Hikoru

Hikoru just nodded silently as Lessa apologized to him for the loss of his Unique Skill. Her words were true, it did feel like he had lost a part of himself when he found it gone. The name Master of Shadows was associated with who he was, he had carried that mantle from Lowenthal for what felt like years. But just like that. It was gone. He tried to use the Unique skill on a few occasions, but to no avail. He had lost what was once his to own, a thing he took for granted. His spirits were lifted a little as she talked about visiting his cafe.

"I think you'd like the drinks. We'd mostly serve Pumpkin spice flavored things, but I can add Hot Chocolate to the menu. And you'll get a discount for the idea." He spoke with a small laugh following close behind. He sighed and looked up into the cloudy night sky, the snow still falling. After a few moments of silence, Lessa commented on how it was a nice time. He nodded in agreement. "I have to say the same. You helped me realize that I still have growth to go. This game really makes people become an adult too quickly. I should be in college enjoying my time, but here i am fighting for my life every day." He spoke, a frown on his face. "But, this is the path we have to take now." He opened his HUD and brought up a trading screen, trading Gram to Lessa silently. He stood, putting his hands in his pockets and spoke without turning.

"Please, keep the frontlines safe for me. My Apprentice, Aru, will be joining there, and I cant bear the thought of him getting hurt. Until we see each other again." He said. Then with a wave he started walking towards the darkness of the world, away from the frontlines and into the unknown.

And for the first time in a long time, he wasnt afraid of it.

Hikoru sat there silently for a few moments, his hand around the sword that had brought him turmoil through fights, and was the cause of Vale leaving. He always just wanted to throw it away, but something stopped him from doing so. He heard Lessa say a few words about Vale and losing her, and only a small smile could be seen. "She was my everything." He simply spoke. Kit and Ariel had a special place in his heart, but Vale... She helped him in his darkest time, and gave him love he didn't know he deserved. He sat quietly as Lessa spoke about her own experience with cursed items, and he nodded.

"The Info Brokers have been keeping tabs on items like these. Although rare, they seem to be almost like a glitch in the system, which is the scary part.  They warp and change things in the game, and there's no cause or reason as to why they do. I tried to find the reason it existed, but any trail I took went cold." He looked at the blade again. "There's just no reason that makes sense, unless the ghosts of players actually exist in this game, and they bond with items and cause these glitches." He shook his head in disbelief. "But we'll never know the truth unless we can ask Kayaba directly."

Lessa asked why he wouldn't be able to keep his promise, and he looked at the snow in front of him. "Well, look at the snowflakes." He waited a moment before continuing, finding the right words. "Each snowflake is unique, each come with their own place in this world. You and I are different. In our roles on the battlefield, in our fighting styles, everything. Not one person is the same." a slight frown formed on his face. "I have been forcing myself to play a role I wasn't meant to play anymore. My time of retirement has come, and I can't even argue it anymore." He said with a chuckle. "Don't tell anyone this but, one day I woke up and I didn't have my Unique Skill anymore, it was just... gone. I'm no longer the Master of Shadows. I'm just.... Hik." He said quietly, a tinge of regret in his voice.

"So, I'm going to be working with the Info Broker Society full time, and taking over the reigns fully. There are more and more rumors every day, and someone has to sift through them and find the real ones amongst the fake." He looked at Lessa. "I might finally open up my café too. I've been trying to brainstorm ideas. Something with a pumpkin, since that's my familiar." He laughed a little bit. "But, my time on the frontlines has come to an end, against my own wants about it."

Hikoru listened quietly, Mari's bitterness evident from her words and posture. She explained how they were different, and he just waited. When she spat out her last words, saying they are not the same, he shook his head.

