It was a rather hot day in Edoland. Now this is something you’d assume Kanashi would be used to, after all he was native to Azhar a city in Saharis’ a massive desert continent which could reach 130 degrees Fahrenheit on a hot summer day. Compared to that the 90 degree weather in Edoland could be called freezing cold as a joke. But there was one clear difference between the two places, Edoland was a sub tropical island and Azhar was in the middle of a massive desert, meaning that the humidity between the two was night and day. While Azhar's humidity was never over 15%, at most reaching 30% during a really stormy month. That humid Azhar hell was considered unbearably dry in Edoland which could reach 80% humidity regularly.

  As such Kanashi was pouring with sweat, his clothes clung to his skin tightly and his hair dripped with beads of salty water. He felt as if everything below his waist had been dipped into a liquid as thin as water but sticky as Molasses, having to constantly pull a wedgie out from under his ass. Thankfully there was some good news about this whole situation, that being that Kanashi was wearing all black making it near impossible to tell exactly how soaking wet he was from afar. However that didn’t stop his anxiety from piercing his mind with worries of odd looks and pinched noses.

  “Come on, play it cool…” He hummed to himself. The past few days had actually been quite chilly for it being late summer, winds full of sister winters sneezes caressed the land, however it seemed as though brother summers knife had managed to stab his sister in the back and shoved his arm through the wound. At least that’s how a cold snap is explained in Azhar, now that Kanashi thought about it, it truly was a strange saying. But other countries like Afurenthos had “The devils beating his wife and marrying his daughter.” to describe rain with a full sun so maybe it wasn’t so weird afterall.

  “Who the hell even comes up with that kinda saying anyways? Is someone just paid to sit around and think them up?” He wondered aloud as he pressed the button for the streetlight to change. “And why am I even thinking about that of all things!?” He grumbled rubbing his brow. His off colored pitch black right arm was covered by a long sleeve black shirt and the nasty scar which stretched from the left side of his jaw to his lower eye lid was also covered by a bandaid. The largest bandaid he’d ever seen mind you, one at least the length of a finger and a half. But a strangely large band aid was most certainly better than having one of his two most recognizable features visible so he chose to ignore it.

  “...”

  Using Observation he tried to look for Kenji but to no avail. He could tell he was somewhere behind him maybe 200 meters away but that was it.

  I should practice my [Observation] more. He thought as the streetlight changed from red to blue and he crossed it along with the crowd of over three dozen other pedestrians.

  It was honestly surprising just how similar to Azhar, Tousen was. While they of course were not the exact same and had many differences, the crowded streets, monolithic skyscrapers which nearly drowned out the sky and the stench of gasoline were identical. Kanashi had begun to avoid highly populated areas early in his teenage years, his social anxiety growing worse he found himself ready to crawl into a ball when more than ten strangers were around him at a time. He’d tried to get over this fear by slowly but surely trying to go outside more but it was never erased completely. Even now his skin was still crawling at the thought of himself being stared at by every person in the crowd. All of them picking apart his every feature, his posture, his smell, his hair, his clothes or the way he looked around like a confused child. Their non-existent whispers like that of a thousand cicadas forced into his skull, they bounced around until he felt himself clenching his hand hard enough for it to hurt.

  It’s just my imagination. He thought, shaking his head. It was only natural he’d be on edge. He was going to be meeting up with Nordon after all and their last meeting had been the cause of this whole mess. Kanashi was honestly surprised he’d even slept as good as he did last night. He’d had mild insomnia for at least the past year or two but now he’d been so exhausted from the stress of everyday life he simply crumbled into bed and slept like a rock until his alarm went off.

  Looking ahead Kanashi saw the sign which read that “Koumaki Street” was just one more road away, the same street which the diner that Nordon had told Kanashi to meet him was built on.

  Repeatedly opening and closing his fist he breathed in through his nose and exhaled out his mouth trying to calm himself. Funnily enough, meeting Nordon was supposed to be the easy part of the journey, him walking halfway across Shibuchu with no protection when Domushi was out and hunting for him was easily the most dangerous part. Yet he didn’t want to arrive at the diner yet, he wanted to keep walking until he simply walked right off the edge of the world itself if such a thing even did exist.

