by Honie Jar
Genkei stood there nervously with a sheen of sweat on his face from the training he had received from Hachiro. There was a vague thought of whether he smelled but that didn’t matter. For now, he would just answer the question as truthfully as possible.
“Mm! Hachiro-san is training me more and Tadashi-san is making sure I don’t slack off on my sword skills.” Then his signature smile appeared, he was genuinely pleased with his own growth. That much was clear as he felt he had done more than he had when he started.
He flexed his arms and as he raised his arms; it was revealed that an accessory was hanging near his scabbard. A small one that seemed worn and useless when compared to his current level, an old charm called Wolf Fang Netsuke. An item that he had won while training with Shichiro, thus it holds a deep emotional value to him. Shichiro saw this and a smile for the first time appeared on his face but disappeared as soon as it had come. As if it was never there, to begin with.
“As expected of those two.” Shichiro murmured before he intertwined his hands together as he inspected his member who was at one point his student. The other had grown to be an adventurer that was able to hold his own. With a self-assuring nod, Shichiro no longer felt hesitant as he stared at the younger. “Then I’m sure you’re more capable.”
The last sentence was mostly said to himself but Genkei could catch that. A look of confusion blanketed over his bright features. The excitement bubbled upwards as he realized that was capable in the eyes of the person he had looked up to.
“For what?” The question burned within him but the answer he was expecting was different.
The mood shifted from happiness to one that was more somber. A look of concern was on Shichiro’s face as he looked pensive. Or at least appeared to be, Genkei took his hand to block the sun rays that penetrated through the window. Squinting to block the light from the window that was reflected from his glasses, thus it made Shichiro’s expression appear to be unreadable to Genkei.
“Along with another adventurer you both will have to make sure that a route is clear for safe passage.” Shichiro explained, and he grabbed a handful of papers that were scribbled with reports and complaints. There were numerous copies that made this seem more than a coincidence, a weary look that made it clear that this was something to worry about. “Some of the people of the land are complaining that the routes from the Blue Forest have been blocked. Making it difficult for other’s passing through to train.”
The Blue Forest was a small zone near Aomori. This zone had an ancient gaming facility if Genkei recalled, not only that the zone provided more topographical variety than the usual surrounding ruins in other zones, making it a harder place to fight. That being said, it was a good place to train as there were monsters there around level 50. Genkei often visited there in the past to practice skill since it also allowed him to train his movement since he couldn’t expect flat terrain for the most part.
“Blocked?” Genkei repeated the part that concerned him, meaning that either this was the fault of a monster or even worse a person.
A sick feeling began to warp in his stomach wondering if it was the people of this land or someone who was once from the real world. This wouldn’t be odd since there were occasions of this happening from time to time. Usually, it would be farther out from the cities that had received protection from all the prominent clans.
“Better yet there isn’t a safe passage,” Shichiro confessed as his hand began to crumple the papers given to him, a rare look of frustration on his features as he couldn’t comprehend what was going on outside of the clan.
Shichiro was a busy person who took care of the clan and was a member of the Alter Alliance. He was constantly forced into the politics of forces in and out of the safety of Aomori.
“From monsters...” Genkei asked hesitantly for the first part before he brought up the second with a pale expression. He was skirting around what people meant. Either way regardless of who it was this would only end up as a trouble for them. “Or people?”
They left the answer unsaid for a few seconds as it hung in the air, for good reason. To claim whether the obstruction was one side or another could lead to war if one wasn’t careful. That was not needed especially with the constant battles that were happening. So as the silence eased them out of the tension that had built up Shichiro finally conveyed his own uncertainty.
“Perhaps both.” A sigh escaped him, sinking down into his chair as he was unable to truly find a source. No matter how many times he intensely searched through the reports there was nothing substantial for him to go off of unless he went himself but he couldn’t. “I would go but I am unable to but I need to head to the capital and make sure they don’t think we have something to do with this. We’ve been keeping a balanced agreement with them. You’re one of the few who is qualified that I can trust with this confidential information.”
Genkei grinned, he couldn’t help the action as the smile covered his face. Pride made him puff out his chest as he inched closer to the chest. His hands excitedly slammed against the table as the paper stacks teetered dangerously left and right. Shichiro blinked for a few minutes and even Nagataka who had been hiding as she watched from a fair distance came out of her hiding spot.
“I will take a mission.” Genkei said in a confident tone as he looked at him with a serious look. There was no sign of someone who had lacked the strength or didn’t seem like he could accomplish the mission at hand.
“Good, I’ll make sure you head off with someone you know.” Shichiro looked pleased as he sifted through his papers to create the needed documents for this quest to happen. Or rather than a quest, it was a mission that would be treated on a raid-like scale because of its importance and the severity of it when concerning the perpetrators.
As Shichiro made the paperwork, Genkei looked confused that he was being assigned with a partner rather than a team or by himself. Considering that this was a classified yet important mission. With a tilt of his head, he leaned back from the table that he had shaken.
“Eh, with whom?”
