《Last Remnants》


 Prologue: VOL. 1

    "I can¡¯t believe what I¡¯m seeing ladies and gentlemen! It appears the hero Ogata saved a crowd of, ten, eleven¡­ Twenty-eight people!?¡± The male newscaster was gleaming with the sight of the boar hero Ogata, saving many from the fire of the building. The smoke bellowed and the hero with his sheer might held them together, a pile above his shoulders.


    ¡°Apologies! I know how uncomfortable that must be.¡± He laughed setting them down safe on the ground, a group of medics coming to tend to their wounds and set them up to be transported to the hospital.


    ¡°Oh my, goodness!¡± A girl of 9-years-old sat with her group of six friends in the living room. The TV full blast, and the girl punching the air as she stood from the couch pretending to be in a scuffle. ¡°Did you see that!? The boar hero doesn¡¯t only fight, he can save people too, now that¡¯s cool!¡± said the girl, Usagi.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah!¡± a boy of the same age, Okazaki pretended to shadowbox her, and she accepted the challenge, the two play fought near the other two boys, Ishimoto and Shoji.


    ¡°Hey, take it easy. You don¡¯t want to hit us.¡± Shoji said laying his head to rest.


    ¡°I agree. That¡¯ll hurt honestly.¡± Ishimoto laughed making the two scrunch their faces.


    ¡°Man, you guys are boring.¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Okazaki agreed.


    ¡°You guys fight so amazingly too! You¡¯re like, practically remnants!¡± Keiko, the girl who bounded up and down like an excited rabbit smiled brighter than anyone in the room.


    ¡°It was very cool.¡± Giggled Takei, the girl who sat in a proper upright position.


    ¡°Takei. You sit so good it, makes me jealous.¡± Keiko said.


    ¡°I just do what my father taught me to.¡±


    ¡°Your dad must be cool, too!¡± She laughed going over to the pair who were pretend fighting, now standing aside from the other two boys in front view.


    ¡°Let me join too!¡± Keiko took a battle stance, her hands up like she was going to chop them. ¡°It¡¯ll be a battle for the ages! Muhaha!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re on!¡± Usagi immediately took the challenge up, and Okazaki followed suit. The three now battling it out, the room started to resemble a field more than a cramped shanty-like abode.


    ¡°Kids. Dinner is ready.¡± The sweet voice of Usagi¡¯s mother called.


    ¡°Oh sweet, guys let¡¯s go!¡± Usagi leads the charge into the kitchen, and the other two follow.


    ¡°Hey, Shoji. Come on, time for dinner.¡± Ishimoto shook him awake. He lazily rose to his feet wiping sleep from his eyes.


    ¡°Darn, I was having such a cool dream about meeting Ogata too.¡± He tumbled his way to the kitchen, Ishimoto guiding him along.


    The last one remains, Takei, she was about to rise.


    ¡°Mr. Ogata! I have to ask! Why do you do what you do!?¡± Takei knew why he asked that. In a world turning the way it started too, asking that question seemed like a logical one over a strange one.


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    ¡°Heroes are a dying breed. Rare, and culled by the dreaded Mr. Ravage, a villain of the ages, in a world falling apart. The golden age of heroism may be a thing of the past, but that doesn¡¯t mean there is no need for them. We need them now more than ever!¡± He answered with gusto.


    ¡°Right, you are. With world tensions rising everywhere from sea to sea, it¡¯s no wonder we need people like you more than ever. Thank you so much, Mr. Og-¡° The newscaster stopped in his tracks. There was a figure above the building, shadowed, nobody could make them out, only the voice of a woman.


    ¡°My, Mr. Ogata. What a wonderful deed of goodness you¡¯ve done. If only it was enough to make a difference.¡± The shadow figure jumps to the ground. A good seventy-foot drop. She was unscathed. Nothing can be seen, only a dangling charm from a choker around her neck, something all remnants had holding their power; Hers, a charm of a human skull.


    ¡°Bones.¡± Ogata gave her a look of disgust.


    ¡°B-bones?¡± asked the newscaster.


    ¡°Yes. My name is Bones. Though it is only partially my name, there is no need to know more about me than that.¡± Part of her face revealed out of the shadow of the smoke and midnight landscape, a wicked smirk was plastered on her face. Bones. One of many names given to the villains akin to the abandonment of their old ways. Their namesake to keep others from knowing who they are, and identify with the plight of evil.


    All civilians in danger of the fire were taken to the hospital, all that remained was them, bystanders, the newscaster and the cameraman who exited the immediate proximity.


    ¡°Stand back everyone!¡± The crowd backed up more. They knew how remnants could be when they intended to fight and everyone could feel the tension choking the air. The girl standing there seemed to allow this, letting them get a safe distance before pulling something out of a utility belt around her waist. In her finger, she held a vial, a white substance inside.


    ¡°Now that we have no interruptions. I believe it¡¯s time for me to complete my mission.¡± In a swoop the vial burst open, the substance coursing the air like sand and a moment later, a crunching. The newscaster immediately runs himself in front of the camera.


    ¡°Shut the live feed, cut the live feed!¡± The newscaster hasted out. The screen went into a standby message, a buzzing sounded in the room leaving Takei with a sense of horror.


    ¡°O-ogata¡­¡± She said. ¡°H-he¡¯ll win, he always does.¡± There was an uncertainty in her voice. Remnants, the Remnant heroes, they were being killed.


