"Your mother was a witch?" Garou asked.

The two of them sat together, studying the notebook secretly given to her by Claire. It contained all kinds of information that they needed to know in their current situation. Along with it, the revelations on Yumiko's parentage.

"I honestly didn't know. All my Aunt told me is that they sacrificed everything for me, so I should stay hidden."

"You weren't curious about what happened to your parents at all?"

"Well, I.." Now that he asked about it, she thought about all the times she asked her aunt about them. She never gave her a clear explanation or sometimes she just doesn't respond.

"I just, I never got any answers from her. And one day, I just stopped asking.."

"Your aunt is questionable."

She opened her mouth to say something but paused. She flipped another page instead.

Turns out it was her mother that asked Claire to keep her a secret. A cult group wanted to take advantage of her late mother's ability so much that it came to the point of threat, together with Yumiko's father. With hopes of escape for their daughter, she begged Claire, who had a foster home for abandoned children, to take Yumiko under her care.

She was asked to keep her daughter's abilities a secret if it ever manifested and to keep her away from spotlights.

In the end she had stood her ground, choosing death over using her abilities for evil. As strong as she is, she took down the cult group with her.

"It was at the age of 15 that the Shirogane Organization found out about her…" He read aloud, the narration from Claire's perspective.

"It was a peaceful afternoon in a park, she frolicked around with the other children when suddenly a serpent-like monster came attacking the area where they were. The monster had slithered fast to where they were. They were a dozen children and they had no time to escape. There wasn't a single thing I could do until Yumiko stepped up. "

"In the midst of panic and fear, she boldly faced the serpent and took hold of its armor and used it to squash the monster to its death. After releasing such power, Yumiko collapsed."

"Ah so you did use your ability in public?"

Yumiko racked her brain for memory but to no avail. "I never recalled the events that day, it was like a blur."

Unfortunately, there were people from the Empire that witnessed her power, and recruited her through Claire. They disguised themselves as an organization that helps talented people like her.

They offered promising words for the girl to freely use her abilities and to never exploit her. With the Empire's good reputation, Claire signed her up when she turned eighteen thinking maybe it was time for Yumiko to make use of her power and not just be held back with her in a foster home, as she had always expressed her want to use her abilities for good.

Claire agreed. In turn, the Empire gave their place protection.

It was until the day she unexpectedly visited the Empire that she found out its true nature- it was a criminal association with illegal activities disguised as a supporter of the Hero Association.

They were one of the top leaders of the criminal underworld with a huge network of criminals under their influence. Because of the huge sums donated to the Hero Association, they were never suspected of such activities. These illegal activities were, violent games, slaughter arenas, breeding monsters, and kidnappings.

After the discovery, Claire refused to give Yumiko and tried to expose them, but the Empire threatened to kill off every child in her care.

She secretly contacted the police and the Hero Association, but against such a powerful organization she didn't hold a chance. Not a single one believed her, assuming she was deranged. The poor woman was harassed and the Empire began to point the guns at the children.

In desperation, she gave in to the Empire in order to keep everyone safe. She will peacefully hand over Yumiko at the given time, and will cut ties with her permanently. She was instructed by them to keep her in the dark until the day they take her.

In her last poignant statement, "I have never slept soundly at night knowing what I did to you. I will carry this burden until I die. I'm sorry Yumiko. I don't deserve forgiveness but I want you to know, I regret what I did."

"Oi you okay?" That's a lot to take in.

"So that's why.." Tears fell down her face. How could anyone do these things?

Yumiko had always been content with her life, she didn't question a lot of things but now discovering all these things jolts something in her.

He stared at her intently.

"I know what I want to do now." She stood up, determined. The Shirogane Empire shouldn't be taken lightly. They're powerful. Their network is large. It may be impossible but it's what I want to do- for my parents and for others, even if it kills me.

He smirked, "Let's bring down that damned organization."

They laid low the whole afternoon, figuring out the next course of action. They will need all the down time they can for preparation. As of now, they couldn't decide.

"So, we can't ask for help from the police?"

"Nope. You know what happened to your aunt right. We're all on our own."

"But I don't think we can do it alone," She inhaled deeply. "How about going to the Hero Association?"

"No."

"It's against the whole organization Garou..."

He didn't answer. Barging them head on is too dangerous. Maybe going back in City X?

Garou briefly thought about doing it alone but seeing Yumiko so resolute, he's sure she'd follow him even to death. Tsk. It's harder than I thought.

He held up the small book, "Keep this safe. This evidence is a key to destroying them." Both the Empire and the Hero Association that is.

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With Yumiko's stocked food from the place, they ate silently. They were sitting side by side at the coffee table, shoulders touching. It was a still moment but the knowledge of the brewing war hung in the air. It was like the calm before the storm, tranquility before the chaos. But nonetheless, they took advantage of this time.

It was mostly Yumiko who was affected, as the situation at hand heavily weighed on her mind. Not used to seeing her in such a serious mood, he tried to ease up her worries.

"Yumiko, relax would you? You should cherish this moment while you can. We won't have time to rest the next time." Garou said. Stop worrying, I won't let a single thing happen to you.

"Garou.." She distanced herself from the table and faced him.

"Hhnn?" He did the same.

"If worse comes to worst, I would understand if…" She trailed off.

His eyebrows raised. "If what?"

