Akemi was lying on the hospital bed, her chest rose and fell slowly. After the attack, Wataru and Shouko rushed her quickly. Her injury wasn’t severe, but she had to stay in the hospital for a short time. Both of them currently sitting next to her bed. Wataru directed his vision the floor all the time. He clenched his fist hard while wearing a regretful expression on his face. On the other hand, Shouko wasn’t exactly different. She was confused, scared, and tired. She never experienced such a thing in her life.

She already informed the Marufuji household about what happened and they told her that someone will come soon to see them.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Shouko got up and opened it, revealing an old man with a suit. He came inside, greeted both of them, and hold Akemi’s hand.

“Young miss...” His expression gloomed as he tightened his hold. For years he served the Marufuji clan, never comes the time when Akemi was bedridden like this. He looked up directly to Wataru and Shouko, then bowed to them. Both of them weren’t expecting him to do that.

“My deepest gratitude. Young miss Akemi is like my own granddaughter. I don’t know how I can ever repay your help, youngsters.” His tone was sincere and grateful, filled with relief. In response, both of them smiled and shook their heads.

“It was nothing sir. We are simply helping a friend in trouble. She will definitely do the same for us.” Wataru nodded in agreement for what Shouko had said. Shouji felt relieved hearing that. Wataru got up and triedto let him sit, but he politely refused.

“You too also in a condition of needing more rest. You deserve that more than this old bones. I’m quite strong, you see?” Shouji jokingly flexed his muscle which made the two of them chuckled. Seeing Shouji acted friendly makes both of them more relaxed as they chatted with him. A few minutes later, another person came in.

“AKEMI! MY DEAR AKEMI! OH!” A man with an eye-patched freaked out right in front of the group while doctor and nurses rushing in to calm him down. Eventually, Shouji came over to him and put his finger on his lips, signaling the man to lower his voice. Slowly, only the sound of soft breathing from Akemi was heard. He calmed down, apologized to the staffs, and greeted the group.

“I thank you for saving my sister. I also want to let you know that if you need any help from Marufuji clan, we will be at your service.” Akito spoke in such a business-like tone, but they knew there was sincerity in it. But in an instance, he eyed deeply onto Wataru, made the young man sweat as he tried to avert his gaze from the uncomfortable stare.

“I suppose you need to tell them something else first, young master.” Shouji chimed in to help Wataru, who silently thanked him. Akito stopped and realized it.

“Oh right. My name is Akito Marufuji, older brother of Akemi and the current head of Marufuji family. A pleasure to meet you.” He introduces himself calmly.

“Wataru Koyama, nice to meet you sir.”

“Shouko Nagatsuka. Please to meet you.”

Akito looked a bit surprised when he heard Shouko’s name but quickly got himself back together again. He turned to the sleeping Akemi before asking Wataru.

“Who did this to my sister?”

Wataru gave a full story of what had happened. Shouji’s expression turned grim. Akito crossed his arms together, listening intently. He was tapping his finger before slowly turned away towards the window.

“I did not expect someone like that is near to us this whole time. This explains what happened to those missing people. Shouji, call Hayate and Nitta back immediately! We need every manpower in our hands to get to the bottom of this.”

“But young master, Hayate and Nitta are doing other investigations as well. It might affect our relationship with our contractors because of this.” Shouji showed his disagreement although he thought of the same thing, unfortunately, Akito had none of that at the moment.

“You explained to them we had more important business. My dear sister is injured because of this bastard! Our priority right now is to track him and bring him to justice. Understood?” realized his master intention was very much clear and undisputed, Shouji bowed and excused himself off to do his order. Not long after, a nurse came in to tell about the visiting hours.

“You can go home. I will watch my sister. Make sure to take some rest.”

“Then, excuse us, sir.” Wataru bid farewell but was stopped by Akito.

“I would like to talk with you later, young man.”

“Y-yes...” Felt intimidated for a bit, Wataru stuttered. He left the room first. Shouko bowed to Akito in silent. Akito was about to stop her as well, though in the end prevented himself from doing it. Shouko however, stopped right before opening the door.

“She will be fine, big brother Akito. You also need to stop letting your emotion take over you.”

She left as she finished those words. Akito now looked at an empty spot Shouko had just been, before sitting next to Akemi and tried to calm himself to take control of the situation.

Outside, Wataru and Shouko were waiting for their family to pick them up. Wataru went to buy two cans of juice and gave one to Shouko. The two sat in the lobby, with staffs passing by, patients waiting to get treated, or some of them were just having a talk and watching TV together. Both of them drank in silence until Wataru broke the ice.

“Hey, senpai. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I-no. I’m okay. You look much worse, Koyama.”

“Well, I actually got knocked out back then. Damn! If only I was stronger, Marufuji wouldn’t be hurt.”

“I think you did your best, Koyama. The good thing is that all of us are alive, that is enough for now.”

“Yes, I guess I can disagree with that. But still, Marufuji, what was that kind of power?”

“I should ask you the same question. How did you get that strong? I mean, your physical abilities are not normal.”

Wataru laughed dryly and rubbed his hair. He drank the remaining contents of his drink.

“Senpai, I can’t tell you now. The least I can tell you, my power is made to deal with guys like him. I’ve been searching for the source of the issues we are facing these days, and just when I found him, you guys were caught up with me. Don’t worry, I’ll tell you after Marufuji is okay. Deal?” Wataru grinned at Shouko. Shouko thought about what he said. As much as she wanted to know the truth, she felt that she would get into more trouble and that could hinder Wataru’s progress as well because she knows his secret.

“Okay, but don’t leave me out in the dark later. Got it?” he nodded and the two shook hands. A half and hour later, Shouko stood up and parted with Wataru.

“Your rides here?”

“Yes. Thank you very much for saving me today. Stay safe kouhai.”

She bowed and Wataru did the same. They waved at each other, then she left the hospital. A black sedan was waiting outside. The driver opened the door for her, and she gave her thanks before entering. The car left the hospital. Inside the running car, Shouko looked over outside. Bright lights of the city and people still wandering in the nights of the city painted her visions. Her expression turned serious for a bit. She took out her cell phone.

“Hello?”

“Wataru!” A glasses girl with the short body but quite a large bust came approaching Wataru, who was reading a magazine at the lounge.

“Oh, Maika. Hi.” Maika suddenly punched his head. Wataru rubbed his head in pain.

“Why would you do that?”

“I was worried when you suddenly called from the hospital. I thought you were injured badly, or...” Maika burst into tears until Wataru hugged her to calm her down.

“Sorry for making you worry. I’m fine and alive, Maika. And did you really think I’m gonna be killed that easily?” Wataru tried to look brave to cheer her up and she slowly stopped crying. He also tried to cover his embarrassment for hugging her in front of people, who looked at them like a reuniting couple. ‘How sweet’, ‘To be young’,‘Lucky bastard’, and so on people whispering on them. He backed off once she quieted down.

“Better?” Maika nodded. Wataru smiled and put his arm onto her shoulder.

“Let’s go home Maika.”

They walked home together until Maika stopped Wataru before they parted ways.

“Something you wanna tell me?” Maika put her serious face this time. Wataru understood that.

“Dad asked you to go to the lab tomorrow. We need to prepare for the upcoming battle.”

“Perfect. I want to settle the score with him for hurting my friends.” Wataru looked furious as he recalled what had happened. Maika looked at him sadly, then put her palm to his wrist.

“Be careful okay?”

“Yeah.”

Thus that ended the night of the first encounter between Akemi, Wataru, Shouko, and the mysterious man. But it will not be their last.