He knocked again, this time a bit louder, but was only met with silence.
Is she not home? Tatsuya wondered, a sudden flicker of worry stirring in him. That's strange…
He felt a chill down his spine, and a cold sweat started to form on his forehead. He tried to calm himself. We're at the Swordsman Corps. Everything's fine… right?
He reached for the door handle, surprised to find it unlocked. The unease in his chest tightened. This isn't good… the door's unlocked, but she isn't answering.
Swallowing his anxiety, Tatsuya opened the door cautiously and stepped inside, calling out to her.
"Ruza…? Are you in here?"
He spotted her by the window, her back to him, silhouetted against the dim moonlight streaming in. She stood quietly, her shoulders motionless as she stared outside.
Tatsuya let out a sigh of relief, his tension easing a little. Thank goodness she's here. But then he frowned, puzzled. Why didn't she answer the door?
"Hey, Ruza," he called out gently, "why didn't you answer the door when I knocked? You had me worried."
She didn't turn to him but responded, her voice soft, almost distant. "Worried…?"
"Yeah, that's right. I didn't know what I'd do if you'd gone missing or something." He gave a small, awkward chuckle, hoping it would lighten the mood.
But Ruza didn't respond.
She remained silent, her back still turned.
Tatsuya took a step closer, noticing the small details—She wore a pajama set with tiny pandas like creatures on the back, a cute pattern that somehow made the silence between them feel heavier.
"Are you alright, Ruza?" Tatsuya asked gently. "You seem… quiet."
He tried to read her, but her face was hidden in shadow.
His mind drifted back to earlier that day, the duel between him and Kizutoro, with Ruza as their referee. She had seemed fine then, even cheerful, her usual self.
Then a thought crossed his mind, and he let out a small gasp. "The letter… right?" he ventured.
"I got it too. I think… he's going to take you home." His voice softened, a hint of sadness creeping in despite himself.
"I don't know what'll happen to me, but you don't have to worry about me, alright? I'll be okay."
The silence stretched, Ruza remaining as still as a statue, her gaze fixed on something far beyond the window.
Tatsuya could feel her quiet sadness hanging in the air, heavy and unspoken.
He remembered something Kaida had told him, words that had stuck with him. For me, what helped was to talk about it.
Maybe the same was true for Ruza.
"Ruza," he said gently, "if there's something on your mind… you can tell me. You can trust me."
For a long moment, it seemed she wouldn't respond. But then, in a voice barely louder than a whisper, she spoke.
"Tatsuya…" Her tone held a sorrow he'd never heard from her before. "It's just… I know Master Yatsu wants to take me back home. But… this place, the Swordsman Corps… it's the first place I felt like I belonged."
"A place where I wasn't just the 'daughter of Yatsu' or someone's 'responsibility.'" She let out a shaky breath, her hands clenched at her sides.
"But now that he's coming… I know that once he takes me back, this place, this life… it'll all be over."
Tatsuya felt a pang in his chest. He hadn't realized how much staying here had meant to her.
She turned then, her face lit by the soft moonlight, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Tatsuya… I'm afraid. Afraid of losing this… losing you."
For a moment, he didn't know what to say. The thought of her leaving was one he'd kept at bay, as if by ignoring it, it wouldn't come to pass.
But now, seeing her like this, he understood that she was as scared as he was.
Slowly, he reached out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Ruza, no matter what happens… even if you have to go back, it doesn't mean you'll lose everything. You'll still have your memories, and—" He hesitated, then took a deep breath,
"you'll still have me. I promise I won't disappear from your life so easily."
She looked up at him, the faintest glimmer of hope lighting her face. "You mean that?"
He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Of course I do. Besides, you know me—I can be pretty stubborn."
"If Master Yatsu takes you away, I'll just have to find a way to see you again, no matter what it takes."
Ruza let out a small, almost disbelieving laugh, her shoulders finally relaxing. "You're really something, Tatsuya…"
They stood there, a comfortable silence settling between them as the moonlight bathed the room in a soft, calming glow.
For that moment, the worries about tomorrow and the uncertainty of what lay ahead faded, leaving just the two of them, grounded in the present.
Ruza gave a soft sigh. "Thank you, Tatsuya. Really." She glanced back toward the window, but now there was a quiet strength in her gaze. "Whatever happens… I think I'll be okay."
