14 - Date! Again

“Mmmph...”

“So comfy...”

“It’s so nice when I’m still half asleep and I can hug him...I can feel him next to me, but at the same time, get the pleasure of sleeping...ahh, so nice...”

“Wait...”

“Where is he?”

“WHERE IS HE?!”

Ichika, sensing the absence of a certain Sakuto Hitori next to her, quickly woke up. She looked around, only to see him standing next to the bed, well-clothed and holding a bouquet of white tulips in one of his hands, and hiding the other hand behind his back.

“Huh?” Ichika said, rubbing her eyes. Once she rubbed them enough and seemingly recovered her vision, she gasped in surprise. “Huh?!”

“You like it?” Sakuto asked. “I got them this morning. I originally thought of getting you poppies since that’s the stuff they make heroin from which is pretty cool, but then I thought you’d like these more.”

“This is...amazing...” Ichika said, amazed. She took a whiff of the flowers. “They smell so nice too...”

“I’m happy that you like them.” Sakuto smiled, leaving them on the bed and leaning in to give Ichika a kiss on the forehead. “Shadow manipulation is pretty good for scaring people off and making the queue shorter.”

“I’m not surprised that you did that.” Ichika said, happily nuzzling the flowers. She redirected her attention to the concealed hand. “Whatcha hiding?”

“It’s something that we’ve had already.” Sakuto said. “You gotta guess what it is though.”

“Uhhh...cheap instant noodles?” Ichika asked, putting all of her brain cells to work. “Maybe some cheap drinks? Uhh...I don’t know!” She complained in a sleepy voice.

“Ya ready for the reveal?” Sakuto asked.

“Sure, what is it?!” Ichika asked, running out of patience. All of these food-related ideas made her quite hungry, so she expected something delicious to be hidden behind there. Which was indeed the case, but...

“Look!” Sakuto said, smiling and proudly presenting a plate with a small circular pie on it. “It’s a cream pie!”

Ichika stared at it in disappointment. Sakuto was so proud of himself for spending time, money and effort on that joke that he couldn’t move.

“Eh, is that what you wanted?” Ichika said, deepening her voice. “You know, you don’t have to ask if you wanna do it...” she said, gently tugging on Sakuto’s clothes and pulling him in. “C’mere you...”

Sakuto, blushing and realizing that he got something far greater than the fascination of executing a stupid joke, leaned in. But he forgot that the food was, in fact, still in his hands. Ichika quickly snatched the plate and slapped it against Sakuto’s face.

“Reverse cream pie! Ahahaha!” Ichika died laughing, holding onto her stomach. The thick cream slowly poured down Sakuto’s face, mixed up with the broken pieces of the dough and the occasional raspberries. He stood there, absolutely defeated. “Look at your face!” Ichika laughed, pointing at him.

“Don’t make me get you to look like this too.” Sakuto said, wiping the cream off of his face and licking it. “Hey, this actually tastes pretty good.”

“Does it? Lemme try.” Ichika said, getting up a little and taking a piece of the creamy dough and tasting it. “Eh, it’s not bad.”

“You might as well get dressed.” Sakuto said. “So we can go out somewhere today, and uhh...I’m kinda getting distracted looking at you when you’re like this.”

“Holy shit you’re down bad...” Ichika said, continuing eating the remnants of the pie.

“Yeah. I’m thinking we go on a proper date. You know, like, a movie...and then a restaurant, and uhh...you get the point.” Sakuto said, scratching his head. “Something normal.”

“I was thinking of visiting Rin today too.” Ichika said. “We could go there after seeing a movie.”

“Yeah...”

“Hey, where are you gonna go?!” Yumichi ran into the room, loudly announcing his presence to the rest of the soulfuls. “Mister Sakuto, why do you have all this white stuff on your face?”

“We thought of going out today.” Sakuto said. He seemed a little annoyed. “I thought I’d spend some quality time with Ichika one-on-one, but if he wants to tag along too, I can’t really say no. He’s her pride and joy.”

