The sun was going down, casting a warm orange light across the village. The tree's leaves were moved by the evening breeze. Yamato sat alone outside his house with the strange book open in front of him. His fingers gently flipped through the pages. His eyes were sharp and focused, and his face grew more serious with each line he read.
The words were strange. Mysterious. It felt like the book was alive, almost pulling him in. He could feel it—the secrets, the power hidden in its pages.
After a while, Yamato stood up. He closed the book and walked back into the house.
"I need to finish this somewhere quiet," he said to himself.
He went into his room, sat on the mat, and opened the book again. The dim light in the room made the old pages look even older.
Then his eyes stopped. A line on the page stood out to him—dark, bold, and strange.
_"The God of the Unknown was sealed in Temple Otsis."_
Yamato blinked. He leaned forward, reading it again.
His lips slowly curled into a small smile.
"So that's where you are," he whispered. "If I can find you… maybe I can become your vessel."
His heart beat faster with excitement. His hands trembled a little, but his face showed confidence. He didn't even think about the fact that he had just learned he was already an Outlook—a powerful being born from a god. Right now, his focus was on finding this god. The God of the Unknown. He closed the book and kept it inside his shelf.
---
The Next Morning
The morning sun was rising when Yamato finished packing. His small bag sat near the door. He wore just a simple shirt and trousers.
Before leaving, he walked to his mother's room. He knocked softly, then pushed the door open.
Esther sat on the edge of her bed. Her shoulders were slightly slouched, and she looked at the floor. When she heard Yamato step in, she looked up. Her face was filled with sadness.
"You said you would stay for a week," she said, her voice soft. "It's not even been five days."
Yamato lowered his eyes and stepped closer. "I know… but I need to go back."
Esther's lips trembled a bit. She sat up straighter and looked him in the eyes.
"Was it because I raised my voice?" she asked. "I didn't mean to push you away…"
Yamato's eyes widened. "No, Mom. That's not it."
She placed a hand over her chest. "It's just… you look exactly like him. Your father. When you asked about him, it hurt. I missed him so much."
Yamato frowned. His voice became low.
"Then why did he leave you?" he asked. "He left you all alone in this village. He left you to be treated like trash."
Esther stood up. She took a deep breath, then walked forward and wrapped her arms around him. She held him tightly.
"He didn't leave me," she whispered. "He did what he had to… for you."
Yamato closed his eyes. Tears gathered at the corners, and one rolled down his cheek. Slowly, he smiled through the pain.
Esther pulled back and wiped his face.
"If you're going… promise me something," she said, placing her hand gently on his cheek. "Write to me. You have a kind heart, and you feel too much sometimes. If something hurts you, I want you to be able to say it."
"I will," Yamato said, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "I'll write. And I'll keep sending you money too. I left some on the table."
Esther smiled weakly. "Thank you."
"Oh… and Lumei sends his greetings."
Esther gave a small laugh and waved as Yamato picked up his bag and stepped out the door. She stayed there, standing and watching until he turned a corner and disappeared.
---
Yamato walked past the last house in the village. The road ahead was quiet, lined with trees. He stopped under one of them and sat on a small rock. He placed his bag down and looked back toward the village.
Something felt… off.
"I know you were watching me," he muttered. His eyes narrowed. "I felt it every day I was home. I just hope you follow me away from the village. I can't let anything happen to Mom."
He waited for a moment, listening. Watching. But the strange presence—whatever it was—remained as it was. The feeling was still there.
Yamato stood up slowly, his face full of worry.
"I don't like this…"
---
Back at School
By noon, the sun was at its peak, the tree shadows giving shade as they could. Yamato had arrived at the dorms of Cloak High. The place was quiet, and the air smelled fresh after the morning dew.
Instead of heading to his own room, Yamato walked straight to Lumei's.
He knocked and walked in.
Lumei was sitting on the floor, holding a bowl of rice and stew. His eyes widened as he saw Yamato walk in.
"You're back already?" Lumei asked, mouth half full.
"Yeah," Yamato replied with a tired smile.
Lumei slid over a bowl. "Hungry?"
"Starving," Yamato chuckled, sitting down and taking the food.
As they ate, Lumei glanced at him. "How was your visit home?"
Yamato paused for a moment. His fingers gripped the edge of his bowl.
His eyes turned serious. "good but….. I've learnt stuffs."