Part 1: The Chase in the Rain
Ayano sprinted with all her might, moving from the park grounds onto the streets under the pouring rain. In her heart, there was only pain and fierce determination. She felt that explaining the truth was more important than gaining Takuto's forgiveness.
Ayano: (Muttering while running) (I have to find you, Takuto. I need you to know that I truly wanted to stand by your side.)
She was a fugitive who had defied the orders of the Shadow Syndicate. Ayano knew that her father, Leader Daichi, could send people after her at any moment to bring her back.
After running for about half an hour, she arrived at a secluded side street. There, a faint Amethyst Aura, similar to the Amethyst Gate, stood still.
Ayano saw a person standing beneath the shimmering wall. It was her younger sister, Shiori Daichi.
Shiori resembled Ayano but was younger. She was less talkative than Ayano and possessed an expressionless face. She was a true adherent to the Shadow Syndicate's rules.
Ayano: (Breathing heavily) "Shiori... what are you doing here?"
Shiori: (In a cold voice) "Onee-chan, there's no time. Father ordered you to return immediately. The Toki matter is over. You failed the task Father gave you."
Ayano: "I can't go with you, Shiori. I have things to explain."
Shiori: "There is nothing to explain. Your feelings compromised our mission. I don't want to capture and take you now. Come with your own will."
Ayano looked into Shiori's eyes. In them, she only saw the harsh authority of their father, and familial affection was completely gone. Ayano knew that if she didn't comply with their father's order, Shiori would dare to capture her.
Ayano: (Her whole body trembling) (Even if I found Takuto now... Shiori would capture me anyway. My energy is also exhausted.)
Ayano decided to turn back due to fear and practical reality. Finding Takuto was too dangerous right now.
Ayano: (Looking down, with a tone of defeat) "Fine... I'll come with you."
Shiori, without changing her expression, immediately opened a Portal in the air behind Ayano using the purple Aura. A dark light emerged from the gaping hole of the Portal.
Shiori: "Let's go."
Before entering the Portal, Ayano took one last look back at the dark street (the street where she had chased Takuto). Her Amethyst Eyes were filled with regret, pain, and a promise to return.
Ayano: (I... I'll see you again soon, Takuto. With the truth.)
Then, Ayano disappeared into the dark Portal with Shiori.
Inside an abandoned old warehouse not far from the park grounds, Sora and Kaori had Hayate tied up. Although Hayate was covered in injuries, his Elestro Flash (Neon Yellow Aura) stubbornly remained.
Sora: (With a tense expression) "Where is the Shadow Syndicate's secret base? Who are your leaders? Speak!"
Hayate: (With a mocking smile) "Haha! You kids think you can get information from me! I... I won't betray my leaders!"
Kaori: (Her Violet Gauge Eye was back to normal, but her words were sharp) "Your power has a cost. Your loyalty is also futile, Hayate. No one is coming to save you."
While Hayate refused to talk, Sora lost her patience and applied her flame Stella flow to Hayate's injuries.
Sora: "How does it feel? Or should I increase the temperature? I'll ask one last time. Where is the Shadow Syndicate's..."
Hayate screamed in pain and reluctantly nodded.
Hayate: "I'll... I'll tell you! My leader is... Ugh!"
Before he could finish his sentence, a sudden intense light (Intense Yellow Aura) erupted from Hayate's body and began to glow brightly. That Aura caused the surrounding air to ripple.
Sora: (Shocked) "What... what's happening! This energy is on the verge of exploding!"
Kaori: (Her Violet Gauge Eye trembled) "They silenced him! The Shadow Syndicate put a Self-Destruct Stellar Flow in every member's body! Sora-sama... Run!"
Kaori used Kinetic Speed to pull Sora away. The moment they jumped out of the warehouse, they heard...
FLASH! BOOM!
A massive explosion violently destroyed the entire warehouse, and Hayate's body disintegrated into a beam of light. The brutal rule of the Shadow Syndicate became clear.
