[Susumu Otonashi Route] The Case of the Disappearing Constellation

Amulius passes a man who slipped a piece of paper into his hand. He looked down and peaked at the contents of it. Treason? What had he done, he wondered? A mistake perhaps? He dropped the crushed paper into the nearby bin and continued his way, ignoring the content of it.

Amulius frowned when he notices that there was a slash across his chest. It was not deep enough to cut him, but it render him shirtless. It took him just a few seconds to decide that the shirt was useless, so he got rid of it, exposing his hydra birthmark to the world.

He ignored the stares from others and moved towards his car where he had some spare ones ready. Ripping the packaging open, he swiftly covers himself and buttoned the white shirt.

Amulius was not taken by surprise when the man spoke, he had sensed that he had been watched for a while. "Odd? Like?" He returns the question as he buttoned the last button at the bottom. After making some minor adjustment, he turns around to face his stranger.

"Really?" Amulius questions, in his mind he is running all sorts of potential routes he can take.

"You've overestimated me, I am of nobody importance." He stated, laying against the windows of his white sedan.

"My senses are dull, so I didn't feel anyone watching me. And really, it all boils down to the important question of why are you talking to me now?"

"I wonder, and so you're implying that I am the target for the death thread?" Amulius asked with a hint of amusement. His arms were closed but his overall body language remains relaxed.

"If so then what am I suppose to do? Mr. Hydra? I am guessing that you are probably a seated officer for that constellation, am I correct?"

"Hmm I wouldn't know, people's minds are too complicated for me to comprehend. I simply do not have the desire to decode every single thing people says." Amulius replied after reading the note.

"And I don't think there is enough reason for me to be on the threat list. After all I don't even know anyone from the Hydra."

Amulius grinned but it disappeared before you notices it. He can't help it, the potential of having fun is a temptation too good to resist.

He opened the door and reaches for the passenger seat where bags of groceries laid. He fumbled through them and took out a chocolate bar and a bottle of water. If this is going to be long, he would have to recharge himself a little. He can't even recalled what he ate for his last meal.

"I am assuming here, though my name is certainly uncommon. But that doesn't necessary means it's unique, am I correct to say that? Who says that there are no cases of misunderstanding. Since the last time I've checked, I didn't commit any offense that might lead to the death penalty."

He pulls the wrapper out of the chocolate and started munching on it. You frowned because the Amulius you know hated sweetness with a passion.

"And that should bother me because? I know, having a stalker behind you is certainly bad news, isn't it?"

"Indeed I agree with you, but unfortunately for you..." Amulius paused and took another bite of his chocolate bar. "I have not lived on the island of Hydra before. I don't deal with all those erm what do you call that. Ah~ secret information or would confidential be a better word?"

"Oh a stalker huh? Hmm that will be interesting, but ermm thanks for the warning. But I'm not interested in that. And why would you be bothered?''

Amulius frowned as the red liquid spreads its mark across his white shirt. He stared at it, unable to feel the pain of it. It wasn't anything major, in fact he is more concerned about getting the stain off his shirt. He contemplates if it would be a better idea to simply throws the shirt away. After all even with the stain off, the mark remains.

"But I have not commit any crimes that I recalled of" He decided to get rid of the stained shirt, thank goodness for him, he had a stash of spare ones in his trunk of his car.

He took off the shirt and opened the car door, reaching for the first aid kit in the gloves department. He bandaged the wound and then left to retrieve his spare shirt. With his back exposed, you realized that there are scars all over his back. Been an informant is a dangerous trade, but you know he didn't have that many scars when you last saw him.

He quickly put on the shirt and returns to you, with his look of amusement, he continued. "Ah huh, so maybe I should consider getting a life insurance, shouldn't I?"

"Something tells me that I am not going to enjoy this "nice tea party" of yours. Somebody once said-- Try not. Do or do not. And I don't think that this is going to be interesting."

When asked about his scars, he wasn't responsive until the part about him crying to you for help. His whole demeanor changes, from the calm and collected self, his shoulders tenses and his hands were shaking. He punches the car in frustration and instantly regret it, now there was a dent on his car. A mark of imperfection, something that he loath.

Inhaling deeply, he spoke once more. "I don't know who you are, but I don't remember crying for help. One day your pride is going to come crushing down on you at a time you least expected. Thank you for your offer, but I'm afraid that I will have to decline. I am fully capable of protecting my own safety. And if you're keen on picking a fight on me, how about we fight one-on-one instead of relying on some sniper or something. How cowardly of you to scoop down to this level."

"Get lost right this instant. I have no desire to fight you. Go before I change my mind." Amulius replied, clenching his fists together.

