VII
Meeting
"Good morning. Please, have a seat," the man said without looking away from his papers. Bando let out a short sneer as he sat himself down opposite of him.
"Cut it out and get straight to the point," he remarked as he looked around, the restaurant was mostly deserted which suited him fine. "Has there been another lead? It is rather quick."
Pushing forward an envelope the man signaled to him. "Yeah, this happened this very morning, the local departments are still busy in inspecting the crime scene but it perfectly matches all of the others. Hints of them being involved in something and no witnesses left alive. All of the dead found belonged to the gang. Once again, nothing on who did this."
"Am I reading this right, this took place just north of Takahagi. Damn, this thing is moving down south fast. Do we have any other leads on this?"
The man shook his head. "Nothing other than this. It is frustrating to work on this case. Sure, all of the death involved so far are criminals but even so, they have rights. Some higher ups are believing we are dealing with some kind of vigilante which does make sense in light of the victims."
Bando scoffed at that idea. There was no way that some kind of vigilante could be doing this; not unless he had some serious financial backing as this guy was traveling far and fast. "I don't buy such a stupid idea, this is something else."
"I agree." The man ordered coffee for them both. "You don't hit the Yakuza like this and get away with it. We're dealing with pros here with substantial support. I'd be more inclined to say that Special Forces or even the military is involved here."
They looked at each other before Bando took off his glasses. "Dare to look at me like that again and I will punch out your lights! None of my contacts within SAT or the JGSDF has mentioned anything! If this is being run by the government then it is one of the best black ops I have seen."
The man leaned back in the chair. "I have to agree with you there and I-" He was cut off as his phone went off. Irritated by it, Bando eyed him closely as he listened.
"Yes, it's me. What are you certain? Where this did took place? Any lead on when? I see, yes…"
Bando kept on listening. By the sound of the man's voice, it seemed that something had happened, something bad. Really bad. Gazing at the clock, he wondered how long this little discussion was going to take. Waving over for one of the waiters, he asked for something to eat. Having make a quick glance over the menu, it didn't take him long to make a pick.
Seeing as his companion turned off the phone, he asked the question. "So what was it this time? Don't tell me it is another fucking robbery."
The look in the man's eyes was grim. "I wish it was, they have just found two more locations. Seems these have been hit earlier but due to their more remote location it wasn't until an hour ago that they were discovered."
Bando cursed. "Fuck!" Slamming his fist on the table, he startled the approaching waiter. Watching him place the order before him, he waved for the man to leave.
"Let me guess, the same story like all the others places?"
He nodded before he cracked a smile suddenly. "With one little exception, this time we have a witness. Seems like one of the victims wasn't fully dead yet, currently being rushed towards the nearest hospital to be stabilized before we can start questioning."
"Still fucking useless, that doesn't offer any leads until the guy wakes up."
"When /she/ wakes up, Bando-san. The victim is a girl roughly nine years old, odd thing is that she is the only victim that we found who got shot with rounds that that we could match at the scene."
Raising his eyebrow, Bando took a bite. "A normal round? That means…"
"That she was shot at by those people over there. Somehow, I get the feeling they were after her. I can only guess that she might be one that saw something when it happened."
"I knew it," Bando snapped as he slammed the table. "Human trafficking, likely the kid managed to escape and-"
"I have to cut you off there. There is absolutely no evidence at all to support human trafficking in any of these cases and I don't care what Takagi-san has claimed in the past. Look where it got him, dead and forgotten by most already."
"Shut your mouth about him, the man went through hell and back. Wife died and then his daughter got kidnapped."
The man scoffed at that remark. "That is what he claimed, there hasn't been any evidence to support his claims. For all we know she just ran away from home. I know he was an old colleague of yours but don't let that get in the way of your judgment. Now to get back to the girl if you don't mind."
"Has she said anything so far?" Busy with chewing, Bando wasn't going to wait for an answer. Anything that would help them at this moment to figure out what was going on. "Any clues on the girl's ID?"
"Nothing yet, fingerprints are being run through the database." Taking a quick sip he leaned in closer. "But she kept repeating one phrase." He stopped right after that.
Annoyed at his sudden pause, Bando dropped his food on the plate. "Go on, spit it out."
The man looked around quickly making sure that nobody could hear him. "A steel dragon."
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" Bando had to try his best not to get pissed at hearing that. "I am so going to shove your face through the fucking wall!"
The man gestured for him to calm down. "I am not fucking kidding you. It is what the girl kept repeating over and over. Honestly, I am as perplexed as you are. Now be a good sport and sit the fuck down!" the man growled in response. "I am not in the mood for any more petty threats!"
