[https://editor-cdn.reedsy.com/books/6472171360bdb70cf63b9f8b/images/5fa808bda9df2715bd4020a7c84bf860.jpg] Chiyo Higashi
As Shingo, Gale, and Hayato walked through the murky and dimly lit alleys of Sujima Slums, the trio observed the environment with caution. The shabby buildings, abandoned houses, and dark alleys gave the impression of a place with no hope, filled with the desperation of those who live there.
Shingo stopped in front of the slum entrance and looked back at his comrades. “Here we are,” he said. “I think, in the place of our true trial.”
Gale corrected him. “It’s my trial, not yours, mind. But thanks for your help, Shin.”
Hayato interjected. “Don’t forget, I’m also here to help kick some butts.”
Gale appreciated their help. “Thanks to you all the same, Godbrother. Just show us the way.”
But Shingo was curious about the Onigami Gang. “How dangerous is this Onigami Gang? Do the leaders and members have special powers too?”
Hayato replied with a grim expression. “A lot of them have it, yes, especially the leaders. Oh, one important thing, the Onigami Gang has a unique and strange trait.”
Shingo was intrigued. “What’s that?”
Gale answered. “I know, they like to wear costumes of legendary Evernian heroes as cosplayers, short of costume players.”
Hayato nodded in agreement. “Exactly. Even the inhabitants of the old-fashioned slum disguise themselves as cosplayers too. So, we have to be extra careful to sort the rogue cosplayers from the friendly ones.”
Shingo smiled. “Sounds puzzling, exciting, and fun at the same time, huh?”
Gale warned him. “Tell us again when you fight them. They’re really tough customers, especially the Okabe Brothers.”
Shingo’s smile didn’t fade. “You bet! Let’s do this! Look, here comes the welcoming committee!”
As they approached the house, a group of Onigami Gang members emerged from the shadows, dressed in elaborate costumes. The gangsters wielded various weapons, ranging from swords to guns, and looked like they meant business.
Shingo drew his katana and readied himself for the upcoming fight. Gale and Hayato followed suit, each drawing their weapons and assuming their fighting stances. The Onigami Gang members advanced on them, and the battle began.
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At first, the trio was showered with weapons from all sides. However, it was soon clear that the army of three was like lions in the goats’ den. One by one, the “goats” were sent flying or scattering away.
Alas, foes kept on coming in waves, as though endless. Before long, they began to overwhelm the “lions”.
At last, Hayato bellowed, “You guys go on ahead! I’ll hold all of them here!”
Gale protested, “But, we can’t just leave you…!”
“Just go! It’s your mission anyway, not mine!”
Hard-heartedly, the two juniors broke through the crowd and went away. Faintly, they heard Hayato’s shout. “Come to me, all of you! Give me the satisfaction of fighting I’ve never experienced for a long time! Ouryaaa!”Shingo and Gale were scouring down the slums area, their eyes darting around the place in search of the Onigami Gang’s hideout. They had heard that the notorious gang operated in this part of town, and they were there to negotiate on behalf of their organization… in an aggressive way.
==oOo==
As they marched forward, they saw something that caught their attention. A group of cosplayers had surrounded a nerdy girl in a painter’s dress. It was obvious that the situation wasn’t pleasant, and the girl seemed to be in trouble.
“Look! The gangsters are surrounding a girl! Let’s help her!” Shingo exclaimed.
Gale nodded in agreement, and the two of them rushed to the girl’s aid. They positioned themselves in front of her, ready to defend her against any harm. The cosplayers were taken aback by their sudden arrival, but they didn’t back off. They seemed to be enjoying the situation, relishing the opportunity to torment someone like wolves cornering a lamb.
“I’ve told you, I’m here to capture people’s expressions in the slums with my camera to inspire my next painting project!” the girl said in a firm tone.
“That sounds nice. But it’s way nicer for a fancy girl like you to keep us company and entertained,” one of the cosplayer thugs retorted.
“I have my way to entertain myself, thank you. It’s through my paintings and observations,” the girl said, her voice laced with a hint of defiance.
The cosplayers didn’t take kindly to her response and began to close in on her. Shingo noticed that the girl didn’t seem scared at all, which was surprising given the number of people that surrounded her. He wondered why she was so composed.
“Strange, that girl doesn’t seem scared at all. But hey, we have to help her anyway!” Shingo muttered to himself.
Suddenly, a lean-mean tough man appeared on the scene, flexing his muscles. He introduced himself as Hayato Mori, the boss of the Silver Skull Gang. The cosplayers recognized him and backed off, intimidated by his reputation.
“Listen, I won’t ask whether you’re okay because you are okay. I only have one question for you. If we didn’t help you back then, could you defeat all of them on your own?” Hayato asked the girl.
“No, maybe not,” the girl replied.” We mages, magicians, and sorcerers need more time to cast each spell. The more powerful a spell is, the more time we need to cast it. So, we need speedier teammates,” she explained.
Gale nodded in understanding. “Oh, I see. That’s why you became much calmer when we came to help.” Note that mages, although quite scarce in number and operated secretly, still existed in modern day Shima and Everna.
“You’re so analytical and observant, that’s admirable,” Shingo said.
“Thanks for your compliment, and your help too. By the way, my name is Chiyo Higashi and I’m a painter by trade,” Chiyo said.
Hayato then revealed that they were negotiators from a secret organization, and they had a matter to settle with the Onigami Gang. Chiyo seemed to be aware of their affiliation, having recognized the tattoo on Hayato’s back. Shingo was impressed by her perceptiveness.
“I have an idea. Why don’t you come along with us? That way, we’ll protect you while you do your ‘social observation’ and you assist us in our ‘negotiations’ with the Onigami Gang. What say you?” Shingo proposed.