Chapter 13

Operation: First Blood (Prologue Pt. II)

Tatsumi woke up to the sight of birch wood planks placed side-by-side. Their pattern was simple, ending at four straight-edged corners to form a small square ceiling.

Tatsumi hurriedly sat up and tried to get a hold of his surroundings. Last thing he remembered, he was pinned down behind a wooden bar counter, getting pummeled by a bunch of drunk angry men. No wait...that wasn't right. Last thing he knew, he was rescued by someone (presumably Leone) and then (presumably) carried out of the pub and into the sunlight. Tatsumi wasn't completely sure of what had happened though. After all, he was practically knocked out.

From what Tatsumi now saw, he was now seated on one of the two beds downed with white linen in a small cubic room. Aside from a worn-out oak chest in between the two beds and a single lampstand directly above it, the room was empty and without decor. If it weren't for the locked rusty padlock that held the chest tight, Tatsumi could've easily mistaken the tiny bedroom to be that of a new house.

Tatsumi warily moved his limbs as he steadily got off of the bed. He was still wearing the same clothes as before, although his sword sheath and gun holster were currently being balanced on top of the chest. Seeing how his muscles were functioning without problem, he slowly began to stretch out his arms and legs. He was expecting to feel even the slightest bit of pain due to the beating that he had received before he lost all consciousness. To his surprise, he felt refreshed and re-energized, just as if he had woken up from a very light but relaxing nap.

As he examined himself further, he found no cuts or gashes across his skin even though his clothes still retained some of the battle scars, and all of his supposed bruises from the chaotic event had vanished. It was as if the bar fight was nothing more than a scary dream.

Just for good measure though, Tatsumi slapped himself hard on the left cheek. Although he had just gotten out of bed, he still staggered at the force of the hit, the slight pain coursing through the nerves on his skin as a candid "whapack" reverberated within his ears.

Tatsumi was pretty sure that he wasn't dreaming. That begged the question though: how was he completely fine after what he had just been through?

Only having to take a few small steps, Tatsumi exited the room to be led into what seemed to be the lobby of a modest shop. Housed by the same shade of wood as the previous room, the opening had walls painted and shined to look like a lighter shade of mahogany (although being from a northern province, Tatsumi could easily tell that the wood was still just birch wood). The length of every single side of the shop was jam-packed with wooden shelves and casings filled with items of all kinds, from swords and armor to books and artifacts. The entrance of the corner room that Tatsumi had just exited from was right next to a simple-looking but broad waxed counter that stood in front of a trio of glass-door cabinets, all of them filled to the brim with potions and whatnot. At the other end of the wall was another room, although Tatsumi couldn't see what was inside of it due to the door being locked.

At the opposite end of the shop from where Tatsumi was standing was what seemed to be the shop's entrance. In the center were two large paned doors with wide windows on either side, each window showcasing an assortment of shelves with goods to the outside world. Based on the yellowish-orange tinge that was beginning to enter through the glass, Tatsumi could see that it was nearing dusk, meaning that he had only been sleeping for a few hours. Either that, or he had been sleeping for a few days and a few hours, and the worst part was that he didn't have any way of telling so.

In the middle of the lobby was a rectangular glass table surrounded by 3 fluffy couches of different colors and a… Tatsumi didn't actually know what the thing was: all that he could observe from his point of view was that it didn't take on any specific shape aside from resembling an oddly squished tomato, yet it seemed to serve the same purpose as the couches next to it. Could it be some kind of new chair?

Walking towards the center of the room, Tatsumi began to carefully inspect the unknown object. Deciding that nothing bad could happen to him, Tatsumi carefully sat down on the couch-like object. As soon as he let it fully support his weight, the object began to form a crevice where he was seated, making his ass sink into its center.

Tatsumi immediately got back up and turned around, only to see the object change its shape in response to weight being placed upon it. Tatsumi held his breath, afraid that he had just tampered with something which he shouldn't have.

