Unwelcome Reunion

Meanwhile, in the bustling city of Easowl, Aoiro cruised on her motorcycle through the winding streets. The day had been long and tiring, and all she wanted was to return to her apartment for some well-deserved rest. But as fate would have it, her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

With a reluctant sigh, Aoiro glanced at her phone's screen. She recognized the number, but she also knew the caller's persistent nature. Felicie had been an old friend, someone Aoiro had tried to distance herself from since leaving her past behind. But Felicie had a knack for reappearing when least expected.

Aoiro, determined to have a moment of respite, ignored the call and muted her phone. She continued riding, the wind rushing past her as she weaved through the city's traffic. The distant hum of the city's nightlife surrounded her, a comforting reminder of her independence.

Finally, she arrived at her apartment, a small yet cozy space she cherished. Her motorcycle parked in the designated spot, she entered her sanctuary. A hot bath seemed like the perfect way to unwind, so she filled the tub with warm water, allowing the steam to envelop her senses.

The soothing water eased her tired muscles, and she closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of solitude. However, the persistent buzz of her phone disturbed her tranquility. Reluctantly, she stepped out of the bath, wrapping herself in a fluffy towel.

As Aoiro dressed in a simple T-shirt and black jeans, her phone continued to vibrate with incoming messages. Annoyed, she picked it up to silence the notifications. To her surprise, the messages were from Felicie, and they carried an urgency that she couldn't ignore.

Curiosity piqued, Aoiro opened one of the messages. Felicie's words were direct, requesting a meeting tomorrow morning at a café in Easowl City. She emphasized that it was urgent and even added a seemingly heartfelt "love you."

Aoiro couldn't help but feel a mixture of emotions—annoyance, frustration, and a hint of nostalgia. She hadn't seen Felicie in years, and their paths had diverged significantly. Aoiro had hoped to keep it that way.

With a sigh, she replied to the message, agreeing to the meeting. She knew that avoiding Felicie would only prolong the situation. After all, there were unresolved matters between them, secrets from their shared past that still lingered.

The following morning, Aoiro awoke early, the sun barely gracing the horizon. She begrudgingly prepared herself for the meeting, dressing in a T-shirt, jeans, and a belt. Her sneakers were a practical choice for the occasion, and she took extra precautions by hiding some cash in her shoes, a habit formed from navigating the city's unpredictability.

To combat the morning chill, she slipped into a black leather jacket, a garment that had become a signature part of her attire. Aoiro had come a long way from her troubled past, and the jacket served as a reminder of her resilience.

As she rode her motorcycle through the city, Aoiro couldn't shake the feeling that she was heading into an uncomfortable situation. The encounter with Felicie was bound to stir up memories and emotions she had buried deep within.

Upon arriving at the café, she spotted Felicie sitting at a corner table, a smirk on her face. The sight of her ex-friend filled Aoiro with a mix of emotions—irritation, apprehension, and a lingering resentment.

With a sigh, Aoiro parked her motorcycle and made her way inside. Felicie's expression shifted from a smug grin to one of surprise as she watched Aoiro approach. "I can't believe you came," Felicie said, her tone a blend of mockery and amusement.

Aoiro regarded her former friend with a neutral expression. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

Felicie's smile persisted as she replied, "Well, guess what I heard? Rumors have it that you beat up my boyfriend and his gang." She delivered the accusation with a hint of anger, her blue eyes piercing Aoiro.

Aoiro's gaze remained steady, and she didn't flinch under Felicie's scrutiny. "It was self-defense," she stated plainly, her voice tinged with a smirk.

Felicie let out a laugh, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "What am I kidding? You're a ruthless doggy, Aoiro." Her words were laced with aggression.

Aoiro's expression remained unchanged, her face a mask of indifference. "Is this all you wanted to say?" she inquired, her patience waning.

Felicie's smile widened, and she leaned in, her voice a low, mocking whisper. "Obviously not. By the way, Aoiro, how have you been, doggy?"

Aoiro's eyes narrowed at the derogatory term, but she replied tersely, "I've been good."

Felicie continued,

her tone condescending, "Did anything happen recently?"

Aoiro's annoyance flared. "Nothing significant," she replied curtly.

Felicie leaned closer, her voice filled with taunts. "Bet that guy is going to catch up to you again and use you for his own evil plans."

