3rd POV

Hotaru approached Naomi while Naomi was examining the assailants.

“Do you know something, Naomi?” Asked Hotaru. She asked Naomi with no intention to get a real answer, she thought Naomi was just curious to see the ‘Moon of Akasha’ member and approached them to take a better look.

“Um, nothing. I just got curious about them.” Answered Naomi. She stood up and looking at Hotaru. “Can I ask something Miss Nobi?”

“What is it? You can ask me anything you want!” Hotaru’s back to her usual self after letting down the steam.

The bantering Naomi had with her was helping her to calm down quickly from the adrenaline rush that she got when she fights the assailants.

‘Did she do these exchanges on purpose to help me calm down? If that’s true then I must thanks her!’ thought Hotaru.

Naomi was fidgeting a little before she asked Hotaru. “Um, do you know where Mischa is? I didn’t meet with her since 6 months ago. I want to meet with her...” Naomi muttered the last part but Hotaru could hear it.

‘Ufufu, is she lonely because she didn’t meet Mischa in 6 months? What a cute girl, I want to tease her more!!’ Hotaru covers her mouth with her right hand and giggling a little.

“Ara, did you miss Mischa?” Said Hotaru.

“N-no, I-I didn’t miss her or anything!” Naomi stuttered a little but managed to finish her sentence.

‘I just want to fight her again! I want to try if my control right now could bypass her ability.’ Thought Naomi.

Hotaru hearing that approached Naomi and giggling.

“Hora~ you can be honest with this Big sister you know? You miss her didn’t you!” teased Hotaru.

Naomi decided to follow along with Hotaru to know where Mischa is, that’s why she acts like an embarrassed girl that wants to meet her friend and turned her head away while saying. “Yes… I want to meet her.”

“See? You can say it if you try! But, unfortunately, Mischa has been called back to the main HQ 3 months ago. She’s here only to stop Mugetsu if she appeared, but with no sign of Mugetsu appearing she was called back to Main HQ.” Said Hotaru with a sad face.

“…If that so, then it can’t be helped.” Naomi was sad because the only one that can give her a decent fight isn’t in Japan anymore.

“But, it seems she will some program at Avos Island next year. Maybe you can meet her when she’s in Japan again.” Said Hotaru while making guts pose.

‘Huh? What’s this perfect development? Is fate on my side to let something like this happen?’

Naomi's face brightened instantly and she smiled so wide. Hotaru looking at Naomi's smiling face can’t help but smile too.

“I see, I can meet her next year. What a coincidence, I am part of that program too.”

Hotaru was surprised to know that Naomi was part of the program too.

She heard from Mischa that the program was intended to nurture geniuses. If Naomi was part of the program, doesn’t that mean Naomi is a genius?

“Naomi, if you can join that program that means you are a strong Esper right?” Asked Hotaru.

“Ah! No Miss Nobi. You misunderstand it, I am just C-Ranked Esper. I managed to join that program thanks to my parents. And I’m joining the operator program, not the Esper program.”

“I see. Isn’t it good? That way you can meet Mischa next year!!” Hotaru understands what Naomi’s talked about.

Akasa Inc. had a relationship with Esper Association as one of the weapon manufacturers. So it’s not strange if Akasa Inc. can ask for a spot in a program like that, especially if it’s just the operator program and not the Esper program.

“Yes, I can’t wait to meet her again!”

‘To fight her again.’ Add Naomi to her thought.

***

Because the opening ceremony was disturbed by an attack, Tetsuma decided to hold a banquet for the guests and continued the ceremony on the night.

The banquet was held at the 5-star hotel Mizuki had managed to get the reservation for the night.

Naomi’s parent didn’t hold their speech again, they told Naomi to make a speech instead because she has yet made a speech.

“May I get your attention, please? First, I want to thank you and offer my apologies because the opening ceremony this morning was attacked by a group that called themselves ‘Moon of Akasha’” Tetsuma start the ceremony with a word of gratitude and gave the guests an apology.

“Then, without further ado. We will start the opening ceremony, please welcome Akasa Naomi as the Manager of Akasa Inc. Japan’s branch.” With Naomi’s dad's signal, the guest gave applause to Naomi which step onto the stage.

Naomi clears her throat and start her speech.

“I am really grateful to stand here today as Akasa Inc. Japan’s branch Manager. My Name is Akasa Naomi. I am really blessed to have had a wonderful chance to help my parents managing Japan’s branch.

Probably I can’t meet anybody's expectations in a short time, but I will do my best and beyond to not disappointing my parent's expectations towards me. Thank you very much for attending this opening ceremony, with this I announce that Akasa Inc. Japan’s branch is officially open!!”

Tetsuma and Mizuki held a ribbon in front of Naomi and Naomi cut the ribbon in the middle.

The guests stood up and gave grand applause.

Naomi can see all the guests clearly because she was on the stage. Surprisingly, she had recognized one of the guests that attend tonight's opening ceremony.

‘What’s that idiot doing here? No, that’s not important. Rather, this is a good chance for me. The faster I finalize the deal, the faster I can get what I want.’

Naomi saw Hyun-Woo wearing a suit gave applause with a smile on his face. Without knowing that his boss was standing on the stage.