The afternoon breeze by the bay was oddly soothing. On days like this where the wind is moderate, I just have the sudden urge to lay down on the grass, feeling its narrow leaves prickle my skin as I relax and dose off, doing absolutely nothing but sadly this is a public space. There will always be people here, which I find annoying and ultimately the main reason why I don't go here much often.
Treading on the path by the sidewalk, it was kind of a shock to see how lively the park has gotten, maybe I should not be that surprised considering how much time I spend on my apartment and how much of a cave dweller I am. Well, the only one who is surely surprised would be this little critter.
"Look mister! I told you it's the tower!" a girl exclaimed as she skips brazenly around me, exactly like a playful toddler talking nonsense. She was going on about this for a couple of minutes now. There was also the issue on the port tower which was resolved quickly of course by the efforts between I and Yoshikage-san.
Together walking besides me was none other than the one who caused said incident. She was looking around, in awe of the things that surrounded her and making some side comments such as, can I eat those and can I eat them. It can't really be helped since she is most likely a child Youkai of sorts.
"I can't wait to see what changed inside there!" She was pretty enthusiastic about exploring the building up on the horizon despite her actions on the tower. Or is it that she's not conscious or aware of the things she had done. Disrupting government business, endangering the lives of the people and destruction of private establishments properties. I know that she can understand and read to some degree which indicates that she is not illiterate, maybe she doesn't have common sense.
Who knows really.
And just like she said we were indeed going towards the port tower. The tower that was recently opened from their so called maintenance.
Nearing now at the entrance of the towering building. Entering inside, I immediately felt the icy effects of the air conditioning, it was uncomfortable for me but it was bearable. I breathe in and out, releasing a hot huff. Today's appointment is important, for it is regarding the case of the recent incident. We'll finally know why and how she ended up on that tower and possibly the root of all of that incident.
I grab a hold of her small hands, making sure she doesn't go away from me. Blushing from the intimacy, Rumia's tense grip on my hand loosens. Her red face morphed into the usual joyous expression. Some onlookers that saw this and were captivated by the little girl.
I could hear them say things regarding about my relation with the girl and some other gossips relating to my eyes. There's no point in telling them off really, since I don't care anyways. Their words mean very little to me and I learned earlier in life that I should not always take things for granted.
There was a short line waiting for the elevator. I drag her with me towards the line and waited.
"Uh, mister. Where exactly are we going? You told me were going to a restaurant and you said there will be food." tugging on my sleeve aggressively.
"You remember the first time when you tried to devour me."
"Yes?" she sways her head to the side.
"The place that we were in that time is the restaurant and you'll see it for yourself once you get there." The two of us entered in the iron box. It wasn't crowded inside so there was still room for us to be comfortable, but Rumia was acting as if she's been caged judging by her wary look.
Just like a piece of magnet attached to polar opposite. She clung hard to me to my side. One could say that she is the positive, her bubbly and naive personality paired with that toothy grin. Then the negative would be me of course, eyes with no emotions at all that looks like a dead fish becoming the most noticeable features that others find unsightly, and I guess one could say that I have a rotten personality too.
We stayed like this until we got out of the elevator and enter in the third floor. She was the first one to got out of the elevator, this was bad, if she got out of my reach and start to cause trouble then I would be deeply annoyed. Luckily, I'm a tall guy and having lengthy arms can be convenient at times, like this for example.
Grabbing the back side of her collar, I lift her close and personal.
"Where do you think your going." My patronizing gaze bored directly to her eyes as she looks back at me.
"Uh, I was going to um, check the food out?"
"Your rash actions tells otherwise. So tell me, what got you so zippy all of the sudden." She wasn't like this back when I gave her a tour at that convenience store that one time.
"There's so much food and stuff that I want..." The look in my eyes didn't change as she trailed off.
"It's just that, I really want to see the view outside the tower."
"Well, we could do that after our meal of course. In the meantime, please do try and behave yourself." She nodded to me with a sweet smile.
The sea of people pouring in and out of the establishment was a clear indication of how lively and well businesses are going on now since the incident of the tower. The chatters of customers and waitresses echoed throughout the bustling place.
Cafe La Plage was the name of this restaurant/coffee shop, with it being in the third floor. It became a place where people can dine and watch the scenery through the glass. This establishment also boasts their unique variety of foreign dishes, mainly the Mediterranean cuisine.
