[Roof of a Building]
The mage sat at the edge of the roof. He’d done it. He was finally free of that place. But now… what? Where would he go? What would he do? He couldn’t go back home to Hokkaido, because this wasn’t his world. The Hokkaido in this world wouldn’t be his home.
“What now?” The question kept repeating in his mind. What now?
Well, he needed a place to live. That was already taken care of, in a sense, he had the Sanctuary. But he hated the isolation of that place. There were no people or animals; it made him feel profoundly lonely. It was even worse because of his Third Eye: that heightened his sense, only amplified the emptiness. He couldn’t sense even an ant there.
‘Seriously, if I sleep in there a few more nights, I’ll go crazy.’ He’d starts to consider sleeping on the streets than spend another night in that silent space.
Then there was money. What kind of job could he even take? More importantly, could he take one? He had no documents, no identity, no citizenship in this world. That made him an illegal immigrant. And the only work available to someone like that was the kind that paid poorly and exploited without mercy.
A truly desperate, absurd thought flickered through his mind. ‘Maybe I could work as a host… but do I even have the look for it?’ He immediately cringed. Shit, where did that come from? He didn't have a girlfriend; he was still a virgin, for crying out loud. Did that place had corrupted his mind?
What he did have of value were skills and power. He could be a mercenary, an assassin, a thief, roles that always had at the underground market. His jaw tightened. ‘No. I won’t stoop that low even if I’m desperate.’
An idea began to form in his mind. Maybe he could ask them, the Taimanin, if he could join them. But would they accept him? Probably not, he was an outsider with no ties to their village. Even if by some miracle they allowed it, he’d likely remain an outcast among them.
The thought made his stomach clench, not with nervousness, but with the cold, familiar ache of memory. He remembered another village that he went hoping for a place to called home, one filled with clans of magic users. It had been a terrible place built on a rigid, merciless hierarchy. The powerful clans ruled, and the lesser ones existed only to be used. It might as well be called slavery, since how horrible the lesser clans were treated. And anyone who dared to desire change, were either killed or exiled.
The mage had been treated horribly by the village, and not simply because he was an outsider. It was because he was a Miyatake. His clan was notorious for its rebellious streak and its unshakeable commitment to a single ideal: using their power to improve the lives of others and fight the injustice and evil. They had founded an academy far from the village, a facility where anyone, regardless of clan status, could train honing their magic and build a career in the supernatural world.
This philosophy was a direct threat to the village's rigid, oppressive culture. The elders demanded the Miyatake to shut down their facility and cease their "disruptive" teachings, lest they face the village's wrath.
The Miyatake, of course, refused. They were attacked in return and won the battle, but that was not the end of it. They launched a campaign to hunt down key members of the village, kidnapping some to force a peace treaty and killing others to weaken the village’s power. Ever since the peace treaty, the village never attacked the Miyatake clan again.
Not until the day of the massacre.
He quickly shook his head to focused on the present. Before he could start thinking of a plan, he sensed a presence behind him. He turned his head and saw Rinko standing there.
“Are you okay?” she asked, her voice calm but carrying a note of genuine concern.
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“I’ve finished contacting HQ,” Rinko informed the group. “The drop-ship will arrive in about an hour. We should head to the extraction point.”
Shiranui’s face lit up with excitement. “I can’t wait to go back home. I’ve missed it so much. I wonder how much the village has changed since I’ve been gone.”
“Not too much, Mama,” Yukikaze said, smiling. “But I’m sure a lot of people will be excited to see you again.”
“Yeah,” Tatsurou added. “I bet lady Asagi and the others will be really happy to have you back.”
As the group continued chatting, Rinko noticed Ryuji sitting apart in silence. It made her wonder what he planned to do next. Would he return to his vigilante group? She couldn't help but feel his talents were wasted there. The thought crossed her mind, perhaps he would consider joining Gosha Village and becoming a Taimanin. It would be difficult, of course, he was an outsider. But if he demonstrated even a fraction of what he’d shown against Shiranui, Asagi would surely welcome him.
She approached him, her steps quiet on the roof’s floor. “Are you all right?”
“Hm? Yeah, I’m fine. Just… thinking about what to do next.” His voice held a weary edge.
