Chapter 12 - Top Secret

"Try to eat more green to balance the flavor," he suggested as he went back to his seat.

Aya then averted her attention to Narukami, "you can also read minds?"

With a gentle wave of his hand to the left and right, "no, no. Your expression tells me everything."

Human expression was the greatest weakness one could have. If not controlled properly, it could be to your disadvantage when against an enemy or the opposite.

Even though Kuroda always wore a nonchalant expression. This may be his feeling but she seemed to be full of expressions, particularly right now.

Fear, delighted, excited, curious, dejected.

Seeing this many expressions from her than anybody could've made Narukami don't want anyone else to see these expressions.

The feeling of something for you only, for you to see not anyone else. No matter how many times he felt this, it was a heavenly feeling.

He knew the above was impossible. She didn't belong to anyone.

"That aside, I already found where your heart is."

Right after his words, Aya felt unsettled and turned to a deaf girl.

"It's located in your father's company. I know what you're thinking. How did I manage to find out?

Simple, by making your heartbeat increase. I sense something fluctuating in the air."

This something was in the form of a thin, white thread extended to somewhere. 

Of course, because of its thinness and transparency. It made it hard to be discernible and recognized.

Therefore, when her heartbeat increased, the thread swayed about by moving up and down. Simultaneously, it emitted faint energy to transmit a signal to the heart.

This was similar to a cable.

Unlike a cable that had physical property and could be damaged, this thread was almost impossible to cut. Unless you're some kind of god that could control fate.

While waiting for Aya's response, Narukami noticed something. Once in a while, Aya's pupils would focus on him before looking away. This happens a few times, additionally, her mouth slightly opened as she wanted to say something.

"What's wrong? Do you want me to suck your blood like in movies?" He asked teasingly with a smile.

"N-no!" She answered as she made eye contact with Narukami. They stare at each other for a brief moment before she averted her line of sight.

After a short pause of silence, she slightly bit her lips and gathered her courage, "un, I want to get my heart back!"

This may seem contradictory to her request to Narukami. 

For her, she didn't know how strong he was, she did know for a fact he was powerful but she never saw him act. 

She feared that Narukami would die meaninglessly should he try to get her heart back, yet, seeing him taste her blood without injuring her was enough to prove that he was indeed powerful.

"Your previous request is yet to be cast aside. I'll help you to get your heart back first and if that fails, we'll do the original approach. Though, I doubt that I'll fail." 

Giving his heart to her. 

Naturally, Narukami was reluctant but taking his words back was impossible at this point. 

He could suggest helping Aya in the first place instead of offering his heart to her. The reason behind this was because someone was involved in the whole matter.

If that person was involved, things often turn to hectic.

Let's see what he's up to… Narukami thought to himself.

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"How much do you know about me?" Narukami asked to make sure something that was in his mind. There were things about him that ordinary mortals shouldn't learn.

"Only your true identity."

"That's it?"

She nodded and Narukami was slightly surprised. His existence in the city was… peculiar.

Not saying he was extremely influential or that sort.

"Then do you know anything about Anomaly or All Beyond?"

"I've heard All Beyond. It's a military training organization to train talented soldiers and regarding Anomaly, sorry master. I have no clue."

"As I said, don't call me master. Na-ru-ka-mi! Narukami is fine!" He said as he spelled out how to pronounce his name.

"Then brother."

"Nope. I don't remember any wheat."

"Senpai?"

"We're in the same class."

"Chief."

"I hate the yellow hair guy, so no."

"Elder brother?"

"We're not in a Chinese novel."

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"Anomaly in simple terms, monsters who crawled on earth. Living their days to sate their endless hunger by devouring humans, they can't die by normal means."

"If that's the case. Then why are we still living in peace?" Aya pondered.

Such monsters were carving for nothing but destruction yet the society was still on its toes. Not on the brink of collapse.

"That's why the said organization exists. All Beyond on the front is to train special soldiers, which was true but for a different purpose. The war ended more than seventy-five years ago, nearing a century.

There is no gain for the government to train extra soldiers."

As the military was enough.

"So, to make sure the world is running smoothly despite their existence.

Humanity began to gather those with abilities, they are called Anomaly sorcerers. Mainly tasked to exterminate them."

"Are you one of them, senpai?" She asked. This time, she didn't avert her gaze. She can make the usual eye contact with him.

Narukami noticed this but paid no heed to it. For him, what was important was that.

Senpai? I left a year behind so I guess it's okay… Narukami thought to himself.

"More or less, yeah."

"Why does Anomaly exist and how?"

Are they capable of reproducing? Is their existence to control the human population? Why would someone create such a monster in the first place? No, probably these things are like dinosaurs who slept and survived the calamity? Such thoughts appeared in her mind.

"They are formed by us."

"Us? As in humans? Not someone?"

Narukami nodded, "humans' negative actions formed what's called Foul energy."

The human foul was very different from an Anomaly foul. The latter was pure chaos, evil and dark.

"Everyone emits this energy unknowingly at a low rate and slowly. Then, when it reaches a certain extent, it'll condense and an Anomaly will be formed, or rather born. Depending on how you view it." Narukami continued his explanation.

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. End of chapter .

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