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Somewhere in the abandoned ruins of the NESTS lab.
One redhead seems to be busy looking for someone. Unfortunately, aside from the discovered corpses of the crushed and buried under the concrete Kyoko clones, her search was fruitless.
As she bends and pulls the injured feminine hand, she briefly stares at the severed and crispy limb.
Upon tossing it away like a dirty rag, she indifferently looks at it and sighs. “Perhaps that idiot already escaped, and I’m here, left like a fool, surrounded by her cheap copies.”
Soon, a familiar figure leaning against the wall catches her eye in this lonely, chilly place.
There’s no mistake. It’s her!
“Kyoko!” Ioriko calls her rival’s name as she makes her way through the rocky floor.
No matter how roughly she makes her way through, her opponent remains unaffected, neither does she move from the same spot.
After getting close, Ioriko notices the brunette chained to the wall with the exposed wires wrapped around her body.
Although she is hanged by her restrained wrists, from her torn and dirty clothes alone, one can tell she has been there for a while.
More so, the Kusanagi heir doesn’t have any other expression than a strangely sleepy look without bothering to say anything.
When Iori grabs one wire and attempts to tear them, the brunette chuckles at her attempt.
It makes the redhead growl while she desperately scratches the restraints wrapped around her rival until her nail stingers are bleeding. “What’s so funny? Or have you lost your mind, you fool?”
Kyoko smiles and replies in a bone-chilling tone. “You know, you’re late. Too late~”
“What are you-?” Ioriko lifts her head and freezes at the same spot.
The redhead nervously asks. “Hey, what the hell is wrong with you?”
As the crimson liquid runs down the corners of Kyoko’s lips and drips on her face, Ioriko shakes her lifeless partner’s shoulders.
“Stop joking around! Wake up!” She demands.
However, there is no response from the Kusanagi heir, and the deadly silence lingers in the abandoned, damp ruins.
Eventually, the wires unwrap along with the loosened chains and hang like withered vines.
Fortunately, the red-haired woman catches her rival’s doll-like body.
As her partner continues resting on her, Ioriko becomes alerted by getting soaked in a warm liquid.
More so, Kyoko’s instantly dropping temperature, which becomes as warm as a cube of ice, terrifies even someone like her, who is used to the smell of death.
Placing her palms on the brunette’s cold cheeks, the red-haired woman lifts her chin and narrows her gaze. “Shit... You gotta be kidding me. Hey!”
Unfortunately, despite her harsh and repetitive slapping the Kusanagi heir’s one and another cheek, the brunette doesn’t show any signs of life.
Even her once sparkling amber eyes are dim, and the only thing that gives her paper-pale lips color is the dried blood on the corners of her lips.
Just before she accepts her rival’s demise, several arms sprout from the concrete and hold on her legs.
It makes Ioriko gasp, and the harder she kicks off these limbs, the more appear, and the ground becomes an endless river of blood.
After a pause, another set of pale arms raises and snatches the dead Kusanagi while countless other arms wrap around the redhead’s waist, arms, and chest.
Even when she is about to call for her rival, her voice is cut off by one hand covering her mouth and gripping her throat.
In the end, Ioriko watches the brunette being embraced like a doll while she sinks into the crimson liquid.
As the pressure crushes her throat, her vision fades to black.
Suddenly, the redhead screams and immediately sits up.
Opening her eyes, Ioriko stares at the familiar room she’s in while her chest bloats.
When she notices that she is wearing a purple nightdress with straps and resting in her bedroom, she grasps the bedsheet. “Was it just another dream?”
After she fixes her hair, she facepalms and cracks a smile. “Of course, it was… And that fool is probably still safe in hospital, if not already discharged. Why do you have to haunt me in my dreams? Haven’t we already parted ways as you wanted?”
Upon receiving no response in this lonely place, Ioriko grabs her phone from the night desk and checks the time.
“Well, whatever. I have more important things to worry about.” Ioriko closes her eyes and sighs. But for now, she roughly removes the blanket and lazily gets up.