Staring at the TV, both Kyou and Nana were intrigued by today's episode of their favorite show. "Say Nana -san, do you have any more snacks?" Kyou whispered towards her without even bothering to take her eyes away from the screen. "I am just getting slightly hungry from watching this. Pssst! Did you hear me?"
Nana didn't answer her, too caught up by the moment of the scene. It wasn't until she got a heavy nudge from Kyou in her side that she actually noticed that she had been asking her for the last few minutes and even then she had to listen carefully before it finally sunk in.
"Ah, sorry about that Kyou-san." Nana giggled as she pushed forward a box with some onigiri in it. "I got these from Yuka-san, she used a new filling for them so I hope you like it."
"Meh." Kyou was obviously disappointed at seeing them. "Don't we have some real snacks? I am dying for some sweets or even chocolate."
"You can't have those, it will spoil your appetite and besides there is plenty you can get from the kitchen. Yuka-san, Nozomi-san and Ryou-san are all busy making plenty of food for us." Eyeing her closely, Nana waited to see what Kyou was going to say in response. Would she accept the onigiri after all or would she go and check out if there were some real snacks to satisfy her appetite?
"Alright then. Just give me one." Holding up her hand, Kyou accepted one of the onigiri before taking a big bite from it. Licking her lips, she quickly had a second and a third bite by which in time it was already gone which took Nana by surprise. She was already holding her hand up for a second one. "Not bad I got to admit, got a second for me?"
"Y-Yes…" Not really expecting this, Nana was somewhat taken aback but still gave her another one, besides she did like the taste herself. "Yeah, they taste pretty good."
Giggling, both of them resumed watching the TV again until they broke the silence when the commercials started. "Say, how long before she gets home? I really want to go outside and have some fun outside. It gets so boring being stuck inside the house all the time."
"I agree, I wish I could go to school as well with Mayu and Saeko-san. Being here is fine and all but I would really like to see what else there is. I want to understand this world."
"Why even bother, bugs are not going to accept us. No matter how hard we try they will always treat us with suspicion because we have these." Kyou remarked with a snarky tone as she pointed at her own horns. "They will notice them no matter how much we try to hide them. Besides, I don't want to hide my horns. I am who I am, shouldn't that be more important?"
"I know but most people don't think that way. They see something on the outside and no longer even try to see what the inside has to offer. It is shallow, I know, and also frustrating."
"Pfff... more like vexing I would say. Only a few humans are really smart enough, the rest of them are just stupid bugs." Kyou had stopped watching at the TV by now as she began to think of what she wanted to say next. "I wouldn't want to go to a school if it's just going to be bugs there. I can fully understand why Saeko-san is actually scared of going. I would hate it too if it were just bugs there."
Nana objected to that statement. "You're wrong! Saeko-san is just a little overwhelmed by it. She just doesn't know people there yet. You just wait and see, in a few weeks she will have friends and she will really enjoy going to school!"
"Oh? Nana-san, is that a challenge your issuing to me? Okay then, I am going to make a bet with you but when you lose then you have to buy me a lot of snacks and I want the really good ones." Grinning from ear to ear, she was looking at Nana with all of the glee people had come to expect of her when there was something for her to gain.
Not taken aback by that, Nana full-heartedly accepted the challenge but also made it very clear that if she won then Kyou would be the one paying and Nana wasn't thinking of sweets or snacks but something she much rather preferred. "Just wait and see Kyou-san."
Staring at her Kyou held up her hand. "Fine and all but give me one more of that onigiri, I am starving. Also keep quiet now and let me watch."
Nana huffed a little but let it slide, she would just bide her time and prove Kyou wrong. Still, she needed to come up with a way to make sure that she was going to win. That meant that Saeko needed to start making friends and fast too, under no circumstance would she let herself lose to somebody like Kyou. If she did lose then she wasn't going to hear the end of it for a very long and painful time.
Meanwhile, it was getting a little troublesome in the garden as both Kouta and Dai were busy in setting up the barbeque. "Now, are you sure you read the instruction manual correctly? I would not want a repeat of last year." Dai pointed to Kouta's eyebrows, indicating that he needed to be cautious to avoid the repeat.
Kouta laughed when he heard that. "Believe me, I don't want that either. I already went through them yesterday and just to be on the safe side I am keeping the manual next to it. Don't worry, I won't be making the same mistake again."
It earned him a pat on the shoulder. "Good thinking, now let's get it all set up and make sure that when the girls go and play rough they won't get to knock it over."
Following the instructions carefully and discussing the best suitable location, it did take a bit longer than they had guessed for both the barbeque and the table as well to be set up.
"So how are things going on at work?" Kouta asked as he adjusted one of the table legs. "Anything we should keep in mind?"
