On the next shiny day was the day she couldn't go to school. While Sakurako is happy with the concept, she also feels a little dismayed that she doesn't get to see her friends for quite a while at school. And then there are the lessons she needs to catch up with. By this point, Sakurako would be much more content with getting extra homework from school than she is receiving more notes to write. At least the bed is comfortable for her if she needs to sit up to write something.
Her sisters and mother have stayed by her side since yesterday to the point that her family slept at the hospital to accompany her. None of them are willing to return home, work, or even go to school to study. Sakurako had pointed this out, but they refused her words. After what had happened, Sakurako thought to herself that it might be wise not to push that point further. Until she recovered, that is.
Sakurako shifts her head around her comfortable pillow to look at her family. Hanako is still sleeping in her chair next to her bed, resting her arms and head over Sakurako's bed. The mother is half sleepy, sitting beside her head bed, supervising her daughter's condition. Nadeshiko sat next to the mother, occasionally checking her phone for texting with apparent concern over her face. There's nothing more rewarding than the silent harmony with her own family.
Yui and Kyouko returned home yesterday but promised they would visit Sakurako today. Aside from them, she's expecting Sumida and Shiba also to show up because she knows they'll be having questions about what had just crossed her mind on that very day of the incident. Sakurako reaches her hand over the wound on her stomach. It was still painful to touch; thankfully, it wasn't as bad as yesterday. The wound on her is exceptionally bearable as long as she doesn't stretch her neck too far or bend her neck too much over that wound.
Sakurako sighed heavily, catching her mother and eldest sister's attention. They both smile at her.
"Something's troubling you, Sakurako?" the mother commented.
"Nothing. Just still feel a little tired somehow," Sakurako replied. "When can I get out of the hospital again?"
"The doctor said it should be a couple of days," Nadeshiko responded, putting away her phone. "Does it still hurt?"
"Not that much," Sakurako replied. "Then again, not the first time I got shot."
"That's not reassuring, Sakurako," the mother responded grimly.
Sakurako looks over her sleeping youngest sister. "How long did Hanako sleep?"
"Should be three hours by now," Nadeshiko replied. "She hadn't gotten much sleep last night, you know?"
Sakurako leers her eyes at the two. "Is it alright, though? She's missing her school."
"Don't worry about it. Her school permits her to be absent for today," the mother assured her.
"What about you?" Sakurako asked toward Nadeshiko.
"I don't think the school won't mind me skipping school for today."
"You mean permitted to be absent for today," the mother corrected. "You didn't forget to write the letter, didn't you?"
"I will never forget that," Nadeshiko nodded. "Should be okay for today. I entrusted my friend to send it this morning."
"Good then."
Sakurako turns her head toward the ceiling with slight apprehension in mind. "I should be in school right now."
"You're still recovering, Sakurako," her mother pointed out.
"I know. It just feels weird not to be in school today."
"Huh, never thought I see you be concerned about school," Nadeshiko pointed out. "I half-expected that you'll be happy that you don't study today."
"I am. I'm just worried about what homework and notes I'll miss," Sakurako replied.
"Well, I heard your friends are coming over to visit," Nadeshiko replied. "So don't worry. They'll let you know what you missed."
"I hope so."
The door is swung open, and the entire amusement club and the student council members enter. The Oomuro Family greets them with delight as her friends stand surrounding Sakurako. They also take notice of the sleeping Hanako and make sure they don't speak so loudly. However, a certain blunette among them had Sakurako frowned. Himawari has no words as she looks at Sakurako on the hospital bed, recovering from what might've been a life-threatening wound.
Himawari slowly places her hands on her stomach. "My, Sakurako…."
"Ngh," Sakurako moaned uncomfortably. "Himawari. You're touching my gunshot wound."
"Oh! I'm sorry!" the blunette immediately retracted her hands. "I didn't realize…."
"Is it still hurt?" Akari asked, a little depressed at her condition.
"It's still bearable," Sakurako replied. "Onee-chan said that I can leave the hospital in a couple of days."
"I'm glad to hear that," Chitose formed a small smile.
"Kyouko told us what happened," Chinatsu told her. "We were a bit freaked out to hear you were almost killed. I'm glad to see you survived that."
