Agito 3-4

Even her room’s furniture, bed, and table all had vividly matching colors. The floor was about halfway covered by female clothes sprawled about. 

Once the digital clock at her bedside displayed 8 AM, it began ringing its alarm.  

It took just about three seconds. 

Her outstretched hand slammed on the switch and ceased the sound. 

Upon throwing her blanket off, the negligee-wearing Yuki bounced off her bed. 

“All right, let’s do this!” 

She raised her arms out and let out a pumped-up shout. 

There was a reason why she was this energetic first thing in the morning. 

 

It was back when she was on her way back home from the Misugi household after being treated to some cabbage cake. 

Shouichi had given Yuki a ride to the station. 

She had taken a liking to Shouichi along the way, and decided to exchange phone numbers and email addresses with him so that they could meet up again with just the two of them some time. 

However, Shouichi didn’t have a cellphone.  

Yuki wasn’t that surprised about that. 

So instead she told him that she wanted to express her thanks somehow in exchange for making her the cabbage cake, halfway being an excuse for her to see him again. 

Shouichi turned her down saying that he didn’t need any thanks, but Yuki refused to back down saying that she wouldn’t be satisfied without doing so.  

“In that case…” 

“Nothing dirty, got it?” 

“Hahaha, I’d never ask for something like that.” 

Shouichi then made his request with a wry smile. 

“Then do you think you could help me pick out a present for Mana’s birthday?” 

“Oh? That’s it?” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever given a girl a present before, so I honestly have no idea what to get…” 

“Mana’s that girl that was next to you, right? Is she your girlfriend?” 

Shouichi immediately began shaking his hands wildly in front of him.  

“No, that’s not it at all! Mana’s the niece of the professor that’s been taking care of me. If anything, she’s like my little sister!” 

“I see.” 

Yuki responded calmly but she was in fact a little relieved. 

“Clothes would probably be good.” 

“Clothes, huh… But I don’t know anything about girls’ clothes.” 

“Well, you’ve got a girl right here. Just leave it to me.” 

“You sound really confident. I suppose I can count on you, then.” 

“Of course. Then we should pick a day to go shopping.” 

Today was the day they decided to go shopping together. 

It would be her first date with Shouichi. 

After taking off her negligee, Yuki stood in front of the mirror in her underwear and began to take a look at various outfits. 

Anything she didn’t like would get thrown onto the floor. 

Yuki didn’t use any logic. She relied entirely on instinct. She continued until she was satisfied. 

Yeah, this one’s good. 

The bright-colored lace mini dress emphasized her feminine figure. 

Suddenly a thought came to mind. 

If he happened to come to my place… and things led to a romantic direction… 

Tsugami might appear to be innocent, but he can actually be pretty assertive sometimes, like how he nonchalantly hit on me… 

Yuki slowly opened a drawer in her dresser. 

Inside it was her neatly folded up high-class lingerie. 

 

Upon reaching the plaza in front of the station just on time at 12 PM, she greeted Shouichi who had been waiting there since 30 minutes ago with a “sorry to keep you waiting.” 

After having lunch at a fast food place, they headed into a clothing store in the shopping district. 

“She’s slender… with a cute butt, so…” 

Yuki muttered as she looked for clothes that would match Mana’s figure. 

Shouichi decided to pick out some clothes as well and brought them to Yuki. 

However… 

“No good.” 

He picked out another article. 

“Won’t work.” 

He pushed yet another one onto her in confidence. 

“That’s a definite no.” 

He was utterly defeated. 

In the end, Yuki couldn’t decide on what clothes to buy, so they moved on to the next shop. 

While Yuki was enjoying herself taking a look at all the various clothes, Shouichi’s face was beginning to show some exhaustion. 

He had no idea picking out clothes would take this long. 

He even would have preferred picking weeds in his garden over this. 

Three hours had passed since they entered the first clothing store. 

Yuki then finally came across some clothes that she felt would fit the Mana the best. 

Shouichi agreed that it was the best choice so far as well upon being handed them and immediately ran towards the register. 

As Shouichi waited for the clothes to be wrapped, Yuki stepped outside the shop and enjoyed the feeling of bliss that enveloped her. 

