Cold was the night, but it didn't have any effect on Yamato; he was one of Hikado's superhumans. He'd been under the evil scientist for quite some time, coming to and going from the den. Yamato was what Hikado would call one of his most trusted men. He was a genius for theft, and was usually where Hikado's income came from. Along with Yamato's own group of men.

"He knows your name, but he won't tell us. He uses it like his giant weapon or something," Yamato said, leaning agains the same wall as Reina as the zephyr kissed their faces.

"I'm not sure if I should be honoured, or annoyed," Reina answered curtly. "What are you doing out here anyway? Your presence is disturbing me."

Yamato snorted. "Sure, but I don't care. Hika-san asked me to get you. You've been out here too long."

"Hika-san?" Now it was her turn to snort. "What kind of nickname is that? He used to hate people calling him that. I guess things have changed much since I was last here."

"It's supposed to be a pleasure to call him by his nickname, but you're right. I don't know if I like it or not either. It's pretty cringe. But it kinda shows you're tight with the big guy, so I use it," Yamato replied.

Reina stood up and sighed, turning to go into the den. "And that's why you don't tell people your name. They'll give you some ridiculous nickname that will not go unsaid." She paused. "I did give him that name though."

"What?! Really?! That makes you a living legend!"

Hikado's den, a place where he did his research, superhuman transformations and live, was also a refuge for his men. Those who had nothing to do, stayed there. The place had a complicated layout, almost entirely a labyrinth to keep non-Hikado men, out of it. Reina, having lived in it for two years, knew it like the back of her hand.

The pair strode through the corridors confidently. Although Hikado's superhumans were usually called Hikado's men, Reina spotted a few women whilst she glided on the surface of the rocky floor. Well that's new, she noted.

Having finally arrived at the boss' office or meeting room, Yamato creaked the doors open and alerted the scientist of their arrival. "Come in, already you idiots," Hikado snapped.

"A bit annoyed, I see?" Reina remarked when she entered the room, "Uzuki frustrating you again? Don't worry, it's his specialty." She pulled out a chair and sat down abruptly.

"You catch on quickly, Spider," he snarled and then grinned. "Anyway. We should get down to business. I want to wipe the pest out of the Red Sanctum as soon as possible; he's been causing some riots there and it's really getting on my nerves. I assume you agree, Spider."

Yamato rolled his eyes and took a seat next to Reina. "Cut the crap, boss. I think the Spider will be pointing her ends of those legs towards us if we don't hurry it up. And don't mind me, but I'd like to be kept away from those venomous knives," he winked at Reina who shot him an unamused glare and turned away.

"Alright then, here's the deal." He spread out a piece of blank paper. "What we all want-" Hikado quickly scribbled something down in the middle of the page and circled it hastily. "Defeat Uzuki - why? - Because he's taking my men and he's causing riots in my town. Oh, and also because he's..." He looked up at Reina. "Why do you want him dead again?"

She scowled. "It doesn't matter. Your reasons can stand alone," she nodded at the paper, "Keep going." Reina could barely read his writing, let alone understand them; but she knew that he was doing something. And that was better than what she'd been doing all this time.

"Okay then. Next: how? I say we take out my men first."

"Take out your men? Hika-san? Are you sure?" Yamato asked cautiously.

Reina nodded gravely. "Hika-san is right. They are the only thing that brings Uzuki up to your level of skill and strength. Without them, Uzuki's whole group is weaker and we have more of a chance. What's difficult is figuring out how to take them out. As long as Hikado's superhuman serum works, they stay the strongest in the league," she quickly explained. Working like this; it felt like her own thoughts were speaking in the mouths of other people. Like a live session of thought-sorting, something she did often.

"Yes. Okay," Hikado grinned sheepishly, "Though I'm afraid I can't help in that. No matter how much I try, I haven't found a way to override my serum. You might have to handle that, Spider."

She glared at him. "And I always thought you were the greatest scientist. Guess you lied to everyone," she sneered. He merely shrugged. "Fine. I'll do it. Not like I can't anyway."

"Great. I was thinking we ambush them. First, with your remaining most loyal guys, Hikado, and then the Spider jumps in and quickly uses her legs-" Yamato punched his hands in the air vigorously, "And takes them all out one by one! What do you think?"

Reina glanced at Hikado. Usually, he'd always been the one in charge of the planning and strategy. All by himself. She was surprised she and Yamato had been let in at all. "Hika-san?" Another thing she was surprised about; Hikado wasn't saying a peep about the whole 'Hika-san' ordeal.