"You are right, I haven't been hunted. But, I have had my ex fiance kill my mentor over an item." He spoke "I remember how it drove me to the brink of madness, and I hunted and killed NPCs out of spite and anger. I remember almost killing a friend because she was close to her, and ruining the friendship we had because of my malice." He said, keeping eye contact. "I remember watching close friends and allies be killed in front of my eyes because I was too weak to do anything, and I took that anger and frustration out on others." He sighed. "And every time I've come close to a relationship since then, they leave me. My emotions have been a play thing to any woman I've met." A small tear came to his eye, and it slowly rolled down his cheek.

"So no, maybe we aren't the same in some ways, but that doesn't mean I havent had my suffering too. But, I still deserve to be happy, even with my mistakes and my burdens. And you do too, whether you trust the words of the Master of Shadows or not." He said, a slight smile on his lips as he tried to lighten the mood with a playful, but honestly really bad, joke.

Hikoru was a bit confused from Lessa's reaction to the sword, and he realized the info he had on Lessa was correct, however she seemed confused as to how he had it. From what he had thought, Lessa had given it to Vale somehow, but maybe that wasn't the case. He was confused but he decided to drop it. She told him where she got it, and how it disappeared from her inventory. Did Vale somehow steal it? He didn't know something was possible in the system. He would have to look into it a bit later. He thought for a moment as she asked about it relation to Vale, and he sighed.

"She... was a fighter, through and through. Martial Arts and stealth user, and one of the most stubborn women I'd ever known." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "She... was beautiful, in everything she did. We were a couple, I almost proposed before she went off the grid, and I havent seen her since." He looked at the sword. "And this.... basically has a demon connected to it. Every time we went to a boss, some sort of code would infect it, and it would grow twice as strong. She feared the demon in this sword, and I swore I'd protect it for her." He frowned

"But i can no longer keep that promise."

Hikoru chuckled as her nose scrunched up at the thought of only eating candy "Oh I must agree, but his code is attached to Halloween, it only makes sense." He said, and he saw the look of worry on her face as she explained why she wasnt comfortable. He nodded in understanding.

"As I feared, I'll be honest." He said with a sigh. "You're dealing with the same emotions I felt bot that long ago." He stood and walked quietly, his boots silent against the floor. "When I got my orange cursor, i secluded myself to the Caves of Floor 10, a lot nastier than the ones found here." He spoke with a small chuckle. "I was ashamed of myself and what I did, and it took a lot for me to venture out and see things, or meet friends." He spoke quietly, his mind going back to those days. "And it took me a long time to get over those thoughts, some days they still come back and make me question if I deserve some place as nice as this."

"But, then I remember that everyone deserves to feel safe, no matter what they did. While i dont know what you did, I know what I did, and things I'm ashamed of. But still. I deserve to be happy, to enjoy things in this life within this game, even if I'm not a perfect person." He spoke, and locked eyes with her.

"And you deserve just as much as I do, if not more."

Hikoru watched as she stood by the fire, staring into the flames. He could feel her uncertainty from here, even though this was a safe place. He had a hunch as to how she felt. When he had become an orange player, he lived in the caves of Floor 10 alone for a long time. He got used to to the cold, damp area he as in, and it was weird for him to be within a building. He remembered that feeling well, and wondered if she felt the same. She was a bit perplexed by the small pumpkin and she took the coffee happily.

Sir Rolland gave a small growl of happiness and he strode away, his vines tapping against the wooden floor. He came over to Hikoru and placed down the tray, his big eye meeting his masters. He smiled and opened his inventory, bringing out a large handful of candy and giving it to the small creature. Sir Rolland took it greedily and went to the other room, the sound of him munching on them being faintly heard

"He is a unique familiar, I'll give you that. I got him at a Halloween event, and all he eats is candy." He spoke, and his eyebrow shot up as she said she shouldn't stay the night. He crossed one of his legs over the other, leaning back with his cup of coffee. "If I may ask, why do you feel this way?" He spoke. Taking a small sip of coffee

Hikoru walked quietly, smiling at the comment she gave him. "While yes that's a grand idea, the skill only works within a short radius. I can barely fit a single person within the field, but you're..." he cleared his throat "small, enough... to fit the radius easily." He spoke, trying to not be impolite. He continued to walk and as he ushered her in, he chuckled at her comment as him being related to Skeletor. He knew the character and he had to admit, this would be something he would have.

