Chapter 24

"So that's all?"

"Yes, doctor," Hisashi told all of his life stories to her. He doesn't know why he did that, but he just felt that he can trust her.

"Just call me Jeimi, or 'Doc'. Whatever suits you?" Jeimi said to him. She stood up which reveals an attractive bodily proportions. This reminded Hisashi of the old witch she thought of minutes ago. She walks to him with several tools in her hand.

"Why did you disguise yourself, doc? Also, are you really a doctor?" Hisashi can't help but ask. Jeimi just looks at him with a pissed expression only to see a curious gaze looking back at her.

"None of your business. Just do what I say. I am a doctor though, just to answer your question." With nothing to say, she dodges to question. However, Hisashi wouldn't leave her just off the hook that easily.

"Then you're not an old hag?" Hisashi asked the millennia-old taboo question. This caused him to be hit in the head by god knows what.

*Bonk!*

"Never ask a woman her age!" This silences the kid making him quite obedient.

"I'm surprised that you didn't ask HOW I disguised, rather… on why. You're interested in all types of magic after all." She said as he put hearing equipment on Hisashi's chest.

"I'm just curious about why would someone purposely make themselves uglier. I mean ugly!! I didn't mean that at all!"

Hisashi panics as he realizes the way he used his words. But just like before, a hit in the head did the job.

Minutes of check-ups later, Jeimi went back to her seat and look at Hisashi again.

"I told you that your case was special didn't I?"

"Yes, doc."

"Luckily for you, I'm also a special doctor."

"What does that mean?"

"You see, ending to a dead end, any other 'psychiatrists' would just give up on you. However, I'm not. And by I'm not, I meant that I'm not on a dead end."

Hisashi didn't know what Jeimi was going to do with that one.

"Recalling your story, you said that you would see a glimpse of the future with you dying, saving you in most cases? Am I right?"

"Yes."

"And after that, you would feel a strong headache hitting your head. Moreover, that was the first instance where you awakened your weird sorcery. Followed that?

"Yes."

"But the thing is, sorcery never affects our brain. We may feel exhausted after spending out our yoryoku and such but never in history did someone get a headache from unintentionally using sorcery."

"How do you know that?"

"I've studied sorcery for many decades. My years of studying is more than your mother's age."

"Oh, really?" "Yes. Absolutely."

"I thought you weren't an old hag?"

*BOOM!*

Hisashi's body flew into the house's walls. It almost crumbled if it weren't for the wall made of light adding another layer to protect it.

"Don't get too comfortable now," Jeimi said as she held a staff made of light in her arms. Hisashi, who was on the ground, stood up. For his age, he has had a ton of fights, life and death even. He sparred with his brother and Ryuya, his father, a retired samurai, and many more people willing to practice with a kid.

However, for the first time in his life, he ever felt fear. It was different from when his mother gets angry, nor when Koyori was kidnapped. For the very first time, he thought that his life was in danger. And that was even when he didn't see himself die in a mysterious vision.

'I won't ask next time…'

"Get up, we have tests to run. I'll let you home by next week."

"Yes, doc!"

…

Two days into Hisashi's "therapy", a samurai from the capital of Goshu came by. According to him, he was sent by the shogun to deliver a message and a request. What the samurai said seemed serious as even Itsuki turned serious. Because of that, Yuna and Ichika became worried. However, Sukehiro was calm. He knows that it couldn't be something too concerning to his father did no wrong.

Ryuya also never told him about anything regarding his father. If anything, it could be about Hisashi and the dungeon that they found along with Koyori. Although they wanted to cover it up, the investigators got everything after Usuma confessed the truth.

Luckily, Ryuya with his powers of being the 'prince' they were able to prevent them from entering.

'According to procedures, the existence of a dungeon must be reported to the shogun. Along with that, only the samurai designated by the shogun can investigate and explore said dungeon.'

Sukehiro remembers Ryuya's words. Of course, punishment is deserving for withholding the information about a dungeon causing Hisashi and Koyori to do community service. The only thing was, Hisashi offered to do hers, for a very important reason.

Soon, the samurai left and Itsuki's expression returned to normal. The three all hurried to rush to ask him.

"What was it about honey?" Yuna asks. The use of honey indicates her concern.

"Father, did you do something bad? Ichika said in a worried but cute tone.

"Father, your about to go to jail. I'll tell Hisashi to visit you." Sukehiro said earning him a smack from the two ladies.

"HAHAHAHAHA. You guys, it's just an unfinished business. Remember that I used to serve in the capital? I think a case was reopened so I'm called as a witness. So don't you worry." Itsuki said after laughing at what his son said.

"Are you sure? It looked like it was something serious."

"Yeah. It just reminded me of a tragic memory."

…

-In a forest-

"You didn't tell your father didn't you Ichika?" An old man with a training sword. He sat down on a rock with Ichika as he gives her water.

"Yes. You said father was angry at you so I didn't. He left yesterday so I can't ask him to help me train too."

"Left? Why?"

"He was called two days ago. He said it was a business in the capital. But, Sukehiro-nii said that it was probably about Hisashi-nii."

"Hisashi? The red-haired one you told me about."

"Yeah, Sukehiro-nii said that he got into trouble after fighting someone so now he has to do some duties.

"Really? Tell me more about it."

"They didn't tell me anything so I don't know. I don't know why they're always leaving me out of it. Even though Hisashi-nii is only a bit older than me." Ichika said as her expression turned sad.

"Don't sweat it, let's practice more. You're more talented than your father. If you work harder, you'll become an even stronger samurai than he used to be. Once you reach that level, I'll give you a gift."

"Really?! Thank you, grandpa!"

…

"Everyone! I'm home!"