Chapter 14: Hands Up!

Birds were chirping, flying above our protagonists as if observing them.

"C'mon Hori, you can do it!"

Haruki tried encouraging.

Her blood pumped as she ran.

Hori was dressed in a simple black and white tracksuit.

Her hands sluggishly swung as she desperately continued moving.

Narrator - Our MC is doing morning practice, the time is 6 in the morning.

Good morning Narrator! your up early today~

Hori thought, looking for trouble.

Narrator - your really gon' get it this time.

Why so mad?

She teased.

Haruki was slightly ahead of her, they were both sweating despite the cold as proof they had gone multiple laps.

"Your almost there!

Haruki yelled encouragingly. 

Her nostrils almost refusing to breathe,her throat sore from pleading they stopped running.

"We've...done 3 laps now!! I'm getting tired.... Haruki-san!!!"

Hori was trying her best not to pass out.

"We're almost home! You can do it!"

He said with a grin.

Narrator - They were jogging from the house which was in Fukui, to Echizen.

Narrator - The distance between the two locations, is roughly ~18km, Hori has ran back and forth 3 times now and is about finishing the fourth one.

Haruki too, he's also working really hard, Narrator!

Narrator - Oh... I'm sorry...I...I don't give a fuck.

"Come on, We've entered the forest! We're almost there!!"

Haruki yelled with excitement as if having fun.

The same couldn't be said with Hori tho...

She looked unconscious but still running.

"Awwwwwww yeah!!!"

Haruki screamed stretching his hands with a high five.

They finally made it to the inn after 4 laps!

Hori fragilely ran towards him and gave him a high five while smiling with tiredness.

"You did great Hori! I have no idea how your still standing!

Haruki slightly joked as he encouraged her hard work with praise.

"Hori?"

He asked as he couldn't see her head.

Hori had passed out.

"ahhhh!!!! Okay I'm sorry, we'll have udon for breakfast just wake up!!"

"..... udon?"

She spoke with little life.Hori was exhausted.

"Yup! we'll go to that sushi place, they also serve udon! you can eat as much as you want!"

"yayyyy~"

She mustered some strength to celebrate.

Haruki and Hori took their bath and got dressed.

Hori wore a western styled high school jacket, with a simple milk inner shirt, most likely belonging to Haruki.

She had a simple dark blue jeans skirt that was a little bit short.

"Looking goooood!"

He said with a smirk admiring Hori's fashion sense.

"Your dressing style has seriously improved! Guess you can adapt to drip too."

Haruki complimented.

"Thank you Haruki-san!"

He made her blush.

"Your very attractive your self, so I best look my best if I'm walking with you!"

Hori returned the compliment.

"Aww, shucks"

He played with his bangs out of embarrassment.

Haruki was dressed in a simple black T-shirt and blue jeans,he also had a simple cap.

They were about to leave when haruki saw the wall of the inn... that was STILL broken.

"I really need to fix this wall."

He placed his hands to feel the damage. Sinners were dangerous considering one could do this in a single go.

"Will fixing it be expensive? If so I would love to contribute!"

She offered a helping hand despite not owning a dime.

"Awwwn, your too sweet Hori."

He ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry, I got some cash from a previous gig. I'll probably fix it this week"

Haruki said, but that was not true.

I'm actually saving up so I can renovate the place, she needs her own room and stuff if she's gonna be living here.

He thought looking at Hori's oblivious face.

"... there you go."

He placed his cap on her head,it packed her spiky bangs and complimented her round face.

"Thank you Haruki-san!"

She smiled.

Narrator - You sure are appreciative.

"A girl is meant to look better than the guy on an outing!"

He said with a thumbs up.

Haruki has zero dating experience tho.

"Alright let's go!"

They set out.

-------

While they walked, Haruki brought up a conversation.

"Man, but Hori your really getting stronger. You took out that Sinner on our to Katsuyama in one blow!"

They had met a Sinner of adultery a type not too strong but definitely not weak.

Hori beat it up and Haruki ate it.

"I can proudly say it's because of your great teaching!"

Hori said with a smug face.

"At this rate, I'm pretty sure you'll dominate any normal person if there's a fighting portion for the Sabbath Exams."

