Bodyguard's Suspicions

 A synthetic doorbell rings in Juusaki’s room, and he goes over to answer it. Opening the door, Juusaki sees Nana.

“May I come in?” Nana asks.

“What do you want?” Juusaki asks suspiciously.

“I will have my final talk with you.”

“And what would that be?”

“I’ll tell you once you let me in.”

“I know what you will ask. I already have told you that you don’t need to know.”

“Please don’t make me force it out of you,” Nana pushes Juusaki to let herself in, and Juusaki doesn’t provide any resistance to her invasion. “It was that easy, huh?” Nana closes the door behind her.

Juusaki nonchalantly proceeds to the kitchen seemingly forgetting his invader. Nana sits at the dining table, and Juusaki returns with a glass of water.

“How can I know that this isn’t poisoned?” Nana takes the cup into her hands.

“You are—” Juusaki cuts himself off before he says, “not my target.”

“I am…?”

“Anyway, what did you want to talk about?”

Nana sets the full cup on the table before facing Juusaki, “I would like to give you a final warning, and a restraint.”

“What would those be?” Juusaki says while still standing unwavering.

“You are not to interact with my master again.”

“Denji-san?”

“Yes, now you should severe any relations with him.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because if you do, I will arrest or even…”

“Even?”

“At any rate, stay away from him.”

Silence descends upon the room, and Juusaki walks over to the window pulling out his glasses and wearing them. “Is that all?”

“Were you expecting more? Do you think you could find a loophole to get close to him? Is this a threa—”

“I thought you came in here to interrogate me, but it seems like you jumped to conclusions and placed an embargo upon me.”

“You might be using the wrong word there, but I don’t have to waste time asking you questions you wouldn’t answer.”

“Then, I’ll allow you to ask any question.”

“Then,” Nana stands up to Juusaki, and Juusaki faces her while he removes his glasses, “Who do you work for?”

“Unable to answer.”

Nana clicks her tongue and turns to leave, “I knew it would be a waste of time.”

“Are you missing one question, a question you haven’t asked?”

Nana stops and turns her head to the side, “A question I haven’t asked?”

“If you really do think about your master’s safety, wouldn’t you be asking me if I have any intentions against him?”

“If I asked that question, you would answer dishonestly.”

“I won’t hurt him.”

Nana turns and rapidly walks up to Juusaki and pushes him to the window, “If that’s a lie, I will kill you right here and now.

Juusaki’s expressions however don’t change. “Whoever I am working for has no intention not to, and this isn’t my mission. So I won’t.”

“Don’t try to play with words. If you are not going to hurt him, your organization will. If your role doesn’t include any killing, then you are a spy, which is just as bad.”

Juusaki opens his mouth but hesitates to speak.

“Did I get it right? You are a spy all along!” Nana steps back and prepares to kick Juusaki through the window when a doorbell rings. “Eh?”

Juusaki passes by the frozen Nana to attend to the door. Before opening it, he checks the camera that shows the visitor. Juusaki opens the door for Denji.

“Juusaki!” Denji suddenly grabs Juusaki to hug him.

“Oxygen levels significantly dropping. Preparing Counter Auto-pro—” “D—denji, I am chokkkkhhhh—”

“Oh,” Denji quickly lets go of Juusaki, “sorry, sorry, got a little too excited, but how are you? Did you have any wounds?”

“I am fine,” Juusaki replies, “would you like to come in?”

“Yes, I would like to,” Denji notices Nana behind Juusaki, “Nana? What are you doing here?”

“Ah! Me? W—well, that’s…” Nana trails off.

“She just had a lot of questions to ask, so she came over,” Juusaki replies for her.

“Nana,” Denji sharply stares at her, “did you interrogate him?”

“No, that’s wrong, I wasn’t—!” Nana fidgets.

“Hey, what did Nana try to do with you?” Denji nudges Juusaki.

“She told me to stay away from you to not cause any trouble—”

“Hachiko!” Nana shouts

“And I agree—” Juusaki continues but gets interrupted.

“Nana! You little—,” Denji jogs to Nana and karate chops her, but Nana dodges.

“H—hey! Please stop!” Nana pleads, and Denji stops his attack.

“Goodness, Nana, Juusaki is literally the one who saved me, and you tell him to stay away? Goodness,” Denji faces Juusaki and bows, “I apologize for my stupid escort’s behavior.”

“Hey!” Nana shouts again.

“Shut up! Anyway, I would like to thank you for saving my life, unlike this girl over here…”

“I have a name, you know!”

“Also please ignore this idiot’s demands to stay away from me.”

“I’m not an idiot!”

“I want you all the more to my side, but first I should give my thanks. Anything you want, I will give or do for you.” Denji ends.

“You don’t have to do anything for me for this is my job,” Juusaki states.

“Your job?” Denji and Nana say in unison.

“I was sent there because my superiors knew an ambush was set there for you. So please, no need to thank me. It was only an order to do so.”

“Wait, really? Who is this company that gave you this order?” Denji asks.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t tell you.”