Ahh… Why does coming across the perfect clothes always make me so happy…? It’s enough for me to not care about anything else in the world… Is this just a privilege of being a woman? I wonder if Tsugami experiences the same feeling… Now that I think about it, I wonder if he’ll pat me on the head or something since I worked so hard… 

The moment she thought that, her face grew pale. 

Ahh! I screwed up…! The date was supposed to be the main event, but I ended up getting so wrapped up in finding the right clothes… Ugh, what am I doing?! I’m such an idiot, I’m such an idiot, I’m such an idiot!” 

While she heavily lamented herself for her actions, three flashy-looking young men called out to her. They were inviting her to karaoke. 

Yuki was used to being hit on by these kinds of people. 

She hid her annoyance and gently turned them down with an apologetic smile. 

“Sorry, I’ll pass.” 

The moment she said that, the glass door to the store behind her opened up. 

Shouichi walked out carrying a plastic bag. 

Yuki came up with a little scheme upon seeing him. 

She wanted to test Shouichi to see how he’d deal with this kind of situation. 

Yuki made the most troubled face she could possibly make. 

Shouichi looked at Yuki, and then looked towards the men hitting on her. 

“Oh? Are these your friends, Yuki?” 

Yuki’s head dropped. 

I should’ve guessed… 

One of the men picked a fight with Shouichi with a typical “Who the hell are you?!” 

Shouichi replied calmly without a single change in his expression. 

“Me? I’m Yuki’s, um… that kind of friend.” 

“That kind of friend?” 

The three of them responded in unison. 

“What was it called again? You know, that kind of friend.” 

Said Shouichi. 

“That kind of friend?” 

Replied the three of them. 

“Oh, right, boyfriend! I’m her boyfriend.” 

“Damn, you were her boyfriend?” 

They made an understanding face as if they finally got what he was getting at. 

But they soon blew up in rage. 

“That’s lame!” 

“You messin’ with us?!” 

“You wanna get your ass kicked, huh?!” 

“Ahahahaha, I’m sorry.” 

Shouichi made a gentle smile as he apologized. 

The three of them looked at each other with annoyed faces and left while saying “Let’s go to the arcade.” 

As Shouichi watched them head off with a wide smile on his face, Yuki wrapped her arm around his elbow. 

“Not bad.” 

“Haha, we’re lucky they weren’t that bad of a bunch. Oh, right, how about we go take a break somewhere? It’s got to be exhausting standing around for so long.” 

“Yeah, let’s do that.” 

After Yuki nodded, they walked off while holding hands. 

 

Mana was with Ryou around the same time. 

It was the first time they spent a day off together. 

Mana was actually quite concerned about it, and had contacted Hikawa the previous day to talk to him about it. 

Mana met up with Hikawa at the same cafe as last time. 

“Sorry for having you come here while you’re busy.” 

“It’s fine, I’ve been wanting to check up on how you’ve been doing, anyway. So what did you want to talk about?” 

“Well…” 

Mana struggled to talk as she wrapped the hair at the nape of her neck around her index finger again and again. 

The waiter came and brought an espresso and café latte, along with the bill. 

After taking a sip of the espresso, Hikawa relaxed his expression. 

“Don’t worry, I won’t laugh. You can talk to me about anything.” 

Mana grew a bit more comfortable upon hearing that. 

She began to timidly speak while looking at the café latte placed in front of her. 

“I was planning on going out with a… friend of mine that I met recently on our next day off, but I’m honestly not really good with crowds of people in the city…” 

Hikawa acknowledged her concern. 

“Not good with crowds of people in the city, huh?” 

“…When I first came to my uncle’s house, on the way there, I got dizzy from all the people in the train, and I had to make stops at multiple stations to catch a breather on a bench…” 

“That’s understandable, it was really surprising for me too when I first experienced a train stuffed with people.” 

“I also get dizzy in places like Tokyo Station, or Shinjuku or Shibuya, pretty much any place with lots of people… but I feel like my friend would be happier if we visited an amusement park or a downtown area or something like that…” 

“I see. So you’re worried about making sure your friend has a good time.” 

“…I should probably just try to deal with it for their sake, huh?” 

“No, if I was that friend, I definitely wouldn’t want you to force yourself through something like that. In fact, I’d rather you tell me that you’re not good with crowds.” 

“…Wouldn’t they find me annoying, then?” 

