Shun and Kaizen were settled in the living room when the front door creaked open. Afternoon light spilled across the rug, revealing the two of them on opposite ends of the couch. A modest wooden chessboard rested on the coffee table between them—most of the pieces still in their opening squares.

  Kaizen looked at Shun.

  "Dad you really don't know how to play it right,"?Kaizen asked, studying the random move his father had just made.

  Shun, barely paying attention, tapped the rook nearest his hand and slid it forward without strategy.

  "Your right it's boring game,"?Shun said softly, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

  Before Kaizen could respond, the front door closed behind a rush of footsteps. Yuki stepped into the room, flanked by Ryuto and Hinata. Her gaze landed on Kaizen, and in a heartbeat she crossed the space, scooping him off the couch into a fierce embrace.

  "What happened Mom,"?Kaizen whispered softly, feeling her quick, relieved breath against his ear.

  "Nothing, I just thought you were at the park at that time," she said softly, smoothing her hand through his hair and relaxing her own shoulders.

  Over Kaizen's head, he and Shun exchanged a glance. Shun gave him a subtle sign—two fingers pressed to his lips, a silent don't mention the park incident. Kaizen caught the gesture, smirked, and said nothing to Yuki.

  Just then, Shun's gaze dropped and froze on Yuki's clothes. Scarlet had soaked through the fabric at her midriff. The sight erased his composure. He rose quickly, guiding her by the elbow until she faced him.

  "When did you get this,"?Shun said softly, worry flickering across his usually calm features. He placed his right hand gently over the soaked cloth. Warm light pulsed beneath his palm, and in less than a minute the torn flesh knit together, the crimson stain dulled, then disappeared altogether.

  Yuki's expression changed into surprise, it was the first time she had ever witnessed the phenomenon so closely. Across the room, Hinata stared as if time itself had paused.

  "How.. how did you do that dear."?Yuki asked him, her white eyes searching his black eyes for an explanation that wouldn't come.

  "That's complicated thing even i didn't know how can i do that,"?Shun said softly, letting his hand fall away now that the wound had closed.

  "So your the one who healed my wounds too,"?Hinata asked him, still gently pressing a hand to her own side where earlier injury had vanished.

  "Nah i didn't,"?Shun answered softly, shaking his head once.

  Ryuto, quiet till now, scanned the tidy room and the hallway beyond. "Where is Boss and Hana,"?Ryuto asked Shun, curiosity edging his voice.

  "They're sleeping in bedroom,"?Shun said, nodding toward the back of the house.

  "Is he alright?"Ryuto asked Shun, his brows knitting.

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  "I do give him some of my energy but he is still in bad shape,"?Shun said softly, concern shadowing his words.

  Ryuto didn't reply, instead he turned on his heel and headed straight for the bedroom, footsteps purposeful and quick. Hinata, left standing, pivoted toward Shun with a dozen questions in her eyes.

  "What happened to him did something happen. And why is that Ryuto calling Jin Boss. He even called me sister."?Hinata asked him, confusion and worry mingling in her tone.

  Yuki looked Shun too.

  "Yeah I'm curious too he even called you big brother,"?Yuki said softly, folding her arms as she waited for clarity.

  "Jin is fine just tierd nothing serious and about Ryuto he is Jin's little brother,"?Shun explained to them, choosing his words carefully as he avoided mentioning Jin being at the scene.

  Now Yuki and Hinata looked more surprised than before—Ryuto, Jin's little brother?

  "But why did he called jin boss."?Hinata asked, still trying to piece it together.

  "That's a complicated story it's better if you ask your husband yourself."?Shun said softly, a gentle signal that there would be time for answers later.

  Hinata headed for the bedroom. When she pushed the door open, she found Hana sleeping peacefully on the bed, Jin sitting upright at the foot, and Ryuto standing beside him.

  "What were you thinking at that time—using that attack at that level? Did you forget Dad's warning?" Ryuto said, frustration edging his voice.

