Chapter Text
慕和 (Shinowa) - year 2 (2 years after Musen 30 the last year of the era of war)
“Are you sure they are not lost?”
“Oh I am pretty sure they are,” Taiga laughed, but took the tea cup from the bench and took a calm sip instead of worrying. After all they weren’t in any hurry and there was no reason to fear for their safety, except them being chased by some bears down the mountain on their way. “You are making me nervous, can’t you sit down?”
With a sigh Hokuto finally gave up and sat down next to Taiga at the small store which was located at a small road near a mountain path. The store owner came out of the shop seconds later to hand them a few dango and Hokuto took them with a grateful nod and handed one to Taiga. “I guess I will need a bit more time to stop worrying about everything.”
“The fact that you’re even worrying for them on this calm day makes me fear that you will worry for me for the rest of your life,” Taiga said and bit one of the dango off from the wooden stick, almost choking on it.
“See, I have all right to worry,” Hokuto scolded him and patted his back a few times while Taiga laughed between a few coughs. Then he turned to look down the street with a smile.
“At least you have one less reason to worry now.”
Taiga’s words made Hokuto turn to the entrance area of the small town they had chosen to meet up at and he saw Shin, Jesse, Juri and Kochi walking towards them. Shintaro was already waving, Jesse started running towards them and suddenly they were racing their way up to them.
“I was first,” Shintaro said after he had tried to shove Jesse to the side right before they made it.
“Cheater,” Jesse replied and when they wanted to start quarreling, Hokuto held a dango right between them, both of their eyes suddenly sparkling and Hokuto gave them the food so that they would stay quiet.
“How have you been?” Juri asked and finally Taiga got up as well and stopped next to Hokuto with a smile.
“Great, actually. A lot still needs to be figured out, but I am really happy that a lot of people actually wanted to move away from the Capitol now that the communities around the Centers are stable.”
“Do you still prefer living out here?” Kochi asked.
“Sometimes I miss the Capitol. I can't deny that,” Taiga said. “But it’s not like we are not visiting you. But taking care of the people in the countryside is our priority.”
The Capitol had changed drastically over the last few years and now that people had calmed down and their lives had returned to a normal routine they had decided to change their era as well to create a new beginning for everyone. Two years after the fall of the Government they had entered Shinowa, their new era of peace. After their overseas teams brought a lot of good news and a new world war wasn’t something they feared for now, they were trying to focus more on their own futures.
“I bet you would like it out here as well,” Hokuto said towards Kochi who actually seemed to enjoy the quiet nature around him.
“Trust me, it was so difficult to get him away from his desk,” Juri laughed. “But we left Shizu, Miyata, Noel and Tama in charge so it will be fine.”
“I just hate burdening them with so much responsibility. They have the hospital to take care of too,” Kochi added.
The Bunker was eventually renovated and was now part of the Underground City. The entire location was now the central Headquarter of all Centers. They had held an open election and of course they had voted for Kochi as the leader, but Kochi had only accepted under the condition that each Center would also get leaders who would then protect the new build communities around them and they would all come together to make political decisions together. At the headquarter Tama and Miyata had also established a central hospital and they were now teaching everyone who was willing to learn about medical care so that they could help out at the communities.
“For a few days I am sure they are thrilled to take over for you. You really deserve a break,” Taiga said before he looked at Juri. “How are you feeling by the way?”
“I got used to it,” Juri said and looked at his own arms as if he had seen them for the first time. The same as Taiga though his Vestige mark hadn’t vanished. “Weird how you can actually forget how it feels to be human. The worst part is getting used to the basics again.”
“Eating, sleeping, not getting hurt,” Taiga said with a knowing smile and Juri laughed, as he was right.
That their research had eventually worked was a miracle to them all, no one had actually believed that it could be possible, but thanks to Noel, Tama and a lot of the other researchers, Kochi had finally found the missing parts to his research and while Juri had to go through some tough phases while they had several setbacks, he was now a healthy human again, without any aftereffects even after a year. A change that had others follow him now that Kochi felt like it was safe to offer the change back to human to everyone.
“What the hell is up with them?” Shintaro suddenly asked his words almost not understandable as he had three dangos in his mouth at once while he was pointing down the street.