Part 2: The Reunion
After falling to the ground, Sora and Kaori looked at the explosion site in horror.
Kaori: (Gasping for breath) "They... they even do that to their own people..."
Just then, they saw a dark figure slowly walking from an old street not far from the explosion site, accompanied by a trembling Aura.
It was Takuto, gently carrying Aoi in his arms. Takuto's face was exhausted but calm.
Kaori: (Her eyes shining, forgetting her pain) "Takuto-kun!"
Kaori ran over, disregarding her injuries. When she reached Takuto, she sighed with relief upon seeing Aoi in his arms. She then anxiously checked Takuto's shoulders and arms.
Kaori: "How... how badly are you injured? What happened in the fight with Toki? Tell me! Seeing you safe..."
Takuto: (Feeling Kaori's concern, a soft expression appeared on his otherwise cold face) "I... I'm fine, Kaori. Everything is alright now."
Sora: (Walking up to them, smiling) "Hey, Kaori. It's surprising to finally see you a little flustered and excited. The strictly disciplined girl has become the happy girl, hasn't she?"
Kaori: (Blushing and glaring at Sora) "Sora-sama! Don't tease me!"
At that moment, the surroundings suddenly grew cold, and rain began to fall heavily.
Takuto: (Looking up at the rain) "We can't stay here anymore. The Shadow Syndicate will come here. Let's go to the Crimson Aegis base."
Kaori: (Nodding) "Yes. I think my Violet Gauge can read their movements for a while. Let's hurry!"
Takuto: "Violet Gauge? Anyway, we have a lot to talk about. Let's go back for now."
Takuto carried Aoi, and Sora and Kaori walked beside him, leaving the area under the rain toward their secret sanctuary.
After arriving at the Crimson Aegis underground secret base, Aoi was sent to the medical area, and Takuto immediately headed toward the office of the leader, Shizune Rinoka.
Rinoka possessed a calm and serene Aura and was the first to notice Takuto's change in power.
Takuto stood there, still bloodstained from the battle, with a darkened expression.
Rinoka: (Sitting at her desk, in a steady voice) "Takuto-kun. Your Aura suggests you've been through a war. I know you faced Toki. Report the details."
Takuto presented a concise and clear report of how he met Toki, Ayano's betrayal, protecting Aoi, the Phoenix Nova (Step 4) awakening, and finally, killing Toki. He also mentioned his connection to his parents.
Rinoka closed her eyes and listened in silence.
Rinoka: "So you killed Toki. You violated our rules. But... your intention was to protect Aoi and become stronger."
Rinoka: "However, we have no right to control Takuto-sama's life. Since Takuto-sama is a god-like existence to us, continue doing what Takuto-sama deems right."
Rinoka stood up and walked toward the ancient bookshelves on her office wall. She collected extremely rare books there. After searching for a moment, she pulled out an old, dusty book with yellowed pages written in a very ancient language.
She opened the book and took her time reading the ancient script.
Rinoka: (Closing the book and turning to Takuto) "This old book describes the progression of Takuto-sama's Phoenix Eye."
Rinoka: "The Step 4 (The Phoenix Nova) you mentioned is actually not the full power of the Phoenix Eye yet, Takuto-sama."
Takuto: (His cold face slightly distorted with surprise) "What...?"
Rinoka: "The Phoenix Eye awakened in your eyes is a power kept secret for generations. According to this book... Step 4, while being the highest level of power, is only the first stage for you to walk the path of a deity."
Rinoka: "After that stage... two more stages remain. And those stages are completely linked to your emotions."
Rinoka: "This information is only what we know, so there might be more than two stages."
Rinoka: "We'll discuss those stages... when you become more stable mentally, Takuto-sama. For now, you need to rest first."
Takuto: (Nodding to Rinoka) "Understood... Leader Shizune-san."
After leaving Rinoka's office, Takuto immediately headed to the medical area.
