Kasumi’s father

Kasumi turned around to face a man who looked like he was in his mid-50s. Ayame felt unbearable pressure come from the man and so she quickly hid behind Kasumi. Gripping onto the back of her clothes, Ayame hoped that whoever it was, wasn't going to cause trouble.

'Maybe I should contact Tomoe.' Ayame thought maybe Tomoe could come help, but as she went to reach for her pocket, Kasumi grabbed her. The tight grip around Ayame's wrist was enough to tell her that it was not safe at all.

"What do you want…. Father?" Kasumi revealed who it was and the detestation she had for him could be heard in her voice. It also now made sense to Ayame that getting her phone would be a bad idea.

"I only just wanted to pick you up, sweetie." Kasumi's father presented his hand to her, wanting her to take it.

Kasumi hesitated as she didn't know if it was a trick or not to get her away from Ayame.

"Don't worry about your friend, you are going to the same university after all and I don't want to take away my daughter's things." A smile with clear murderous intent appeared and Kasumi had no choice but to grab her father's hand.

"Stay safe Ayame." Saying a couple last words Ayame wanted to say something back, but suddenly Kasumi and her father vanished on the spot.

"Kasumi…" Having the pressure suddenly leave the area, she felt like she could breathe, but a lingering fear stayed.

'So that's her father.' Knowing that was the person that kept Kasumi locked up for so many years, Ayame understood better the kind of power he has.

'No wonder people want to know who he is, I'm surprised he isn't famous.' Ayame remembered the optional mission and thought Kasumi's father must be a hidden figure and someone is trying to find him.

'Probably for the best I didn't say anything, with that kind of power he has I would be dead in less than a second.' Shivering at the thought, suddenly her phone went off breaking her out of her thoughts.

[Hey Ayame, I am okay so please do not worry about me, surprisingly my father was okay with us hanging out, so next time we shouldn't get interrupted <3]

Feeling a weight that she didn't even realise come off her shoulders, she quickly sent back a text.

[Haha that's good, let me know when, as we still need to get some things.]

Ayame contemplated sending a heart back, but she felt it would be misinterpreted, so she opted for a normal message.

With nothing else to do, Ayame picked up her bags and headed towards the exit. The fear she felt before about being alone in public set in and was wishing Kasumi never left.

'Dammit, why did Kasumi have to leave.' Ayame walked through the vast hallways with people all around her. Feeling gazes locked on to her as she walked past, she wasn't able to concentrate or distract herself.

'Geh just leave me aloneeee.' Now understanding how Kasumi was feeling, she couldn't wait to leave.

Finally making it out of the mall Ayame tried to backtrack but found herself rather lost as she hugged Kasumi's back most of the way.

'Oh curse my introverted self for not being able to handle people.' Wishing she was able to go out more when she was younger, was suffering the consequences of being sheltered.

'How the hell does Kasumi have so much confidence when she was sheltered?…. Well, I guess she runs a company now so she didn't have a choice.' Wanting Kasumi's confidence, Ayame came to realise that it was most likely by going through tough situations Kasumi gained her courage.

Taking a turn she thought was where they came from, she accidentally went down an alleyway.

"Ah shit." Realising her mistake, she was going to turn around until she felt gazes behind her.

'Great, weird people.' Ayame turned around while rolling her eyes to see who it was. Just as she expected the stereotypical guys trapping her in an alleyway.

'Damn it's just like the manga.' Ayame played out the scene in her head and found herself chuckling.

"Hey there girl, what you doin back here?" Clearly intoxicated with alcohol, the 2 guys stumbled over to Ayame.

"Just took a wrong turn, you guys can go back to your day drinking." Stealing a line from a manga she read, Ayame tried to walk past, but her shoulder was grabbed.

The nerves she was doing so well to suppress by roleplaying as a character crumbled. However when she turned to look at the man that was trying to pull her in. The assassin mode she hides activated and she got out of the hold in a swift motion.

"Woah I'm not going to do anything bad."

Ayame stepped back and put her bags down trying to put distance between her and the 2 men, but they kept approaching her.

"You asked for it." Not wanting to show her kitsune traits she resorted to the martial arts she learnt to knock out the men.

One of the men lunged over towards Ayame trying to grab her hair. Blocking the arm Ayame went to the side of the man and punched directly into his liver.

This instantly put him to the ground and his friend could only look in shock at how quick it was.

