5 Years Later
An island off the coast of Yokohama.
"You've changed quite a bit since I last saw you, Kael. How long has it been since I last saw you?"
"True, you were a mere kid back then. Of course, unlike your height, your confidence was quite big. Then again, I wouldn't expect any less from Enma's grandson."
"As I explained back then, my initial attitude towards you was just to get your attention. And I succeeded in my aim anyway."
"You're right. Let's close the topics from back then. Do you know why I called you?"
"I was curious about that myself."
"I sent you to the most lawless places in the world, where gang formations are at their highest, but you turned every place you entered into hell for the local gangs. You even got a nickname: Shinigami. Furthermore, what's with destroying massive organizations by killing all their members for the slightest mistakes, and who said you could get the Grim Reaper tattooed on your back? Is that true?"
"Yes, Sir. But I fail to understand what connection this has to why you called me."
"You were drawing too much attention, you fool. Rumors about you were circulating everywhere. And where did getting a tattoo on your back come from?"
"Sir, about two years ago, I was caught by a gang and branded on my back."
"And you said, 'Why don't I get a tattoo that covers my entire back to cover up a palm-sized brand?' right? Also, I shouldn't be surprised that you were branded on your back. What did you do to those men, I wonder?"
"They were exaggerating. I just sent their leader a video that I took of their men, who were collecting protection money in their area, completely dissolved in acid."
"I see. I won't say anything about you being branded since you didn't break an unwritten rule. Otherwise, being branded would be a source of shame for the entire organization, and I would personally kill you. And you probably weren't expecting those men to say 'It's fine' when you sent the video. You're lucky they didn't kill you."
"They tried, but I killed them before they could."
"Alright, alright, enough of detailing the murders you committed. I called you here because I can no longer allow you to stay in this dark world of crime. Therefore, I am cutting your ties with the underground world."
"So, are you going to lock me in a room forever?"
"No. I heard you are quite talented at cooking, and that you enjoy it too."
"Did Kenichi-san tell you that?"
"Yes, and he seemed to have become quite a fan of your cooking. So I thought, why don't we send this child to a normal high school and make him a chef, right?"
"But..."
"No 'buts.' I have already registered you at Minomi High School. You are starting tomorrow. Also, your ID and all your documents are complete, and I bought an apartment near the school."
"You've done everything, which is nice and all, but I wish you had asked for my opinion beforehand."
"We both know what you would ask for, and I am not allowing that. Also, I have arranged a part-time job for you. From now on, you will not benefit from any of the organization's resources and you will be a normal individual."
"If that's the case, why did you register me at an elite school?"
"Why? Because we, as KTora, are the biggest sponsors of that school, and it was the easiest place for us to keep you under control. You can leave now. The car in front of door number five will take you to the port and give you the necessary documents. Now, shoo, shoo!"
When Kael reached door number five of the headquarters, he opened the back door of the black car waiting in front of the door and settled into the leather seat.
As Kael got in, the driver started the already running car and began driving. While driving, he took an envelope out of the car's glove compartment, handed it to Kael, who was settled in the back seat, and continued on his way without saying anything.
When Kael opened the envelope, it contained a single ID card and a SIM card. The ID held information such as Name: Kael, Surname: Ryuzaki, Date of Birth: June 6, 2010, Nationality: Japanese. Although only the date of birth was correct, this name and surname had become a name he had used for five years since joining the organization, one he had identified and integrated with due to not remembering his previous name.
Successively boarding a boat and then another car, he reached his new home in Osaka after a long journey.
When he quickly ascended the apartment stairs, the air had darkened, and the apartment's motion-sensitive lights were flicking on one by one. Kael first went up to the second floor, then proceeded along the apartment's open corridors until he reached apartment number 6. Taking a key out of his pocket, he unlocked the apartment door, and as soon as he stepped inside, he closed the door behind him.
At the entrance of the apartment, there was a coat rack and a shoe cabinet placed side-by-side. After putting his shoes into the cabinet, he began to walk through the house. Exactly one meter past the entrance, there was a two-meter-wide opening that led directly to the living room. On the living room wall was a mounted television, and opposite the television was a sofa with a table in front of it. On the other side of the room, a six-person dining table was positioned.
The kitchen, meanwhile, was located behind a door immediately opposite the living room, and it contained a refrigerator stocked with all the kitchen tools that might be needed.
At the end of the corridor was the bedroom. Inside the bedroom, there was a single bed, a wardrobe, and a nightstand. Behind the door opposite the bedroom was the sink and bathroom.
The apartment, lacking windows, was fully illuminated by lamps and, although quite narrow, was sufficient for a single person.