The bar doesn't open until one o'clock in the afternoon, but still all of the boys are at here and are conversing within their group. Boss is behind the counter, so he's the first to notice the girls and smiles. "There they are! Our troopers!" he claps.
The others turn around and some join in applause while some just smile in relief and joy. Hiro springs up from his spot and goes over to Umie, and despite both the girls expecting him to squeeze Umie until she blacks out from pain, he comes up and gently wraps his arms around Umie. She returns his gesture and a friendly smile. Guiding the girls to the bar, Umie shares hugs with everyone, even exchanging a half hug from Takuto before Boss brings the girls some breakfast. A short stack of chocolate chip pancakes with whipped cream.
The guys exchange small talk, leaving the girls mostly out of it since neither of them feel much like talking. They both just listen in as Takuto explains everything he did to try and get the gramophone to work yet nothing was wielding any results worth mentioning. Umie looks to Nari who raises her eyebrows and diverts her gaze somewhere else. Umie swallows a piece of her second pancake before speaking.
"What if the painting and record player are connected?" she speaks, and all heads turn to her. Despite the warmth growing in her cheeks, Umie continues on. "You guys said that our grandfathers were partners, maybe they made it so that you had to put two and two together."
"It's something." Kenshi instantly agrees. "It's a bit of a stretch, but it's something."
"But what part of the painting can be used to play on the gramophone?" Hiro asks.
"Maybe it's not even a piece at all, maybe it has some kind of code on the back or hidden in the picture kind of thing." Umie says. "Something discreet, or out of the box thinking."
"Let's bring the painting down and see." Riki suggests and already Boss and Hiro are drawing the shades of each window while Kenshi and Takuto head upstairs to fetch the painting. Umie and Nari wipes their mouths and make their way towards the back of the bar where they place the painting, Hiro bringing over the gramophone and setting it on the nearest table. As Umie walks over and inspects the painting, Nari looks all over of the gramophone.
"I did manage to find something." Takuto speaks as he walks over to Nari as she looks over the bottom of the gramophone. Nari watches as he digs through his pocket and pulls out a small needle fit for the one on the record player. "I don't know what it's supposed to do, but it's best assumption it's a spare."
Umie gazes at the painting, hoping to find some form of clue that her grandfather left behind. If he had known about some magic treasure years ago and he knew or figured that Umie would be of some use, he had to have made the clue simple since Umie isn't the best at trying to solve something that required as much brains and imagination as her grandfather did.
As she gazes at the woman sitting at the piano, Umie tries to look for something. She places her hands on the border of the frames and starts to trace her fingers up and down the border feeling for some form of switch like she's seen in so many games and movies. Stepping behind the painting to make sure she doesn't miss anything, she sees no hint of any kind. Sighing, she rounds back to the front and leans against a chair as she just stares.
"I don't think you'll get anywhere by staring." Riki teases.
"Jee! Go figure!" Umie snaps with overly dramatic shock. "Something just, doesn't seem right."
"Well we've already established that there's not signature." Takuto reminds.
"And it's at best assumption it's a portrait of you." Kenshi says as he stands next to Umie. "Is there anything that could be significant?"
"My grandfather used to play piano for me while I would vacation at his house, but that's it." Umie says.
"Where is the house? Maybe there's something to do with the piano." Hiro suggests.
"Nah, he sold it long before his death, and that included the piano. Either nothing as in it, or if there was, he had already taken it out and secured." Umie dismisses.
"Dammit." Hiro whines.
Umie looks at the corners of the painting and bites the inside of her lip. Nari meanwhile can't seem to crack open for the gramophone, and all Takuto managed to get was a replacement needle. The turn table was removable, but whether flipped or dusted off, it still made no sound.
Umie remembers her grandfather would always sign his paintings in the lower left corner, so she tries and inspects the corner and looking at it from the side. "Kenshi, help me take it out of the frame."
Kenshi obliges and helps Umie in removing the frame, shedding out a simple canvas. With careful hands they set it on the table and Umie traces the tips of her fingers over the painting, feeling the dried strokes and roughness of the canvas.
"Careful not to smear it." Riki reminds.
