Two days later.
The rain pours down in an area where nothing can be heard at all. Kashikoi sits in front of a tombstone, with a beer bottle next to him. He remains silent, staring at the stone, no emotion, no thoughts in mind. The tombstone belonged to Nyssa, and resting in Kashikoi's lap was her journal.
Suddenly, Joki approaches from behind, stepping through the rain. He sits beside Kashikoi, holding flowers and a bottle of red wine.
"You know... she always talked about family. It was her favorite thing to do. She craved a happy family above all things, even in the darkest times," Kashikoi says.
"...Then, in the end, do you think that she was happy?" Joki asks, handing Kashikoi the wine.
Kashikoi begins drinking. As he lowers the bottle, a single tear escapes his right eye. His memories with his mother flood back. Joki gently places a hand on his shoulder.
"I opened the journal, and I read through it. Hardest read of my life, but I actually found something that shocked me. She used to have me scout out you and Dawn. She wanted to learn more about you. I could never do that though. You two were hard to locate," Kashikoi says.
Joki glances over, palming his face in disappointment. He reaches forward and places the flowers on the grave. He was conflicted, unsure what to say, not knowing how to help his friend. So he sat, hand still on his shoulder.
"Joki... I don't know who I am. I spent so much time trying to live up to her—trying to carry her dreams, her values, her love for family—that I convinced myself I was building something of my own. But I wasn't. I was just walking in her shadow. And somewhere along the way, I broke everything she stood for. I lost the family I had… and drove away the one still reaching for me," Kashikoi says, continuing to drink.
"You say you drove away the one still reaching for you, yet I'm here. Even in distance, we were still family. I never despised you for anything that happened between us, Kashik-"
"Bullshit!" Kashikoi yells, cutting off Joki.
Joki's eyes widen. Kashikoi's face is broken, but no tears fall. He refuses to cry in front of his mother's grave, believing he hadn't earned the right.
"The day I brought you back to mom's house. I took you in simply because I wanted a brother, I wanted someone I could also call family. The fact that you're here doesn't even make sense to me. You were shut out, and it's all my fault—" Kashikoi yells, but is immediately stopped by Joki punching him in the face.
"Just like you, I make my own damn decisions! You don't think I sit and realize why I was shut out by you. You had purpose and drive while I still don't. I don't want anything. Is wanting to exist and just that alone so bad?" Joki asks.
"...so then why are you here?" Kashikoi asks.
The question stuns Joki. He can't process it. Kashikoi sits back up, staring at the grave. Joki does the same.
"Mom wouldn't want this, so let's... just stop fighting, alright? There's no point in it. Anyways, where the hell is Dawn? She would want him to visit too," Kashikoi says.
"Last time I saw him, he ran back to the cabin. He closed himself off and hasn't come out. Kazu's been sitting patiently, waiting for him to open up. Dawn longed for a parental figure—it became very apparent to me. So Nyssa and him intertwined. Nyssa wanted to build a big family, and I hope this is the outcome she would've wanted," Joki says.
"I see..." Kashikoi replies.
Joki gets up and walks into the distance. Kashikoi doesn't turn. As Joki disappears, he glances back. The two don't exchange any final words, but both carry deep regret.
Eight Years Ago
December 23rd, 1986, inside Nyssa's home.
"Happy birthday! Kashikoi!" Joki yells at the top of his lungs.
Kashikoi jumps, startled. He pushes Joki out of annoyance, but Joki shoves him back.
"Don't shove me. And besides, you deserve that. Why the hell are you yelling so damn loud."
"Oh please, someone's gotta be enthusiastic because your boring ass can't—"
"Boys," Nyssa says.
They stop arguing. Nyssa enters Kashikoi's room, holding a sword with a beautiful gleam. The handle reads the name Immanence.
"Kashikoi actually made a gift for you on his birthday, Joki. Despite Kashikoi's... very disrespectful manners, considering your birthday is a day after his. He wanted you to have this gift. I am very much against violence, and I want you to be safe with this. It took me months of crafting," Nyssa says, handing the sword to Joki.
Joki stares at the sword, tears building. He takes it and looks at Kashikoi, who smiles at him. Seeing Joki happy was one of Kashikoi's greatest joys.
Kashikoi walks over and hugs Joki. Nyssa smiles, watching them.
"Honestly, materialistic things don't bother me. Nyssa had for months wanted us both to get something. The reality is, me having a brother and being able to follow my dreams with someone I care for—that's the only birthday gift I need, Joki," Kashikoi says.
Joki's tears fall rapidly. It was the happiest moment of his life. Two hours pass, and the moon appears. The sword now hangs above Joki. It was far bigger than expected. Mastering it would take time.
Kashikoi, sitting up, looks at Joki excitedly.
"I can't wait! There's tons of bad guys we can go out and beat up together. And to top it off, we've had tons of training. Nyssa never wanted me to train, but I did it in secret. Now we can finally use it. I'm glad... she believes in you too. She named the sword Immanence, which means she somehow likes that goofy name haha," Kashikoi says, giggling.
