A Secret

It's been roughly over 2 weeks since I've first started working at my new job and I've just received my paycheck in the mail. Or at least that's what I think this letter addressed to me is. Can't tell who the sender is. It kind of looks like there's money in here if I just tilt it to the light. Let's see what's inside.

31,392 yen.

Wait a minute. If I earn 1090 yen an hour and I work 8 hours a day, 2 days a week, shouldn't my pay be-

Oh, there's a receipt here. Ah, I see. So that's why. Heh, completely forgot about this. Well it's not that bad I guess.

Hmm. Seeing that today's the day summer break starts, maybe i should treat myself. Heh, perhaps I'll call over my friends. There's gotta be something special I can do for today, this week I guess.

Ring ring

"Pachiko-san!"

"Aoi!"

"It's been a while since we've hung out together. Do you want to hang out in the Eastside shopping center?"

"Ah, actually I was planning on going to the recently opened Aquarium."

"That sounds nice."

"Yeah, I've heard there's this exhibition and I want to see it. Want to come along?"

"Sure, why not."

Hmm. Mom and dad are still sleeping, and so is Nataka. I think I'll just leave them a note telling them where I'll be.

Let's see..

Yeah, this will do.

Log 0440

"Ahahaha! Did you see that?"
"Yeah, the way that little otter played with that volleyball was amusing,"

"Adorable."

"I know, right? Say, want to head over to that park over there?"
"I'm game."

The aquarium was AMAZING! Where do I even begin, how does she even manage to find such places like these? Hmm. I appear to be hungry.

"Is that your breakfast?"

"Yeah, want some?"

"Nah, I think I'll just grab a bite from that food stand instead."

Man, looking at the birds in the skies makes me feel so alive, So free, and eating this tori bento really hits the spot. Personally I like fried food but I have to be careful with all that grease. Hm, maybe after this I'll lie down and enjoy the flowers, feel the breeze on my shoulders, ah, here she comes.

"Thanks."

"Yeah, I knew you would want one."

Smells real nice, though is that fish I smell?

"Well this is a surprise."

"Like it? The vendor dude said it was fried fish teriyaki."

"Yeah, I do. Well, I like any sort of fried food."

"If you like this, I know a place where we can get more."

"Ahaha, I think I'll pass."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, with all that grease, who knows how it will impact my complexion."

"I thought you generally didn't focus on things like that."

"Well, I just want to stay healthy."

"Oh come on, there's nothing wrong with indulging yourself every once in a while. You should learn to relax more often, have fun, be free."

She's right, there's nothing wrong with having fun once in a while. Personally I very much enjoy eating fried food, but that grease, ugh. I just wish I could indulge myself without having to worry about the potential health repercussions.

Log 0923

"Let's go to the carnival next, Pachiko!"

"Uh, I think I'll pass."

"Oh come on! It will be fun."

"But the clowns-"

Right, I forgot. Pachiko-san has a morbid fear of clowns.

"It's alright. We don't have to meet the clowns if you don't want to."

The carnival is just 3 blocks to the east of the recently opened aquarium, and let me tell you I just love the acrobatics. Like, aside from watching the birds fly in the sky, or engage in watching a baseball game, watching the performances in the carnival really gets my spirits going. Why, it was at one point during my avenues to the local carnivals that I met my 3rd friend who to this day I would consider to be my b-

Who pushed me?!

Pachiko-san? But why?

Oh-

OH MY FUCKING GOD IS THAT A KNIFE I SEE?!

"Pachiko-san! Wha- what do I do?"

Crap, crap, crap. She's bleeding- no, who am I kidding. Oh god. She feels so cold. She's- she's dead.

"Fuck, I missed. I won't miss the next time."

Pachiko's killer is still here- wait. Do I know her?

"Stop moving you fucking twit. You stupid bitch! Do you have any fucking ideal what you asswipe did to me?"

She- means to kill me. I have to get out of here. Wait. Where did the wall of people come from? Oh, shit. They look like they're-

"Don't even think of running, you little snitch. Now I'll make you feel the same pain you caused me."

"If I did something to offend you, I apologize. But I don't even know who you are."

'Figures ya stinking ass wouldn't know who I am. But I know who you are, Nishi. Ever since I got suspended my life has been a living hell!"

"You. You're Hina."

"Aw, it's about fucking time you remembered it."

"So that's what this is. Revenge? Heh, well you're going to have pick up the pace if you want to kill me."

"Hey boss. Why do we have to kill her?"

"Yeah, she's pretty. I think we could make quite a fortunate selling her off to a high paying bidder."

"Shut up! She's mine and I'll make sure she pays for her crimes against me with her life."

"Understood, boss."

