Ch 22 reunion

In the bustling school hallway, Megumi and Tsumiki strolled side by side, engaged in a conversation.

"Hey Megumi, what should we eat after class?" Tsumiki inquired, her voice carrying a light-hearted tone.

Megumi, with his characteristic nonchalance, replied, "Onigiri."

Tsumiki sighed, teasingly remarking, "There you go again, always eating onigiri."

Defending his culinary choice, Megumi shot back, "And what's wrong with that?"

"Sigh," Tsumiki responded, her tone shifting to a more serious note. "There's nothing wrong with it, but eating the same thing over and over again is bad for you. You need to eat something different from time to time. It doesn't have to be onigiri."

Annoyed, Megumi abruptly sped up his walking, creating distance between them.

"Just leave me alone," he uttered, his frustration palpable.

Tsumiki, determined not to let the conversation end on a sour note, called out, "Wait! Megumi."

As she hurried to catch up, a subtle tension lingered between them, emphasizing the complexity of their relationship and the unspoken issues that seemed to weigh on Megumi's shoulders

MEGUMI POV

Three years had passed since Ichiro's departure, and the weight of his absence lingered in the air for Megumi. And after a few months a mysterious stranger disrupted their lives with revelations that unraveled the threads of their family history.

'A random man suddenly popped out of nowhere,' Megumi recounted in his mind, the memories vivid. 'He claimed our father was from the sorcerer clan called Zenin and that our father saved both Ichiro and me as his ultimate card to that clan.'

The revelation took an unsettling turn when the man disclosed, 'Our father sold us to the clan he once hated.' Megumi grappled with the implications of their existence being intertwined with a sorcerer clan's agenda.

'Not only that,' Megumi continued reflecting, 'he said that this man somehow stopped our sale to the Zenin clan.' The complexity of their father's actions and the stranger's intervention added layers of confusion to their already turbulent lives.

"At first, I thought this was an opportunity to make Tsumiki's life easier," Megumi admitted silently. The potential for a more stable future conflicted with the uncertainty surrounding their newfound connection to the sorcerer clan.

However, a pivotal moment echoed in his mind. "When I asked if Tsumiki would be happy there, he responded with a 100% no," Megumi recalled. The stranger's adamant rejection of Tsumiki's well-being became a defining factor, grounding Megumi's decision.

As Megumi continued his journey through the school corridors, the weight of these revelations shadowed his steps, leaving him to navigate the complexities of his past and the uncertain path that lay ahead Megumi's steps echoed in the school corridor as he continued his internal reflection. The weight of the past pressed upon him, and the details of that life-altering conversation with the mysterious man resurfaced in his mind.

"Sigh, but thanks to that man," Megumi sighed inwardly, his voice a soft murmur, "we were able to live a semblance of a normal life." The gratitude mingled with the unease of the circumstances that brought about this newfound normalcy.

As he navigated the labyrinthine hallways, Megumi's thoughts turned to the looming future. "Although once I reach 15 years old," he continued, the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders, "I'll have to become a sorcerer as collateral for stopping our sale to the Zenin and to also aid us in our living expenses. Sigh."

The conversation with the mysterious man echoed in his mind:

"Why did you intervene? What does our father's connection to the Zenin clan mean for us?"

"Your father, being from the Zenin clan, had a plan. He saved you and Ichiro as his ultimate card to that clan. However, he also sold you to them."

"Sold us? But then you stopped it. Why?"

"I have my reasons. Let's just say I didn't want you two to become pawns in a game you never signed up for. However, nothing comes for free. When you turn 15, you'll have to embrace your sorcerer heritage as collateral."

A/N hey guys I know that this conversation is not in the anime, so just added some 😊😊

Megumi's brow furrowed at the revelation, a mix of gratitude for the intervention and concern for what lay ahead. The dual nature of their father's actions, the mysterious man's intervention, and the impending responsibilities painted a complex tapestry for Megumi's future. As Megumi entered the bustling cafeteria, his gaze naturally gravitated toward Tsumiki, engrossed in conversation with her friends.

"She's as kind as ever, huh," Megumi thought, appreciating Tsumiki's steadfast nature.

In the midst of the lively atmosphere, he couldn't escape the awareness of Tsumiki's care. 'Tsumiki has been a good person ever since the day Ichiro and I met her,' he reminisced silently. 'After Ichiro left, she took on the mantle as the older sister of the house, looking after me.'

As he approached the cafeteria, Megumi's internal dialogue continued. 'At first, she didn't know how to interact with me,' he reflected. 'Given that Ichiro was like a bridge connecting us together, I know how much she wants us to become real siblings.'

Amidst the lively conversations in the cafeteria, Tsumiki noticed Megumi and instantly approached him, her friends in tow.

