"Let go of me you crazy girl," Kageru objected as Hiyono pulled him down the crowded streets. She had insisted that he leave his cave once in a while and bask in the sun. "The sun?" Kageru gawked at the reporter in disgust. "It's ninety degrees outside." They came to a stop as they waited in line for anmitsu at an outdoor sweets shop. Kageru, panting, slouched forward. He removed his visor and wiped off the sweat from his forehead. Hiyono watched as he placed it back on.
"Why are you wearing that, you look stupid."
"No, I look cool."
Dressed in a fitting green tank-top and baggy dark jeans, Kageru, whose age was never previously noted, gave off a rather different aura. In actuality, it was you who asked Hiyono to take him out. Pissed, Kageru folded his arms and grunted, "Who eats anmitsu from a vendor anyways?" Hiyono, holding two stout glasses of the sweet jelly, kicked Kageru out of the line. "Let's go find a seat," she said. "The stand belongs to the cafe here. It's not really a street vendor. They have really good tiramisu too."
Slightly pink in the face, Kageru sulked. He did love his tiramisu. It was hard for the other customers to not notice that deranged atmosphere at the table which the two "friends" sat. It was expected that the male party would take out a gun and shoot the female.
"Chiharu's really worried about you." Hiyono scolded as she scooped up a mandarin orange with her spoon. "She said you changed...you rarely ever leave your house anymore." Kageru listened as the girl rambled on. Elbow on the table, his cheek resided in his cupped palm.
"Are you even listening to me?" Hiyono stuck her spoon out at him like a weapon. Kageru sighed and replied, "No." Before hell went lose, he remarked, "I'm kidding. I appreciate what she's trying to do for me, but it isn't that simple." The watcher stared at his wrist, which was covered by a green sweat band.
"But I'm alright, for now at least. "
"You could always talk to me." For a second, Kageru looked at her in surprise, he then declined. However, he closed his eyes afterwards and chuckled, "Thanks anyways."
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"Little Miss Rabbit
you have a bad habit
of crying when he's around
I'll give you a warning
this lovely hot morning
about a Judas kiss
in a very small town."
Akemi sat at the fountain where you first met him. Accompanying him was Jun, the demoted hunter. With a paper bag pressed against your chest, you were heading home from the bookstore. "Who are you calling a rabbit? And that last part didn't rhyme so much." You walked over cautiously, eying Jun suspiciously. Akemi, who noticed your uneasiness, pulled you into his arms. "Don't worry about Jun," he teased, "After that stunt he pulled, he won't be playing with anymore guns... cute outfit." Akemi picked at the frills on your pink dress.
"Let her go," Jun remarked.
Reluctantly, Akemi released you. "Speaking of guns," you stammered, "what kind of a joke were you playing by going after Kousuke with a paintball gun? It makes me wonder if you're really motivated."
"I wouldn't want to kill you Chiharu."
Akemi turned away and began whistling.
"Then, why don't you hospitalize me?"
Akemi looked at you and his whistling stopped. "Sorry, but we're even refrained from doing that now." His eyes strolled over to his companion. "In any event, our leader doesn't realize the urgency of disposing your kind. But if you really want to feel pain, you could always come over my house."
You happily rejected his offer. Upon leaving, Akemi muttered, "But we've already made our next move." He saluted you off.
"Was it all right for you to tell her that we aren't as intimidating as she thinks?" Jun inquired, watching as Akemi stretched out his long legs. The hunter who received the question, replied, "Hmm..." Glancing at a figure in the corner of his field of view, Akemi's mouth curled into a smirk. "Hello Mr. Pianoman."
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Scanning through the shelves, Ayumu pulled out a cooking book. The pages flipped over one another. "I would like roasted lamb for dinner. " Calculus was standing a few feet away. Ayumu looked. "You're that preacher." A modest chuckle flowed from the priest's mouth. He drew closer. "Well that was when I younger."
"And how old are you?"
"I'm no one suspicious."
"Then whats your real name? Why are you here?"
Calculus exhaled. In doing so, that exhausted expression appeared in his face. "If you have something to say then..." Ayumu closed his book. "I don't have anything to say to you."
"Chiharu and I are leaving tonight."
"Have a nice trip." While Ayumu ambled past him, Calculus muttered, "May God be with you. Because...in the end...it will be you who will..."
