Chapter 400 - Christmas Church.
Inside Ichiro's room.
A black-haired youth with muscular build and well-defined facial features was sitting on a wooden chair with desk in front of him.
In the desk, a brand new notebook was open with empty page.
From the window, Ichiro managed to see cheerful little children playing with snow, while cars drove back and forth, some parked in one of the yards, while others left the neighborhood to go somewhere.
On his bed, a beautiful black-haired young woman was lying flat on her stomach while an old-looking comic was on her hands.
She seemed interested while turning pages and few of the pages even made her mouth to go wide open.
Azura was reading Ichiro's old Martial Arts comic that was published few decades ago.
The art style was quite antique, but the scenes are very vivid and Azura could almost feel the impact of the punches.
Ichiro sighed and tapped his chin with the pen.
He was trying to create Iron Style of Fundamentals.
It was time to properly create Iron Style, that includes Iron Style of Fundamentals and Iron Style of Core.
So far, he had been thinking what to add to the basic version of the style.
It needs to be simple enough for everyone to learn with enough time.
So far, he had managed to think only three relatively simple techniques.
Ichiro nodded and wrote the techniques on the notebook and made them the techniques taught in Iron Style of Fundamentals.
[Iron Smash]
[Iron Kick]
[Ironic Edge]
Ichiro nodded, 'I won't add Steel Smash… It is way too complex to learn, but Iron Smash should be basic enough… Iron Kick is only about leg strength, that's simple, but then Ironic Edge… There are three phases on it… Basic, Advanced and Mastered.'
'Basic one could barely deflect a punch, while Advanced can deflect all attacks, but then Mastered can deflect bullets…'
Ichiro knew that very few will actually learn Ironic Edge, but the ones who will be able to can start learning Iron Style of Core.
It could be a test of some sort and only those who have even learned basic version can move ranks and learn Iron Style of Core, which will be much more difficult.
From the open door, a beautiful middle-aged woman appeared.
Azumi glanced at the beautiful girl and lastly at her son, who surprisingly came back to Irio.
''We are planning to go to the Christmas Church, do you two want to go?'' She asked.
''Ooh!'' Azura closed the comic book and with excitement sat up, ''I want to!''
Ichiro nodded and closed the notebook, before stuffing it inside the cabinet.
Azumi smiled and nodded. She went back to the downstairs, to get ready to leave.
''This will be fun.'' Azura jumped on her two feet and grabbed Ichiro's hand.
She started dragging him behind her and soon they reached downstairs, where everyone had already dressed up in winter clothing.
They quickly dressed up in their own winter clothing and left the building with others.
From the sky, tiny snowflakes kept dropping down.
Azura curiously looked around the neighborhood while locking Ichiro's hand with her's.
Eiji and Azumi walked in the front, and managed to see their neighbors also leaving for the church.
They nodded at them, and received nods in return.
But, then they noticed three individuals that was unusual sight in the neighborhood.
Most of their neighbors were surprised after seeing Azura and Alena, but when they noticed Ichiro, memories of certain black-haired youth surfaced into their minds.
''Merry Christmas.'' From nearby building, a middle-aged man and woman left the house with a young 10 year old boy.
''Merry Christmas.'' Azumi nodded at them with gentle smile.
They were about to follow them to the church, but then they noticed black-haired youth.
At first, they only saw side of his face, but when he slightly turned his head, they managed to see his face properly.
They became speechless, while the young boy glanced at the magazine in his hands.
In the magazine, a photo of a young man in a punching motion was on the cover.
The young man had equally dark black hair with black eyes, but the current youth in front of them now had gray eyes, which made the young boy think he was mistaken.
But, rest of the face looked perfectly similar, except the hair, which was quite messy in the photo, giving the young man very wild-like experience, but the current youth was looking more like a gentleman from rich family.
''I-It's him…'' The young boy murmured and his eyes showed worship.
Him and other young boys and girls are hardcore fans of a certain black-haired youth, who managed to bring Irio's name to fame.
The nearby neighbors also saw the black-haired youth walking alongside Kurogami and Quinthold family.
At first, they couldn't properly recognize him, but when his face became clear, it didn't take them even a second to recognize who the young man was.
Legend.
While walking past the stunned neighbors, Azumi and Eiji could only wryly smile and knew it would happen once they decided to ask Ichiro to come with them to the church.
While others knew that it would happen, Azura was completely oblivious as she pointed towards the church in the distance.
''Look!'' Ichiro turned his head towards the church after hearing Azura's excited voice.
Next to the Church, massive Christmas tree was planted with colorful lights and decorations.
It was quite of a sight for someone like Azura, who haven't been able to celebrate Christmas for many years.
More and more people kept entering the Church from the open doors.
The interior of the Church was bustling with over hundred men, women, children.
Ichiro's parents, Quinthold Family and Alena entered the Church from the open doors, but Azura dragged Ichiro towards the Christmas tree.
The Christmas Tree was surrounded by similar couples and all of them were putting a piece of paper to hang from the tree's branches.
''Let's do one!'' Azura said after looking at the sign which said that every couple can write a blessing for upcoming year.
Ichiro nodded and grabbed an pen and paper.
The nearby couples turned their heads and was stunned to see two otherworldly individuals writing something on piece of paper.
They instantly felt self-conscious and didn't really want to stay any longer in their presence.
But then, few of them recognized the black-haired youth.