Bonus Arc
Hot! Steamy! Kosaki-chan!
Part Eight
How much time had passed?
That was the thought that floated occasionally floated through Nakano Shakai's mind. Perhaps an hour? Two hours? Two minutes?
"Do you know why you've been brought here?"
A voice came from somewhere to his right. Instinctively, Shakai turned his head towards that direction, although it didn't really matter in the end.
After all, right now, Nakano Shakai was blind.
To be more precise, his eyes were covered. He had been blindfolded by a thick piece of fabric that felt like fake cotton, likely made of some very fine polyester. Not even a speck of light could be seen. The only thing that he knew about his current situation was that he was strapped into a flimsy metal chair with the same type of fabric.
The truth was, Shakai could probably stand right now and make his escape with the chair tied to him. That was how light this chair was. However, as someone who was an average member of society, Shakai knew that he wouldn't get far while being completely blind.
So Shakai did the only reasonable thing a person in his situation would do.
He answered the question.
"Mmrr..."
"What?"
"Mmrrrr..."
Hm?
Hmmm?
He was saying "no," but...
His voice...
His mouth...wasn't working properly...
"What did he say?"
"I think he said 'Mia.'"
"Mia? Mama mia? Who's 'Mia?'"
"Who knows...? Jeez, interrogations are really difficult..."
"Maybe if we were in his position, it'd be easier to decipher his responses."
"Oh! Great idea. Alright, let's try it!"
Huh? For some reason, there was a dragging sound. A squeak...was that another metal chair? They were putting another chair next to him?
"Alright, you're all tied up. How do you feel?"
"Uhh...kinda normal, I guess. I mean, since I know where everything is, I'm not really that scared..."
"Does that mean he's not really that scared?"
"Maybe. He's an employee, right? They must have training for this kind of thing, you know, in case there's a situation in the store..."
"Then should we go off the assumption that he's not scared?"
"Are you guys idiots!? He's clearly scared, look at his knees! They're wobbling!"
Eh!? Shakai's legs stiffened out of reflex.
"What are you talking about? He's as solid as a rock."
"Huh? I could've sworn..."
"Now, now. If the guy's clearly not scared, then we can't treat him like that. We'll have to be upfront and direct about this."
"I told you guys to do that from the start...this whole interrogation crap is just smoke and mirrors..."
"Oh wow, look at this guy talk. Have you ever done an interrogation?"
"I don't need to do one to know that they're just a waste of time. Seriously, you think you can get people to do things they don't want to just like that? You should see my little sister, she doesn't fall for anything! And what are we going to do, cut the guy's pinky off?"
There was a loud clamor as multiple responses shot from every direction around Shakai.
"Now, now! No one said that we'd need to get that extreme-"
"Then how do we make this guy talk? Huh? What are you going to do, waterboard him? Fine, why don't you try it. Let's see how far you get with that little water bottle."
"Jeez, you're such a killjoy..."
"Ah? What was that? You got a problem with what I'm saying?"
"That's...I didn't mean it like that..."
"Huh? Speak clearly! Because it sounds like you do have a problem!"
"...I'm just saying! You know, the guy can't even see anything right now...what's wrong with a little force? I mean, we already kidnapped him-"
"Ahh, I'm going to go crazy. This guy really knows nothing, huh? Hey, you. Are you a delinquent?"
"...No."
"When someone gets mad at you for something you didn't do, do you tell it to their face?"
"...Sometimes."
"Sometimes my ass, you probably just walk away while mumbling about how stupid they are. Am I right?"
"...Yeah."
"Yeah, yeah...I get it, ok? I understand, cause I'm like that too. We're all like that. SO. WHAT. I'M. SAYING. There's no damn way losers like us can force someone to talk, is there!?"
"...I guess so."
"So this is all just a waste of time. Expecting a bunch of otaku and perverts to interrogate someone...you guys think you're normalfags or something!?"
!
Normalfag.
He said normalfag, didn't he!?
That meant...
Yeah, that meant...
"We're...comrades?"
"Huh? Jeez, I really can't understand a word this guy is saying."
"Maybe we should try using Googol Translate..."
