Editing Kaze no Stigma:Volume5 Chapter 3 (section)

=== Part 4 ===





In the park a dry wind was blowing through, Kazuma was alone, looking up at the sky.

There wasn't anyone around.

As the <<Seeds>> given power by Pandemonium were loitering around, it produced a change in Shinjuku.

There were no more homeless people.

To such an extent that the wide park that always had a homeless community, was now completely empty. Of course, it wasn't the result of the metropolitan government.

They had literary been completely ''exterminated'' by the <<Seeds>>.

Right now various parks in Shinjuku were turned to battlefields for <<Seeds>>. 

As flying-about fireballs or electric shocks were hurting his eyes he immediately escaped to this place.

The number of people that stayed behind was big but they were dim-witted enough not to have a sense of danger. 

Those people that even at the best of times didn't show self-restraint have now obtained a power law cannot judge. 

No matter how the situation turns out, pondering about it doesn't amount to anything.

The result was that the homeless around Shinjuku were eradicated. But the parks became less accommodating for normal people than before. 

It's only natural. The <<Seeds>> were only fighting at night but there aren't any people who tread on the blood-stained pavement on their own accord.

"Well then........."

Looking up at the sky in the inhabited park Kazuma felt solitary.

Close to his field of vision the cherry trees were in full bloom. Right now they were blossoming in full glory but not one visitor came for cherry blossom viewing. 

It was a pretty queer spectacle. 

The cherry blossoms dyed light pink because dead bodies were buried at its roots - remembering that famous legend, his lips curved imperceptibly.

''"That means, next year they will bloom beautifully, I have no doubt. It's deplorable it won't be in time for this year"''

Embracing such black thought, Kazuma sharpened his consciousness.

Last night, exactly at this place, Nanase suddenly disappeared.

Space transfer. But, even for the net immediately stretched around ten kilometers in all four directions couldn't find Nanase's presence. If that's the case, it can be assessed she didn't return to the normal space. 

It's likely that Pandemonium was here somewhere, at the center of the Shinjuku Public Park. 

More accurately, somewhere in the hyperspace overlapping the park, quietly hiding itself.

He can't find the specific location but if he were to randomly cut all the space around here, he could eventually find it.  

Of course if he were to disturb the space construction to that extent the backlash would be amazing and so would be the damage to the surroundings but for Kazuma right now that's not something worth taking into account. 

But, Kazuma didn't take such drastic measures. 

A countermeasure for such a ''foul play'' route had surely been arranged. 

Even for Kazuma, releasing such a huge amount of power would be followed by the creation of a gap. 

It was a slight gap he didn't have to worry about with mediocre opponents but if he plays against Bernhardt that gap can become lethal.

"Geez, is the game not ending yet? Don't irritate me Bernhardt. If you put on too much airs..........you won't die easily...", he murmured full of hatred.

Forming swirls, the wind was scattering the sakura flowers.

Immediately following -

"Oi, he's here! This way! "

A crude shout violated the silence, followed by a clutter of footsteps. 

Five people appeared and encircled Kazuma, who didn't show any worth mentioning reaction. The sound of chewing gum resounded strangely offensive to the ear.

"We searched for you, <<Wind User>>"

One of the men started talking with a vulgar smile. Looking only for a second at the man without any kind of interest, Kazuma immediately returned his gaze to the cherry blossom overhead. 

As if he found some sort of entertainment in that reaction, the man laughed even louder. 

"Kee, you can't make eye contact because you're too scared, you worthless bastard. It's been said you hunt all <<Seeds>> but you probably use some unfair trick to fuck them, huh? "

As of now, the man who didn't see that five surrounding one was also cowardly made fun of Kazuma. Keeping in tune, the other four also raised loud laughter. 

"Do you want something? "

"''Do you want something?''. Yes, we do actually. Very important something. "

Repeating Kazuma's dull and interesting words, the man raised his middle finger. And then informed him.

"Die"

Moreover, he made the sign of slicing his throat with his thumb and sticking that finger out. 

"Die. Die and give me all you XP points. You were born only for that. Only to feed me!! "

The resounding scorn of the five part chorus. With woken-up eyes Kazuma turned to those men that didn't doubt their superiority.

