( Arata's POV )
After helping out in the old man's shop, the day of my date with Sun finally arrived.
I could have picked Sun up at her house since we were neighbors, but she wanted the full date experience, so I was waiting for her in the middle of the city.
I was feeling some looks on me but this time I knew from who those looks were coming from, It seems that I was being spied on by Sagiri, Urara, and Ranna from somewhere, there wasn't much I could do about it but it wasn't a problem either so I just let it go.
Sun: Arata, is there something wrong?
I was somewhat distracted by the girls' stares and I didn't notice that Sun had arrived until I heard her voice, I turned around and saw Sun dressed in casual clothes.
Sun is a pretty girl but her best qualities were her bright and warm attitude, I spent a few seconds admiring her and she thought that something was wrong with her outfit but I was quick to calm her worries and complement her, she blushed a little at my compliment and then we started our date.
From previous experience I knew that Sun could be somewhat clumsy and accident-prone so I was on the lookout for anything that could ruin our date.
Since Sun wanted to know more about the city, the first thing we did was walk around looking at different stores, but she wasn't interested in buying anything, like that time at the festival she didn't want me to spend a lot of money on her but I took care of paying for our food but that wasn't expensive at all.
When we were sitting at a fast food restaurant we started talking and I inevitably asked about their species.
Arata: Hey, is it true that mermaid lure sailers to their doom with their singing voices?
Sun: It depends on where they come from, different clans and families have created different siren songs, I know some of them.
Arata: interesting, maybe we should visit a karaoke place afterwards.
After eating we went to see a movie and Sun chose an action-packed movie, I guess that was to be expected considering what his family did, Sun was very excited during the movie and I enjoyed it too but nothing at the same level as Sun, after that we went to karaoke and Sun had the first song.
She said that singing in front of me made her a little nervous but I didn't understand why, when she started I was amazed by her beautiful voice and a warm feeling enveloped my heart and when she finished I applauded her act.
Arata: Incredible, you could easily be a pro.
Sun: It's nothing, a siren's voice can affect others' emotions, you just think I'm better than I am.
Arata: Seriously, aren't there any mermaid in the music industry?
Sun: I have an old friend who's a famous singer, but I'm not interested in that.
Arata: More for me, I guess, I'm one of the few who gets to enjoy your voice.
Sun blushed at my compliments, but I didn't stop, so she had to escape and go to the bathroom.
Things were going well but she was taking too long on her bathroom break, I left the private room somewhat worried about her and taped to the other side of the door was a note with a short but worrying message.
' We have the girl, don't look for her. '
I immediately ran out of the place worried about Sun but parked outside the karaoke was a black car and when the door opened, I saw inside the girls who were spying on our date along with Sun's mother.
Rei: get in.
Inside my concern quickly calmed down when Rei explained the situation, Sun wasn't kidnapped but she was taken, the reason there was no commotion at the karaoke was because Sun knew the guys who came looking for her were members of her family, they were men who were under her father's command.
I had not met the man personally or at least I did not remember him, but it seems that he liked me a lot, not for any reason on my part, Sun's father was an incredibly overprotective person and he didn't like at all that I was taking his daughter away.
Rei: He probably lured Sun by saying this was a test for you.
Arata: There's nothing in this note that points to a test or challenge.
I passed the note I found to Rei and she let out an annoyed sigh, she gave some instructions to the driver and we ended up at the gang's hideout we had busted the other day, the place should have been empty but there were a couple of men in black suits at the entrance.
Rei: My husband must have arranged this as an excuse to take Sun back home.
Arata: proof or not, I won't let anyone take her from me, if her father can't handle her being with me, then I'll prove that I'm the one who can keep her safe.
Rei: hufufu Sun would be very happy to hear you say that, please teach those guys a lesson for causing trouble.
After nodding at Sun's mother I was about to get out of the car but Sagiri put her hand on my shoulder to stop me, a serious and worried expression was on her face.
Sagiri: ... We'll go too, Sun is our friend.
Arata: This is something I have to do alone, don't worry, this will be over before you know it.
I gave the girls a comfortable smile and then I got out of the car, as I walked towards the building under construction I took a few controlled breaths as the scrolls the old man gave me indicated, I was nowhere near mastering the breathing techniques but my attempts had the advantage of helping the flow of spiritual energy, I had a flame dancing around my fingers in one hand and in the other a powerful current of air circled around it.
As I approached the building my last step was a loud stomp and I caught the attention of the two guards outside the building.