After looking for the bathrobe and putting it on, the redhead checks the pockets.
When she senses a half-empty cigarette pack resting, she lowers her shoulders. It may do for now...
Lastly, she heads toward the balcony door to start her day. Besides, if she has too much time to think about something that she has no power or will to change, then she should be using that time to practice and prepare for the upcoming concert.
It is a calm afternoon at one park. As the wind rustles the golden tree leaves, the warm orange sunbeams reflect on the river like countless shining gems.
However, one redhead holding a bouquet of roses cannot find peace of mind. After all, Ioriko has decided to settle one business once and for all.
Of course, she doesn’t expect her rival to arrive, but she hopes Kyoko will recognize that she texted her last night.
Speaking of which, one Kusanagi heir arrives at the time and greets Ioriko with an annoyed face while keeping her hands in her jeans pockets. “So, what the hell do you want, Yagami? Or do you have nothing better to do than being a nuisance? And what’s with these roses?”
When the red-haired woman grips the bouquet, the plastic cover rustles and she tightens her lips.
Meanwhile, her partner raises her eyebrow. “What’s wrong? Did the cat get your tongue? Listen, I don’t have all day wasting time like you.”
Finally, Ioriko takes a deep breath and slams her palm against her chest. “I know it may sound crazy, but… I love you, Kyoko!”
However, the brunette’s brief chuckle grows into laughter, which makes Ioriko tilt her head.
Kyoko gives her a mocking look and rests her palms on her waist. “Huh? What kind of joke is that?”
As the redhead opens her mouth to say something, the Kusanagi heir points her finger at her. “Shush. I don’t wanna hear anything, okay?”
A moment later, she adds. “So, you thought that you’re gonna buy me by giving me cheap flowers? You know, it’s amazing how you find new ways of annoying me, but this one may top your antics.”
When she approaches her rival like a feline toward her prey, Kyoko thrusts her chest and clenches her eyes. “You are a disgusting woman, and I had enough of you and your ugly face.”
Meanwhile, Ioriko only nervously stares at the brunette, then turns her head away and lowers it without knowing how to respond aside from wanting to be evaporated at the same spot.
Biting her lip, Kyoko continues her speech. “To think of, a dirty homo thinks that she can groom me. No wonder why your entire clan has died off. You all are disgusting perverts who know nothing but to jerk off to their enemies! So, why don’t you do a favor for the world and jump from the roof? Why do you wait for a silly curse to kill you?”
Ioriko feels how her heart is crushed and stomped on by the Kusanagi heir.
So, that’s what you’ve been thinking about me all the time? She hardly swallows her saliva.
Nevertheless, she clenches her chest and reaches for the brunette’s shoulder. “Kyoko, listen, I…”
Kyoko harshly slaps her palm and yells at her. “DO NOT FUCKING TOUCH ME, YOU CREEPY PERVERT!”
After the brunette raises her palm, she points at the golden ring on her finger. “Are you blind or something? I’m a married woman who has a loving husband and is already pregnant! So, leave me alone, you disgusting homo. Else I’ll roast you to death!… If not allowing him to do as he pleases with you.”
In the end, Kyoko turns her back and quickens her step.
No matter how desperately Ioriko calls her name, her rival disappears into the distance.
Thus, she falls on her knees like a rag-doll and covers her face. Even if she screams at the top of her lungs, the people don't pay attention to her and continue their lives as if nothing happened.
Suddenly, the redhead opens her eyes and realizes that she is in a dark room, and all she can hear is the howling wind outside.
More so, when she wipes her eyes, she feels her palm being soaked.
“What the hell was that about? Why did it feel so real this time?” Ioriko murmurs before reaching out for her phone.
However, the burst of screen light makes her shut her eyes and groan.
After opening her sensitive eyes, she sees that it is not even the middle of the night.
Despite the urge to smoke, she tightly closes her eyes and rolls on the other side, hoping that she will fall asleep soon.
Unfortunately for her, even the slightest noise doesn’t allow her to rest while her heart beats like crazy.