"Did you say you searched for me? "

"Yeah. A mail came from Pandemonium yesterday. Saying that anyone who kills you receives a huge amount of XP. Although you don't seem all that much but - well, it seems like a bonus game. "

" - I see, a bonus game, huh? "

Tempted to laugh by the excessive black humor, Kazuma's shoulders shook.

He suddenly seized the truth of this man's words. The only wrong point was ''for whom'' was the bonus game but he will probably notice immediately.

"Whatever, if you say you'll give them to me, I'll take them. "

"Aaah? Are you still talking while half asleep, bastard? "

The man that still didn't notice he was a sacrificial pawn, was enraged by Kazuma's words. 

"I'm the one who'll take them! This <<Fang>>-sama will class change with the XP given by your death! Don't misunderstand your place! "

The man - <<Fang>> roared loudly and leaped, aiming at Kazuma. Slightly later, so were his comrades - or maybe his subordinates.

That was exactly the time when the footsteps of a new character resounded. 




A while ago - dragged like usual by Kanon and Serisawa, Ren was strolling in the Shinjuku Central Park. 

The rumor of <<Seeds>> ferociously exercising their authority in Shinjuku had no meaning for those fearless kids. Rather there was an atmosphere that made one believe they came because they expected something to happen.

"Then what? Does that mean the incident is not yet over? "

"Yeah.......we let the enemy escape and Onii-sama disappeared.........."

"Ren's Aniki, is that - "

"That really cool Onii-san!? "

"Aaah? "

Serisawa looked dubiously at Kanon, thrusting herself in their conversation. 

"Was he that cool? "

The point-blank image Serisawa had about Kazuma was ''<<a slacking playboy always laughing frivolously>>''. He heard that as a magic user his ability was high but it can't be helped, his attitude was beyond superficial.

"how to put this, that man seems totally laid back. "

"How stupid, isn't that fine? "

But it seems like Kanon's opinion was different.

"Creasing your brow and always looking like ''I'm mustering all my power!'' is ugly! Not showing mental strain even when risking one's life, that 's what it means being cool and composed in a life and death situation!"

"Is that how it is? "

Seeming reluctant to agree, Serisawa inclined his head to the side baffled. 

But, something came to his mind and he snickered while grinning. 

"But even so, you, it seems you're surprisingly pleased with Ren's aniki. How about you move on to him? "

"Don't say such stupid things. I'm all for Ren-kun. Besides, since Kazuma-san is his real brother, there's also the possibility Ren-kun will turn like that once he grows, right? "

Re agreed with a smiling face to Kanon's question. 

"That's right. Onii-sama is my aspiration, my landmark. I thinking of becoming just like Onii-sama someday. "

"Meaning playing hooky during work and being yelled at by Ayano-san? "

".......No, that bit is a little......."

As expected, he doesn't want to copy that. 

The survival capacity of continuing to have Enraiha trusted at him almost everyday but survive without injuries is worthy of praise but - he has the feeling that seems to serve a slightly different purpose.

" - well, leaving behind Onii-sama's temperament"

"Aah, yeah, you said he disappeared. What do you mean? "

In a casual manner - or not, anyway as Ren tried to change the subject, Kanon followed his lead. 

"Yeah, I think he's fine but I wonder why is he acting separately? "

''"He doesn't want to be found at the present, right? Or, he doesn't want others to get in the way? "''

Ren strongly negated Kirika's words resurrected in his ears.

''"Isn't that impossible? How can I get in his way? Besides - "

It's impossible for Kazuma to disappear in front of his eyes, without saying anything. Ren strongly believed so. 

This Kazuma is different from the one that left the Kannagi residence before. 

Kazuma right now is strong, and affectionate. It's impossible for him no to care about the sadness of the person left behind. 

''"There's definitely some reason why he didn't get in touch. That's obvious. "''

As if persuading himself, he repeated so in his heart. Many times over, many times over - 

"Ren - Hey, Ren! "

Before he knew it, Serisawa was calling his name in a fairly loud voice. 

"What happened? You were distracted. "

"Aah, yeah, I'm worried about Nii-sama"

"Worried? "

As if he heard something unexplainable, Serisawa was amazed. Ren nodded with a serious face.

"After all, it's different from just taking action separately, it's definitely strange he didn't even call. What if he can't move about because he's injured? "

With a sidelong glance at Ren, wholeheartedly worrying about his brother, Kanon and Serisawa exchanged glances. 