"Very funny." He said as the door closed. The girl looked cold as he sat down, and he motioned for the chair closest to the fire. "You should warm up over there. It will be the nicest spot for you." He said as he opened his inventory, checking if there was anything amiss, as he usually did whenever he came home. He never knew what would happen in his time away. The whole system could change and he wouldn't know about it. He heard the familiar clink of plates as Sir Rolland came out with the platter. He came over to Hikoru first. Bringing the coffee close as his owner took one with a smile, grabbing only a small amount of creamer and sugar. He stirred it with a spoon and gave a pat to the small Pumpking. "Good job, now, go over to the miss over there and give her coffee." Sir Rolland nodded and came over to her, a coffee in his platter with coffee creamer, Pumpkin flavored, and sugar with a second clean spoon, awaiting for her to take it.

Hikoru listened and nodded to her words. He did have to admit, he himself had grown for the better in the past few months alone, thanks to the trials, talks and friends around him showing him, whether meaning to or otherwise, that he needed to change for the better. The stealth life, a life in the shadows had corrupted him little by little, hardening his heart and forcing him to put on a person as "Master of Shadows". He had been brought back to reality when he realized he wasnt happy, he was forcing himself to do things he didnt like. But the IBS, that was something he loved. Gathering Intel, helping to find rumors, that's what he loved. And that's where he put his time, and he wanted to give more. As she talked, he nodded.

"Yes, but remember, people play smaller parts to escape. We all are doing it in our own ways, and have to give our all in what we do. Shield is an amazing blacksmith. Zandra is one of the best healer in our ranks, and myself, I have started a band of amazing Info Brokers that help us to get Intel on the next boss. Everyone plays an important role, no matter how small it may feel." He smiled. He opened his inventory quietly. "But I need to focus on my part more, and I've come to realize that in the last short while." He said with a chuckle, and a weapon appeared in his hand, one that both him and Lessa recognized.

"But, that means that I have to drop things that I've wanted to do for a long time..." he looked at Lessa, the giant weapon in hand. "I know you're connected to this weapon, as am I. One of the women, Vale... who i loved, left this and I havent seen her since. I miss her, and this weapon is the only thing that I have of her.... I dont know what you plan with this weapon, but if you find her... protect her, keep her safe." He spoke, his eyes pleading for help for the mission he couldn't do himself.

Hikoru walked quietly along the pathway towards his home, he took the one laden with dew and water dripping from the rocks. Even though his cloak no longer had a enchantment on it, it still shimmered and glowed next to water, giving it a weird look that made it harder to see. It hid Mari easily, and it made sneaking through the down into the outskirts easily. They appeared at his giant, skull-looking door and he smiled a bit awkwardly.

"Excuse the outer-decor. It's uh... I had a weird sense of style awhile ago when I bought it. It keeps out unwanted visitors however, so I take the positives from it." He pressed a hidden button and the skull-stone rolled out of the way, showing a hidden door beneath it. He opened it and the smell of coffee and a warm fire filled the small cavern they were in. He motioned for her to enter, and once she did he entered and closed the door, the skull stone rolling back into place. He motioned towards a button next to the door. "In case you feel in danger, this button moves the stone." He said, then took the cloak off her shoulders and hung it onto a nearby coat hanger, his small familiar peeking from the kitchen and coming to him. Hikoru learned down and pat the Pumpking on his head with a smile. "Hello, can I get some coffee please?" The familiar took a few moments to process the words, and he went back to the kitchen. Hikoru sat down on his sofa and motioned towards the few couches and chairs he had strewn about the dimly-lit home. "Make yourself at home, coffee will be ready shortly."