I was trying to find someone near the corner isle. The one who I'm finding was my colleague that I was with during that incident. I scan the vicinity until I saw the raised hand of a familiar mixed blood.
"Hikigaya! You came earlier than expected." Do you really think that my tardiness will get the better of me when it comes to free food?
I gesture Rumia to sit by the window and I sit facing Yoshikage-san
"Good afternoon, I brought her with me like you said." he looks at Rumia whom was besides me.
"Now that we're all here, lets order some food first then we can talk after that. Rumia must be hungry on her way here." She is always hungry Yoshikage. This Youkai could eat all three meals a day in one sitting and she'll still be hungry, she's like Kirby in human skin, no scratch that, she is a Youkai Kirby.
"So what would you like to order?" Hmm, lets see. Among the available dishes in the menu, there wasn't really anything I disliked. Though I would like to get some carbs.
"Alfredo fettuccine for me." Closing the menu and placing it neatly on the table, I turn my attention to Rumia.
"Picked something yet?" Her eyes were darting around her surroundings.
"I wanna try that thing over." she pointed at one of the tables near us. I check to see what it was. Oh it was just pizza. I mean its a good food but I already grew tired of eating it. It's honestly surprising how Cafe La Plage also serve pizzas considering the word cafe are only for light meals and drinks. That's what you gotta do to keep businesses going.
"So pizza eh, good choice. We'll get one large size." Yoshikage said. He called out a nearby waiter and ordered for us.
"So a large size pizza."
"Yes, an Italian pizza. Margherita to be precise." The waiter scribbled on his small notepad. That pizza was a good choice, with the perfect balance of cheese, vegetable and meat. I'm sure Rumia would like that.
"As for the drinks; one mug of beer and two glasses of Iced tea."
"Yeah."
The waiter handed out a table card then bowed to us and walked away. Here in Japan, most of the people here take their work seriously. Whether you're a janitor or clerk of a convenience store, we keep our professionalism tight.
"While we wait for our food, why don't we talk for a bit Hikigaya." I raise my brows at him.
"Talk about what." I can't help but tell him that, there was a lot of things to talk about, the recent incident and the truth behind this Youkai girl would be great to hear. But it irked me when he stared directly at me, I knew this was entirely different matters.
"Hikigaya, for these past few days. You were busy digging on some data about a teacher of your school which you have made a report about and requested a search warrant. I don't know what has gotten into you but I think this is too rash of you."
Indeed this past few days I've grown quite restless after having that nightmare. This lead me to also neglect my other duties regarding school, specifically club time. With the encounter with Tsurumi-sensei adding to the pile, I grew even more on edge.
This also lead to my relationship with Yukinoshita to grow more and more distant. The fact is that I don't really care, the only thing I should care about is this looming threat on the horizon. A possible incident could occur and I sure as hell don't want to get caught with that shit again after just a week of a passing incident. Now the sooner I get rid of it, the more time I could spend lazing around but that's not really the point. I guess you could say that prevention is better than dealing with it after it occurred.
"There's no need to be worried about it."
"I am more than worried here. Tell me, on what basis did you think this investigation of yours would get approved by the higher ups." I am not that naive, I already came up with something that could deter them from rejecting.
"It's base on the fact that my target is an unregistered and unauthorized magician." He was quiet shocked to hear that.
"You… Didn't include that in your report."
"I did that on purpose."
"Why?" Indeed why. I could only think of a few reason that come in mind.
"A precaution of sorts."
"Your telling me that someone might snitch."
"There might be." Yoshikage pauses or a moment.
...
"I'm still not convinced." I expected something similar to come out from him. I, of course have a way to convince him.
"I had a vision, or something like that." In that vivid perspective I crossed upon a dreadful sight. The mutilated bodies of teenagers scattered throughout the school would send chills down your spine. The bones dangling from their exposed limbs and even worse things that I dared not to say. I realized that it maybe more than just a dream.
"That just paranoia Hikigaya."
"No it's more than that. Call it a premonition if you will, since it has something to do with who I am." Indeed I should have come to that conclusion earlier.
"Your going to get yourself killed." Of course there was a chance of getting killed. In this line of work, everyday people like us die for the cause of the association, and I too expected my life to be short.
He looked at me like he looks at his child. It was that genuine concern coming from those eyes that made me advert my gaze from him.
My eyes redirected to the little girl besides me. It looks like she wasn't listening to our conversation as she was busy sticking her eyes to the window. That is to be expected since this place serves also as a viewing area.
