Chapter 48: A Loss In The Past

A red bell rings loudly, signaling the end of school for today. Little Alvin waves goodbye to his friends in school, seeing them get picked up by their parents and guardians. After that, Alvin looks around to find a certain someone to come pick him up. Until adult-size hands covered Alvin's eyes.

"Who were you looking for?", a husky-voiced was uttered.

Little Alvin quickly giggles and plays along, trying to go with the flow by answering.

"I'm looking for my dad.", Alvin answered.

"You're dad, huh? He must be one handsome man.", they replied.

"Yeah! He's also fun to be with. As well as a jokester.", Alvin added.

"Oh, is he now? Well does he do this!", the man then tickles Alvin.

Alvin laughs, unable to handle the man's tickle. The man then chuckles, carrying Alvin after and placing the little kid on top of his shoulders. Alvin then smiles and holds on to the hands of his father. Alvin's father has the same skin color as he is, but he has a beard as well, making him look like a chad.

"Alright, Alvin, I heard that you perfected your quiz on math. Is that right?", Alvin's father asked.

"Yeah! It was easy. I love math!", Alvin answered excitedly while raising both of his tiny arms.

"Well then, that sounds like a trip to JFC.", his dad said in response.

"AW YEAH!!!", Alvin excitedly yelled.

"Aw yeah, indeed-*Cough*", Alvin's dad started coughing.

Alvin's dad starts coughing non-stop and he drops to the fall. Luckily, Alvin's dad catches himself and sets Alvin on the ground. Alvin, who witnessed this, is worried. Alvin's father notices this and puts on a strong front by trying to look tough and stand up.

"Dad, are you ok? You kept coughing like that yesterday. As well as last week.", Alvin pointed out.

"*Cough* So you remember. *Cough* Don't worry, your mom already booked us an appointment. It's probably just something small like the flu. *Cough*", Alvin's dad explained while coughing.

Little Alvin is still worried for his dad. Alvin's dad, however, tries to change the subject. By going back to where they were.

"Come on, let's get some chicken in JFC.", Alvin's dad tries to distract his son while reaching out for his hand.

Little Alvin grabs his dad's hand but he still couldn't shake the thought that something is wrong with his father. Nonetheless, Alvin is dragged to their car and is driven to their favorite restaurant.

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Alvin wakes up, feeling a bit weak and tired. Alvin then looks around to see him in a room that he doesn't recognize. Alvin also sees Varari sitting next to him on a chair. Seeing her there, Alvin groans a bit in pain trying to get Varari's attention. Varari hears this and gets close to Alvin.

"Alvin? Alvin, how are you feeling?", Varari worriedly asked.

"Ugh... I was shot but I didn't fall. I am titanium.", Alvin made an old reference.

"What???", Varari was confused at what Alvin said.

"Oh, nothing. It was a song that I kept hearing when I was a kid. So...where's the others?", Alvin asked while looking around.

"You know how ninjas have clans of their own?", Varari answered in a question.

"Yeah? What about it?", Alvin responded.

"They're currently talking to one of the chiefs at this moment. I can't talk about it because I'm not supposed to be the one who explains all of this to you. You should ask Sara.", Varari explained carefully.

"... So Sara is a ninja? Even before we discovered your secret identities?", Alvin asked while looking into Varari's eyes.

Varari looks away but nods. Alvin then closes his eyes and thinks, feeling betrayed and a little bit distant from Sara. Along with Roy. Seeing how Varari knows about Sara's ninja identity, Alvin wouldn't doubt for a second that Roy is also known as well. Though Alvin understands why they kept it a secret from him, he wishes that they trust him more.

"Hey, Alvin...", Varari called out to him softly.

"Yeah?", Alvin quickly looks at Varari.

"Back there, in that fight, if it wasn't me who was in danger and say it was someone else...would you still fight that wolf? Even if it means...this.", Varari gestured to Alvin's state.

