Four Hundred And Sixty-Eight

Four Hundred And Sixty-Eight

Leaving the side room where we were performing our experiments, I was a little surprised to discover that the parents and the older patients, including Shinohara-san, were having an impromptu celebration, some Korean beer and local liquor... Soju, I think it’s called, if I remember? ...having turned up. Seeing my expression, Aliyah shrugged.

“The soldiers shared some with us. Apparently some of them knew the guys you brought in earlier, and since we’re near the big city here, the larder’s well stocked. Besides, both misery and joy love booze as company.” She sighed, eyeing it regretfully.

“We’re on the clock, sis.” Trey warned, and she snorted sourly.

“Shit, I know it. But looks like we’re nearly done. When I get back to Tokyo I’m getting hammered.” she replied, before smirking at us. “You were making some interesting moans and groans in there. It scared some of the kids, so be more careful in future, boss.”

“Sorry.” I apologised. “Testing new abilities can be painful at times. Hopefully it hasn’t spoiled the mood.” Haru was eager to head to where the families of the Choe-Museon students were, so I spoke rapidly, only to find a somewhat red-faced and tipsy man stepping in front of me, his expression sombre. Oh, he’s the father of that brave young girl. “Do you need something? I’m in a hurry.” I asked, and he paused, looking troubled, glancing back at his daughter, before swallowing and addressing me.

“I... wanted to say something.” He began. “I... when I saw you on TV, I resented you, maybe even hated you.” He admitted. “My poor precious angel, and many like her, suffering unfairly, dying... and you could save her, and those like her, but you didn’t.”

“That’s hardly fair...” Hinata began, but I raised a hand to stop her, meeting his eyes. He’s got the right to speak. It’s the true paradox of power. How to use it, and what I should be forced into...

“It’s not so simple.” I said calmly, honestly answering the man. “I’m not a monster, of course I don’t want children to suffer... but then, think of all the starving children of Africa and less fortunate parts of Asia, while we have luxuries, they have nothing.”

“I know.” The man looked terrible, his face ashen, as he took a swig of soju, grimacing. “I know. Even you can’t solve the suffering of everyone in the world, can you? But when you look around, when you see the happiness here... don’t you want to do more?”

Of course, but... “I’m not a Kami or a God. Even they can’t stop all the suffering in the world.” I glanced at Shiro, and I saw her nod. It’s obvious, otherwise the Pantheons wouldn’t be doing any of this... “Even if I dedicated all my time to helping the sick and injured, there would still be more created in Japan every day than I could fix. And if I did that... what of the joy of those I love? Should I, can I ask them to sacrifice their happiness with me? And... it’s selfish, but what of mine? If all I am is a machine to help others, won’t I break down?”

“It’s rather damn hypocritical to expect salvation just because someone might be able to do it.” Shiro agreed. “I was sick and going to die young, before all this. I never had much of a life until I met Aki and my friends, and everyone here. Yes, I’d have leapt at the chance for someone to help me, but... I’m not enough of a bitch to expect someone should.”

“That’s not entirely the point. Just as you could make an argument that we should live on bread and water to help feed the hungry, and you could even go further, and say that if a healthy person can save several lives by dying and donating their organs, shouldn’t they sacrifice and do that...?” Hinata pointed out in her rather merchant-like fashion, weighing profit and loss. “...everyone has to value themselves and their own family, friends, loved ones more than others. Else they aren’t a human being, but a fool. However...” she smiled impishly at me, before addressing the man seriously. “...that doesn’t mean we’re heartless. Far from it. Akio is soft-hearted. Didn’t you see the tender care he offered your dear daughter, and how happy he was to see you laughing and crying together?” She glanced at the girl who was playing with several other kids. “But life isn't so simple, unfortunately. We don’t want panic, so our government has kept a lot under wraps, but... danger is coming. And it does no good to use all of Akio’s time helping others, if in a few years that leads to disaster, and the happy times are gone for good. Besides... far better to spend time teaching others to help, so that more can be saved, without great sacrifice of happiness. But rest assured, we’ll be doing more to help the unfortunate, I promise. It’s just we all have limits.”

“I know. And I’m grateful. How could I not be?” He looked at his daughter fondly. “Which is why I wanted to apologise. And thank you. I wanted so desperately for my little angel to grow up healthy. And now she can, I want others to know that happiness too.”