Ignoring his comment, Umie looks at the painting as she continues to run her fingers across it. For a moment, it almost feels as if she's connecting with her grandfather again. Feeling every stroke he did, the pressure he had to apply to the brush, the dryness of the paints. Her fingers suddenly bump over something. Umie stares hard at it and does it again, and she feels it, just beneath the small bump of a brushstroke. She leans close, and with her shadow from the overhead lamps of the table, she can see just the faintest incline of the painting.
Umie's fingers instantly trace back to the corners of the painting and picks at the lower left corner.
"What are you -?!" Riki stutters, but Umie holds up her hand to stop him.
Quickly once she manages to lift one corner of the canvas, she slowly and carefully starts to peel back a layer of paper.
"There's something inside the painting." Umie states.
"What . . .?" Takuto stares amazed.
Nari comes up to Umie's side and watches as she peels back a layer of paper from the canvas and slowly inch by inch does something soon come up.
Umie carefully sets aside the thin paper off to one seat of table and stares in shock, excitement and chills running through her body. The middle of the canvas is hollowed out, much like the books you would keep in a study that holds wads of money inside, and in this case, it's a small square manila folder. Umie and Nari laugh manically as Umie picks out the envelope from the middle of the canvas.
Without needing to tell her, Nari is already at the gramophone and changing out the needle for the turntable and careful beings the device over to the table.
"Whoa." Kenshi breathes in astonishment.
"How did you -" Hiro starts.
"A gut feeling." Umie finishes.
As Nari places the device onto the table, Umie opens the envelope and pulls out a record player. The girls look to each other and smiles.
"Oh my gosh." Umie breathes.
"Here, here, put it on!" Nari coaches.
Umie places the record onto the turntable, but it doesn't fit. Quickly Nari flips the turntable and sets the needle aside, and when Umie places it down next time, it's a perfect fitting. Nari double-checks that there's batteries in it, and set the needle onto the record before flicking the switch upwards. The record spins and after a crinkling of static, the sound of Nar's grandfather comes through the funnel-shaped horn.
"Nari, by the time you hear this, I hope you have already gathered Umie with you." he speaks.
Nari and Umie look to one another, their faces pale from astonishment.
"What the hell . . . ?" Takuto gasps.
"We fixed it! What up!" Nari celebrates.
The rest of the boys gather round as the device comes to life with the voice of Nari's grandfather.
"There is something important that needs to be disclaimed, and we need both of you girls to hear this." He continues.
"We?" Umie whispers to Nari.
"Hello my beautiful granddaughter! Oh I knew you girls would be together, thick as thieves like always. Or could it be two peas in a pod?" Umie's grandfather's voice chimes with happiness.
"Oh my god." Umie breathes as her eyes immediately glitter with tears. She covers her mouth and sniffles, but Nari can see she's smiling by the stretching of her cheeks.
"I hope you two are safe, and please pay very close attention, and try not to space out as I know you tend to do sometimes, Umie. Ah but your imagination is one of the many reasons why I loved you. Always so inspired like your grandfather." He speaks as if he were smiling, and Umie giggles and wipes her eyes as she tries to compose herself once more.
Nari's grandfather takes over. "Now listen girls, we have chosen you two to take on this task, because you both hold something very special inside. From the moment you girls were born we both had feelings that you two would amount to something great."
"If only they knew." Umie whispers to Nari.
"By now you girls have hopefully met a group known as the Black Foxes . . . or at least their grandchildren." Nari's grandfather continues.
The girls look to one another and then snap their attention to the boys who stare at the gramophone with pale faces and stern expressions.
"Handsome groups of chaps, that is, if they take their looks from their grandfathers." Umie's grandfather interjects. "But girls, you can trust them. They know . . . most of the story."
"Most?" Nari gasps with a tremble of fear looking to Umie.
Simultaneously the boys' expressions harden into confusion and worry. If there's more to the story that even they don't know, there must be another group or perhaps another outside source that has the full plot. They shift their comfortable positions to something more rigid and attentive.
"They only know that they must find our inventions and creations from certain rogues, but that's only part of it, as we have instructed their grandfathers to do." says Umie's grandfather. "Because the moment you girls start this journey, you need to make sure that you're on your gaurd."
Nari's grandfather takes over. "There are a group of bad people out there who want to harm you. And their leader is ruthless, and he will exploit his resources until he has you girls."
