I looked in the direction of Shin over the other side.

  He was having a conversation with Itsuki. Athena and Rio were absent from the table.

  I turned my attention back to Yukari.

  “Winters is part of The Big Three. Number two.” I sheepishly guessed. This wasn’t a wild guess but something that only made sense.

  Yukari Winters smiled at me. His eyes knowingly staring, he nodded.

  “So…Shin is with me to try to read me from my boyfriend's view and you from the opposite, a rival.” I didn’t even ask this but stated it instead.

  “You think fast!” Reigen looked impressed.

  “Well…you just gave me all the pieces.” I said unbothered. “Did you manage to get everything you wanted? Is this what you do with everyone or am I special?” I asked.

  Yukari eyed Reigen who opened his mouth.

  “I must say you are someone special!” Reigen admitted.

  “Yeah, very special!” Yukari agreed.

  “Alright then. But why?” I asked them.

  My question was genuine curiosity. I did not know what kind of agenda they must have against me. A city I have never been in. Never in my life have I met these people until I moved here. I studied and studied with my head down. Not really interacting with the people around. Letting them be passersby. And I caught this kind of attention. It did not make sense to me. Very unnatural and unsettling.

  “Show me your true skills!” Yukari told me his reason.

  From the way Reigen looked at Yukari I could tell his answer wasn’t the same.

  “I don’t want to play any games.” I said to Yukari. My words were true though they may also be heard like a warning. Do not cross the line.

  “Oh! But you’re very fun to play with! Entertain me Rory!” Yukari was provoking me to respond to him but I refused to listen.

  Instead I turned my eyes on Reigen.

  “If he is not serious. Can you explain?” I asked.

  Reigen looked at me. For a half minute he did not answer. Staring at me and the files before me. His eyes were on a certain page.

  “Sano Aisaki. Where is he?” Reigen asked me a question. His eyes were serious. Upon hearing that question I noticed a shift in Yukari’s expression. Almost as if Reigen just had crossed the line.

  “You’re interested in my dad?” I asked curiously. “Why?”

  “I am the one asking questions!” Reigen gave a look that gave the don’t play with me and answer my question vibe. A strong animosity.

  “I don’t know where he is.” I blinked.

  I didn’t want to have this conversation with these people. I didn't want to say anything about my dad to them. Especially Reigen who was increasingly making me angry. I didn’t want to be angry but he was pulling that emotion out of me. I felt like he wanted to test my boundaries.

  “You’re his daughter. Considering how close you were in the past you should know even if he didn’t tell you!” Reigen was convinced that I was bluffing and not answering honestly.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  I had no reason to lie to them but it did feel offensive because he thought that I was lying to him. No. I wasn't really offended. Sano isn’t a topic I would converse with people like them. Especially the tones he was giving me. This is where the line is drawn for me.

  I decided to stand up. I pushed the papers Yukari showed me back to him.

  “I think your investigation on me is a joke!” I gave him an angry look.

  Not the same anger that I showed him usually but a real one. My eyes reading don’t even dare to pursue this further.

  “Stay away from me!” I told him this.

  Then I moved to look at Reigen Lawyet. “And you! Together with your brother. Screw yourselves!” I spat in anger. With a gift of a middle finger.

  “We're not finished with you yet!” Reigen, seeing me get up, tried to make me stay.

  I ignored him. Instead I turned away. Right towards my boyfriend. I could see in my vision Itsuki looking at me with joy filled in his eyes. I didn’t acknowledge him. Same as Athena and Rio. Dina, sitting next to Rio. All joined in watching my moves.

  Shin saw me coming and stood up.

  I walked over.

  This time the music was not as loud. People still danced but most were by their tables. Drinking or talking. The only eyes on me were the ones who knew that something was about to happen now. The spectacle of a public meltdown. A break up that will end with me being dragged out of here. My legs slowly walked over already knowing the consequences of the actions I was about to take. Unladylike. The anger in me needed an outlet. Outlet that looked like Reigen’s face. An outlet that looked like Shinichi Lawyet. A boyfriend who never actually was my boyfriend. Pretending to be one to get information. To know who I am.

  Undeservedly. I gave him what he wanted. Falling to his act. Like an insult this felt deeply digging into my skin. Blood was boiling so wildly. The closer he got to me. The more secrets he could get. Gather better read on me. My reactions. Likes and dislikes. Coming close to me intimately. Stealing kisses with a hidden agenda. Truly truly undeserving attention this man got out of me.

  Anger.

  Right hook in between the eyes. The force was so strong. Stronger than I anticipated. My anger flared up. A silent storm that built itself outwardly. Poked into the directions of having this outburst. Reigen’s real intention was revealed. The words he chose and the signals he sent my way for me to have this meltdown.

  Athena’s mouth opened wide. Same as Rio’s and Dina’s.

  Itsuki looked entertained.

  “We are done!” My voice was cold as ice as I stared daggers at Shinichi Lawyet.

  He did not expect me to hit him. To hit him this hard. Falling backwards. Towards a table. So close for his body to fall right on it. He did not fall. Itsuki reacted in the moment to steady the guy so he didn't fall all over the table.

  It was a reflective save from his part because if he would have fallen the table would fall over right in the direction Itsuki sat.

  Shin closed his eyes in pain. He tried to put his arms in front of his face but it was too late. Blood was running down his nose. Shin, managing to stand up. Right hand on his nose. Blood on his fingers. He tried to say something to me but silence followed.

  A bewilderment and shock.

  Reigen appeared next to his brother giving him a handkerchief. More eyes looking at the spectacle now. It has become a scene. Reigen did not let Shin speak. Instead walking in front of him as a shield. From behind Yukari Winters put his hand on my right shoulder as if trying to hold me back. They both surrounded me.

  All eyes were on me now. Not only from Itsuki, Athena’s and Rio’s, Dina but also almost everyone who were in the bar on the scene. Most of them looked horrified at the fact that I have just punched one of the so-called ‘The Big Three’! They are supposed to be untouchable and now I was testing how untouchable they really are.

  “Rory!” Reigen looked rather pleased about the situation.

  Of course. This was a great scenario. Giving him a reason to take me away. I could read the victory in his eyes. Reigen had provoked me in public on purpose.

  “We are leaving and you’re coming with us!” Reigen told me this. It wasn’t an invitation. Rather it was an order. As if he was welding an invisible power. He looked into my eyes.

  “Wait…I mean couples fight. This shouldn’t go this far should it?!” I could hear Athena’s voice raise a concern. She seemed to be overly nervous hearing I was being taken away.

  “We can’t allow ourselves to be disrespected like this.” Reigen answered in a cold tone. Never giving Athena a proper look.

  I could see she was trying to step up to reach me but Itsuki stopped her.

  “Don’t!” Itsuki extended his hand and didn’t let her pass.

  Rio himself turned towards his friend holding her hand not to let her come over. Dina standing reaching out Athena’s other hand. And that’s when they escorted me out with all eyes watching.

  No one came to help me. The eyes I met immediately were averted. That whatever I was pulled into meant something that no one wanted to be involved in.

  Shinichi was the one with a bleeding nose following after us. Looking as if he won. Least to the eyes of an outsider. The outbursts of a jealous girlfriend. It did not matter what was the truth. Truth was what they said it was. The power The Big Three held.