“Everyone has something they’re not good with. I don’t really want to say this, but to be honest I’m actually pretty clumsy. I can’t even pick up soft tofu with chopsticks.” 

Mana muttered while looking up towards Hikawa’s eyes. 

“Soft tofu…” 

“That’s right, soft tofu. I can pick up hard tofu just fine. Also, whenever I skip, my feet get caught up with each other and I trip. Oh, if you wouldn’t mind, could you keep the skipping thing a secret from Tsugami?” 

Mana imagined the sight of Hikawa tripping from skipping and chuckled. 

“Ah, you laughed just now.” 

“S-Sorry…” 

“There’s nothing to apologize over. That’s just how people are, they all have something they’re not good at.” 

Mana thought about how Hikawa had a point. 

She then felt like she had been worrying over nothing. 

Mana lifted her face and drank the lukewarm café latte.  

“In either case, you should just tell your friend about it. If it’s hard for you to tell them in person, then try doing it over the phone or email.” 

“All right, I’ll do that.” 

“Do your best. You have my support.” 

Hikawa spoke with a reassuring smile. 

The next day, Mana was able to easily talk to Ryou about her unease thanks to Hikawa’s supportive words. 

In return, she received an unexpected answer. 

Ryou also hated crowds and had been especially avoiding them ever since he first transformed. 

Just like Mana, Ryou didn’t want to go to crowded areas. 

Upon learning that, Mana felt relief as well as gratitude towards Hikawa. 

Thank goodness I talked with Hikawa. He really is someone I can count on. 

 

Ryou was driving his bike with Mana right behind him. 

They sped past any crowds and the sound of the engine drowned out the hustle and bustle. 

The bike’s seat was essentially their own little world. 

Eventually, the bike stopped at the usual harborside park.  

They sat at the usual bench and gazed at the ocean together like usual. 

Since hardly anyone visited that place, it was like their secret spot. 

Their special date turned into something just like any of their other dates. 

The distant sounds of the cargo ships’ steam whistles tickled their ears. 

Mana remembered something and opened up her bag. 

“I learned how to make this in home economics last week, so I tried making it at home…” 

She brought out meat and potato stew in a plastic container along with chopsticks. 

Ryou accepted it silently and ate one of the potatoes. 

He then tried the beef, then the carrots, and then the green onion. 

Ryou continued to chew on the food without saying a word. 

Mana hesitantly asked for his opinion. 

“Does it not taste that good…?” 

“More than that. It’s pretty dang awful.” 

After casually speaking those harsh words, he thrust a potato towards Mana’s mouth with the chopsticks. 

“Try it.” 

After chewing and swallowing it, Mana hung her head in disappointment. 

It definitely was pretty awful. 

The amount of seasoning, heat, broth, pretty much everything was all off. 

It was likely a result of taste-testing so much that her own sense of taste was thrown off balance. 

Why did I think I’d be able to make it perfectly on the first go… I underestimated meat and potato stew…  

This is horrible… Now Ashihara’s going to hate me… 

“I’m sorry… I don’t even really cook that often, yet I tried to show off with this…” 

Upon turning her face to Ryou, she saw that he was still eating it quietly. 

“…Um, I appreciate your consideration, but you really don’t have to keep eating it…” 

“I’m not doing it out of consideration or anything.” 

“Huh?” 

“I was starving for this… Not for food, but just this kind of ordinary happiness.” 

That was what came to Ryou’s mind as he munched on the meat and potato stew. 

Mana stared at Ryou’s smile from the side. 

He then suddenly stopped eating and asked her a question. 

“It’s boring being with me, right?

“What?” 

She was so surprised by the question that she took a moment to respond. 

“That’s not true at all.” 

“…I’m awful at dealing with people… I never really had anyone I could call my friend, and I was always alone as a kid…” 

Mana thought about how she didn’t have friends and was always alone at school, too. 

“I must’ve looked cocky like that, ‘cause there was this delinquent group in middle school that set their sights on me… In the end, I beat them up, though.” 

Ryou made a small wry smile as he remembered his troublemaker days. 

“I thought I’d try to better myself by joining the swimming club in high school, but in the end I wasn’t able to get along with anyone there, either… But I never quit. I scratched the water, I kicked the water, I spent the entire three years playing with the water. Having the water flow against my skin was when I was most happy.” 

“You must’ve loved swimming.” 

