Chapter 102: Chapter 102 Awoken and Resolved.

"What crazy lines are you saying right now?".

Soma, who couldn't believe his ears, heard the word, not to trust Martial Saint, who is always helping him in times of crisis and giving him incredible power. This conversation was truly meaningless.

The devil bent his lips up and rounded his eyes, feeling bored hearing the replies from Soma. He raised himself and now sits in mid-air, ignoring the physics law.

"Well, that is all I want to tell you. Now go, leave this place. I want to continue my rest".

Finished with his business, the devil opened his mouth wide, covering it using his right hand, stifling a yawn. The devil's body turned flaccid before it turned into black smoke that floated in mid-air, leaving Soma alone to frown in the dark place.

Soma, who watched the devil disappear, began to cover his mouth, deep in his thoughts. He still didn't understand what the devil was trying to say to him. But, at the same time, he also began to recall the conversation with Martial Saint that told him not to take the devil's word seriously.

However, deep down, there is something that is bugging him, something that started to sprout recently that was caused by his uncontrollable thoughts.

While deep in thought, Soma didn't realize that his body had started to turn transparent, and when it had already reached his hand, it was within sight. Soma sighed and surrendered himself before being swallowed by darkness again.

Hina sat quietly on the stiff, steel chair the hospital provided. She tensed her body as her gaze fixed on the figure of a black-haired boy lying on the hospital bed, Soma. Her hands were clasped tightly in her lap.

Soma, who still hasn't regained consciousness from the afternoon time, brings forth a sense of helplessness within her. Hina has already heard all the details from her parents about the chasing earlier. While they were currently doing the procedure for hospital care, Hina is the one who currently took care of Soma.

A wire plastered on his gradually rising chest and the monitor screen that monitors his heartbeat vividly as if to remind her that he is still here with her.

"Soma".

Hina softly uttered those names as if her voice could awaken him from his rest. She raised herself from the seat and closed her distance with Soma, standing beside the bed. Looking at his current figure. Her heart started to throb in pain, reminiscing the earlier event.

While Soma and his parents chase after the demon, disguised as an ordinary woman, Hina can only sit back and wait, obeying her parents' instruction, for she believes that no matter what happens, they will return just fine. She believes in that. However, after waiting for a while, all of a sudden, a call from her parents informed Hina that they were currently in hospital.

Hina's heart cracked, and her world was crumbling as she lost strength on her body, seeing Soma, lying on the hospital bed, unconscious.

She extended her right hand and grasped his warm hand on her while interlocking their finger dearly. Stifling between a sob, Hina opened her mouth.

"Why? ...Why are you always so reckless?".

Hina heard everything from her parents. Including the identity of the demon they were chasing. It seems the woman being chased was, in fact, The demon who almost killed them at that time if Soma did not interfere. She expressed her surprise by knitting her brows while listening to the continuation of the story.

After listening to it thoroughly, she starts to wonder? Why did Soma try so hard just to save someone the first time they met? What kind of drive pushed him to do that?

"Why are you sacrifice so much for us?"

The room door slides to the side as the two figures who finished with the procedure enter inside. Hisako, who approached the bed, witnessed her daughter's fingers interlocking with Soma, which usually invited her to tease her darling daughter. But She didn't have the urge to do so, looking at the unconscious Soma and her sobbing daughter.

Hiroshi, who closed the door, joined the group and stood beside her wife. Then, feeling the presence of warmth beside her, Hisako leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Mom, Dad, how was the procedure going?".

Hina, who noticed the duo, opened her mouth, still keeping her gaze on Soma.

"It's finished".

"We just need to wait for him to wake up and will decide the rest later".

As Hiroshi finishes his words, it also acts like a cue. Soma's left hand was interlocking with Hina's twitched. It stiffened Hina's body while she bend her body forward and clenched their locking hands.

"Soma?!".

Her parents noticed the commotion. They closed the distance with the bed, standing beside Hina. A faint groan escaped Soma's lips as his shut eyes gradually opened before they opened fully.

"Where am I?".

"Soma".

Hina brought Soma's hands closer to her chest, and it managed to turn Soma's attention to her.

