The Binding Vow of Lazarus

Chapter 8

It had taken careful planning and precise manipulation to bring this about. He’d been meticulous, feeding false information to each group, sowing seeds of distrust and outright lies, until their animosity towards one another had reached a boiling point. By the time the assassins struck, both sides were already on the brink of war, eager to tear each other apart. Satoru had just given them the final push.

He leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest as he listened to one of the teachers speculate on the cause. They were nowhere close to the truth, and that was just fine with him. It was a risky play, but one he knew had to be made. The thought of the trauma imprinted on him and Suguru by these twisted organizations had filled him with a rage he hadn’t felt in a long time. But more than that, it had filled him with a sense of responsibility. He was the only one who could keep all of his friends safe, the only one who could make sure history didn’t repeat itself.

As the meeting drew to a close, Satoru rose to his feet and quickly left before he was seen by anyone. He had more work to do, more threads to pull to ensure everything fell into place. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. The two groups that had caused so much pain, so much destruction, were no more. He’d made sure of that.

Stepping out into the hallway, Satoru felt the weight of the past three months settle on his shoulders. There was still so much he didn’t know, so many pieces of the puzzle that didn’t fit. But as long as he kept moving forward, as long as he stayed ahead of those who would try to use his friends for their own gain, he knew he could protect them.

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The evening lights of Shinjuku sparkled like scattered stars, neon signs flickering in every direction, casting a vibrant glow over the bustling streets. Satoru and Suguru walked side by side, the energy of the city humming around them as they meandered through the crowded alleys. The remnants of their recent curse exorcism were long forgotten, replaced by the easy camaraderie they shared as they explored the district.

Satoru had always loved the energy of Shinjuku—the way the city seemed to never sleep, the endless possibilities that each new street presented. But tonight felt different. More carefree. He could feel the tension that had gripped him for so long starting to unravel, replaced by a lightness he hadn’t felt in what seemed like years.

Suguru, too, seemed more relaxed. He had been the one to suggest they take the evening off, and Satoru had readily agreed. After all, it wasn’t often they got to enjoy a night out together without the weight of their duties pressing down on them.

They stopped at a stall selling taiyaki, the sweet smell of the fish-shaped pastries wafting through the air. Suguru bought two, handing one to Satoru, who took a large bite, savoring the warm, custard-filled treat.

“You know,” Satoru said, his mouth half full, “we should do this more often.”

“Hang out and eat sweets?” Suguru grinned, taking a bite of his own taiyaki.

“Yeah. Just… relax," Satoru said, with a shrug.

Suguru nodded, his smile softening as he looked around the bustling street. “You’re right," he agreed.

They continued walking, stopping occasionally to browse the shops that lined the streets. Satoru was drawn to a game center, its bright lights and loud noises pulling him in like a moth to a flame. They spent the next hour competing against each other, trying to outdo one another in various arcade games. Satoru dominated the racing games, but Suguru’s skill with the claw machine was unmatched, much to Satoru’s mock dismay.

Afterward, they found themselves in a small bookstore tucked away in a quiet corner of the district. The store was cozy, the scent of old paper and ink filling the air as they stepped inside. Suguru gravitated towards the shelves filled with thick tomes on history and spiritual practices, his fingers trailing along the spines of the books.