Inside the police station, an officer was sitting in front of a man who looked panicked and afraid, his hands were cuffed and looked like he wanted to say something.
The officer ignored this expression and asked coldly, "You're still not going to confess?"
"But it really wasn't me!" The driver yelled.
"Not you? Didn't you already admit to crashing into him? Now you say you are not the culprit?" The officer asked the truck driver who was gritting his teeth.
It was the driver who put Diego in a coma.
After arresting him, the police did an interrogation and so far, everything was going well, the driver admitted he was the one who crashed into Diego Seijuro even though it was an accident.
But after this admission, the driver suddenly said, "No, it wasn't me! He was already bloodied and injured when I crashed into him!"
This made the police officers dumbfounded. Judging by the x-ray, Diego Seijuro was hit by an object strong enough to break his ribs and almost fracture his bones.
In a way, it was a miracle that he even survived and now he's telling him he's not the reason?
It's inconsistent. Using this reason, it would mean that Diego Seijuro was already heavily injured but still somehow strong enough to move while not dropping an ounce of blood until a truck hit him.
Does that make sense?
Of course not!
The evidence was clear as day and this guy was just making stuff up to reduce his sentence. They tried calming him down while even using conversation to make him slip but the answer they got was the same,
"He was already injured before he got hit by my truck!"
This insistence made them frown and even wanted to ask the victim himself who fortunately survived but after learning from his doctor that he has an amnesia, they decided to postpone it later on.
"Then why was he there in the first place? Don't tell me he just suddenly appeared in the middle of the road." The police officer sneered.
"I don't know…" The driver lowered his head in frustration until he raised it again, seemingly remembering something. "I think I remember something."
"What?" The officer asked in annoyance.
The driver ignored his tone and slowly put his words carefully, "When he appeared, it's like he was running away from something. I already caught a glimpse of blood in his body and before I knew it, I already crashed."
"... So let me get this straight. Diego Seijuro, with his injuries managed to run away from whatever he's running from and was hit by your truck but it's not your fault he's that heavily injured?" The officer took a deep breath and asked.
"That's right!" The truck driver nodded.
"Alright, take this guy back to the cell!" The officer sneered and looked at the driver as if he was mentally retarded.
"NO! I'M REALLY NOT LYING!" The driver tried to explain but he was dragged back inside the cell, "Please! I have a wife and kids!"
The officer just waved him off and said, "Well, Diego Seijuro also has a family but hey, let's ignore that and focus on you."
The driver's eyes flashed angrily but he didn't get to say any more as he was pulled out of the room.
"Fucking guy. All the things he tried to blame, it has to be the victim." The officer shook his head and sigh.
—-
After buying some things for dinner, Issei went first. Why?
So that he can buy what he was aiming for.
After Issei left, Diego returned to the store again, empty handed as he already asked his blue haired cousin to take their items back to the temple.
"Excuse me. How much is this pack of cigarettes and beer?" Diego placed it at the counter and asked.
The cashier paused before asking slowly, "Sir, what age are you? I'm afraid we can't sell these things unless you're an adult."
Diego gave an apologetic look and replied, "I'm sorry, I didn't bring any ID. My dad asked me to buy him these."
"But didn't you have a companion earlier?"
"My dad just called me and I said I was in the convenience store so he asked me to buy him these." Diego's eyes wrinkled in disgust as he looked at the cigarettes and beers on the counter.
Seeing this, the cashier's eyes flashed with understanding, it wasn't really uncommon for parents to ask their kids to buy them something, although beer was unusual that doesn't mean it's rare.
"I see…" The clerk scanned the items and said, "That'll be 2,808 yen." He handed the bag.
Diego gave the money and took the plastic before waving, "Thanks, and sorry for the trouble."
"No problem kid."
After leaving the store, Diego walked some until he reached an area near the river and stopped. He looked around before pulling a cigarette from the pack and lit it with a lighter he uses for his props.
Taking a puff, Diego exhaled as he muttered, "Now that felt good."
Exposing frauds was a very stressful job. The tension of being caught yourself and the worry of what he will do when that happens sometimes unnerve him.
So when he gets home, he does a little smoking and drinking. Not enough for him to get drunk but enough for him to get lightheaded.
As for whether these bad habits affected anyone? Not really, after his parents divorced, he reached the point where he lived alone due to them having their own family and lives.
All in all, he has his own apartment for himself.