"Ah! Tatsumi! So, I see that you've come to!"

Entering through the shop's glass doors was a plump round-faced man a head shorter than Tatsumi. He had a lofty amount of black hair on his head with a few white strands sticking out from under the sides of his brown beret. His stubbled chin reinforced his middle-aged look as a wide grin drew itself across his face.

Tatsumi's eyes widened before his mouth formed into a childlike smile. The man's warm and comforting voice hadn't changed from when he had first met him that day.

"Haru Nakamura," Tatsumi said, talking more to himself than to anybody else. "It's great to see you again."

Haru chuckled heartily before walking towards Tatsumi and giving him a friendly hug. When Tatsumi thought about it, they hadn't really known each other long enough to be considered friends, yet the warm greeting that they shared didn't feel in the slightest bit awkward. Maybe it was because of how unlike Haruki's shy and (to-be-frank) needy aura, Haru's aura emanated a more bubbly kind of warmth, creating the illusory air that they were both part of some kind of long-lasting brotherhood.

Releasing the hug, Haru looked up to Tatsumi's face with a more serious look. First inspecting the forehead, the man then began to search across Tatsumi's figure with a quirky sense of urgency. "Are you sure you're alright?" Haru asked with a concerned tone. "No itching, no discomfort, no pain whatsoever?"

"No actually," Tatsumi said in reply. "On the contrary, I feel even better than before the bar fight… Speaking of which, what exactly happened then? Actually, where am I right now?"

Haru wore a tired look as he let out a heavy sigh. Taking off his cap, he then directed Tatsumi towards the meeting place in the center. "Well… It's all a simple story really."

Tatsumi looked back, his eyes once again reaching the somewhat amorphous couch. Seeing Tatsumi's nervous gaze, Haru patted the teen on the shoulder. "So," he said. "I see that you've already gotten acquainted with the Bean Couch."

"Huh?" Tatsumi quizzically turned his face towards the man. "Bean...Couch?"

"Yup. At least, that's what Haruki calls it anyway. It was originally filled with dried beans you see." Haru chuckled to ease Tatsumi's fright. "Anyways, it's a new kind of couch that we've recently developed. It is supposed to takes the shape of whoever is sitting on it, so don't worry about having broken anything." Haru smiled as he saw Tatsumi let out a sigh of relief. Walking over and sitting on one of the other couches, Haru once again motioned his hat towards the so-called Bean Couch.

Following his cue, Tatsumi walked over and plopped himself down on the couch. The couch had once again changed its shape according to that of his lower body, although Tatsumi wasn't worried anymore after being reassured by Haru. If anything, Tatsumi now found the weird feeling of sitting on something that was semi-free-flowing to be a bit rehabilitating.

"It's popular amongst the upper class you know," Haru explained nonchalantly. "Or at least by those who have the money to spend on such luxuries. Our shop does have a very mixed market. The Bean Couch aside though, you wanted to know what had happened to you, correct?"

Tatsumi promptly nodded, his memories of how he had escaped still hazy. One moment, he was getting beaten up by ogre-like men, the next moment smoke had filled the room and he was being carried outside by whom he had assumed to be Leone.

Speaking of Leone… What exactly had happened to her?

"Haruki actually followed you until you entered the bar before immediately running back to tell me about it. After I had gotten a gist of the situation, both of us hurried over to the bar, only to find it in utter chaos due to the ongoing bar fight. The only thing that I could do then was activate one of our newest inventions and cause enough of a distraction to give you and Leone a chance to escape."

Distraction? By distraction, did he mean the thick cloud of smoke that had filled the pub back then? "That was you!?" Tatsumi asked incredulously, the praise causing Haru to scratch his head in meek abashment.

"Well, yeah. Our shop specializes in all types of items you see, from furniture to artifacts to actual weapons. What we used there was a weapon that our shop had originally designed; we call it the Chili Smoke Grenade, which as the name implies, releases a chili-based smoke once the grenade is detonated. We have the resident doctor to thank for the formula though."