"Can't we try Piri...?"
"What are you talking about, everyone knows Googol Voice is way better-"
"You guys are all idiots. Pirouette is the best of them all."
"What the hell is this guy saying, that's just an open-source clone of Piri!"
"Being open source is what makes it better, you noob!"
Ahh...what is this feeling I'm having...
He was moved. Nakano Shakai was moved. How long had it been since he had last heard a conversation like this? Not something boring like workplace gossip or what teachers were the best for certain courses. That's right...those dragging conversations that were mandatory...just a way to kill the time while you were forced to be in the same room with someone who was completely different from you-
"Hm? Hey guys! I think he's...crying..."
"Huh!? What did you do!?"
"Me!? Nothing! I didn't even touch him!"
"It was obviously you! Now that I think about it, it's probably because you smell! When's the last time you took a shower!? You could kill a cat with that stench!"
"H-Hey! This is just cause my sister always cooks with lots of garlic..."
"Oi, oi! You have a sister cooking meals for you!? What the hell, I thought you were one of us!"
"And it's a little sister too! You bastard!"
"Let's go over to his house for dinner tonight!"
"Yeah! I want his sister's homecooked meals too!"
"W-Wait! You guys can't be serious, there's no way we have enough food-"
Suddenly, the sound of a door opening-
"What are you guys doing? It's all dark in here."
"S-Senpai!"
Senpai...? Is this person...the leader?
That was the first conclusion that Shakai could think of. With the entrance of this new person, all conversation had stopped. The atmosphere of this room...there was no mistaking who the person with the most authority here was.
"Is this the guy?"
"Yes. We captured him from inside the Mitsuya during the uproar."
"Ok, good job! But why'd you guys tie him up like that?"
"We didn't want him to escape if he wasn't willing to cooperate..."
"But there was no reason to blindfold him, right? Well, whatever. I'll just take it off~"
Blinding light. For a moment, everything was blurred and indistinct. Shakai blinked rapidly, trying to adjust his eyes to the sudden change in lighting.
"Hey, are you alright?"
A blonde boy with glasses was crouching down to look at him. Shakai gulped to moisten his dry throat.
"Um...why did you guys kidnap me...?"
"Ah Maiko, do you need Googol Translate?"
"That was Japanese, you idiot!"
"You guys are really noisy..." said Shu with a light smile. "Can we get the lights turned on here? And someone help me get him untied..."
Scattered responses from the group. Based off Shakai's estimate, he guessed that there were around a dozen people here. From the light coming from the door, Shakai could see that they were not in a very large room; perhaps an unused office or something.
"You asked why we kidnapped you, right?"
"H-Huh?"
Shakai turned his head back to Shu.
"Y...Yes..."
"Don't get creeped out, but I was watching you in the store today. And now that this whole riot has happened with 'Netorare Neko-chan!,' I thought we could join forces."
"Join forces...? But I don't...I mean...I can't contribute anything..." said Shakai, lowering his eyes.
"You're wrong."
Shu clapped an encouraging hand on his shoulder.
"In my eyes, you're the most crucial piece needed for this goose chase right now."
"I am...?"
Shakai half-mumbled those words, unable to understand what he meant. He opened his mouth to ask for clarification, but he was interrupted by sounds of running footsteps-
"Senpai...you're too quick..."
A boy appeared at the door, followed closely by a panting girl.
"Oh, you guys! You arrived at the perfect time. Come in and close the door behind you."
Shu stood up, a fierce grin on his face as his glasses glinted.
"It's time for us to begin our attack."
Chitoge had changed.
That was what Ichijou Raku thought as he waited in his house. Ryuu was currently gathering information on Black Suit sightings in the city. They were also on the lookout for a hot air balloon, but it seemed to have vanished from the skies.
It also didn't help that Chitoge's line seemed to be constantly busy. Not having much to go on, Raku had decided to just look for more Black Suits. If they were an organization, like they had announced during the Bonyari Invasion, then finding one member could lead them to Kosaki.
But still, Raku was uneasy. Judging from Chitoge's tone of voice, it didn't sound like Kosaki was in any serious trouble. But he'd feel much more at ease if he knew what was going on with her and Ruri right now.
