Surprise...I'm back! *Jump in*
Lol, I finally got to write things again. Thanks for waiting and being enthusiastic on updates! I really love it!
I hope you still know what's this story about?
Ayase's family's living room, early morning;
"I believe these are real, I've read them all before. Though they are missing a lot of things, like…. A few reports about specific attacks on a few families…" Nozomi said as she pats the paper stacks on the table.
"So you don't think you can pull something out of it?" Eli asked.
"I can… but without the missing pieces, I can't actually say something about it… the missing pieces can switch things around, you know…" Nozomi replied.
"Hmm…. Wonder where the missing pieces gone to…?" Eli said.
"Due to what Lilith said to me, her boyfriend isn't the only person who got tasked to hid things, so it might be either be gone forever or kept somewhere else… " Nozomi said.
"Say though, what makes one loyal to them? Like… what makes them willing to do dirty things for this…person….who controls everything?" Eli asked.
"Stupidity and wealth perhaps? What kind of humans wanted to kill for others for nothing?"
"Uhm-hm… you got my point… but I'm also talking about the non-human influence…" Eli replied with a nod.
"You think there might be a work of creatures like you?" Nozomi asked,
"To begin with, we know werewolves, werepanther, and such are existed on this world, but I think they supposed to be not in this world again ever since a long time ago. My family was the one who bribes them to lives in our world, with the invention of our tribe…" Eli said.
"Your..tribe? You sound like you're living in a small ancient village inside the woods or something…" Nozomi said.
"I would call that as a cave you know…" Eli said jokingly,
"So you're a cave woman…" Nozomi said.
"Was, but maybe you can call me house woman now? I live in a house…" Eli replied with a playful smile.
Nozomi giggled at her.
"No wonder you're so old fashioned at times, but put that aside, tell me more about your kind…" Nozomi said playfully.
"My kind…? Hmm.. We've been traveling between worlds. I wouldn't say my place is something that only full of my kind. Just like how humans, plants and animals share the world—we're too sharing it with them, except our plants and animals are a lot different. I'm still not sure about what happen if humans eat our food, maybe it just the same with how we eats your food… except, we rarely serving it cooked. Living food is a preference, but many would also prefer dead since it's a lot easier to eat them and we don't have to deal with ranting food… plus, my invention makes it a lot easier too…."
"Why does your kind traveling between worlds?" Nozomi asked.
"Hmm…. to put it simply, we are all just enjoying life to the maximum. Not all of us capable of living more than 20 years, we are accustomed to short relation with each other, majority would also prefer to stay in the grand-lodging house and play around with each other until their time is up then gone for good...but good thing is, when a Succubus or Incubus died, they're allowed to make one wish before they turned into ashes…" Eli replied
"Eh? Uhm... what if their wish isn't granted…?" Nozomi asked.
"They will stay in their dead body until it granted. During that phase, they won't be able to move again—but they can speak to talk with others about their wish… a lot of us would try our best to help them in need, because whoever grants them will inherit the power the dead possess..." Eli replied.
"Power? What power?" Nozomi asked.
"Ah—right, every of us have our own unique power. I suppose you've heard about what Lilith did, right? That's one of the examples, she has an ability to charm multiple individuals— though it's supposed to be a lot weaker than the usual charms. Maybe she accomplished another wish and get another ability in her list…" Eli said.
"So you're saying, each of you can possess more than one ability?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes, but it's not supposed to be easy anyway. The other incubus or succubus have to be willing to inherit it, else, it will just be gone with them. Then the fact that we can't charm each other also made it a lot harder to get…. Although some of us still able to give out a charming aura that attract our kinds, but those are just to recognize each other…"
"Interesting…."
"Indeed, we found your kind to be interesting too anyway. To be able to betray each other and to be able to sacrifice others for a selfish desires… then to be forceful against something and to kill each other just because they're on the way. That's what I've been always taught about humans, though I experience it myself that you all can be so kind, so understanding and so playful with each other too. Humans are unpredictable. It's very interesting…" Eli said.
"So it's true that you all never did that kind of thing with each other and solve argument with sex…?" Nozomi asked.
"Uhm… I wonder where you hear that, but yes, most of us solve it with sex, but I usually prefer to drop off the topic and do things in our own way. My childhood as human makes me think that such kind of act are sacred, we are supposed to only do that with the one we love most. One and only…"
"I thought so! I'm glad you did that, Ericchi! I can't imagine you to feast on or be feasted by others!" Nozomi said.
"Huh? Well, Nozomi, you shouldn't worry much, really. I'm a noble blood, I don't hang out with random succubus or incubus… Even though they often come by to ask me to mentor them about the common skills… but that's just about it, nothing else…"
"Noble blood…?"
