After defeating and knocking them out someone else replaces them. I was getting annoyed with how long this battle was going on as I noticed the group of people surrounding us hadn't decreased that much in size.
“Th-They’re still coming!” Shiro was nervous due to how much people were still coming to attack us and I quickly knocked out someone who was going to attack Shiro as he was focusing on attacking someone else at the moment.
“After making that kind of racket, it’s only natural for so many of them to take up pursuit! Hahaha!” Shuichi was laughing as he dodged attacks and knocked them out with a kendo stick I just realized he had on his person.
“Why are you laughing?! Ahhhh! My perfect image of you is shattered!” Shiro was going through a moment as his image of Shuichi was currently getting destroyed at the moment. I felt bad for him but I couldn’t feel that bad for him at the moment since I was too focused at the moment trying not to get attacked by the many people surrounding me.
I noticed from the corner of my eye seeing Duo taking out his phone and tapping it a few times. Shuichi's phone then let out a ring telling him that he got a message. After getting rid of the people currently attacking him, he took out his phone to look at it.
“Hey, it’s a message from my adorable baby brother. This way! Follow me!” Shuichi quickly put his phone away as he started to run in the direction that was mentioned by his brother. After I tripped the person who was about to attack me I quickly grabbed Shiro and ran away following after Shuichi who still had a smile on his face.
“I believe we’ve lost them. Let’s get back to our conversation.” After running for a while we finally got to an area where no one was trying to attack us. Shiro was trying to catch his breath and I was trying not to sit on the ground exhausted while Shuichi just looked the same as usual not showing any sign of exhaustion.
“Huff huff. . . What are you trying to do, Shuichi?” I was rubbing Shiro back as he tried to get his breathing under control. ‘I legit want to sit on the ground right now. My body is still hurting from the attack Snow did. I am surprised I didn’t pass out again.’
“There’s only one thing I want. . . to show my adorable baby brother how cool I am!” Shuichi went to hug Duo who avoided him with an indifferent expression on his face. Shuichi didn’t look hurt from the rejection by Duo just smiling like he was used to it.
“Uh-huh. . . I’m sorry I asked. . . Anyway, let’s get to business. It’s time to discuss what we arranged this meeting for in the first place.” Shiro breathing was okay now and I stopped rubbing his back as he got a serious expression on his face as he stared at Shuichi.
“But first, Shiro, I want you to summarize what you already know. About the App, that is. . . We’re giving you what information we have. It’s a fair trade. Not that we didn’t learn plenty about you guys earlier. . .” Shuichi's eyes got a look in it that I didn’t like so I tried to move myself in a place that would be the quickest to help Shiro out if we had to fight again.
“Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?” Shiro looked at Shuichi for a while before his eyes grew wide as he realized something. “Shuichi. . . Are you. . .?!”
Shuichi didn’t say anything but that didn’t stop Shiro from continuing to speak. “I had my doubts about you from the beginning. . . About why you saved us. Of course, it’s true we promised to meet at Ikebukuro, but the timing is just too convenient. It’s almost as though. . . When we fought that lion butler. . .”
“Wait a minute. . . Were you watching the whole time?” I was glaring at Shuichi whose smile got bigger which unfortunately left me feeling torn in either losing myself to his charm or kicking his ass. ‘I literally got my ass kicked and he was just watching like a creep?’
“Don’t glare at me like that, Shiro, Masato. Catching your fight with the white lion was just a coincidence. I happened to figure out where you were when the App activated. If you’re saying that means I was spying on you, I’m offended. That white lion is the right-hand man of the Ikebukuro Guild, the Berserkers. I’m shocked you even attempted to fight him. By the time we arrived, the fight was already over, but thanks to the App, I was able to come to your aid right away. My goal. . . was what happened next.” As soon as Shuichi said that Shiro let out a gasp as if he just realized what Shuichi was talking about.