Part 4
Tatsuya lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to surrender to sleep no matter how heavy his eyes felt.
The quiet hours of the night pressed in around him, amplifying the thoughts racing through his mind, each one dragging him deeper into an oppressive stillness.
The truth he'd been avoiding all night was inescapable now.
What would happen if she goes home?
He could imagine it so clearly—Ruza leaving, the last trace of her warm presence vanishing like the morning mist.
She'd be safe with Master Yatsu and the others; the forest was no longer dangerous, and Rukai's threat was gone.
He wasn't needed for anything. I'm not her protector anymore, he thought, almost bitterly, a hollow chuckle slipping past his lips.
It's selfish of me to think I could protect her anyway. I'm no warrior—I can't even use magic without this pendant.
The thought of her leaving with that same kindness, the same unwavering trust, sent a cold ache through his chest, heavy and unbearable.
I don't want to say goodbye. The words tore through his mind, unraveling something deep within him.
First Meki, and now Ruza. It felt like he was losing everything, everyone who'd made this new life even remotely meaningful.
His eyes burned, and before he realized it, silent tears were spilling down his cheeks, unbidden and raw. Memories of their first meeting, her quiet laughter, her strength—all of it surged up, flooding him in flashes that left his heart aching.
The emptiness he'd thought he'd overcome had only waited, dormant, and now it clawed at him with a familiar, gnawing despair.
He'd been here before, in this same aching loneliness, back when he'd lost Meki. He hadn't known how to process it then, either; the feeling had hollowed him out, leaving him numb, trapped in the weight of his own thoughts.
Tatsuya felt himself spiraling, sinking into a well of emotions he'd fought so hard to keep buried.
Without even realizing it, his hand found its way to the edge of his nightstand.
His fingers closed around the familiar handle of the kitchen knife he kept nearby, his grip tightening as he lifted it, the cool steel almost comforting in his hand.
Maybe it would be better for both of us to separate. Maybe… maybe this is what I'm meant for. If I can't protect anyone I love, then why… why keep going?
The room felt stiflingly quiet, the silence pressing down on him. He was exhausted, his body and soul weighed down by a sadness that felt endless, unrelenting.
His breaths came shallow and heavy, and his vision blurred, darkened by the thoughts that had wound their way into his mind.
He thought about the endless ache, the way each loss tore another piece of him away. He'd already died once, hadn't he? A second time wouldn't be so bad.
Holding the knife, he let his head fall back, his eyes closing against the darkness around him.
His hand shook as he gripped the knife, feeling its weight as he considered letting it all go, the hurt, the emptiness, everything.
It would be easier this way, wouldn't it? Wouldn't death be more fulfilling than this hollow life?
Tatsuya's grip tightened, his breaths shallow and uneven, until the only sound left was the beating of his heart, each thud painfully slow, echoing in the empty space around him.
He was so tired, so unbearably tired, and all he wanted was peace. He closed his eyes, and for a moment, he felt as though he could simply let go.
When he opened his eyes he found himself in a space he had once been in before.
His body felt light, almost like he was floating.
He didn't feel any of the emotions he felt moments before.
Tatsuya found himself in a completely different world. There is nothing in this world, Tatsuya judged it as a dream, a lucid dream or something.
It was as if he were merely a presence, a thought lingering in this empty world.
I don't understand have I been here before?
"Tatsuya.."
His heart skipped a beat. He knew that voice, he recognized it immediately, his mind racing to a name that brought both joy and sorrow.
Meki! he thought, his chest tightening.
Why is she here? Where is she?
"Meki!" he called out, his voice echoing endlessly. "Where are you?"
He began to move, though he couldn't feel his feet touching any surface.
The urge to find her overpowered everything, propelling him forward, faster and faster, his heart pounding as he chased the faint sound of her voice.
It seemed to elude him, always just out of reach.
Tatsuya called again . "Meki! Where are you?" Finally, after what felt like an eternity of searching, he saw it—a figure silhouetted against the stark brightness.
He stopped.
It was her, standing with her back to him, the familiar shape of her small frame, her hair cascading down her shoulders just as he remembered.
"You found me," she said, her voice as warm and gentle as it had been in life
"Meki…" he murmured, his voice shaking. "Are you… real?"
Meki turned around, her face beaming, full of life and mischief, her eyes sparkling like they used to.
"Well, Tatsuya, you could always test me," she said playfully, flashing him that teasing smile she often wore. "What are you waiting for?"
