Chapter Five: The Ones Who Walk With Power
As Saito followed closely behind the girl in the black suit, his footsteps softened beneath him, still adjusting to the polished wooden floor.
"Uh... I didn't get your name earlier..." he asked, trying to match her brisk pace.
She didn't stop, her voice even, unreadable. "Maria Sukuna."
No glance back. No expression.
He blinked, then looked around. They'd exited through an ornate sliding door, stepping into an open shrine courtyard. A vermilion torii gate framed the stone path ahead, the faint aroma of incense trailing through the humid morning air. Trees surrounded the sacred ground, their leaves a vibrant green beneath a cloudy sky. Wind rustled the foliage gently, the calm before a storm—or perhaps the aftermath of one.
He barely had time to take in the scenery when—
"Sai-kun!" a familiar voice called cheerfully.
Saito turned, eyes wide. "Sis?"
Sumi skipped toward him, a long scarf wrapped loosely around her neck, the tails fluttering in the breeze. She wore the Misugatashi Rank uniform again, the crimson insignia glowing faintly on her shoulder. Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand, squeezing it tightly against her chest with a mischievous smile.
"Some of the hunters just came back from their mission! Let's goooo!" she said, spinning and pulling him with a playful tug.
Saito blushed furiously, unsure how to respond. Still, he followed.
---
Tokyo, Japan — Hunter Center Department (HCD)
A monolithic skyscraper stabbed into the heavens, its black steel structure reflecting the overcast sky. Etched across the side of the building in silver, glowing letters: HCD. The streets buzzed below with daily life—cars humming, vendors shouting, children playing on sidewalks unaware of the power housed within the giant.
Inside the HCD, in the wide, dim-lit underground base, dozens of hunters gathered. Some wore advanced armor laced with hex-tech runes; others bore cultural weapons and sacred symbols. Between them, military officers stood conversing with civilians—family members, perhaps. Despite the high-tech facility and tension in the air, this place still carried a heartbeat of humanity.
Down one hallway, Maito walked beside Aisha, his coat trailing behind him. His expression was calm but alert.
"Alice should be alright," he muttered, glancing sideways.
Aisha's voice trembled slightly. "But what if the injury—"
"You worry too much, sis."
Before she could protest further, Alice appeared at the end of the corridor. Though her eyes were still lifeless, her breathing was even, and the blood had been wiped from her clothes. Aisha ran to her twin and wrapped her in a firm hug.
"You had me worried..."
"I told her you'd be fine," Maito said with a grin, ruffling Alice's hair. She blushed, averting her gaze, lips pressed in a straight line, though her ears burned red.
Zhong, standing nearby with his hands in his pockets, noticed her reaction and chuckled. Then, his sharp gaze flicked toward the entrance.
A group of five had just entered—two men, three women—dressed in refined uniforms. One man wore a Chinese cultivator's robe with a custom black sweater beneath. One of the women donned a Russian military uniform, sharp and precise.
"The cultivators are here," Zhong whispered, gesturing subtly.
They passed without a glance.
Maito leaned in. "The three girls... they aren't cultivators, are they?"
Zhong narrowed his eyes. "No. They're different. Their roots blend hunter foundation with something else... sorcery, maybe?"
Maito looked around. "Then where are the actual sorcerers? They usually get here before the cultivators."
Zhong answered coolly, "You mean the freaks?"
At that moment, the front entrance whooshed open.
Saito stepped in behind Sumi, Misuki trailing like a bored specter and Maria walking ahead in perfect posture.
Sumi twirled through the lobby's polished floor like a child on a sugar rush. "Okay, brother, we're here!"
As they passed through the crowd, people turned to look—some with curiosity, others with veiled fear or intrigue. Saito's shoulders tensed.
"Uh?" he muttered.
Noticing his discomfort, Sumi returned to him and hugged his arm again, mashing it against her chest with a loud pout. "Stop hiding your face! You're my adorable little brother!"
Zhong squinted from across the lobby. "The big shot's here... but who's the guy next to her? Looks normal."
Maito turned toward them as well. The energy Sumi gave off—playful but dense—was impossible to ignore.
"Oh, Maria-chan! Your big brother's here!" Sumi called, waving.
Maria's eyes lit up. She turned, searching—and upon spotting Maito, ran forward, arms wide.
"Big bro! Big bro!" she shouted, throwing herself into his chest. He caught her, holding her close and gently stroking her hair.
"Still a crying baby, huh Maria?"
The group of Saito, Sumi, Misuki, and Maria approached the others. Saito watched their embrace, surprised.
"Wait... Maria can smile like that?"
"Thanks for looking after my sister, Lady Sumi," Maito said, nodding.
"It's not a big deal," Sumi said, hands behind her back with a coy smirk. "She's a hardworking servant after all."
"You say that," Maito replied, locking eyes with her, "but you care for her deeply. Don't deny it."
Sumi's smile faded slightly, and she folded her arms. "...She's like a sister. Of course I care."
Maria's eyes welled up with gratitude and joy. She leaped to hug Sumi tightly.
"Sumi-san!"
"Hey! Not here—!" Sumi flailed.
Maito extended his hand toward Saito. "Name's Maito Sukuna. Looks like you're close with Lady Sumi."
Saito stammered. "Uh... I..."
"Oh right," Sumi said, still being smothered by Maria. "This here is my little brother. Saito."
"Hahaha... yeah, that's me," Saito said awkwardly, scratching his head.
"Nice to meet you, Saito," Maito said warmly. "These are my comrades: Zhong, and the twins—Alice and Aisha. Alice is the one with the deadpan eyes. Aisha's the energetic one."
"Yo," Zhong said, raising a hand lazily.
"Pleasure to meet you," Aisha said with a smirk, looking him up and down.
Alice just nodded, emotionless.
"Alice, it's been a while," Sumi said, her eyes locking onto hers.
Alice nodded back. Sumi stepped closer and tilted Alice's chin up with a single finger, their lips inches apart. Alice flushed red. Her breath caught.
They leaned in. The moment froze.
"STOP!" Aisha dashed between them like lightning, pushing them apart with both hands. Whispers and stares erupted around the room.
Sumi sighed. "I guess I went too far."
"You think?!" Aisha hissed.
Maito coughed and turned to Saito. "Must be hard being her little brother."
Saito looked away. "I don't even know what to say anymore."
"Saito, don't be mad! You know I love you too, right?" Sumi clung to him, swinging him side to side.
Saito gritted his teeth, a vein popping. When did she get like this...?!
"Sorry for the delay. I'm Misuki," the lifeless-eyed man said, offering his hand.
"A pleasure," Maito replied, shaking it.
A chime rang out, followed by a calm female voice from the intercom: "Class will begin in five minutes. All attendees, please make your way to the assigned classroom."
Saito glanced toward the hallways, suddenly reminded of something.
Big bro... little sis... Are they alive in this world too? he wondered, following the group as they moved deeper into the HCD.
--
To be continued