After three days and three nights in Kyoto, the field trip finally reached its end. The students began boarding the bus, the air filled with the chatter of teenagers and the rustle of luggage.
When Satoru boarded, a hush fell over the seats before erupting into a flurry of whispers.
A bunch of children immediately surrounded him, their curiosity piqued by the tall, blindfolded man who walked with such casual authority. They pelted him with questions about who he was and what his connection was to Yoichi.
The contrast between the two was striking, reminiscent of a Yin and Yang pairing.
Satoru sat there like the quintessential, traditional Japanese beauty, a faint smirk playing on his lips while his relaxed posture commanded the bus.
Beside him, Yoichi offered a different kind of intensity. He possessed the appearance of an exotic beauty hailing from the Middle East, his skin a deep tan that contrasted sharply with his messy, monochromatic hair.
His golden eyes remained fixed forward, holding an expression that fluctuated between absolute seriousness and total boredom.
"Your charisma is actually a problem," a dry remark was offered by Yoichi. "Those kids are looking at you like you're some kind of messiah, and the boys are ready to commit a crime. It's exhausting just standing near you."
"A problem? I call it a gift!" Satoru chirped, a wide grin appearing on his face. "But hey, you're no slouch either. You've got that whole 'mysterious transfer student' thing going on. Half the bus is trying to figure out if you're a prince or a delinquent."
"I'm neither, alright? I'm just someone who wants to sleep for twelve hours," a quick retort came from Yoichi.
'Being good with children in this economy? Nah, I'll pass. I don't want to be on the list!
"What's the matter? You look like you just swallowed a lemon," Satoru asked, tilting his head.
"It's nothing," Yoichi replied, leaning his head against the window. "Let's just sit this one out. I'm done being the entertainment for the day."
The teacher finally restored order, her voice trembling slightly as she directed the students back to their seats. The bus roared to life, beginning the long journey toward their destination: Kanagawa.
Earlier, a debate had broken out regarding the immediate plans for the boy.
Satoru had firmly decided to escort Yoichi back to the Tokyo Headquarters, but a specific request was made by Yoichi to meet his parents before facing the ones at the top.
A sharp rejection nearly burst from Gakuganji's mouth, his eyes flashing with indignation.
However, Satoru agreed without a second thought. A look of pure exasperation appeared on Gakuganji's face as he watched Satoru bypass every security protocol once again.
Having to deal with this pair of competitive, fierce personalities, Satoru chose the path of least resistance. He simply didn't want them to fight again and again.
"Are you ready?" Satoru said.
"For what?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about..."
A heavy silence ensued. The rhythmic thrum of the bus tires against the asphalt became the only sound between them, masking the weight of the conversation from the students sitting just a few rows ahead.
"I mean, it's pretty serious," Satoru explained. "Those old farts at the top wouldn't budge no matter what. It would be better if—"
A sudden shift occurred as those golden eyes lay upon him. Yoichi turned his head slowly, his gaze filled with raw resolution and decisiveness.
There was no fear of the executioner's blade, only a nonchalant yet fiery focus.
Satoru blinked, though his blindfold remained still.
For all of his life, Satoru Gojo was treated as a weapon or a god in the eyes of many.
But what he wanted was to make his life not be defined solely by the immense power and the loneliness it brought.
Now, he could see the boredom and curiosity in the boy's eyes, subtle yet telling that Yoichi's normal life was nothing.
The predestined fate of those who hold power will be drawn back to its origins.
The monster will eventually go back to the abyss which is his home... No, also other monsters' homes.
"...I suppose my worries are unfounded."
A silence once more ensued. Satoru looked back toward the front of the bus, a proud smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
'How melodramatic.' Toji scoffed.
'Dammit, old man! Can you not break my acting here?' Yoichi snapped back internally.
Soon enough, the boy's laughter rang within the Wonderspace until he finally stopped, eyes brimming with anticipation.
...
...
...
"Yoichi! You're finally back!" Michelle's voice rang out as she swung the door open, a wide, relieved smile appearing on her face. "Me and your father were starting to take you—"
The sentence died in her throat as her gaze drifted upward, landing on the towering figure looming behind her son.
"Helloooo~! Just dropping off your precious cargo safely!" Satoru chimed in with a grin.
Michelle blinked, shocked by Satoru's sudden visitation.
But before she could find the words to invite him inside, a small hand was placed firmly on the doorframe.
"Stay out here," Yoichi requested, his voice low and unwavering.
A look of suspicion appeared on Satoru's face. He tilted his head, his Six Eyes likely scanning the domestic interior for any hidden variables, but then he caught the look in Yoichi's pleading eyes.
Soon, he finally relented, holding his hands upward in a gesture of mock surrender while Yoichi slipped inside.
