First Mission: Third Log (Glomp)

9:57 A.M

I was able to push through the crowd, making as less contact with them as possible. There were so many people. Almost all of them wearing these bizarre clothes that made think about the stories of creatures from another planet or those from the old mythologies.

But I must not be distracted.

I kept my eye fixed on my target. He just stood there, and everyone who passed by ignored him. He seems tense. He was looking for something. This could be my chance to attack.

No. I must be careful. No one in this area should know my true intention.

Another group of otakus blocked my view. They looked like a bunch of frogs in different colors. One of them, the green one with a yellow hat, yelled: "I have your tickets with me, guys, don't forget that~"

Tickets?

I looked at the piece of paper that the green frog person was distributing. I noticed that some of the funny looking otakus there at the station was yielding the same ticket. It was the same piece of paper that was on the desk of my target. He forgot to bring it with him.

Good thing I didn’t.

I quickly made my way to his side. There were so many people that he did not notice me until I tapped him on the shoulder.

"Mister, I believe this is yours." I said.

He had a confused look on his face as he took the ticket from my outstretched hand. Relief washed in his face as the earlier stress disappeared and it was replaced with a huge smile.

I wanted to wipe that big smile off his face but before I could reach for my weapon, he had disarmed me with a tight hug.

“HOMIGOSH!!! THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU!!!”

I was stunned.

He had just ‘glomped’ me! Grandfather had warned me about this. A modern special attack created by otakus known only as the ‘glomp’, where the victim is said to suffer suffocation and fatigue after being pushed down by the attacker and locked in a breath taking bear hug. It was almost impossible to get out of a ‘glomp’, and Grandfather was right. I shouldn’t have let my guard down that easily!

This person has shamed me! In front of many people! He had not only been able to detect me but he was also able to disarm me in just a few meters contact. I am a disgrace to my family!

They didn’t say anything about my victim being this skilled.

“OH SH*T!” he yelled suddenly, staring at me from head to foot.

I was alarmed. He must have recognized me with my ninja attire and is going to attack! Immediately, I took a step back, drew my kunai from its hiding place, and got ready to defend.

“That’s the most amazing and detailed ninja costume I’ve ever seen! And that kunai! It looks so real! Who are you cosplaying?”

I was confused. What is this ‘cosplaying’ he is talking about? Is this a secret code? Does it mean he is going to kill me? Or is it a signal to his minions?

The frog people earlier! That must be his guards!

I scanned the surrounding area, but the frog people were already gone.

They must have spread out when they sensed my presence.

Sh*t.

I am cornered!

What am I supposed to do now?!

Yumi Takai