“You’re not planning to return home? Where is home for you, anyway?” She asked, already considering how they might stay in touch if he declined any offer she might make.
“Hokkaido.”
“Hokkaido?!” Her eyes widened slightly; the distance was staggering. “That’s… very far from Tokyo.”
“Yeah,” he said, a quiet, unmistakable sadness in his voice as he looked up at the sky. “It is.” He let out a sigh. “I can’t go back.”
“You can’t? Why not? If it’s money, we don’t mind helping.”
“No… well, yes, I do need money, but that’s not the reason.” He met her eyes, his expression weary and resigned. “It would be… difficult to go back. There are… complications.”
“Complications?” Rinko asked softly, her voice laced with concern.
“It’s complicated to explain,” he said, his tone hollow. “Right now, I’m just trying to figure out what to do next.”
Rinko decided not to pry further into his past. He had clearly shown it was a painful subject, one he either avoided or discussed with only the barest details. Instead, she saw an opening. “You could join Gosha Village,” she offered, her tone careful but earnest. “Become one of us. It would be difficult at first, you’d be an outsider, but with your abilities, I’m certain you would be accepted.”
Ryuji’s expression shifted to one of hesitation. “Gosha Village… what’s it like?”
“It’s… a regular village, I suppose,” Rinko said, searching for the right words. “Quiet streets, old houses, sakura trees in spring. But it’s also home to the largest concentration of Taimanin clans, and the Gosha Academy, where we train.” She paused, then added, “It’s peaceful and safe, yet alive with purpose. Everyone there are working with a share goal of protecting Japan, either from criminals or demons.
He was quiet for a moment, weighing her words. “And you think they’d accept someone like me?”
I do,” she said firmly. “Skill and hard work matter more than bloodline to some. And after what you did for us… that would carry weight.” She met his gaze, her expression earnest. “I won’t lie, you might have trouble gaining their trust at first. But you’ll have us. You won’t be alone.”
Then something surprised her. Ryuji show a smiled, a genuine, happy smile. Unlike before, where he had smirked, offered a polite smile, or a nervous grin, this was different. It reached his eyes, softening the weariness in them, and for a moment he looked… lighter. Unburdened. Rinko found herself holding her breath. It was, she realized, it is the most beautiful smile she had ever seen from someone.
“Thank you,” Ryuji said, his expression softening. He stood up and stretched his arms overhead, as though releasing a weight he’d carried for a long time. Then he glanced past Rinko toward the others. “Oh, hey, you guys.”
The three of them turned toward the pair. “Hey, what are you two talking about over there?” Yukikaze asked, her curiosity piqued.
Tatsurou noticed something different about Ryuji. His expression seemed brighter, lighter somehow, and it was contagious. Tatsurou felt his own mood lift in response. “Did something good happen?”
Shiranui stayed quiet, but her heart skip as she saw his smile. It was different from the controlled, and polite ones he’d offered before. This was a genuine smile.
Ryuji met their gazes, the last of his earlier hesitation gone. “Well,” he said, a calm certainty in his voice, “I’ve decided to join Gosha Village and become a Taimanin.”
“Eh?” Yukikaze stared, caught off guard. “W-wait, you’re actually planning to become a Taimanin?”
“Yup,” Ryuji replied, a hint of a playful smirk returning to his lips, then he turns to look at Tatsurou. “Pretty soon, I’ll be your genuine senpai, once they accept me, that is.”
That’s great news… Senpai!” Tatsurou said, his excitement bubbling over.
“Not your senpai yet,” Ryuji chuckled, shaking his head. “But you seem pretty thrilled about it.”
This made Tatsurou blush a little.
“Oh? So you don’t plan on returning home?” Shiranui asked, her tone curious but gentle.
“There’s no point,” Ryuji said, his gaze drifting toward the horizon again. “At least not now.”
A quiet understanding settled over the group. No one pressed further.
“So, how do we get there?” Ryuji asked, shifting the subject.
Rinko stepped forward. “A drop-ship will arrive at the designated extraction point in about forty minutes.”
“I see. Well, I’d like to take a walk on the streets before extraction.”
“Make sure you arrive at the extraction point on time,” Rinko said, pointing with her index finger toward a distant rooftop. “It’s at the top of that building.”