"I was thinking that too. Then, we can use them to track back to Uzuki. They always carry a device. I know it," he said seriously. "After that, we take out Uzuki. I can easily create a poison for that. All you guys will have to do is get it on him."

Poison... Somehow the word still gives me shivers, she thought, slightly shivering. Then she stopped. "Wait, I have to work with this guy? No no no. I only agreed to help defeat Uzuki. And that's on my own. You can help me with the first bit, but that's all. I'm a lone wolf," she protested angrily.

"Yeah. Working with the Spider seems kinda... I don't think I'm up to the job. Okay no, I'll be honest. You seem like a prick to work with. No offense," he added.

"None taken."

Hikado laughed. "No. I want my daughter and my son to work together. It's like we're a whole family, right?! This will be fun!"

Reina and Yamato stared at each other, and then glared at their 'father'. Reina had never experienced much about having a parent, but Hikado was probably the perfect presentation of an embarrassing dad. One that everyone hated too. "Don't make it weird," she muttered exasperatedly as she pushed her chair out and walked out of the room.

"I agree," Yamato nodded and also left.

"Oh, come on kids! Anyway, I'll see to the preparations! You guys just... chill or something!" But minutes later, a smile turned up on his face.

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Tetsuki was unusally quiet, but he was not the only one. Hozuki's eyes flitted over to the pair, who sat opposite the other on her right. It was not the unshakiness or the worry that was in them, rather the determination and a feeling of strong regret. It confused her, that even Chika was not the normal chaotic person she knew.

When break time finally came around, she stood up from her wooden chair and turned to the pair. They were eating their food, talking like normal, but there was something different. "Kudo-kun. Takaoka-kun. Are you guys alright?" It was all she could muster. She couldn't think of anything else to say.

Chika looked up at her with a serene face. "Yeah. Why? I mean, apart from our wounds and stuff. I would say we're still the same... Is something wrong with you?"

She shook her head. "No. That's not what I mean. You seem to... I don't know. A new resolve- Both of you seem to have a new resolve. You don't seem like the usual nervous boys I saw for the past few weeks."

Tetsuki smiled. "I guess you could call it that."

She paused. "What is it?" Hozuki asked, stuttering with a blush on her face.

Chika glanced at Tetsuki for permission. He nodded and Chika explained the whole situation. Starting from the night time visits Tetsuki shared with the Spider, up until the whole fight in front of Tetsuki's house. Tetsuki knew that if Chika trusted this girl, he did too.

Hozuki seemed to take the news quite well, not showing any signs of surprise. "I see, so that's what has happened."

"Yeah. We've no idea what to do. She hasn't come by for a long time and- I'll forever be restless if I can't see her," Chika said infuriatingly.

Hozuki nodded and folded her arms, thinking. "Thank you for telling me this. I was seriously worried for both of you, with everything you'd gone through. But I think I may have a solution: we track her down."

"What? Like some kind of sniffer dog or something?" Tetsuki asked dumbfoundedly.

Hozuki shook her head and lowered her voice, cautious of those around her. "Kudo-kun here probably knows a bit about the Spider; her locations and history. If we can triangulate her usual hotspots, you can meet up with her there and do what you need to."

The dark haired boy rubbed his chin. "I understand why Chika trusts you now; you're perceptive. I like it. I say we do it. What do you think, Chika?"

Chika nodded gravely. "It feels like we're prying into her business like this. But if she feels as strongly as we do, this is something we have to do. I'm in."

"Yes, I have to do this," Tetsuki agreed.

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That night, when Chika finally got home from the tiring day at school, the club, the after-club and Tetsuki's house - he didn't stay over that night - he unlocked the door to Isaki's apartment and closed the door behind him, clicking on the lights.

As he moved to take a shower, muttering something about stinking like Tetsuki's socks, he felt something against his feet. Chika peered over his toes to see a rolled up piece of paper along with a sticky note. He picked it up and quickly skimmed over the note.

Oi, Chika. I'm out with my friends. But I was cleaning out the house when I found this. It's something from the old man. To you. I didn't read it don't worry. I don't peek at my old man's stuff but you read it. It's for you after all. Anyway, I'll be back by ten. Can't have you alone in my house for the night.

Chika rolled his eyes and peeled the note from the roll of paper. His eyes scanned his grandfather's writing and then widened his eyes. "What?"

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FAMILY