Chapter 13.
Scene Change: Kaito, Mahi, and Ryan
We see everything through Ryan's eyes.
Ryan is standing outside the gate of his real parents' house.
He opens the gate and starts walking inside, softly calling out:
Ryan: "Mom, Dad!"
Ryan's height is quite short — around that of a 6 or 7-year-old child,
and his voice sounds gentle and innocent, like a little kid's.
He enters the house and begins climbing the stairs.
Suddenly, a voice calls out from behind him.
Voice (behind him): "Ryan..! Son, where are you going? Come down quickly!"
Ryan quickly turns around —
he sees his real dad standing at the bottom of the stairs.
Ryan runs toward him and tightly hugs him.
Ryan's real father (smiling, jokingly, yet softly):
"What happened, son? Did you have a bad dream last night or something?"
Kid Ryan: "Dad, where's Mom?"
Just then, his mother comes out from the kitchen.
Ryan's mom: "What's going on here, huh? Father and son sharing all the love — what about Mom?"
Ryan lets go of his dad and runs toward his mom, shouting joyfully, hugging her tightly.
His dad walks over to them and says to his wife:
Ryan's dad: "I don't know what's gotten into him —
he hugged me the same way when I came home earlier too!"
Ryan's mom starts gently stroking Ryan's head.
Ryan's mom: "What's wrong, dear? Are you okay?"
---
Ryan (in his mind, mature Ryan's voice):
"So, everything I was seeing until now… was all just a dream?
Are my parents still alive?
Was that all just a nightmare — or is this real?"
While thinking that, Ryan suddenly starts crying loudly.
Tears fall down from his eyelashes.
His parents panic and kneel down beside him.
Ryan's mom (worried):
"What happened, son? Are you feeling unwell?
Tell us, what's wrong?"
Ryan's dad:
"Are you okay, son?
Looks like he saw a terrible nightmare…
Don't worry, son — Mom and Dad are here!"
Saying that, his dad picks Ryan up into his arms.
Tears are still flowing from Ryan's eyes —
but there's a calm smile and peace on his face.
---
Ryan (in his mind, mature voice):
"So all that… the accident, losing Mom and Dad — it was all just a bad dream?
This is real!
I want to stay here forever… always here…"
While thinking that, everything around him starts turning white,
and a loud ringing sound begins echoing in his ears.
Suddenly, Ryan hears a voice.
---
Mahi: "Hey! Wake up — we've reached Tokyo! Get up quickly!"
Ryan slowly opens his eyes —
he's sitting on an airplane seat, half-asleep.
The flight has already landed in Tokyo.
Mahi is sitting in front of him,
and Kaito is standing, taking out his luggage from the seat section.
Ryan's eyes are half-open, blinking sleepily.
Mahi: "Did he die or what!?"
Kaito walks past behind her and lightly taps her head playfully.
Mahi: "Okay okay — he's alive!
Hey, wake up already! How long are you going to sleep?"
Ryan (in his mind): "What is this…?"
He pinches his hand.
Ryan (in his mind):
"So that was the dream!
Mom… Dad…"
Ryan's eyelashes glisten with small tears.
Kaito: "Come on, hurry up!
We don't have time!"
Mahi: "Hey, get up already — let's go!"
---
Scene Shift: Introduction of Daisuke
All three of them step outside the airport,
waiting for their car to arrive.
Mahi (sighing): "Ughh, I'm tired of standing!
When are they coming to pick us up!?"
Kaito (checking his phone):
"Sir said he already sent someone to receive us."
Suddenly, someone approaches from behind Kaito —
wearing a mask and jacket, moving swiftly.
He grabs Kaito from behind and presses a knife to his throat.
His face is covered —
for a moment, everyone freezes, alert and cautious.
???: "Give me everything you have — right now!
Otherwise, I'll slice his throat open!
I said give it to me!"
Mahi and Kaito stay calm —
Ryan looks at them confused, his eyes moving from one to the other.
Kaito (calmly):
"Yeah yeah, I get it.
Come on, stop this drama now."
???: "What did you say!?
You think I'm joking?!
I said give me everything you have — right now!"
Suddenly, Kaito moves at super speed,
grabs the man's hand,
and flips the knife — now holding it to his own neck,
locking him from behind.
Kaito (light tone):
"Told you, stop this act already."
The man laughs.
???: "Alright, alright, I get it!
Let me go before it actually cuts me! (^_^;)"
Kaito removes the knife and steps in front.
The man takes off his mask and jacket hood, revealing his face.
Both greet each other — shaking hands and hugging.
Mahi also joins in with a smile.
Mahi: "You haven't changed at all!"
Daisuke Jigen (laughing):
"Ha ha, how could I change!
So tell me — how are you two doing?"
Kaito: "We're fine.
What about you?"
Daisuke Jigen: "As you can see — first class!"
Daisuke looks at Ryan —
Ryan also looks back at him.
Daisuke Jigen:
"Oh, so this is the one you two were talking about!"
He walks toward Ryan and extends his hand for a handshake.
Daisuke Jigen:
"Nice to meet you.
I'm Daisuke Jigen, a second-grade warrior."
Ryan doesn't respond — just keeps looking at him.
Daisuke Jigen (smiling):
"Come on, shake my hand!
I'm not a zombie!"
Ryan slowly raises his hand and shakes it lightly.
Then Daisuke turns toward Kaito.
Daisuke Jigen: "Alright, let's go!"
---
They all get into the car.
Daisuke is driving,
Kaito sits beside him in the front seat,
and Mahi and Ryan sit in the back.
Kaito:
"How's the condition of the Association now?
Is everyone alright?"
Daisuke Jigen:
"The Association is fine…
but Tokyo isn't."
Kaito: "What do you mean?"
Daisuke Jigen:
"After you guys left Tokyo,
there have been multiple curse attacks.
According to the data,
not only Tokyo or Japan —
but the entire world is facing similar incidents.
Just like Japan,
countries like India, Pakistan, Dubai, and Australia
are also being attacked by curses.
There's even a rumor
that all the Association Presidents
are planning to unite as one…"
Mahi:
"What!? No one told us about this!"
Daisuke Jigen:
"Yeah, because they don't want this information spreading outside."
The car keeps moving.
After a while, the traffic light turns red, and the car stops.
Kaito:
"By the way, right now—"
Before he can finish,
suddenly, a man runs and crashes right in front of their car.
He looks terrified, his face pale.
He quickly stands up and glances behind him,
scared, as if something or someone is chasing him.
Then he starts running again in panic.
Kaito and the others step out of the car.
At that moment, a traffic policeman also arrives.
Daisuke (asking the police):
"Why is he running like that? What happened to him?"
Police officer:
"No idea, sir.
Maybe he's insane.
I'm sorry."
Daisuke: "No problem."
The traffic light turns green.
They all get back into the car,
and drive away from there.
THANKS FOR READ MY NOVEL\(^^)/
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