"What do I owe the pleasure of meeting you?"
"Well, we just concluded our club activities, and I had some work here. Speaking of which, it really was a surprise to find you fast asleep here."
"Why? When did sleeping become a privilege?"
"Haha! You're more interesting than you look."
"Looks are subjective."
"True! So, why are you here?"
"Ah, that? I just felt like it."
"Hmm...Fair enough."
"That aside, why are you here?"
"Oh me, I just came by to get some basic first aid. The girls were freaking out at the sight of blood on my fist."
"UH-HUH!"
"Well, it's just a hassle that comes around with being popular you know."
"Yeah? Tell me about it."
"I don't think you're interested. Your face very clearly expresses that."
"Oh, no. Not at all. I've barely woken up, so it's because of that. Don't bother about that."
I just waved my hand around following what I had just said. But to be honest, I wasn't that keen. I was a ladies' man a while ago. A while? How long has it been? 2..3 years? Man, time sure does fly by in an instant when you're not conscious about it. And why am I thinking of them now? Ugh! Screw it!
Wait, was I a ladies' man? To be honest I was surrounded by two beautiful Onee-sans and one of their mother who happened to be my mother's best friend. Yeah, I take it back. I was just a boy pampered by three bombshells. That's it. I'm no ladies' man. But surely, it wasn't like day and night right? Is there anything different? Apart from the kissing and sexual stuff? Well, I wouldn't want to bother thinking about something that's not in my realm of possibility. Not that I want to be Hyoudo Issei. Though I would love to be with Rias. Not that I dislike Akeno. But Rias is special, 'cause Rias is Rias. Maybe I would end up acting like issei. Uff! Where am I even going with these thoughts? Relax, relax...No, I can't!!! To be fair, the equivalent of Rias and Akeno were Yuki-nee and Sakura back in the day.
But things have changed. I'm more or less a guy who keeps to myself, surprisingly have a mate to talk to and a girl that is genuinely worried about me, without the feeling of regret, debt, and gratitude involved. And yet, this is all with me at the center. But, what about them? Surely they're not just a good friend and a girlfriend character. Even they are the main protagonists of their own life. I barely knew anything about Hina. Like what's her connection with this guy brimming with joy and radiating so much of...uhm...how do I put it..., confidence!
And then, there's Saishi. If aliens were to be true, then I'd first nominate Saishi as a suspect. There's something off about him, and dare I say...I would like to punch him to test out my theory. Is he of the shape-shifting kind? Or is that his general from? How many languages does he know? Is he immortal? Are there any beautiful women in his species? Hey, the last one is for research purposes. Don't you dare label me as a pervert!
Going back to Hina, why did I have to be careful and look out for her. Who is she, really? And what's with this guy and his gang? Are they her fans? Her bodyguards? Her ex-boyfriends who have now formed a cult? Or potential suitors to take her hand and crown her as their queen. There are too many unanswered questions. While I was thinking about it, I noticed the person in front of me staring at the sunset. As the sun faded away into the night sky, so did his smile. It started to feel as if till now, there was a different person in this room, and now, that person is no more.
"Hey, Nao."
"..."
"What is it like, to be normal? Is it peaceful? Is it calm? Is it joyful? Tell me."
To be normal? I think that takes me out of the equation already...Or maybe was he talking about the fact that what it means to not have that amount of money, power, dignity, fame, and other vague stuff? To be honest, I can't tell. I've never been on both ends, so I can't be sure. From my point of view, the life of nobles and the rich look like an opera. And I why would be lying if I said I didn't want to experience that. The access to those fast cars and bikes, dates with supermodels, meeting celebs, having a powerful network does give one the impression that it's a peaceful life. And yet, when he of all people asks me about how my life is, I'm quite dumbfounded. Procrastination can only take me so far. I can't always emphasize what I haven't experienced.
"I don't really know. Well, it's kind of bland and boring at times, but I guess I do appreciate it sometimes."
"Oh, is that so? That's good then."
He stood up from his seat and went by near the window, facing his back towards me.
"Then, are you willing to throw all of it away?"
Throw all of it away. What do you tend to imply?
"What I'm about to tell you will jeopardize and completely turn your own life upside down. It's a risky gamble, and it's your call. Take it or leave it."
"You've given me too little information on the table to think about."
"It's about Hina!"
His cold yet gentle voice turned sharp at that point.
"I'm sorry, but that's how it is. I can't give you many details to work out but..."
"But?"
"Naofumi, you have the best chance of saving Hina. At this point, maybe,...No, it has to be you!"
"Woah! Hold your horses. Save Hina? Me? From what or who? You're not making sense."
"Listen Naofumi,..."
I was looking seriously towards him, as he was pretty adamant at this point to even try to avoid.
"Unless we don't act soon..."
HINA WILL DIE!
AND HER BLOOD, WILL BE ON YOUR HANDS!