Alvin then stops and thinks, thinking more about what Varari questioned about him and trying to imagine himself in that situation.

"Maybe I would, maybe not. But one thing is for sure, I wouldn't hesitate to try and save you, Kage-senpai.", Alvin answered smoothly.

Hearing this, Varari's cheeks start reddening and begins fidgeting her hair while looking away. Varari suddenly remembers that she was dating Roy. This makes Varari shake her head and try to clear her thoughts. Alvin then slowly places his hand on top of Varari's. Varari looked back at Alvin to see his eyes, feeling the heat of his hand.

"That was...real smooth of you, Alvin.", Varari complimented while trying to look away.

"Thanks, I got that from my dad, Kage-senpai. Hehe!", Alvin chuckled a bit.

"Though, I owe you one for literally taking a bullet for me. What can I do to repay you? Hopefully, you wouldn't ask me to do something I'm uncomfortable doing.", Varari asked while trying to set some boundaries.

"Don't worry, I won't. Hmmm... How about...let me call you by your first name? Let's be on a first-name basis.", Alvin requested.

"If that's what you want then sure. I'll let you call me by my first name...but you have to keep calling me senpai.", Varari teased Alvin a bit.

"Dammit! I should have asked for that as well. Alright, Varari-senpai. Alright.", Alvin admitted defeat.

Varari giggles at Alvin's defeat. Seeing Varari laughing, Alvin laughs as well.

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"... So these "Freedom Fangs" caused this?", Shinji asked.

"Yes, dad. I saw them with both eyes wide open. They were determined to kill us all.", Sara answered.

"It even seems like they were even one step ahead of us. Preparing for a crazy battle in the middle of the streets. They really love to have your head, Prince Graysen.", Roy added.

"Well, I can't blame them that much. This feud between my family and the Freedom Fangs has been stirring for generations now. I just wish to end this once and for all. Stopping them, I mean.", Prince Graysen said in response.

Roy, Sara, and Prince Graysen are all in Shinji's office, discussing important matters. Matters that concern the chief of the Marvelous Magics' Clan.

"And you say that these people have some sort of mask to not only mind-control the people who wear them but also increase their physical attributes?", Shinji asked again.

"Mhm. You can ask Okutou. He was there as well when we discovered this revelation.", Roy answered while crossing his arms.

Shinji then put his fingers on his chin, thinking about things thoroughly. Immediately, Shinji then has a thought Shinji looks at Sara and then smiles.

"So, Sara. What do you think we should do in this situation?", Shinji asked his daughter.

"Huh? Me? Why, dad?", Sara was caught off-guard.

"I think it's obvious. I'm testing you, my dear diamond. Someday in the future, you'll lead this clan. And as chief, you'll eventually make decisions like this. So I need to prepare you early on while I'm still in charge.", Shinji explained.

Sara hears this and nods, looking downward to think of a solution. Sara understands the circumstances of this question. Roy looks over to Sara, emphasizing the seat she's in. Sara then looks up and answers.

"We need ninjas to patrol the city every night to prevent something like this from ever happening again. As well as investigating the Freedom Fangs. We need every single piece of knowledge we have of them and try to predict what they will do next.", Sara explained in detail what they should do.

Shinji smiles and claps, congratulating her daughter on her response. Roy's also proud of Sara for acting like a leader.

"That is what we shall do.", Shinji agreed with the idea that Sara gave.

"Well if that's what you're doing, might as well help and send some of my knights to help you with the patrol.", Prince Graysen added.

"That would be much appreciated. Though I would prefer to talk to the Freedom Fangs, it seems that they won't.", Shinji replied.

Shinji then sits at his desk and begins fixing his papers. After that, Shinji grabs his phone and starts dialing a number.

"If there is nothing else to be said, then that will be all for tonight. Rest up.", Shinji said before putting his phone in his ear.

Roy bows at Shinji before leaving. Seeing this, both Sara and Prince Graysen copy Roy and bows as well. They then left, leaving Shinji to do his business.