"Ah, well, in our world, we have three levels of social caste, The Noble Blood, The Commoners, and The Hunters. The Noble Blood are the one who keeps things rolling around the world, we basically are the one in highest level because we are the one who manage everything for the two other levels, the Commoners works mostly in other needs such as furniture, housing, or fashion, then as for hunters, they don't do much except for getting food supplies filled. They are usually the one who enjoys killing or being mischievous to other creatures… We all respect each other role, if one wanted to get to the higher level, they have to pass the test to get to the higher level. Then one from high place can always give up their role and go down to the lowest level."
"What about your case then? You're… running away from home…"
"Not quite, I'm still working on my parent's behalf, because after all, my parents are very well known by other. Our family isn't just a usual noble blood, we're the leading family. Each level has its own leading family— and we will gather up to discuss if there ever be anything to be discussed between us. Even though I only work when my parents are out, I'm still count as working for them you know…"
"So you're basically just like a princess….sitting with a small credit of work and still well respected…"
"Maybe…. I'm going to inherit my parent's place if there's anything happen to them, but that would be a little impossible unless something big happen. They're living in the deepest area of our world. No one will be able to touch them…" Eli explained.
"Ah— sounds like a big boss or something…" Nozomi said.
Eli giggled,
"A big boss, that sounds like the nickname of our current target, you know. They call them, Big Boss…." Eli said.
"They did? How come I didn't know that…?"
"Ah, must be because you were busy with Maki before, but yes, they call them Big Boss. He isn't from the Law Enforcement, but he is recruiting from them…" Eli said.
Nozomi nodded,
"Hmm… I'm glad, it means that our enemy is just a gang of mafia… but still, we still don't know about his true alliance… he might be working with someone in high place too…" Nozomi replied.
"Why are you glad with that?" Eli asked,
"Well, if the big boss is someone from the law enforcement, it will be a lot harder to confront. It's easier to catch outsider and drag the betrayer in— basically, we will try to know the source first and start listing them before we could put them in the law…" Nozomi replied.
"They will escape by the time you know who they are…" Eli said.
"Not if we can make them feel confident with what they're doing, besides, I don't think that will be what happen, they are more likely will try to get rid of us…"Nozomi said.
Eli sighed,
"You wanted to put yourself in danger…" Eli said.
"Ericchi will protect me…" Nozomi smiled.
Eli sighed heavily.
"I'm not that strong you know…" Eli said.
"You're not, but with my power, then there also the µ's! Not to forget about Lilith too!" Nozomi said.
Eli smirked,
"Please don't be that confident…. We might not be strong enough for that…" Eli replied.
"Ah? Is that a doubt that I hear? I thought Ericchi supposed to be able to dominate over any kind of human! I mean, look, Ericchi is dominating a Chimera like me…." Nozomi said teasingly.
"Nozomi….." Eli sighed.
Not so long after Nozomi's giggles, they could hear someone knock the door.
"Ah— let me get it…" Nozomi said as she jumped from the sofa. She quickly ran and tidy up herself before she open the door elegantly.
"Good Morning, welcome to the Ayase's Resi—…" Nozomi paused as she looks into the guest.
Eli tried to take a peek,
"Maki-chan?" Nozomi said.
"Hey…" Maki greeted.
"Ah— Maki, didn't expect you to know where my new house is…" Eli said.
"I had to sniff around, but I manage to find it, thanks to Nozomi, you're leaving a trail of your furs…"
"R-Really?! I thought I didn't leave any!" Nozomi said.
"I'm joking, I met Arisa and asked her…" Maki said with straight face.
Eli chuckled,
"Hey, I like that…" Eli said.
"Sheesh! Maki-chan! You had me worried!" Nozomi said.
"You should worry more about someone…" Maki said.
"Hmm? Who?" Nozomi asked.
"Can I come in first?" Maki asked back.
"Sure…."
They sat around the living room with Nozomi sitting next to Eli and Maki on the opposite side of the sofa,
"So it was just started when I text her this morning, she usually text me back in instant, whatever the situation is, the only time she reply late is when she have a live show— but she do not have any this morning…" Maki explained.
"It's still around 7 AM, Maki…." Eli said.
"We always awake around 5 AM, sometime earlier, either way though, I checked her apartment a while ago, her room is locked, I couldn't smell her presence inside, I thought maybe she went to marketplace, but I couldn't find her there either. I only met Arisa, Yukiho, and Honoka. They said they haven't met her either. Then I tried to check on her workplace, still closed tight… it's impossible to have anyone inside except the security…" Maki explained.
"So you think she is missing…?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes…" Maki replied.
