Chapter 22
1030 Words
HATORI’S POV
“My name is Hatori Sasaki.” I said and manage to smile at least. Saru just ignored me but Nana smiled.
“Hatori-niisan. Are you trying to go back?” Nana asked me. I nodded. “I see.”
“You will not make it before sun rise. Your body will not make it. You will not pass his first test.” He said plainly again. He is right but I need to try at least.
“I know! I know!” I said in defeat. “I knew it from the start. I think i’m just making myself believe. I’m giving myself false hope.’”
“Fool.” He replied.
“Yes! I’m a fool. I know that. I know.” Here I am again. Crying.
“You are the biggest fool that I have met so far!!!” He shouted at me and grab my collar. He is shorter than me but he managed to pull my collar. “You need to think again the “why’s”. Why are you ding this? For what? What is your goal and what is your purpose? Stupid! This is the very first test and this is the most important. He don’t give second chance! If you fail, you’ll lose.”
“Hey, hey, hey. Don’t be so harsh on him, Saru-niisan.” Nana said and removed Saru’s hands on my collar. “Hatori-niisan, do not misunderstand him. All he wanted is to help you out since we already did the same thing.” I nodded. I understand and I don’t have a problem with that. The problem is me.
“I’m weak. I can’t go any further.” I whispered. I was surprised when Nana hold my both hands and smile at me.
“This is just the first stage and after this there will be more hardships will come after you. If you will stop here, how can you even save your sister?” she said with a very sweet smile panted on her face. That hits me. She is right. I asked for this and I anted this in the first place. I don’t have the right to complain and to slack around here since I am the one who insisted.
“Remember this, the weak have no rights or choices. Their only fate is to be relentlessly crushed by the strong. So you only have choice now. Either you choose to become strong or to crushed by the strong.” Saru said seriously. He is so serious unlike Nana who always have her smiling face. “Oh.” I looked at his hand. “You’ll need this.” He was holding a tumbler.
“Thank you.” I said and grab it. It’s filled with water and that lightens me up. I immediately drink it. It’s so refreshing that It feels like my fatigue was lessen. “It’s...” I stopped for a second. ‘It’s sweet.” I uttered. I looked at them both. Nana is smiling as usual and Saru just stare at me blankly.
“It will help you, somehow.” She said.
“Good luck.” They said in unison.
“Yeah! I feel like a bit better. Thank you for this.” I said and smiled. My fatigue was lessen and the pain. My breathing seems normal again but I can still some pain on my back and some parts of my body but I think It’s bearable.
“See you.” Nana said and waved her hand. I smiled back and waved before running away to go back. I hope I can make it. I will make it and I need to make it in time.
I’m almost there. I can see it now! I can see Ushio-san’s house!
“Hang in there!” I shouted while running towards the house.
THIRD PERSON’S POINT OF VIEW
It’s almost sunrise and Hatori isn’t back yet. Akuma and Ushio are both waiting inside and they had already been waiting for Hatori for the whole night.
Akuma was able to tell his story to Ushio-while waiting for Hatori. He also mentioned about Hatori’s father being friends with the demons like them and working with them in the past. Ushio doesn’t have any objections or negative reaction about the matter since he always that the demons who lived with his family when he was a child are good ones.
Somehow, Ushio was able to trust Akuma completely. Akuma has a different name but he prefer not to say it to anyone and keep it as Akuma that Hatori gave him. About Ushio, he is wearing a mask for some important purpose. First, it is required for being a demon slayer trainer, all trainers like him must wear mask and never allows their student to see their faces.
Now the both of them decided to wait for Hatori outside the house. They’re about to go out when they heard a loud bang at the door. Ushio and Akuma look at each other and rushed to the door.
“Foolish Kid.” Akuma whispered when Hatori arrived right at the entrance of the house.
“Come on, Akuma-kun. Let’s bring him inside.” Ushio said.
Ushio carry the half awake child. Hatori’s body was full of bruises and his clothes are stained with mud and blood. He did make it but he’s almost knocked out of consciousness.
“Ushio-san, please teach me.” He whispered before he went to sleep.
“Alright, alright. Just rest for now.” Ushio-said with a smile on his lips behind his mask.
Akuma stared at Hatori’s bruises and pitiful face. Suddenly, Satoshi’s face registered in his head.
“Satoshi. Your brat is one hard headed and reckless fool like you. Tch.”
- Writer