“I get you.” I clapped him on the shoulder. “And obviously we’ll save who we can. But if your daughter wants a safe world to grow in, then we have to fight, and to face such dangers time and time again... I couldn’t do it without those around me, supporting me. Just... I’m prepared to take the curses of those I wasn’t able to help, so long as I can protect all within my reach. As I grow stronger, as my allies do, my reach grows, but even in fiction, heroes can’t save everyone.”

The girl suddenly saw her father talking to me and tottered over, still a bit unsteady on her legs as she hadn’t grown used to being healthy again. “Dad, mister, are you all right? Dad’s making a scary face.”

Smiling suddenly, he scooped her up in his arms and spun her, making her giggle. As he patted her on the back, the man turned to me and bowed. “Once more, this is my darling Ami, my angel. Thank you again for saving her, even though you don’t know us. I... just wanted you to know, to understand, that those you don’t or can’t help will resent you, no matter the good you do for others, wishing, believing it should have been them you aided. I was the same. I’d do anything for my angel, right?” He hugged the girl, who giggled happily. “Just... remember that I’ll always be grateful, and... I understand. I can’t deny Ami food or luxuries, even if it was to help others, nor could I sacrifice my life and happiness for anyone but her. So I don’t think your choices are wrong. But... people pray to the Gods for miracles, and you’re a living miracle right now. And when the Gods don’t answer, all we can do it cry and wail, but... you’re here. And it’s easy to grow resentful of something we know exists, and we can reach.”

“Don’t worry.” Hinata smiled, patting the head of the admittedly adorable little girl, who squirmed happily, a bright, innocent smile on her face. “We are definitely aware of that. Any potential dangers are being mitigated. But those who cry the loudest that ‘someone should do something’ need to take a long, hard look at themselves and what they’ve achieved, compared to the good Akio’s done, and will do in the future.”

“Yes, which is why I’m sorry.” The father of little Ami-chan said softly. “That’s... all I wanted to say.”

“It’s fine.” I said, and Hinata agreed.

“Yes, it was obviously fate or destiny that your daughter was healed. Otherwise the letter wouldn’t have found its way to me. So just be happy.” She patted Ami-chan’s head again. “Now you be a good girl, all right?”

“I will.” She agreed happily. “Goodbye mister, goodbye miss.” she said politely, and with that we headed for the exit, only for Shinohara-san to stop us.

“I know you’re in a hurry, I can tell.” she apologised. “But I just wanted to say a few words myself, since the subject is one I’ve thought about a lot. I understand how everyone here was feeling. The majority of people wish no ill on others, and will even help out the unfortunate if it doesn’t inconvenience them... but when we suffer ourselves, we cry out for help, bitter and resentful.” She flexed her arm again. “Just... do as your conscience dictates. Nobody should be allowed to do callous harm to others, but conversely, nobody should be forced to sacrifice their own happiness for others. Do good when you can, but above all, be good to yourself.” She paused, smiling ruefully. “Don’t mind the words of an old woman, just... remember these happy smiles and tears.”

“I will.” I promised. “And there’ll be plenty more in the future. Just... everyone I love needs to be among them, because to me, the world’s only worth saving because they are in it. Now, you’ll have to excuse us.” As she apologised and stepped aside and we ourselves left, heading to the other building, Shiro spoke up.

“That’s basically the answer to your current problem, Aki. Don’t overthink it, and communicate honestly, and you’ll find the answers. Shit, it’s been really annoying watching you flail about on it. Eri’s no less in love with you than any of us, and she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to hold onto that. Now...”

There were some smartly dressed people waiting outside, faces wearing a mixture of relieved and aghast expressions. I expected they were important Koreans, and Hinata seemed to agree, as she greeted them in English. She nodded to us to go on ahead, and we entered inside. Soon we reached a private room where Kim Eui was sitting on a bed, blanket pulled up around her shoulders, covering her body, and two people who looked like older versions of her, the woman pretty, the man handsome. They were looking sympathetically at her, speaking rapidly in Korean, but as they spoke Kim Eui’s facial expression grew gloomier. She spoke back sharply, and her mother looked sad, while her father clutched his forehead, exasperated. He said something back, and she barked out a short phrase, before seeing us arriving, and lapsing into English.

“I don’t want to dad, I told you! I can’t face people right now, but... I don’t want to just hide away either!”

Her parents seemed a bit puzzled, addressing her, but she ignored their words, until her mother finally switched to passable English too.

“Eui, my poor girl, why are we suddenly speaking English...” She suddenly realised we were here and tugged on her husband’s sleeve. They turned, him frowning at us outsiders being here and listening to their private family business, and Kim Eui spoke up.