"No, not really. To be honest, it has become rather quiet with the whole Diclonius affair now having died down though a few people keep stirring up the fire. I wouldn't pay it all that much attention since, to most, it all ended when she died." They both looked over towards the little grave marker standing there in the corner.
"Saseba certainly won't be making a move anytime soon at all, I will make sure of that. Still, we do have a wild card in the game I'm afraid."
Feeling somewhat confused by Dai's choice of words Kouta asked what he meant with the term 'wild card,' the answer was one he rather didn't want to hear.
"It means we have an unpredictable factor or rather in this case a person and we both know who I am referring to. He is up to something and currently trying to drag me into it as well."
He was already having a suspicion on who Dai was referring to. "Surely you don't mean...?"
"Yep, I am talking about Bando. That man is tenacious I tell you. Once he gets an idea stuck in his head he isn't going to let it go."
"So what is it that he is getting you involved in then? I hope it is nothing serious." Done with the table he felt like there still was some time for them both to kill. "I do want to be clear that I don't want to see the girls getting involved in this."
"Believe me, that is my concern as well. But no, so far it seems to have something to do with an old acquaintance of his and organized crime. It's one of those cases again. Anyway just forget that I even mentioned it, don't let it bother you any further."
"Wow, I am really surprised that the two of you actually managed to set it up right this time and even with time to spare while you're at it," Yuka commented as she stepped outside, carrying a tray with some refreshments for the two of them. "I thought you two gentlemen would be thirsty so I brought you something." Setting down the tray, she was also quick again to go back into the house, no doubt there was still plenty that needed to be taken care of.
"Ah... that tastes good, I really needed that," Dai remarked as he downed the drink in one quick gulp. "The way this spring is going we might be in for one hot summer I am telling you."
"I hope it doesn't get so hot like last summer. During the day it was just unbearable to be inside the house and even outside I still found it unpleasant. Luckily we could go to the beach though every time made me very nervous."
Dai laughed. That was a sensation he had shared on more occasions than he cared for. "That did get pretty tense on some days though luckily most seem to think it is some odd form of cosplay. I guess we should be glad that most tourists have this biased look of us."
Staring at the table, Dai made a notion that they would likely need a second one just to have enough space for everybody and all of the food.
"Oh, I forgot to mention this as well. A friend of Mayu-chan is also coming over, provided she gets permission from her parents. We are definitely going to need that extra space," Kouta quickly mentioned as he remembered what Yuka had told him last night. He didn't mind for Mei to come as he knew her but it seem better to let Dai in on it.
"Well then, let's get that second table set up, just don't expect me to carry it all by myself. You're going to help me this time."
That sounded fair enough. Both of them left to get the last table from the storage room. When it was set up, they would be done for the morning anyway. The rest of the afternoon, they would catch their breath and enjoy the time with their families.
"So how is it going with the boys outside?" Mako asked as she noticed Yuka coming back inside the kitchen. "Don't tell me they are already finished?" Quickly she wiped her hands clean on the apron she was wearing. "Is it possible they learned their lesson?"
"As crazy as it may seem they are almost ready. Just the extra table we need and then they are done as well. I do feel better knowing that we don't have to worry about that anymore. So how is it going with the preparations?"
"Almost done Yuka-san. The salads are all done and both the meat and vegetables are already cut and sorted. The only thing left is just a few more side dishes and Ryou-chan is making the soup." Pointing towards what was finished, Nozomi was quick to inform her.
Ryou reacted when she heard her name being mentioned. "I am almost done, just need to add a little more." They all watched with anticipation as she carefully poured in a little soy sauce into the kettle. They all hoped that she knew what she was doing.
"Ah Ryou-chan be careful, it doesn't need that much. Just a drop or two at max." Nozomi advised her quickly. "Be cautious and-."
Ryou cried out loudly as all of a sudden the bottle cap came off and nearly the entire content of the bottle was spilled in the soup. "N-N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! N-N-NO! NO! NO! NO!" Her hand reaching for her face in dismay. She was mortified as she stared at it. "NO! NO! NO! N-N-N-N-NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHY?! W-WHY DID THIS…?!" She appeared to be in some kind of shock from seeing her work ruined.
Bending over to give her a hug Nozomi was quick to comfort her "It's alright dear. It wasn't you fault." She looked at the soup, with that much amount of soy-sauce it was likely ruined and they would need to start over again but that in her mind was no reason for letting Ryou feel to strongly about it. "You tried so hard, didn't you? To make the soup just right for us?"
"Ahauuauauau…" Ryou mumbled silently, tears were visible on her face as she kept looking at the kettle. Nozomi and the others could all well understand how she must be feeling.
