Chapter CXXI: The Visitation, Part 1
With a glint of the golden sun on the horizon, Sunday morning arrives with a calmness that feels almost unfamiliar. After the chaos of investigations, hidden threats, train rides to Sendai, secret meetings, and revelations involving Homura Aizawa and Eloise Murasaki, the city seems determined to grant everyone a brief moment of peace.
The sky above is painted in soft shades of blue. Thin cirrus clouds drift lazily across the horizon. A cool breeze moves through the streets. The world feels normal, at least for now.
Kota stands beside his parents near the entrance of a hilltop shrine overlooking part of the city. The stone pathway leading toward the shrine grounds glistens slightly from the moisture of the early morning air. Ancient trees line both sides of the path, their branches swaying gently above visitors climbing toward the sacred grounds.
Unlike previous weekends, Kota finds himself appreciating the silence. No mysterious text messages, no suspicious figures, and no frantic train schedules. Just family, and a hoodie from his jacket over his head, the same jacket with the Haori pattern of the Water Hashira from My Sister is a Demon. His father stretches his shoulders.
"Feels good to be outside."
His mother nods.
"It also feels good not having our son disappear to another prefecture."
Kota immediately scratches the back of his head.
"...We're still talking about that?"
"Yes."
"Forever," his father adds.
Kota groans. Eventually, the three continue climbing the final section of stairs leading toward the shrine. The large torii gate stands proudly against the morning sky. Visitors move quietly around the grounds. Some pray, some take photographs, and others simply enjoy the scenery.
When they finally reach the main prayer hall, the family performs their customary prayers. Kota closes his eyes. For a moment, he allows himself to breathe. The past few weeks flash through his thoughts. Akiko, the threats, the escape to Sendai, the fear, the uncertainty, the reunion, the investigation, and everything. When he opens his eyes again, he feels slightly lighter. Not completely but enough.
After offering their prayers, the family begins descending the hill. The pathway winds through rows of trees and stone lanterns. The view of the city gradually becomes larger with every step downward.
About halfway through the descent, Kota's father's phone suddenly rings. The ringtone immediately breaks the peaceful atmosphere. His father pulls the phone from his pocket. The moment he sees the caller ID, his expression changes.
"Hm?"
He answers.
"Hello?"
A pause, then another one follows. His eyebrows immediately rise.
"Oh."
Another pause.
"I understand."
More listening, then—
"I'll be there immediately."
The call ends. Kota and his mother already know that expression. It's work, and his father sighs.
"Well, I need to go to the office."
"On a Sunday, Dad?" Kota asks.
His father nods.
"Unfortunately."
Kota's mother shakes her head.
"They really don't know how to leave you alone." (Kota's mom)
"They pay me." (Kota's dad)
"Fair point." (Kota's mom)
His father chuckles before looking at Kota.
"Take care of your mother."
Kota immediately points at himself.
"Why does that sound like I'm going on a dangerous quest?"
"Because with you, everything becomes a dangerous quest."
Before Kota can protest, his father is already hurrying toward the parking area. The remaining two watch him disappear down the path. His mother sighs.
"There he goes, again."
"Like that WebMan tracking down the dude who killed his uncle." (Kota)
"Wasn't that SteelMan?" (Kota's mom)
"No, Mom. That was WebMan. SteelMan's parents were killed by a cyborg who eventually became part of their team against that purple buff alien." (Kota)
They continue walking toward home.
Two hours later, they arrive home. The house is peaceful, and as they settle in, Kota occupies the living room and turns on the television to play a game. A controller sits firmly in his hands. The television displays a colorful battlefield with explosions, buildings, and players running everywhere. Players running everywhere. The game announcer shouts enthusiastically from the speakers. Kota squints at the screen.
"How do people build so fast?"
His character immediately gets eliminated. A giant notification appears, "ELIMINATED"
Kota stares.
"...Again? Man, this is such the old me, the noob me is back again, nice."
The doorbell rings.
Ding-dong.
His mother calls from the kitchen.
"Kota!"
"What?"
"Can you see who it is?"
"Alright. Coming!"
He places the controller on the table and walks toward the front door. The bell rings again. Kota reaches the entrance. He unlocks the door. As he opens it, he freezes as standing outside is none other than Akiko. Her purple hair is partially hidden beneath a stylish jacket modeled after the younger sister's outfit from My Sister is a Demon. The oversized sleeves, the familiar pink design of a kimono, and the casual aesthetic. It immediately catches his attention.
Beside her stands Hatsune, both are smiling.