“Well, if that’s what they wish, but I can’t believe an organization is to my protection. But I want to show my gratefulness even if it’s just for you.”

Nana cuts in, “Master, don’t you ever considered that he may just be gaining your trust through this?”

“How could you think— and say it like that!? If it is, they will still gain my trust! And why are you insulting my friend here? Whoever allies may be, I shall be with, no matter the motive, and Juusaki’s my friend!” Denji exclaims.

“Master, this may be your downfall. You can’t be so trusting. Don’t you realize that everyone is against us? They want to capture and kill you!”

“And that’s the point! Everyone is out to get me, and this is a rare ally! And I know Juusaki! He may be expressionless, but he is a kind friend.”

“No, he is a fiend! I won’t allow you to throw your safety upon a suspicious man!” “Don’t you call him suspicious!”

“Don’t you call him your friend!”

“Nana!”

Nana tenses up before Denji.

“Stand down! Do not speak back, I do not want to hear your opinion.”

“But, this isn’t—”

“Order!”

Silence descends upon the room again, and Denji holds Juusaki’s soldiers. “Don’t worry, I trust you. You are my friend. You consider me one right?”

Juusaki nods, and Nana takes hold of Juusaki.

“Nana, stop it! I told you to stand down!” Denji gently but forcefully pulls Nana from Juusaki, but Nana puts in more resistance than Denji’s restraint.

“Promise me this one thing, my friend of my master’s!” Nana stares closely into Juusaki’s eyes, his eyes yet showing no emotion. “Promise me that you won’t hurt him! Promise me, you won’t let him get hurt! As a friend!” Nana’s eyes tear up, and she falls to Juusaki’s knees, “Please, he placed so much trust in you…”

“Nana…” Denji gently strokes her shoulders.

“I—” Juusaki hesitates. “Warning, possible deviation. Unknown Scenario. Script not found. Warning…” Juusaki’s Assisting Intelligence speaks into his head. 

“I promise.”

Nana looks up at Juusaki eyes and sees a hint of life, a hint of emotion yet to be realized by Juusaki, “Thank you, but I still won’t let you off the hook.” Nana moves melancholy from Juusaki as Denji releases his soft grip, and she leaves the room.

“Juusaki, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I had to. Don’t worry about it…” Juusaki averts his eyes from Denji, “D—denji-san.”

“Oh! You stuttered! So cute!”

“H—hey, that doesn’t mean I need your strangling hug!”

“I can’t resist it!”

A few hours pass by, and it is late afternoon.

“Thanks for the time,” Denji says as he goes over to the door and leaves.

“Thanks for the teachings,” Juusaki replies.

“I’ll see you tomorrow at school,” Denji says before he closes the door.

A phone vibrates in Juusaki’s pocket, and he pulls it out, and a notification appears. “Briefing at 5:00 PM. Head over to Café Coin and wait for transmission. Juusaki checks the time and sees he has fifteen minutes left.

As Juusaki is walking by the sidewalk towards the café, he bumps into someone.

“Ouch!” Juusaki flinches.

“Sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you,” Misaki looks up to Juusaki, “I’m— Hachiko-kun?”

Juusaki holds his left side where Misaki bumped into as the wound in it bleeds a little. “Ow, ow…”

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” Misaki's eyes fall into Juusaki’s left side, “Did I wound you?”

“No, no,” Juusaki hides the little bleeding showing on his shirt, “I’m fine.”

“Anyway, I have to get you to a hospital.”

“No, no, it’s no need. It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Then why are you still holding it? Come, let me see it.” Misaki peers into Juusaki’s side, but he pushes her head away. “H—hey! I’m trying to help here!”

“Anyway, I have a place to go now. Fancy bumping into you here,” Juusaki says as he starts to walk away.

“Wait! Where are you going?” Misaki starts to tail him.

“Not of any of your concern.”

“I’ll come with you.”

“No need. It’s someplace unimportant.” Juusaki quickens his pace.

“If it’s so, then you wouldn’t be going to it.” Misaki too quickens her pace.

“It would be just a bother to you anyway.”

“It won’t be a bother anyway. I just want to know what you do, and this place you are going to will show me that.”

“Well, I, unfortunately, won’t be doing anything. Sorry to disappoint you.”

“I’m still going with you.”

They arrive at Café Coin practically running, and Juusaki hastily opens it and runs to the café's restroom and locks it. Meanwhile, Misaki supports herself while panting. She takes a little rest before entering the café. “Geez, it’s so cold. It’s probably because of the sweat. Hachiko-kun? Tsk, where did he go?”

“Pain Ignorance Protocol.”

“Are you sure? This wound is not fatal enough for this protocol. This would be a waste of energy resources.”

“Execute Protocol,” Juusaki confirms and comes out of the restroom not anymore holding his side.

“Hachiko-kun! Why were you running away from me?” Misaki asks, but Juusaki doesn’t answer her and he sits by the café’s window. “Geez, now you don’t talk to me, anyway,” Misaki looks at Juusaki’s left side again, “how is your— wait! It’s bleeding! Are you okay? Wait, how is it even bleeding?” Misaki then starts to lift Juusaki’s shirt, but Juusaki holds her hand and stops it. “Wait, I’m trying to inspect it here!”