“It’s because I want them involved. They... they were the ones who came to save us, who saved me.” Her tone was trembling, and Haru smiled, letting a little soothing light leak from her hands, and Kim Eui shuddered, her expression softening.

“It’s all right, Eui...” Haru addressed her in the familiar way she had asked us to when we first met, perhaps as she saw a lot of herself in the girl. “We’re here.” She turned to the parents and bowed deeply. “I’m Suzuki Haru, I work for the Japanese government, in charge of the rescue operation from our end, and I’m also... the mental healer? A sort of psychologist, I suppose.” She laughed self-deprecatingly.

“I see. All this talk of magic and impossible things dismays us.” Kim Eui’s father frowned, and his wife nodded. “It’s hard to believe, but unfortunately it seems to be true.” He glanced at us, wary. “I thank you for helping save Eui, but this is a Kim family matter. We will find her suitable help for her ailments, so your help is not needed.”

Kim Eui’s mother reached for her soothingly, but Kim Eui batted her away. The mother recoiled, hurt, and spoke again in Korean, getting no response, before, with a resentful look at us, she switched to English again. “It’s all right, my dear Eui, it’s over now. We’ll get you the care you need, and no matter what you’ve done, what’s been done to you, we’ll get through this together.”

Good sentiments. Her parents do care for her. Kim Eui felt the same, even if she was clearly worried what her parents would think of her. She squeezed shut her eyes, only for her mother to continue speaking. “It’s going to be hard to go to school for a while, and... your reputation would suffer, so it’s best to keep you at home, but... we’re your parents, dear Eui, and we love you. It doesn’t matter if you’re stained or dirty, we’ll always be your parents and...”

Kim Eui tensed, as did I. That’s exactly the wrong thing to say, but it’s exactly what Kim Eui feared. I opened my mouth to rebut that, but Haru was faster, her eyes flashing with anger. “Eui isn’t dirty!” Haru spat vehemently, though her hands were trembling again. “You’re her parents, you should understand that!”

“But she... she did things, and killed people, she told us.” Her father said, confused by Haru’s sudden temper. “Society won’t accept that, accept her...”

“I... I’m glad to be home.” she managed, before her reddened eyes erupted in tears, and for a while they held each other, sobbing, finally true emotions on display, not the wary dance of misunderstanding and self-loathing. We should give them a minute...

********

“I’m sorry you had to witness something so undignified.” Eui’s father said solemnly after they calmed down.

“No, it’s fine. If anything, I’m happy that you worked it out. The one thing I can’t stand is those idiots who think that their daughter, sister, lover is ruined, just because of some misfortune or evil.” I said firmly.

“I understand. I’ll never say such again.” He said, and his wife nodded, while Eui looked on, more composed, as if she had made up her mind on something. “But...” he continued. “We weren’t lying or mistaken when we said this will cause a massive problem within the upper echelons of Korea. Eui is going to be attacked, hated, and the blame will spread...”

“Let them talk. But I don’t want to be a burden to you, mom, dad.” Eui took a deep breath, before looking at Haru and me. “If I was to work for you, you wouldn’t let people talk badly about me, would you?”

“Whether you work for us or not, I’ll be more than happy to tell the truth and praise your survival.” I promised, and Haru agreed.

“It’s not a matter of that, it’s a matter of what’s right. But... it certainly would be easier to brush aside criticism if you were under our protection. And besides, I’m not lying when I say I need help. Akio-kun is a slavedriver!” She looked at me sideways, though her smile was amused. “It seems we’ll be setting up a presence in Korea anyway, so it’s not like you’d have to emigrate. It’s a job with great prospects.”

“I’ll do it.” Eui agreed. “I’ll damn well do it!” At her parents’ shocked looks, she giggled, and looked her age for a moment. “Sorry, my language got filthier as I survived. Swearing and cursing made me feel better briefly. It’s hard to go back to the elegant way I spoke before.”

“So, just what does this entail?” her mother asked. “I don’t want my Eui to suffer anymore!”

“Mostly administrative work. You’ll need to learn Japanese, though we do a lot of our communications in English, which you’re rather fluent in, so while you learn we can make it work. In addition... basic training in how to use aether and elements. Magic, basically.” Haru said, and Eui looked interested.

“Wait, it can be learned?” her mother asked, and I took over.