“So that’s why you went out of your way to act bizarrely in the middle of town! All for the sake of. . .” Shiro was mumbling to himself as he put together everything that Shuichi did after meeting with us and I was kind of understanding what was happening but not fully.
“That’s right. My goal was to enter a battle by your side. And it wasn’t bizarre! My actions were born from my familial love for my baby brother.” Shuichi was looking at Duo with complete adoration in his eyes which caused Duo to look away from him in annoyance.
Shiro cleared his throat which brought back Shuichi attention to us. “Please, get back to the point.” Shiro was speaking to Shuichi in a cold formal way and the look in his eyes was completely filled with disappointment.
“Shiro, I can’t help but notice your attitude towards me has changed. Not long ago you admired me, but now you’re looking at me like gum on your shoe.” Shuichi had a hand under his chin as he frowned as he looked at Shiro in confusion and I could only shake my head at how blunt he was.
“Get on with it.” Shiro spoke so coldly to Shuichi that I even shivered. Shuichi seemed surprised at Shiro change of attitude towards him and I could only sigh at how stupid he was currently. ‘When the person you respected turned out to be. . . rather disappointing, of course your attitude towards them will change rather quickly.’
“Your deductions are correct. Since you worked that out, how about the rest. . .?” Shuichi seemed to return back from his surprise at Shiro's new attitude towards him as he got his usual carefree smile on his face again.
“Fine. That Sacred Artifact you have, Shuichi. . . Considering its Role and Rule. . . That Book can read the memories of its target and record them. Am I correct about the ability of your Sacred Artifact?” I looked at Shuichi with new found interest as I learned how his Sacred Artifact worked. ‘Is it possible to look for hidden away memories? But what if it is just memories the person currently has? I am so curious!’
“You are absolutely correct. I applaud your intelligence and observational skills. Let’s just say, when it comes to information warfare, no one in Tokyo can outdo us.” Shuichi looked proud as he spoke while Shiro just frowned and the look in his eyes got even worse.
“I didn’t think you were the kind of person to use such methods. To be honest, I’m disappointed.” I felt really sorry for Shuichi whose approval in Shiro eyes were declining so fast and hard that I doubt anything could save him at the moment.
“Come now, Shiro. I think it’s best to be upfront with one another.” Shuichi tried to wave off what Shiro just said but that only made Shiro more upset from what I could currently see. “Setting aside your personal feelings on the matter. . . Regardless of the method, we were able to gather information from our encounter. So we will provide some in return. More specifically. . . Information on Kengo Takabushi, for example.”
Shiro's eyes grew wide as he looked at Shuichi in surprise. “Kengo?! How do you know Kengo?!” I wasn’t that surprised since I knew how his Sacred Artifact worked and I am pretty sure he could have gathered information about Kengo using it.
“I told you, my Sacred Artifact presides over information. Info on members of the Ikebukuro Guild is no exception. However. . . This information might not be good news for you. No new is when the Ikebukuro Guild Berserkers are involved. . . They’re warmongers through and through. Taking them on would be nothing short of reckless for inexperienced fighters like you two. That is my honest opinion. Do you still want to know?” Shuichi wasn’t smiling as he stared at us seriously and I could tell Shiro was a bit nervous.
“Please tell us what you know about Ikebukuro Guild.” I was looking straight at Shuichi with a serious expression not looking over at Shiro who called out my name. I promised Shiro I would help him with Kengo and some guild and their members weren’t going to stop me.
“I feel the same way. Please tell us, Shuichi!” Shiro was looking at Shuichi with a serious look in his eyes. Shuichi looked at us for a while before he nodded his head understanding how serious we were.
“All right. Right now, Kengo is being baited by the Ikebukuro guild. If you allow him to continue on his current path, he’ll face a painful end.” Shuichi was talking in a casual way but the thing he was talking about was really serious. ‘What does being baited mean again? Wait, that is not important right now! All I need to know is Kengo is in danger!’
