Chapter 11
PRESENT
"Then I woke up just before the rescue team arrived," Kakashi concluded his harrowing tale, his voice still tinged with the echoes of trauma.
"I'm so sorry," Miss Tokoyami said, her voice filled with genuine sympathy. "So, what are you going to do now, Kakashi?"
"I haven't thought about it yet," Kakashi replied, his gaze distant. He pulled out the worn family photograph, the only tangible link to his past, and stared at it, a faint smile gracing his lips. "With this as my only lead, I'm going to find Tokah."
"The boy you mentioned, Kenji," Elizabeth said, breaking her silence, her voice low and thoughtful. "I knew him."
"You do?!" Kakashi's eyes lit up with hope.
"Well, not really, but he was a childhood friend of my sister. He's originally from China but attended the Magic Academy of London," Elizabeth explained.
"Magic Academy? But according to Kakashi's story, he was a supernatural with a sword technique. Why go to a magic academy instead of a swordsmanship academy, or one focused on strategy and close-range combat?" Miss Tokoyami asked, her brow furrowed in thought.
"Some students do that to get promoted quickly. The more exchange programs they participate in, the more chances they have of getting promoted. Maybe that's what he was trying to do," Elizabeth suggested.
"Maybe I could go and see if I can dig up some information," Kakashi offered.
"No, just leave it to us," Elizabeth said, rising to her feet. But Kakashi gently but firmly grasped her arm.
"I can't let you do it. He sacrificed himself to save me, and if I can fulfill his final wish, what kind of person would that make me?" Kakashi insisted, his voice unwavering.
"Kakashi, you have to understand…" Elizabeth began, but he wouldn't let her finish.
"No, I don't want to understand," Kakashi interrupted, his resolve unwavering.
"Okay," Miss Tokoyami said, her voice calm and understanding. "You must have heard about the exchange program from Mira. If you can get admission during the exchange program next month, you can go to London next year."
"I guess that could work," Elizabeth conceded. "I'll be expecting you next year, Kakashi." She smiled, a hint of respect in her eyes, and departed.
"Miss Tokoyami, I wanted to ask you something," Kakashi said after a moment of silence.
"What is it?"
"The girl in my room…Mira said her name is Ayaka," Kakashi began, hesitant and unsure how to phrase his question. "I…is there anything about her that I need to know?"
He couldn't bring himself to mention the dream, the vision of Ayaka burning to death alongside him.
"Ayaka is special. I want you to be kind to her. Her attitude can change quickly, but she's still a little girl inside," Miss Tokoyami said. "If there's something about her you want to know, then you should ask her yourself. Besides, if you're going to be living together, you have to trust each other first."
Kakashi nodded, the phrase "Ayaka is special" resonating uncomfortably. It was the same phrase his mother had used about him, suggesting a hidden, perhaps troubling, aspect to Ayaka's past.
The door opened, and Yaze entered, accompanied by Ayaka and Mira.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Kakashi, meet your sensei, Yaze," Miss Tokoyami announced. "He'll be the one taking you on missions, so make sure you listen to him."
Kakashi turned to look at Yaze. He was surprisingly blond, with striking yellow eyes. His expression was almost entirely blank, as if perpetually bored. His arms and neck were swathed in bandages, but despite this, he possessed a striking handsomeness. He was in his early twenties, a headset resting around his neck.
"Miss Natski, there have been reports of missing people around Mejiro," Yaze informed, his voice calm and professional. "It happens between 8 pm and 11 pm, and sometimes a whole family goes missing."
"Shinjuku?" Miss Tokoyami asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "Has anyone seen anything unusual in the area?"
"No, ma'am," Yaze replied.
"Then I want you to take your team and investigate, and report back to me," she instructed.
"Yes, ma'am," Yaze responded.
"Kakashi and Ayaka," Miss Tokoyami said, turning her attention to them.
"Yes, ma'am," they both replied.
"You're with Yaze on this mission, so listen to him," she said firmly.
They left the office, leaving Mira and Miss Tokoyami behind. Kakashi returned to his room to change into his uniform.
It wasn't bad; it looked like a typical high school uniform—black trousers and a long-sleeved shirt. Underneath, Kakashi wore a red t-shirt with a picture of his family attached to a black string around his neck.
He stood before the door, taking deep breaths.
"I'm going to find Tokah!" he declared, his voice filled with a newfound resolve.
He opened the door and stepped outside. Yaze and Ayaka were already waiting at the gate.
Ayaka sat on a bench, petting a cat. Yaze stood a few meters away, observing her.
"Took you long enough," Ayaka said, scooping up the cat and placing it on her head. It quickly leaped off and scampered away. She stood, her uniform—identical to Kakashi's save for the short skirt and long leggings—accentuating her figure. Her short shirt revealed a toned midriff.
"Are you going to keep drooling or compliment me?" Ayaka asked, a playful smirk playing on her lips.
"Sorry," Kakashi mumbled, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. "You look cute in your uniform."
"Of course, it's cute," she said, seemingly pleased. "It was made by a goddess, after all."
"Huh?" Kakashi was taken aback by her response. "The uniform is nice, but won't it easily get ruined when we fight?"
"All students' uniforms are made to be indestructible," Ayaka replied, her tone matter-of-fact.
"Whoa?!" Kakashi exclaimed, his surprise evident.
"It's not indestructible, as Ayaka said," Yaze interrupted, his expression unchanging. "The fabric used for the uniform is made from your karma, so they're as strong as you are. Attacks that can't injure you won't affect the uniform." His uniform was the same as Kakashi's, except for white stripes on the collar.