“You can join us too.” Sakuto said. “We’re gonna go see a movie.”

“Oh...” Ichika said, a little confused. “I thought we’d spend some quality time with just the two of us, but I can’t really say no anymore.”

“Oh fuck off! What is this luck?!” Sakuto thought.

“Hey, when are we going out?” Yumichi asked, already filled to the brim with the purest kind of excitement. “What type of movie are we gonna see?”

“I uhh...I’m sure we’ll find something.” Sakuto said.

“I wanna see the upcoming ‘grand space battle’ movie!” Yumichi demanded. “I wanna see it!”

“I don’t think a sequel came out yet.” Ichika said.

“I don’t think it’s ever gonna come out, honestly.” Sakuto added. “The movie’s production was heavily sponsored by the corporate circle of hell, which uhh...yeah, it kinda doesn’t exist anymore.” He sighed. “I may or may not have been responsible for that.”

“The little guy loves that franchise...”

“In that case, let’s watch something else!” Yumichi happily said. “But no romance movies! Because I know you’re gonna start doing weird things!”

“You know what, he deserves not to see another sequel.”

...

“So, which one will it be?” Sakuto asked, staring at the dozens of films being advertised on the lit up boards above the snack bar’s counter.

“It’s all just...slop.” Ichika said, skimming through the titles, most of which had a number in their name.

“You tell me.” Sakuto said. “There’s also this one film that’s apparently half-made by artificial intelli- wow, who actually watches this stuff?”

“Check this out though.” Ichika said, pointing at one of the movies, pretty excited. “It’s a movie about soulfuls. Tells the story about a soulful who participated in the war...the cliche twist being that his brother is a soulless soldier.”

“You know what? Let’s check it out.” Sakuto said. “I’ll see if they got the stuff right.” He spoke to the cashier. “Hey, need three tickets for uhh...’Through War and Soul’”

“No.” The cashier replied, correcting his glasses.

“What do you mean no?” Sakuto asked, confused.

“It’s rated 18+ only. I need some ID.” The cashier said, failing to realize that had he cleared his throat, his voice would’ve seemed at least slightly more tolerable.

“Look sir, I’ve fought in the war myself.” Sakuto explained, while Yumichi was running around from one arcade machine to another in the distance. “All three of us have seen and done things worse than the movie. I’d really like to see it.”

“No.”

“What do you mean no-” Sakuto said, but suddenly stopped himself. He took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down, not wanting to appear like a jerk in front of Ichika and Yumichi.

“Sir, I’m sure your movie theatre doesn’t want any bad exposure.” Ichika stepped in. “There will probably be quite a lot of bad attention if people find out you didn’t let two members of the Heisei in because of some stupid reason.”

“Please move aside, the line is stalling.” He said, not even giving the two the courtesy of looking into their eyes.

“Sakuto, can I shove an icicle up his nose?” Ichika asked.

“No, because I’m gonna chop his-”

“Hey, what’s the issue?” An older man approached the two. He had an innocent and rather sweet look, his hair was white and he had a pair of round glasses on. His posture was rather unhealthy.

“Nothing much, he just doesn’t wanna sell us tickets.” Sakuto sighed. “It’s fine, we’re gonna leave. I’ll come back here later.” He turned around, preparing to leave and signaling that intent to Ichika and Yumichi. “This old man’s a soulful too.”

“You said you were a soulful, aye?” The man asked. “You shouldn’t lie about being from the Heisei. I heard those guys don’t mess around.”

“You heard it right, they don’t.” Sakuto said. He gave some life to his shadow, just enough for it to act as proof that his status was no bluff. “I am in the Heisei, I know best. She’s in it too.” He said, pointing at Ichika.

“I see...” The man smiled. “That means you really have fought in the war, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I see.” The man took a deep breath, approaching the cashier. “I fought in a war too when I was younger. It was no supernatural war, but it was something brutal.” He gazed deeply at Sakuto. “You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”

Sakuto didn’t find the right words to say at the moment. Ichika noticed it too, so she held onto his hand.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“We have.” Ichika replied. “It was awful. I’m sorry, but I don’t think he wants to talk about it.”

