As the inhabitants of Kaede house ate their breakfast, they left the door to the garden wide open to allow the summer gale to cool the room. It felt very relaxing as the wind washed over their bodies, bathing them in a lazy comfort. An early chorus of chirping birds and chitterling insects wafting in the air added to the overall tranquility. Everyone (with the exception of Lucy) was eating vigorously the meal Nana had been generous enough to prepare. The others had always been a little heedful when it came to Nana's meals. But they always ate them anyway so as not to injure her confidence. For one of her meals, it wasn't half-bad. Sure the miso soup was a bit salty and the rice a little dry. But still, all in all, a well hearted attempt.
They all ate in silence, but it wasn't an awkward silence. Nothing needed to be said. It was just one of those moments when words were unnecessary. So they just sat, eating quietly, enjoying each others company. Anyone seeing such a sight would have thought it to be a pleasant scene. A happy family, sharing its morning meal together.
While Kohta was devouring his meal, he felt a measure of excitement rise in the bowels of his stomach like a maelstrom. Even he had to admit the idea was ingenious. He was surprised he hadn't thought about it earlier. For the past several weeks he had been brain storming over a place he and Lucy could visit together. Get a little personal time together. Then suddenly, after drawing countless blanks, he was hit randomly by inspiration. He allowed himself a moment of narcissistic pride for his own cleverness. She's going to be so surprised.
It was very hard for him to get Lucy out of the house for almost anything. Hell, it was hard enough to get her out of her room sometimes. And whenever he succeeded, she remained in a stoic state for a majority of the time, hanging her head and never looking anyone in the eye. She looked more like someone walking toward the gallows. But Kohta was confident that this trip would be enjoyed by the both of them.
Kohta finished the last remaining specks of food left on his plate, then promptly stood up and proceeded to walk toward the kitchen, keen to finish clean up as quickly as possible.
"You look like your in a good mood this morning," Mayu happily noticed. Kohta wasn't surprised. He did feel like there was a little more spring in his step today.
"Guess I just slept well," he replied with a broad smile. Things couldn't have been going better for Kohta even if he tried. He had his surrogate family back together, he had Lucy by his side, and he had just finished his first year of college (albeit just barely). The days when regret had filled his daily hours seemed a life time ago. Far and distant from the present, no longer able to harm him. Everyday now was like a dream, living the normal carefree life so many reached for. Dream he prayed he'd never wake up from. Finally, the world was right again.
After washing his dishes rather haphazardly, Kohta darted for the staircase and jogged up them two at a time. As he reached the door to Lucy's room at the top of the landing, he could barely hold back his excitement as he gently knock on her door.
"Lucy, you awake," he half whispered, not fully sure if she was still asleep or not. He heard a ruffling of feet on the other side and was soon greeted by her as she opened the door.
"Yes," Lucy said in her neutral tone. Not that she was ever an overflowing pool of emotion, but something about her seemed more subdued then usual. Her eyes clouded with some secret. I wonder if something's wrong. Deciding not to worry about it, Kohta quickly pushed the concern from his mind. It's probably nothing. If only he knew how wrong he was.
"Hurry up and get dressed. I got a surprise for you," he stated, and upbeat finality in his voice.
"What is it," she asked, not sounding overly thrilled.
"It's a secret," he said playfully with a wink.
"No thanks." Lucy started to shut her door when Kohta quickly brought his hand to halt it from closing fully as he looked pleadingly into her crimson eyes.
"Please, I promise you'll like it," Kohta begged. Kohta looked straight at her, putting on the most sympathetic face he could muster. Lucy's cheeks started to blush, and he knew he was winning. She can't resist the face. Finally conceding defeat, Lucy sighed.
"Alright, I'll be out in a few minutes." Kohta smiled in his victory, admiring her beauty as she shut the door behind her. Kohta listened to the clattering of plates as Yuka and the other girls cleaned up their own dishes down stairs. His face grimaced slightly, as he thought about the lecture Yuka was sure to give his ears once he came home.
Kohta hadn't told anyone he was planning on taking Lucy out for the day, not wanting the possibility of ruining the surprise. So he would be leaving the others rather unexpectedly with a great deal more chores for them. He felt a little guilty about that. Yuka would not doubt be furious with him leaving without a word prior, making sure to chew him out. But she'd get over it eventually. She always did. And if Mayu or Nana were by some chance bothered by it, they wouldn't show it. So Kohta wasn't feeling too bad about it.
Lucy came back out a few minutes later, dressed in a black T-shirt and matching pants. Kohta stood again, starring at her radiance that was so thick that it could make angels look on in jealousy. It always amazed him that even in the most simple of clothes, Lucy always looked stunning to him.
"What is it," she asked when he hadn't said anything. Her words bringing him back to reality, Kohta shook his head free of daydreaming.
"Nothing," he said, his face blushing. With that, he grabbed her by the hand, and escorted her out the front door. Yuka and the others didn't even noticed they had left.
"Are you shitting me?" Bandoh could hardly believe what he had just heard. Apparently, this guy was called "Tomo" and he had been sent here by that old science lab he used to work for to exterminate that bitch Lucy. What was even more surprising, he had just requested Bandoh's assistance in his mission. They both sat on empty crates in Bandoh's makeshift residence by the beach shore as the midday sun beat them down hard with its powerful rays overhead. Bandoh could smell the salty air coming from the sloshing water just a few feet away.