It was this sense of worry that had driven him to ask Ryuu and the guys for help. He had talked with his father to explain the situation to him and had gotten his full support.
It's good that you're taking your role as the heir more seriously now, Raku.
It's not like that, old man.
Well, this time is fine. But Raku...remember. If you really don't intend on taking up your position as the heir, you won't be able to depend on these guys in the future.
I know that...this is just a one time thing-
I'm not talking about that, Raku. I'm saying that in the future, you'll come across obstacles that you can't handle on your own. When that time comes...
Raku looked down at his hands. It was true. Even back in the Bonyari Invasion, when things had gotten tough...he had called the yakuza members for help. When Kyoko-sensei was leaving the school...when Ruri had visited her grandfather...when Chitoge had reconciled with her mother...
As a man, Ichijou Raku believed that he had to do his best when others counted on him. That he couldn't just turn a blind eye to the troubles around him.
When he was confronted with a problem, he wanted to run sometimes. He wanted to avoid it. But when things became serious, he knew that he had to buckle down and face it. Because he was a man...and because running from problems didn't change anything.
But there would be times where his best just wasn't enough. When Chitoge had been about to move to America...when they had been fighting against the Black Suits...
He wasn't overly smart. His physical strength wasn't anything great. He didn't have any special skills or talents.
Coming down to it, he wasn't really reliable.
There were many, many things that could stop Ichijou Raku right in his tracks.
When that time comes...
Make sure that you do have people you can count on, Raku.
Chitoge had changed. In the beginning, she had come to this country with no one but her family and the Beehive members. But now, she had plenty of people she could count on. She didn't try to fight alone and she made sure no one else had to.
Raku wanted to be one of those people. Not just for Chitoge but for Kosaki too. And Marika and Tsugumi and Yui and Haru...
I love you, Raku!
Yeah...
He had no other choice.
After all, they all loved him.
Raku didn't have an answer yet for that problem. But right now, Chitoge needed him. Kosaki needed him.
His friends needed him.
It was true that he didn't have enough power to solve this all on his own. He had to ask his family for help.
But...
"Bocchan! We've found something! Apparently there is a Black Suit that frequents a coffee shop in Bonyari. He should be there right now."
"Ok! Let's go meet him!"
Raku hurried after Ryuu and the others.
Right now he wasn't strong enough alone...
But...
Damned if that was going to stop him from doing all he could.
Ah...also, Raku. About this hot-air balloon you're looking for...
You know something about it, old man!?
Uh no...that's...Have you looked at the news lately?
...? What are you talking about?
...Hehe. It's nothing. Forget I said anything about it.
?
Huh? Chitoge, I'll call you back. I'm sending the guys out to find some Black Suits.
That was the last thing that Chitoge had heard from Ichijou Raku.
And right now, Kirisaki Chitoge could not get Ichijou Raku back on the phone. He wasn't picking up and she would always go to voicemail.
But she needed him to pick up. If he didn't answer, then it could become disastrous.
Because Kirisaki Chitoge realized that she had made a horrible mistake.
Ah, Claude? Did you send the Beehive members to go protect Kosaki and Ruri-chan?
Make sure that you've packed enough ammunition! Ojou's orders! This isn't just a scuffle, we need to show our best today!
OHHH!
...Claude? I want to make sure that Kosaki and Ruri-chan are safe, but they're with some reliable people. You guys shouldn't overdo it...
Please do not worry, Ojou! This unworthy Claude has ensured that nothing in our arsenal is being spared from use. I promise you, we will completely and unrelentingly eradicate all signs of Black Suits in Bonyari.
Huh!?
That was when Chitoge had realized that something was wrong. As she had detailed with Tsugumi, this would be a search-and-rescue operation. The plan was to rendezvous with Kosaki, Ruri, and the Black Suits and help them find "Netorare Neko-chan!". However, their main task would be to help protect Kosaki and Ruri once they solved the puzzle and had to land the balloon. No doubt the other hunters were waiting for the balloon to come back down to visible range. The moment Kosaki and Ruri hit the ground, there would be an entire army of hunters waiting for them.
