“Nope, it immediately fell right off the cliff.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnrEItoQWUL
Any glimmer of light that shined on the young man’s mood was devastatingly eclipsed by storming dark clouds of unriddled annoyance.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tj3bVnMBq
The cause? Shikata’s current, and reoccurring, client.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBBdaJXagFg
“So, you’ll never believe what happened next!” said a woman sitting across from our grieving protagonist. Caught up in the unfaltering tailwind of her flapping lips, she didn’t have an ounce of oxygen to spare so her brain could process the vacant stare she was receiving for her loose jaw, “You remember Omu, my co-worker, right? Well, I was talking to my friends and what they told me about what they heard, it’ll shock you to your core!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0ae7N4Dyk
As a social worker, patience was a virtue required for people like Shikata. But like workers in every profession, they’re all human, and people have limits, it’s just a matter of how much does it take to reach the threshold.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MWWfQ6U1X
“And I keep telling them about eating too much butter,” the woman continued. Her eyes widened up as if a revelation struck her and she changed her posture sitting down, “Sorry, went off topic a bit. I just wanted to get that off my chest quickly.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx30XQWGdau
“She’s been talking for over forty minutes,” Shikata moaned to himself, he was pressing his fingers against his forehead to tend the aching migraine being evoked, “She didn’t leave a second for me to speak. Wait, did I even greet her properly or did she start talking the second I walked in?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Ek456I7n1
This client’s name was Oshaberi Hako, a junior college graduate who was a few years out, and a very frequent requester for his counseling. If it wasn’t obvious enough, she was quite... talkative. Most of their time together felt like one-sided gossip sessions to Shikata and the idea of it possibly being true haunted the young man for a multitude of reasons. Hitting a point where he suggested they go to a cafe with an outside patio and discuss her current issue; at least then he can mellow out the experience with sweets.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaYwdBPx40S
An action he doesn’t personally recommend others.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDQrs8GBBj2
But this was a special case, he’s desperate here.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8UkAp0MLbN
Finally getting back on the subject, Hako said, “Back about my coworker.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkpnABqCUu
“Mmm oh god!” murkily groaned Shikata, it’s been a while since he felt every cell in his body cringe. Constipation has given him experiences more pleasant than this, and at least then once it’s over, it’s over and he can take proper precautions for prevention. Feeling like one was stuck in a looping effect would push the buddha to act out of their usual character, especially if they have been slowly declining from it for a lengthy amount of time.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHWbCjecOl
“Hm?” Haku asked, tilting her head in confusion. Thankfully his accidental outburst was muddily enough by incomprehensible noise that she didn’t hear him, “Something wrong?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs66CaW8h3c
Catching onto his mistake, Shikata quickly stammered a response.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mNf7PWa4j
“A- my apologies, I didn’t eat this morning. I was in a rush to leave,” he signals for the waitress so he can order something light and hopefully somewhat healthy, “I am actually pretty hungry. Really wish I had some melon buns right now. Hopefully, this place has some good flavors or at least is made properly.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGGYWJHz31C
“Oh, I can relate! I had my fair shares of stories like that- oh that reminds me of this one crazy adventure I had with my friend--”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEpGptwD9ey
“I think we should keep the conversation on why you called me this morning. It sounded important like an emergency.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMvFCbdsDJh
“Oh, right, right! As I was saying, my coworker-”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBK8AA0eJQJ
Thankfully they’re back on track, hopefully, Shikata mentally sighed to himself, “A close one. You know, it’s almost a shame.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTGBiVomCA8
He sat back to relax as he continued to listen to this woman, “She’s not a truly rotten person, just an exhaust pipe for unhealthy behavior. By the sound of it, she’s a dedicated worker and is quite the beaute as well; not that I have any interest in dating her or is allowed to, I’m not losing my job to chase a skirt. It’s just sad to see someone with such an enticing bait end up catching nothing because all potential takers get turned away from her hook the moment she opens her mouth… and it never closes!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYH5L1xa8S
Usually, he would refrain from thinking such statements about the people he works with but this was an exception on the basis that it actually happened... multiple times… sometimes it’ll occur more than once within a single day.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bvMvcRb5B
Shikata has heard all kinds of crazy stories in his job, many of which made him question the human race’s existence, but even he felt like she exaggerated her experience in the last bit. He didn’t become a believer until he witnessed it himself, never before had he seen a highly attractive woman blow it with five different guys within the span of twenty minutes. If he wasn’t the one hearing her rants exposing how it was all unintentional, he would’ve honestly thought she was doing this on purpose as some sort of deterrent against men she had no interest in with excellent talent.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQURUGNjssO
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ92pGcOq1B
“What the fuck am I doing with my life?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicbrY719Rt
Reminding himself of that baffling event tanked his mind into questioning what he’s doing, hypocrisy is a grand pet peeve of his.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05AmXHr0kj