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"...take us down..." Hiyono glimpsed over at Kageru. "Did you say something?" she inquired, handing him a cone of vanilla soft ice cream. He reassured her that it was nothing. The watcher took a bite and clenched his teeth. "Woah, that's cold. How much do I owe you? " Hiyono told him it was her treat, puncturing Kageru's pride. Taking out his wallet, he said, "Come on, you're a high school girl without a job right?"
"And how old are you?"
Kageru slightly crumpled the money in his hand. "I'm no one suspicious." Hiyono pinched his cheek. "Prove it," she demanded. Massaging the red spot on his face, the watcher stuck out his tongue. To fulfill his revenge, Kageru flicked his attacker in the forehead. He grinned, satisfied, as Hiyono shouted in pain. Before walking ahead, Kageru whispered, "Sixteen."
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"Atsushi, I came to visit!" Sliding the door open, you glamorously presented yourself. You blushed after realizing that Kousuke, Rio, Ryoko, and Kanone were also in the room. "Idiot." Kousuke grumbled, his face hidden in his hand. "It's lovely to see you here Chiharu. We were having lunch with Mr. Matsura. " It was Kanone. You asked him why he was here. Kanone smiled and held out his hand. "I came to see the face that launched a thousand ships." A bit amused, you let out a "che" and switched your attention to Rio, who was sitting with a hand on her knee. In the other was a box of melon juice. Pointing at the paper bag in your hand, she asked, "What's that?"
Eyes wandering down to your hands, you then understood what she meant. Taking the contents out of the bag, you revealed to them a tour guide of France. With an air of thought, Ryoko expressed her discontent for you to go searching for the tape alone.
"I have Calculus with me."
"Yeah and that sure is comforting," Kousuke remarked.
You blew up your cheeks and wrinkled your nose. Punching Kousuke's arm, you swiftly moved to Kanone side and fawned over him. "He's a nice guy right?" Kanone rubbed the top of your crown. "Of course, the man knows his manners." From this, you pulled away dissatisfied. "The man's a priest." Kousuke reminded you that he was one. You snapped back, "He fixed my air conditioner doesn't that say something?"
"It means you need to buy a new one."
"That costs money."
There was an awkward silence. Everyone stared at you as if you had a said something confusing. Your head flopped down beside Atsushi's pillow. "Bon voyage."
"So what, was Atsushi some church choir boy?"
"Nope, he was a deacon," you stated proudly.
"Don't act all high and mighty you atheist."
"I can't say we're completely atheist," Ryoko commented. Her hands were crossed together with one finger tapping on the others.
You nodded twice. As you were getting up, Kanone accidentally pushed his chair into the back of your knees. "Gah!" Falling onto the bed, your elbow jammed into the patient's chest. There was sudden beeping sound. Lifting your face from the comforter, the green lines and numbers on the tiny screen beside the bed were flashing. Kousuke hauled you up from under the arm. Atsushi's heart was crashing.
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"You want me to stop Chiharu from going to France?" Akemi gawked at Eyes in supposed astonishment. "That's correct." The blade child stood in front of the fountain. Akemi cocked an eyebrow and raised a corner of his lips. "And why ask me of such a request? Wouldn't it be better if she found the tape? You'll only be hindering yourselves." Akemi rested his chin on the back of his palm, his elbow firmly pressed on his crossed legs.
"And if she goes, your initial goal will be fulfilled. With her gone, it'll be easier for you to come after us. I'll go in her place."
"And you're asking me to do it because you don't have the guts to do it yourself. You're afraid of being hated. But even so, what makes you think I will stop her? Are you going to threaten me?" Eyes smiled.
"I will kill Atsushi Matsura."
Jun leaned over to study his comrades change in expression. A drop of sweat trailed down Akemi's temple and for the first time, terror resided in his eyes. His chin no longer poised itself on the back of his hand, his mouth slightly open. "She'll hate you." There was feeling of suppression as he spoke.
"Excuse me, did I say "I"? I meant someone else."
Akemi knew who he was referring to. Eyes guessed at what the hunter was going to say and added, "Kanone's at the hospital right now. It seems that Atsushi had a sudden heart attack."
"Even I wouldn't be able to stop her. Do you expect to find the tape without knowing anything about Atsushi's past? Besides, her flight is tonight." A phone call disrupted the conversation. Prior to answering it, Eyes informed the hunters that they would discuss it further in the day.
