"Goodbye, Maksim!"
Waking abruptly and throwing my eyes open, I immediately squeezed them shut again. It hurt. It had been a bad dream. My daughter, all grown up and enrolled in university. My wife, crying over our wedding photograph.
"Goodbye, Maksim!"
And it hurt me twice as much because of the realization, coming from nowhere, that I would never see dreams like that again.
"Goodbye, my love!"
God, how I want to sink my hands into the throat of that creature because of whom I lost my family. But it's impossible. This isn't even a natural disaster—it's something more… powerful. And unreachable. All that remains to me is to be angry, to burn with hatred, and to keep it inside. Because there is simply no one on whom I can vent my rage.
"All right, Maksimka, breathe in, breathe out. I have to calm down, otherwise sooner or later I'll simply go insane."
The door suddenly flew open—thank God it hadn't been locked—and revealed the incomparable Shina to my eyes. Who, incidentally, was standing in a defensive stance most closely resembling kokutsu-dachi from karate. Cautiously stepping into the room in tiny steps and looking around, she relaxed a little. To be honest, I even forgot to get angry—I was that surprised. Who exactly had she come to fight in my bedroom?
— Who was here?
I was clearly failing to understand something.
— My erotic dreams. Before you barged in here, naturally.
— So I don't qualify as erotic dreams, then?
The tension was still obvious in her voice. What the hell was going on here, anyway?
I swept the room with my gaze, just in case, on the off chance I really had missed something, and then stared at Shina again.
— Maybe you could explain to me what exactly is going on here? — I asked, nodding toward the door.
— Are you sure that here, in this very room, nobody was here before I appeared? — I didn't understand what was wrong with her, but it was probably better to back down for the moment.
— It was you who woke me up. Is the hint clear enough?
I can't quite explain it, but I got the impression that Shina, who had already been about to relax, instantly tensed again. Quickly running through the room and making sure no one was there, she came over to me.
— Right then, Sindzi, — she said in a serious voice, — you're going to get dressed quickly, very quickly, and then we're going out for a run.
I honestly didn't even know whether to object or not. This… childhood friend of mine was clearly worried about something. And for some reason she was convinced that someone had been in my room while I slept. Which, frankly speaking, was highly unlikely—I was certain of the opposite. If someone didn't get it, let me remind you—Absolute and all that.
In short, I didn't understand what was happening, but I figured I'd go along with this panic-stricken girl for now.
Thinking roughly along those lines, I slowly got out of bed.
— O-o-oh, Sindzi-i-i! You could at least have thrown a blanket over yourself! — And what exactly doesn't she like about my boxers?
— You could have turned away. This isn't your bedroom. — Ah, these blushing girls. Flying out of the room like an arrow.
I ran the first lap around the block alone. Shina mumbled some ridiculous excuse and vanished back home. Actually, a witcher of my level—or any level below—doesn't need training often. In theory, not at all. But if you deprive yourself of training, your development stops. In theory, an Absolute shouldn't care about that—but that's only in theory. In practice, I don't know a single witcher who ever truly reached his limit. Development goes on constantly, and there is no boundary to perfection. And considering the specifics of my work, both in my native world and, in essence, here as well, even the tiniest scraps of mastery, the slightest improvements, can mean the difference between life and death.
Shina apparently doesn't understand that. For the past year she's been running only from time to time. It seems she doesn't get that even something as trivial as running is still, in its own way, an increase in strength. As for the rest of her family, I won't even mention them. Aside from Mizuki, who runs always and everywhere she can, I haven't seen a single other Koyama training. That doesn't mean anything, of course—I don't exactly spy on them—but still…
Then again, I don't pay attention to things like that. First, because I don't care. Second, because of bahir. That cursed energy which, they say, is spilled through the air—invisible, but absolutely real—throws all my knowledge and experience into confusion. Maybe at a certain level they don't need to train the body physically at all. The fact that bahir can strengthen the body is something I've learned firsthand. A punch from me that would rip an ordinary person's insides to shreds will merely make a Veteran double over, and in a couple of seconds, sometimes less, he'll be ready to fight again. Damn monsters. Good thing my blows vary—both in strength and in purpose.
