3 - Away You Go, Unhinged Soulful

“I’m sorry...what?” Sakuto asked, confused.

“We will be carrying out a wide array of operations there. Our goal is to influence the election and set up the pro-soulful candidate for success, as well as assure that no issues surface during some of the important rallies. We are already undergoing a PR disaster, so we will need to take any measures necessary.” Kaito explained.

“And that means...”

“That means swaying, threatening certain people, winning over public opinions, taking care of soulfuls tarnishing our reputation, and if needed, taking swift care of opposition targets.” Kaito continued.

“Right...hold on, soulfuls tarnishing our reputation?” Sakuto seemed confused.

“Soulfuls that have taken the same approach as you wanted to take, which is mindlessly killing opposition members and ruining our image.” Kaito said. “One such case is Jackal Kagerr.”

“When I thought I had forsaken the chance to retain peace, I was granted another opportunity.”

“I see.” Sakuto said, deep in thought, theorizing on what that target of his could be.

“A soulful...relentlessly killing the soulless without a care about bigger things?”

“There’s people like that? I don’t know if I should be concerned or jealous...”

“Just who is this Jackal guy?”

“Your job will be to deal with him. You, Oskar Weber and potentially some reinforcements from the Heisei Spearhead will be deployed to California.” Kaito finished explaining, before promptly standing up. He grabbed a pair of tickets from one of his desk shelves and handed them to Sakuto. “Here is the flight information. There will not be any issues at the airport.”

“Ah, r-right...” Sakuto said, bewildered.

“I’ll be with Oskar, so it won’t be that bad...I guess...”

“Shit, what will I tell Ichika though?”

“I certainly do hope your time in America does not become home for any serious trouble.” Kaito said. “Sakuto, I hope everything goes well.”

“Sure.” Sakuto sighed. “But, can I ask something?”

“Feel free to do so.”

“Why me?” Sakuto asked. After a brief pause, Kaito smiled and replied.

“Because you are the perfect countermeasure against Jackal.”

“Right...” Sakuto nodded. The slightly warm atmosphere in the office felt welcoming, but at the same time, drowned him in a sense of anxiety.

“Sakuto, I understand you might be upset, or even scared.” Kaito said. “Soulful life is difficult, but don’t see it as a curse. It is simply a fact.”

“I don’t see it as a curse.” Sakuto said, picking at his nails. “I see it as a blessing. My old life didn’t even feel like a life.”

“I see...” Kaito smiled. “A blessing, huh? You’re right. It feels as if you’re high, on top of a mountain, acting above everyone else. It’s a feeling only a soulful can experience and describe.”

“I don’t like being high though.” Sakuto said. “The higher you go, the lonelier it gets, y’know?”

“Well said.” Kaito said, finding those words especially interesting, maybe even a little relatable. “I’ll handle the responsibility of all collateral damage. All that is required from you and your group is to complete the missions you are assigned. Do not fear contacting me if the need arises.” Kaito said. “Best of luck, Sakuto Hitori.”

After their conversation had ended, Sakuto slowly exited the HQ. The weather outside felt dull, with an opera of stormy clouds about to bombard the city with their thunderous roars. The gray concrete roads had cracks in them in some places, and some buildings had burn marks on their walls.

“He seemed alright.” Sakuto thought to himself, making his way through the streets.

“Why is Hayk so against this guy anyways? I don’t get it.”

He stopped for a moment and loudly sighed.

“What the hell did I get myself into?”

[RING]

“It’s Aki...I think I forgot to call him the other day. Or was it a few days ago?”

He hesitantly looked at his phone, before ultimately deciding to pick up the call.

“Hello?”

“Hey.” Aki’s seemingly uninterested voice said from the other end of the call.

“Uhh...what’s up? How have you been?”

“I’m fine, thanks.”

“Right...”

“Sakuto, you’re not showing up to classes or school.”

“Oh, shit. School restarted? I thought it was on lockdown.”

“No, they restarted. The teachers forced me to call you because you never replied to any emails.”

“Well, tell them that I won’t be coming. I won’t be in the city.”

“Alright.”

Stolen story; please report.

“Yeah.” Sakuto said, confused as to where the conversation was even going.

“Sakuto, I don’t want to deal with you anymore. I don’t know what happened to you, I have no fucking idea why you’re like this now.”

“Like what?”

“Huh?”

“You mean the way I am now?” Sakuto asked. “I’ve always been like this.”

“No you haven’t. Becoming a soulful or whatever did this to you. I just...I don’t want you as my friend anymore. You’re a danger to us, and...you don’t even care about us. It’s like you don’t know what an actual friendship is like.”

“And do you?” Sakuto asked. “When were you when I needed you?”

“I-”

“What did you ever say in your life to try and understand me?” Sakuto asked.

“I can’t believe this...you did all of this over some-”

Sakuto hung up the call. Disheartened and annoyed, he continued his walk home. For someone who possessed such seemingly divine strength, what stopped him from confronting a mere soulless? He stared at the crosswalk, waiting for the traffic lights to turn green. A cold wind caressed his face. His expression seemed gloomy, as he whispered to himself.

“For some reason, even though I feel delighted to be free...”

“This kinda hurts.”

“Oh well, it is what it is.”

He took a deep breath.

“Fucking soulless...”

“Oh wow.” Ausra said, as she and Ichika made their way to Sakuto’s apartment. She curiously observed her surroundings as the two entered. “Looks even prettier from the inside.”

“Very much so.” Ichika said, putting the bag with a heavy box in it on the floor. “Make yourself at home.”

