YOSUKE ■ ■ ■ ■
Everything happened so fast… I just hope you're right, Taro. The thought lingered in my head as I carefully walked down the steep hill, Sai close behind me.
"Where are we going now?" Sai asked, his voice steady but edged with unease.
"First, we need somewhere isolated," I replied.
"And second?" he pressed.
"The second will be to train you. Once you've reached a good level, we'll reunite with the others. Taro will be doing the same with them, so don't worry."
Sai didn't respond right away, but his shoulders eased slightly. Relief—though he was trying to hide it.
Hours passed as we crossed the desert, our footsteps heavy in the sand. Eventually, the dry landscape gave way to trees. The forest was dense, quiet, and perfect for hiding.
"We'll stay here tonight," I said, scanning the area. "It's safe. No one will find us."
He nodded. Together we built a small fire within a circle of stones, the flames casting warm light across the clearing. I caught Sai staring blankly into the fire, lost in thought.
I walked over and sat beside him. "Are you scared?" I asked.
His gaze returned to me. "I'm not scared… but I am afraid."
I tilted my head. "And when you answered that, what's the first thing that came to your mind?"
He hesitated only for a second. "…Yuri."
I smiled knowingly. "You love her a lot, don't you?"
Sai's lips curved into a small smile he tried to suppress. "Is it really that obvious?"
"Taro told me your story," I admitted. "From when you were kids, up until now. But honestly—I knew something was there the first time I met you both at the hospital."
I leaned back against a tree, watching his reaction. "Taro also asked me not to tell you that I know. But given the situation we're in… I want to be honest with you."
Sai's expression softened. "Then I'll do the same. Thank you, Yosuke—for being honest."
He yawned, exhaustion finally catching up. I smirked. "You should get some sleep. I'll keep watch."
"Alright… but only for four hours. After that, we switch."
I shook my head firmly. "No. You'll sleep through the night. I'll stay awake."
"But you need rest too," he argued.
"This isn't the first time I've stayed awake all night. Back at the hospital, I did it almost every day. I'm used to it."
He opened his mouth to push back, but closed it again. He realized I wasn't going to change my mind. Soon enough, he lay down and drifted into sleep.
When the forest fell silent again, I let out a long breath. Sorry, Sai. I lied straight to your face.
Taro's words came back to me, echoing in my mind:
"Tell him they're after him. If he learns the truth—that they're really after my daughter—he'll never leave her side."
He had given me clear orders:
"You and Sai will journey far from here. Train him. Push him to unlock his full potential. While you do that, I'll train his best friend."
I had asked him, And what about Yuri? What will you tell her… or Sai's friend?
He only answered, "That's something I'll figure out alone."
Taro was stubborn—he always carried his burdens alone. I wanted to help, but I knew better than to press him.
The last thing he told me was simple, but heavy with meaning:
"Meet me at this motel again—in three years."
I stared into the fire, its embers crackling. Three years… That was all the time I had. To make Sai stronger. Strong enough to rival me. Strong enough to surpass me, if possible.
But his powers… they were unusual. Dangerous. Beautiful. It would take time to understand them fully. Time we might not have.
Still, I swore to myself: I'd give him every chance to rise.
Because when the truth came out… he would need that strength more than anyone.