[Sanctuary: The House]
Ryuji eyes opened. Blurry light, then the familiar ceiling. A soft, comfy bed. Then the pain arrived hard, a deep ache settling into his muscles, a sharp, insistent pound in his head. Moving stiffly, he looked down, and saw he was wearing only his boxers. Bandages covered him, each one anchored by the crisp, familiar shape of a paper talisman.
A low grumble escaped him. "How many did they use?" he rasped, fingers tracing the edge of a charm. "Do they have any idea how much one of these costs?"
Gritting his teeth, the mage pushed himself upright, adjusting to the fresh waves of protest from his body. He wanted to stay in the bed, but a sharper need pulled him forward, he had to check on the others. The Taimanins. The assassin.
He shuffled toward the closet, grabbing a shirt but deciding against pants, too weary for the effort. He made his way to the door and opened it.
Immediately, his senses were ambushed. The air carried a rich, savoury warmth, an unmistakable and alluring scent that cut through the herbal smell of talisman paper and medicine. Food. Someone was in the kitchen.
His stomach grumbled, and the idea of breakfast began to occupy his thoughts. He approached the stairway and descended slowly. After a few steps, he managed to get a look at them. Tatsurou and Yukikaze were on the couch, but an uneasy distance lingered between them, not just physical, but emotional. Tatsurou was quietly reading a manga, while Yukikaze stared intently at the screen, a game controller gripped in her hands. It as if they're ignoring each other.
Then there was Shiranui, tied up in chains on a chair with her head down, and to his dismay, parts of her were also covered in paper talismans. He notices something about her unconscious state but dismiss it now, he will deal with her later.
He didn't spot Rinko, which meant she was the source of the alluring smell, cooking in the kitchen. Ryuji didn't know her skill, but judging by the fragrance weaving through the air, she had to be one hell of a cook.
Once he reached the bottom floor, he greeted them with a tired look. "Morning. I see you've made yourselves at home."
Tatsurou was the first to respond, setting a book down and stepping closer. "Ryuji-senpai! Good morning. How are you feeling?"
Yukikaze paused the game and turned. "Morning. And... sorry for using your console without asking…” Then she looks down, her eyes widen. “WHY AREN’T YOU WEARING ANY PANTS?!" she shouted, her surprise shifting instantly to shock at Ryuji's very casual attire.
"What, this?" Ryuji glanced down, confused. "It's fine, I'm in my boxers. Too tired to bother with pants."
"Then you should have stayed in bed! We could have brought you breakfast, you dummy." Yukikaze retorted, her tone more exasperated than harsh. Despite her surprise, she managed to calm herself, her voice softening with genuine concern. "Still... how are you feeling?"
Running a hand through his hair. "Honestly, I feel like shit. But it's not the first time I've been banged up like this, so don't worry about it. I’m already here so I might as well eat at the table."
“Not the first time, huh?" Tatsurou murmured, a thoughtful look crossing his face. It made sense; while the three treating Ryuji's injuries last night, they noticed old scars. What horrified them, though, was the unmistakable-healed gunshot wound at his forehead.
“Then at least lie down on the couch…” Yukikaze tried.
"Listen, I'm fine. I'm used to the pain, so don't worry about it."
"Well, if you get hurt again, you've only got yourself to blame." With a sigh, she sat down and picked up the controller. "Oh, and you don't mind if I play, right?"
"No, it's fine. I barely touch that thing anyway." Ryuji's gaze shifted toward the kitchen. Noticing Rinko cooking breakfast. "Morning."
Rinko responded without turning from the stove, her focus on the sizzling pan. "Morning. Sorry for borrowing your kitchen."
"It's fine. I'll forgive you if I get some of the food you're making," Ryuji replied, his tone lightly joking.
“Well, take a seat. It’ll be ready soon.”
"Okay, but before that…" Ryuji's attention turned to the bound figure in the chair. He walked over and stood before Shiranui. "Don't you want to greet me? We have a lot to talk about, especially since you're the one who put me in this state."
His words caused the other Taimanins, even Rinko, to glance over. Shiranui didn't respond, her head still lowered. Through his Third Eye, Ryuji could sense the storm of emotions swirling within her: deep sadness, sharp shame, and heavy regret, all churning beneath a surface of forced stillness. But something was missing. When he had first faced her, her aura had been thick with malice. Yet now, that hostility was gone, replaced by this pained remorse. 'The woman who attacked her own daughter without hesitation now feels only regret? My flame… it may have undone whatever was affecting her mind.'