"Must've been crazy being in a shootout like that," Ayano commented. "Like Indiana Jones kind of crazy."
"I don't know, Ayano-senpai," Sakurako shrugged slightly. "It's like dealing with those bullies, except I killed them."
"You don't have to provide us with a grim comparison, Sakurako," Yui shed a sweat.
"Still, that was kind of badass back there," Kyouko commented. "I don't think I wanna know how you pulled that off."
"Badass?" the mother asked in bewilderment. "She almost shot Hanako."
"Ah, right…," Kyouko trailed off, somehow retaining her false smile. "Except that."
"There was a robber who tried to shoot back-"
"I know, I know. I saw it back then."
All her friends had a dismayed look on their faces; even after Kyouko mentioned that part back at school, it still didn't make it any better.
Himawari takes a deep breath before handing out an item. "By the way, I have something for you."
"Hm?" Sakurako opened the lunchbox. "Oh. Isobe Fries. Thank you, Hima-chan."
Himawari looks away with a fist placed on her chest. "You're welcome, Saa-chan."
The door is heard open again, and three more people enter. Sumida and her female officer colleague, and George, are present. Of course, they seem to not expect the girls to be here.
"Wow, that's a lot of you," Sumida commented with a whistle.
"Sumida-san," Sakurako greeted. "Ohayou."
"Ohayou."
Sakurako then looks over at the black man. "George."
"Ms. Oomuro."
"Where's Shiba-san?"
"She cannot come, I'm afraid," George replied. "She has a tight schedule for today."
Sakurako frowns before eating one of the fries. "I see…."
"Oh, and here," George handed her a small bouquet. "I bought it from the flower shop. I hope it's to your liking."
"Thank you, George," Sakurako sniffed the cherry blossom bouquet.
"Em-hm," Sumida's colleague cleared her throat. "Sorry to bother you all, but we would like to ask a few questions regarding that incident."
"Sumida-san, can this wait?" Himawari asked with little resentment. "Sakurako is still-"
"It's fine."
Sakurako's reply surprised everyone, though her mother dissented against that. "Sakurako, you're still recovering. I don't think you're well enough to-"
"It's fine, okaa-chan. It's a part of her job. Let's just get this over with."
Sumida nods with a smile. "Very well then."
George is kind enough to grab a chair for the detective to sit on. Once the girls give room for the detective, she sets out a notebook and a pen. Before the detective began to write, she had noticed Sakurako's little sister still sleeping on the right side of the bed.
"She's tired?" Sumida asked.
"She barely got any sleep since last night," Nadeshiko answered.
"I see," Sumida clicked her pen. "Okay, Sakurako, I need to hear your version of the story. How did it all go down at COCOdeS?"
Sakurako takes a deep breath. "We were having a meal there with my family. Kyouko and Yui were also there to eat; they sat in the middle aisle across from our table. As we were eating, I noticed a car hastily parked outside and saw about four men in jackets standing out of the car. I already knew they were suspicious from the way they quickly got out of the car, and they then wore their masks on before entering the cafe with pistols ready."
"Sorry, they wore their masks after leaving the car?"
"Yes, they did."
"Pfft, so they were amateurs. Continue on."
"Well… the robbers then began to demand money from the cashier. Everyone, including my family, Kyouko, and Yui, raised their hands as the robbers ordered. One of them said that they would shoot anyone who tried to call the police. I remember there was a woman who was caught almost calling the police and taking her phone away."
"Was that woman you mentioned sitting in the third aisle?"
"Yes. While everyone was scared and the robbers did their thing, I continued eating my food."
Sumida stares blankly into her note before lifting her head. "I'm sorry. You're saying you didn't raise your hands up?"
"I know it's stupid, but I just couldn't care less about the robbery, and I was still drained to even care about that."
Sumida furrows her eyebrows. "How do you mean you're tired?"
"I… had an argument with Himawari and Misaka the day before that incident."
Himawari widens her eyes at her words and slightly shifts uncomfortably from the bed. Nadeshiko and the mother almost noticeably restrain themselves from shifting their eyes too much. Sumida leans her head back with a raised eyebrow.