When I had just begun recovering, I often thought about mastering bahir. No, not just thought—I had quite specifically set my sights on studying the local martial arts in addition to my own powers. I planned to weave everything together, the capabilities of a witcher and the capabilities of the locals, and then become Superman. In the end, Maksimka got disappointed. Shina's father helped me sense bahir, absorb it, and even kindle a small flame on my palm. And afterward he even admired how fast I had picked it up. Two hours, according to Akeno, was very, very good. Only when I got home, I realized I couldn't do any of my witcher abilities at all. And for two whole days I felt like the most ordinary civilian. Yeah… I remember that panic of mine as if it were yesterday. Brr. To hell with that.
So I had to make a choice. Either a hundred-percent restoration of what I had, or vague, but theoretically more powerful, abilities of a bahir user. With the added detail that I might very well never become a Virtuoso. And as for the fact that my choice made me a Patriarch—you already know that.
— I see you're not out of breath at all. Good for you! That means you'll run one extra lap with me, and I'll make up for the one I missed too.
Heh, bitch. It had been a while since I ran with her. Only, unlike her, for the last half year I'd been running not by number of laps, but by time. Half an hour, and that's that. At my pace, I run just under ten kilometers, while Shina's distance is fifteen five-hundred-meter laps. And since we run together at the same speed, I couldn't care less about one extra lap of hers. Or even two. I run longer and farther anyway. I was actually curious whether she'd keep training with me or chicken out.
She didn't. She only kept glancing sideways at me until the end of the run. And once we reached our houses, she decided to ask me a question.
— Uh…
— Time, — I interrupted her, tapping the watch on my left wrist.
— Huh?
— I run by time. Half an hour of running, then home.
— Mm, I see. Or rather, I don't. Since when do you run like that?
— What kind of tone is that, Shina-san? Did I promise anyone anything? I run however I want. When was the last time you trained properly, anyway?
— Pff. See you at school.
After watching her carefully until she reached the gate—she might well have come back and barged into my house piggybacking off me—I went off to take a shower.
By the way, I really should ask her how exactly she got into my house this morning.
Mizuki caught up with me on the way to school and started walking beside me. Now this was interesting.
— Are you walking, or am I running? — I said, feigning surprise.
— Ah, forget running, it's not even worth it here… I'd just work up a sweat.
— Women of the Koyama clan do not sweat, — I said, which earned me a suspicious look.
— You sound just like Mom. — Oh? — Listening to you two, you'd think women of the Koyama clan weren't even human.
— They aren't human, — I said, raising my index finger. — They're superhuman.
— You're making fun of me, aren't you? — she asked suspiciously.
— And they're very perceptive too, — I smiled.
— Ha! Since we're on the subject of perceptiveness, I've got a question.
— Go ahead, hit me with it.
— Is it true that you can release "yaki" strong enough to affect even Shina?
Ah, "ya-a-aki," so that was it. She had chosen a bad time to come into my room this morning, and I hadn't helped matters either.
— What makes you think that?
In response, she lowered her eyes, grew flustered, and let out a couple of heavy sighs.
— I overheard Dad and Grandpa discussing what happened this morning.
— Shina, I take it? And what exactly did she do?
— As if you don't know.
— I can guess, — I said with a smirk. — But it'd be nice to know how it looked from your side.
— Chaos. Shina had the whole house in an uproar, yelling that someone had broken into your place. We didn't even realize right away that this intruder had also managed to get away. And she hadn't even seen the intruder, only sensed a "crazy concentration of 'yaki.'" Her words.
— And naturally, you searched my house while we were out running.
— I don't know, maybe. Only Grandfather and Father doubt that there was anyone there with you, and think it was you who pressed "yaki" on her. That you were fed up with her walking into your house as if it were her own.
