For a Sweet Smile

The siren from police cars made the situation even more complicated. Mike watched that with concern. He just wanted to leave, but he couldn't because the police surrounded them.

More than a dozen police in blue uniform and black vest came down from two sedans and a truck, all of them were armed with a gun at their waist.

A team leader glanced at the thief who had been subdued, then approached Honda and saluted. "We came at your beck and call, Honda-sama."

Honda replied to the salute, then gave her order. "Good, please take care of this thief. He dared to steal Ojou-sama's belonging. Then, please bring four innocent victims to the hospital."

"Affirmative." The team leader nodded, then ordered his men.

The thief was immediately handcuffed and dragged into the police car. As for four victims, they were also taken to a police car.

When the police cars left, Mike heaved a sigh of relief. At the same time, he was also disappointed that his main quest did not cause any sign even though a beautiful girl was in front of him.

For that reason, he secretly turned around and went away from the group in front of him. He didn't wish any problem from them. However, the girl realized Mike's intention in no time.

"Please wait." Ayaka approached and walked beside Mike.

Inevitably, Mike could only stop his steps, but he didn't turn his head to the side. "Apologize, young miss. I need to go somewhere."

"Then let me escort you. You already helped me by stopping the thief, so I want to help you too. We can go in my car." Ayaka tried to persuade. She could not bear to let this blind young man walk alone with risks at his every step.

"You are so kind, young miss. However, I did not act out of expecting something in return. You do not need to do anything for me." Mike smiled slightly and continued his steps. He didn't want to stay any longer because he was worried about the complex problem based on a sudden quest earlier.

"No, I insist." Ayaka blocked Mike by standing in front of him.

"Young man, where are you going? It's quite risky for a disabled person like you to walk alone on the city streets. Let me get someone to drive you to your destination." Akira stood beside Ayaka, advising the young man. Unfortunately, his words were ignored just like that.

Then, Ayaka took Mike's arm to guide him to her car. "Let me guide you to my car. I'll take you to your destination. Please be careful when you walk."

"..." Mike was at a loss for words, but he screamed in his mind as the girl pulled him away. 'This girl is so pushy and stubborn! Why did she refuse to let me go? Can't you realize that your boyfriend is looking at me with a death glare!? Is this the problem that I'm worried about?'

On the other hand, Akira frowned and felt insulted. He looked at Ayaka. She was holding the blind boy's arm. They seemed so close even though they didn't know each other. As for him, he didn't even have that kind of privilege!

Jealous and envy, that was what he felt at that moment. Nevertheless, he also followed them because he could not let his crush be near that blind stranger. "Ayaka-chan, do you need to guide this blind boy by holding his arm? You are a girl from a dignified family, you know? Let me do that."

"Hmph! He could have tripped and fell. I doubt you. After all, I'm only helping someone out of return for the help I get." Ayaka grunted. She continued to guide the blind young man.

If Akira was serious about what he said, he would definitely hold this young man's arm and guide the latter to replace her. But it didn't happen. So, she couldn't believe this stalker.

"Uhm, young miss... I can walk by myself. I'm not blind as alleged." Mike felt uncomfortable with anxiety. It felt like he was being held, so he didn't run away, a bit like the thief brought by the police earlier.

"Huh? But you walk with a wooden stick, and your eyes look out of focus." Ayaka tilted her head slightly.

The corner of Mike's mouth twitched at that. Thus, he turned to the girl who was holding his arm like a hostage. She was a beautiful girl with black hair... Well, in his eyes, she was only a mixture of black and white like the pencil drawing art.

"There are no falsehoods in my words. I have vowed to leave sinful acts and approach true goodness. I can see you and the path I'm going to take. It's just... I can't see any color but black and white. I am color blind." Mike tried to reason so that the girl wouldn't bother him. He started to fear the two experts behind him. Then, he could already see the source of the problem that would come.

"Hum? Colorblind? It's still blind, right? You brought a wooden stick to help you check the road, right? So, that's fine." Ayaka nodded in understanding.

"..." Mike didn't know what else to say.

When they arrived at the parking area, Ayaka remembered something. "Ah, how rude of me. I haven't expressed my gratitude and introduced myself. My name is Tachibana Ayaka. Thank you for stopping the thief earlier. Otherwise, I can only give up my handbag and all its contents."

Mike thought for a moment, considering the etiquette for saying someone's name in Japan. He could not call the stranger's given name even with honorifics, or he would offend them because it was rude.

It was different from his sect. There were recommended to call each other given name instead of surname.

"No worries, my name is Mike. Nice to meet you, Tachibana-san. To be honest, you don't have to take me anywhere because I don't have a definite destination. I just want to go around the city to see lots of people." Mike tried to convince the girl once again.

"Might? Your name sounds like a warrior." Akira interrupted. He didn't like to see his crush having conversations with other men.

"No, that's wrong. My name means a gift from God." Mike replied on reflex.

"..." Akira fell silent, feeling a little annoyed at this blind man for no reason.

"Nice to meet you too, Mike-san. If you don't have any destination in mind, how about we go have lunch at the nearby shopping mall over there? Allow me to treat you as my thanks. You can also see a lot of people there." Ayaka pointed to her previous destination.

"Uh, well... If it's just lunch, then that's fine." Mike held his stomach. He even forgot to have breakfast, and it was already noon.

"Then, it's decided." Ayaka clapped her hands once. However, when she was about to guide Mike again, Akira immediately got in her way.

"No, let me help him, Ayaka-chan." Akira grabbed Mike's arm swiftly, not giving this blind man a chance to get close to his crush.

"O-oh, okay. Then, follow me." Ayaka just nodded, then they walked towards the shopping center across the street.

On the way, Akira slowed down and pulled Mike with him, putting some distance behind Ayaka.

"Listen to this, blind man. If you dare to approach my girl, you shall receive the consequence. I'm Akira of the Hayashi Clan, and I am the last person you want to offend." Akira whispered menacingly. He also squeezed Mike's arm for warning.

'This power... This young man is at the intermediate stage Nascent Spirit Realm!' Mike shouted in his mind. It was unmistakable because he still remembered the senior bullies' strength level in the sect.

Mike's big brain tried to find the solution to avoid this problem. He didn't want to get involved whatsoever.

A threat came even though he didn't know anything. If it needed to be said, he would leave after the free meal.

Yet, the girl's familiar voice came to his mind all of a sudden to make matters worse.

[Sudden Quest: Make Hayashi Akira go home within an hour. Penalty: Drowned in Tokyo Bay.]

'This is too much!' Mike cried out in his mind, agonized in injustice. After that, he glanced at the right corner of his vision.

<| Sudden Quest: Make Hayashi Akira go home | Time Remaining: 00:59:59 | Penalty: Drowned in Tokyo Bay | Reward: Tachibana Ayaka's sweet smile |>

'So unfair! Make this young master come home to get a smile from a girl or drown at the bay? I can swim, but that doesn't mean I want to be drowned in the sea! How can I send this young master to go home?' Mike glanced at Akira, and the latter was glaring at him.

He began to think of this young man as a young master from a mafia clan, or yakuza clan. Even so, he had to get out of his current predicament.

"Ahem, young master. I am nothing but an ordinary poor person. It would be wrong for your noble self to view me as someone at your level. That said, I have no intention of bothering you and your girl. I came because of Tachibana-san's rather pushy invitation. With that being said, I'll be leaving immediately after the free lunch." Mike cleared his throat and returned the whisper politely as if he was currying a favor. Even so, he had other plans in mind.