Sebastian

From a similar darkness a young man's consciousness was adrift.

Where am I?

what happened?

Ah, that's right I died.

Some strange girl arrived and a lot of things happened

Well whatever, it doesn't matter anymore.

While this young man certainly did enjoy the silence, he couldn't help but noticing a ladies muffled voice which ordinarily he wouldn't have bothered to take note of but amidst the silence was far too noticeable.

The young man decided to simply ignore it and return to oblivion.

The sound persisted growing louder for each effort he made to ignore it.

The ladies muffled voice, grew rapid like the quick beating of drums.

Just ignore it Jun'ichi!

It intensified.

...

It quickened.

All right, all right! I get it already! 

The world grew bright as Jun'ichi opened his eyes to find himself in a familiar setting.

Now risen to a sitting up right position, he could finally make the muffled words and it's source.

"j..j..just calm down Anna, There's no way you're a murderer! If the police arrive we need to get our story straight! Ah, but first we have to get rid of the body! What's the best way to get rid of a body? What about that weird pervert creature? how am I supposed to explain that? AAAAAAAHHHH Grandmother! you made me into a murderer! Shit!"

No doubt she was out of sorts, She had looked the part. part frantic and part hysterical while biting her fingernail.

Drinking in the sorry state of his surroundings in an effort to recall the events leading up to his untimely nap, he only had one thought on his mind.

What a mess, I'm glad I'm not the one whose got to clean this up

Then it occured to him

Ah, that's right... 

I own this place

In an attempt to get his mind away from that dismal thought he found himself focusing on Anna, She had raven hair in a hime cut style and was fashioned in a seifuku but the most striking thing about her was her unnaturally blue eyes, which paired with her runny mascara gave her an otherworldly look to her. 

Remembering for a second he even thought she was some spirit come to complain about unfinished business.

Though the butterfly mark on her cheek, he didn't recall that being there before.

Now that I think about it, where have I seen those eyes before?

!!!

Wait, what time is it? it should be about that time!

"What time is it?" he asked mimicking his thoughts

Anna took a brief pause from her mania and checked her smartphone then responded.

"about 8:00AM"

Returning to her former mania, She evidently had not realized yet.

"Is that so? it's almost time for the broadcast of Shining sword maidens! I have a little time until then"

Jun'ichi nonchalantly scrambled amidst the wreckage and tendrils left by the creature to find his treasure and there it was, in it's resting place after it's assault by that weird tentacle creature.

My limited edition Shining sword maidens vol.1, I can't believe that tentacle bastard tried to defile your beauty!

He then proceeded into the storeroom, for his treasure had to be returned to it's rightful place in his collection. Only to return with dark hair dye which then prompted him heading to what looked to be the bathroom.

In the meantime with Jun'ichis movements in the background, Anna realized something important.

Wait a second, I think I just saw something crazy.

Anna scanned the room trying to confirm what her eyes had witnessed, the confirmation she had sought after wasn't apparent yet.

There's no way right? 

Jun'ichi exited the bathroom and noticed Anna glaring at him as if in disbelief.

"Oh Abe-chan? What's wrong?"

Anna couldn't believe it, if it weren't for the eyes planted in her skull signaling to her brain that what was occuring was real, she wouldn't have believed it.

She witnessed Jun'ichi still in his bloody salaryman clothing with his former white hair now dyed black.

On it's own this wouldn't have been worth noticing, however...

Her families ornate knife was still lodged in his heart.

Jun'ichi read the meaning in her gaze, looked down and pulled out the knife and handed it back to her.

"Ah! here's your knife back."

She candidly took the knife from his grasp but there was a more pressing matter on her mind.

"Jun'ichi-san..."

"yes?"

"How are you alive?"

"I heal quickly, I guess?"

"ahaha, is that so? you heal quickly is it?"

After that short interchange, Anna could only hear the words but not fully accept what those words meant. She looked at him again, he certainly was alive, with an odd butterfly mark on his cheek though she was pretty certain that hadn't been there before.

Apparently unbothered by his momentary lapse in life he moved to the couch in the other room and turned on the television and began watching what looked to be the animation of the manga he had been reading yesterday.

This guy is too much! 

I can't make sense of this situation anymore!

It's way too much!

*guu*

*guu*

Her stomach grumbling involuntarily interrupted her thoughts, she hadn't put much thought into it before but she hadn't eaten at all since yesterday.

This is the worst! how embarrassing! 

At least there isn't anyone near enough to hear it...

"Oya oya oya? what do we have here?" a new voice she hadn't heard came from where the entrance of this broken house would be.

Hearing this familiar voice Jun'ichi started and swiftly moved to stand and meet the intruders gaze.

"Abe-chan, this is bad! we've just encountered the worst kind of guy!"

The intruder had been handsome with long white hair that almost reached down to his ankles, his eyes were unnaturally blue and he carried an aura of authority though in an odd mismatch his face gave of a playful yet mischievous expression. 

A beauty mark resided just underneath one of his eyes, blemishing his otherwise porcelain skin.