    #


    Years have come and gone ''The world is to be set ablaze before the downfall of the old pretended rainbow. The deathly eyes of every man, woman, and child shall set forth the new beginnings and, in its place, a wonderful new day.'' The words ring through her head. The man named Mr. Nuke Happy and his tainted view of the world. Takei Hisako heard this speech with the rest of the world. A hijacked news broadcast and social media takeover made sure every child under the sun understood. The end of the old world was near.


    Takei grips the soothing blanket of her couch. The helpless feeling sets in, the one that she thought was dead and gone. She stares up at the ceiling.


    The worry of her face fades away, the warming stare of her mother replacing it in her mind. ¡°The world isn¡¯t set in stone, child. The world is a mold set to billions of souls. We shape it, and just like the rest, your hands lay on it. Make of it what you will.¡± The light of her life that turned into a wick left to the wind. She never forgets her, and at this time, she never will.


    ¡°Turn off that damn news.¡± The man who would take the irreplaceable place of her mother walks into the room.


    ¡°Sorry, I just wanted to see what was on.¡± She shuts the TV off, staring at the black screen. The reflection of her father is dead set in the center.


    ¡°Go to bed. I¡¯ve had a long day,¡± he demands, gripping the remote away from her and taking a sit in the middle of the couch.


    ¡°Yes, sir.¡± She retreats to her room, catching a glimpse of the bottle held in his hand. The one he holds like he used to her mother¡¯s hand. He was such a different man back then.


    Being a teenager now, she is still treated as a child. Her room is littered with the remains of what was a childhood long ago. Bunny plushies, grades from elementary, and the sway of an eight-year-old girl haven¡¯t grown stained in it. A seventeen, soon-to-be eighteen-year-old girl remains. She lays in her bed, closing her eyes, dreaming of yesterday and hoping for tomorrow. She hopes for the world to keep going on, as all who live under the umbrella of this world seek.

 Chapter 1: The Birth of Today

    The sun shows itself over the peaks of the mountains. A new day pulls itself from the last. Takei makes her way to school, seeing the passing students. She hears the whispers and murmurs. They all speak of the news last night. It is all people talk about these days. The news became a footnote in everyone¡¯s minds.


    ¡°Do you really think they¡¯re going to go through with it?¡± one of the female students asks.


    ¡°Hell no, how would they even accomplish that?¡± says another male student.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s out of the realm of possibilities. Have you seen what they¡¯re capable of?¡± returns the third.


    ¡°What do you mean that massacre at that military base?¡± The girl shivers in almost instant fear.


    ¡°Yeah, 128 people died. Surely, that shows how serious they are,¡± says the boy.


    ¡°Tragic, yeah, but c¡¯mon, you think that was one person? Nah, definitely a militia they have or something for sure,¡± the third protests.


    The thought pops into Takei¡¯s head. It definitely couldn¡¯t be one person. No one would be capable of taking the lives of so many in such a short amount of time. In less than ten minutes, all those lives were lost, and a secret was taken from the base. It¡¯s classified, the news reported, but the public can¡¯t help but wonder what it could have been.


    She reaches her class and sits down at her desk. An immediate sensation, a warm, tender hug from behind, and a soft cheek pressed against her shoulder. The girl named Shinohara Keiko holds her. Her petite body presses, making her feel the welcome of the week. The affectionate, eccentric jokester of a girl never fails to share her love with the world, physical, mental, or emotional.


    ¡°Morning, Keiko.¡± She laughs.


    She and Takei have been close since they were nine years old. They met at school in the cafeteria. She offered a piece of melon bread in exchange for a stick of Pocky. Takei is thankful to have her remain by her side as they soon venture into early adulthood.


    ¡°Takei, Takei! Guess what day it almost is. You should know the most out of anyone, right?¡± She smiles, her eyes lit up as if fireworks, ready to set the soon-to-be celebration.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to join the adult club soon. You¡¯ve been a slowpoke at it, but it¡¯s almost here. I already have your favorite pink balloons.¡± The excitable girl sits on the edge of her desk, a smile lighting any room.


    ¡°Keiko, calm down, it¡¯s too early for this.¡± The boy with an unkempt class outfit lays his head on the desk. His hands straddle against the brink of the wood, gripping it with a tight grasp. Okazaki Ryota is the hard-headed, strong, bad boy in the group.


    ¡°Oh, come on. Okazaki. No need to make her feel so bad for being herself,¡± says the boy named Ishimoto Yoshihiro. His hair, uniform, and demeanor are all more classed up and fit for a presentable appearance.


    ¡°Shut up, egghead, and why are you eating chips at eight in the morning? Wait for lunch,¡± he snaps.


    ¡°Leave me be, I didn¡¯t have dinner last night.¡± Ishimoto, notable for his large size, eats chips he kept on his desk, doing his best to hide them from his teacher. It is easy to notice him being twice or three times the size of any other student in the classroom; his presence is felt anywhere he goes.


    ¡°Yeah, right, you haven¡¯t missed a meal since we were six years old. You expect me to believe you¡¯d allow that?¡±


    He lets out a soft sigh. ¡°Some people have important things to attend to, too, so I¡¯m eating now,¡± he states.


    Class begins, and the lingering boredom rushes over the group. They all think in their own ways of how to get out of class, although Takei¡¯s mind is occupied. Occupied with the thought of her upcoming birthday. It¡¯ll be the day she becomes an adult, the last of her friend group to reach the threshold. Leaning on her hand, her fingers tap away at her cheek as she stares at the birds chirping outside of the classroom window. They spin around in a hypotonic way, and she can¡¯t help but gaze. It seems unusual for birds to stay put in a way, and she wonders if perhaps it has something to do with all these stranger sightings. The world feels on the edge of madness, and she¡¯s here prepping for a future she and her friends are not sure is a conclusive fact.