Umie and Nari swallow as their throats tighten or become dry like someone has stuffed wads of cotton in their esophagi.
"But there are others who have been assigned the task of protecting you both since they became young men and women. They are known as the Alumni. They can help you girls, and they know everything." says Nari's grandfather.
"You must not . . . trust anyone outside the Black Foxes. The Alumni have a special logo that you must remember and be on the lookout for. They're marking is of a flame of fire encased in a heart." Umie's grandfather sternly speaks. "Once you find the Alumni, they will take care of everything you need to take down this group that will target you."
"But what about us?!" Umie pleads with the gramophone. "What's so special?!"
"I'm afraid we can't exploit too much without risking you girls. Walls have ears, girls." Umie's grandfather answers. "Umie, I know you don't being left with questions, but you must trust your instincts."
At this Umie rolls her eyes.
"I know you think of them as a weakness, but they are your strength. Trust them." Umie's grandfather insists.
"And you too Nari, you as well. Impulsiveness is the best quality to have. Snap decision making. You have inherited my brains and passion for seeing little details other look over. So you will be able to use this to your advantages." Nari's grandfather says.
Umie drapes her arm around Nari's shoulder and pulls her close. Nari wraps her arm around Umie's torso and the girls keep each other close as their pulses beat fast at a matching pace of panic.
Umie's grandfather interjects. "We have a possible theory of whom you girls will have to meet when your time comes. Her name is Elena. Elena Adams. She will be younger than you, but you mustn't let this discourage you. It's more likely the Alumni will find you before you find them. They must, and they will show you the symbol before you can allow yourself to trust them. Wait for this, if not, you must get away."
"You girls are the key to a great discovery that has the capability to change the world as we know it." says Nari's grandfather. "Now that might sound overly dramatic to you both, but it's true. You girls may not think yourselves able to do this objective, your self-value incomparable to others, but you must've underestimate yourselves. Self doubt is one of many ways you can destroy yourselves."
Suddenly there's a loud bang in the background and everyone can hear Umie's grandfather swear and call to Nari's, "They've found us."
"Listen girls, you need to fine the Alumni, they will help you, and make sure to keep the Black Foxes close. Do not stray far from them!" he commands.
"Grandpa?" Nari chokes.
The sound of a scuffle catches in the noise, and Umie's grandfather grunts in pain.
"No." Umie breathes.
Then there's the sickening sound of something metal impaling flesh as someone gags and gasps as if choking on blood. "They're coming Ruban!"
"Coming Jared!" he calls back. There's the sound of fiddling with the record with panicked fingers. "Protect yourselves, girls! Find the Alumni!"
Then that's all he says before there's more sounds of scuffling and noises of papers getting scattered, men screaming, scuffling boots, whistling of something metal. The impact of the blow that's inseparable from cries of pain. Choking on blood. And then the record dies with an ear-screeching halt.
Then the dead silence is as deafening as if they were at a screamo concert with the amplifiers on full blast.
Nari just stares blankly at the horn of the gramophone in silent shock. Umie ah her mouth agape in shock and disgust as the sound of the screams echo in her head, bouncing around her skull.
"That can't be it." Umie mumbles. "There must be more, maybe something on the other side?" Umie goes for the gramophone but Kenshi stops her since he seems to know that Umie will wind up breaking it. He gathers her in his arms, only then does he feel that she's shivering slightly. Umie sits down into one of the chairs at the table and her gaze becomes distant.
"Did our grandfathers just kill someone?" Umie asks.
Nari looks over to her and finds that she is looking at Kenshi as she asked. He can only fold his lips in and shake his head in debate. "You girls know your grandfathers better than me. Do they seem like the kind of people to kill?"
"Of course not!" "Absolutely not!", the girls answer.
"But then, what did we just hear?" Umie asks turning to Nari.
Nari shakes her head in disbelief. "I don't know. Maybe we just underestimated them."
"Or they hid it from us."
"But I'm afraid that's not the point." Riki interjects. All heads turn to him and he stands tall with his hands on his hips. "What is important is your safety now. If what they say is true, then we need to keep you girls safe and on constant vigilance."
"Oh no." Umie rolls her eyes.
"He said you were a part of something important, so it's vital that we keep each other close." says Hiro.
"Yeah but you don't seriously mean having you by our side every minute of every day?" Umie argues.