"I'm going to do what he said. See ya, Roy, Sara!", Prince Graysen immediately said before leaving.

Roy sighs and starts walking, walking into a hallway. Trying to get to where Alvin and Varari are in. Sara runs faster and catches up to Roy. Roy sees this and starts a conversation with her.

"Do you want to talk about something?", Roy asked.

Sara holds both of her hands together, fiddling her fingers while walking in front of Roy. Seeing this, Roy stops in his tracks.

"Do you trust Prince Graysen?", Sara asked seriously.

Roy crosses his arms, sighing at this question.

"I do to a certain extent. Is the reason why you asked that because he killed someone?", Roy answered and then questioned Sara.

"Ye-yeah... He killed someone. There must have been a better way of dealing with this kind of situation than what the prince did.", Sara answered defiantly.

"Maybe there is, but there is no point in trying that theory out when we can't reverse time, can we Sara?", Roy said in response while walking past her.

"Wait! Why are you defending him? Doesn't this go against your promise to yourself?", Sara asked while she grabs Roy's arm.

Roy sighs and stops. Roy then put his hands on his hips, looking downward.

"I believe what you just said. That there must be a better way of dealing with that situation. The problem is though, we didn't have that much to think since your life was literally on the clock.

The prince couldn't think of another solution and tried to do what he came up with on the fly. Saving you by killing that wolf. I didn't want to argue with him because it made sense to me. What I didn't understand is why that wolf holds you hostage then tries to kill you. Though there is no point in thinking things could have gone differently when it happened. The only thing that we can do is to make sure it doesn't happen again.", Roy explained his thoughts on the situation.

".. I see... But don't you feel a little disgusted? By seeing the arm cut-off and head...separated from the body.....", Sara asked while remembering it vividly.

"Well, it certainly made my promise more firm. However, you need to keep this in mind. I'm trying to escape this ninja life because of this bloodshed. You, however, you're almost at the top of it. Being a ninja is about survival. And survival requires you to kill. Whether it's to save yourself or others, you'll soon have to encounter that decision. Not to mention, you're going to become a leader. A chief of a clan. You have to make tough decisions when times are difficult. Even when it comes to killing.", Roy explained again.

Sara hears this and has nothing else to say. The things that Roy says make sense to her. Sara doesn't have any objections and just keeps being silent while nodding to say that she understands Roy's point. Roy sighs and turns around. Sara quietly follows him as well. They both continue their path towards the room where Varari and Alvin are.

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"Wait! She did that?", Varari was shocked.

"Yep! My mom was a tiger mom. She was pissed at that moment. And you know that you shouldn't piss on a mom like that unless you have a death wish. So my mom clapped that guy and he was terrified. He was so scared that he ran away. And at that moment I knew, my mom was a beast.", Alvin told Varari his past.

Varari giggles hearing this, wanting to meet this tiger mom that Alvin speaks off.

"I really would love to meet your mom. She sounds like a tough woman.", Varari commented.

"Well, shucks, that's awesome to hear. I bet your mom was also beautiful and mature acting if her daughter is like this.", Alvin complimented Varari's mom.

Varari's facial expressions change from happiness to sadness. Seems like Alvin said something to bother her. Alvin notices this and wonders.

"Hey? Did I say something wrong?", Alvin asked worryingly.

"No...it's just... I never met my mother before. She left after I was 2 months old. In fact, my family was never really a family, to begin with.", Varari said in response.

"What? What do you mean?", Alvin was curious?

"My father and I were never really that close. We acted more or so as boss and worker. Instead of father and daughter. My brother focuses more on getting the glory and honor by getting stronger and taking one of the most difficult missions there is. He also sees me as a burden since I wasn't that strong as he is.

Suffice to say, I was alone in my house. My family wasn't like your family or Roy's family. We weren't that close to each other nor show each other that we love one another. We were just people living in the same house and nothing more than that.", Varari described her family.