"What's that argument all about?"
"It… it was nothing. It was something childish."
Sakurako could notice Himawari silently sighing with her eyes closed before she continued on with her tale. "My sisters and mother kept telling me to do what the robbers say, but I ignored it. Why would a robber bother a girl who's just eating her food? But then one of them called for me, demanding me to stand up. He then mocked my mother with… the 'b-word.'"
"Okay, go on."
"I retorted at the robber not to call her that, but he then mocked me as well. Then he asked me to raise my hands in the air. Then I said, 'no thanks, I just want to continue on my meal.'"
Sumida and her partner stare blankly at the blonde. The girls around stared in dismay, Ayano even facepalmed. George shakes his head, but his raised eyebrows are visible to see. "You starting to sound exactly what my lieutenant would do."
"Really?" Sakurako asked.
"Yes, ma'am. Except he didn't get shot."
"Lucky him," she responded with a smile.
"But in your case, Ms. Oomuro. You're just too reckless."
"And asinine," her mother sighed.
Sumida awkwardly bobs her head. "Please continue on."
"The robber then asked me if I wanted to get shot," Sakurako continued. "Then I asked back why he asked me that. I thought he wanted to rob the café. Then I told him that I was sorry that I was too tired to care about that and excused myself to eat. He then told me not to worry because he's already tired of me too. Then, he shot me here."
"I see. I assumed you were unconscious during that moment?"
"Just barely. It got me off-guard, and I had no choice but to pretend to be dead. I could hear mother, Hanako, and Yui were crying because I died."
"Barely? I dunno how you could survive something like that," Yui gripped hard on the edge of her bed. "Do you realize how furious I was back there? I can't take it that they killed you."
"I know. I'm sorry for that."
"Sakurako, please continue," Sumida reminded.
"Right. As I lay there, I opened my eyes just a little bit to see if the robber was distracted, then I quickly and quietly snuck off to the very back of the café and hid there for a moment to think about how to defeat the robbers."
"Not to call the police?"
"I didn't bring the phone with me."
"Now, here's another thing I find odd before you continue. Yui mentioned that she, Kyouko, and your family could still see you, and I doubt anyone beyond them wouldn't miss you. How did you disappear like that without any of them knowing?"
"Well… there's a book I borrowed from Chizuru titled, 'Ninja 101.' I learned how to sneak around thanks to that book."
"Oh, that book," Chitose placed a hand on her chin.
"You know that book?" Sumida asked.
"She bought that book a couple of months ago so she can learn how to be invisible like a thief, with little fruition," Chitose answered. "When I asked my sister about it, she told me that Sakurako borrowed it a few days before Christmas Day."
"And you learned that in a few weeks?" Kyouko asked. "Wow, that's just good."
"I see…," Sumida nodded. "Continue on."
"Well… I got the idea of grabbing one of their guns and using it against them. So I looked around for a weapon, and I found a sharp pencil on a nearby empty table. I then readied myself and charged at that robber in the third aisle. I kicked the back of his knee before stabbing him in the neck."
The girls could never get over that Sakurako killed someone with a pencil. George raises his sunglasses with a morbid look. Of course, it was somewhat surprising for Sakurako to see Sumida's police partner be frightened by her recount.
"So that's where the pencil came from," Sumida's face remained inexpressive. "Continue."
"I grabbed his gun and then shot the robber near the cashier, and then the robber who shot me as he tried to run but fell against the counter. Then I chased down the last one, but he managed to shoot out the gun from my hands before my neck got shot. But… I was still very angry at that time, so… I grabbed another gun from the robber near the cashier and ran out to find him about to start the car. Then I shot him, about six times, I think… before I could calm down."
Sumida takes a deep breath with her eyes closed for a moment before she proceeds. "After that?"
"I kind of finally realized of my surroundings and found everyone in the café was pretty scared of what I did than they were with the robbers, from what I see. I returned inside to calm my family down, and Hanako back then rushed to hug me. Though, I immediately noticed that the robber who shot me back then was still alive and aimed his gun at us. Out of instinct, I raised my gun next to Hanako's head and shot him dead. When I realized Hanako was too scared and about to break down, I dropped the gun and hugged her, and kept telling her not to look and assuring her that everything was fine."