"Tell you what, let's taste it first and see if we can still save some of it." Yuka mentioned as she stepped forward with a spoon, already she knew that it was most likely ruined as no soup could survive that much soy sauce being poured in and not taste as salty as the sea. "Let's see."
"See Ryou-chan, you don't need to be so sad. With a little luck, your efforts haven't been in vain…" Nozomi stopped at that as she saw the expression on Yuka's face as she tasted the soup. Already, the way her face was coloring was not a good sign to her.
"I'm sorry Ryou-chan but I am afraid to say that it is just a bit too much. Why don't you go into the living room with your sister and wait while we go and get it all cleaned up. Then when we start anew I will let Nozomi-chan call you. Would that be alright with you?"
"…Y-Yes…" She muttered as she got up with some help of Nozomi who guided her out of the kitchen. Yuka looked at Mako.
"I feel so sorry for her," she said as she casted another glance at the ruined soup. "She tried so hard on it, oh well there isn't much left for us to do. Maybe we should decide on not having any soup at all."
Mako nodded. "Even at home, she helps often with cooking but in the end it will go wrong. It is odd as Kyou-chan is just so good at it. With her, it seems almost natural when she is busy, even with them being identical twins. There is much difference between them."
Yuka started to pour down the soup into the kitchen sink. "Well, let's get to work, shall we? The quicker she can get back at it, the better I say. I just hope her sister won't get angry."
Sighing at hearing that Mako reminded her that Kyou always got angry when her sister was sad or seemed to be hurt. "This is Kyou-chan you're talking about, her sister's wellbeing comes first you know. You still remember what happened at the pool back then?"
"How could I not, I am still feeling sorry for that boy. The way she reacted was just scary."
Yuka could well remember that after what they had gone through at the DRI and how all this time Kyou had never been able to protect her sister that was why she had this urge to make up for it. Still, there were times when her reaction was out of proportion to what had caused her younger sister to panic. Kyou was a dear but sometimes she just went too far in protecting her sister.
"Well, let's get this over with then, shall we?"
She had to swallow hard as Mayu approached the clubroom. Already, she was feeling uncertain if Mei was going to be present or not. Sadly, she didn't have the chance to go and see for herself if she had been in class as her own classes had prevented her from going there but now, with the club, it was going to be her only chance and even that one appeared to be slim.
Already, she had been notified that their club president had left earlier due to feeling ill which also meant that plenty of club members would likely not bother to come and rather enjoy the weekend or, in the case of the senior's, spend more time on their exams.
"I hope you're here Mei-san, I would feel a lot better to know that you are better and even if you can't come I just want to know that you are alright." Mayu told herself as she grabbed the doorknob. If it was closed then she would go to their respective teacher as he had the keys to the clubroom.
"Mayu-chan!" Mei greeted her with a big hug the moment she opened the door. "Oh it's so nice to see you again! So how was it at your place yesterday?"
"Ah Mei-san… I… eh..." She didn't know what to say. She had hoped to meet Mei here but to be greeted in her usual way was something she hadn't been prepared for after seeing her so down yesterday night. "I-I'm fine, how are you if I may ask? How did it go with your parents?"
"I'm great." Joyful as usual, she replied with a cheer. "Honestly I'm doing a lot better, I had a little talk with my parents about it and cleared it up." Mei was quick to pull her inside the clubroom and the first thing Mayu noticed was that it was just the two of them. Apparently more students had thought about skipping club today.
"I'm glad to hear that, honestly me and Nana-san were starting to get a little worried on our way home. I was also concerned when I went to your place this morning and nobody opened the door."
"Ah! Sorry about that, I am so sorry!" Mei's apology couldn't have been fast enough. "I am so sorry for that but you see my parents had to leave early for work so they offered me a ride so I didn't have to carry my stuff for the sleepover." She pointed towards the corner were a rather large sportsbag was standing. "They said it was okay for me to go." Mei smiled.
"S-So they were alright with it? They didn't object to this?"
She shook her head in delight. "No they didn't. Besides, with them having to leave town for the weekend they felt better knowing I would not be alone in the house. Oh Mayu-chan I am so excited about this! I just can't wait for the club to be over! Let's just skip it like all the others Mayu-chan! Let's go to your place! I am just dying to see the others! Oh this will be such an awesome weekend!"
"Ah? Well I guess that with nobody here it wouldn't make all that much of a difference but can you carry that suitcase? It looks rather heavy to me." She really hadn't been prepared for that outburst from Mei but she was also relieved to see that Mei was being her normal joyful self again. Mayu's earlier concerns for her friends' health had by now vanished like they had never even existed at all.
"Come on Mayu-chan! I want to go! Class has been so boring to me! Please say yes?!" Mei had already gone back and grabbed the sportsbag. "Come on Mayu-chan! Let's go!"