"Am I the only one thinking that Nii-chan would survive the destruction of mankind with calm face? "

"Ï have to agree despite myself. "

Ren glared at the two, reaching the same unfeeling agreement, pouting.

"That's not true. Even Onii-sama is not omnipotent. He's human so he can fail. "

"Well, that may be true. "

"It is", replied Ren in an unusually blunt tone. 

And then, pulling himself together he made a small nod and faced the two.

"Sorry. I don't really feel like hanging out today. I'm going home."

"..........yeah"

"I'm sorry. I forced you to come. "

"No, that's fine - "

Trying to apologize once more to the friends pitying him, Ren gulped down his words. 

As if covering for it, an angry voice could be heard from the middle of the park. 

"Just now - "

Gesturing Serisawa to silence his loud voice, he was all ears. It was certainly audible. Although he couldn't understand the details if the matter, from the strength of the tone it didn't seem like a proper conversation. 

The probability of finding ordinary people in Shinjuku at the present time was close to zero. It is possible a tourist may visit without knowing the situation but he would probably be frightened by the smell of blood soaked into the air and the bloodthirsty Kehai and retreat after advancing less that yen steps. 

Then, the owner of the voice - 

"What to do? "

Seeming to have reached the same conclusion, Serisawa asked in a hard voice. 

"Before he finds us - "

After beginning to say they should run, Ren promptly changed his mind. Right now he wanted information by any means. 

Those people with abilities making a ruckus inside had made a class change - and in addition to that, if there are people who made a class change at the new Pandemonium, he wanted to capture them by all means. 

"I'll look a little. If you want to follow be quiet. "

Without wasting time for persuasion, Ren started walking at a quick pace. Confirming the duo who obviously followed him near his field of vision, he sharpened his sensitivity even more. 

He immediately found a mark. 

Without caring about public notice, at the center of his path, the presence of an impressive fighting scene was scattering. 

Five men were surrounding another. But the moment he saw the face of the surrounded man, Ren's anxiety was turned to compassion for the five men. 

Depending on numbers, they showed grins full of composure but - 

"Nii-sa......."

The moment Ren began starting so, the fire men moved simultaneously. At the same time the man in the middle released his power. 

The whirlwind that seemed to crawl on earth altogether broke the knees on those five men when they threw  - no, when they tried to throw themselves upon him. 

As if stuck by a car, the bodies of those men danced in midair. 

Ren clearly saw their joints of their feet bent the other way. 

Five serial falling sounds. Later by one beat, the shrieks of five vocal cords unpleasant to hear resounded far and wide. 

The man standing still at the center of it, leisurely turned around. 

Those dark pupils seized Ren, standing rock still in blank amazement. 

"Ren? "

"...............nii,sama"

Dumbfounded, nothing but dumbfounded, Ren continued to stare at the man - the brother he respected and loved, Kazuma.

''"Who.......is he........"'', he thought so, partly serious. 

The man standing in front of his eyes was a completely different person from the Kazuma Ren knew. 

That always present cheerful and fearless smile completely vanished without a trace. 

That gloomy, bleak Kehai made Ren sharply catch his breath and Serisawa and Kanon hid behind him with stiff faces. 

"Why, are you here? "

Without caring about their reaction, Kazuma's words were reprimanding. 

"It dangerous around here. It's not a place for kids to loiter around. It will become safe very soon, so wait - "

Interrupting his words, he looked to the right. Ren followed his example.

The silhouette of a man trying to crawl along came into view. The <<Fang>> with smashed knees - Ren didn't know that name, but even so he was frantically crawling on the ground trying to run away from this place.

"Where are you going? "

Kazuma casually released the wind. The air cannonball shot out and hit the ground near the <<Fang>>, his body blown off by impact.

The <<Fang>> crashed into the trees with splendid force and fell to the ground as if gliding on the tree trunks. 

Stepping up to the place he fell, Kazuma kicked the <<Fang>> lying upside down and turned him him over. 

And then, his feet stepped with all his strength on that stomach. 

"Guaaaaah! "

From <<Fang>>'s mouth, a mixture of screams and blood cloths gushed out. 

Without caring about that, Kazuma fired another hit. 

"Ni - Nii-sama! What are you doing!? "

Kazuma answered that Ren's dry shout, his facial expression changed, as a matter of course.

"I'm trying to pull out information about Pandemonium......? "

"E- even so, using this sort of method.......you don't know whether or not he has that information! "

"He has it"

As if he talked about the obvious reality, Kazuma declared.

