The footsteps of a girl in a dark blue cloak echoed along the narrow street, which still radiated a sense of life even though night had fallen. Shops and some market stalls that hadn't been dismantled after last night's carnival were neatly lined along the street. Upstairs windows of some shops still emitted a soft light from within, portraying the ongoing life there. Elderly people gathered in front of the shops, encircling wooden tables, comfortably wearing their jackets, engaging in spirited conversations.
However, one shop stood out among the others. Bright neon lights with a glowing image of a steaming cup adorned its large signboard. The logo caught Noriko's attention, and she felt compelled to see what lay inside the building.
As the girl approached the building, a tempting aroma of coffee wafted through the air, and she felt the warmth and coziness of the place. The room was brightly lit with pendant lights that provided soft illumination. Wooden tables with plush chairs were neatly arranged, offering comfort to the patrons.
Behind the building's glass windows, three people appeared busy serving some customers. They looked friendly and neat in their brown uniforms. The coffee machines worked efficiently, filling the room with the sound of their operation.
Noriko stepped into the serene bar. A small bell rang softly as she opened the door, announcing her arrival. The atmosphere inside was vastly different from the darkness and tension she had experienced during her escape. The room was warm, lit by the gentle glow of pendant lights, and scattered with wooden decorations in every corner.
The young woman approached the counter, getting closer to a server who was busy at work. She felt the hunger and thirst that had arisen after her long journey of evading secret police. In this place, she felt like she had found an oasis in the midst of the dark desert.
A barista in a black uniform stood behind a buzzing coffee machine. He greeted Noriko politely, saying, "Welcome. What can I make for you today?"
Noriko nodded and checked the menu list behind the cashier counter. "I'll have a cup of café au lait and two pieces of coffee bun to go, please."
The barista promptly began preparing her order with skill. While waiting, Noriko observed the ambiance of the bar. A couple sat calmly at a wooden table, enjoying their coffee and engaged in gentle conversation. It seemed like the perfect place to take a break.
As a cup of café au lait and two wrapped coffee bun were placed in front of her, Noriko thanked the barista and paid for her order. She found an empty seat in a quiet corner of the bar and sat down peacefully. The coffee had a rich and invigorating taste, and Noriko felt warmth inside as she sipped it slowly.
She reflected on her long journey and all the obstacles she had faced. But now, at least for the moment, she felt safe. She knew she had to remain vigilant, but here, in this comfortable bar, she could momentarily free herself from the burdens she had carried.
Other customers started to notice Noriko sitting alone. They greeted her with friendly smiles, and Noriko responded politely. She felt that maybe, here, she could gain information or assistance she needed.
With a still-warm cup of coffee in her hand, Noriko was ready to take a moment's rest before continuing her journey. But in her heart, her determination to seek vengeance and restore her family's honor remained strong. In the darkness of the night, her struggle for the throne would continue. Perhaps, in an unexpected place, she would find an ally to help her achieve her goals.
While she contemplated, a customer in a white suit with white hair entered the bar. His red irises and pale skin indicated that he was an albino, much like a Vyr.
The man chose a seat next to Noriko. Without much talk, he ordered a cup of green tea. The girl looked at him with curiosity, feeling as if he sensed her gaze. The customer returned her gaze with a friendly smile.
"You look very tired. It seems like you have a problem, little lady," the man asked in a calm voice.
Noriko raised her eyebrows but felt that she could trust this unusual-looking customer. "I'm on a long journey."
"You seem pursuing something?" he paused for a moment and squinted his eyes slightly, "or... are you the one who are being chased at...?"
Time seemed to freeze as the girl was startled and somewhat frightened. How did this man know she was being pursued? Noriko remained silent and just stared at her coffee cup. This man might be an informant working with the Kurogawa faction, or perhaps something even worse. This customer could be a secret police officer.
The tapping of the man's index finger on the table echoed. Her heart raced in this situation. She looked at the customer's tea cup, reflecting the light on his pale face. Then, she glanced in his direction. His red eyes met hers, and his sharp gaze felt like it was piercing her soul. The hairs on her neck stood on end.
