Daka stared at Ray, still in shock."How the hell did you punch him that fast?"
Ray smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"“Follow me.”
Still confused but knowing better than to question Ray, Daka, Rizra, Sockoo, and Bondo followed behind.
After a short walk, Ray stopped in front of an apartment complex.modern, well-furnished apartment with dark blue and black tones—fitting for Hajime.
Ray laid Hajime down on a fancy couch“This is where he lives now.”
Daka blinked in confusion. “Wait—what? But I thought he was living with Narissa and them?”
Ray shrugged, sitting down on the armrest. “He decided to live alone. Thought it was time to stop freeloading and be independent.”
Sockoo crossed her arms, looking around. “Well… this is a surprise. He never mentioned it.”
Rizra scoffed. “Of course, he didn’t. It’s Hajime. He keeps everything to himself.”
Bondo, still rubbing his jaw from earlier, muttered, “Man really got himself a fancy place, though.”
Ray just leaned back. “Well, now you know. Now let’s wait for him to wake up.”
Ray casually stretched and looked over at Sockoo, "By the way, I bought this place for him. It’s a little... extravagant, but it’s 10,000 a month."
Sockoo’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped in disbelief. “T-Ten thousand a month?! Is that even legal for an apartment?!”
Ray shrugged nonchalantly, "Well, it’s his place now. I figured he deserves something nice, especially after everything he's been through. Plus, I don’t think he’d settle for anything less."
Daka snorted. “Yeah, no surprise there. Hajime’s never been the type to live like the rest of us.”“Guess that’s just how the world works for him.”
Sockoo was still in shock, her mind trying to wrap around the idea of Hajime living in such an expensive place. "He never asked for this… You really went all out for him, huh?"
Ray gave a half-smile. “What can I say? He’s special. And for all the times he’s been on the edge, he deserves some peace of mind.”
Sockoo shook her head in disbelief but couldn't help but smile a little. “I just didn’t expect him to be this... ."
"Maybe not rich,""but definitely living like he is."
Sockoo blinked, her eyes wide as she turned to Daka and Rizra. "Wait, you’re not even surprised by this?!"
Daka, looking nonchalant as ever, leaned back against the wall. "Nah, Ray’s been paying us 10,000 a month for every mission we complete. It’s nothing new. We’ve been living that way for years."
Rizra, arms crossed and eyes half-lidded, added, "Yeah, Ray’s got this habit of spoiling people, especially Hajime. Ever since he was a kid, Ray’s been throwing money at him. Hajime never cared for any of it, though."
Sockoo stared at them in utter disbelief. "So... you mean to tell me Hajime’s been getting this kind of money... ?"
Daka nodded with a smirk. "Yep, Hajime’s sitting on a cool 8 million a month in total. He never touched it, though. Too focused on other things."
Sockoo’s jaw dropped as she processed what they were saying. "Eight... million? And he never cared about it?"
Ray, still sitting casually, chimed in with a knowing grin. "Yeah, I tried to spoil him, but he always hated the idea of easy living. Still, it doesn’t hurt to give him a little cushion when he’s been through hell."
Rizra added, "He’s the kind of guy who doesn’t need the luxury. But the money’s there, waiting for him."
Sockoo just stood there, speechless. "This... this is insane. Hajime has more money than I could even dream of, and he never once cared about it?"
Daka shrugged. "He doesn’t really need it. It’s the principle for him. He’d rather fight and win on his own than rely on cash."
Ray leaned back and chuckled. "Exactly. But hey, at least now he has a place to call his own."
Hajime jolted awake with a loud, furious shout. "I’m gonna kill you and your family!"
He blinked, glancing around, the unfamiliar apartment room settling into view. His body slumped as the anger from his dream faded, replaced by a sense of relief that he was no longer in that chaotic, twisted place. "...Oh. Hello."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
He sat up, rubbing his head, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmare. The sudden shift in his surroundings left him momentarily disoriented. The plush couch beneath him, the quiet apartment... none of this matched the horror of his dream.
Looking around, his gaze fell on Ray, Daka, and Rizra, who were standing nearby, seemingly waiting for him to regain his senses.
Ray, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, smirked.
"Seems like you’re finally back to reality, kid."
Hajime took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering unease from the dream. "Yeah... yeah, sorry about that.""What... what happened? How did I end up here?"
Daka crossed his arms, his expression still unreadable. "You were knocked out. Ray showed up and put you out of your misery."
Rizra added, "You were glitching again. Not pretty. Ray had to step in."
Hajime looked at them, a little confused, but then his gaze softened slightly. He looked down at his hands, his mind already flicking through the events of the day, trying to piece it all together. "I didn’t hurt anyone, did I?"
Ray, not missing a beat, replied with a grin. "You’ve got more control now. At least for the moment. But you were getting dangerously close to wrecking something you’d regret. That’s why we brought you here."
Hajime just nodded slowly, still processing the weight of what was happening, but his thoughts were interrupted when he felt the familiar weight of Storyshift’s presence near him.
His sword was still by his side, despite the chaos, and he could feel its energy stirring as if aware of the storm brewing within him.