Haruki spoke the truth, surely they may be strong opponents but still human. Hori on the other hand is beating Sinners which are easily super human.

"How many days do we even have left?"

"Last time narrator spoke, she said 8 days"

Narrator - You weren't on screen at the time, but I last said 7 days, you two only have a week left.

"What do you mean not 'on-screen' exactly?"

Hori asked aloud.

"Okay, seriously who are you talking to?"

Haruki was getting worried,who is this "Narrator"

"I told you Haruki-san! It's this lady that keeps talking, she narrates what happens like I'm in some story or something"

Hori said worriedly as well, after being able to hear this voice not too long ago she questioned if she was actually mentally sound.

"Well, I guess we might go to the hospital if it continues"

Haruki reassured.

"W — wait a minute! I'm not crazy Haruki-san! It's just a voice that's all!"

She protested.

Narrator - We all have inner voices Hori....

"Stop talking!"

Hori covered her ears like a crazy person.

"Maybe we should go right away after all"

"Nooooo~!!!"

------

"We're herrrrrrrreeee....?"

Hori's enthusiasm slowly died.

They reached the sushi place but it was demolished, rubble made it unrecognizable. Yellow tapes wrapped like bindings with police men scattered like ants.

"Oh goodness, what happened?!"

Hori covered her mouth after seeing the scene. An explosion? This was no fire outbreak.

".... must've been a Sin attack or something, nothing special."

Haruki nonchalantly said and began walking away, leaving Hori staring.

"I pray the chef is okay...he was such a nice man"

She followed Haruki.

"Where are we going Haruki-san?"

Hori asked since they weren't eating breakfast there anymore.

"We're headed to a store, guess we're taking snacks as breaky"

Soon after, Haruki and Hori arrived at the store. The same one where she met-

"Akane-San?!"

"Hori-chan?!"

It's so good to see you!!!

Hori yelled in excitement and clenched her hands as they spun together.

She hadn't seen her since 2 days and was glad she was doing well.

Narrator - What kind of teenager is friends with a pregnant woman.

"... I'm... gonna get going."

Haruki gave them some space and proceeded with shopping for local snacks and sweets.

"Your outfit is simply DIVINE

Akane-san!"

Hori complimented as she followed Shuntaro san for her shopping, she was meant to follow Haruki but... what the heck.

"Awwwn~ Its nothing special, you on the other hand look like your going on an expensive date!"

The woman teased.

"Awww shucks."

hori replied tilting her cap in embarrassment.

Wait, whats a date?!

Narrator - Explaining it is pointless, your so dense that you probably won't understand.

That's a bit mean, Narrator!

Narrator - Oh fuck off!

Wh— why are you always angry with me?

She asked but no reply.

Hori as well ignored and faced Miss Akane.

"So what are we shopping for Akane-san?"

Hori said with excitement looking at her shopping cart.

"Oh, y'know. Just regular food for a pregnant lady."

She answered casually.

"Oh I just can't wait to see your daughter Akane-san!"

Hori said bending down, looking at her stomach.

"Haha, your so weird."

Mrs Shuntaro giggled at Hori's child like wonder.

Narrator - They spend some time shopping for ingredients. Other customers were simply admiring the scenery thinking of them as mother and daughter.... how nice.

"NOBODY FUCKING MOVES!!!!!!!!"

Narrator - Wait what?

Armed masked robbers burst through the scene! interrupting everyone's shopping they approached the store owner at the cashier seat!

"Robbers?! In broad daylight?!"

Akane panicked dragging Hori's hand to hide behind a large bag of salt.

"Oh God, it's a robbery!"

A costumer besides them yelled covering his mouth.

Every one bent down in fear of the two masked men, they both had guns!

"Don't worry Hori, they won't harm us"

Akane said holding her close.

"What's going on?! why is everyone squatting?"

Hori asked in confusion.

"What do you mean why's everyone getting down?! Can't you see it's a robbery?!"

The pregnant lady scolded Hori.

She looked at Akane and innocently said.

"Ah, robbers. They steal right?"

"Duh?! Now stop talking let them finish their business"

Akane shushed.

"I've also heard about this 'Gun' in novels! So they actually have one?"

