he hardest thing to do. But

s prior to

to said as he pul

an hair placed a bowl of oatmeal in front of him.

t the oatmeal

ned in closely. "What's with that react

t's nothing. I'm just tired. That's all." He

nd down. "Is that so? Then how about I tutor the k

. He bit his lip and glanced bac

nking of going to Kyuu Seishin. Aren't you? It's fine if you want to go. Your fat

't difficult for his parents. And he certainly wouldn't mind having several younger siblings to take care of, or even have

g its soft, warm, gooey texture to fill hi

at you like it. Hopefully it has reli

dded. "Thanks mama." He hugged

back as her motherly warmth wrapped arou

ven decided, " he said, letting go of her. "So don't say go

urned toward the entrance of the kitchen. Rolling in on a wheel ch

trying to get the food t

s the rush? Got a date with

empty sink. "I'm going to go give what might just be my

smiled proudly. "You sure took after your mot

not heartless. If you were then brothe

ugh. "True. True. Though, you

e. I hope that one day my legacy can

It was as if the man was being taken into a bygone era. "I just hope tha

pearance, and not only because his dad was actually in his forties. No, his

placed a hand on his father's shoulder. His smile gave way to a fro

rk parts of his life were suddenly flashing before his eyes. "These memories are ever present. Whether you or anyon

y should take that to heart. He gulped as he remembered la

avoided looking at him, not wanting to be reminded of the pain h

ts. Fight to protect those you hold dear, " the

hing out of the kitchen.

" his fathe

lk jug from the table. "Could you toss that into the recycling

. The indents of the plastic gallon along with the openi

*

plex. He was wearing his usual white hoodie despite the blistering heat. T

t him directly. Is he going to pressu

"I won't pressure you to come." His red eyes shifted toward the weed covered sidewalk.

ht that you were excited at the cha

It would be a waste for me to venture all the way to Wahkan, only to find out

ion. "Waiting it out to know the truth and holding onto that hope

ending shivers down the blue-ha

say? That you for sure have magic? Come on. You know me. I can

life! Your entire family is made up of mages! You don't know how m

ashamed of. You're the one who claimed from a young age that you were a mage. Everytime you tried to prove it, you f

e street. The blue-head glanced up at the furious U

ped to his feet and pu

e stomach with a reverse. Alto clumped to t

Do. Love to play. The role. Of the wimp.

d him. Alto accepted the hand and stood up. "Sorr

y. "I know. And my punch was meant to

" Behind the two stood Arima, wearing a white tank top

hould do. Go with Arima and try to fulfill their dreams of becoming str

rt of town was boring to look at. If only there were more color to it. The few color there was on the architecture sadly came from graffiti plastered on

ep their part relatively safe over the past few years. O

ilk jug?" Arima asked. "

little something for a kids out of it. All I need wi

s said, pulling some ou

e stopped and squatted down to pick up a shard of green glass. "Hmm, we could also u

his worries seemed to dissolve into the wind. "Aban used to... polish t

king on ahead as if someo

high pitch voice

at them by a row of heavily fenced houses with plywood where windows should be. Even the

lled once more, waving at them

over to him and ruffling his hai

kids yelled with sm

ass at the shattered magi

similarity wasn't a coincidence. She was the daughter of his older brother. Though he still hadn't had the c

n her most upbeat voice. "Follow me everyone!" The childr

y with kids, " Uliss

as he joined the kids and

l asked, staring back at h

hair. "I'm perfectly fine! F

s a bad liar. That'

Arima continue to lead the kids toward the old school. It was one of several in the area that were closed due to lack of magic. In fact, all private sch

were the best mage, without money they wouldn't allow him in. That's why there exist

there were a way to have it both ways. To

*

rough the clear mosaic windows, long devoid of their vibrant and diverse colors by the effects of time. The

eather crown'. The children had made it in the fashion of the masks of Wahkan... they must've been inspired by the various

ng that I haven't told us. This might be the last day that we're together like this for a while.

ter, " said Jet, the boy with ha

k. "In Kyuu Seishin, mos

of the kids asked, gla

em geography. "It's to the sout

tapping her small head. "Ah! That's

words. About how going there will allow him to control his magic better; so tha

is exchanged su

e of the other kids growing teary. Some of them

al of the k

ll be back during the holiday, though. I hope that all

in our place. So you'll be learning a lot mor

ddos n

rinning through tears. "Oh yeah, y

l said as if pa

p against his face as his own emotions overflowed. "And we'll show you everything that we learn too!" h

t to the air. "I'll awaken my powers

g his mask, he said, "You sure got the guts. Look

"Same goes fo

rhaps even comment if you enjoyed it :). Next Episode signals