Varari looks down, remembering those times of feeling alone with no one to depend on in her home. Only looking for herself. Alvin then sits upon his bed, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"You must have felt lonely back then but at the very least, you're no longer there. You're no longer in that part of your past. Now, you're free. Now you have us. Me, Roy, Yua, and Sara. We aren't your family but we are your friends. And everyone can sometimes need a friend or 2.", Alvin comforted Varari.

Varari stares into Alvin's eyes and nods in agreement. Varari shakes her head and smiles while looking down. Varari then holds the hand that Alvin places on her shoulder, understanding now she isn't back where she was. Now, she's free and can no longer be alone.

The door then opens. Varari quickly puts Alvin's hand away from her shoulder and composes herself. Roy enters the room to see Alvin already awake as well as Varari sitting on the side of his bed. Roy sighs in relief seeing Alvin alright. Sara then enters the room, feeling shy because of Alvin.

"Ms.Ichika Sara! You got some explaining to do.", Alvin wanted an explanation.

Sara exhales and approaches Alvin. Roy walks over to them as well and crosses his arms. Sara fidgets her fingers, feeling a bit pressured from all sides.

"Yes, I am a ninja. Even before I met you, Alvin.", Sara admitted.

"Yeah, no kidding! I felt left out when I heard about this. I was the only friend out of the 5 of us that doesn't even know your secret.", Alvin said in response.

"5?", Roy questions.

"Yes 5. Me, you, Sara, Varari-senpai, and Yua.", Alvin answered.

"Oh... About that... Yua doesn't know that I'm a ninja." Sara added.

"Yua?! Himara Yua?! Your best and closest friend that you have before you met us?! That Yua?!", Alvin was shocked to hear that Yua doesn't know.

"Yes, that Yua. Even though she is my best friend, I can't bring myself to tell Yua about my secret identity... But I will! Just, please, don't tell Yua about it.", Sara begged Alvin to not tell Yua.

Alvin then closes his eyes, putting his fingers on his chin and thinking about something. Alvin then forms a smirk on his face. A smirk that Sara doesn't like.

"How about this? You do me one favor, and I won't tell Yua.", Alvin blackmails Sara.

Sara groans upon hearing this. Alvin chuckles seeing Sara like this.

"What's the favor?", Sara asked.

"Make me a ninja outfit like yours, Varari's, and Roy's!", Alvin quickly said.

Sara looks at Alvin in confusion. Varari is surprised to hear this. Roy is dumbfounded about it.

"Is that it? Nothing else?", Sara asked for reassurance while giving a weird look to him.

"Of course, that's it! Don't look at me like I'm some sort of Ugly Bastard in an NTR offbrand!", Alvin retorted back.

Alvin coughs, trying to calm himself down.

"Listen, if I'm going to be a ninja, I got to have a cool and fitting outfit.", Alvin added.

"Alright... Just come by here early and we'll try to make your ninja outfit as quickly as I can using magic.", Sara replied.

"Maybe you should bring Yua as well. At the very least, she wouldn't feel left out. As long as no one tells her about the secret, everything should be fine.", Varari selflessly suggested.

"I guess so, but I have to do some preparation first if I want Yua in my house. Fortunately, Yua is that easy to convince. So it wouldn't be that much of a problem.", Sara agreed to do so.

"Don't forget, we'll be training with Prince Graysen tomorrow. He's fine with letting Yua know about his identity.", Roy reminded.

"Oh yeah! About the prince, is he a ninja as well?", Alvin asked.

"No, Prince Graysen is a 'Divine Knight'. Just act surprised tomorrow, he'll explain everything.", Roy answered casually.

"A Divine Knight?!", Alvin was surprised to hear this.

"Yeah, just like that.", Roy replied.

