Ryoichiro and Risa sat at an empty table in the dimly lit bar, the quiet murmur of early morning patrons filling the space. The scent of stale beer and cigarette smoke clung to the air, but it did little to dampen their nerves as they watched Ed from across the room.
Ed was locked in a heated conversation with Theo behind the bar. Their voices were low, but the tension was palpable. Ed’s face was a storm of fury, his clenched fists resting on the counter as Theo gestured defensively, his expression apologetic yet defiant. The two men exchanged terse words, and at one point, Ed’s hand slammed down on the bar, causing Theo to flinch. Risa instinctively tensed at the sound, her fingers gripping the edge of the table.
Ryoichiro noticed and gave her a quick, reassuring glance, though he didn’t feel much more at ease himself. Whatever was going on between Ed and Theo, it looked like it had to do with Theo’s betrayal from the night before — the one that had led them to Ed’s doorstep in the first place.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Ed seemed to reach some sort of agreement with Theo. The bartender nodded curtly, and Ed’s anger visibly deflated, replaced by a resigned frustration. The bartender gave a subtle nod toward Ed, indicating that he had visitors. Ed glanced over his shoulder, his eyes scanning the room until they settled on Ryoichiro and Risa. He raised a hand in acknowledgment of Ryoichiro and Risa’s presence, giving them a brief nod before turning back to the bar.
Theo slid a shot of whiskey in front of him, and Ed downed it in one swift motion. He wiped his mouth with the back of his sleeve, exhaled heavily, and then pushed himself away from the bar, making his way toward their table.
As he approached, Ryoichiro and Risa exchanged a glance, bracing themselves for whatever came next. Ed dropped into the seat across from them with a heavy thud, his eyes weary but sharp.
“Morning, you two lovebirds,” he jested, glancing between the two of them. His voice carried the weight of whatever deal had just been struck with Theo, but there was also an undercurrent of teasing.
“Good morning, Ed-san,” Ryoichiro replied cautiously, his mind still reeling from the events of the previous night. He studied Ed, searching for any sign of what was to come.
Risa leaned forward, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. “Uhm.. what happened with Theo?” she asked, cutting straight to the point.
Ed let out a bitter chuckle. “Let’s just say we came to an understanding. Nothing you two need to worry about — at least not right now.” His tone was laced with something darker, but he didn’t elaborate.
Ryoichiro frowned, not entirely reassured. “And what about us? What happens next?”
Ed’s eyes hardened as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. “Next? Well... that depends on how far you’re willing to go, Ryo. You’re tangled up in something that doesn’t play by any rules you know. If you’re serious about surviving this — and keeping Risa safe — then we’ve got some work to do.”
Risa’s eyes flickered with worry, but she kept her voice steady. “What do you need from us, Ed-san?”
Ed tapped his fingers against the table, his gaze shifting between them as if weighing his next words carefully. “I need you... both to trust me, even when things get rough. You’ve seen enough to know that this isn’t just some ghost story, right? But what comes next… it’s going to test you in ways you’re definitely not ready for.”
Ryoichiro’s stomach tightened at the ominous warning. He looked at Risa, who met his gaze with a resolute nod. They had already come this far — turning back wasn’t an option.
“Okay,” Ryoichiro said firmly, determination hardening his voice. “We’re in. Just tell us what needs to be done, Ed-san.”
Ed leaned forward, his eyes locking onto Ryoichiro’s with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. “The first step is simple,” he said quietly. “You need to understand what you’re dealing with. And that means facing it head-on.”
Ryoichiro swallowed hard. “Facing it?”
Ed’s expression darkened. “Yeah, you need to confront the green reaper.”
Ed leaned back in his chair, the weariness in his eyes mingling with a resolve that suggested he was used to bearing burdens far beyond the norm. The dim light from the bar cast shadows across his weathered face, accentuating the lines of fatigue and frustration.
Ryoichiro's breath hitched, and a chill ran down his spine at Ed's words. His heart pounded in his chest, and he struggled to keep his voice steady.
