It was half past six in the evening. I was waiting with Keiko for Kenji and Akiko, who had gone to the canteen as if it was some kind of a temple. Well, I suppose it is one—for couples.
After five minutes, they finally showed up, laughing with their arms linked together.
"Did we make you wait long, Satoru? Keiko?" Kenji asked mockingly, a grin on his face.
"Did you guys have fun?" Akiko added in the same teasing tone.
"If you had come one minute later, I would've left without you," I replied.
"Come on, man, we weren't that late," Kenji said.
"Alright, let's go. My father asked me to come early," I said, and we all headed toward the subway to Shinjuku, where my father's shop was located.
It is a katana shop.
To be precise, in this world, everyone uses weapons—different types depending on their preference. But since Japan is the land of samurai, most people use swords.
In this world, people possess something called ki. It exists in everyone, but using it is a choice.
I have no interest in using ki. My goal is to run our family shop and expand it by opening branches.
The three people with me, however, have been trained in ki since childhood.
To maintain order among those who use ki and prevent them from harming civilians, two authorities exist: the government and the Japan Sword Association (JSA).
The government manages normal civilians, while the JSA oversees all registered weapon users.
People can awaken their ki and live without a weapon. However, once someone registers a sword, they fall under the jurisdiction of the JSA. This is because ki can only be properly manifested through weapons.
Because of this:
Swords cannot be sold illegally
Only certified shops can receive materials for forging weapons
Every sword must be registered and is bound to its owner
A sword being bound means that once a person channels their ki into it, no one else can use that sword with their own ki.
Even as a blacksmith, I don't fully understand why it works that way.
That's also why we, as swordsmiths, don't infuse ki into swords ourselves.
To be more precise, we blacksmiths can't infuse Ki as we don't train ourselves in it.
Most people can only handle one sword due to limited ki. Those with larger reserves can wield two—or compress that power into one stronger blade.
According to my grandfather, only a few people can truly wield two swords effectively… and even fewer can rival them using just one.
Globally, every country has its own powerful fighters and organizations. And naturally, not all countries are on good terms.
But that wasn't always the case.
A few hundred years ago, all nations were united against a common enemy… the one they defeated after a long and brutal war.
We arrived at Shinjuku Station and made our way toward my father's shop, located at the centre of the district.
Here we are.
My father's shop is a five-storey building:
Ground floor: Reception
First & second floors: Katana showrooms
Third floor: Smithy
Fourth floor: Smithy for Custom orders
Fifth floor: My father's office
The custom swords are extremely expensive, as they are smithed to match the owner's ki and bring out their full potential.
My father is one of the best blacksmiths in Japan—and one among the best in the world.
As for me… I intend to become number one.
"Satoru, your father is waiting for you. He's in the meeting room, so hurry up," Sara said.
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Sara," I replied.
She's the receptionist and has been working here for five years.
"You brought your friends with you?" she asked.
"Yeah. They wouldn't stop bothering me."
"Well, it's good to have friends, right?"
"Yeah… it would be better if they talked less," I said.
She smiled lightly. "Alright, see you later."
"Yeah, see you."
We headed towards the elevator.
As soon as we stepped inside, Kenji repeated my words mockingly.
"It would be better if they talked less."
"Yeah, I think he prefers quiet people like Keiko," Akiko added.
"Totally agreed," Kenji said.
"I don't think so," Keiko replied calmly.
And just like that, they started arguing again.
I prefer peace… but whenever Kenji and Akiko are around, it's pure chaos.
We reached the fifth floor and headed toward the meeting room.
I told them to wait in the office and went ahead.
As I opened the door, my father was already inside with someone else.
"Oh, you're here. Sara said you came with Kenji and the others. Where are they?" he asked.
"I told them to wait in the office," I replied.
"Go and bring them here."
"Okay."
I went back to the office.
Inside, Keiko was sitting properly like always. Kenji, on the other hand, was messing around with tools in the workshop, and Akiko was busy taking selfies.
From the outside, everything looked calm.
Inside? Total chaos.
I gave a sigh.
"Don't ask questions. Just follow me. My dad wants to see you all," I said.
"Why?" Kenji asked.
I ignored him and walked out.
Keiko followed immediately. After a few seconds, Kenji and Akiko came out, still chatting.
We waited for them at the door, then the four of us headed to the meeting room together.