Dazzling shade

My right arm tingles with pain, as if it is about to tear, that blow required too much force, but I could not have defeated them otherwise, it was a small price. My arm started throbbing, and I managed to wake up, I ruffled my hair, I wanted to look around to see if Yoriko and Shimazu were safe, I hope she didn't do anything stupid while I was away, but I found myself in a completely different place, this is not my usual home, the smell, the furniture and the large field outside the window are not familiar either.

That woman too, I'm sure I saved her, I hope she's okay, I don't remember much, only that we managed to escape from the forest, but what happened after that is completely out of my mind, I passed out, didn't I?

After a gentle sound, someone stomps into the small room.

Ichika: - You finally woke up, young man, thank goodness you only passed out.

She turns to me and smiles at me with her motherly gaze.

Mizeya: - Where am I? Shimazu?

Ichika: - Don't worry, he managed to escape, and thank you for saving him.

I was a little relieved that nothing happened and that he went home safely, but I should go home too. I tried to get up from my bed, with a firm movement.

Mizeya: - Awwh.

Ichika: - If I were you, I wouldn't force you when I took off your top, your bones were broken in several places and there were a lot of bruises, I'm sorry...

I kept pushing until I fell off the bed and a small hand touched my head, but this is the child, this was Ichika's son.

Kirita: - Thank you for saving my mom.

He said with teary eyes and gripped one of my fingers very tightly. I looked into his little lively and full-of-life eyes, then stroked his head, I could only smile at him.

I've had enough of resting, I can't just lie here, and I don't want to be a burden to Ichika and his son.

Mizeya: - I have to get home.

I said too loud.

Ichika: - Until you recover, I'm afraid you'll have to stay here.

Mizeya: - Won't I be the burden?

Ichika: - Don't be silly, why would you be a burden on us? If you don't release me, I'll never see my son again.

So I stayed here for a while, although my everyday life was a little different, not as usual at home, I didn't doze or sleep all day, but for the sake of my recovery, I tried to stay in the house and entrusted Ichika with minor tasks, while she is usually in town.

I can't sit at home all day, as soon as I'm done cleaning, I'll start training, I want to learn that technique, but this body isn't enough for that, I need to become much stronger to be able to protect those I love and I was afraid of losing them. As I had planned, after cleaning, I saw it for training, that is, I wanted to, but an unexpected little person intervened in my plan.

Kirita: - Come play.

He grabs my shirt with his little hand and we started to play. I played with the kid for a while, maybe a short training could fit in, I took my sword in my hand, and then I started swinging it under the beautiful blue, clear sky, pretty evenly, concentrated, as if I were cutting through a straight path, delicately, sharper, more precisely, I want to master it I will have to, I will not give up the technique of never having to worry again.

I was so engrossed in training that I forgot that it was getting dark, it was time to go back to Ichika, I hope she won't be mad at me. I open the door, I was visibly drenched in sweat from so much sweat.

Ichika: - I see, you and Kirita played quite fiercely.

She said ironically.

Mizeya: - Well, it was like...

Ichika: - I understand, you can't sit on your ass, take off your shirt, it's pure sweat, let me wash it at least.

I took my word for the woman who could be my mother, I took off my shirt and gave it to her, she looked at me in amazement.

Ichika: - How old are you?

Mizeya: - I was 14 one month ago.

She was surprised to see my body, which was full of scars and cuts, what? Scars and cuts? But my body is not like that, I rushed to the mirror and it is like that, how can this be? Not because of the boy's sword? I shouldn't be surprised by that, especially after seeing what that mysterious man's power is capable of.

I got another shirt from Ichika for me to wear while she washes mine, which of course is big for me, this will do too, at least I'm not naked.

Ichika: - This was my husband's, as I can see it's a bit big for you, but better than nothing.

She said jokingly.

Mizeya: - Thank you.

I said with a big smile on my face.

Ichika: - It's time for lunch.

The three of us sat down to have lunch, just like at home, it's just the two of us, it's a family atmosphere, it's quite calming, and I can feel its delicate peace and harmony, I like to see the world like this, that everything is peaceful and calm.

I wish it were always like this, but the bandit story after, I don't feel that way anymore, any small act can start a serious revolution and it's like that every day, I can't save everyone, I'm not strong enough for that yet, but I promise, I'll never give up, I'd love to save every single person, even if it seems impossible to me, I finally found something that I want to achieve with all my heart and soul, not only protecting my loved ones, but also the lives of other people, everyone needs a hero, an incredibly strong hero, so that they will never fear anything again, who kills the enemy in one fell swoop, maybe it's just me overthinking this, but I feel it's important, we can't avoid it, even if we try, it's going to eat me up, man this is my salvation or my downfall, which I don't think I can get out of without help, I need a team, I know I thought very far ahead, but I don't want to do anything all day while other people suffer, I'm afraid to think that even at this moment some are being killed or are doomed to suffer.

My mind wandered, so I didn't notice what this little guy was up to while standing in wait.

Kirita: - Get this, Mizeya.

Holding the apple pie that Ichika made for us, he throws it at me, which successfully hits my face.

Mizeya: - You little... Wait, you'll get this back.

I also grabbed another pie and sent it toward him, but it didn't hit him, even though what I'm doing is a bit childish, let that be enough.

Ichika: - Hey! We don't play with food, you don't know how much I worked for it.

Mizeya: - I'm sorry.

Kirita: - But it was so funny, mom.

She glared at her son with those ice-cold eyes that even scared me.

Kirita: - I'm sorry, Mother.