“B-Baited? What does that mean?! While we’re at it, I don’t understand why you call these groups guilds, either.” Shiro was talking fast and I could tell he was going to start panic soon and before I could do something to calm him down Shuichi held a hand in front of him causing Shiro to stop talking and looked at him confused.
“Slow down, Before I explain, I have a suggestion.” As Shuichi said that he got a look in his eyes that I didn't really like at all. I was wondering what the suggestion could be and how badly it could affect me and Shiro if we took the suggestion.
“To what end? What do you want from us?” Shiro was glaring at Shuichi who just smiled at him. I kept getting a feeling that he was going to ask something from Shiro that I am pretty sure I wouldn’t agree with at all.
“I’m glad we can get straight to the point. Just as I thought, you’re a perfect fit for the Hongo Guild.” Shuichi was nodding his head as he looked at Shiro seriously and Shiro was raising his eyebrow in confusion at what Shuichi was currently saying.
“Perfect fit? Shuichi, what are you talking about?” I could see Shiro's brain was working at maximum effort as he tried to understand what Shuichi was talking about.
“Shiro, we’re here to scout you. Join the Hongo Guild, the Wisemen. We will welcome you.” Shuichi held a hand in front of him as he smiled at Shiro and his brother was just staring at us, still quiet and I was wondering if he was bored with what was happening.
“You’re. . . recruiting me? Shuichi wants to group up with me. . .?!” I could almost see steam coming out of Shiro's ears as he tried to understand what was happening and I was getting nervous at what his response would be.
“Hold your horses! Stop and think for a second, Shiro!” I quickly got in front of Shiro and blocked Shuichi's sight of him and glared at him. I wasn’t really that trusting of his reason as to why he wanted Shiro to join his guild. From the stuff he did today my thoughts surrounding him were that he was handsome but really suspicious.
Shiro called out my name in surprise and I looked over my shoulder at Shiro who entirely changed after he heard me speak. Shiro put a hand on my shoulder as he went to get in front of me again. I wanted to put him behind me again but I knew he wanted to say something to Shuichi so I could only glare at him from behind Shiro.
“Thank you for the invitation, but I cannot give you an answer right now.” I let out a sigh of relief that he didn’t agree with Shuichi's request and Shuichi just nodded his head in understanding of what Shiro just said.
“You’re cautious, and rightfully so. As wise men say, only fools rush in.” Shuichi had a pleased expression on his face, not minding that Shiro didn’t agree to join his guild but I didn’t like how relaxed he was. ‘Smart people are the most dangerous type of people. They could have anything planned. . .’
“It’s not that I’m uninterested, but I’d like to hear more details first. To be quite honest, we don’t know what it means to be in a guild, or what exactly this App is. A lack of information can lead to fatal mistakes. And we definitely need more information. There’s a chance that I may still reject your offer even after I learn as much as I can about the situation. As long as you’re aware of that. . . Then I hope we can continue the discussion.” I was a bit disappointed that he didn’t really fully reject their offer but the chance of him accepting was still low so I was still in the clear.
“A sound decision. I like you more and more. That’s the kind of face we want in our ranks!” Shuichi smiled at Shiro while giving him a thumbs up which caused Shiro to look at him confused but I couldn’t help but agree with Shuichi.
“The face of the ever-dependable Shiro!” I pat Shiro on the back lightly but he still ends up flinching from my touch and looks at me with an embarrassed expression that got worse after I smiled at him.
“I accept your terms, but you’re the only one I’ll divulge answers to, Shiro.” When Shuichi said that I froze with a smile and turned to look at him only to see him already looking at me. The smile fell off my face once I realized he wanted me to leave him alone with Shiro.
“And if I insist that you talk to us both?” Shiro took a step towards Shuichi with a hard look in his eyes but Shuichi just frowned at him and crossed his arms over his chest.
“Then we will withdraw. We’re not the ones in a rush.” Shuichi and Shiro looked at each other for a while before Shiro sighed and broke eye contact with him and turned his body slightly towards me.