Juusaki looks at Misaki with reproachful eyes, “What are you a pervert?”

Misaki looks at Juusaki and flinches backward, “Wow, so ho— Wrong! I mean ‘eek’ and ‘what?’”“I told you, it’s fine.”

“Anyway, this has to be an old wound. I’m sorry for hitting you, but how did you get this wound anyway?”

“I fell down the stairs,” Juusaki answers without hesitation.

“Fell down the stairs?” Misaki laughs but suddenly stops, “I mean, what? I’m so sorry for y— wait! How!?”

“Could you lower your voice, your enthusiasm down? People are looking.”

Misaki stops talking for a moment while she waits for the people inside the café to refocus their attention. “H—hey,” Misaki pokes Juusaki’s arm. “Woah, those are some, no!” Misaki rapidly shakes her head, “How did you fall from the stairs? How can that wound be that deep just from falling from the stairs?”

“That’s none of your concern. Anyway, do you see now where I went?”

“Are you that hasty for me to leave?”

“In fact yes.”

“Wow, that’s rude, but I still haven’t seen you do anything yet.”

Juusaki pulls out his phone and sees that he has a minute before the briefing transmission, and he stands up from the table, “You want anything? Drinks, food?”

“Ah, you are going to treat me? How kind! I would like a vanilla latte, small, please. I don’t want to be a burden to your wallet.”

“Understood,” and Juusaki quickly goes to line up to the counter. He sneakily takes out his wireless earphones and wears them enabling him to hear the briefing transmission in time. Once he finishes listening to the briefing and ordering the drink, he comes back to Misaki’s table and gives her a drink.

“Thank you, but you didn’t buy anything for yourself?”

“Yes, that’s not what I do here. Now, if you will excuse me,” Juusaki heads for the door to exit.“Hey! Wait! You treated me to a drink, and you won’t let me finish it!” Misaki with her hot drink in hand rushes to follow Juusaki outside. They both walk together, side by side, but with some considerable distance. “And lend me time to talk to you! I bet you didn’t do anything this entire weekend. You must be bored.”

“I am not bored, in fact—”

“Yeah, what you do is boring. I saw that you finished your entire math workbook, and now I bet you are finishing the physics, aren’t you?”

“You are mistaken. I haven’t yet.”

“Wait, really? Could it be that physics is too hard for you?”

“You are hardly mistaken. I didn’t have the time to do it.”

“Really? Maybe you are just making an excuse.”

“That’s a mistaken assumption.”

“Then, what is that that took up your time of working on your textbook? Don’t tell me it’s more boring than that. Could it be you read 18+ materials? How embarrassing! Is it eroge? Ecchi? Succubu—”

“You are hardly mistaken, and what is a succubus?”

“Then, what is it?”

“I’m not telling you this because you are worthy of this information, but I’m telling you this because it’s more efficient.”

“What are you trying to imply?” Misaki asks angrily. “Wait, don’t even try to sidetrack me!”

“Denji came over to my room today.”

“Oh! Really? Why didn’t you tell me? No, why didn’t you invite me! This could have been my chance!”

“How very opportunistic of you.”

“Why, of course! I want him to myself.”

“Pervert.”

“What!? Who you are calling a pervert? Shouldn’t I be the one calling you a pervert? In the first place, I bet you are looking at porn sites in your free time!”

“I don’t have free time, and I don’t look at them.”

“Real—”

“You are more perverted for accusing me of such things earlier,” Juusaki says coldly.

“Wait, tha—”

“And look at you blabbering of your crush. It shows how much you are obsessed with him.”

“Oh~? Are you jealous?” Misaki teases

“Why would I be jealous? According to my knowledge, boys wouldn’t hesitate to reject you.”

“E—excuse me? Wait, are you making fun of me?”

“You are wrong. I am only stating facts.”

“Psht, then tell me why they wouldn’t like me.”

“First up, your personality. It’s abusive, apprehensive, and—”

“Shut up, boys are dumb. They wouldn’t care about personality anymore. Looks are everything,” Misaki spins around in front of Juusaki, “Aren’t I cute?”

“If you are talking about looks here, you would be at a low rank.”

“Shut up, that’s only your opinion! I’m pretty sure any boy will fall for me, especially Denji!”

“As your delusions wish.”

“Don’t you call them delusions! I have had many boyfriends since elementary! Denji is no different!”

“Oh well, my tower is here,” Juusaki walks to the entrance of the tower.

“Wait!”

Juusaki stops and turns to face her.

“I haven’t thanked you for your assistance this week. It truly helped. I will still be needing your assistance soon if you will.”

“It’s a pleasure,” Juusaki says with a face yet unchanging, and turns to enter the building.

“Hachiko-kun, why do you help me though? And why do you find pleasure in it? Did you fall for me perhaps?” Misaki mutters.