“Fuck…” Ioriko slams her face against the pillow and forces herself to get up by pushing herself.
After turning the night lamp on, the redhead leaves the bed and seeks the sleeping medications along with strong alcohol.
A week has passed. After several sleepless nights, Ioriko rubs her closed eyes that are no different from the black circles around panda's eyes while wobbling like a dead person on the crowded street.
Her body feels like being beaten like a sand bag and aching bones, but she refuses to return home and take a nap or eat anything. Besides, Kyoko may either die on her again or find new ways of torturing her, anyway.
Therefore, a few shots of whiskey or tequila may do a thing by knocking her out from this world. Or so Ioriko convinces herself while heading to the alcohol shop to restock her personal bar.
However, on her way, she bumps into someone. Even then, she briefly glares at the person who bothers her.
Upon recognizing the shocked Kusanagi heir, Ioriko widens her eyes and whispers. “Kyoko?”
No, it’s just hallucination. It’s some random stranger again...
After shaking her head and without facing her, Ioriko pushes her aside and rushes her way.
Meanwhile, the bewildered brunette freezes in the same spot without being able to comprehend what just happened. As if she has seen a ghost risen from its grave.
Even though the last time they saw each other was just around a couple weeks ago before Kyoko getting hospitalized, she is in disbelief seeing her rival resembling like a walking ghoul in the middle of the night.
Nevertheless, her further thoughts are interrupted by receiving a nudge on her back. Thus, she lowers her gaze and makes a long sigh before heading toward the arcade where her disciple awaits for her.
On the same evening. Kyoko, finally, returns to her room with a hanging head and tosses away her leather jacket.
After immediately crashing out on her bed, the brunette hugs the pillow and buries her face into it.
As the salty tears soak her pillow, Kyoko's shoulders shake. Despite being in private, she does her best holding from deeper sobbing.
However, just remembering the previous encounter and her rival's unforgiving gaze, crushes her and howls through her broken voice.
She understands that it is purely her fault ending like this and she starts hating herself for only managing to react like a useless and miserable creature.
More so, it doesn't change the fact that she is the one who has destroyed their relationship before it even had a chance to bloom. Neither does it make her less guilty of hurting her most important and dear person.
In the end, Ioriko hates her and there’s no one to blame but herself. Or so Kyoko convinces herself while sniffing and briefly withdraws her gloomy face to wipe the tears and mucus with her sleeve.
At the moment, she only curls up and stares at the wall and allows the despair to dim her mind.
After some time, countless, never-ending warm drops wash down the brunette’s scalp and back.
However, she only remains sitting and hugging her knees in the shower.
As she looks down with her melancholic eyes, she takes a deep breath and sighs.
At the moment, her mind strays to the memories of the simpler times. Back when the world was under shade of purple.
To the times when it seemed that getting challenged by Ioriko at the least expected moments would never change.
To the times when even after getting dragged from a living hell, Kyoko felt at peace by the redhead’s presence alone.
Even such a simple and mundane thing as relaxing in the bathtub together or staying up late and being wrapped under the shared blanket eased the tense and reassured the Kusanagi heir. If not also gave the feeling that despite being tainted, she could love and be loved.
Unfortunately, she has burned the bridges between them that are beyond repairing. Perhaps Ioriko even ceased seeing her as her rival and now she would be indifferent if she may get sent to Avici.
Perhaps rightfully so. After all, she may have hoped that if she killed her feelings and followed her duties as a successor of the clan, Ioriko may have as well found herself someone who is not broken like her.
On the other hand, what if it is too late for these thoughts? It’s already over and all she has left is trembling and being full of remorse.
Thus, with that in mind, even if it is hard to tell whether the tears are running down her cheeks or only the shower water. Neither does she bother removing the wet and sticking locks from her face.
However, she is immediately returned to this world by the knock on door and a worried yet gentle voice. “Kyoko, honey, is everything alright? You’ve been there for a couple of hours.”
