246 Would you consider joining us? (1/2)

Shin shook his head. What use is there thinking such morbid things? Despite his image, he could put up quite a good fight. But what is this bad feeling?

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and looked at the top. No signal huh? So it would be impossible to call somebody to help. No matter how skilled he was though, Shin felt very uneasy in this place.

From: Sumire

Shin, if you keep ignoring me I will declare this friendship over.

Shin blinked when he read the message from the girl. It was sent at three this morning. He knew she had trouble sleeping when Yuhi was not around but even then it troubled him. She needs to sleep more. How can she get better if she does not sleep?

His thoughts broke off when he heard the sound of an explosion not too far from him and sighed. It seems like he won't have a peaceful evening.

___

Right at that moment, there was a mini earthquake, the sound woke up Sano who hugged her again. He wrapped his arms around her protectively as he looked at the surroundings. Sumire spoke up. ”Is it bad?”

It was difficult to tell inside the protective sphere of the glass palace, while the ground shook and so did the flowers on the ceiling. Nothing was breaking.

Sano didn't say anything but he took his phone out. He was saying things in another language so Sumire didn't understand. But she did catch the expression on his face gradually getting dimmer by the minute.

”Alright I understand, I will bring her there.” Ending the last line in Japanese, Sumire looked at him puzzled.

”This ends here.”

”Ah.”

Sano looked very troubled. Indeed they only just got here a few minutes ago and he spent those few minutes sleeping. They waited for a few extra minutes before the ground stopped shaking and exited the place. The moment they stepped outside Sumire's eyes widened when she saw her surroundings. Plants knocked down and broken - medium-sized cracks on the road large enough for a person to fall in. It was only for a few minutes but the damage was awful.

What is this bad feeling?

Earthquakes often occur in Japan so this is not unusual at all. But there was something peculiar about all of this. Her gaze fell on Sano who was walking a few steps ahead of her. Just now who was he speaking to on the phone? Is it such a good idea to follow him?

Almost like he read her mind Sano turned back to her. ”I won't let them hurt you. But I'm sorry if you don't meet them now..”

….

Sumire was very uncomfortable as she watched the man who sat directly in front of her. He was sipping his tea calmly like there was nothing unusual. But Sumire had been sweating buckets since she entered the room. The main reason why? This man is an aristocrat. When they arrived at a huge mansion outside of town, Sumire already felt strange about this.

”Nagawa more tea.”

Sano immediately poured the man more tea and she immediately spoke up. ”This is really a surprise sir Fredric.”