14 / 05 / 2018 – Japan, Tateyama Mountain Range.
The green expanse of grass stretched as far as the eye could see, the blades swaying gently under a sky of scattered clouds. Sunlight spilled across the field in golden light, breaking through the drifting white of clouds.
To the far horizon rose the silhouette of a mountain range. On the other side, the sea glimmered faintly, its waves rolling endlessly as if humming along with the wind.
And amidst it all, the laughter of children rang clear, bright and fleeting, like sunlight dancing across water.
Akane stood in the field with a cricket cupped carefully in his hands. He spun on his heel, flashing a mischievous grin at his older brother.
"Look, Ayato! It wants to be your friend."
He flicked the insect forward, and Ayato stumbled back with a sharp yelp.
"Stop it! That's disgusting!"
He whirled around, already shouting toward the edge of the field, while on the verge of tears.
"Mom! Dad! Akane trying to feed me bugs again!"
Akane cackled, and continued the chase, while their youngest sister hurriedly shouted after them.
"Aka-nii, don't! You'll hurt it… please, just let it go!" Irina said frowning.
From a few steps ahead of the two, Ayato watched the scene unfold while running away, laughing quietly to himself. Classic Akane, he thought. Always causing trouble, even with a cricket. Well, let's find some place to step back first, so he doesn't notice me for now. That shade of the tree is perfect.
He crouched under the tree, letting the shadows hide him. Better not get involved yet… let Father handle it, I just need to shut up and wait until he intervenes, hehehehehe.
In the midst of his run, Akane glanced at the cricket buzzing in his hand… for some reason, an idea suddenly popped into his head. Hah… the prey just practically delivered itself, what a blessing…
Then, with a careless shrug, he tossed it high into the air, watching it vanish back into the grass.
"What a hassle, Irina. You worry too much. It's still alive, see?" he said, glancing at her as she caught up.
"Haaahhh… Aka-nii, you really should use your energy somewhere else," Irina puffed as she caught up, cheeks red. "You're clever, but you only use it to bully others, don't you? If you keep this up, people will just think you're weird, you know?"
Akane froze mid-step, there was a heartbeat of silence between the two of them, then Akane twisted his head back dramatically with wide eyes.
"Whaaaat? So now little Irina is lecturing me? The pitiful, tiny Irina dares go against me?" He clutched his chest with mock tears. "Sobs, sobs… ah, it hurts so much, I feel betrayed, ahhhh! But anyway…" He then quickly changed his expression, as his grin spread slyly. "They'll never understand how the greatest minds think, right? Sheep like them will always follow blindly. So obedient, hehehehehe."
He turned sharply, closing the distance, with a dark face. "And now, as punishment…"
Irina gasped as Akane suddenly pounced, both falling on the grass, he tugged her cheeks with both hands, pulling them apart.
"How can something be this squishy, huh? Are you secretly an alien? An alien with a jelly body? aren't those interesting? I really can pull this all day, you know!"
"Ngghhh! N-nooo! Aka-nii! It hurts, it hurts! I was wrong, I was wrong!" she squealed, flailing helplessly. "Mooom! Daaad! Aka-nii is bullying me!"
Suddenly, Akane froze, in mid-enjoyment of tugging Irina's cheeks…
Irina seized the chance to run away, darting past him toward their mother's direction, a triumphant grin plastered on her face. Akane's eyes followed her mischievous escape, and he silently vowed with a solemn tone, Darn it… she's faster and the timing is perfect. I'll get you back later… and chase you all around the house.
Their mother in the distance sighed softly, stepping away from her husband's side and closing towards Irina, while Ayato laughed at Akane's immobile figure from a distance.
"Hahaha… Akane, you really deserved that, aren't you?" Ayato laughing, breathless as he rolled around under the tree.
From afar, their father's gaze met Akane. A slow, sly smile tugged at his lips as he began walking toward him.
"Akane."
"Now, you've done pranking others… how about facing the consequences of your actions, hmm?"
As Akane's body freed itself from its immobilized state, he stumbled to the ground, brushing off the grass.
"That's cheating! You used your power against me! Isn't that unfair? When can I use my power like you? How does this little cleverness compare to real power?" he protested, eyes narrowing.
"Besides… 'what I did is just a harmless prank', isn't it?" Aldean asked, voice calm but carrying weight.
Akane's gaze flicked up as his father stopped in front of him, shadows stretching across his small frame.
The breeze blew past, rustling the grass and fluttering his kimono and hakama.
Aldean slowly knelt, bringing his eyes level with Akane's. His tone softened, warm and patient.
"You should play and get along with the others. If you isolate yourself, they'll be unhappy, and they might even ostracize you. But of course, a dragon as strong as you and also a genius with the greatest mind… this should be no problem, right?"
He paused, letting the words sink in. "Also, having fun yourself is part of playing with others. When your actions make them uncomfortable, it's worth reflecting on why. Understanding others… that's part of growing, too."
"And speaking of experience… mindless power won't always give the results you want, Akane. Ignorance is also a dangerous thing. Your desire for knowledge and understanding, that's your greatest strength. Don't underestimate it. You will learn the right time and place to use it."
Akane opened his mouth to argue further, but then he paused, blinking at the ground. In a quiet voice he murmured, "But without power… just this mind… how can I protect everyone? I want to protect Mother… and everyone… like you do, Dad… but what can someone ordinary like me do?"
The father chuckled, still smiling warmly.
"There's still time, Akane. You can always rely on me… or the others. Power is just the tool you use to shape the world. Your genius? That's power too, even if you haven't realized how to wield it yet. The key is knowing how to use it, not just having it."
"And also, who says you're ordinary? The blood of the dragon flows through your soul, anchored in your body… that's why, never underestimate yourself, Akane …we are strong, truly. But strength without wisdom, without patience… that's when time becomes our greatest teacher."
He leaned back slightly, voice dropping to a slow murmur, "Remember… revenge is best served cold. Those who act too quickly lose in the race against time. The world is still at its… ordinary stage. One day, time will reveal who can survive against what's to come."
Then, with a sudden bright smile, he straightened. "Now then, what have you learned from today's lesson, kid?"
Akane rolled his eyes, muttering, "Alright, alright… forbearance and knowledge… that's it, I guess."
Amused, the father shakes his head as he raised his finger, still smiling.
"No, no! You're missing the most important part. To be wise, Akane, you must not only escape ignorance but also learn to wield knowledge and information effectively. The greatest mind always turns advantage into victory."
"But… how do I become 'wise,' Dad? Isn't wise more like… some sage or wizard in a book? Do you have to be old to be wise?" Akane's brow furrowed as his thoughts raced.
"Wisdom isn't about age, silly. Being wise is about thinking ahead, anticipating, and staying one step ahead of others. You will learn when life puts you in that position. And remember… never stop thinking."
Aldean's gaze softened, almost contemplative. Hah… there's still a long way to go for you, Akane... to open that 'door'...
Just then, their mother approached from afar, "Looks like your mother is done too…" Aldean said.
Alicia clapped her hands sharply, stepping forward with a cheerful, and soft smile.
"Okay, that's enough philosophy for today, Al. You'll scare him off before he even learns to tie his shoes properly." she teased, patting Akane's head and tugging his cheek gently. "You're clever, but don't try to race your father yet, you'll lose more than just your pride."
Their father chuckled, shrugging off as he stood up and as though caught in the act of bragging. "Fair enough. Then let him enjoy being a brat for now."
"But it reminds me of something. Al, can the two of us talk for a moment?", as Alicia stand backs at Aldean's side, nudging his waist.
Akane watched thoughtfully as the two of them walk away to behind the tree.