[DISCLAIMER: Still fiction.

Thanks for reading. Okayu sees an old friend.

Chapter 28

Feline View

"This isn't right!" I yelled at the managers all gathered in the office. "You all can't be serious!"

"Charges were filed. There's nothing we can do," A-chan remarked, the most outspoken.

"But she didn't hurt me."

"He's filed an official claim with the Holios Board of Power and Restraint. You know the rules for Hololive and fraternizing within, and then she actually hit you, and did hurt you."

"She didn't hit me. She hit the… um… she didn't hit anyone. He was manhandling me and she was only protecting me from a creature twice my size. She pushed him off me – that's not hitting."

"Because of her strength, yes, it is."

I never got mad, but what was happening just wasn't right. They had told Korone she was suspended for three weeks. They couldn't do this to her. They didn't realize how badly this would hurt Korone. How could they say she wasn't allowed to work for three weeks?

"It's only until the investigation by the BOPAR division is completed. You know these are the rules, Okayu."

"Well, they're stupid rules." I paced to the door. "You just don't get how she will process information like this – it's going to kill her inside. She'll feel she did something wrong."

"She did do something wrong."

"No, she was simply protecting me." I realized my voiced had heightened so that I just sounded whiny.

"Now we're just going in circles." A-Chan stood, pushing her glasses up at the bridge on her nose. "Okayu, I know she's your friend, but we will handle this in a delicate manner." She turned to the five other managers and Mr. Yagoo, as he sat quietly, "I think we should dismiss."

He only nodded and they all got up to leave. I wanted to make them understand, but I realized it would be a moot subject at this point.

I stood there as they all walked past me. A-chan stopped in the doorway and then quietly whispered, "I know that she used her powers…? You need to keep quiet and let them suspend her or something worse could happen. Okay?"

I understood. I nodded slowly, as she left the room. If Shien pursued it further she could face criminal charges. I couldn't believe Korone felt badly for him, as if he deserved her empathy.

When I finally left the room, I was met by Subaru.

"Yo, Okayu, let's go get a drink."

"I don't want one."

"I insist."

Subaru grabbed around my arm, and she pulled me along so that I couldn't say no.

After our one night of drinking and we might have gotten a little too friendly, she told me it was cool. No damage to the friendship, and I appreciated that about Subaru. She was one of my closest friends.

Once at the bar, we sat side-by-side. The bartender brought us both a beer and I sipped as she talked.

"It's only three weeks."

"But she didn't do anything wrong."

"If you say so, I'll believe you. But you ended up in the hospital for a reason, Okayu."

"I didn't realize I had a broken rib and concussion."

"Well, manager didn't take it well when you passed out during a stream and they found out later what had happened because that jackal guy filed charges."

"If you're going to lecture, I'm going to head out."

"I'm sorry. I'm not wanting to lecture. Korone is just dangerous."

"Yeah, I'm going to head out."

"I know she would never hurt anyone on purpose. That came out wrong. But the gods of our country keep their powers reigned in, or they live in a different realm."

"They get sent to a different realm."

"Exactly."

And then it hit me so suddenly it felt like I'd been punched in the gut. She was right. If this got out of hand, they could send Korone away.

"I have to make sure this doesn't get worse for Koro-san."

"We'll all help. I know you two belong together. Everyone tries to split you two up, but it's pretty obvious. It's…" Subaru laughed, "…kind 'a cute."

"Thanks." I finished my last bit of the beer. "I'm tired so, I'm going to head out. Thanks for the drink and conversation. I want to stop by and see Koro-san."

"Sure, no prob." Subaru looked at her watch.

"You meeting someone?" I asked.

"Just… Luna."

"Really?"

"Don't say really like that. It's just a quiet dinner."

"Cool," I winked, "if you say so."

She smacked my back. "Go catch your cab."

I kept laughing, as I headed out.

I walked out of the restaurant, ready to hail a cab.

Someone else hailed the cab at the same time. I knew that voice. It was a really deep voice, and I turned.

"Oh hey," I said, it being the giant one-horned demon I'd met before.

"Oh hey, little cat girl. I caught your stream and you sang my fave song."

I honestly had no idea what his favorite song was, but nodded my head. "Glad you liked it."

"Yeah, Lemon," and then he started to hum the song so, I hummed along.

He wrapped an arm around me like we were chums, my body feeling squished.

"Hey, you can ride the cab with me. I love cat types."

"Well, um… we're probably not headed in the same direction."

"Where you headed?"

I wouldn't feel right telling him. "I am just headed home."

"Nice. I'm going the opposite direction."

The cab was stopped and so I motioned, "Please, you take. I'll grab the next one."

He stared at me grinning. I wasn't sure if it was attraction or I looked like something he could eat, because he kept looking at me.

"Sure. I'll see you later." He towered over me, and despite him being the type of guy most women might find attractive, he was very intimidating.

Once he got in the cab and left, I realized he said he was going the opposite direction. Did that mean he knew where I lived?