"Maki…. It's still way too early to say that…." Eli said.
"Have you tried to call Rin or Hanayo?" Nozomi asked.
"E-eh? No… but I don't think I want to call them for that, what will they say about it!" Maki said with her cheek slightly blushed.
"Yet you're coming to our house…" Eli said.
"I—I didn't come here to ask about it!" Maki replied.
"Then what business you have here?" Eli asked.
"Well… you see, Christmas is happening soon. I…. I want to invite you and Nozomi…" Maki said.
"Oh…."
"We understand Nozomi didn't actually enjoy the previous Christmas because you're not present, but… now that you're here, will you come? It would be nice to have the whole µ's reunited…"
Nozomi surprised to hear it, Eli smiled softly at Maki then turn her sight to Nozomi.
"Hmmm… what should I say about it?" Eli said teasingly.
"P-Please come!" Nozomi said.
Maki smiled at her,
"Then that's set, yes?" Eli said.
"Thanks…" Maki replied.
"Anything else?" Eli asked.
"Well… hmm… I… I wonder if you have any…uh… food…." Maki said.
"Food? I think I hear that wrong, yes? I mean… Why are you asking for food…? You're the last person I expect to come to my house to ask for food…" Eli asked.
"No… not the usual food, that food…" Maki said.
"She means that soul candy, Ericchi…" Nozomi added.
"Oh! You mean that, I think I still have some in the fridge…" Eli replied.
"C-Can I have some? My breakfast isn't enough to fill my stomach…" Maki said.
Eli giggled,
"Expected, can you get it for her, Nozomi?" Eli said.
"Yup!" Nozomi quickly ran to get it.
"T-thanks… and… sorry…. But, anyway, I have to admit, it's really hard to contain my hunger lately. For some reason, I always getting a thought to pounce on random people and devour them… it's sick….I kept imagining it too…." Maki said.
"Have you tried to change your focus?" Eli asked.
"I tried to play music more often, or… just marathon some work in the clinic, it proved to be effective, but at this time of year, we got plenty of part-timer so… I can't really do any work and… sitting and playing piano all day can be boring… walking around the city make things worse… I wanted to ask Rin to spend the time with me, but she is currently studying to get her driver license… She said she wanted to own a motorcycle before she graduate so that she can be expert at it by the time she officially become a policewoman…"
"Ah— that's why you're looking for Niko, but aren't you worried if you somehow have an urge to maul her because she is so small?" Eli asked teasingly.
"Hell no, she might be small but she doesn't look tasty…" Maki replied.
Eli laughed. Nozomi returned to the living room with a small plate of soul foods, stacked neatly. Maki carefully pick one and eat it.
"I don't know how much you need to fill your stomach, but Ericchi usually only can eat about six at max in one day, I usually pick about nine, so I got you nine…" Nozomi said.
"I'm just going to eat it just to fill my stomach. I haven't actually eats any since…. That day…. I don't want to actually eat them too— but sometime it just can't be helped…" Maki replied.
"You don't actually benefit from them, it just that they help you to slow your aging…" Eli replied.
"Oh?"
"Succubus and Incubus get lifespan, Chimeras get to slow down aging— which mean, you're still aging while we are not. We can eat as many as we want to increase our lifespan; you only can eat until the end of your age and no longer…" Eli added.
"I see… so it does something like that too…" Maki replied.
"I figured that out last night, thanks to the book Arisa brought me… but anyway, you also get to replenish your energy by eating too. So you can stay awake all week…" Eli replied.
"I see— hmm… I start to like this life more…" Maki replied.
"It's going to be a lot cheaper to just sleep though—a single soul food won't completely replenish your energy…" Nozomi said.
"Yes, that. You can survive without soul food or actual prey to eat, just with the common human food, but it's going to be hard for Chimeras to do that… or just cost a lot. You might need a whole ox to actually fill your stomach…" Eli said.
"Or… hunt for them… but they just strangely didn't give much benefit— not as much as human flesh… I wonder why…." Nozomi replied.
"It's still a mystery…" Eli said.
Maki remained quiet in her thought as she stares into the soul food she just pick up.
"We still get lifespan from them— only the fresh one and in lesser amount…." Eli said.
"Interesting…" Maki said.
"Speaking of which, I checked my phone when I went to the kitchen, Nikochi texted me with Hanayo's phone…" Nozomi said.
"Ah— is that so?" Maki said.
"Yup, she said she is staying in Hanayo's house until her apartment finished with the renovation…" Nozomi said.
"Renovation? I don't think I noticed anything like that…" Maki said.
"They renovated the basement. There's a big hole on the wall for unknown reason… The securities are missing too. Once again— it smells like it's related to the chain murder…" Nozomi said.
