Standing on the three-fork road stood the stronghold of the red clan- HOMRA.
Her invisible orbs followed the traces of the western PUB from its engraved name to its refine structure down to the bottom. She was distracted that she almost forgot the reason from being here, until an ear-splitting noise sprang from her left ear. It made her jerk away, shadowing a hard glared towards the source of that alarming sound.
" Oi! Are you just going to stand there all day or what?" Yata – being called by the little girl, once again started bantering about.
DAAMN! This kid was very noisy.
She was now lending him a shoulder. His hand hangs around her neck while she grabs hold of his waist trying to support him. She could hear his mumbled curses as he flinch in every small touches.
"Stop staring like an idiot! " he added, his warm breath was against hers making her cringe. Perturbation now cling in her form as she keep a calm pace.
Tsskk..This one noisiest kid I have ever met.
Chapter 2 : Unmovable Silence
By now, he should have been getting used to these kinds of situation. But no matter what, the dread of the outcome always concern him despite not showing in his features.
Izumo was preoccupied with his PDA, fiddling swiftly in every motion but his eyes strayed from time to time at the opposing side. His eyes peak underneath the tinted shades casting a pensive expression as he look towards the door frame to the upper floors.
A sudden outburst to the door shook the bar disrupting the reverie of silence. It startled the bartender almost making the PDA slip out from his hand. Reeling back his composure from the aftershock, he gingerly put it away. Stomping a foot to the ground, about prepared on reprimanding whoever the hell was disrupting the peace - added that the noise startled him.
Before the bartender could proceed with his action, the figures swiftly pass in a blur. The outcome of a collision reverberates as a heavy object was thrown towards the sofa. Mildly confused and shock, it took the bartender some time to realize that it was Yata being thrown over along with his skateboard.
With gritted teeth, Yata popped his head up while clenching the ends of the sofa making it depress further. His scowl was getting deeper by the second.
" Why you... " He growled, glaring at the stranger as his aura tediously started to flicker. " If you wanna go then... "
Before he could start his outburst, a heavy blow hit his head. He wince, looking up and meet the unpleasant expression of the bartender.
" Ouch.. what was that for ? "
" Try to destroy the bar and you'll get more of it.. " Just one glare of Izumo was enough to frighten Yata as he cringe away from him.
There scene was cut off when Anna finally reveal herself.
" Izumo... "
Just the small of her voice made Izumo's anger ebb away. Relief that Anna was finally safe and sound.
Feeling saved, Yata sigh as he took this chance to examine his precious skateboard. Luckily still in one piece.
" Ehh? "
The bartender blink tediously, confused as his eyes trailed upon Anna's small hands. Her hands were tightly gripped on an unfamiliar fabric and soon realize of another presence in the bar. It almost shock him failing to recognize this stranger's presence as he contemplated a thought in mind.
What? Who is this person?
This person's back was facing him making it hard to decipher the intent. One thing is certain that this person was struggling from Anna's grip. The sight of it was rather amusing.
" Izumo... " Anna pleaded, eyes probing towards him.
Just one look at Anna was enough to confirm of her reluctance to let go yet – for some unknown reason. Knowingly he couldn't resist and trust Anna on this.
A small smile curve into the bartender's lip setting aside the cautiousness. He rested a placate hand on the stranger's shoulder indicating to stop resisting. Noting that Anna wouldn't stop.
It was enough for the stranger to stop the futile struggling.
" It seems that Anna wants you stay for a bit... "The bartender said uncertainly, waiting for a response.
A pregnant silence drifted by as the stranger finally respond a timid nod.
It was revealed that Anna was separated from her other comrades.
It seems that the one protecting her was injured badly and has been recuperating.
Whoever this person is, he's the one at fault for not doing his part properly. Now, she is cleaning up his mess.
What a pain
" S-seriously?"
Her head tipped to the side, glancing at the pair on the sofa. The moment she went in, the burly build immediately went to Yata and tended his injuries.
Rikio was shocked to hear that Yata got defeated by a mere passerby. It was unbelievable that he accidentally tighten the bandage around Yata's dangling arm.
Yata flinch at the pain, slapping away his stubby hands.
"That fucking hurts you moron..."
Rikio raised his arms defensively trying to calm him down.
" Sorry, my bad... "
Yata only grunt as he finish the final wrappings by himself.
" But I would never expect that you... "
Yata cut his sentence off with a punch to his stomach almost making him choke out his saliva. Riko rolled on the sofa indulging the inflicted pain in his stomach.
" SHUT UP! The bastard was just lucky.. " Yata insisted, as his glare made way to the hooded stranger who look away.
She couldn't care less of what they were talking about.
She was more incline to let this incident be over. She really wanted to leave.
But...
Slowly her head tilted to the side and once again meet those two familiar red marbled eyes.
Creepy...
Sitting beside her was Anna, again.
She choose to sit at the farthest end of the stool while the bartender had excuse himself, heading upstairs.
And Anna followed suit and locked her two curious orbs at her.
And now we're back to this...
She couldn't understand what cause the little girl to act like that. Wondering if it was even a mistake to help her in the first place.
" Pretty... "
What is she talking about?
She'll never understand how little children think...
A rowdy shuffle tapped from the upper floors. Creating light taps as if in a mangled dance.
" Idiot! Didn't I tell you to stay put... "
Her head peak up upon haring the familiar sleek kansai accent of the bartender.
" Ehh?... But I also want to greet the new guest too... "
Then came another voice that was unfamiliar to her.
The voice was rather contrast to the bartender as it sound carefree. The tune of its voice immediately wakes the lofty room up. It intrigued her that the voice was alone had an effect on the pair and also the little girl.