“I’m not some dump tank for idle gossip! This is not what I worked to be!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6tDBAOQ8wN
“So now my coworker is being snippy with me. My friend was so right about her! All this is making work a lot more stressful than it needs to be,” Hako stated, miraculously stopping so that someone else could get a word in.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFyhX1xmM1
Seeing this as his chance, Shikata straightens his posture before speaking, “Well, Miss Hako, I think you might need to take a step back for a small analysis of your life and your actions.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYWRlJXmtL
As he spoke, Hako seemed intrigued by his words. She intensely watched the gestures Shikata performed as he explained his advice and reasoning. Hako never said it out loud to not ruin the magic but it was always fun to witness him talk in such an articulate manner. It reminded her of her college days when she got lectures from professors or went to seminars.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq86vxaP6rz
“Right now, your focus regarding this issue should be on your job and how to maintain it at max efficiency. Your job is no longer at a Black Company and pays well for people in your age and skillset bracket.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oizD5YopX
“Yeah, it’s pretty ok working there. The workload isn’t too bad compared to my last job and I only get asked to stay for overtime only a handful of times a month.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeFadcQMSm
“Which you’re paid for and are told about in advance.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFg7vzNmVgM
“Yeah. My boss can be unbearably naggy though, it’s why I’m trying to avoid any problems on the job as much as possible. Besides that, he’s ok I guess.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJtVaFIqSI
“That’s what I wanted to highlight. Right now you have a good thing going compared to people’s usual standard of just getting a serviceable job. It’ll be in your best interest not to ruin the opportunity you have by getting into unnecessary drama or letting minor issues get blown out of proportion into full problems.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTg6j6y5JFm
“Which is why I’m coming to you! You gotta help me, my friend is away so I can’t come to her for advice”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyJ9R9Upty
“Personally, that’s a good thing.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRUSD3JbBm
“What?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOkpmfZUtHN
“I meant, that might be for the best right now. Your friend, what was her name again?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfKZc0q0Uh
“Hebi.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dXyLYVg4u
“Hebi, right. She is quite a b-… Have you ever considered that Hebi may not be the best influence in your life, at least when it comes to your career?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCX35QXELJ
“What do you mean?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0RDoivZ4Bn
“It seems like she has a habit of giving you advice that is not productive at all in solving any issues you have with your coworkers, or your job in general. In my honest opinion, I think she has done more to hurt the situation than help.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2b9kzyjaw
“How!? Can you name an example because she has always been a comfort to my issues; before you of course.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFNIOUcBfl
“Well for one, how about the time she suggested you tell Miss Omu to, quote, eat shit and die if you ever ask me that again?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Ni1WH106n
“It was because she said something rude! Hebi said to respond with the same tone back to show I’m not to be messed with, you know how often people try to dump their work onto others.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HH5vREXCD
Shikata took a quick moment to check his notes before stating, “All she asked was if you minded sending a few papers to the supervisor for her.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpgbKcHuBF
“... I mean we started around the same time. Doesn’t seem right that she’ll feel so confident asking favors from me?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzpcH6tp98
“See, that’s what I mean right there. Simple scenarios which can easily be solved by a civil discussed is being escalated way out of proportion and it’s not getting any better because the third party with very little hat in the ring is giving unhelpful advice,” pressing his fingers against his temple, Shikata asked, “Please think back Hako. Has anything Hebi advised resolved any issues you’ve had at work without immediately sparking several more pressing conflicts?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHpPjAnKiTZ
The young lady took a moment to think to herself before answering, “I don’t think so.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4yL3yMSuZQ
“That should be an indicator to start questioning if maybe the person you’re listening to may not be giving you the information you need to make your life better. I can’t dictate who you choose to socialize with but I can suggest being mindful of who you’re letting influence your life. There should be some consideration and boundaries when meshing people from your social life with your career life. Some friends may not have your best interest in mind when it comes to your career, it’ll be good to keep that in mind, you are the one who has to work there at the end of the day.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDu4DuBIyvR
“I can see your point. But then what do I do when I have issues with Omu.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIM54R3Sq0Q
“For one, you can talk to her directly. As I said before, this is your job and it’s a great one. It’ll be in your best interest to be able to discuss any issues you may have with each other before it starts getting in the way of your work. Omu seems reasonable enough to lend an ear. If that doesn’t work, you always have your supervisors or HR department to speak to. Or if it’s an issue that’s minor enough that they won’t look into it, I’ll suggest learning how to wave off the impact of her existence.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAr71Pntq3
“Wave off her existence? You mean like, pretend she’s not there?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtAiwXr7JP2
