REQUEST

What makes one so attached to life? That was a question that constantly rang in my head ever since what happened with Annabelle. The feeling of protecting something you care about, or the thought of getting revenge on the people who ruined your life? People cling to this thing we call life for multiple reasons although why does such a narrative bother me?

It doesn't but I couldn't understand the logic. Right when I slept comfortably in bed to the moment I woke up and now sat in my spot in our small office. What has always driven me to push forward?

The door to the office opened and the bells right on top of it rang. I diverted my attention from the book I held in my hand right at the person who had just walked in and I simply sighed and went right back to reading.

"How rude. Not even a good morning?"

"Shishimori you're late."

"I don't ever recall being prompted as 'late' since I worked here."

Shishimori was indeed a strange person. She looks cold, acts cold and sounds cold but yet doesn't try to push or divert her attention away from me.

"What are you reading?"

Shishimori asked, her hands suddenly pressed on my shoulders and her body leaned closer. Her breath touched my cheek.

"Last night I came across a book so I bought it. It's called The Indecisiveness of a Blissful Girl."

"And for what purpose do you have such a book?"

A faint grin etched on my face as I turned to face Shishimori.

"The idea of witnessing a popular girl go through the struggles of high school was intriguing."

"For someone so smart you have weird tastes."

"I will take that as a compliment." I scoffed and we both went right back to our usual routines.

It was quiet and I who would usually stare at the open window was drawn to this plain novel. Its characters weren't of any interest other than a few who stood out. The romance was pretty nonexistent for half of the book and the comedy was lackluster but why do I read it?

Even if I don't appreciate or like something, I try my best to understand from a writer's perspective. In other words, I hope to connect with whatever the writer was trying to portray and it wasn't a love story or a comedic gag series but the struggles even popular kids went through. The idealistic flaw that being on top guarantees everything.

"Report for yesterday's case."

Shishimori spoke from her seat, while I listened quietly.

"The casualties were more than we could have anticipated, although the organization said they would pay for damages."

"What's going to be of the school?"

"For now it is temporarily closed and due to the unfortunate death of Kino the principal, her twenty-three year old son decided to take over the school and the organization will compensate the families of the victims."

"..."

My grip on the book tightened.

"Are you frustrated Akuto? Does the idea of not being able to save them weigh on you?"

"No... it's kinda frustrating. You prayed for even that baldie after killing him but I simply just watched. I find it depressing how easy and quick people die."

This world wasn't filled with roses I was aware of that. I knew the kind of mess the world was in but yet at some point I started pondering on those losses.

"You trying to understand the victims won't change anything. In fact I believe it's an insult... someone like you shouldn't bother yourself with things that don't fit into your world view."

Shishimori's comment was indeed harsh but she was trying to tell me in her own way not to think too much about it. If only I had noticed the trick to Annabelle's powers maybe something could have changed.

What could I do? Simply survive? Fight? What good would that bring for me or anyone else?

"Then Shishimori tell me something. Would you sacrifice your life for the greater good of the world?"

"Of course." She answered with no thought given.

At first I assumed it was chivalry, just plain old humanity speaking through her or maybe she was simply trying to keep a face for me. Would I sacrifice myself for the greater good of the world? No, in fact no human would willingly throw their lives away so why Shishimori.

"But if you die then you wouldn't see what you sacrificed for. No then you wouldn't experience it. Then what are you gaining if you're not enjoying the benefit of it? A statue? A history class dedicated to your name? If you're not happy then who is."

"It's you Akuto."

Her words made my eyes widen.

"I don't need to be alive to enjoy the fruits of my action. I saved multiple lives. Who knows I could get that statue but at the same time Akuto gets to witness this. He gets to continue living. I think that's more than enough."

"You... saying all this to me is..."

I accept defeat. People as compassionate as her weren't the type I would argue with. Self sacrifice, death, the afterlife, I see. My philosophy wouldn't change. I wouldn't risk my life for a world so gray.

"I'm sure the moment you start experiencing life better you'd understand things differently."