Yeah… that's a giveaway. And Shina didn't even figure it out. It could have been worse, actually, but… oh well, in the end. The very fact that I use "yaki" is, apparently, not news to them. All that remains is to smooth over the force of the effect itself. And Mizuki is going to help me with that. Because I seriously doubt those two monsters didn't notice her eavesdropping. So either they deliberately sent her to me, or later the great Kagami-sama will pry everything out of her daughter.
— I had a bad dream, and then Shina barged into the house on top of that. So I let out some irritation.
— That's some irritation, if even my sister got scared!
Ah, this reverence for ranks.
— And what does that have to do with me? It's your sister who grew up in a greenhouse. And yet she's still a Teacher! If she'd really been scared, she wouldn't have gone into my room.
— You're unfair. She's always cared about you. — Oddly enough, that's true. — To her, you're like an eternally irritating younger brother who needs looking after.
How low I've fallen. A younger brother!
— Well, lately she's been irritating me a lot too.
In response, Mizuki only sighed, and after a few more meters hit me with this:
— As long as I can remember, she always wanted a younger brother. Someone to care for, someone to raise, someone who would become the clan heir, in the end. She herself was always burdened by the title of heiress. In that sense, you suited her perfectly—except for the heir part, of course. But on the other hand, you're weak—sorry. And a weak man is… well, you understand. So she's torn. On the one hand, she wants to sing you a lullaby, but that would be inappropriate—you're a man, after all. It would seem like, well, he doesn't want to learn himself, but how can that be? A man—and weak.
Oh, Mizuki, Mizuki. If only you were always this… grown-up. Because your usual childish behavior can be annoying too, you know. Oh-ho-ho. Why can't you girls just be normal? A younger brother, my ass.
— I'm the one who suffers from her indecision, you know. And someday I really might snap.
— Let's hope she figures things out before that happens, — Mizuki answered me with a smile.
After that, the younger Koyama switched from smart-girl mode back into little-girl mode, and the rest of the way to school she ran around me and tormented me with silly questions. Not far from Dakisyuro, I finally asked the question that had come to me after that conversation:
— And why is it that you yourself don't treat me like… — I thoughtfully twirled my hand in the air — like Shina does? I'm a weakling too, and all the rest of it, right?
— Sindzi, you idiot. I just don't consider you weak, that's all.
I smiled.
About a hundred meters from the school, I spotted Raidon. He was standing by the gates and looked worn out and tired. And when I walked up to him, I ran into a gaze full of sorrow fixed on the school.
— Well, Ohayashi-kun, have you finally understood the full charm of school? — I said, adding some sarcasm to my tone.
— Oh no, Sakurai-kun, school is humanity's greatest invention. At least a mixed one. But gods! It takes forever to get there! — he finished, hunching over.
— What, was the traffic really that bad? — I added sympathy to my voice.
— The traffic wasn't too bad. But there were so many of them!
— Then how did you manage to get here on time?
— My sister studies here, remember? So the driver has learned from bitter experience, and my sister, it seems, will soon gain experience in getting me up in the mornings.
— Maybe you should still consider getting an apartment closer by? — I asked, sympathetically patting Raidon on the shoulder, while also signaling that it was time to move.
— No way, — he answered as we started walking. — If my sister can put up with this for a whole year, then how am I worse than a girl? — Yeah… it only took him two mornings to change his mind, but his sister was getting in the way. — And Aneko might not agree. Hell, if she wanted to, she would've moved long ago.
So, we're already calculating options, I smiled to myself.
Getting to our classroom felt like crossing a minefield. Everyone was hurrying somewhere, someone was running somewhere, and on the first floor alone people nearly crashed into us twice. I was even curious—was it always like this here, or had something happened today?
— It's kind of hectic… — my classmate said, dodging yet another flying body.
Near our classroom, a collision did happen after all, and again with a girl. This time Raidon was the unlucky one. A short, cute girl with long, straight raven-black hair and a blue ribbon—marking her as a second-year—slammed full force into his chest. Looks like he'd let his guard down as we neared the classroom.