All Tatsumi could do was gape in amazement. He couldn't believe that these two brother merchants were actually also inventors. How lucky he was to have met such incredible people in the Capital!

"Anyways, after we had released the grenades, Leone carried you outside and brought you to our shop. By covering your face though, she may have inadvertently knocked you out." Haru let out a chuckle of embarrassment before continuing. "It was here that me and my brother treated you and your injuries, and after just a few hours, you seem to be doing absolutely fine."

Tatsumi was relieved to hear that he had only been asleep for a few hours. He didn't know how worried Seryu might've been if he didn't come home that night, and he sure didn't want an investigation to be conducted regarding his activities that afternoon.

But still, Tatsumi had so many questions. To start with the most important one…

"The cases..." Tatsumi asked. "Are they alright?"

"After risking life and limb in a bar fight, the second thing that you ask is how our merchandise is doing? Geez, I must say, I'm more than impressed by your selflessness. I just hope that you don't get into anymore similar life-threatening situations, okay?"

Tatsumi remained silent. Considering that he was now part of the police force and that he had planned on fighting Night Raid alongside Seryu and Felix, a bar fight really shouldn't have been anything so life-threatening. Maybe he really wasn't as ready to fight for justice as he thought.

"That aside, the cases and what were in them are completely fine. I actually should be thanking you: if you hadn't rescued the cases from those thieves, I doubt that we would ever see them again."

"If it's okay for me to ask though Haru-sama," Tatsumi inquired politely, "what were in those cases?"

"Well if you must know, the cases contained some highly-valued weapons and battle gear, which makes sense why it would catch people's attention once they found out what was inside. The problem now is who exactly had tipped the thieves off."

Tatsumi began to think about it too, but ended up dismissing it as some mere coincidence. If somebody really did employ them to steal the goods, then how come the thieves still chose to pass by their favorite pub?

"Considering your kind nature, I'm sure that despite her having stolen from you, you're also worrying about Leone, am I right?" Haru smiled warmly as he saw the look of surprise on Tatsumi's face. "Leone also told us all about your relationship before going to sleep. Haruki is actually still checking up on her before returning back to the shop."

Tatsumi smiled back in response to Haru's friendly grin. This man was able to read him like a book (although he already knew that most people could because of his predictable character), and yet it didn't bother him due to how warm and friendly the man always was towards him, despite them being almost complete strangers.

"Putting all of this aside though," Haru said whilst still maintaining his smile, "I want to hear more about your story so far. How's life in the Capital?"

Maybe it was because of how Tatsumi only had a handful of people he could trust, but as of that moment, Haru became his closest confidant. Tatsumi told him everything: from getting rejected from the military to seeing his friends dead, to getting taken in by Seryu until that day wherein he was accepted into the police force. He of course excluded the part about him deciding to help Seryu fight against Night Raid, but that didn't mean that he wasn't incredibly tempted to do so.

For the entire duration of Tatsumi's story, Haru kept silent, listening intently to every single word and nodding his head every once in awhile. Once Tatsumi had finished, Haru rested his head on the neck of the couch, letting out a long heavy sigh.

After a few quiet moments, Haru sat upright to see Tatsumi eye-to-eye. The look in his eyes now showed more concern and sorrow than joyous acceptance.

"So...You've been through a lot huh?" Haru asked rhetorically, not knowing what to make of the situation. Deciding not to try and console Tatsumi's loss over his friends (as then he would have to mention their deaths), Haru decided to ask: "Is the gun still with you?"

Tatsumi nodded, pointing towards the room wherein his sword and gun now lay. Haru nodded solemnly, focusing his gaze back onto Tatsumi.

"Promise me Tatsumi: no matter where you go, you must always keep your sword and gun around your waist. The Capital is filled with dangers and beasts more terrifying than you can imagine, so you'll never know when you'll need to use force. Actually, no, not just the Capital: the world of the Empire is riddled with evil, stemming from the darkest hearts of humankind. Be wary wherever you go, as nobody is ever truly safe from the darkness."

