Back at the Tomita Estate.
Yuki sat on the edge of her bed, her eyes locked on a photograph she held delicately in her trembling hands.
It was an old photo – one taken long ago.
A younger Yuki cradled a white-haired baby in her arms, smiling softly into the camera.
Her shoulders trembled.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she whispered through quivering lips:
"R… Reito…"
16 Years Ago at the Henmi Household
Back when Yuki Osamu was still Yuki Henmi.
A younger Yuki gently rocked baby Reito in her arms, his small white tuft of hair brushing against her shoulder.
"Hi, Reito," she whispered sweetly, smiling down at the infant boy whose tiny hands waved aimlessly through the air.
"Bah!" Reito babbled, reaching out toward her.
The gentle aroma of camellia tea drifted in from the other room, wrapping the air in warmth. The soft rustle of silk accompanied Yuki's quiet movements as she sat beside the window, rocking her baby with a serenity she rarely allowed herself to show.
Reito grasped one of her fingers with unexpected strength, and Yuki chuckled tenderly.
She leaned down and pressed her forehead to his. Her voice barely above a whisper, she hummed a lullaby – an old tune her own mother used to sing.
"Sign it only for those you truly want to protect," her mother once told her.
Outside, snow had just begun to fall – thin, soft flakes drifting over the garden like whispers.
But inside…
Warmth.
Safety.
A moment untouched by time.
Until…
One afternoon.
Yuki returned home from work, setting her handbag down with a smile.
"Reito?" she called, walking swiftly toward his room.
But when she entered–
His crib was empty.
Her smile vanished.
"Reito?"
Then–
"If you're looking for Reito… he's gone."
Yuki turned, heart dropping.
A tall man leaned against the doorframe.
His dark suit pristine.
His eyes emotionless.
CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
Name: Tougo Henmi
Age: 27
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Brown
Height: 6'0
Weight: 174lbs
Occupation: Businessman
"W-what do you mean?" Yuki stammered, her voice shaking.
Tougo exhaled casually, as though speaking of something as mundane as a stock report.
"It's just like I said. He's gone now, I gave him away. We don't need to worry about him anymore."
Yuki gasped. "What? Why would you do that?! He's just a baby!"
Tougo's eyes hardened, voice sharpening.
"I tould you two years ago I wasn't ready to be a father. I told you to abort him, Yuki. But you didn't."
"That doesn't mean you can just give him away!" Yuki cried, stepping forward, her voice rising with every word.
"I'm doing this for us," Tougo snapped. "Think about it. No child means less expenses. We can focus on building a better future. And once we're financially stable, we can have another child – one we both actually plan for."
Yuki froze.
Her eyes wide with horror.
"…You… did this… for money?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Tougo nodded without shame. "Yeah."
Silence fell like ice between them.
Tougo turned to leave, brushing past her.
Then–
"You're a monster."
Tougo stopped mid-step.
"What did you say?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.
Yuki's fists were clenched. Her voice cracked, but her resolve did not.
"YOU'RE A MONSTER!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face. "I can't believe you'd give away our son… like he was some burden! Like he was just something you could replace!"
Tougo's jaw tensed. "Yuki, listen–"
"No!" she cut him off. "I don't want to hear a single word from you ever again."
Then – her voice cold, resolute, final–
"I want a divorce."
Tougo turned fully to face her, stunned.
"…Yuki."
He looked into her eyes – and saw no hesitation.
Only heartbreak.
And fury.
He sighed, defeated.
"…Fine. If that's what you want. We'll get a divorce."
Back in the present, Yuki clutched the photo tighter to her chest, her tears silently soaking the edge of the frame.
"Reito… I'm so sorry."
Suddenly–
The door to Yuki's room creaked open.
Yuki quickly wiped away her tears and looked toward the doorframe.
It was Mei.
Mei paused in the doorway, her eyes immediately noticing Yuki's red-rimmed eyes and the faint glisten on her cheeks.
"Yuki… are you okay?" Mei asked, her voice soft with concern.
Yuki offered a small, practiced smile. "Yes, Miss Mei. I'm okay."
But Mei wasn't convinced.
She could hear the sorrow hidden beneath Yuki's voice – quiet and trembling.
Without saying another word, Mei stepped into the room and gently sat beside Yuki on the bed.
"Yuki…" she whispered again, turning to face her.
Yuki met her gaze, still trying to hold that smile – but it faltered.
Mei hesitated, unsure how to say what she truly felt.
Then–
"I'm… sure that Reito is alive somewhere. And that he's happy."
Yuki's breath caught.
"Miss Mei…"
"You should be happy too, Yuki. In fact… I want you to be happy."
Mei's eyes shimmered. Her voice cracked as emotion welled in her throat.
"I… I don't want to see you sad anymore, Yuki."
Suddenly, she leaned her head against Yuki's chest, trembling in her arms.
"You always took care of me when my parents weren't around. You were always there, protecting me, supporting me – and I… I saw you as another mother."
Her voice broke as fresh tears fell down her cheeks.
"But it hurts me to see you like this."
Yuki's eyes widened.
The weight of Mei's words settled deep in her heart.
Then–
She smiled again, but this time it wasn't forced.
Her eyes welled up once more – not with grief, but with overwhelming affection.
She gently wrapped her arms around Mei and pulled her close.
"Thank you, Miss Mei… You and your parents have taken care of me ever since I lost Reito. You gave me a home. A family."
Tears slid down Yuki's cheeks again, silent and warm.
"I also saw you as my daughter, Miss Mei."
Mei, still trembling in her embrace, whispered against her shoulder:
"…Yuki."
