My Enigmatic Life

          It's about ten o'clock at night right now, and I'm walking out to the little market with Sunni. I'm spending the night at her place, and the reason why we're out is so that we can pick up some cocoa to go along with our chocolate digestives.

"I'm so glad that I was able to satisfy you, Govvy. Was my wanking technique that good?"

Sunni talks about something that isn't very safe for work, and out in the open at that.

"Oi, we're in public.", I reprimand her. "Don't say such profane things."

"Don't worry, I'm only saying such things because there's no one about. Speaking on that, you're really good with your fingers, Govvy. Keep that up and I can definitely wait a couple of years for our first time."

Sunni's face is thoroughly flushed as she looks at me with a warm, yet slighty naughty expression. She's probably just saying that to humour me, but I guess I'll take it as praise.

"That's good to know."

"Oi, you don't look happy at all.", Sunni pouts. "That means that you don't believe me."

I say nothing. I know that she's probably being sincere, but I...I don't really have it in me to believe in myself enough so that I can believe in her. I couldn't act when I needed to nearly eleven years ago, so why should I believe that I can act on a whim?

I'm so patheic, it's to the point where it's sickening. If only I wasn't such a goddamn coward, maybe things would be different. If only I wasn't so bloody stupid, I wouldn't have to put my loved ones lives at risk. Maybe I should've just let Saito's goons beat my arse instead of fighting back. After all, I haven't gone through an act of penance for that day. Although, that wouldn't be enough. Not even giving up my life would be enough.

Nothing will ever be enough.

"Govvy?"

"Huh?"

Sunni's staring at me, looking a little concerned.

"Are you alright? I'm not very fond of that look on your face."

Ah, hell. I didn't want to worry her, and I don't want her to worry about me. I don't deserve someone's worry, after all.

"I'm just rather tired.", I lie. "Listen, I need to use the WC while you get the cocoa."

Without waiting for a response, I make my way to the loo. Of course, the only thing I do is splash my face with some water. Just don't think about it, Daisuke. I know it's hard not to when it's in the back of your mind every-day, but just don't think about it.

Regaining some composure, I leave the WC. Outside of it is some bloke who looks vaguely familiar. He's got hair that's around the length of mine, but it's straight and jet black instead of curly and hickory brown. Our builds are similar, but he's more muscular and I'm taller. His black eyes are like those of a dead fish. I wonder where I've seen that before?

"Colen Daisuke. It's been a while, hasn't it?", he says.

"Indeed. So much so that I don't even know who you are.", I reply.

He snickers lightly at my remark, and continues to talk.

"You know, I never noticed that you have the same eye condition as me. Though I guess it would be hard for me see that from behind the dish, right?"

From behind the dish? So this guy's a backstop, eh? Wait a tick...

"You're North Hill's-I mean Kita No Oka's star catcher, yeah? Your name's Kageyama Ryuusei."

"See? All you needed was some help.", Kageyama says listlessly.

"I'm quite grateful for the hint.", I reply in an equally deadpan voice. "If you've come for revenge, go ahead and wallop me. I really don't care, right now."

Kageyama again chuckles, though there's definitely a bit more mirth this time.

"Don't worry about that, those guys are always causing trouble anyway. What I wanted to see-"

Suddenly, I feel a hand on my shoulder.

"Is if you could see me."

Kageyama's voice comes from behind me. Th-that's way too fast! He's around that bastard Yonaguni's speed.

"I'm guessing you couldn't. That's fine."

Before I could speak, the air suddenly gets cold. And I think I know the cause. Kageyama and I both turn our heads towards where it's coming from, and standing there is Sunni, her gaze wintry and hollow.

"Get away from him, NOW.", she demands in a high voice that I barely recognise.

Kageyama lets go of my shoulder and proceeds to leave.

"Sorry for such a rude meeting, Colen. I didn't mean to offend anybody.", he says sincerely. "I hope to see you again soon."

"⌈Crushing torrent, I call upon ye to-"

"WOAH, SUNNI! STOP! IT'S ALRIGHT!"

Dear God, She was about to blast him with a spell! That was close!

"Listen, he's just an old acquaintance, okay? There's nothing to be worried about.", I soothe her.

".....You're not hurt...?"

"Not at all, my head is just fine. See?"

".......Good."

Huzzah! Crisis averted!