She told the aftermath of the event to the point where she's been evacuated to this hospital. Sumida then asks again.
"This is just out of curiosity, but did you learn to shoot that well because of that SWAT game, Knock-Knock?"
"That, I played with my airsoft shotgun, and I watched a few videos from America where they teach people how to shoot a gun."
"You really are a gun nut, huh?" Sumida asked with a small smile. "Guess I shouldn't be surprised."
"Am I going to be arrested?" Sakurako suddenly asked.
"No, don't worry. You were defending yourself, your family, and other people," Sumida replied. "The guys at the top probably wouldn't believe it, but I assure you, you did what was right."
"I see…."
Sumida frowns at Sakurako's depressed eyes. "Are you feeling guilty for killing them?"
Sakurako looks up at her friends and her family for a moment before she bows. "It was necessary."
Her mother is visibly uncomfortable with such vagueness. However, Sumida parts her lips for a moment, then nods. "I understand."
Sumida pockets her notebook and then stands up. "Alright, we're done here. We'll be returning to the station and writing up a report. I appreciate your help, Sakurako."
"No problem."
"Get well soon, Sakurako. Let me know if you got out of the hospital. I'll see you later."
"You too, Sumida-san."
With that, the officers leave the room that is now full of discompose. The tension was broken by the sound of Sakurako munching on an Isobe fry, unbothered by the awkward silence that surrounded her. Sakurako looks up to George.
"How's Shiba doing?"
"Well, you know, a bit frustrated just like usual," George replied. "Assuming that she skipped tea time."
"And Maru?"
"He's currently doing a delivery job right now. At least we won't have to hear him running his mouth."
Sakurako stares with confusion. "He can run on his mouth?"
The girls and her family awkwardly wince their eyes and tilt their heads. "He's saying that we won't have to hear him talking that rude," Yui immediately explained.
"Oh, okay. Do you think Maru will have another overseas trip?" Sakurako asked.
"I hope so, probably to China again," George answered.
"Why China?"
"Let's just say there's someone in that country who would cut his head off for causing some stupid accident."
"Erm, that sounds quite scary," Akari shed a sweat.
"You don't want to know the half of it, Ms. Akaza."
"So, did you come here after a job?" Sakurako asked.
"It's my day off."
"I didn't expect that," Nadeshiko commented. "What does an American usually do during his day off?"
"For me. Taking a walk around town, going to the gym, bowling. A bit of a shame, though, that it's tough to do hunting around this town."
"You hunt animals back in America?" Chinatsu asked.
"Yeah. Deer, boar, bird, hell, we even hunted a bear back then," George replied. "Fun old times."
"Woah, sounds fun!" Kyouko asked in awe.
"How did you even take down a bear?" Chitose asked curiously. "Isn't it hard to kill one?"
"Well, well, now I remember I have a story to tell you about that," George looked at Sakurako. "Would you like to hear it too, Ms. Oomuro?"
"I love to," Sakurako nodded.
The girls and the family circle around as George tells his tale of his hunt for a bear with a brother of his. His descriptions surrounding the hunting area, the forest, and the lodge, are simple but detailed. And it is clear that George favored a rifle for hunting while his brother favored a shotgun using slug shells, a point of detail that Yui understood thanks to Knock-Knock. Apparently, they were at first planning to just stick hunting a deer when a game warden came over to warn about a rabid bear lurking around the area. George says explicitly that the bear in question was a grizzly bear, the most dangerous beast just below a polar bear.
His tale goes from a typical daily walk into the forest into sudden suspense, hearing a growl in the distance. At that moment, George and his brother split up to get around the bear, which is too risky to consider in this part of the story, in Himawari's and Ayano's opinion. Thankfully, his tale didn't come out like a silly Hollywood horror movie, and he told them that he saw the rabid bear in a clearing, with his brother hiding just on the other side of the clearing. At the sight of the beast, George and his brother wordlessly agreed to neutralize it for the sake of other hunters' safety.
