Kibishi's POV

  I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it, but there was something strange about this girl.

  Ba-bump!

  Just being in the same room as her made me nervous. The air around me tightened, and the way she calmly smiled at us without any care for the world showed her confidence. From what I could tell, she wouldn't do anything that would put us in immediate danger. But still—

  Step.

  One footstep. That was all it took for me to grip Tao tightly.

  The girl seemed surprised by my reaction and widened her eyes. She then curled her lips in amusement and folded her arms in satisfaction.

  "Aha! So you're the one who put up that light show from the outside, hmm?~" the girl asked sweetly, yet I could sense something sinister.

  Was she good? Was she on our side? I mean—Riley and David were with this girl, so it should be fine, right?

  Y-yeah, it had to be.

  Otherwise, they wouldn't have walked alongside that girl. I then felt Tao shaking underneath me. What? Why was she trembling? Because of that girl? This made my eyes burn brightly for a split second and filled me with anger.

  Now it didn't matter who she was! Anyone who frightened Tao would have to answer to me!

  I had sworn that I'd protect her from any danger, and that included people like her!

  I slowly stood up, my feet wobbling in fear, but I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists. I stared at the girl with all my might, showing her that I wouldn't back down without a fight.

  The girl looked surprised and then blinked.

  She gnced at Tao before turning back to me with a serious expression. "I'm not sure what's going on, but I'd like for you two to come with me."

  "A-and what if we don't want to?" I tried to say in a deep voice, but it cracked halfway from fear.

  The girl saw through my fear and just stood there, her eyes staring into my soul. She then looked at David and Riley. "Those two brought me here after you went out of control. Not to mention, that girl did as well."

  She stared right back at me with the coldest expression I had ever seen.

  "T-Tao didn't do anything wrong," I said, bending down and putting my arm in front of Tao, who was still on the floor. "Tao was only defending herself. Got a problem with that?"

  "Yes, that's exactly it." The girl flicked her blue hair. "There's nothing wrong with killing a Forbidden, given how they led the others to sughter the prisoners here. But that leads to another matter."

  The girl's eyes glowed.

  "It's about people with strange powers using them in a rampage. That means they might lose control and sughter their own kind." Her voice was icy.

  "Huh?!" I widened my eyes in fear.

  "W-wait, you didn't mention that!" David joined the conversation.

  "You only said you'd take them somewhere safe to cure them!" Riley added.

  "That was a necessary lie to protect the human race from people like them. You two will be accompanying me as well, of course. You'll need to be tested." The girl slowly cracked her knuckles and then looked at Tao again.

  "First, I need to take a look at that girl there. Move out of the way for me." Her voice was dull.

  "N-not a chance!" I narrowed my eyes, staring her down.

  "..." She took a step forward, and I flinched.

  "That wasn't a question. It's a demand. Move before I get rough..."

  Ba-bump!

  This girl...

  Ba-bump!

  She was dangerous. One wrong move, and it was all over for us. Fighting her would be suicide! I also couldn't risk putting everyone else in danger. Tao, David, Riley—everyone here would get hurt or die if I was careless. If I couldn't fight my way out of this, then—!

  "You don't have to do that..." I said in a calm voice.

  "Oh? And why is that?" the girl asked.

  "Because..." I slowly stood up and held out my hands. "...I'm the one who forced her to do such a sinful task. Take me instead and spare the others..."

  "...?!" Her expression shifted from serious to shock in seconds. "W-wait a second. Are you hearing yourself? When you're irregur compared to fellow humans, you'll be examined and experimented on. You realize that... right?"

  "..." I remained silent, staring at her thighs to avoid her gaze.

  At first, I wanted to take back what I'd said. But then I remembered Tao, who'd been silent the whole time. She was scared. She didn't know what to do. It was just like when we were little—acting out of fear only caused more harm than good. And seeing her sad would break me. I wouldn't—

  "I won't back down. Tao isn't someone who kills for kicks. She did it to protect me and take on my crimes. She got her hands dirty for my sake... my life!" I tightened my fists and shut my eyes. "You can do whatever you want with me, but please! I'm begging you! Don't harm my friends!"

  I widened my eyes as tears welled up.

  "I've lost so much in the past already! I don't want to lose them, too! Tao, s-she—! She's all I have besides David and Riley!"

  Thump!

  I dropped to my knees, tears falling.

  "Please, ma'am! Have mercy in your heart! I'll do anything to keep them safe! I won't run from my judgment, so please! Please... please..." I gripped the dirt on the floor.

  As I spoke from my soul, as I begged this girl to spare my friends, I felt the tears I'd held back for years finally spill.

  I couldn't... I just couldn't!

  I couldn't lose them now! I didn't want anyone else to die for my sins!

  David...

  Riley...

  Tao...

  Oh, Tao...!

  I wouldn't let Tao die! I wouldn't let ANYONE kill her! Not after she helped me, took care of me, saved me from losing my sanity! I would've lost it if not for her. I owed her my VERY life for saving me so many times!