    ¡°Godddd, I wish this class would end already. He always drags with his lessons. Can¡¯t he give us a rest?¡±


    ¡°Well, you know Mr. Atsushi, Keiko. Always wanting to make sure it¡¯s properly planted into our heads. It¡¯s boring, sure, but we can all pick up something from it, can¡¯t we?¡± Ishimoto responds.


    ¡°When are we going to use these mathematical terms in our daily lives anyway? Let me tell you, madam, our stock of square frustums is fresh out. Come back in two to three business days.¡± She lets out a small chuckle, her hand covering her snickering.


    ¡°The hell is a frustum?¡± asks Okazaki.


    ¡°No idea, I don¡¯t pay attention,¡± she answers.


    ¡°When you say it like that, yeah, maybe we should all just drop out. School¡¯s a hell of a waste of time, but we can make better of it. Like, building bikes or going down the hills.¡±


    ¡°You two shouldn¡¯t be like that. Have some ambition,¡± Ishimoto says, disappointed.


    ¡°Over what, egghead? The world could end tomorrow. What are we preparing for?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, Ishi, wearing a cap and gown underground after the world ends doesn¡¯t sound as appealing. Sounds kind of stupid, really stupid,¡± Keiko says.


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    ¡°You guys don¡¯t think that¡¯ll happen, do you?¡± Takei pauses, her face spreading with worry. She can¡¯t help but imagine how possible it truly is for the world to end in an instant and nobody being able to do anything about it. It¡¯s been a heavy prediction this group is trying to gain access to the nuclear arsenal of the country or others. A fear everybody has been trying to prevent from becoming a harsh reality.


    ¡°Someone will stop them, or maybe their predictions could be wrong.¡± Ishimoto puts it to rest.


    ¡°Come on, Takei, Mr. Nuke Happy? I don¡¯t think he¡¯s serving up sodas to everyone. Though a soda named after a nuke? That sounds kind of tasty. Mmm, radioactive soda. I could really, really go for one right now.¡± A swoon of her head, and she shifts over closer to Ishimoto, a smile growing on her face. ¡°Hey, you have to have one hidden somewhere in your desk, right? Come on, gimme, and I¡¯ll pay you back later.¡± She taps her fingers on his desk, hope in her eyes.


    ¡°Fresh out, Keiko. Otherwise, I¡¯d give you one. I drank the last one yesterday.¡±


    ¡°Oh, come on, you didn¡¯t even think about me at all! Now I¡¯m a disappointed girl in a boring class. What a stormy day,¡± she says, turning forward.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you one later at the vending machine. I got 500 yen at least.¡±


    ¡°Oh really!? You¡¯d do that for me? Aren¡¯t you a sweetheart!? You darling boy!¡± She jumps in her chair.


    ¡°Of course he has a sweet heart, Keiko. It¡¯s all covered in sugar and caffeine,¡± Okazaki jokes while laughing loud enough to catch the attention of the teacher.


    ¡°Okazaki!¡± The teacher notices the laugh instantly, giving him a heated look that could burn through a lampshade.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t hush your delinquent mouth, I¡¯ll give you three weeks of detention, got it?¡±


    The face of anger on him is enough to stab anybody in the heart. Okazaki just scoffs, feeling annoyed by the intrusion of his laughter, before deciding to stay quiet.


    He turns away, and Ishimoto says, ¡°Justice is best served sweet.¡±


    ¡°The hell does that mean, candy bucket?¡± Ponders Okazaki. Ishimoto isn¡¯t the best at comebacks.


    #


    The day meanders. The marching of time doesn¡¯t hesitate. The march of a soldier felt confined to his home, friendly territory, yet a minefield that can be set off. He may be a paperboy at his age, keeping files for his military superiors, fifty-two years old, but Takei¡¯s father isn¡¯t a slouch, only in the times when he had seven sakes back to back. The file in front of him reads ¡°the sightings of Kitaibaraki,¡± a top-secret file given clearance to the higher-ups. He is hesitant to open the file, his hand lingering over it as if he were a toddler grabbing a wooden block. The sweat drips down from the side of his face and onto the paper. ¡°Damn!¡± he says.


    ¡°I can¡¯t give it to the bosses with my sweat all over it.¡± He closes his eyes, the image of his wife ingrained deeply in his mind. His wife is beautiful, a woman with porcelain skin that is softer than that of a silken cloth; her kisses were like the kisses of a divine. His heart slows, and he remembers the touch of her lips against his. A warm, gentle kiss planted on his lips and her sweet smile every time as to say all will be all right. Her eyes open, and the unique feature of her most beautiful world is revealed. The starry-gray eyes. He can feel his sweat stop now.


    He opens the file to read it with the warmth of her memory hugging onto his brain. The file read of strange sightings and patterns beheld more on the brink of this event. Some call it the event of the Cult of Remnants. The government calls it something different. The Armageddon onset. This was never revealed to the public as it would cause mass hysteria, but the government believed this to be a true threat, and other countries joined in on the fear despite the world being at war with one another. Once simple fearmongering was becoming more of a reality as these sightings spread to the whole world now.


    ¡®The signs of the Remnants¡¯ sightings of numerous displaced children were calling out to what they called ¡°the void.¡± In some cases, an act of defiance against partial figures or an internet trend appears to be absent.


