Chapter 668: The Meaning of a Man’s Effort
In the corridor outside the room, the blonde young boy stood stunned in place. He looked up at the quiet room not far from him and slowly walked towards it, his eyes fixed on the floor beneath his feet, as if contemplating and testing something. Satō Shin’ichi, unlike his previous resolve in front of Kusakabe Hongmaru, was now frowning, his face filled with worry.
Perhaps what Kashiwabe Grand had said in the room earlier was not wrong. Bringing [Seed of Fire] back might not be a good choice for her. However, when asked if he wanted to back out, Satō Shin’ichi had still given a negative answer.
Just like his reply to Kusakabe Hongmaru’s question, he trusted Kazumi, trusted his understanding of her, and believed that with him by her side, the girl would never become what Kusakabe Hongmaru had described.
On the other hand, Satō Shin’ichi did have a bit of his own selfish reasons.
It was only because he had revealed his talent for becoming a Professional Hero that it had caused such great pressure for Kazumi.
After the incident that occurred previously, Satō Shin’ichi had also thought for a long time. If he were to tell his girlfriend Kazumi his true identity one day, what kind of situation would she face?
The young boy knew that this was actually very unfair to Kazumi.
As the person closest to him, he couldn’t even tell her the most basic truth. This was also a very painful matter for Satō Shin’ichi.
For a female student, dating an ordinary person was a completely different choice and situation than dating a Professional Hero who had to fight against enemy organizations on the battlefield.
Perhaps some girls would dare to face the potential dangers and pressure for the sake of their relationship. Satō Shin’ichi also believed that Kazumi’s feelings for him would not change because of these unimportant things.
But none of this should be built on deception.
Kazumi was too kind. She was so kind that whenever the young boy thought about hiding such an important matter from her and not telling her, he felt immensely guilty.
When he received some news about his future development from his master, Kazumi’s first reaction was not to worry about the risks and pressures faced by the partner of a future Professional Hero.
Instead, she foolishly worried whether he, as an ordinary person, was worthy of his status, and was consumed by this internal conflict.
This was precisely why, after Kazumi expressed these feelings, Satō Shin’ichi had hurriedly taken her to Hamano Tsukasa to propose, and immediately contacted Sakura-nee.
The young boy completely understood his girlfriend’s feelings. As a former orphan, he understood this feeling very well – that sense of weakness and insignificance that made one afraid to look up at others, that deeply ingrained feeling of being inherently inferior to others.
Even if Kazumi felt it, he didn’t want Kazumi to feel it.
Satō Shin’ichi’s feelings for Kazumi had never been based on strange things. He liked Kazumi’s clean and pure nature, liked everything about her, liked the girl who liked to look at him, and that was all.
But at the same time, the young boy was also very clear-headed.
Reality could indeed have a certain impact on feelings.
Although Satō Shin’ichi still had doubts about his own abilities, whether he could reach the level of his master, he was not sure. But no matter what, he would definitely work hard to achieve it.
If the day came when he truly took over his master’s responsibilities, Kazumi, as an ordinary person, would definitely feel pressure facing such a status.
But it would be different if she became a psychic. Even if she were just an ordinary psychic, at least their identities would align more closely, with at most only a difference in the strength of their abilities.
This would be a good thing for both their relationship and for Kazumi, who was already sensitive and delicate about relationships.
“Some darkness will slowly corrode this place.”
Kashiwabe Grand’s words echoed in Satō Shin’ichi’s mind again. The young boy couldn’t help but clench his fists, a hint of guilt appearing in his eyes.
This outcome was not too surprising for Satō Shin’ichi. Or rather, given Kazumi’s experiences and personality, it would be surprising if she awakened a “Seed of Fire” ability similar to Kusakabe Sakura’s.
Kashiwabe Grand’s advice was more about his own position. After all, abilities did have a certain influence on a person’s personality.
However, unless it was an extremely twisted personality combined with powerful abilities that mutually influenced each other, one could not slip into an abyss of no return, into something completely irreversible.
After all, the Hero Department had specialized courses for students on controlling the influence of abilities on personality, and Professional Heroes also underwent specialized training regarding the influence of their own abilities.
Otherwise, it would be a weakness exposed to the enemy, which could be exploited.
“I won’t let that happen. After being with me, Kazumi has made many friends, and her personality has improved a lot. Everything is developing in a better direction… She will absolutely not reach that point!”
He let out a long breath, raised his fist, and swung it forcefully, making a heartfelt vow.
Then, he tidied up his mood, and his signature sunny smile reappeared on his face.
Looking at the wooden door of the quiet room, which was now within arm’s reach, Shin’ichi gently tapped it with his finger and softly opened the wooden door in front of him.
The door hinges let out a slight creaking sound, and the scene inside came into view.
Kusakabe Sakura was sitting cross-legged on the tatami, holding a ball of flickering pink flame in her palm. The flame changed shape nimbly at her fingertips, sometimes transforming into a flying bird, sometimes into a swimming fish. The pink-haired girl, with a focused expression, was demonstrating something to Kazumi beside her.
Kazumi sat quietly beside Sakura, her short black hair falling to her shoulders. The pale color had returned to her complexion, and her dark eyes were fixed on the pink flame.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, both of them turned their heads.
“Shin’ichi!”
The flame in Sakura’s hand vanished with a puff. She cheerfully waved her hand, “Come quickly! I’m teaching Kazumi some little tricks for controlling flames!”
Kazumi’s reaction was much calmer. Seeing Satō Shin’ichi arrive, a bit of life returned to her dark eyes, and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, revealing a faint but genuine smile.
Sunlight streamed through the paper window of the quiet room, casting a soft, golden glow on the three of them.
Shin’ichi stood at the doorway, and suddenly felt a warmth surge in his chest. All his confusion and worry seemed to disappear at that moment.
Wasn’t all his effort and thought precisely for this moment of quiet beauty, and for the smile his girlfriend showed him?
