One Above All

Chapter 6: Reasons

"Can you explain to me what's happening before I accuse you of pedophilia?" Quanxi said to Kishibe. It was already nine-something in the evening, and Hiro had gone to bed a few minutes ago, so Quanxi could freely express one of his many thoughts on this situation.

Kishibe crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair, looking at Quanxi with a serious but not truly angry expression. "Unfortunately for you, no, I'm not a pedophile. Kidnapping children for pleasure is the Division 9's specialty."

Quanxi suppressed a smile. "Then why did you adopt the kid?" he asked bluntly.

Kishibe raised an eyebrow. "Is that so strange?"

Quanxi nodded without hesitation. "Yes, it is. Firstly, the kid could have easily been placed in an orphanage without so many complications. The rules state that if minors are affected by a demon attack on their family, they should be taken to an adoption center for placement and rehabilitation, eventually to be adopted. But instead, you decided to keep the kid, offering him a home in your apartment, along with food and a bed decorated for a child of his age."

Kishibe chuckled. "It seems you've read the manual thoroughly. Although you make it sound like I've committed a crime."

Quanxi ignored him and continued speaking. "Secondly, it surprises me that someone like you—cold, solitary, drunk, womanizer, a fully trained demon hunter, and an idiot in my eyes—would suddenly adopt a child when what has always concerned you is having your flask filled with alcohol, having a woman in your bed, and ruthlessly killing demons. So, yes, Kishibe, it's very strange." At this point, Quanxi frowned; the search for answers was truly frustrating her.

Although if she delved deep into her mind, she might get an idea of why Kishibe was doing this. But she wanted to keep pressing him.

Kishibe's smile slowly faded. "Well, when you put it that way, it does sound strange." He reached for the bottle of alcohol and a small glass, pouring himself a drink because he felt he would need a few from now on.

Quanxi sighed as she watched the hunter, recently dubbed the strongest of them all, take a sip. "Why did you do it?"

Kishibe stopped drinking and looked back into Quanxi's eyes—or eye. "To be honest... I don't know either."

Quanxi rolled her eyes. "Don't give me that 'I don't know' bullshit." Deep down, Quanxi believed she had an idea of why Kishibe had kept the kid, but she wanted to hear it from him to confirm her suspicions. After all, the truth tastes better when it comes from the accused's mouth.

"It's the truth, or at least that's what I want to believe." Kishibe was no longer looking at Quanxi, just staring at a point in the void behind her, lost in this question.

"When you rescued him," Quanxi began, "you told me that when you saw him, it was like looking in a mirror, right?"

Quanxi's tone indirectly signaled him to complete his answer, considering she had the unfortunate knowledge of his past, she probably already had an idea of why he did what he did. But many times, he tried to deny it, simultaneously attempting to find another reason for why he kept the kid, but none made sense or was concise enough for his liking. So, he had to stick with the damn truth.

All of that made Kishibe become a bit cold and distant with the kid during the first few weeks. He didn't talk to him much, even though at work, he usually talked to other hunters. But when he saw Hiro, it reminded him of why he was living in his apartment, and it was because the answer to why he decided to keep the kid haunted him a bit. Regret filled him entirely, and the desire to go back in time and change everything was always present in him.

If he did, a significant part of his life would have been different. He wouldn't have become a hunter for the reason he did, or he would have become a hunter for the reason he wanted. He wouldn't be having this conversation with Quanxi, or he wouldn't have it in the same way as now.