"How else are we supposed to protect you girls until we find the Alumni?" Takuto glares.
"You can't just keep us on a strict schedule! Having us go to and from school with no social interaction! Granted I don't talk to much people, but I still have some form of a life!"
"I agree with the strict schedule, and you all have priorities as well." Nari throws in. "We're going to be going back to school soon and unless you transfer, we'll be on our own."
"I mean I get you want to, and frankly need to protect us, but shutting us inside isn't going to solve anything." Umie explains calmer. "Not to mention by the end of this week, I need to be getting back home." Umie's face suddenly turns white. "Oh no, what if these people target our families to get us to cooperate?"
"Umie calm down, you're getting paranoid." Kenshi coos to her as he rubs her arm and crouches beside her chair.
"No I'm not it is a possibility." She denies. As she looks down she can feel her hands shaking. This is bad. Usually that happens when she's about to cry. She takes some deep breathes and runs her fingers through her hair. Some of her pink ends of her pastel ombre mix in with the blues.
"I'm already on the search for this Elena Adams. It shouldn't be long." Takuto assures.
"And what do we do until you find her?" asks Nari.
"We will watch over you girls." Riki answers.
"Will you be watching from afar?" Nari asks. "Because I cannot have Takuto by my side while I walk all around school."
"Like I'd love to spend my day being by your side every day. I actually have to work." Takuto remarks.
"Look, your grandfathers wishes were to keep you girls safe until we find the Alumni." Riki states. "And that's what we're going to do. We will drive you to and from your school and work and keeping you here at night."
"And what about when I have to go back to my house, and when Nari's parents come home?!" Umie argues.
"I'm sure we'll think of something that'll suit everyone's needs." Riki says as he glances at Takuto and Kenshi.
Both Nari and Umie can assume that they were to have Kenshi and Takuto become their boyfriends, but not only did Kenshi say he doesn't want to date, Takuto seems like he's rather take his chances with whomever is trying to hunt down the girls.
"It's just risky to have you girls out on your own." Kenshi reminds, and he places a hand on Umie's shoulder to try and have her see reason.
Suddenly Umie's face brightens. "Self Defense."
"What?"
"Self defense! You can teach us! We can learn!" She springs up from her seat and takes Kenshi's hand with a smile. Enthusiasm lights up her voice. "You work as a fireman, you can teach us a few things about combat and how to handle ourselves and weapon handling. Maybe you can even coax with the chief of police to try and get us to use a shooting range, and then I can go off and buy a can of pepper spray -"
"Hold on a second," Kenshi says with a laugh. "I'm all for your girls leaning self defense, but I can only teach you girls a few basic things. And as for the shooting, since when did you want to learn how to use a gun?"
"I've always wanted to, but I never had the chance. Now this is it." Umie smiles.
Kenshi, seemingly unable to resist the genuine excitement in her voice looks up to the rest of the men. "What do you think?"
"It's defiantly a solution." Hiro agrees. "And I'm more than willing to agree with it. Still I think they should go with you just so we're there."
Umie rolls her eyes, but she understands why they're so overly cautious.
"Maybe Kenshi should go with both of them." Takuto suggests.
Umie, Nari and Kenshi look to him. "Why?" Nari asks. "Not like you have anything better to do."
"I still need to find out the meaning of that sequence of number that was spoken on the gramophone, smartass." Takuto snaps. "011496. Unfortunately he didn't have the time to explain what it was for and how to use it. So I need to do some research."
"Well, that just leaves you Kenshi. That is if you think you can handle them." Riki says.
"I'll be fine. I'm actually excited from them to learn how to fight." Kenshi smiles.
"Uh . . . just one thing." Nari timidly speaks as she raises her hand. "I'll do the combat drills, but I won't shoot a gun."
"Why?" Umie asks as she releases Kenshi's hand and walks over to Nari. "I just don't like violence, but I do want to learn how to defend myself."
"Also, perhaps we should wait until your shoulder is fully healed. Don't want to put any strain on it." Kenshi reminds and Umie peeks over her injured shoulder and tries to do small circles which prove to be difficult.
"Fine. Fair enough."
"Until then, will you girls abide to our system? Or at least until we find this Elena Adams?" Riki asks.