  But nonetheless Kanashi continued to walk at the same quick pace until he saw the diner coming into his line of sight. A diner which was made to look like something nearly 150 years out of style. Made of chrome sheets with old fume spitting cars with sharp angles parked out front it even had the large neon signs spelling out its name. It was also an incredibly busy place as well, cars honking as they fought to get an available parking spot and a line going out the door. The staff all wore either pompadours, victory rolls, poodle hair or bogies. Overall a real commitment to the time period.

  Kanashi looked down at his clothes and wondered if they were up to par, he thought it’d be a rather standard place going by the name [Giovanna Giuseppe Diner].

  “Wait a minute, what the hell, that name doesn't even fit this place!” He scoffed. Shaking his head he choked it up to rule cool, the same way people will get “worth a pig” tattooed on their body because they thought the characters looked cool without doing any research. Scouring the line outside, Kanashi tried to see if he could spot Nordon, his height and blonde hair should have made him naturally stick out in a crowd but it seemed he wasn’t waiting in line.

  “Reservation maybe?” Kanashi wondered. I mean that’d make sense I guess.

  Pushing his way as peacefully as possible to the front of the group using observation, he managed to weave his way through the crowd without bumping into anybody. At the same time he tried to search the surrounding area to find Kenji but found nothing.

  My range is only about half a km, I wonder what Kenjis is. He shouldn’t be so far away that he can’t sense me either right? While Kanashi has been working on his observation over time it seemed to have a high difficulty curve to it. If he strained too much he’d earn himself a massive mind splitting migraine, his eyes would be sore and swell with blood vessels and his ears would ring. The smell of blood would fill his nostrils and his sense of touch vanish as if his body had lost all blood flow. But even then he knew he’d not nearly reached his peak yet, he couldn’t even sense Nordon inside the Diner which made him feel ashamed. It was just like with Kenji and the Kamaitachi before, he had trouble finding something amongst a large crowd.

  Standing awkwardly in the lobby, Kanashi saw people shooting him dirty glances for cutting in line and muttering curses he didn’t understand under their breath.

  “Shit…” He frowned trying to peer through the restaurant's many heads. Putting his hand to his hip he leaned to the left and let out a deep sigh. His anxiety now being replaced with annoyance he stood there for what felt like at least five minutes before something happened.

  “Sarumalder-Kun.” A voice asked from behind which was followed by a tap on his shoulder.

  “Hm?” Kanashi hummed, turning around, the voice wasn’t one he’d heard before. Laced with a thick yet clear accent it was far too bubbly and cute to be Nordons.

  Who he was confronted by when turning around was a girl nearly his age who looked completely out of place. While the other girls had been rocking that more “Rockabilly” and “Greaser” style this girl was Decora Kei in fashion. Her shoulder length hair was split down the middle into two different colors, one bubble gum pink and the other sky blue. Her eyes likewise were two different colors, the right purple with a star pupil and left green with a heart. Her noses bridge was covered by a small pink bandaid like patch with a cute chibi cat mascot drawn on the bandage. Her right earring was half a broken heart while the left was a red and white ball from a famous media franchise. She wore a popped collar navy blue denim jacket which was left open revealing her tight stomach and breasts covered only by a set of Haramaki bandages. Below the waist she wore dark blue jogging pants with a high waist and belt covered in a number of different ornaments, the buckle a rainbow colored shiny metal. The ankles of her pants had been rolled up to show her two different colored socks, one being a lime green color with red hearts spread across its surface. Her opposite sock was colored a reddish pink with cute colorful cat faces as its pattern. Just like her socks her shoes were different colors as well, her green sock foot having a pink shoe and the pink sock foot having a green shoe. Overall she stood out of place greatly and gave Kanashi nausea by how bright and inconsistent the colors were.

  “Done checking me out?” The girl asked with a frown, her eyes curved upwards as if in disgust.

