Shinjitsu o motomeru (Seeking truth)

Seiryu and Reiji were on their way to Tokyo. Seiryu had once lived in the city, but due to his parents' project, they had to moved away. It had been five years since he last lived in Tokyo, and now he was returning. As the train chugged through the city, Seiryu couldn't help but notice how much the city had changed. The developments were overwhelming, and he was taken aback by how much the landscape had transformed in just five short years. Reiji, on the other hand, wasn't as surprised—he was far more familiar with the place. After a long journey, they finally reached Tokyo.

"Here we are, Seiryu. Come help me with the luggage," Reiji said, lifting his bag as they stepped off the train.

Seiryu, his gaze wandering over the city, barely heard him. His presence—tall, handsome, with white hair—had already drawn attention from the passersby. He wasn't used to this kind of attention, but it was sure that his striking appearance made a significant impression.

They took a cab to Reiji's place, and after a short ride, they arrived.

Closing the cab door behind them, Reiji grinned. "Here we are, Seiryu. I hope my place doesn't disappoint your expectations."

Seiryu, still looking around the area, smiled softly. "No, it's not like that, Uncle. I love the place."

Reiji led him inside. "This might be a small room for you, but it's the only room we have left."

"It's okay. I can manage," Seiryu replied, nodding.

"Alright then, Get your things settled. I'll be making dinner," Reiji said, heading to the kitchen.

"Got it!" Seiryu said, unloading his luggage. As he unpacked, his eyes fell upon some files that didn't belong to him. His curiosity piqued, he began flipping through them. He recognized the papers—these were the documents related to his parents' project. How did they end up here?

Before he could dive deeper, Reiji appeared in the doorway. Seiryu quickly hid the files, trying to act casual.

"Did you finish arranging your things?" Reiji asked.

Seiryu hesitated. "Uh, yeah… yeah, I will in a minute."

"Okay, once you're done, come downstairs for dinner, alright?"

Seiryu nodded, not quite meeting his uncle's gaze. "Okay, I will."

After carefully stashing the files in a safe place, Seiryu finished organizing his room and made his way downstairs. Dinner was waiting.

"So, Seiryu," Reiji began as they sat down to eat, "I want you to stay focused on your studies. I want you to join high school, get a proper education, and follow the path I think your parents would have wanted for you."

Seiryu nodded thoughtfully. "I will. First, I'll meet up with some old friends, and then I'll decide where I want to study."

"That sounds good. But don't delay, alright? I need your decision in a few days."

Seiryu sighed softly, his mind still lingering on the mysterious files. "Okay."

After dinner, Seiryu retreated to his room, locking the door behind him. He sat on his bed and slowly opened the files. "Project Meta", As he read, he learned more about the secret project his parents had been working on—one that aimed to unlock the hidden potentials of humanity. The files were only from the early stages, and there were no details on whether the project had succeeded.

"A project that could change the world forever…" Seiryu muttered to himself, his curiosity growing. What had they been working on? Had it succeeded? But there were no answers, only more questions.

A part of him wanted to share this with Reiji, but another part of him—an inner voice—told him it was not a good idea. So, he kept the secret, closing the files and lying down on his bed. His mind raced with questions as he drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, after a quiet breakfast, Reiji left for work. He told Seiryu to meet up with his old friends to help clear his mind and keep himself busy. Seiryu agreed, his heart heavy but determined. He, too, had planned to meet someone today—his childhood friend, Haruto.

Seiryu strolled down the familiar roads of Shibuya, the town just as mesmerizing in the daylight as it had been at night. The bustling streets, the rhythmic hum of life—it all felt so nostalgic. He decided to stop by his old middle school, hoping to reconnect with the teachers who had watched him grow.

As Seiryu walked into the school building, he was greeted by Ryoko, one of his former teachers.

"Seiryu! How have you been? You came back to Tokyo?" Ryoko's face brightened as he spotted Seiryu. "How's everyone at home?"

Seiryu smiled faintly, but there was sadness in his eyes. "Yes, sir. I'm living in Tokyo now… My parents were killed in an accident, so I'm currently staying with my uncle."