"Oh— basement, I didn't go there before… hmm…" Maki said.
"Nikochi said, the hole didn't lead to anywhere, just a brick wall and nothing else. It should be a quick renovation— she thinks…" Nozomi replied.
"Weird…" Eli said.
"What is?" Nozomi asked.
"Why would she go to Hanayo's house if she thinks it's going to be quick one? It feels like she is thinking the opposite…" Eli said.
"Good point…" Nozomi said.
"Why her house anyway? Isn't Hanayo living far from her apartment?" Maki asked.
"Maybe because it's going to be too embarrassing to ask someone else?" Nozomi said teasingly.
"Bullshit, she knows no shame…" Maki said.
"Hmm…. I think it somehow feel like she just doesn't want to stick around there…." Eli said as she touch her chin.
"Did she set a time bomb or something?" Eli asked.
"That's impossible…." Maki replied.
"Unless she wants to kill something so badly and can't think straight—…." Before Nozomi could finish her word, a huge explosion heard from a distance.
The three awkwardly stare into each other,
"That's not her, okay? Not her…" Maki said.
The City, morning;
The three quickly look for the source of explosion.
Thanks to Nozomi and Maki's strong noses, they were able to locate the source of the explosion quickly. Apparently, it is really from Niko's apartment which has turned into nothing but a ruin.
"I totally was joking about it…." Nozomi said as she watch the smokes that rises up to the sky.
"I don't think it's her… really…" Maki said.
Eli remained quiet as she watches ambulances and polices gathered all over the places in instant. A lot of people went panic, some are just fainted and some are helping out each other. She has never seen this kind of sight before— not for real. She always thought this would be only possible to be happens in movies, where everything is scripted and dramatically enhanced.
To see this side of human— where they agreed that they don't need reason to help others— without have to know who or what they are…. or perhaps, it's just her feeling. Maybe they actually know each other? Such kind of society…if it truly what she thinks— then it is surely strengthens her opinion that humans are indeed know about unconditional love.
"Ericchi…." Nozomi called her out from her day dreaming,
"Ah—!" Eli turned to her,
"You're spacing out, is there anything you're thinking about?" Nozomi asked.
"N…No… not really, but anyway, we need to get to where Niko is and ask her about this…" Eli said.
"True…" Nozomi said.
"Wait!" Maki said.
"Hmm?" Nozomi and Eli turned to her,
"Something smells different…" Maki said. Nozomi tried to sniff,
"It smells like meat… baked one… or more like roasted?" Nozomi said.
"No, not that one… but, the rotten one…" Maki said.
"Rotten meat? Hmm…." Nozomi tried to search for that scent…
"Why would we have rotten meat around here…" Eli said.
"That's my point…" Maki said.
"AH! You're right, I can smell them…" Nozomi said as she began to walk to the source of the scent. Eli and Maki followed her. They got through some busy crowds— then through some people who waited for the medic to come, then through the ruins, and finally to a manly figures who wears a long black coat and big black pirate hat, black glasses, then a black mouth masker. He is standing far from the crowds.
They remained quiet as they watch the man standing— he looks like watching the broken building. Then they changed their focus to a familiar figure,
"Umi…" Maki mumbled.
"Ah…. Maki, Eli, Nozomi…. could three of you… following the same scent….?" Umi said.
"Yes…" Nozomi replied.
"Then…. This man….." Umi turned her eyes to the man,
The man remained quiet… everyone eyes are all on him. He is unmistakably giving out a rotten flesh odor— but he isn't dead, or at least, doesn't look dead.
"What are you….." Umi asked to the man aggressively.
The man remained quiet.
"Hey, we're asking you…" Maki said.
The man still didn't give an answer.
They turn their eyes to each other for a moment before Eli decided to step out.
"Sir— we're asking you…" Nozomi said.
The man turned his head to her, Eli noticed something as her eyes sighted a slight glow in his eyes and a slight smile that show his set of teeth.
"Could you be…"
Eli smiled mischievously,
"If that's the case…." Eli said before her eyes began to glow as well.
The man looks a little panic, he attempted to run and at the very second when his body breaks into dark shadows which turning into crows, a powerful light grasped him, he started to struggle before he began to shrink, his body eventually turning into a small candy-like ball— the soul food.
"W-what the…." Umi somewhat amazed as he saw it happened.
"Eli….what….what was that?" Maki said nervously.
"Ericchi…" Nozomi said in awe.
Eli walks to get the soul food,
"A vampire…" Eli said with a small giggle,
The others still a little shocked with the recent event. They remained quiet as their eyes focused on Eli who picks the soul food and eat it at once.