Ryuji knelt down on one knee, bringing himself down to see her downturned face. The room fell silent, save for the soft sizzle from the kitchen. "I know that you're awake. So stop pretending already." And yet she still won't respond.
Yukikaze paused the game, her attention drawn to the conversation. "H-hey, just… please leave my mama alone." Her voice was subdued, almost pleading, from her spot on the couch. She couldn't bring herself to look at either of them. "If she doesn't want to talk right now, that's… that's okay."
Her words trailed off into silence. With a heaviness that seemed to drain her usual vibrant energy, she slowly stood and made her way to the dinner table, her movements subdued and resigned.
Tatsurou noticed this and moved to sit beside Yukikaze, offering her comfort. Despite the current strain of relationship of their relationship.
Ryuji understood Yukikaze's feelings and sympathized with her, but he would prefer to settle this problem for good. He had faced similar situations far too many times in his own world, they always led to drawn‑out issues. Though, simply telling Shiranui to confront this right now wouldn't work. Her spirit was too fractured. Rebuilding her mental fortitude could take days, he does not have the patience for that.
He would have to use his flame, though he wasn't sure it would be enough. It could help her focus and quiet the storm of negative emotions, but he doubted even that would fully work. He had to word his speech carefully.
"I understand wanting to hide, to avoid a situation like this. You blame yourself for hurting the people who you love. I understand that, I've hurt people I care about too, whether I meant to or not. What I've learned is that it's better to face them than to run. Cause sooner or later, you have to face them and make things right. I won't blame you if you keep running, that's your choice. But you need to face them soon. Not just for their sake, but for yours as well."
His hand reached for her cheek with a gentle touch. A wave of warmth flowed into her body, then seeped quietly into her mind. The storm of negative emotions raging inside her began to subside, gradually overtaken by a deep and settling tranquillity. As the calm took hold, Shiranui's eyes slowly opened to find Ryuji looking back at her, a small, patient smile on his face. She stared up at him, dazed and utterly confused by this.
"I forgive you," he said softly. "For the cuts, the bruises, the poison, for making me fight through a crowd just to carry you back here. I forgive you because you've finally acknowledged what bad things you did. And for me, that's enough. But your daughter," he continued, his voice lowering, "may not forgive so easily. Since you left her for years."
He paused, letting the words settle. Good thing he remembers something from that visual novel, otherwise he was stumbling in the dark.
From the corner of his eye, he noticed Yukikaze's attention sharpen, her gaze fixed on them. Good, he thought. She had a role to play in this too, and whether she wanted to or not, he would make her. Not by force, of course.
"Then what should I do?" Shiranui's voice was raw, defeated, yet beneath it flickered a fragile spark of hope. Hope that this young man had an answer for it.
"It's simple," he said, his voice steady. "Give her what she's been looking for all these years since you disappeared. Give her you. Be her mother. Whether you think you're worthy or not doesn't matter, what matters is that she still wants you. After all, she went as far as becoming a slave prostitute just for a chance to find you."
"B-but I…"
"No 'buts.' Don't think, just do it. Whatever happens, you can deal with it later." He stood and moved behind her, working to unbind the chains. Once the restraints fell away, only one thing remained: If she had the resolve to take the next step.
She stands up, but afraid to move, afraid that a wrong word would ruin this. "Yukikaze…" The name struggled free, her voice trembling. Even with Ryuji's flame still lending her focus, the words felt heavy, lodged somewhere between regret and hope. But still she pushes forward. "Forgive me for leaving you alone all those years. It was never my intention, but…" Now she is stuck, unable to find proper words. Tears well up in her eyes.
Then something surprised her, Yukikaze rushed forward and hugged her tightly. Tears welled up instantly. "Mama…" she managed between sobs and hiccups. "I… f-forgive you. Just stay with me. Please… don't disappear."
"Yukikaze…" Shiranui's voice broke, and then mother and daughter wept together, holding each other close, not caring about tears or choked sobs, as years of separation finally dissolved into the warmth of an embrace.
'This isn't what I expected.' Ryuji thought. He had anticipated tears, even a hug, but not this soon. He figured Shiranui would finish her speech and Yukikaze would give her. Then they both start to cry and hug. Yet, despite his surprise, seeing the two finally reunited after so long stirred a quiet, unexpected warmth in his chest.