The girl in the dark blue cloak felt her heart pounding. She knew she had to be cautious and not trust strangers too much, especially in a situation like this. But there was something about this man that made her want to know more. Could he be an ally, or just a con artist trying to take advantage of her?
"I am indeed being pursued," Noriko said cautiously, without providing too many details.
The man nodded and continued to sip his green tea calmly. "Go on, tell me everything."
Noriko felt that this was her chance to get information or assistance. She decided to trust this mysterious man, at least for the duration of their conversation.
"The Seirei Dynasty has fallen, my parents who are loyal to them are killed," she revealed to him with a hint of tremor in her hands.
The man smiled again, this time with a hint of weariness in his eyes. "Haha... You have a tough life too, huh?"
"Why are you laughing?" Noriko asked, tilting her head slightly. She was confused by his expression.
However, before they could delve further into their conversation, the bar's door suddenly swung open loudly. Several secret police officers from the Kurogawa faction entered the bar with stern and sharp expressions. They immediately began searching the bar, looking for signs of Noriko's presence.
Noriko felt her heart rate increase again. They had found her so quickly. She wanted to leave this place immediately, but before she could move, one of the secret police officers grabbed her arm roughly.
"You!" one of the secret police officers exclaimed sharply, then pulled Noriko's arm.
Noriko tried to free herself from the grip of the officer, but suddenly, the man's hand gripped her arm, holding her in place. Noriko felt as if she were caught between two conflicting forces.
The man stood calmly, fully aware that this situation was extremely dangerous. One of the secret police officers pointed his gun at him.
"Don't do anything foolish, sir," warned one of the secret police officers in a threatening tone.
Noriko felt trapped between the secret police officers and the mysterious man who might or might not help her. They were in a very dangerous situation, and she didn't know what would happen next.
The man knew that time was running out. He quickly assessed the situation and decided to act. Without hesitation, he slapped away the gun being aimed at him by one of the secret police officers, causing the gun to fall to the floor.
Before the secret police officers could react, the man swiftly pulled out his revolver from under his white suit with a fast motion. The first bullet shot out quickly, hitting one of the secret police officers in the arm, causing him to fall to the ground in pain.
The roar of the revolver shots filled the room, creating chaos. Customers and employees in the bar scattered in all directions, trying to save themselves.
As the mysterious man fired several more shots at the secret police officers, those hit by the bullets fell to the ground trembling. However, before they could be completely overcome by fear, someone from outside responded to the man's attack.
A counterattack came from around the corner of the alley, where more secret police officers had prepared positions. Gunshots and gunpowder explosions erupted in a rapid firefight. The green tea cup shattered and spilled on the man's pants. The mysterious man pulled Noriko, shot the window next to her, and escaped through it. He took Noriko away from the increasingly dangerous scene.
They ran quickly through dark and narrow alleys, trying to avoid paths that might have been watched by secret police officers. The mysterious man seemed to know exactly how to evade pursuit, guiding Noriko swiftly and cautiously.
Suddenly, one of the secret police officers emerged from a corner of the alley, and a shootout ensued. The man quickly shot the officer, allowing them to keep moving. However, more police officers appeared along their path, and the pursuit intensified.
As they ran through the dim and narrow alleys, Noriko began to find it difficult to breathe. Her hands and feet felt heavy from exhaustion, but she continued to try to keep up.
"Why are you doing this for me?" Noriko asked between breaths as they continued to run.
The man answered without looking at her, "I just thought it's something I have to do."
Noriko's gaze furrowed. "What do you mean?"
The man stopped talking for a moment and looked at Noriko with a serious face. "Call me Arasu."
With that, they continued their run towards an old building located at the end of the alley. It seemed to be the only place they could use as temporary shelter from the pursuit of the secret police officers.
They arrived at the front of the old building, its door open, and without hesitation, they entered. In the darkness of the building, they both sat down to rest for a moment. Noriko was still full of questions, but she knew this was not the right time to ask them. They needed to make their next plan, and she trusted Arasu to help them achieve their goals.