I'm trapped. Heh, I am literally trapped. They say that when someone wants to fight you, flee. But how am I supposed to flee when all of my escape routes have been cut off? Call for help? That's laughable. She may be their leader, but I'm sure none of them want to get caught.

"Stay still, you shitstain!"

She's fast, but I'm faster.

"Ow! You piece of- gah!"

Heh, 1st rule of combat. Never give your opponent the opportunity to rest or recover. How does she not even know that?

"Is she beating the boss?"

"Yeah man. How is she doing that?"
"Yo, she's like been wielding and typing in that notepad of hers."
"It's crazy right?"

A kick to my left, a stab to the chest from my right. Heh, she's easy to predict. Now I'll counter and whack her head with this! And a kick up the groin with that! Finally-

Wait.

Why did she snap her fingers like that? Oh no.. her goons. That must be the sign for them to finish the job. I- I can't handle such a large crowd of hooligans. They're- I'm going to die. Oh god, oh god, oh god! No! I don't want to die! There's so much I want to accomplish in my life, there's so much I want to experience. I can't die here! My friends, my family, I will never see them again, no. That can't be it.

Someone, save me.

"Heheh. It amazes me you're still able to type while getting the shit beaten out of you. Hilarious. Maybe you should beg, no? You know? Come to think of it, I think the boys have a point after all. You are a pretty girl and I know a couple of clients who would very much love to spend some quality time with a pretty face such as yourself. It would be quite the fortunate for us. Still, I cannot let your sins against me go unpunished, so that is why I am going to have my boys methodically beat the ever living shit out of you until you expire. Then, once you can no longer move, I think I'll harvest a couple of organs. I'm sure you're spleen would sell for-

"That is enough."

Yona? What is he doing here? What's going on? Are those police officers?

"Drop your weapons, we have you surrounded."

"Hmph. Kill her."

I- I don't even know what's going on anymore. My eyes, I feel they are closing. I think I'll just log this one.

Log 1020

It has now been 2 weeks since I was jumped by Hina and her gang and I've been making some progress on my recovery. My ankles are still broken though and I'm having hard time breathing. Kinda difficult when your diaphragm has been slightly fractured. As for my notepad, well the court has decided that since it was used during my fight with Hina, it's considered to be evidence for the court. I don't quite understand the whole concept myself, but apparently I'm being put on trial, is what my attorney tells me. He says he thinks there's hardly a case against me, but I could face some jail time depending on whether or not the court find my actions in line with the procedure for self-defense. So right now I am borrowing a close friend's notepad.

"How's it going, Aoi?"

Yona. I remembered him. Just when I was about to pass out of consciousness, he showed up with a bunch of police officers and saved me from a fatal fate. Intelligent. Not only is he good at sports but he's also fairly intelligent. I don't know if I could ever match his standards. Heh, look at me right now. I look pathetic.

"Try to take it easy, Aoi. We don't want you to overexert yourself. Here, I've brought you an autograph from that pitcher you wanted."

Heheh, how sweet.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

"No, I'm fine. By the way-"

"Yes?"

"How did you know I was in trouble?"

"Oh, a little girl told me."
"A little girl?"

"Yeah, she was pretty malnourished and visibly near the point of collapse but she had found me and managed to tell me everything."

"Everything?"

"Yeah, apparently she had run off from a local street gang that was using her to defraud the local population and one of their group leaders had a grudge against some girl. She remembered this girl having fed her a spicy fried curry chicken sandwich 2 weeks ago."

Did I help someone?

"Is she alright?"

"We're currently looking to put her up for adoption, but there's still a bit of paperwork to tredge through."

"Please send her my regards."

"Will do, oh and one more thing."

"Yes, Yona?"

"How would you feel about working as an investigation agent?"

"A what now? Come on. You can't be serious.

"I am and based off of my observations, I think you'll make a good agent."

Wait. Is he for real?

"I've seen how well you can fight while restricting your hand movements. Being able to use a notepad while fighting competently is nothing to scoff at. Besides, you have keen eye for details, something the Organization desperately needs."

"But, would your employers agree? I mean, I'm just an ordinary teenage girl."

"You're more than just ordinary Aoi. You're exceptional. Please. Help me. I can't think of anyone more valuable than you."

He.. he needs me.

"I- I have to think about this."

"Take your time."

Heheh. Wow, so this is it. Who knew my crush was secretly an investigation agent. He amazes me more even now.

"Hey Yona."

"Yes?"

"May I ask you something?"

"Shoot."

"Do you mind if we, like hang out or something after this?"
"Are you talking about a date?"

"N-no. That's not what I-"

"You don't need to hide it."

"So you knew."
"Well, I had a hunch. I guess I can. There's nothing against company protocols saying I can't form personal relationships with my peers."

"Heheh. See you soon, senpai."