"Yes, you're right. Let's go home but, if you don't mind, would it be alright if I called them at home to pick us up? That way you don't have to carry it around the way back."
Waving her hand Mei replied. "Ah it isn't that heavy at all, it is just for two days you know. It is not like I am going to stay over for the rest of the year. Come, let's hurry otherwise we might miss the bus." Reaching out and grabbing Mayu's hand, Mei quickly pulled her out of the room and down the hallway, not even bothering to close the door of the clubroom.
"Ah b-but Mei-san! We need to lock it or otherwise sensei will be mad at us!" Mayu cried.
"You know the rules. The last to leave the clubroom is to lock the door and return the keys to their respective sensei."
Mei puffed as she stopped. "Mayu-chan you can be such a bore. Well, I guess it can't be helped, let's go to sensei if that makes you feel any better but I don't want to miss the bus. Otherwise you are going to make that phone call, alright?"
Holding up the phone for Mei to see, it didn't take long for her to go along towards the teacher's room. Mei did have a little point in that if they could get the bus then they would be back much earlier and she didn't have to bother either Dai or Mako in having to pick them up.
Still being so early in the afternoon, they would have plenty of time to go on a little walk through the city. "We still have some time, we don't need to rush and once we get home we can easily go on a little trip."
"Ah trip?" Mei froze in her pace. "Did you say a trip? Like in just us going on a shopping trip?! You?! Me?! Those cute twins and Nana-chan?! Mayu-chan we need to leave now!" Like before she grabbed Mayu's hand and before either of them was fully aware of it they were already rushing towards the teacher's room at high speed.
"Ah M-Mei-san? Be careful, were going to bump into somebody." Mayu tried to protest.
But Mei would have nothing of it as she pulled even harder now. "Don't care! Need to catch that bus! And with that she quickened her pace.
"So what next then?! You can't expect me to keep waiting and sitting around until it comes near?!" Bando was growing ever more tired of this bureaucratic bullshit. "I feel like I am wasting my time by helping you people. Seriously... I want to get some action."
The man cautioned for him to ease down. "I fully understand your feelings and I share your desire to get to the bottom of this but we are taking swings in the dark. We know nothing about who is responsible for these actions and why these groups are being targeted. For all we know, this could even be some kind of petty rivalry. God knows what it is."
"Don't give me that fucking crap!" Bando snarled as he clenched his fist. "This is anything but a petty rivalry, not with the growing amount of these incidents across a good chunk of Asia!"
"You don't know that. Yes, they are very similar but, that is all. It doesn't hold any meaning and as far I am concerned, it is not our business to interfere with those countries for our investigation."
"And at the same time we get nothing should they provide any information that we could use. Nice work mister fucking genius." It was a quick remark before he took a drink from the second cup of coffee he had ordered thus far. "Seriously you guys are just fucking this up, I doubt any of you would be smart enough to figure this out even if it was staring you in the face."
The man cleared his throat. "Are you done with those petty insults of yours? Unlike you, I do not have the luxury of getting to work off the grid. There are people I have to report to and I am already breaking quite a large amount of rules just discussing this with you."
"As if I could give a fuck about that!"
Sighing as he buried his head in his hand, the man waited. "You're absolutely impossible to work with, I must have been insane to think that you could be of some help with this. Listen, we both want the same thing and that is solving this case so can we please for god's sake just try and cooperate?!"
A vicious grin appeared on Bando's face as he placed the cup down on the table. Folding his arms over his chest, he leaned back. "Just give me one damn good fucking reason?!" And then he waited as the man started to sweat, yeah he was enjoying making him squirm.
Another painful sigh greeted him. "You're not even listening to me are you?" The man asked him.
Bando was just staring at the ceiling. Oh, he had heard the man just fine. He just wasn't in the mood to pay him any more attention. Besides, it was just like the man had said earlier. He worked off the grid so there was no reason at all for him to cooperate if he didn't feel like it and he most certainly wasn't feeling it at this very moment.
"Alright then. I will discuss it with my supervisors if some of the charges for your more unfortunate actions can be dismissed, I doubt you would get back into SAT but other jobs shouldn't be an issue then."
With an unnerving silence, Bando finally got up from his seat and grabbed the report from the table before the man even had a chance to get it back. "I will give this a read myself and then I will let you know. Also if I do run into these people first don't expect me to call you, I will handle it myself, am I clear?!"
"I guess it can't be helped. Just try to avoid any unnecessary attention. The less red tape we have to deal with, the easier it will be for all of us. Take good care of yourself Bando-san."
