Nagito became very suspicious of some people at school. He said he could sense despair. I trust him on that. It's not something I fully understand, actually I can't explain it at all. But I trust him. He asked me to investigate and to talk to some people. I mentioned that I met Sonia Nevermind before. Just like me, she had important responsibilities since she was a child. Thanks to that, it will be easy to have a conversation with her. However, Nagito asked me to talk to Gundham Tanaka while I was at it. I never heard of him but Nagito said it wouldn't be that complicated for me but still I have found another approach for that one. He didn't give me more details and left me to investigate on his own as he said.
Thus, I asked Sonia to meet me today for afternoon tea. I told her she could bring someone if she wanted, like Nagito suggested. I chose the Japanese tea salon which was the fanciest in town. I thought she might enjoy spending time in a traditional tea salon to experience Japanese culture properly.
She entered the salon accompanied by a tall young man with a strange appearance. His skin was so pale that I had the feeling he didn't go out often. He also had a red lens on his right eye and a scar on the other. It's not someone you imagined would hang out with a princess. I reckoned that it must have been Gundham Tanaka. I could already tell at that moment that he was a strange character. I understood why Nagito told me to adopt a different approach. I also noticed that Sonia changed as well since I've seen her last. She was still very elegant and behaving like a proper princess. I simply assumed it was probably because she moved to another country and got influenced by the culture and the people here.
I moved toward them to greet Sonia and introduce myself to Gundham.
Sonia cheerfully said:
"Hello Ushi. I'm glad we can finally meet. I can't believe we have both been here for so long and we only managed to meet each other now! Let me introduce you to my friend, Gundham Tanaka. He is also an ultimate. I invited him because he has never been to a tea salon! What a shame! I hope you don't mind, he brought the Four Dark Devas of Destruction with him."
"I'm sorry but… The four Devas of what?"
"The Four Dark Devas of Destruction!" Answered Gundham with a serious and satisfied look in his eyes while four hamsters came out of his purple scarf. I realised I had seen them before.
"Hamsters? I don't mind animals. I like taking care of them."
"They are not mere hamsters! They might be really tiny right now in this temporary shape, however, they are fierce and powerful creatures. Nevertheless, the Dark Queen claims you are different from other humans. Indeed, you mentioned you signed a pact with demons. I'm actually interested in knowing more about your relationship with these demons. It doesn't mean that you are safe though. It would be reckless of you, mere human, to think that you could outsmart us. If ever you give me a reason to be suspicious of you, me and my Four Dark Devas of Destructions will end you before you can call your demons!"
He seemed very serious. He was so convinced by what he said. I figured out that the best way to get along with Gundham was to join him in his fantasy. I shouldn't underestimate him, even if he lives in an imaginary world, he seemed smart enough to realise that I wouldn't foolishly believe everything he said and that if I tried to pretend, he would realise right away. I decided to remain a bit skeptical but not reject his truth. I wonder what he means by demons. I knew that his talent was related to animals, and he seemed to trust them more than human beings, like me. I knew what to do to make him speak.
"Let's sit down and order. We can talk about demons then."
"So you know things about the occult Ushi? I figured out you might know something!" enthusiastically replied Sonia. I was surprised to see that she was interested in the occult. That is probably why she was friends with Gundham.
"Well, I met some insiders. I don't know a lot myself."
"I see, you probably know more than what you claim you do. You might be an ally of my enemies. Maybe you were sent to spy on me."
Gundham seems suspicious of me.
"I don't have any allies. I work alone most of the time. I don't depend on anyone. Plus, if you are as powerful as you said, I have no chance against you. I'm not looking for any conflict, on the contrary, I seek peace. Sonia can testify. And to be honest, I might actually need your help."
"That is right. Ushi is the first person we call when the Novoselic Kingdom is facing a conflict. We were never disappointed! I doubt the Novoselic Kingdom would be at peace at the moment without Ushi. "
"Hmm… The Dark Queen and her Kingdom seem to trust you. I will then accept your request."
"There is something threatening Hope's Peak Academy. Maybe you already know what is going on. If you haven't, then I warn you, you better watch out. And in case you ever hear anything, I would like to know as soon as possible. I can't say much for now, but please, be careful."
"A threat? Of course I was already aware of that. I can see and hear everything. The day we shall fight these fiends, make sure you and your significant other are by my side if you want to be victorious!"
"Count on me too!" added Sonia very passionately.
"I appreciate your support. Wait, m-my significant other? W-what do you mean by that?"
"I believed that you and Nagito had united your souls to make one." asked Gundham with a confused look.
"N-no! Not at all! We are just… allies... friends at most." I never felt more embarrassed of my life.
Sonia replied with an apologetic ton:
"I have seen you together. I had the feeling Nagito was wooing you. We are sorry if we disconcerted you. It was never our intention. A princess should never put her nose in someone else's privacy! Please, forgive us Ushi."
"It's alright." I replied hoping I wasn't blushing too much. Is that really what people think of us? This is so embarrassing. Anyway, it's not important for now.
I'm not sure Gundham actually knew that much about that threat but I have the feeling I can trust him. I could actually really use more allies since I still didn't learn anything more yet. I hope Nagito was more lucky.