  “Ah, no, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to creep you out! I was just looking at your crazy outfit!” Kanashi insisted, shaking his head.

  “Crazy huh?” The girl muttered with a growl as she looked down at her clothes.

  “I mean yeah they’re crazy, but not in a bad way! No, they're crazy cool! Yeah I love them hahaha!” Kanashi laughed so painfully that it hurt his throat, and the girl only shook her head.

  “...”

  “Look I’m sorry can we just move on please?” He asked with a light bow.

  “Sure.” She said with a sigh turning around, flicking her fingers she signaled for Kanashi to follow her and he quickly obeyed.

  Kanashi followed the girl through the restaurant closely, looking at the tables as he walked by he saw that the food was a clear bastardization of other cultures dishes, mainly those from Afurenthos. The staple dishes clearly being based on Hamburgers, apple pies, iced teas and the like but those could be found anywhere in the west so it truly was a mystery how they could have made such dishes nearly unrecognizable. For example what was called a hamburger appeared to be no more than a beef patty with ketchup drizzled on top and lettuce and tomato on the side.

  Ignoring the food after becoming annoyed at how alien it was he stared at the back of the girl he followed. He tried not to stare at her butt which was covered in a variety of pins and jewelry almost as if to call attention to it. He could spot a “Don’t Do Weed” pin as well as a “Comiket” “Death Punk” “Girly Girl” “Surprised Cat” and “Pink Love” pins all of which were somehow in pristine condition despite assumedly being constantly sat on. The way women were able to keep their things in pristine condition despite daily use was truly a marvel of the modern world that no man could understand.

  After making mental notes of all the pins Kanashi looked up right as he nearly ran into the table which the girl had stopped at, a half moon like booth with a round table. Sitting in the center of said booth with his blonde hair styled flat and clothes consisting of a plain white t-shirt and jeans was Tatematsumi Nordon, his eyes covered by contacts rather than glasses seemed to stab needles into Kanashi who almost collapsed upon seeing the man.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Sit.” Nordon commanded under his breath.

  Kanashi caught his breath and nodded slowly, taking a seat to the right of the booth. The girl followed after him, taking the one opposite Kanashi and to the left of Nordon.

  “If you wanted to keep this whole secretive thing going couldn’t you have brought someone else?” Kanashi asked as he nudged his head towards the girl.

  “Shut up!” The girl barked, kicking him in the shin under the table.

  “Ow damnit sorry!” He cried, the kick surprisingly lethal.

  “You’re correct in your judgment Sarumalder-San. Yuko-San is unfortunately not one to change herself for others approval.” Nordon said his tone was neutral yet a slight hint of annoyance was present.

  “Then don’t make me your personal assistant then…” Yuko muttered using her hand to brush her dual colored hair to the side.

  “...” Kanashi didn’t speak, he only listened to Yuko muttering out complaints and Nordon sighing at each one, his fingers digging deeply into his thinnly pants covered thighs.

  “Here.” Nordon said, suddenly passing Kanashi a laminated menu.

  “Oh thanks.” Kanashi hummed as he took the menu and looked it over.

  “If you need help reading let me know, money won’t be an issue.” Nordon said before turning back to his own menu and flipping it to the backside.

  “W-wait! Nordon, shouldn't you be more angry with me? Shouldn’t you be asking why I’m here and what happened to me? Who’s what and what’s who?!” Kanashi asked, his voice cracking.

  Nordon closed his lips tight and popped his jaw, “We’ll eat first.” He said putting the menu down and tapping on the table loudly.

  # # #

  Kanashi hesitated to put the burger in his mouth, the sizzling cheese dripping off the patty stung Kanashis hand as it trickled down onto it. His waffle fries steamed with a salty smell and the rich golden yellow honey mustard reflected the bright light of the fixture above the table.