— I'm sor—
— You should watch where you're—
— …sorry. Are you alright?
The question, as they say, was right on target. Her slightly open mouth, wide eyes, and all of her attention fixed on me. Whether she was frightened or surprised, she was definitely feeling something strongly. Exchanging glances with Raidon and getting an equally puzzled look back, I addressed the girl:
— Are you alright? You didn't hurt yourself? — she just stared and said nothing. Glancing back at Raidon again, I decided to take more decisive action. — Hey, beauty, are you even alive? — I asked, waving my hand in front of her face. In response, she took a step back and pressed her fists to her chin. Her eyes got even wider. — Well… I think she's fine, — I finished uncertainly.
— Uh… Sakurai-kun, do you know her? Maybe you've already offended her somehow?
— The hell do you mean, offended her? I'm seeing her for the first time! Besides, she looks more frightened than offended, if you ask me.
— Really? To me she looks offended.
I looked at the girl more carefully. Cute, as they say. But where he saw offense, I had no idea.
— I don't know, I don't know. Miss, say something to us. Squeak at least.
— You know, if she doesn't want to talk, she doesn't have to, — Raidon muttered, looking around. — Let's just go to class.
Turning around after him, I understood what he meant. No knight in shining armor had shown up yet, but people were already starting to stare.
— You're right. And the girl will have time to recover from the shock.
When we sat down at our desks, I asked Raidon:
— Can you find out who that was?
— Why not find out yourself? — he added some pedantry to his tone.
— You saw how she reacted to me. Besides, your sister studies here too—you can ask her.
— And why do you need that? You'd better stay away from her.
— I will. Definitely. But aren't you curious yourself?
— You've got Shina-san.
— Of all people, she's the last one I want to ask.
— Mm? Fine, — he sighed. — I'll try to find out.
You're a good guy, Raidon. You don't pry where you shouldn't. Ah.
— She'll shake my soul out of me trying to find out how I scared the girl. And not telling her isn't an option either—she'll still get it out of me one way or another. And the girl will suffer too. — I don't particularly care about her whining, but why invite even such minor trouble if it can be avoided?
— Ah, these childhood friends with a Teacher rank.
— Tell me about it.
She was clearly frightened of me, and that's only possible if she knows I'm the Tokyo Dwarf. And even that's not certain—I'm not a killer. In any case, I really was just curious. I didn't believe she knew me; I'd hidden myself far too well. I couldn't even theoretically imagine how she might have found out anything about me. Which meant the reason was something else.
Classes were a sight to behold. Mathematics—two of them. Algebra and geometry had always come easily to me, so boredom ruled that lesson. Then came physics, which I'd hated passionately back home too, but here there's a nuance—after I joined the special operations department, we newly made witchers had that hammered into us along with everything else. So go ahead and cry about it—I know physics!
The last subject before lunch break was biology. Which I once studied from top to bottom because it had been my daughter's weak subject. And so the result—boredom lustfully embracing me! No, I get it—it's better to know than not know. But good God, how tedious it was. Where was Japanese, where even with my trained memory I still have to strain myself? Where was geography, which, along with history, I greatly respect? Where was shop class, PE, drawing, for God's sake? Why can't they mix it up a little? Oh-ho-ho, I'm sixteen and already grumbling like an old man.
Raidon and I had lunch in the cafeteria. The food back in middle school had been so-so, but here, as I'd learned yesterday, it was actually pretty good. Still, I noticed that many people had brought their own lunch, and when I passed by a table and looked into one of the bentos, I finally understood why these individuals had done so. As for me, my hands are definitely not made for putting together a bento like that. And to be honest, I'm too lazy to deal with cooking that seriously. Raidon, apparently, didn't bother with that either, so we headed to the cafeteria intending to sample the local delicacies.
But apparently, it wasn't meant to be.
— Sindzi!
Turning toward the voice, I saw Shina sitting at one of the tables with her friend. What was her name again? Ah yes—Mine Kino.
— Come on, I'll introduce you, I guess, — I nudged Raidon in the side.