Ryoko's face softened. "I'm so sorry to hear that. Can I help you in any way?"

"Actually," Seiryu hesitated before continuing, "Do you remember Haruto? My best friend? Do you know where he lives now?"

Ryoko nodded immediately. "Of course I remember. You two were inseparable back in school. I'll get you his address."

Seiryu's heart lightened a bit as Ryoko left to retrieve the information. Haruto and Seiryu had been close since childhood, and even though Seiryu had transferred schools, he never stopped thinking about his old friend. Their bond had been unbreakable—until Seiryu had to leave, and their communication faded. The thought of seeing Haruto again brought a sense of longing, a yearning for the days when everything had been simpler.

A few moments later, Ryoko returned with the address. "Here you go. I hope this helps."

"Thank you, sir. I really appreciate it," Seiryu said, bowing before heading out. The streets of Shibuya felt different now—more distant, yet filled with memories. The scent of takoyaki in the air reminded him of the fun days he had shared with Haruto, of their little adventures together. The thought made him smile, even though it was bittersweet.

Finally, he reached the address Ryoko had given him. He rang the doorbell and waited anxiously. A few moments later, the door swung open, and there stood Haruto, his eyes wide with shock.

"Seir… Seiryu?" Haruto stammered, disbelief in his voice. "Is that really you?"

Tears welled up in Seiryu's eyes as he saw his friend standing there before him. His heart raced with emotion, and before he knew it, he was crying.

"Come in, come in!" Haruto said, pulling Seiryu inside. "I can't believe it's you. I thought we'd never see each other again. I tried reaching out, but you never answered."

"I was scared, Haruto," Seiryu admitted, his voice thick with emotion.

Haruto, concerned, quickly went to the kitchen. "Let me get you something to drink."

Seiryu nodded, trying to calm himself as he took a seat. When Haruto returned with two cups of tea, they sat in silence for a moment, allowing the reunion to sink in.

"So, you're back in town?" Haruto finally asked.

"I had to come back," Seiryu replied quietly. "My parents… they're gone. I'm living with my uncle now."

Haruto's expression softened. "I'm really sorry, Seiryu."

Seiryu smiled faintly, Haruto not wanting to delve deeper quickly changed the subject. "Let's go for a walk. We shall relive some of our old memories."

Haruto agreed, and together, they walked through the town, passing the places that had once been so familiar. The takoyaki shop they used to visit, the middle school where they'd spent so many hours together, the hilltop where they'd gazed out over the city—the memories flooded back, each one more touching than the last.

They reached the top of a skyscraper, where the view of the Tokyo skyline was breathtaking, especially as the sun began to set. Haruto turned to Seiryu, breaking the silence.

"So, where are you thinking of studying? Have you decided yet?"

Seiryu hesitated, his thoughts still tangled. "Actually, I wanted to discuss it with you."

Haruto smiled and pointed to a distant building. "Why don't you join Hoshikawa? It's where I've been studying. The atmosphere is great, and it offers plenty of opportunities for scholarships. Look, that's the school."

Seiryu followed his friend's finger, his gaze landing on the sprawling campus. "I'll take a look about it and will tell you by tomorrow."

Haruto nodded, his expression sincere. "I think it's a great choice."

The two exchanged contact numbers before parting ways. Seiryu's mind was racing as he returned home, thinking about the school and the new chapter of his life that was about to begin.

That evening, Seiryu returned home with a new sense of clarity. He had enjoyed the walk with Haruto, and their conversation had helped him gather his thoughts. But now, with the prospect of his future ahead of him, Seiryu felt a mix of excitement and uncertainty.

Reiji had already come home by the time Seiryu arrived. "Welcome home, Seiryu," he greeted, his voice warm. "I hope you had a good time with your friend."

"I did," Seiryu replied with a small smile. "We talked a lot, and I think I've made my decision."

"Good," Reiji said, clearly eager to know what Seiryu had decided. "So, what's it going to be?"

"I've decided to join Hoshikawa," Seiryu announced confidently.