  “This is good.” Yuko hummed with a smile as she took a bite out of the pizza slice before her. Mind you using a fork and knife to do so, said pizza was topped with all kinds of strange things such as seaweed, Naruto fish cakes, sausage bits, mushroom and grilled pickles. Kanashi was pretty basic in his pizza choice, liking only a simple plain cheese with thick crust so the abomination which Yuko cut apart with her utensils made him recoil in disgust. Surely someone from the country of Morianne would kill her immediately if they ever saw such an insult to their culture.

  What sat before Nordon was a much more fine and fancy dish, prime rib cooked medium rare with blue cheese drizzled on top along with specks of parsley. His side was a slice of apple pie with cheese on top and mashed potatoes drizzled with gravy. Gracefully as if he had no care nor no rush he ate his food with a fork and knife. His manners were even greater than Kanashi who of course had grown up using such utensils which were uncommon in Edoland.

  With a sigh Kanashi put his burger back down on onto his plate, not a bite taken from it and wiped the burning cheese off his hand. Taking a sip from his chocolate and vanilla swirl shake he cleared his throat and sat patiently for the other two to finish their meals.

  “Not hungry?” Nordon asked.

  “No not really, I’m sorry I’ll pay for the meal.” Kanashi bowed softly.

  “Don’t worry about it, just make sure you eat as much as you can while you’re here.” Nordon said, taking a sip of his iced tea.

  “If you don’t want to eat it I will.” Yuko said, pointing to the plate which Kanashi had before him.

  “Go for it.” He muttered pushing the plate to her which she reached for greedily.

  “Yuko, please watch your diet.” Nordon said with a frown, “I know it’s been a busy couple of days and healthy food hasn’t been easy to come by but we still have much work to do.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Frowned Yuko who took the plate from Kanashi and put it to the side.

  Tapping his fingers on the table while shaking his legs, Kanashi slowly drank his shake. The thick ice cream nearly choked his dry throat multiple times. He regretted not buying water but the waitress had yet to come back to them so he sat there.

  “Excuse me!” Yuko called out suddenly, waving to the waitress.

  “!”

  Jumping at the sound for a moment but with a smile on her face the waitress rushed over to Yuko and the two had a short conversation, Yuko pointing to something on the menu and the waitress bowing before running away.

  “Isn’t that kinda rude?” Kanashi asked with a frown.

  “In Edoland it’s custom to call out to your waiter, if you don’t ask for help they assume you don’t need it. To interrupt your meal is seen as rude.”

  “Oh, okay…” Kanashi muttered. I guess I’ll ask her for water when she comes back then.

  Nordon quickly finished his last bit of food before pushing the plates to the side. Folding his arms and without putting his elbows on the table he rested his chin on his hands and turned to Kanashi looking at him with narrowed eyes.

  “Y-yes?” Kanashi whimpered with a smile.

  “You’re safe?” Nordon asked.

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you being recorded or bugged?”

  “I don’t think so…”

  “Are you currently being followed?”

  “Ummm, maybe? I don’t know, I can’t sense him anymore but he’s around here somewhere I think.” Kanashi answered with a shrug, Kenji gone from his range.

  “Are they a threat to you?”

  “What? No, he’s my friend.” Kanashi corrected, shaking his head quickly.

  “Who are they?”

  “Tatakayaiba Kenji.”

  “!” At that name Nordon's eye widened but quickly returned to normal, his composure fleeting for only a fraction of a second. “What’s your relationship with him?”

  “Like I said he’s my friend and or well… business partner you could say.”

  “Is he who you wanted me to speak with?” Nordon asked.

  “I mean I don’t think that’d be a bad idea at all but no, he’s not the one I wanted you to speak with.” Kanashi answered.

  “Well then, let’s change topics real fast.” Nordon said, clearing his throat as the waitress returned.

  “Ah, Mizu ga onegai..” Kanashi said to the woman who gave a strained smile and nodded before walking away.

  “You said that wrong.” Yuko huffed.

  “Yeah, well… whatever.” Kanashi frowned, turning back to Nordon.

  “Why are you here?” Nordon questioned.

  “Well the answer depends on the question, I’m here because you asked me to be but I’m also here because I had some regrets when I was about to leave.”

  “Such as?”

