Chapter 14: Enigma

Chapter 14: Enigma

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*** This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

(A/N: Is that a Power Stone I'm sensing? You should leave it here for safekeeping. Don't worry, I'll take good care of it.)

Word Count: 2598

"They're growing louder," Kohta remarked, catching Nagi's attention. Nagi inspected the weapon that Kohta had suggested, his eyes gleaming with interest. While it wasn't his trusty bow, it came close enough, and a surge of excitement coursed through him at the thought of wielding it.

Waving his hand dismissively, Nagi replied, "No need to worry about them for now. Instead, Kohta, could you show me how this works? Since my bow broke before I joined you all at the bridge, I had to leave it behind."

Nagi held the Barnett Wildcat C5 crossbow, a weapon that hadn't been explicitly depicted in their canon, but its potential utility remained unknown to the group.

Kohta nodded, his face lighting up with enthusiasm as he stepped closer to Nagi. He took the crossbow from Nagi's hands and held it up, giving it a brief inspection.

"Alright, Nagi, let me show you how this works," Kohta began, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and expertise. "First, let me explain the basic parts of the crossbow."

He pointed to different components as he spoke. "This here is the stock. It's what you hold against your shoulder for stability. And this is the riser. It connects the stock to the limbs."

Nagi followed Kohta's explanations, his gaze focused on the crossbow, absorbing every detail. He was eager to learn and make the most of this new weapon.

Kohta continued, "The limbs are the flexible parts of the crossbow. They store the energy and propel the bolt forward. And at the end of the limbs, you have the prod, which is a crucial part for drawing the string."

Nagi nodded, his eyes darting from one component to another. "I see. It seems similar to my bow but with some key differences."

"Exactly," Kohta confirmed with a smile. "Now, let's talk about loading and shooting. To load the crossbow, you'll need to place a bolt onto the barrel, like this." He took a bolt from the quiver and carefully inserted it into the barrel of the crossbow.

"Make sure it's aligned properly, and then pull back the string, called the cocking process. You can use the stirrup at the front to help you cock the string."

Nagi watched attentively as Kohta demonstrated the loading process. He noted the careful alignment and the use of the stirrup to ensure a smooth cocking motion.

"Once the string is cocked," Kohta continued, "you'll see this small lever on the side, called the safety latch. Push it forward to engage the safety mechanism and prevent accidental firing. Now, you're ready to shoot."

Kohta, raising the crossbow, carefully took aim at an imaginary target. Positioning himself with a steady stance, he ensured proper alignment.

"To shoot, one simply aims at the target, takes a deep breath, and gently squeezes the trigger," he explained.

Handing the weapon back to Nagi, Kohta watched as Nagi took hold of it and set it on the dresser with a firm yet controlled grip. "Thanks for showcasing and explaining its functions. You would make a great instructor," Nagi complimented.

Scratching the back of his head sheepishly, Kohta thanked Nagi for his comment and resumed filling the magazines with bullets.

Leaving him be, Nagi turned towards Takashi and asked, "Is there a remote in here? If so, turn on the TV. They might be showing something about the bridge."

Pointing outside the balcony, beams of light illuminated the night sky on the bridge, acting as a beacon that attracted living humans like moths to flames. Using the binoculars, Takashi and Kohta took turns observing the bridge before swiftly turning on the TV.

A voice rang out in protest, "The police will pay for this oppression! We, the people, hold them accountable! It is the government's and America's fault! Their weapon development has caused the deadly disease to spread! We will dismantle this establishment!"

Surprised by the statement, Nagi's eyes widened, and he immediately sharpened his focus, listening intently for any further information. "Turn up the volume, Takashi," Nagi ordered, sitting at the edge of the bed, leaning forward as he watched the television.

Although confused by Nagi's sudden change in demeanor, Takashi obediently turned up the volume. The reporter's voice came through the television, "I'm back. The police still have the bridge barricaded. A group of people has begun to protest. They're speaking out against the police!"

Reacting swiftly, Nagi grasped the person's arms that were about to encircle his torso, deftly flipping them over his shoulder. The body bounced off the bed and disappeared beneath the concealing blankets.