"Can you see him struggling before he turned to the ball? Isn't it fun to watch?" Eli said with a smile.
"I saw that but, Ericchi… that just—…."
"Cruel!" Umi said clearly.
"Huh?"
"Cruel! Even though he is a vampire, we still don't know about him! We still don't know if he is a good addition to the society or bad…" Umi said.
"He would never be a good addition, vampires are parasite to the other living…" Eli replied.
"That would be what others say about Succubus and Chimeras too, right? You could've listened to him first before executing him! He might be willing to tell us about what happen!" Umi yelled.
Eli smirked wryly,
"Y…you're right… sorry…." Eli replied.
Nozomi giggled softly. Eli blushed slightly.
"Hmpmh! Either way! We should go to study further about the explosion and its relation to the vampires. I'll be off on my own…. I'll call you later." Umi said before she turned away from them and left.
"Right, I'm going to check on Niko to see what she will say about this. You two can go do something else…" Maki said before she turned away too.
"I'll tell you the result later…" Maki said again before she left them.
Eli still remained quiet in embarrassment, Nozomi approach her closer and embraced her arm before she whisper softly,
"Ericchi, you're still acting at will for some time, I like it…"
"E-eh?" Eli turned her eyes to Nozomi.
She… She isn't mad at me too?
She thought.
"I always like the flawless Elichika, but the clumsy one is adorable too… Just make sure you didn't mess up everything, ok? We still have to do some work…" Nozomi added.
"Right…. what we should do about this?" Eli asked.
"Interview witness, we need to know what public says about this…." Nozomi said.
"Alright, we should do that…."
At the other side of the town, morning;
Hanayo, Rin and Niko gathered in Hanayo's house. They're currently helping Rin to study.
"Next question, Rin-chan, what sign is this?" Hanayo asked as she pointed to a sign in the book.
"Uhm… take care of your kids-nya?" Rin replied.
"No! It means watch out for kids! This supposed to be existed around school area!" Niko yelled.
"Oh! Is that so, nya?" Rin giggled shyly,
Hanayo chuckled at her,
"Niko-chan, you know a lot about this, did you get your driver license already…?" Hanayo asked.
"Uh—no, I didn't plan to get one. I can't actually drive anything, I got nothing to ride too…." Niko said.
"I…I see…." Hanayo replied with a wry smile.
"You should ask Maki-chan to get one for you nya!"Rin said.
"N-No way! Besides, it's not because I don't have money or anything, it just that—….." Niko blushed madly.
"My legs can't reach the car pedal and I can't actually carry a motorcycle…." Niko said.
"Oh…" Hanayo and Rin giving her a concerned looks.
"D-Don't look at me like that! Sheesh!" Niko yelled.
"I wonder if there's anyone who could make you a small car— or a small bike…" Hanayo said.
"Not that it will help anything on her…" Maki said from the open window.
"Yeah…. It won't actually help…" Niko said.
Everyone remained quiet for a moment…
"W-w-wait! Maki! When did you?!" Niko smirked,
"Just a second before you said your legs can't reach the car pedal…." Maki said as she enters the room through the window.
"M-Maki-chan… this is the third floor…. How could you….." Hanayo asked in surprise,
"It's only third floor, I've climbed higher…" Maki replied.
"I didn't even hear you jumping up here nya…. You really are a big cat-nya!" Rin said.
"W-why are you here anyway?" Niko asked with a wry smile,
"That should be what I ask to you, why are you here…?" Maki asked.
"M-me? Well….." Niko turn her eyes away,
"Are you really the one who explodes your own apartment's basement?" Maki asked.
"Wh-what the heck? No!" Niko replied.
"Huh? There's an explosion? I didn't know…" Hanayo said.
"It just happened this morning… and it's very far from here. I don't suppose you know about it before the news announces it, but anyway, Nozomi and Eli already suspected you because you look like you're actually trying to get as far as you could from your apartment…" Maki said.
"I didn't set a bomb in it or anything! It was just because of something else, sheesh!" Niko replied.
"Really? That sounds suspicious…" Maki said.
"Why are you suspecting me?!" Niko protested.
"Because you do look very suspicious, what are you doing since last night?" Maki asked..
"I was researching about the blackmail, you see? I was too busy about it…" Niko said.
"Ah, right, you said you wanted to talk about it too right?" Hanayo asked.
"Y-yeah… but anyway! I really didn't set a bomb in it!" Niko said.
"Tell me your excuse…" Maki said.
"I was just… heard about it, ok?" Niko said.
"Heard? Then you knew about it-nya! Why are you not telling anyone about it, you could've saved some people from troubles-nya!" Rin said.
