Chapter 47: The Future…
Yuki was sitting on the highest terrace of the headquarters.
The sky was half-covered; the sun struggled to break through the thick clouds, while the wind carried the familiar scent of earth just before rain.
Yuki took a deep breath.
As the smell of soil filled his lungs, his eyes fixed on the turquoise-colored lake below.
The water was calm…
But his heart was not.
At that moment, footsteps sounded behind him.
Taro appeared first.
His right hand rested over the bandaged wound on his chest, while a banana hung loosely from his other hand.
A few steps behind him, Doctor Mitsuni followed quietly.
When Yuki noticed the wound, he quickly turned around.
Yuki:
"Ah! Uncle Taro… you've recovered!"
Taro burst into laughter.
He raised his eyebrows confidently, but his expression briefly twisted in pain.
Taro:
"Ahh, yes—"
(pauses)
"Well… partially."
Yuki smiled, then let out a quiet sigh and turned back toward the lake.
The mountains looked faint, half-swallowed by mist.
Taro leaned against the terrace railing beside him.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Taro broke the silence, his voice gentle.
Taro:
"Yuki… you're not alone."
Yuki flinched.
He turned toward Taro in surprise.
Yuki:
"W–what?"
Taro glanced at him sideways, then smiled while looking ahead.
Taro:
"I guess Haruto never told you about my ability."
Yuki shook his head.
Yuki:
"No."
Taro took a slow breath.
Taro:
"I can easily understand people's emotions…
And sometimes, I can even influence their minds."
Yuki's tired yet shining eyes lit up with excitement.
Yuki:
"Woooow…"
Taro's smile softened—but this time, it carried sadness.
Taro:
"Once… I had a son and a daughter about your age."
Yuki listened quietly.
Taro's voice tried not to tremble.
Taro:
"But one day—"
(clenches his fist)
"I lost them."
The wind grew a little stronger.
Taro:
"In the back garden of the headquarters… there were Quiries.
They didn't look human.
You could tell at a glance."
(a brief pause)
Taro:
"But even in that state… they managed to kill my family."
Yuki lowered his head.
Yuki:
"…I'm sorry, Uncle Taro."
Taro took a deep breath and forced a laugh.
Taro:
"Ahh… the stitches are pulling now!"
(laughs)
"AHAHA!"
Then he gently held Yuki's face with both hands and lowered himself to his level.
Taro:
"Listen, Yuki…
You will suffer a lot in this life.
But you will also be just as happy."
"Life doesn't give you what you want."
"You take it."
"When the time comes."
"You'll love life…
And when necessary, you'll grow tired of it."
"If you can do that…
You'll win your battle with life."
Tears streamed down Yuki's face, yet he was smiling.
He turned toward the sunset.
The sunlight breaking through the clouds painted the lake in gold.
After a long silence, he turned back to Taro.
Yuki:
"Don't worry, Uncle Taro…
I'll always be strong."
Taro closed his eyes, smiled, and gently ruffled Yuki's hair.
Taro:
"Well done, my boy…"
A little farther back, Doctor Mitsuni watched quietly with a soft smile.
A low voice came from behind.
Haruto:
"I see good things waiting for him in the future."
Beside him, Kaito frowned slightly.
Kaito:
"Yeah… but also bad ones."
"Still… he'll never give up."
Haruto glanced at Kaito, nodded, then looked back at Yuki.
Haruto:
"Heh… yeah.
And when that day comes… I'll do everything I can to help him."
Kaito:
"Idiot… what would you do without me?"
Haruto (annoyed):
"What?! What did you just say?!"
At that moment, Mitsuni laughed and cut in.
Dr. Mitsuni:
"Shh."
He gestured toward Yuki and Taro with his eyebrow.
Haruto and Kaito fell silent.
Unknowingly, a smile spread across their faces.
And in that moment…
Everyone simply stood still, quietly savoring the beauty of that scene.