"It's a cool name actually... and besides, why do all this training so early? I mean... I started at an early age when I was nine, but I took time off when you and Nyssa took me in. Why train when we can sit in silence and enjoy the peace of a loving home?" Joki says.
Kashikoi's face shifts to confusion. He had been pushing for them to train, to fight. But he began to realize—Joki lacked ambition. He just wanted to exist. A presence that couldn't be reshaped.
"It's about time you seriously put some use to the gifts you've been given. My mom gets you a brand new sword, and all you wanna do is sit around and do nothing. In a world like this, kids like us should be brewing with motivation," Kashikoi says.
"All that motivation just to end up another dead corpse? I'll pass. Doesn't matter what you say to me, Kashikoi... I just want to live without being a means to someone else's end," Joki says, unamused.
"Then... why are you even here?"
Joki looks at him, confused. Kashikoi stands, towering over him.
"What if one day someone tries to kill Nyssa, the woman who took both of us in? What if we don't get stronger, and someone decides to rob us? There'll be no consequences. We'll just be another statistic someone loots for spare parts. You know how selfish you're being?" Kashikoi asks.
"Oh so now I'm the selfish one for simply just living my life. That won't happen, and you don't know if that'll happen! Take your stupid dreams and shove it, Kashikoi—"
The door creaks open. Nyssa enters, concerned. Kashikoi turns away. Joki does the same.
"Boys... what's wrong? You two shouldn't be yelling like this. It's so late. Joki's birthday is in thirty minutes. Remember what we always say: true joy lives where love is given freely, and care asks for nothing in return. Now... say it to each other."
"...True joy lives where love is given freely... and care asks for nothing in return," they repeat.
"Good. I love you two. Sleep well," Nyssa says, closing the door.
The room grows silent. Rain falls outside. They still don't face each other. Despite Nyssa's words, anger remains. Their beliefs clashed.
"I don't want to be friends with you anymore, and I want you gone. I brought you here, so I expect you to respect my wishes, Joki," Kashikoi says coldly.
"Yeah... I'll leave tonight..." Joki replies sadly.
He wants to cry, but no tears fall. He feels strange, fingertips tingling. He hated being alone, forced to defend himself. His powers made him fearsome—but unapproachable.
Only Kashikoi ever saw him differently. But he was gone.
Kashikoi wakes to find Joki missing. He rises, instinctively looking for Nyssa.
"Nyssa! Nyssa, where are you!" he yells, tearing up.
Meanwhile, Joki had used his ability to build a treehouse, held together only by his presence. Inside, he cried, trembling. A knock below makes him freeze.
Then—a voice.
"Joki... can we talk?" Nyssa asks.
Joki opens the door and climbs down. Nyssa stands smiling, holding something behind her back. He runs into her arms.
"I never walked away. I heard everything Kashikoi said. He was wrong, and I will speak to him. But... I need to ask, honey. You've been blessed with extraordinary abilities. Do you wish to come home? I would love for you to. But only if you wish to."
Joki stands, torn. He wanted to say yes, but Kashikoi's words replayed.
"I can't, Nyssa... I'm sorry, I can't. I can't bear to look at Kashikoi. I feel like a failure. Am I wrong for not wanting a purpose, an ambition, anything? I just want to be here, and not be anything," Joki cries.
"Then if that's truly what you wish... know that I will always have a home open for you if you decide to come back. Also, you forgot something, Joki," Nyssa says.
His eyes widen. She presents the sword. Joki struggles to hold it. Nyssa rubs his head softly.
"I know it's a bit bigger, but I wanted to make sure you could keep it for a long time. I want you to grow into it, Joki, and know that I believe in you. I love you dearly. There's nothing wrong with not wanting purpose. As you grow, as your mind changes and your desires expand, you will realize that life has so much to offer. And at that point, purpose will have come to you without you even knowing it," she says, kissing his forehead.
She walks away. Joki stands frozen, unsure what to do. She waves. He waves back, a forced smile on his face.
Time passed. His control grew. His Reiki output grew. He moved from treehouse to cabin.
And still today, he takes great care of the sword Nyssa gave him.
Present Day, inside Joki's Cabin. July 6th, 1994
Joki sits in front of the sword, tears falling. Regret fills his eyes.
(I wish I could've been there. Maybe... if I would've just said yes to your offer back then... you'd be alive. I would still be there to this day to protect you. My desire to want nothing cost me everything... Nyssa, I'm sorry.)
Kazu walks over, placing a hand on Joki's shoulder. Joki turns, eyes wide.
"I'm sorry for all of your loss. But right now, we cannot continue to stay here. We have to find out who did that, and also why whoever that guy was wants us to go to Tokyo," Kazu says.
"Yeah... I'm with you one hundred percent," Joki replies, wiping his tears.