When the brunette lifts her head and groans, she immediately responds in a mildly stuttering tone. “I’m fine, mom!.. So, I’ll leave it in a minute.”
Even after managing to get up and turning off the shower head, Kyoko rests her palm against the wall and lowers her gaze.
For now, she blankly stares with her swollen and tired eyes at the draining hole swallowing the remaining water and sighs.
She doesn’t want to leave a warm and comforting space like this, but she slides the glass door and steps out. Besides, it’s no good upsetting mom because of my own trouble… Hopefully, I didn’t make any funny faces in front of Shingomi as well.
It is the morning of another day. However, the loud tapping at the Kusanagi heir’s window wakes her up.
If it was single time, she may have just ignored it and just returned to her slumber, but that noise keeps bickering her further.
“I swear... Shingomi, what could be that important?” The brunette rolls to the other side and covers her eyes.
“Fine! I’m coming.” Finally, Kyoko throws the blanket and jumps from the bed.
After walking toward the window and opening the curtains, she widens her eyes. “Yagami?”
Apparently, a certain redhead runs away immediately.
Opening the window, Kyoko leans outside. “Oi, Yagami... Wait!”
Unfortunately for her, aside from the roaring engine fading into distance, her voice doesn't reach her.
“Just, what in the world is she up to now?” The brunette facepalms and shakes her head.
Nevertheless, she decides to go after her rival and without wasting a single second, she rushes outside while only wearing her pajama shorts and a tank top.
A few minutes later, when she gets to the mailbox, she notices a folded envelope sticking out.
Upon picking it up and inspecting it, she notices that it has neither the sender nor recipient written on or anything at all apart from the circle shaped sticker holding it together.
Of course, it doesn’t look promising to her and she may have just assumed that it is either a prank or some sort of stalker letter before throwing it away.
However, what if it is Yagami’s note for her? Perhaps for whatever reason even if she doesn't want to see her face, she may still have something important to say.
Please don’t tell me you’re in that deep trouble that you have to ask help from someone who ruined your life.
But for now, while pressing the envelope against her chest, Kyoko rushes back to her room.
Soon enough, the brunette’s senses are confirmed – it is her rival’s hand-writing despite it being more wobbly and less readable, and that she has serious problems. Otherwise, she wouldn't briefly ask Kyoko to meet at the desolated parking lot in the evening, right?
However, another issue is how to get there on time. After all, the Kusanagi heir’s steel horse is fixed, but she is still not allowed to use it for another few months.
On the other hand, even if it would be an expensive option, she may still call the taxi, or in the worst case scenario, just simply get there on foot.
Then, it is decided! If that might be the only way to approach Yagami, then let it be.
It is a late starry evening in the empty parking lot. After one redhead arrives at her destination, she parks her white Honda Civic.
Leaving her car, she shows up wearing red leather pants, white t-shirt and on top of that the black jacket while holding a bouquet of roses.
Even during the night, the redhead keeps the sunglasses on her poker face.
After briefly turning and pressing the car keys, her car’s lights flicker and click.
But for now, she picks up her phone and checks the time.
“It’s still a bit early. Well, let’s see what she said is true.” The redhead sighs at the shown time on her phone. Apparently, it’s still fifteen minutes early.
After putting her phone back to pants pocket, she looks around and leans against the buffer.
Of course, Ioriko is certain that Kyoko will not arrive, but deep inside, a tiny part of her wants to believe otherwise.
Lastly, she stares into the horizon of the city and how the moving cars look no different than flashing fireflies.
As time slowly pass by, according to the redhead’s watch, around thirty minutes have passed, but there are no signs of Kusanagi heir.
Perhaps she has forgotten about it or has something better to do. Who knows?...
Nevertheless, Ioriko continues waiting for her while the bouquet rests on the buffer and her blowing another light gray smoke that evaporates into the lonely night.
Before bringing the cigarette to her lips, she tightens them. “Maybe you’ve been right all along. I should not have never made a move on you and kept these useless feelings to myself.”
