"I'm betting that Uncle Ben told you to pick up some groceries on the way back?"
Sekinin asks as he, Nijika, and Seika are waiting at the shopping district for Usagi. He and Seika were talking about something before he noticed a list on Seika's phone, and he immediately guessed what it was.
Seika nods, not before looking at him with a serious look.
"Well, this list is for you, but yes, Ben-san and my dad asked me to get groceries on the way back, and to give you your uncle's list as there's no way I'll be carrying all of the things back."
"Fair enough, just send me his list so I can see what I need to get on the way back."
Seika sends the list to his flip phone as Sekinin checks the list. The things he needs to get are easy to find, as they are all in the shopping district. Before he or Seika could say anything else, Nijika points in a direction as she grabs Sekinin's arm.
"I see her! Usagi-chan!"
Nijika called out as she waved at a blond-haired girl, whose expression lit up as she saw her.
"Nijika-chan! Hello!"
A girl with long hair with an odango hairstyle in which one bun is on the right side of her hair, while the other is on the left, with blue eyes. She wore a blue denim jacket with a light green long-sleeve shirt, a pink skirt, and green flats.
She quickly ran to her, not noticing that a big rock was in her direction. She was about to trip when Sekinin suddenly felt the sensation in his head again, and he realized it was his spider-sense again. He noticed that time seemed to have slowed down as he looked around, wondering why he was being warned.
After searching around, his senses led him to a rock that Usagi was about to unintentionally run towards as she tripped. Sekinin quickly got to her side just in time to catch her before she fell to the ground. He was surprised by the speed at which he did just to quickly save Usagi from hurting herself.
Usagi was shocked by what had happened before letting out a sigh of relief as she looked at her savior.
"Phew! That was close! Thanks— Sekinin!?"
Usagi looked at her friend in pure shock. The boy she had seen on Thursday now looked different. She noticed he was taller, no longer wore glasses, and… To her view, attracted, something she didn't notice until now. She had a blush on her face as she stared directly into his blue eyes.
"You should have watched your step Bun-head."
A nickname Sekinin gave to Usagi when he first met her, a nickname that irritated her. The moment she heard that nickname, all the shock and stunned she felt instantly went out the window. She pouted as she got off Sekinin's arms and she looked away at him.
"Nijika-chan, what shall we do first? I know a great manga store nearby, and I have been wanting to buy more. After that, there is this ice cream shop just around the corner. Or we could get the ice cream first then head to the manga store."
Usagi turned to Nijika who was surprised by the speed Sekinin did as she realized what Usagi said. She thought for a moment before giving her answer.
"I think we should go to the manga store first, I would rather get ice cream later. What about you Sekinin-kun?"
"I'm fine with your suggestion."
The four of them soon head off as Usagi greeted Seika, who greeted her back. Nijika and Usagi were talking about yesterday to each other, what happened on their side of the story while Seika and Sekinin were just behind them. He noticed that Seika was looking at a display billboard.
"Something interesting oneesan?"
"Hmm… It seems B-Komachi is performing another concert. Surprising after what happened last night."
Sekinin looked at the billboard as he saw five girls, each in an idol outfit and color. One of them looks very unique, a girl with blue-purplish hair, purple or pink starry eyes that are captivating, the way she smiles… It felt a bit off.
"B-Komachi… That girl in the middle, is that Ai Hoshino?"
Seika looked at Sekinin surprised as she nodded to confirm the idol's name.
"Yep, the star idol of B-Komachi and the most popular idol that surpasses every idol that came before her. I'm surprised you know about her Sekinin, I thought you weren't into idols."
"Which I'm still not, all of my classmates, and I mean every boy wouldn't stop talking about her. Even other boys from other classrooms had heard of her. The topic of her was too much that I had to search her up and learn her name. Sure she looks cute, amazing, even sensational, but it makes me wonder if she'll be the next victim because of her popularity."