Umie looks to Nari who shrugs and shakes her head. "Alright, fine. I guess there's really no difference since it's just like before."
"Okay, now that that's settled, how about we do something productive." Boss says as he claps his hands. "Most of you boys have some jobs and schools to get to, meanwhile, I can tell you girls are eager to get out of the house, so how about you go and get some groceries for me?"
Normally Umie would agree, but after listening to the gramophone and debating on the surveillance of the girls, Umie is more than eager to get out of the bar as it suddenly feels so crowded and has so little air.
"Sure." Umie agrees.
"Okay." Nari says.
"Thank you." Boss smiles as he ducks behind the counter and grabs a list, he then opens his wallet and pulls out at least forty dollars. "I have everything on the list, and this should be enough."
"Thanks." Umie says as she takes the money.
"And remember, straight back here."
"We got it." Umie waves off as she pushes open the door with her hip. Nari follows her out with Kenshi.
"So just as your luck would have it, I'm off duty for the next four weeks, so I can least teach you some self defense stuff." Kenshi smiles.
"Well I'm off of school and work for at least three weeks." Umie smiles back.
"I'll have to see. I don't start work until late so I guess we can try during the day." Nari says as they walk towards the grocery store just a few stores down from the bar.
"What time?" Umie asks.
"I work from five until nine." Nari answers. "So four hours."
"Uh, well how about the weekends? Besides we have at least three weeks until I heal." Umie says. "Or until my arm is deemed usable."
"Yeah those could work." Nari nods.
"Well, I have another three hours until I have to leave, so I will happily be your escort until I need to leave." Kenshi smiles.
"Oh, aren't you sweet?" Umie teasingly smiles as she bumps Kenshi with her hip.
The market a block down from Le Renard Noir, sells standard fruits, vegetables and basic cereals and snacks. The double glass doors slide open and Nari walks in driving the cart. There are at least fourteen aisles slowly morphing from food and organics to toiletries and paper towels and cleaning supplies. Walking in, Nari pulls a cart form the one of three long lines and leads the troopers inside. There are at two tables poised in front of the doors selling seasonal sugar cookies in the shape of autumn leaves and jack-o-lanterns for Halloween. Low priced chips are on the left while overly expensive energy drinks are on the right.
Umie looks to the vegetable section and checks the list.
"Okay so he needs two cucumbers and three tomatoes, and a small container of fresh rosemary." Umie reads.
"I'll drive the cart while you girls get the stuff." Kenshi says.
"I want to drive." Nari whines.
"This way he can keep an eye on us and make sure we don't run." Umie grins with a teasing smile.
"And that he asked you girls, to get his things."
"I'm going to hold you to those specifics later on." Umie grins. "Come on."
Umie and Nari browse the vegetables, grabbing bags to put them in and settling them into the cart. Moving further down the list, Boss has asked for a pound of freshly cut provolone cheese. As they three walk over to the counter and Nari pulling a number, Kenshi decides to leave the cart.
"I'll be heading towards the back part of the store for some first aid stuff." He speaks.
"Okay." Umie says.
Nari leans close to Umie, but whispers loudly. "As soon as he leaves, we get the drugs!"
Kenshi laughs and pets Nari's head before he turns and heads off. Meanwhile one of the employees behind the counter – an elderly woman with grey haired tied back in a ponytail calls out for number ninety-four.
"What number are we?" Umie asks.
"Uh, ninety-eight."
"Oh, okay not that long a wait." Umie smiles.
"Umie?" A voice calls out.
Both girls turn to the right where the origin of the sound was, and their eyes widen when they see a familiar navy blue suit and purple striped tie.
"Tatsuro?" Umie calls.
Both their eyebrows rise in surprise, only Nari quickly takes on a mischievous grin. The sight of him stuns Umie. Tatsuro stares at them for a few seconds, before making his way over.
"Hey Umie!" Tatsuro greets.
Nari makes note of the slightly happier chime in his tone. She's always known that Tatsuro had a crush on Umie, since he told Nari in secret when they were kids. Of course Nari went and told Umie directly after, and yet Umie hasn't said anything since; which could be a good thing since Tatsuro could now technically arrest Nari for it.
