Aiden:
"You should be happy because you will finally have the opportunity to speak with my father in private."
Bala:
"Yes, Karo, this is the right opportunity to tell him."
Karo (In a rough voice):
"Enough, Bala. Be silent."
Aiden:
"So, Hiden, are you happy now, since you will discover my father's pathetic past?"
Karo (Shouting):
"Aiden! Be silent! Stop right now!"
Flashback
Hiden, at the age of eight.
Narrator:
[Hiden was forbidden from befriending anyone as a form of punishment. Hiden had never tasted the joy of friendship in his life.]
The Scene:
Hiden is in Bala's embrace, in bed. It was a moonlit night, dominated by inner turmoil/restlessness. Hiden was clutching his aunt tightly, while tears streamed from his eyes.
Hiden:
"Tell me about my mother, Auntie. Why does everyone refuse to talk about her? Why do you hide the facts? Is it so difficult to reveal the matter of my mother?"
Bala (In a quiet voice):
"I will let you in on a secret concerning your mother. Your mother had blue hair just like yours, and she was exceedingly beautiful."
Hiden:
"But where is she?"
Bala:
"You must sleep now; it is late."
Hiden:
"What is the harm in telling me about her? Just her name!"
Narrator:
Hiden felt that telling him about his mother was considered a crime whose consequences were feared. He viewed his ignorance regarding his mother as a great injustice
Let's get back to realityKazuma sat on the sofa, scrolling through TV channels with evident boredom. The agile movement of his body was not apparent now, confined instead to light taps on the remote control.
Suddenly, a dry, deliberate knock broke the apartment's silence.
Kazuma stood up with instinctive speed; his motion was quick and smooth, like the blade of a sword. He pulled the door open to find the old man, the landlord, standing before him—an elderly man whose eyes were creased from years and smiles.
The Old Man: (In a calm, solemn voice, imbued with the dignity of age)
"Would you permit me to enter, my son? Just for a few minutes."
Kazuma: (With a slight, polite smile that contrasted with the sharpness of his features)
"Please come in, Uncle. This is your home. There is no need to ask permission."
The old man stepped inside with slow but steady steps, casting a quick glance at Kazuma and his television.
The Old Man: (Calmly, with a knowing smile)
"You seem absorbed in watching the news. What has captured your attention this time?"
Kazuma: (Shrugging unemotionally)
"Nothing truly captivating, to be honest. Merely keeping an eye on what is happening outside, nothing more."
The television was showing the same exclusive news channel. A man with a short mustache and green eyes appeared; it was Lucy, King of Barathia. He wore a luxurious blue military uniform with a red sash embroidered in gold, standing on a stage surrounded by an aura of formality.
Lucy: (Adjusting the microphone, in an overly resonant voice)
"Ladies and gentlemen, I realize you are yearning to hear my speech... I shall be brief, although I have just eaten a heavy meal and fear I might vomit at any moment."
(He pauses for a moment, smiling with palpable artificiality.)
"I know, I know, a bad joke. Let us return to seriousness."
(With a sudden shift in tone to fabricated seriousness)
"I have received a torrent of criticism following our recent movement towards Frasia. Criticism that is not based on logic. Frasia is the main reason for the harrowing defeat suffered by our kingdom twelve years ago, during that 'Great War' which no one forgets. Nevertheless, we have not harmed them at all."
(He laughs a strong laugh devoid of humor, taking a few steps across the stage.)
"Although we consider them demons on this earth, we have secured food, shelter, and drink for them. It is true that they caused our loss, but we remain morally superior to them."
(With scathing sarcasm)
"The media only wants to create a commotion. We have never attacked them. But despite everything, the demons of Frasia are a virus that must be eradicated. I will not kill them now, only to show you in the future the extent of their cruelty that will surely emerge."
(He slams his fist on the platform violently, shouting with feigned anger)
"If I wanted to destroy Frasia, I would erase it from existence in two minutes! Do you hear me? If I wanted a war, I would start one, and let all the powers of the world unite against me!"
