The three knelt by the rocky wall next to the monster's corpse, catching their breath. Akio sat staring at his sword, while Fiko watched Ken in awe.
Fiko: "Akio-senpai, that was one of the fiercest battles I've ever seen! I didn't know you were a Vakin user…"
Akio (smiling tiredly): "It was a gamble… but I figured the Vakin might be its weakness. I had no other choice."
Ken: "Akio, a genius? That's a joke."
Akio (pretending to be smug): "Admit I saved you. It's okay, you can say thank you now."
Ken: "Thank you? You hurt me more than the monster did."
Fiko moved closer and sat beside Ken, then gently extended his hand.
Fiko: "Ken-senpai, let me help treat your wounds… they look serious."
Ken (raising his hand): "I'm fine. This isn't the first time I've bled… and it won't be the last."
Fiko (watching him with concern): "How… how can someone get used to this pain?"
Ken (with a calm gaze): "When you don't have any other choice… you learn to bleed in silence."
Silence fell for a moment. Then Ken raised his head and spoke with a firmer tone:
Ken: "Break time is over… the scroll and your sister are still inside. If we're going to tremble here, what will we do in there?"
The three stood again. Ken staggered slightly but forced himself to keep moving.
Fiko (whispering to Akio): "Is… is Ken even human?"
Akio (with confidence and pride): "I don't know… but he's with me, and that's enough."
Ken: "I can hear you."
Akio: "Oh, great. So now that I've saved your life… don't you think it's time you tell me more about yourself? Where are you from? What were you before you became this cold?"
Ken (quietly, looking ahead): "You'd gain nothing from knowing that."
Akio: "Let me be the judge of that. I still don't know how you ended up like this, or why Yoko cries every time she looks at you."
Ken (calmly): "It's a very long story… and I hate telling it."
Akio (walking beside Ken and nudging him playfully with his elbow): "Enough dodging. We're inside a deadly cave, you nearly died in that monster's jaws, I think that gives me the right to know something about you, doesn't it?"
Ken (muttering without turning): "That only grants you trouble."
Akio (sighing, then stepping in front of him to block his path): "I'm serious, Ken. Look at me. I don't want heroic tales or tragedies to make me cry… I just want the truth. Why do you bleed like that and then stand like nothing happened? Why are your eyes dead? Who the hell are you?"
Ken paused, his voice slightly raised, tinged with frustration:
Ken: "I'm someone who was never given a choice, Akio. Is that the answer you wanted?"
A moment of silence passed, while Fiko watched them nervously from behind.
Akio (calmly this time): "Yes, I want to know. If I'm going to fight beside you, I need to know who I'm fighting with."
Ken lowered his head slightly and exhaled quietly, feeling something heavy shift inside him. Then… he began to tell the story.
[Ruby State – 8 Years Ago]
In the heart of the prosperous Ruby State, life moved with a reassuring calm. The streets were neatly paved, the homes had an elegant classic design, and children's voices filled the alleys with warmth.
In one modest home near the outskirts of the city, an 8-year-old Ken was playing in the living room with his siblings. His fiery red hair and glowing gray eyes made him resemble his older brother Dan, who was 11 years old, standing confidently with wild dark red hair and a mischievous smile. Nearby sat their little sister Emily, six years old, with light brown hair and blue eyes, watching them with innocent curiosity.
Dan (with childlike excitement): "Hey Ken, how about a duel? Let's see who's stronger today!"
Ken (his face lighting up with joy): "Deal! This time I'll win! I've gotten a lot stronger!"
But before he could finish his excitement, Dan lunged at him with a quick punch to the stomach. It wasn't truly harmful, but it was surprising and strong for a small child. Ken fell to the ground, clutching his belly and beginning to cry, while Dan stood over him with folded arms, laughing in victory.
Emily (standing up quickly): "Stop it, Dan! You're not supposed to hit your brother! I'm telling Dad!"
Ken (tears rolling down his cheek): "I hate you! You're mean!"
Dan (laughing mockingly): "Oh, crying from one punch? You're so dramatic, hahaha."
Moments later, Akako entered the room with Emily. He was a man in his late twenties, tall, with dark spiky red hair like Dan, and sharp gray eyes that held both strictness and warmth. His voice was deep and commanding.
Akako (sternly): "Dan! How many times have I told you not to hurt your siblings? You're the eldest—you should be a role model and responsible!"
Dan (shrinking back): "Dad… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt him…"
Akako: "Your mother's pregnant with twins, and our house will get more crowded… I want you to learn to be a support, not a burden. Apologize now, and look your brother in the eye."
Dan stepped forward slowly and hesitantly, then extended his hand toward Ken.
Dan (softly): "I'm sorry, Ken."
Ken wiped his tears with his small fingers, then shook his hand reluctantly. He wasn't truly angry… just sad. At that moment, Masha entered the room. Their kind mother looked tired from her sixth month of pregnancy. Her brown hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her rounded belly clearly showed she was expecting twins.
Masha (with concern): "What's all this noise? Is everything alright?"
Akako (reassuringly): "Don't worry, just a little sibling fight… already settled."
Ken ran to his mother and hugged her tightly, burying his face in her belly. She wrapped her arms around him and gently stroked his hair.
Ken: "Mom… I'm excited to meet my new siblings!"
Masha (laughing softly): "Me too, sweetheart. Just three more months, and we'll need two names… one for a boy and one for a girl. Want to help me with that?"
Ken (starting to forget his sadness): "I'll name the boy… Rayu! And the girl… Sandy!"
Everyone laughed, unaware that this small memory would remain etched in Ken's heart… as the starting point for everything that would come later.
The Next Day
Ken sat on his small chair in the playroom, focused on drawing something with colored pencils. His left hand was stained with color, and his gray eyes were intently fixed on the paper.
Akako entered the room wearing a simple shirt unbuttoned at the collar, holding a cup of tea. He silently stood behind Ken for a few seconds, watching his drawing, then spoke gently:
Akako: "What are you drawing today, Ken?"
Ken (with childlike enthusiasm): "I'm drawing our family! This is Mom, that's Emily, and that's Dan… and here I am! Look, I made myself taller than Dan!"
Akako (laughing softly): "You're growing faster on paper than in real life."
He placed his tea on the small table beside him, then sat on the floor next to Ken, tilting his head to see the drawing more clearly.
Akako: "Oh… you drew your mom smiling, and Emily holding a flower… but why is Dan frowning?"
Ken suddenly stopped coloring, a hint of sadness in his expression.
Ken (quietly): "Because he hit me yesterday… so I gave him an angry face."
Akako (looking at him kindly): "Were you angry at him?"
Ken (shaking his head slightly): "No… I was sad. I don't like fighting with my brother."
Ken placed the paper on the ground, then looked up at his father with shimmering eyes.
Ken: "Dad… am I weak?"
Akako stared at him for a few seconds… then leaned forward, placed his hand gently on Ken's head.
Akako (softly): "No, my son… you're not weak. You're strong… because you have a heart that feels. Loving your family and fearing to hurt them… that's courage many don't understand."
Ken looked at the ground, then said in a whisper, as if revealing a secret:
Ken: "Sometimes… when Dan yells, it makes my heart hurt… and I just want to hide."
Akako suddenly hugged him, holding him tightly to his chest, speaking softly while stroking his hair:
Akako: "I promise you, Ken… as long as I'm here, you'll never have to hide from anything."
Ken closed his eyes inside his father's embrace, burying himself in it—as if that hug was his entire world.
To be continued…