“Yeah, more like, not giving her your attention outside of what’s one-hundred percent necessary. You don’t need to be rude toward her whenever she speaks to you, that will cause more issues, just don’t bother with her as much as possible outside of essential moments. Keep conversions quick and with as few words as possible, of course, this is the last resort if you can’t get it initially solved. I do suggest trying to work it out first. You don’t need to get along with every person or coworker you have, being able to co-exist within the same room would do favors for everyone.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDjBmvEpjd8
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkojHk8Jjj
Hako only took a moment to digest the advice before her eyes lit up, “You know what, you’re right!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagIOTHdXMo
The perky young woman jumped to her feet in excitement, immediately running over to Shikata with joyful and confident eyes, “I’m going to do exactly that!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4enEV1pFCV
“Thank you Mr. Shikata, you’ve saved me once again!” she exclaimed, taking up the social worker’s hand and shaking it while bowing to show her gratitude, “This is why you’re always on speed dial, it sounds so much easier when you explain it!... Wow, your hands are still so tough.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoev2HiAqwR
Politely taking away his hand, Shikata tells her, “I hope you got the assistance you were looking for today.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUiYXJQtb50
“I sure did! I’ll be off right now, thank you!” she said before running off, as she slowly disappeared she called back, “I’ll report to you the good news next time, maybe then you’ll smile!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHrzUyz1CD
“We’ll see,” replied Shikata, rolling with the comment.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd0qRaeJBo
“I won’t forget this!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFcPZAQt1hN
“Hopefully not.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFmViz2lnw
She went out of sight.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsbDkloTBi
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPzRrWO3wH9
“She’s not going to learn anything is she?” Shikata told himself, furrowing his eyebrows. He looked down at the notebook he has whenever he had to talk with Hako, a lot of it was filled with harsh criticism that he would have to heavily filter if he wanted to say them to his client and not risk getting fired, “This was her third time calling me this week… what the fuck am I doing with my life.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZMKFd6uom7
He let out an exhausted sigh.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYREuuIhn9Z
Never before did he feel like his life was so inane with mundane acts.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3jYmGkugyc
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQmGTt6yaT
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHhcsasmlU
Dead silence has dominated the farm estate The Masked Wanderer was on.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLvLHV4sYE2
The fighting was over, the threat was gone, and the land was calm once again. Yet, no one felt like a victory was earned.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0bWtWv42m
Flowing up into the sky was a hail of red particles, reaching greater heights until they slowly faded out. The entire time, the wanderer stared up at the spectacle in front of her until it was finally over.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3rgOYWjHo9
The wanderer then turned toward the woman she just saved.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgA0xjLL70F
All the devastation drained her capability to muster the energy to weep, she was just tired. So much was lost in a few minutes, it felt unreal, yet it happened, her life had a vibrant change.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM7Sc3cVubz
With nothing left to do, the wanderer unplucked her spear from the ground and made her exit without another word. While sad it was nothing new, traveling through this plane of existence one would see tragedies of all kinds.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OUI4Ki4QQ
For a single being like The Masked Wanderer, there was only so much she could do for each case she stumbles onto.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtPbJhi2hZ
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnl8zQCs23n
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV2cZiFEyGG
The walk through the streets dragged heavily on Shikata’s mind, what was objectively a successful session felt more like a defeat to the young cynic.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd08LBr6Wt6
“You know, this isn’t exactly how I envisioned my life at this. When I became a social worker, I expected to be mending the wounds hidden deep in society by helping the hard cases, not this Saturday morning drama show,” he sighed.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3cZXyd2AoP
His mind wandered back to earlier in his day, the encounter with the old man at the train station stuck with him.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0d7Cpsuxv
“Someone like that should’ve been the priority of my day.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAvTRZX8Vat
As Shikata sluggishly strolled through the streets, he couldn’t help but notice the signs of struggle he noticed from the people he walked by.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEINcLlxvN
“Or that gentleman, his eyes are red, face was distraught, and why is a regular office worker out at this time; he probably got fired today. Or her, she’s overly flustering over her hair covering half her face; is she suffering a form of physical abuse from work or at home? Even that young kid over there weeping, there’s a university nearby from the direction he’s coming from and I think today was the day they announced who got accepted; must’ve failed to get in. People his age take it extremely hard whenever they don’t get into their desired schools, will he be able to handle it on his own, can anyone help him before he takes any unnecessary drastic actions?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1Tebwc9hY
He thought maybe he could help them. His body jerked toward one of the hurting people he passed by but halted as he had lost them. Those three weren’t the only person that showed signs of pain, it was a sea of people in anguish that awashed his vision. Each going their own way and fashion, getting further from his reach. Even with all his skills and knowledge, what could he do to turn the tide?
