𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐏 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐑. (Discontinued)

chapter five.

CHAPTER FIVE
005.

"STOP RIGHT there!" A voice stopped the trio and look over quickly. Sniper Mask made his way over and Hiro recognized that voice, going over to the hallway but Sniper Mask grabs him, pulling him close.

"Shh," Sniper Mask whispers into his ear and Hiro suddenly couldn't move. He feels the front of Sniper Mask's body pressed tightly against his back, an arm around his waist and a gloved hand tightly holding the side of his waist. "Now put down your weapon." Yuri continued on and both Sniper Mask and Hiro peak out the hallway at the man standing outside the room a few feet away.

"Very well," he said and set down his weapon as the two men look out at him and Kuon stared at the pair with a confused look on her face. The two were being so close to one another and not even minding it. "So who are you?" Hiro just wants to get out of Sniper Mask's hold so bad and run to get to his cousin and her new friend, but he doesn't move, no matter how much he wants to.

He isn't sure if it's because of Sniper Mask's strength or because of his own will to stay right there in Sniper Mask's arms. "I'm Sachio Tanabe. I strayed into this world the day before yesterday. I'll be direct. I must kill any God Candidates!" He says and immediately, Sniper Mask glanced down at Hiro in his arms. Does that mean... he would kill Hiro too? For some reason, his hold on Hiro's waist gets tighter as he backs away a bit.

"What does that mean?"

"Hold on, Honjo."

Did he say God candidates? Kuon looks at Hiro with worry, about to step closer and grab his arm but Sniper Mask was still holding him tightly to himself, in a protective manner so she doesn't move, just stared at Hiro with a look of jealousy in her eyes.

"I'll also be direct."

Hiro isn't sure what happens next, but Yuri yells "what?!" and Tanabe let out a grunt of surprise. "As you can see, I would think twice if you were planning on deceiving us." Mayuko says and Hiro smiles softly.

She didn't leave... That means Yuri at least wasn't alone. "That was a superhuman technique. Are you one of those Masks?" Tanabe asked the blonde who was holding a knife out towards him. "Sure, I guess so." He says and Hiro's brows furrow together as he feels his worry building again.

"So just like that bastard, is that dark-haired girl a God Candidate? Is she able to manipulate Masks?" Tanabe asked causing Yuri to be confused as Hiro felt Sniper Mask's grip loosen on his waist. "Manipulate Masks"? Sniper Mask thought to himself.

"I have no intention to deceive! I'm begging you. Please lend me that power of yours!" The man got down on all fours as Hiro stared at him with a confused face.

"I had four other allies and we stuck together through thick and thin! It was only a short while, but we overcame many bloody battles together. We were blessed with a strong bond, like family! As we consistently advanced, we got to the building with an antenna, but that's when that bastard appeared! The bastard gave orders to the girl wearing a mask and... annihilated my family!" The man explained his whole unfortunate situation.

Hiro isn't really surprised. It's why you shouldn't get close to anyone. Ever. It creates bonds, makes you care about them and feel that hurt when they get killed.

Tanabe continued on explaining what happened, "I chose to live. But those four were my beloved family. I refuse to let that scum exploit me until the end! Luck is on my side," he said as he now stood up. "I didn't expect to encounter another God Candidate! Please, help me defeat that devil!" He says and Hiro wonders what's gonna happen for a moment as Sniper Mask tugs Hiro back a bit, pressing his back against the wall as he peaked out over the shorter, one hand on the wall beside Hiro's head. Hiro looks up at him.