Awkward Meeting (for Raiye-san)

Haruka fumed at the white-haired girl. Cutely, of course. "Sindel-san," she was mumbling crossly, not yet realizing her Freudian slip. "It's not funny..."

Masato was caught flat-footed by Zera's sudden run, torn between Haruka and helping out. He decided to trust Sindel, calling out "Haruka, stay here with Sindel-san! Sindel-san, please stay with Haruka!" And then he ran after Zera, not bothering to call out immediately. And for all his physical weakness, Aida Masato was a pretty fast runner.

"Masato-kun?" Haruka gaped at her manager's exit. "Where are you going?" All sorts of horror crossed her face at the thought of being alone with a girl almost as pervy as Yatori-senpai. "Masato-kun!"

Zera could've sworn she saw someone fitting a certain profile and stopped infront of the shop, looking around carefully for a moment before she'd release a heavy sigh.

" ..Nothing. "

Sindel hid her cellphone back in her pocket and looked at Masato before back at Haruka, turning serious all of a sudden as she mumbled to Haruka.

" Let's be ready for whatever Zera saw... This time.. I'll fight to protect you. "

Zera soon steped into the ice cream shop when she saw no one but suddenly froze right at the door when she almost bumped into someone, those weird eyes, that long black hair, the expression on the girls face, it was immidiatly identified, stepping back quickly infront of the incoming Masato.

" Era of Hell leader.. Lute. "

Lute suddenly smiled brightly when she saw Zera, taking a quick bite from her strawberry and chocolate combo ice cream and shivvered from the coldness through her brains.

" Oh dear.. Nice to see you, Zera. How have you been doing? "

Masato stopped a few steps behind Zera, not wanting to be mistaken for an attacker or a similar distraction. That proved lucky, as Zera nearly backed into him almost at once.

" Era of Hell leader.. Lute. "

He didn't know who Lute was, but he knew what the Era of Hell was, and if Lute was a leader there...

" Oh dear.. Nice to see you, Zera. How have you been doing? "

... some leader she was, smiling at two of her enemies, ice cream still on her lips and freeze in her brain.

Or it might be a lie.

"Eh?" Masato still exclaimed, thinking to let his true feelings distract Lute.

* * *

The rapid turn of events befuddled Haruka, but none more so that Sindel's sudden heroism.

" Let's be ready for whatever Zera saw... This time.. I'll fight to protect you. "

She blushed. Haruka knew a leader when she saw one. She deemed herself a good follower.

"Hai," she agreed. Then: "Thank you, Sindel-san."

Zera would remain in a quite loose stance, glaring at Lute for a moment, standing infront of Masato as if to protect him while Lute simply smiled and shook her head a few times.

" The ice cream here is quite delicious. Want some? My treat off course. "

Sindel would slowly approach the three while waiting for Haruka to follow her, she knew of Lute and didn't exactly fear her, it's when Lute would get mad, that was when to fear her. She knew Lute could be trusted from personal experiences but what if she wasn't alone?

Masato was... unnerved. Unnerved by this smiling girl. It was always the quiet ones who were the most dangerous. And Lute's placidity set off his suspicions.

He sensed Zera was wary but not aggressive. Behind him he could feel Sindel and most importantly Haruka coming up.

" The ice cream here is quite delicious. Want some? My treat off course. "

"My treat," Masato replied with a smile he hoped was steady. It was. "If you will allow me, of course, Lute-san."


"Who is she?" Haruka asked Sindel. "I don't remember seeing her before..." Her companion was edgy but not pumped up for a fight, so maybe this encounter might be avoided...

" Hmm.. Free ice cream.. Now that's hard to turn down. "

Lute started to think for a moment, taking another soft bite from her ice cream before she sighed and nodded.

" Okayyyy.. But next time it's on me. "

Zera would shrug and shake her head a bit, waiting for the rest to be at ease while she started to loosen completely.

Sindel leaned over to whisper t Haruka.

" That's Lute, one of the Era of Hell members.. Ironically.. She's a face wrestler.. "

Masato thanked God for small favors. "Of course," he agreed. "Why don't we all get seats here? It's more comfortable."

Haruka stared. At Sindel, first, then at Lute. "Reh? Really?" This day was full of surprises, all right.

"Oh," Masato added, "I don't believe we've met before." He held out his hand to Lute. He meant it well, of course. And if a brawl broke out, at least he'd have briefly distracted Lute for his three companions to take down. "I'm Masato. Aida Masato."

" Mh Mh. I know who all of you are. Cerbera's friends. She used to speak fondly about all of you. "

Lute would accept the hand and shake it gently.

" Lute, Lute Krai. "

Zera walked passed them and headed into the shop to look at the various flavours she never had before while Sindel nodded at Haruka and stood infront of Lute with a smirk.

" You saved me before, so I guess I'll be buying you free ice cream aswell. "

" Eh? Whoa. And here I am paying for all the members! "

Haruka's face sorrowed upon mention of Cerbera. Masato managed to mask his feelings well enough that Lute wouldn't hopefully sense his hidden despair as they shook hands.

"Pleased to meet you, Lute-san," he replied as Zera passed them. "Feel free to pick what you like, Zera-san," Masato told her.

" You saved me before, " Sindel was saying, " so I guess I'll be buying you free ice cream aswell. "

" Eh? Whoa. And here I am paying for all the members! "

"Members?" Alarmed, Haruka and Masato immediately scanned their surroundings.

Lute saw them looked around and quickly smiled.

" They're not here, I'm here alone. "

Lute would then take a step forward and passed Masato, looking straight at Haruka and into her eyes or a moment, being very silent untill she suddenly smiled brightly.

" Cerbera was right, truly a beautiful and dedicated person. You really are a great person with great intentions.. I don't know you but I can already see that much shines out of you. "