Chapter 7: Chapter 7: An Offer

“Maki! Are you o—”

Hiro and Haruka froze in place, speechless at the scene unfolding before them. There Maki was; her head was sticking out of the broken window. She vehemently stomped on the floor and banged her fists against the clay wall. Eventually, she gave up and let out an ear-piercing shriek.

“Hello?! You guys there? Heeelloooo! I need a lil’ help!”

Taking a deep sigh, Haruka slowly marched toward her. “Maki.”

“Yes?”

“You’re an idiot.”

Maki was on the verge of tears. “But I wanted to do it…”

“Why?”

“I got curious! I wanted to know if my head would fit! You know me; I can’t stand not knowin’ things.”

“You do a lot of stupid things for someone who knows a lot.”

“Shut up, okay? I get it! I goofed up! Now if I try to pull my head out, I’m gonna get cut, and I don’t like that!”

Haruka turned around. “We should just leave you there. Learn your lesson.”

“Nooooo!” Her voice cracked. “I’m sorry! Get me out, please! I won’t do it again, I promise!”

“...Fine.”

Haruka stretched out her hand; a small red needle shot out from her wrist. It zoomed through the glass window, shattering it to pieces. Now set free, Maki leaped in celebration, gleefully flinging her arms into the air and cheering loudly.

“WOOHOO! I’m out, baby!”

Haruka turned to Hiro. “Sorry. I broke your window.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it,” he said. “You did nothing wrong, but someone definitely did.” 

They both looked at Maki.

“What? I’m sorry, okay? The deed has been done. I already apologized, so I have nothin’ more to say. Hmph!” She crossed her arms, refusing to look them in the eyes.

“Alright, alright. Whatever. Let’s just eat.”

“Hell yeah! Dinner!” Maki dashed to her seat.

A sweet, savory aroma pervaded the air as Hiro and Haruka returned from the kitchen with the bowls of stew. He set them on the table and sat across from the two girls. Unable to control herself, Maki lifted up her bowl and gorged down her food.

“Amazing!” she said while chewing. “Hey, you’re pretty good, Hiro!”

“Thanks. The recipe belonged to my friend.”

“That so? Get them to pass some recipes over!” Maki wiped her face with her sleeve. “I’m no cook myself, but we got a big one in our team! Literally!”

Haruka elbowed her shoulder.

“Huh? What did I do this time?”

“It’s the friend I was with yesterday before you ran off on us,” Hiro explained.

“Ohhh, the guy who… Oh. Rest in peace to that guy.” She slurped down the remainder of her bowl. 

“I apologize on her behalf.” Haruka bowed as she chopped Maki’s head.

“Ah, don’t sweat it,” Hiro said. “She’s not so bad if you just treat her like some snot-nosed brat.”

“Huh?! What’d you say?”

“Hm. That is true.” Haruka nodded.

Maki clicked her tongue. “Bunch of bullies. Anyways, let’s get down to business. You wanted us to hear you out, right? Go ahead. Get it over with.”

“Wonderful. Well, I already told you about it earlier, but I need your help with Bandito.” He paused; his lips trembled. “I’m sick and tired of it. They killed my friend and threatened to hurt everyone I know if I don’t work for them. I want them gone. Kick them out of this village.”

She burst out laughing. “You want us to drive those monkeys away?”

“Oh, no no. That’s way too much to ask for. But maybe you know others outside who can help? I’m not entirely sure how, but we’ll find a way to pay you.”

“Nah, nah. That’s not what I meant. What I’m sayin’ is… you can ask for more.”

“...More?”

“You wanna protect your family, right? Well, that’s all fine and dandy, but I can give you somethin’ even better. The sweet taste of revenge! We can get rid of those bozos entirely. Every. Single. One of them.”

Hiro was dumbfounded. Revenge wasn’t an option he thought was even possible. Up until this point, it seemed like submission was the only solution. Suddenly, that was no longer the case. Bandito could finally get what they deserved. Hope welled up inside him—hope for a better future for Granny Jay. Even stronger than that, though, was the enticing thought of getting revenge.

She snickered. “Though, before we’re gonna do anythin’, you’ll have to hear me out next.”

“You have my attention.”

“Tell me about your eyes.”

“Wh— Huh? What do you wanna know?”

