X-X-X-X
Chapter 21
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I watched Kurogane throw rocks at Syaoran who is standing on stone steps in the middle of a pond. Syaoran is so young, but he's really strong...not just physically too...ah. I saw Syaoran get hit on the left side, falling into the water. Well, he's not a match for Kurogane that was for sure. I was dragged out here a few hours earlier by Kurogane and he told me to run laps until he returned with Syaoran...I ended up running for a good four hours until they came by. I thought I was going to end up dying from exhaustion at some point.
"So, what am I going to end up doing now?" I asked approaching the duo.
"Come on, you're going to run another hour with me. Keep up." Kurogane said looking down at me.
"Oh, on your way back can you pick up some flour? Fai-san asked me to do it." Syaoran said holding up the cherry blossom shaped device that held the Kiji reward money.
"Why do I have to do that?!" Kurogane asked angrily.
"Ahahaha...I'm sorry..." I nervously poked my fingers together, a grin on my face. "But...Flour is most important in cooking. We used it in everything we sell so..." I said nervously.
"Fine! Hurry up so we can finish your run before we go get it!"
"Thank you!"
Kurogane kept a clear distance ahead of me while I struggled to keep up. By the time the hour was up, I forced myself to help carry one sack of flour while Kurogane carried the four by himself. While heavy, I can do it since my legs were the only thing hurting, not my arms. I left the sack on the counter before heading upstairs to shower and change...but my mind kept wandering to Syaoran and Kurogane. I wonder if I'll ever be strong enough. I took a seat on my bed, gently rubbing my hair with a towel. I fell onto my back, my wet hair sticking to my shoulders and face.
"...Syaoran is picking up a sword and I doubt...could I ever keep up with them..." I shut my eyes, releasing a small sigh. I turned my gaze to the wisteria branch on the side table. "...I'm weak...I doubt I'll ever be able to ever match up with them..."
I got out of bed and I changed into my maid uniform. My legs, while sore, wouldn't be too big of a problem. It was already late in the day when we only had Kusanagi, Yuzuriha, and Souma as our last customers. They were also waiting for Ryu-ou, but he appeared to be late. The dog that belongs to Kusanagi and Yuzuriha came up to me, bumping my hip softly. I put the tray in my hands down, kneeling down so I can give the little guy a scratch behind the ears. I jumped a bit when the door slammed open, both Ryu-ou and Syaoran there and both are injured.
"What happened to you guys?" I asked walking up to them quickly.
"We saw it, the A-1 Kiji..." Ryu-ou said out of breath.
"You fought with it?" Yuzuriha asked jumping to her feet.
"No...there were too many Kiji...we had to run for it. That guy...is super powerful..." Ryu-ou said as I helped him inside.
"Glad you're both still here." I noticed Syaoran had an odd look on his face. "Syaoran?" The boy looked at me and I gave him a small frown. "What's wrong?"
"I...The person who was with the Kiji...may be someone I know." I stared at him with wide eyes, he...someone he knows? "That person is the one who taught me to fight."
"...Get inside and take a seat. Both of you. You can tell us about it after you regain your breath."
Syaoran took a seat and we all wanted to hear about the person who is the A-1 Kiji...however, it's when Syaoran mentioned the name did I end up dropping one of the trays of surprise. The moment it hit the ground and created a banging sound, everyone looked at me out of surprise. I turned my gaze away, my hands shaking. I opened my mouth, shutting it second later...biting on my lip nervously. Where do I even begin, I don't...what can I say? Fai walked up towards me, gently grabbing my shoulder.
"Breathe, what's wrong? Do you also know this Seishirou?" Fai asked calmly.
"I...yesterday...I met him...after closing up the shop, but...I...Are you sure he's the A-1 Kiji?" I asked turning my gaze to Ryu-ou and Syaoran.
"Wait! He was here?!" Kusanagi asked standing up out of surprise.
"Did you get hurt, did he threaten you, Mama Rabbit?" Yuzuriha asked giving me a wide-eyed look of concern.
"I'm fine. He..." I covered my lips with my fingers, unsure what I should say. "I don't know if he is the A-1 Kiji though, he spoke so calmly and...normally..." I said biting my bottom lip.
"You doubt he's the A-1 Kiji?" Kurogane asked staring at me.
"When he spoke to me...he said he's looking for someone...and he thought that the A-1 Kiji might be the one he sought...If he is the A-1 Kiji then...why didn't he kill me?" I questioned nervously.
