The Bounty Hunter

Chapter 67: Cultural Festival

May 15th, 2089

Its less than a week until Project Redemption is slated to start and the tense build-up is wearing on me.  If it werent for the blissful nights I have been spending together with Hikari, Veronica and Kira up until this point I might have already snapped.  I have gone over and over all the equipment and weapons I have prepared in anticipation while frantically thinking if I have forgotten something.  This is too big of a situation to fail.  But I have done my best to put on a brave face so the girls dont notice my troubles. 

 I havent told them about the end of the world because they couldnt do anything about it.  Its better if they spend their time carefree rather than worrying like me.  After todays cultural festival I plan to take the rest of the week off by playing sick.  My parents are both leaving town after today so it shouldnt be hard to do.  Ill use that time to scout out the magic circle location in the Empty Quarter and to try and make preliminary preparations there.  I have always relied on foresight, guile and ruthlessness to win and there is no reason to change that now. 

Hey, Minato. Its time for the show!  Hikari brought me back to reality.  I had been spacing out while waiting for my turn to go on in the show.  Our class had divided up into several groups, which each group preparing to do one or two big tricks during the show.  I was sent in last and only with Hikari as my assistant, since I already had experience doing magic.  She was dressed for the part, with one of those classic glittery outfits that magicians assistants always wear.  Although technically I am a wizard.  There are no magicians in the other world. *Sigh* Hikari was rather excited about this, but I of course was more preoccupied with the upcoming end of the world. 

I made Hikari disappear and reappear (via teleportation), I conjured a variety of minor illusions (using simple illusion magic) and I pulled a rabbit out of a hat (via summoning magic, living things die in dimensional storage).  I flew around for a bit and I grew a flower from the palm of my hand.  The crowd absolutely loved it and broke into a thunderous applause at the end of my show.  I had to do additional tricks as the crowd demanded 3 additional encores.  I ignored my classmates who swarmed me afterwards, demanding to know how exactly did I do those tricks.

After I was freed from my performance, I took Hikari on a date as we went around to the various booths at the festival.  Having three lovers is amazing and all, but it does require a lot of invested time and effort.  Ive made sure to spend alone time with each of them and to take them on individual dates often so none of them feel neglected. 

Today was Hikaris turn. 3 individual dates a week plus group dates makes quite a lot of my time and money disappear.  Its worth it of course, in order to see them happy.  Hikari was tightly grasping my arm as we went from booth to booth, when I noticed that someone was following us.  Out of habit I was doing my usual irregular walking pattern and I picked up on this guy. 

He was obviously a professional, but am I his target or is it Hikari?  Hey Hikari, Im going to go pick up some drinks, do you want anything?  A soda please!  I then walked away from Hikari after secretly deploying Rin to look after her.  The pursuer continued after me.  Hmm, so it looks like I am the one being followed.  Rather than trying to catch him here in public where Id stand out, I can gain some info just by observing my observer. 

After purchasing drinks, I turned towards my pursuer and focused my augmented vision.  The pursuer was a Japanese man in his early 40s wearing a suit and tie.  He very much gave off a private investigator feel, so I decided to place a tracking spell on him so I can follow up later on.  For now though I merely sent a minor hex his way to cause major indigestion. 

Immediately I could see his face scrunch up in pain as he rushed to the nearest restroom.  

Hmph, serves you right for distracting me from my date.  I returned to Hikari and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying her company.  That was the theme for my last few days before the final showdown.  Spending time with the few people I care about. 

It was the night of May 20th, the night of the showdown.  I was spending what could possibly be my last evening alive with the three most important people in my life.  The stress and anticipation for the upcoming battle made me far more unrestrained than usual, causing Hikari, Kira and Veronica to collapse from excess exhaustion and pleasure.  Hikari was particularly spent, since she determinedly tried to keep up with Kira and Veronica in spite of her physical disadvantage.

Its time for me to go, but I cant help but linger for a little while longer.  I applied a simple sleeping charm to the three of them.  Just in case the world does end, I dont want their final moments to be ones of fear.  They will stay asleep for the next 15 hours or so.  I planted a kiss on each of their foreheads as I left. 

I also left a journal on the coffee table in the living room just in case I manage to stop the ritual but die in the process.  It contains my memories regarding Project Redemption and a good-bye message for everyone I care about.  Its time for my desperate attempt to save the two worlds.  No, I should be more specific.  Its time for my desperate attempt to save my parents, Reiji, Hikari, Kira and Veronica.  The two worlds and everyone else can go fend for themselves.