“You’re one to say that.” Ausra said. “Why’d you drag me along?”

“Because of this thing.” Ichika said, unboxing the package. It revealed itself to be a brand new frying pan.

“Seriously?” Ausra said, somewhat surprised. “How’d you even get this thing?”

“How do you think I got it?” Ichika answered, annoyed. “I asked Hayk for money and bought it from a store. How else would I get it? What kind of question is that?!”

“Jeez, chill.” Ausra said. “You know, you still have a hole in the floor to take care of.”

“Yeah.” Ichika sighed, her voice becoming much colder. “I guess so.” She fell silent for a moment, while checking out the brand new cooking utensil.

“Hey, I was just joking, alright?” Ausra said, realizing she may have upset her. “Do you need help with the...pan?”

“No, I’m good.” Ichika replied. A moment later, she was sparked with excitement again. “Sakuto’s gonna get here in a bit, I wanna try cooking something to surprise him.”

“And what are you gonna cook?” Ausra asked, holding herself back so as to not laugh.

“Anything.” She said with a smile. She opened the fridge and started to search for anything edible. “The first time I failed to make breakfast, he told me that it’s fine because I tried my best.”

“How sweet.” Ausra chuckled. After a brief pause, she continued. “Did you take any steps?”

“Hm?” Ichika pretended to be confused. She got a pair of eggs and some leftover cheese out of the fridge.

“You didn’t.” Ausra said, rather disappointed. “Let me guess, you feel scared and guilty and don’t want to do anything?”

“Get off of my case.” Ichika said, cutting the cheese. “It’s not like-”

“It’s not like what? Like it matters?” Ausra interrupted her. “Looks like his presence is enough to calm at least some of your problems down. So don’t act like you have an infant’s brain.”

“Problems?”

“Look at your damn wrists, Ichika.” Ausra said, now a bit angered. “It should be enough proof.”

“So what do you want me to do?!” Ichika bit back, louder.

“Stop being a damn coward and blaming yourself for everything.” Ausra said. “It’s like you use it so much I’m starting to think you enjoy being in this state-”

Their conversation was interrupted by the door unlocking. Sakuto entered the room ready to fight off any potential intruder, but was greeted by a somewhat comforting sight.

“Oh, it’s you guys...” Sakuto said, waving and taking his puff jacket off. It was already quite late. “Oh wow, the heavens are punishing me for my sins. Ichika, how come you’re cooking again?”

“Shut it!” Ichika exclaimed, pointing her knife at him. Sakuto felt a bit taken aback, but soon his attention was diverted by something else.

“Whoa...you bought a new pan?” Sakuto asked, surprised.

“Y-yeah, well...since you know what happened to the old one...” Ichika shyly said.

“You really didn’t have to. I would’ve bought one myself eventually.” Sakuto said. “But thanks either way.”

“It’s okay, I bought it with Hayk’s allowance anyways.” Ichika smiled.

“Ichika, you don’t say things like that after giving someone a gift.” Ausra said, checking her phone.

“It’s whatever, I would’ve figured it out anyways.” Sakuto yawned.

“Ausra, you gonna meet up with Oskar today?” Sakuto asked, quickly heading to his room. “Is he at the gym?”

“Yeah. What’s up?” Ausra replied.

“Tell him to start packing. There will be plenty of commodities, but he needs to bring his own stuff too.” Sakuto said. “And tell him to reply to messages. If he leaves me on read one more time I’ll rip his liver out and feed it to him.”

“Packing?” Ichika asked, taken aback. “You’re...going somewhere?”

“Yeah, to America. Presumably until the end of the election season there.” Sakuto said. He got out of the room while Ausra was already leaving. “I don’t know why Hayk didn’t tell you this. We are all working with the Heisei now.”

“H-huh?”

“Right.” Sakuto said. “Hayk will do the honors.”

“When’s the flight?” Ichika asked, as if ignoring the bigger reveal.

“Tonight at 2:00 AM.”

“I guess I’ll have to help him pack.” Ausra sighed, waving goodbye and leaving. Ichika was frozen in place.

“Ichika? Are you...” Sakuto tried to see the issue, before feeling the same daunting realization overtake his own mind. Ichika stood in dismay.

“Hey, it’s only a month-long trip, alright?” Sakuto said. “I’ll come back.”

“Yeah, it’s alright.” Ichika replied with a frown. “I just didn’t expect this...”

“Hey, you’ll get to learn how to cook at least. Once I’m back, we can use this pan to make something nice.” Sakuto said, reassuringly. “I’ll get to the store now. Damn, I’ll need to make a whole list of things to get with Oskar.”

He left the apartment in a rush. Ichika’s smile slowly faded away. She clenched her fist in confusion and anger. Standing in silence, she slowly crouched down and held her head with her pale hands.

“I thought we’d just stay like this.”

“Why do you have to leave me again?”

Outside, Sakuto was upset too. Constantly remembering that one colorful dream, he was once again plunged into a sea of grayness. That chilly night he came to once again embrace a starless sky.

“I’m sorry, Ichika.”

He thought to himself as he slowly made his way to the convenience store.

“I told you I want to stick by your side. But what can I do now?”

“I guess I’ll keep trying my best. There’ll be a screen between us, but we can still talk, right? Even if we can’t look each other in the eyes, we can at least hear each other’s voices. That counts, right?”

At that moment, both of them had rather high soul presences. Somehow, even subconsciously, they communicated their troubles to one another through their presences alone.

Sakuto was a little scared that his heart was beating so fast. He thought it was just the stress.