Kagutsuchi always wondered: what if it had been him instead? How would he have reacted? He imagined the scenario in his head over and over again, until he was sick of it, and wanted to cleanse it from his mind. But the question would come back every time. Every time he struggled, every time he failed, every time they mocked him, every time they laughed. Why couldn’t he do it? He had expectations to meet, a reputation to uphold, yet they were disappointed each and every time. Don’t look at me like that… Please, come back… Tears flowed out and fell to the ground. No one looked at him anymore. When he looked up at the night sky, those stars seemed so very far away. He reached out to them, but he couldn’t catch them, no matter what he did. Kagutsuchi cried out into the silent night in despair. He refused to admit it. That he was also some worthless, talentless, bottom-feeder.
Time passed by meaninglessly like that. He kept thinking back to that day. Why couldn’t I say it? ‘I am proud. I hope you succeed.’ Kagutsuchi grit his teeth. He slashed angrily at a nearby tree. What the hell was he supposed to do?! He did everything right. He worked and worked and worked, but it was still insufficient. Kagutsuchi always had a bright, happy personality. It was genuine at first. However, at some point, it devolved into a mask for his real feelings. The mask slowly cracked and shattered over time, and once they saw a glimpse of the real him, they abandoned him. He recalled when they started comparing him to his brother, Tsuki. Isn’t he the older one? Why is he so incompetent? No. He got so unlucky. But maybe it’s better that it wasn’t him that got picked. No! He should just accept that he’s not cut out for this. NO!! Kagutsuchi roared loudly and his flames flared up around him. It was such a pitiful flame that probably couldn’t even burn a tree down. WHY?!
<Do you want more power?>
There was a voice. Kagutsuchi looked around in surprise, but there was no one in sight. It echoed inside his head.
<I can help you.>
Kagutsuchi’s eyes shook. “Uh.. who are you?”
<I can’t tell you. But I am willing to make a deal with you.>
He was confused. Who was this? How did they know? He gauged the possibilities. “Are you… a demon?”
<Not quite. Feel free to keep guessing. You won’t find the answer.>
“…”
<However, it’s not power you want, is it?>
“What..?”
<What you really want is someone to finally look at you properly.>
Kagutsuchi froze. The thing he yearned for… He didn’t acknowledge it not because he couldn’t, but he wouldn’t. Why… Something so simple…
<Do you want to fulfill that wish?>
“I…” Kagutsuchi hesitated. This went against any of his morals. This was obviously a shady deal. But deep down, he desired it. He wanted to show those fools that mocked him who they were really messing with. He would show the whole world that he was strong. “I’ll do it.”