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhVNaZ6NPGK
The vacant eyes of Shikata stared up at the blue sky above him.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYm1KW3a7tm
“I guess a helping hand can only be held so low.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVYrKcBGpX
At times, he questions if any efforts he makes at all matter or if it was a futile endeavor.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡml8ByX0SjN
“It’s like a waterfall, no matter how much I try to divert it, the water moves around my offered hands to fall into their fated destination. My attempted assistance could’ve been there or not, nothing would’ve changed, I’m only indulging myself in a pious play.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8a7zG9zjC
The world being so big and chaotic, it’s hard to see anything that can give it a moment of calm.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjorjqGYhHF
Could a dream achieve it be so foolish?
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tZ7nsGvoQ
His thought was interrupted when he heard the crunching sound of paper crumpling near him followed by a yelp and a thump. Looking close by he found a woman on the floor, her groceries laid out on the floor, and a small girl next to her who shared similar facial features.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oCTtqFlIK
Hearing her groan was practically a calling card for Shikata to come over. The young child was attentively asking her mother if she was ok only to see a man she’s never seen approach the both of them. Seeing his stoned face understandably frighten the child, the mother finally recovering from her fall looked first at her child to assure she was ok but trailing her sights up to what was rattling the girl. Their eyes mimicked each other, sharing the same unsettled display.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRPVIMYWtqL
“Are you ok?” Shikata asked as he bent down to help retrieve her groceries.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQRC6Xd3FR
For a moment, the mother seemed surprised that she was being assisted by a stranger. Snapping out of it, the modesty in her made her move to help collect her items, “You don’t need to help… with… that.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLUQxHYjgUn
Her words trailed off as she witnessed Shikata’s hands shoot out quicker than a child grabbing a candy bar, swiftly picking up all the littered items and repacking them back into the bags. The mother barely had time to process the amazement before Shikata was finished, holding the bags up as if they never fell in the first place.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5Qn9nSQNY
All she could think to say was, “Oh.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0F2dXZgmhD
Standing to his feet, Shikata held out a hand to help the mother up, who accepted it. While helping her up, he noticed the lack of a ring on either of her hands.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk55vWl92yd
“Divorce, never married, wedlock, or maybe a widow?” he asked himself, “Or their child flushed it down the toilet, that surprisingly happens more than you’ll think.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYondgR2srF
Getting to her feet, the woman showed her gratitude with many forms of, “Thank you!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvY3XaIBJF
“Huh, oh don’t worry about it?” he says, his mind was adrift in his memories for a bit before her voice brought him back. His eyes lowered down to the little girl hugging her mother’s leg, “Uh… is she yours?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8NRPqkIEd
“Yes, yes. Where are your manners Hogo? Greet the kind man.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoFCs1y9Tb
Poking out her head away from her mother, the girl named Hogo mutters, “H-hi, thank you.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNKpNJeOl0e
“She’s a little shy,” her mother explained, trying to wave off her daughter’s demeanor.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3lR2gLUTE5
Assuring raising a hand, Shikata went to ease the tension by telling her, “It’s nothing new, I scare children often.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVyNc6LOnLJ
“What?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2dc0TkWmad
“Eh, I meant kids find it intimidating when I approach them… because of my stature.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcMMbfBpbYF
“Ah, I see.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd7vIqGbUV
“Don’t blame them either, at their age I look like someone who’ll give them a pretty lengthy scolding. That’s nightmare fuel to them.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSs61r0mvBZ
That last comment managed to get a giggle from the woman despite the dry delivery. Echoing her mother’s sentiment, the child started to ease up a bit, looking at the gentleman in front with less fear and more curiosity from how he managed to make her caregiver smile. Looking past the stone-face, Hogo laid her eyes upon Shikata’s hands and her eyes became dazzled with amazement.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡME4ON7d3EA
“I recognize those rings!” Hogo blurted out, pointing to the multiple accessories attached to his finger. “They’re from Crescent Fate Princesses.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSHWlY7bnLD
“Huh?” the mother said, befuddled at first before she started to remember, “Wait, do you mean that show you’re always watching.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2nGRhLCLdk
“Yeah, I love it! Those are Stellar Rings, they give out amazing powers to do fantastical feats. Do you see the longer metal one on his index? That one specifically was worn by the vigilante Gentle Eclipse! He goes around the galaxy executing his own sense of justice to help people and oftentimes being at odds with the main hero Marine Lunar and The Moon Crew.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTNYJl8ESEQ
