The Shadow Manipulator

Chapter 45: 夢の デート (Yume's Date)

Am I early? This is the right place right? And what do I even do?! I told her that I'll accompany her since I felt bad about not going with her, and Kirihara was the one who put me in on this so I guess it's not really her fault. I thought.

A few hours ago, Kirihara challenged me to a one-on-one to see who is a better shadow manipulator. He also said that the loser has to do what the winner wants.

And I completely lost that battle. 

In return, he told me to go accompany his sister somewhere. And I cannot refuse.

Phew. I sighed as I looked around  the  place. Now that I think about it, why did my dad oblige? I thought.

"I'm sorry I'm late, Hikari." Somebody shouted from afar.

"Oh, good morning, Yu...me" My voice trailed off.

No...no...it shouldn't be like this?!

Why the sudden attack?!

Yume was wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and a white blouse and a long black skirt. It was the first time that I saw Yume in her casual clothes. She looks really...how do I say this...sparklyi? I guess.

"Is something wrong?" She asked.

"No, nothing. let's..." I stopped short once again. For a brief moment, I felt some sort of killing intent coming from the crowds of people gathered at the train station. It was only for a short moment but I definitely felt it. I also have my sense enhancement to the maximum so I'm definitely not imagining it.

I quickly whirled around, trying to spot the source of the glare. But it was gone as soon as I looked into that direction. 

"Let's go, Yume." 

The two of us got in the train and sat beside each other. I could see that the  killing intent has not left us yet. It was coming from the next train trailer so I wasn't exactly sure if it's still directed to us or not. "Are you not feeling well, Hikari?"

"No, I'm fine. I think I'm just imagining it but someone is observing us."

"Now that you said it, I think you're right" She said with a colorless face.

"Anyway, let's just wait for now. If that person makes a move, then we'll intervene. We have to sit back, even though we're feeling a bit uneasy." I told her, thinking that  our trip will be ruined if anything happens. "Where are we going anyway, and why did you bring a basket with you?"

"It's a secret." She cheerfully said. "But I think you'll definitely love the place once we get there."

"Can't wait." I told her. "Actually, it's my first time leaving the town. We're going near Mt. Fuji, right?"

"Yes, so wait til we get there, I'm sure you'll enjoy it." Yume replied with a sweet smile.

.....

A few hours later, we arrived at the Fujinomiya  train station and we got off from there. It was quite a relaxing train ride, much better than I expected. Since it was my first time going here, Yume led the way towards where we're going. She was superbly excited as soon as we arrived and I think it's good thing. I mean, it would be much worse if the atmosphere was awkward. I thought.

After doing a few stop-overs, we finally reached the end of town and we arrived at a run-down shrine. "My brother and I used to play here when we were kids. It was a lively place before, until the fire hit it." Yume said. "Coming back here after a decade is very nostalgic, even though I can barely recognize the place."