I was told they deserved to die,
That what was coming was only justice.
I was told my hands were clean
That pulling the trigger made me righteous.
But one night shattered every lie I lived by,
And now I carry the weight of their cries when I close my eyes
********
The Hunter Force Association were able to keep the academy running despite the ongoing strain that they had to deal with after the Kaimi Daja openly mocked them to the world.
But they didn't stay silent either.
Investigations were carried out and Joshua led a squad to search for the Kaimi Daja hideout, following clues from humans they had arrested on the night Jason found Kato Hamura.
However, the Kaimi Daja always seemed one step ahead and had already vacated the location by the time they arrived. They had even set off a bomb at one of their hideouts to try and kill the hunters, but Joshua put a stop to it before it went off.
At the academy, things were running smoothly. The HFA decided that the Battle Exams for students would take place on October 5th, 2015. Since enrolling in August, the students had been training intensely, with significant progress. Despite the events of their first training day, Takimo had managed to befriend everyone in his class, except Rin, who remained hostile due to Takimo's views on Shadows.
As October 4th, 2015, arrived, Takimo and the others continued their rigorous preparation. Jason and Lisa supervised their training, eventually calling it a day, reminding them to rest and mentally prepare for the exams.
Jason was on his way home when he received a text from Joshua, asking him to meet him at their favorite bar. Normally, Jason would have declined, but then Joshua promised to cover the bill.
When he entered the bar, he saw Joshua seated at his usual seat at the counter.
Jason: Hey, four eyes.
Joshua turned and smiled once he saw his friend.
Joshua: You actually showed.
Jason: What kind of idiot would I be to turn down a free drink?
Joshua: (laughs) That's true. That was the only way to make you come here.
Jason moved forward and took his seat beside Joshua.
Jason: So how's the investigation going?
Joshua: SOOOOO STRESSFUL!
Jason: For real?
Joshua: We keep hitting dead end after dead end after dead end after dead end every single time. It's totally exhausting.
Jason laughed.
Jason: The one mission you actually take bores you like this? You really are a weird one.
Joshua: Says the person who can't teach.
Jason: Oh? Of course, I can teach! You'll see how well they do tomorrow in the Battle Exams!
Joshua: Yeah about that, I won't be able to make it to the battle exams tomorrow.
Jason then ordered his drink.
Jason: Huh? Why not?
Joshua: There's a town down south complaining that a shadow monster's been eating all their fish. Anyone who goes near the river gets attacked. It's apparently a Level 1+ monster, and its size and shadow energy are drawing in others. Since I'm the only available Level 1+ hunter, I have to take the mission.
Jason: Makes sense. But aren't there other Level 1+ Clarions?
Joshua: Yeah, but only four. Eldon Snyder's the strongest since he's an Heir, but he's in prison for the destruction he caused in 2003. The heir from the Sakamoto clan disappeared and allegedly killed his family, so he's a no no. And Diego? He's in early retirement. So, I'm the only one left. (sighs) What a drag.
Jason: You don't sound thrilled about it.
Joshua: I didn't ask for this. I got the title because I can use both Harmonic Restoration and Perfect Manifestation and because I'm one of the Heirs and technically the head of my clan. If I could give it up, I would do it in a heartbeat. But I have too many responsibilities on my shoulders.
Jason: That sounds like a hassle. I wish there was something I could do about it.
Joshua: It's fine. There's nothing you can do to change things as they are right now.
Jason felt that because he knew that he was right. The bar tender then came with Jason drink and Joshua took a gulp of his and then spoke again.
Joshua: You know, this hunter job isn't what I thought it would be.
Jason: Yeah... My parents once told me not to be a hunter because they don't live long because of the nature of their jobs. They were right.
Joshua: We've lost eight friends since becoming hunters. Now, there are only six of us left. Six out of fourteen.
Jason sighed.
Joshua: You know, Jason, you once asked me why I decline most missions. Do you remember?
Jason: Yeah.
Joshua: I've got an answer for you now. It all stems from a mission I took six years ago.
Jason: What happened on that mission?
Joshua paused for a minute and allowed the painful memories to come back to him.
Then he took a deep breath.
Joshua: It was right after we graduated...