  "Just calm down, will ya? It was needed, and it's not like I'm dead or something," Jin answered, speaking gently despite the sweat that drenched him—even with the AC on.

  "It's not about being dead. You know what happened the last time you tried that at that level. It wasn't serious only because Dad was there—" Ryuto stopped when he noticed Hinata step into the room.

  "I'll call some Evolvers to help rebuild the city. Just rest." With that, Ryuto left the bedroom and then the house.

  Once he was gone, Hinata crossed to Jin.

  "What happened?" she asked softly, worry plain on her face.

  "I'm fine, don't worry," Jin replied, patting her head; Hinata practically melted under his touch.

  "You were at the scene, right?" she said quietly, slipping off the black coat Jin had draped over her earlier.

  Jin studied her for a moment, then smiled. "Yeah, I was there," he said gently.

  "So… was it you who healed my wounds?" she asked.

  "Yep, it was me," Jin said just as softly, pulling her onto his lap and wrapping his arms around her waist to keep her close.

  "I have lots of things to ask. Why—how can you heal someone's wounds? I've never seen anyone do that—maybe Shun did the same just now. Is it some trick or something? And how were you at the scene and yet home before me and in this state? And did you know the strongest is alive?" Hinata rattled on in one breath.

  Jin chuckled and stroked a stray lock from her face. "Hmm, let's start with your first question. About that healing thing—it's something even I don't know how I can do. It's the same with Shun, and we both can't figure out how we do it."

  He paused, then addressed the second question.

  "Now, as for me being both at home and at the scene—watch this." Jin snapped his middle finger against his thumb. In an instant they stood on the summit of a mountain, the green forest below them glowing under a gorgeous sunset. He snapped his fingers once more, and they were back on the bed as if they had never moved.

  Hinata simply stared at Jin in surprise. He smiled at her reaction, then kissed her forehead.

  "I can teleport too," he said gently.

  "That's not possible," Hinata replied.

  "And you just saw it for yourself," Jin countered.

  "Yeah i do now i think you're is now some alien or something?" she murmured.

  "Maybe I am. And now I'm gonna eat you," Jin teased, nipping her cheek and leaving a tiny red mark. He pinched her nose playfully between his fingers.

  "So what other things don't I know about my husband?" she asked softly.

  "Well, you never asked, so I never told you. What do you want to know?" he said, still gentle.

  "But before that, I want to know why you were injured. I know it's not normal for you to get wounded—and you didn't have your sword, either," Jin pressed.

  "Well, not stronger, but someone who could fight me on par. It was the Water Princess," Hinata answered.

  "And why did she do that? Did a war break out with China or something?" he asked.

  "It was just a misunderstanding. But at least five Evolvers—each S?rank—were after Yuki. While fighting Xiānzǐ I learned those people were hired by someone from a company called DV, but I can't figure out why they're after her," Hinata explained.

  Jin's eyes narrowed as if he were recalling something, then he smiled. "He really tried to play dirty," he whispered. "Don't worry, it happened because of Shun—no need to dwell on it," he added gently.

  Hinata frowned. "What do you mean by that?" she asked.

  "Well, you see… back in high school—you remember Shun and me vanishing and then showing up injured." he said.

  Hinata nodded slowly.

  "We used to work as contractors back then: taking bounties, protecting someone, stealing something for a client," he went on, watching her surprised expression.

  "So you were bad guys at that time." she asked.

  Jin chuckled. "It was fun—but it's not like we did cheap work. We only targeted organizations. That's how we got our name."

  "What did they call us." He paused, trying to recall. "Blue?Black?Bastards. That stupid name," he muttered.

  Hinata just listen to him.

  "Well, let's sleep for now. I'm not feeling great—we can talk later." Jin pulled her under the blanket, one arm draped around her waist, the other resting on Hana's head. Within moments, the room fell quiet.

  [Chapter 25]