    ¡°This is bad. What will happen if Takei?¡± He stops himself. ¡°No. Takei is a smart girl. She won¡¯t fall for their ignorant ways.¡±


    #


    ¡°Come, come, one and all, we shall fall and be enthralled. Come, come, one and all, become like us and fall, fall, fall.¡± The girl who skipped class, also being in the friend group of Takei, sings in a mocking tone down the hallway. She spots her and tilts her head, a curiosity filling her. ¡°Usagi?¡± The girl drenched in black from a western-inspired gothic dress shoots her a sudden look. She opens her mouth, revealing her four sharpened vampire-like teeth and glistening sunny smile.


    ¡°Yo, Takei and gang, what¡¯s up? Finish your classes for the day?¡±


    ¡°You skippin¡¯ class again? Should have told me, today was pure boredom,¡± Okazaki says.


    ¡°Oh, for real, we could¡¯ve gotten into all sorts of trouble, none of that dragging class nonsense.¡±


    ¡°Usagi?¡± The timid voice of Takei sounds.


    ¡°What was that song you were singing? I¡¯ve never heard it before?¡±


    ¡°You mean the chant of the void? Yeah, it¡¯s all the rage right now, and all the kids are doing it. Haven¡¯t you seen the trend?¡± A rush of confusion plants itself firmly in her brain. Takei isn¡¯t one to keep up with trends or spend much time on her phone. She¡¯s more of an outdoorsy type. The crickets and shanties of nights sung by the wind and trees. It makes her think of summer for a moment, and it¡¯s a quick approach before she answers back.


    ¡°No, what is it?¡±


    She smiles, wiggling her finger in front of her face. The sudden seriousness of her face sets in, a fiery look in her eyes. Seeing behind her eyes, you can¡¯t see anything but the utmost confidence and a wealth of knowledge on the topic. The racking of her brain isn¡¯t one suited for conformity and passing classes, but a worldly perspective is set to her beat and rhythm.


    ¡°All right, so you''ve been hearing about this, Mr. Nuke Happy and his underlings? Well, apparently, some wackos have been taking this all seriously and started to form what they call an ascension group. They¡¯re all crazy, thinking of those guys as gods, and they, too, can obtain those powers. That¡¯s one of their songs or chants to call forth the Remnants. Personally, I think they¡¯re all idiots. It¡¯s why I sang it mockingly.¡±


    ¡°Oh, yeah, think I heard about that. They pass out pamphlets sometimes like it¡¯s a damn event, got one myself don¡¯t believe it for a second.¡± Okazaki brushes the lounging raven hair going down the bridge of his nose. If his dark brown eyes could speak, they would be screaming ¡®what a load of bull.¡¯


    ¡°You¡¯re telling me? There¡¯s nothing good about them, none of you believe that for anything, got it?¡± She grips a mail carrier envelope, Keiko took notice letting her soft light brown hair flow to the side with a head tilt.


    ¡°Do you have a secret crush? I see that envelope, putting it in some lucky boy¡¯s locker?¡± Keiko teases.


    ¡°No, nothing like that, just something I got to do.¡± She starts walking away.


    ¡°Where are you going? Aren¡¯t you going to join us for music class at least, Usagi?¡± Ishimoto leans to the wall, resting himself against it, holding tight to the binder of his book. He grows weary easy, his size a factor, it distracts most from his other features, though his friends always noticed his light brown eyes. Keiko loved saying he had hairy eyes, her hair being similar in color.


    ¡°Eh, I¡¯ll see. Got something to do first, so I¡¯ll catch y¡¯all later or in music class.¡± She walks off, leaving the rest of the group to break up their conversation, and starts heading to their next class. Usagi peers back, the strains of her light yellow hair romping with every step. A sigh proclaims, one filled with the worry of her knowledge. Her mind races. It spins and whirls like an endless cycle. The girl, fearless, felt fear with the curse of her knowledge. The knowledge that she was about to meet with one of the Remnants.

 Chapter 2: Music Makes the World Go Round

    Music class begins. The walls are plastered with works of past musicians, such as Mozart and Beethoven, and their works of sheet music are spread out for all students to take in. Takei¡¯s love for music has been held since the days of her mother. The sweet voice she gave off planted like a fine seed, sprouting and rising from the ground that she lays. A sign of life in the afterlife. And what a gifted women she was. A voice that will set weeping faces for those who felt somber, a warm embrace for the broken and misguided.


    ¡°Sweet darling bird set upon the nest, sleep tightly and know mother is here. I will fly and gather food. Before long, I¡¯ll be home again soon.¡± The lullaby she used to sing, and those were her favorite lyrics.


    They all set up their instruments and prepare to play. Takei on the piano, Keiko on the violin, Ishimoto on the cello, Okazaki on the clarinet, and the two unoccupied instruments, the oboe and flute unoccupied from the two absent in the group. Their minds all come into unison and think it¡¯ll be fine. Today is a day mainly for personal play, then a group, since it seems most of the students aren¡¯t here today.


    ¡°Hey, hey? Where is everyone gone? This place is a ghost town, utterly and diabolical ridden with a bunch of nothingness.¡± Pouts Keiko.


    ¡°I¡¯m guessing most of the students all decided to go home early instead of staying after?¡± This class, being an elective after school, it would make sense, but to them all, it feels different. There is a lingering in the air that tastes of the unknown variety.


    ¡°Don¡¯t matter anyway. Today is a personal practice day, so let¡¯s get this over with so I can go home.¡± Okazaki prepared to play.


    Three dings go off. The sound of the announcement speaker clinging through the room. All of their attention is struck up at the box and then a voice.


