Let's Go Together

"I'm going for thirds!" Seita declared as he stood up with his plate empty.

"Not so fast, lil' bro," Alan reached over from his seat and placed a hand on Seita's shoulder. "Not without me, you're not."

"Come on," Seita moaned as Alan opened the door and left first. "You don't have to follow me everywhere!"

"Now now. Who said I'm following you? I want seconds too," Alan grinned as they ushered back to the buffet.

Seita had become accustomed to Alan since they met. The man introduced himself as a friend Asahi had made while gambling. Although initially skeptical, Alan's consistent smile and humorous remarks quickly befriended the younger brother.

Initially, Alan's actions confused Asahi. Rather than acting as a professional, he often left them to gamble or was bothering other guests on board. Yet despite being only one man, the rowdy bodyguard seemed to be everywhere at once to keep them safe. Asahi would spot Alan losing a bet at a table but when the boy turned his head, Alan was standing by Seita, exchanging a laid-back conversation.

Slowly, Asahi picked up on some of Alan's subtle movements. His eyes were always darting around the room. He never bumped into anyone despite walking backwards. And while his gullible smile suggested otherwise, Alan was always the one making the first move before accepting seemingly disadvantageous bets.

The possibility that the man's entire personality was a facade lingered in Asahi's mind.

Alan Holsting, a loudmouth cowboy, might have been the most dangerous person on board.

A loud scream from the hallway caused the lively ensemble in the dining hall to go quiet. People began to turn their heads toward the commotion while Asahi saw staff members quickly walking out toward the source.

Only one thought popped into Asahi's mind as he stood up to follow them.

Mihari.

The girl had been escorted to their room earlier halfway through dinner by Alan and should supposedly be safe. But Asahi wasn't going to risk it. Not after losing her before already.

He instinctively reached for his phone to call her but found nothing in his pocket. He must have left it back in his room.

Arriving at where a crowd of onlookers stood, consisting of both staff and guests, Asahi pushed his way through to the front. He wasn't surprised when he noticed Alan already there with his arms crossed. Two of the staff members were comforting one of their own, a young female attendant who was trembling on the ground.

Asahi followed her gaze into an opened door while murmurs grew louder. One guest even puked while a worker made a call through his earpiece.

Much to Asahi's surprise, their gunman had been found dead, laying against the wall in a cleaning closet. A kitchen knife was situated in his chest with a pool of blood growing larger underneath him.

"Did... did you?" Asahi whispered next to Alan as men in black suits and sunglasses urged the crowd aside. Alan looked at him with offended eyes.

"I don't do those services," he defended himself. But then subtly, Alan lowered his glasses and rubbed his fingers together. "At least, not for free."

Asahi rolled his eyes as Alan let out a soft chuckle. He then dropped the playful act and gestured down the hall.

"You should go check in on your friend," he suggested. "Let her know things are fine."

Asahi nodded and walked away toward the stairs, returning to his room to inform Mihari. The sound of running water and humming was coming from the shower as he entered.

"Mihari?" Asahi knocked twice on the bathroom door.

"Yes?"

"They found the guy from that night," Asahi leaned his back against the door. "He's dead."

"Is that so?" The faucet was turned off. "That's a relief."

"Um, have you seen my phone?" Asahi inquired, noticing it wasn't on their bed or nightstand.

"It's in here," she declared as the slower glass door opened.

"In there? Why?"

"I don't know," Mihari replied while the rustling of a towel was heard. "Maybe you left it here."

"Are you going to be out soon?"

"Don't be so impatient," Mihari teased. "I'll give it back soon. After I take some pictures."

"I'm glad to see you can joke again," Asahi rolled his eyes. The bathroom door abruptly opened, revealing Mihari with a towel wrapped around her with damp hair.

"Hurry up and take a shower," Mihari suggested and dragged him inside.

"It's been a fun week with ya kids," Alan swung his duffle bag over his shoulder as they stood on the edge of the ship. He stared up at the bright sunny sky, shielding his eyes with his free hand. Seagulls circled overhead while passengers strolled off the ship.

"Thanks for sticking around Alan," Asahi tossed a blue chip over to him.

"Call me Andy," he waved, leaving his hand in the air as he sauntered off the bridge.

"Hold on, your bag's not fully closed," Asahi told Mihari. He walked behind her and grabbed the zipper. A purple floral pattern peeked through a small crack of the bag, catching his attention.

"Asahi?" she snapped him out of his daze. "Come on, let's go."

"Ah, right..." Asahi said, trying to shake off his curiosity.

Seita went ahead to call for a cab. His brother was about to follow but Mihari stopped him by grasping his hand.

"Can you hand me your phone?" she asked. Asahi raised an eyebrow but handed over his phone.

"I was thinking," Mihari flashed a smile as her grip tightened. "When we get back, let's study in Tokyo together."

Slowly, she leaned forward toward the edge of the ship. Asahi's confusion grew as he saw her subtle movement. Before he could react, Mihari dropped his phone into the waves below.

"M-Mihari?! Why did you —"

"Don't worry about it," Mihari interrupted, her expression shifting to a mischievous grin. "We'll figure it out. Besides, it's not like you have much choice now."