“Oooh,” the mom exclaimed, nodding her head as if she understood before immediately breaking the illusion covering her confusion, “What?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNz6tY1bov
Shikata squatted down as he explained, “Imagine superheroes, but they’re magical, mostly girls, and are in space.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlM7uFrifu4
“That’s better.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPCSTBx6Vz
“The sequel series is extremely popular these days. I assume you’re a fan?” he asked Hogo, holding out his right hand so she could get a closer look.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZnpWOyEybk
The little girl happily jumped at the chance to awe at the metallic accessory, ”It’s my favorite show! These look a little different from the show though, did you make them yourself?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgAvczsocyq
“No, they’re modeled after the design from the original series. It was a gift.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcOf7xoJgL
“Awesome!”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRLhSlVwupc
Shikata rose to his feet, reached into his pocket to get out his business cards, searching through them before handing one to her; one with a different set of addresses and numbers on the back, “Anyways, I should be going. You lot have somewhere to be as well. Here’s my card, if you need any assistance with something let me know; I know a few places that could be able to help with any troubles you may have.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFgu8NpkfYH
Looking down at the card and back up, the mother told him, “Thank you, I’ll certainly repay you for this.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgubwgadmr
“I like melon bread,” he said before walking off.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6YC2kOnVD
Exchanging quick farewells, they went on their way.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCrhlCyPjzN
As he walked away, the young man looked back at his right hand to eye the metal ring; and began glaring at it almost in disgust seeing it on his finger.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ03GXw3eZeX
“This shouldn’t be here,” he thought to himself, almost tempted to toss it off his finger right then and there. It brought a sickening feeling to his stomach, but soon he calmed him as he crossed the street, “Eh, no use thinking over it now. Not like being overdramatic will doing anything anyways.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ43MtjdGOG4
Shikata looked at his phone to check the time, noticing he had received a few text messages. His heart sank when a message from Hako was among the top ones he recently received; she didn’t even go to work yet what could’ve happened in that small time free!
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9INRy5wyz
“I’m about ready to check out today.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9nubVYZQ1
Sighing, he went to answer his phone.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZREIiiPeWB
SCREEEEECH!343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf3WF76fe2Q
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnf05nwZGba
BASH!
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwIjrCZs2OM
SCREEEEEEEEEEECH!
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYZMPTU3sQO
It was right then that the shrieking of rubber rubbing against asphalt and the honking of a horn tore through the air with an ear-piercing cry. Like any regular person, his first instinct was to look in the direction it came from, both out of curiosity to see what happened and if this disturbance could affect him as well.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYu94zR4heu
It was the latter, for as he turned to the street he discovered a runaway truck swerving recklessly in the streets at high speed straight toward him; and unfortunately, it was a lot closer than Shikata would expect. The young man was square in the middle of its path and he barely had time to process what happened before the truck was only a couple of yards away.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOFEG4i5n78
Could he get out of the way? Run, jump, duck, roll, dodge.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjiZd2BFoS
All sorts of options that may not give him a high chance to evade but would be something that might assist in his survival.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZaCMAxjOsD
Yet, an eerie relaxed expression hit Shikata’s face as he stared at the charging metal vehicle. Only a thought passed through his mind.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡirfFP4U49h
“How about that?”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvx8Xut1l7J
The next couple of moments were fuzzy for Shikata, it was a hectic couple of seconds, but there was a single certainty that it ended with everything turning dark.
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHZkq8kPsX
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVpzOV7cA6Q
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSgfTzpBhD
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoOGAoGIK3
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZczEjRws3l
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy906Ng2pfy
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuzrdnSk8Qz
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96QMVgvT0t
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDYgpoX1xz
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyGElSiHfG
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GYjmTy9xL
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm57ZG8nsXR
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSLgs1ZSHEx
…
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbgpA7qMf7
Then an angelic voice called out to him, “Greetings, you have died.”
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIC7siruQTX
A/N: HOPED YOU ENJOY IT, follow me on Twitter or Youtube at HeroDarkyDark, or go to my Kofi to support me in other ways. See ya next time
343Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡut4VGyPhlI
