The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 49: Sunset

"Are we there yet?" Kirihara groaned, dragging his feet while everyone got ahead of him. "Where are we going anyway?" 

"I don't know as well," I replied. "But it looks like we're almost there. I haven't seen Yume smile like that after all."

"Just bear with it for a little bit longer, big brother." Yume cheerfully said after hearing her brother complain. "We're almost there. We've been there before when we were kids. You'll probably recognize it once we get there."

"Urgh! So it's that place, huh." Kirihara muttered. "Why did you want to go there all of a sudden?"

"Just because." Yume happily smiled.

It has been a few hours since we started hiking on the  mountain near the Kirihara's place. I didn't expect Yume to be a hiking type of person. It's not like I'm surprised or anything, more like, is there anything she couldn't do?

And for some reason, everyone doesn't look that tired at all, I guess it was just me who's not used at this type of thing, huh. I thought, looking around the surrounding.

The surrounding was dark and gloomy, yet peaceful at the same time. The trees didn't seem that threatening at all as well, it's as I've entered the tranquility of the forest and it's kind of a nice atmosphere that I don't want to leave. Yume's aunt and uncle prepared boxed lunched for us and since they assumed that I'm her boyfriend, they asked me if I could carry it for everyone since they won't be coming with us. I couldn't refuse them, of course, so I ended up with a huge bag of lunches on my back. Shiro Rindou offered to help me carry it but I couldn't just give a burden to a girl. The boxed lunches were probably the reason why I was way more exhausted than everyone.

We've been walking for quite a few minutes now, but daybreak has not come yet. The deeper parts of the forest are beginning to get cold, sending a shiver on my skin. Our shoes were wet with dew as well, but we decided not to mind it.

"So, how did you become a shadow manipulator, Hikari." Aoyama asked, catching up to my side. "When we went to the World of Familiars, I was surprised that you have such great control over your irregularity. For a moment, I thought you were older than me. But it turns out  that I was older, and you just got your irregularity, right? How did you become an irregular?"

"It was all a mistake on Master Ryu's side." I told him. "That time, I was leaning on the famous love-bridge when the railings gave off, and I fell downwards. Turns out, someone was getting robbed under the bridge  and I fell on the thief. Of course, the girl who was getting robbed, which was Mitsumi, was able to get away. I was able to save Mitsumi by chance at that time but unfortunately, I wasn't able to save my monthly allowance since the thief woke up earlier than me and he robbed me instead. I was so dizzy when I went to school, so I was sent to the resting area and I stayed there until all of our classes are over."

"Wow, that's unlucky."

"Yeah, and after that, I got chased by a shadow that night while going home. Turns out, Master Ryu saw the whole thing and he decided to make me his inheritor of the name."

"And then? What happened next?" Aoyama eagerly asked. "Nothing happened the next day after that?"

"Well, the next day, I woke up to find out  that my lower body shifted to my shadow form." I continued. "Anyway, how about you? How did you become an irregular?" I asked him.

"Well, my parents came from a clan with earth-type irregularity. My mom can control soil and my dad can control concrete and rocks. I received special training from them when I was growing up, actually. Then finally, when I became thirteen, they made me their successors so I got both of their abilities. Then, I signed up for the Institute since it was my dream ever since I was little. After a few tries, I passed and I met my partner, Rin."

"What kind of training did you do?"

"You won't believe it but, my dad trained me so hard I was able to do One P___H Man's workout at the age of seven."

"Wow! That's pretty cool!" I exclaimed. "Did it work? The workout, I mean."

"No, but I thought S__tama was real at that time, that's why I did it for three years." He said chuckling. "I think he's the best irregular ever. Too bad he wasn't real."

"Yeah, that would be cool if he was real." I laughed. "So, what kind of special training did you do before that?"

"You really want to hear? It's a dull story though." He muttered.

"Yeah, sure. We don't have anything to talk about after all. And I think you're story would be pretty interesting."

"Well, then..."

.....

The sun was directly high up in the sky as it reflected the snow-capped summit of the mountain. It was a usual day in the mountains and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. The birds could be heard singing their melodies as the trees rustled to the gentle breeze, slowly swaying them as if singing someone to sleep. The forest was as serene as ever.

From afar, an indistinct voice could be heard, shouting words of encouragement. Then, as if by some sort of coincidence, the serenity of the forest was broken once again, just like any other day. The voice could be heard getting louder and louder. From afar, two figures could be seen, making their way through the forest and aiming for the snow-capped summit just ahead of it. The first figure was tough-looking and muscular, as if roughed up by the seas, while the second figure, was barely five-years old looking. Both of them were running for who knows how long.

"You can do it, Aoyama." The muscular man shouted once again. "You did it yesterday, I know that you can do it again."

"Dad, we've been doing this for months, my body hurts." Aoyama complained as he flopped on the ground head-first. "I can't move, my legs are giving up." He muttered facing sideways since he couldn't breath while his face was on the ground.

"Come on, get up." His dad tried to lift his spirits up. "When we get home, I'll be taking you out to dinner, okay?"

"Mhhmmhm..." Aoyama groaned. "I want to eat a huge hamburger, two of them." He said.

"Okay, but since you're eating two of them, you should be able to get down from the summit without complaining, okay."

Aoyama struggled to stand up, balancing himself as his eyes began to feel droopy. Now, I'm sleepy. The ground felt so cold and comfortable. He thought as he slowly walked.

"That's the spirit!" His dad exclaimed.

After a few excruciating pain, the wind finally became colder and colder. Aoyama couldn't bear look in front of him due to the distance that he was assuming.

.....

"We're here!" Yume suddenly exclaimed simultaneously with Aoyama just as he was finishing the story.

We were just in time to witness the tranquil scene of the sunset rising from the horizon as we reached the top of the mountain. Everyone sighed in relief and peace as we seated ourselves in comfort while Yume and Mitsumi began setting up for the picnic.

"This place is so nice, right?" I said, looking at everyone as they responded in agreement. 

"Yeah, it's like an ending scene from a book." Mitsumi agreed as she handed me a sandwich. "Thanks for bringing us here, Yume."

"Sure!" Yume happily replied.

All of us looked out at the sunset, enjoying the vivid scene of the sunset. For me, I'm really grateful to Master Ryu. Without him, I wouldn't have met all of them and this picnic might not even be possible.

I wonder what the future has ahead of us? I thought in a good note.

End of Yume's Date Arc