“In theory yes, anyone can learn, though it’s far from easy.” If an ordinary person ran through the sort of aether-raising exercises I did at the start, it might work even without the sort of aid Shaeula gave my sis and Eri. Though I suspect it’d take a long time and the resulting Chakra network would be trash. Although as the overall ether density of the Material increases, I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes much easier, and the results more impressive. “But then, we’re not an ordinary group. Rest assured, we could make it happen for Eui. I’m not saying she’ll be able to match the Chae twins, or us, but... enhancements to overall strength, speed, intelligence and reaction times, as well as a little something for self-defence... yeah, no problem for us.”

“It’s not an opportunity mere money can buy.” Shiro joined in. “Aki’s pretty much got a monopoly on it. Only his friends and family and those who work with us have access. It’s a great deal. But in exchange, you’ll have to work hard.” She told Eui, who nodded.

“I always did what I had to do at Choe-Museon. My grades weren’t the top of my class, but I was always near the top. And...” she swallowed. “...I’m not the naïve and innocent girl I was before all this. I know the dark side of life. I won’t shy away from it.”

“In that case...” Haru and I both agreed. “Welcome aboard, Kim Eui!”

As Eui looked down shyly, a small, weak smile on her face, her father looked at me, troubled. “Are you sure? I mean... we’re grateful you are thinking of our daughter.” His wife nodded beside him. “But... she’s still just a girl in school...”

“Just like me. Hinata-chan’s even younger.” My sis chimed in. “If you’ve got the drive, you’re old enough to seize your own destiny. Besides... anyone who goes through something like Eui-chan...” my sis gave her a Japanese honorific. “...isn’t someone ordinary.”

“It’ll look very good on her resume, having worked with Akio-kun here.” Haru persisted with a bright smile. “And I think both of us can help each other... recover.”

Eui nodded slowly. “I... don’t want to bring up your bad memories, but... if I could talk to you about it? And maybe those others you mentioned? Asha and Hyacinth?”

“Just Asha. Hyacinth... she doesn’t want to remember. And I respect that.” I insisted, and Eui nodded. Seeing that, her parents exchanged a look, before agreeing.

“If it’s what you want, Eui... we support you. But we realise our mistake. You nearly died away from home, out of our reach. We don’t want you separated from us again.” Her father said, and her mother followed up.

“Yes, please, stay with us. We promise we’ll try and understand what you went through, and we won’t judge, and we won’t let anyone else, either!”

“Mom, dad!” Eui said, touched.

“Is there... anything we can do to support her?” her father asked us. “We’re grateful, for everything. For the life of our precious daughter. But we’d feel so wretched if we can’t be of help to her now...”

“In that case, I suggest speaking to Hinata-chan.” Haru explained. “She’ll be extracting as much political gain and support from the families of those we rescued as we can get away with. If you want to make your daughter’s future a brilliant one, I’m sure we can come to some arrangement, but...” she looked at me, waiting for me to speak.

“Don’t worry. We’ll be sure to look after her, and as Haru says, if you work with us, you’re our precious ally, and we never abandon them or let them come to harm. It’s not just a job, but... a way of life?” I said a bit uncertainly, and Shiro laughed loudly.

“Sure, Aki. He makes it sound so dramatic. But he’s not wrong...” she snorted, and as we exchanged laughter talk turned to the specifics...

********

The door opened, and Yu-mi came in, followed by Hinata. Seeing us all talking, the atmosphere far calmer, Hinata spoke. “Everything’s taken care of then?”

“I would speak to you, regarding making provision for our Eui’s living expenses and other matters...” Eui’s father said, and Hinata nodded, suddenly all business.

“That’s excellent. But before that...” She gestured, and another girl entered the room. On seeing us, Eri gave a bright smile, the long and heavy-looking wooden box in her arms being carried with the sort of ease her frame shouldn’t have allowed, barring her enhanced abilities. “Delivered as promised.”

“I’m here.” Eri agreed. “I’m glad to see everyone isn’t hurt. Not that I doubted our preparations.” She addressed my sis then, checking she hadn’t caused any trouble, and as they bickered happily, Yu-mi came over to me, exchanging a nod with Eui politely.

“So, as promised, we’ve brought over your girlfriend... no, your fiancée, right?” At my nod, she continued. “So, just leave everything to me. I’ve got it all planned out. Besides, I think you could do with having some fun. This couldn’t have been easy.”

It wasn’t, it most certainly wasn’t. Seeing the remains of young men and women, the age of my sister and the others, having to fight an insane girl... but... I looked over at Eri, whose smile broadened, her black eyes looking into mine, and I nodded. Everyone’s right. I have changed, everyone’s changed. But at my core I still can’t stop worrying about Eri, just like when we were kids. But she’s not a child any longer, and neither am I. It’s time to face reality head on, for good or for ill...