Self Reflection

Yunata sadly sits atop a mall building, thinking about what's making him upset. Yunata thinks to himself: "How can I even lose? My whole childhood, my whole life. I haven't even been able to live normally because people feared me. My power that I didn't even know about. And you're telling me I'm not even strong enough to win every fight? I though the first was a fluke, but I lost even worse the second time. Why am I here then? It makes no sense." Yunata jumps off the building and continues roaming the streets. He catches Staria in the corner of his eye. He glances up to see her running towards him. Yunata thinks to himself: "And now I'm about to receive pity again. What am I even doing here bro. If I've been treated differently all my life for "being strong" why am I finding out that there are people much more terrifying than me?' Yunata grew up in an entirely different state. Where people were much weaker than the average person in Georgia. He was considered a god amongst the rest of the citizens. Staria finally comes close to Yunata.

Staria: Dude, why'd you run so far!

Yunata: Why are you here?

Staria: Well... I mean... am I not allowed to be here?

Yunata: Not while I'm here. So go somewhere else.

Staria: Don't be like that. Why are you so upset anyway. You lost to Fun-

Yunata: Don't you think that's why I'm mad? I have no business losing. There's nothing you can tell me that will make it reasonable.

Staria: But wh-

Yunata: BECAUSE I'M SUPPOSED TO BE STRONGER THAN EVERYONE! BECAUSE THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANYONE THAT CAN HANG WITH ME! BECAUSE I ALONE WAS FEARED! BECAUSE I ALONE WAS ISOLATED, BULLIED, UNLOVED, LONELY! BECAUSE THAT ONLY HAPPENED TO ME! WHY THE FUCK SHOULD I HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF THAT IF IT DIDN'T EVEN ACCOUNT FOR ANYTHING!? IF I'M SUPPOSED TO BE THIS SUPER STRONG, UNMATCHED MONSTER, THEN WHY AM I HERE, MOPING ABOUT LOSING IN A FIGHT!? WHAT WAS THE FUCKING POINT!? WHY!?

Staria: Yunata, you are a grown ass man. Why are you crying about being bullied as a child?

Yunata: BECA-

Staria: BECAUSE NOTHING! YOU COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT! YOU WERE FEARED FOR BEING STRONG! I'M SORRY YOU COULDN'T LIVE A NORMAL CHILDHOOD, BUT WHAT WILL SCREAMING ABOUT THAT NOW DO FOR YOU!? YOU'RE A GROWN MAN! NOT ONLY THAT, BUT YOU AREN'T BEING ISOLATED LIKE THAT ANYMORE! YOU AREN'T UNLOVED ANYMORE! SO JUST STOP BEING SO MAD, AND COME BACK HOME!

Yunata: ... Whatever.

Staria, assuming she swayed his heart with her touching and encouraging words, makes her way home assuming Yunata will follow. Yunata instead runs away once again. Not accepting the fact that he doesn't need to go through something so sad anymore. He doesn't want to accept that it's finally over without him being the reason for it. 

Yunata: (mumbling to himself)It's not like she grew up like me! She doesn't understand how I feel! How dare she try giving me that bullshit speech.

Staria arrives back home.

Staria: Ha! I told you guys I could do it! One little chat and all the depression was gone just like that!

Asura: Then where is he?

Staria: He sh-

Staria senses his aura and realizes Yunata has only gotten further than before.

Staria: Ohhhh... I forgot... He doesn't know his way here! Hahaha... I'll go get him!

Staria once again storms off to recover the depressed and confused Yunata. But little did she know, her words had actually reached Yunata. And after a bit of time to himself really thinking things through and finally accepting he his free from his stressful and extremely terrible lifestyle, he decides to come back. Extremely grateful of the opportunity he was finally blessed with. Yunata, sensing Staria flying to him, jumps straight towards her. Crashing into her mid air.

Yunata: (still crying)Staria, t-t-thank you... so much. I'm s-sorry... that I didn't realize sooner. I have nothing more to be angry about. I have f-f-f-f-friends now! And a home! I'm... satisfied...

Narration: Staria is unconscious. Yunata grabs her and finally makes his way back home.

Funiki: So you're done bitching?

Yunata: You're too happy about that pitiful win. I wasn't even using 20% of my full power, idiot.

Funiki honestly believes Yunata's bluff, considering he has been holding back every other fight they've had.

Funiki: YEAH WELL, I WON TWICE! SO I'M BETTER ANYWAY! WORM! MUTT!

Funiki walks off after his childish outburst, somehow proud of the person he has become over the past 26 years.

Asura: What happened to her?

Yunata: She hit her head. Wasn't looking where she was going.

Staria has a unique ability to be able to still perceive what's going on and gather information when unconscious. This allows her to learn things in her sleep. Which made studying and learning much easier for her.

Asura: Oh... well, you're back here. You alright? Not upset anymore?

Yunata: (oddly blushing)Yeah man, I'm good. I don't even know why I let it get me down in the first place.

