Disclaimer: I do not own Black Cat nor FSN, their world belongs to Yabuki Kentarou and Kinoko Nasu respectively.
Chapter 2: Coincidence
Next morning.
Having received her orders, Sephiria began her search for information concerning this rather stranger man. In the end, all she got from some of the contacts were rumors about a sword user busting up some criminal operations. It seems that the attack on the mansion was his first major move, at least in this city. She has no doubt he has done this before, due to the way he carried himself.
As she begin her walk home, she noticed that a small crowd has gathered around a food stand, one that according to her memories, the food weren't really good. Curious, she make her ways toward it, noticing that people has a lot of good things to say about the new chef. As she sat down, she idly read through the menu. Noting that there wasn't anything new, she make her order, a miso ramen and watched as the head chef gave the order to a young man with reddish brown hair. She began to go through her memories of the night, focusing on her opponent's combat skill. The sound of her food arriving snapped her out of her musing. As she looks up to thank the chef, her eyes found it staring into a pair of very familiar amber eyes.
Time seemed to froze as blue and gold met. She saw a flash of surprise and recognition in the chef's eyes, but it was hidden behind the warm and gentle gaze just as fast as it came.
"Here's your meal. Hope you enjoy it." The chef smiled at her before turning away to work on other customer's food.
She narrowed her eyes. Questions ran through her head: Who is he? What is he doing here? Why? She fought down the urge to interrogate him and opted to observe him instead. From her observations, he was only younger than her for a few years. He was rather lanky, and his build suggest that he favor speed and agility rather than strength. He was wearing a blue sleeved white shirt, blue pants along with a white apron, the only uniform required. (His outfit from FSN)
Cautiously, she tastes her food, and found that it was rather good. There was still the chance the food was poisoned, but judging from the surprise in his eyes, however brief that was, it seems that he did not expect no meet her here. Also, she got a feeling that he wasn't the type to use food to kill other.
"Another one, eh?"The voice of the head chef snapped her out of her reverie.
"Excuse me?" She turned to him, a questioning look in her eyes. It looks like he was taking a small break from work.
"Ever since Shirou, that his name by the way, came to work here a few days ago, we've been getting a lot of customers. He's gotten quite a group of admirers too." Elaborated the chief, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I assure you, my interest in him is nothing of the sort. He just resembled someone I once met." In a mansion, amidst a pile of mentally added.
"Oh, well I apologize. It just, you were staring so intently at him."Embarassed, the chef turned back to work, trying to forget the conversation.
As Sephiria watch the man, Shirou work, she has to wonder. The person from last night and the one standing before her are so different, they might as well be two person. It this all an act? Which one is the real person? Was he acting for revenge, or for something else? The more she though about it, the more she became interest in him.
As she pondered further, a small group entered the stand. One was a young man with spiky brown hair and golden cat like eyes who was wearing a white shirt, blue jacket, black pants and a collar of all things. To his right was man in a white business suit, with an eye patch over his right eye, a case in his right hand. Next was a young girl wearing a black dress and pants of the same color, her blond hair reaching her knee with the bang stopping just above her pink eyes. Another young woman with short black hair, wearing the kimono was chatting with the first man. The last person of this group was a young woman, around 20 years old, with short purple hair and green eyes, wearing a red top and shorts.
The Number one recognized them immediately. This was the group that Chronos's former Number Thirteen, Train Heartnet was travelling with. There was also the Cornelio ex-bioweapon, Eve if she is not mistaken; Sven Vollfield, a detective with Vision Eye, the ability to see into the future and finally, the one in the kimono was Saya Minatsuki, the one responsible for Train's desertion; Rinslet Walker, famous thief-for-hire that, according to rumors, capture the heart of Number Seven , Jenos Hazard. Dismissing them as unimportant for now, she resumed her observation of the red haired man.
"Shirou! One large bowl of oyaku please." Train called out to the chef.
"Coming right up. Do you guys want anything else?"Shirou turned to the rest of the band.
"I'll have a takoyaki.""Shrimp ramen.""A bottle of milk" No thanks, I already eat." Sven, Eve, Saya and Rinslet replied.
As the group waited for their group, Train look around the stand, only to double take at the form of one Sephiria Arks staring at the chef.
"Sephiria? What are you doing here?" Train asked incredulously. Hearing his question, the other three turned to look at her.
"I was enjoying my lunch. I could ask you the same, Train Heartnet."Sephiria replied, her eyes not leaving the target.
Silence followed before Sven tentatively broke it:"Uhh...Why are you staring at Shirou, miss Arks?" He was wary of the woman. She is Chronos's Number One after all.
Before she could reply, Rinslet cut in with a mischievous tone:" Could it be? Someone has finally captured the heart of the legendary Sephiria Arson this is wonderful! I have to tell Jenos!"
Sephiria was about to correct the thief's misconception, only to see that the latter has opened her phone and begin pressing rapidly on the keypad.
"Hello, Jenos? You won't believe what I just found out!"
"Oh really my dear? What could have gotten you so excited?" Came the unmistakable voice of Jenos Hazard from the other hand.
"Your boss, Sephiria, got a crush on someone."Rinslet exclaimed.
Tense silence followed her statement. If a pin were to drop, you could probably hear it touching the ground. It was soon broken however by a number of things.
"NAAAAANIIIIIII?"the scream was so loud that Rinslet let go of her phone
"WAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA!"Train has fallen out his chair, laughing all the way. Unfortunately, he also dragged Saya with him.
Sven looked annoyed at Rins's antic, though one could still see the upturn of his lips.
Sephiria sighed. She could already feel the start of a headache.