Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

The sun had set, the lamps on each corner of the street were burning, and the shops were out of their sights now, but the summer heat was still making them sweat.

Hitori thought about asking the nerd what was all that about, but he decided that he should first know about the friend waiting for him.

He glanced at Akira, walking like a robot– stiff and rigid– with a cold expression on his face. Hitori had cast a healing spell but he knew Akira was hiding his throbbing head under that poker face.

Hitori turned back to focus on the path as they were approaching the barren lands. He heard Akira sniff, then say, "Are you sure it is okay if we don't hurry?"

Hitori nodded. And replied after taking his time. "Who is this guy actually?"

"A gamer. He said just that, and he is a scientist."

"Wait, he? I thought it was a she…" Imagining Reon. But why would she wait in front of his house? She even has a duplicate key. He shook his head.

"It is a he, and he is… okay, alright." He stopped. A teasing smile spread on his face. "I won't reveal much about him."

"What? Stop playing a game, just tell me who it is."

"I can't, it will spoil the fun."

"This has nothing to do with fun. Hey, wait, what the heck were you even doing in front of my house?"

Akira gulped. "You know what, I will tell you about this friend, after all."

"You better. But what were you doing there anyway?"

"So yeah, he is tall and he is old. Around forty or so. He was wearing a suit. Now come on, can you guess who it was?"

Hitori stopped and stared at the nerd. "What were you doing in front of my house?"

Akira groaned. "Okay!" He threw his hands. "I was, I was looking for you," he said, avoiding Hitori's eyes.

"And why was that when YOU ran away from me in the first place?"

"I did! Okay, I was getting out of the academy when… yeah. When Atama-sensei stopped him."

Hitori took a step forward. "Atama-sensei? Why?"

"Somehow, within minutes, the news had reached him. Maybe it was your volunteer friend who snitched on us."

"Me," Hitori said, looking into his eyes. "He snitched on me. Not us."

Akira pulled his chin in and shrugged. "Okay, rude dude, you. So he knew, he stopped me, and made me go looking for you."

Hitori was recalling the events in his mind. The guards, the girl, and the vomit. Then the guards at the front gate– and Atama on a wizard tower.

"But I never saw you. I was running around the academy, but I never…"

"That was because I could not face you. But I did not, Atama-sensei would mess me up. So I was…"

"Why are you here then if you can not face me? I am not a monster, man."

"I went to Atama-sensei with a sad face and said I could not find you. And I was emphasizing the issue, 'Only if I could have his address, I bet you I would go.' He jumped to his feet, got a register, wrote something on a piece of paper, and tore it."

Hitori rolled his eyes. "Amazing plan, genius."

"What? I was hoping to get away, so I put on a little act. It went wrong, of course. He handed me the paper– it was your address. Then he looked into my eyes and warned me, 'If you don't get Hitori to come to the school tomorrow, you are suspended.' I was walking to your house when I saw a scientist staring at your house."

"What was he doing?" Hitori asked. "Just staring? How did he look like, damn it."

"I told you! He was just staring, yeah, want details? With his hands on his waist, that is how. He is… ugh… how can I explain his face to you?"

"Just say something. His hair, eyes, and what else you can remember about him."

"His name.. Well, I would not expose his name. I want you to guess your friend, so the name would spoil the fun, right?"

They were halfway through the barren lands, Hitori was walking faster than before and Akira had trouble keeping up with him. "I don't know, but you are suspicious as hell."

"That man at your doorstep was suspicious as heck!"

Hitori stopped and swung around. He grabbed Akira's shoulder and pushed him back. "That is exactly what I am asking. What was suspicious about him?"

Akira was terrified by the sudden confrontation. "He was dressed like a gangster? Yakuza, I don't believe they exist anymore, though." He broke a light laugh.

Hitori licked his lips and turned away from Akira, continuing his walk. "Damn, why am I even believing you?" He took a turn and was heading to the Vr-cade.

"Hey, stop! Just take a look at him. He looked suspicious to me, but after hearing him… I don't think is someone dangerous."

"You don't even know what kind of danger I am talking about. So shut up and get out of my way."

"Hey, yo," he grabbed Hitori's shoulder, "at least take a look, man. What if he IS your friend? Won't you be keeping him hanging while I say you are not coming? Ouch."

Hitori was stopped the instant Akira threw his hand over his shoulder. He turned and looked into Akira's eyes. "To even take a look at someone dangerous from meters away can turn fatal. It is foolish."

He jerked Akira's hand off his shoulder. Akira clicked his tongue, Hitori was ready to use magic if he had to, but he hoped the nerd would just give up.

Akira was about to stop Hitori when his wand rang. Hitori glanced over his shoulder and saw him take out his wand. Hitori jumped away with a yell, then drew his wand and pointed at Akira.

He raised his hands. "Whoa, chill!" he said. Then brought the wand to his ear without caring what Hitori might do. "Yeah, Eya-nee?"

Hitori's frown disappeared. "Eya-nee?" he muttered. He narrowed his eyes and gulped.