Hikoru listened quietly as Mari seemed to lose her mind over the thought of pumpkin spice. Obviously, he had forgotten how hard it was to get flavors inside the game, due to him using it so often that it became a luxury. Having an event familiar had it's own perks. He just chuckled a bit as she asked to catch her breath. He held up a hand silently and shook his head, telling her not to worry about it. She said it was asking a lot for him to trust her, and then jested about how he had almost killed her not long ago. He just held a small smirk softly, finding it humorous

"Yeah, that would make sense. But I promise you no ill intent. I can't even kill you if I wanted to. The young gentlemen in my house wouldn't allow me. Kid's got a good head on his shoulders, and I'm trying to push him to the frontlines so I can retire, but he will do no such things right now." He said with a small chuckle. "But, I hope to get him there. He's strong, more of a bruiser build but trying to change to stealth. I told him no but he insisted. Afraid he'll learn the hard way." He spoke. then motioned towards a direction. "Come, let's get out of here before it get's too late in the evening."

I suppose I should give a face update. Tis been far too long since I have

This was taken a month ago. My hair is m u c h longer now

Hikoru shook his head, and decided to pull out his calling card. He opened his stats and found the skill he was looking for, making sure it held the information that he needed to show, and turned it around for Mari to see. "I don't mean an actual charm or trinket, I mean a skill." He spoke, and showed her the stats of his Unique Skill. "I can get you in easily, and there are enough outer tunnels that we can easily get you around. and if you are caught, I can easily get you out and hold back the guards long enough for you to get out of there. And, my house is on the outskirts of town, and not a lot of NPC's go near because of my homes... appearance." He said with a slight chuckle. "I promise you, you can trust me." He said with a smile, and held out his hand for her to take.

"Besides, I know you will want some of the coffee I make, My familiar is great with the creamer he makes, albeit all it can be is Pumpkin spice, it's still a decent flavor." He said with a small chuckle. He waited quietly to hear her response and the wind blew his hair to the right, giving a wind swept look with his gleaming smile.

Hikoru listened as Father Wuotan brought out the pendant he asked for, from the 1's and 0's of the system the item was back in the possession of players. His eyes widened as it was placed in his hand, but he noticed something unique about it. Along the edge of the item, there were two symbols, almost looking as if they were engraved long ago. One of two swords crossed, another of a large, cleaver/looking sword. He didn't understand what those meant, but he ignored that for now. He put the item on and wore it, rubbing the pendant with his thumb, feeling nostalgic.

"Thank yo-" he started saying, but he saw that the man that was there was now gone in a gust of wind. He was taken aback from it, but soon moved on as he remembered that this was the system's person, and they could do what they wanted. He listened to Lessa and just nodded quietly as she spoke, seeing that they had a bit in common. She ended her statement with something negative, and his eyebrows furrowed a bit.

"Well, I didn't notice overnight. It was always the slight differences that I started to notice, to see myself grow." He spoke. "You can't just sit back and expect to see everything change all at once. You always have to watch yourself and see how your actions have developed." He spoke, then pulled out his dagger. "See, when we all started, we all fully relied on the Sword Arts Mechanics to do our attacks when we were all at our first rank." He said, then flipped it. "But over time, we realized how to fight, and as our ranks went up, so did our skills. It didn't happen over night, but it changed little by little, and everyone developed their own ways of fighting with their weapon. No one person fights the same as another. it's truly a unique thing." He said, then looked at Lessa. "We as people work the same way. We grow, we develop, and we learn over time. It takes time, it takes patience, and frustration always follows. But eventually, we realize that we have grown without meaning to, and small things about us change. I'm sure that you have grown as well, you just are looking at the bigger picture, and not the smaller parts." he spoke, then sheathed the dagger.

Hikoru snuck quietly around, letting the shadows envelop him for what felt like the last time. This was going to be his last time using this skill. This fight was his Coup-De-Grace, how he would end it all. He did not seek death, but he wanted to see if the new generation, the next fighters, could handle themselves if he was gone. He had a feeling this next fight would be the worst yet, but he wasn't sure. The information he had gathered sent a chill down his spine, and he just wanted to make sure.

