In the classroom, Sakura turned to Kaito. "So, what did you want to talk about?"
Kaito beamed. "Well, a while back, I made Sato promise me he'd go with me to watch my football game this Saturday, and I want you ladies to tag along. Because we aren't just going for the game anymore; we're gonna celebrate your and his dating anniversary there! How does that sound?"
Hikari's face lit up, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "Yes, that's a great idea! But wait, you don't feel afraid talking to me?" she asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.
Kaito leaned back in his chair, unfazed. "There's nothing scary about you. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I just thought that since everyone is afraid of me because of my dad being the top Mafia and stuff, you would be afraid too," Hikari admitted.
"Yeah, well, to be honest, when I first heard about it from Sato, I was scared as fuck," Kaito confessed, taking a bite of his food. "But seeing you now and knowing you, you're way different from your dad. I shouldn't pass the fear I have for him on to you." Hikari was left speechless.
Sakura smiled. "Alright, so what do you have in mind for their celebration?"
"Okay, Sato might be back at any moment, so I'll say this once," Kaito said, leaning in. "Everyone, come close." He whispered the rest of his plan to them.
Meanwhile, Sato was still on the ground, staring up at the man in black, utterly bewildered.
"I asked where Hikari was, and I need an answer," the man repeated, his voice emotionless but backed by an undeniable aura of menace.
Sato played dumb. "Hikari? Yeah, I do not know what you are talking about. But you could check the school down the street; she could be—"
"Shut up," the man cut him off instantly. Sato fell silent. "Do you think I'm joking? I have one rule—"
I can't tell him where she is; then indirectly I get in trouble, Sato thought frantically. But I could tell him her location and tell her people back home I didn't know anything about it and leave free. Yes, I can spare my life, and he gets what he wants. It's a win-win, right? A flash of Hikari's vibrant smile crossed his mind, and his resolve hardened.
He stood up, frowning at the man. "I'm sorry, but I can't let you hurt her. Can't we talk about this first? I mean, she has nothing to do with the Mafia world, so why can't you just leave her alone, please?" Sato begged, a desperate plea in his voice.
The man looked confused, then a realization dawned on him. "Ohhh, I see the misunderstanding now," he said.
"Misunderstanding?" Sato asked, bewildered.
"Yeah, you see, I was sent to guard Hikari in school. My name is Sora—I'm a Rokushin member #4. I owe Kenji a favor, and he asked me to guard Hikari as she goes to school. He also told me you're her boyfriend, and when I saw you, I thought I should use this opportunity to check on her."
Sato's confusion melted into understanding. "Ohhh, in that case, follow me then," he said, picking up the fallen drinks. As they walked, Sora stared at Sato, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He just tried to protect her. He really would do that for her, Sora thought. Now I have to tell him about Hikari's planned wedding that Kuro-Kyoufu discussed. I haven't told anybody outside of the meeting, like people at home, because there's literally nothing they can do as Ryū's words are final. Still, I can't stand Hikari's future going out like that without her decision. Like he said, she isn't a part of the Mafia, so we have no right to involve her. I just have to wait for October 8th first, then know how the meeting would go before telling Sato. Yeah.
Minutes later, Sato entered the class, carrying the can drinks. "Okay, Sakura, I got you your strawberry drink," he said.
Sakura smiled. "Yeah, hand me my strawberry, please."
"Hikari, I got you your cola drink," Sato continued, handing it over.
"Thanks," Hikari replied.
"And last, and definitely least, Kaito, I got you a ginger tea drink," Sato finished.
Kaito's face contorted in disgust. "I hate ginger tea!"
Sato smirked. "Oh, I know."
Sakura, sipping her drink, asked, "So, Sato, what took you so long?"
"He should be here any minute," Sato replied, confusing them further.
Just then, Sora walked in. Kaito, still bewildered, asked, "Umm, who is that?"
Hikari pouted. "Sora, I said you should wait for me outside!"
Sora bowed slightly. "Yes, my princess, but I was going to tell you that it will rain soon, and since you don't like rainy days, I was wondering if you'd like to get back home."
"I can wait until after school," Hikari insisted. "Take your leave now before you create a scene."
Sora turned to go. "Okay, my princess, and Sato, we shall meet again," he said before departing.
Kaito looked at Sato. "So, is he part of the Mafia?"
"Yeah, I'm wondering too," Sato admitted. "The only thing he told me was that he was from the Rokushin team."
Hikari's eyes lit up. "the Rokushins! Elite soldiers of the Kuro-Kyoufu. They're the strongest team of fighters in the Kuro-Kyoufu and are only sent when it's a do-or-die situation. I don't know about all of them, but the two that I do know, Jiro and Sora, are strong as hell. They could solo a small to medium Mafia group on their own, no stress. When my dad figured out we had members like that, he had to find out more, and in total, he found he has 64 elite fighters. He formed a perfect Mafia gang and gave them a distinct unit in Kuro-Kyoufu. Later, after heartfelt battles, only six of the best remain, and they call themselves Rokushins which literally means Six Gods."
Kaito looked shocked. "Wow! So, do you think a Rokushin could beat your dad in a fight?"
"No, I don't think so," Hikari immediately replied, her voice firm. "My dad is on a whole other level."
"How do you even know all this stuff?" Sato asked.
Hikari smiled. "Kenji used to read it to me as a bedtime story anytime I wanted to sleep."
Sakura yawned. "Okay, I'm getting bored. Hey, Kaito, get up from your ass and show me around the school!" She walked out the door with Kaito.
Hikari waved them goodbye. Sato sat on the rest of his chair, thinking about Sora's last words before he left. He was so lost in thought that he didn't realize he accidentally drank Kaito's ginger tea. He immediately spat it out. "Shit, I hate ginger tea too!"