Strangely, these words manage to crush her inside and make her grasp her chest, even if she understands that it is nothing more than a painful truth.
When she lowers the smoking cigarette, she shakes her hung head and cracks a smile. “I’ll wait for a bit, but if you won’t come, I’ll take it as your final answer, Kyoko.”
Biting her lip, Ioriko covers her eyes and whines. “Please do not abandon me because I cannot take it any longer.”
Meanwhile, Kyoko tirelessly stares through the passenger seat’s window and hears countless cars around her honking.
Surely, of all possible times just when she is that close to Iori, she has to be stuck in the traffic jam, even if she left earlier.
For now, she checks the time on her phone and closes her eyes without hiding her frustration. Shit… I may get stuck here forever. So, I may just as well reach her quicker on foot.
Nevertheless, she breaks the awkward silence. “That’s it! I’m leaving!”
After picking the wallet from her leather jacket pocket, she throws all her savings to the poor driver. “Please take it. I don’t care, just keep the rest to yourself!”
Thus, just before the confused man manages to say anything Kyoko opens the car door and jumps outside.
Right now, the very least concern of hers is the sea of vehicles anxiously honking or her running around in the highway.
Wait for me, Yagami!
The brunette rapidly pants while breaking through the night with a burning determination.
In the meantime. It’s been more than an hour, but it seems that, in the end, the Kusanagi heir didn’t show up for this date.
“Well, that’s unfortunate. However, I shouldn’t have expected otherwise.” Ioriko cracks a bitter smile while keeping her dark shade.
After finishing smoking, she drops the last cigarette butt and crushes under her foot.
But for now, she gets up and walks toward the backseat door to look for a specific item.
Unlocking the door, she bends and picks a bottle filled with dark amber liquid.
When she exhales, she immediately opens it and chugs it despite her throat washed down by the rough, burning liquid with bitter taste.
Even if her face twists and the whiskey runs down the corners of her lips, she forces herself to empty the bottle as her life depends on it.
As the dizziness and numbness takes her over, she aggressively wipes her mouth with her sleeve and launches the empty bottle at the nearest sign.
Upon the glass shattering, Ioriko tosses her sunglasses away and drags herself toward the highway.
Eventually, she manages to reach her destination. After gripping the concrete fence, the redhead leans forward and looks down at the never-ending rushing traffic.
This is it. She may finally be able to rest in peace and end her blood curse.
Lastly, Ioriko closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Finally, she gathers her remaining strength to overcome herself and...
“... Yagami! Noooo!”
Suddenly, she widens her eyes and gasps upon someone wrapping their arms around her waist and pulling her back.
A moment later, her upper body is yanked and her back is pressed against something while the same arms refuse letting her go.
Even in such a state, she feels how this person’s chest is bloating while deeply breathing against her skin.
While her head is spinning, she groans and recognizes that unusual pitiful voice’s owner.
“Thank goodness I came just in time...” The brunette closes her teary eyes and tightens her embrace.
After she sniffs and holds her breath, she whispers. “Please. I beg you, never ever do anything like this again.”
However, Ioriko’s losing consciousness more until she only manages call her rival’s name before passing out.
Unknown amount of time has passed.
Eventually, one red-haired woman starts waking up and groans. Surely, that splitting head makes her want to smash it.
It doesn’t help that her throat and mouth are dry as a desert along with feeling nauseous and that her bladder may explode at any time.
Although she can recognize that she is resting in someone’s bed. Did anyone call an ambulance or was it the Kusanagi heir sticking her nose when she shouldn't have but instead left her as someone else’s problem?
On the other hand, that bedsheet is too soft unlike the one in the hospital. So, where in the hell is she?
When she shuts her eyes tighter, she slowly opens them and notices that, to her surprise, she is in her bedroom.
Upon sitting up and lowering the blanket, she sees that her jacket was removed.
While covering her forehead, she murmurs. “Just what the hell happened yesterday? And who’s that fool who brought me here?”
When she turns her head, she narrows her gaze. “The hell? What are you doing here, you fool?”