  “...” Kanashi hesitated, his eyes growing tired and teeth clenching. He curled his bottom lip up and opened his mouth but his throat only made a dry rattle.

  Yuko, still occupied with Kanashis food, seemed to pay no mind to the conversation and Nordon looked intently at Kanashi, his eyes as sharp and slant as ever yet not aggressive.

  “I regret quitting.” Kanashi forced out, his voice cracking as he did so, almost sounding painful as it was said. “I regret it, I regretted it the moment I did it, I regretted it before I did it. There hasn’t been a fraction of a second since that I’ve not regretted it. I thought at the time that I was making the right choice, that I was going to sacrifice myself, my purpose and my responsibilities for the greater good. But I knew that wasn’t true from the moment I thought of it I knew it was an excuse. I knew I was only going to throw my mess at you and the others, make you clean it up because I didn’t want to myself. Because I was ashamed, hurt and afraid of getting hurt more, of you all realizing how much of a failure I am. I didn’t want to have to face you guys as you told me that I did my best with a plastic smile. To talk behind my back and say that sending me maybe wasn’t the right choice, to give me a participation trophy and then ghost me afterwards. To try to subtly make me irrelevant and push me away from you all, I was and still am afraid of that.”

  “...” Nordon didn’t speak, he only stared at Kanashi with the same placid expression, waiting for the rest of the explanation.

  “I want to help, I want to join the Venator Society again, I want to pretend this all hasn’t happened. But I know that won’t be possible, I know I have no credibility now. I flaked when things got tough so what’s to say I won’t do it again when you really need me. What’s to say that I’m worthy of this? What’s to say-”

  “Are you done?” Yuko asked with a yawn.

  “Huh?” Kanashi stuttered turning to the girl who had her round eyes narrowed as she glared at him.

  “You’re whole speech, we get it, we got it from the moment we met you. We’re not here to listen to you throw yourself a pity party, we don’t want to hear you cry and look for forgiveness. We’re not gonna think “Oh look at this poor piece of shit why don’t we throw him a bone” say what you want with your chest like a man. Otherwise a girl will never like you.” She said.

  Kanashi looked at Nordon who while appearing annoyed at her interruption didn’t outright reject it either, he was probably thinking something like. That’s not how I’d put it but the girl’s right. In his professional tone.

  “Y-you’re right.” Kanashi grunted, clearing his throat. He shook his head and wiped the sweat from his brow before crawling out of the booth and standing before the table. Yuko and Nordon stared at him silently with surprise.

  “Ahem.” Kanashi said, clearing his throat loudly once more. “I want to join the Venator Society again! And I’ve brought a whole group of allies with me as an apology present!” He yelled out with a dramatic pose and wide yet clearly nervous smile. His crystal clear blue eyes trembled.

  “...”

  “...”

  It was silent for a moment, everyone in the restaurant turned to look at Kanashi. And this time it wasn’t just his imagination or anxiety they really were all looking at him. And even though he felt like crawling up into a ball or sprinting out of the restaurant then and there he stood firm, his pose straight and smile still bright.

  “Hahahahahaha!” Yuko erupted with laughter, a real raw laughter not a fake controlled giggle. Nordon, while looking annoyed at the attention drawn to them, couldn't help but hide his own smile. One which made Kanashi both nervous and hopeful.

  “That was really cringe Kanashi-Kun.” Yuko said, wiping a tear from her eye. “But it was kinda cute, right Nordon?” She asked the Captain.

  Cute huh… I was hoping it’d be badass but I guess cute is better than pathetic! Kanashi thought, straightening his posture and his smile turning into a genuine blush and smirk.

  “You’ve certainly made yourself appear both pathetically low in value yet also somehow invaluable as a key figure here. I must say that’s somehow impossibly pathetic yet heroically impressive” Nordon sighed, trying to hide the small smirk on his face as if ashamed of it. “But I’ll have to wait and see who these allies are before I can make any decision.” He finished, still failing to hide the small smirk behind the hand which covered his mouth with a napkin as if pretending to wipe food from it.