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"Chiharu, you're such a dumbass." The nursed moved the party to the hallway, where some of you sat on a backless sofa against the wall. As for you, you were sitting. "How was I supposed to know he has a heart condition?" Rio also pitched in that it was all an accident. "And if I remember, I think it was you Kousuke, who bumped into me," Kanone noted. Unable to fight back, Kousuke fell down next to you on the couch. He began to fiddle with his thumbs. "So he was lying when he said he was hospitalized for anemia?"
"I guess so..." Rio hesitated.
The sound of footsteps grew closer and closer. Everyone turned their heads and in doing so, drew back, aghast. In the middle of the hall stood Kageru and Hiyono, hands on their knees and wheezing for air. "How is...Atsushi...doing?" Kageru asked between gasps. "He's stable," Ryoko informed. Unexpectedly, Kageru shoved Hiyono into the wall. "I told you we didn't need to run," he hissed, still trying to catch his breath. Hiyono punched him in the arm and placed him into a head lock. "Hey, let go you psycho!" Kageru laughed. Kousuke glanced over to you.
"Is it just me or is everyone acting strange today?"
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The sun began to set as Ayumu roamed the shopping district aimlessly. "May God be with you..." He kicked a nearby trash can, startling a girl who was about to throw out her drink. She was a middle schooler with straight white hair and deep turquoise orbs. Oddly, she was wearing an ivory cape. "My bad," Ayumu stuttered, scratching behind his neck. "You're not... ARGH!!!" The girl kicked him in the shin and she kicked him hard. "Don't go damaging other people's property." She ran off. A glisten at her collar caught Ayumu's attention. It was golden cross. "That little..." he grumbled. Luckily, his temper soon settled.
"Let's go eat shaved ice."
Turning around, Ayumu frightened a couple walking arms linked together. "Sorry," he uttered, embarrassed. Sighing, he turned back around. "Ayumu?" Unsure of whether to peek over his shoulder, he waited. You gazed perplexed at a boy stationed two stores from you at a tiny intersection. Seeing that the boy did not react to your call, you circled right down a lane of cafes.
Finally deciding steal a glance, Ayumu spun around. There was no one there. About to resume his journey home, your soft brown curls caused him to freeze. In the crowd of people moving along, you were the one who stood out. He watched as you pulled a strand of hair behind your ear while you searched for something on the ground. He smiled when you smiled after finding what you were seeking for. And when Ayumu saw that you were moving back down the alley, he chased after you. "Chiharu and I are leaving tonight."
"Chiharu, wait..."
SLAM and Ayumu was on a date with the cement. He had mistakenly grabbed the hand of a fat woman, who mistook him as a pervert. After hearing your name, you twirled around. However, you only saw a gigantic woman yelling and bystanders snickering at her. The woman's thick body mass had blocked out the view of anything in front of her.
As a result, you walked off.
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The lights flicked on at your apartment. Entering the dining room, a piece of paper was lying on the table. You read it aloud, "Chiharu, I'll meet you at the airport at eight... Calculus." The clock said seven-thirty.
"It's not happy hour anymore Eyes." Akemi carried himself down the pathway alongside a bridge. "Her flight leaves in an hour." Eyes' back leaned against the railing, his arms stretched out on the bar.
"Akemi's a fool." Jun glimpsed up at the high black gate of the cemetery. "Ne, Hazuki?" Squatting down, Jun took out three small pieces of candy from his pocket. The sweets were packaged in a pink wrapper, coiled at both ends. "Eyes wasn't planning on killing Atsushi in the first place. But he had to lose his cool and forget all logic. If it were me..." Jun placed the candy on the cobblestone. "I think I'd probably do the same for you sister."
Eyes detached himself from the bridges railing. "I can ensure Atsushi's safetly if you tell me who Calculus D. Trigger is."
"He's no one suspicious."
"But you know who he is."
At the airport, Calculus waited at the gate entrance, his cell phone pressed against the side of his head. "The girl will be arriving any minute now. You better keep your word and make sure those underlings don't create mayhem while I'm gone." Spotting you rushing over, Calculus hung up. "Sorry, there was a long line at the inspection station."
[Flight 456 to Amiens, France First Class, please board]
Calculus took a hold of both your hands and smiled. "Chiharu, let's play a game."