A sigh came out from Yoshikage's lips.
"Even if I backed you up for this, I still have some doubts."
"Your worries are of no concern. All you have to do is to help me push my report." I was gonna coerce a certain otaku I know on the association but with this opportunity laid out to me like an offering to an altar, who wouldn't refuse such thing.
"Fine. But we'll start with a welfare check, a search warrant is a bit too much."
"I can get behind that." At the end of the day, Tsurumi-sensei will still be interrogated.
The order have arrived just in time after we finished our deal, well it is a deal in my book. An Alfredo Fetuccine for me, Beef Cacciatore for Yoshikage, and a Large size Pizza Margherita for Rumia.
I ate my meal in relative silence as usual save for the Youkai besides, munching loudly on her pizza. She already took a liking to that savory dish it seems.
"So what are you doing at school right now, Hikigaya." Small talks is a special forte of mine since it is necessary need to be able confront with strangers of the association, just because I rarely talk with anyone in school it doesn't mean that I'm socially inept. But it also depends whether I'm interested or not.
"Just the usual, attending my classes and what not."
"How about your club activities?"
"Well, I go to a volunteer like club."
"Ho, tell me about it." He was seemingly interested by it
"It's a club were we help students with their requests,"
"I wish that kind of club existed back in my days." Yoshikage interjects a sarcastic remark. I just rolled my eyes in exasperation.
"As long as the request is reasonable and worth our time of course." I continued my explanation.
"Still I don't see you as the type to join any club at all."
"Well I was forced too." He hid his mouth behind his hands. It looks like his coughing but if you take a closer look you can clearly tell he was stifling his laughter.
I just gave him a deadpan stare and resumed eating my pasta.
This continued on with some small talks happening here and there.
The sun is beginning to set and as it bleeds into crimson plight, I put my elbows together on the railings of the fourth floor or commonly known as the observation deck.
After finishing our meals, we went here so we could finally talk about important matters regarding a certain Youkai, and said Youkai is busy using or attempting to use one of the telescopes to onto the horizon.
The strong smell of tobacco invaded my nostrils. I could tell that the brand of cigarette is eerily similar to a certain otaku teacher had.
"So exactly how did she end up there in the tower?" A question that's been itching me since the incident.
"It's a case of Youkai trafficking." Though surprising to hear, those kind of things do exist in the supernatural. Take slavery as an example, even when it was deemed illegal by both the two organizations, people still find ways to do exactly that. No one could ever stop greed.
"From what we have gathered, Rin Satsuki escaped from their captors while Rumia managed to forced her way out." I guess Red Ribbons was Rin Satsuki.
"How'd you know?" I had a hunch about it but I want to hear it from him.
"This incident is related to a past case."
"Is it the stream of Illegal shipments that happened a year ago?" Back when I was in my first year, I had to partake in that incident. I can still remember all the different types of organs harvested and stored in those transparent cylinders, there were also narcotics and tons of mana crystals. Mana crystals are concentrated and condensed crystals that can fuel any related magical device. All of it were of course illegal, and it took us more than a month to resolve that incident but with this being part now of the equation.
I can confidently say that things has gone even more complicated.
"Yeah, just like what happened a year ago," He puffs a smoke from his cig. "I think you should know this by now."
"Rumia is a Youkai of darkness, meaning her presence here threatens the whole populace and we can't afford to keep her any longer. So Rumia is being sent back to where she belongs." Was that Youkai really that dangerous considering how gullible she is? Wait I take that back, I almost forgot that time I almost got devoured by her. And also I have no idea that there actually was a place for Youkais.
"I get that she's being sent away but where is the question." I was interested on where this is and what even the place is called.
"Have you ever heard about Gensokyo." Wait, I think I heard of-
I mentally paused for a bit.
"The names sounds familiar."
"Well it's a place, or a territory to be exact, It's where the Youkai that has no place in this world take refuge." So a safe haven for them.
"So when?"
"Tomorrow she will be picked up in the morning."
I don't know why but I felt something inside me sink for some reason. Was it possible that I really have grown attached to that rascal.
I solemnly stared at the sea reflecting the withdrawing sun.
With a voice that is filled with nothing but the same methodical tone of mine.
"Okay." I said
I have a sibling, a little sister, well used to anyways.
A victim from a tragedy I've buried deep inside me.
Her name was Komachi, she was simply put the best little sister I could ever wish for, when I was still with her, I always made sure to pamper her and take good care of her because…
She was the only family that I had left.