“Yeah. I apparently had a lot of talent for it too, since a college swimming coach had their eye on me when they saw me when I competed in the inter high competition in my third year. He scouted me and I got to join the swimming team of a university by recommendation. I lived by myself in an apartment in Tokyo and underwent harsh training by coach every day. Eventually, all the people around me started having high expectations for my future. I didn’t have any big dreams or anything, but I was seriously considering making a living off of swimming.” 

After growing silent for a bit, Ryou continued. 

“But… once my body changed, that world became lost to me…” 

Mana was unable to say anything as she continued to look at Ryou. 

His face seemed to show the sadness of losing his one and greatest friend in the world. 

Once evening came, Ryou dropped Mana off at her house before it got dark and then headed back home. 

On the way back, he suddenly started thinking about their conversation. 

I was able to talk about my past so easily… I’ve never talked about that with anyone before until now… Not even my dead dad… Mana might become a woman that’s especially dear to me… 

 

Around the same time that evening, Shouichi and Yuki were resting on a bench in a quiet area far from the shopping district.  

“I was able to buy the best present possible thanks to you.” 

Shouichi aimed a smile at Yuki next to him. 

“I’m glad I could be of help. I ended up taking more time than necessary though, hehe.” 

Yuki spoke while poking her tongue out. 

Shouichi looked at the present in the bag and imagined Mana’s excited face. 

It was enough to make him smile, too. 

Yuki felt that things had been going at a pretty good pace ever since the incident with those men hitting on her, and her chest was swelling with anticipation. 

“Oh, by the way, Yuki, have you cooked at all since that other day?” 

“Yeah, well, occasionally.” 

“I want to try your home cooking.” 

There it is, thought Yuki. 

She tried to hide her excitement as she spoke casually. 

“Sure, I don’t mind. Want to come over today?” 

“Oh, I have to prepare for tonight’s dinner… Sorry, I can’t today.” 

“I see.” 

She asked casually, but she couldn’t help but feel a little hurt inside. 

It took a lot of courage for me to ask that, too… 

“I’d love for us to hang out again some time.” 

“Well, there’s this movie I’ve been wanting to see…” 

“A movie, huh? Sounds good. Then do you think I could have your home cooking on that day?” 

So you disappoint me but then you lead me on with that… Not bad… 

“All right. I’ll do my best with the cooking.” 

As well as with what’ll come in the evening, she thought to herself. 

She had more confidence in regards to that. 

After deciding what day and place they’d meet up at, they talked about what kind of food Yuki would make that day.  

Shouichi then said “I should be heading back now, do you want me to give you a ride-” but suddenly interrupted himself by standing up staring out into the distance. 

“Tsugami…?” 

“Sorry Yuki, there’s something urgent I have to take care of!” 

Shouichi then ran off as fast as he could. 

Yuki was taken aback. 

After a little while she let out a big sigh and leaned back against the bench. 

Oh gosh… I think I’ve really fallen in love with him… 

 

His bike came to a sudden stop with his locked tire turning to the side. 

While Ryou was on his way back home, he suddenly hit the brakes upon sensing the activities of an Unknown. 

He immediately turned his bike around and sped off once again. 

By the time the sun fell and the sky became completely dark, Ryou arrived at an abandoned factory to find Agito with flames resulting from an Unknown’s explosion behind him.  

Ryou was shocked. 

I’ve seen this guy before, he thought. 

That’s right, he appeared in Mana’s dreams. 

When Ryou observed Mana’s memories, there was a creature that attacked the villagers… That creature was one and the same as the Agito in front of him. 

The sadness Mana felt during that time resurfaced within Ryou.  

That’s the guy… That’s the guy that ruined Mana’s life! 

Flames of hatred arose in Ryou’s eyes as they locked on to Agito. 

Ryou’s bike roared as it suddenly sped forward. 

“Henshin!” 

He transformed into Gills. 

In response to that, his bike’s cowl warped into what looked like organic skin with a deep-green hue. 

His bike had transformed into Gills’s personal bike, the Gills Raider. 

The eyeball-like red orbs in the center of the front cowl faced towards the standing Agito. 

Agito turned around upon hearing the roaring of the engine.  

Gills let out a roar as he ferociously attacked with his bike while wheelieing it.  

Agito quickly responded with a high kick. 

