Chapter 5: Troublemaker

Chapter 5: Troublemaker

June 19, Early dawn at the light fortress.

The mechanical squeaks of expensive tripods and the pitter-patter of retreating footsteps had long since faded, indicating the departure of every last journalist and security personnel. 

Silence dominated the compounds of the Tokyo light fortress, with its many maze-like rooms and levels, combining ancient with modern architecture. Silence only ever broken by the hum of dormant electronics.

The elusive sea of white tuxedos traveling under the many black suits had displayed great camouflage when framed by the grey striped walls and the white tables. But that was hours ago, and now. Not a single moving part or anomaly remained, except, maybe for one.

Perched atop the headrest of a white chair, a motionless dot of blue fur stood out like a sore thumb.

It was the first thing the trained eyes of the yellow-attired security staff Tetsuo Shinpei had locked onto as he scanned the guest room for any visible inconsistencies. The second was the figure slumped between the two chairs below it.

Did some journalist forget his pet? Pets aren’t even allowed in here to begin with. Maybe it's a jacket.

He slid his headphones off onto his neck and walked towards the dot of fur, his feet stepping to the rhythm of the song-muffled by his jugular, before poking at that same dot from afar like a curious crow.

Oh its hair, a person’s hair. Is he sleeping?

"Hey sir. The broadcasting's been over for almost a day now. Any problems?" Then directed Shinpei towards the young man sleeping between the two chairs. 

Motionless, his legs extended and crossed at the ankles in scuffed black winter boots. Dark blue hair long enough to brush his jawline, obscured his ears. He wore a tight, dark grey shirt under a cropped leather jacket of a similar, deep blue. Most peculiar was the wavy patterns on his green scarf, wrapped over his eyes like a blindfold.

"El- eleven.. more months,  please..." The man whispered, his voice thick with sleep.

Is this some silly joke?  "Hey.. This is not your house sir. We have t-"

"Yeah, yeah. My bad."  The man unfolded himself, standing in a single fluid motion. 

As he rose, a shift in the light caught on the two delicate, golden ivy-shaped earrings dangling from his lobes, sending a brief, bright flare into the guard's eyes.

The man stretched. His scarf slipping down to pool around his shoulders. 

"It's just... the dim lighting here’s kinda nice."

...

For few moments, confused silence dominated the conversation. Then the mysterious man turned, revealing a face which made the guard’s professional composure stutter. 

One eye was half-open in the low light, and as it opened further, revealed a mesmerizing view,

Slit cat-like pupil, ringed by an iris of pale, calming purple.

The guard’s own eyes widened. The man’s sluggish demeanor, the inappropriately warm clothing for a spring dawn, the unbelievably early hour for trouble. All had given him quite the puzzle to deal with.

This was his first night shift as a Lightfortress mage, a ‘light child’. And for a reason or another, he would be the only person guarding the fortress that day. 

Yet training overrode surprise. He straightened his posture, fixing his pose, feet shifting into a balanced stance.

With a swift motion he unzipped his chest pocket, gravity taking care of the rest. Revealing a badge of some sorts, 

a brilliant, stylised candle. The symbol of his skill and hardwork.

"I'm Tetsuo Shinpei, a Rank-Helfer Light Fortress Mage. I do not care who you’re with or... whatever you think you're doing at this early hour. 

"Exit the building at once, or you will be forcefully detained." He barked.

The strange man took a moment studying Shinpei with his eyes, followed by his palms coming together in a placative gesture,

"Ahh, sorry. Plane's about to leave. I'm afraid I don't have the time to teach a rank Helfer part-timer not to pick fights with strangers.” A distorted, unclear smile barely seeped through on the man’s face before dissipating back into the plain expression he originally fostered.

“See you later." The man exhaled. Turning around and heading towards the exit.

If you're late then why are you sleeping here like a bum? Shinpei was annoyed.

"Damn asshole..."  He bit back a retort, letting it out under his muffled breath. Offended yet disciplined,

And as if having heard the muffled complaint. The man had stopped dead in his tracks. Still looking in the opposite direction when he began to walk backwards, only pivoting at the end to face the mage before him.

What's the fucking problem now? 

With a swift step back Shinpei reached into his belt and pulled a small copper staff. His hands glowed light-blue as he charged that same staff with mana, unsure of whether to chant his spell or await the cold man’s reaction.

“I’d rather not damage this room, but if I have to I gladly will!” He nervously announced.

Despite his confident words. Tetsuo was in dire need to avoid any kind of property damage, even if necessary. 

This was his first week after all and he'd rather not worsen his fragile image.

God please.

To his relieved surprise though, the man didn’t share the same offensive stance. 

He had reached into a leather bag hanging at his side and wiggled a wrinkled piece of paper from it, a piece of paper he then slid it into Shinpei’s chest pocket. The same blank expression on his face.

What,

And then he completed his steady march, yawning as he approached the badly lit elevator door.

Do I know this guy? Am I dreaming?

An air of strange confidence had blown from the man’s last set of actions and straight into Tetsuo's tired face. Fitting contrast to the previous tone of mockery but more than that. An air of kindness...

Whatever,

Shinpei swung his staff in the air back and forth, drying it from the pent up mana. And with his left he reached for his chest, snatching the odd man’s paper gift.

Moments later, as the elevator’s door sliding into place sang a satisfying ring. He re-attached the clean staff back into his belt, and with both hands now free. He sat on a nearby chair, his fingers struggling to iron the crusty paper into shape.

The lighting wasn’t the greatest so it took the light child a couple of seconds adjusting the angle of the text before he could read:

[I advise you. Quit this job.]

Shinpei exhaled I wish.. and let out a slight giggle as he looked at the written text framed by the palms of his hands.

Quit? Part-timer?

Up close, he looks even younger than me..

What the hell!

The tired-from-work Shinpei was yet again met with yet another puzzle. A puzzle he had no energy for. He gasped then grabbed the key of his locker from his left pocket. 

His shift was practically over,

I’ll just go home and res- SCREEEEE—EEEEEEEEEEEEECH

A demonic whistle similar to the thin hum of a speeding missile had cut through thick and thin, reaching even the one place no missile must reach, the light fortress where hunters breed.

Dumya's spell was too loud for her own sake, and Shinpei, who was still floating in the air from fear, wasn't necessarily a fan.

On his way to the ground he let out a faint squeal "HUH?  The HELL's this nois-??"

Before hitting the ground so hard Thump  he almost split his butt in two.

The Lightfortress mage then stood up, looking out the window in the straightest face he could muster, contemplating his life up to this point, his manhood, what it was all for?

A single tear ran down his cheek. 

He went on to moan:

"Hey god, I know heaven's near, I mustn't be greedy. But could you grant me this wish, just this one wish?

I'm tired. Really tired.

 Could...

Could this stupid fucking shift just end already?"