“Don’t act dumb! They were glowin’ when you kicked down those Bandito chumps. They glowed when you were fightin’ with Haruka. Which is crazy, by the way! The fact that you’re alive after facin’ her is proof that you’re hidin’ somethin’.”

“O-Ooohhh! That!” He looked away for a second. “Yeah, that’s uh… a genetic thing! My mom’s eyes glowed every time she would focus. I guess I got those from her.”

“You’re a terrible liar, you know.”

“Wh-What?”

“Rrright.” She got up from her seat. “Okay, then I think we’re done here. We’re headin’ to their hideout! Lead the way, Hiro!”

“...Is that all? Are you done?”

“Mhm! We heard you out, like you asked. I said what I wanted to. Now you gotta do your part and lead us to their base!”

“Does this mean you’re gonna help?”

“Hell nah! This village can rot for all I care. We just have to do a couple things, and then we’re waltzin’ outta here.”

She turned around. Haruka rose from her seat.

“Wait!” Hiro quickly got up and grabbed Haruka’s arm. Immediately, he pulled his hand back in surprise; her skin felt frigid. His eyes were glued to her arm as he rubbed his hands together for warmth.

“What now?” Maki asked.

“Please.” He lowered his head. “If you don’t want to fight, it’s fine. But maybe you can teach me? Or have somebody else come?”

“Depends. Are you gonna give me what I want?”

He couldn’t answer.

She let out a frustrated sigh. “Fine, I’ll give in for now, but don’t think I’ve given up. I always get what I want. For now, I’m changin’ my terms. There’s somethin’ else I wanna ask you.”

“Go on.”

“Wanna be a criminal?”

“Maki!” Haruka uncharacteristically yelled, jerking her head toward her. “What are you doing?”

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“I told you I had a plan, right?”

“And your plan was this?”

“Yes, I decided just now.”

“Why? Because you got interested in him?”

“Yeah! How’d you know?”

“That’s the same thing you said when you recruited the loud one.”

“And?!” Maki raised her arms in disbelief. “I was right for bein’ interested. She’s great!”

“No. You just do whatever you want.” Haruka crossed her arms. “You’re ruining our mission. We’re supposed to be a secret.”

“And we’ll stay a secret once he joins us! Besides, you got a better plan? You wanna kill the very hospitable person who gave us food?”

“...”

“I-I’m sorry.” Hiro rubbed his temples. “Can we start over? I’m confused.”

Haruka shook her head. “Maki…”

“Just leave the boss to me!” Maki held her hand to her chest. “I’ll do him his usual favors so he doesn’t get mad.”

She sighed. “Fine. But I’m watching Hiro if he tries anything funny.”

“Haha! I win!” Maki faced Hiro. “Okay, listen up! You see, Haruka and I are part of Lionheart, a criminal organization!”

Hiro recoiled his head after hearing her words. He scanned Maki from head to toe. She looked like an innocent girl; a criminal was the last thing he thought of her to be. He paused for a few seconds.

“Criminals… You two are criminals.”

“Yes!”

“Then you’re no different from Bandito.”

She grimaced and held her hand over her neck, pretending to gag. “Rude. Take that back! I don’t want some hobo comparin’ us to a group of hairy ball sacks.”

“S-Sorry…”

“Those guys are just low ranks, takin’ advantage of the weak for easy pickin’. Takin’ them out is no issue, but even if we do, who’s to say another pack of criminals won’t just waltz in and do the same thing? It’s not like the government’s just gonna change their minds and help you.”

“Then what can you do?”

Maki formed an x with her arms. “Absolutely nothin’! At least, for the villagers here. You, however, have a once in a lifetime opportunity! Lionheart may be full of criminals, but that’s only ‘cause we hate the system! We hate what the other criminals are doing too, of course! So, we choose to fight crime with crime!”

He stared at his unfinished bowl. “And that just automatically makes you guys better? ‘Cause you’re against everyone?”

She guffawed. “Oh, Hiro! You silly goose! It’s not about who’s better. It’s about what we get done in the end! And we don’t plan on stoppin’ at Orin either. Once we get rid of the Blue King, we’re goin’ after the rest of the World Regime! Soon, the age of kings will be as good as over!”

He covered his face with his hands, stunned by the gravity of her words. “I… I don’t know. This is a lot to take in.”

