Like a play

Rather the later, Aki-san only messes around. He never takes their matches seriously, not since the first time when he lost. It frustrated her especially when she knew how capable he was.

On the other hand Ru, he didn't necessarily underestimate her but he fought in a way that would ensure that she wouldn't get hurt.

Ah, but there has been one exception to this rule, and it was Yuhi. It was no one and one match to the death. But, he wouldn't hold back during their sparring sessions in the gym. She remembered asking him why he practiced his martial arts.

'You have such a powerful weapon like a gun and a knife, do you really need to learn hand to hand combat?'

'Yes, make no mistake. A weapon is a double edged sword, we can use it to injure somebody. But, the same goes for them. During those incidents where the weapon becomes a mere toy, we can only rely on our natural instincts, our own bodies to become the weapons that defend us.'

Sumire shakes her head. She really, needs to stop thinking of Yuhi. She cannot keep relying on him. She has to be able to make her own decisions. But, he certainly taught her a lot. If it weren't for him, right now she would still be taking on jobs that mainly involve taking people's lives. The blood in her hands and her sins would increase.

"Sumire." Toh said breaking her thoughts. "I have a question for you."

"Yes?"

"What do you think of today's society?"

Sumire blinked and her gaze softened.

"Today's society is exactly like a play."

Toh raised his eyebrows. "A play?"

"Yes, people are like puppets. If one deviates from their role, they get punished. This role, is something society has placed on them from the moment they entered this world. They are given roles, by their parents in the form of expectations and how they are raised. What books they read, what toys they play with, what school they go to. Everything they absorb shapes who they are, their roles have been decided by what is considered right and wrong."

"I didn't think you would reply like that."

Sumire laughed. "There is more." She trailed off. "Since everything has been decided for them. The moment they question something they become abnormal, they become an outcast. The law, society doesn't protect people. The people are the ones who protect society, they are the ones who create it. People have always sought what is right, and wrong. What is good and what is evil. Those feelings are the law, they come from their hearts. Humans are like puppets, but even puppets can evolve. Even if they become outcasts, people will fight for what they believe in."

"So, your saying people are not necessarily enslaved by the system?"

"Yes. I think the underworld society is a good example of that. There are all sorts of people. People with different values, people who have been considered outcasts for thinking out of the box and doing something abnormal. But, all these people are fighting for what they believe in. These feelings cannot be dismissed just because society deems it unacceptable."

"I didn't think you would hold such strong views."

"Well, I've been influenced by someone. He was very weird, but I learned a lot."

"Is that person Terashima Yuhi?"

Sumire laughed weakly. "When it comes to Yuhi-san, everything I do or say reminds me of him. It's very hard to just let him go."

At those words Toh squeezed her hand. "I do like a good challenge. You are like a puzzle, with so many missing pieces. But, I am confident that I can solve it before the time limit."

"I see, then do your best."

After she finished replying, she paused and laughed quietly. So much for not thinking of Yuhi. The reason why the underworld became so much to her was him. The reason why she is fighting to seek justice now, instead of revenge is him. Everything, will lead back to Yuhi.

What she said to Toh just now was a long version of what Yuhi told her before.

'Society doesn't always do what's right and that's why they have to fight themselves.'

Neither of them said a word afterwards. Perhaps Toh was too busy processing what she just told him, Sumire continued to glance at their surroundings. The more she walked, the more she noticed it. The signs of fighting on the murky coloured walls. Traces of old blood, and the smell of fresh blood in the air.

She frowned. This isn't a simple missing person case anymore. The moment they discovered the hidden door. Sumire knew the level of this case would increase. A murder case, isn't A ranked. It's S level, Sumire exhaled deeply.

It's good that Ru came, and that she isn't alone. Even for her a S level murder case would be too difficult for her to handle. Her gaze fell back onto Ru and Atushi-kun who were discussing something with serious looks in their faces.

Did something happen? Sumire was about to voice out her concerns, when she hears the sound of rumbling from above. A quick glance up and she saw pieces of the ceiling cave in, before she could so much react she was pushed away.

....

She looked back at the large pile of ruble that now resembled a wall wall that now blocked her from the others. For a moment she panicked. Toh pushed her just now, did he get hurt? She shakes her head, no Toh is strong, he wouldn't get hurt this easily.

'I doubt it's a coincidence that the ceiling just caved in, somebody must know that they are here.'

Perhaps they even knew that Toh would shove her out of the way. Her thoughts break off as she stared at a blood stained red arrow on the walls. That's fresh blood, it seems they were trying to lure her away from everyone.

Sumire takes a deep breath and she takes out a pen from her pocket, and flicked a switch and shone it in front of her lighting her path.

'Just now, Ru's pained cries calling her name worried me. Has he always been that protective of me?'

Sumire shakes her head. This is normal, Ru has always behaved like that. But, Toh has already planted the seed of doubt in her head. Perhaps something has changed. She has gotten too used to Ru's behavior that she never questioned it. However recently, he does seem more frantic whenever she rushes off into danger.

*Unedited*