Is she the one?
Is she the one?
He sighed deeply and opened the door, and the 'guest' immediately started to rummage through his kitchen fridge and drawers.
"What are you doing here, Arata?"
"Filling my stomach."
"Weren't you supposed to be abroad?"
"After I blew up the tower, I didn't have anything else to do. Then I hear interesting rumors about this super strong woman in Japan."
"Super strong?" Toh trailed off.
That could be anybody, and yet somebody strong enough that even terrorists abroad will spread rumors about it? There is only one woman who fits that description.
"Yeah, they call her the demon Princess, and rumor has it that she beat Aki and is secretly the one in charge of the underworld in Japan." Arata laughed. "For her to beat that guy. I am interested."
Toh didn't say anything. He wished he was wrong, but Arata confirmed his suspicions immediately. This is bad. Arata's interest in her isn't the same as his.
"A fight to the death with somebody like that. I am looking forward to it."
He hasn't even met her yet and wants to kill her.
"So, what are you doing coming to me instead of finding her?"
"Ha, don't hide it. Those rumors also include how she is close to a famous psychologist. In Japan, only a few psychologists work so closely in the underworld. I am not good at obtaining information, but I hired a hacker, and he found out what I needed to know." Arata looks around. "She has been staying here, hasn't she?"
"It seems it will be futile hiding it from you. Yes, that's right. But, since she is currently the one I am after. I will not hand her over."
Arata sighed. "I have said this before, but why is somebody as strong as you wasting your time playing romance."
"I believe this lifestyle suits me better."
"You're even restricting yourself by staying with that man." Arata trailed off. "You should consider leaving him. You won't have any kind of future with Lucifer."
"It's unusual for you to be speaking about the future. As a terrorist, there isn't much for you either."
"This role is only temporary. I will go wherever I want to and do whatever I want."
Toh paused, hearing Arata's words. For a moment, it felt like he was speaking to Sumire. They are more similar than he thought. But that is what makes this equally as problematic.
"Why Sumire?" Toh decided to just ask.
Loads of people come to Arata with rumors regarding strong people to cure the man's boredom. But, normally, Arata doesn't pay any attention to them.
"How to put it? I only saw brief footage of her fighting style. But I thought we were alike. Moreover, I cannot erase this feeling that I have seen her somewhere before." Arata trailed off. "Do you remember? I had a ninety-nine percent success streak, but there was one mission I failed."
"I remember you looked like you were half dead. But it turned out your opponent used rubber bullets, so you survived."
Arata clenched his fist and frowned. "I don't understand why she used that. But, for the first time in my life, I felt genuine fear. When I was watching that footage of Ibuki Sumire fighting, it felt familiar."
"So you want to confirm if she is the one?"
"That's right."
Toh frowned even more, hearing Arata's reply. Not good. It doesn't seem like anything he says will convince him.
"Anyhow, I wasn't planning on meeting her today. There are other affairs I have to deal with. I also came to give you a heads-up. You can interfere if you want, but I don't think she will appreciate it."
"I see."
After a few more words, Arata quickly left, and Toh sighed deeply. How troubling. Unfortunately, he couldn't refute what Arata said at the end. He hasn't seen Sumire fight properly yet. He has only seen the aftermath of her fights. But from the brief footage Koichi showed him before, Toh could tell that she was strong.
Maybe she will be fine even if she fights with Arata. Even if Arata wants a fight to the death, there is no guarantee that Sumire will lose and die. But there is still that one percent chance of that happening, and that one percent frightens him.
'It seems like I really have become attached to her. I was simply interested in her before, but I ended up saying the words I like.'
Toh picked up a spoon and took a bite of the omelet she clumsily made. A bitter sensation appeared in his mouth, but he still continued to eat. She really is bad at this. He supposes he can teach her more.
_________
At Tsukuhara High School. 13:00
After an entire morning of lessons, Sumire was already ready to go home. She sighed deeply as she opened her locker and saw thumbtacks on her outdoor shoes. What are these people doing playing pranks that five-year-olds would think off? The reason why they were doing this, she already knew. It seemed like a girl confessed again to Ru not too long ago but was turned down.
How many times has this happened already? She is getting sick and tired of it.
There are only thumbtacks and nothing else. She already knew, even without asking who would clean her locker up for her. Futaba and the other guys must have been cleaning it up for her.
'I have friends, really good friends. I am not alone.' But she still can't get rid of the empty feeling in her heart.
Her thoughts broke off, hearing the sound of her phone. "Hello, Ru?"
"Ki! I heard your in school today. I am so sorry. I had no idea you would come today."
"It's alright. Are you on a job?"
"Yeah, I took on another case. But you don't have to worry. It won't interfere with the ones we are working on together."
"It's alright. But it's rare for you to take on extra work. Is there something you need to buy? I will get it for you."
"Uh, no, that-" Mamoru trailed off. "More importantly, are you okay Ki?"
Sumire sighed, hearing his words. "I would be better if your fans didn't harass me. Why are they being so extreme this time? Exactly what did you tell them?"
This has happened so many times already, so she should be used to it. But this one seems more extreme than usual.