Chapter 320
I might have gotten myself caught up in something just as irresistible as sex. That being crime fighting. Well, vigilantism was the more appropriate term. Every night after work, Erma and We set off into the city under the mask of getting her masochistic and submissive rocks off. Really, we scoured the greater metropolitan area for people up to no good.
Mio, Elendir, and Kana were none the wiser. With invisibility magic casted over the both of us, I carried Erma around the city quite literally looking for trouble. In the grand scheme of statistics, Japan was a relatively safe country. However, when there were millions of people living in one place— Tokyo— even a fraction of one percent of people committing crimes was still a large number.
"Saeko, I see a robbery!" Erma pointed to a thug just as he ripped a woman's purse from her hands and took off running.
"Good catch. I'll swoop you down now, so get ready!" I descended like a meteor, slowing down just as we neared the surface and released the elf.
Erma landed in an alley in front of the masked robber, who skidded to a halt in fright.
"Return that poor woman's belongings or face the consequences," Erma threatened.
"Fuck you!" The robber produced a switch knife.
"The hard way it is." She stanced up, feet planted firmly on the ground and both hands raised.
Foolishly, the guy charged her and swung the blade. I knew Erma was far too competent to get hurt. She grabbed his wrist, twisted to disarm the knife, and swept his feet out from under him. He hit the ground, and she quickly pinned him down.
"Here's your purse, miss." I picked it up as she came running up to us.
"Oh, my goodness. Thank you! Thank you so much. I had my wallet in there and everything. Never in my life did I expect a hot succubus to help me though." She flirtatiously twirled a lock of hair with her finger.
I returned a wink, and the woman bowed in thanks to Erma before getting on her way. Meanwhile, the thug still had his face in the pavement.
"The usual?" Erma asked.
"U… Usual? What usual?" The guy panicked.
"We like to make the crime fit the punishment. You didn't actually hurt anyone, but petty crime is still petty crime. So…" I kneeled down and exerted a charm on him. "You're going to turn yourself into the police. Tell them you tried robbing someone, felt guilty about it, and here you are."
"Yes… Of course," he said.
Erma released him, and the robber gently got up and headed for the nearest police box. That was the third crime we busted tonight. I checked my phone, and seeing that it was getting late, suggested going home.
We stopped by a convenience store to pick up a late night meal and hot chocolate. Erma was getting better with the cold. It was still a miserable experience, but she gritted through just to accompany me. When we arrived home, Mio was lying on the couch and watching the news. Something I'd come to learn was less of her catching up on current events, and more trying to put herself to sleep.
"Got you something from the store. Are the others asleep?" I asked, handing her an extra cup of hot chocolate.
"Oooh. You sure know how to treat a girl. And yep. Kana's gotta catch an early train to school tomorrow, and Elly's getting into the habit of sleeping early. Where the hell do you two keep going at night? Is it any fun? Can I come?" Mio sat upright and pressed me.
"Well…"
Before I had a chance to answer, a news segment on the T.V. caught my attention.
"Tonight, we bring you an interesting story. Guilt or social phenomenon? Law enforcement has reported that people have been turning themselves in for crimes that they committed around the Shinjuku region. Even more strangely, that number has increased across the city. Unfortunately, the police are unable to arrest or charge these alleged wrong-doers without proof themselves. Now, onto the weather—" The news segment transitioned.
"Heh. You'd think a succubus was behind… it…" Mio turned to me and Erma.
"Y-Yeah. I wonder if one of the succubi is taking matters into their own hands?" I wondered aloud nervously.
"It's you guys, isn't it?" She narrowed her eyes on us.
"Yes…" we answered, guilty as charged.
Mio threw her hands in the air.
"If you were doing something fun, you coulda let me tag along!" Mio complained.
"I didn't want to trouble you! Besides, you're always staying in to watch the anime that broadcasts at night," I reminded her.
"Heh. Oh, yeah. All the good ones are at night. The naughty ones. Hehe." She recalled thoughtfully.
"Not that it seems to matter if you joined us now. They have been releasing the criminals. Has our efforts been in vain this entire time?" Erma frowned.
It certainly looked that way.