Sighing, she said, "It's okay to turn your back, this isn't your fight. I don't wanna burden you much longer with my problems."

"Idiot. I never turn down an opportunity to fight. Plus, I'm already on their hit list."

"They wouldn't bother you if you stop helping me out."

"I'm doing this because I want to" He tried to shrug off her worries. "Besides, do you even think you can handle all this shit alone?"

"But this is more than just a fight Garou, an entire organization is after me. Why go to this extent?" I don't want you to be in danger because of me.

"Tsk you ask a lot of questions." Even he didn't know why he would make such an effort to demolish the whole enemy just because she wants to. He rested his face in his hands. "I just do, okay?"

"It's just- I'm guilty you got caught in this big mess because of me." She stared blankly in the distance holding her curly blonde hair.

Looking at her troubled expression, he felt like he needed to say something.

"Tsk," He scratched the back of his neck. Garou was never really good at these things.

"Don't worry too much." He patted her head. His face with a twinge of red, not directly looking at her. "Let me handle it. Whatever trouble it is, no harm will come to you, not on my watch."

He then brought down his hand to hold her face, looked her in the eye to show her he's serious. "Trust me." His eyes trailing down her lips.

In an instant, her gloomy aura had vanished. "Then, I'll let you know that goes for you as well. I'll do absolutely anything for you." She responded without missing a beat, smiling at him.

Her words significantly spurred him on. He swiftly pushed her to the floor pinning her hands on each side. She yelped surprised. He was now on top, his knees trapping her. You're not helping me control myself.

"I could just kiss you senseless right now." He said in a husky voice.

Her heart fluttered and her face, beet red. "I wouldn't stop you.." she said in a breathy tone.

He inhaled her scent and whispered in her ear. "You don't know what you're agreeing to. I won't be able to stop myself once this escalates." He gripped her hard and began kissing her neck.

She closed her eyes, with a heartbeat racing. "Garou.."

Hearing his name rolling off her tongue is music to his ears. He bit down on her flesh and licked. "There's no turning back from this."

She closed her eyes embracing the moment. How did I get lucky to have you.

Hearing her quiet moans, he shivered up and slowly began sliding down the strap of her dress, and exploring her.

He moved back to see all of her, something he'll never get tired of looking at. "You're breathtaking." He went in closer, feeling her breath on his mouth. He kissed her slowly but passionately, not wanting to rush things. This is something I'd want to cherish.

They engage in a heated kiss. Her lips were soft and sweet. He felt like he could do this all day. They kept at it for a few more minutes until it wasn't enough. He inserted his tongue in her mouth, their make out turned into a french kiss.

His hands roamed around her body hungrily until it reached her legs, raising it up to his hips.

His senses heightened. She tastes delicious. Her smell is intoxicating. Her whimpers and breaths were propelling him to do more.

All her subtle movements were arousing him. This is the first time he truly felt hunger. The uncontrollable desire to devour. And she was just as eager as him in this. Yumiko, feeling his intense sexual energy anchored herself in his touch. Heat pooled on her lower part as she automatically arched up her body to him.

Garou moved down his tongue on her neck sucking, kissing and biting. And for the first time, she accidentally let out a loud moan. She immediately closed her mouth, her face turning completely red, "Oh I'm-"

He didn't let her finish as he kissed her aggressively, acting what he was feeling. Her moans fueled his carnal desires more, getting him harder. He wasn't gentle anymore. Fuck, I need more. Feeling lustful, his hands explored underneath her dress. Yumiko shivered in response. Trailing on her thighs slowly until he reached her hips. He slid his fingers on her most intimate part, not quite removing her undergarment, but it was enough to feel her wet opening.

"Ugh, Garou.." She whimpered. She was making it harder for him to take things slow.

He smells her arousal. Fuck. I just want to pound into you. He'd take her right now if it was up to him but he didn't want to push her too strongly.

He moved up and sat on her. His cock visibly hard. Looking at her so wanton, he suddenly felt territorial. He leaned onto her ear, "I'll be the only one seeing you like this, got that?" he said almost threateningly.

She looked at him sensuously."I wouldn't want anyone else."

She had her eyes on him the first time they properly met. God I'm lucky. Garou is a perfect specimen of a man. Not too lean and not too bulky. Just my type.

Right there and then, they knew what this was. It was undeniable, what they felt for each other.

He moved her dress down to her stomach and started to open up her bra. She blushed and tried to cover herself for modesty. "Don't." He commanded and pinned the both of her hands above her head. He stared at her like a piece of art. "Don't hide yourself from me."

Fucking beautiful.

He kissed and licked her collarbones. He slowly moved his hands on her breast and started kneading her. Her erratic breaths and moans mixed up with his groans.

He was in the thin line of wildly fucking her. Both of them has never experienced sex before but everything was almost instinctive.

Needing something to appease his raging hormones, his hands slid inside her undergarment and felt her hot wet core. "Fuck, Yumiko.."

Wanting to feel everything of her at the same time, he inserted a finger inside her. She was tight and hot. She moaned loudly, unconsciously pulled his hair out of pleasure and whispered out his name. Fuck, this is driving me crazy. His hands gripping hard on her skin that it almost hurt. He kissed and sucked her breast, everything he did was bliss for her. As he was pumping his fingers in and out, he was marking her everywhere. Garou was literally eating her, this point until,

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BOOM!

A huge explosion blasted the two of them with such force.