Hori asked then paused.... she remembered, robbery was wrong.

A slight glint of anger and resolve appeared on her face as she stood up.

"I'll be right back, I have to do something."

Hori said with a serious face and left their hiding spot.

"Oh my God, Hori what are you doing? What do you mean do something?"

The woman was sweating, trying to drag Hori back but still hiding for her and her unborn child's safety.

Haruki stood at the furthest end, carefully hiding his presence showcasing his skills as a mercenary.

Sigh~ Should I kill them? But I didn't bring my mask so people will see my face.

He mumbled with a frustrated face, what bad timing these robbers had.

Wait a minute I hope Hori's hiding properly-

The girl walked passed Haruki, towards the armed men with her cap shielding her eyes.

.....hmmmm this looks promising.

He quickly hid back and waited for what Hori was about to do. Since she was walking towards them Haruki reasoned that she was going to attempt stoping them. He could finally see the results from her training against a human.

"HORI, WHAT ARE YOU DOING????"

She yelled in a quiet tone squeezing the bag of salt.

"Worry not Akane-san! I simply want to ask them to stop! I've read robbers are quite difficult but I'll speak clearly. "

She said with a thumbs up.

Eh? What is that girl doing.

The obvious thought from everyone watching. Seeing Hori growing closer and closer.

Hori finally reached, she saw the cashier who was hiding in fear and looked fiercely at the men.

"Bro hurry up, 10 minutes till the cops-

"Ehm...excuse me sirs, please can you both stop?"

She politely asked, interrupting the robbery.

Eh? Are my eyes working? What is happening?

Miss Akane was flabbergasted.

Surrounding customers hiding also wondered.

Is this a skit? Some kind of video? Like those Internet everyday heros shit!

He peeped at Hori and the robbers.

Nope, that ain't no prop, it's an effing fucking real life gun!!

He yelled in his mind covering his mouth.

"Oi, what the fuck are you doing?!"

He said pressing the gun at Hori's forehead.

All the current customers who were paralyzed with fear felt slightly better.

The whole situation was so funny they calmed down a bit.

"Ehm, first of all. Stealing is wrong, morally and socially. Second of all can you stop pressing that on my head?"

Is she retarded?

Shuntaro asked with a dead serious face.

Narrator - Dear readers, please don't be confused. Hori isn't retarded, she simply has a strong sense of justice .

Narrator - Despite being scared, she knew robbery was wrong, everyone does.

Ah, Narrator your back.

Hori looked to her side with the gun still pointed on her head.

That's so Hori, she asked so politely that I'd honestly stop.

A smile appeared on his face, seeing Hori preferred talking to them before engaging.

"Don't make me repeat myself! what the fuck do you think you're doing?!"

Robber 1 asked while Robber 2 was still breaking the cash register.

"Wow, their really hard. It's starting to hurt a bit"

She said touching the gun trying to remove it from her head.

She was shaking but stood her ground. They needed to stop what they were doing.

This is hilarious!

Haruki was having the time of his life! laughing from a corner he reduced his voice.

Calm down, I'll jump in if anythings about to happen.

Robber 2 finally spoke as he had broken open the register. The more sarcastic of the 2.

"Just shoot her, she's probably retarded or something."

He started carrying the cash from the register and putting it in a bag.

"Ehmm, sir that money isn't yours!"

Hori spoke with a slightly angry tone, as he ignored her.

If she's retarded then it's not her fault for being stupid, I'll just knock her out!

A solid plan from robber 1.

You asked for it!

Hori was still angrily staring at robber 2 so she couldn't react.

He bashed Her nose with the back of the gun! Causing a loud Bam! To pass through the store.

"Hori!"

Akane yelled.

Oh no!

Haruki quickly rose up, about rushing in but stopped.

Hori staggered back a bit, with her hands covering her nose.

She tapped it and saw blood.

".....why did you hit me?"

She asked innocently.

Oh no, I can't take this anymore!

Mrs Shuntaro covered her face in fear. Hori was definitely going to get shot now.

She's still conscious?! and standing?!

Robber 1 thought with a definite surprise, that was a serious blow just now,

Not life threatening but definitely not to be shrugged off.