Well, let them have their moment. He turned toward the kitchen. "Tatsurou-kun, help me set the table." But when he glanced over, he noticed Tatsurou's eyes were glistening, welling up as he watched the reunion. "Are you okay?"
Tatsurou startled, quickly wiping at his eyes. "Huh? Oh! It's nothing. Just… something in my eyes."
Ryuji gave his shoulder a light, reassuring pat. "There is nothing to be a shame of, it is an emotional moment after all."
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[Dinner Table]
The table was laden with food: steaming rice, fluffy omelets, grilled fish, miso soup, and an array of side vegetables. 'This is just standard breakfast, and yet my mouth is already watering.' Ryuji thought, unable to help but gulp at the sight.
"Ara? Someone's excited for breakfast," Shiranui remarked softly, a faint, genuine smile touching her lips. She then glanced toward the kitchen. "Though I must say, I'm surprised as well. Your cooking has improved wonderfully, Rinko."
'Her mental state has improved, at least outwardly,' Ryuji observed. Beneath the surface, he could still sense the undercurrent of shame, regret, and sorrow. Less intense than before, but present. She was holding it down, choosing to focus on the here and now. The calming effect of his flame would wear off eventually, and yet here she was, able to smile and offer praise. What a strong woman, he can't help but be impressed.
"Thank you, Aunty Shiranui." A faint blush coloured Rinko's cheeks. She tried to meet Ryuji's eyes but found it strangely difficult, no one had ever reacted to her cooking quite like this before.
This, of course, made him feel a bit embarrassed. "Sorry, I usually have a big appetite in the morning. So when I see something this good, I can't help myself."
"N-no, it's okay. What're you waiting for? Dig in."
"Don't mind if I do." He eagerly filled his bowl with rice, heaping on portions of fish and vegetables.
As she served herself, Yukikaze decided to indulge her curiosity. "So… who are you, really?”
"Me? I'm Miyatake Ryuji. You can call me Ryuji if you want.” he said, already shovelling a bite into his mouth.
Upon hearing his name, Shiranui stilled momentarily before resuming her meal. ‘What was that?’ Ryuji thought to himself, but quickly focus on eating.
"Well, we know that much," Yukikaze replied, her brow slightly furrowed. "It's just… we've never heard of that clan or your name back in the village before." After all, if someone like him could beat her mother, he must have quite a reputation as a talented Taimanin.
Ryuji said it casually. "Oh. That’s because I’m not a Taimanin."
"What?"
The answer surprised them all. Tatsurou was the first to find his voice. "You’re not a Taimanin?"
"Nope." He shoved a piece of omelette into his mouth, savouring the flavour, seemingly not caring the focused stares now fixed solely on him.
This time, Rinko chimed in. "But Real referred to you as one."
Ryuji paused, chopsticks midway to his mouth. "Who? Oh, that guy. He just assumed I'm one."
"Then what are you?" Shiranui couldn't help but ask.
"A mage."
"A mage?" they all questioned.
"Someone who practices magic primarily for combat."
Rinko chimed in thoughtfully. "That explains why your flame felt so unusual. I’ve never known any magic user, human or demon, to conjure flames like that."
"The flame's a family thing," Ryuji said, a note of finality in his voice that only sharpened their curiosity about what kind of clan he came from.
"A bloodline ability," Shiranui murmured, her interest clearly piqued. "That explains its unique nature. Then this place… is also a result of that bloodline ability."
"Correct. This place is called the Sanctuary," Ryuji replied. "It was created by the founder of my bloodline."
“Seriously, how could a clan like yours stay so unknown?” Yukikaze pressed.
“Oh, they don’t exist anymore.”
“What happened?” Tatsurou asked.
“They were all killed.”
The room fell silent.
“It’s fine. I was born after the clan was massacred, so I don’t have any attachment to them.”
Rinko shifted the conversation considering the mood have dropped. "If you're not a Taimanin," she asked. "Then why did you help us at UnderEden?"
Ryuji set his bowl down, his expression turning practical. "To get out of this shithole city."
"You couldn't escape on your own?"
"Not easily. I'm not confident I could fight my way out, and I don't have the money to pay off smugglers." He met her gaze squarely. "So I came to one conclusion: I need your guy's help."
