One Above All

Chapter 8: Old Fears and Shattered Dreams

Three years had passed since that 1977 accident at the Takahashi residence, where Aiko and her husband Hideki Takahashi died from a devil attack that infiltrated their home unbeknownst to them. The couple perished in the assault, but their son, Hiro Takahashi, was the sole survivor as a devil hunter arrived before it was too late.

The child was left without parents and a home, but the same hunter who saved him decided to take him in. For a long time, the boy lived in fear of devils, even though he dreamed of becoming a devil hunter in the future, a dream that starkly contrasted with his fear. Nevertheless, he never gave up on that dream as his goal.

Young Hiro was eager to start his training; he wanted to hunt devils for a simple yet noble reason. He wished to eradicate the evil and sorrow caused by devils. Having lost his parents to a devil, he didn't want more children or people to suffer the same fate. That was his driving motivation and the only thing that overcame his fear of devils. If he wanted to achieve his goals, he needed to train as much as he could. He wanted Kishibe to train him so that the world could become safer, and numerous tragedies could be averted. Many children would stay with their parents and not suffer as he had.

He was determined to achieve it, nothing would stop him, nothing.

0O0O

 The apartment door opened, as it always did at this time of the afternoon. Two individuals entered, a black-haired, blue-eyed boy in a school uniform consisting of a white shirt paired with knee-length shorts and black dress shoes. Following him and closing the door was a tired-looking man in his thirties, sporting a serious expression. He wore a tailored suit with an oversized coat that extended just below his back. On his chest, a harness was visible, designed to hold two katana swords at his back. However, the only items he currently carried were a firearm and two knives.

Kishibe and Hiro had just picked up the latter from school. Hiro finished his studies at 1 PM, and Kishibe had to find spare time to bring the kid home. However, suspicions surrounded Kishibe due to his appearance, as many believed he might be a pedophile or a child abductor.

Nevertheless, their lives had already adjusted enough for them to feel comfortable with each other. They had become so accustomed to doing the same things every day, such as having breakfast in silence or occasionally discussing various matters. Kishibe remained distant and cool towards Hiro, but he was no longer as aloof as he had been in the first few months. Now, he spoke to Hiro more than he used to. Sometimes, they discussed Hiro's school day, and Hiro would inquire about Kishibe's work. Kishibe shared some details but avoided going into too much depth to spare the child, who, after all, was only 10 years old and had already experienced enough trauma.

Hiro felt more at ease living with Kishibe. He now saw the tired and stoic hunter as a guardian who, deep down, seemed to care for him, at least that was Hiro's perception. He wasn't sure what Kishibe truly thought. Regardless, Hiro began to admire Kishibe's skills and disciplines in devil hunting. All were fascinated by how Kishibe excelled so naturally in everything. Quanxi once mentioned that Kishibe was considered the strongest devil hunter in Japan, or possibly even the world. This revelation explained a lot. Hiro felt a mix of disbelief and fascination; he knew Kishibe was strong, but he didn't think it was to this extent.

He predicted that if Kishibe was the one training him, then he could become very strong and save many people from devils, just as Kishibe had saved him. To this day, Hiro doesn't know how to thank Kishibe for rescuing him three years ago. Someday, he'll come up with something.

"I'll be in my room," Hiro said, following the same routine as every day. Kishibe didn't say anything, and he didn't expect a response from the man. He just continued on his way to his room without looking back. Yes, that's how they operated, and the peculiar thing was that they didn't mind because it felt so natural to them.