Taking a puff again, Diego fell into deep thought but then suddenly, a feeling creeped up to him.
"So you're here. Having some alone time?" Diego heard a voice which made him startled.
Turning around, he saw a little girl with blood red eyes and black hair, wearing a gothic dress, looking at him with a smile.
Diego frowned, the moment he saw this girl, he had a bad feeling.
"Umm, are you talking to me?" He pointed at himself to make sure.
Surprisingly, the girl frowned when she heard that but flashed a smile once again, "Indeed I am. How is your recovery? I thought you were dead."
Diego was surprised to hear that. Did this girl know him by any chance? Why hasn't he heard it from Issei?
Shaking those thoughts, he tossed the cigarette in the ground before stomping it, it was still half way but he doesn't really like smoking in front of someone, especially kids.
The little girl looked at this action with amusement before giggling, "How nice of you."
"It's nothing." Diego shrugged, the creepy feeling didn't leave him but compared to his earlier impulse, this time was tame, as if it knows what not to do. "I'm Diego Seijuro, nice to meet you, miss…?"
This made the little girl frown again, muttering, "Diego Seijuro…?"
The girl slowly approached him. This sudden move made him want to instinctively step back but he held it.
"Diego Seijuro? My name is Altrouge.. Don't you remember me?" The girl named Altrouge had no expression on her face as she eyed him.
Diego ignored her look and said, "Altrouge-san, I'm afraid I don't understand what you're asking. My doctor said I had amnesia so if I was supposed to know you, I apologize." He added the part with some hesitation.
This girl might look creepy but she's a kid so there's no need to be rude, plus she also seems to know him.
"Seijuro.. Seijuro…" Altrouge lowered her head while muttering.
"That's me.. Is something the matter?" Diego's bad feeling intensified.
"Seijuro-san right?'' Altrouge came closer, "I want to tell you something."
"What is it?" Diego steeled himself as the bad feeling approached and activated Epitaph.
"I have a gift for you." Altrouge gave a very sweet smile, highlighting her cute appearance before he 'saw' something swinging aimed at his side.
Due to Epitaph, Diego already saw what it was and immediately retreated, still holding the bag of his cigarettes and beers.
"Oh? I thought you had amnesia?" Altrouge asked as her previous delicate hand was now transformed to razor sharp claws, "Your reaction was fast as ever."
Diego saw the claws extend, glistening under the streetlights. What the hell? A prosthetic? No, too natural. Maybe a hidden blade? No, no mechanism…
…Tch. Whatever. No time for this.
"Hmm.." Altrouge narrowed her eyes. She saw the flash of fear and confusion in his eyes, making her dumbfounded.
… Did he really lose his memories?
Come to think of it, he was already injured back then and barely escaped, now add that with him getting hit by a truck, it isn't that strange for him to have some brain damage.
But she can't believe it, a formidable opponent like him actually lost his memories…
'Or did he?' Remembering how he reacted, Altrouge doubted. That was a very good reflex. If he really lost his memories, he would have been a lot slower.
Let's test him.
"Diego Seijuro right? How about we play a game?" Altrouge suddenly pulled a bag under her skirt. "If you win, you'll get this."
"Hey Altrouge-san. There must be a misunderstanding." Diego forced a smile, "And can you put the props down?"
Props? Altrouge was confused but after seeing him looking at her arm which transformed into a sharp claw, she bursted out laughing.
"P-Props? You think this is not real?" Altrouge asked while flexing her hand, grinning at him.
"I mean… It does look realistic….'' Diego asked hesitantly.
Seeing his ignorant look, Altrouge felt angry for some reason.
"Then why don't you try it yourself?" Altrouge was about to lunge but…
"Wait!" Diego waved his hands, making her stop in confusion.
"What?''
"If I lose, what do I get?" Diego tried easing the atmosphere.
"Then you die!" She said with a bloodthirsty grin before her other hand turned into claws as well, and began swinging in her direction.
Diego has no choice but to dodge while activating Epitaph to accurately avoid hits.
"Why are you so slippery?!"
"Surely there's some misunderstanding right?! Tell you what, I can pay off my debt now." Hearing those words, Altrouge stopped and asked, "Really?"
Diego wanted to wipe the cold sweat on his forehead but stopped and nodded hurriedly, "Of course. Whatever I did to you, I can compensate for it."
"Compensate huh?" Altrouge's eyes darted around his body before stopping in his right arm. Grinning, she said, "Then give me your arm."
"Wha..?"