"Confront it...?" he repeated, barely above a whisper. His hands clenched into fists under the table, trying to suppress the rising fear. "How am I supposed to do that? It's not like we're dealing with... with something normal here."
Stolen story; please report.
He glanced at Risa, searching her eyes for reassurance, but all he saw was the same uncertainty reflected back at him.
"Alright," he began, his voice rough from the whiskey, "since you two, and myself included, don’t know squat about the green reaper, I’m going to have to do some heavy lifting here."
Ryoichiro and Risa exchanged glances, both apprehensive and curious. “Heavy lifting?” Risa asked, her tone a mix of skepticism and concern. “What... what exactly does that involve?”
Ed sighed, the weight of his own troubles evident in his posture. “It means I'm going to need the help of my... uh, familiar,” he said, his gaze growing distant. “And let me tell you, that’s not something I can just snap my fingers and make happen.”
Risa's eyes widened. “Meme-san told me about that! So we're finally meeting your familiar, Ed-san?”
Ed nodded, his face darkening with a mix of regret and anger. “Yeah, something like that. My familiar is a… well, he's not the friendly type though, I must warn you. We’ve been estranged for quite a while now.”
“Estranged?” Ryoichiro prompted, leaning in slightly. “What happened between you two?”
Ed’s eyes flared with a brief flash of bitterness. “It’s a long story. My familiar and I were once close, partners in this business of dealing with the supernatural. He was more than just a helper; he was a confidant, someone who understood the deeper layers of this world. But then things went south.”
Risa and Ryoichiro listened intently, sensing the gravity of Ed’s words.
“We had a falling out,” Ed continued, his voice growing heavier. “There was an incident — one that put us both in jeopardy. I made a decision, thinking it was for the best, but it ended up pushing him away. He felt betrayed and abandoned, and honestly, I can’t blame him.”
Risa’s eyes narrowed with a sudden realization. “It’s money, isn’t it? You used your abilities for personal gain, and I bet your familiar didn’t take kindly to that.”
Ed's silence was a sharp answer in itself. His eyes flickered with an emotion that betrayed the depth of Risa’s words, a fleeting shadow of guilt and discomfort crossing his face. The tension in the room thickened as it became clear that her observation had struck a deep, resonant chord.
Ryoichiro’s brow furrowed. “What did you do?”
Ed’s gaze dropped to the table, tracing the edge with his finger. “I made a choice to protect myself and those around me, and in doing so, I cut him off. I was trying to save us from a greater threat, but it came at the cost of our bond. It was a selfish decision, and now it’s coming back to haunt me.”
“Is there any way to repair the relationship?” Ryoichiro asked.
“There is,” Ed said, lifting his gaze with a flicker of determination. “But it’s not easy. First, I need to make amends for my past mistakes. That means acknowledging my failures and seeking forgiveness. I’ll have to perform a series of rituals to show my sincerity and respect.”
“What kind of rituals?” Risa asked.
Ed’s expression hardened with resolve. “I’ll need to offer a token of genuine regret and perform a ritual of reconciliation. It involves a ceremonial cleansing, an offering of something meaningful, and a verbal acknowledgment of my mistakes. It’s a way to show that I’m ready to make things right.”
Ryoichiro nodded, absorbing the information. “And how does that help us with the green reaper?”
Ed’s eyes grew intense. “My familiar has knowledge and power that can aid us in understanding and confronting the green reaper. He has insights into the nature of these beings that I can’t access on my own. But if I can’t mend our relationship, I won’t have access to that help. We need his cooperation to stand a chance against the green reaper.”
Risa leaned forward, her voice filled with a mixture of empathy and determination. “So, what’s the next step?”
Ed took a deep breath, his gaze steady. “I’ll start by preparing the ritual. It’s going to take time and effort, but I need you both to be patient. While I handle this, keep your wits about you. The green reaper isn’t something to take lightly. We’ll need every advantage we can get.”
Ryoichiro and Risa exchanged a resolute look, their resolve firming with the gravity of the situation. “We’re ready to help,” Ryoichiro said, his voice steady.
