Duality (DxD) (Part 1)

Ch 34 - Income & Renovations

With money coming in, the operations to shoulder his own burdens could start. Jin spent the entire week moving things around, making figures and posting. Slowly moving back home, Jin moved his room into Bans, selling items in Bans room to pay for the renovations of his old room that became a studio. He decorated his new room to make it his. Moving the letter he wasn't supposed to open under his bed and selling Bans old bed. Cleaning and making Bans room his, making it feel more comfortable despite what happened in it.

Jins old room became the studio. Shelves to place figures to dry, tables to work on figures. His own blades, paints and clay. But that wasn't the only thing he changed in the house.

He fixed the step properly, with similar wood as to the rest of the steps. Lastly he also made a shrine in the dojo. The only picture of Ban he could find, one with all his former students. One taken in front of the dojo before Garo ever came around. Jin brought the shrine and frame, placing his figure he made of Ban next to it. With the urn of Bans ashes behind it all. This was all he could do for Ban. Hoping it was enough.

The dojo bills were being paid for now. The cheapest Jin could get them. The dojo had electricity, running water and gas. Jin had everything sorted.

He was now back home.

Closing his eyes, hugging his stuffed Snorlax. Going to sleep.
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*BANG* *BANG* *BANG*

Quickly Jin jumped up out of bed as he heard it again. A loud knocking on the dojo doors. It persisted as he yawned. Slowly Jin got out of bed as he walked downstairs with the door key he had to the dojo. Looking at Mrs & Mr Kiryuu with Aika behind the door. Unlocking the door as he looked at them, though they didn't seem too happy.

Jin: What are you doing here at this time of night? In the cold no less.

Mr Kiryuu: What are you doing here at this time of night?!

Mr Kiryuu asked as if trying to insinuate something that Jin complete dismissed. Answering quite literally as to what he was doing.

Jin: I was in the middle of sleeping.

Jin said as he looked confused. It was the middle of the night and he was wearing very baggy pyjamas. It definitely didn't look like he was doing anything else as Aika giggled only to let out a loud yawn. But Mr & Mrs Kiryuu looked at their daughter with eyes that immediately silenced her, though they couldn't silence her small yawn. Aika looked down at the cold floor that was wet from the snow. Cold in her coat.

Mrs Kiryuu: Do you know how long we have been looking for you? Come on Jin. Let's go back home.

Jin: Oh. Erm... Bye then. {Why did they come? I did tell Aika I was going back home. Maybe they just wanted to make sure I got back.}

Jin nodded to his own ignorant thoughts as he closed the doors as he locked them. Looking at Mr and Mrs Kiryuu's shocked faces and Aika's laughter and more yawns. But just as Jin was about to walk away back to bed, there was a knocking on his door. Causing him to sigh as he went to the door and unlocked it. Opening it back to the Kiryuus.

Jin: Yes? {Do they want to come in or something?}

Mr Kiryuu: What do you think you're doing?!

Jin looked confused. It was like they were walking in the exact same circle. He didn't understand why they were here. He didn't understand why they started this weird loop. But Jin knew he wanted to sleep. So in this annoying loop, he was ending it.

Jin: Why exactly are you here, waking me up so late?

Jin said with something emanating from him, a pressure not of his age. Eyes of crimson that pierced through Mr Kiryuu and made him gulp taking a step back. Looking at a very abnormal child who emanated a power not of a child, yet still lacked some maturity.

Mr Kiryuu: W-We're here to take you home.

Jin: As you can see, I'm currently home.

Mrs Kiryuu: You can't live alone. How will you... wait.

Then for Mrs Kiryuu it clicked. They had searched a while for Jin as he hadn't told anyone of his renovations or commissions besides Aika. Aika didn't tell her parents where Jin was until she was getting tired and cold searching for him because she thought it was a secret. No child could support themselves in a home with no basic necessities. It was impossible. It would be the equivalent to living in an abandoned building, homeless.

But Mrs Kiryuu looked and noticed that the lights in the dojo were on. The power should have been off with no one to pay it. But there was power now. Mrs Kiryuu looked at Jin, piecing everything together as she looked at Aika, who seemed to know the entire time. Thinking about what Jin could have been doing. How someone his age could pay for power? Then she understood.

Mrs Kiryuu: You're... making figures and selling them aren't you?

Jin: Yes. Commissioning. It's as you said, yours aren't at the quality where you believe you can sell them. But mine are. So I'm taking requests making figures at a price that undercuts the rest of my competition while making a stable profit that supports me. I don't even have to pay for delivery as that's added to the payment. If I want something more luxurious I'll do small jobs or enter a chess tournament. But with figures alone, I can live a stable life.

Mrs Kiryuu looked shocked at Jin. He had already made enough money to pay for bills, Jin didn't seem hungry so he likely made his own food too. He did in fact go shopping and brought food to make himself eggfried rice and chicken. In a week, a 12-year-old child nearing the age of 13 had become completely independent. Mrs Kiryuu couldn't be anything but impressed. Jin had found a way to go back home.

She even felt a little bit proud as she could say she helped him. It was her clay, paints, carving knife and figures that helped Jin. Giving him the idea. Giving him the ability to show off his skill to others who were willing to buy his service.

But Mr Kiryuu wasn't too impressed as he grabbed Jin's arm.

Mr Kiryuu: You're coming home! You're too young to live alone!

Mr Kiryuu tried to drag Jin back. But Jin didn't budge an inch with his firm stance as his breathing deepened. If Jin didn't want to do something. He wasn't going to do it. If he wanted to do something, he was going to do it and nothing could stop him. So right now, he didn't want to leave home, instead, he wanted to go to bed and rest from a long day. Mrs Kiryuu watched as Jin's eyes were dead set on not leaving.

Their house wasn't his home. This was his home.

Mrs Kiryuu: Honey stop.

Mr Kiryuu: What? You're agreeing to this?!

Mrs Kiryuu: No. Not entirely. Jin, you wouldn't mind if we come by every now and then to check on you? Just to make sure you're okay.

Jin looked at Mrs Kiryuu as he pulled his arm back from Mr Kiryuu's grip. Looking at Aika smiling widely, though yawning loudly as she was tired. Mrs Kiryuu had a small smile on as she understood why he wanted to stay. She could tell he put a lot of effort into staying and pulling him away from that would have been detrimental to him and their relationships. She wanted the best for Jin and she could tell this was for the best.

Jin wasn't a normal child and needed more room to grow, unlike others.

Jin: I see no reason why not. But I won't be feeding you. I still need to do some renovations so money is tight right now.

Mrs Kiryuu giggled as she ruffled Jin's golden hair, picking up Aika and holding her in her arms. She yawned more as it had been a long night and was exhausted. Nearly going to sleep in her mother's arms.

Mrs Kiryuu: {*Sigh* Such a stubborn child. But not a bad one.} Well done on your figures and commissions Jin. Have a good night.

Jin: Goodnight Mrs Kiryuu, goodnight Aika.

Jin closed his door as he waved Aika goodbye with a tired smile. Locking the door as he walked upstairs and went back to bed. But Mr Kiryuu was still very confused.

Mr Kiryuu: Am I the only one that sees something wrong with this?!