“Yeah, but you ain’t gettin’ this chance again. So, what’s it gonna be?”

Haruka used her knee to nudge Maki. “You’re pressuring him.”

Maki smacked her back. “Nah, he’ll be fine. Besides! I have a great proposition that I think everyone can be happy with. I may not look like it, but I’m quite the negotiator. So, how about this? Haruka and I will help you out. We’ll wipe out everyone in their base! Buuut! You’re not just leadin’ us to their base. You’re comin’ along to help!”

“Me?!” Hiro raised his arms. “I can’t fight! I wouldn’t be asking for your help if I could!”

“Nonsense! I’ve seen you in action.”

“I was beaten to a pulp yesterday! What more do you want me to say?”

“Just say you’ll do it! Beggars can’t be choosers! Plus, if you see what we can really do, then maybe you’ll reconsider joinin’ us. Hehe.”

“This is too fast for him,” Haruka said.

“I mean, we are in a time crunch. If he wants them all gone, then this’ll be his one and only chance.”

An important decision lay before Hiro. Either he helped them and possibly faced his impending death, or he might lose his one and only chance to end Bandito’s unhindered reign. His mind raced. Was it worth risking his life for? What if this chance never came again? What about Granny Jay? So long as Bandito remained, she would never be safe.

What about Miles? His unfair and tragic death?

Hiro knew what he had to do. Their crime was too great for him to forgive. Even if it meant losing his life, his mind was focused on only one thing—paying them back for everything they did.

“Tick tock goes the clock.” Maki tapped her finger on the table in rhythmic fashion.

“I’ll do it.” Hiro extended his hand forward. His other hand held onto his chair, trembling.

Instead of shaking his hand, she gave him her bowl. “Deal! I’m done, by the way! Thanks for the meal!”

He sighed. “No problem…”

Haruka bowed. “I apologize for her.”

He took her bowl as well and set them on the kitchen sink. “Don’t be. In fact, I’m grateful you two are willing to help out at all. Speaking of which, what brought you two to Ushiro in the first place?”

Maki gasped and swiftly looked at Haruka. “Can we tell him?”

Haruka looked down at her with disdain. “Whatever. Just do what you want.”

Maki galloped to her bag and pulled out a gadget shaped like a hexagon. She tossed it up, and it stayed suspended in the air. An orange, translucent barrier manifested around it. Maki punched it; a quick, high-pitched sound echoed throughout the room, but the barrier itself remained unshaken.

“This thing here’s called a nanobarrier! Normal bullets and explosives can’t even scratch it. The newest models are even immune to lasers! Ain’t that cool?”

Hiro touched the nanobarrier with his finger. It was rock solid. “I’ve never seen this before.”

“They’re a must-have for defense! Pretty common usage among the military and most criminal groups. I’m sure those Bandito chumps got a few lyin’ around, though I doubt they use them a lot. However! There’s a new weapon out there that totally obliterates this thing, and I heard those Bandito hot shots have been buyin’ them for mad cheap and sellin’ them around. Apparently, the police get a cut of the profits.”

“No wonder they’re so tight with them. And this ‘new weapon’ is what you’ve been looking for?”

“Yep! It’s called the pierce rocket, and I want it! I only need one, though. I can just reverse engineer it to make more.” She brushed her hair aside, having a proud look on her face.

“Right. And how do you even know all this? Ushiro is pretty far from the main cities.”

“Oh, that’s a—”

“Secret,” Haruka finished. “Don’t tell him any more.”

“Of course! Of course!” Maki slung her bag over her shoulder and rushed to the door. “Alright, we’re wastin’ too much time. Off to their base!”

“Hold on,” Hiro said. “Let me get something first.”

He entered Miles’ bedroom, which was just to the right of the dining table. Sitting on top of the study table was black jacket Miles gave to him. Hiro held it in his hands.

“This is for you, Miles. And you too, Granny Jay.”

He put the jacket on and came out of the room, giving off a more serious aura around him. For a short moment, his eyes were sparkling green. He stretched his arm around and balled his hand into a fist. Despite the danger he knew he was heading into, he couldn’t help but think about the goal that lay ahead—revenge.

Haruka and Maki both gawked at him as he marched to the door. After taking a deep breath, he relaxed and held the handle.

“You girls ready?”

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