Upon Agito’s foot landing against the front wheel, a state of equilibrium was maintained for a moment. 

What the hell is this guy…?! 

The moment he thought that, Gills jumped forward off of his bike. 

Agito had now fallen onto his back. 

With Gills now straddled on top of Agito, he threw out a punch of rage. 

His fist contained the power of a cannon, easily pushing past the hands held up to guard against its path and slamming straight into Agito’s face. 

Agito’s consciousness slowly began to fade. 

Gills then held up his fist to deliver the final punch that would shatter Agito’s head for good. 

A gunshot then rang out as Gills’s back received an impact. 

Upon turning around, he saw a figure clad in metal armor. 

Ryou had yet to have any way of knowing that that was G3, a system developed to combat the Unknown. 

G3 continued to launch his bullets. 

“Gaah!” 

Gills’s roar rang out. 

He got on his knees to dodge the bullets and threw a 3-ton truck lying in the factory towards G3. 

The truck flew towards G3 at a surprisingly fast speed. 

G3 flew back after taking a direct hit from the truck. 

This power… Could that creature be…?! 

An Unknown? No… thought Hikawa. 

If anything, it’s closer to Agito. 

However, the gentle human nature he felt when he first encountered Agito could not be discerned from this creature. 

All he could sense was unfathomable sadness. 

G3 somehow managed to barely get up as the truck erupted in flames, but what awaited him was Gills’s unrelenting storm of attacks. 

Sparks flew out as cracks began to form in his armor from the barrage of fists.  

G3 swiftly put distance between him and Gills and drew out the sword equipped on his arm. 

But Gills opened his mouth and caught the sword using his fangs. 

“What?!” 

After crushing the sword in his mouth, Gills lifted up his leg with the blade in its heel extended out.  

Before he could release his devastating axe kick, Gills received an impact from his side and toppled over. 

He had received a tackle from Agito who arrived in assistance. 

After taking two, three punches from Agito, Gills fell back. 

But Agito’s assault showed no sign of stopping. 

Without a moment’s delay, G3 equipped the grenade unit onto his handgun and readied the grenade launcher that contained the power to deliver the final blow.  

“Agito!” 

Agito quickly picked up on G3’s intent and jumped back. 

Gills glared at the grenade launcher aimed towards him. 

“Take this!” 

G3 pulled the trigger. 

Right before that, however, the Gills Raider detected that his partner was in danger. 

The unmanned Gills Raider sped at top speed and rammed into G3 the moment before he pulled the trigger. 

Enormous sparks flew out as G3 was launched, with the grenade bullet landing far off mark from its target and setting a mountain of scrapped cars on fire. 

With G3 once again on the ground, the gauge lamp on his buckle went out, signaling that he was no longer capable of fighting. 

Sumiko’s screaming voice ordering him to withdraw could be heard from the speaker inside his mask. 

G3 struggled to get back up again, but Gills sent the sharp claw in his heel down into the back of his head. 

G3 instantly fell back down. 

Hikawa’s pained face could be seen from a crack in his mask. 

Agito ceased his attack against Gills in shock. 

Shouichi couldn’t believe the scene before his eyes. 

Hikawa?! 

Gills once again faced towards Agito. 

His burning bloodlust had not diminished in even the slightest. 

Agito’s combat power naturally increased upon receiving Gills’s bloodlust. 

His horns expanded into 6 as the emblem of a dragon appeared on the ground. 

He assumed the stance for delivering the final blow. 

In response, Gills once again opened his mouth wide and let out a roar that threatened to blow away the stars in the night sky. 

He was getting ready for a finishing attack of equivalent power. 

A moment of silence passed. 

Then Agito and Gills both jumped towards each other. 

Agito’s kick and Gill’s heel kick collided with each other in the air. 

A thunderous sound roared out along with a shockwave dispersing throughout the air around them.  

The glass windows of the factory and abandoned cars shattered into flying shards.  

Gills was thrown back against the concrete outer walls of the factory and collapsed while buried by the rubble of the building.  

He immediately rose up again and looked around his surroundings. 

However, Agito was nowhere to be seen. Neither was G3. 

Anger and frustration violently boiled up within him. 

Gills fell on his knees in defeat and slammed the concrete floor with his fist again and again. 

The mad roars of the crazed beast echoed across the factory. 

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