Seika understands what Sekinin means as she shifts her attention from the billboard to the girls, it seems that they also saw the idol and are gushing about her.
"With the rise of security, I doubt anyone would try to kill another idol, including Ai Hoshino, but… You remember what happened last year: the number of idols was lost."
Sekinin nodded, feeling uncomfortable, 50 idols were killed last year, a bit less than 2 years ago. There were already people commenting on whether idols should still be a thing after that many deaths that have happened, or why it is still happening. And that the moment an idol was killed, the culprits were always found and brought to justice, within a day or in hours.
Before he could say anything else, his spider-sense was warning him once again, but the moment it did, it no longer reacted as if the danger had just walked by.
Sekinin looked around but saw nothing suspicious, just people walking by, minding their own business, but he couldn't help but feel something was not right. He then felt his spider-sense again and this time it was warning him to get away from this area. Seika noticed his behavior and asked if he was alright.
Suddenly shouting was heard.
"You bastard! Kill him!"
With no warning, a gunshot was heard loud and clear, very close by. People began shouting and running away. Everyone's eyes were locked onto three people who were walking away, along with a man who was bleeding on the ground.
Seika's instincts took over as she grabbed Nijika and Usagi's hands while also grabbing Sekinin's arm as the three were quickly led away by Seika to get away from the now murder scene. Sekinin immediately thought the first warning must have meant something, but being dragged by Seika made him lose focus.
Minutes later, everyone can hear the sirens of police cars speeding to the scene of the crime. People and witnesses were questioned by the police to figure out what had happened. After getting statements, the police closed off the area to everyone and politely told anyone who was still in the area to leave.
It was chaos as people were muttering, talking about what they had seen or heard, rumors that soon reached the group of four who stopped to take a rest while Seika was making sure everyone was alright after being so close to all of them.
The fact that only one gunshot was heard just makes it more terrifying as whoever fired the bullet could have fired more and injured many people. Sekinin took the opportunity to ask someone close by about what had happened while Seika was making sure her sister and Usagi were alright.
He knew that she would soon make sure he was never out of her sight once she was done checking on the girls. He approached a couple who were openly speaking of what they had heard.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear that something happened in the shopping district."
The couple turned to look at Sekinin as the boyfriend began explaining.
"We heard there was a shooting at the shopping district, my friend who was there texted me that three shady guys were seen walking away from the crime scene as the man they shot died from his gunshot wound. He said before the man died, he shouted a single word, chameleon."
"Chameleon?"
Sekinin was confused as to why the man's last word was chameleon. He also noticed he wasn't the only one who was confused, so was the couple as the girlfriend spoke.
"We were confused if that was meant as a name or a code. Still, the man died, and the police soon arrived at the scene of the shooting. My darling's friend is one of the witnesses so he told the police everything he saw."
"I see, thank you both for telling me, I was wondering what the sudden commotion was about."
The couple nodded as they left to go somewhere else. Sekinin, meanwhile, just quickly went back as he thought about what he learned. He wonders if one of the shady guys who shot the man has the name Chameleon, but then again like the girlfriend of the guy said, it could be a code.
Sekinin was immediately grabbed by Seika as she asked so many questions while checking to see if he was alright. He smiles as he reassures her that he was alright, not a trace of a tsundere was on her, just pure worry.
After a few minutes of answering her questions, Seika looked at the three of them as she softly spoke.
"If you want to, we can go somewhere else to enjoy the day. We can head to the accessory store near Starry, or a theater as there are some good movies to watch, or maybe just walk around the streets. I think it is safer than going back to the shopping district."
Like a protective sister looking out for her little siblings. Nijika and Usagi agree on the accessory store while still processing what had happened, as Sekinin was fine with this, as it would help Seika to calm down after what had happened and be in a safer area.
Soon the group of four reached the accessory store as the two girls immediately went inside and looked around. Sekinin and Seika just waited outside while Sekinin explained what he had heard.
"Chameleon… Unless you mean the lizards then I don't even know why that man even shouted that word. Whatever happened back there could have been a drug deal or something."
