I hate being interrupted.”

He swung his sword at the punching bag and tore it apart.

“I’ll need a tougher bag now.” Hayk requested, moving on to harass the next bag.

“I get it that you’re upset over Tsunehiro’s passing, but acting like a hero isn’t gonna do anything.” Rin said. “Damaging your eyes and your brain won’t be some grand sacrifice. You’ll just come out as an idiot.”

“Say what now?” Hayk said. “What are you talking about exactly?”

“If you from a few months ago saw yourself in this state, you’d call yourself a fool.” Rin said. “Are you punishing yourself? For what exactly?”

“For what?” Hayk said, letting go of assaulting the bag and turning to face Rin. He was furious. “For fucking what? You want me to tell my whole autobiography?”

“...”

“Even as just a soulful working with you. Tsunehiro died. Kouta died. The fucking new guy, Sakuto, he also died but somehow came back. And nobody knows why or how.” Hayk lashed out. “You think I have the temper to care about some...fucking...eye drops while there’s a threat of being choked out by this massive cobra surrounding us?”

“What cobra? What are you even talking about?!” Rin asked.

“Kaito! Kaito Kamiki is that cobra!” Hayk said. “He circles around you, he...he does that thing that snakes do where he slowly encircles you, when you know you have no other option left...and the moment you think you’re safe, he starts choking you out and devours you.”

“And can you do something against it?” Rin said.

“What can a hamster do against a cobra?” Hayk protested. “There’s nothing any of us can do. Nobody can put up a fight with him.”

“You can side with Otto Richter.” Rin said, upset. “Why are you so scared of putting up a fight against him?”

“It’s not about me. It’s about the kids!” Hayk yelled. “They can’t handle such a war!”

“There’s no way I’d let them take on the Heisei. I don’t care what type of supernatural miracles Sakuto can pull off or how much Ichika claims she’s strong. I’m not letting them near the Heisei dogs.”

“These decisions are going to end up costing them their lives, and you’ll be the first one to die.” Rin sighed. “It’s not too late. Go and talk to Otto Richter. Unlike you, he probably has a much better plan of killing the cobra.”

“Uhh...Hayk?” Ausra said, slowly entering the room. “It’s me and Ichika. We saw that you were still training-”

“Hayk?!” Ausra acclaimed, seeing Hayk’s face. The latter’s eyes were dark red, with a few droplets of blood accumulated around them.

“What...is that?” Ichika asked, panicking.

“A result of relentless training.” Rin said. “Now that the kids are watching, take the medicine. Set a good example.” She grabbed another bottle out of her pocket and tossed it at Hayk.

“You two at least seem to be alive and kicking.” Hayk said, dripping the medicine into his eyes and rubbing them. “Same with your buddies in America.”

“Oskar and Sakuto are both doing fine.” Ausra said. “Somehow, fighting that crazed terrorist ended up in a massive popularity boost for Dyeman.”

“Was it Oskar?” Hayk asked.

“Both of them, but...Sakuto fought him one-on-one and made him retreat.” Ichika replied.

“Fits for a mad dog like him.” Hayk sighed. He sat down on the mats. “You’re right, Rin. I’ll catch a break and maybe a beer too. Or do you still want me to set good examples?”

“You...don’t like Sakuto?” Ausra asked. “I think he’s cool.”

“It’s not about disliking.” Hayk grunted. “I’m just skeptical. I have questions that he’s refusing to answer me.”

“Sakuto saved me.” Ichika raised her voice. “Twice. If he wasn’t there for me, I would’ve been a corpse.”

“I know.” Hayk scoffed. “You seem the most buddy-buddy with him too.”

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“Knock it off.” Rin commented.

“Hayk’s only been like this ever since the war against elementals...”

“What, we’re not allowed to joke around anymore?” Hayk yawned. “I’ll need some sugar pills though. I feel dead.”

“They’re in the same place.” Rin answered.

“Antidepressants masked as sugar pills...”

“I’m sorry that I’m lying to you and drugging you. I can’t have your health destroy you.”

“Hey, Rin...can I ask you something?” Ichika asked.

“Sure. What is it?” Rin replied with a smile.

“What’s the best way to-”

“Huh?!” Ausra exclaimed while looking at her phone. “Oh shit...”

“What?” Hayk asked. “More overpriced plushies for sale?”

“Sheller’s personal armed forces are beginning counter-terrorist operations...and the voting process is starting?!”

“The votes are live?” Rin asked?

“Counter-terrorist operations?” Ichika asked, trying to snatch Ausra’s phone. Eventually, she succeeded and started reading out loud.

“Following the mass destruction taking place in California, Aughrey Sheller, the presidential candidate representing the anti-soulful parties, has deployed his personal militias to enforce that no more soulful terror occurs and that the elections are taking place in a safe and fair environment.” Ichika read. “Wait, does this mean...”

“They’re gonna be hunting soulfuls.” Hayk said. “Most likely. They’re gonna use this as an excuse to terminate soulfuls and gain rep. They won’t need to hide those operations since they’ll just use the terrorism excuse to kill anyone they don’t like.”

“Shit...” Ichika exhaled, disheartened.

“Ichika, if they dealt with Jackal, they’ll definitely deal with some army men.” Ausra comforted her.

“Oh, they’ll deal with a lot of army men.” Hayk chuckled in slight disbelief. “The men of the men, as they say. You think Sheller’s gonna let go of a chance to discredit and kill the soulfuls that act as heroes?”