As he appeared from the shadows, seemingly from the ground he struck his opponent through the heart, his sword art activating and dealing a large chunk of damage to his opponent. He backflipped away at the ending, a smile on his face. "Sometimes carving your own path is what you have to do to proceed forward, no matter if it goes against the grain, you must find strength where there is no strength, and that is truly where you become strong." He spoke. "A dagger is seen as a weaker weapon, and it's not usually taken. But i've made a name for myself using this weapon since day one. I've found strength where there seemed to be no strength." He smiled and pointed the dagger that the boy. "And that's what I want for you."

ID: 134914

BD: 8+4=12 Hit!

Hikoru used Swarm: 14 x 20 x 1.20 = 336 Damage - 126 MIT = 210 Damage to Morgenstern

Hikoru heals 79 Health from Battle Healing

Hikoru: 1218/1570 HP | 108/154 EN | 17 DMG | 79 MIT | 4 ACC | 0 EVA | 79 BH | 12 Holy (9-10) | 1 LGT Momentum [Vanish: 1/3] 

@Morgenstern: 1013/1450 HP | 110/136 EN | 19 DMG | 126 MIT | 4 ACC | -1 EVA | 73 BH | 61 THRNS | 6 F. Thrns (9-10) | Para. Venom (8-10) | 25% DoT Reduce

Hikoru nodded quietly as Lessa spoke, and he let out a small sigh. He knew that he wasn't the only one who suffered in this game, but he always forgot that there were others in similar shoes as him, in the same mindset. Even though they may not speak, their pains he knew well and their pains he could never forget. He opened his mouth to speak, when a voice, strong and yet peaceful, spoke from nowhere. Hikoru jumped up from his past experience with voices that appear from nowhere. He wanted to be safe. But the man he saw was of old age, and seemed like a fatherly figure by how he stood and spoke. He hit Hikoru in the heart, and he felt a tear form and scroll down his cheek. Lessa seemed to know him and spoke quietly, saying hello.

"I... I have no words to argue." He spoke, almost ashamed. "You're right, I've never been able to understand, and maybe I never will..." He spoke, avoiding eye contact with the both of them. "My luck used to be well in the game's mechanics, being able to find weak points and using them to my advantage, it's why people came to me about quests and why I became an info broker, so players could fight and defeat bosses by using their weaknesses." He said, and wiped away the tear he had almost forgotten about. "But, my luck is not the best with players. They are not code, they change. They evolve, they become better and stronger with each passing hour. I always feel stagnant, I always feel that friends have caught up, or are moving forward without me." He said, and looked the father in the eyes. "But then, I remember of friends that have passed on, whom I have surpassed and become stronger than, and I remember that I too have changed, even without noticing. I have become a man, a person whom people lean on and trust in battle, and with hardships." He thought for a moment, and realized what he wanted

"There was a pendant, one that an old friend owned before he passed. Do you think you have one like it?" He spoke. "It was an item I had wanted for a long time, and now, it can be used for the memory of them, to take it and make it through this game." He spoke, remembering Ssendom and Zelrius well. "The emblem I wear symbolizes my three friends who I lost that were dear to me. Lowenthal, Beatbox, and Azide. With this item, I can add two others whose names I will carry through this game until the end of it, or until the end of me." he spoke, happy with the decision he made.

Hikoru shook his head as she tried to come up with excuses. He took his cloak and draped it over her. The Dark blue made it easy to blend into things, as a dark, dark black robe was actually easier to spot. If she fought, he would eventually win as he would be stubborn to keep attempting. And he shook his head. "See, I have a thing that I can guarantee you others don't have." He spoke with a small chuckle. "I have what you call... a good luck charm, when it comes to stealth." He spoke, not wanting to hint at his Unique Skill too much. "It helps me to not be seen. So, I can focus on helping you. Besides, i'm right on the edge of town. It's not like i'm dead center. I like my seclusion." He said, thinking of his home fondly.