"But don't you think it strange that chameleons can blend with anything with their skin to either hide or catch prey?"
Seika looked at Sekinin in confusion.
"So are you saying that you think that the word 'chameleon' is something more than a lizard?"
"This might sound strange… But what if… Just think, there might be a humanoid lizard or a human processing chameleon whose abilities can impersonate anyone."
Seika just stares blankly into Sekinin's eyes. Suddenly, she begins laughing as she quickly calms down.
"Sorry, sorry, it just sounds like a myth like yo-kai or story tales about spirits. It just sounds weird that a humanoid reptile or a human process chameleon powers."
She covers her mouth with her hands as she finishes laughing while Sekinin looks at the web nests on his wrists. The urge to prove and tell Seika about his spider abilities was flowing through his mind, but he was hesitant about whether he wanted to show it.
But before he could make his decision, his spider-sense once again warned him of incoming danger. But this time the target of the danger… It was… Seika!
Without hesitation, he quickly and just in time grabbed an arm that had just suddenly lunged at Seika's back, with the hand holding on to a sharp knife. Sekinin tightly held the arm as he flung the person to the ground.
He flung with half of his strength but the impact was enough to make them let go of the knife. Sekinin could not tell who it was as the person was hiding their face. Seika had just frozen at Sekinin's sudden actions before realizing what had happened.
So did everyone around them as someone immediately called the police on their phone. The person tried to get up, to make an attempt to run away from the scene but Sekinin pinned them down to ensure they wouldn't escape. Nijika and Usagi quickly came out of the accessory store after hearing the commotion and were shocked again when Seika explained to them what had happened. Like what Seika did to the two, the two girls checked to see if she was alright, as she did say she was fine, but her body was shaking.
It definitely made the two girls wonder if anywhere was safe today. The police quickly came, as it turns out, there were still some police officers at the shopping district who had received the report of an attempted murder and quickly arrived.
The person whose face was revealed was a man; his face didn't look Japanese but American. He was shoved by an officer at the back of the police car while the others spoke with witnesses including Seika and Sekinin.
Once the officer got the statements he patted Sekinin on the back. Praising him as he made sure to keep the man from escaping as it would have taken time to find the suspect. But he also told him to be careful next time.
The officer informs Sekinin that as it turns out, the man was a wanted criminal from the United States of America, Herman Schultz from New York City. Who escaped the prison of Manhattan two weeks ago and got into Japan's borders. This definitely surprised anyone who heard it; an American criminal was just about to commit a second-degree murder.
Once everything was taken care of the police left as Sekinin couldn't help but glance at Seika as he noticed she looked a bit pale. She was inches away from being killed had his spider-sense not warned him so it made sense why she looked like she had just seen her whole life flash before her eyes.
Sekinin couldn't help but hug Seika; he didn't want to think about what could have happened if the spider-sense hadn't alerted him. He didn't want to go through another loss of someone close to him.
"It's okay, you're safe now."
He patted her back as he was making sure she felt safe. It was working as Seika slowly hugged him, as she tried to grab Nijika, who immediately understood what her sister was doing, and joined the hug. The fact that a near-death death was enough for the three of them to feel overwhelmed.
Usagi just watched as she just stood by and waited as she gave the three a moment.
After a few minutes of silence, the three let go of the hug as Seika gave Sekinin and Nijika a smile. Not a hint of tsundere on her as she spoke softly.
"Let's just go to my place. Today was just too much for me, and for all of you, too."
Neither Sekinin nor Nijika objected; today was just too much to bear, as she turned to Usagi, who was just telling her that Seika was inviting her to accompany them to her home. She nodded as she spoke.
"I don't mind, Seika-san. Do you mind if I see STARRY? I hadn't been inside a live house before."