"I did! They checked the basement until rooftop and found nothing! I was still paranoid about it so I just decided to get off the apartment myself. Besides, the one that fear me more isn't about the bomb, it's the hole they're creating! They said, it's going to be a portal for the dead to raise— tonight will be the time for them to act. I couldn't possibly say anything about it since… it feels very magical for me…" Niko said.
"What do you mean?" Maki asked.
"I saw them, the one who sets the bomb. One of them is a police officer, the other one is a creature of night, glowing eyes, I'm not sure what they are, but I can smell a faint rotten scent from them…" Niko explained.
"Ah… could it be the person we met before?" Maki said.
"Huh? You met anyone with rotten flesh scent?" Niko asked.
"Apparently, he is a vampire, Eli killed him at sight… we didn't get to investigate further…" Maki said.
"Sh…She is probably just worried about Nozomi-chan nya…." Rin said.
"Y-yeah… Vampires are Werewolf's rivals…." Hanayo said.
"Who knows about that, she seems like she didn't think about it before she did it… or perhaps she was just unconsciously experimented on him? It really feels like she doesn't think of any value on him…" Maki said.
"There's still the police officer, maybe we can get the missing clue out of him-nya?" Rin asked.
"Maybe, we hope this isn't a suicide bomb, most of terrorist did it that way…." Hanayo said.
"T-terrorist?" Maki, Niko, and Rin asked confusedly.
"Eh? Uhm… well… they did blackmail, then bombing, isn't that what terrorist do?" Hanayo asked.
"We aren't even sure if it's related or not, but, yeah, maybe we can call them as that…" Maki said.
"Isn't it strange though, they're showing off to public about it, it feels like they're trying to expose their crime further-nya?" Rin asked.
"Hmm… you're right… to cause such explosion make them looks like they're trying to stand out more…" Maki said.
"I don't think so, but I would agree it is related. I think I heard them saying that they wanted to finish the case and make a peace…" Niko said.
"What case? Is it really related?" Maki asked.
"W-well…. I'm not sure, but it probably is!" Niko said.
"You can't just say that, but I'm very sure we can try to gather up information later. See if it's really related to it…" Maki said.
"True…" Niko replied.
"Speaking of which, I asked Eli about the Christmas party…." Maki said.
"Oh? What did she say about it-nya?" Rin asked.
They began to talk about their plan for Christmas…
The Basement, morning;
Umi walks to a group of police who has been investigating the scene.
"Excuse me, I'm prosecutor Sonoda Umi…" she said politely.
"Ah, Prosecutor, I'm afraid you can't sue the suspect, this is a suicide bomb…" the police said.
"How do you know?" Umi asked.
"Recorded by the hidden camera across the road, it was started from a big truck crashing into the building, then it just somehow triggered the other bombs which raise up to the top of building, destroying it completely…" the police said.
"I see… we might still have a few possibilities to open then…." Umi said.
"I'm sure we are, the truck isn't something that someone able to purchase, then to set up small bomb into the building— I'm sure it will be a sign for the other apartments to strengthen their security…"
"….and it can't be done alone. I'm very sure if we investigate this further, we might find the puppeteer of this incident…" Umi said.
"True, but I doubt it would be easy to recover anything from here. With the building completely destroyed, then with the victims and suspects to have their remains in the same spots, the only problem we feared now is to actually identify the victims. How we can return them to their family if we can't identify them…?" the police said.
"That would be sad, yes… I wish it wasn't that bad…" Umi said.
"I don't think there's anything that can be worse than this…" The police said.
"Hmm… I wonder what the motive of this act is. Then why he specifically attacks this building. Although this incident already did a small damage to the other building, it still feels like he really targeted this building and really wanted this building to be destroyed completely too…"
"That's what we don't know too, prosecutor…" the police said.
Suddenly, a police officer ran up to them.
"Sir! We found—….."
And before he finished….
Meanwhile in the other side of the road, morning;
Nozomi and Eli tried to investigate by asking to the witness, they explained about the strange truck that crashed into the building before the explosion happen.
"So basically… it was a suicide bomb, but, I wonder about the explosion that trail up into the top?" Nozomi asked.
"I'm very sure they happen to set them up last night…" Eli said.
"How much bombs they set up I wonder…?"
As Nozomi said it, another explosion heard from the ruins.
"W-what the…." Eli quickly turns her sight to the building's ruins. Another explosion happened and even though it just a smaller one, it still managed to cause another damage and triggered another explosion on the nearby vehicle.
"Oh no, the police and paramedic!" peoples started to get panic.
"Call another one!" someone said before the others started to run to grabs their phone.
"Umi-chan! She should be still around there!" Nozomi said.