Reiji's face lit up with approval. "That's a great choice. I had a feeling you'd pick that one. I didn't want to interfere with your decision, but I'm glad to hear it."

"Yeah, I think it's the right fit," Seiryu agreed, feeling a weight lifted off his shoulders. "I'll need to go to the school tomorrow to finalize everything."

"Of course," Reiji said. "We'll take care of the admission process together. I'm proud of you for making this decision."

As Seiryu prepared dinner for the evening, he felt a sense of pride in his decision. It wasn't an easy choice, but it was his own. He wanted to make his parents proud, but more than that, he wanted to carve out a future for himself.

Once dinner was ready, Seiryu set the table, and when Reiji joined him, they sat down to eat. Reiji was immediately impressed by the food. "This is amazing, Seiryu," he said, savoring a bite. "You really know how to cook."

"Thank you, Uncle," Seiryu replied with a grin. "I'm glad you like it."

As they ate, the conversation turned back to the topic of school. Reiji looked at Seiryu with a serious expression. "So, have you thought about what comes next after you start school? It's not just about studying—you'll have to face many challenges, many hurdles along the way."

Seiryu nodded thoughtfully. "I know. But I'm ready for them. I'm not going to let anything stop me from reaching my goal."

Reiji smiled. "That's the spirit. I'm sure you'll do great."

After dinner, Seiryu went upstairs to his room and sat in front of his parents' picture. He gazed at their smiling faces, feeling both comforted and determined. "I'm going to start my new student life," he whispered to the picture. "I know there will be many hurdles, but I will face them head-on. I won't give up. I'll reach my goal, no matter what."

He heads to the bed. That night, Seiryu had a strange dream. He found himself strapped to a bed, his body immobilized. He looked around in panic and saw several figures in white coats moving toward him. They held a needle in their hands, and Seiryu's heart raced as they tried to inject something into him. He struggled against the restraints, but they were too strong. His efforts were in vain. A sharp pain shot through him as the needle pierced his skin.

"No!" Seiryu screamed, but his voice was muffled by the restraints. He thrashed in desperation, but the figures remained calm, unfazed.

Then, without warning, Seiryu woke up with a jolt. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body covered in sweat. He glanced around the room, still disoriented. The moonlight filtered through the window, casting long shadows on the walls. It was dark and silent, but the unsettling feeling lingered.

"What was that?" Seiryu muttered to himself, his heart still pounding in his chest. He couldn't shake the feeling that the dream was more than just a nightmare. But what did it mean? And why had it come to him now?

Shaking off the unease, Seiryu tried to calm himself. He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. It was just a dream, he told himself. But even as he tried to reassure himself, he couldn't escape the feeling that something more sinister was lurking beneath the surface.

The next day, Seiryu and Reiji went to Hoshikawa to complete the admission process. The school's campus was impressive, and the vice principal who greeted them was warm and welcoming.

"I hope you have a fulfilling student life here," the vice principal said, extending a hand to Seiryu. "Welcome to Hoshikawa."

"Thank you," Seiryu replied, smiling. "I'm looking forward to starting here."

With the formalities out of the way, Seiryu and Reiji returned home. As they entered the house, Reiji grinned. "It's a day to celebrate! How about we go out for dinner tonight?"

Seiryu couldn't help but smile. "Yes! Let's go, Uncle. I'm ready for a good meal."

They went to a nearby café, the view of the Tokyo night lights stretching out before them. The city looked beautiful from up high, the twinkling lights like stars scattered across the dark canvas of the night. They enjoyed their meal, and Seiryu found himself talking freely with Reiji, laughing and sharing stories.

As they finished their dinner, Seiryu found himself thinking about the past. He remembered the times when he'd gone out with his parents, but he had never fully appreciated those moments. He had always been too focused on other things, never truly present. Now, as he sat there with his uncle, he promised himself that he would cherish the moments he had, no matter how small.

Seiryu's college life was about to begin, and with it, a new set of challenges and hurdles. But Seiryu was determined. He wouldn't be defeated. He would face everything head-on and move forward, no matter what.