Magical Boy ~ English version

Chapter 106

Kōtarō grimaced upon hearing the familiar nickname.

"Did you say I-chan?" He repeated, "you mean the jerk who tried to kill me?"

"Ah~ right away the big words," Ichirō mocked, shrugging his shoulders, "we were seven years old, I was kidding, that's all."

"Oh yeah ? If it's so funny, why don't you go jump in front of a moving bus yourself?!"

"Excuse me ?!" Kenji exclaimed, "what did he do?!"

"That motherfucker used his power to trip me up in front of a bus. I was narrowly saved by a government employee specializing in school bullying. Unfortunately he thought it was just that and then he left without taking care of all these assholes who were attacking Nanaya."

"I'm fine," assured the magical. 

He immediately took a small slap on the head from Mineko. Oh yeah. She had sworn to hit him every time he said he was fine when the situation assured him otherwise.

"If someone had told me that you would be so well surrounded in the future," Ichirō suddenly hissed, "I would never have believed it."

"What ?  Kōtarō growled, "disappointed not to be in it?"

"And who said I wasn't going to take my place by his side again?"

"And who said I was going to let you?"

"Too bad your power isn't offensive, I would love to beat you."

"Try and see!"

Kenji pulled Kōtarō back trying to calm him down. The other people in the yard were watching them, attracted by the argument. Kōtarō only calmed down when a familiar hand came to rest on his head.

"Come on, come on," whispered Nakamara's soothing voice, "this event is meant to strengthen the bonds between our schools, not to create conflict." 

Kōtarō grimaced. He didn't want to lay low in front of Ichirō. He didn't have time to explain the situation though, as Ichirō spoke first:

"Mr. Uchiri," he said politely, "it's a pleasure."

"Are you..." asked Nakamara, "Umeji Jonore's son. I heard he sent you to America. You look a lot like him."

"I am often told that. My dad was hurt that you didn't support him in his last campaign."

"I may have been Experion for years, but I don't support a politician steeped in such scandal."

"Ah!" Kōtarō muttered under his breath, "it seems like the apple never falls far from the tree."

Nakamara looked questioningly at Kōtarō. If he knew well Umeji Jonore, former mayor of their city, he had heard very little about the son. But given this reaction, he must have been like his father. He looked like him physically. Other than the color of his eyes, Ichirō was the spitting image of his father. And this simple detail gave the businessman a bad impression. Or was it perhaps his gaze, his mocking smile?

He ceased his discreet observation and instead turned to his son.

"Nanaya," he called, "have you finished the portrait?"

"The portrait ?" Asked Enko.

"A portrait of Lord for police and heroes," Nanaya explained, reaching into his bag, "I've finished it, but I should really add some colors."

He pulled out his notebook, opened it, and handed it to his father. There was perfectly represent Lord. Nakamara found himself confused at his own likeness, though the hair in the drawing was longer and the cheeks less sunken.

"The most glaring differences come with the colors?" Nakamara asked.

"Totally," Kōtarō snarled, "if it wasn't for his yellow eyes, I would almost have thought you were the kidnapper."

The adult froze. Eyes fixed on the drawing, he had no trouble imagining its colors. And this mental image suddenly made him uneasy. He had a question. But he didn't dare ask.

"Dad ?" Called Nanaya, "are you okay? You have a fever ?"

"His teeth..." muttered Nakamara, "are his teeth..."

"Sharp like mine," Kenji cut in, "but did you know, Uchiri-san?"

This time, Nakamara lost the last remaining colors on his face. He dropped the notebook and ran off. Nanaya didn't even take the time to retrieve his notebook, immediately following his father with concern.

In the main hall, Nakamara violently shoved Phen-X, to the point of sending him to the ground, but did not stop and left the establishment. Despite his concern, Nanaya had helped Teiji up and explained to him what had just happened. The nurse didn't understand either. He instructed the younger to contact Thoki and activate Nakamara's location on his phone, taking two motorbike helmets so they could track him.

Teiji and Nanaya had left the school, Hyokko clinging to his human's arm, and had followed Nakamara through the youngest's phone. They arrived at the destination at the same time as Thoki. The two motorcycles parked side by side.

Nanaya came down taking off his helmet and looked around. The last time he came here, it ended very badly. They were in front of the cemetery. Where he had fought Volcano.

"Why here?" Teiji questioned to himself. "That does not make any sense..."

"Young master," Thoki called, "he left after your description of Lord, right?"

"Yes," confirmed the magical.

"After detailing his colors," Hyokko clarified, "he turned pale and ran away."

"His colors?" Thoki wondered, "I wonder..."

"Lord looks a lot like Dad," Nanaya explained, "if he cut his hair and his cheeks were a little more sunken... but his eyes are yellow and his teeth are sharp."

The magical, guardian, and nurse could sense almost the same reaction from Thoki. The butler looked at the graveyard gate with concern.

"I know exactly where he needs to be," he muttered, "follow me." 

He ran through the entrance as well, only confusing the other three. He walked through the empty aisles knowing full well where he was heading.

It didn't take long to spot Nakamara. He was standing, amid the debris of his brother's broken grave in front of him. He held in his hands the urn that should normally be inside. He himself had broken the headstone to recover it.

When he heard Thoki calling him, he looked up. He was shaking and tears were streaming down his cheeks. Tears seeming mixed with despair and anger.

"Thoki..." he breathed, "the urn... is empty."