Everyone turned to look and then they could see someone throwing his arms in the air and running forth and back between some houses, squealing and yelling.
“He is the worst kind of human ever, he should have stayed an Elite-Vestige,” Hokuto said and shook his head, but at the same time he was smiling like the others.
“Make it go away! KONPI TAKE IT AWAY!”
“I won’t touch that thing,” Konpi yelled at Taiko, while he hid behind Reia to not get involved. Reia just rolled his eyes and looked at Taiko in amusement as the boy kept running away from a chicken. A chicken, nothing more.
“Taiko, we fought Fallen, come on, this isn’t that bad,” Reia reminded him, but then Taiko squealed again as the chicken actually tried to pick his leg.
“THIS IS WORSE THAN FIGHTING FALLEN,” Taiko screamed from the depth of his lunges while he kept running and then he saw the others and immediately ran towards them.
“Oh no,” Juri said and shoved Kochi out of the way, knowing what was going to happen. Luckily Jesse was up next and Taiko jumped right on Jesse, the boy lifting him up so that the chicken couldn’t get to him anymore.
“My new lifesaver,” Taiko said so grateful as if he was really about to die and Jesse laughed, but slowly let him down when the chicken moved away.
“Such a crybaby,” Konpi said, but then the chicken actually went for him and Reia, and this time Konpi squealed as well and hid behind Reia.
“Are you any better?”
“Leave me alone, I only recently became human again. I need to get used to this.”
“Are we all going to get scared of chicken if we become human?” Reia asked Kochi who gave him a dumbfounded look.
A moment later they all started laughing and Taiga moved to the front with a smile. First Reia hesitated, but when Taiga opened his arms he jumped into a hug.
“I’ve missed you,” Taiga said and hugged the other one tightly. “How are things overseas?”
“A bit chaotic, but everyone is safe, at least the ones who were with me.” Reia had joined one overseas team for the last year and things were way smoother overseas than he had imagined. After the Fallen searching team had succeeded in finding and turning the remaining registered Fallen they felt safe enough to move on to other teams.
“The other teams are also okay, no worries. We are in contact,” Kochi explained. “Everyone has come back at least once by now.”
“Are you planning on going again?” Taiga asked and Reia stepped back with a thoughtful expression. “Maybe. I am not sure yet. Rinne, Katsuki and Yabana are still out there so I want to check up on them.”
“By the way, who else is coming?” Taiko asked now that he had calmed down.
“The ones who don’t seem afraid of chickens,” Hokuto said and looked ahead where another group of people arrived, but right after he had said that, one of them actually jumped away from the same chicken and got a slap on the back of his head from Kentaro.
“What the hell Chaka. Since when are you a scared cat?”
“I don’t know, I just feel like this chicken is evil,” Chaka replied, making Reo laugh.
“He isn’t wrong,” Taiko greeted them.
“But at least there seems to be the proof that not everyone who turned back is afraid of chicken now,” Juri pointed out and on that everyone turned towards the two who were walking behind Chaka, Kentaro and Reo.
“Why would I be afraid of a chicken?” Aran asked with a raised eyebrow as he looked at Myuto who shrugged his shoulders.
“Don’t ask me, I am still a Fallen after all.”
“Which we need to change. Kochi, I think you will soon have your next volunteer,” Kentaro teased, but Myuto gave him a warning glare for that statement.
“Everyone is welcome to go through the change. A lot of the Elite-Vestige have gone through it already and they are grateful for their returned human lives. I know the progress is a bit longer and more complicated than with a simple serum, but I can ensure you that it is worth it.”
“Even Hirano’s group seems to do really well with Hikaru’s group in the communities, right?” Reia asked and Shintaro nodded.
“At the West Center their members are helping out really well with the people. I never thought Hirano’s group would go through the change this early, but they are really well suited for a human life.”
“So what, am I more suited for a Fallen life?” Kentaro let out a bit of challenging, Reo joining his threatening game, making Shintaro fall silent for a moment before they both laughed.
“Are you really planning on changing?” Taiga asked as he approached Myuto who flashed him a bright smile and went to hug him before he actually replied.
“Maybe. We talked about it and Aran is more than happy to be back to human, but I guess I need a bit more time. Aran wants to go overseas again and I feel better if I am still a Fallen when I go with him.”
