Chapter 45 - Circle

Try to draw a circle around your world.

The circle represents you,

So you fill it with all the groups you belong to.

This would have been him, his circle is crowded, but it's filled with unnecessary words that hold no meaning to him. It's probably not going to mean anything to anyone but you. He could probably keep thinking of more off the top of his head. Not to brag or anything, though. But it's just that one group turns into two, and then into more than you can count right?

And you call the people in those group your 'friends.'

So what would he write in that circle now?

...

He was within a few distances from the clock tower - when he saw his Master on the other rooftop. So Katakura made his way there.

A certain blonde hair boy lets out a massive sigh as his gaze landed on the scene below him. Akito had finished kissing Setsura.

Since Setsura had been fainting a lot, he had been getting ready to step in and intervene if necessary, yet once he heard the words ', I accept this fate.'

Katakura knew that he wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Even so Stesura, you are way too kind during situations like this. Though he had stood by her side last year, he ensured that it wasn't too close. So that she wouldn't notice, " Hey hey King, is this okay? This sort of situation. It's like he's able to manipulate her now!" he said in a sing-song voice, to the person beside him wearing a cloak.

Yet his gaze read nothing but seriousness, Oslo clearly could see through that. " There's nothing I can do about this situation."

" Lie, your lying." Katakura didn't have to use his eye powers to know that Master was lying. After all, it was something everyone knows, if Oslo were to show up in front of her now. Then Setsura will surely go to him without hesitation. " It's obvious for one. You don't have a heart at times, though. Setsura over there has been longing for you to the point that she's allowed other guys to touch her, to fill that void."

As he said that, he notices Oslo flinch. Well, at least he isn't too oblivious. "It's up to you, King. However, they're close, you know? She's closest with this team then the rest. That guy will get his turn eventually. The guy who was the least likely one to be with her will get a real chance," Katakura suddenly leaned forward, " Can you keep this up any longer Master Oslo?"

"….If I show up now. It'll end up as a tragedy, that's why there's no need for it."

A tragedy, huh?

"Someone's become fond of Shakespeare, I see," Katakura sighed. "Master Oslo, if you were going to leave things to me. Why did you show up?"

Before he could even get a response, he feels a sudden hit to his head. Only to find that the culprit was none other than his partner, Seno Sakano. Black long hair, with an eye patch on his eye.

"Sakano you shouldn't hit an idol's head so easily."

"Tough, quit teasing Master."

"Showing up afterward means you didn't want to see either," Katakura whistles, "Sakano is sensitive after all." That sentence earned the black hair boy's blade inches away from his throat.

"Katakura, that's enough."

He smiled when the person stepped out of view, wearing a blue uniform. "Cynthia, your looking good in the blues uniform."

His sister sighed and shook her head as she stepped over to the railing area where Master was looking. As she clicked her tongue, " I don't agree with this situation either. But it can't be helped. You all knew this would happen if you made them meet again."

Oslo sighed, "I know, and it's not like I'm bothered."

"Why are you guys here anyway?"

"There's an inter dimension time war - and we simply dropped by to check on her," Sakano's gaze fell on Setsura who Akito was placing a blanket on. "But really, with the way he treats her. Won't it be a matter of time before she finds out?" Out of the rest of them, Sakano was the only one who didn't interact with Setsura.

Inter dimension time war? "Which time?"

"Taisho."

"And..."

Katakura blinked, realizing, "Between this one?"

"That's why I said we should check on you."

"I see, but there is no need. I can handle this alone." Besides, it's not like this is his first-ever job. Just because he hasn't had a job in a long time, doesn't mean he's suddenly incapable of working.

When he closes his eyes, he can still see it so very clearly.

The dark grey skies. With the sun barricaded so heavily, it seemed almost as if night had fallen over the village early. Although the locals were used to it. The darkness of this place had shrouded most of their lives. Over the years, they had grown accustomed to having it dark. But he always thought there was something wrong with that. How could anybody get used to such a dark and depressing world?

Occasionally the sun did shine through. Bit those days were rare, and rather than be happy about it. People would feel more miserable on those days since it reminded them what they were missing out. Despite their misery, they would throw parties - and everybody would get together.

The children would play in the small park until the sky grew dark. Women and men would run around in their different groups and chat. Most would not see this as a party, but to the people of the gloomy little village, it was. It was a small, rare escape from the darkness of real-life problems. It was an escape. But, Katakura always knew that even those fleeting moments of happiness would vanish. Why would it remain?

Even though there was seldom any sunlight in that place, he could still clearly remember the scenery, the mountain, and trees to the south and a coast at their back. It was a rural area; the men in town would go to other cities to fish and forage for food. The snow in that place was very heavy. While other people would stay at home to take care of their children, some slaved away for food. People who starved and got hurt to bring back food for their families.

Whenever Katakura thought about it, a bitter feeling would emerge in his heart. He experienced such a harsh life before he became a guardian. Where were the protectors of the world when people like him were suffering? Why did they come out only when everything was over?

"Katakura?" Sakano called out.

"What is it?"

Sakano looked like he wanted to say something, but Oslo stopped him. "I think we should head back. Katakura, if you need anything, drop a call."

"Yes, yes."

"Big brother," Cynthia called out.

Katakura looked over, and suddenly his sister hugged him, "Cynthia?"

"Please be careful."

His gaze softened at her words, "I'll be okay; your big brother is stronger now."