The Bounty Hunter

October 7th, 2088

ZZZZZZZZZ….. *Thump* “Minato wake up!”  Someone is freely hitting me with a pillow as I sleep.  I reluctantly opened my eyes to see Hikari standing there in her school uniform with a pillow in her hand.  “Get up Minato and get ready.  I’ve prepared breakfast downstairs, so hurry up or we’ll be late to school!”  She cheerfully said that as she left my room after giving me one last whack with the pillow to make sure I was awake.  Despite all that “ojou-sama training” as she called it, she’s still the same energetic girl as always.  How bloody early does she get up in the morning?  I groggily meandered over to the bathroom to take an ice cold shower to wake up.  

It’s a habit I’ve picked up from when I was younger and couldn’t get any sleep due to scenes from Hafor replaying in my nightmares over and over again.  Thankfully those nightmares have become far more sporadic as of late but the habit of taking freezing showers in the morning stuck.  I eventually trudged downstairs where I saw Hikari eating at the table.  I sat down across from her and tried the food.  “Delicious.”  I couldn’t help but mutter that as I started eating.  “Fufufufu, of course it’s delicious, I made it after all!  Your mom asked me to look after you while they were gone and I take my responsibilities seriously!”  Hikari proudly stated.  My parents had gone together on a romantic getaway to celebrate their wedding anniversary, so starting today I am alone in the house for 2 weeks.  I don’t get why my mother asked Hikari to cook for me and gave her a key to the house, I can cook for myself although it’s limited to simpler recipes.

I quickly finished breakfast and soon Hikari and I started walking to school.  Ever since she came back we have walked to and from school together.  Everyone in the school seems to be convinced that we are a couple.  I haven’t bothered rectifying that misunderstanding as it prevents me from having to deal with other girls’ advances.  I was well known to be uninterested in middle school, but high school means a large influx of new students who haven’t gotten the memo yet.  About halfway there we ran into Reiji.  “Good morning Hikari-chan!  Good morning Minato!  It’s always such a refreshing sight to behold to see you guys walking together to school.”  Damn him, he had such a big dumb grin on his face as he said that. 

Ever since Hikari came back he’s been going on and on about long-lost childhood friends in manga, anime and the like.  This guy absolutely loves it whenever reality happens to coincide with clichés from his beloved otaku hobbies.  When I first introduced him to Hikari, that idiot nearly cried in joy as he muttered some nonsense about not being the heroine after all.  He then whispered something animatedly to Hikari and suddenly they became best friends.  I still don’t know what the hell that’s all about. 

“Good morning, Reiji-kun!  Are you nervous about finding out the math exam results today?”  Hikari asked in greeting.  “Nope!  Math has always been pretty easy for me after all.”  Reiji nonchalantly responded.  My eyes slightly narrowed at that statement.  Every subject comes easy to Reiji, which drives someone like me who has to study hard to do well crazy.  I’ve even used magic to improve my memory while I study in order to be more efficient.  I’ve never even seen Reiji studying and yet he always is second in the academic rankings behind me.  Reiji noticed the subtle change in my demeanor and wisely decided to change the topic before I got grumpy.  And so the conversation continued until we finally got to the classroom.

I ended up placing 1st on the exam as expected, while Reiji was 2nd and Hikari was 5th.  Hikari was thrilled at the result.  “Yes! My dad said that if I placed in the top 5 on this exam he’d let me get a puppy!” she exclaimed as she started to excitedly talk about what kind of dog she was thinking of getting.  And then she suddenly asked me “Minato, can you accompany me after school and help me decide which dog to pick?” 

I didn’t particularly mind the idea so I simply responded “Sure.”  It should be fun, but I made a mental note to myself to make sure she doesn’t pick a basset hound.  After a non-eventful school day Hikari and I headed to the bank.  She had called her father and gotten permission to buy a dog, but she was low on money and so she decided to stop by the bank.  We were waiting in line when suddenly someone in a hooded sweatshirt ahead of us pulled out a gun, shot it into the air and yelled “Everyone line up against the wall now!!!”

Hikari’s POV

This sucks.  My afterschool date with Minato to get a cute puppy has been ruined by this bank robber.  We are all currently lined up sitting with our backs against the wall as the robber is threatening the tellers to get the money.  This is a small bank and the one security guard here was beaten up and handcuffed to a desk unconscious.  The robber is behaving erratically and honestly speaking, I’m scared.  The silent alarm has probably been tripped and the police are likely on their way, meaning this will probably turn into a hostage situation. 

I might very well be like one of the other 10 people here who are crying or shivering in fright if it weren’t for Minato’s soothing presence.  I am leaning my head on his chest as we sit and wait.  His heart is beating slowly and steadily, unlike mine which was thumping away in fright.  His arms are wrapped around me as if to protect me.  His usual serious expression was still there even now and he was completely calm.  He even looked a little bored, but I figure that’s just my imagination.  I’m still learning how to read his subtle expressions and even with Reiji-kun’s coaching it is tricky. 