Hori stared deeply waiting for something.

"... please apologize, that hurt a bit."

Hori said with a concerned look expecting an apology.

I mean....he did hit her...

"Dude just fucking shoot her!"

Robber yelled which was rare.

"Sorry kid"

He rose the pistol to her eye.

Before he could pull the trigger, Hori moved quicker.

Her fist passed through the air faster than a finger moving.

The world seemed to slow down for Hori.

"No! Your hands!"

Haruki yelled, appearing in slow motion to Hori.

Her eyes widened as she remembered what her punch did to Haruki. Her hand immediately stopped mid way for a split second. With only a few centimeters between her fist and his nose.

Bwham!!

She used her ELBOW to hit the robber!

If my hands get dangerous when inflicting harm, I'll just use my elbow!

Haruki's help and quick thinking saved Hori from becoming a murderer.

"Ahhh!! my nose!!"

The robber bent down trying to stop blood from gushing out.

"Why you little bitch!!"

He dropped the bag of cash and quickly grabbed his own gun that layed on the counter.

"Huh?!"

Bang!

Hori dodged from the left.

Bang! Bang!

She dogged the other two bullets by quickly squatting down appearing to vanish from his line of sight!

The cap from Haruki left behind in the air as a result of her impressive speed!!

"Oh no, Haruki-san's cap!"

Hori stretched and reached it.

She put it back on her head with a smile and turned.

Robber 2's gun was directly TOUCHING Hori's forehead!

Without a split second of hesitation, robber 2 pulled the trigger!

Bang!

A supposed direct hit.

What's this?!

Hori was gone! With the cap left floating through the air in front of the pistol!

Hori had ducked, with her head facing through Robber 2's waist.

She dodged it point blank??!

Haruki was getting hyped!

Hori quickly carried the cap floating in the air and covered robber 2's eyes, blinding his vision!

"When did she?!"

Vwhaaammmm!

With immense force, Hori slammed his head on the floor, forcing his entire body to follow suit!!

Robber 2 spun rapidly in the air after hitting the floor! almost like a cartoon character!

Crash!

His unconscious body finally broke through a window after spinning in the air FIVE TIMES!!!

Robber 1 was about escaping carrying the bag with cash in one hand whilst covering his broken nose with the other!

Shamelessly leaving his partner behind.

"The money!"

She chased after him!!

"What the hell man?! She was a priest?! How were we supposed to know?"

The man panicked as he ran through an alley.

"Hello there!!"

She yelled as she had caught up with him, Hori matched his speed and ran by his side.

"kyaaaahhhh! Stay away from me you freak!!!"

He changed routes and entered a busy road.

"Please return the money you stole, and you still haven't apologized for hitting my nose!"

Hori yelled whilst chasing the poor robber.

He ignored her and increased his speed,he finally began to outrun Hori and thought confidently.

Good thing I was a fast runner in my highschool before turning to a life of crime!.... but.....

"Why is she so fast?!"

Hori was catching again!

The robber tried throwing anything he could at her, the time was 12 in the afternoon, so the streets were crowded.

He threw packages passing by! bikes that were parked!

He even tried shoving people in front of Hori to try slowing her down!

.... he's not stopping...I'm confused narrator, why is he still running?

Narrator - Maybe he's just scared of you, I mean you just knocked out his friend.

...hmmm... Oh, I know!

Hori yelled with a warm expression still chasing him.

"If you drop the money and apologize for hitting me, I promise to be gentle!!

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

He increased his speed!

"He got faster?!"

Narrator - I think that just made it worse.

Oh no, he's getting away!

Hori saw him going further and further, he was quite fast for a human.

She stopped running and bent down asserting an athlete pose.

Dark Frame

The sky turned black.

Narrator - Ah, its been a while!

The backgrounds saturation reduced to zero leaving only Hori and the robber with color

Her goal was to recreate the kick she performed against Haruki during their training, the one that made him almost vanish from the sudden force.

She remembered that she took a running stance and suddenly got faster.

Hori did not disappoint the hype placed by the Dark Frame.

Her legs released an enormous amount of kinetic energy, propelling her forward in less than a second!!