"Let's get her!" Eli said before Nozomi and Eli quickly ran to the ruins.
Somewhere under the ruins,
Umi slowly open her eyes, she turns her sight around to see herself burrowed under the ruins. She noticed that the basement wall is completely destroyed and the ground mashed up with the ruins.
"I'm…. alive…" she mumbled.
She turns her sight to her hand— she noticed that her flesh burnt but it slowly regained itself. It really feels like a miracle for her at first, but then she remembers that it's not actually a miracle since she is no longer a normal human.
She could hear a soft cries coming from somewhere near her. She tried to move her body— for some reason, the big building which lay on her feels so easy to move. She tried to release herself from it and crawl to the small void on the lower part of the ruins. Her clothes are surprisingly still remained in her body, though added with a few blood splatter and shreds on it.
"That was easy…." She mumbled.
She started to wonder, is there anyone alive at this point? The soft cries that she heard might be something she should look for right now.
She noticed a few bodies burrowed among the ruins, blood flooding some area, she knows this gruesome sight could've been worse down there— she knows her hunger somewhat made her started to imagine if only she could get some bites off them, but she also know that she shouldn't do that because they are still belongs to someone else.
She shook her imagination off, then she tried her best to focus herself on trying to look for the source of the sound, she swears she is currently moving on closer to the source— though she couldn't see where exactly the sound coming from.
She tried to keep going through the rubbles, the remains, and the pool of trashes. She started to wonder, is it really possible for someone to live after that explosion, other than the Chimera of course. She wonders if being a Chimera also means that she is immortal too? Are they immortal? But she is pretty sure that Lilith and Eli used to kill them. She is also very sure that they're said that they are just hard to die…. Then maybe she is just lucky to survive this time?
As she began to wander around, she noticed a big cupboard stuck between the ruins. She tried to approach it slowly. She could hear the sound of the cry coming from inside it.
"Ah? Is someone inside?" Umi asked as she gently knocks on the cupboard.
"Is someone outside…?" a boy voice.
"Yes, please hang in there, I'll take you out…" Umi said as she quickly tried to pick up a few ruins that block the door of the cupboard.
"What's happening outside…?" he asked. Umi paused,
"I remember I was playing hide and seek with my little sister and fell asleep inside the cupboard..." he said. Umi remained quiet as she keep going on with what she currently doing.
"Did you find my little sister somewhere…?" He asked.
"I haven't…. sorry…" Umi said.
"Will you find her?" He asked.
Umi paused again.
"I will…." She continued again.
"Thank you…" the boy said.
Somewhere on the surface around the ruins,
Nozomi and Eli tried to look for clues and a way to find Umi.
"I'm not sure if she is still here, but pretty sure I saw her goes here to talk with the police before we split up from her…" Nozomi said.
"I hope she is still alive… I can't say anything about this to Kotori later…" Eli said.
"She won't die that easy, I'm sure!" Nozomi said.
"How we will find her though, you can't even smell her scent… the burnt and blood scent covering all over the air…" Eli said.
"That's when we're going to use that, Ericchi!" Nozomi said.
"Use what?" Eli asked.
Nozomi took a deep breath before she reaches her pocket,
"This!" she showed up a deck of tarot cards.
Eli sighed weakly,
"It's been a while to see you using that, but I suppose if you think you seriously can find her with it…" she smiled.
"There, Ericchi! You always trust my prediction, right?" Nozomi asked with a playful smile.
"Sure…I am." Eli giggled.
"Alright, let me start this…." Nozomi bashed her card deck to the floor. Then she began to pose as if she is meditating for power.
"Hmmmnnnnmmmmmhhh….!" She mumbled.
Eli chuckled slightly,
"Ericchi! Don't break my concentration!" Nozomi said.
"I didn't even try to…" Eli said.
"Ok!" Nozomi replied cheerfully. She returned to her meditation.
Eli shook her head in amusement. She watched Nozomi doing her own strange ritual.
Nozomi…. I wonder where you get that mysterious power...
She said to herself.
Not that I'm not a mystery… or actually….
She sighed weakly,
Why do we even exist?
She asked to herself,
We born, we grow, and we die… what's the point of living if its only death that await in the end of the line? I can't say about that for my kind, but what about her…? Even though I know she will last longer ever since that day….. She still has a limit while us— will be eternal as long as we keep ourselves fed…
She smiled wryly,
Not that I want to live eternally though… by the time she has to leave this world, I want to disappear with her…..
She changed her standing pose as she waits Nozomi to finish her strange ritual.
…because she is my reason to stay in this world… I bet she thinks the same with me…
"Omnom-nom-nom-nom-nom!" Nozomi mumbled,
She chuckled softly again
Are you eating something or doing a ritual…?
