Episode 49: Final Destination
" We've finally reached York Shin City! " Hikari squealed elatedly as she bounded forward.
Kurapica forced a tight smile to hide the fact that he was worried abut the exact same thing that Hikari happened to be so excited about.
We don't even know if the Spiders will come here…
Although Kuroro is still under my control…
He glanced sideways at the girl who was too busy being excited to notice.
She looks so innocent…
I don't want her to be tainted with the dirty anger that I harbour…
Neither do I want her to have anything to do with them…
He clenched his fist tightly.
If they dare to touch her…
Then, the all too familiar red haze enveloped his vision as the dark emotion of the aged anger coursed through his body, causing an adrenaline rush.
None will be spared…
Alive…
I will not leave any survivors…
" Kurapica-san… "
Almost instantly, he snapped out of his reverie and his vision was once again splashed with colours, bur mostly filled with Hikari's face.
Her gaze was filled with concern and held a slight hint of fear.
" Are you alright? " she demanded, looking up at him with an adorable frown on her face. " Because I thought I saw… "
Suddenly, she looked unsure.
He smiled and nodded. Then, feeling a tad playful, the seventeen-year-old tapped a finger on her nose.
" Of course I'm fine, silly! Why would I not be? "
Gone was the frown, replaced by a gleeful and childish smile. She resumed her perkiness.
" Then, you're excited too? " she asked him, balancing herself on the balls of her feet.
The boy had never seen anything like it. Here he was feeling anxious but that soon evaporated because Hikari's excitement was too infectious.
However, the boy did not answer her but instead smiled in reply.
How could he when he was putting the girl's life in jeopardy by coming back here…?
Kurapica saw the fracture in his defences against the Spiders.
But…
If they knew that know that…
They would surely go to such great lengths just to exploit it…
" Entry is not permitted to those without identification, " one of the guards retorted rudely, glaring at the girl to emphasise his point.
He's not taking any chances…
Kurapica grabbed Hikari's arm and pulled her closer to him.
" Stay close to him, Hikari, " he whispered into her ear.
The seventeen-year-old then turned his attention back to the guards, blocking the doorway.
" She's
with me, " he responded coldly, " Let us through. "
" I
believe it is clear that no trespassers are allowed within the
premises, " the man replied, looking bored.
Hikari's fingers dug painfully into his arm as her grip tightened on the boy's arm.
" Kurapica-san, maybe I'll just wait for – "
The girl could not complete her sentence because Kurapica interrupted her.
" Do not be ridiculous, Hikari! I'll not allow that! "
Hikari took one look at the scary guard and shook her head, stubbornly.
" Please, Kurapica-san. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Besides if you continue to stand here, arguing with guard, you are going to be late for the meeting. "
" But I – "
" Kurapica, Hikari's right. We will be wasting time, standing out here. It's going to get dark soon so we better hurry and get it over and done with, " Senritsu interpolate.
Kurapica seemed unwilling to leave the girl all by herself although his friends had their points.
The boy scanned the surroundings for any unknown intruders that might lurking around, waiting to pounce on hid friend. He needed to be absolutely sure. After all, he faced off with the Spiders here in this city.
Finally, with a sigh, he gave in. Kurapica steered the girl over to an empty bench and sat her down.
" Will
you be alright? " the seventeen-year-old demanded, staring straight
into her eyes.
Hikari smiled and nodded her head.
" I'll be fine, Kurapica-san, " she reassured him, squeezing his shoulder. " Just go on, I can wait for you here, to come back for me. Don't worry too much about it. "
Kurapica nodded and took one last long look at her before both of them disappeared through the doorway.
" This is an urgent matter, Kurapica. The annual York Shin City auction is less than a few days away and I have received information, through underground dealings that the Spiders are on the move. "
Almost instantly, the boy's head snapped up.
" You mean they've been sighted around in York Shin City?! " he demanded sharply.
His employer leaned back in his swivel chair and sighed tiredly.
" I'm afraid so, Kurapica. "
Something is definitely amiss…
They would not just show their faces in broad daylight after that last showdown…
They are too smart for that…
Don't tell me…
" But why would they come back here? " he pondered.
Kurapica shot a discreet glance at Senritsu.
" Could it be that they are planning another robbery? " Senritsu suggested suddenly, which was met by silence.
Raito Nostrad nodded absently.
" Yes, it could be a reason. After all, all they ever do is steal and murder. "
Kurapica knew that it was definitely not the reason.
There is no leader now that Kuroro has gone missing…
After that face-off…
No more masterminded plans involving robbery and murder…
Perhaps…
Pakunoda has already told them…
" What are we going to do? " the man asked them, clasping his hands together.
The answer to that question, was something even Kurapica was unsure of.
" We don't even know when and where they are going to strike, " Senritsu said, thoughtfully.
Kurapica nodded.
" And for that, we have no choice but to sit and wait for something to happen, " he added.