"Kid."
"Y-Yes?"
"Don't go anywhere alone. That flower branch you got yesterday, was it from him?"
"Y-Yes...he left it behind with the payment for what he had eaten."
"Wait, he ate here?"
"Mama Rabbit's food is really good...maybe he wanted to try it for himself?"
"If he is a Kiji shouldn't he have eaten Mama Rabbit?"
"Mama Rabbit!" Ryu-ou was suddenly at the counter, looking at me. "You got something from him, can I see it?!"
"A-Ah, y-yes, I'll go fetch it..." I quickly ran upstairs to my room and I came back, carrying the wisteria branch in a cup. "This, he gave me this."
"Wow, it's pretty..."
"Why would he give a girl he barely knows a flower as a gift?" Kusanagi was staring at the flower hard. "Maybe you should throw it out."
"I feel bad for it then..."
"Lucy." I turned to look at Syaoran. "Have you met Seishirou before?"
"No, yesterday was our first meeting." I shook my head, placing the cup down on the counter. I touched one of the petals. "I don't...understand why he would give it to me."
"Maybe you're very popular."
"I don't want this kind of popularity, Fai." I really don't. "I'm weak...If he wanted to he could have..."
"So..." I turned to Ryu-ou as he poked the flowers. "Are you keeping it?"
"I'm considering it." I picked it up and I held it out of his reach. "I think it's rather pretty despite its origins."
A few theories were thrown here and there about Seishirou. Whether or not he is the A-1 Kiji or if he is a person. Kurogane forced me to head off to bed early, noticing I wasn't really in the mood to hear about this talk...and I felt quite grateful for it. I picked up the glass with the branch and I carried it to my room with me. I placed it carefully on the side table and I stared at it.
"Why would you give these to me? Did we meet...but if so...why don't I remember...?"
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I released another sigh, unsure how I should feel after last night's conversation. Kurogane and Syaoran left right after breakfast to gain information about the new demon, to see if Seishirou really is the A-1. It was just Sakura, Mokona, and Fai with me here at the café...well, Sakura is working quite hard. It was cute, but I really wished that she took more breaks.
"I'm going to go sweep outside~!" I said picking up the broom.
"Thank you!" Fai called out giving me a smile.
I began sweeping up outside, dealing with the steps first before working on the pathway. While the cherry blossoms were really pretty, the petals left behind was a bit...difficult to have to deal with every day after work. I had my back to the street as I piled up the petals at the edge of the pathway. I heard someone walk in this direction and I turned around to apologize, but we were closed...however, who I saw was enough to cause me to back away as quickly as possible, tightening my grip on the handle of the broom.
"W...Welcome back...Seishirou..." I said nervously glancing behind me.
"Are you afraid?" Seishirou asked smiling at me peacefully.
"...A bit." I answered making sure to keep myself firmly between him and the shop.
"Are the Kiji Hunters in?"
"No, the shop is closed. The ones who fight the Kiji in our group are out as well." There's no point in lying to him. I suspect he wanted something from Syaoran and Kurogane. "There is no one here who can fight you, please leave."
"Very brave despite being afraid." Seishirou glanced at the door behind me. "Protecting the others in your group?"
"...If you know Syaoran, you have the ability to travel worlds...you met her as well...Yuuko."
"That's right."
"...Your right eye?" I stared at his right eye, it's...white. "When you sat down, you focused more on the right side. You're unused to not seeing on that side."
"Observant."
"I notice things that aren't normally noticed. Thank you for the wisteria...although I'm not sure why you gave it to me."
"I heard that blue wisteria as a gift is to congratulate one for their successful new life."
"I...I see..." Seishirou smiled at me and I nervously shifted from foot to foot. I won't...be able to win if I fight him. He's much stronger than me...as strong as Kurogane, I would assume. "Thank you...I think..."
"You're welcome."
"..." He's not moving, I...What do I do? I glanced behind me again, hoping they won't come to check on me. "...What do you want?"
"I wonder." Seishirou smiled at me, but...unlike the one he gave me before, this one scares me. "Are you still attempting to protect those in your group? Perhaps Syaoran and his partner is here after all."
"The only ones left behind are powerless. I wish to ask you once more...please leave."
"If I don't want to?"
"..."