From there, he told them how they both fired upon the bear, shooting it from both sides to confuse the rabid bear. After a while, one of their shots managed to incapacitate it and put it down for good. Afterward, they let the wardens know about the rabid bear and were given a bounty for a job well done. The girls and the family were well content and amazed by his retelling, occasionally asking him questions about guns, the rules of hunting back there, and how it felt back in that hunting ground. Overall, it was a fun story to listen to, and it seems Kyouko is more or less excited that she adores this story more than other children's tales.
The girls chat along with George and the Oomuro Family. After half an hour or so spent, it is time for the girls and George to return home. Himawari, however, stays behind to look over Sakurako as well. The visitors bid farewell and wished for Sakurako to get well soon. Himawari finally sits down on Sakurako's left head bed. Now the room met with silence once more, though Nadeshiko and the mother look on toward the blunette. Sakurako barely turned her head at her childhood friend, breathing out raggedly as she barely placed a hand on her stomach.
"Why did you have to be here?"
The blunette turns at her sudden question. "What kind of question is that? I'm so worried about you! Why wouldn't I want to check up on you?"
Sakurako winces her eyes, drifting her eyes towards the blunette. "Weren't you scared of me?"
"I-" Himawari halted, then looked away. "That doesn't matter. I should've come sooner after hearing what had happened yesterday. I couldn't…."
Himawari takes a deep breath, which almost sounds like a sniff. "I couldn't even sleep last night just thinking how are you faring until now."
The second sister wearily turns at the blunette before munching the final Isobe fry. "You don't have to worry about me that much."
"This is not something you can just shrug off!" the blunette lectured. "You've been shot, Sakurako. Do you not realize how high the chances are for you to die?!"
"I know the risk," Sakurako responded. "But that's one more thing I can tick off on my bucket list."
"Sakurako. Don't say such things so lightly like that," Nadeshiko crossed her arms and sighed. "It's a darn miracle you could make it out from that."
"Just promise me you would never do something like that again, honey," the mother told her.
Sakurako turns at her mother. "I'll try-"
"No, don't say that. Can you promise me or not?"
Sakurako observes her mother's sharp and insecure eyes before replying with a small smile. "I promise."
The mother merely nods and then leans against her seat. From this point, Hanako finally wakes up, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she notices the blunette across her. Hanako flashes a smile at her presence.
"Oh, you're here," she stated.
"You must've been so tired to be sleeping like that," Himawari stated.
Hanako sighs out her fatigue. "I can't stop worrying onee-chan since last night."
"Don't worry, Hanako," Sakurako assured her. "I'll fully recover in a couple of days."
"Was that what the doctor said?"
"Pretty much," the mother replied.
"How long did I sleep?"
"Almost four hours by now," Nadeshiko answered. "Her friends had come over. George-san and Sumida-san were here as well."
"What?" Hanako leaned her head at her. "Why didn't you wake me up?"
"You still look tired, to be honest, so we didn't wake you up," Sakurako answered softly. "You looked adorable, though."
"Onee-chan…," Hanako pouted, looking away with a red tinge on her cheeks.
"That reminds me," Sakurako turned toward the blunette. "Is there any new homework or notes back at school?"
"Ah, yes, we have two new homework. Math and kanji," Himawari replied. "As for notes, there are at least two papers of notes Nishigaki-sensei gave us and about one and a half papers of notes for math."
"Okay," Sakurako nodded. "How long are the homework?"
"Short, I think. We can work on it when you feel up for it."
"Alright."
As they are about to speak something else, the door opens, and they sight upon their new guests. To Sakurako's surprise, Misaka, Furoda, and Saoki are visiting her. Even seeing their smiles, Sakurako can notice that Misaka had immediately widened her eyes and curved her mouth downward upon seeing the blunette. Hostility was expected from both of them. Oddly, she doesn't feel such a thing from either of them.
"Ohayou," Furoda greeted.
"Ohayou," the mother greeted. "It's great to see you're able to visit."
"We came as soon as we could," Saoki responded, correcting her glasses. "Kyouko gave us quite a fright when she told us Sakurako was shot."
"I truly hope my predicament didn't force you to miss your lessons," Sakurako spoke with a somber voice.