Erma and I went to bed sulking. Mio knocked out on the couch after getting a good laugh from our predicament. I didn't expect being a vigilante to be so difficult. I was a succubus with the power of compulsion! Batman and Superman had a harder time than me. Or so I thought.
The next morning, I wasn't the first to wake up first. Kana had already left for school. Elendir was in the kitchen fixing me up a cup of coffee. She kissed me on the cheek, and I returned the gesture.
"I think I rather enjoy waking early. It's fun to be able to make everyone something to eat and drink. Kana looked very thankful for my coffee earlier, too." Elendir swirled the drink in her cup.
"So, you're feeling the domestic life? I wouldn't mind coming home from waking up and coming home from work to a hot meal by my dark elven lover," I flirted back.
"Oh, tempt me more~ Do you work today?" she asked.
"Nope." I shook my head. "Not on Saturdays and Sundays, remember? It's just how a lot of jobs are. Weekends are off. Today, I'm going to Erma's Judo tournament and cheering her on."
The combat sport enthusiast had been putting a lot of work into training. Gouda always texted me about how impressed he was of her. We were only a few days from Christmas, too. Things were getting hectic. Work at Tsuki grew hectic, because the romantic nature of Christmas meant a significant portion of the lonely demographic would be seeking companionship to fill that hole.
"In that case, I'd like to accompany you two. May I?" Elendir asked expectantly.
"Sure. I don't think Mio will though. She's going to take the train to Asakura to volunteer today. If she can wake up, that is…" I glanced at her door.
At least Erma woke up. She ate a hearty meal and was ready to go, pumped up about her tournament today. I knocked on Mio's bedroom door to let her know about her promise to Asakura. All I got in response was 'just five more minutes…' so if she overslept, I'd already washed my hands of the responsibility.
The three of us headed to the station and boarded a train to Kakogawa, and from there took a cab to the sports center, Shi-shi Ryo Dojo. Parking was packed. Buses dropped people off by the dozens. An electric sign out front advertised the Judo tournament today.
Erma was as giddy as a child, eager to get inside and start dominating. Hell, I was excited for her, that she took such an interest in the very sport I helped manage during high school.
"So, these arenas. Will there be death?" Elendir asked.
"No, absolutely not. No one dies!" I exclaimed.
"Really?" Erma turned to me, startled.
"Why are you surprised?" I rolled my eyes. "That should've been obvious from the start. No one is killing anyone! Please, don't try to kill anyone."
We headed inside, but Erma had to split ways with me and Elendir. I patted my pet on the head to give her some encouragement, and she darted off with a spring in her step. The two of us followed the crowds to the seating area.
A couple of succubi were around, too, with a green volunteer shirt on them and scoping the crowds. One of them, her head in the clouds, saw us coming to the door into the gymnasium and waved. Messy black bangs covered part of her face, and I couldn't tell if she was taking work seriously or not.
"Oh, Queen Saeko, Queen Elendir! Hello~" The succubus smiled.
"I didn't expect to find any succubi except Selene here," I remarked casually.
"Hehe. Selene asked us to volunteer every time a big event happens. Says our presence keeps people from doing something stupid," she explained.
"Huh? Do bad things normally happen around here?"
She shook her head and said, "Not really. Actually, six months ago when there was a charity event here, someone tried to set fire outside the doors. Anywhooo, the tournament's about to start. right this way to your seat!"
Elendir and I traded uneasy glances but headed in anyway. We found a couple of empty seats at the bottom and plopped down. I spotted Erma getting ready with her team. Selene and Gouda were with her, too. It was going to be a bout between clubs from different cities, and each participant scored points that contributed to their total. There would be a winning individual and a winning team.
After what I saw from Erma last time, and all that practice during our vigilante sprees at night, I was confident she would take first place. I stood up and waved both arms to get her attention. She noticed me and waved back, but more reserved as her face took on a shade of red.
"Come on, Elendir. You guys have your differences, but you should root her on, too!" I insisted.
"I… no, it's embarrassing. I'm not sure how humans are able to be so free-spirited. Also, I doubt Erma would appreciate encouragement from me of all people." Elendir shrunk a little.
"Queen Elendir, embarrassed? You've probably been in front of people all your life. Besides, it would mean a lot to Erma. Both of your people are united again," I reminded her.