"Are you talking about that sniper hiding over at that corner?" Amulius returned the question back at you.

"If that's the case, are you really assuming that I wouldn't be able to escape from the sniper's kill zone? If you did, then..." He paused and stared at you. "Too bad for you that I'll be surviving."

"Doubt is not a pleasant feeling, but certainty is absurd." Amulius replied, it was his favorite philosophy idea. He smiled and questions whether what you said holds any truth or not.

"So exactly, what do you want me to do? Confess to I've never done before? Are you just out to do me in?"

He opened the door and got into the driver seat, closes the door and locked it before you notices. Opening the window, he said, "I don't wish to remain here any longer. I hope I won't see you again."

"What in the world are you planning?! Can't you just respect a man's wishes to be left alone? You don't get it, do you?"

Amulius got out of the car and stared at you in your face. He was fuming mad and nothing can stop him.

Amulius grabbed you by your shoulders and leans in closer. "I don't know what you're planning in your mind, but I am not going to be your pawn and play your sick games." You could feel his hot air breathing down your neck.

The phone rang and he releases you to answer the call. "Yah, erm... I know... I'm in a little trouble, help? Nope it's not needed, I'll call again."

"This is getting boring, why don't you just spill whatever is on your mind?"

Amulius rolled his eyes, he had keep you under his eyes at all times and was aware of what you was planning.

"I am? So you're holding me against my own will? And if you aren't planning of something big enough that it would affect me, how about explaining why you're still here talking to me, wasting your time. After all I should be an insignificant pawn you had discarded, shouldn't I?"

"You appeared to be fond of speaking in riddles, aren't you? Beating around the bush seems to be your style? Or perhaps playing mind games are." Amulius laughed and crosses his arm.

"So seriously, this has been going on for so long that the river is running dry already. So why don't you reveal what you want to do now? After all if we're going to fight, then I would prefer to get down to business instead of playing around here."

"Flattery was not my objective." Amulius muttered under his breath and grinned at his faint. He would have love to use some sort of foul language at the man whom have been frustrating him so much. But he wasn't ready to go nuts on him... not yet.

"A fight is barbaric? Isn't it the faster and most direct way of creating dominance over another?" He laughs a little, his eyes glancing over at where the sniper was. "I didn't think the use of sniper is less barbaric."

Amulius was fighting his best to just shoot the man on his head. He had been making accusation based on groundless foundation, even for a case of misunderstand he had taken things too far for him to be understanding towards him.

"Then you're barbaric." He concluded and leaned against the car window. Calculating his potential route to escape. Amulius had wasted enough time on Susumu, what started as a possible source of entertainment turned out to be a waste of time. "Creating dominance using death is useless and pointless. You are boring." He finished that with a smirk on his face.

"Are you trying to read me now?" Amulius questions, his brows raised. He was trying so hard to suppress the laughter that was boiling from his core. He failed and ended up laughing so hard that he'd almost choked himself. Using the car as a support, he wipe the tears from his eyes and looked at the not-so-amused Susumu.

When he'd finally managed to calm himself down, he straighten his outfit and replied. "It amuses me so much at the things you assume. You don't know me, so please try to restrain yourself from judging me."

Amulius knew that he had hit him in the place where it hurts, his smiles vanishing was a good indicator. Tilting his head to one side, he merely grinned and pretended to think about what Susumu just said. "Twenty-faced man? Isn't he the great thief of some other world or something? Are you suggesting that I'm that awesome? "

Amulius rolled his eyes as the man spoke, they were going nowhere. Susumu had been unwilling to reveal what's his motive and he finds it to be tiring talking to such a closed off type of person. He was more than happy to end the conversation and continued what he needs to do. But unfortunately, like what he'd promptly pointed out, his tires were flat.

"Oh well, thanks to a particular somebody. But don't worry, I have my ways of getting around."

"You have such a sense of humor there huh?" Amulius asked dryly, not appreciating the joke he'd cracked.

But he does made his point over there, with his tires flat, he is practically grounded. Perhaps he should call for help. Taking out his cellphone, he swiftly dialed a set of numbers and spoke into the speaker.

"Vayu? Amulius here, I'm at the hospital and my tires are flat. Think you can dropped by and give me a lift? I'm at the car park here with an annoying dude, ya... See you later."

Looking back at Susumu, he replied, "I told you I've got my means. Thanks for your concern, you may leave." He signaled for him to take his leave.

If his motive was to annoy him, then Amulius was going to give him a pat on his shoulder for a job well done. "Are you leaving or not? No? Then I shall go. I've had enough with your attitude." He walked off, ignoring the glares of the man.