  As I waited for my judgment—for the reaper who would likely take my life—I could only pray it would be quick—

  "No!" A voice cried out.

  Hug!

  Warmth returned to me as someone wrapped their arms around my neck. Heavy breaths filled my ears, ced with sadness. The grip tightened.

  I slowly looked up and saw Tao holding me, trying to shield me from my fate.

  She stared the girl down with eyes full of determination... and a hint of rage.

  "Don't you dare... take him away from me...!" Tao spoke in the most hateful tone I'd ever heard from her.

  "H-huh?" The girl's cold demeanor faltered, repced by shock.

  "I don't care who you are! Threaten Kishi again, and I'll make you regret it!" Tao hissed.

  "Wha...?!" The girl was stunned.

  "Kishi is all I have left in this world! I don't care if I'm saved in the end! If he's not by my side, what's the point of surviving?! The person who saved me, protected me back then—! If he's gone, then...! I'd rather die with him!" Tao screamed at the top of her lungs, clinging to me even tighter.

  "So do your worst! I won't let go of him for anything! If you want me, come at me! But leave Kishi alone! I'll fight and fight until I protect him with my life! He means more to me than the salvation of mankind itself!" Tears streamed down her face.

  "Ah...!" I couldn't believe my ears.

  Even the salvation of mankind?

  Whispers erupted around us—from the prisoners to David and Riley.

  Tao kept her defiant gre on the girl, who looked utterly stunned. I expected her to sh out in anger, but... huh?

  The girl just kept staring at Tao in surprise. But soon, that surprise twisted into... excitement?

  "A... a..." The girl grinned wildly, a huge red blush spreading across her face. If I didn't know better, she looked more embarrassed and giddy than angry.

  Wait. Was she... blushing?

  "Aawwweee!!! That's so cuttteeee!" she squealed, steam practically puffing from her head. She leaned closer to Tao, who instinctively pulled me back.

  "Hey, hey! Do you reallllyyy mean that, hmm?~ Do you REALLY really mean that?~" The girl bounced excitedly, her breathing heavy.

  "Y...y-yes..." Tao nodded.

  "Yoooooo!!!! This. Is. Awesome!" The girl jumped up and down. "It's like reading a romance novel at its climax!!!~ Eeeeii! I got to witness such a cute scene!~"

  She gave one final hop before turning to David and Riley.

  "You guys were right! They're SOOO protective of each other!" Steam practically shot from her nose. "This was totally worth the wait! I was going to sy that Forbidden until I saw that girl butchering it like a madwoman protecting her man! Ugh! That got me so hyped!"

  "What is happening?" I muttered, dumbfounded.

  "Your guess is as good as mine, Kishi..." Tao replied, equally stunned.

  "I, uh," David looked away, crossing his arms. "Didn't expect her to react like that..."

  "Same. I knew she was kind and trying to provoke a reaction, but still..." Riley nodded.

  "Wait, what was that about—"

  Beep! Beep!

  The girl pulled something from her skirt pocket—a touchscreen phone, judging by the beeping.

  "Oh! It looks like they're here!" she chirped.

  Before I could react, armored figures flooded the area, weapons in hand. Men and women, all dressed like soldiers, surrounded the prisoners.

  "Wait, what's happening?! You didn't say anything about this!" David panicked.

  "Rex! It'll be fine!" The blue-haired girl giggled.

  "I still don't understand. If you weren't going to take us away, why say those things earlier?" Tao asked, her face uncertain.

  "Yeah, I'm sorry about that." The girl's smile turned regretful. "I didn't mean to scare you. Orders are orders, after all!" She sweetly offered Tao her hand. "Come on! Let's get you guys out of here and into Middle City!"

  "Middle... City?" I repeated, confused.

  "Middle City..." David muttered, his face grim.

  "Is something wrong, David?" Riley asked.

  "I've heard of that pce. I never thought it was real..." He stuffed his hands in his pockets.

  "Middle City..." Riley echoed.

  Tao stared at the girl's hand distrustfully before helping me up, her eyes closed. "Thank you for sparing us. We're in your debt..." She wrapped my arm around her neck for support.

  The girl retracted her hand with a nervous smile. "Mm, okay. I guess I deserve that for tricking you."

  "But don't worry! We'll have plenty of time to earn your trust in the city!" She raised a finger, then tilted her head. "Ah, where are my manners?! That romantic scene got me so excited I forgot to introduce myself!"

  "The name's Akuma! A supernatural who represents a demon of sorts! When I'm not sying Forbiddens—creatures that attack anything in their path—I'm just your normal everyday girl! Nice to meet you, and I hope we get along!" She pumped her fists with a bright smile.

  Akuma pulled out her phone again.

  "And right on schedule! The others are waiting! Let's move it, people!"

  She cheered as the soldiers began guiding us.

  Um... I wasn't sure what to think anymore. It was... all so strange.