"So you weren’t there to save us?" Yukikaze asked, her tone sharp.
"Nah. If I’d found another way, I’d probably have left you there," Ryuji said bluntly. He didn’t bother softening it. He decided to be honest about this, He had no interest in being seen as some kind of hero. It already causes him troubles back in his world, it doesn’t want the same thing happened here.
"I… see." Rinko had thought his reasons might be more noble, but hearing such pragmatic motives left her oddly disappointed. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Yukikaze's subtle frown, she felt the same.
"Sorry if my reasoning isn't very heroic." Ryuji felt the weight of their letdown. He had gone beyond simply saving them, but he wouldn't blame them for hoping his motives ran deeper. "I can't blame you for thinking of me as selfish."
"But you still went out of your way to protect us." This time, Tatsurou spoke up, his voice earnest. "Even if your reason felt selfish, I still think you're an amazing person, Ryuji-senpai. You fought Aunty Shiranui alone, got covered in injuries, and still brought her back here… for us."
Rinko and Yukikaze fell silent, considering his words. Despite his stated selfishness, he had gone far beyond what was necessary. He hadn't just fought Shiranui; he had won, subdued her, and brought her back. He could have escaped when she was weakened, but he hadn't.
"W-wha…" The sudden praise caught him off guard, making his cheeks flush. "W-well, anyone would've done the same."
"Oh, you're blushing?" Shiranui couldn't help but tease, She found his reaction unexpectedly endearing. "I don't think just anyone would stand before me and declare, 'I'm planning to win this fight.' with such resolution. That took more than bravery, you know."
"Ugh… I was… uh, caught up at the moment…" His voice got quieter now.
"Mama, stop teasing him." Though Yukikaze found his flustered state a little amusing, she didn't like her mother being the one to provoke it, especially since it felt more like flirting. She turned to Ryuji, her expression softening. "Um, Ryuji… I'm sorry for feeling let down by your reasoning earlier. You still went to such lengths to help us."
"I would also like to apologize," Rinko added, her tone more formal but sincere. "Judging your motives was unfair. You risked yourself for our sake, that matters more.
Ryuji managed to calm himself down. "It alright, I don't mind it, actually."
Still, Shiranui couldn't resist pressing further. "You know, I did say I would give you a reward."
"Reward? Oh that, but wasn't that during our fight. It felt more like a threat, actually."
"Well, that is true, it was a threat. But this time I want to give you a proper reward." She then holds his left hand. "What would you like? I'm willing to give you anything… even myself."
"MAMA!" Yukikaze shrieked, her face flushing with a mix of horror and embarrassment.
"A-AUNTY!" Tatsurou stammered, completely taken aback.
Rinko, on the other hand, remained silent, though a faint blush was visible on her cheeks.
Good grief, how can this woman joke in that state? Is her mental fortitude really that strong? Ryuji noted a sudden emotional spike from her but dismissed it, focusing on her offer. "Is that so?" he replied, his tone thoughtful. "Then I want guns."
"… Huh?" All of them stared at him, caught off guard by the sudden turn.
"The handgun I used was custom-made and heat-resistant. It wasn't cheap." He met Shiranui's surprised gaze evenly. "I assume you're fairly well-off since you belong to a clan." The Taimanin work for the government so they must got paid a ton. "So, if you're offering a reward… I'd like two handguns to replace the one that was destroyed."
"Seriously?" Yukikaze couldn't help but sigh. "How expensive was it, anyway?"
"2.5 million yen each."
"That's cheap. No wonder your gun broke."
"Huh?!" Ryuji stared at her, completely taken aback. "What do you mean 'cheap'?! I had to spend most of my savings on it!" Spending on that those guns was the most painful thing he had experienced
Rinko studied him, her head tilting slightly. "Do you work alone, or were you part of an organization? With your talent, you must have found work that paid well." He is on par with Shiranui, maybe even better so he must have been scouted by some organization.
"Well, yeah, I joined one, but…" He shifted, a faint shadow crossing his expression. "It's not exactly a well-known one. And they didn't pay much."
"What kind of organization?" Rinko pressed gently, hoping he hadn't fallen in with a criminal group. Though she doubted that, since his action last night and this morning with Shiranui.
"A vigilante one…" In his world, there was no government organization or powerful group that fought evil. If anything, they were the ones who perpetuated it. And the organization barely paid him—he'd had to rely on a job at a convenience store just to make ends meet.
