Onset of tension

The rain continues to fall throughout the city with heavy intensity.

Young Shiro Sakurasuka enters a certain room to visit his mother.

Nami Sakurasuka is his name.

"My son, how good to see you already arrived," she said with a smile.

"Mother," said the young man approaching her.

"Son, are you ready to face what awaits you?"

"Yes, I am," he said with confidence.

"You will be part of the political dispute for the honor of our family. It is a pride for me that you will be part of the Sakurasuka's representation in this matter, your sister will be with you equally on the battlefield....," she said with hope for a positive result for Sakurasuka family.

"Seven against seven, right?" asks the young man.

"It has always been seven against seven. The seven best members of each family," she explains to his son.

"When will this conflict begin?" he asked with a worried face.

"When the Sakurakuza Family has its members ready to participate. We will notify all of you in advance so that everyone will be ready to fight...,"she said with a proud feeling on his son and daughter since both of them will be comrades on the battlefield.

In this city, the prestige of the dynasties is necessary. The Sakurasuka family and the Sakurakuza are opposite rivals since historical times, the duel of these families is very important since the one who wins has the power to rule the political power of the place for five consecutive years.

The young Sakurasuka leaves the place where he was talking with his mother.

"Will there be another way to solve this conflict?" said this young man to himself while many thoughts clouded his judgment. Regardless of his battlefield experience, he feels nervous.

These families also sustain their power based on a special power that they control, and this is called Echo.

They call this power like that since thanks to this energy they can have a connection with memories and thoughts, and it is possible to generate projections into reality.

There are levels of projection using this type of force, the most experienced can become a real headache in combat, since everything they remember can bring it to reality without any problem.

Not all people in this place know how to control this, so it is clear that these two families have among their many members very talented people using this power.

The young Sakurasuka is now in the heart of a certain building that is similar to a huge temple that houses a very peculiar plant species. A cherry tree expels its foliage greatly, but never seems to end.

It is considered a heritage of this city and is considered by all as a living legend. The origin of this tree is uncertain, and many theories abound around it, but it certainly has been there for as long as people can remember.

At the side of young Shiro Sakurasuka a certain person arrives at his side.

A person with black hair, white complexion, and elegant glasses, dressed in a black trench coat, and underneath he wears an impeccable full suit with a dark blue tie.

"This tree is fascinating. I always come at this hour to contemplate it...," says that other man, amazed at what he sees.

"Hazuo Sakurakuza," says Shiro.

"It's good to see you again, Shiro...," says this man, smiling gently.

"Are you still working as a public administrator?"

"Part-time, right now I'm concentrating my studies in the field of biochemistry," said the man with a tone of superiority.

"I guess, you want to study that because of this tree, right?" asked the young man like reading an open book in the intentions of Hazuo.

"I think I have to be more discreet, you are really right, this being has inspired me to understand its nature, or at least try to decipher it..., "said Hazuo with some impetus.

The young Shiro turns around and apparently intends to leave the place, only, he stops halfway because Hazuo has spoken to him.

"Some people say that the conflict is going to start soon...," mentions Hazuo  as one who wants to get information through slight comments.

"That's right...," affirms the young man.

"Are you going to participate, Shiro?"

"Yes, are you also a candidate of the Sakurazuka family? "asks Shiro with some suspicion about Hazuo.

"No. For now, I'm only interested in studying, I'm not interested in fighting..." says Hazuo without looking at Shiro.

The Sakurasuka young man continues walking, headed to the building exit.

"Don't die, Shiro, I still have to pay for the tea you invited me to in that restaurant...," says Hazuo with a certain irony.

"I hope I can give you that opportunity, see you next time....," said Shiro leaving.

Even though these two people are from opposite families, they get along very well. Many people in the city behave in the same way, only when political tension surfaces again it causes division among people.

The rain is coming down hard and this Sakurasuka young man walks in the rain without an umbrella.

From among the streets he is walking along, a car stops next to him, where on the driver's side, Hazuo, the same person as before, speaks to him loudly so that his voice can be heard in spite of the rain....

"It's raining too much! I'll take you home...," says Hazuo.

Shiro climbs into the passenger seat.

"The rain hasn't stopped for a long time, you should take care of yourself Shiro.....," warns Hazuo.

"As far as I know, water does not kill. I think it's more dangerous to have climbed on knowing that you're the one driving...," says Shiro teasing.

"You underestimate me...," said Hazuo while gently smiling at him.

"Anyway, I thank you Hazuo...," says Shiro grateful for helping him to avoid this intense rain.

After a while, the car arrives at a certain house that is located in a certain residential place, where a young woman is waiting for someone with an umbrella outside what seems to be the house where Shiro lives, which is among very quiet neighborhoods where water is pouring down.

Shiro gets out of the car and is greeted by his sister, Shirai Sakurasuka.

"I was waiting for you, irresponsible! I knew you would come home without an umbrella! You even forced Hazuo to bring you!"  she said while scolding him.

"It's been a long time since I've seen you, Shirai!" Hazuo exclaims, happy to see her.

"Hazuo! Let me tell you that you look great, the years don't seem to go by for you!" she exclaims with a gentle smile.

"Thanks for the compliment...," says the man, very flattered.

"Why don't you stay for dinner?" she asks.

"I have unfinished business...," said Hazuo like avoiding the invitation.

"Hey, you can't refuse to taste my sister's food...," comments Shiro threateningly.

"Uugh, I guess I don't have a choice...," said Hazuo without choice.

That man parks his vehicle and then enters the house.

These three people are going to enjoy a moment of tranquility, even though some chaos is about to break out in the city, but even more, the young Sakurasuka can't get rid of the worry that even this time his sister will be involved in this matter...

"So you two will be there, there is a possibility that I won't be able to see you again...," commented Hazuo.

"That's why I wanted to invite you, Hazuo. In case we don't see each other again...," says Shirai sadly.

Hazuo just stares at the cup of tea served to him, observing his reflection in the direction of his left eye...

"As a member of the Sakurakuza family, I can't wish evil to my own family, but I can't wish evil to the Sakurasuka either since you belong to the Sakurasuka family. I only hope that both of you can survive...," said the man as one who tries to bring some hope to the conversation.

Once the meeting is over, the one who has been invited leaves. He gets into his vehicle thoughtfully and takes a while to restart it, but not before activating his wiper blades because of the rain that continues to fall.

"So things are getting difficult for me again...," says Hazuo while smiling at what he said.

What did he mean by that?

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