Sunset Ghost

Broken Barrier

サンセットゴースト
Sunset Ghost
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第12章
壊れた障壁
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The Investigative Bureau of Psychic Anomalies was a small group, but they were, by far, the most uptight people Kageyama had ever met in his entire life. Aside from Agent Kyōtani, whom he'd met already, the team was comprised of four others: Agents Yahaba, Watari, Hanamaki, and Iwaizumi. Iwaizumi seemed to be the unofficial leader, ordering his colleagues around with an aura of authority.

Kyōtani didn't bother them much after Madoka's interference, but Kageyama caught him shooting them dirty looks when he thought they weren't looking. Hinata, unnerved by the extra attention he was getting, stuck close to Kageyama's side. He was probably freaked out that so many people could see him, and these people weren't exactly what Kageyama would call friendly.

Nevertheless, he couldn't let petty feelings get in the way of work. Madoka and Yachi looked somber, so the situation must've been serious. Based on the psychic reading he was picking up, Kageyama could confirm that theory. It felt like the air itself was charged with electricity, and every single person present was on edge. Hinata kept glancing around, clearly terrified. Kageyama stuck very close to him, still wary of the feeling of being watched.

"We need to get down to business." One of the IBPA agents turned to them with his hands on his hips and a scowl on his lips. "I have two agents currently walking the perimeter, so if the culprit still lurks nearby, we'll find him."

Kageyama's eyes widened. So it really was an attack on the wayline... But who would do something like that? He couldn't help but think back to that man's visit to Madoka's shop, and what Hinata had said about him. What if he was somehow the one behind this? Hinata had been genuinely terrified, so clearly, the man was dangerous. But would he be dumb enough to attack such a powerful place—and powerful group of people?

He'd have to tell Madoka about this later, but for now, his mind needed to be focused on the issue directly ahead: Repairing the wayline. Madoka was off talking with the man who Kageyama had guessed as the leader, Iwaizumi, and was clearly upset about something, gesturing back at him and Hinata before directing her harsh glare towards the man once again. If Kageyama were to make a guess, he would wager she was bartering for their rights to stand on equal ground with the other psychics.

Yachi watched from beside him, mouth pursed into a thin line. It was easy to tell she didn't like these people at all from the way her shoulders tensed and her eyes bored into each of them with an odd intensity. If he hadn't seen her like this before, Kageyama probably would've been super freaked out, but now, it just made him chuckle and pat her on the shoulder. "Don't worry. We can hold our own against these stiffs, Yachi." He dropped the honorific on purpose, knowing it would make her feel better. Right now, she needed a friend, not a colleague.

Offering him a grateful half-smile, Yachi reached out and squeezed his shoulder in return. "Thanks, Kageyama." She let out a deep breath and seemed to pull herself together, letting her typical smile relax her tense features. "As long as Mom's here, those guys will have to treat us as equals." She winked Kageyama and Hinata's way. "She's kinda a celebrity in the supernatural world."

Hinata blinked in surprise. "Wahh, really, Yacchan?! I didn't know that!"

The blonde chuckled, covering her mouth slightly with the back of her hand. "Yeah, not many people do. Mom used to be a part of this really important psychic agency, but when it disbanded, she started laying low. Even though it isn't around anymore, it still has a pretty extensive reputation."

"Hmm." Kageyama turned back to Madoka, studying her with a new air of interest. The woman just kept getting more and more mysterious. "So these guys will listen to her, then?"