    ¡°Attention students. Please make your way to the assembly hall for an important announcement.¡±


    The announcer cuts off.


    ¡°What could that be?¡± Takei says, confused.


    ¡°The hell? Why are they making an announcement now? It¡¯s after school. They ain¡¯t ever done that before.¡±


    ¡°My, this doesn¡¯t seem to bode well. It¡¯s got me all sorts of worried now,¡± says Takei.


    ¡°I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be all right.¡± Ishimoto is the first to place his instrument back in his seat as he raises up.


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    ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡±


    They all leave their instruments in their assigned spots and walk down to the assembly hall. Staring around, other students gathered, but a noticeable lack of them signals in all their heads that there might be something terrible wrong.


    ¡°I hope Usagi is okay.¡± Takei worries seeing her absent from all the other faces making their way into the assembly room.


    They all find their seats next to one another. There is a heavy tension in the air and a clambering of students talking among themselves. Whispers and rumors are spreading fast.


    ¡°This is worrisome.¡± Ishimoto¡¯s tone changes.


    ¡°Aoi, Chiba, where are they? I don¡¯t see them.¡± Ishimoto peers around the room.


    ¡°You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t see Harada either. Weren¡¯t they in class earlier?¡± Keiko adds.


    ¡°Who the hell cares about those guys? Where is Usagi? She ain¡¯t come neither.¡± Okazaki says.


    ¡°I¡¯m worried about them all. I hope nothing bad has happened to them.¡± Takei pauses, staring down at the ground for a moment. She can¡¯t recall any reason why they wouldn¡¯t be here. The students named are students who are always here after school, some of the last to leave in their electives, and they still have an hour left. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d miss it.


    ¡°This isn¡¯t good.¡±


    Then, the sound of footsteps. It deafens the room. Time seems to stop for Takei. Her breathing can be heard in her head. It rattles and stings. Her eyes go to the left, and the window to the outside world is still. There is no breeze or howl, and no cars or grass blades hindered by the wind. The world is a cold and iced-over image. The only thing that moves is the birds. In the sky, they¡¯re going south. It isn¡¯t winter, it¡¯s spring. She glances at them as they break away, and one bird cloaked in black sits on the window. A raven? Takei doesn¡¯t recall ever seeing a raven in Japan before. It doesn¡¯t seem to have anything wrong with it; there are no injuries or noticeable features that other ravens don¡¯t have, but something about it feels strange.


    She steps up. The clacking of her shoes sounds as if she is in an empty hospital. The air is similar to it, a touch going up the back and cool like an ice cream touching bare skin. The world in its stillness is calm, yet the otherworldly feel of this lingers. She arrives at the window and lightly taps against it. The bird doesn¡¯t move, staring into her eyes, its beak perching up at her like a guided missile.


    ¡°You and them.¡±


    The words burn in her head. The bird doesn¡¯t move. It seems to be communicating with her through a form of telepathy. Her heart beats. Her pupils dilate, and the wonder of this supernatural occurrence is beckoning softly on her sanity. Is this actually happening?


    The raven moves now, looking at her other friends frozen in their seats.


    ¡°You and them. You are the ones? My, what great things you will do, and what a wonderful world you¡¯ll bring.¡±


    ¡°W-what?¡±


    ¡°Takei? Takei? Takei, wake up, wake up, sleepy head!¡± Her body jolts, an image snapshotted in her head before she awakens. The image of the raven and an aura of black surrounding it. It¡¯s stuck in her head as she holds it.


    ¡°What happened...?¡± she asks.


    ¡°Takei, this isn¡¯t a time to pass out. They¡¯re about to make the announcement?¡± Ishimoto points to the principal set up at his podium.


    ¡°Whatever¡¯s going on. We¡¯re about to find out.¡±

 Chapter 2.5 Music Makes the World Go Round

    Usagi steps into the alleyway near the school. It¡¯s a building abandoned years ago, a flower shop, and an old caf¨¦. She approaches a dumpster, dropping off a book bag discreetly before she tries to rush back out.


    ¡°You know, that¡¯s some skill you got? Connections, connections, like notes on a beautiful symphony.¡±


    She freezes.


    ¡°You know I wouldn¡¯t be doing this if I didn¡¯t have to. I don¡¯t give a damn about you or your master¡¯s wishes.¡± She protrudes her words.


    ¡°Don¡¯t call him that. I don¡¯t fend on the thought of calling another my master.¡± A young man, eighteen years of age, steps out of the dark. His hooded jacket keeps his true identity a secret, his face unseen, and a single blade of black hair. His jacket is decorated with the signs of music, a clef, rest, and a sixteenth note scattered across it.


    ¡°That so? A man following another man¡¯s orders? I would call you a soldier, but that¡¯s not what you are or any of you. You¡¯re all just idiotic anarchists,¡± she declared.


    ¡°Don¡¯t dare speak to us like we¡¯re mindless fiends.¡±


    ¡°I can say whatever I want about you all. I don¡¯t care about any of you, even if I''ve seen some of you firsthand, I hate you all.¡±


    He pauses and lifts the bag. He opens it and checks to see what¡¯s inside. A file. He smirks and places it back safely.


    ¡°Don¡¯t matter to me, go on, hate me. Doesn¡¯t make any difference.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a filthy Remnant,¡± she spits out. His nose scrunches beneath his cloak. The disrespect angers him. Until it doesn¡¯t.


    ¡°You are a feisty one. Those who speak about you weren¡¯t lying at all.¡± His voice is beautiful, an easygoing road of notes in every word he speaks.