“Harumi-chan.” When Shichiro mentioned her name a series of images flitted through Genkei’s mind.
All were of Harumi and the time they spent together though it was a limited interaction that centered around clan work and quests, Genkei recently found himself constantly thinking about her. His heart thumped against his chest and he wondered if he was tired but he knew that in the back of his mind this meant something when concerning Harumi.
Not that they wanted to admit to that feeling just yet.
“Oh.” The only intelligent thing he could say for he lacked the words at the moment.
Shichiro regarded this with confusion as he was oblivious to the feelings of those around him. If this was Hachiro was here, he would have noticed because of his strength within interpersonal interactions and noticing the feelings of others. Even Nagataka could see the young boy squirming and for the first time, he looked his age. Rather than a warrior ready to go to war for Shichiro.
“Something wrong?” Shichiro questioned him, leaning across his desk but that did little to close the distance between them.
The thing was the inquiry was enough for Genkei to cough as if to draw attention away from the topic at hand. Yet that had the opposite effect as Shichiro found himself more drawn to the topic that could not be ignored.
“Really, Shichiro, you have no tact,” Nagataka said with a scoff, shaking her head at him but there was a small smile on her usually passive face. Nagataka, typically a male name, was her chosen avatar and had been for many years, yearned to elude masculine qualities, but embraced her feminine side. She wore black hooded long-sleeve shirt, armor on her shoulders, black belted pants with knee-high boots and knee guards. Her hair tied up in a ponytail, she was petite and lethal at the same time. Before she disappeared into the darkness, figuring that she would let him be.
“N—No!” Genkei blurted out quickly, wanting the topic to end. The last person he wanted
to confirm his feelings with was Shichiro. Not because he didn’t trust him but he didn’t want there to be a misconception between them.
“Well, you should probably get ready then, I would prefer if tomorrow you and Harumi could go make the trip towards there.” “Just make sure to take care of yourself. Both of you.”
“I’ll be heading off to tell Hachiro-san and Tadashi-san.”
Genkei left the room swiftly, a blush burned against his face but luckily he exited the office quickly. These emotions were complicated as he had begun to notice them. Unsure if they were one of a crush or the fact that he was being confused by the words of those around him. Genkei was an impressionable boy who took the words of those around him seriously.
Thankfully, his sister was still waiting outside for him. A smile on her face as she saw him and he found himself drawn away from such serious thinking. She approached him with the same nervous yet excited feelings as she always did.
“Brother, how was the meeting?” The question was left open-ended, and it was obvious she didn’t know.
Quickly, Genkei dragged her off down towards the steps of the stairs. As he began to excitedly jump around and she could barely keep up with him. Genkei was finally acting like his real self, an outgoing child despite his age. If there had to be a comparison to him he was like the sun while his twin was more like the moon.
“Midori...it was good!” As he chattered away thoughtlessly, forgetting that the mission itself was supposed to be under wraps. A brief lapse of judgment as he tried to make her guess what he was called for despite knowing she knew nothing. “Guess what!”
“Hm?”
“I’m going to be forming a team with Harumi-chan and—well just know I will be on a mission.” Genkei had to stop himself earlier because if he said anymore than this mission would have been more open to the public even if it was just to his twin sister.
Genkei well knew of the weight of this issue and how it held an important sway over the world. If there was someone preventing others from getting through the routes, then it would depend on who was blocking the path.
“A secret?” Disappointment rang heavy in her tone but she tried not to look it. There was a sad smile on her face but her gentle gaze reflected an understanding. She knew sometimes others weren’t allowed to know the extent of a mission due to the severity. This made her guess that Genkei’s job was that much more important.
“Shichiro-san’s orders.” There was remorse heard in his tone and she patted his hand to reassure him it was fine.
“Fair enough.” Soft-spoken as always and their mood lifted.
“I’ll be leaving for a few days.” He laughed as if this mission was a walk in the park and he gave her one hard look as he noticed that her own feelings of worry still overwhelmed her. Her finger twiddling with one another. He couldn’t help but say a line he often reminded her of. “I’ll come back fine. Can’t you let me be the big brother this time around.”
While Genkei liked to believe he was older, he wasn’t. Born a few minutes after. Yet, he had since their birth had always like to act as the older one between the two. Even now in this new world that hadn’t changed that act had only amplified with each experience.
“Sheesh, keep in contact.” For the first time, Midori looked younger than the mature and calm nature she emitted. There was a soft sadness as they both realized that this was their first-time being without one another. They wouldn’t be supporting each other but that made sense, people needed Midori’s powers at the moment and leaving would only cause discord. So she pressed her hands together into a pray stance. “I’ll pray to Goddess Yulara for your safety.”
Surprise colored his features as he realized that she spoke a god of this world. Goddess Yulara was someone they both were acquainted with and perhaps fond of too even if she wasn’t real. A goddess that had a huge following within the Japanese server because of her creation being born from the fans of Guardian Quest. She was renowned for her healing thus Genkei couldn’t help but find the fact she said that endearing but he trusted in his skills enough to not need the prayers to a Goddess that didn’t exist.