He was fashioned in all the latest luxury brands from head to toe cutting the figure of a male model with a scarf draped around his neck to complete the ensemble.

In one of his hands had been a long tobacco pipe, longer than the necessity of it's purpose.

"Now now Jun-kun is that anyway to introduce me to your guest? No doubt you must be Anna abe, correct?"

"Yes, that's right! How did you know?"

"Anna-chan allow me to congratulate you becoming a witch! You've certainly caused quite the stir after your incident in the occult club! You're the talk of occult circles around Akihabara!"

Of all the questions Anna would have at this moment all of them were drowned out by one realization turned pervasive thought. 

I..Ikemen!

Wait, I feel like I missed some important revelation

*gur*

*gur*

Anna's stomach once again erupts to interrupt, this time what sounded like a very important conversation.

Her face reddened in embarrassment and didn't meet the strangers gaze in the vain hope that she could conceal the noise with only the aversion of eye contact.

"Where are my manners! Allow me to introduce myself! You may refer to me as Nogi!"

Maybe he didn't hear...?

"And you must be famished Anna-chan! Allow me to treat you! Jun-kun too! After all he might even learn a thing or two about hospitality!" Nogi remarked in the process pointing his pipe at Anna and then to Jun'ichi respectively whilst still addressing Anna.

he definitely heard it!

Anna had been mortified by the sheer embarrassment though loath as she was to admit, a hot meal would make the everything she had just experienced until now more palatable.

It also helped he looked rich, so perhaps he is as generous with his wealth just as when he spends so lavishly on himself.

"I acce-"

"Wonderful!"

Nogi replied faster than her acceptance was voiced as if he already expected the answer.

"I refuse" Jun'ichi's refusal came out just as fast. 

Jun'ichi whom had been quietly observing their conversation had finally decided to make known the objection he had that he so boldly wore upon his face prior.

"I have no interest in going anywhere with you Nogi"

"Now now Jun-kun, we mustn't forget someone should we? The life you so peacefully lead had  borne fruit because of our mutual landlady"

Saying this Nogi's playful demeanor grew serious, his eyes closing almost to slits while still being fixated on Jun'ichi. Nogi took care and added emphasis in his next words to impression onto Jun'ichi the phrase just as if it were a command.

"The Landlady wants her due"

The pair spent a short while locked staring each other down. The air grew tense as both sides initially refused to budge on the matter.

It had been Jun'ichi who broke the silence.

"Tch, fine I'll tag along"

"Wonderful!" Nogi responded returning to his playful demeanor once again at a frightening speed that would shame an actor who had mastered his craft.

"Cheer up Jun'ichi-san! maybe we'll go somewhere fancy!"

In contrast to Jun'ichi, Anna was the picture of enthusiasm. It was almost like one could visually see the stars in her eyes as she beamed excitement.

"Well first things first! Let's clean up this mess shall we? I know just the housekeeper!"

With that Nogi began tapping rapturously at the entrance just underneath where the chochin hanged with his elongated pipe.

"Minaka-chan rise and shine! if you would so kindly"

The abandoned looking house started to rumble violently, both Jun'ichi and Anna noticing this were quick to join Nogi outside to get a better look at what was unfolding.

The house began sprouting legs, one after the other out from under the house culminating in the four legs hoisting the building up and off the ground in the process. Two slits began forming at the center of the roof at the apex of the house only to suddenly open to reveal two giant blue eyes which looked around for a moment searching for the one who caused it to rouse it from it's slumber.

The eyes had finally locked eyes with Nogi who gave a solemn smile in exchange.

Water began to seep from the slits, not unlike tears snaking their way down onto the ground. This gave the house the appearance that it had was weeping.

"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Master Nogi" a booming voice came out although betraying it's eminence it was a cute voice. A voice one would expect from a small girl not so much a large house.

*kusun*

*kusun*

The house began sniffling intermediately between bouts of tears.  Then spoke once more.

"Jun'ichi is a dummy! He never wants to play! All he ever wants to do is obsess over his stupid manga! He never even tries to talk to me! oh! and he made a mess everywhere!"

Nogi and Anna said nothing but turned their heads to shoot a judgmental look at Jun'ichi who in turn moved his head away to avert his gaze from theirs.

"It couldn't be helped! A lot of things happened!" Jun'ichi lied as easily as he breathed.

Nogi turned back to the house and placed his free hand on the doorframe of the shoji and lovingly stroked it, offering reassurance. 

he would then attempt to soothe the house with these words

"It's alright, Master's here now. Minaka-chan be a good girl and help cleanup after dummy jun-kun. Once that's done find someplace safe and wait for us. We both know he's a hopeless good-for-nothing"

"Oi!!!" Jun'ichi blurted out turning his head back to face them.

Minaka-chan made no notice of Jun'ichi, grabbed the deceased tentacled creatures body with one of it's legs shoving it into the house all the while giggling gleefully.

"Minaka-chan is a good girl! Minaka-chan will do as Master asks and then Master will praise Minaka-chan more!"