    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that. They can speak on me, but they won¡¯t kill me. I¡¯m valuable to them as much as I despise it.¡±


    ¡°Careful what you wish for. Value can always go down.¡± He smirks. Usagi hates every moment spent with him. She knows he holds the same power as them. He can kill her with ease.


    ¡°I won¡¯t say anymore. It¡¯s not your business to understand us anyway.¡± He turns around. ¡°All you have to do is keep these files coming, and I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±


    ¡°Fine. Whatever.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be taking my leave then.¡± He drops something in a nearby puddle.


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    ¡°Go on. Take your reward.¡±


    She retrieves the item from the puddle, wiping it off.


    ¡°Farewell, for now, you pathetic bunny.¡±


    Having herself be called that makes her skin crawl; her head is knotted with fury, but she remains silent.


    He leaves, and she opens the package. Inside is 50,000 yen. She puts it back and takes a moment to process this. She knows she is in dangerous territory, but she is caged in and unable to escape. She truly did feel like a bunny, lost in the woods among wolves. Any ready to take her carcass back to the leader of the pack. Or what¡¯s worse in her mind. Take the pelts of others close in her group.


    #


    The principal of the school, Miss Haruki, holds the podium. The thoughts are barraging her. How can she go about this? The world is moving at a pace much too fast. She anchors herself in front of the students and makes her announcement.


    ¡°Students. I have terrible news. There has been an occurrence I am sure you are all fully aware of. Some of our student body have gone missing and are presumed to have been captured by the Cult of the Remnants.¡± She reveals a note. It is painted in red, and the letters read, ¡®The New Tomorrow,¡¯ an ominous warning.


    The assembly hall drowns in gasps and chatter. The Cult of the Remnants are bad people. Others may debate the morality of their cause, but they were all taught in their classes¡ªthey are monsters.


    ¡°No way that happened, Principal, just fear mongering. Come on, don¡¯t believe that.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so, Okazaki. Why would the principal tell us something horrid like that unless it was true? Something is very wrong here,¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think this is a fake thing, not at all. She said it with such seriousness!¡± Keiko exclaims.


    The group is in disarray. There is despair in the room. The students wonder about the whereabouts of their friends and if they are the ones who are lost.


    Takei is out of it. Her head is lost in a wave of thoughts. She tries to focus her eyes on the scene. It seems all so chaotic. Everything is going so fast.


    ¡°Takei? You all right?¡± Okazaki asked.


    ¡°Huh? Yes, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± In her head, a flash of something she seems to have forgotten over time plays over and over.


    ¡°I¡¯m surprised you can be groggy right now. This is so scary¡­¡± says Keiko.


    Usagi is on the outskirts of the room, listening in. A grimace on her face appears, her teeth gritting.


    ¡°The students are as follows.¡± She recalls the names of all who are missing. One, two, three, twenty-six. Every name called puts more dread into everyone.


    ¡°It just keeps going¡­ This is awful¡­¡± Takei presses her lips tight, staring down at the ground. A hint of grief sets in more and more, and then she hears it. They all hear it.


    ¡°Yokota Shoji.¡± The group''s hearts sink.


    ¡°Shoji? Ain¡¯t no way they got him. He¡¯s just home sick!¡± Okazaki shoots up from his seat.


    ¡°Yeah, no way, absolutely not at all! It must be a fluke, a fluke!¡± Keiko says in a panic.


    ¡°Absolutely not. No way. I don¡¯t believe it for a second. Something logical has to be applied to this.¡± Ishimoto ponders.


    ¡°No¡­ not Shoji¡­¡±


    Usagi clenches her chest, falling to the ground out of sight. They didn¡¯t, did they? There¡¯s no way.


    ¡°Sadly, the situation is grime. We are unsure at this moment if they will be recovered, but we want to ensure you all we will try to the best of our abilities to bring your friends and fellow students back to us. In conclusion, if any students need mental help, reside with your counselors. That is all.¡±


    ¡°Hey, come on, guys, let¡¯s go! We¡¯re heading to Shoji¡¯s house right away.¡± Okazaki rushes up and leads the way out of the auditorium. The rest follow, and Usagi watches them all leave. She is laid out on the floor. The rest of the students start to rise up. Sadness, anger, confusion, and worry set it to everyone. The girl on the ground felt overwhelming despair.

 Chapter 2.8 Music Makes the World Go Round

    The march down the street was hasty. The signs of owners and shopkeeps wave the students by. They have no idea what their dire situation is. The owner of a local emporium has their TV set up to full volume, the news picking up the disappearance of over thirty-six students at the local school. One was offering the passing students apples, oranges, the occasional plum, and trinkets.


    On a normal day, the group would stop by the local bakery. It was a tradition for one of them to buy everyone a dessert for the day. Matcha cookies or cheesecake, Purin, ice cream, and dango. They brought all the flavors from Japan to give the students a chance to try it all, a cultural bargain for the students'' income. It had been Shojo¡¯s turn to pick. He even told Takei he was going to choose her favorite for her upcoming birthday. Kushi dango. The way it tasted was her own personal sympathy and a memory of her and her mother.


    They arrive at his house, and everything seems in place, no broken windows or signs of anything amiss.


    ¡°Everything seems normal on the outside¡­ It wouldn¡¯t make sense. He was out sick, not with any other student. Maybe one of the teachers miscounted?¡± Takei chimes in.


