CHAPTER 165: THE DATE
The Next Day.
Ren spent the morning and early afternoon continuing his routine.
To better master the "Cellular-Level" instantaneous power release of [STRIKE AT
THE APEX], he had added a specialized "Balance Circuit" to his training.
He was back to stacking wooden tables and stools, attempting to find the
singular center of gravity while standing atop the unstable tower. It was a
drill focused on micro-neurological agility—something he hadn't prioritized
before, but he found the challenge strangely addictive.
Noon.
Ren and Arisa finished a quiet lunch. Ren set his training schedule aside for
the afternoon and sprawled out on the fresh grass of the yard, letting the
afternoon breeze cool his skin.
Arisa watched him for a second. As his sister, she didn't need a briefing to
know what was happening behind those calm eyes.
"Onii-chan... you're waiting for a signal, aren't you? Something's happening
this afternoon?"
Ren nodded. "Yeah. I'll likely be back late. Don't wait up for dinner."
Arisa was already packing her own backpack. She grinned. "Perfect timing. I've
got plans tonight, too."
"Oh?"
Ren raised an eyebrow, surprised. Before he could ask, the gate rattled.
A girl in a school uniform with long, black hair in a traditional Hime-cut
walked into the yard. Her striking black-and-white eyes scanned the property
with professional ease before softening as she spotted Arisa.
It was Karura Kure.
She was carrying a backpack of her own, looking ready for a mission.
"Good afternoon! Pardon the intrusion," Karura said with a polite bow, then
jogged over to join Arisa.
Seeing Ren's confusion, Arisa continued packing while she explained. "Marco and
Cosmo are still in the hospital. Karura-chan and I are going to visit them and
see if the medical staff needs any 'extra hands.' Plus, I brought the spicy
chips Marco likes."
Arisa looked at Ren and winked. "If I'm with Karura, you don't have to worry
about me, right?"
"..."
Ren blinked, the gears in his head turning. He had been planning to ask the Kure
Clan to house Arisa while he hunted Speck, but she had already out-maneuvered
him by making her own "Assassination-Grade" arrangements.
"Onii-chan has a lot of 'Monstrous' friends," Arisa noted with a giggle, "but my
friends are pretty scary, too! Don't worry about us."
"Ah... right. Okay."
Ren stood up, offering Karura a nod of thanks. "I appreciate you looking after
her."
Karura waved it off. "It's no trouble! Grandpa Erioh is actually thrilled I have
a 'Normal' friend. Though between the two of us, I think Arisa-chan might be the
scarier one."
She lowered her voice. "The Nishishina Security team is already guarding the
hospital floor for Cosmo, and the Kure Clan has an 'informal' perimeter around
the building. They're safe."
Ren watched the girls depart, a sense of awe washing over him. The "Large
Organizations" of this world moved with a terrifying speed. Did I really need to
hire a private investigator? he wondered.
Seeing his brother still sunbathing, Arisa called back from the gate. "So,
Onii-chan... where exactly are you heading?"
"I don't know yet," Ren said, pillowing his head on his arms. "I'm just waiting.
The answer will find me."
He didn't have to wait long. The roar of an engine approached.
VROOOM!
Fusui Kure pulled up to the gate on her motorcycle. She was wearing her tactical
backpack and a fresh set of casual clothes.
She spotted Karura and Arisa leaving. "Eh? I saw the Clan shadows moving around
the block. I figured Grandpa was being overprotective of Karura again."
Karura sighed. "Grandpa thinks I'm a toddler. It's embarrassing."
Fusui ruffled her cousin's hair, then turned to Ren. "Ren-chin! Decided on a
destination yet? I'm here to be your 'Visual Support'!"
Ren stretched. "You're coming too?"
"It's 'Real Combat,' isn't it?"
Fusui tapped her backpack. The metallic clink of rifle components echoed through
the yard. "I wouldn't miss a show like this for the world!"
