After finishing this chapter, I realized that this fic might take longer than I thought. oh well, I will do my best to update as much as possible. And, whoa the number of followers and favs surprised me. Thank you very much!
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Drawing another arrow on her bow, Umi took a deep breath and cleared her mind. When she let go of the arrow, the thoughts she had earlier came back rushing in.
"If only I could approach her just like that."she said to herself when the arrow hits the bull's eye.
Other than being a member of the school publication, Sonoda Umi is also a member of the archery club and is known for winning various competitions. She is one of the role model students of the school and is actually quite popular herself, much to her annoyance.
"Oh... Is Umi-chan planning on confessing to someone?"
Umi jolted in surprise by the sudden appearance of her childhood friend. "K-Kotori? What are you doing here?"
"I'm taking a little break from my survey for my article, and then I thought of checking up on you. So, who is the lucky girl?"
"Kotori it's not what you think." she answered picking another arrow to be pulled on her bow. "You know about the task Eli-senpai and Nozomi-senpai has given to me right?"
"Ahh.. Then, you meant Nishikino Maki-chan earlier?"
"That's right. We were able to get Yazawa-senpai last time because she is a classmate and friend of Eli-senpai and Nozomi-senpai, but I don't think it would go the same way with her."
"What have you done so far?"
Umi paused for a while putting down her bow and arrow. Two days had already passed since she had accepted the task. After getting her hands on the freshman's class schedule, she took note of the classes where she may be able to come observe secretly. Luckily one of them is P.E., just the right class for her to see the physical strength of the first year. When she observed their class, she finds Maki quite athletic, but still not as athletic as Hanayo's best friend, Hoshizora Rin. So that would counter the rumor about her not being human, unless of course the great possibility of Maki holding back her real strength in order to avoid standing out too much.
Umi also started going to school earlier and later than usual, looking for any luck of witnessing anything out of ordinary.
"I've got a few more information, or more like rumors through that, but nothing too helpful."
"Have you tried asking Hanayo-chan? She's on the same class as Nishikino-san right?"
"I did but, she said Rin could be of more help than her. She'll ask her if I can interview Rin."
"Ahh.. Rin-chan would be glad to help out for sure."
"I hope so."
The blue haired archer get into position once again and pulled the arrow. Kotori watched her carefully waiting for the archer to let go of the arrow, and when she did, the arrow flew hitting the bull's eye just like earlier. She applauded to her friend giving her remarks about how amazing Umi is, as always.
"Well then, I should be going now Umi-chan. Sorry, I couldn't be of much help to you."
"It's okay Kotori. Just both you and Honoka's support is enough." she smiled to her childhood friend giving her reassurance. Kotori walked up to Umi to give her the same smile.
"I at least can give you a little tip about Maki-chan." She reached out her hand and placed it on top of Umi's head. "A soft loving pat on the head can tame the untamed. Don't forget about that."
"What was that Kotori?" Umi asked full of confusion shown on her face.
"I told you, just a little tip. Take care on your way home Umi-chan! Bye!"
Kotori gave Umi a wink before walking out to take her leave. Umi couldn't make anything out of what her childhood friend just said but she noted it anyway.
The moon was already out when Umi decided to go home. Her investigation wasn't that fruitful again today, or so she thought. The blue haired archer took a detour around town instead of heading straight to home. When she passed by an entrance of a dark alley, she heard something There were voices groaning in pain. Umi doubted for a second if she should check it out until she found a long piece of wood lying on the ground. She took it and prepared her mind of what she's getting herself into. Along with her training for archery and kendo, Umi was also taught self-defense that she could use whenever the unexpected happens. She only wished that this trouble would be worth meddling with.
If I am lucky enough, I will see Nishikino-san knocking some bad guys out, and if not… This may be my greatest regret ever. She thought to herself while walking deeper into the alleyway as silently as possible.
There were no lights but only what the moon provides on the alley. When Umi reached the end of the alleyway, there she saw a redhead with amethyst eyes the moonlight is shining upon.
Nishikino Maki?
Umi wasn't sure if she should celebrate that she finally saw her target in action proving the rumor about her fighting delinquents on her own. She glanced over the redhead's opponents. There were like three guys panting in front of the redhead, and two guys knocked out on the ground.
"We will not let you get your way again this time, Nishikino!" said the one in the middle as he commence to attack. The three of them took something out from their pocket and came to Maki all at once. To Umi's surprise, Maki only smirked instead of being frightened as she dodged their attacks. That is when Umi realized what they took out from their pockets. They've got knives. It was proven when one of them was able to slice close enough to Maki's shoulder and cause it to bleed. She couldn't just stand there anymore and watch. Even though her junior seemed to be putting up a fight, she felt wrong doing nothing about the injustice happening right in front of her.
The blue haired archer ran towards one of the delinquents and swung the wood as hard as she can to his back. Before he could even turn around to face Umi, she followed her swing with a quick kick on his crotch, and then a hand chop on his neck, knocking him down. Umi's appearance stunned the other two delinquents, and Maki used this to her advantage to give them one final blow for a knock out.
"Who's not getting their way again?" Maki said in a mocking voice looking down on the lying bodies of the delinquents.
"I hope I did not get in your way." Umi walked up to her throwing the piece of wood to nowhere along the way.
"No, not really. You were amazing actually, but maybe quite stupid too. You were the first person to help me. The others just watched, or ran away right after seeing what's going on. I can't blame them."
"So you knew I was there even before I appeared? Wait... Does that mean you also knew every time someone sees you fight?"
"Let's just say I can hear very well that I noticed your steps when you got closer. But next time, I suggest it may be better if you did just like them, ran away and pretend to see nothing."
"Except, they did not really pretend to see nothing. I'm sure you knew about your popularity in school, Nishikino-san. May I see that?" Umi asked pointing to the shoulder that was wounded. Maki covered it immediately and backed away.
"Judging from your ribbon, you must be a second year. Don't worry about it. It is fine senpai."
"O-Okay. But are you sure you're alright?"
"I'm used to this already. Don't worry about me."
Umi knew from the look her junior is giving her that she is wary of her. But she also knew that this is a hard to get chance and so, she put aside her worry and decided to ask straightly what she's been meaning to ask.
"I hope I'm not pressing on the matter but, why did you get in a fight with them?"
The redhead's expression changed into a more serious one and for a second, Umi regretted asking the question.
"I'm not oblige to answer that, nor do you have the need to know. And like I told you earlier, don't get yourself into this senpai."
Before Umi could react, a pair of male voices interrupted them.
"Maki-sama! Are you here?"
"Maki-sama, where are you?"
In no time, two men in black suits appeared. They were panting like they just finished a marathon. Both Umi and Maki turned to look at them. Both men are slim with a well-built body. The other was just taller than the other.
"Maki-sama, we've been looking for you. Are you alright?"
"Hideo, Maki-sama is wounded! How would that look alright to you?!" the taller smacked the other on the head.
"It's just a light cut Taki-san, nothing to worry about. Anyway, you two took so long that I've already cleared up everything in here, with senpai's little help."
"S-sorry about that Maki-sama!" Both men bowed their head low to Maki in their apologies.
Top rumor number one, Nishikino Maki is a leader of a violent syndicate, somewhat confirmed.
"You don't need to be so formal with me. Anyway let's go home. I'm tired."
"Roger!" both said in unison.
"Senpai, t-thanks for earlier. But I'd appreciate it more if you don't get yourself into this next time. Just please don't. Be careful on your way home, and good night." The redhead said before turning her back to Umi.
"She did not even bother to ask my name, not that I mind." Umi whispered to herself watching Maki walk away with the two guys.