I returned my attention right back to the book.

"Is that so."

Silence.

"Shishimori, what happened to the school?"

"According to what I heard, the casualties were way more than we expected but the organization said they would gladly compensate the building of the school and even the family of the victims that tragically passed. As for the principal, her son will take over."

"Organization."

What was this organization Shishimori speaks of? It was none other than the Arima family. For better understanding the Arima family are if not the biggest family in the world with each member claimed to have excelled at one thing more than any others. But at the same time rumors grew, the Arima family took in geniuses and wouldn't be regarded as a family more like a business so majority of the members aren't related.

The Arima family is rich, powerful and interesting. At some point you'd start to wonder how did such a family come into existence. No how did they maintain themselves this much.

The answer was creating multiple companies that specifically run parts of the country, be it the largest bakery in the world or even airline management. Although the Arima family is involved with so many businesses but those weren't what put them to be this powerful. They ran two major companies.

One;

"The Arima family owned if not the biggest weaponry people all over the world patronize, ARMS. They are the main supplier of weapons in this city and what we as void executioners utilize."

"They also created the void executioners didn't they?" I asked.

"Yes the head of the void executioners is also part of the Arima family. This particular family finds talented people and takes them under their wing."

"I have never seen them before, how do they look like?"

Shishimori watched me in silence.

"Royalty."

"...."

Shishimori slammed a pile of old books right on her desk snapping me right back to reality.

"There have been rumors about a new change for the head of the family."

Rumor? It was such an interesting preposition because I have never seen the head of the Arima family but Shishimori had mentioned the head being a very old man.

"The head was killed at night."

Under such revelation even I directed my attention from my book and right at her.

"R-really?"

"Really... but the police and everybody else are trying to keep this news a secret. Only a select few void executioners even know of this information."

Tell me Shishimori, why are you smiling while talking like this? I knew she was a fanatic for mystery but this was rather shocking.

"The new host will be the former head's daughter and she goes by the name Arima Sonata."

"What an interesting name." I sighed, eyes fully focused right back to my novel.

"Sonata is a very intelligent individual who is actually referred to being the smartest in the city. Passed all her grades on all academic ventures, engaged in multiple political debates and won without breaking a sweat and was even claimed to be highly gifted at commanding and ordering people."

"Ohh, good for her I guess."

"She's the same age as you though."

"Is that meant to be an insult?"

"No, but based on what I've told you, what do you think of Sonata?"

Shishimori's question.

I closed the novel I read and stared at the ceiling fan.

"She sounds pretty cocky and arrogant and, although I don't care if she leads this country or whatever but... having to control a family as annoying as the Arima sounds too much of a burden even for her."

"I see, I like that response but in the end your reply is based on your lazy outlook, not everyone is like you."

"Is that so..."

I found such a statement interesting. There was no way every single individual would come to an absolute conclusion because of multiple perspectives, would that be balance?

"Just based off what you know of someone alone doesn't prove much, that I can agree on but why assume she's mentally prepared? Don't overestimate us geniuses."

We might see the world differently from others but we are humans. We experience humane things and have humane problems.

"Akuto."

Shishimori called out my name differently compared to how she'd call it out most cases. Her tone was sharp or pretty casual and I respect that. In my eyes I wasn't too sure of what we were.

Friends?

Acquaintances?

Co workers?

Or maybe even business partners?

I never understood Shishimori. Her view of the world nearly contradicts everything about me yet she's the one who tolerates me. Although she was cold most cases but...

Why Shishimori? Why is your voice so soft right now?

In the stuffed out room brightened by the rays of the sun, the rivering chants of the outside world littered through the air, the footsteps of each individual wasn't too difficult to pick in and the dark sky preached for something ominous but yet as I slowly laid eyes on Shishimori I couldn't just look away.

A sharp pain engulfed around my chest.

Shishimori's smile had a glow powerful enough to make me turn pure.

"Lets go on a date."

"Huh?..."

Did she just say a date?