“But how are they even gonna touch soulfuls?” Ichika asked.

“There’s plenty of ways.” Hayk replied. “Trust me, governments never run out of ways to kill people.”

“Hold on...” Rin interrupted. “Ausra, can you check if the California rally is the last one Dyeman hosted?”

“One second...” Ausra said, quickly snatching her phone back from Ichika. “Yeah, it was. Why?”

“I heard that Dyeman was also supposed to host rallies in Nevada and Oregon.” Rin commented, confused. “Did Jackal scare him away?”

“If it was just a scare and a rally cancellation, Dyeman’s location would be known. He’d make and record statements...or something...” Hayk said. “Which means he’s completely out of America.”

“There’s only one place a dog like him would go to...”

“Ausra, what’s the votes?!” Ichika asked.

“Nothing yet,” Ausra said. “It’s first to 270. Right now, judging by what's being said on social media...Sheller is the favorite. It’s probably because the rallies following California were canceled.”

[RING]

“Hayk?” Sakuto asked over the phone. “Did something happen?”

“What if I’m just calling out of the goodness of my heart?” Hayk asked. “That never crossed your mind?”

“I’m...glad you decided to check up on me in that case, Hayk.” Sakuto said, a little confused, sitting on the balcony and gazing into the dark sky.

“Right...how are you hanging in there?” Hayk asked, almost just as awkwardly. He was also outside, leaning against the gym’s wall with a cigarette in his other hand. “Everything alright?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s the combat stuff going?” Hayk asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

“It’s smooth, I guess.” Sakuto said. “I have a pretty basic strategy. Fight him, adapt, kill.”

“Yeah, I can’t come up with anything better.” Hayk said. They shared a silence, but a moment later, Hayk finally decided to get to the point. “Listen, the reason I’m calling you is to ask you something.”

“It’s about my resurrection, isn’t it?” Sakuto asked, growing a little tired of the exchange already.

“I understand that whoever helped you probably wants to remain anonymous. But there’s only one thing I need to know.” Hayk explained. “I’m not going to ask anything about their identity, I only need to confirm one thing. Did one of them present themselves as, or in any way, mention the name ‘Otto Richter’?”

“I don’t remember Mukawa saying that name.”

“That was the guy that attacked Ichika and Ausra right? During the older-”

“Yeah, him.” Hayk said. “I need you to tell me the truth. Did you in any way interact with that man, or did you interact with someone who mentioned that name?”

“No.” Sakuto said. “There wasn’t anyone called Otto Richter. And I didn’t hear that name being mentioned. I answered your question.”

“Right. Thank you.” Hayk said. “At least my doubts are settled now.”

“Why are you concerned about him? Do you think he’s going to-”

“Attack me?” Hayk predicted his question. “Yes. That’s most likely what he’s going to do. Anyhow, unless you want to tell me anything, I have nothing more to talk to you about.”

“...”

“Well, good luck on your mission-”

“How’s Ichika?” Sakuto asked, almost surprised at himself for asking that question in the first place.

“You’re asking about Ichika? Well, she’s alright. I thought you kept in contact.” Hayk replied.

“No, it’s just...yeah, you’re right. I can just ask her that myself.”

“Or do you think she puts up a front when talking to you?” Hayk asked.

“Huh...?”

“Look, I don’t like meddling on you guys’ personal stuff, but I’ll say this much. If there’s one person who I think she’s genuine with and wants to talk to you, it’s you.” Hayk explained. “You two have a pretty sweet thing going on, so sweet in fact I might throw up.”

“W-what do you mean ‘sweet thing’?” Sakuto asked. His stomach started burning up again, he felt a little hypersensitive.

“Don’t be dense.” Hayk laughed.

“You think it’s...like that?”

“I think that you two are great for each other. I haven’t seen Ichika this upbeat in a while.” Hayk said. “I’m glad she’s found someone who makes her feel that way. And to answer your question, yeah, she’s alright. She’s doing pretty well despite the cascade of crap we went through.”

“Right. Thank you.” Sakuto replied.

“Hey, Sakuto...” Hayk asked. “I’m gonna ask you one more thing.”

“Hm?”

“Do you think I betrayed you?” Hayk asked.

“I...” Sakuto wanted to quickly say no, but he caught on to what the question was referring to. “It’s about us being signed into the Heisei, right?”

“Yeah.” Hayk replied. “Do you think I betrayed you all? I was there when that devil made the decision, you know?”

Sakuto took a bit to think of a response. “If you were out of options, then no. You didn’t betray us.” Sakuto replied. “You probably saved us from something worse.”

“I see.” Hayk smiled a little. He tossed his dried up cigarette into the trash bin.

“If there’s no other option...then I guess I’m grateful you did this.” Sakuto said. “It kept Ichika safe too.”

“I guess that’s one thing we both share.” Hayk said. “We want the best for her.”

“I...sorry if I won’t be there to fight alongside you against Otto Richter.” Sakuto said. “Best of luck to you. Please...stay safe.”

“Thanks.” Hayk hung up the call. He felt some ease after receiving the good news. Sakuto, however, appeared to be overwhelmed by strange feelings.

“We’re...good for each other?”

“Why do I want to avoid this so much? Am I scared? Am I scared of what I think is unknown for me, or am I scared because I think everything might crumble down?”

“Leaving me in a freezing abyss...”