“I could see it in him.” The old man sighed. “I understand, sorry. It is not my business anyways, please forgive me.”

“You’re also a soulful, right?” Sakuto asked, getting the privilege of focusing once again. “What were you doing during the war?”

“I went into hiding. I barricaded my home and pointed my gun at everyone who tried to come close.” The old man said. ”But, you...they say the Heisei are a bunch of hounds that kill with no hesitation. You seem like a proper fella.”

“Whoever said that...” Sakuto got frustrated. “Should look into the reason we behaved like hounds in the first place.” He looked to the side and called out. “Yumichi! Come over here, we’re leaving.”

“But what about the movie?” He asked, sad and confused.

“I’ll find you something to watch when we get back.” Sakuto went towards him. He glanced one last time at the old man, and they both shared an understanding silence. And the old man was the first one to break it.

”Thank you for your service.” He said, quietly nodding. Sakuto humbly nodded back and left alongside Ichika...

“You heard that?” He asked Ichika. “He thanked me for my service.”

“What a weird interaction...don’t know if you noticed, but he was there to buy the porno movie ticket...” Ichika said.

“He thanked me for my fucking service.” Sakuto said, slowing down. “He thanked me for being alive during a genocide. Just...amazing.”

“Let’s just go to Rin’s place now.” Ichika said, holding onto his hand and almost dragging him away from his troubles. “I talked to her today. Their whole place is covered with security, she didn’t share any details though.”

“Right.”

“...”

“Ichika, thanks.” Sakuto suddenly said.

“Hm? What are you thanking me for?”

“For this.” Sakuto said, in a much more gentle voice. He raised the hand that Ichika was holding, showing his appreciation for the gesture. “Thanks for this.”

“I figured it was what you needed most.” Ichika smiled, blushing a little from that sweet exchange.

“It was.” Sakuto said, embracing Ichika. Ichika, taken aback, snapped back to her senses a few seconds later and returned the gesture - caressing Sakuto’s back and closing her eyes in comfort.

“It’s always fun when we hang out, do things togethers, cuddle or even do the deed...” Sakuto thought, melting into the embrace. He was reduced to a needy little boy who couldn’t get enough of his girlfriend.

“But this is what I really love about having her as my soulmate. It’s the little things that matter. The small jokes we make, the small gestures and physical touch, all of that culminates in this feeling of security and sincerity.”

“She keeps me company in the abyss. She prevents me from drowning.”

...

Awkward silence accompanied with a sense of strange comfort devoured the ‘cozy outpost’ that acted as Rin’s base of operations. It was named that way because despite her duties being composed of basic caretaking, she was on a mission the magnitude of which had never been seen by any of the Heisei’s top wolves. Whilst Kaito was busy subjugating the strongholds and destroying the system one by one, collecting the stones like rubies on a dominant fighter’s golden belt, someone had to look after his son.

“Do you, uhm... do you want something to eat maybe?” Rin awkwardly asked. The boy simply sat on the armchair, checking his phone again and again, confused and a little betrayed. But he did appreciate Rin’s company.

“No, thanks.” He politely declined.

“I’ll be having some guests over.” Rin said. “Have you ever met the Heisei’s fighters?"

“Dad kept talking about him. He says that there's a guy called Sakuto that is really important." Hiroshi replied. “He also made dad cry from happiness.”

“Oh, well, uhh...that’s certainly an achievement.” Rin was startled by such a response. “He’s also going to bring Ichika Hanasaki and her younger brother over. He’s around your age, a bit on the younger end. You two could make friends.”

“Is he a normal kid?” Hiroshi asked, saddened. “Or is he like me?” Rin looked at him with slight pity, but before she said anything, the doorbell rang.

She quickly rushed over and opened the door - seeing Ichika and Yumichi, both of them excited.