"Hey, Megumi, do you want to sit with us?" Tsumiki offered, her inviting gesture extended to include her friends.

The response, however, was a flat "No" from Megumi.

"Hey, wait, Megumi, stop being so stubborn" Tsumiki called after him, her concern evident.

Undeterred by the rejection, Megumi purchased some juice and bread before swiftly departing the cafeteria. The quiet courtyard behind the school became his refuge, providing solitude for his thoughts to unravel amidst the complexities of his past and the uncertainties of the future.

"Hmm, this place will do," Megumi murmured to himself as he settled on the quiet ground behind the school. The solitude provided a sanctuary for his thoughts. He began to open the bread, a simple act that carried the weight of unspoken emotions.

"To be honest, I prefer to be alone," Megumi confessed silently. The absence of Ichiro, the one person with whom he could openly share himself, had left a void that solitude, in its own way, attempted to fill.

As he took a bite, the bread becoming a metaphor for the solitude he sought, Megumi's thoughts delved into the complexities of his relationships. "Ichiro is the only person who never left my side, after our father get depressed because of the death of our late mother, he started neglecting us, and amidst of it all ichiro decided to take care of me, with a firm smile, and a radiating aura of a true Big brother" he admitted to himself, the nostalgia of shared moments with his missing brother lingering in his mind.

"Although I know how hard Tsumiki is working to be the big sister she is," Megumi continued, acknowledging the efforts of the girl who had stepped into the role of Big sister. Yet, the contrast between Ichiro's presence and Tsumiki's kindness highlighted the lingering void.

"I really can't stand how kind she is though," he confessed, a contradiction between appreciation and discomfort. The sincerity of Tsumiki's goodness seemed to amplify the shadows left by Ichiro's departure.

'I dislike bad people, those who think they're superior to others and believe they can just do whatever they want—laughs, mocks, and humiliates others,' Megumi reflected on his aversion to those who reveled in the suffering of others. The wounds of the past seemed to echo in his sentiments.

'I can't stand kind people,' he admitted, the inner conflict palpable. 'They would just forgive those who humiliate and hurt them, and I really find it unpleasant.' The dichotomy between forgiveness and resentment colored Megumi's perspective on the world, revealing the layers of complexity that shaped his solitude behind the school.

"Sigh, hmm" Megumi's lunchtime solitude was, accompanied by a thoughtful hum. The echoes of his internal musings lingered as he continued to eat in solitude.

As he savored the last bites of his lunch, the school bell rang, a clear signal that the respite was over. "Is it over already? Well, time to go back to the classroom," Megumi remarked, resigned to the routine of school life.

As time ticked away, the school began to empty its corridors as students dispersed to their next destinations. The end of the lunch break signaled the resumption of classes, and a stream of students flowed back to their respective classrooms.

As the day end In the midst of this exodus, some students opted to stay behind, drawn by the allure of extracurricular activities. Clubs beckoned, promising shared interests and camaraderie that extended beyond the confines of regular class hours. However, this scenario seemed distant and disconnected to Megumi.

"Hey Megumi, let's walk home together," Tsumiki's voice cut through the fading hum of students, her genuine warmth seeking to bridge the gap between their worlds.

However, the response she received was met with a palpable silence. Megumi's internal reflections seemed to build an invisible barrier, a momentary hesitation that hung in the air.

The unspoken conversation between Tsumiki and Megumi unfolded in the quiet aftermath of the lunch break, revealing the intricate dynamics of their relationship and the delicate balance between shared companionship and the solitude Megumi sought.

"Hey Megumi, it's not good to not respond to a conversation, you know," Tsumiki gently chided, her concern evident in the lines of her expression.

Despite her words, Megumi remained ensconced in silence, the weight of his thoughts creating a palpable quietness that accompanied them until they reached their house.

"We're finally home. Let's get inside, Megumi-" Tsumiki began, but her words were halted by Megumi's interruption.

"Wait," Megumi's voice carried a sense of urgency, breaking the tranquility that enveloped them.

"Hmm? What's the matter?" Tsumiki inquired, her brows furrowed with curiosity and a hint of worry.

"There's someone inside the house," Megumi stated, his senses on high alert.

"What do you mean?" Tsumiki questioned, her concern deepening.

"Can't you smell the aroma of curry?" Megumi asked, his senses attuned to a scent that seemed out of place.

"Oh, now that you mentioned it, I thought it was from our neighbors, so the smell is coming from our house. Oh, perhaps Shui is inside," Tsumiki speculated with a touch of relief, attempting to rationalize the unexpected aroma.

