Me:"Aaah. This is just what I needed."
Whenever I'm nervous, a good tea always calms me.
I was sit on a bench covered by a big red umbrella, outside the bar. On my right was the ice-cream shop.
I was still against the fact I couldn't go in a mission, even because I wanted to help.
But I couldn't just go against Najenda, that would have been a riot, and everyone would have went against me.
So I just kept drinking my tea.
Me:'This sweet taste reminds honey, but it isn't. Maybe an ingredient from this world? I should try back at home.'
???:"Excuse me, is this seat taken?"
The voice was of a woman. I neither turned to her.
Me:"Nah, you're free to sit."
???:"Don't mind if I do."
Me:"No pro-"
And then I felt it. A tremendous murderous instinct. I stopped drinking.
I turned to the woman. She had long azure hair, like Rei Ryghts, and azure eyes. She wore a white and black navy uniform, along with the hat.
Me:'What the hell!? She's so relaxed and I can feel such a thing!? Who is her!?"
The shopper brought her an ice-cream. I kept drinking my tea, but without leaving my guard out.
I could feel her eyes on me.
???:"You're not from the Capital, are you?"
Me:"...Is it that obvious?"
???:"A little. I've never seen your kind of clothes around."
Me:"Well, guess that's true."
???:"Are you here in the Capital for business?"
Me:"Kinda. I found a good job."
???:"Is that so? And what should it be?"
Me:"Exterminator."
???:'Interesting. Of what kind?"
Me:"Of the worst creatures alive."
She seemed amused by my answer.
???:"How long will you keep your stance?"
I stayed quiet, ready to defend.
Me:"What do you mean?"
???:"Do you really think I didn't notice you're on the defensive?"
Me:"I hardly stay calm when someone with such murderous intent sit next to me."
She giggled of fun.
???:"So you noticed. You must be strong for being able to feel it."
Me:"Some people says I am."
???:"I can confirm. You seem to have lot of potential."
Me:"I suppose. Guess it's the only way to survive in this world."
She nodded at my words.
???:"It's a fact. 'Only the strongest survive'."
Me:"That I can agree. But sometimes, strenght alone isn't enough."
???:"True, there are things that strenght can do nothing. Like love."
I turned to her confused.
Me:" 'Love' you say?"
???:"Indeed. Currently, I want to feel in love. I already have a list of what I want to see in a man."
Me:"...So you're one of those."
???:" 'Those'?"
Me:"You already know the kind of guy you want to meet and you won't give up until you found it."
She put a finger on her chin, thinking about it.
???:"I suppose you can say that. And what about you?"
Me:"About me...I think I'm the type 'opposites attracs', I guess. Not that it matters."
???:"How come?"
Me:"That's not your problem."
I looked away and took an other sip.
???:"Is that tea you're drinking?"
Me:"Yeah. It's perfect to relax and to forget."
???:"Usually men have beer or wine for that."
Me:"Well, I'm not that kind of guy."
???:"Oh. You don't like alcohol?"
Me:"Pheraps."
She laughed a bit.
???:"Still on the defensive I see."
Me:"I'm not a guy who trust someone he meets the first time. Expecially someone like you."
Her eyes seemed lost in the void.
???:"...You faced a lot in your life, didn't you?"
I just looked at her.
???:"I know that feeling. But I try not to think about it."
Me:"Uh. And why so?"
???:"Emotions only get in the way."
Me:"But love is an emotion."
???:"I know. And I just don't get it. Maybe, when I find the right man, I'll understand."
Me:"I'm afraid it's not that simple."
I gave her a good look. She had to be very strong.
Me:"Say, you asked me if I'm from the Capital, but even so I never saw someone like you around."
???:"Oh, I belong to the Capital, even if I was raised in North. I just returned after a short mission."
Me:"So you're a member of the army, right?"
She laughed a bit. I stared at her confused.
???:"You sure are an outsider. People always recognize me when I'm around."
Me:"So you are?"
???:"I am. I'm the general of the army. General Esdeath."
My eyes widened at that. Who would have thought I could meet her so casually?
Me:"...'The empire' strongest'..."
She looked me a bit surprised and curious.
Esdeath:"So you heard about me."
Me:"Just your title and the fact that your teigu control ice."
Esdeath:"You also know of teigu? I admit I'm surprised. And you're even cute."
I looked at her. Her eyes were set on me.
Esdeath:"I'm starting to get interested in you."
Me:"Sorry. I'm off-limits."
Esdeath:"As you said, I won't give up."
Me:"...Is that so?"
Esdeath:"...Want to find out?"
We stared at each other. If stares could kill, all the people around us would have been dead. You could feel the ice in the air.
And I know my 'stare' CAN kill, I was just saying.
Suddendly I felt a chill on my back. I uncosciously turned to the sea.
Where Tatsumi and Bulat were doing their mission.
Me:'This is...no...no f***ing way...'
Esdeath:"Mh? Is something wrong?"
Me:"...I'm not sure. But it's time for me to leave."
Esdeath:"What a shame, right now I was to have fun. But something tells me we'll meet again."
Me:"...You know, I think you're right."
I left her alone and went out of the Capital. When I was alone in the forest, I transformed and went on my bike.
Me:"This isn't good. I'm sure I felt Bulat. Screw Najenda, I'm going!"
I reached the sea in no time. After some seconds I saw a ship.
And somebody screamed.
Me:"That voice...Tatsumi!?"
I used my chains to grab the ship and I pulled.
I was in the air and I landed on the bridge.
There were three corpses around. A big guy, an old man and a boy. Tatsumi was on his knees, turned back.
Me:"Tatsumi, what happened?"
He didn't answer.
Me:"Didn't you hear me? Where is...no..."
I stopped, unable to say a word.
In front of him, there was a large pool of blood.
And over his shoulders, I saw Elvis like hair.
Me:"...Bulat..."