Tatsuro throws his arms around Umie, his hand pressing into the wound in her shoulder. Nari feels her heart skip a beat, her blood run cold for a split second. Umie bites her lip to keep from crying out in public, but a groan escapes her anyway, and Tatsuro yanks back.
"Oh, Umie. Are you okay?"
Umie can't help but bring her hand up to her shoulder to try and massage the pain away, but still looks at Tatsuro. "I'm fine, I just hurt my shoulder a bit. But what are you doing here? I thought you were off in California, training for the FBI?"
"We have a Japanese FBI agent coming in and he wanted to see the Chicago police department." He answers with a smile. "So I'm here to interpret for him."
"Really? Oh cool, how long are you here for?"
Tatsuro puts his hands in his pocket and smiles. Nari almost wanting to tally how many times he flashes a smile at Umie. "I'm not sure. But I don't think we're going back right away."
"Oh, Ranko must be so happy!" Umie chimes.
Tatsuro shrugs. "I don't know . . . she probably thinks it's annoying."
"No, of course not." Umie insists with a gently slap on his arm.
"By the way, Umie . . . who is that guy?" Tatsuro asks, his goofy smiling gone as she looks over Umie's shoulder.
Umie feels her skin crawl with goose bumps. Turning around she finds Kenshi walking back towards the kart with two handfuls of small medical supplies like bandages, gauze wraps and Vaseline
"Oh, hey Kenshi." Umie greets as he sets his things in the cart.
"Hey. Hi, and who are you?" he asks, dipping the tips of his fingers in his pockets.
"This is our childhood friend, Tatsuro." Umie says as she takes a step back towards Kenshi.
"The last we saw him was maybe right after high school." Nari interjects. "Then he just flew off to become like Double O'Seven."
"Hi, I'm Tatsuro Togoshi." He says as he extends out a hand. Kenshi takes it with a firm grip.
"Kenshi Inagaki." He smiles.
"Hm," Tatsuro smiles teasingly. "Umie . . . is he your boyfriend?"
"Oh haha, Tatsuro." Umie replies with an eyeroll. "He's my friend."
". . . Really? You two seem so close; I just assumed you were dating."
"Don't worry, it's getting there." Nari smiles, and earning an elbow jab form Umie.
"It's not like that at all." Umie denies.
"My family owns a restaurant, and that's actually how we met." Kenshi nonchalantly smiles.
"Is that right? Well then what are all three of you doing here?" Tatsuro asks.
"Well I'm volunteering at the restaurant." Umie says. "Internship for college. And today they needed some extra food so I volunteered to go out and buy some. Kenshi's just drove."
"Ah, I see. I forget you're in college now." Tatsuro smiles once more.
"We did go to the same high school."
Then Tatsuro's cell phone rings and he has to reach inside his suit to get it. "Oh, I have to go. If you'll excuse me."
"Sure." says Kenshi.
"Hey Umie, you want to go out for dinner sometime?" Tatsuro asks. "Ranko says she's lonely since he hasn't seen you in a while."
Nari tries to contain her giggles as she doubles over the side of the cart, pretending to rummage around their limited stock of food.
"Yeah, sure." Umie answers.
"Also, did you change your cell phone number?" he asks.
"No why?"
"I've been trying to cal you since yesterday, but there's not answer."
Umie think back to Takuto hacking into her phone to send out text messages to her parents, and emails to her work and school. Not to mention Umie was in a drug-induced sleep after the bullet was taken out of her.
"Oh, is it from a private number?" Umie asks, hoping her cheeks aren't as red as they feel.
"Yeah, it might've been."
"Oh, I'm sorry! I don't usually answer calls from private numbers." Umie exclaims with a laugh.
"Okay," Tatsuro smiles, stroking her arm. "I'll try to unblock it next time."
"Great. Text me when you're free."
After exchanging a softer farewell goodbye, the trio resume to finishing their shopping, when Kenshi stops the cart in the middle of the snack aisle. While Umie and Kenshi browse the many flavors of Oreo's, Nari wanders off towards the candy section.
"So that's Tatsuro, huh?" Kenshi asks.
"Yeah, that's him. You might've heard a little bit about him from Nair's teasing."
"Did he ask you about anything?"
"No, why?" Umie asks as she notices the troubled look on Kenshi's face. The reasons are obvious since Tatsuro is a cop, but she still needs to hear his point of perspective.
