A Favor Owned - Part II

Chisato’s POV

When I think about my days as a Lycoris in the DA, I remember long hours of training—followed by equally long hours in the medical bay. When Mika-sensei came to me and said I’d have a chance to feel better thanks to a mysterious benefactor, I was genuinely happy. Someone was willing to go that far just for my life—a life that was never meant to last this long.

Then came the truth behind that so-called benevolent act, and with it, the realization that I’d end up disappointing the person who gave me this time. And while I don’t regret my decisions, I’d be lying if I said a part of me didn’t want to be recognized for what, in my eyes, was a noble life.

Mika-sensei mentioned that Ishihara Reina worked for the DA for a long time, but that she deserted not long after meeting me. And now we’re getting ready to go meet her. I know it’s not the same as what happened with Yoshi-san… but lately, the idea of disappointing one person after another is starting to wear me down. I wonder, if I had just accepted the violence Alan expected of me, how would things have turned out?

“Chisato—” Takina’s voice pulls me back to reality.
“Are you okay? You got really quiet.”

We’re on the same plane we took last time. Mizuki is flying us to Europe this time, to meet Ishihara Reina—who apparently has been living in Amsterdam for a while now. It only took Kurumi a couple of days to track down a lead. The number Mika-sensei had never responded, so now, the first step in bringing down the Alan Institute is finding this woman.

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’m just trying to organize my thoughts.” I try to reassure Takina.

“Hmm.” Takina doesn’t sound too convinced. “Must be hard.”

“What do you mean, Takina?” How likely is it that Takina can read minds?

“Trying to organize anything inside your chaotic brain. I’m not surprised it takes all your energy.” She teases.

“Hey! It’s not as chaotic as it seems! Shouldn’t you be trying to distract me instead of attacking me, partner?”

“Hmm, well…” Takina stands up and leans closer. I watch as her hand reaches for my face, and she gently presses a finger to my cheek. “I made you smile, didn’t I?”

I glance inward, noticing for the first time that she’s right—I’m smiling. I didn’t even notice when it happened. Not only that… the soft touch of her finger on my cheek instantly makes my face go completely red. I’m really not used to her being the one taking the initiative in these kinds of things.

These kinds of things… What do I even mean by that?

“What kinds of things?” Takina suddenly asks.

“Eh?! Sorry! I think I was thinking out loud…” Damn it. What’s wrong with me today? If I keep this up, I’ll lose all the respect I’ve worked so hard to earn from Takina—especially during missions.

“You’re acting weird, Chisato.”

“It’s nothing! It’s just… the situation is weird.”

Takina crosses her arms and tilts her head back slightly, like she’s seriously analyzing the situation. And in the middle of all my swirling thoughts, one keeps rising to the surface: Takina is really cute.

“Alright. We’re a couple hours away from landing. After that, it’ll take us about four more hours to get to the meeting point and start investigating our target,” Takina says, turning her gaze back to me.
“But I don’t think you noticed something, Chisato.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You made a promise. You broke it. And you haven’t done anything about it since.”

“What? What promise?” Promise? I don’t remember any promise. I’d never break one with Takina.

“Back in San José, you said we’d go sightseeing. But then we had to flee the country. And now, even though we’re on a mission that gives us a chance to explore a new country, you haven’t said anything about making it up to me.”

I can’t stop the smile forming on my face as I hear her say that.
And it’s not just because I want to see new places (even though I do).
I know things like that don’t matter much to Takina. I know that when we’re on a mission, she gives everything she has to it and focuses on delivering the best possible outcome.
Takina probably doesn’t care about sightseeing in Amsterdam… but she’s willing to do it, just to cheer me up.

“Thank you for seeing me, Takina.” The words slip out softly, barely above a whisper.

“What did you say?” She didn’t catch it.

“Alright then, partner.” In one smooth motion, I slide over to the window seat and quickly grab Takina’s hand, catching her off guard.
“Chisato!”
I gently but firmly pull her down into the aisle seat I was in before.

“I’m sorry, Takina. I was too focused on Ishihara Reina… I didn’t realize you were feeling lonely.”

“W-What? No! That’s not what I meant!”
This makes more sense. I should be the one flustering you—not the other way around.

“Don’t worry, partner.” I extend my arm over her head and let it rest on her shoulders, pulling her closer to me. “This time, we’re not leaving without me keeping that promise.”

I half-expect Takina to pull away or stand up and leave me alone in the seat. But instead, she just turns her face to the other side.

“We’ll see if that’s true, Chisato.”

I think it’s time to admit it—this whole situation with the Alan Institute has been throwing my emotions off balance.
Right now, with my arm wrapped around Takina, feeling her so close to me, smelling her hair, sensing her warmth…
I don’t know if I’ll survive the rest of this flight.

But even so… I can’t find a single part of me that wants to let go.