Ren realized he had no reason to say no. "The location hasn't been confirmed
yet. We wait."
Fusui shrugged, sat down on the grass next to him, and leaned back. The two of
them lay side-by-side, soaking up the warmth of the sun in a peaceful, deceptive
silence.
Ten minutes later.
Buzzzz!
Ren's phone vibrated. It was Atsushi Suedo from the Shinshinkai.
"Shiroki. The target was spotted. He's been seen wandering the perimeter of
these three districts. I'm sending the GPS coordinates to your phone now."
"Thanks, Suedo-kun. I owe you one."
Ren stood up and unfolded a map of Tokyo, marking the intersections.
A few minutes later, Kizaki from the Hanayama-gumi called. "Ren-kun. Our street
crews saw a massive bald guy buying a mountain of meat-puns in Shinjuku. He's
heading north toward the park district."
Ren cross-referenced the two reports and sent the combined data to Ichika Iori
at the station.
Ten minutes after that, the "Dirty Cop" called back with the final verdict.
"Nice work, Ren-kun! We've got a lock on Speck's thermal signature. He's
currently loitering in a secluded park on the edge of the Shinjuku sector. I'm
sending the exact pin now."
Ichika paused, her voice turning uncharacteristically serious. "The station is
mobilizing, but it'll take time to get the riot squads into position without
causing a panic. Whatever you're planning... be careful. The guy is a predator."
"Nice! Simply perfect!"
Ren laughed. "Ichika-san, that's almost a 'Normal' human reaction. I'm
impressed!"
Ichika: "..." Ichika: "Hah? What the hell is that supposed to mean?!"
Ren let out a pained sigh. "Kureishi-senpai aside... Arisa, Karura, Suedo,
Kizaki, and even Fusui here... I told them I was going to hunt a death-row
inmate, and none of them even asked why. They just started helping me break the
law as if it were a weekend hobby. It was starting to make me feel like the only
sane person in the room."
"Is that so? Well, they're 'Understanding.' Me? I'm just too overworked to care
about ethics anymore," Ichika said, her voice accompanied by the sound of a deep
drag on a cigarette. "Just do me a favor, Ren-kun. If you fight him... hit him
until he stops breathing."
"Nice! Simply perfect!"
Ren felt the air clear. He looked at the coordinates. It was a dark, quiet park
in a forgotten corner of Shinjuku.
He hopped to his feet and gestured to Fusui. "Ready to move?"
"You bet!"
Fusui vaulted onto her bike and patted the pillion seat. "Ren-chin, ever ridden
on a Kure bike?"
Ren looked at the high-powered machine, his eyes bright with excitement. But he
had to be honest. "Never. I don't even have a license."
Fusui giggled. "I'll teach you on the way."
They roared out of the yard, passing Arisa and Karura as they headed for the
hospital.
Shinjuku. Park Entrance.
The sun had finally vanished, leaving the city in a blanket of neon and shadow.
Fusui parked the bike in a secluded lot, and the two of them proceeded on foot
toward the park gates.
As they reached the entrance, they ran into another couple.
A boy and a girl were standing by the gate, their hands brushing against each
other as if they were too shy to actually hold them.
Ren recognized them instantly.
The Champion of the Underground, Baki Hanma, and his girlfriend, Kozue
Matsumoto.
They looked up, surprised to see Ren and Fusui.
"Aha!"
Ren stared at the teenager, a wide, delighted grin splitting his face. He leaned
his elbow on Fusui's shoulder and slapped his thigh, unable to contain his
amusement.
"Look, look! Just like you said, Fusui! It's an 'Old-School Vintage Date'! Look
at how 'Pure' and 'Retro' they are!"
"Ren-san!?" Baki's face turned bright red. "Stop! It's not like that! We're
just... walking!"
Ren pointed a finger at them, laughing heartily. "It's perfect! Simply perfect!
Carry on, you two! Don't let the 'Monsters' interrupt your youth!"
☆☆☆
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