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Return to Me
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"Yeah, she's still there," Chiyo sighed exasperatedly as she glanced over her shoulder, "We should head out through the back entrance and avoid that avenue."
"And if she follows us?" Ryo asked quietly as he arched a single brow to which Chiyo merely smirked, "So long as she doesn't try to attack us there is no reason to fear. I know that type. I don't think they'll be dumb enough to ambush us in broad daylight. Too many witnesses."
"If you say so," the ebony haired man chuckled as he took a sip of his soda and flagged down the waitress before furrowing his brow and casting a side-eyed glance. The question of whether he should pay or not weighed heavily on his mind. On the one hand, they'd agreed to dutch treat. On the other, it seemed only right to pay. As the waitress appeared, Ryo panicked.
"Two checks," Chiyo chirped happily as she held up two fingers, "Split it straight down the middle if you would."
Breathing a sigh of relief that the crisis was averted, Ryo cast her a sly glance before smirking, "Down the middle? How do you know your check wouldn't have been more than mine?"
"You were thinking of paying for it all so why are you complaining?" Chiyo countered with a knowing look before laughing outright at his surprised face, "You are so transparent it isn't even funny."
"So why laugh?" Ryo countered with an annoyed sigh and irritated roll of the eye.
"Because its kinda cute," Chiyo answered playfully – loving the excited spark in his eye - before adding purposefully, "Like aw there's a puppy."
"Whatever," Ryo huffed as the waitress brought back their respective checks. Paying their bill, the two waited for a moment for the woman to glance down at her phone before quickly making their way to the back entrance.
Giggling slightly as she pushed open the door, she'd barely made it a few feet onto the sidewalk before the woman who had been waiting for them so far away collided with her full force and attempted to carry her off.
"CHIYO!" Ryo screamed as he began to chase after her only to realize a rescue wasn't even necessary. There were no holds barred as Chiyo effortlessly escaped the woman's grasp before going in for the attack. He wasn't sure who threw the first punch, but suddenly Chiyo's fist was slamming into the strange woman's face while the woman's fist sank into her stomach. They stumbled apart for a brief second to catch their breath before diving back at each other, eyes narrowed in determination.
The woman dodged her prey's fist and came up with her own; for a brief instant, Chiyo's chocolate eyes widened before she managed to tilt her head back and slam it into hers. Stars burst in the woman's vision but she shook it off, blinding throwing a sloppy kick to which Chiyo easily evaded.
"Who the hell are you?!" Chiyo panted as she defensively raised her hands ready to keep going. The woman merely smirked as she used the back of her hand to wipe some of the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth before suddenly twirling on the spot and seemingly vanishing.
"What the hell?" Ryo breathed anxiously as he looked around only to see the strange man he had noticed earlier now running towards them. Ryo took a step in front of the now exhausted woman who'd valiantly defended herself as he glanced over his shoulder at her and bellowed hysterically, "SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!? WHAT THE...CHIYO ARE YOU OKAY?! I MEAN GOD! THAT WAS..."
"Are you alright?!" the man asked anxiously as he bent over and rested his hands on his knees – seemingly struggling to catch his breath, "I saw that crazy bitch attacking you!"
"We're fine," Chiyo responded in between soft pants, "But I'd like it if you gave a statement as a witness."
"Yeah, yeah sure thing," the man responded as he straightened up and glanced around, "Did you see which direction she went?"
"No, she just….vanished," Ryo answered uneasily – finding it far too convenient that the strange man just happened to see what occurred, "Once we get your info, we'll be on our way."
"Of course," the man answered with a winning smile, "Just tell me what you need."
"The usual. Name, number, address," Chiyo responded without missing a beat, "A business card would do. So long as we can contact you when we file a police report about the incident."
"Naturally," the man answered happily as he rummaged in his coat pocket and produced a small card, "You can reach me here."
Nodding appreciatively, Chiyo glanced at the card before looking up with a slightly forced grin, "Well, we'll be in touch."
"Do you want someone to walk you to a subway station or call you a cab?" the man asked casually, "I've got nothing better to do."
"We'll manage," Chiyo answered sternly in a tone that left no room for argument before adding dismissively, "Good day."
"Cheesh," the man scoffed before stuffing his hands into his pockets and walking away. Turning to look at Chiyo- a single eyebrow arched in a silent question – he took the hint to remain silent before turning his attention back to the man's retreating form.
"What're you thinking?" Ryo asked quietly after the man disappeared around the corner, "Do you think he's involved?"
"I know for a fact this card is bogus," Chiyo replied with a snort as she held out the card for inspection, "This company doesn't exist at that address and no phone number is written that way."
"How do you know?" Ryo asked playfully as he took the card and frowned before glancing up at her, "No seriously, how do you know?"
"It's been out of business for over a decade," Chiyo responded with a smirk, "Used to be a very popular but it hasn't been open for a few years. They made the best pocky when I was a kid."
"And? You don't know its not around," Ryo asked skeptically to which Chiyo snorted, "Uh, yeah I do. Do you know how hard I tried to find it? The internet is a glorious thing but even it can't always grant your heart's desire. It's out of business. That much I know. Either way, the card has a stamp on it from the manufacturer. We can trace his order with a warrant. I'll go in and file a police report immediately."