Forget about earlier. My friend pull a prank on my account T_T
***
"...and so I returned ahead of schedule."
"I see, I see." His mother, Masaki's voice rang in the speaker of his phone, "That was unfortunate. So you're on the way home already? There is no one but me here now."
"Should I buy something on the way back then?"
"No need. I will buy it myself. More importantly, Shirou..."
"Yeah, mom?" Shirou answered, standing in front of the ticket gate at Narita International Airport. People were coming in and out from his vision, minding their own business and paying him no attention.
"There is someone I'd like you to meet later." She informed him. Her tone sounded a bit off, a little higher than normal and somewhat more cheerful than usual.
It must be something important that she didn't want him to decline, and so she used this time to inform him beforehand.
"Hm?"
"You must be having some trouble using Blut or other Quincy techniques. This someone might be able to help you learn, so... Do you want to meet him? You can refuse if you don't want to. It's just a suggestion after all."
Someone who could help him to learn Quincy technique?
So far he only knew about Blut, Hirenkyaku, and Spirit Weapon. Among them, he only used Hirenkyaku and was unable to use the first. Spirit Weapon was also unsuited for him, so he didn't even bother to learn.
However, his mastery with Hirenkyaku wasn't that good. He could perform it, yes. But he couldn't cover a lot of distance with his current mastery over the technique.
He lacked a mentor who could teach him how to properly utilize this ability. That's why, if there was someone who could help him improve...
"I will meet him."
"That's good. Let's talk about it more when you come home. Be careful on the way." His mother said with a happy voice. "I love you."
"Yeah, me too. See you later."
Shirou then ended the phone call and pocketed the device inside his pocket before walking to his gate and waited to be called for boarding.
'Quincy technique, huh?'
Maybe it would allow him to get slightly stronger. A useful power to learn when the traitor makes his move.
'Then, I have no choice but to master them quickly.'
If he wanted to protect his family, then he should have power for that. His current state was far from ideal.
Stronger yet also weak. He didn't have a proper power to call his own.
It was a dilemma for Shirou, and one that would haunt him until the day he died.
***
Masaki ended the call with her son and looked at the person in front of her.
He sipped tea in an elegant manner while keeping his expression as calm as possible. His glasses reflected the sunlight that seeped through the window of the office.
Smell of medicine lingered in the room, and the noise outside of the office was audible for them. A sign that this hospital was in a bustling area. The sound of a siren and car passing could be heard clearly from outside the clinic.
"So..."
Ishida Ryuken, the Director of Karakura Hospital, put his cup down on the table before crossing his arms over his chest.
"Just as you've heard. I am counting on you to teach my son, Ryuken."
"What a selfish request." He scoffed, his lips curved into a thin smirk. "I have never taught my own son, so what makes you think that I will agree to teach yours, Masaki?"
"Come on, Ryuken! We're both adults here and I believe in your sense of duty." The mother of three pouted, "You didn't teach Uryu because you don't want him to get involved with the future. But Shirou is different."
Yes, that boy was different.
When he awakened his power years ago, her husband had a serious talk with the boy. He explained everything regarding their world and what he needed to do now. The boy was surprisingly accepting of it all, even though it must be difficult for him.
The problem was that the boy was too kind. He didn't even hesitate when he said he would protect them all.
And Isshin didn't have the heart to tell the boy to just give up and run, nor did Masaki. She had tried, but the words just died on her lips when she looked at the child's determination.
They had a lot of discussion, and in the end they agreed to let Shirou train under Urahara, a person who knew their situation and might be the only one who could guide the boy who awakened a strange power.
Masaki would like to teach him by herself. About Quincy, their history, and their power.
Alas, she lost her power and had to go into hiding. She knew what the cause was and she didn't want to be hunted by the King.
For the same reason, Ryuken didn't want to teach Uryu how to get strong and wanted to end the generations of Quincies.
It was the same reasoning behind it.
And it made sense. The loss of his wife was the cause of the Ryuken's hatred.
That man was too prideful.
"No matter what he did, Shirou got the attention of a dangerous man. And so is Ichigo. The latter is fine because there are many people who can teach him about Shinigami power, but Shirou has none."
"..." Ryuken stayed silent, mulling over her words carefully.
"He needs to learn more than what he has right now."
Masaki's expression turned grim as she continued to speak, "We're expecting something to happen, Ryuken. It might be something dangerous for them, but they need to protect themselves too. Don't be too selfish and think of the danger of being weak, Ryuken. Even if only a bit."
Silence.
It took a few minutes before Quincy finally answered.
"I understand what weakness is." He said coldly. His eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "Do you think the returned King will just leave them alone? I have heard of your son from Uryu. He's the only mixed blood that didn't lose his power from Auswählen."
The Quincy's blue eyes were hard, but there was an edge of concern to them as well. A sign that the man was actually worried.
"..." Masaki couldn't say anything, because she knew what he meant.
Shirou's existence would attract unwanted attention, and the King would know sooner or later. And the only way to deal with the king is by getting stronger, which means that Shirou had to learn how to fight.
Seeing her determined gaze, Ryuken couldn't help but feel frustrated.
"... I will think about it." He sighed in resignation.
Masaki beamed at this. "That's great! Thanks a lot, Ryuken! I owe you one."
"Then repay me by making that brat learn faster." The doctor replied with a scowl on his face, annoyed by her cheerful tone of voice.
He would hate it if he had to meet Kurosaki more often from now on.