Hiding In Plain Sight

Butterflies

"Alright, see you guys soon!" Akamatsu cheered as she left the studio. She'd decided to steal some clothing on behalf of the group, using Shuichi's blood-covered jacket as the main excuse. After Harukawa had mentioned new clothes could be used as a disguise, or as rags in an emergency, the entire room was sold on the idea. I just hope she'll be okay on her own.

"We should probably find a new hideout, considering the dead cops out there. Police are going to investigate soon when they can't contact the dead group." Rantaro pointed out, shoving a switchblade into his pocket. "I'll go and search, I have the perfect place in mind but I'll go and check it out before we move."

"Someone should probably go with you," Kiibo suggested. Rantaro shook his head, smiling at the boy.

"I'll be fine on my own, it's not too far at all." Shuichi watched as Rantaro waved to everyone, leaving the studio atop the bar.

<--o--🩸--o-->

"It's over here, I didn't see anyone there or any evidence that someone was living there." Rantaro pointed at a map, his finger lying on an abandoned shopping centre, lying on the other side of the ghost town where they resided. 

"Shh, listen," Kokichi hushed the room which surprisingly obeyed the young male. As Shuichi focused, he could hear people talking outside, although the particular words were inaudible. Sneaking towards the door, Shuichi creaked it open to see two police officers investigating the man he'd shot, still laying there in the middle of the street.

Waving the room outside, Shuichi snuck around the building and climbed the wall, making his way onto the rooftop. One by one, each member of the group hid flat on the rooftop, hiding their bodies from the police on the ground. "What about Akamatsu?" Kiibo whispered to the group, reminding them of the woman who'd yet to return.

"I'll go down and have a look," Kokichi offered, crawling towards the edge of the roof and jumping to the ground. Shuichi watched the police, taking note of a strange movement around the corner from where the police stood.

"It's Akamatsu," Shuichi whispered, pointing at the blonde he noticed walking out in the open, two bags in hand. He watched as her pace quickened, his stomach sinking at her actions as she yelled.

"Kokichi, hey! I'm back!" Oh shit, fuck they're both in danger. Shuichi watched in horror as the two police officers turned to each other before pulling out a pistol each, making their way around the corner where Akamatsu remained clueless about the situation. Rushing towards the edge of the roof, Shuichi jumped to the landing not too far below, a loud crash sounding as his feet collided with the thin metallic substance.

He grabbed the pistol from where it was tucked under his belt and gripped it tight, turning the corner and running through the shadows. "You there, stop where you are and put your hands in the air!" They found her, fuck I've got to act, now! Rushing around the corner, Shuichi noticed the two police officers aiming guns at Akamatsu, who froze like a deer in headlights.

Shuichi hid behind a wall, poking his body out just enough to aim his pistol towards one of the police officers. He took a deep breath and went to shoot, but froze, his finger wouldn't pull the trigger. His hands started shaking, aim thrown askew as his body refused to kill another person, even to save one of his kind. I can't do it, I can't kill someone again. Sighing, Shuichi lowered the pistol, tears building up in his eyes as he accepted he'd be the reason Akamatsu was captured.

Bloodcurdling shouts caught his attention as he turned again to see Harukawa standing over two bloodstained carcasses, blood dripping from the blade in her hand. Noticing the enemy had been taken care of, Shuichi snuck from his hiding spot and approached the group, others joining him from their original spot on the roof. "Wow, making Miss Assassin do it all? I thought you were an experienced murderer Shuichi!" Kokichi joked, pointing an accusatory finger at the bluenette.

"It's easier to kill people when you have a hatred for them," Shirogane defended the detective. "Anyway, we definitely need to go to that shopping centre, now that we have a few more dead cops here."

"Agreed, let's go," Rantaro instructed, making his way back towards the bar. "Once we get all of the supplies, we can make our move."

<--o--🩸--o-->

The group of seven approached the foreign shopping centre, making sure to keep out of the open and aware of their surroundings. Shuichi noted how the shopping centre stood in great condition, not having too many holes or debris scattered around the dark, musty building. Entering the building, they noticed a faint glow coming from around the doorway of a nearby shop.

Shuichi held up a hand and pulled out his handgun, motioning for everyone to stay back as he took charge. He didn't mean to, after all, he didn't like the attention and responsibility on him, but it came second nature. If anyone is going to die, it's going to be me. Sneaking around the corner, Shuichi whipped his gun in front of him at the sight of a muscular man sitting on the ground.

The stranger shouted, eyes instantly welling up with fearful tears. "Please don't hurt Gonta!" Shuichi lowered the gun as the man sitting cross-legged on the floor threw up his arms in a cross over his head. He noticed a tiny amount of red sparkles emanating from the man's closed eye, two golden and glowing butterflies fluttering around the two. Those must be the lights we saw.

"Hey, Gonta, I'm not going to hurt you, I'm one of you," Shuichi reassured the man, putting away his gun and kneeling in front of the cowering man. He looks like he could touch me and I'd die from his strength, but he seems so nice. Watching the large giant lower his defences, Shuichi noticed a butterfly hover towards him, flapping its tiny gold wings in front of his face. Reaching out to touch the animal, it fizzled away just before his finger stroked it.

"It only alive for five minutes. I can make new butterfly," Gonta beamed. More sparkles appeared around the man's face as two brand new butterflies materialised in mid-air, in a similar manner Harukawa did when she teleported.

"It's beautiful, your power is amazing," Shuichi smiled. If I can calm him down, I can get him to join us.

"What your name? Why you here?" Gonta asked the male, most of the fear gone, most likely due to the hidden gun.

"I'm Saihara Shuichi, and I'm here with my friends because we're Ultimates, like you. What's your name?" Shuichi asked out of courtest, knowing one of the other male's names.

"All Ultimate friends of Saihara can live here!" Gonta's beaming smile warming Shuichi's heart. "Gonta is Gokuhara Gonta!"

"Ah, well Gokuhara, do you want to meet my friends? If you'd like, you can stick with us from now on, so you aren't alone." Shuichi stood, offering a helping hand to the male, not that he'd be able to help such a strong male anyway.

"Yes! Gonta would love that!" The two smiled at each other, the butterflies and red sparkles evaporating as Shuichi led his new friend to introduce everyone.