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Roy and Alvin walk in front of the door of Alvin's house, wearing casual clothes as well as holding the paper bag that has Roy's headphones in it. Roy is about to knock on it until Alvin grabs Roy's shoulder. Roy looks at Alvin. Alvin seems to be embarrassed about something.

"Hey, listen. You didn't meet my family completely because "he" was in "his" job. I bet "he's" home now at this time. Just, please, don't judge too much, ok?", Alvin pleaded Roy.

Hearing Alvin's sincere voice, Roy nods, keeping in mind what Alvin said. This causes Roy to be curious but also cautious of the man who Alvin is talking about. Alvin puts his hand down and Roy finally knocks on the door.

They wait. Roy knocks on the door again, this time louder than before. Shuffling can be heard from upstairs. Someone is rushing in the stairs and heading towards the front door. It opens to reveal a Japanese man wearing glasses and a suit. They are smaller than Roy which sort of disappointed Roy's expectation.

"Oh, Alvin! It's nice to see you again. And this might be your friend that honey was talking about.", they said upon seeing the both of them.

'Honey?!', Roy thought and was shocked to hear.

"Hi, Haru. Yeah, this is my friend Roy. Roy, this is my...step-father... Can you let us in, Haru?", Alvin said with less enthusiast while looking away.

'Step-father?!', Roy thought and was shocked again.

"Of course, come on in.", Haru said before letting them in.

Roy and Alvin step inside and put their shoes away, going inside Alvin's house again.

"Is that the boys?!", a shout from Aliyah came from the kitchen.

"Sure is, honey!", Haru shouted back.

"Great! I'm almost done with dinner, so you boys better wait in the living room and wait there. Haru, darling, I need your help here.", Aliyah yelled from the kitchen again.

"Coming!", Haru exclaimed as he runs towards the kitchen.

Roy looks at Alvin. Alvin catchest Roy's gaze, groans, and head towards the living room. Roy then follows Alvin. Alvin turns on the TV and a game show appears. Both Alvin and Roy patiently wait. Suddenly, Haru enters the scene with 2 glasses filled with cold water and puts them on the table.

"Here, you boys must be tired playing all day long.", Haru kindly said.

"Th-thanks.", Roy uttered while grabbing a glass of water.

"Thank you, Haru...", Alvin said with a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Darling, can you prepare the table for me? My hands are full here.", Aliyah shouted again from the kitchen.

"No sweat!", Haru replied.

Haru quickly grabs plates, spoons, and forks and places them on the table beside the living room. Roy observes Haru from the distance.

'He seems to be kind, caring, and a loving husband. Every women's dream. But why is Alvin mad at Haru?', Roy asked the question in his mind while looking at Alvin.

Roy sees some fury in Alvin's eyes, noticing as well that Alvin is holding the glass intensely but it seems Alvin is trying to hide it. Roy can sense some anger coming from Alvin. Roy turns to Haru again, seeing him carefully organizing the table. Roy sighs and shakes his head, not fully understanding why there's tension in this house.

Roy sees something majestic on the table. Something precious. Something Roy can never trade for even if someone tries to bargain him by one of the most expensive items there is.

"I heard from Alvin how you love shrimp tempura, Roy. So I made some for myself.", Aliyah said while smiling ear to ear.

"Thank you very much.", Roy thanked her while putting shrimp tempura after shrimp tempura on his plate.

"You'll like those, my wife is the best at cooking!", Haru complimented Aliyah.

"Oh, you! You really can't stop complimenting me, can you?", Aliyah happily replied.

"Hey, I don't do this to others, ok? Only you, honey.", Haru smoothly said while giving a peck on Aliyah's cheek.

After that, Alvin slams his glass of water on the table, interrupting the loving couple. Getting their attention, Roy, Aliyah, and Haru all look at Alvin. Alvin has anger plasters on his face.

"Itadakimasu.", Alvin quietly yet angrily said.