"And if you keep fighting me, I will throw you over my shoulder." he spoke with a laugh. "And no offense, but I would much rather walk through a town than be carried." he said, and he saw the look in her eye, and made eye contact. "There are barely any players on Floor 21. Most are on lower, staying safe. Nobody in town will recognize you unless it's an NPC looking for help with a quest." He spoke reassuringly. "Now, come on."

Hikoru listened to what Mari said quietly, and held his tongue until she was done speaking. He had been in her shoes. Not as bad no, but he had been in that mindset that no one wanted to see them in public, that they needed to hide themselves away in places where they were out of sight. It was because of the feelings of regret, depression, and most importantly, shame. He shook his head, and she turned to leave, and he gently grabbed her shoulder, stopping her from going anywhere.

"The least I can do is offer you a good nights rest, for what you did for me." he spoke. He looked her in the eyes with a soft smile. "You can rest at my place for the evening, and i'm not taking no for an answer. Caves are nice and they are secluded, but nothing beats the warm sheets of a bed for resting, and I think you need it as much as I did." He said, and his eyes spoke of pure wanting to just... help, nothing more. She had helped him far more than anyone had in awhile, just by letting him rest within her protection. "Now, sneaking you in will be very easy for me, You will just need a cloak. Do you have one?"

Hikoru rubbed his eyes, removing the non-real eye crusts he felt. He stretched a little bit, making sure to get every muscle had the numerical blood flowing through his muscles, and sat up. He looked at the sky as Mari explained that it was about night fall, and he nodded. "Guess I threw my sleep schedule out of whack then." he spoke, cracking his neck to the side to feel a feeling of release from the stiff was he had slept. He definitely was not used to sleeping on a lap, not for a long time. It was weird to say, but he felt... better. He couldn't explain it, but the colors of the world seemed to be a bit brighter, and things seemed easier to understand and comprehend. It was definitely odd, but he wouldn't complain.

"And where will you be staying?" He asked quietly. "I know orange cursors can't exactly go into towns without stealth." He said with experience from the topic. He stood slowly, taking the umbrella that was still stuck in the ground, and putting it back into his inventory. Luckily, the rain didn't actually make it wet or ruin it, as it would in the real world. It was one of the few things that was actually nice about the game, that he might miss when they get out of this game.

Hikoru just chuckled at the semi-threat that Morg tried to ask, asking if he could "stand the heat." These enchants barely did any damage to him, and usually he healed back what he lost from them faster than they do damage. He shook his head and gave a small sigh. "If that's the best burn you can give, then you let me down Morgy." he spoke, then started to retreat, when Morg asked why he was interested in Baldur. He just shook his head.

"Friends always ask about friends when they don't see them, am I right?" He said, a step away from the shadows. "I ask about you whenever I see other people that you are closer to, albeit that's not much." He spoke with a small chuckle, then entered stealth, changing his area multiple times to confuse Morg, and to find the perfect place to hide and find a good vantage point.

Hikoru used Vanish!

ID: 134455 LD: 20+7=27 Stealth Rating It's Super Effective

Hikoru gains 79 Health from Battle Healing

Hikoru: 1200/1570 HP | 123/154 EN | 17 DMG | 79 MIT | 4 ACC | 0 EVA | 79 BH | 12 Holy (9-10) | 1 LGT Momentum [Vanish: 3/3] [BURN 0/2 6 DMG]

Morgenstern 1250/1450 HP | 108/136 EN | 19 DMG | 126 MIT | 4 ACC | -1 EVA | 73 BH | 61 THRNS | 6 F. Thrns (9-10) | Para. Venom (8-10) | 25% DoT Reduce

