The setting sun shone down a narrow back alley, the shadows stretching out…-.
Makoto: “Not once but twice… did you guys come to this word just to be stalkers?”
Akutagawa: “…it just happens that the guys we’re chasing met up at your base.”
At Makoto’s sigh and harsh words, Akutagawa answered with disinterest.
According to OO, a couple of suspicious men had finished their ‘information gathering’ and then gone with Sky to this hideout.
Chuuya: “There’s some vital information we need from those guys, so we ain’t got any more business with you. …that chick, you think she forgot we’re Port Mafia?”
Akutagawa: “…”
OO had seem them dirtied by a cloud of dust and gunpowder smoke, and had run into the hideout a little bit ago to grab some towels and a first aid kit.
The three had more-or-less been forced to wait for her, leaning against the rusty handrail while the scents of the night strengthened.
Makoto: “OO is a weird one, stubborn to a fault. I hadn’t planned on bringing anyone else along on this information gathering expedition but…”
Chuuya: “Even though you guys went white as a sheet when we started our interrogation. When a person’s kindness goes too far, that’s when the mafia comes calling.”
Makoto: “…if you’re dissatisfied then why don’t you just leave?”
Chuuya: “Do we look dissatisfied? My bad. As expected of someone like me, disregarding the sympathy of a princess right till the end.”
Chuuya lightly laughed off Makoto’s biting words. Then Akutagawa, who had been protecting the silence, turned his eyes towards Makoto.
Akutagawa: “…why did you stay out here?”
Makoto: “Huh?”
Akutagawa: “It’s obvious that we would be denied access to this home and our information gathering arrangement is finished. You can just crawl back into your hole.”
Makoto: “…no thanks. I’m just keeping watch to make dangerous guys like you don’t pull anything.”
Chuuya: “You don’t have to be so vigilant; we aren’t going to cause that chick any harm. …because at present, she’s a cooperative little helper.”
Chuuya’s eyes traveled to the staircase behind him, and he tipped the brim of his hat down.
Makoto: “At present?”
Chuuya: “Yeah, at present. You’ll have to excuse us for any trouble after this point.”
Makoto: “Hah, isn’t that unexpectedly amiable coming from the mafia?”
Chuuya’s eyes turned sharp, as if enjoying Makoto’s provocation.
Akutagawa: “…I smell something.”
At Akutagawa’s few words, the tension in the air vanished in an instant…
Makoto: “That must be Sky making dinner. Really, he’s so carefree it gives me a headache.”
They could hear the sounds of heavy footsteps and further commotion coming from inside, along with the sound of a very flustered woman.
Though he said it with disinterest, Makoto folded his arms and looked up at the hideout.
Akutagawa: “…that girl lives in a place that’s fundamentally different than us. There’s no reason for her to interfere so excessively in this with us.”
Chuuya: “This ridiculous meetup wasn’t all bad though… I think it’d be good to remember it when we go back.”
He looked down, a faint smile on his lips…
Keeping their expectations hidden, the men heard the sound of footsteps running down the stairs.
The sinking sun shone brightly on those men hiding in the shadows.
END