We would play together, eat together, and sleep together. Brushing her hair despite it being short, it was at those times that I felt peace with a loved one.
If it's possible to bring her back, then I would do just that, but sadly I don't have the power to do so.
Back then I was just a kid, I was powerless, weak and naive.
Then she came, the Youkai of darkness came.
She reminded me once again of my little sister, now only a distant memory that I had kept.
I wanted things to stay the same, it was a selfish wish of mine but I know that this wasn't what I wanted, I needed to deny myself.
That's why it hurts to say this.
"You always reminded of my little sister."
There was momentary pause after I said those words, then she squeezes the hems of her skirt.
"I get it now." It was such dejection that comes from her tone that made me look to the ground and away from her.
Then she runs away from me, I could've gone after her, and provided comfort, but this is for the best.
Rumia wanted to know what I felt towards her, and realizing the fact that I see her as my little sister, the result was to be expected.
It left a bitter feeling after she left me there, we didn't even get to say goodbye.
Rumia, I'm sorry for being such a piece of shit.
It was raining again and I have to spend my launch time cooped up inside the classroom. The weather forecast informed me of this which is why I came prepared. With my headphone plugged in to my phone, I listen to some soothing tunes. And just as it was about to go to the next song, my phone suddenly died. Great another day of suffering comes again. Why is my karma this bad?
I decided to just rest my head on my desk and attempt to take a nap.
"Bro! Do that 1-2 combo with Lee."
"Look at how smooth it went!."
A familiar character name from a fighting game that I used to play resurfaces as I overhear their conversations. They seemed to be having fun judging by how they are so into it.
I would like to play a game with my Vita right now but that thing was beyond repair. And with how lazy I am, chances of it getting fixed is zero to none.
Now that reminded me of something back when I was in middle school. Back in my middle school, there were this guys that were interested in anime, and I who also watch anime decided to join, well tried to join in because all of a sudden after what I said which was along the lines of 'Have you guys seen the new season of Toaru', they made excuses to leave and I was left there confused. I did not quite understand why at that time. Days passes by and I finally knew why. Learning the truth was a bit painful.
That's why, ever since then I stopped actively trying to butt in.
"Yui come on, there's a limited sale at Dairy and Ice."
"I'm sorry Yumi, I have someone that I have to meet."
Her long flowing blonde hair was arranged in ringed curls, and her uniform was a bit too enticing. It literally screams I'm a prostitute all over it. This blonde bimbo is a friend of Yuigahama, yes the one who made the recent request, Yumi as she calls her, whose full name was Miura Yumiko was her friend.
Those shapely and pretty face was pretty admirable to others, but I find it distasteful on how slutty she looks. I wasn't fond of those types of people, especially the stupid ones.
"Can't you just tell her off."
"Yumiko, if you eat too much, you'll regret it." A strikingly sparkly guy entered in the conversation, his smile radiated a type of energy that can calm everyone down. This was Hayama Hayato, the blonde riajuu. Too be honest, I don't really know who the guy was, but I heard that his family owned a law firm. And the same could be said to the blonde wanna-be slut.
I wasn't really into the affairs of others, even though I had my fair amount of time observing the class, I can't help it. They're too boring for me to watch, causing me to sometimes space out and forget what I was doing.
"I don't get fat no matter how much I eat, isn't that right Yui."
"Yeah totally but Yumi, I can't go with you. I told you I have plans with my friend."
My stomach grumbled, only audible enough for me to hear. I haven't ate anything since this morning, I had no appetite what so ever but it seems it came back just in time for lunch. There was still enough time left for me to grab a bite.
So I grabbed my wallet and bailed out of my seat, leaving the voices of the so called youth behind me as I exit out the classroom.
On my way to the cafeteria, my body suddenly felt tense and I became weary of my surroundings. I inconspicuously glanced to my left, that feeling of being watched behind my back was akin to an assassin marking its target.
Acting naturally as I am, I maintain my stoic face, with my head hung low and staring at the ground, I gave my best impression of a background character in some anime but that didn't seem to work. I knew that guy is near me.
"Fancy meeting you again, Hikigaya." I instinctively stopped on my tracks. I didn't want to meet him again, this was too soon for us to meet.
"Ah, Tsurumi-sensei, good afternoon."
"Is there something bothering you, young man?"
"Nothing at all, I was just a bit startled," My empty stomach grumbled, "Anyways, I'll be on my way."