I gripped the broom tightly before quickly swing it at him. My eyes widened when I saw it be destroyed from above and I quickly looked up to see a Kiji with sharp claw like arms. I jumped back when it tried to get to me next, but I wasn't fast enough. It cut through part of my dress and shoulder, but not the skin. That I was grateful for, but...it's embarrassing since I have to hold it up or risk being exposed! Seishirou smiled acting as if he wasn't trying to kill a defenseless girl...but embarrassing her deeply before that! I can't fight...W-What do I do? I felt my heart sink when I heard the door open behind me.
"Luc-pyon, are y-What's going on here?" Fai stared between the Kiji, myself, then his eyes settled on Seishirou. "It's quite rude to do something like this to a defenseless girl." Fai said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Well, she was the one who decided to attack first." Seishirou said returning the smile.
"I only did it thinking the hit might actually connect..." I gripped the cloth tighter, covering my chest. "Fai...Please stay with Sakura..." I said not taking my eyes off Seishirou.
"I can't leave you out here." Fai said not in a mood to argue.
"...Kurogane...Syaoran...You two better get here before he gets to Sakura..."
"Don't worry, I have no interest in those who are truly powerless." Seishirou smiled at me and I narrowed my eyes at him. What does that make me, chopped liver?! "It seems the magician has strong magical powers, but you don't seem too keen on fighting."
"I already decided not to use magic anymore."
"I suppose it can't be helped." Three more Kiji appeared and I turned around sharply, seeing them go after Fai. "Good-bye."
"FAI!"
"You shouldn't turn your back to your opponent." Seishirou was suddenly beside me and he grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards him. "It's a shame. Truly, a shame."
"What are you ta-Uah..." There was a pain in my chest. I slowly looked down to see a sword in my chest. It just barely missed my arm too. "N…No way..."
"Farewell, Lucy."
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"Customer ID Number 43570 has died. Commencing Emergency Exit from Outo Country."
I released a startled gasp, looking around wildly. Wha-What was going on? Di-Didn't I just die? I looked around wildly, still really confused. I'm in...some kind of a clear egg, it's strange. I breathed in through my nose and out my mouth when the top of the egg thing disappeared. I got out and I looked around. I see...Kurogane a row over and...Fai! I quickly walked along the pillars and I headed for where he was. He opened his eyes seconds after I arrived and clearly looked surprised to see me.
"Fai! You're still alive...Thank god...!" I said falling to my knees.
"Wow~! I'm really loved, Mama Rabbit!" Fai said with his usual grin.
"Stop joking about!" I smacked the top of the weird egg. I was close to tears, really close. "I thought...that I died...and you too...!"
"I wonder what's going on. I saw you get stabbed by Seishirou-san then you disappeared. I was so surprised that I ended up killed too."
"Don't joke about it!" The moment the top part disappeared, I smacked him in the arm, some tears dripping down. I opened my mouth to say something when I was suddenly hit with a sharp pain in my head. "Ow...!"
Images that don't match up appeared in my head. Us landing in this world...landing in those weird egg things...and being welcomed by some women. I wasn't sure what was going on, but one of them asked if it was my first time here and I said yes so she said something about beginner mode settings. The top of the egg closed up and I tried to get out to no avail...until I fell asleep.
"Wha...was...that all a dream...?" I questioned holding my head.
"What's wrong?" Fai asked touching my shoulder.
"O-Outo...isn't real, it was a game..." I looked up at Fai. "It was like a dream world, none of it was real!"
"That's correct." I turned around quickly, staring at a pretty woman with long dark hair. "What you experienced is called 'Virtual Reality' it is a game, an illusion."
"Who...?"
"I am the creator of this amusement park and Dream Capsule, Chitose." The woman gave us a smile. "Please follow me and I shall explain what I can."
"..." I wasn't sure...what we should do. I glanced at the eggs containing the others. "I..."
"They'll still be here when we come back." Fai got out of the egg and he pulled me along by the wrist. "We should find out what we can."
"...Yes, you're right."
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Chapter 21 Ends
Seishirou killed Lucy! Such cruelty, very brutal, no remorse or hesitation! Yeah, so jokes aside what did you all think? Now you know why Seishirou gave Lucy the flower however he still killed her. He killed Syaoran in Outo despite knowing him so I think he wouldn't hesitate with Lucy if he thinks it would help motivate Syaoran further. Also, did you notice something Seishirou said to Lucy? It's a hint~! Welp, that's it for today so until next time my dearies~! Bye-bye~!