I'm… scared, he thought, the words caught in his throat. What if I try to reach her, and she just disappears? Just like last time…
The thought of taking a single step closer only to watch her vanish into thin air again felt unbearable, a risk he wasn't sure he could take.
"How do I know you won't disappear when I come closer?" he asked, his voice trembling
"You just have to trust me." She stuck her tongue out at him, a playful glint in her eyes. so genuine, that for a moment, he forgot his fear.
As Tatsuya wanted to make the first step, his body didn't want to move.
His legs were shaking.
The thought of taking a step and seeing her disappear again made him want to just stand there for eternity.
No I just need to be there before she disappears. Even if it's just for a moment, even if it lasts no more than a millisecond … I want to be with her, just a little longer.
Summoning every ounce of courage he had, Tatsuya took a deep breath and bolted toward her, sprinting with all the strength he could muster.
His gaze fixed only on her, desperate not to let her vanish. His heart hammered as he closed the distance, mere centimeters away, and he shut his eyes, fearing what he might see if she faded.
He was greeted by the warmth and comfort of an other human being.
His arms wrapped around her, his fingers clutching tightly, afraid that any slack would let her slip away.
She was here—she was real. Tatsuya's mind reeled with disbelief
He tightened his hug never wanting to let go.
"See?" Meki whispered softly, her voice tender as she embraced him back. "I'm real… in here."
Overwhelmed, Tatsuya buried his face against her shoulder.
Meki ran her fingers through his hair, soothing him with a warmth that seemed to heal his fractured heart.
Tatsuya began to cry.
"I missed you, Meki," he choked out, his voice breaking. "I thought I'd never… see you again."
She held him tighter, her hand resting against his back, offering comfort he'd longed for.
"I missed you too, Tatsuya. I never really left you, you know. I've always been here, watching over you."
He pulled back slightly, gazing at her through tear-filled eyes. "Then… don't go. Stay with me."
She looked at him, her expression filled with something deep, something bittersweet. "I can't, I am dead but I also don't know what this is? The after life? A place where souls go when moving on?" Meki questioned.
"But how can I be here? I didn't die, right?" Tatsuya asked.
"No, you're not dead. But I do know that there is a place where what people believe to be the heart of the world… the place where all mana resonates from and returns." Meki said.
"So also souls?"
"Could be."
If that is true that could mean that Meki's soul is there now. I just need to find the place.
"Do you know what it will take to find that place?" He asked.
"The only thing I know is that many powerful mages had tried to search for that place but no one has been able to find it." She answered.
Tatsuya looked at the ground.
"But hey don't forget what I told you." She quickly continued. "Do not give up, for I am your lover. I am with you, I have given you strength, not just for the easy days but for the days when you feel like you cannot take another step."
"Because I believe in you. Tatsuya!" Meki said with an encouraging face and a cute happy smile.
Tatsuya's head lifted, the weight of despair finally slipping off him like the fog after dawn.
His eyes, once clouded by darkness and self-doubt, now shone with an intense, unyielding light.
Slowly, a confident smile crept across his face, and a fire, both fierce and unwavering, reignited in his chest.
Memories flooded back, each one a reminder of how he'd been so blind, so utterly mistaken. How had he been so foolish?
Meki. She was the one. The only one who had trusted him, believed in him with all her heart.
She was the one Tatsuya swore to live for.
To not value his life as inconvenient but to be a hero to orders. She had refused to abandon him, even when he had abandoned himself; nor would she accept his giving up.
Tatsuya's hands clenched into fists, a renewed strength surging through him. It was Meki who had inspired him, who made him swear to live—not just for himself, but for something greater.
She was the one who made him vow that his life wouldn't be a mere inconvenience but a beacon, a light for those in need.
She had never given up on him, even when he had given up on himself.
Her unwavering presence was a reminder, and in that instant, he understood the weight of his mistake.
Breathing in deeply, he felt the chains that had clouded his mind shatter, clearing his thoughts in an instant.
Every fear, every doubt, every ounce of despair—it all faded, replaced by a resolute determination that coursed through him.
He stood taller, braver, ready to face the future with a renewed purpose.
"I'm going to be your hero, Meki. Even past death, if that's what it takes. I'm going to be everyone's hero, with you watching over me!"
His voice rang out with a clarity and strength that surprised even himself.