“Right, the overprotectiveness is a part of a lot of you,” Taiga laughed and looked back at Hokuto who was now quarreling with Kentaro and Reo about him and Taiga not coming back to the Capitol often enough.
“But if I do it, then I think I will choose to live outside the Capitol the same way you do,” Myuto added with a calm look towards Aran who was speaking to Kochi and Juri.
“The Centers are all in good care and no matter where our paths lead us we will all still be there for each other,” Taiga assured him.
“Did you hear back from them?” Myuto asked and Taiga knew of course who he was talking about.
“I only spoke to Shime before he left. But I am happy for them. They deserve a new start, no matter where in the world.”
Shime had eventually joined Taisuke overseas, but at some point they had split from the group Mitsu was leading. Yet they still reported back to Kochi from time to time.
“We’ve all changed a lot that is for sure, but I think we will all eventually find happiness in one way or the other,” Myuto assured him and patted his shoulder with an encouraging smile. “Which reminds me, there is something we need to do before I leave again.”
Which would be?” Taiga asked in confusion on Myuto’s teasing smile.
“You know there is a coffee shop now at the community at the West Center, we should check it out the next time you come to the Capitol.”
Now Taiga formed a bright smile as well and nodded. “Finally we can have another coffee together.”
“Let’s go or we won’t make it until nightfall,” Shintaro said and started walking. All they were aiming for was a walk to the next town to stay the night at one of the guest houses, but something harmless and calm like this was something they all hadn’t done even once in their lives. Taiga smiled ahead at all of them. They all seemed so excited and hyped about this small come together. Of course it was sad that they couldn’t all meet up together after such a long time, but someone had to keep an eye on the headquarter and Centers after all.
“Are you okay?” Hokuto asked as he let himself fall back to walk next to Taiga after Myuto had walked up to Aran.
“Yes, why?” Taiga asked, but Hokuto gave him a knowing look, making Taiga smile.
“I know it’s a weird choice, but it was also the only place I knew and I am happy that some people decided to study our history and actually rebuild this historical street.”
The place Taiga had chosen for them all to meet up was the place where he had fought against Taisuke and lost to his Fallen self for the first time. But he didn’t feel in any way uncomfortable being back at this place. He had hoped back then already that a calm era would come for them all to enjoy such peaceful days and finally his wish had become reality.
“You’ve changed,” Hokuto said after a moment and Taiga looked at him in confusion. “How to say it. You’ve become calmer, maybe? More mature?”
“That is something we all have become,” Taiga replied with a calm smile. “But I guess you also made your decision because you realized that change?” Taiga asked and for a moment Hokuto was in his thoughts, but then he flinched and cursed when Shintaro was suddenly next to him and pinched him into the arm.
“What takes you so long? You are missing all the fun. Did you know that Juri has a pet penguin now?”
I DON’T OWN A PENGUIN, SHIN!” Juri yelled from the front.
“Seriously, Shintaro is reading too many of our history books recently,” Jesse said, shaking his head.
“But how much fun would it be to have a pet penguin?” Reo asked with sparkling eyes.
“Guys, we were talking about zoos, not about pets. A penguin is no pet,” Juri scolded them.
“Then why do you own one?”
Kentaro’s question made Juri explode and he dashed after the Fallen, the others laughing at them and chasing after them.
“The chaos will never end,” Hokuto said and rubbed his forearm. Taiga stopped him and took his arm in his hands, to lift it up. The red spot where Shintaro had pinched him was still visible and Taiga was smiling in peace as he moved his fingers over it and put a soft kiss on it.
“Now I guess I am the one who will need to get used to this,” Taiga admitted.
Hokuto smiled on hearing that before he put his hand on Taiga’s cheek. “I promise you that I won’t run off to fight with the others overseas now, so you don’t have to worry, okay? I made this choice, because I felt that we were both ready for this change.”
“And even if we are not, we will have the others to help us out,” Taiga reminded him.
Hokuto nodded and leaned in for a slow kiss. For him everything felt new, every touch, every move, even the sunlight on his skin and the cold of the night felt as if he had never experienced it before, but he knew that he had made the right decision in becoming human again.
From now on they would all live in an era of peace and they knew that their friends would always have their backs, so now it was time for them to create their own future!