"Don't worry. Our school day was already over before we came here," Misaka responded, the Nagibara group approached her bed. "Em… how are you faring?"
Sakurako shakes her head. "Like a walking dead girl."
"Saku onee-chan, don't say that!" Hanako retorted. "It sounds as if you wanted to die."
"Sorry, I'm just a little tired," Sakurako straightened her head on the pillow.
Misaka then, hesitantly, hands over a glass bottle to her. "I brought a tea for you. Mom said she used hibiscus flowers she grew in the yard to brew it."
"Oh? Interesting," Sakurako took a sip, immediately winced her eyes, and jolted her tongue a bit. "Is it supposed to be this sour?"
"A little," Misaka answered. "Dunno why my mom liked it, though."
"Thanks, anyway, Misaka."
Misaka nods. Though, she still bows her head, biting her lips with uncertainty about her next decision. "Erm…. Sakurako."
The recovering blonde awaits her words, and she frowns a little.
"I… I want to talk about that day…."
"…. So that's how it is," Sakurako looked over to the blunette, who was hesitant but agreed with Misaka through a nod.
The mother, Nadeshiko, and Hanako only stare at the second sister with a sense of doubt when Sakurako turns at them. "Mom, onee-chan, Hanako. Can you wait outside for a moment?"
The mother sighs. "Alright. Call us when you're done. Let's go, Hanako."
Sakurako's family discreetly left the room, and now they are a bit more comfortable discussing their personal problem.
"Sakurako… I just want to say that… I'm sorry for starting a fight in your home. For making you angry because of my selfishness."
Himawari places a fist on her chest. "As do I. I deeply apologize for offending you in such a way for the reason that my own egoism took hold to win your heart."
Sakurako remains silent for a moment. "…. I know. I'm glad you could say it to me face-to-face. I'm sorry too for attempting to murder you."
Furoda and Saoki, who are only listening at this moment, had slightly shaken at the blonde's words. But it seems Misaka had already informed them what happened during that day.
"I assume you both have made up to each other?" Sakurako raised an eyebrow.
"We have, after we left your home," Himawari answered. "We both… discussed a few things in regard to yourself. Since the both of us loved you…."
Misaka clasps her hands together. "Are you willing to love both of us… equally, f-for a while, at least?"
For once, Sakurako smiles brightly at her proposition. "I'm very willing, Misaka-chan."
The blunette and the dark purplette look at each other in the eyes, each with a reassuring smile. Furoda and Saoki are so heartfelt by the agreement that the tension surrounding them immediately dissipates. Misaka placed her hands on her bed and though she smiled, is one of almost sorrow.
"Funny, I rested on a hospital bed before," Misaka looked up to her loved blonde. "It's kinda weird to see you now resting here as if you are taking my place after what happened at the store."
Sakurako immediately stares sharply at her, though Misaka continues. "Relax. I told Himawari what had happened at Bakimaru Store. I thought she deserved to know the truth."
The blonde Oomuro takes a deep breath before sipping the tea once again. "I guess you're right."
"Why haven't you told us about it-" Himawari was about to ask.
"Stop. Can we not talk about it, please?" Sakurako almost whispered, her cheeks and her eyebrows strained.
"…" Himawari paused for a moment, then a nod. "Another time then."
"So…" Furoda awkwardly began. "Your family doesn't know about this?"
Sakurako shakes her head, to which Furoda replies. "I understand."
Sakurako takes another deep breath before speaking. "Please tell okaa-chan they can come in now."
"Right away," Saoki responded.
After she calls the family back in, the mother asks them. "I assume you girls managed to solve things out?"
"That we did," Himawari nodded. "Thank you for giving us some space."
"No problem," Nadeshiko replied. "It seems we don't have to worry about seeing you starting another fight in the future."
"Still…. Sakurako," Misaka looked back at the recovering Oomuro. "Don't go risking yourself like that ever again."
"But I was angry back there," Sakurako explained.
"I know. But that's still stupid. You already made a lot of people scared to death. I don't want you to end up badly wounded as I did. Heeh…."
Misaka sniffs a little, wiping what little tear that comes out from the corner of her eyes. "Never do it again, Saa-chan. You'll also hurt Himawari's heart if she has to see you like this again."