Hikoru in those moments had fallen silent. Although he wasn't exactly the greatest faker, he didn't need to fake the quiet listener that he was, nor did he have to fake about how tired he was truly becoming. He eyes soon started to become heavy, and everything around him started to fade. He felt something envelop his body. He couldn't tell what it was, but it was warm, and soft. He slowly nuzzled into it, his mind enjoying the comfort that it was giving him. He wished that he could stay here forever, within the comfort of the warm embrace of the soft thing around him. He heard something within the distance of his own ears, a light singing that soothed him into a deep sleep. He felt his breath slow down, his mind finally shutting down, giving him time to rest

His eyes opened on their own overtime, and it was easy to tell that time had passed. He moved slightly, his body still asleep but his mind starting to become alert about everything around him. He tolled over so his face was upwards, facing the sky. "How long was I out?" He asked simply, unsure of how much time had passed, and not being able to tell, as he fell asleep before the sun had come out.

Hikoru's tears streamed like a roaring river for what seemed like an eternity. He couldn't hold back what emotions he had been hiding, suppressing underneath his cloak, underneath the mask of being okay for the others around him. It had become a damn, and finally the cracks that had been forming over time, the small leaks had turn into roaring rapids, releasing what was held back for so long. He was not able to form words, his mouth busy trying to keep up with breathing, making sure he didn't become unconscious. If he did that here with a random person, he was unsure where he would end up.

After a long time, he finally regained some control over himself, the rapids running into a cool stream once more within his mind. He didn't move from this spot. He calmed down his breathing as Mari sang a song, playing with his hair. He felt as if this was his mother, and this was one of the many, many things he missed from the real world, and he didn't want it to end. He just sat for a few more moments, until she either stopped or she spoke, feeling his body ease up from the tension of his everyday life, and enjoying the feeling of a motherly love, a caring for a person like a child. He was still young, and he missed his family. In this moment, Hikoru missed the outside world even more than he did before.

Hikoru shrugged at the comment about having the upper hand. While yes it did seem a bit unfair, he had made it so people don't know a lot about him. Being in charge of the info brokers has its advantages and disadvantages. One of them is being able to be in stealth without having to use the actual skill. He was like a ghost to most players. It's like he doesn't exist, and he doesn't mind that. Some days like today he would go out in public and just be another bystander, but on the frontlines people knew who he was. And that's all he really needed.

"Nobody truly knows about me, and I like it that way. Ask the frontlines if you have questions." He spoke, taking his cocoa and holding it in his hands to warm them up. It was getting colder, but it was only his hands and his face that were cold. He heard her hum something, and he was brought back to reality from where he was in his memories. He listened in on what she spoke, and he just shook his head quietly.

"Well good, I thought I was..." He spoke, his eyes drifting in the night sky like a shooting star, memories flashing by and leaving. "Well, you see, when not one, not two, but three women, all whom you loved, betray you or leave you, it makes you start to wonder if it's your fault." He spoke quietly. He held back tears at the thoughts. "I don't know anyone I can blame but myself, and that makes it all the more difficult this time of the year to truly enjoy the festivities as I used to." He stopped gazing and returned to earth, looking at the ground. "This used to be my favorite holiday, but this year... I don't feel any joy as I used to."

Hikoru quietly agreed as she spoke about how the top was. While it wasn't as bad as it used to be, there were still moments where people were trying to take him down, wanting to see him fail, to be killed by another and pass on the Unique skill to some other poor soul who thought that having it would make him stronger, make him the best. It only makes him feel isolated in the end, that's the curse of a Unique Skill. He sighed and could only nod, as no more words would form.

It was the next action that caught Hikoru off guard. She had grabbed him and set his head down in her lap, slowly telling him what the situation was, and what it would be. She played with his hair like a mother would, and she told him to let out his frustration. He wanted to scream, he wanted to lash out, get his anger physically like most men would. But Hikoru... he was different. All he could find himself to do was cry. It started with silent sobbing, but soon evolved into true tears, tears rolling down his face as if the rain was still pouring above his head. He couldn't find any other way to convey emotion but this, and his body shuddered between the choking sobs that emanated from his throat. He hadn't cried or let out his emotions in a long time, and now they were finally bubbling to the surface. He couldn't stop himself, no words came from him, just tears, just crying, just raw emotion that he couldn't help but let go.