“Please let me confer with Masato a little.” Shiro put a hand on my arm as he looked at Shuichi waiting for him to agree to his request for a private talk with me.
“Go right ahead. We’ll give you some privacy. Let’s go, my beloved baby brother. It’s been two whole hours since we’ve been alone together.” Shuichi went to be a hand on Duo's shoulder but he dodged out of the way as he started to walk away from us to give us privacy with Shuichi following after him like a puppy.
“Now, hear me out. I’m thinking I should at least talk with them. I understand fully well that it could be dangerous, but. . . nothing ventured, nothing gained. I know you’re worried for me, and I know that it could be a trap. But. . . I’m sorry. I have my reasons for wanting to go. Ever since we came across that Lion Therian, Snow. . . I said I would help you, but I was of no use at all. I’m. . . afraid of blood. Whenever I see it, I start shaking in fear. Long ago, I witnessed so much carnage. . . And ever since. . . I’ve been so afraid! It was the same the other day. That bloodshed was so upsetting that I couldn’t bear to watch. . . I couldn’t. . . I couldn’t even think! So, please, Masato. . . Let me handle this. I’m sure I can obtain some useful information. I’m the class representative, so I’m good at negotiating.” Shiro was shaking as he was talking and I could see his eyes were getting watery as he looked at me.
I let out a long sigh and Shiro called out my name in confusion but I only held my hand in front of me with a smile. “I’m able to do my best because of you, Shiro. So I’m glad we’re in this together.” Shiro was looking at me in awe but I just gave him a thumb up as I continued talking.
“In the meantime, I’ll go beat some sense into Kengo. So don’t worry about me. I got this!” I made my hand into a fist as I held it near Shiro waiting for him to give me a fist pump.
“That’s the spirit!” Shiro made a fist too as he lightly bumped it into mine with a smile on his face. I noticed from the corner of my eye that Shuichi was coming back over with Duo probably realizing our talk was over.
“I’ll contact you once this is over. Call me if anything happens, okay?” Shiro walked over to Shuichi who he nodded at with a serious expression.
“Now then, Masato, allow me to borrow Shiro for a while. You should wait somewhere safe while we’re talking, Masato. Someone will arrive soon to guide you. He’s not a member of my guild, so there’s no need to be uneasy. He’s a dear friend and an honest, upstanding, friendly young man. Until next time. I’ll be looking forward to it.” Shuichi went to leave with Shiro and Duo but I quickly grabbed his arm. He looked at me with a confused smile on his face but I just kept pulling him until we were a few feet away from Shiro and Duo.
“I’m not trying to start anything but. . . If anything happens to Shiro while I am gone I will hurt you. Well that's all I wanted to say. Bye now!” I smiled at Shuichi who was looking at me surprised and quickly left to go to an area to wait for Shuichi's mysterious friend.
After a while of waiting and messing around with my phone trying to contact Salomon who wouldn’t come out no matter how much I called for him I was getting bored of waiting and was just going to go to see if there was something I could hang out in as I waited when I hear footsteps coming in my direction.
When I looked in the direction of the nearing footsteps I could feel my mouth open in surprise as I saw Moritaka coming toward me. He noticed me as well and raised his hand in greeting as he got closer to me. “Well! If it isn’t Masato!”
“Shake!” I couldn’t help myself as I put my hand in front of me for Moritaka to put his hand on. Moritaka reacted right away as he put his hand in my hand then let out a happy woof with his tongue out and his tail wagging happily.
“Wait, no! I do believe you are doing this to tease me!” Moritaka pulled his hand off of mine quickly, frowning at me which I only chuckled. He coughed into his hand and looked at me again with a smile on his face. “Masato, what a coincidence. What are you doing in Ikebukuro?”
“I’m just waiting for someone else to act as a guide for me. How about you Moritaka?” I was smiling at Moritaka thinking of various ways I could tease him as I continued to wait for Shuichi's friend to show up.