Halting at the exit, he turned his head around to face the man one last time. "Aye. You too, take care." Giving a short salute, he stepped outside of the café. His next stop would be a quiet place where he could go through all of this and make some educated guesses with his guts. Then he would go and do some research of his own.
"Unnecessary attention? Bah!" He spat as his thoughts went back over what he had been told. 'If this is what I far then you can forget about that. This is much bigger than any of you idiots think it is! Just wait and I will prove it to you! Takagi, don't worry, I will honor your last request and find your daughter. Then I will take care of the assholes who murdered you.'
His neck craning back, he looked at the clear skies overhead, it would be a shame to waste what was left of the day. Perhaps it would not be such a bad idea to just go back to the beach though he reminded himself to be cautious so she wouldn't see him should she be there.
"Sorry kid, you're better off without me." He set off again, his mind pondering.
"Oh no!" Yuka shot up straight as she just thought of something. "We have forgotten to make the korokke, Nozomi-chan can you help me quickly?!" To think she had forgotten to make those as well was something she couldn't get over with and these needed plenty of time to make.
"Ryou-chan, I could really use your help as well. Would you like to?" She didn't know if Ryou was up to it. Already, she had been pretty hesitant about helping with the second go at making the soup but even so this was a simple dish that she could help with.
"I could really use your hand, it is a bit much for just Nozomi-chan and myself to do on our own." Yuka kneeled down next to her, still weary that Kyou was having that look in her eyes. The look that meant she was alert and ready to react if something or somebody tried to harm her sister.
"Yuka-san is right." Now Nozomi chimed in as well. "If you help us then we should be able to get them done before Mayu-chan gets home, then you girls can go outside and have fun for yourselves."
"A-A-Are you sure about that? A-Aren't you worried that I will just make a-another mess?"
Her arms wrapped around her. Yuka didn't seem to mind at all. "That wasn't your fault, it was just a little accident. Come on and don't let that get you down, you do want to get better at cooking right?"
"Y-Yes, I will then." Spurred on by her sister, Ryou got off from her seat and went along with Yuka and Nozomi towards the kitchen. She would try it again. She wanted to be as good as her sister if not to be better than her. "W-What should I do first?"
Handing her one of the aprons, Yuka already held up the bag for her to see. "I am going to cook them first and then you can mash them up, alright? You don't have to hold back."
"S-So just mashing them up." She nodded, tying up the knot behind her back. She wondered what else she could do then.
"You can then help Nozomi-chan to mold them into shape and then I will do the rest for you. Once Mayu-chan comes home, you can all go so if you want to stop and get yourself dressed up and such just let me know alright. Also, be sure to first go to your parents as they have something for you."
"M-My parents? I don't understand..."
"You will when you go but first let's get to work shall we? We do want something for you to be proud of, right?" Yuka began to smile as Ryou stepped forward and got herself ready.
She did have to wait a bit as the sweet potatoes first needed to be properly cooked to soften them up enough otherwise they would rather fall apart rather than becoming a paste. Finally, Yuka took the pot from the stove. "Ryou-chan, are you ready? Here they come."
Still holding the masher firmly in her hands, she seemed undaunted as the big bowl was set in front of her. 'I-I can do this… I-I won't lose to onee-chan… I am going to mash them… oto-san and oka-san will be proud of me…'
As she got busy with her task, Nozomi moved closer towards Yuka and whispered in her ear. "Do you think it was right to lie a little to her? We didn't really need her help and you already have a large portion of them ready."
"I know but I wanted for her to feel a little better after what happened. It would be a shame if because of that small mistake she would be down for the remainder of the day. In this case, a little lie won't hurt her. Besides, I much more prefer to see the girls smile."
Nozomi had to giggle. "I am going to crack the eggs then. Just let me know when she needs to be ready to mold them. I do have to admit that I am really looking forward to this."
"Same for me, it is nice to see everybody back under the same roof.
Downstairs, it was beginning to get even livelier or at least so it seemed to Saeko. She hadn't really joined the rest as she wanted to spend a bit more of her time to make sure that Saori would be alright.
'If you prefer, you don't have to come with us but we would like it if you were there as well.' The words of Ryou were still running through her mind. Part of her desperately wanted to go even if it would just be to get out of the house and spend some time with her other sister. On the other hand, that would mean that she would leave another sister on her own.
It wasn't that she did not trust the others in the house to be able to help her, far from it as they were likely better at it than she could be but still, there remained a reluctance to leave Saori on her own.
"I would like to go out…" She sighed, looking down at the face of Saori who was still resting in her lap. "It is nice outside and they are my sisters as well but I can't leave you…"
Her condition had started to look better and from what Mako had told her this morning, she was having good hope that she would wake up somewhere in the day. She wanted it to be now just so she could ask if it would be alright with Saori if she could leave.