(Lucy slowly regains his composure.)
"Frasia is the cause of the 'Balian Treaty' that besieges us. That land belongs to us, but the demons of the Black Race have seized control of it, and we are working to liberate it!"
(He sighs, raising and lowering his hands in a gesture of tolerance.)
"I know I became immersed in passionate rhetoric. But our focus now is on strengthening our diplomatic relations with my dear friend and brother, Hamura."
Kazuma stopped flipping channels, focusing his gaze on King Lucy's face.
The Old Man: (Smiling calmly, watching Kazuma's reaction more than the television)
"By the way, my son, this specific television... it is a device belonging to the Mafia."
Kazuma: (Raising his left eyebrow above his scar, with a tone that was less surprise and more concentrated curiosity)
"What? Do you mean... that this channel is encrypted?"
The Old Man: (His voice becoming somewhat softer and disjointed, as if speaking about something personal)
"Exactly as you heard. These channels have special codes. They only broadcast what is illegal, or exclusive information from other entities who prefer to remain in the shadows."
Kazuma looked at the old man seriously.
Kazuma: "Then, Uncle... how did a Mafia-specific television end up precisely here?"
The eyes of the old man, Elia, glazed over, and a thick tear slowly rolled down his cheek.
The Old Man: (In a trembling voice that was almost a whisper)
"My son... my son was a member of the 'Dark Star' gang. He bought this device specifically to follow their internal news. I heard that... that he is no longer around. He died."
Kazuma: (Nodding his head very calmly, his piercing eyes holding an expression of solemn sympathy)
"That is truly sad. I apologize for asking
The Old Man: (Calmly)
"I always made sure to protect him, but he was ultimately lost from my grasp."
(The Old Man wiped away his tears.)
The Old Man:
"But that matter has passed and is done with."
Kazuma: (Calmly)
"I want to ask you about something."
(The Old Man remained still, waiting.)
Kazuma:
"Is Hedin's family kind?"
The Old Man: (Calmly)
"Hedin is the only kind one among the members of that family."
The Old Man: (With a tone tinged with dread)
"As for the most wicked among them, that is Aydin; he is truly evil. But what is admirable about him is that he managed to build a massive economic empire, possessing many lands and projects."
Kazuma: (With admiration)
"That is astonishing! I thought he was merely a madman seeking only slaughter and murder."
The Old Man:
"I am sorry, my son, but I must leave now."
(Kazuma stood by the door, while the Old Man closed it behind him.)
(A high-angle camera shot shows Karo and Hiden walking down a long pathway lined with trees, benches, and flowers. Birds are settling in their nests.)
Hiden (Calmly):
"This is the first time I've walked beside you like this."
Karo:
"You are right, Hiden. Today is the right time for us to discuss many things."
Hiden (In a low voice):
"Has the time come for you to tell me your story?"
Karo:
"Let us sit here."
(As people stroll along the pathway, Karo and Hiden sit on one of the benches.)
Karo (Sighs):
"Hiden, listen closely, because you are about to learn a story concerning your mother and my own past." (He raises his head upward) "Your mother's name is Selena."
(Hiden's eyes widened, his mouth opened, and his hair stood on end, as if the nostalgia of the past had powerfully returned to him.)
Flashback: Thirteen Years Ago
The Scene:
Karo was elegant in appearance, wearing a formal black suit, characterized by his short black hair and oval face. He stands in front of a small, cube-shaped house with a dilapidated, rust-covered roof. A girl stands with him; she has a round, feminine face, narrow eyes, a short nose, and wavy blue hair, wearing a short white dress. This is Selena.
Karo (With joy):
"Selena, don't fear anything, because you will be saying goodbye to this house soon."
Selena (With sadness):
"I hope so."
Karo:
"I spoke with my father, and he has agreed to our marriage."
Selena:
"But your father holds no love for me."
Karo (Positively):
"My father will learn how kind you are, and he will accept you."