Tatsumi nodded, having understood what he thought Haru had meant. Besides, if Night Raid did decide to attack them due to their secret plans, their trio would have to be ready 24/7.

Haru looked outside as dusk began to settle and soon transition into night. "I guess that it's time for you to go," Haru said in a wistful tone as he stood up from his seat. Tatsumi quickly followed, hurrying to get his weapons before heading out towards the entrance.

"Well, it was nice seeing you again Tatsumi," Haru said as he offered Tatsumi his right hand to bid him farewell. Tatsumi graciously shook the hand, smiling at Haru as Haru smiled back.

"Be sure to come back again sometime," Haru added. "Me and Haruki would absolutely love to have you over again."

"I will," Tatsumi said confidently as he began to open the glass-paned door. Considering how many friends he had made in the Capital so far, he would make sure to come back again in case he needed somebody to confide in.

Before Tatsumi left however, Haru suddenly placed his hand onto Tatsumi's right shoulder, causing Tatsumi to look around and come face-to-face with a pair of concerned eyes. More than seriousness or urgency, they displayed a heart's worth of sorrow.

"Hey Tatsumi," Haru addressed, his tone solemn but wavering in the slightest. "Before you go, I just want to warn you… Be careful of the Capital."

Tatsumi raised an eyebrow in confusion. Didn't Haru already warn him of just as much?

"Not everybody is who they seem to be." Haru spoke in what had become a whisper, as if his message was only a secret between the two of them. Despite his uneven voice, his eyes remained unchanging in their gaze, his face barely moving aside from the corners of his mouth when he spoke. "Ideals are sometimes scapegoats for emotion. Those who you consider to be friends and saviors could actually be the most evil of them all. Especially those in the Imperial Police."

"What are you-"

But before Tatsumi could say any more, Haru leaned forward so that their eyes became even closer. It was then that Tatsumi clearly saw the sorrow in Haru's eyes, its intensity focused through the brown retinas that conveyed it. This wasn't the friendly Haru that Tatsumi had met a few days before, neither was it the warm Haru whom he had talked with in the shop just a few minutes ago. This Haru was weak and grieving, filled with fear and a mix of dreadful emotions.

"No," Tatsumi thought to himself. "Something's not right. This was not Haru."

In the same second that he had thought this, Haru lightly let go of his shoulder and took a step back to regain composure. Haru was now standing up straight, his hands gently clasped in front of his belly as he wore the same jolly smile on his face. As he promptly said "sorry" for his weird behavior, his eyes showed no trace of the sadness; they were just as warm and friendly as ever.

It was as if nothing had just transpired between them.

"Hey, Haru-sama?" Tatsumi asked, his tone now a little more suspicious.

"Just call me Haru-san if you want; Haru-sama is too formal you know."

"Well, Haru-san, how exactly did you cure me of ALL of my injuries? I mean, I'm pretty sure that I broke a few ribs in that fight, not to mention how even the slightest of scratches has faded away."

But Haru just gave him the smile that he always did, the same friendly aura emanating from his entire being.

"That my friend, is a business secret."

And as Tatsumi left and was walking towards Seryu's, he began to recall some of Haru's last words.

"Those who you consider to be friends and saviors could actually be the most evil of them all. Especially those in the Imperial Police."

That was when Tatsumi knew that Haru wasn't all who he seemed to be, that Haru knew more than what he let on.

Wow that was some hiatus right after I said that I would continue. Better late than never though, am I right?

Next chapters will (hopefully) be released very soon. They will start to cover Tatsumi and his escapades in his fight against Night Raid. Hopefully, you will enjoy them all.

Please leave a review regarding how I describe my action sequences. I will make many more of them in the future, and so I will need as much criticism as I can as early as now since I am still not confident in how I write them.

Well, until next time.