• Chapter #15: [BOUND SERPENT]

“Think the LiveStream Hero's a handsome guy?”

“Maybe? I don’t really know.”

“I saw his performance, but I still think that the name LiveStream Hero is odd…”

“Well, the name was on the spot. If you ask me though, I’d call him Beethoven.”

“Where the hell did you get that name?”

“You’re not listening in school, are you?”

Browsing through my phone, we were waiting for the bus to arrive. It would take at least 40 minutes of travel to Yokohama and another 15 minutes to LightWays Media. Hmm… The place we’re going is a well known media and broadcasting company. I wonder what sort of trouble would I run into…

After some more minutes of sitting, the bus had finally arrived. Others were scattered with their peers, while I was merely reading in silence.

“Kaide.”, A voice had reached my ears, making me look up. I raised my eyebrows as I saw who it was. It was Kazuto Hiro.

“Hmm? What is it?”, I asked, his harem or any from his group weren’t following him.

Only the girl with brown ponytail named Hanami was on his back.

“I’m just here to notify. The Black Zodiac has also been sighted at LightWays Media, so be careful. And… I also apologize for my member’s behavior.”, He said, bowing to me at the end of his statement.

“… It’s alright.”, I replied.

Giving me a grateful smile, he then reached something out of his pocket and handed it to me. I took it and analyzed the item.

[Plotter's Discernment: Active]

[Indicator Ring]

– A magical ring that allows it’s user to send a signal to others who also wear this ring when in danger. In order to send a signal, just think of the person that you want to send a signal to and be sure that they’re also wearing this ring.

Huh? Why would I need this? Whatever, I’ll just put it in my pocket.

“Use that when you’re on a pinch. The Zodiac is a dangerous organization.”, He said, before giving me one of his friendly smiles and finally walking away.

“… Thanks.”, I muttered. Don’t know if he heard it though.

…

“”Yokohama!””

Several of my schoolmates yelled. Finally, we had arrived. Like bulls on a field, they excitedly ran together with their respective friends, pointing and being amazed by the place. Meanwhile, I took a calm stroll, carefully taking in the sights of the place and analyzing it. This where disaster strikes after all.

Though perhaps I could use some souvenirs…

“Kaide! Where are you going?”, Hiro's voice called out. I turned to him and said:

“Souvenir.”, Before walking away.

…

“Hiro… You said that he’s a healer, right?”, Hayami whispered, still looking cautiously at the retreating figure. She was wary of him on their first meeting, but now she was never gonna let her guard down around him, especially because of what he did earlier.

“Yeah… We still don’t know on what sect he belongs though, but he’s without a doubt, powerful…”, Hiro answered, before adding.

“And… Hayami, since you’ve been sent by the Union, do you have any idea on who’s the LiveStream Hero?”, Hiro's eyes were sparkling.

“… We don’t have. Who he may be, he’s good at covering his tracks. It was like he just appeared and then vanished…”, Hayami said to Hiro, making the boy sigh in disappoinment.

“What about the Black Zodiac?”, Hayami asked, with Hiro's face immediately turning serious.

“If the Intel’s right, this is where they’re going to attack and we’re already preparing a trap.”

…

“Hmm… This is quite good…”, I muttered, scanning the poster. I’m pretty sure that CulturedOjiisan would like this place. Anyways, I browsed through some more products, before picking what I wanted and going to the cashier. I want my focus to be on the quiz today.

All of the stuff was placed inside the inventory, I don't want people see me have dozen of this walking on the road right?

After sometime, we were finally called on by our Instructor. Looks like visiting time's over. We were led on the school besides LightWays Media, the Orchards University of Science. Apparently, the two had collaborated in supporting and sponsoring this competition.

The school is quite large, able to hold up to 4,000 students. It also had complete facilities and departments, such as a large soccer field stadium with a track and field around it, a mini-park that allowed students to relax and work in peace, and even an Olympic sized swimming pool.

“Ladies! Here we come!”, I looked at my schoolmates in the corner of my eye. It seemed like it’s just a field trip for them. Though based on what had been told, it really feels like a field trip. After all, we’ll be staying here for 3 days and 2 nights.

Finally, the school staff had come. They warmly greeted us and were now talking to our instructors.

The gazes of the students were all on us, curious by the new faces. Most of the attention was focused on Hiro and his harem though. Well, that’s to be expected, the guy had an array of beauties beside him.

“Which school did they come from?”

“A school full of these ladies?! Damn, I kinda regret mine now…”

*Sigh*

Single Dogs...

How troublesome… Whatever, at least the attention's not on me.

Who will notice a mob, in a sea of mob anyway...

“Attention students! Please proceed to the East Wing, that will serve as your temporary dormitory. You are free to do whatever you want until 2 PM this afternoon, since that will be the beginning of our opening ceremony. Since our school is also on a Festival, feel free to interact with the students. Until later, please enjoy your stay here!”

As the announcement ended, each one of us slowly proceeded to our dormitory. After some time, we had finally arrived. The building had 8 floors, with 15 large rooms on each floor. Guiding us, me and 3 other boys were sharing a room.

“Hey! Let’s sneak out tonight!”, One of the others, Sakamoto, excitedly yelled out.

“The boys are occupying the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors, while the girls are on 5th, 6th, and 7th. We’re on 3rd floor right now, anything in mind?”, Akabe looked at the two.

“Don’t worry! I already have 100 plans in my mind…”, The final one, Mato, grinned in mischief. The other two immediately mirrored his grin. They really do understand each other just by smiling.

“Hey Hori! Wanna join us?”, Sakamoto turned to me and asked.

“Sorry, I’m not interested…”, I replied uninterestedly, still browsing my phone.

“Tsk… So there’s only 3 of us eh…”, Sakamoto muttered in annoyance.

Mato tapped him in the shoulder, a determined look on his face.

“We’ll call the other boys on a meeting this lunch time.”

With that, the 3 grinned once more, sailing on their fantasies.

Looks like someone will be slap tonight...

…

“Preparations had been finished master.”, A female voice echoed in a dark room.

“Very well. The Union thinks that they’ve trapped us, but it’s actually the other way.”, A man, holding a red wine, grinned evilly. He was covered head to toe in black veil, and the only notable thing on him was his hand, who had a tattoo. The tattoo was a snake, however, it was odd as it also looked like a chain.

“The Rabbit had already failed, it’s not an option on this one.”, The man added, sipping his wine.

“Tch, can you stop being a chuuni for once!”, A woman spoke beside him, her voice laced with irritation and disgust.

“Why can’t we just have a normal report, Tatsumi.”, She added.

In response, the man’s grin cracked and he now wore a face of annoyance.

“Can you just get along with it? You know that this is the perfect place and situation!”, He cried out, A perfect scenery of a person planning behind the scenes was destroyed and stomp in an instant.

“It’ll be much easier and pleasant if we just stayed in a hotel, not some shabby place like this!”, The woman retorted, before saying.

“Haahhh… Whatever. How about the LightWays Media? The Union strikes tonight.”, She asked, diverting the conversation before he could retort.

The man frowned, before his grin returned. Standing up, his veil had fallen, revealing a handsome man with green eyes and blonde hair.

“Ofcourse. Tonight, the serpent shall strike…”

[•END•]

Revised by BaNaeNae.