Chapter 8: A Day Too Long.
The morning sun glinted off the windows as Tarazune Akeshi and Amanika stepped out at exactly 10 a.m., heading toward the bustling streets of Kappabashi, Tokyo's famed shopping district for culinary professionals. The sidewalks were alive with chatter and color, lined with storefronts displaying elegant tableware, plastic food models so realistic they fooled the eyes, and traditional festival goods.
Amanika's eyes sparkled with unfiltered excitement. She darted from shop to shop, dragging Akeshi along like a curious child with too much imagination.
"These plates look like something nobles would eat from," she said, holding one up to the light. "Maybe I'll write a fantasy story just about kitchenware."
Akeshi glanced sideways at her. "Please don't."
Too late. Her expression already screamed plot arc forming.
After lunch, they found themselves in Ikebukuro, weaving through the crowds toward a local electronics store. The goal? Home appliances. Refrigerator, washing machine, microwave, the works.
"I saw a show that said old men with glasses and wrinkles are the best at recommending stuff," Amanika muttered, scouting the floor with tactical precision.
Sure enough, she marched over to a bespectacled clerk with crow's feet and authority in his stance.
"We need durable, energy-efficient appliances. Price isn't much of an issue-just performance," she said, and the clerk lit up like he'd waited his whole life for someone to say that.
He wasn't fazed by their school uniforms either. Patient and thorough, he listed model after model, breaking down each one like he was presenting research. Akeshi couldn't deny it: the man knew his machines. And somewhere between the product specs and technical jargon, the clerk managed to slide them a discount..
What sealed the surreal nature of the day was what happened next.
Amanika reached into her bag and retrieved a sealed envelope thick with cash. She placed the entire bundle on the counter without flinching. The clerk, visibly shaken, stared at it for a second too long.
"My father gave me funds and asked for a detailed report on everything I buy. Could I have your card, please? I'd like to pass along your name."
The man's hands trembled as he handed over his business card.
"Y-Yes! Of course."
"Thank you for your help today. I'll be sure to tell him you made this purchase experience very smooth."
She smiled-serene, radiant, divine. The kind of smile that could bless or destroy, depending on which side of it you stood.
Akeshi couldn't help muttering under his breath, "That's the Amanika Group for you."
By the time they left, the sky was turning gold. It was past 7 p.m., and they were drained.
"Want to eat out?" Akeshi asked as they stood outside the store. "Or I can throw together some pasta at home if you're up for something simple."
She looked tired but content. "I'll leave it to you."
Just then, Akeshi's phone buzzed. He looked at the screen and frowned.
"I need to take this. Give me a minute."
He stepped away and picked up the call.
‹HEY!! How the hell do you know miss Amanika!? And what were you two doing walking around like a married couple?!›
Loud. Furious. Unfiltered. The voice belonged to a friend of mine.
"Tomorrow. At the usual spot. And you already know I'm well-connected. Don't act surprised."
‹...Fair. Alright, sorry. See you tomorrow.›
"..... Yeah."
He ended the call and turned back toward Nino-but something was wrong.
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While Akeshi was gone, Amanika waited near the entrance. Her thoughts drifted-maybe to the student council, maybe to Akeshi's mysterious contacts-but the moment of stillness shattered when three men staggered toward her. The reek of alcohol hit her before they spoke.
"Hey there, little lady~ Alone tonight?"
She stared at them, disgust blooming in her eyes.
"No, I'm not alone. And what if I were?"
The ringleader grinned. "Then I'd say that pretty face could use a slap. Make a nice mark."
Nino's jaw clenched. "Go ahead. Let's see if your jaw stays in one piece."
'Things are going the same as before....' she thought.
That set him off. Two of them grabbed her arms while the third-the leader-stepped closer, licking his lips.
"You'll be screaming for me by the time we're done."
She closed her eyes.
And then-nothing.
When she opened them, the leader was no longer smirking. He was mid-air, lifted by the jaw.
Akeshi stood there, deadly calm, his fingers clamped around the man's face like a vice.
The mall's lighting dimmed in Akeshi's eyes, the world narrowing to one thing: they touched her.
One of the men tried to intervene with a knife. Akeshi shifted. Fluid. Calculated. The blade never reached him.
Instead, it clattered to the floor.
A blur of motion-his foot connected with the thug's leg, and the man dropped. The other pulled out a blade too, but Akeshi met him head-on. No hesitation. The thug swung wildly. Akeshi caught his wrist, twisted, and disarmed him with terrifying precision. A final punch sent the man sprawling.
Panting and bruised, the leader glared at him.
"I'll make your life hell, you damn-"
Akeshi's eyes met his. Just one glance-and the man froze.
Every bystander in the mall went still, as if a lion had just entered the room. His presence alone crushed the atmosphere, heavy like winter steel.
The man turned and ran. Smart move.
Akeshi turned to Amanika, now trembling slightly. He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around her, and held her tight.
"...You're safe now."
She didn't respond-just clung to him.
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With Nino seated safely in the car, Akeshi returned to the mall, picked up the shopping bag he'd dropped earlier, and sighed.
Ingredients. Meats. Vegetables. Normalcy. It all felt distant.
He looked around.
Everyone had watched. No one had helped.
He stepped to the center of the crowd, their stares crawling across him like parasites.
And then he spoke.
"You all watched. Did nothing."
Silence.
"You saw a girl being harassed, and none of you moved. Why? Because you were afraid? Or because it wasn't your business?"
A pause. His voice dropped a note colder.
"Next time it won't be me. It'll be someone else. Someone weaker. And you'll still watch."
Then he turned his back and walked away.