Apparently, the Kusanagi heir sits and leans against the edge of the bed while loosely hugging her knees and hanging her head down. More so, she is only in the white tank top and pair of jeans.
Just how long has she been there? Either way, it must be just another dream and that she may wake up any moment now.
But for now, the redhead throws her legs over the edge of the bed and about to stand up.
Suddenly, she becomes alert and freezes in the same spot when the brunette lifts her head.
“Yagami? You’re awake?” Kyoko looks at her with her sleepy eyes.
When she averts her gaze, she asks in a gloomier tone. “How are you feeling? Or do you need anything?”
Surely, the redhead is not sure how to respond and she only observes her rival hugging her thighs.
After swallowing the saliva and turning her head, Ioriko clenches her fists. “Why am I here and how long have you been here?”
Slowly closing her amber eyes, Kyoko shakily respires. “Do you recall anything before you passed out?”
When she opens them, she begins interrogating her rival while trying to remain calm. “Why did you want me to see me after you told me that you hate me? It must be important that you’ve been ready to throw your life away. But then what’s up with these roses left on your car?”
However, as the bangs fall, they cover Ioriko’s darkened face. “That’s… Does it matter anymore? Weren’t you the one that told me that I shouldn’t wait for my cursed blood to finish me and do it by myself? But I hoped to make one thing clear to you before ending it all or you hating me.”
Surely, the Kusanagi heir is genuinely confused by her rival’s words. Despite that, she lifts her head and fires back. “No matter what you ever do to me, you will never make me hate you or me wanting you to take your life. So, just tell me.”
After not receiving any answers for a few moments, Kyoko rests her palm on her thigh and gets up. “I’ll get you some water. You must be thirsty after chugging whatever was inside that shattered bottle.”
Just before she takes any step, she feels Ioriko weakly hugging her from behind.
The redhead presses her head against her back and murmurs. “I’m sorry… Please stay.”
Surely, it makes Kyoko turn her head and tilt it. “Yagami?”
When she rests her palm on the redhead’s wrists, she carefully sits next to her rival.
“What for? You haven’t done anything.” Kyoko softens her tired gaze and gently strokes Ioriko’s wrists.
Noticing that she hangs her head in the air above her lap, the brunette reassures her. “It’s okay. I don’t mind it.”
At first, Ioriko doubts like a stray dog whether it is okay, but she rests her on her ex-partner’s soft thighs and exhales through nose.
But for now, the Kusanagi heir slowly blinks and lowers her shoulders. “While you were asleep, I took these empty bottles and cans out. But it’s unusual for you to drink that much or being fine with living in such a pigsty. Did anything terrible happen?”
“Why do you care about it?” Ioriko frowns.
After a brief pause, she continues confessing. “I was thinking for a while about something. Since you’ve been haunting me during my sleep, I had to do it. So, I hoped that you would come and I could ask for your forgiveness for hurting you. Perhaps then I would not have ended my life.”
However, Kyoko only closes her eyes and tightens her lips. “Yagami, you fool.”
Suddenly, she picks Iori up like a puppy and pulls her into a hug. “You stupid, stupid woman…”
After sniffing, she adds while tightening her embrace. “Please never do anything reckless like that ever again. Else I’ll follow you and drag you out the Sanzu river, you idiot.”
As her eyes become teary, Kyoko does her best to hold back from crying. Unfortunately for her voice betrays her. “I was so sure that after that accident, you will never forgive me and hate me forever.”
Lastly, she whispers. “You should have told me earlier instead of shutting in because I would never have driven you away. You have no idea how I have missed you.”
At first, the red-haired woman hesitates, but she returns the given affection and wraps her arms around her partner.
Surely, it makes Kyoko widen her amber eyes.
However, feeling her partner’s palm landing on her head and stroking her hair strangely calms her.
In the end, she closes her eyes and rests her head on Ioriko’s shoulder.
Right now, neither of them speak or disturb this serene moment. Only the sunbeams break through Ioriko’s bedroom window and wrap them around with warmth.
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