"Hina? Miss Hisako and Mr Hiroshi".

"Yes, how was your condition?".

Hisako detached her head before leaning closer while supporting herself with her hands resting on the bedside.

"I am fine".

Soma exhaled, then tensed his body before raising himself to sit. There is no discomfort, so he manages to sit properly.

"Are you alright?".

Hina, who noticed his intention with her hands still locked, helped Soma to a sitting position.

"Yeah, I am the epitome of health itself. Thanks, Hina".

"...Don't mention it!".

Soma sighed, and then his thoughts started to wander. His eyes were unfocused, staring at a distant point beyond the window beside him where the horizon met the night sky. The Akabane family saw him perfectly still, yet a storm of thoughts swirled inside his brain.

Memories from his distant past in this world and from another world collide with each other, creating a chaotic ambiance that seeks salvation. In his mind, he began to revise all of the memories that the person named Soma currently shared.

He felt a gaze from beside him filled with worry, seeing him in an absentminded state. Soma glanced at the source and saw Hina, whose eyes turned misty, holding back tears. Hisako and Hiroshi looked upon him tenderly as if they were worried about their son. Soma smiled wryly and then opened his mouth, trying to convey his well-being, but no words dared to come out.

"...Soma?".

"What is it, Soma?".

"...".

Hina, Hisako, and Hiroshi each express their worry at seeing Soma halted speech. Soma turns his gaze down, for his mind is in shambles, and he is trying to fix the situation by regulating his breath. But, not that helps him in any situation. His chaotic thoughts began to affect his outer appearance.

"Soma! Oi, Soma?!".

As the person who was watching him closer, Hina noticed the change in Soma. His eyes turn lifeless, devoid of any light, and he seems to lose his sense of hearing even after he is being yelled at. She yanked their connected hands to bring him to the surface.

"Ah? What happened?".

[Extra skill Puppeteer activated]

The light that vanished from Soma's eyes returned and showed his will. He was disturbed by the sight before him, watching Hina was on the verge of crying, and her parents, who saw him, with knitted brows.

"I am sorry. It seems I was a bit distracted".

"Are you truly okay?".

"Yeah, I...".

Soma hesitated for a bit to speak out, however, after he thinks about it deeply. The secret and the problem he faces should it be good for him to solve it on his own?

Ever since he came to this world, which has been led by a certain being in the hand of a skill to this far, he always tries to face his problems alone and even involves another person in it, yet keeps the involved people in the dark.

Currently, the story progresses dangerously upon entering the school arc. Soma, with that attitude, tries to solve everything on his own. Can he survive and protect what he wants to protect? He looked toward the trio and once again realized that these people had much more strength and connection than himself. Also, one of them could turn into a powerhouse as the story progresses if she survives. Sёarch* The NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Soma then saw himself upon what choice he should take from here.

"...Ahaha, actually I am not, okay".

Without realizing it, his mouth opened on his own. Soma scratched his cheeks while letting out a dry laugh, turning his gaze to the trio. The Akabane trio opened their eyes wide, seeing Soma, whose eyes turned misty and gave a restrained smile.

Soma's lips soon parted wide, showing his teeth. "I should rely more on people around me". The stuff about trying to get stronger to survive in this world was nothing, but some sort of escapism he had at first came to this world. He became aware of it after knowing the true identity of the skill he received from the author who sent him here.

The skill helps him a lot, and in his depressed state, it gives him a reason to move forward in the face of a danger that threatens his life. But after thinking it through, how can Soma have that much bravery when his life was spent living in peace?

After wondering for days, he also starts to try to change. The oath he took to get stronger and survive, is that directed to himself, or is there someone playing against his consciousness? So right now, he wants to properly face himself and try to face the new world he currently lives in. Forget about how to return and other things. First, he must face himself.

His lips soon spread, showing them an honest smile he rarely shows others.

Gradually, his chaotic mind started to collapse, and the fog of uncertainty in his heart was gone, replaced by a sheer determination that burned bright in his heart. He closed his eyes for a moment and opened it slowly while facing the trio.

"Would you listen to my story?".