    ¡°Maybe, maybe, let¡¯s hope you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t want one of our friends to be a goner. It just won¡¯t ever be the same without him.¡± Keiko voices everyone¡¯s concern. In this day and age, it isn¡¯t rare for a student to find themselves in a grave.


    ¡°Well, let¡¯s stop having our fingers up our rear ends and get in there!¡± Ozaki ruffles his jacket up and knocks on the door.


    ¡°Hey! Shoji! It¡¯s us open up!¡± he yells.


    ¡°If I recall, his parents aren¡¯t home yet. So if he¡¯s not here, there¡¯s going to be no answer.¡± Ishimoto reminds him.


    Okazaki twists the knob. The door is unlocked, and it swings open.


    ¡°The hell? Shoji?¡± No answer. The first to step in is Keiko. Nothing but an island of nothingness. There is no sign of life; nobody is on the couch, kitchen, bathroom, or staircase. There is nothing out of place either, signs of a struggle or bad happening. Everything is untouched and the same as any other day.


    ¡°You¡¯d think if something bad happened, something would be out of place, yes or no?¡± Keiko reasons.


    ¡°I agree. And Shoji isn¡¯t the type to sneak out either, especially if he¡¯s feeling ill, so that¡¯s a low possibility,¡± Ishimoto adds.


    ¡°The only thing is his room now, right? Let¡¯s go up.¡± Takei peers at the fireplace. There is ash and debris from a recently lit fire.


    ¡°It looks like someone lit a fire,¡± she says.


    Okazaki bends down and investigates it.


    ¡°Yeah, this doesn¡¯t look like it happened any more than eight or ten hours ago.¡±


    ¡°So precise in that calculation, Okazaki.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I know, egghead, I have my ways of knowing.¡±


    ¡°Arsonist tendencies, I assume?¡±


    ¡°Hey, shut up! I ain¡¯t ever burn anyone¡¯s property down!¡± Okazaki shoots up and stares down at him, a fury building on his face.


    ¡°Hey, hey boys, stop it this instant. We have more important things to worry about right now, and that¡¯s saying a whole lot coming from me.¡± Keiko steps between them, placing her hands on their chests to prevent a fight. It isn¡¯t out of the ordinary for these two longtime friends to fight.


    ¡°He needs to learn to shut his damn mouth! That¡¯s why his stomach lives in a damn circus tent!¡± he says bitterly.


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    ¡°Hush up, Okazaki. It was merely a statement by the ridiculousness of what you said.¡±


    ¡°I ain¡¯t hurt anyone whatsoever, so don¡¯t even assume!¡±


    Keiko has never been good at the serious diplomatic thing. Hardly anyone has ever taken her seriously since they were all little.


    ¡°Okazaki, Ishimoto,¡± Takei says in a calm, soothing voice.


    ¡°Our friend Shoji is missing. Let¡¯s not linger on something that tears us apart when we need to be together for him,¡± she says. Her words have a way of smoothing the most chaotic of ridges.


    ¡°I¡­ fine, you¡¯re right.¡± Okazaki simmers down.


    ¡°Yes, she is. We need to find him at all costs. I apologize,¡± Ishimoto says.


    The two set aside their differences, and the tension in the room evaporates. Ishimoto checks the fireplace now, and he notices a charcoaled piece of paper.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±


    The tattered paper is unreadable. It¡¯s clear there was writing, but it has been burned off by the fire. The only letters seen are in English, making it even harder for them to read.


    ¡°I understand some of this, but most of it is too burned to decipher. However, this is not Shoji¡¯s handwriting.¡±


    ¡°What, what? What do you mean it¡¯s not his handwriting?¡± Keiko questions.


    ¡°It¡¯s... Usagi.¡± The way she wrote and her ability to speak English lined up.


    ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, guys¡­¡± The confident voice shook behind them. They all turn to see the face of a girl filled with regret. Usagi plants her face in her hands and falls to the ground.


    ¡°It was never meant to be this way. He lied to me.¡± She said.


    ¡°Save him? What you talking about, Usagi?¡± Okazaki goes to her side, trying to seek answers.


    ¡°Tell us, Usagi, where is he?¡±


    ¡°They took him, along with the other students. They¡¯re hostages in their game.¡±


    ¡°They? Who the hell are they? What the hell did you get yourself into, Usagi!?¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t have a choice! The Remnants, they took him and the other students.¡±


    ¡°How do you know all this Usagi?¡± Takei softly rubbed her back.


    ¡°I¡¯ve been speaking to them.¡±


    ¡°Usagi!? What do you mean by speaking to them? Those are dangerous, bad people!? You could get hurt!¡± Keiko shudders.


    ¡°I know! I just had no choice! I told you that, don¡¯t you understand!?¡± she says rapidly. She knows what she did was bad. She knows she doesn¡¯t have a choice. It was the only way to ensure his safety and that of others.


    ¡°Usagi. Let¡¯s not get emotional. We need to find Shoji. If he¡¯s still alive, we need to save him.¡± Ishimoto chimes in.


    ¡°What are you suggesting, egghead? We walk right in there and get decimated? Have you seen what they¡¯re capable of on those old newsreels?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s not directly them. It¡¯s the cult that follows them. A Remnant doesn¡¯t have time for trivial things like that. They have other matters to handle.¡±


    ¡°There is an off chance it¡¯ll be one. I do recall reading online that sometimes they collect taxes for them, a sort of piety.¡±


    ¡°That is true,¡± she responds. She has seen it firsthand but doesn¡¯t say anything.


    ¡°Guys, do you hear yourselves at all, huh? We¡¯re just students, and those guys could be armed to the teeth for all we know?¡± Keiko says.


