First selection

TOH

At Tsukuhara High. Thursday 11th May. 

For a school concur, there were more people in the audience then he expected. Not just students and their families but a lot of prominent figures in the elite circle. He even spotted his grandmother in the crowd. Not wanting to attract too much attention, Toh didn't sit with her nor go over to greet her. He simply sat in his assigned seat in the back row. 

After the first three performances Toh understood why there were so many people attending. Are these people really high school students? What high level performances. The rankings at the end will certainly be fun to watch. If they all perform this way, how will they decide on a winner?

He watched as Iwa Ran stepped out and finds his gaze scanning the back stage area, but didn't find Sumire.

Something is wrong, didn't she say she would perform near the middle? Perhaps he got the time wrong. He quickly checked the guidebook and flicked through the pages till he reached the one he wanted.

Performance #1- 2S Maon Kou

Performance #2- 3S Rikado Tooru

Performance #3- 3S Tanabe Tokiya

Performance #4 - 2S Iwa Ran

Performance #5 - 1A Ibuki Sumire

Performance #6 - 2S Momoi Futaba

Performance #7 - 1A Hamano Atushi

Performance #8- 1A Senna Masato 

Performance #9 - 3S Ichinose Arashi

She is directly in the middle. But, Toh's gaze drifted onto the back stage area. Shouldn't she be standing near the curtain? He should be able to see her from this seat. This is the exact reason why she chose this seat for him. 

Also there is no way she is missing Iwa Ran's performance considering how excited she was about it. 

Toh slipped backstage, only to see a commotion. Momoi Futaba was hard to miss with her bright pink hair, there were two others with her.

"Please Kensho-kun, cousin, we can't disqualify her."

"Of course not. Of course we will wait."

The grey haired man nodded. "Thankfully Sumire-san is close with the advisor. Had it been any other teacher, it would have been difficult."

"Mamoru-san is going to search for her now." Hamano Atushi stepped into the area with his phone in his hands. "He said he would keep us updated."

"Sumire isn't here?" Toh speaks up.

"Mashima." Atushi said.

It was the blonde haired one who spoke up. 'Ichinose Arashi.' So, he really is here. While their forced friendship had failed miserably, Toh is up to date with the news regarding this person. He mysteriously went abroad, and ceased contact with any of his relatives and close friends. 

After listening to Sumire, he now understands why Ichinose suddenly went abroad. This guy feels guilty for being the core reason why Sumire's previous relationship fell apart. Although there are other reasons, mainly to do with Nagawa having severe personality issues. Had Nagawa never learned about Ichinose presence in Sumire's life, 

"She's late. Have you seen her?" Arashi asked.

"We were together last night. But, she must have left early in the morning. Because when I woke up at seven, I saw a note." Toh trailed off. "She said she had a job from Aki."

At those words Momoi frowned. "But Aki-san didn't say-"

"That bastard." Iwa Ran walked in. "-is a huge liar. You know what he's like when it comes to her."

"I'll go search--" Futaba started.

"You have to perform, she'll get pissed off if you drop out." Ran pointed out.

"I'll go." Toh offered. "Rather, I think I'm the only other person here who can go."

'Ibuki is the girl Lucifer is searching for. The longer you deny it Toh, the harder it will become for you.'

Arata's words lingered in his mind and he clenched his fist. He already made his mind up, that he won't deny this any longer. But, he was hoping that he would have more time. 

 ........

SUMIRE

People have always called her out for being reckless, and for following her heart rather than using her head first. A few hours before she had been sleeping peacefully, and safely tucked in Toh's arms. She would have continued the rest of the night that way. However, she woke up at around one thirty feeling very restless. So, she slipped away and decided to do some cooking, as well as leave random little love notes around the house. It was when she slipped on the last note when she received a simple message from Aki.

Nagawa General Hospital. Bombing. 

Just the location and a single word, but Sumire immediately clicked the green yes button confirming that she was 

Now, she was hiding behind some destroyed rubble from the reception area on the third floor. She has been here for several hours already, but it has been rather difficult to advance further. While she is confident that she can dodge bullets. These people were using bombs and other dangerous weaponry. Not even her good reflexes will help her, if someone throws a bomb at her. 

Her goal was the fifth floor. The fifth floor where Sano's office was located. According to the little information she gathered, Sano was still in the building. The bombing thankfully happened during the night shift and thus not too many people ended up trapped inside. The ones who had been leaving, had managed to sound an emergency alarm at the side of the building before the terrorists stormed in and took control. 

The police had been called, and yet the entire place was a massacre. She lost count how many bodies she has had to go past, and how many of those bodies belonged to the police. 

On her way in, she managed to save a staff member.

Someone she actually knew very well, the receptionist who was always on duty when Sano was working.

'Ibuki-I-I know he tossed you away, but you have to help him please. He's still in there. He was just finishing a surgery and was on his way to his office. He said there was some place he had to be the next day and that's why he did over time.'

A place he had to be, urgently. Despite those vague words Sumire understood. The concur, Ru's extra ticket. Ru wouldn't tell her who he was giving his extra ticket too. But, it's not too hard to guess. 

Sumire felt her heart beat thumping louder and louder hearing the sound of yet another explosion. At this rate the entire building will come down. These people sure have an obsession with bombs. She has to be careful, otherwise she will get hit.

Sighing, Sumire moved from her hiding place and spots a man with a dark shirt talking into a communicator.

"-can't find him. He isn't here. I know what he looks like! He's that haughty son from the Nagawa family who was dating the demon Princess not too long ago right?"

Despite the vague explanation, Sumire understood. They are here for Sano. No, Sano has nothing to do with the underworld. It's her they want. They must be hoping to use Sano as leverage against her. But why? They seem to have the knowledge of their break up, so it doesn't make sense for them to do this.