With speed unimaginable for his large frame, he closed in on Hibiki.
“Wha—gragh!”
Within an instant, the man was planting a kick on Hibiki, who went flying back and landed on the floor.
“Hibiki!” Kotone yelled.
“Guh…”
Well, at least Hibiki could manage a groan; that meant he was probably still in the fight.
I stepped back and put myself between the man and Kotone and Hibiki.
Looks like I’ll have to deal with this guy.
“Finally deciding to join us, Falcon?” the leader said with a smile.
“The guy’s name is Falcon? He looks Japanese to me, though…”
“It must be a code name. He’s the one who got you, isn’t he?”
“How’d you know? I never said anyone ‘got me’ in the first place.”
“I thought it was strange when I heard you were kidnapped at all. There aren’t many people out there who could pull that off. I assumed you might’ve gotten caught trying to protect someone else, but I can see someone like that pulling it off.”
“This is my first time actually seeing him, too. But I can tell just by looking at him that he’s different from anyone I’ve fought so far. He’s like a tiger mixed in with a pack of dogs.”
“Looks like these two really did a number on you, eh?” Falcon said to the leader.
He completely ignored our presence, like we weren’t even there.
“I can’t argue with that, sir,” the leader said. “These kids are a pretty tough bunch…”
Is Falcon in a higher position than the ringleader is?
“I didn’t ask for excuses. I’m only here to help. Once we deal with these kids, I trust you’ll follow through with the plan?” Falcon said before looking straight at me.
I could feel the pressure bearing down on me—it was like he was staring right through me.
“Y-yes, sir! I don’t know who they are, but they’re strong…” The leader glowered pointedly at me.
“You don’t know?” A smug sneer stretched across Falcon’s face. “That’s Phantom Thief Red.”
“Huh?! You mean the Red…?” The leader took a few steps back.
Wait, what’s going on? I never told them my name. But this Falcon guy knows who I am just by looking at me? And hey, I’m not conceited enough to think I’m famous or anything.
“To think we’d meet in a place like this. Interesting. Let’s see what gave Fantasista a run for his money.”
Fantasista?! How does he know about Fantasista? And he knows that I beat him…!
“This guy must be a part of the organization Fantasista mentioned. I didn’t expect to bump heads again in a place like this, though. You good to go, Asuka?” Kei asked.
Ready as I’ll ever be! I got caught off guard before, but not this time. Maybe if we can take this guy out and get him arrested, we can learn more about Fantasista’s organization!
“Let’s do this,” Falcon said curtly before taking a step lightly forward. Within the blink of an eye, there was a fist flying inches away from my face.
He’s fast!
I twisted my body, just barely managing to dodge the blow. I could feel the wind brush past my cheek.
That’s one powerful punch. And his big fists look like they’re made of stone. If he lands even one hit, it’ll take me out.
I jumped back to create some space, but he wasn’t going to let me do that.
“Is that all you’ve got?” Falcon did a side kick with his left leg, but I ducked under it. Again, the wind was strong enough to blow my hair.
If that kick landed, I might’ve lost my head. But now’s my chance!
Sliding under Falcon’s leg, I got in close.
I can get an attack off from here.
“You’re naive.”
As I clenched my fist for a punch, Falcon pulled up his right leg.
He’s gonna knee me! I can’t dodge it!
✦ ✦ ✦
I crossed my arms in front of me to try and protect myself just as the heavy blow landed.
“Guuuh!”
The attack lifted me off the ground and sent me flying back, but I managed to reorient myself midair and end up on both feet.
“Oh…? You know you couldn’t dodge it, so you leaped back to dull the attack, did you?”
Falcon eyed me down.
“Owww…”
I can barely feel my arms. Even though I managed to cancel out some of the attack, it still hurt a whole lot… And I haven’t hit him once. I don’t know if it’ll even hurt him. Maybe if I can get him to give me an opening, I can perform my fa jin move.
Ah!
This was when I noticed Hibiki, who was on the ground behind Falcon, sending me a message with his eyes.
All right, you got it! I’ll trust you!
As soon as I steadied my breathing, Hibiki made his move.
He latched onto Falcon’s legs. “Now, Red!”
Nowhere to run now, Falcon!
I made sure I was right up next to him before planting my right palm against Falcon’s stomach.
Fa jin is what I used to beat Fantasista! It should work again!
“Hyaaaaaaah!”
I pushed with every ounce of strength I had.
Falcon may be tough, but there’s no coming back from an attack like—
“Huh…?”
My hand hit nothing but air. I was almost pulled over by the force of my attack but managed to catch my balance before looking up.
“That would’ve hurt…if it hit.”
The tension in Falcon’s expression loosened somewhat.
No way… He figured out how to get away from my fa jin?
Hibiki was now reeling in pain while he held his arm.
“He kicked Hibiki Shirasato away with his heel using minimal movement and back-stepped away from your attack.”
All in, like, a split second?! If fa jin won’t work, then how am I gonna beat him…?
“Now it’s my turn.”
I didn’t have time to think before Falcon’s log-like arms were flying this way.
Not able to react quickly enough, I was forced to block with my arms again.
“Ack!”
I tried to stay on my feet, but the attack was just too strong. I scrambled to get back up, but Falcon was standing there staring down at me.
His fist came swinging down.
I can’t dodge him!
I could only try to block again.
“It’s over.”
He’s gonna get me!!
I gritted my teeth, bracing for the impact, but it never came.
Slowly, I opened my eyes, and—
“Looks like our time’s up…,” Falcon whispered to himself as he gazed toward the door.
Sirens were approaching from off in the distance.
It was the police!
“Hmph… You lucked out this time, Red. I just hope you’re a little stronger the next time we meet,” Falcon said as he turned around and walked the other way.
“Falcon! Where are you going?!” called the leader, who’d been watching the fight from afar.
“We failed this time. Give it up,” Falcon replied as he opened the door and left the scene.
He’s gonna get away before the police get here. What should I do…?
I glanced over at Kotone and Hibiki.
Hmm…I can’t leave these two behind to pursue him.
I let out a long sigh. All my energy left my body, and I couldn’t get up.
That fight with Falcon might’ve been more intense for me than I thought.
“Shoot…”
The leader limply stumbled onto the floor. He seemed to have given up. All of the other men were knocked out cold on the ground, so I decided to let the police take care of the rest.
“Hibiki! Are you okay?” Kotone was running over to her friend, and there were tears pouring down her cheeks and onto the floor.
I went over closer, too.
Hibiki was in bad shape, especially where Falcon kicked him.
“The police will be here soon,” I said. “I’m glad you’re safe, Kotone Hanasato.”
“Phantom Thief Red… I’d like to express my gratitude once more. Thank you.” Kotone faced me and bowed.
“I have to go. And when we meet again…”
“We’ll be enemies,” Hibiki finished. “But…you saved us, and I thank you for that…” He held his hand out.
Is this…?
Though I hesitated at first, I reached out and grabbed his hand.
His handshake was firm, even though he was so beat-up. Our gazes met one final time before I yanked my hand back and got out of there.