Deluke
Midnight.
It felt like a nightmare — the kind of horror you'd wish to wake up from. But this was no dream. It was a grim reality I could never have prepared for.
I watched as my parents' bodies burned in flames. But these weren't ordinary flames. They were black, consuming everything in their path without emitting smoke or even heat unless touched. It reminded me of something I'd once read about — Amaterasu. The fire spread mercilessly, reducing my home to ashes, yet the spot where I stood remained untouched. I watched in paralyzing silence, blood dripping from my eyes, sweat pouring from my body, powerless to stop the destruction.
I tried to scream, but no sound escaped my lips. Or did it? I couldn't tell.
Was I afraid? If so, what exactly was I afraid of?
The flames weren't normal, that much was obvious, but what caused the fire that night? Wait… did I even have parents? Why was I overwhelmed with fear and hatred? Hatred for who? And why?
"Who am I?"
My chest heaved, heart pounding as questions bombarded my mind. The pain in my head became unbearable. I gripped my skull tightly, desperate to silence the chaos. And then, through the haze of agony, I saw them — men dressed in white robes, appearing out of nowhere. They surrounded the burning house, extinguishing the black flames not with water but with a strange, glowing light. Their lips moved, chanting words I couldn't understand.
One of the men approached me, and before I could process what was happening, darkness claimed me.
When I woke up, they told me I had lost my memory. I had amnesia.
The only thing I knew for certain was that my life would never be normal again... because I could **see**.
Oh, not just the ordinary sight. I could **see beyond**. Into the **Spiritual Realm**.
That's what the man in white told me. And then he gave me a choice — two paths that would shape my fate forever. There would be no turning back once I decided.
The Paranormal — from the ghost stories we dismiss, the monsters lurking in shadows, and the fantasy creatures of legend: elves, dwarves, vampires, werewolves, fairies, mermaids, goblins... They are all real. So are the cults seeking demonic power, the Buddhist monks, holy worshippers, Taoists, martial artists, and even extraterrestrial beings. Everything we call 'myth' or 'fiction' exists.
**Seven years later...**
In a run-down restaurant, I stood before the door in a black suit, my white hair hidden beneath a hat. My skin was deathly pale, and my red eyes gave me the appearance of a blood kin or a chronically ill person. I carried a suitcase as I entered the café, the door creaking open with the sound of an old bell ringing above.
The interior was plain and outdated, resembling a restaurant from the early 2000s. Despite the lack of customers and the absence of food aromas, the place was impeccably clean, as though frozen in time.
I stepped inside carefully, my gaze landing on three people: a young man with a lazy expression, a stunning woman exuding elegance, and an older, muscular man. They were casually chatting but turned their attention to me as I approached.
The beautiful aunty, noticed me first. She crossed her legs and smiled, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Who's this adorable little kid in a suit?" she asked, standing up gracefully and walking toward me.
"Are you lost?"
I shook my head. "No, I don't think so."
I glanced around the dimly lit café, surprised at the lack of disguised activity. From what little knowledge I had, I expected this place to be bustling with fake customers as a front for the real operation. But there was nothing.
"Is this the Izanami Company?" I asked, my voice steady but curious.
She tilted her head. "Yes, it is. But what brings you here? We don't sell sweets, you know."
I sighed. I understood her confusion — I probably looked like a lost child craving candy.
"I'm not here for sweets," I said, placing my suitcase on the table. "I'm here to join the Izanami Company. I want to train and become a paranormal officer."
The room fell silent.
Their gazes bore into me, the quiet so intense I could hear the faint hum of traffic outside. After a few awkward seconds, the lazy-looking man, the leader of the company, broke the silence.
His eyes flicked from me to the suitcase, shifting between caution and curiosity.
"I'm guessing whatever brought you here is inside that suitcase?" he asked, voice laced with disinterest.
"yeah, it is" I said, with a calm voice. I opened the suitcase and pulled out a red envelope, handing it to the lazy uncle.
The moment he read the contents, he burst out laughing.
I stared, baffled. What could be so funny?
The lazy-uncle wiped a tear from his eye, voice still laced with amusement. "Interesting... really interesting. Hey, Roger, check this out."
The muscular man, took the letter and inspected it. His eyes widened in surprise.
"Wow... a recommendation letter"
The beautiful aunty snatched the letter, her excitement palpable. "Seriously? From the White Clad?".
Aroused by their excitement, I rosed a question, "what's a Recommendation letter?".
"A recommendation letter is issued by one of the three main paranormal organizations to individuals they deem exceptionally talented. It grants the bearer direct entry into any company of their choosing. However, receiving one often implies the individual wasn't fit to remain with the main organization — though that isn't always the case. Especially in your situation child", She replied.
With that explanation, I could finally get a grasp on why Sensei Zein, the man who took care of me during my seven years of rehabilitation in the white clad sent me here, he had a vague smile that made it seem he was planning something special for me.
"No wonder he told me not to check the details he put in the letter" I whispered to myself.
I had more questions, because even though I stayed at the white-clad I didn't get to know about the bodies or activities that occurred in the paranormal aspect of the world, even though I tried to ask I was told to focus on my recovery, but my attempt was cut short due to the lazy-uncle.
He grinned. "Kid, you must be a genius to get a recommendation from the White Clad. That's some crazy connection you've got."
He walked over, examining my frail frame. "But... it's strange, considering your weak physicality." He lifted my arm, feeling for muscle. "I sense a little strength, but honestly, you look like you could get killed by a fly. No offense."
"None taken."
He slapped my back. "Ouch."
"So, am I hired? Or do I need to pass a test?" I asked.
He stretched lazily. "You're hired. No test necessary. The letter saves me the hassle."
I blinked, stunned. "Oh... okay.", amused by his nonchalant attitude, just because I bought a recommendation letter from white-clad, I got in to easily.
"By the way, what's your name?"
"Deluke. I'm 14 years old—"
"Whoa, whoa, just your name is fine," he interrupted, waving a hand. "I'm Freed. The gorgeous one is Diana."
"Who are you calling 'gorgeous'?!" Diana snapped.
Freed ignored her. "And the butler over there is Roger. We've also got a girl about your age, but she's not here yet."
Roger bowed politely. "Pleasure to meet you."
I flushed, embarrassed. "Ah... likewise."
Diana suddenly grabbed my hands, eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Awww, what a cutie! Don't worry, big sis will take good care of you!"
As Diana overwhelmed me with her enthusiasm, the café door opened, and a girl walked in. She had blonde hair streaked with purple and crystal-like violet eyes. She wore a short jean, a single legging on her right leg, and an oversized jacket.
She glanced at me briefly before greeting the others.
Her name was **Izana Shizu** — and she was a member of the company.