Aoiro's jaw tightened at the mention of "that guy." Memories of her past, of a shadowy figure manipulating her, resurfaced. She couldn't help but feel a shiver of unease.

Ignoring Felicie's taunts, Aoiro focused on her drink, wishing she could conclude this meeting and leave as soon as possible. She took a sip of her tea, her mind churning with thoughts about the mysterious person Felicie had mentioned.

Felicie, however, seemed intent on digging deeper into Aoiro's life, her intrusive questions and mocking tone persisting. Yet, Aoiro remained stoic, determined not to reveal more than necessary.

As the conversation continued, Felicie dropped a bombshell, mentioning that the person from Aoiro's past had left high school and gone somewhere far away. Aoiro's reaction was a mix of shock and curiosity. The notion that this enigmatic figure had moved on left her with a sense of unease.

The awkwardness of the situation weighed on Aoiro, and she felt an overwhelming desire to leave. As she excused herself and walked away from the café, she couldn't help but reflect on the unexpected turn of events.

Aoiro fixed her piercing blue eyes on Felicie, her expression now a blend of annoyance and indifference. She couldn't care less about Felicie's rumors and taunts. In fact, she was quite used to them.

"You talk too much," Aoiro remarked in a calm but biting tone. "What do you want, Felicie? I came here because you said it was urgent."

Felicie's smug smile faltered as she realized Aoiro wasn't here to play her games. She straightened up, shifting her tone to something less confrontational. "Look, Aoiro, I didn't call you here just to annoy you. There's something going on, and I thought you might want to know."

Aoiro raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. She leaned in slightly, signaling for Felicie to continue. "What is it?"

Felicie hesitated for a moment before leaning in closer to Aoiro, her voice lowered to a conspiratorial whisper. "There's a rumor going around about some secret organization targeting students with unique abilities. They say they've been abducting them."

Aoiro's interest was genuinely piqued now. She knew that students with unique abilities were rare, and if there was any truth to this rumor, it was a matter of concern. "Abducting them? For what purpose?"

Felicie shrugged, her earlier arrogance replaced by a hint of uncertainty. "I don't know the details, but I overheard it from some upperclassmen. They say it's all connected to some shadowy figure pulling the strings."

Aoiro contemplated this information for a moment. Her thoughts drifted back to the shadowy realm she had encountered earlier, and she wondered if there could be any connection. "Have there been any disappearances?"

Felicie nodded. "Yes, a few students have gone missing recently. It's making everyone uneasy. I thought you should know because... well, you've always been good at handling things like this."

Aoiro sighed inwardly. She hadn't intended to get involved in any more trouble, but this situation seemed too close to her experiences in the past. "Alright, I'll look into it. But this doesn't mean we're friends or anything," she stated, her tone still laced with indifference.

Felicie chuckled nervously. "I never thought we were."

Aoiro finished her tea, stood up, and left without another word. She didn't need any more information from Felicie, and she had no intention of engaging in any unnecessary conversation. As she rode her motorcycle away from the café, her mind was already at work, piecing together the little information she had.

Back in her apartment, Aoiro locked herself in her room, where she had an extensive collection of files and documents. She began researching the disappearances and the secret organization rumored to be behind them. It didn't take long for her to find unsettling patterns and connections.

As days turned into weeks, Aoiro's determination grew. She had always been a loner, but there was something about this situation that called to her. She couldn't allow a group to target students with unique abilities, especially when she had experienced the dangers of such abilities firsthand.

In the depths of the night, Aoiro's investigation led her to a hidden network. She discovered encrypted messages and anonymous informants willing to share what they knew. Slowly but surely, she was unraveling the mystery of the secret organization.

Aoiro's nights were spent decoding messages and sifting through the shadows of the digital realm. Her days were consumed by her regular life, keeping up appearances at school, and avoiding unnecessary interactions. She kept her findings to herself, trusting no one.

Yet, as she delved deeper, she couldn't shake the feeling that her involvement in this investigation was leading her back to the very shadows she had tried to escape. But Aoiro Yoru was not one to back down from a challenge, no matter how ominous the shadows might be.

And so, the mysterious vigilante with piercing blue eyes continued her relentless pursuit of the truth, driven by her insatiable curiosity and a desire to protect those who couldn't protect themselves. In the midst of her elegant facade and distant demeanor, Aoiro Yoru hid a fierce determination to uncover the enigma shrouding the disappearances of students with unique abilities.