"Wha…"
"Let's talk about something else," he said with a hurry, steering the conversation away. He is not ready to explain much about his past.
The four of them fell quiet, respecting his unspoken boundary. No one pressed further, not wanting to pry into what was clearly an uncomfortable subject.
They spent the next while talking and chatting lightly until no food remained on the table. Together, they cleaned the dishes and cleared the table, the simple, shared task easing the last of the tension. Once everything was put away, they begin planning to leave the city.
Shiranui suggested that she lead them, since she knew of a hidden exit from the city. The group unanimously agreed. Once they were ready, they left the sanctuary and took to the rooftops to travel, the streets below were crawling with guards.
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[Yomihara]
After passing a few buildings, they reached an area scarred by the previous night's battle. A section of UnderEden's outer wall had been blown apart, leaving a gaping hole. The surrounding streets and building facades were marred by deep cracks, debris and blackened scorch marks.
"Whoa," Tatsurou whispered, staring at the destruction. "Is this from your fight with Aunt Shiranui?"
"No," Ryuji replied, his gaze sweeping over the damage. "Our fight ended when I blasted her through the wall of UnderEden. " He gestured toward the shattered street and scorched buildings. "This was from the fight after that. Another group showed up. I had to clear a path to get her out."
They continued on their journey in comfortable silence until Yukikaze slowed her pace to walk beside Tatsurou.
"Hey, Tatsurou-kun… about last night," she began, her voice unusually hesitant. "I'm sorry."
"It's okay," he said quietly, keeping his eyes ahead. "You were right. I wouldn't have contributed anything to that fight."
"But I shouldn't have said it like that," she insisted, her tone firming with regret. "I should have worded it better. I… want to make it up to you."
"You don't have to."
"I want to." She fell quiet for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought as they passed a row of quiet storefronts. "How about we…" She trailed off, genuinely unsure how to properly apologize. An offer to train? To buy him something? Nothing felt quite right.
"Why don't you both go on a date together?" Ryuji suggested casually.
"Senpai!"
"What are you saying?!"
They both stared at him, completely caught off guard.
The other two stayed quiet, watching with keen interest to see where this would lead.
"Right, I should word it better," Ryuji said, a playful smirk on his face. "You both should 'hang out' together. Go into the city and have some fun. And who knows—" he added, his tone deliberately light, "—maybe during your 'hang out', something might… interest Tatsurou. Like a love hotel."
"Y-you—!" Yukikaze face turn red as a tomato and lightning sparks starting appeared from her
"Senpai, please stop teasing us!" Tatsurou pleaded, his face flushed.
Ryuji just laugh at their reaction. "Haha, but seriously, go out and have fun after we leave this place. I don't know what happened last night, but after spending some time together should fix what happened between you two."
His words hung in the air, giving them both pause.
After a moment, Yukikaze spoke up, her cheeks still tinged with pink. "W-well… d-do you want to?"
Tatsurou nodded, equally flushed. "Y-yeah… I'd like that."
Ryuji, Rinko, and Shiranui exchanged faint, knowing smiles. ‘These two are adorable.’
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[Yomihara]
After half an hour of travelling across the city's rooftops, they finally reached the hidden exit, an unmarked, rust-stained door set into the outer wall at the edge of Yomihara.
Shiranui opened the door, revealing a narrow passage of stairs that leads upward. They entered single file, the air immediately growing cooler and thick with the smell of damp concrete, and rust. The path led them through a maze of dirty, old pipes that dripped condensation, their surfaces slick with grime. Mold spread in dark patches across the walls, with only faint light from the lightbulbs of this stairway.
Then, after a long climb upward, they finally arrived at another door. Shiranui pushed it open, and daylight flooded in, causing a moment of blindness. They stepped out onto the roof of a building.
Ryuji moved past the doorway, and what greeted him was the vast, beautiful blue of the open sky and the warmth of the sun. The smell of fresh, clean air filled his lungs, and the sound of birds chirping echoed in the distance. Without hesitation, he walked to the edge of the roof to have a look. Below, cars moved along orderly streets, ordinary people went about their days, and the bright signs of maid restaurants and shops glinted in the daylight. He was finally free from that shithole.
And yet, now that his goal was achieved, a single, quiet question surfaced in his mind.
"What now?"