( Arata's POV )
The clock started ticking, and I couldn't stop thinking about how to become a decent semi-independent group in just one month; Yaya was a stroke of luck, there aren't many ways to increase our numbers at the moment, If I'm lucky, Linuma will accept my offer, but other than that, I don't know if we'll be able to increase our numbers.
Training was important, but I was already on top of that.
Money and resources, that's important, but I think it will be even more so in the future, although it won't hurt to visit the old man's shop from time to time.
Urara: heyy What's got you thinking so much lately?
We were at home getting ready for school, and when Urara saw me deep in thought, she spoke to me, Urara was the type who supported and cared for others without drawing too much attention to herself, so maybe she was telling me in her own way that I shouldn't overthink things.
When Urara spoke to me, my gaze went to her hands, to the mark on her finger that was barely visible; that was our pact, I had only used that once, but it was very effective, and to make it even more effective, it was essential that I get closer to the girls.
When we were all ready and started walking to school, I spoke to Sagiri.
Arata: Sagiri, will you be free next weekend?
Sagiri: I have a mission, I don't know when it will end, it could last all day.
Arata: Then let me go with you, that way you can finish sooner.
Sagiri: um? You need me for something.
Arata: Yeah, you could say that.
Sagiri: I understand, then I'll talk to you when it's time to go out.
Sagiri had no idea of my true intentions, so she accepted my help without hesitation, what I said started a conversation between the girls and at that moment I felt again that someone was looking at me, but it didn't feel that strong and we were outside so that wasn't strange.
Maybe I'm being a little paranoid; I think I should take Urara's indirect advice more seriously.
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Our day at school was uneventful again, and during that time I invited Linuma and his companions to join us at our new base, and they accepted.
After class, when we moved there, Tsubaki was somewhat amazed by the place.
Tsubaki: Wow, is this place really yours?
Although the building was dirty and unfinished, it was spacious and had a lot of potential.
Arata: Yep, this is like a secret base, but you can come here whenever you want.
Tsubaki: eh Seriously?
Arata: Although first you'll have to help us clean the place.
Tsubaki: What? You tricked us into working?
Arata: "trick" is a strong word; we already did most of the heavy lifting yesterday.
Linuma: whatever, let's go inside. You'd better treat us to something nice when we're done.
Arata: You don't have to tell me twice, good food is even better after hard work.
Linuma and I went into the building and the rest followed behind us. Yaya was already here because she needed to collect some things from her old "home", as I said before, the heavy lifting was already done, so the rest of the cleaning didn't take much time, although the place still needed some furniture to make it a real base.
We sent Takeru to bring a feast to reward our effort, but he only returned with a bag full of instant ramen.
Tsubaki: Hey, what is this?! You were supposed to bring food, not this.
Takeru: eh well-
Arata: What are you talking about? This is food fit for kings.
Linuma: Yeah, this is fine.
Some of the girls didn't appreciate what Takeru had brought, but for me this was good enough, no big deal, there will be time for a proper celebration later.
We sat on the floor to eat and Linuma sat near me. I turned to him and saw that he had a somewhat serious expression.
Linuma: Hey, there's something I need to tell you.
Arata: Well, I'm all ears.
Linuma: It's about the school's top dog, the bancho you could say, she's been suspended but she'll be returning to school soon.
Arata: and why are you telling me this?
Linuma: I think you're going to be a target, you're becoming someone notable and untouchable at school, and that's something some people might not like.
Arata: ah... it's that so.
Linuma: Is that all you're going to say? I'm being serious here.
Arata: I believe you, but right now there are a lot of serious things hanging over me.
Linuma: Huh, tough luck.
Arata: You know, if you're worried, you could help by joining the family I'm creating.
Linuma: Family, huh? Edi sounds good, why not.
Arata: Um, I thought you'd need more convincing; you're not very fond to this kind of thing.
Linuma: I just thought, if you're the one putting this together, then it doesn't sound so bad.
Arata: Simple as that, huh?
Linuma: yeah.
We didn't stop eating during our conversation, and after Linuma agreed to join us, I moved my free hand toward Linuma and made a fist, Linuma did the same and we bumped our fists together.
With our work done and tomorrow not being a school day we could have stayed here as long as we wanted but we had a mission so we returned home early.
I went back to my room and when I lay down on my bed I took a small ball, I made it float above my finger with my wind control.
That was a small daily exercise and now I could keep the ball afloat for three minutes, but that training ended when I heard a sound outside my window, I've been feeling a bit paranoid, and maybe that was my imagination, but I decided to open the window anyway, and it turned out that Kuyuzu was the one on the other side.
She immediately jumped onto my chest and grabbed my clothes tightly; she seemed to be in some kind of panic.
Kuyuzu: ahhh Onii-chan, there's trouble! there are some strange people in the house, and Mom is acting weird.