"You bitch!" Wanting to get revenge for his friend, he went to punch Ayame in the face. However, similar to his friend, she dodges to the side and holds his wrist. She then struck the elbow with her palm, causing it to break.

"Arghh!!!" Screaming in pain the man fell on top of his friend while holding his elbow.

Ayame then realised the attention she would draw because of the screaming, so she quickly picked up her bag and left the alley. People investigated the alley after seeing Ayame run out and saw the state of the men.

One was about to call the police but the smell of alcohol on the men told them what happened. The initial people that saw Ayame leave left the alley knowing it wasn't her fault and self-defence.

"It's what they get for drinking and picking the wrong person."

Eventually, the police were called, but Ayame was never found out and got away without any trouble.

*

Finally making it back to the residential area, she now knew where she was and found her way back to the shrine. The day was about over so Anna had already left and only a few older people were left at the shrine.

Ayame headed straight back to her house, but before she could reach the handle of the door, it swung open. Tomoe had a massive smile wanting to know how it went and what Ayame got.

"I'm home… Mum." Ayame felt awkward as she wasn't sure what to do as Tomoe kept standing there.

"Hehe~ Welcome back, now tell me did it get spicy." Tomoe didn't have the normal societal concepts about relationships and it was commonplace for kitsunes not part of a major family to date whoever they wanted.

"Jeez, nothing like that happened! Plus shouldn't I be with a guy?" Ayame was a bit different from Tomoe as the manga she read influenced how Ayame saw things and couldn't quite grasp why she was so pushy.

"Hmm? Why does it matter if it's a girl, shouldn't you be with whoever you like?" Tomoe was thrown back by Ayame's response, but she realised that Ayame was more attuned to the outside world than she is.

"Well I guess you're not wrong, but can I please put away these clothes, my arms are getting tired." Ayame had 4 bags and after carrying them around for a couple of hours her arms started burning.

"Oh sure, I will be in the lounge with dinner." Tomoe knew she could keep talking later, so she let Ayame off for the time being.

Ayame nodded and made her way to her bedroom to drop off her things, but as she entered her phone went off.

'If it's Kasumi I swear she is stalking me.' Ayame couldn't believe the timing and looked out the window just to make sure.

[Hey Ayame, I can come back next week and this time there shouldn't be any interruptions. Let me know if you can't go otherwise, I'm knocking on your door.]

Looking at the text Ayame felt paranoid she was being watched, but seeing the content of the message made it feel like a coincidence.

[Just about to have dinner with my mum, so I will let you know if I can.] Wanting to let Kasumi know she isn't being left on read, quickly sent a text back.

Putting her phone away she headed for the lounge where Tomoe was waiting.

Walking in, Tomoe sat at the small table with food in front of her, with another spot clearly for Ayame.

Sitting down, she began to eat, but while eating Tomoe started asking questions.

"Sooooo, what did you get?"

"Clothes."

"Anything happen?"

"No."

"Aww come onnnn surely something interesting happened."

"Nope only tried on clothes and that was it."

"Oh? Did you have fun in the changing rooms together?" A smirk appeared on Tomoe implying exactly what she meant.

"MUMM! No! I don't even know if I'm attracted to Kasumi, like yes she is hot, but I don't understand!" Ayame pouted while continuing to eat her food and Tomoe took a moment to think.

"You don't need to understand, if it feels right, don't let these ideas of having to be with a man stop you. If you want me to stop teasing I can, but if you ask me Kasumi is a steal, but I won't judge who you end up with. It's a shame Anna has her marriage but it happens." Tomoe saw she was going too hard on the teasing and decided to get serious.

"I-.." Ayame was at a loss for words as it was rare for Tomoe to act like this.

"Y-you don't have to stop, but I'm still figuring out how the world works so please don't tease me too much." Ayame mumbled her words, but Tomoe heard them loud and clear.

"Alright, I will stop the questions for tonight, but don't think you're safe~." Tomoe let Ayame have a break for the time being as it was clear she was conflicted.

"Well, there is one thing I need to ask." Ayame remembered the text she got and didn't want to leave it too late.

"Yes?"

"Kasumi wants to head out again next week, is that okay?" Ayame braced herself for a teasing comment despite being let off the hook.

"Ara~? Of course, she is always welcome, but do remember you will most likely have a mission soon." Tomoe restrained herself from saying anything especially after seeing Ayame brace herself.

"Thank you." Ayame let out a sigh and relief and quickly texted Kasumi Tomoe's answer.