Survivor (Izumo x OC)

II

"My name is Akiko", she said, a small smile gracing her features.

~

After telling them her name her phone suddenly rang. She excused herself and picked up, knowing because of the info on her phone that it was her new boss.

"Hey Michi, what can I do for you?"

"Ah, Akiko I have to ask you a favour. Could you start this afternoon instead of tomorrow? The singer I hired for today suddenly cancelled and I can't find a replacement this quick. Please?", the middle-aged woman pleaded, making it impossible for Akiko to decline.

"Sure, I will be there."

"You are my hero, thank you and see you later", Michi answered, clearly relieved to hear that she could start a day earlier than planned. They ended the call and Akiko went back to the table where the two males waited for her.

"I'm sorry. I gotta go now but it was nice meeting you both. Goodbye."

Grabbing her jacket from the back of her chair, she was about to exit the restaurant after paying for the meal as one of the other men got in her way. As Tatara and Izumo came after her, she looked at them slightly irritated.

"Could you tell your 'friend' over here to let me through so I can go home?", emphasising the word friend she slighty glared at the two.

"Ah.. Akiko-chan. We actually have to talk to you about something. Would you mind coming with us on a little walk?", Tatara asked, clearly uncomfortable under her intimidating gaze.

"How long is it going to take?", she asked after a while, a sigh leaving her lips.

"Not that long, I promise. How about we go for a walk and talk then?", the boy tried to please her as much as he could, since she looked a bit upset right now. Looking at Chitose so he wouldn't block the door anymore, he slowly made his way outside. Akiko, Izumo and the rest followed him. They went on until they were at a quieter place, so no one would overhear their conversation. Tatara made a sudden stop and turned around to look at Akiko. She stared at him, clearly annoyed as she nearly ran into him. Waiting for him to speak, she observed her surroundings.

Well, maybe it wasn't the best idea to follow a bunch of guys she didn't know to a place where probably no one even heard her scream if they were trying to do something to her. She didn't want them to see her feeling this self-conscious, so she put on a brave face and looked Tatara straight in the eyes.

"You know, that you are spoiling my good mood right now?"

"We are truly sorry to occupy your time this much. We wouldn't do this if it was unimportant. So, as to why we wanted to talk to you.. Ahm.. You see, we know a little girl. She is kind of special as she sees people's aura and yours was a brilliant re...", Tatara had no time to finish his little speech as the little girl he was talking about stopped hiding behind Izumo and walked into Akiko's sight.

The said woman drifted her gaze from Tatara to the girl in front of her. The two of them watched each other for a while and the men around them grew quite anxious as neither of them knew what to do right know. After a while a smile came across Akiko's face and she crouched down to the level of the child.

"So, you must be the little strain Tatara just talked about. I am Akiko. Pleasure to meet you."

The little girl in front of her just stared at her mesmerized, once again lost in the beautiful red of her aura. Looking up at Tatara Akiko couldn't help herself and snickered after seeing his expression.

"You know, you will catch flies if you don't close your mouth."

Quickly closing it he sheepishly looked away, causing Izumo to quietly laugh at him. This boy just knows how to embarrass himself. But he must admit, he was quite shocked about what she said as well. Directing his gaze to her again, he saw how she smiled at Anna again.

"You know about strains?"

"Of course I know about strains, I'm not an idiot."

Finishing the sentence with a little laugh she checked her watch. The smile on her face was soon replaced with a hurried expression.

"Oh good, I have to go now. I will be late otherwise. But as I said before, it was nice to meet you all. Bye", she already started to make her way back to her apartment, when Izumo gently grabbed her forearm, successfully stopping her.

"Akiko, we really have to talk to you", Izumo said, still holding her in his firm but tender grip.

Creasing her brows together she thought for a few seconds.

"We can talk tomorrow, okay? I really have to go now or my new boss will be really pissed at me. Just tell me where I have to go and I will meet you guys there, I promise."

Izumo looked sceptically at her for a short while, contemplating her offer. Slowly nodding, he told her the address of the bar. He still didn't know if he could trust her, but it wouldn't hurt telling her the location of Homra, would it?

Again, bidding her farewell to them, she finally left. Izumo watched her walk away for a bit before calling out to Yata.

"Keep an eye on her until tomorrow. Call me, if something happens."

Nodding at the older male, Yata stepped onto his skateboard and followed the woman, hiding in the shadows so she wouldn't notice him.