Kenji
It's been two months since we joined the Division Knights. Just two days ago, we were officially recognized as full-fledged members. Now, on the left sleeve of my black Division uniform, there's a single bronze star—our first mark of honor. We earned it after saving the villagers of Marine Village from a bandit raid. That star represents my rank—and Taka's and Yushiro's too.
After the ceremony, we had a short celebration with the others. It wasn't anything wild, just enough to mark the moment. Then we picked a four-day mission from the board. Most missions have three- to five-day deadlines, but we usually wrap them up early—what should take three days, we finish in two; five days, we handle in four.
Hah! Beat that.
Now we're on our way to deliver herbs and medicine to another village. As we passed through Marine Village again, a few familiar faces waved us down, offering congratulations. Even old man Ru, who I'd argued with earlier that week, gave me a gruff nod and a muttered "Congrats." That was good enough for me.
"I can't wait to fly on dragons!" I said, pushing the supply wagon back toward Marine Village, excitement bubbling in my chest.
"Aren't we still far from that?" Taka replied, his tone skeptical.
Taka—my twin by birth but older by a few months—shot me a sidelong glance. His golden-blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and his emerald eyes held that familiar look: the "You're dreaming again, Kenji" look.
"Nah, it'll take two days, five months, or maybe three years—but it'll happen! I'll be 'The Greatest Knight,' you'll be 'The Strongest Swordsman,' and Yushiro… well, he'll be whatever he wants to be."
"Right…" Taka muttered, clearly unconvinced.
I turned to Yushiro, hoping for backup—but he was too busy staring at the scenery with those curious violet eyes of his. His shiny silver hair fluttered in the breeze as he walked on my left, completely absorbed in the world around us.
The snowball bastard wasn't being supportive today.
Yushiro has this thing—a habit of being a little too curious. He zones out, ignores conversations, sometimes even disappears mid-walk. It's not a bad habit, just… inconvenient.
"Yu. Shi. Ro." I called, snapping him out of his trance.
He turned to me, tilting his head like a confused puppy. "What?"
I wanted to punch him right then and there.
And as if he read my thoughts, he gave me a smug little smirk. "This old man would like to see you try."
Oh, I'm really going to punch him now.
With that mischievous grin still plastered on his face, Yushiro bolted ahead at full speed.
I growled, gripping the wagon tighter and taking off after him, pushing the damn thing as fast as I could. Taka trailed behind, probably sighing at the usual chaos.
Why do I want to punch my little brother? I don't know. Maybe because he's just too smug right now—and someone's gotta bring him back to earth before it inflates his ego beyond saving.
We delivered the wagon and supplies to Marine Village, helped out with some rebuilding, then made our way back to base as the sun began to set. By nightfall, we arrived at Division 4's headquarters—a massive eight-story building. The first floor was a tavern, and the only part of the place I really knew.
I burst through the doors and scanned the room. There he was. Yushiro. Standing smugly behind the bar.
"Welcome back, Sir Kenji, Sir Takahiro. Thank you for your hard work," Miss Annette greeted us warmly from across the counter.
I swallowed my rage for a moment—no way I was gonna make Miss Annette mad. "It's good to be back," I said, forcing a calm tone.
Taka echoed my words and went to sit at an empty table.
Now that the greetings were out of the way...
"Yushiro! Come here so I can punch you!"
"Ho-ho-ho, my dear older brother," Yushiro replied in mock old-man fashion. "Would you really lay your hands on this frail old man?"
"Don't worry, old man. I won't kill you. Just beat the crap outta you."
"Ho-ho-ho. Then you shall never lay a finger on me."
I felt my eyebrow twitch. "Miss Annette, please hand over that 'old man' behind the bar."
But I knew better—there was no way I'd catch him without wrecking the place.
Miss Annette turned toward him, considering. Yushiro didn't miss a beat.
"My dear Miss Annette, if you pretend you heard nothing, this old man will handle 70% of the cleaning this week—and owe you a favor."
Annette paused, finger to her cheek in thought... then nodded.
Dammit. Cunning little bastard.
I vaulted over the bar, making a beeline for him. Yushiro laughed and dashed away, weaving through tables and darting up the stairs. I gave chase, flying up the steps two at a time. By the time I reached the second floor… he was gone.
"Yushiro! If you don't show yourself right now, I'm gonna beat the crap outta you!"
His voice echoed from somewhere unseen: "Didn't you already say that? Ho-ho-ho~"
But I couldn't see him. I couldn't hear him. I couldn't even sense him.
Stealthy little bastard!