Game Without Limits

Shigeru burst into the fragile calm that had only just begun to settle over the Fujiwara household like a whirlwind.
"Well then, got anything to eat?" he boomed theatrically, slapping a hand over his stomach. "I'm starving!"Naoko, standing nearby, froze in shock, her mind struggling to keep up with how the conversation had shifted from a deadly battle to mundane hunger pangs in an instant."Although..." His eyes darted toward the untouched food on the table. "Seems like there's still something that hasn't been bloodstained!"Without waiting for an invitation, Shigeru plopped himself down in the chair where Takatsu had been sitting moments ago and grabbed a chicken leg with the enthusiasm of a man who hadn't eaten in days. Everything about him—his tone, his appetite, the sheer audacity of his actions—stood in stark contrast to the life-or-death struggle they had just endured. It was impossible for the family to look away."Mmm, delicious! Did you make this, Lady Naoko?" he asked between bites, smiling so warmly that it nearly broke her composure.Ayana, who had been quietly observing, couldn't hold back a giggle. It came out awkward and unsure but infectious nonetheless. Even Hiroto, heavily bandaged and slumped against the wall, managed a faint smile."Unbelievable..." Takatsu muttered under his breath, shaking his head. But his frustration quickly gave way to gratitude. No matter how bizarre this man was, he owed him everything.Slowly rising to his feet, Takatsu steadied himself on a chair and took a step forward."Master Shigeru," he began, speaking firmly but respectfully, "I cannot express how grateful I am for saving my family. It's a debt I can never hope to repay."Shigeru didn't respond. He was too busy enjoying his meal, seemingly oblivious to Takatsu's heartfelt words."But..." Takatsu continued, his tone tinged with hesitation. "Please, who are you? What is this magic, this power you wield?"The soldiers working around them were methodically cleaning up the aftermath of the battle—wiping away bloodstains, collecting shattered fragments of furniture, even patching up bullet-ridden walls. Meanwhile, Shigeru casually reached for a glass of juice and took a long sip, as if the question wasn't meant for him at all."Does it really matter?" he finally said, leaning back in his chair with an air of lazy indifference. His gaze, almost playful, swept over the room. "I saved you. Isn't that enough?"His voice carried a strange mix of sincerity and mockery, as if the question itself was absurd."Forgive my persistence," Takatsu said, struggling to keep his emotions in check. "I just want to understand, Master Shigeru."Naoko and the children watched their exchange with rapt attention, their curiosity palpable. To them, this was a scene ripped straight out of an anime—a surreal blend of heroism and mystery that defied the rules of their ordinary lives.Shigeru, noticing their wide-eyed stares, suddenly smiled. Raising a finger to his lips, he gave them a conspiratorial wink."Let's keep it a secret, shall we?" he said at last, his tone light and teasing. He even threw Ayana a playful wink through the bandage that partially obscured his face. "After all, isn't life a bit more exciting with a little mystery?"And with that, he returned to his drink, his demeanor making it clear that the conversation was over.But just as everyone began to accept that they wouldn't get answers, Shigeru spoke again. His voice was casual, even lazy, but beneath it lay a sharp edge."Besides..." He chewed thoughtfully on a piece of chicken, completely unconcerned with the tension in the room. "You shouldn't be worrying about my magic, Takatsu. What should really be keeping you up at night is why your own brother wanted you dead. Surely you don't think he had the guts to pull this off alone, do you?"The words hit like a thunderclap. Takatsu froze, a chill snaking its way down his spine, coiling in his gut as unease took root. He opened his mouth to protest, but something in Shigerou's tone left no room for doubt.The man hesitated, his gaze locked onto the carefree expression of his young savior. Shigerou's mannerisms and demeanor—it all grated on Takatsu's nerves, yet filled him with an inexplicable dread. Despite being around Ayana's age, Shigerou carried himself like someone perched atop the world, treating others like mere pawns. Such arrogance was likely the result of the immense power he wielded.Still, there was something unsettlingly magnetic about him.Takatsu feared him, yet, strangely, he also felt a deep respect. A part of him even yearned to understand this enigmatic youth, maybe even form a connection. After all, the man who saved his family couldn't be entirely bad... could he?But Shigerou's words cut deep. Takehiro. Takatsu's brother was a spineless, petty man—too timid to ever take a bold step. Even raising his voice was a monumental effort for him. Takatsu knew this better than anyone. No, someone far more sinister must've been pulling the strings behind his brother's back, manipulating him like a marionette."Takehiro..." Takatsu murmured, his brow furrowing as his mind raced to piece the puzzle together. "Are you saying he... couldn't have done this on his own?""Oh, now you're catching on," Shigerou quipped, a sly grin spreading across his face as he chewed on a piece of chicken. "Of course not. He's... how should I put this delicately... a coward. Even for a backstab, he'd need someone to shove him from behind."With those words, Shigerou leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with amusement and a hint of superiority.Takatsu's heart quickened. For the first time in a long while, he felt like he was up against something far greater than simply protecting his family. Behind his brother stood a force he couldn't even begin to comprehend. And this man—this Shigerou—knew far more than he was letting on.As Takatsu mulled over Shigerou's cryptic remarks, one of the soldiers approached the young man. The soldier, dressed impeccably in black, dropped to one knee before his commander, his hand pressed to his chest in a display of reverence. His eyes burned with unyielding loyalty, and his voice brimmed with respect, bordering on reverence."Master, the area has been secured. All bodies have been disposed of, and the evidence eradicated. The cleanup and neutralization unit will handle the rest. Shall we proceed with withdrawal?"The Fujiwara family, watching this exchange, was frozen in place. The soldier's deferential tone and submissive posture clashed sharply with Shigerou's easygoing and irreverent demeanor, amplifying the surreal tension in the room.Ayana, sitting beside her mother, instinctively tightened her grip on her hand. Her wide eyes darted between the soldier and Shigerou, as if desperately trying to decipher their connection. Who was this man to command such devotion from someone armed to the teeth?Naoko, who had managed to maintain her composure thus far, suddenly felt an icy shiver run through her. This felt less like reality and more like a scene ripped straight out of a high-stakes thriller. She scrutinized Shigerou's face, searching for any sign of explanation, but the youth seemed to be reveling in the bewilderment of his audience."Oh, you're done already?" Shigerou drawled lazily, his tone as casual as if he were checking his emails. He grabbed a napkin, dabbed at the corners of his mouth with meticulous precision, then tossed it onto his plate. "Good work. As always, you and your team never disappoint."The soldier inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment but remained kneeling."Alright then, pack it up," Shigerou continued as he stood, stretching languidly. "We'll join you shortly."Without so much as glancing at the family, the soldier rose smoothly to his feet, stepped back, and exited the room in complete silence.The room's silence thickened, almost suffocating. It felt as though everyone present was grappling with unspoken questions yet too paralyzed to voice them."What?" Shigerou smirked, his gaze sweeping across their faces. "You're looking at me like I just landed from Mars."Takatsu scowled, his voice taut with tension."Who... are you, really?"Shigerou's laughter rang out, loud and unrestrained, as he threw his head back. The sound echoed through the room, bold and mocking."Who am I?" he repeated, grinning as he leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, menacing whisper that sent shivers down Takatsu's spine. "I'm just a guy who always gets what he wants."The words, like everything else about Shigerou, were equal parts reassuring and terrifying.