Sakurako keeps her flat smile, then replies. "I'll do my best."
"You better be, onee-chan," Hanako added with a cute pout.
Sakurako then smiles, rubbing her little sister's head. As if she remembered something, Sakurako looks back at her dual loved ones.
"Himawari, Misaka. Can you come closer?"
"Huh?" Himawari let out, staring at the confused purplette before they leaned close toward her.
Misaka awkwardly begins. "W-well, is this close-"
Sakurako kisses her cheek in a split second, and then Himawari's. They were caught so off-guard that they were speechless, and to be witnessed by both the Oomuro family and their friends makes it more problematic for them to cover up their embarrassment. Not a single break was given for them both to think of something when Sakurako immediately hugged them both as tight as ever. The mother smiled but covered her mouth while the sisters deadpanned at their sister's boldness. Saoki awkwardly smiles, looking away and sporting the same strawberry color on her cheek.
*CK-KLIK*
Furoda, on her giddiness, decided it was the best time to photograph them.
"W-wha-did you just take a picture of us?!" Misaka asked immediately.
"Please, delete that photo!" Himawari begged through the shame.
"Why would I delete this? It's so cute!" Furoda responded mischievously.
"No, please, delete that photo!" Himawari begged again.
"You delete that, or I'll walk over there myself!" Misaka demanded
"Come and try, Misaka-chi!" Furoda playfully dared.
It seems Sakurako can finally enjoy a good evening after all.
17:00 PM. Swallow's Den Hotel. Horikayawamachi District.
As the man scratches his scarred cheek, he reviews over the plan with one of his men. It is regarding upgrading a couple of large rooms, one functioning as a money laundering site, the other functioning as a drug factory.
"This is all we need?" Sashiga asked, looking over the note covering the price list and equipment needed for renovation.
"Yeah, the machine for the laundering is gonna runnin' late, though."
"For how long?"
"The machine's coming in about a few days. They'll holler at us when that thing reaches the city. For the rest of these items, we can get 'em set up tonight. We can start making narcs tomorrow afternoon at full capacity. But we still gonna need couriers to send these things out without raising any eyebrows."
"You already took care of the owner of the hotel?"
"We managed to come to an 'agreement' with him. You won't be having any problem with him."
"Great then, you keep doing your job and get this thing sorted out."
"You got it, boss."
As his henchman leaves the room, another one steps in and calls for him. "'Ey, Sashiga, there's something you need to see."
"What is it? Don't you have anything else to do?"
"There's this news about a blonde kid that killed a bunch of robbers."
Sashiga leans his head at him with strained eyes. "Show me."
The man shows to another room with a large TV in it. Sashiga had paid half attention to it, knowing it happened during a robbery at some café yesterday. However, as the reporter explains the event, he starts to be fixed on the event, particularly the sight of a certain blonde girl in a CCTV taking the initiative to kill a bunch of those robbers with slight ease until she lies on the ground. Another camera angle comes up, and finally, he can see the uniqueness of her face and hair.
"You said we're lookin' for a specific blonde, right?" his man asked. "D'ya think she fits the bill?"
"…. Maybe…. Looks like we don't have to look far after all. But we need to be sure first," Sashiga answered. "Sakurako, was it?"
"Yeah."
"What was her full name again?"
"Dunno, the reporter just said Sakurako."
"…. Right. Tell the boys to stop harassing the other blondes. I want everyone to get me any information about her. Her name, her family, her address. Start looking into it."
"Got it, boss."
As Sashiga was still busy ordering people around, a certain man with a cap behind him attentively listened as he put down a crate. After glancing at his surroundings, he leaves the room and makes his way to the nearby restroom. Shutting that door and even entering the toilet stall, he opens his phone and makes a call for a friend.
"Yello?"
"Maru, you there?"
"'ey, Riko! How's that infiltration thing goin' on?"
"It's pretty alright but listen! I got something important to tell you. I need you to tell it to Shiba-sama immediately."
"Huh, Sashiga finally made a move?"
"It has nothing to do with that. It's about Sakurako."
"What about 'er?"
"Tell the boss that Sakurako is in danger."
