The Demon Within

Chapter 8.4: Derrick Kawahashi's Past: Father's Rosario

Derrick Kawahashi... a funny and short guy who doesn't seem to stop smiling... but it wasn't always like that. You know the drill. Let's start, shall we?

Derrick was born as an only son in his lovely family. For 10 years, nothing went wrong with the family, just regular love and bond for them. It seemed like nothing wrong is going to happen anytime soon... however, one fateful day will change this family. As Derrick's mom finishes work, she drives back home. She approaches an intersection and waits for the red light to go green. As she does that, she chats Derrick, who was 10 years old at the time, that she is going home soon. The light goes green and she drives off until suddenly, a car hits hers at fast speeds, causing both to stop and violently go out of control. Derrick's mom's car and the other person's car are deteriorated by the extreme force and spinning around uncontrollaby. A few hours pass as Both Derrick and Derrick's dad wonder where she is so while waiting, Derrick's dad turns on the tv and sits in the couch while drinking a glass of cold water. Suddenly a breaking news comes in as soon as he turns on the tv. He listens intently as the reporter speaks.

"Breaking news! A car crash on Rosetara Highway's intersection! The Two cars that are involved are completely destroyed. According to investigation, the drivers involved are Haruto Tanaka and Sakura Kawahashi"

Derrick is standing beside his dad when he heard this. They were both in shock to find that Derrick's mom is involved in this car accident. Before we can get our thoughts out, the reporter continues to speak.

"Both drivers were found in their driver's seat bleeding and lifeless. They were rushed to Rose Petal Hospital Center but was declared "dead on arrival". According to cctv footage, Sakura Kawahashi was crossing the intersection as the lights when green when suddenly Haruto Tanaka's car, which was out of control looking at other cameras of Rosetara Highway, crashed into Sakura Kawahashi's car, spiralling them both of control and hitting a wall of a restaurant, injuring 6 more people."

Derrick's dad begins to tear up while Derrick Kawahashi just stands there in shock. To think that she was leaving them so soon is far from what they both imagined. After a few months prior to Sakura Kawahashi's death, who is now buried in Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Antipolo, Rizal, Both of them couldn't move on easily. Derrick had it easy... he still misses his mom but is still able to function normally in his daily life... but Kaito Kawahashi... he had it the other way. He turned alcholic and a drug addict in order to escape the harsh reality instead of facing it head on, as a result, he turned abusive towards his only son, Derrick Kawashi. This continued on for 4 years as Derrick cannot really do anything about it. Kaito is the reason how he's still going to school anyway... because the money is coming from him, He tried to change him but he would just get scolded whenever he tried, Kaito's punishments are more harsher than the time when Sakura was alive and as a result, Derrick has scars all over his body and because of that, he has to wear a dark blue jacket. One more reason is why he hasn't turned him over to the police is that he still cares for him even if he's the victim. He tried to convey that to him but Kaito just won't listen. One day, the city they live on gets attacked by terrorists that wield dark energy. Derrick panics and calls on his dad to evacuate.

"Dad! We got to get out of here! otherwise, we're toast!"

"You think i give a damn fuck about those people? Let them come and they'll know to never come here."

"But dad! Those aren't regular terrorists! Those terrorists are-"

Derrick's words get cut off as their front door burst open revealing 3 terrorists surrounded by a dark aura. They draw their sword and try to attack Derrick but is stop at the sword of Kaito. He deflects them and starts battling them in a 1v3. One of the men slip out of Kaito's grasp and tries to kill the 14 year old kid but He stops it before his can make contact. He speaks to him.

"DERRICK! GO HIDE, GODDAMNIT!"

As Derrick runs and hides, clashes of swords and furniture breaking can be heard. However, one by one, they get defeated by Kaito and in the end, all of the 3 terrorists are lying in the ground. Derrick hears nothing and comes out his hiding place and looks at his dad in the front door with his bloody sword. The dad senses him and has a visible relief in his face.

"There you are... for a second, i thought your useless ass ran far."

As soon as Kaito finishes that sentence, he turns around and throws his sword at the terrorist who actually survived. But it's too late as Kaito gets shot by a poisonous bullet in the stomach. Instantly, He gets paralyzed and drops to the floor. Derrick freaks out and catches his head, allowing it to rest in his lap. Kaito looks at him sincerely.

"Thank you, son... this bullet hurts... in fact i might die with this."

"Huh? What do you mean...? WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!"

"Listen to me, i... i'm sorry for treating you harshly over the past 4 years... i just really missed your mom... i thought i didn't care about you anymore but i guess i do still care. I want you to keep my spiritual energy... but it's up to you on whatever you want to do it..."

Kaito, using his last remaining strength, reaches for him and grabs his hand. Both of their hands begin to glow white. As soon as Derrick's hand stops glowing he looks at him worriedly.

"What about you? You're not going to leave me too, right?"

The silence fills the air.

"RIGHT?! ANSWER ME!!"

"...i'm sorry. I'm going to see your mother soon... don't rush to come after us... you still have more...to...live..."

Kaito slowly dies in Derrick's lap. Tears begin welling up his eyes and drops to Kaito's face. Grief washes over him. Why does both people that he loves go away so early?

"WHY??!!"

Derrick hugs Kaito's lifeless body tightly, clinging to him as this will be the last that he will see him. The spiritual energy he gave is both a powerful gift and a painful reminder of his death. After burial, he promised himself to get stronger and build the gift his father gave. He increased his durability, strength, developing new skills like cloning and more for the sake of justice and the avoidance of loss.