Kenshi bites his lip before answering. "He . . . might get in our way at some point in the future."
"As to be expected." Umie says.
"Well, at least I know we won't get arrested." Kenshi smiles. "And we won't harm him."
"Of course you won't." Umie says as she reaches for a double stuffed packet of the chocolate cookies.
"What's that mean?" Kenshi asks, his tone slightly sharper. Nari can sense this as she approaches the cart, but tries to act nonchalantly so that they don't stop.
"I mean that you won't Tatsuro, because it'll hurt you in the end too" she says.
"How?"
"Because then you've lost me." Umie says as she starts to head down towards to frozen section of the aisle.
"What? Wait, Umie." Kenshi chases after her and Nari follows. Kenshi takes Umie's shoulder and turns her to face him. "What do you mean I've lost you? You seriously wouldn't die for him would you?"
"Of course I would." Umie immediately answers. This stuns Kenshi as he lets her shoulder go and his face is expressed in surprise.
"Wow, he really means a lot to you, huh?"
"Not the way you're thinking. We've just been friends for a long time." Umie says as she pulls open a door and fetches a box of waffles.
"Hmm, not according to the data Takuto sent us." Kenshi smiles.
"And what did it say?" Umie challenges.
"It said that you think of him as much more than a friend."
"Then change it because it's false and invalid." Umie says a she slams the door shut. She starts walking away back towards the cart and Kenshi looks to Nari; who is only doubled over laughing.
"Hey, Umie come on. I was just joking." Kenshi says as she pushes the cart down by them. She looks ready to run down his foot, but Kenshi stops the cart with it and holds the sides. "You know the only reason you'd be offended is if it were true."
"I am trying, so hard, not to slam my foot into your testicles right now." She growls. Kenshi releases the cart and walks around to Umie's side as they turn left into the next aisle, this one holding refrigerated items like butter, eggs, and packaged cheese.
"But seriously, how do you really feel about him?" Kenshi asks while Nari is suddenly distracted by a My Little Pony balloon near the florist counter.
"I don't see how that's relevant." Umie declines.
"I'm just curious. Isn't this how you girls talk?" Kenshi laughs as she pets Umie's head. She smacks it away, but has a small crack of a smile.
"I guess, but it's just weird talking to a boy about it." She says fixing her hair. "But, just to answer your question, we're just friends. He had a thing for me once, and I didn't know how I felt. And I still don't."
"Hmm, okay. We'll leave it at that." Kenshi says with a flick to her forehead.
"Ow." Umie says as she rubs her forehead. "How mean, Kenshi. Attacking a crippled young girl. You should be ashamed."
"Crippled?"
"Yeah, bullet wound. Hello?"
"Shh, not so loud. I heard they're investigating the museum."
"Oh, sorry."
They continue to push through the aisles; the grocery shopping now left to Nari.
"But, I can see why." Kenshi says as he strolls next to Umie.
"What?"
"If you had a thing for Tatsuro. Good grades, always number one in the relay races, but bad at dodge ball because he didn't want to hurt anyone, right?"
Umie raises her eyebrows and widens her eyes in shock. "That is a rather terrifying but oddly accurate description, but yes."
"That's the kind of boy all the girls love in grade school."
"That kind of love is innocent and uncomplicated. Designed for a simple life." Umie wavers off. "But seriously, Kenshi. Promise me that nothing bad will happen to Tatsuro."
Kenshi looks Umie in the eye and can see a fiery determination that almost turns the green of her hazel eyes into a cold, and concentrated shade of pale jade.
"I promise." He says.
Ume gives a soft smile at his answer, and after Nari brings over an armful of boxes containing Mike&Ike candy, they make their way towards the checkout aisles. Kenshi exchanges talk with Umie and Nari, Nari taking full advantage to tell Kenshi about Tatsuro's crush on Umie. The women working the register greets them with a smile and starts to ring up their food, the bagger at the end of the aisle setting their bags into the cart. Umie checks her phone while waiting at the end of the aisle with Kenshi; Nari now having taken charge of the cart driving.
Suddenly there's a small flicker of light and Kenshi's head snaps up. Umie is about to say his name when Kenshi harshly shoves them to the ground screaming, "Look out!"
Just as the words leave his lips, an explosion blows them backward into the air.