The three fell in silence but their expressions held worry and anticipation.
"Would you stop moving about? "
" No way~ "
A somewhat sloppy footing descended from downstairs and revealed a male with light brunette hair.
The brunette was in full smiles and was about to take another step, when Anna jump out from her seat and give him an immediate hug.
Anna grasp tightly on his shirt not intending to let go soon.
It was her fault after all.
The brunette merely shuffles his footing trying to support Anna in his weary state. He patted her head gently, assuring her " Don't worry Anna everything will be fine ..."
This person, huh ?
Just one look at him was enough to tell her how obviously weak he was. She could understand why he wasn't able to protect the little girl.
She could see that he was dragging his limped feet. One of his arms was hanging funnily as sign of bruises mar against his fair flesh. And was really good at concealing the pain in his entire body by his smile.
What was strange is that despite his condition, how is it possible that he can still keep such a smile. The kind of smile that is hard to distinguish a lie and truth.
Another footing descended as the bartender was finally able to catch up.
" You'll never learn to take a rest... "
The light brunette giggles taking account of Izumo's response. His gaze then shifted to her direction probing which such curiosity.
" Might you be the one who save Anna ? "
Looking away, she yanks her hood further down feeling uneasy. Not feeling obligated to answer such question.
"Hey you! " Yata started "Wouldn't it kill you to respond since the person asks nicely? "
"Like you're the one to talk... " The bartender interceded; making his way to Yata seeing that his clumsy hands isn't suited for aiding.
" Kusanagi-san?! " Yata flinch at his touch, his eyes followed at the mangled bandage that's being redone.
" Yata-chan.. Your really have no sense of refinement.. " The bartender sigh, finishing the wrappings " Also, would you stop starting an argument. It's really giving me a headache... "
" Which side are you on ?! "
" I'm not on either sides " he clarified, securing the final touches nodding at his handiwork" I'm just pointing it out.. "
Yata 'hmpff', as he whip his head to the side. Feeling betrayed like a sulken child.
" Ne~ Where are you from ? "
" Do you live nearby ? "
" Wouldn't you mind telling us your name? "
By the gesture of tugging the choker, she released an exasperated sigh.
Being bombarded with his questions was damaging her brain. And most of them were silly and not necessary. She couldn't keep at it and decided to responded tersely.
Tatara Totsuka, formally introduced themselves with his tricky but pleasing smile.
For some reason their chattering took more than a hour. It was very consuming.
For every chance and protest to escape always end in failure as Tatra was persistent.
Because she find his amenable attitude to be difficult. His constant open-mindedness was unpleasant making the situation awkward for her.
Eventually, he would have to stop this nonsense sooner or later...
" Is there something you want to eat ? "
Tatara had been prodding unto the stranger and to no avail none of his words seems to reach. The more he persists on chattering the more the stranger had withdrawn. It was kind of irritable – a feeling that he never encountered.
Izumo couldn't help but muse; despite not visible on the brunette's features he was certain that he was irritated. No matter what he tried, the stranger won't open up to them.
This was clearly the first that happen to Tatara and it was intriguing...
The bartender keep the thoughts to himself, playfully keeping it in mind.
Yata had longed give up and has been repetitively cursing under his breath. On the other hand, Rikio was trying his best to calm him down.
Curses, curses and more hell coming out of his mouth - more or less mentally.
Trying to control himself or he'll get it from Kusanagi.
It's all because of that silent freak of nature! That fucking weirdo...
It was pissing him off.
The stranger merely responded a word; making it hard for them.
Always rebuffing them with silence.
The stranger's indifference was really testing his patience. Just the thought of it was really aggravating...
In every angle the image fit into place. The image he doesn't want to recall.
Because it shadowed him - giving a small portion of semblance.
It clearly reminded of him...
Darn it! What the hell am I thinking?!
Eventually the bar become crowded as their other members join in. The mass swoop in a whim and indulge in their nonsense.
Tatara and Izumo was dragged along by the pace of the members – who were unexpectedly young brash teenagers.
All huddling up on their own circle.
Finally!
Taking this chance slip pass them.
Anna was the only one to took notice. She was about to lunge herself off from the stool when...
The sound of the bell alerted them as all eyes fell on the figure – who held an ambiguous presence that holds something promising.
Just more steps to take and she would be free. Free from them but..
Across her only escape stood a man. His hair was coated in fiery locks and a strong-built to match - giving off an ominous sign.
The man strode in the bar casually, a stray of smoke followed as he took a long drag. His eyes were closed as take in the pleasure of nicotine.
What is this feeling ? It was strange ?
She was stuck to her feet.
She could feel something overwhelming.
His not an ordinary person..
At the man's presence everyone become livelier as they all greeted him with respect.
" Mikoto you've finally come back " Izumo informed, as his voice got his attention.
His eyes flutter open revealing his amber orbs. A bored look casted on his face as the first thing he saw was an unfamiliar face.
Their orbs meet silently exchanging their spurious ambigiousity.
Just a small gaze, it was enough to make her feel unpleasant and it was infuriating.
" Who the hell are you ? "
His voice drawled, releasing the puff of smoke in the air.
The sound of his voice immediately act as a trigger as her body finally move. She slipped pass by him without a second thought. Letting her feet run loose to be far away from the bar.
Run , Run , Run
That was the only thing chanting in her mind. To get far from that place as soon as possible.
Damn it!
This feeling she hated it. It's the feeling of running away and she's doing it again.
And she has always hate herself for that.
Sorry for late update xd,,
hope you like this one..
Don't forget to leave your reviews.
For every review gives me the motivation and encouragement to update as soon as possible...
I wonder what will happen next ? ~~