“Alright,” he replied, giving her a thumbs-up before jumping down to the alleyway.
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[Streets of Tokyo]
Walking through the streets of Tokyo left him feeling oddly at peace with himself. The mundane flow of pedestrians, the distant rumble of traffic, and the low hum of city life were a welcome change from the silence of the Sanctuary or the disgusting shithole that is Yomihara. He did draw a few stares, though, thanks to the healing talismans still clinging to parts of his face.
As he walked, he spotted a vending machine that carried his favourite brand of energy drink. He inserted a few coins, pressed the button, and retrieved the cold can with a soft clunk.
He continued on, taking a slow sip, until he rounded a corner and lightly bumped into a high school boy heading the other way. The impact was slight, but it was enough to jostle the can from Ryuji’s hand. It hit the pavement with a metallic clatter, spraying a fizzy puddle across the sidewalk.
“Ah, sorry,” Ryuji said automatically, glancing at the boy.
“No, it’s okay…” the boy started to say, already stepping back.
But Ryuji paused. Something in the boy’s tone, or perhaps in the slight delay before he spoke, felt off. It wasn’t nervousness or annoyance. It was something else, something he couldn’t quite place.
He took in his appearance, the standard high-school uniform, a blue blazer with a school emblem on the left chest pocket, a red tie, short black hair, and ordinary brown eyes. Nothing outwardly unusual.
“Is there a problem?” Ryuji asked, his tone casual but attentive. “You seem… troubled.”
“Wha—? No, it’s just…” The boy hesitated, his eyes briefly scanning Ryuji’s face before flickering away. “You reminded me of someone.”
“Really?”
“Yeah.” The boy give a polite smile to him. “Here, let me buy you another drink. To make up for yours.”
He handed Ryuji a fresh can of the same energy drink from the vending machine.
“Thanks.” He opens the can and happily chugs the drink.
“No problem.” The boy’s eyes lingered on Ryuji’s face. “Say… what’s with the talismans?”
“Oh, these?” Ryuji chuckled, offering a casual shrug. He decided to deflect. “Just some… exorcism thing. Apparently, I’ve been haunted by a ghost that gives me terrible luck.”
The high school boy chuckled in response, a light, genuine sound that seemed to ease the momentary tension.
Ryuji smiled slightly, though his curiosity lingered. “So, what’s a high schooler like you doing out in the middle of the day? Shouldn’t you be in class?”
“Eh, well, you know…” the boy scratched the back of his head with a sheepish grin. “I’ve got some important errands to run. Hehe.”
“You could just say you want to skip class,” Ryuji said, a faint smirk touching his lips. “Don’t worry, I won’t lecture you about it. After all, I skipped a lot of school myself.”
“Eh really?”
He nodded. “Yup.” He glanced up at the sky, then back at the boy. “Say, what time is it now?”
The high school boy pulled out his phone. “Hmm… 12:45 P.M.”
“Ah, I’d better get going then. It was nice chatting with you.”
“Wait, before you go,” the boy said quickly, “what’s your name?”
“Miyatake Ryuji. You can call me Ryuji if you want.”
For just a second, the boy’s eyes widened. He went perfectly still, as if the name had triggered something deep and unexpected. The pause lasted only a breath before he recovered, his expression smoothing back into polite curiosity. “And yours?”
“I’m Sawaki Kosuke,” the boy replied, offering a small, friendly nod.
“Well, see ya later, Sawaki-san.”
“Yeah, see you later too, Ryuji.”
They both walked in separate directions, disappearing into the crowd. The high school boy continued on, his mind beginning to replay what had just happened, a feeling of nostalgia washing over him. ‘Miyatake Ryuji… so you are in this world, too, just like the others. I need to inform Kyousuke about this.’
He stopped, took a deep breath, and let it out in a sigh. “Why did talking to you give me such a weird, nostalgic feeling, though?” he muttered to himself, the quiet question hanging in the air before he moved on.
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[Extraction Point]
Ryuji arrived at the extraction point and waited a minute for the others to arrive. Moments later, a drop-ship suddenly shimmered into view out of thin air, startling him. Yukikaze giggled at his reaction.
“Oh, that’s just the drop-ship’s cloaking technology,” Rinko informed him calmly.
