Eventful Afternoon

The muscular woman was breathing heavily as she sat on a luxurious sofa in a penthouse.

"Master, do you wish for any assistance?" said another woman, bowing before her like a servant. She had dark gray, wavy, disheveled hair, and an expression of madness.

She wore round glasses with opaque white lenses and a spiral design on them. Her attire was an elegant, but wrinkled, dark gray suit. She had a digital camera strapped to her waist, with the strap around her neck.

"I'm fine..." replied the muscular woman, trying to appear strong. The crazy girl stood up quickly and began snapping photos of her like a maniac, drooling at the sight.

"Why do you need so many photos...?" the woman asked.

"You never know if I'll need all of them, hehe!" replied the crazy girl with a wicked grin.

"Well, at least you're on my side..." said the muscular woman as she stood up, her golden hair falling over her shoulders. Her elegant red dress was drenched in sweat.

"I'm with you 'till the end of the line, Master!" the crazy girl answered with excitement. She quickly walked behind the woman, fastened her hair with a clip, and adjusted her dress. "However, I advise you to take it a little slower, my Master... your body is at its limit."

"Huh? And who are you to dictate how I act?", she retorted, irritation etched on her face.

"I-I'm so sorry, my Master!" the girl knelt before her submissively. "I didn't mean to insult you! Perhaps you should punish me..."

"Punish you? Nah, you've been doing great." The woman patted the girl on the shoulder and walked towards the penthouse balcony to get some fresh air. As she opened the glass door, she stumbled, losing strength in her legs.

"My Master! Do you want my assistance?" The girl was desperate for her safety.

"You should listen to Maika more often, Master," suggested a tall man as he entered the room. He wore a gray and white cloak, had long hair of the same colors, and a metallic gray face mask.

"Shut up! I am stronger than this... and I told you to wait downstairs!"

"And ignore your condition? You're pushing your growth to the limit, Master. Don't misunderstand me, I care about you."

"I don't need anyone to care for me! I'm the one who should be taking care of you!"

"You're already doing that, my Master," Maika knelt before her with the utmost respect. "You are our guardian."

The woman stood up slowly and her phone rang. She picked it up and saw a notification. "An event, huh?"

Iroko knocked on Kuroki's apartment door. His friend opened it, confused by the unexpected visit.

"Good morning!" said Iroko as she entered with his luggage and a smile plastered on his face. "I'll be living here from now on. Is that alright with you?"

"What...?" Kuroki was disappointed and even more confused.

"I quit my job so I could focus more on this game. You have spare rooms, right?" Iroko smiled awkwardly, feeling a bit guilty.

"You'll have to share a room with someone. We only have two."

"Really?! Will you let me live here?"

"It's better we stick together anyway, we're a guild."

"What if Blazy explodes this building?"

"She doesn't know about our existence. And if she does, so be it."

"So you're already giving up?"

"You told me not to worry too much about things."

"Ah, I see." Iroko's expression softened.

"Also, have you killed someone recently?"

"Huh?"

"We got experience from a takedown."

"Ah, I forgot about that. Yeah, I had to kill a child."

"A child...?" Kuroki's face darkened.

"I had to do it, he was delaying the flight."

"That was no reason to kill him! You could have brought the kid here!" Kuroki was unusually angry.

"I- I wanted to, but he said he had a guild!"

"Then kidnap him! Children don't deserve to go through this misery!"

"Are you sure kidnapping is the right choice? He told me to finish my job. I fulfilled his wish."

"Wait, kidnapping... you're right, that's not the answer..." Kuroki seemed thoughtful for a while.

"Anyway, I'm sorry."

"You had no choice, I understand. Maybe the boy had a loving family and all that... his guild must have treated him well."

Kuroki must have gone through a lot in his childhood...

"Iroko, you can sleep with Minako. I'm already sharing my room with Kasugo."

"M- Minako? Are you sure?" Iroko scratched the back of his neck nervously.

"Yeah, she's harmless if you don't bother her. I don't mind if you manage to bond with her, just don't get too attached, because our enemies can use that to their advantage."

"I- I see..."

Sleeping with a girl...? That sounds like a dream...

"One more thing, Iroko. An event is going to happen tomorrow. Use your free time as you wish."

"An event? Where?"

"Just a few blocks from here. There will be a barrier; you can enter anytime after it starts. However, you can only leave if you complete certain missions, such as eliminating a guild or a specific number of players."

"Are we going to participate?" Iroko was excited, but a little nervous.

"Of course. Blazy is probably going to be there as well."

"Really? Does that mean I can kill her with my sniper?"

"She must have countermeasures. I wouldn't be so reckless."

"Alright, thanks for the warning."

"I'll be in my room if you need me." Kuroki walked away.

Iroko explored the apartment for a while, searching for the bathroom as soon as he could.

There are two! I won't have to wait until someone leaves! Well, they spend most of their time here, so... it's kinda possible they're both used at the same time... However!

"Oh, Iroko!" Kasugo said as he left his room.

"K- Kasugo! I- I'll be living here from now on, is that okay with you?"

"Yeah, Kuroki just told me. We have plenty of space left! Do you want to eat something? I like to make sandwiches when I'm bored."

"Ah, I'm okay, don't worry!"

"No need to be shy, friend. I'll be hanging out in a few minutes, do you want to come with me?"

"Where?"

"The street. I have some walls to paint."

"With your power?"

"Nah, I can't use my armor in public. I'm a graffiti artist."

"Really?! I've never watched someone paint a wall in person!"

"I already invited Kuroki, but he doesn't like leaving his room. Minako, well..."

"If I'm not bothering you, I want to go with you!"

"Of course. Just make sure to wear a hoodie or a cap."

"I don't think I have those..."

"Don't worry, Kuroki can borrow his for now."

"Okay, thanks! Let me just place my luggage in Minako's room."

"Sure thing, pal. Wait, you're going to sleep with Minako?" Kasugo gave a knowing smile. "You chose the room, right?"

"N- No! Kuroki suggested I sleep with her since your room was full!"

"But deep down, you liked the choice, right?"

"I- I can't say I dislike the idea..."

"I've tried talking to her several times, but she never answers unless it's Kuroki. I can't read her mind. I hope it's different with you."

"I doubt it, but thanks for the encouragement..."

"Now go, my son! Fly with your own wings!" He gave Iroko a little push.

Iroko knocked on the door, expecting it to be locked. No one answered. He tried to open it and succeeded. Minako was lying on the double bed, staring intently at him, without turning her head away from her cell phone.

"H- Hi... I'm going to live here from now on... I hope we can get along. I'm Iroko, by the way."

She didn't answer in any way. She kept staring at him. He giggled nervously and put his luggage in a corner. He didn't even need to look at her to feel her intense gaze.

D- Did I do something wrong?! Does she already hate me?

Suddenly, she stood up and walked toward him. He expected her to punch him in the stomach or something, so he recoiled in fear.

What is this feeling...? It's been so long since I felt fear like this...

She stopped in front of him and, surprisingly, began to pat his head. Then, she left the room.

What...?

Kasugo walked in with a surprised expression. "Did you guys get somewhere?"

"I- I guess..."

"She doesn't leave her room often, so you probably gave her a reason to do so. But she doesn't seem angry or anything, so I think you're good."

"Didn't you just say you couldn't read her mind...?"