Reversed Roles

Hello! Sorry about the delay in chapters recently. I'm overseas right now and I DIDN'T BRING MY DAMN COMPUTER!!!! So, I'm posting this chapter from my phone. I even wrote it on my phone. Hope you enjoy! :)

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Muichiro stretched his hands out, feeling the fabric of his new uniform. Yuichiro stood in the shade, watching his brother with sharp teal eyes.

"Your uniform is made of a special fibre, making it waterproof and flame retardant, as well as strong enough to repel the claws and teeth of a weak demon. But I'm sure you'll have no trouble with that." Kasumi watched him from beside Yuichiro.

"Thank you, Kasumi-sensei, for everything you've done for me and Yuichiro." Muichiro bowed gratefully, even Yuichiro had a solemn expression. They were about to go on their first mission, and this was the last time they would be seeing Kasumi. "Don't look so sad, boy. You can always visit again. Oh and..."

She walked into the hut and came out carrying a wooden box. "You can use this box to carry Yuichiro during the day. It's made with a lighter wood and has greater durability." She knocked on the box, listening to the echoing wood.

"You both look good in what you wear." She commented. Muichiro wore a modified version of the uniform, with longer sleeves and no kyahan. It looked more like a kimono to be honest. He wore his light mist yukata as a haori instead and white zori.

Yuichiro wore his oversized black yukata turned into a haori, a smaller indigo yukata with cloud patterns on it and black hakama pants, tied back gently with a white ribbon, and his kyahan and white zori.

"Thanks!" Muichiro beamed. Yuichiro climbed into his box, and with a gentle creak, they set off into the unknown, leaving Kasumi and her cozy hut behind.

As they disappeared into the distance, Kasumi's gaze lingered, watching the twins shrink into tiny figures, until they were nothing more than small dots on the horizon, and finally, vanished from sight. "I really hope the children of the sun will be alright," Kasumi whispered, her voice barely audible, as she stood there, her eyes fixed on the empty space where they had once been, her expression a mix of concern and worry.

☆

"Yui, are you okay?" Muichiro asked, but only a soft, gentle snoring replied, echoing from the box. Realising his twin was fast asleep, Muichiro abandoned his attempt at conversation and continued onward, his footsteps carrying him toward the town.

After a while, he finally arrived at Kumoro Village. He wandered through the streets, his eyes scanning the surroundings, searching for any telltale signs of demonic presence. And then, he heard it - a faint rustling, followed by a low, anguished groan.

A man, his dark brown hair disheveled and unkempt, sat slumped on the ground, his expression a mask of shock and bewilderment. His clothes were tattered and stained, his face smudged with dirt, and a few nasty bruises marred his features.

A few other townsfolk noticed him too, and whispers began to circulate like wildfire, their hushed tones and pointed glances fueling the gossip. "Did you hear..." "He's the one..." Some murmured, their voices barely audible, while others breathed, "The vanished girls..." The man's aura felt shaky and vulnerable, like he had suffered a recent loss, his eyes sunken and his skin pale.

Hearing the whispers, Muichiro decided to approach the man with caution, his footsteps soft on the ground. "Umm... excuse me, but are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle and concerned, as he raised his hand for the man to grab. The man took it, his grip weak, and nodded his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "I'm fine..." he muttered, his voice cracking, as he rubbed the spot where his cheek was red and swollen.