“R-really?” Ryuji murmured, shaking his head slightly. Sometimes he still forgot he was in the future.
They boarded the drop-ship, its interior a sleek mix of muted grays and soft, ambient lighting. Ryuji took a seat in the middle, with Tatsurou settling on his left and Rinko on his right. The Mizukis, Shiranui and Yukikaze, sat together in the row just ahead of them. As the hatch sealed with a quiet hiss, the low hum of the engines vibrated through the cabin.
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[Gosha Academy]
The drop-ship touched down gently, and with a soft hydraulic hiss, the hatch unsealed and lowered to form a ramp. As they stepped outside, Ryuji found himself on the rooftop of a sleek, modern building. The cool, fresh air of the mountains washed over him, a stark contrast to the stifling humidity of Tokyo.
“So this is your main HQ building?” Ryuji asked, taking in the view.
Rinko respond. “Yes, this building also serves as our academy as well.”
He noticed someone approaching, a woman with elegant black hair tied in a neat bun, dressed in professional teacher’s attire: a crisp white blouse and a straight, dark skirt. Her presence carried an air of gentle authority.
“Welcome back, all of you,” she said warmly, her eyes softening as they settled on Shiranui. “Shiranui… you’ve finally returned.” Her voice wavered slightly, a note of sadness seeping through. “Forgive me. I couldn’t find you… all those years.”
Shiranui’s expression softened, a mix of relief and old sorrow in her eyes. “Asagi… you have nothing to apologize for.”
She then turned her attention to Ryuji. “And you must be Miyatake Ryuji.” She offered a formal nod. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Igawa Asagi, the principal of Gosha Academy and the acting head of the Taimanin organization.”
Wait, he was already meeting the boss of this place?! ‘Stay calm, don’t be nervous, act professionally.’ “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Ryuji replied, keeping his tone respectful and even.
“I heard what you did at Yomihara from Rinko,” Asagi said, her expression softening into something genuine. “I want to thank you for protecting them, and for bringing Shiranui back.”
“I just did what felt right.”
This caused both Rinko and Yukikaze to eye him, a reaction Ryuji ignored.
“Well, let’s get those injuries treated. We have medical facilities here.”
“Thank you.” He bowed.
As they entered the clean, modern interior of the building, Shiranui drifted closer to Ryuji and leaned in, her voice dropping to a whisper. “You didn’t treat me like that, you know. I'm a year older than her, so why don’t I get the same respect?”
Ryuji blinked, caught off guard. “Well, she’s the boss of this place. Of course, I have to treat her formally.”
“Hmm.” She pouted playfully. “Mou… you should treat all women with respect, Ryuji-sama.” The moment the honorific left her lips, she seemed to startle herself, falling silent as she quickly put some distance between them.
He sighed quietly. ‘Seriously, why did she start acting so… familiar to me?’ Also, why did she use sama?
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[Medical Facility]
The medical facility was a quiet, well-lit ward with clean white walls and the faint scent of antiseptic, located at the underground of the Gosha Academy. After their initial examinations, Ryuji and Shiranui were placed in adjacent beds in a shared recovery room. Monitors beeped softly nearby, tracking their vitals, and morning light filtered through half-drawn blinds.
A doctor in a white coat had just finished explaining their conditions. “The internal injuries are significant for both of you,” She said, her tone professional but firm. “These injuries won’t heal overnight. You’ll need to stay here for today, having a good rest help heal these injuries.”
Once the doctor left, Ryuji let out a slow breath, staring up at the ceiling. “So our internal injuries are that bad, huh?”
From the bed beside him, Shiranui’s voice was softer than usual, tinged with regret. “Sorry, Ryuji-kun.”
He turned his head toward her. She was lying on her side facing him, her expression sad in the quiet of the room.
“Don’t be,” he replied, his voice low but clear. “You weren’t yourself. And… I chose to fight, knowing what will happen to me.”
A soft knock sounded at the door before it opened, revealing Rinko, Yukikaze, Tatsurou, and Asagi filing into the room.
Yukikaze stepped forward, her usual sharpness softened by concern. “How are your injuries?”
“Bad enough,” Ryuji replied with a tired grimace. “We’re stuck here until tomorrow, at least. What about you three?”
