Chapter 222: Prelude to War 38
Shortly the street was empty, leaving only Naomi and Mischa, who were in their disguise. Not wanting to get involved with the incident, Naomi looked at Mischa.
“Let’s get going.”
Mischa was a bit hesitant, but she nodded her head, respecting Naomi’s decision. They continued walking toward the Ramen shop, only to find out that no one was there as they had taken shelter because of the explosion.
“Hello! Is there anyone inside?!” Mischa shouted, hoping that the owner was still inside.
Before long, a man appeared from inside; upon seeing Naomi and Mischa, who stood dazed in front of the shop, he shouted.
“Hey! What are you doing here?! Quickly go to the shelter! The bomb threat is real; it’s dangerous!”
“Umm, so the shop is closed?” Asked Mischa.
“Of course! I am going to a shelter now! Follow me if you want to live!” The man ran to the street, leaving Naomi and Mischa.
“Ugh…” Mischa grunted in disappointment. She then turned to Naomi and saw her grinning evilly. Knowing Naomi’s personality well, Mischa had a wry smile and called out to her. “Umm, Naomi? W-We can visit the Ramen shop again next time. L-let's go back for now, shall we?”
Mischa was hoping that Naomi understood her, and fortunately, she did.
“Haa–“ Naomi exhaled, calming herself. Mischa was right. It was her rest day. There was no need to get involved in the bombing action. Moon of Akasha was not a terrorist organization anymore; she couldn’t act recklessly in an incident like this.
“Of course, let’s go back,” Naomi answered Mischa, making her relieved.
But, Naomi’s next words stopped Mischa. “After getting Ramen in another place, that is. I can’t let our date be destroyed like this, right?”
While saying that, Naomi thought. ‘Calm down, Naomi. It’s your chance to have a date with Mischa, don’t blow it.’
“Naomi…” Mischa muttered before smiling brightly. “Yes. I don’t mind if the place is not famous or all. I am happy to eat with you.”
Naomi chuckled at Mischa, “Alright, my Princess. Let’s go to another place, shall we? Let’s hope there is no following explosion in that place.”
***
Walking on the empty street, Naomi took Mischa to another Ramen Shop that was located a bit away from the explosion place.
Unsurprisingly, the broadcast on the billboard on the high-rise building was filled with the news about explosions and warnings to the civilians. They were asked to go to the nearby shelter to hide. As a result, there was not a single soul on the street, and every shop that Naomi visited was closed.
They had been walking for 30 minutes, and there was not even a single explosion that followed the first one even in that meantime.
“Let’s just go back, Naomi. I know that Ramen in Osaka is good, but we can also try it in another city, no?” Mischa appealed as she tugged Naomi’s sleeves.
Naomi looked at her and thought, ‘Hmm, what should I do? Tokyo’s Ramen is good too. Well, there is nothing wrong with changing location.’
“Alright. Let’s get to Tokyo then. Although the Ramen is not as good as the one here, it will still be worth the trip.”
Mischa replied with a smile as she nodded her head, “Yes.”
As there was no one on the street, Naomi used her Telekinesis and flew with her. From the sky, Naomi looked at the Osaka Castle, or what was left of it. The Public Defenders had secured the place; they secured the area so no one could enter or leave.
That was the reason why Naomi was calm. The preparator of the bombing was still inside the Osaka Castle's rubble for some reason. She could feel his Esper Pressure clearly, even clearer than before she was turned into a boy by Angella’s ability.
‘My body has changed a little.’
“How awful,” Mischa muttered from Naomi’s side. “I was always in the Public Defender’s position, looking at a crime site from the front, so I have never got a chance to look at the scene from above. It’s… awful, isn’t it?”
“Yes. You can see all the destruction from above, so it’s both awful and fascinating.” Naomi answered as she looked down at the Osaka Castle.
The attacker was still standing on top of the rubble. Naomi enhanced her sight to take a look at the attacker. Surprisingly, it was a young girl whose hand crackled a little, making a light explosion.
Seeing the young girl, Naomi frowned and continued. “And more than so, the Public Defender. They had always taken things based on what happened. They didn’t even bother investigating what actually happened or what caused it to happen.” She pointed at the girl on the rubble.
Mischa also enhanced her sight and looked at the girl. She was surprised and let out a slight gasp when she saw the situation.
“Is she…?” She asked in a low voice as she turned to Naomi.
“I don’t know. But, she must be the one who caused the explosion earlier.”
“S-should we help her, Naomi? I-I feel like she’s not in the wrong.”
“No, we shouldn’t,” Naomi answered firmly. “We don’t know the situation, and we are in the war against the Esper Association now. I don’t want to risk anything.”
Naomi's answer was clear. She didn’t want to take any risk anymore after experiencing it herself the hard way. She didn’t want to put Mischa in danger. Hence she took them above the cloud so they wouldn’t be seen by the PDs on the ground or anyone else.
Mischa was a bit sad because she couldn’t do anything even when the PD surrounded the young girl who was the suspect of the explosions. She also understood that the PD had never investigated anything before, and she also somehow understood Naomi’s feelings a bit.
Seeing Mischa’s sad expression, Naomi patted her head and assured her.
“Well, we will investigate it after we come back, okay? If she, by chance, was not guilty and was framed. Then I will save her.”
Mischa raised her head and smiled brightly. “Sure! I will also help you to rescue the girl if she’s really not guilty!”