Megumi's expression, however, shifted to one of bewilderment as he looked at Tsumiki. "You know that Shui only brought us some groceries, right? And he said so himself that he's not very confident in his cooking. How can you say that in this situation?" Megumi questioned, highlighting the inconsistency in Tsumiki's assumption.

With this revelation, Tsumiki's initial relief morphed into a growing sense of concern. "Oh, that's right. Then should we call the police?" she suggested, recognizing the potential threat.

"Hmm, that's the most logical way, given that we can't win against an adult. Calling the police is the best optimal choice," Megumi agreed, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.

"Alright, let's do that," Tsumiki concurred, aligning with Megumi's decision.

"But, Megumi," she inquired, seeking information for their next course of action.

"Yeah?" Megumi responded.

"What is the number of the police station?" Tsumiki asked, realizing a practical detail had been overlooked.

With a sigh, Megumi replied, "If I remember correctly, there is a police station nearby. We could ask them for help."

"Great idea," Tsumiki acknowledged, appreciating the solution.

As they ventured towards the police station, they passed a black car. Suddenly, the car came to a halt, and the window slowly opened, revealing Shui.

"Hey, Megumi, hey Tsumiki," Shui greeted them.

"Shui!!" Tsumiki exclaimed, her relief evident.

"Woah, that surprised me. What's gotten into you all of a sudden, Tsumiki?" Shui questioned, noting the urgency in their demeanor.

"Shui!!! There's someone inside the house, and we don't know who it is. We're worried that it may be a theft" Tsumiki explained, her anxiety palpable.

"Oh, that," Shui responded casually, prompting Tsumiki's frustration.

"What do you mean by THAT? There's someone we don't know inside our house, you know," she pressed, seeking clarity on the situation at hand.

"Tsumiki, calm down for a minute," Megumi urged, attempting to temper the escalating worry in his sister's demeanor.

"Megumi, how can you be so calm despite our situation right now!" Tsumiki exclaimed, her anxiety palpable in her words.

As Tsumiki expressed her concerns to Megumi, he shifted his attention to Shui and posed a direct question, seeking answers in the midst of uncertainty.

"You know who that person inside our house is, right?" Megumi inquired, his gaze piercing, a blend of curiosity and seriousness etched on his face.

"What-what do you mean by that, Megumi?" Tsumiki pressed, her confusion mirroring in her words.

"Hoh, how perceptive. Yeah, I know who that person is," Shui responded, a hint of intrigue in his tone.

"Huh? I don't get it can you explain it megumi"

"Given that Shui didn't react much when you told him about an intruder, and how he shows no strong reaction to it, which strongly implies that whoever's inside the house already met Shui," Megumi explained, his deduction laying bare the nuances of the situation.

"Haha, you're really good at deducing things, Megumi. You should become a detective someday. How about it? Should I introduce you to some of my acquaintances?" Shui playfully suggested, recognizing Megumi's keen observational skills.

"Thanks for the offer, Shui, but I can't," Megumi declined, his response carrying a weight of personal reasons.

"I see, too bad," Shui acknowledged, respecting Megumi's decision and refraining from delving further into their intricate circumstances.

'These two have it hard, huh,' Shui mused, a moment of empathy surfacing as he contemplated Megumi and Tsumiki's challenges.

"So, who is inside the house, Shui?" Megumi inquired, shifting the focus back to the immediate mystery.

Shui's response was enigmatic. "Why don't you see for yourself," he suggested cryptically, adding an air of suspense to the unfolding situation.

"That's so vague, can't you just tell us?" Megumi pressed, seeking more clarity.

"That person specifically told me not to, so I can't tell you. Since I'm a bit busy, I'll be going now. You two should head home, that person is waiting, you know," Shui explained cryptically before taking his leave.

After Shui departed, Megumi and Tsumiki made their way back home, the lingering mystery weighing on their minds.

"So, Megumi, do you know who it is?" Tsumiki inquired once again, her curiosity undiminished.

"I don't know," Megumi responded, a sense of uncertainty tinging his words.

"Maybe they came back," Tsumiki speculated, attempting to piece together the fragments of information.

"Tsumiki, do you really think they would go back?" Megumi questioned, skepticism evident in his tone.

"I mean, the only one who knows how to cook is Mother, so of course, they might be back for good," Tsumiki reasoned, holding onto the possibility of a familial return.

"I doubt it. I can only believe what my eyes see. I'll know who that mysterious person is myself," Megumi declared, determination firm in his resolve to unravel the enigma that now surrounded their home. The conversation echoed with a blend of uncertainty, speculation, and a resolute determination to uncover the truth that lay shrouded within the walls of their house

A/N so what do you think of the chatgpt, don't worry these are not AI generated story, I just put my story to it and add (Make it more detail and include the conversation) thats all