None of this made a damn bit of sense. Why was this dude be willing to kill one of his own kind so freely? He thought they were all "buddy buddy". But then again, Bandoh had not really been the type willing to sort out mercy to other humans either. And why did this horned freak want his help? As far as he had experienced, these, "diclonius" he thinks they're called, weren't exactly friends with humanity.
"I assure you I am very serious," Tomo said.
"And why should I help you...ponytail," Bandoh shot at him. Tomo never lost his calm composure, unfazed by Bandoh's choice nickname.
"Because it will give you a chance for retribution," he answered plainly, "What more reason could you need then that?" Bandoh stroked his chin, considering this unlikely proposal. He never did like working with others. All they ever did was slow him down and take the fun out of everything. But twice he had faced Lucy, and twice he had been soundly defeated. Maybe a little back up wouldn't hurt.
"If you need more incentive, I can see that you are well compensated for your efforts," Tomo added, "Enough to free you of this derelict lifestyle you've sunken into."
"THAT'S NONE OF YOUR DAMN BUSINESS," Bandoh yelled at him. "How do even I know I can trust you," he retorted.
"You don't," Tomo replied matter-o-factly, mischievously smiling. The tension between these two unlikely allies seemed to mount in the growing silence. "But then again, I don't know if I can trust you either...and that makes it more interesting doesn't it?" After another momentary silence, Bandoh started laughing hysterically, shattering the tension like glass.
"HA HA HA HA! You know what, I like your style ponytail."
"I take it we have an agreement," Tomo asked assuredly.
"On two conditions," Bandoh said, now getting serious. "One, I'm the one who gets to kill that bitch. You just help me if I need it," Bandoh waited for some kind of resistance or words of dissent. When they never came, he continued. "And two, when it's all over, I want to keep her eyes as trophies," Bandoh declared with a psychotic look in his own eyes. He waited for Tomo's answer. Tomo just starred and smiled a friendly grin, as if this were the most casual request.
"Done," he said simply. Bandoh was rather shocked at how easily he had gotten what he wanted.
"To our alliance," Tomo said as he extended his hand for Bandoh, "And maybe even friendship.
Don't count on it you fucking freak, Bandoh thought as he shook Tomo's hand violently. "Yeah...maybe."
"Well then," Tomo said as he got up, brushing the dirt from his jeans, "I'll be leaving now then."
"Wait, what about th-" Bandoh interjected before Tomo cut him off.
"Don't worry. Once I need you I'll come here to find you, but till then just stay here. And keep out of trouble"
Bandoh gritted his teeth in anger, but crossed his arms and remained silent. He hated being ordered around. Especially by one of these horned bastards. After a quick bow, Tomo left for the city behind them. As Bandoh watched Tomo's form grow smaller and smaller in the distance, he imagined what the look on that bitches face would be when she saw him again.
"I'm coming for ya bitch," he said to himself, "And let me tell ya, were going to have one hell of a party."
"That was almost too easy," Tomo laughed when the mercenary was out of ear shot. It appeared humans were just a gullible as they were arrogant.
Yes, humans consumed by thoughts of revenge tend to be the easiest to manipulate, the voice agreed.
"You said it. All you have to do is mention the name of the person they're after, and pretty soon they think it's all their idea."
Tomo had been strangely fortunate. Just when he was having difficulties forming a plot to find Lucy, fate had delivered to him a scapegoat. After that, the pieces to his mysterious puzzle all fell perfectly into place. He now had a plan. It was so simple, Tomo mentally chastised himself for not thinking of it earlier.
Once he knew Bandoh had met Lucy before, the whole scheme had miraculously formed inside his mind with equally alarming speed. "This is going to be fun."
Tomo wandered through the jungle of steel buildings and concrete sidewalks, looking down every alley and crevice of the streets. Finally, he found a small abandoned shop hidden in the shadows. He glanced quickly from side to side making sure he was not being watched. Feeling secure, Tomo forced his way into the old business, floors covered in dust, mold, and reeked from years of neglect. Tomo walked into one of the back rooms, moving aside a few scattered pieces of old broken furniture. He found a small free space of wall and leaned his back against it, sliding down into a sitting position.
He sighed, removing his bandana to reveal his horns. What he had to do next, he was not looking forward to.
"I have to lose my horns," he said to no one, "Lucy cannot suspect me of being a diclonius yet. She may get...suspicious, and getting her to come along with me will be a lot harder."
This is going to hurt, the voice advised, but made no further objections.
Tomo extended one of his vectors out from his back, feeling with his physical hands for the ideal spot to cut, so as his hair could hide the stump. He breathed in deeply for a few minutes, preparing his mind and body for what would surely be a paining more piercing then thousands of daggers. He clenched his eyes tightly, then launched his vector at top speed.
As vector met bone, it sent a ringing throughout his ear that quickly vibrated through his entire body. It blinded all his other senses, blurring them in a whirlwind of confusion. Tomo let out an acid yell, collapsing to the floor unconscious before he had even finished his scream. He hit with a hard thud the sounded all over the empty room, his face dripping with fresh blood onto the dirty floor. Luckily, no one outside heard a thing. The sounds of their daily lives muffling out everything.