But, putting that aside, what the hell does Kageyama want with me? And was he always that fast?

 

 

     All of us are sat about in the facility, awaiting the return of our seniors and Mr.Watanabe. They ought to be here any minute now, I believe. 

"Oi, Govvy. Are you sure it was Kageyama who you met last night?"

Naoya asks me this question for the second time. Once again, I nod repeatedly in affirmation.

"For sure. Once he brought up being behind the plate, I knew for certain that it was him."

Gege strokes his chin thoughtfully, clearly deep in thought. 

"You don't suppose he's part of Shade's gang, do you?", he asks me.

"My thoughts exactly.", Yoko hisses, her expression dark. "Why didn't you beat him half-dead, Arianne?"

Sunni smiles bitterly at Yoko's complaint, seemingly disappointed with herself.

"I had all intentions to, but Govvy wouldn't let me."

"Of course, I should've realised that right away. Sorry for being so short with you.", Yoko apologises, sighing heavily. "Aniki is as benign as ever."

"I'm sorry that I committed the grave sin of valuing human life. Please forgive me."

Yoko narrows her eyes at my facetiousness, clearly rather displeased with me for what feels like the first time in a good while. Surprisingly, Haruhi-san speaks up for her.

"Yoko-chan has a point, Daisuke-san. What if Kageyama is a member of Shade's group?"

Naoya nods in agreement. Really? Him as well?

"Yoko and Arianne may be a wee bit too aggressive about the situation, but they're right.", he says seriously. "You should've let Arianne handle it at the time."

Well, it seems like everybody but me thinks that I made a massive miscalculation by letting Kageyama go. That's without a doubt a possibility. But...

"He's not a part of Mid-Night Fox.", I say finally.

"What makes you say that? His good manners?", Yoko asks sharply, her arms folded.

"Take it easy, sis. You don't want your favourite cousin to leave you, right?"

"Uh! N-no..I-I'm just-uhm..."

Naoya tries to solace Yoko with a bit of a joke, but she takes it too seriously and now her posture is giving off a vibe of discomfort and trepidation. Naoya notices this and tries to amend things, but I reassuringly pat Yoko's head roughly, disheveling her already shaggy hair. With that, colour comes back to her face. 

"Well, that plays a role, yes.", I say. "But I seriously have a reason as to why I believe it so firmly."

"Well, go on.", Gege urges.

"Now, I never told you lot this, but Mr.Watanabe told me that Shade is rather cautious for his age, see?"

Everyone seemingly doesn't get where I'm coming from, expect Gege.

"I get it. What you're saying is that if he was you'd be dead, right?"

Yoko and Sunni shiver uncontrolably at his assessment. 

"That's it.", I affirm. "I've already escaped from the clutches of two of his men, so there's no way he's underestimating me anymore. I doubt he would send someone on Kageyama's level and not have him kill me on the spot. Sunni showing up wasn't going to stop him."

"That makes sense.", Haruhi mutters thoughtfully.

"I'm sorry for doubting you, Aniki.", Yoko apologises quietly.

She's been a bit sheepish and timid ever since Naoya's joke. I'd better give her a lot of affection later.

"We're back!"

Ah, our seniors are back, and they've brought souvenirs along with them.

"It's nice to see you all again.", Shirogane-senpai says. "How have you all been?"

"Pretty good, we've been improving bit by bit due to our training.", I answer. 

"Haruhi-chan, Yoko-chan, Arianne-chan!"

Yonaguni, without missing a beat, makes a bee-line for the girls. What a character he is.

"I've brought you all some sweets! I hope you like them!", he beams. "Ah, where's Akane-chan?"

"She and Akai are going to be a bit late.", Naoya replies. "Family affairs, you see."

"In that case, we'll wait for them to get here before we begin."

Miyamura-senpai takes a seat and crosses his legs, his expression forming into a knowing smirk.

"Things are going to start in earnest come Sunday."

 

 

 

Extras: Character Profile- Akane Chikara

H/W: 158cm/49kg

Hair/Eye Colour: Light Brown & Pink/Lilac

B/W/H: 90/47/88

DOB: 22/7/02

BT/ZS: A/Cancer

Likes board games and collecting stamps. Dislikes insects and spicy foods. Always wears a hair-band Daisuke bought her. Suprisingly good at tongue-twisters.

Yandere Typing: Eliminating