Ed nodded, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes. “Good. Then let’s get to work. We have a lot to do before we can face what’s coming.”
Before Ryoichiro and Risa could fully rise from their seats, Ed cleared his throat and gestured vaguely at the money, his eyes gleaming with a calculating gleam. The subtle shift in his demeanor was enough to hint at a different kind of negotiation at play.
Risa, without missing a beat, reached into her purse and pulled out a thick wad of cash. She handed it over to Ed with a steady hand. Ed took a quick glance at the stack, his expression immediately darkening.
“This is light, Risa-chan,” he said, his tone sharp and accusing.
Risa’s brow furrowed. “Eh? How much should it be? This is the usual fee, isn’t it?”
Ed shook his head, his gaze unwavering. “This job is a lot tougher than usual. I’m risking quite a bit more here. The fee needs to reflect that, young miss.”
Ryoichiro sat in puzzled silence, caught between the exchange and the undercurrent of tension. His confusion was palpable, but he decided to keep quiet, planning to ask Risa about it later.
Risa sighed, her resolve hardening. “Fine. I’ll take care of it later. You know my word’s good for it.”
Ed’s expression softened into a begrudging nod of approval as he pocketed the cash, his scheming eyes now shifting towards Theo, who stood behind the bar with a knowing smirk. The probability of an evening filled with heavy drinking seemed high as Ed gave Theo a casual, conspiratorial wave.
As Ryoichiro and Risa made their way to the exit, the dim, smoky bar was left behind. The heavy wooden door swung open, and they stepped out into the afternoon light. The stark contrast between the bar's gloomy interior and the brightness outside was jarring. The sunlight bathed the street in a warm, golden hue, illuminating the bustling cityscape and casting long shadows from the tall buildings.
The street was alive with the hum of midday activity: people walking briskly, cars honking in the distance, and the distant chatter of pedestrians. The brightness seemed almost oppressive compared to the dark, claustrophobic atmosphere of the bar. Ryoichiro and Risa walked side by side, the weight of their conversation and the deal hanging over them, but for now, they were bathed in the stark clarity of daylight.
Risa let out a deep breath, and Ryoichiro could feel the tension between his shoulder blades begin to ease.
“We need to be ready,” Risa said quietly, her voice still carrying an edge of anxiety. “Whatever happens next, we can’t let our guard down.”
Ryoichiro nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the green reaper, Ed’s familiar, and the uncertain future ahead. “Yeah, I know... but at least we have a plan now, right?”
Risa offered a faint smile, though her eyes betrayed her concern. “Yeah... a plan.”
As they rounded a corner, passing by a row of small shops, Ryoichiro suddenly felt a strange prickling sensation at the back of his neck, as if someone was watching them. He slowed his pace, glancing over his shoulder. Nothing out of the ordinary — just people going about their day.
He shook it off, telling himself it was just the lingering paranoia from everything they’d been through. But as they walked on, the feeling didn’t fade. If anything, it grew stronger. He stole another glance back and noticed a man standing across the street, partially obscured by the shadow of a nearby building.
Ryoichiro frowned. The man was staring directly at them, unmoving. His face was hard to make out, but something about his presence felt off.
“Risa-chan,” Ryoichiro murmured, nudging her arm. “Do you see that guy?”
Risa turned to look, her eyes narrowing as she searched the street. “Hmm? What guy?”
Ryoichiro blinked. The man was gone.
“I... I swear he was just there.” His voice wavered, uncertainty creeping in.
Risa’s eyes scanned the area again, but there was nothing unusual. “Maybe you’re just tired,” she suggested gently. “We’ve been through a lot. Let’s just get home and regroup, what say you, Ryo-chan?”
Ryoichiro nodded slowly, though the uneasy feeling lingered. They continued walking, but he couldn’t shake the sense that something — or someone — was still watching them.
As they crossed the street and approached the next block, Ryoichiro glanced back once more. This time, a shadow moved in the alleyway behind them, darting out of sight just as his eyes landed on it.
His stomach twisted. “Risa-chan... I'm sure of it — we’re being followed!”