Hiding In Plain Sight

We Need To Stand Together

The trio sat in the middle of their new home, the musty studio now familiar to Shuichi. Interrupted by a faint knock against the rusted metal entrance, the three glanced at each other whilst slowly rising to their feet, prepared for a fight. Kokichi gripped the door handle, opening it to reveal a frail young woman with teal hair and glasses, awkwardly fiddling with her fingers. She looks harmless, but she knew we were here which is pretty weird.

"U-um, hi, can you help me?" She asked, entering the room as Kokichi stepped back. Something about the situation raised the hair on the back of Shuichi's neck. He snuck towards the wall, catching Kokichi's gaze who seemed to immediately understand, nodding at the boy.

"Why don't you come over here, what do you need?" Kokichi asked, hostility cutting through his voice. Shuichi snuck behind the stranger, activating his power as she continued to speak.

"I need a place to stay, my landlord tried to hand me over to the police and now I can't go home. Please, help me!" The poor girl begged, tears spitting from her face as she wept. Shuichi stared at the back of her head as she shone green. "I've been hunting you guys for ages, especially after that fight yesterday on the TV." That's... The truth?

"What point do you have to hunt us? Tell us what you want." Rantaro ordered with an unusual authority in his voice.

"I'm like you, I thought you'd care for your kind," the girl pleaded, her hands clasped in a beg. Shuichi took note of her green hue, realising she meant no harm.

"Guys, she's alright, she's not going to hurt us," Shuichi informed the group, fazing out the sparks in his eye. The three turned to the boy, confused.

"You know that how?" Kokichi questioned, narrowing his eyes in suspicion at the two. Shuichi allowed his eye to shine, glitter sparkling in the air for a moment before it disappeared, the three realising the situation. "Woah, a real-life lie detector?" Sighing, Shuichi ignored the purplette as he slid down the wall.

"If you're one of us, I don't see a reason for you not to be here. Consider this as your home," Rantaro beamed, opening his arms in a grand welcoming gesture.

"Thank you, oh I should introduce myself! I'm Shirogane Tsumugi, I used to be a seamstress before that whole thing on TV." Shuichi listened as Shirogane introduced herself, Kokichi introducing the three boys on behalf of his friends. "You two do know that you no longer have the element of surprise, since the fight was broadcast all over the place, right?"

Shuichi huffed to himself, unaware of the others hearing him. "I'll be the first one to die anyway, it's not like my power matters."

"Ah, Saihara Shuichi right? Well, we're being hunted and kidnapped, not hunted and killed. We're wanted alive, so I wouldn't worry about dying." Nodding, Shuichi just curled into a ball and stared at the group members. "Oh, I also think it'd be a good idea to meet up with other Ultimates. You know, power in numbers and all."

Shuichi zoned out as the three planned out their future and how to attract other Ultimates without endangering their lives. Oh, we left the door open, I'll close it for everyone. He climbed to his feet, strolling over to the door and gripping the handle, ready to close it before a flash caught his eye. Squinting, Shuichi noticed a small red flicker in a large building in his direct line of sight. That's the warehouse where Ayaka, or Harukawa, and I met.

"Yo, Shuichi, you good?" Rantaro asked, leaning over the man's shoulder to follow his gaze, seeing nothing.

"Um, yeah, I'm just going outside for a bit. I'll be back soon," Shuichi excused himself, smiling and waving at the trio and descending the outer stairs, jogging towards the warehouse. The sprinkling rain clouded his vision, but Shuichi knew what he'd seen, and silently hoped his first Ultimate friend had returned. "Ayaka?" He shouted, entering the warehouse.

"You're in trouble," the girl mumbled, appearing before the boy. "Why are you back?"

"Well, I met three other Ultimates. Do you want to join us? We're only in the bar down the street."

"No thanks, I don't do people," Ayaka mumbled, turning on her heel to walk away.

"Harukawa, wait, please?" Shuichi begged, reaching out to grip the red cloak she adorned. Stopping abruptly in her tracks, Ayaka turned and glared at the male, holding a knife to his throat in an instant.

"How do you know that name?"

"I-it was shown on TV! Our identities are were all revealed yesterday with our real names... Harukawa Maki, right?" Shuichi stuttered, fearing for his life as he assumed the woman had the will and knowledge to murder him with ease. Harukawa narrowed her eyes, flicking the knife closed and pocketing it, letting out an annoyed sigh.

"Alright fine, I'll join your little group under one condition. I follow no one's rules but my own." Her tone left no room for discussion.

"That's fine, as long as we work together in emergencies. Come on, I'll introduce you to everyone," Shuichi encouraged, taking the girl's hand and walking back towards the bar. Harukawa flicked her hood over her head, granting a shrouded sense of mystery to her identity.

They walked down the street, sticking to the buildings as they had earlier the prior day. Shuichi's heart hurt at the replay of events that eventually lead to his uncle's demise, but nevertheless, he continued. Climbing the stairs, Shuichi knocked on the rusty door, letting go of Harukawa's hand.

The door swung open, Rantaro pulling the two inside the studio and carefully shutting the door behind them. "Is this a friend of yours Sai?"

"S-Sai?" Shuichi stuttered, not expecting the nickname. "U-uh anyway, this is Harukawa Maki, we met yesterday morning, but she's not a threat to us."

"Oi Harukawa!" Kokichi shouted, his beaming grin not matching the malice behind his smile.

"Ouma," Harukawa stated in greeting, slipping her hand into the pocket where her knife lay. Oh no, please don't try to murder anyone Harukawa.

"You two know each other?" Shuichi asked, attempting to continue the conversation but distract the group from any murderous intent.

"Of course Emo Boy, who wouldn't know the assassin that murdered their entire family?" Kokichi cocked his head to the side, never taking his hostile gaze off the newcomer. Everything made sense, the calm, instant reaction to running from police and the illegal dealing the boy's uncle mentioned earlier. Harukawa's an assassin, and I just brought her into our hideout.