It was at that point where the rescue part of the operation would happen.
In retrospect, there really was no need for Raku to be a part of this operation at all. However, she knew Raku's personality. He was the kind of person that couldn't sit still when someone was in trouble. So she had initially planned to meet up with him in the city and then join with the Beehives to go rescue Kosaki and Ruri.
But she hadn't expected the idiot to send out the yakuza!
And now Claude had somehow gotten the wrong idea about the Black Suits!
Claude! That's not what I told you to do! The Black Suits are our allies-
I'm sorry, Ojou! I couldn't hear you properly! Men, don't forget the grenade launchers!
Claude! THE BLACK SUITS AREN'T OUR ENEMIES!
I understand! We will surely destroy those Black Suits! We've already found one at a local coffee shop! We'll be taking him in for questioning so we can smoke out the rest of these rats! Ah, excuse me, Ojou. I need to go and help the men prepare the spare tank-
Claude, no! That's not it, Claude! Claude? CLAUDE!
"Ojou? Ojou, what's wrong?"
Chitoge looked up at Tsugumi with trembling eyes.
There was no way...that it'd happen. Even with all this, there'd have to be enormous coincidences for the worst-case scenario to happen-
But...
But...
"T-Tsugumi..."
Chitoge's voice shook as she heard the words coming out of her own mouth.
"I think I might've started a war..."
"Welcome everyone. As you all know, today our goal is to obtain the elusive, extremely rare 'Netorare Neko-chan!'"
A hearty cheer came in response to Shu's statement. He quieted the room down with a wave of his hands.
"However, it's true that our only resource containing the information necessary to hunt down 'Netorare Neko-chan!' was destroyed. The only copy of this information is currently with an organization called 'The Shield of False Love.' And right now, all eyes are focused on them and their hot-air balloon. I believe that there will be a mad scramble once they've solved the puzzle and head out to obtain 'Netorare Neko-chan!'"
"Then aren't we screwed?"
"How are we supposed to compete with those gangster and thugs!?"
"It's true that we're at a disadvantage!" continued Shu. "We're just high schoolers that have similar interests. We can't fight against organized crime groups and professional hunters."
Girl A glanced over at Shu. It was essentially the same thing that she had been told on the way over here. As they were right now, the Maiko group had no chance of obtaining "Netorare Neko-chan!"
However-
"However, we have an alternative route open to us. While the other groups spend their time twiddling their thumbs and waiting for the balloon to come down, we'll sweep 'Netorare Neko-chan!' from right underneath them!"
"How!"
How. That was the ultimate question. And once Girl A had heard the answer to it, she couldn't believe that she hadn't thought of it before.
"Netorare Neko-chan!" was a rental DVD.
Which meant...
"With the help of our new partner here. Nakano Shakai!"
"H-Hello..."
"Hey, Maiko. Get on with it. We know this guy's important since you had us catch him, but why is he important..."
"Sorry, I guess I've milked this too much! Alright then, I'll get to the point."
Shu had the group huddle closer so that everyone could hear the plan.
"Hey, hey...are you serious?"
"We can do something like that? Isn't that illegal...?"
"But that's the only thing we can resort to, right? The tablet was destroyed..."
"But that means..."
"Yeah..."
Along with the rest of them, Girl A looked again towards Maiko Shu. "Netorare Neko-chan!" was a rental DVD. That meant that there was a database containing information about those that rented it, for the sake of billing and identification purposes.
However, if "Netorare Neko-chan!" was not kept at the store-
That meant that the previous renter had also hunted it down.
Which meant-
"That's right," said Shu, patting Shakai on the back. "We're going back to the Mitsuya to find the previous renter. And once we do that..."
An alternative route to finding the elusive, one-of-a-kind "Netorare Neko-chan!".
Girl A couldn't help but smile.
Really...Maiko Shu was really quite something.
A/N: Just for clarification purposes, no, this fic hasn't ended yet! April Fools!
...So late.
Anyways, just as a heads-up, I'll be out on a trip later this month. So there will likely be a break before the next release! I guess you can take this time to watch Nisekoi, season 2!