Nagi positioned himself on top, his hand firmly pressed against the person's chest, and his fist raised in the air, ready to strike. However, in that split second, he recognized the identity of the person beneath him, causing him to halt his impending attack.

Exhaling a sigh of relief, Nagi retracted his clenched fist and addressed the person beneath him. "Sneaking up on people like that, Shizuka is unwise. You could have been harmed had I not exercised restraint."

"Kyah! Nagi, you're quite assertive~," Shizuka playfully responded, her voice carrying a teasing and seductive tone. Blushing, Takashi and Kohta found themselves captivated by the scene, while Nagi remained in a state of confusion.

However, he soon detected the scent of alcohol emanating from Shizuka, prompting another sigh to escape his lips. In his thoughts, he acknowledged, 'It seems that I will have to tend to my injuries myself.'

Looking over at Kohta and Takashi, Nagi informed them, "Shizuka is currently drunk. I'll accompany her downstairs and help her get to bed. Meanwhile, you two need to remain vigilant and notify me immediately if you notice anything unusual or encounter any issues."

"I'm not drunk at all~!" Shizuka protested as she brought her face dangerously close to Nagi's. "Ngh~" she suddenly moaned as she moved her body, her warm breath brushing against his skin.

Initially perplexed, Nagi soon realized that his hand was resting on Shizuka's breasts. Swiftly retracting his hand, he took a deep breath to compose himself before offering an apology for his inadvertent placement.

As Shizuka delicately wrapped her hands around his neck, a teasing breath escaped her lips, gently caressing his ear as she whispered, "You're such a mischievous little pervert, Nagi, ~. We simply can't allow that, now can we?"

Her words were accompanied by a playful kiss on his cheek, while her alluring curves pressed enticingly against his chest.

Fortunately, Kohta and Takashi were conveniently preoccupied on the balcony, blissfully unaware of the intimate positioning of Nagi and Shizuka.

As Nagi battled with his inner demons, he couldn't help but feel that this was much more challenging than he had anticipated. Despite his efforts to remain calm and composed, the teenage hormones surging within him were difficult to resist.

Gently disengaging himself from her, Nagi took a moment to compose himself before crouching down and assisting Shizuka onto his back. With her securely piggybacked, he carefully maneuvered out of the room and into the dimly lit hallway.

"Hyan! You're touching my butt!" Shizuka exclaimed, flinching at Nagi's touch. As Nagi walked through the hall with her on his back, she continued to playfully tease him, running her fingers through his hair.

Her constant banter tested Nagi's patience, but he recognized it as valuable training for potential future situations. Though he'd be lying if he wasn't enjoying the situation.

"Seems like someone's enjoying themselves," someone commented unexpectedly. Nagi turned his gaze towards the source and walked over to the stairs.

"It would be dishonest to say I'm not," he replied. "However, I would prefer not to deal with this situation again. Why did you allow her to drink, Rei?"

Without uttering a word, Rei approached Nagi and stared at him for a few moments before responding, "Nagi makes three people!" Her voice held a childlike tone as she shimmered with the effects of alcohol.

It was clear that Shizuka wasn't the only one who had been drinking. "Hey, Takashi, come here!" Seeing him approach, Nagi continued, "Keep an eye on Rei. She's also intoxicated."

Without uttering another word, Nagi descended the stairs and entered the living room, carefully laying Shizuka on the couch and draping a blanket over her sleeping form.

Nearby, he heard the sound of the couch rustling, and upon turning his head, he noticed that Saya was already fast asleep as well. A sense of bewilderment washed over Nagi as he observed the scene. 'Are they all exhibitionists?' he wondered to himself.

Each of them seemed to be wearing minimal clothing, with Shizuka being particularly revealing. At least Saya had made some attempt to cover herself, although it didn't do much to alleviate the situation.

Carefully draping a blanket over Saya's slumbering form, Nagi proceeded to retrieve some clothes for both her and Shizuka. Placing the garments on a nearby table, he left a note alongside them.

"Is that you, Nagi? Dinner will be ready soon. I'm preparing tomorrow's lunch as well," Saeko's voice echoed from the kitchen, drawing Nagi's attention. As he approached, he caught sight of Saeko wearing nothing but an apron. At that moment, an uncharacteristic side of Nagi emerged.

'You've gotta be fucking kidding me.'

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