The two sat there in silence, wrapped in each other's warmth.
Not maid and heir.
But something far deeper.
Family.
Back at the Shaolin Temple
Teshii and Master Takeshi sat cross-legged in the meditation hall, surrounded by a stillness that seemed to hum with centuries of reflection.
The stone walls were smooth and cool to the touch, but the air inside was warm, as if the room itself exhaled calm. Thick wooden beams crossed the ceiling overhead, their surfaces darkened by years of incense smoke. Outside, icicles clung to the high windows, casting shimmering patterns of refracted light across the polished floor with every flicker from the lantern flames.
At the centre of the room stood a massive bronze incense burner, resting atop a circular platform. Carvings of dragons coiled around its frame – worn smooth by the reverent hands of generations. Delicate whisps of fragrant smoke rose from it score, spiralling upward like visible prayers that vanished before they reached the ceiling.
Dozens of cushioned meditation mats lined the floor in perfect symmetry. No barriers. No divisions. Just space – for breath, for silence, for spirit.
On the far wall, a sprawling mural painted in soft yet powerful strokes depicted a single mountain surrounded by crashing waves: the symbol of inner peace amidst chaos.
Teshii let out a low whistle as he glanced around. "This place is sick," he muttered with admiration.
Master Takeshi turned to him calmly. "So… Teshii, was it? What was it you wanted to speak to me about?"
Teshii exhaled and adjusted his crimson glasses before meeting Takeshi's gaze.
"First things first… you monks don't go around spreading secrets, do you?"
Master Takeshi shook his head. "No. We hold great respect for the trust others place in us. Secrets are safe here."
Teshii signed in relief. "Good… then I guess I can tell you."
Master Takeshi's brow lifted slightly. "Tell me what?"
Teshii's expression grew serious, the light from the incense fire catching on the edge of his glasses.
"…The Order of the Elements."
Master Takeshi's expression shifted. "The Order of the Elements?"
Teshii nodded. "Yeah. It's a secret organization – our mission is to find and unite the ten Elemental Warriors. So far… we've only found four."
He paused.
"And Reito… is one of them."
Master Takeshi's eyes widened with surprise.
"Reito?"
Teshii nodded again. "Yeah. Reito is the Element of Ice."
Master Takeshi lowered his head in thought, trying to process the revelation. "What… what does this mean for him?"
"It means Reito has a bigger role to play in this world," Teshii said, his tone steady. "Master Takeshi, I know you raised him. I know what he means to you. But I'm asking – no, I'm requestion – that you let him join the Order. Not just for us… but for the greater good."
Master Takeshi stood and walked slowly toward the balcony, his back to Teshii. Snowflakes drifted silently past the window as he looked out at the mountains beyond.
Teshii watched him carefully, noting the subtle tension in his shoulders.
"I'm sorry, Teshii," Master Takeshi said after a long silence. "But I can't allow Reito to leave this temple. I've raised him as my own for sixteen years. He is… like the son I never had."
Teshii nodded slowly, his expression unreadable.
"I guess… I'll have to use my last resort," he thought.
He allowed himself a small grin, just at the corner of his lips.
"Yeah…" he said aloud, "I figured you'd say that."
Master Takeshi turned slightly, confused.
Teshii folded his arms, his voice low but deliberate. "Reito told me the story of the First Monk – Master Jiro. Said he was a warrior who abandoned war for peace… founded this temple."
At the name, Master Takeshi's eyes gleamed. "Yes. Master Jiro is our temple's greatest legend. His teachings shaped everything we are."
Teshii nodded. "Right. But Reito also mentioned something else… said that Jiro had a brother. Not much is known about him though."
Master Takeshi frowned slightly. "Yes… it's true. The scrolls mention him only in passing, and even then, very little. No name. No history. He's a mystery."
Teshii's smirk deepened.
"What if I told you… I know who he was?"
Master Takeshi blinked. "You do?"
Teshii nodded, stepping closer.
"And if I tell you… you'll be the first person – besides me, Bossman, and Bosslady – to learn one of the biggest truths about the Elements."
The incense curled slowly between them, the weight of destiny thick in the air.
Master Takeshi's eyes narrowed, not with suspicion – but with anticipation.
"…I'm listening."
Meanwhile…
In the heart of the Shaolin Temple…
A lone figure wandered the temple grounds – hands shoved deep into his pockets, scowl etched into his face. It was Ikazuchi, and he was fuming.
"Damn that monk…" he muttered under his breath.
As expected, Ikazuchi had been – well, Ikazuchi. Just moments ago, he had nearly started a fight with one of the monks over a misunderstanding involving proper training etiquette. It had escalated quickly, and it ended with another monk having to step in before fists started flying.
He exhaled sharply, his breath visible in the frosty air. "Tch. That monk takes everything too seriously."
Running a hand through his spiky hair, he tried – unsuccessfully – to cam himself. The cold did little to soothe his mood.
Then–
"Yo."
Ikazuchi froze.
His eyes widened slightly. "…What was that?"
A figure began to rise – no, phase – straight through the temple stone as if the ground itself had birthed him. He emerged slowly, unnaturally, like a shadow peeling from reality.
Ikazuchi's muscles tensed, every nerve in his body flaring with alarm.
The figure stood tall, dressed in dark garments that shimmered faintly with a smoky aura. His hair was black, hanging slightly over his face, and his eyes–
His eyes were a pure, lifeless white.
Cold. Empty.
And unmistakably dangerous.
That face.
That presence.
That feeling.
Ikazuchi clenched his fists.
There was no doubt in his mind.
This figure…
…was a mutant.
TO BE CONTINUED!!!