Aoi lay on a clean bed, her right arm lightly bandaged. She was sitting up, smiling as if waiting for Takuto.
Takuto sat on a stool beside the bed, and Aoi's smile faded when she saw his darkened face.
Takuto: (Clenching his fists, his voice trembling with pain) "Aoi... I'm sorry. I haven't cooked you the Nikujaga (beef stew) I promised yet. And... I let you get captured. I couldn't protect you."
Aoi: (Her weak eyes filled with warmth) "Takuto... you don't need to apologize."
Aoi couldn't move her bandaged hand, so she gently stroked Takuto's head with her left hand.
Aoi: "Takuto always protected me the best he could. And the pain I see in Takuto's eyes... all of it is for me. I know Takuto never wanted to be a killer. Takuto's heart has always been warm."
Takuto was overwhelmed by emotion due to Aoi's gentle touch, but his cold demeanor prevented the tears. He only tightly grasped Aoi's hand.
Takuto: "I... I won't let anyone hurt you again, Aoi."
Aoi: "Takuto... can I... call you Nii-san (Older Brother)?"
Takuto: "Yes, call me whatever you like."
Aoi: "Then, Nii-san..."
Takuto's face involuntarily smiled because of the warm name.
Part 3: The New Home and the Cold Encounter
After a brief moment of silence between the two, Takuto felt a little refreshed and walked out of the room.
At the doorway, he saw Sora waiting with worried eyes.
Sora: "Takuto-kun. Kaori and I have discussed it. We've arranged housing for you."
Takuto: "Housing?"
Sora: "Yes. Your house was completely destroyed by Toki's attack. It will take time to repair. So, for now, we've moved you and Aoi to the house of our most reliable member... Kaori's house."
Takuto was surprised but nodded thankfully.
Sora: "Kaori's house has better security. And she can also provide Aoi with the necessary help. You can move tomorrow."
Takuto: "Thank you, Sora-san."
Sora: "We're like family, Takuto-kun. No matter how you use your power... we'll always be by your side. But... (A shadow of fear appeared in her eyes) I hope you can control yourself better next time you consider killing someone."
Takuto did not respond to Sora's words, only nodding coldly. He understood the difference between his friends' encouragement and the fear they now held for him.
The next morning. Takuto came to school alone from Kaori's house. His Aura was colder than before, and his face was covered only by an expressionless mask.
As he arrived at the school entrance, Takuto unexpectedly saw Ayano standing there. Her Amethyst Eyes were mixed with great pain and fierce determination.
Ayano: (Quickly approached Takuto) "Takuto-kun... I..."
The moment her words were uttered, Takuto continued his steps without hesitation, as if he didn't see her at all. He completely passed by Ayano without making eye contact.
As he walked past her, Ayano's body stiffened as if struck by a blast of cold air.
The Day of Silence
Throughout the day at school, Ayano and Takuto were in the same class, but a vast emptiness separated them.
Ayano sought many opportunities to quietly speak to him, but Takuto never spoke to her, nor did he look at her even once. He acted as if he wasn't even aware of her existence.
Takuto's cold behavior gave Ayano a pain far greater than her father's punishment.
The Final Plea
When school ended, all the students left the classroom.
Takuto, as part of his class duties, put the students' desks back in place, took his backpack, and prepared to leave.
As he turned toward the door...
He saw Ayano still sitting quietly at her desk, waiting and not leaving.
Takuto: (Sighing with incomprehension, he continued walking toward the door without saying a word)
When he was about to pass Ayano's side...
Ayano: (In a trembling voice) "Wait! Takuto-kun!"
Ayano immediately stood up and tightly grabbed Takuto's wrist with one hand.
Ayano: (Her eyes filled with tears) "Please... listen to me for a moment! I have things to explain... I am truly sorry!"
Takuto did not turn back to look at her, remaining stiffly in the room with Ayano's hand touching his wrist.
[END OF CHAPTER 15]