Instinct

There's one thing I noticed; the older guy did not greet Shizu. I think he's even trying to ignore her presence in the room. Which is rude. Isn't she like part of the family and is the chosen priestess for the Tachibana Family? Not to mention she's the vessel of the Japanese god of thunder and lightning.

Was it really okay to ignore her?

I wanted to ask those questions but I have a feeling either party aren't willing to answer, and I will probably not like the answer I'll be given.

"We are here for the matter concerning the missing cases." says the interpreter, translating Gio's words for the man in front of us. "Three of them are from the church so the Vatican have assigned the paladin to investigate it."

"Sakura-sama has informed us before your arrival." answers the man in a stiff manner. "I already have someone compile the paperwork about it as well as the evidences. For now, feel free to stay in the residence and if you have any questions you can approach anyone in the house or ask…. ask Shizukou…-sama."

Okay I noticed that.

What's the deal with this guy? I thought she's Shizu's relative? By the looks of it he's either her older brother of father. Why is he acting so rigid and disrespectful towards her? I-

"Then we shall head out to make an initial investigation." Gio offers, cutting off my thoughts. "Brats, let us go."

Before I can even protest, Gio already have me by the scruff of my neck and we head outside. Gio also declined a guide from our host and asked his interpreter to head to the various churches to inform him of his arrival. So right now, only the four of us are walking the streets, with no destination in mind.

Well I don't. Gio probably has but he hasn't said anything and I haven't really asked him. He just looks so tense. He's a lot calmer now but I felt his aura spike back in the house.

"You know… we could've started the investigation tomorrow." I say in Italian then translate it to Japanese to break the awkward and silent atmosphere around us.

Gio can't speak Japanese, and Shizu and Nik can't speak Italian so I don't think they will be chatting soon, language barrier and all. Well, I can speak both but it feels so awkward to ask Gio what's up with him, ask Shizu what was wrong with his relative, and ask Nik why he's so awfully quiet.

"Time is of the essence." answers Gio in his usual overbearing and commanding tone. "Six individuals have been taken for the span of three months. I do not want to waste any more time."

Unbelievable. Did this guy even read the report at all?

"Huh? Of course I did." he answers after I ask him. "Why do you think I'm so worried?"

"Then you would've noticed that all attacks and abductions happened on the night of a new moon. And the new moon is still ways away, which means you could've given me and Nik time to rest because of our dilemma on our way to Okinawa."

And I think I have a jetlag coming up.

"Well…"

Why do I have the feeling that he asked us to go outside for an entirely different reason?

Huh? What is he looking at?

I follow his gaze and I find him staring at Shizu who's quiet and fidgety as she walks. I notice that Nik's eyes is going back and forth to her and the road but I can see worry in it.

There's definitely something wrong with Shizu's household.

And wait, I never thought Mr. Paladin has a soft side as well!

"You were worried about Shizu?" I ask in his native tongue.

"She looked uncomfortable, that man too. Not to mention your growing oppressive aura in the room, you obviously noticed that as well."

You were the one whose aura spiked Gio. But I should probably keep that comment to myself.

"It was stifling. So I decided to take you kids out for some fresh air. Miss Shizu is obviously not ready to return to her home. And I can't exactly leave three minors wander around on their own so I'll be sticking with you for now."

Tch! Minors. If he only knew.

But…

"Aaaw!!! So you do have a soft side."

"Can it brat."

"Sure."

Called it.

I turn to Shizu and hold her hand like a child would when they find someone is sad. Klint used to do it to me when he was younger.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

She takes a deep breath and smiles.

"I'm fine April. Just not fond of that house. I may be a Tachibana but that place has never been my home."

Well, Nik did say there was a dispute of how she was chosen as the Tachibana Family priestess, so maybe it has something to do with that?

Shizu obviously has a very complicated past with her family, something others probably wouldn't pick up considering how cheerful she is when I met her and the days we live together in the mansion. But I'm not about to make her spill it. I know how hard it is to share something to others when you yourself haven't come into terms with it.

I've been through the same thing.

But I'm definitely going to ask her later. I'm no psychologist, but I know how stifling it can be to keep something heavy and emotional in your heart. Shizu may look act older than me and we have only met recently but it is not a lie that I have grown closer to her over the timespan that I've known her. I have already considered her a younger sister at this point.

Seems like Nik has the same feeling. He probably knows something, he already spilled a little information a while ago but I know I can't make him spill more. If anything, Nik is a very loyal man, not to mention tight-lipped in terms of secrets and information. But yeah, he can still be a loudmouth sometimes.

With Gio leading us to the first scene of the crime using a map he suddenly procured out of nowhere, Shizu is telling us of everything she knows about the island we are on. From the shrines, to the scenic places and even the amazing local restaurants, which we will definitely visit later.

We reached a small church at the edge of the city, which I may have forgotten the name of, and follow Gio as he head there. I tried to rack my head for the information about the church, considering there are police tapes in the structure.

"It's the first church to get attacked." Shizu says, answering my unasked question. "I did read the documents Sakura-nee gave for the briefing you know."

"So we're officially investigating something." I say with a sigh.

"We're used to it. Everyone in the Plum Blossom Mansion receives mission from Sakura-nee once in a while before you arrived. I don't think it'll change either."

"You should brace yourself April." adds Nik. "Sakura-nee will probably send you to a solo mission soon. She sent me on my first solo mission at the age of eleven. Shizu was sent when she was nine."

I expect as much. She has deep ties with the supernatural in Japan and the forces that manages it and keeps it hidden. Plus, I don't think she took us in out of the goodness of her heart, there has to be something.

Right?

"Hey you three!" Gio suddenly calls. "Aren't you coming? You're supposed to be my assistants!"

I translated his words to Shizu and Nik and we immediately head to where he is.