Selena (Tilting her head to the right):
"I hope so."
Karo (With hope):
"I shall leave now, Selena. We will meet tomorrow."
Scene Two:
Selena entered the house, which consists of a single connected living room and kitchen area. Bala was standing calmly.
Bala:
"I overheard your conversation."
Selena (Calmly):
"Do you agree with his view?"
Bala (Leaning on the sofa):
"I do not know, but his father hates you. Yet, as long as the two of you love each other, there is no harm."
Selena:
"I do not fear his father. All that concerns me is that his father might fabricate negative lies about me and cause Karo to hate me."
Bala (With her narrow eyes):
"As long as he is infatuated with your love, he will never hate you."
Selena (Calmly):
"I wish my father and mother were here. Unfortunately, they passed away before they could see me happy."
The camera shifted to a man who was sitting in a wooden office, his room filled with dusty cabinets. This man was bald, with a short white beard, thick eyebrows, deep wrinkles, wide eyes, and a rounded face with prominent muscular jawbones. He was wearing a black coat.
The Man (In a quiet voice):
"Karo, enter here."
(Karo entered.)
Karo (In a quiet voice):
"Hello, Father."
The Man (Calmly and roughly):
"You should thank me, Karo."
Karo (Calmly):
"And why is it necessary for me to do so?"
The Man:
"Do you know that I fought Isaac for the sake of our city?"
Karo (Calm):
"Father, tell me quickly what you have done."
The Man:
"Know that I fought Isaac."
Karo (With astonishment):
"Really? And who won?"
The Man:
"The result was a draw between us, but he is truly a strong man who deserves the position of Shama-Han Leader."
Karo (Calmly):
"And why did this fight happen?"
The Man (Calmly):
"Why do you want to know? Truly, he is the first powerful opponent who nearly killed me." (He laughs hysterically) "But do not worry, your father was watching him closely. Simply put, it was a draw."
Karo:
"If I were to face him, who would win?"
The Man (Calmly):
"I would not be able to keep up with a man whose speed rivals the speed of sound. Isaac is the strongest, and I am merely the one who can keep pace with him."
Karo:
"Fine, let us leave the fighting aside. What about Selena?"
The Man (Calmly):
"I have not yet decided her fate."
Karo (Shouting):
"But, Father!"
The Man (Seriously):
"I have issued one order. Do you wish to break my word?"
Karo (Angrily):
"Are you implying that Selena is a disgrace to us by your action?"
The Man:
"It is good that you understood me."
Karo (Calmly):
"But, Father, Selena is a kind woman
The Man (In a quiet voice):
"I will not repeat myself. Selena is a woman trying to exploit you."
(Karo moved toward the door to open it.)
The Man:
"I have not finished speaking yet."
Karo (Angrily):
"I am leaving, and nothing will prevent me from marrying Selena."
The Man (Slams his left hand on the table):
"You fool! Why are you pursuing a girl who wishes to drain you and cast you aside?"
Narrator:
Hannibal was furious; he saw his pride falling and the girl beginning to overcome him, all while the burden and responsibility of the Kimura family rested upon his shoulders.
Return to Reality
(We return to reality. Karo was telling his story with a smile, while Hiden listened intently, deep in thought.)
"Hiden lowered his head while the wind raged. The screen went white, and Hiden gritted his teeth, with blackness covering his forehead, until we saw the pressure of his fingers gripping his thighs."
Scene Transition:
In the apartment where Kazuma was located, he held the phone to his ear, listening intently to its continuous ringing sound.
Kazuma (Swallowing):
"Answer, Hiden. Don't worry me like this."
(Hiden's phone was in the possession of Aiden, who was lying on the sofa, fiddling with it in his hands.)
Aiden:
"So, Kazuma is your name."
(We return to Kazuma, who was redialing, his sharp eyes narrowed.)
Kazuma (Clenching his teeth):
"Answer! Why are you worrying me like this?"
(Until Aiden answered him.)
To be continued...