“Stay safe, Midori.” Genkei reached out and patted his sister’s head, fingers messing up her hair with a quick ruffle. Which earned him a huff from her and puffed out pout. But that wouldn’t last long as she lunged over to hug him in her arms, a quick show of affection before she pulled away. This gave him the signal he was allowed to venture off. “I will go say goodbye to the others. So I’ll see you when I’m back.”
That day, Genkei spent the remained of his time being productive. He went to say goodbye to his fellow clan-mates and teachers. While making sure he sent his katana to the blacksmith to get it repaired as he stocked up in prepares. Many would say that he was being overzealous in his preparations for a mission that would give him nothing but the experience. To Genkei that’s was all he wanted along with the recognition from his clan leader.
It didn’t hurt that they gave him time to spend with Harumi.
Win-Win.
Chapter Two
It was an early day, the sun barely peeking from the horizon as it was rising. The two, Genkei and Harumi, had quickly sent each other private message to arrange the time of their meeting to embark onto a day and a half trip. Genkei quickly ran towards the entrance of Aomori, glad he wasn’t horrifically late. Immediately coming to a full stop when he saw the familiar silhouette of Harumi. She was a young bard that was older than him who he had known since the beginning of him and his sister playing the game. They even suffered under the same hand of the oppressive rule of the clan Fushimaru.
The time there had made Genkei shudder for a moment from the memory but he was glad that a year had passed since the event. Genkei and the rest of the beginners at the time were freed from the slave-like clan that had bound them so cruelly. Now they had reached heights they never thought they could. This nostalgia, however, was forgotten as Harumi turned.
Her body turned around to face him and there was a pleasant smile on her face as she held onto her harp that glimmered with the power of elemental spirits. The sun’s gentle light washed over her as the morning brought life to the surrounding area. The people of the land along with adventurers were slowly beginning to rouse from their slumber.
“Are you ready, Harumi?” He gasped out as he tried to get a few gasps of air within him to ease the burning of his lungs that craved oxygen. Having run without bothering to catch a breath had reduced him into a heaving mess.
They heard a burst of familiar laughter that was a mixture of a snicker and. A rather cute noise but Genkei knew if Harumi would reprimand him since she often said it made her seem like a country-bumpkin. Though to Genkei, it made her seem more sincere and lively without a pretentious attitude.
“Of course! Do you need some time? Pfft.” The snickering continued and Genkei waved her off as he was finally catching his breath. Harumi tried not to joke around too much but that was how she was. She cleared her throat and looked at him excitedly, leaning over to nudge her shoulder against his own. “This is our first time just a mission of us two!”
Pride welled up with Genkei as he nodded in excitement. The mission would be a turning point for the two but they knew that deep down it would also be seen as a test. Of their skills and their ability to work together as both of them needed more training than most.
“We will show everyone we can do this!” Genkei commented confidently before he walked towards the forest that was presented before them.
Harumi quickly walked beside him with a confident stride. She was on the taller and lankier side so it was easy for her to close the distance between them. A pleasant expression on her face that gave little away due to her usually happy and joking appearance. Both of them walked, their feet crunched against the forest flooring of leaves and wood. Their journey was just beginning.
“Yeah, we are!” She remarked in return before she showed him the harp in her hands. Long and agile fingers gently pl
ucking at the strings as a sweet tune was able to be heard even more clearly than if she had played within the city. “I’ve been practicing hard with my skills! But for now, they’ll be a good thing to listen to.”
With that said she finally held her harp properly. Fingers brushed and plucked at cords as if it entranced her, her legs picked up the pace and she was in front of Genkei. As she danced around as she walked, enjoyment could be seen on her face and heard in the music she was playing. The tune felt upbeat that slowly ended two minutes later. A catchy tune that even Genkei couldn’t help but follow along.
“That’s a nice tune, very catchy.” Genkei hummed along, keep an even pace so that neither of them would be tired right away. Since he learned that pacing one's self would set them up for success. “Midori would like to listen to this.”
At the mention of Midori, there was a shift in the mood between them. The upbeat vibe that was within the forest now darkened into something else filled with regret and guilt. Genkei couldn’t help but throw a look of confusion towards Harumi. She had stopped walking and was looking at her hands with a look of disgust. He knew that he should comfort her but he wondered how to.
“How... How is Midori?” Were the words that finally came out of her as she walked the path towards the area they had to go to.
Genkei didn’t have to be smart to know what this meant. The event that concerned his sister being sad meant that Harumi had a tie to that. A complex amount of emotions delved against one another.
“She’s been quiet but I think she’s doing okay.”
“Ah, I see.” Harumi murmured, and she looked away, her teeth nibbling onto her lip as she tried to figure a
solution for Midori’s sadness here caused that.
The action that Harumi did only make Genkei more concerned about the sister he had left behind. A part of him wonders if he should head back but he knew that she would want him to finish this mission. But that didn’t make it any easier.