"Saori-chan? Would you mind if your big sister were to go out this afternoon? Our other sisters are going as well, if you were feeling well would you like to come with us?"
Other than a soft moan, there was little response coming from her. Saeko's mind was wondering once more how long this seizure was going to last.
It pained her to see one of her own kind to be in such misery and yet they were all powerless. Whatever it had been that had been inflicted on her by those people at the institute was still leaving its mark on her.
Saori was never going to have a chance at a normal life until it was removed as well. How many times had she caught herself on wanting to just rip it from her head but who knew what the consequences of such an action would be.
"It just isn't fair is it, Saori-chan? You deserve a better life just like the rest of us. Yet those people refuse to let you escape. We would all want to punish them for what they have done to you. They are the ones who deserve to suffer… not you…"
Cradling her head, she really wanted for her to wake up. No doubt Saori would like all of the food they were going to have later on. Would she even be willing to set aside her distrust of people and join them at the table or would she just stick to her room?
"Saori-chan…" Saeko whispered to her. "You really need to let others into your heart otherwise you are going to remain lonely… I-I don't want to see that for you. You deserve to be happy and with other people who love you but you have to allow them to love you."
As if such a thing would be easy. Her distrust of humans was enormous. Much to the degree that most of the others in the inn were cautious around her. Unless Nana or herself was present, they didn't want to go and meet Saori. There was the ever present risk that she would get into a fit and lash out at people and with her vectors that was a dangerous if not lethal prospect.
"You've barely had a chance to enjoy what life can offer you, such a shame as there is still so much that I want to share with you. I know deep inside that you would like it as well."
Downstairs, it was starting to become lively again and she started to realize that she herself was starting to feel rather lonely up here as well. Saeko really wanted to go down and be with people that she loved and who loved her in return.
"Sorry everybody… I am so… sorry…" She sobbed. "But no matter how much I want to… I… I can't turn my back on my own…"
Almost bouncing up and down the stairs leading up to the inn, Mei could barely control her enthusiasm anymore. The closer they were getting, the more excited she was becoming.
"Mei-san." Mayu cautioned her. "Be careful, the last thing we want to happen is for you to fall down these stairs, please be a little more careful."
"S-Sorry Mayu-chan but I just can't help myself. Oh do you know how long it has been since I had a sleepover at a friend's house? Oh this is going to be so awesome!" She cheered as she jumped up another step, not seeming to care or even notice the sports bag she was carrying as well.
"I guess it can't be helped." Mayu laughed as she followed her but still kept a certain distance between herself and Mei unless she wanted to take the risk of getting hit by it. "I do agree that this is going to be a great weekend, maybe I am starting to feel a little excited about it as well."
The more she thought about it, the more she liked the idea of being a bit more excited. After all, she had many reasons to be looking forward to this weekend. Even as the last few steps were starting to come into sight, it dawned on her that the weekend itself had begun for her.
"Do you want to put your stuff down and refresh yourself first? I am eager to get out of my school uniform."
"Yes!" Mei cried out as she looked over her shoulder. "I brought such cute clothes with me! Mayu-chan you are going to love them I am telling you! Oh Mayu-chan, when can we go out to an ice-café?! I am dying for a big parfait!"
Giggling at hearing her say that, Mayu wasn't surprised in the least. Much like the others girls, Mei too had an enormous sweet tooth and she did always take the opportunity to get the biggest she could lay her hands on.
"Oh I don't know, I would need to ask the others. Besides, those can get really expensive and I don't know if the twins are allowed that."
"That's okay." Mei pulled out her own purse. "I got plenty of extra allowance so how about I treat all of you, consider it a thank you for allowing me to stay over."
"Ah, b-but Mei-san." Mayu was stunned at the offer. "I-I just can't let you do that, you shouldn't. I am the one who invited you, I don't want anything in return other than your company. You're a great friend to have, you really don't need to."
Mei shrugged her shoulders. "I know but I still want to treat my friends. Besides, if I want to then isn't it my choice to make, I like to do something back in return for my friends."
The last bit of their walk was over as Mayu opened the door for them. Almost instantly, they were greeted by Nana and Kyou who seemed to welcome them with open arms.
"Ah Mayu I am so glad your back, we were getting a little restless here."
"She is right, it was starting to get boring here. Now, let's go have some fun in the city!"
Kyou was quick to grab the both of them. "Come on, oto-san gave me my allowance for today and I want to buy those new boots I saw in the store a few weeks ago!" Her face was almost radiant but it also revealed that despite her more crude manners that she was still a girl inside. "Hey, wait a moment, who is this?!" It was only then that she actually noticed that Mei was with Mayu. She been so immersed in her desire for shopping that she hadn't noticed.