— Ahem, — he replied uncertainly.
Yeah… Shina in public was definitely not the same as Shina at home. Her posture, gestures, even her gaze—everything spoke of her aristocratic roots.
— Shina, — I nodded to her, — Mine-san. Allow me to introduce Ohayashi Raidon-kun. Ohayashi-kun, this black-haired beauty is Koyama Shina-san, and this is her friend, Mine Kino-san.
In response to my little speech, the girls stood and bowed to Raidon in return. Kino, moreover, bowed a little earlier and a little lower, revealing her lower standing compared to those two. She hadn't bowed to me at all when we first met, by the way. Did I bow myself? Damn, I don't remember.
— Please, sit down, — said Shina, indicating the chairs with a brief gesture.
— I'll go buy myself something, — Raidon replied.
Judging by the three bento boxes on the table, I didn't need to buy anything. But still, just in case. So I silently headed after Ohayashi, though I only managed to take one step.
— Sindzi, — they called me. — Here, Mom made this. специально for you.
I sat down at the table—no point putting on airs, Kagami's cooking is worth it—and opened my lunch. Oh! Throwing a glance at the brunette's bento, I realized one thing: the daughter still had a long way to go before reaching the mother, and it wasn't even certain she ever would. Take these signature meat rolls, for example. I'd tried versions by Shina, by Mizuki, and—why hide it—even attempted to make them myself. But no one had surpassed Kagami-sama. And all this wealth was mine!
— Not a bad little feeding, huh?
— Kino!
— Alright, alright. But still, your mother is incredible. How does she even manage it? — Yeah, I'd like to know that myself. — Living off women, huh, boy?
— Kino! I thought we settled all this yesterday.
The girl had completely lost her fear. What, had she decided to put Shina before a choice: me or her? That was nonsense. What exactly was this uncultured girl trying to achieve? Time to put her in her place.
Turning a surprised look to Shina, I waited until she looked back at me. I smirked.
— The entourage makes the king, huh?
The girl's already frowning face became annoyed as well. And clearly not at me. Years spent next to her had taught me to recognize such things.
— She's not entourage, she's a friend, — Shina muttered after a couple of moments.
Mine either didn't catch on or something else, but she didn't interfere in our conversation.
— A fri-e-end, — I drew out. — You know what smart people say? Friends should be brought up to your level, not the other way around.
— You're my friend too, in case you forgot.
A debatable statement.
— And I'm doing my best not to sink to your level and your friend's.
— Whaaat? — hissed Mine, leaning over the table. — You think you're above us, bare-legged boy?
In response, all she got was my smirk.
— Enough! — Shina quietly struck the table with her palm. — Enough. Calm down, Ki-chan. Sindzi, your words are offensive. And yours too, Kino. Calm down. — I'm calm, though. — However, you have to answer for something like this, Sindzi!
Well, that's rich! Why am I the one who has to answer?
— Answer for it? — Now I was probably starting to get worked up. Easy, Maksimka. — How about we ask your grandfather who's in the right?
— Grandpa… for some reason, he's on your side.
— Mm? Then maybe your father? Ah yes, but he's a man—male solidarity and all that. Well then, Kagami-san? What? — I asked, looking at the little face that had both frowned and flushed at once. — She lectures you too often? And that only gives grounds for another round of moralizing? Honestly, I don't even know who to ask then. Maybe Mizuki? What? — I asked, noticing the corner of her mouth twitch in frustration. — And what's wrong with her? And stop wrinkling your forehead already.
Mine stayed silent. Looks like the conversation had turned somewhere she hadn't expected. And I, perhaps, had gone too far. I shouldn't have pressed Shina like that in front of others.
Raidon saved the situation by returning with a tray piled with food. Smart guy—your timing is impeccable. Another little moment and I would have had to make it personal.
Glancing at his tray, I couldn't help myself:
— You look like you just got off a diet.
— That's just the kind of stomach I have. Nothing I can do about it, — he replied with a grin.