“Just some bruises,” Tatsurou said with a shrug. “They’ll heal on their own.”
Yukikaze sighed, crossing her arms. “Me and Rinko-senpai had to go through a full body-healing therapy session starting tomorrow. They’re undoing all the… adjustments from UnderEden’s training.”
Asagi stood quietly near the foot of the beds, her composed demeanour finally giving way. Her hands were clenched at her sides, and when she spoke, her voice was low, taut with a mixture of fury and maternal worry.
“This wouldn’t have happened,” she said, the words sharp in the quiet room, “if either of you had withdrawn when you had the chance. You put yourselves through such unnecessary danger.”
Both Rinko and Yukikaze visibly shrank under the weight of her growing anger, their gazes dropping to the floor. Neither offered a defence.
From his bed, Ryuji couldn’t help but feel a flicker of dark amusement. ‘Good,’ he thought, turning his head slightly against the pillow to hide the faint, weary smirk that touched his lips. ‘Someone’s lecture them out on that idiotic choice.’
After Asagi finish her lecture in these two, she directed toward Ryuji. “Again, thank you for saving them.”
He quickly masked his amused expression with a neutral, gentle look. “Oh, again, it was nothing.”
“Miyatake-san, how old are you?” Asagi asked.
“I’m 18.”
“Huh?” The response caught everyone in the room by surprise.
“You’re the same age as me,” Rinko said, sounding genuinely taken aback.
“Senpai, you’re that young?” Tatsurou asked.
“What?” Ryuji looked genuinely confused. “Do I look old?” Now he's starting to felt conscious on his look.
Asagi quickly steered the conversation back on track. “Ahem… You would be eligible to enroll as a student at the Gosha Academy, Miyatake-san. What do you say?”
“Uh…” He paused, considering. “Sure, but there’s a problem. I’m… pretty much broke. I don’t know if I can pay tuition fee.”
A brief, heavy silence filled the room.
“Ryuji-kun…” Shiranui spoke up gently from her bed. “There is no fee. The Gosha Academy is fully subsidized by the government.”
“That’s right. And we’ll provide you with a monthly allowance, of course,” Asagi added. “Naturally, we’ll expect you to take your studies seriously.”
“Oh.” Ryuji blinked, then frowned slightly. “But… is it really okay for someone like me? I’m not exactly… academically strong. Especially since I dropped out of school.”
Once again, the room fell into a brief, surprised silence.
“That’s all right,” Asagi assured him, her tone calm and encouraging. “Given enough time and hard work, you’ll improve.”
Rinko nodded in agreement. “I’ll help you improve your academic skills, Ryuji-kun.” After all, she doesn’t want to see someone with his talent wasted.
From across the room, Yukikaze smirked. “Just try not to fall asleep in class.”
Ryuji managed a small, tired smile. “Alright then… I’ll give it a shot.” He paused, “So… where will I be staying?”
“Oh, you can stay with us at the Mizuki manor,” Shiranui suggested warmly.
“Eh, really?” Ryuji turned his head toward Yukikaze. “What about you, Yukikaze?”
Yukikaze crossed her arms, her expression a mix of mock suspicion and reluctant acceptance. “I’m fine with it… as long as you don’t do anything stupid or perverted.”
Shiranui chuckled softly from her bed. “What do you think, Ryuji-kun?”
Ryuji nodded slowly, a hint of gratitude softening his weary features. “I appreciate it. Really.”
After another round of short, quiet conversation, the four of them left the room, the door clicking shut behind them. Silence settled back over the recovery ward, broken only by the steady beep of the monitors and the distant, muffled sounds of the facility.
Shiranui had fallen asleep making Ryuji alone with his thoughts, Ryuji replayed the events of the day. He was going to join a school for ninjas—a Gosha Academy student. He didn't have many expectations, and part of him remained wary of institutions and their rules. But somewhere beneath the fatigue and the ache, a faint, unfamiliar spark flickered. Something almost like… excitement. He needs to remind himself this isn't permanent, he still needs to find a way to get back home, but right now he needs to gather allies and information.
His eyes grew heavy, the soft hum of the room lulling him. Tomorrow would be something new. With that thought lingering in the quiet, he let his mind drift, and sleep pulled him gently under.