And for the first time, he felt okay to do so.

Hikoru just chuckled lightly at her words. She truly thought of herself as evil. He didn't blame her, what she did is always a toll on the mind, he should know. She spoke that he was strong, and he just shook his head. "I just know right from wrong, some lose that in this game." He spoke quietly. The rain didn't let up around them, but it was still peaceful, and they were alone, away from prying ears. For once he was okay with just being a little broken, a little frustrated at everything, and this moment was something that would probably be kept between them until the grave. He enjoyed that thought, that for once he didn't need to try and pry to get information to sell off to the highest bidder. This was genuine, and something he could keep to himself.

She said that she wouldn't trust him, due to past things. He just nodded silently. "I understand far more than you realize." That was all he spoke about the subject. A few moments passed, and finally, the rain let up a little bit. He looked up at the clouded sky, the rumble of thunder booming within the atmosphere, when a ping brought him back to earth. It was a friend request, from Mari. He smiled quietly. Baby steps, that's what this symbolized from a broken person. He accepted it quietly, and then she asked what he had been hoping wouldn't be asked.

"Well..." He tried to stop himself, but she had been open with him, so he should do the same. "I have worked for a long time to get where I am, almost at the top compared to many others. I'm strong, i'm trusted enough by the people around me to have a leadership role, and i'm a model for those that want to be on the frontlines." he spoke, then stared at the river for a moment, gathering his thoughts. "But, the top is lonesome, and it can be brutal at times. I've been alone to fight mental battles, emotional, and most of the time physical." he chuckled. "And I do okay at it. But, three times, I have... attempted, to not rely on myself." he spoke. "...and each time, that person has disappeared from my life, after promises of love, they have left me to rot." He spoke quietly, the pang in his heart growing. "The first betrayed me, the second abandoned me, and the third.... deserted me." He spoke, a small tear forming in his eye and dripping down the right side of his face. "I act like things are okay, so that other's don't worry..." He lowered his head.

"But it still hurts."

Hikoru listened Mari quietly explain that he shouldn't have to forgive her, and she told him that she planned to bring herself into the proper authorities. He listened with a soft look in his eyes, feeling sad for her. To kill a person in this game meant many things, but one thing always lined up with whoever did such a thing: they were broken. They were hurting, and they felt that lashing out at another would make things better. He had been guilty of it towards an NPC. It earned him an orange cursor, and he knew that the NPC would respawn, but for the rest of the quest line, it was repeated over and over again that he was a murderer, that he had killed a brother, a friend in cold blood. It opened his eyes to the realization that, this is what would happen if he really did kill an actual person, not just a program.

"No, I feel like I should..." he spoke quietly. "I know that the world can never forgive you. What you did was wrong, I cannot deny that. But, seeing you do that gave me a reason to get stronger, so I can protect those around me. There was a time I wanted to avenge that young girl, but now here I am and I can't even think of hurting you at all. I have no reason, no drive. Because now I am in your shoes in that moment. I'm stronger, I could easily wipe you out and avenge all that you've killed..." He shook his head. "But then, would I be a better person? Or would I be just as bad as you used to be, and all other PK players are?" He asked. "So, I forgive you where others may not. Because everyone deserves forgiveness, because people can change."

He quietly sat there, listening to what she had to say, and realizing that she was right. For now, he was alive. Asking for death was something he promised himself he wouldn't do. But here he was, thinking about it. He sighed and nodded quietly. "You're right, i'm sorry. Thanks for that." he spoke quietly. He looked at her. "And i'm not one to turn my back on others. So if you need someone to trust... You can trust me." He spoke, genuineness in his voice.