"It's your last day!" Hiro beamed. "Congratulations. You've been promoted to B-Rank Command User. Even without a Code, that's… unbelievable!"
Hakari shot up, wide-eyed. "What? Really? So I can finally leave?"
Hiro's smile faltered for just a moment, sadness flashing in his eyes. But he forced the grin back. "Yeah. Sure."
They rushed to the training grounds one last time.
"Why here?" Hiro asked.
Hakari looked at the place where it all began. "Because this is where we started."
Hiro chuckled bitterly. "Yeah… I remember."
He grew quiet for a moment, then asked softly, "What now, Hakari? What will you do, once you leave this place? Once you step out of this… prison?"
Hakari's gaze turned distant. "The answer might surprise you. I'll try to find a new life. Even if it feels like another prison. This one… wasn't so bad. Because I had a watchkeeper who made me happy. So maybe, out there, I'll find people like you."
Hiro's eyes stung. He quickly looked away, blinking back tears. "…One more thing, Hakari." He pulled a small locket shaped like a bow from his robes. "Take this. I don't know what it is. My master gave it to me, saying: 'When you find a worthy successor, pass it on.' I've waited ninety years for that day. Now… it's yours."
Hakari froze. "Ninety years? But you don't even look thirty!"
Hiro chuckled. "Unmei clan. Our bodies age differently. Inside, we're like everyone else. Outside… we stay young. Even I don't fully know why."
Hakari took the locket reverently. "…So it was destiny."
"Call it what you want. Just take care of it, Hakari Shinzowa." Hiro started to say more, but stopped himself. "Remember you—" He shook his head. "No. Nothing. Forget it."
Hakari turned to leave. But before stepping out, he spun back, threw his arms around his master, and hugged him tightly. Tears streamed down his face. "Thank you. For everything. I'll always be grateful."
Hiro hugged him back, eyes wet, though he tried to hide it. "O-okay, okay. Don't cry. If you don't want to leave, you can stay another five years. Keep training."
Hakari laughed through his tears. "No, Master. I'm going. But I'll never forget you."
"Good. Now go—before I chain you here for another five years."
Hakari grinned, waved once more, and finally walked away.
Inside the training hall, Hiro clenched his fists, then released them. He sank to his knees, tears spilling freely.
"I don't know why I'm crying… I've trained so many students. Even Yami himself. Eight years is nothing. So why does it hurt so much to let you go?" His voice broke. "Hakari Shinzowa… remember this. You are a good man."
Hakari now standing in front of royale castle after Eight Years Later.
"Hakari!"
The voice was bright, familiar. Hakari turned. His younger brother, Akami, ran toward him.
"Akami," Hakari said softly. "You've changed."
"Watch this," Akami grinned. He lifted his hand. "Command: Sky Bow!"
A radiant bow of light materialized in his grasp.
"Command: Scatterburst!"
Arrows of pure energy exploded in the air, scattering like fireworks.
Hakari shielded his eyes. "You're strong."
Akami laughed. "You trained harder."
Hakari smiled faintly. "I read your letters."
"I sent hundreds," Akami said proudly.
For a moment, it felt like they were simply brothers. But shadows never left Hakari's heart.
Hakari took a long breath. "Alright… let's go."
The castle doors opened, and light spilled across the marble floor.
Inside, before he could take another step, a woman ran toward him. Her arms wrapped around him tightly—so tightly he froze, wide-eyed and breathless.
"Is it… you, Mother?" Hakari whispered.
Tears streamed down her face as she held his cheeks. "Yes. It's me, my dear. It's your mother."
Hakari's eyes trembled. He wrapped both arms around her, clinging to her warmth as if afraid she might disappear again. "I missed you, Mother. I did… I really did."
"I know," she sobbed softly. "Oh, how broken I was without you. But now—you're back."
Hakari smiled faintly, his voice tightening. "Yes, Mother. I'm here for you."
She took a breath, regaining composure. "Alright. I know you don't want to—but you should meet your father as well."
"Mo… Mother," Hakari interrupted, his tone low. "I can't. And you know why."
"…As you wish," she sighed. "But you must be hungry. Go get ready—I've prepared a great feast for you. You'll be surprised to know… your little brother helped too."
Hakari's eyes softened. "Oh, really? Akami helped? Then it must be a grand feast indeed."
"Brother! I always wanted to eat with you!".
"I waited all these years," Akami said, breathless with excitement. "I knew you were away for training, to become strong… but I've never seen you since I was born. So, today—we'll eat together! And after that, we'll go to the market!"
Hakari chuckled. "Yes, we will. I've heard so much about it; now I want to see it for myself."
Their mother smiled warmly. "That's for later. For now—Akami, show your brother his room. Hakari, take a bath; a servant will attend you. When you're done, come to the feast."
"Come, brother!" Akami said eagerly.
"Hey, slow down!" Hakari laughed.
"No—be fast!"
"Oh really?" Hakari grinned, and both of them ran through the corridor until they stopped before a grand door.
"Brother Hakari," Akami said, out of breath. "This is your room. I'll be waiting at the feast!"
"Sure," Hakari replied, smiling.
He opened the door slowly—and froze. The room was magnificent, decorated with flowers, jewels, and swords displayed along the walls. His eyes sparkled with wonder as he walked through it, touching everything with childlike awe.
Finally, he sat on the bed, exhaling deeply. "Finally… I'm home."
Then, remembering his mother's words, he rose. "Right, I need to get ready for the feast."
He opened another door—and gasped.
Before him stretched a vast pool, shimmering like liquid gold under the lanterns. The water was warm—not hot or cold, but perfectly soothing.
Hakari stepped in, sinking into its calm heat. He closed his eyes, letting himself relax for the first time in years.
But then—the door creaked open.
Three women entered, wearing barely any clothes. Two slipped silently into the water, gliding toward him, their skin brushing his. The third stayed behind, rubbing his shoulders gently.
"Our master…" they whispered, fingers tracing their lips. "Shall we give you our best? Our bodies await you."
Hakari froze.
The women moved closer—until suddenly, he stood up, face burning. Without a word, he rushed out of the pool, threw on his clothes, and stormed out.
Behind him, one of the women called out, laughing nervously, "Master, wait! It was just a joke—it was Master Akami's idea!"
But Hakari was already gone.
He wandered through the corridors until he caught the scent of food. Following it, he found the hall.
"Mother!" he called. "I—uh, the women—"
"What? Women?" she asked, suspicious.
"Nothing," he muttered quickly.
Akami was already seated, chuckling to himself.
"I knew it was you," Hakari said, glaring playfully. "Akami!"
"Sorry, sorry!" Akami laughed. "I just wanted to see what you'd do."
Hakari sighed, smiling despite himself. "Sure. You got me."
Their mother clapped her hands. "Enough jokes! Let's eat. Tonight is for family."
Hakari hesitated. "Mother… is it just the three of us?"
"Y–yes," she said softly.
"But Father—?"
"Look, Hakari," she interrupted. "It's just the three of us. And that's enough—for me, for Akami… and for you."
Hakari nodded slowly. "…Yes. It is."
And together, they began their feast.