Alvin begins eating before anyone could eat or speak. Roy, feeling awkward, also eats as well. The couple exhales and eats in silence as well. As they're eating, Aliyah clumsily drops her fork. The fork lands on the ground that is in between Haru and Aliyah.

"I got it!", both Aliyah and Haru said before reaching in for the fork.

Since they both lean in to get the fallen utensil, they both hit their heads. Then they retract their own body and put their hands on their forehead, laughing at the absurdity that's happening.

"I'm sorry, honey!", Haru quickly apologies while laughing.

"No, I'm sorry! I was the one who dropped it.", Aliyah said in response while chuckling as well.

"Well, I intervened at the wrong time causing our heads to bump.", Haru added.

"It didn't hurt that much anyway.", Aliyah replied.

"Really? But mine did, I'm going to need your kisses to heal this pain away.", Haru jokingly said.

"Hahaha! Ok, then! Mwah! Mwah! Mwuuuah!!", Aliyah kissed Haru's forehead 3 times.

"Ahh... That felt a lot better.", Haru commented.

Roy sees this and smiles at the wholesome energy this scene has been radiating, seeing a happy couple makes him happy.

THUMP!!!

Roy immediately looks over to Alvin to see his fist on the table. Alvin slams his fist on it. Roy can see Alvin's teeth grinding. As well as his fury.

"Stop showing your love in front of me, please.", Alvin quietly said while showing his anger.

Aliyah is now pissed at hearing this, retorting back.

"This again? How many times do I have to say that I can't help myself, Alvin? When you're happy with someone, you tend to show them externally.", Aliyah responded with annoyance.

"You can always do that in your room but not in front of me, please!", Alvin politely yet intensely asked.

"Both of you, please calm down.", Haru tries to calm the both of them but it fell into deaf ears.

"As I said before, we can't help but show our love since we only get to see each other after he's done with work. And since he's living here with us, why don't you stop treating Haru like a stranger and start calling him dad.", Aliyah replied harshly.

Alvin quickly stands right up, knocking the chair he is sitting on. Alvin then slams his fists on the table.

"I WILL NEVER CALL HIM MY DAD!!!", Alvin shouted at them.

After that, a moment of silence happens. Aliyah starts to tear up hearing this. Haru hugs her for comfort. Realizing what happened, Alvin quickly leaves the table, going upstairs in a rush. Roy sits there in silence, thinking in silence.

'Now that would explain why he left his house last night. He ran away because of this.', Roy quietly thought.

Aliyah then sits on her chair and then she looks at Roy who is silently seeing this unfolds.

"I'm sorry that you would have to see this, Roy.", Aliyah said as she wipes her tears.

"Alvin is a sweet boy. He has a good heart. He just... He just couldn't accept that his real dad died... Ever since then, he cried and cried because he couldn't believe that his father was gone... Thinking maybe he's back in America. Doing fun things there.", Aliyah explained. Talking through her tears.

Roy then nods in silence, fully understanding the situation Alvin and his family are in. Roy then stands up slowly.

"Excuse me.", Roy said and heads upstairs.

Roy is face to face on Alvin's door, gulping for a second, and raises his right hand. Roy sighs and knocks on the door.

"Alvin... It's me...", Roy called out to Alvin.

The door then opens, seeing Alvin with red teary eyes. Alvin quickly wipes it. Roy then enters his room.

"Listen, man, I'm sorry about...that...", Alvin apologizes as well.

Roy sits on his bed and then pats on it, signaling Alvin to sit with him. Alvin breathes and does so, sitting beside Roy quietly.

"Can you tell me more about your dad?", Roy asked softly.

"My dad? Why the sudden interest with my dad?", Alvin questions while smiling.

"Because it seems like you need a friend who can lend their ears and listen.", Roy replied kindly.

Hearing this, makes Alvin go silent. Having nothing to say, Alvin chuckles. Alvin looks up and wipes some of his tears off.

"Alright... I... I'll tell you about my dad.", Alvin agreed to tell Roy about his dad.