Soul Spark

10 - Pit Stop

[WASHINGTON D.C.]

“Guess we got a new task on our hands.” Oskar sighed. He and Sakuto walked into a small diner at the corner of a larger street, starving after a long and dreadful road trip. “I’ve been telling you this whole time. They need to go, just like Night Ocean.”

“Now we have an even personal reason. Just gotta think of the method now.” Sakuto said. “Gotta talk to Mr. Kamiki.”

“You think he’ll like what we’re doing? It’ll be a disaster for the campaign.” Oskar said. They looked around the diner, unable to find any free spots. “Looks like we’ll have to sit at someone’s table.”

“Or, I could call the Heisei directly.” Sakuto said. “I’m sure they won’t object.”

“Oh, come on.” Oskar said.

“What? I reckon they’ve grown just as aware and tired of the BSBM pulling the strings everywhere as we have. Especially since they’ve likely had to deal with waves upon waves of their mercenaries.”

“Right. They have soulfuls too...” Oskar sighed. “Probably a lot of them, all on their payroll. All blind to see the fucking truth.”

“Or, you know, that idea to contact Jackal would be pretty nice.” Sakuto said. “Ausra’s request would be done in a few minutes max.”

“Right...”

“You’re not objecting to the option anymore, strangely enough.” Sakuto said. “It’s not just because the job is personal. It’s because you don’t want to disappoint someone.”

“Does making sure we succeed mean I’m trying to please someone?” Oskar asked.

“If someone other than Ausra asked you to destroy possibly one of the most influential and anti-soulful corporations in the world, would you agree to it?” Sakuto asked.

“...”

“Why are you so scared to admit that you care about Ausra?” Sakuto asked.

“It’s not an issue of caring. Damn it, no free seats in sight... we’ll have to join someone.” Oskar said. “I’ve known Ausra for a while. I do care about her but I’m still uncertain if there’s anything else I feel.”

“And I still don’t know what she feels towards me. Differentiating those emotions has always been a challenge...”

“Right.”

“But hey, if I get a chance to kill the assholes in charge of that regime, I’ll do so in a heartbeat.” Oskar said.

“See, now that’s something I agree with completely.” Sakuto said. He approached a four-seat table with just one person sitting by it - a light-skinned teen with notable dreads. “Hey man, the rest of the seats are packed, mind if we join you?”

“Sure...” Q said, without even looking up at them. As the two sat down, he raised his head, only to see the two hunters that were after his difficult friend’s head.

Q recoiled a little in fear. He sweated from the anxious feeling, his hand remained by his waist where his handgun was concealed.

“They...don’t recognize me? The one with the black hair is Sakuto Hitori, and the one next to him, he’s the guy I shot at...he doesn’t recognize me?!”

“Oskar, what do you want?” Sakuto said, lazily picking up the spare menus that hadn’t been collected yet.

“I’d kill for some shrimp right now.” Oskar said. “I don’t know if this place has any...oh, they do. I’ll get a large pack, maybe I’ll get some baked fish with it too.”

“Mr Kamiki’s bank funds are gonna be looking tight after your fat ass finishes eating.” Sakuto said. “I’ll get some chicken, I guess. Can’t eat anything risky now.”

“Don’t throw names around, dumbass.” Oskar said. “Want me to electrocute you?”

“Won’t end well.” Sakuto said. A few seconds later, he flinched from a strong unpleasant sensation. “Ow, what the hell?”

“Your adaptation doesn’t save you from first-time attacks, don’t forget that.” Oskar chuckled. “Do you want anything to drink?”

“They’re soulfuls...they’re the real deal...I feel like I’m an ant crawling between two tigers...” Q thought. He slowly took a sip of his half-empty glass of water.

“Sure, just some water. Or some juice if they got any.” Sakuto said. His eyes shifted to Q. “You want something to drink? It’s on us.”

“M-me?”

“Yeah.” Sakuto said. Q’s stressed out nature confused him. “If you wanna have a drink, we can get something.”

“He’s panicking so hard, is he aware that I’m a soulful?”

“I don’t sense a soul presence...he’s just a regular guy. Maybe he’s just very socially anxious...”

“You want some food as well?” Oskar asked.

“Dude, if he wants something, he can just grab it.” Sakuto said. He and Oskar both assumed that Q was just a really, really awkward guy and decided to exclude him from the dialogue for his own sake. “This is a shared table, alright? We’re having food together.”

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“Me and Oskar have known each other for a while, but this guy...he’s already anxious, he’s gonna feel like an outsider.”

“And I know how it feels. I guess I could try talking to him.”

“What’s your name?” Sakuto asked.

“It’s...Daniel...” Q said, after a brief pause. “Fuck, they’re probably already suspicious ...”

“Nice to meet you, Daniel.” Oskar replied. “I’m Oskar, this guy’s Sakuto.”

A dozen minutes later, at last, their food arrived. It looked like Oskar’s giant shrimp feast was going to be enjoyed by everyone equally. He didn’t mind it too much, but he did mind Sakuto hogging the shrimp for himself instead of properly dividing it in between himself and their guest. Q himself felt down, but for another reason. Newest update provıded by novelꞁire.net

“How the fuck...did I just see uncle Terry die...”

“And I still need to get to Jackal. What if Jackal gets to me now? What if he sees these guys and a fight breaks out?”

“God fucking damn it...uncle Terry...”

“Hey, is anything wrong?” Sakuto asked, finally stopping erasing fried shrimp from reality.