"This guys they were sent here for that purpose - for the sake of giving me that information, ''''he'''' prepared this chess pieces. "

"Eeh.......? "

"It's offensive being manipulated but I have no other option right now. I'll step on you for a while - so tell me already! "

A beating without forgiveness. <<Fang>>'s body was frailly convulsing. 

That was maybe the same scene as always. 

It wasn't unusual for Kazuma to inflict flows without pardon to those who challenged him without knowing their place, to those who stood in his way. ''But -'' thought Ren.

''This is different''

It wasn't about the severeness of the attack or the amount of given damage. 

Something more basic and yet more definite, this was a deviation from Kazuma's acting - the Kazuma Ren knew.

"Nii-sama.........."

"Ren"

Kazuma ruthlessly cut down Ren's words trying to stop that atrocious behavior.

An expressionless look seized Ren.

"Don't get in my way"

".........."

Faced with that cold rejection, loosing his words, Ren froze. 

Without waiting for a reply, Kazuma restored his gaze to <<Fang>>.

"nii-sa......"

Ren tried to stop him a second time. But, his mouth was blocked from behind by Serisawa's hand. 

He lifted him up without change and carried him away like a luggage.

In the space between that sequence of disturbance, Kazuma didn't even lift his eyes to look at them.








"Wh- wait Serisawa-kun! "

After being separated by at least a hundred meters, Ren finally untied Serisawa's hands.

"What are you doing? "

"It's not what! "

Serisawa knocked down Ren's unusually raised voice with several times the volume. He drew his head near as for a head-butt and shouted.

"Do you want to die!? You shouldn't have opened that sort of conversation! "

"What do you mean by that sort? He's my brother! "

"Even so! "

Although facing a Ren whose anger laid bare, Serisawa didn't took a step aside. 

The instinct shared by all living things informed him he must unconditionally not return to that place. 

His somewhat cold body shaking, the boy murmured.

"What was up with those eyes........just what can happen, to make someone change that much? "

"That's...."

Lacking an answer, Ren cast down his eyes.

The reason for Kazuma's transfiguration, those feelings, Ren understood them at a personal level.

Because, he was just like his brother.

If someone would have resurrected Ayumi and tried to use her in some bad intrigue, even he wouldn't be able to maintain his sanity. He would absolutely, never tolerate it.

He couldn't possibly even think of it.

''"That's right, I'd never forgive it. No matter by what means, I would give retribution without fail. Enough to make him regret he was ever born - "''

Only by imagining his consciousness was burning. Unconsciously clenching his fists, Ren was burning with anger. 

" - Hey Ren! What will happen if you snap too? "

A nervous shout calmed him down. 

Looking, Serisawa was backing down with a stiff face, Kanon tried to use Serisawa's big built like a shield, hiding behind him.

Exhaling the pointless anger, Ren shook his head a little. 

"I understand Onii-sama's feelings. To be honest, enough to want to cooperate with him. But - "

[[Image:Kaze no Stigma vol 05 151.jpg|thumb|]]

If he wound change to a vengeful demon, Ayumi would definitely be sad. That girl called Tsoi Rin would surely be the same. 

"What he's doing is wrong. If you grieve over the death of someone, you definitely must become happy enough for both. You cannot be caught up in your past! "

Become happy - Ren believed that to be the greatest memorial service for the dead who loved you.

It does not mean to forget. It means to accept both painful and happy memories, to overcome them and become so happy death itself will go mad. That is the duty of the survivor.

Even if you're in despair, you cannot be forgiven for throwing away your future. 

You're burdened with two lives. Why would one be forgiven for throwing away the burden of two?

''"He must be stopped - "''

Turning back, Ren started running towards the place Kazuma was. Voices that tried to stop him resounded from his back but he removed them from his consciousness. 

He returned to that place in ten seconds. But Kazuma was already gone and only the five people severely wounded were convulsing in a pool of blood.

"Waah, awful.......", murmured Serisawa, who chasing after him, looking at the terrible spectacle before his eyes.

Certainly, that scene couldn't be expressed any other way. And the one who made it was no one else but his brother. 

He couldn't ignore it.

''"He must be stopped - he must absolutely be stopped - "''

With that hard decision in his chest, Ren grasped tightly both his fists.




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