Tatsuya's gaze fell on Meki, his eyes brimming with newfound resolve. "I really am an idiot, aren't I? Forgetting the most important moments of my life like that…"
He took a step closer, his expression softening as he looked into Meki's eyes.
They were beautiful, brimming with warmth and kindness, but also laced with a hint of concern that tugged at his heart.
"I'm sorry, Meki. I really am. Will you give me another chance?"
Meki's cheeks flushed ever so slightly as she sighed, folding her arms with a playful pout.
"Okay, but this time, I want you to keep your promise," she said, her tone a mix of genuine concern and teasing scorn.
Tatsuya let out a laugh, light and free, a sound that had been absent for too long. "I promise. I won't let you down this time. I'll be the hero you always believed I could be."
Part 5
Kaida nodded with a serious look on her face. "I am sorry this happened to you." She said.
"We are always here for you." Kiome said.
Kaida, Ruza, Kizuroto, Kiome, Chika and Tatsuya were sitting in an old shack around an old a wooden workbench. A basic set of blacksmithing tools—hammer, anvil, forge, tongs, vise, sandpaper, and a belt sander were scattered around the shack.
I suggest this shack was used in the past for forging weapons. Don't think that it is used anymore, that's why we made it our hangout spot. Secretly and unknown.
The only ones who know it are, we and Aoi. Too bad that Aoi couldn't attend on my attempt on asking for help.
Because I really need all the help I could get. The reason why she isn't here is because of some swords man corps business or something.
"Well, from my perspective, you're just…" Kizutoro's words trailed off as he caught sight of the others' expressions.
Kaida, Kiome, Chika, and Ruza were all staring at him, each with their own version of a silent warning etched across their faces.
Kaida's gaze was sharp and almost daring him to continue.
Kiome's eyebrow arched, a clear "are you sure you want to finish that sentence?"
hanging in the air.
Chika crossed her arms, looking somewhere between bored and vaguely annoyed.
And Ruza…well, Ruza just glared at him as if she could burn a hole through his soul if he dared to speak another word.
Kizutoro swallowed, awkwardly scratching the back of his neck as he tried to laugh it off. "What…what are you all looking at me for?"
Tatsuya started to speak. "So I ask all of you for help."
They all nodded and held their hands on top of each other. "Now let's celebrate Ruza returning home party!"
After the party they stood before the swords man corps.
Tatsuya stood next to a young woman with short, wavy blonde hair with pink highlights near the ends. Her outfit includes a white, short-sleeved top with a low neckline and green leaf-like shoulder decorations. Over her top, she wears a brown corset with black laces in the front. Her skirt is knee-length, light yellow with a ruffled hem, She's wearing pink shoes with ankle socks that have frilly edges.
It was non other than Sora.
"Hey, sora. Tell me. Why is master Yatsu here?" Tatsuya asked.
"To take Ruza home. Why you ask?"
Sora looked confused. "You are coming with us right?"
Wait I can go back? Didn't we make arrangements for me to stay there until I was finished with my training?
"But I am finished with my training?" Tatsuya said.
Sora's expression shifted from confused to a mixture of amusement. "Finished?" she repeated, clearly trying to hold back a laugh. "I'm sorry, Tatsuya, but I think you're still a few leagues away from 'finished.'" She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Let's just say…if your training were a meal, it'd still be raw in the middle."
Tatsuya sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, but then grinned. "Alright, alright, I get it! I still have a lot to learn." He took a step closer, his eyes lighting up with a competitive spark. "But how about this? When we get back, let's have a duel! This time, I'll win for sure!"
Sora's face morphed into a devilish grin, her hand coming up to cover her mouth as she let out an exaggerated, almost villainous laugh.
"Mwahahaha! You actually think you can defeat me?" She leaned in closer, her face inches from his, eyes narrowed and gleaming with mischief. "Oh, Tatsuya, sweet summer child… You're not even close."
Tatsuya felt a bead of sweat trickle down his forehead, but he managed to keep his confident smile. "Don't underestimate me, Sora! I'm not the same guy you used to wipe the floor with!"
"Yeah, yeah," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "Just remember to bring a pillow when we duel. You'll need it after I knock you flat on your back." She stuck her tongue out, then flashed a wink, clearly enjoying his frustration.
"Hahaha, you....."
Then a explosion erupted
Booommmm!!!!!