“And where’s Sakuto?” She asked after greeting and embracing them.

“In the living room already.” Ichika said, disappointed at yet another one of Sakuto's attempts to make a ''cool enterance'.

There, emerging from a small pool of shadows, Sakuto found himself face to face with Hiroshi. But they didn’t know each other yet. At least, Hiroshi assumed that if someone was capable of making such a dramatic entrance while maintaining an intimidatingly high soul presence, it would be Sakuto himself.

They stared at each other, and Hiroshi was a little scared to say anything - or even do anything in the first place. He just quietly sat there, observing in awe how the shadows interacted with the environment under the soldier’s command. Sakuto also couldn’t say much, but it was mostly courtesy of the awkwardness of the situation. Finally, Hiroshi broke the silence.

“Are you-”

“Sakuto, everything alright?” Ichika asked, entering the room. She was also taken aback a little by Hiroshi being there. “Who’s this?” She asked Rin. Rin scratched her head and replied with a soothing voice, trying to make a stressful introduction as comforting as possible.

“This is the reason all the security is here, and we are partially the reason he is here.” Rin explained. “This is...Hiroshi Kamiki. Kaito Kamiki’s son.”

“What? Kaito’s...son?!?!” Sakuto asked himself, staring at the boy even harder.

“N-nice to meet you.” Hiroshi said, fixing up his posture.

“Hey, this guy’s a soulful too!” Yumichi exclaimed, approaching them.

“He is.” Ichika said. “Yumichi, go and help Rin in the kitchen, alright? I can smell the roast pork already.” Yumichi followed the orders as if his life depended on them. And the silence took place once again.

“Kaito Kamiki instructed me to look after him while he, well...attends to his responsibilities.” Rin said before leaving. “Sakuto, is there anything you’re aware of?” She asked through the door frame.

“None at all.” Sakuto said. “I guess now that Eura is acting up, he’s bound to be busy...”

“He always says that he has his responsibilities...” Hiroshi complained. It slightly shocked everyone else, but Sakuto, after a few moments, approached him and got on one knee.

“Your dad is a pretty busy person, I’ve seen it first hand.” Sakuto said. “He takes care of a lot of people, he seems to be in control of everything. His planning saved my life.”

“Then why doesn’t he take care of me?” Hiroshi asked. A thick silence followed.

A bit later, though, it was broken apart by an incredinle smell.

“Hey you guys, food is ready.” Rin said. “Thank the little guy for helping me plate everything so quickly.”

“Sorry if he caused you trouble.” Ichika said.

“He’s actually quite the opposite.” Rin said, carrying plates of the food into the living room, with Yumichi helping him out and almost dropping everything on multiple occasions. They sorted everything neatly, and sat down by the dark wood table. Each of them got a generous serving of the roasted goods, with Hiroshi being the most shy out of the five.

They ravaged the pork with their knife and fork, with Ichika ignoring those measures altogether and going at it with her hands. Sakuto, confirming that such behaviour was acceptable, let go of the act and started digging in himself. Rin was disappointed in their manners, or lack thereof, and neatly indulged in the food with her cutlery, but it made her content knowing that her cooking is appreciated.

“Hey, you don’t like the food?” Yumichi asked Hiroshi, noticing that the latter hadn't even touched his plate.

“N-no, that’s not the case! I just...” Hiroshi said, awkwardly picking at his plate. “I just...”

“Do you go to school?”

“N-no...” Hiroshi answered, ashamed.

“What?! That’s so awesome!” Yumichi slammed the table with his hands in excitement. “The last time I was in school, my teacher got mad at me, and then she got her butt kicked by the giant robot that kidnapped me...”

“Oh, r-really...”

“Moving around so much gotta be pretty taxing, huh?” Sakuto asked. “I’m guessing you had to stop school during the war too.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you train? Are you gonna try getting into the Heisei?” Sakuto asked. Hiroshi fell silent in shame, staring at his plate, almost as if the question saddened him.