"Hajime,""We need to talk. This isn’t just about your powers anymore. Things are getting messier."
Hajime glanced at Ray, meeting his gaze with a quiet resolve. "Yeah, I figured. Just... give me a second."
The battle ahead would be just as brutal, but at least for now, he was still standing.
Sockoo looked at Hajime with concern. "Do you know what happened? What was that thing that controlled you or made you... like that?"
Hajime frowned, rubbing his temples as the memories of the glitching incident flooded back. "I don't have a clue. One minute I was fine, and then... I was losing control. It felt like I wasn’t even myself anymore."
Ray, leaning against the wall, crossed his arms thoughtfully. "It could be a virus. Something that’s controlling you, messing with your mind, making you act out of character."
Rizra nodded, her eyes narrowing. "That makes sense. Your whole demeanor changed, and then there was the glitching. Whatever it is, it's not just normal."
Daka, who had been silent up until now, raised an eyebrow. "What if Hajime became some sort of... computer? Like a program, glitching out?"
Rizra immediately smacked Daka on the back of the head. "You idiot, don’t be dumb."
Hajime, still confused, stared blankly at the group. "Where am I, anyway?"
Ray gave a small, playful smirk. "You’re in your apartment, kid. I got you a place to stay while you get yourself together."
Hajime’s eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! I told you to get me a simple apartment, not a rich one!"
Ray pouted, crossing his arms defensively. "Well, you didn’t specify what kind of place you wanted. And after everything you’ve been through, I thought you deserved something nice for once."
Hajime sighed, running a hand through his hair. "This... this isn’t what I had in mind. But I guess it’s better than nothing."
He glanced around the apartment again, taking in the expensive décor, the spacious rooms, and the lavish feel. "I’m just trying to figure out what’s happening to me, Ray."
Ray nodded, his expression softening a little. "I get it, Hajime. We’ll figure it out. But you can’t do it alone."
Hajime hesitated, his gaze shifting to Sockoo and the others. The support was there, but the weight of his own confusion and fear still lingered heavily on his shoulders. "I... I don’t know if I can trust myself sometimes. It’s like something’s taking over."
Sockoo gently placed a hand on his arm. "You don’t have to do this alone. We’ll help you figure it out, Hajime. Whatever it takes."
Hajime looked at her, his expression softening, and for the first time in a while, he felt a small sense of relief. "Thanks, Sockoo. I... I really appreciate it."
The room fell into a heavy silence, each of them pondering what had happened and what was to come. The road ahead was uncertain, but they were all in it together. Ray pouted dramatically, arms crossed like a spoiled child. "But can I get your cooking, Hajime?"
Hajime rolled his eyes. "Make your own damn food."
Ray gasped, placing a hand over his heart like he had been gravely wounded. "How could you?! I raised you! I provided for you! And this is how you repay me?!"
Hajime didn’t even acknowledge it, walking past him like he didn’t exist.
Sockoo, amused, turned to Hajime. "Wait, you cook?"
Hajime nodded casually. "Yeah."
Daka immediately jumped in, a little too excited. "Hajime’s cooking is the best I’ve ever had! No one else comes close."
Rizra nodded in agreement. "For once, I actually agree with you, Daka. Hajime’s food is god-tier."
Sockoo’s eyes sparkled with interest. "Can I try your cooking too?"
Hajime shrugged. "Sure."
Ray, still pouting in the background, stomped his foot. "Why do you say no to me but yes to her?!"
Hajime shot him a deadpan look. "Shut up, gramps."
Ray let out an exaggerated sigh, dramatically collapsing onto the couch. "I'm so unloved..."
Hajime ignored him and walked over to the fridge, opening it to check the ingredients. He frowned. "There’s barely anything left in here."
Sockoo peered over his shoulder and sighed. "Aww, I guess Hajime can’t make anything. There’s not even enough to make a sandwich."
Daka smirked. "Wait for it."
Hajime cracked his knuckles and immediately started working. He took the little vegetables they had left, chopping them with expert precision. The way he moved around the kitchen was mesmerizing—like he was in his own world. He mixed seasonings effortlessly, sautéing the ingredients with perfect control. Within minutes, he had created a stunning dish that looked like something straight out of a five-star restaurant.
Sockoo, Daka, Rizra, and even Ray stared at the food, mouths slightly open, drooling at the sight.
The moment they took a bite, their eyes widened, and they felt like they had ascended to heaven.
Sockoo’s face lit up. "This… this is amazing!"
Daka, already stuffing his face, nodded aggressively. "Told you! Hajime’s food is on another level!"
Rizra, usually composed, was too busy savoring the taste to argue.
Ray, his previous pouting forgotten, was eating like his life depended on it. "Okay, okay, I take it back—Hajime, you’re my favorite chef in the whole damn world!"Hajime just smirked. "Yeah, yeah, now stop talking and
eat."
And for a moment, in the warmth of good food and laughter, Hajime
felt a rare sense of peace.
cooking—preparing an exquisite meal from sparse ingredients. For a moment, laughter, good food, and camaraderie provide Hajime a rare sense of stability and peace, giving him a small respite before the next challenge looms.