"Good morning," Akiko says.
Kota blinks, then smiles.
"Good morning, my Ai"
A few moments later, both guests are comfortably seated inside. Kota quickly rearranges several cushions on the sofa while Akiko glances toward the television. Her eyes immediately widen.
"Woah, you're playing ForkNight?"
Kota follows her gaze.
"Oh."
A grin spreads across Akiko's face.
"You play?" (Akiko)
"Well, I'm trying." (Kota)
"What do you mean 'trying'?" (Akiko)
"I'm new at this. I asked Asahi how to download it, downloaded it on the laptop, and booted it up on the television." (Kota)
Akiko laughs.
"Scooch over there."
"What?" (Kota)
"Move!" (Akiko)
Within seconds, she grabs another controller and sits beside him. The match begins. Kota quickly realizes something. Akiko is terrifyingly good. Absolute nonsense levels of good. She builds ramps, walls, towers, defensive structures, and entire neighborhoods all within seconds.
Meanwhile, Kota accidentally builds a staircase facing a tree. Akiko stares.
"Kota."
"Yes?" (Kota)
"Why did you build a staircase into a tree?" (Akiko)
"Uhm...Tactical reasons?" (Kota)
"I'll have to think it as otherwise." (Akiko)
Another elimination appears. Kota groans. Akiko laughs so hard she nearly drops her controller. Eventually, after saving him for the fifth time, she shakes her head.
"Man, you really are hopeless."
Kota smirks.
"You really are a senpai, my ai."
Akiko immediately throws a pillow at him.
Meanwhile, inside the kitchen, a very different conversation unfolds. Kota's mother stands near the stove preparing lunch. The aroma of simmering broth fills the room. Hatsune quietly approaches. The two women exchange smiles.
"It has been a while," Hatsune says.
Kota's mother nods.
"It has."
She glances toward the living room. The sounds of virtual explosions can be heard. For several seconds neither speaks. Then Kota's mother smiles knowingly.
"So..."
Hatsune raises an eyebrow.
"So?"
"This feels a little like one of those visits."
Hatsune blinks.
"What visits?"
"The kind before marriage."
Hatsune nearly chokes.
"What of course not, no."
Kota's mother immediately laughs.
"Jeez, I'm kidding."
"Please don't."
Both women chuckle. The atmosphere remains warm. Eventually Hatsune's expression softens.
"I actually came for another reason."
Kota's mother listens carefully. Hatsune glances toward the living room, toward Kota.
"Your son protected my Akiko in Sendai."
Her voice becomes sincere.
"For that..."
She bows slightly.
"...I am grateful."
Kota's mother immediately shakes her head.
"No need."
"There is." (Hatsune)
"He did what anyone should do." (Kota's mom)
Hatsune smiles.
"Not everyone would."
A comfortable silence follows. Then Kota's mother speaks.
"Akiko is a good girl."
Hatsune looks surprised. The older woman continues.
"I've always thought so."
A smile forms on Hatsune's face.
"And I think Kota is a good young man."
Both mothers laugh softly. For perhaps the first time since the crisis began, they feel completely understood. The peaceful atmosphere inside the house continues for nearly half an hour.
Meanwhile, inside the living room, Kota is learning a valuable lesson. That lesson is simple as Akiko is absolutely terrifying when she plays video games. The latest ForkNight match begins. The digital battle bus flies across the colorful island. Players immediately begin jumping out. Akiko expertly marks a location.
"We land there."
Kota nods.
"Okay."
Five seconds later, he accidentally jumps in the complete opposite direction. Akiko stares.
"Kota."
"Yes?" (Kota)
"Why are you over there?" (Akiko)
"I got distracted." (Kota)
"By what?" (Akiko)
"A cloud." (Kota)
"..." (Akiko)
Akiko slowly lowers her controller.
"What?" (Akiko)
"I mean c'mon, it looked important. There's like words in there." (Kota)
The girl bursts into laughter. Meanwhile, Kota's character continues falling helplessly toward the ocean. The game announces his elimination before he even properly lands.
"HA?! HOW?! HOW?!" (Kota)
Akiko laughs even harder.
"I didn't know that was possible! LMAO"
"Neither did I!" (Kota)
By the time she regains her composure, tears have already formed in the corners of her eyes. For the first time in days, neither of them thinks about investigations. Neither thinks about Homura nor Eloise or the operations that the two blonde heads had inflicted on them. For a brief moment, they are simply teenagers enjoying a Sunday together.
ns216.73.216.253da2
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.