What I saw was Rin asleep on her bed… What was that?! Was it all just my imagination? With that aside, at least nothing has happened. Wait a minute— I didn't even check her up close yet! Hastily, I made it to her side and stepped back in shock.

B-Blood?!

I knew her ability well and with that known, she could really protect herself! There was only one possibility for something this despicable to happen… and that's if another IS user is in this ship! I knew that caution was needed! Why did I not stay with her?!

No more moping! I need to get her to the paramedics in this ship. With no further hesitation, I cradled Rin on my arms and went for the medics. Damn… where are they?!

Fortunately, her bleeding wasn't so severe but it was still something that needed treatment! This scratch wound made on her neck looks quite deep. From my observation, this wound seems to have been made by some small sharp blades. Enough of description, I need to focus here!

Not so long after, I made it to the paramedic team (who was in the lower floor of the cruise ship). I gave the injured Rin to them as I watched them pull her to the room quickly. My expression right now could be described as shattered or guilty. I waited outside the room and leaned on the wall as I anxiously stared into the empty space. While doing this, I decided to think of the time I was still carrying her here…

There was one thing she muttered on my ear while I was carrying her though. She said some name or something. Those words she muttered were, "Suzaku". I had no clue in knowing what she meant by that but judging from the situation, this 'Suzaku' just might be the one who injured her like this! I need to talk to Chifuyu-nee about this…

I activated the earpiece I had hidden and spoke out softly. "Chifuyu-nee? Are you hearing me?"

"Loud and clear… what made you call me at this time? I wasn't expecting you to call for me at this time." Chifuyu-nee answered my call after about 10 seconds.

"It's about Rin… she has been attacked just when I left to get some air in the cruise ship."

"Attacked In a cruise ship? What a cowardly place for an ambush… Do you have any data on the attacker? I'll see if I can find out the attacker of Huang..." Her tone seems to have become more serious.

"I'm not sure of the name of the attacker but I did hear something from Rin. While I was bringing her to the paramedics in the boat, she muttered a name, 'Suzaku'." No response. Did I say something wrong or did Chifuyu-nee know the attacker's identity just by that name?

"Now I know why that name made me think of her… That is her…" Her words confused me but after some time, she explained. "Suzaku is an IS, the one person piloting it is the one who placed second in China. To be exact, she was another candidate for Representative Cadet but she was defeated by Huang, causing her to lose her chance of being one. The name of the attacker is Cheng Qing."

"So she was attacked by her jealous competitor? Attacking her in that room while she was still unwinding and adapting is just low…"

"If you do want to teach her a lesson and find her, she should be shadowing the both of you. Be wary, she isn't the runner-up in China for nothing."

With that information disclosed, my conversation with Chifuyu-nee has ended. Rin was still being treated by the paramedics so I had to wait… and defend her if needed. That competitor just might see this as an opportunity to hurt Rin but I'll not let that happen!

…

Half an hour has already passed and it seems like the treatment is almost done. Precautionary measures were still in my mind though. Just because the treatment is over, does not mean that danger was over. Anything can happen if you're blinded by envy like that!

So far, things seemed a bit too quiet… Yes, it was safe and sound for now but I'm thinking that in a few minutes, things will become out of control and dangerous! Am I being too paranoid in this one or am I right? My hand was placed on my bracelet, where Byakushiki could be activated from. It's just a force of habit with a pinch of instinct in it. I just needed to be alert just in case something unexpected would happen. It's just that silence can signal extreme danger or even an ambush.

*Boom!*

W-What was that?! Something has just exploded! It came from the lowest deck and the explosive impact could be felt from here and possibly, the entire ship! The one person I suspected in doing that said action was no other than Cheng Qing. She's the most possible answer since she was the one who attacked Rin. No matter… I had to evacuate with Rin right now!

I rushed in the room but I had to let the paramedics go out first. That explosion stirred up a panic and so, a stampede of people came running around. I squeezed myself in and found Rin placed on the bed, with her wound covered up with bandages. I think it's done but she just won't wake up right now.

I carried Rin on my back once more and made my way to the evacuation site of the ship, to be exact, the lifeboats.

I finally made it up to the top deck and looked around for the lifeboats. I spotted it and was supposed to sprint towards the area although there was something blocking my way. Before my attempt for evacuation, shining red blades were hurled in front of me, blocking my way. I glanced at the direction where the blades came from and saw a shining red IS with feather-like arms and talons. The IS I saw is most probably Suzaku.

I can't fight right now. I had Rin with me so I decided that I should get her to safety first. I attempted to sprint to the lifeboats once more and that earned me some near misses from the red blades. That IS could definitely be a ranged type. I managed to make Rin on board with the people but I wasn't so lucky. Once I gave Rin to the people in the lifeboat, I felt a large sting across my back…

I felt blood dripping on my back and saw world darken. Seconds later… I lost consciousness.

Next Chapter: Chifuyu Route Chapter 2