"I said give me your arm, asshole!" Altrouge lunged again, this time her bloodlust exploded.
Feeling her murderous intent, Diego gulped but as she was about to hit him, the world suddenly distorted.
"Eh?" Altrouge stood there dumbfounded. Her opponent wasn't where he's supposed to be.
And why is she here? How did she get to this spot without her noticing it?
"I really don't know why you're attacking me but can we stop this now?" She turned her head and there, she saw standing a few meters away from her.
"Is this a trick of yours?" That feeling of uncertainty made Altrouge put aside her contempt.
"I really don't know what you're talking about so can you at least tell me?" Diego asked with helplessness. How come he went from doing exorcism to some cute monster girl trying to kill him?
"For someone who lost his memories, you look calm enough." She replied with a cold voice. Her sweet persona is now gone.
"It's just parlor tricks and I believe we can reach an agreement." Diego put on professional mode again.
Altrouge just sneered and held the bag in front of her, "Aren't you curious what this is?"
Diego frowned at her question but shook his head, "I'm afraid not."
She took a look again and after seeing she's not lying, she smirked and opened the bag, showing it to him.
Inside, Diego saw some gadgets, like a flipflop phone, wallet, keys and a bunch of other things. This made his eyes narrowed.
"Did you notice it, dear? These are your valuables~"
Those words made Diego's expression grim. "Why do you have that?"
''If you want an answer. Then why don't you pry it from my mouth?" Altrouge stuck her tongue in mockery.
"I don't think there's anything special there." Diego ignored her mockery and tried to find information.
"Indeed. But so what? You need it so I'm taking it." She shrugged.
Diego has a lot of questions but judging by this girl's response, he knew she wouldn't give him answers.
"Give me the bag."
''If you want it, then you'll have to take it~." Altrouge closed the bag before hiding it under her skirt again, "But I'm sure you already knew that."
As those words ended, the atmosphere suddenly became tense. Diego's face became expressionless while Altrouge still had that playful look.
"So—?"
Before Altrouge could finish, her vision suddenly distorted and a feeling of incompleteness passed on her body again.
"Wha..?" Those words were cut short before a powerful blow appeared at the side of her head, forcing her to block it. Despite this, the impact still sent her flying a few meters.
She landed safely but this time, her eyes widened. She looked at Diego who had that cold look on his face.
This cold look… this familiar blow,,, and even that indifference like he was dealing with something trivial.
"And you said you lost your memories?' Altrouge cackled. Something very incompatible with her girly look.
Despite the blow that sent her flying, Altrouge didn't feel discouraged, in fact, she felt excited.
This is it! There's no point in crushing you, if you didn't have that look in your face.
Altrouge grinned and rushed again but the world distorted again.
This time, having experienced Diego's tricks, she immediately swung her claws behind her and just as she expected he came from behind.
This surprised Diego but he still easily dodged due to Epitaph before looking at her with a cold and calculated look.
Suddenly, he grabbed a bottle from his plastic bag, surprising her before he took the cap and drank it in front of her.
This made Altrouge dumbfounded. Is he drinking in front of her…? Right in the middle of this battle?!
The way he was drinking but still looking at her made her forehead bulge in anger.
*CRACK*
A cracking sound and she was surprised to see him crushed the bottle, destroying its body while the part remaining formed a sharp edge.
"I won't go easy on you this time." Those words made Altrouge grit her teeth in anger.
You just injured me the first time and you almost died the second time… What gives you the right to be so contemptuous in front of me?!
Altrouge's eyes glowed red before she rushed forward, her speed far faster than earlier.
Diego's eyes did not lose its coolness and still dodged her attacks albeit with some difficulty due to her speed.
Altrouge saw this and began increasing the speed of her attacks but Diego wasn't a pushover and began parying her claws, the sharp edge of the bottle glowing as he did so.
Then!
The world distorted again, but Altrouge wasn't unprepared and swung her claws behind but…
'Eh?' She felt her vision covered.
'This is.. Blood?' The smell of blood can never be forgotten by someone like her, a Dead Apostle and a True Ancestor.
Realizing that she was blinded by blood, Altrouge tried removing it but she was kicked again and this time, she was a second late blocking it and the attack sent her flying.
As she was flying, she felt the world distort again making her land unknowingly and as she managed to remove the blood in her eyes, she saw Diego's glowing red eyes and a sharp bottle pointed at her face.
"So? Did I win the game?"