Somehow Reiji-kun knew that I had feelings for Minato and immediately after we first met he excitedly told me that he’ll do his best to help me.  This date was supposed to be the first step in our plan where I get Minato to start doing things only couples would do.  In the words of Reiji-kun “Based on my years of observation, Minato seems to be afraid of making meaningful connections with people.  Something must have happened between after you left and before we met that made him become so withdrawn.  I think it is only because of sheer coincidence that Minato and I managed to become friends, and I am the only friend he’s made since you left.  He seems to cherish those he has connections with, but to upgrade to the intimacy of a romantic relationship will be difficult.  It will have to be gradual and natural, in order not to risk him noticing and running away.”  I can’t help but wonder what actually happened to Minato, but now’s not the time as the police sirens could be heard in the distance. 

“Damn it, which asshole called the damn cops!?!?  Do you all think I’m a fucking joke!?!?”  The robber then kicked the nearest person to him, a young 20 something year old woman.  She cried out in pain and hit her head on the wall hard.  She was knocked out and laid on the floor without moving.  “Fuck all of you clowns!  I have had enough of being tread on by everyone!  I’m the one in fucking control right now so don’t fuck with me!”  The robber was shouting in rage and everyone was getting more and more frightened as the sirens were getting louder. 

“Shit!  Everyone get up right now! And nobody fucking try anything!”  He waved the gun around as he continued to curse.  I quickly went over to check on the unconscious woman.  The robber finally grabbed a bag full of money from the teller and was preparing to leave.  Everyone relaxed a bit but then he said “Someone’s going to fucking come along with me and get the cops to back the hell off!” 

He started to scan everyone, who shivered fearfully under his gaze, as he tried to decide and then he looked at me.  “You’ll do, now get over here you bitch!”  He pointed the gun at me and approached as several people quickly got out of his path.  I desperately tried not to shake in fright and was failing.  That robber had a lecherous look in his eye and even if I didn’t die in the exchange with the police, something worse might happen instead.

 The robber continued talking as he approached “Hmph, a bitch like you wouldn’t even give me a second glance normally, but guess who’s in charge now!”  My eyes started getting watery and I knew I was going to start crying.  But before the robber could get any closer, Minato appeared in front of me.  “Pick someone else.” He said coldly.  “What did you say, mother fucker?”  The robber said in shock.  “I said pick someone else.  Not her.”  I peeped over Minato’s broad shoulders at the robber and saw he looked incensed.  “You think you’re a fucking hero huh?  Fucking riajuu like you should go fucking explode!!!  I’ll do whatever the fuck I want and I’ll fucking choose my own hostage you bastard!!  Now fucking move aside and show everyone how much of a pussy you are!!!!” 

He brought up the gun and pointed it at Minato’s forehead.  Minato, however, was still unexplainably calm as he started to speak.  “I am not a hero.  I just want to s—” But in mid-sentence he suddenly kicked out his right foot at a blinding speed and a sharp cracking sound echoed in the bank.  Minato had just kicked the robber at the fork of his legs, hitting him so hard that he had briefly lifted him off the ground.  The robber’s face became a pale white and his eyes rolled to the back of his head as he toppled over in a heap.  Blood could be seen leaking out through his pants and based off of the sound his pelvis was broken.  And that definitely wasn’t the only thing that was broken. 

We all just stood there in shock for a few moments.  One person who finally recovered called out angrily “Why didn’t you do something sooner?  Someone was hurt because you were slow!  And what did you mean by ‘pick someone else’!?!?!”  Minato gave a brief, disinterested look at that person, a 30-ish year old woman and coldly said “I won’t risk my life for strangers I don’t give a damn about.  So fuck off.”  Under his gaze the woman flinched and then turned away.  He then ignored her and turned towards me, who was still trembling like a leaf from what had happened. 

That cold expression turned into a caring and tender one as he pulled me into his arms, started stroking my head and gently whispered “It’s okay now, don’t worry.  No matter what happens I’ll protect you.  So don’t be afraid anymore.”  I couldn’t help but break out into tears as I let out all the tension and fear from inside me.  He patiently held me as I cried into his chest.  Eventually, I collected myself a little and lifted my head to look at him.  He gave me a kind smile and said “The police are arriving now and we’ll be here a while, so how about we figure out what kind of puppy you want while we wait?”  I couldn’t help but smile in response and say “Okay.” 

That was the moment for me.  I had strong feelings for Minato, but I know from this point on that I will never be happy unless I make him mine.  I’ll say it openly now:  I love him.  I love him so much that my heart is aching.  I want to spend the rest of my life by his side and for him to keep smiling for me like he has so far.  Yosh!  I’ll have to give it 110% from now on!  Just you wait Minato, I’ll sweep you off your feet for sure!