The door slid open, carrying with it the sound of laughter and soft chatter. Kenji and Ray immediately relaxed, their earlier tension vanishing as if it had never existed.
Anna entered first, followed by Selena, Yume, and Takahiro.
Anna was an elderly woman with light brown hair streaked with gray, her presence calm. Selena followed close behind, her light brown hair and eyes warm in contrast to the claw-like scar that ran across her face. Yume and Takahiro, both around Kenji's age, trailed after them.
Ray stepped forward, hands clasped behind his back, his smile gentle.
"Welcome back, honey," he said. The oppressive aura from before was gone, replaced by something warm and ordinary.
They set the plants they had gathered onto the dining table. Selena and Yume moved into the kitchen to begin preparing dinner. The candles in the house were lit light pushing away the darkness. Kenji quietly slipped into the bathroom to wash away the dirt and blood of the day.
By the time he finished, the table was already set.
Kenji sat opposite the head of the table. Yume took the seat to his left, Takahiro to his right. Anna sat at the head, Selena beside her, Ray on the other side.
Once everyone was seated, they brought their hands together.
"Thank you for the meal."
They ate in silence.
Kenji felt it coming. He always did.
"I heard you caused trouble in the village again," Anna said calmly, not lifting her gaze from her food.
"They started it," Kenji replied flatly.
Anna finally looked up. "What were you doing outside the village?"
Kenji stared down at his bowl. "Training."
Her eyes sharpened. "Didn't I say you may only leave the village once you awaken? Have you awakened?"
"No."
"Have you tried to awaken on your own again?"
"Yes."
"Any progress?"
Kenji remained still for several seconds before answering. "No. Nothing."
Anna set her chopsticks down.
"Then it is time you give this up," she said firmly. "What you are doing is a waste of time. Focus on your studies and the farm. Tomorrow, you will leave the sword and all combat duties to Takahiro and Yume. You will study instead."
Kenji said nothing. His expression remained neutral, but his grip tightened around his spoon.
"Please excuse me," he said quietly.
He left the house and walked until the light from the village could no longer reach him. Only then did his shoulders slump.
Tears slipped down his face.
He clenched his fists so hard the wounds on his knuckle's split open again.
I'm trying. I really am. Can't you see that?
Kenji lifted his gaze to the moon, teeth clenched to keep from screaming.
Back in the House.
Ray turned to Anna, she had her attention back to her food. She ate silently her expression neutral, Ray could tell that she was hiding her emotions from the children. He kept his silence and continued eating as well.
--------------------------------------------
The next morning, Kenji woke before Takahiro in the room they shared. He splashed cold water on his face and paused, staring at his reflection in the wooden bucket.
Disheveled dark crimson hair. Dusk-orange eyes. A calm expression stretched thin over exhaustion.
For the first time, he did not put on his hakama. Instead, he dressed in a simple work shirt and trousers, along with sandles.
In the kitchen, Selena was already awake.
"Morning, sis," Kenji said softly.
"Good morning, Kenji," she replied with a bright smile. "Aren't you eating before you head out?"
"No. I'll be back later."
They were not siblings by blood, but they might as well have been.
Kenji stepped outside. The sun had yet to fully rise, its light cutting through the mist that blanketed the village. Ray sat cross-legged on the porch, pipe in hand, dressed in his hakama.
"Morning, old man," Kenji said as he passed.
Ray nodded, watching him walk down the slope toward the village.
A pity, Ray thought quietly.
Determination and hard work do not overcome all.