The proud dark elven queen folded her hands together and sighed. They curled into fists as she psyched herself up. She rose to her feet, face turning bright red. Erma looked our way. Instead of making any outburst, Elendir put a fist over her chest and nodded. The corners of Erma's lips twitched to what looked like a smile she was trying to suppress. Eventually, the light elf relented and flashed a soft, acknowledging smile. Elendir returned to her seat, partially shielding her face.
"What was that just now? A salute?" I asked.
"In elven culture, civilians do not salute soldiers. We instead have an informal gesture, by placing a fist over our chest to bid them to fight well. I wasn't ever part of the kingdom's army. Merely an alchemist and mage of study back then," Elendir explained.
"Still." I grabbed her hand. "I'm sure it meant a lot to her."
The matches were beginning. Chatter dwindled to a low murmur as the emcee welcomed the audience, introduced what was taking place today, and rules that spectators should adhere to if they respect the participants. The fights started right away, and I could tell by the sections of excitable audience that they were likely family and friends of the contenders stepping into the ring.
But I couldn't keep my eyes on the fights. Something else caught my attention. A lone, fidgety man a few rows down wouldn't stop throwing glances left and right. His restless leg also bounced like mad. He had with him a large duffel bag bulging at the seams. Without warning, the guy got up, grabbed the bag, and left down the walkway.
"Hey, I'm going to go to the bathroom. Erma's match isn't for a bit anyway," I said.
"Shall I accompany you?" Elendir asked.
"No, it's fine. Just going to water the flowers real quick." I shuffled down the row and hurried after the man.
For whatever reason, my senses were telling me that guy was up to no good. I hope I was wrong. In fact, I'd totally be okay with being wrong. But on the off chance that something happens and ruins the tournament for Erma, I wouldn't forgive myself.
The halls were virtually empty. Everyone who was at the sports center was either a participant or spectator, and they were inside the gym already. Amidst the subtle clamor of the tournament, I zeroed in to the sound of echoing footsteps farther down the hall. When I followed the sound, it led me to the men's restroom.
I casted invisibility on myself and quietly strolled in. The man was muttering in the farthest stall towards the back. Flying up to peer in from above the stall door, he had his back to me. The duffel bag had been discarded on the ground, and a pressure cooker sat on the toilet seat.
Upon closer inspection, he was fiddling with a pager that was connected to the pressure cooker by wires. Now, I wasn't an explosive expert by any means… But that definitely reeked of an improvised explosive device.
"This will teach them for firing me. We'll see how business is booming when no one wants to come to the sports center anymore," he muttered angrily.
"Yeah, not going to happen. Can't let you get your revenge." I seized control of him with my aura.
"Wha?!" His eyes rolled back and body fell limp as my magic put him to sleep.
I entered the stall and caught him before he hit his head on the toilet. Lucky for me, he didn't manage to activate it before passing out. After stuffing the bomb back into the duffel bag, I carried him and the bag out. A succubus volunteer passed by when I came out of the restroom.
"Queen Sae— eh? What happened?" the succubus asked.
"You guys need to do a better job at security. This guy came in here with a bomb. Take them outside and call the police. But don't let them interrupt the tournament, or there will be hell to pay. Have I made myself clear?" I gave the guy and bomb to her.
"Y-Yes, my queen!" she exclaimed.
I hurried back to the gym, stopping at a vending machine to grab two hot teas for myself and Elendir. We watched the rest of the matches in peace, and when Erma came up, filmed her destroying her opponent. She had a few close calls but quickly recovered.
Towards the afternoon, the Judo tournament came to an end. While Erma's team didn't come in first, it went to a club from Okinawa, she emerged victorious with the highest points. The team celebrated her victory.
As Elendir and I were waiting in the hallway, Erma came running over. Face covered in sweat, panting, and a big smile adorned her face.
"You did great out there!" I congratulated her.
"My thanks! It felt great to compete. I also didn't kill anyone like you instructed. And… I appreciate your gesture of encouragement, Elendir." Erma smiled at the dark elf.
"Hmph. You would have done well even without it." Elendir folded her arms.
"Okay, okay, you two." I patted both of them on the back. "Let's go grab something to eat. My treat. Erma, you're probably starving after exerting yourself all day. Then afterwards, we can show Elendir what we've been doing these past few nights."