She politely spoke as she didn't want to speak too demandingly, but Seika didn't mind as she said to her that they could make a quick stop at the livehouse. With that, the four of them made their way to STARRY as Usagi was beaming to see a livehouse. Seika unlocked the door with her keys as she let everyone in as Usagi looked pretty much everywhere.
"Wow… So this is a live house?"
Usagi did want to say that it looked small, but she didn't want to be rude to Seika. She also knew that there was a studio room next to the stage, and there was also a beverage counter. She wondered if there were any snacks, as she felt a bit hungry.
"It doesn't look much but once it opens at 6 PM, having the band that is scheduled to play a song today will make the live house lively… No pun intended."
Seika said as Usagi nodded she wondered if her mom would allow her to stay here at that time. Nijika offers Usagi a small tour as Sekinin just checks his phone to make sure of something.
"Here is the beverage bar where you can order drinks for 500 yen, but you can also get a drink for free when you buy a ticket to see a band play."
Seika was just behind the counter as she was checking the drinks and beverages to see if she needed to go out and restock them.
"Here is the PA booth, it is the sound system that our system engineer works on when she checks to see if the equipment and sounds are just right for the music to be heard by everyone. Hmm… Now that I think about it, Neesan doesn't PA-san share the same name as the PA booth."
Seika just looked at Nijika as if she were already aware of the coincidence of PA-san having the same name as the PA booth. Sekinin looked away from his phone and looked at the two sisters as he slowly realized something.
"(Wait, Nijika and Seika doesn't know PA-san real name?)"
He thought that Nijika or at least Seika knew her real name, so was it only he and Senatsu-san that managed to learn of PA-san's actual name?
Before he could say anything he felt his phone vibrate as he immediately checked. He was on the news website to check anything new or recent only to be shocked once again as there was another idol dead.
Unlike last night's murder, the idol had taken her own life and was found dead in her home. No suspect or any foul play, just a suicidal girl.
"Three deaths this week!?"
"Hmm? Did you say something Sekinin-kun?"
Usagi asked as she thought her friend had said something, but Sekinin shook his head saying that he was just talking to himself.
Once her attention was back on Nijika, Sekinin continued to check the latest report, as what he saw was just very suspicious.
"(All three deaths happen in Shimokitazawa! Two idols and a man, depending on what he was doing with those shady guys.)"
He knew that it couldn't possibly be connected, but maybe it might be but who knows really, but the fact that it happened within 24 hours was worrying. Sure, the police are doing their best, but sometimes they always show up a bit too soon after the suspect or perpetrator has fled the scene.
You had to be lucky to hear police sirens the moment something happened. The sound of police sirens and the sights of police officers would always make the people feel that there are people out there who are making places safe and sound.
Sekinin looks at his arms, he now has the powers of a spider. Sticking, strength, quick reaction/reflexes, and webs. Maybe… Just maybe he could do something with them. Maybe be a—
"Sekinin-kun!"
"Hmm?"
Sekinin looks from his arms to see Nijika and Usagi as both have a smile on their faces. Something that Sekinin immediately tells is that they needed him. And what it was…
"You want me to help you, Usagi with the essay?"
The slight look of guilt on his best friend's face proves that he was spot on. Honestly, it was a good thing that Nijika asked the teacher if Usagi could still turn in the essay, and that he allowed, but told her to make sure she wrote what she learned, as he knew that she and Sekinin would help her. He smiled sheepishly as he stood up and walked to Seika.
"Anything that needs restocking?"
"Just apple juice, as well as other juice boxes. But I can get them before I open STARRY. Maybe I can get PA to get them on her way here. Which reminds me I should text her to be careful on her way here before her shift."
Seika said as she took out her phone and messaged PA-san. Sekinin nodded as he told her that they'll be at her house, and she nodded and told him that she'll be there after checking everything else.
With that, Sekinin, along with the two girls, went out of STARRY and to Seika's home to help with Usagi's essay. Even if Sekinin knew that he would have to do all the work while trying to get Usagi to pay attention.
Whatever Sekinin had just about to think of was quickly forgotten.