Eli shook her head in amusement again.
"Yakiniku!"
A strong wind suddenly blows all the cards and it went to a direction— stuck on one of the big ruin. Nozomi pointed to a direction— Eli's eyes followed her hand direction. She could see nothing— not until something moved the ruins.
They could hear another ambulance and police car arrived on the field. Nozomi still confidently pointed to the direction. The ruins moved strongly— Umi shoved away the ruin as she carried a boy on her arm. He looks unconscious.
"H…Harasho…." Eli said in awe.
"See, Ericchi? I'm always right!" Nozomi said proudly.
I'm not sure that's just luck or not, but she always has a good guess on things….
Eli said in her mind.
"Praise me, Ericchi! Praise me!" Nozomi said cheerfully.
Eli chuckled again.
"I'll do that after we help her out, ok?"
Minami's residence, living room, afternoon;
They returned Umi to Kotori's home. She is having no problem with her health, though she had to change her clothes. Nozomi and Eli waited her in the living room as Kotori served them some tea to drink. Nozomi and Eli explained about everything that happened to them today.
"I see…. so you think vampires does really going to do an invasion tonight…?" Kotori asked.
"Maybe— but my concern was just about why are they setting up bomb? It's too extreme…" Eli said.
"Then why suicide too? It's a lot more extreme than anything…." Nozomi said.
"Vampires won't die from a simple fire, they need to be completely burned—or devoured…but, I don't think they sacrificed a vampire to do this suicidal bombing." Eli said.
"Why?" Kotori asked.
"Because it will just weaken their force— they'll be completely burned if they did that…" Eli said.
"Good point, but what if that is what they planned?" Kotori asked.
"Like removing any chance of leaving a trail…?" Nozomi asked.
"Hmm… right, since they're easily burned— and they don't leave bones or any other remain too when they died, just ashes….almost like a Succubus or Incubus…." Eli said.
"We really should match up our research somehow…. I wonder how Maki's doing with her interview…" Nozomi said.
"Yeah, we can't grasp anything if we only have half information on our hands…" Eli said.
Kotori giggled,
"Then maybe you have to wait for Umi-chan too. I believe she have something new too!" Kotori said.
"Yup, we will wait!" Nozomi replied cheerfully.
Koizumi's residence, afternoon;
Hanayo, Rin, Niko, and Maki just left the house. Hanayo locked the door before she turned to her friends,
"Now, where we should start shopping?" Hanayo asked.
"Hmm… we should try to see if they have turkey-nya!" Rin said.
"Yeah, that would be nice…" Maki said.
"Maybe you should consider getting ingredients for cakes too. I bet Kotori will want them as well…" Niko said,
"Ah, right, we should cook our own food-nya! It's going to be as fun as before-nya!" Rin said.
"Hmm… I wonder if they have beefs or anything like that in the market during winter…?" Maki said.
"Of course-nya!" Rin said.
"Ah— I should get rice too!" Hanayo said.
Maki and Rin giggled,
"Kayo-chin just can't skip a day without rice-nya!" Rin said.
"Hehe! You know me!" Hanayo said with a playful smile.
They keep moving on together and chatted about a lot of food they wanted to get for their party. Niko stopped for a moment, her eyes focused on a pile of snows on the ground. Maki noticed the pause,
"Hey, what's wrong?" Maki asked.
Niko recoiled slightly,
"Ah—! Nothing!" Niko said.
Maki raised her eyebrow,
"Tell me if you have any trouble, ok?" Maki said.
"Hmmph! Not that you can do anything about it anyway!" Niko said.
Maki smiled before she turned around and keep moving on with Hanayo and Rin. Niko waited for a few second before she quickly grabs a few of snows and sticks it to her neck.
"It's hot….. I wonder what's going on here…? Did I catch a cold?" Niko whispered to herself.
"Hey, Niko… what are you doing?" Maki asked from distance with Hanayo and Rin waiting next to her.
"None of your business, idiot! Just keep moving!" Niko yelled.
"Fine-fine, not like I care too anyway…" Maki said as she moves on along with Hanayo and Rin again.
Niko shook her head off,
"Maybe I got bitten by insects or something last night… hmm… but I only slept a few hours before I decide to go to Hanayo's house…" Niko said.
She sighed weakly.
"Ah well… should be getting better later…" Niko said as she began to run to catch up with the others…
So... yeah... you can guess what happen...as always~
Then once again, thank you for all your support! I already planned the next NozoEli fanfiction, if you're not sick of it yet.
After putting some thought, I decided to make the idea from my conversation with Kurosea for the next FF. But That's going to be long way to go lol. This FF won't end any sooner.