“I’m sorry...” Q said, trying his hardest to hold back his tears, but failing to do so.

“Hey, you don’t gotta be sorry for anything, alright?” Sakuto comforted him. “I have no idea what’s on your mind, neither have I the right to judge you. So cry all you want.”

“Resting from the mountains...”

“I see which fields they can sprint in...”

“Without fearing the lonely and chilling wind.”

“If you want to get some alcohol, you can just say so.” Oskar said, with his mouth full. “It might help you ease your nerves.”

“Yeah, a...a beer would be nice...”

“Oi! One beer here!” Sakuto called out to the waiters. A few moments later, a dark green bottle was placed on their table.

“If there’s anything clogging up your heart, spit it all out.” Sakuto sighed. He finished his own plate, and was eagerly looking for an opening to snatch more of Oskar’s food.

“It’s just...my uncle got shot a few hours before.” Q said, his voice coarse, his speech unable to repress his emotions. “It all happened so suddenly, I still can’t believe it...”

“That sucks to hear.” Sakuto said. “Damn...”

“Yeah, I’m sorry.” Oskar said. “Shit, this must’ve been a pretty traumatic experience.”

“I had to visit a friend that’s in D.C. right now...he sacrificed his life so I could actually do that.” Q said, his subtle sobs coming to a stop as his voice grew more tired. He took a few gulps from the beer bottle. ”It should’ve been me that paid the price.”

“That’s odd.” Sakuto said. “Well, come to think of it, you’ll get to see your friend and do whatever you want to do. I’m sure that mattered to your uncle a lot. He entrusted the job to you.”

“You’re...right...” Q sighed. “I have to be there for him.”

“You’re a great friend, Daniel.” Oskar said. “I’m sure your uncle would be proud.”

“I guess. I’m the only one that my friend has left.” Q said. “At least I get to keep his trust.”

“Oskar, are ya done? Can I borrow your fried shrimp?” Sakuto asked, already reaching for the food.

“You ate a whole wagon of them, you obese moron. How are you gonna fight in that shape?” Oskar said, slapping Sakuto’s hand away. The latter seemed very sad.

“Hey, um...if you guys don’t mind me asking...why are you in D.C.? You’re visitors, right? This place is dangerous right now.” Q asked.

“Hm? Why would you-”

“We’re here to take care of a few things. We’ve got our jobs too.” Oskar said, interrupting Sakuto. “Why’d you ask?”

“Ah, just thought that...if you had any free time, I could treat you with a beer myself...” Q replied. He was starting to sweat from the pressure.

“They’re definitely here to get Jackal. I have to go and warn him, as fast as I can. He needs to be prepared. I was the reason Jackal had to retreat last time, but if he were to fight them alone...”

“I don’t see how he would lose.”

“Anyways, I’m sorry for ruining your food, Sakuto, Oskar.” Q sad, standing up and leaving, a slight sense of panic was visible as clear as day. “Thank you for the treat...and the kind words.”

“Huh...” Oskar was confused. “I thought he’d stick around a little longer.”

“He was strapped.” Sakuto said. “Whatever business he’s got here, it’s some suspicious shit. In D.C. as well, out of all places...”

“You think he’s with Jackal?” Oskar asked.

“I’d like to believe he’s not...Jackal did have a soulless with him back then, but I can’t tell if it’s him.” Sakuto replied. “It’s not like getting him would reveal much to us anyways.”

“Why’s that?”

“I have a feeling that Jackal himself will make it very clear when he wants to fight me.” Sakuto chuckled. “But it’ll take some time. We’ll take care of the corporate scum before that.”

“I gotta be careful when we pull off the raid. If they catch my face on tape and broadcast it...oh boy, I’ll have a lot of questions to answer in Tokyo.”

“It almost makes me hesitate-”

“Ah...” Sakuto suddenly sighed, visibly disappointed.

“What? You finally realized you’re putting on weight by chugging the whole ocean in one meal?” Oskar asked.

“Nah, I just realized...Aki hasn’t called me a single time ever since I left Tokyo.” Sakuto said. “And none of the other mutuals did...damn, it’s almost like I disappeared.”

“That sucks...”

“Eh, it’s fine.” Sakuto shrugged. “They’re soulless anyways.”

“How’d you think they’d react if they found out you’re entangled in all of this?”

“That I’m a top tier soulful? Hah, I don’t know.” Sakuto shrugged. “They’d probably tell me I’m just some idiot. That I’m not doing things right.”

“That’s so stupid.” Oskar chuckled.

“That’s kinda the point.” Sakuto said. It looked like he zoned out for a few seconds. “It’s not like I ever trusted them either. I don’t even know if I can trust anyone now, especially.”

“Would you say you trust me?” Oskar asked. “Or Ichika?”

Sakuto sighed.

“You just had to ask that question, didn’t you?” He looked up, resting his arms behind his head. He stared at the pale ceiling.

“I hope I do.”

“Sounds good enough.” Oskar yawned. “Don’t even worry about those guys. I had the same situation as well, nobody really cares.”

“Bullshit, you still text them from time to time.”

“It feels so dry and colorless.” Oskar said. “It’s like I’m talking to a piece of cardboard.”

“I’m a soulful, that much is enough to make me not give two shits about them.” Sakuto said. “I found my place.”

“That’s good...” Oskar sighed.

“You don’t sound too happy, dude. Something on your mind?” Sakuto asked.

“Get outta my head.” Oskar laughed. “Just thinking, that’s all.”