"Welcome home!" Asuka cried out, rushing forward to wrap a tight hug around her little brother.
Suddenly, she stiffened, her eyes darting toward the closed door.
A sharp instinct flared within her as if she felt a nemesis lurking nearby, a presence Asuka knew far too well...
"There's nothing to worry about, sis," Yoichi whispered, steadying her.
Kiyoshi stepped into the hallway, his brow furrowing as he took in his son's serious expression. "What's wrong, Yoichi?"
Without further ado, Yoichi reached out. A firm grip was taken as he held his mother, sister, and father's hands together.
"I have a surprise for all of you," Yoichi said, his voice dropping into a tone of finality.
With much consideration, he had decided to reveal his secrets to his family... All of it.
Of course, with the exception of his own being as a reincarnated soul.
In Yoichi's mind, his family should learn first about his current circumstances instead of hiding these secrets from them in the near future.
Cuz no matter how much he hides it, there's going to be a point in time where he'll slip.
If there's smoke, then there's a fire nearby.
Also, it's his own way of telling them about the unforeseen events that will definitely happen in the future.
He's preparing them for the worst case possible whenever it occurs.
Before a single question could be asked, Yoichi and his family vanished, swallowed by the mercurial entrance of the dimension.
Outside, a sudden void in Satoru's perception occurred as Yoichi and his family's presence vanished. A sharp tilt of his head followed before he stepped inside calmly, the front door yielding to his touch.
For several moments, a thorough search of the interior was conducted. His perception expanded, covering several kilometers in every direction with unbounded precision, yet the result remained the same.
Yoichi and his family's energy signatures had disappeared as if they were part of a masterfully executed magic show.
However, a strange detail was noticed by Satoru. Not even a window or a secret door within the range of his Six Eyes had been opened during their escape.
Even more baffling was the heat signature; faint traces of warmth were clearly still lingering in the air where the family had stood, yet the bodies that produced them were gone.
A hum of genuine intrigue escaped from Satoru's mouth as he made his way to the living room.
Without a hint of hesitation, he sat down on the sofa, leaning his head back against the cushion.
"A disappearing act right under my nose..." Satoru shook his head, crossing his legs. "You really are full of surprises, Yoichi-kun."
...
Asuka, Michelle, and Kiyoshi stood frozen, their breaths hitching in unison. A vibrant, verdant forest stretched out before them, its leaves shimmering under the light of clear blue skies that seemed far too bright for the evening they had just left behind. The scent of pine and ancient earth filled their lungs, replacing the familiar smell of their entryway.
A calm, knowing smile appeared on Yoichi's face as he spread his arms wide.
"Welcome to the Akashic Wonderspace."
"Yoichi... what is this?" Michelle whispered, her hands trembling.
"We were just in the hallway. How are we... outside? Is this a dream?"
"It's not a dream, Mom," Yoichi replied.
"The sky... it doesn't end," Kiyoshi muttered, his neck straining as he looked upward at the infinite blue. A look of profound shock appeared on Kiyoshi's face as he turned to his son. "You did this? You've been hiding an entire world inside yourself?"
"Bingo!" Yoichi exclaimed.
"This... This is insane!" Asuka shouted, her voice echoing through the trees. She spun around, her eyes wide with a mix of terror and fascination. "I knew you were acting weird since you got back, but this? This is some big-budget movie stuff, Yoichi! Are we even on Earth anymore?"
"We're in my soul, more or less," a casual explanation was given by Yoichi.
An inquisitive gaze was fixed on him. "Your soul has a forest? And a sun? Yoichi, you need to start talking. Right now. Does that creepy guy on the porch know about this?"
"No," Yoichi said, his expression turning serious. "Only you three. And the guys living here."
"Huh? What do you mean—"
A confused expression appeared on Asuka's face, but the question died instantly.
A group of figures emerged from the lush treeline. Haibara offered a bright wave, Riko skipped forward with a laugh, and Tsubaki and Akio followed with warm smiles.
A chorus of greetings was given to the family, while Toji remained leaning against a tree on the side, a lazy smirk visible on his scarred face.
A look of total shock settled on the Murakami family. They stood gobsmacked, unable to process the crowd appearing within their son's soul.
"It's a sanctuary," Riko explained, her eyes sparkling. "Yoichi saved us."
"We live here now," Haibara added with a cheerful shrug. "Best roommates ever!"
Michelle and Kiyoshi remained speechless, their eyes darting between the ghosts and the vibrant forest. The residents continued their fast-paced explanations, breaking down the reality of the Wonderspace while the family's worldview shattered in real-time.
"So my son has a sanctuary for the dead and also has demonic powers?! How is this even possible?!"