*Stomp* 

*Stomp* 

*Stomp*

The large footsteps marked the exit of the house as it skipped merrily down the dark alleyways of the red hued shadow Akihabara.

"Now then! As the both of you lack the aptitude currently, allow me to help you leave this droll plane! After all, isn't it time for a change of scenery?"

*Snap*

The sound of Nogi clicking his fingers echoed throughout the alleyway.

As if the alleyway itself responded, the sound of life began breaching the oppressive silence.

First from afar then closing in quickly as the world around Akihabara began to add color back into it's palette.

Anna watched with wonder as the darkness receded, surrounding instead with the audible life of people going about their day gradually faded into sight much like one lifting the curtain of a theater to reveal it's actors.

Nogi caught her gaze and pleasantly smiled.

"Nogi-san, How did you do that?" Anna asked inquisitively.

He brought a finger to his lips and playfully said

"A secret!"

With those words the former absent street of Akihabara was a buzz of sights and sounds much more befitting the vibrant city.

"Now that were in somewhere more pleasant I've also taken the liberty to clean the two of you up. After all we must look our best at all times don't you agree? though Anna-chan I must make a fair request of you"

"What is it Nogi-san?" Anna asked absentmindedly

"As rebellious as a young lady such as yourself would be, I do think a knife bathed in blood may draw too much attention. If you are to permit me, I would safeguard your prized possession."

Anna looked down and held her families heirloom in both her hands and pondered the request.

It certainly had been bloody however, would it really be alright to leave such an important heirloom to someone she had just met? Furthermore she still has yet to understand the relationship between Jun'ichi and Nogi. 

It should be alright, right?

"Please look after it with care Nogi-san, it's all I have left of my grandmother." with those words came the temporary bequeathed blade into the soft hands of Nogi.

She could feel Jun'ichi sharing a disapproving look in the corner of her eye. Naturally she worried if she should part with the ornate knife so freely however she came to the conclusion if it ever became a problem she could somehow convince Jun'ichi to beat Nogi to a pulp and get it back that way.

After all it seemed there had been no lost love between the two.

"Well then! shall we depart?" Nogi exclaimed turning towards a open roof sports car resting by his rear, his long hair whipping behind him, straight into the face of Jun'ichi.  

"Oi! Nogi! That was on purpose!" Jun'ichi was quick to vocalize his displeasure as always.

As deftly as he slipped his new prize into his pocket he pulled out what looked to be keys in exchange.

Nogi eagerly jumped over the car door into what looked to be the driver's seat.

"Hop in Jun-kun! Anna-chan!"

Anna-chan moved to the other side of the vehicle then opened the rear-side door and carefully sat down and locked in her seatbelt. She then turned to check on Jun'ichi to see why he didn't motion to do the same.

His face was as white as a sheet.

"Y..you can't be serious Nogi, Are you really planning to drive?"

"Is something the matter Jun'ichi-san?" Anna asked quizzically

"N..No of course not! it's nothing" as he exclaimed with his usual defiance

Though Jun'ichi tried to make a strong show of stoicism his body shakily entered the vehicle from the passenger side, similarly sat down and fastened his seatbelt but unlike Anna's current disposition began nervously clutching the seatbelt.

I've never seen Jun'ichi-san this bothered by something. In a way it puts me at ease that even he has a vulnerable side

"Ready? Set sail!" Nogi gleefully remarked as he affixed the key into the ignition waking the sleeping vehicle into motion, they were off!

The journey had taken them a little out of Akihabara and into Ikebukuro, this would have ordinarily taken around about 15 mins depending on traffic conditions and the time of day.

The journey with Nogi in the driver seat, took approximately the whole day.

Finally the sports car holding the trio pulled into the street of what looked to be an expensive looking cafe, indicated by the extravagantly detailed metal signpost which ordained the entrance to the fancy facility.

The car finally drawing to a halt, Jun'ichi was the first to leave and promptly toppled over

"Nogi! how fast were you going? how is it that even at that speed you took this long!"

Anna-chan was the next to leave and promptly toppled over too. now no doubt with better understanding of Jun'ichi's initial fears, not to mention sharing his shakiness.

"I don't get it, I used my smartphone to help navigate, but Nogi-san were you listening? With how many close calls we had I saw my life flash before my eyes."

Nogi was the last to leave whom seemed no worse for wear and was heartily chuckling to himself, evidently quite pleased with the drive there.

"Teehee" was his only explanation as he winked, sticking his tongue out ever so slightly while pressing a almost closed fist at his temple.

 In that moment both Jun'ichi and Anna shared the same thought.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN 'TEEHEE'!

The doors of the Extravagant cafe began to part, paving the way for a Tall, Ikemen man to appear at the entrance of the cafe. The man was fashioned in a  butler suit with matching white gloves and whose mannerisms denoted him to be a man of nobility. His hair had been golden blonde and his eyes were sky blue which faded underneath the shadow of the fluorescent lights illuminating the entrance to this establishment as he ceremoniously bowed before the trio.

"You three must be our special reservation, we have been expecting you"

"Allow me to introduce myself

My name is...

セバスチャン(Sebastian)"