"Oi Kyou-san, you're rather slow aren't you?" Nana remarked with a smile. Unlike her, she had noticed it the moment she had greeted them.
"Mei-san it is nice to have you here, I take it that your parents were alright with you staying here for the weekend?"
"SHE'S WHAT?! Whoever came up with that bright idea?!"
"O-Onee-chan, you shouldn't yell like that. Besides, if she has been invited by Yuka-san or Kouta-san then shouldn't that be okay? It is their house after all."
As they looked around they could see Ryou standing there. Already she had gone and gotten herself changed into something more befitting for spending the afternoon out.
"Oh that is sooooo cuteeee!" Mei screamed with delight as she saw how well the dress looked on her. "Oh that dress really suits you, it is just so cute and lovely. Oh Mayu-chan why didn't you tell me the twins could look this cute!"
Rolling with her eyes after that remark, Kyou was feeling somewhat suspicious about this girl. "Fine, whatever. I'll be going to get myself changed as well. I guess she can come along."
"Oi, Kyou-san!" Nana yelled as she left. "You don't get to decide that! We are the ones that invited her!" Turning her attention back Nana apologized towards Mei for what had just happened. "I am sorry about that Mei-san. I think Kyou-san might be a little grouchy from having lost that game against me. I am so delighted that you could come… like Mayu I…I was a little worried when we left your house."
Mei blushed. "Oh thank you both, you have no idea how much that means to me."
Grabbing both Nana and Mayu to hug them Mei quickly blinked away a tear. "I like having you two as friends, you are always so caring to me. I-I am really looking forward to this weekend."
"As are we, you know when Mayu told me I was feeling so excited. Oh I am already looking forward to our little trip and perhaps we can all go tomorrow somewhere else as well!"
"Oh that sounds so cool!" Mei was starting to share the same level of excitement that Nana was exhibiting. "Perhaps we should go to a karaoke bar?! Would you like to sing?!"
Nana fell silent all of a sudden. Sure, she did like to sing, but the only songs that she really knew were the ones she practiced along with Mayu and Nozomi. She had no clue what kind of songs people would sing at karaoke but then if she was with her friends and sisters then it wouldn't really matter all that much.
"I will leave the two of you at it." Mayu excused herself as she already went ahead to put down her school books for the day. "I will get myself dressed as well, Nana-san why don't you help Mei-san get her belongings in our room and then you should get yourself ready."
Nana laughed. "Ah Mayu there is no need to rush, with Kyou-san there we should have some time. So Mei-san how about I help you with those?"
Mei seemed to be almost reluctant to hand over her sports bag. "Well I… ehm… I don't know, it might be too heavy for you… so I… I would rather carry it myself…"
Taken aback, Nana eyed her. "Ah okay then I guess. Come, let me show you the room." Still finding it a bit odd, she pushed those thoughts aside for the time being. There was little reason to keep herself busy with such questions when she was planning on having fun this afternoon.
They had both noticed the noise coming from inside but Dai was the first to mention it. "I think you have guests in the house, the girls are really starting to get lively in there you know."
"Yeah, I can imagien that it must be that friend of Mayu-chan who is coming over for the weekend, I believe you have seen her before. She is the one that can get very excited when she sees one of the girls."
"Oh you mean her?" Dai remarked with a hint of surprise, that brought an image to his mind pretty fast. He remembered that girl quite clearly as well as the first time running into the twins. That had been some experience for them all as they weren't certain how the girl upon realizing they had horns was going to react and how for the most part Kyou would react to that. "I really thought my heart was going to stop at that moment. One pretty tense moment if you get what I mean.""
Kouta nodded. "I know what you mean. I felt really scared at that time but she turned out alright. I am glad that she is one of Mayu's friends at school. With her, we can at least allow her to come inside the house and not having to worry about seeing the horns." The same old worry that kept plaguing them all; what if somebody told the police of the girls? It was part of the ever present risk of the girls getting exposed for who they really were.
"Still, she did unsettle Ryou for a bit, she isn't used to such a spontaneous hug from strangers you know. Kyou was about to freak when she saw that." Dai mentioned before he resumed again with with setting up the last table.
Wiping away some of the sweat, Kouta remembered that all too well. Scary how she could be at times. "Well, what do you say we take some rest. Everything is set up and I do believe they are finished inside with all of the preparations. I think we should have some time to relax a little. I don't know about you but I am worn out for the moment."
Dai coughed a little as he heard that. "That is a poor joke coming from you Kouta-san, perhaps I should ask Yuka-san to pay a bit more attention to your physical conditions?"
Author's note: the next chapter, enjoy it.