A heavy sigh escaped from Kiyoshi's mouth as he pinched the bridge of his nose. A look of sheer bewilderment was directed toward his wife.
"Don't look at me like that, dear! I don't know either!" Michelle exclaimed, her hands gesturing wildly. "In my country, we only have the Kapre, Mananangal, and other creatures. They aren't even supposed to be real to begin with!"
Oh? That's some elite ball knowledge, Mom.
A boisterous laugh suddenly erupted from Asuka. "I knew it! That is why this brat always comes home soaked in disgusting blood! Hahaha! My instincts were right on the money!"
The laughter died down as Michelle stepped closer, her expression shifting into one of profound uncertainty.
"Are you... are you really my son?"
"Of course, Mom! Come on now!" A frantic wave of the hands was offered by Yoichi. "You can't be like that! I'm still the same person, just with a much weirder hobby!"
A weary sigh then came out from Kiyoshi.
"Then... why did you reveal this now?"
The mood turned serious instantly as the winds blew, rustling the leaves of the verdant forest with a chilling edge.
"So now you know that I have some powers, right?" Yoichi said.
Michelle, Kiyoshi, and Asuka nodded in unison, their faces pale under the clear blue sky.
"Well... we got some hiccups here and there," Yoichi rubbed the back of his neck, his golden eyes flickering. "You know that there are also monsters around, and I'm exterminating them, right?"
"Come on, kid! Spit it out!" Toji scoffed.
"I know! Just... just let me explain! I'm bad at this, you know?" Yoichi snapped back.
With a deep sigh, Yoichi continued, "Someone's gonna take me away. Maybe I'll be a part of this... extermination group. A school for people like me."
A look of immediate dread appeared on Michelle and Asuka's faces. They stepped closer, their worry radiating through the quiet grove.
"Don't worry... I'll be able to handle this. My problem is your safety," Yoichi stated, his voice dropping into a low, protective register. "There might be a chance that they take you all as a hostage. That's my only concern."
Hearing this, Michelle and Asuka felt the depth of Yoichi's caring side, while the rest of the residents in the Wonderspace merely shook their heads.
They knew the weight of his words.
With monsters popping up left and right, an unforeseen future was approaching that would inevitably implicate his family, especially now that he had become the center of attraction.
The power Yoichi held would be hungrily sought after by the old farts at the top.
Human nature was predictable in its greed, and Yoichi was the ultimate prize.
"Then go for it," Kiyoshi said, the silence breaking under the weight of his statement.
Michelle wanted to say something, her lips parting in protest, but Kiyoshi stepped in decisively. A firm look appeared on his face as he locked eyes with his son.
"What I mean is, don't let us be your limiter. As they say, great power comes with great responsibility."
A hand was placed atop Yoichi's shoulder, patting him with a surge of fatherly love. The tension that had been coiling in Yoichi's chest finally began to unravel.
"...Thank you, Dad," Yoichi replied, his voice barely a whisper.
"Is that you, Uncle Ben?" Asuka joked, a mischievous glint returning to her eyes.
"You brat!" Kiyoshi laughed, messily patting Asuka's hair until it was a tangled nest.
"Ah! Now you've done it!" Asuka shouted, angrily staring at her father while trying to fix the mess.
Michelle gently smiled and stepped forward to hug her son. No words were stated, but the warmth of the embrace told Yoichi everything he needed to know. She supported him, even if the path ahead was paved with monsters.
Looking at this familial scene, Akio and Tsubaki moved instinctively toward Toji, wrapping their arms around him.
"Do you think we'll see Megumi?" Akio asked, her voice soft. Tsubaki looked up at Toji as well, her eyes searching for an answer.
"Oh, definitely. That child might be a troublesome idiot... but he'll be sensitive in the emotional aspects," Toji replied, a rare soft expression flickering through his face.
"We'll see them, I promise. Even if I have to beat that kid into submission first."
A quiet hug followed, the three of them finding a moment of peace. On the other hand, Riko and Haibara smiled wryly.
Their fates had been cruel, and the sight of a whole family made their own complicated pasts sting, yet they couldn't help but feel happy for the boy who had given them a home.
"Let's go back," Yoichi said, his voice regaining its decisiveness.
A moment passed before the transition began.
Kiyoshi and Michelle bade farewell to the residents. Kiyoshi and Toji shared a nod of mutual respect, though Kiyoshi couldn't help but feel they had a lot in common—aside from the fact that Kiyoshi actually provided child support.
Michelle, meanwhile, found an instant connection with Akio and Tsubaki, their shared experiences as mothers bridging the gap between life and the afterlife.
As for Asuka, she found herself laughing with Haibara and Riko. The three teenagers, being of similar ages, clicked instantly, their shared energy lighting up the forest.
_____________