Asura: Sometimes you just can't take it. Don't worry man, that's totally normal. I'm just glad you didn't end up running away for good. You would've really upset us.

Yunata: You don't have to worry about that. I'll never leave you guys.

Asura: (smiles)I'm happy to know that. Say, do you think you could do me a favor?

Yunata: I don't know, what is it?

Asura: Could you help me get star magic? I haven't found anyone who can use it. And I feel like you could definitely help.

Yunata: Well, I don't know how you expect me to help. But if you ever have an idea that involves me then sure. I'm all yours.

Asura: Thanks. Oh, please go put Staria on the couch or something.

Yunata: Oh! Right!

Yunata throws Staria onto her bed. Which wakes her up.

Staria: WHY DID YOU DO THAT! I COULD'VE HIT MY HEAD ON SOMETHING! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN BE SO ROUGH WITH SOMEONE AS PRETTY AND ROYAL AS ME! STUPID BARBARIAN!

Yunata: Oh calm down. I had perfect precision. Look, you landed right in the middle of the bed.

Staria: WELL... I wouldn't have been that rough with you...

Yunata: Thanks? I'm not soft like you though. You don't have to worry.

Staria Ugh, whatever. Get out of my room.

Yunata: I thought this was my room!?

Staria: No? Your room is on the other side of the house. Now shoo shoo.

Staria pushes Yunata out of her room. He sits dumbfounded after finding out he's been sleeping in the wrong room for the past week. He walks in confusion around the house and finds his room. 

Yunata: Did I ask for all of this? I asked for... four walls, a roof, a floor, a carpet? I think? And a bed. What is all of this.

Yunata's room has been filled with furniture, electronics, and other decorative things. All too much for Yunata.

Qajiri: (pretending he wasn't following Yunata)Oh? You're here.

Yunata: Yeah, is that a problem?

Qajiri: No sir.

Yunata: Better not be cuz I ain't leaving.

Qajiri: I understand sir. Thank you sir.

Qajiri walks off as he can not contain his happiness for much longer. Yunata lays in his room for the rest of the day and night just rethinking all of his experiences over the last 9 days.

Mordekai: You had it pretty rough as a child huh?

Yunata's contemplating whether he should respond or not.

Mordekai: I-

Yunata: Why did you ever let us call you Mr. Doodle?

Mordekai: Well, I tell everyone that that's my name. Someone as strong as me having a goofy name like that? I was sure it'd bring in some laughs.

Yunata: Nah, just made you seem weird.

Mordekai: Well maybe someone else found it funny.

Yunata: ... (looks with a face of genuine curiosity)Why did you ever come attack us? And why didn't you just run away when you thought you'd lose?

Mordekai: Why would I run away? If I ran away, I'd never be as strong as I am now. It's times like that that you awaken, surpass your limits, and become stronger. I attacked you guys simply because I wanted to take your aura, as well as become stronger.

Yunata: But surely you knew losing meant dying, right?

Mordekai: Well, I've never lost before. I've always had my eyes on the Star Organization for a while, you showing up made it worth the risk. But I'd never imagine that there was someone that could really beat my unbeatable ability. Which is why I decided to pass it on to you. You, the man that killed me. Having my ability, you're effectively immortal! Except... you don't use it.

Yunata: Of course I wouldn't use it on Funiki! I mean you almost killed him! And me!

Mordekai: Well, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. And I made you stronger than ever, didn't I?

Yunata: Well... that doesn't justify it.

Mordekai: Look, I don't want you to die, okay? If you're ever up against anyone that rivals your strength, even if it's just training, pull out your full bag. You know, I live in your head now. I know of all the abilities you can use. Even the ones surpassing my own. So stop holding back so much. Be strong, and be proud.

Yunata is conflicted after hearing these words. He doesn't know whether he should once again isolate himself from everyone else by having a sheer overwhelming amount of strength.

Yunata: Well... if the time calls... then maybe..., but I definitely won't let myself die again! So don't even worry about that.

Mordekai: Thanks.

Yunata decides that he should spend time around those that are fearful of him, show them that he isn't a monster, that he too is just a human. He tells Staria his idea.

Staria: Are you sure? I mean, you were like just crying about your memories from there. And now you wanna go back?

Yunata: Well... I've only ever been homeless here. I had somewhere to stay in my hometown.

Staria: I mean... alright but...

Yunata: I'll be fine man. I won't even be gone for long either. Just like 3 days. Then I'll be back, okay?

Staria: Okay... I'll let everyone else know. Be safe. And have fun? I guess?

Yunata: Thanks, I'll be back in 3 days.

Yunata leaves to his hometown and decides he should instead spend a week if he truly wishes to see change. 

Yunata: A week in my hometown. Sounds like hell. But maybe I can sway the hearts of those civilians. No matter what I have to do, I will!

After arriving to his hometown, Yunata loses all of his confidence and inspiration to make a change. But still hopes he can at least make peace with himself and accept his strength.

This is the end of vol.1. Thanks for reading!