Instead of a kick which would have severely injured the robber.

Hori decided to spear him. Into a freaking trailer!!!

-------------------------

"What was that?!"

A mother passing instinctively held her child closer after hearing a loud Bam!

"An accident?!"

Another man ran to the scene.

More and more people gathered to see the trailer dented and 2 people layed in front.

The packages the vehicle was transporting, which were rubber Balls were scattered around the floor.

"Owww....my head..."

The driver exclaimed in pain whilst pushing back the air bag.

Narrator - The trailer Hori just slammed into was about 3.6 meters in length.

Narrator - The force required to completely halt one from driving and denting it is roughly 10 THOUSAND NEWTONS!

Narrator - Such force cannot be produced by any recorded body builder on earth.

Narrator - OBVIOUSLY UNREALISTIC FOR A 14 YEAR OLD GIRL.

Hori carried the robbers unconscious body with one hand and the bag of cash with the other hand.

She already left the scene to prevent excessive questions from pedestrians.

"Oh dear, that was quite reckless of me.'

She looked back at the scene she just caused.

---------------------

"There she is!"

The store owner pointed out.

Hori arrived at the store, carrying the unconscious robber on her back and the straddle for the bag of cash strapped along her neck.

"Hello everyone"

She greeted as she entered the store.

Hori was welcomed with a round of applause.

The costumers, the owner, Haruki alongsides Mrs Akane were praised her for such heroism.

"Ehh? Please don't clap, I'm getting all embarrassed."

Hori said with a shy smile, dropping the robber on the floor.

"This belongs to you cashier!'

She handed the bag of cash over to the store owner who served as the cashier.

"Th— thank you so much.

He fearfully took the bag from Hori, happy but slightly scared of her.

"I'm so grateful! thank you so much! Don't know what I would've done if this much was stolen.

He started crying.

He took Hori's hand and shook it up and down.

The other civilians were simply in shock, how could such a young girl, stop armed robbers?!

"Please, all your shopping for today is free!"

He said tearfully.

"Ehmm, I don't pay for our meals. You should ask my friend!

Hori said with a worried face looking for Haruki.

"Well if we don't have a choice,I guess we'll accept the offer."

Haruki came from nowhere with a greedy look.

"Hey you, pretty boy! I saw you laughing in the corner! you didn't do anything!!"

The old man scorned.

"Well at least I wasn't pissing my 70 year old pants, how is your bladder even still working? you freaking dinosaur!"

Haruki insulted giving the man a thumbs down.

"Haruki-san,show more respect to your elders!"

Hori yelled, causing him to roll his eyes. And please sir, thank you for the kind offer but that will not be necessary, right Haruki-san?"

Hori pleaded for Haruki to still pay for their shopping.

"Okay okay."

He shrugged and went to carry the goods.

"Hori-chan!!!"

Mrs Akane yelled. As she embraced, her pregnant belly gently pressed against Hori.

"Akane-san!"

Hori was glad she was uninjured.

"I was so scared!!! Why didn't you tell me your a priest?!"

She scolded Hori for making her worry.

"Yeah that would have calmed us down"

Another customer added.

"Oh, I'm not a priest."

She released the hug.

"Haha, that explains your strength, holy shit did you say your NOT a priest?"

Akane must have misheard.

"I am a normal 14 year old girl! Inori Hori"

She proudly stated making a peace sign towards the crowd.

They obviously didn't believe, sure she was young but priests are skilled in combat. It could have explained everything.

Mrs Akane stammered.

"Y— your not a priest?!"

She pointed.

"That is correct!"

Hori pointed back.

"Hori!! I'm leaving!!"

Haruki had paid for the goods and was about to walk away.

"Until we meet again Akane-san!"

She picked up her cap from the floor and dusted it.

"Please properly dispose of those men as you deem fit cashier-san!"

She wore the cap and waved goodbye.

She skipped and trailed behind Haruki.

gasp!

I didn't tell Akane-san that I will be partaking in this year's Sabbath exams!

"You shouldn't exactly spread that kind of news,I mean the survival rate of the exams are pretty low."

"But we're going to pass!"

Hori said pumping her fist. Haruki simply smiled and answered" Yeah!"