XII
Song
The Cocoon Maidens surged from the earth, surrounding our little group.
"The Ogretails should be nearby!" Lindow yelled. "If you see one, concentrate your attacks on it!"
My blade bit into the Cocoon Maiden, a splash of red confirming the hit. I kept striking at it, forced to control my movements against such a narrow target. The other two Cocoon Maidens were under a joint bombardment from Sakuya and Kota, while Lindow aided me against my current enemy.
As I fought, my mind wandered off back to where it had been last night…at a group intervention between the First Unit and I.
When Sakuya had finished reading, silence had descended. I could barely stand the stares pointed my way.
"I think I understand what you went through." Sakuya had told me. "But Song…a simple voice doesn't kill people. You can't blame yourself for any of their deaths."
I had tightened my grip on my pants at that point. I'd heard that all my life. It's not your fault they're dead. Voices don't kill people. You just happened to be there at the wrong time. But those were the words of strangers. Strangers lie to people all the time. Sure, I'd grown closer to Sakuya. I considered her a friend. But there was no possible way she could know me so well. There was no way she could understand. I could only trust myself, because only I knew the truth.
"Well, I think that's it for the night." Lindow had suddenly said, rising from the couch and stretching. "Thanks for the beer! Good night!"
Sakuya had been about to protest, but I hadn't missed the meaningful glance Lindow had shot at her.
And, just like that, they'd left, leaving me with more questions then I cared for.
The questions were still rattling in my brain as I finished off the Cocoon Maiden. I saw a flash of white from the corner of my eye; it was the Ogretails arriving. I didn't even stop to devour from the fallen Cocoon Maiden—me, the notorious resource hoarder—as I leapt towards the Ogretail, slashing it over and over. I was afraid that if I didn't stop fighting—if I didn't stop moving—I would have to face those questions. I wasn't ready for that yet.
So I guess I was going to have to keep moving forward.
X
Soma
I crept through the Old City, hand on my Buster Blade and eyes looking all around.
As I reached the end of the platform—the place where Song had spoken and given us all a scare—I saw a white figure race into the chapel.
"Someone there?" I asked. The City answered in its silence.
I followed the figure into the chapel, taut with tension. When I reached the chapel itself, the room filled with pink light and colorful windows, I looked around.
"I imagined it." I said with a sigh. There was nothing to be seen in the chapel.
I guess I better report.
I picked up my beeping phone. "This is Soma… So far no contact with the target… We'll continue to investigate."
With that, I left.
X
Song
"Hey, New-Type, have you ever felt someone's presence around the old office ruins?"
I looked up, startled. It was Soma. I hadn't even heard him coming.
"Well?" He asked again, frowning.
Oh god, what was the question again? I struggled to remember. His sudden appearance had startled me so much I'd forgotten what he'd asked.
"I haven't sensed anything." Kota grumbled. With that, I remembered the question. We'd been sitting on the couch in the Den, chatting—well, Kota did the most of that—and enjoying a drink.
"I didn't expect you to." Soma growled. "I wasn't asking you. So rookie number 2, got an answer for me yet?"
I shook my head no.
"No answer?"
I flinched. I shook my head more vigorously. Wait, does that mean that I really don't have an answer? I was trying to say that I saw nothing!
"I think she means that she hasn't felt anything." Kota muttered sourly. I guess Soma's earlier comment had gotten to him. But, then again, Kota and Soma were always putting each other on edge.
"I see… All right, forget I asked. Sorry to bother you."
"Wow!" Kota said the moment Soma had gone. "Can you believe it, Song? He was actually nice to you!"
I shrugged. Soma had said his last remark in the same tone he always had—grouchy and frank.
"It's kinda weird, you know." Kota gave me a curious look. "You're always together. How can you stand him? I can't even be with him for a minute without losing it!"
-What do you mean we're always together?-
"Don't play innocent!" Kota gasped, jabbing a finger at me. "Lately you've been doing a lot of missions with him! And I saw him go into your room when you ran off at that one supper!" He narrowed his eyes, a mischievous grin on his face. "So what exactly have you two been doing?"
What was with that grin of his? I felt like I was missing something. -I don't understand.-
"You don't have to hide it from me!" Kota said, leaning back with his arms crossed behind his head. He seemed very smug and self-satisfied. Weird. "Us Ghetto kids have to stick together! I don't really like Soma, but I like you, Song! So I respect your decisions in choice of partners!"
-Partners?-
"Yeah, you know…" Kota smiled very strangely then. "As in—"
"Song!" It was Hibari, the receptionist. "Lindow would like to see you."
"Later!" Kota fluttered his hand dismissively. "C'mon, Song! Spit it out! What exactly have you two been doing?"
Somehow the way he said that gave me the shivers. -I really don't know what you're talking about. Sorry, but I have to go see Lindow. Bye!-
I stood up, smiling at Hibari. As I opened the elevator doors, I heard Kota cry, "Wait! You need to tell me!"
X
"Hey…" Lindow seemed a bit more down than usual. "I have a favour to ask you…"
A feeling of dread crawled over me. Lindow didn't seem as upbeat as he usually was. What had happened?
"A new Gods Eater will be assigned to this branch soon. Probably another New-Type God Arc user." That wasn't that bad of news. Why was Lindow acting so weird? He continued: "I can't prove it, but our director seems to be gathering New-Type Gods Eaters to the Far East Branch. Which brings me to my request. If he ever says anything about that to you, could you let me know?"
I stared. Knowing that Lindow probably wouldn't understand me, I took out my notepad.
You want me to spy for you?
"It's not really spying!" He saw my look. "...Sure, I could ask him myself, but I just find it hard to talk to that guy."
I stared again. Oh, I get it! The reason he seemed so glum was because he is scared of the director! That makes sense. Don't worry Lindow, your secret's safe with me!
I nodded vigorously, a smile on my face. Lindow looked surprised, but soon he smiled. "Only if you feel like it. If it's confidential, you don't need to reveal it, but I'll give you a reward for that."
I nodded again. Lindow seemed relieved. "Thanks, Song. You're a real lifesaver."
I smiled. Taking that as my dismissal, I left the room.
X
Before I left for my next mission, I crafted some new bullets. In the Terminal, I found a helpful bullet creator named CrimsonAvatar. The bullet recipe went by the name of Blaze Missiles. I crafted one, and, happy with the results, I made copies with each a different element.
And, with that, I was ready for my next mission.
