"Hmmm Hmmm Hmmm..."
Nifla's joyous humming was the only thing relieving the pressure of this cluster-fuck of events falling upon us like dominoes. Myself, Nifla, and Tip sat together at the packed diner, using as much comfort that came from the orange, leather seats under our asses as we could, but it was surely running thin.
Ever since the Academy's first mission, anonymous words have reached the Headmaster's ears. Rumors of suspicious activity, missing persons, strange sounds throughout the night and downright claims of Hole members being in the city have popped out of nowhere, forcing our hand time and time again. We've never had this type of action before, and I'm sure it hasn't been so since the disappearance of the Hole after the incident seven years ago, but its seeming to take its toll on the headmaster. It's a mystery how he hides his worry from the students.
First, the disappearance of Preacher Fullbring, one of the Academy's top ten ranked in the hierarchy, or "Big Ten" as kids with no imagination like to call it, has brought about its own set of anxieties, and it's about time the mercenaries begin strengthening their work for the sake of the people. Although they're blind to these happenings, the public has had their fair share of strife over the past week, and it's about time we're due an earful from them.
"Are you enjoying yourself, Nifla?"
Tip spoke lightly toward Nifla, sitting directly next to me as Nifla held a side of the booth to herself. Contrary to his steady posture, she kicked her legs, answering the question without having to say anything. Nonetheless, Nifla gladly responded, the hamburger she was eating being riddled about the table.
"Y-Yeah!"
Still, it brought a relief that each of us needed. We were there to neutralize someone Headmaster narrowed down himself, our mission: bring the suspected Hole affiliate to him at all costs. Our knowledge going in was limited, but with Nifla's prowess, she could understand Krewe's mindless explanation.
She is the only one able to identify the suspect, and we had no idea whether they'd picked up on our plan. Since Nifla remained relatively quiet, we were able to assume the plan hadn't completely fucked over, but it was nerve-wracking nonetheless.
Will more cases like this continue to pop up? How will this effect the public's opinion on the Academy? What can this mean going forward?
These questions seemed easy to answer, yet we felt hesitant to place an answer upon them. I guess what I'm trying to say is that we were uncertain, and that uncertainty didn't bring us fear, but it was to be feared. The Hole, after being dormant for seven complete years has revitalized on the same day as Miya's awakening. Were they anticipating this?
I don't even want to understand the scale of what is about to happen, but one thing is sure. It will change the course of Metam's future for good.
"Bo..."
Nifla looked at me with a fierce stare, and I knew instantly what it meant. Tip raised his hand, calling for the check as we sat there silently, preparing ourselves for anything.
...
Damian Stole, Gemini, five feet and eleven inches tall, his power: increasing the length of his appendages. It leaves him looking like a monster, but this information alone was not enough to catch the eye of the greatest school of mercenaries in the entire Eastern District. Frequent periods of absence from his home, work, and a lack of a record. Frequenting bookstores, and records of his purchases link to an variety of normal topics.
Works of Hinansho City, the Miuras, the History of Metam, the Central Government, logs of mercenaries from other Districts, and an assortment of mental and physiological textbooks might seem normal to the naked eye, but Headmaster has reason to doubt the possibility of Damian being a curious fellow.
His name has been mixed in a few lines of crime. Be it as a witness or a secondary suspect, he makes his way into the system one way or another, but he still has no record, no indication that he ever stepped foot into the department. However, even his family would testify his involvement.
Nifla approached the residence, alone, as Tip and I remained at a safe distance, our eyes trained on the home itself. It was small with numerous windows, a backdoor, and a yard that led to an extensive network of alleyways which connected to the Hinansho city tram system. The perfect home, one might say; vantage point galore with multiple escape routes and a family to keep it from going under, but to us, it was dangerous, especially if Nifla was to go in there alone.
But, we can't afford them to be any more suspicious of us than they will be whenever they open that door. I trust Nifla's instincts, and she trusts ours.
KREEK!
The home's door skid open, a fair woman standing behind the door with her body completely covered and only her face showing to the light of the busy street. Nifla could hear the sounds of pitter-patter behind the woman, but she found no threat in their movements. Still, the woman remain suspicious of Nifla, and she seemed to be ready to close the door before Nifla finally introduced herself, stopping her hasty retreat.
"Umm... My name is Nifla Takeuchi, an intern livelihood inspector from Eastern Social Academy."
Tip and I collectively facepalmed.
'What the hell is a livelihood inspector?!'
Nifla struggled to remain serious, her innocent nature seeping through her speech. Her face was stained red, and even from where Tip and I watched, we could feel the embarrassment and given by the reactions of the bystanders wandering the street, it'd become airborne. However, the woman opened the door, making a welcoming gesture toward the cute, modern home's interior.
"Well, why didn't you just say so?! Come in, come in!"
Still unnerved, Nifla hesitantly walked through the door, the woman closing the door behind the two of them. Us having lost our vision, Tip snapped once, an eyeball floating in mid-air before us. It reflected a perspective of the entire room, hidden from the eyes of the mother or her children. We listened intently to their conversation, the children stopping their play as Nifla inspected the home, searching for any remnants of Damian's presence.
She poofed from one space to another, the kids mesmerized by the display. Through her methodical blinking, She carefully analyzed every inch of the home until she landed her gaze on a drawer in the upstairs portion of the building. She vanished from their sight, and they followed in excitement. Subsequently, Tip's surveillance followed in an instant.
"Mama, mama! Is she magic?"
The mother didn't respond, following her children up the stairs with a smile. Nifla diligently sifted through the drawer, her back toward the door of the colorful, children's bedroom. As she searched, the sound of the door opening caught her ear, and they began to flap at the sudden stimulation.
'I-I didn't even hear them approach...'
Nifla slowly turned toward the sound, blinking before her eyes widened. Her bright, purple eyes flared as the outline of the woman and her three children was revealed to her, each holding razor-sharp kitchen knives. Their face's lie covered in a black, web-like pattern, the throbbing sound it generated filling the room completely. The sound of their footsteps intensified as Nifla braced for the attack, her rapid blinking showing her their approach like a slideshow, and she shrieked for help, forcing our hand.