“I just wanna live a normal life.” Hiroshi said. “I wanna go to school, make friends there and everything...”

“Huh, first time I’ve heard a soulful say that...” Sakuto said. Ichika lightly stomped on his foot under the table, disapproving his choice of dialogue, for which he quickly apologized. “My bad, I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

“No, it’s okay, I understand.” Hiroshi complained. “I’m supposed to be someone great, or different, someone that dad needs in his business.”

“Have you told your dad that you wanna go back to school?” Yumichi suddenly asked.

“Yeah...”

“He doesn’t let you?”

“No.”

“Hey, maybe he knows something about your safety.” Ichika suggested. “Your father has a lot of enemies, and they’re very dangerous. He doesn’t want anything happening to you.”

“R-really?” Hiroshi asked, as if a spark of hope was ignited in his heart.

“Yeah, we fight your dad’s enemies all the time.” Sakuto added. “One of them was the guy that started the war too. So he’s doing all of that because he cares about you.”

“But then, will that mean I’ll always have to stay like that?”

“Well, there’s only a certain amount of enemies left. Soon enough they will all be dealt with.” Sakuto said, finishing his plate and quickly eyeing Ichika’s. Teasing him back, Ichika started shoving the food in her mouth, not leaving any for him. “Or you could try getting stronger yourself. If you’re a strong soulful like me or Ichika, no one will mess with you.”

“I g-guess that’s true...” Hiroshi said, with a faint smile.

“Did ya study martial arts?” Sakuto asked.

“Not really. My life pretty much started once the global soul event happened.” Hiroshi said. “I don’t remember anything other than the fact I was in a coma.”

“Huh...” Sakuto finally managed to snatch a piece of pork from Ichika’s plate. “Well, if ya ever want to train, I can help you out if I have a free schedule.”

“Wouldn’t hurt to get even deeper into Kaito’s good books, maybe even get a favor or two from him.”

“Sakuto, how’s Oskar?” Rin asked. While the kids and the adolescents were assaulting their plates, he was eating elegantly and was only halfway done.

“Dunno.”

“Huh...you didn’t sound quite fond of the topic when you said that.” Rin said. “Did you two have an argument?”

“Nah, he’s just dry as hell.” Sakuto said, chugging down some lemonade. “Last time we talked it was about his performance against some kind of mech, and it felt like I was beating the answers out of him. It’s like I was a fan and he was a celeb just because his slow ass finally managed to unlock his divine acclamation.”

“And that’s the reason? Just...being dry?”

“That and that soulless idiot he’s keeping around.” Sakuto said. “Put a gun to my head, I can’t tell you what he finds in him. Maybe it’s pity, maybe it’s something else, maybe they’re friends with benefits or whatever.”

“They’re just friends, Sakuto.” Ichika said. “It’s probably pretty tough when one of your friends wants to kill the other one.”

“I have a valid reason to want that person gone.” Sakuto said. “If someone bails on you once, he’ll do it again. And...he...he didn’t even do it just once, he did it how many times...”

“I think you two should have an honest conversation about it.” Rin suggested.

“Nah, I already know what he’s gonna say and what tone he’s gonna say it in. I don’t feel like doing all of that.” Sakuto sighed. “And besides, it’s not what I want either way.”

“Not what you want...?”

“I don’t wanna talk to him about some drama.” Sakuto said. “I mean, he’s my friend first and foremost. I just wanna talk to him like we used to back in the day. It’s rare for us to not talk to each other pretty much every day.”

“Then give him a call.” Rin suggested. She finally finished her plate, and Hiroshi also started enjoying the food. “Just talk like you usually do.”

“Yeah, that might just work.” Sakuto sighed. He left the table, went to the other side of the room, and got his phone out.

“What if it doesn’t work out? What if he’s mad at you? What if-”

“Why would he be mad at me? I mean, out of all the people, he’s mad at me? For what? For being right? Ah, fuck it...”

"I..."

"I just don't want this weird distance to he between us, I guess."

A few seconds of silent thought later, he made the call.