That ominous feeling when I had that dream was coming back, I could still feel his presence there, unmoving on that spot.
This was quite a terrifying encounter indeed.
When I got back to the classroom, I ran into someone I know.
Her flowing raven hair were familiar, I had my gaze leveled at her chest, and no I wasn't staring at it indecently. I just happened to have a terrible posture, that's all.
"If it isn't Creepygaya-kun."
I curtly pivot my head to eye level, wonder what she's doing here.
"Yo."
"Lousy greeting aside, where were you this past couple of days."
"I was busy, and even then I'm busy with a certain errand." She immediately understood what I meant.
"I see, so that's how it is," She walks pass by me, "Good luck with your errand."
Cold, even her wish for success towards me felt icy. Oh well, I just hope you kept the end of your bargain, Yukinoshita.
The static from the Walkman was the only sound he heard as he waited for any message that comes from the other line.
The welfare check that they did was a bust, well not really. The guy was good at acting but his luck was not his side as there was now sufficient evidence against him, at first they considered having a search warrant but after realizing how grave it may become, so they scratched that idea.
The entirety of the villa that he was in has been set up with field sensors, motion trackers, scanners and such to confine his target. All of the residence there were fast asleep, as they should be, no one would be up at this hours. The perfect time to execute their operation.
"August, target has step foot outside site, over." He immediately set his sight on his scope as soon as he heard that.
Hikigaya who was holding onto a sniper rifle, and through the lenses of his scope, the street lights illuminated over a tall man. Now he could clearly see the target he has been waiting for this entire time.
"Copy that, over."
He felt cold from the nightly chills, he wasn't anticipating that tonight would be this cold. It was still the month of August, slowly approaching the winter seasons, yet even this cold couldn't stop his fixated leer.
"Target has began sealing off the site, August you know what to do."
His muscles tenses as he readjusts the scope, the sniper rifle was starting gather some mana inside it's bullet chamber. Though it looks like it was just an ordinary sniper rifle, which model is a Artic Warfare 50, a bolt action anti-material sniper rifle.
It is modified with magic to be able to shoot off precise magical bullets.
They say that the greatest weapon off all time to be mass produced is something that takes the least effort to use, why use a sword or a bow when you could in fact with a single click can kill someone in just a matter of seconds. Then there is the matter of magic, it might be more effective to use magic to kill his target but the environment was hindering to do so. And it also doesn't help that he isn't that skilled nor talented to be so precise with his magic to be able to kill his enemy so neatly.
Guns are neither animate nor supernatural beings; they cannot use coercion or possession to make a person shoot, it is just like a sword kept in its scabbard, an arrow in its quiver, until the moments that it is utilized, until then they remain harmless. It is the one who wields it that has to take action, because at the end of the day they are just tools, and ones that can cause violence.
And that violence is needed in this cruel world, and to eliminate this threats.
Bang
It was loud, the muzzle blast that is, but even then, no one had heard it courtesy to magic. The smoke residue coming out of the barrel didn't smell like the typical gunpowder, it was an odd smell. Maybe it was because of the magic infused in the bullet, or maybe it became something foreign to him. It was the first time in two years that he held the gun, still his trait as a sharpshooter never rusts.
"Target confirmed to be hit, over."
Indeed it was a confirmed hit, as soon as the bullet reached the skin, and as it pierced through it, blood gushed out from the gaping hole as it left. He is a professional in that regards, he's a hunter shooting down its prey.
This wasn't something a high school student would be able to do, some would argue that he should be enjoying his youth and live among them, but would he really like that considering how his life is.
Was it his fault that he became like this? That was a question he debated inside his head, that ultimately became a bitter pill he sought to swallow. At first he blamed the world, but as time flies by, he had no one to blame.
There was no response from his radio.
"Leo, do you copy, over."
He tried to contact his peer but to no avail, only the static noise is what he got.
Peeking through his scope at the downed target, he attentively examined it.
The once gaping hole knit it self back, the damaged flesh was fixed. He expected something like this to happen. Now he was wondering what it was, at first he considered it to be a ghoul but that doesn't seem to be the case, since it retained sanity.
He doesn't know why and how this thing even ended up here in Japan, and why Chiba of all places he pondered for a while.
There it is again, his sweat rolled down his cheeks, the grip on the rifle tightens.
It was that feeling that felt back he on his dream.
And with with the rapid increase of his heart beat, he instinctively threw himself onto the ground.