“Oh, me? A friend asked me to act as a guide for someone.” As soon as Moritaka said that my brain slowly processed it. Shuichi told me that someone would arrive to be my guide -> Moritaka is here to act as a guide for someone -> Moritaka is the friend of Shuichi who is also my guide!
“Wait! You know Shuichi?! You’re my guide?!” I was shocked to learn that someone like Moritaka was friends with someone like Shuichi who screamed suspicious in so many ways. ‘What if it is blackmail?! Does he have something on Moritaka?! How can someone this innocent be friends with him!’
“What?! You’re the one Shuichi sent me to assist?! It is true. I am here at the behest of Shuichi to be your guide. Now, let us depart!” Moritaka raised up as he started to walk off. I was going to follow him as well before I stop realizing something important.
“Um, where are we going? I actually realize I never asked Shuichi where you are taking me.” I was rubbing that back of my head with a smile on my face realizing the mistake I made with Shuichi.
“Huh? Where to? Shuichi did not say? We are obviously going to the Ikebukuro Guild!” Moritaka told me that with a smile and I felt cold sweat appearing on my back when I remember the fact Snow kicked my ass so badly I almost died.
I followed after him tense and nervous realizing that I may see Snow again and I may end up fighting him again too. ‘Seriously? I will really die this time if I go against Snow again! That man is filled with so much blood lust.’
After walking for a while we finally reached the Ikebukuro Guild. Moritaka was humming happily but all I could hear was the sounds of my death coming closer and closer.
“We have arrived! This is Western Ikebukuro, and the entrance to the Colosseum! What ails you, Masato?! You look unwell!” Moritaka finally noticed how nervous and tense I was at the moment. I wasn’t ashamed to admit that I was scared to meet Snow again.
“Well you see. . . This isn't the first time I was here. I actually was here before with Shiro. Got in a fight that injured me rather badly. Now I am worried the same thing will happen again. Hahaha. . .” Even though I had a smile on my face I could feel my heartbeat increasing and feel my body getting colder.
“Oh, is that so? I was told nothing except to guide you here. I was asked to lead you to Kengo, you see. To not even be able to complete such a simple task. . . Grrr. . . I’ve brought shame upon myself. . .” Moritaka looked rather sad to the point that even his ears and tail dropped down in shame.
“No, it’s okay! Really! Let’s go inside! If I have an introduction, then this time. . .” I was trying to comfort Moritaka while at the same time trying to calm myself down. ‘This time will be different! You will totally not get you ass kicked so badly that you think you died! Yeah, everything will go okay.’
“You’ll enter? Then I was right to bring you after all!” Moritaka was smiling again with his tail wagging behind him. We got closer to the building and instead of seeing Snow I saw a Dog Therian who was covered in chains and military tags. He was wearing a worn out jacket and pants with tears in it.
“You. Next?” The Dog Therian looked at me with a sharp look but instead of feeling scared I felt the need to pet him all over and call him a good boy. ‘What a cute looking Therian! I really hope I don’t have to fight something this cute!’
“Oh, Garmr. It’s been quite a while! Masato, this is Garmr. He’s the gatekeeper of the Colosseum.” Moritaka introduced me to Garmr who I smiled at nodding my head toward him. Garmr looked at me with new found interest as his tail wagged behind him.
“You newcomer? Garmr test! Garmr ordered to test! Weaklings no enter! Talk later! Fight now! Garmr attack!!” I was caught off guard as Garmr started an App battle against me and Moritaka. I quickly summoned my Sword in front of me and blocked a rather heavy attack from Garmr.
‘Holy fuck! This happened right away! I thought I would have some time to get ready but I guess this is happening right now. I mean no one would tell you when they will attack you so maybe this is the right way for a fight to happen.’
I knocked Garmr away from me to give me some space so I could get my hold on the Sword more firmly before I quickly went and attacked Garmr again who let out an excited howl.