    ¡°Don¡¯t matter. We need to save him.¡± Okazaki is firm in his resolve.


    ¡°No, no! We need to call the police to handle this or something!¡± she argues.


    ¡°What you think they gonna do the moment they see ¡®em coming!? Bet those guys have people in the police department themselves and will be tipped off!¡±


    ¡°Okazaki is making some sense, Keiko. It¡¯s likely people with that much power have eyes and ears everywhere.¡± None of them are certain. They judged this on movies more than anything.


    ¡°Right, so we¡¯re going to do it ourselves, I ain¡¯t letting our friend get hurt or worse! Ishimoto, you and me, we need to make a plan.¡± Okazaki fires himself up.


    ¡°Now hold on. We don¡¯t even know where they¡¯re at. How are we supposed to do anything without that knowledge?¡± He makes his point.


    ¡°I know,¡± Usagi interjects.


    ¡°You do?¡± Takei asks, confused.


    ¡°Yes. City hall tonight at twelve. They¡¯re holding them there for a sacrifice.¡± She stands up; her knowledge of the cult isn¡¯t vast, but she overheard this. She always had a knack for hearing better than most.


    ¡°How do you know all this!? How can you not tell us this? You were going to let Shoji die, you¡ªyou!¡±


    ¡°Calm, Okazaki. There¡¯s clearly something we don¡¯t understand, but we don¡¯t have time to worry. We need to hurry. Let¡¯s get to work. Takei, Keiko, Usagi. Be prepared for the call. Okazaki and I are going to get everything set. In the meantime, any and all information you can get will be helpful.¡±


    ¡°No¡­ I will help you two,¡± she says.


    ¡°Understood. We three will get everything set; you two, keep aware. What we¡¯re going to do will either be incredibly stupid or the end of our lives, so let¡¯s keep that from happening, okay?¡±


    Fear resides in everyone. Usagi doesn¡¯t show it; Okazaki shows his ferocity; Ishimoto has his deadpan face; Takei has her hooded eyes; and Keiko has her soft and eradicate breathing.


    ¡°Let¡¯s get going.¡±


    Everyone heads to their assigned places. Ishimoto and Okazaki walk to Ishimoto¡¯s together, and Keiko and Takei walk to Takei¡¯s home. Usagi remains in her spot. The world is dimmer and more gray. She takes her time looking up from the ground and following behind Ishimoto and Okazaki.

 Chapter 3: Yasui Usagi

    In a house better suited to a vacant motel next to the bayside blue is a girl and her mother. The little four-year-old girl sits on the edge of the bay, eyes locked with the stars and the song of seagulls calling in the distance. The little girl jumps to her feet, the steel flooring shimmering around by a poor man¡¯s handiwork.


    ¡°Yasui? Yasui, come on in.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mommy,¡± she says, rushing herself home. The scent of warm, fresh udon blesses the air, and her mother, tied together with her apron, smiles back at her.


    ¡°Dinner time, Yasui, I made your favorite.¡±


    ¡°Yay! Thank you, Mommy, udon nom noms!¡±


    The little girl is gleefully jumping up and down.


    ¡°Oh, careful, Yasui, don¡¯t want to make a hole in the kitchen floor now, do we?¡± Her mother chuckles as she sets a bowl down for her and herself. She sets one more by the wayside.


    ¡°Oh goodness¡­¡± Her mother says before taking the third bowl away and putting it quickly into the rack once more. A mistake she repeats often.


    The little girl runs to the table and sits herself down. She looks at her mother for a moment, whose smile seems to have faded before returning a moment later.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a wonderful dinner tonight.¡± Her mother joins her daughter. The first bowl to be filled is her and then herself. The steam rises to the steel-bolted roof.


    ¡°I can¡¯t wait! I can¡¯t wait for seconds either!¡±


    ¡°My, you are hungry tonight, aren¡¯t you?¡± Her mother laughs softly.


    ¡°Oh dear, I forgot to ask. Can you get me a hairbrush? I took a bath, and it must have slipped my mind. You know how my hair gets,¡± she says.


    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am!¡± She has always been a good listener.


    She returns with the hairbrush, and her mother takes it, brushing her hair.


    ¡°Thank you, my darling.¡±


    Upon sitting back down, she could see that her mother had finished eating already.


    ¡°Wow, mommy, I wasn¡¯t the only one hungry tonight, was I?¡± She giggles. Her mother shares in her enthusiasm.


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    ¡°Yes, I was indeed. Now eat up, and I¡¯ll give you seconds, love, plenty of nom noms for you tonight.¡±


    She gets up to wash her dish, and then she leaves to eat.


    #


    Thirteen years later, the same little girl is grown up. Her style has set in from the two years she spent overseas with her father in the United States. She has become narrowly fluent in the language and picked up the culture, bringing it back to Japan. She is happy to be home, but the adventure of a lifetime sticks with her as she exits the airplane and heads down to her mother, who is waiting for her and her father.


    The mother and father embrace one another, a feeling of longing now concluding coming back together.


    ¡°Yusui. I¡¯m happy to see you both back,¡± her mother happily states, grabbing the bags to help.


    ¡°Oh, no need to do that at all, Mom. Here, let me get it.¡± She picks them up herself effortlessly.


    ¡°Picked up a few things in America, one being lifting a bit. Did you know America is a mix of some of the fittest and unfit people I have ever seen? They¡¯re also so tall, land of giants, ya know?¡± She giggles and rushes to the cab. She packs her bags in the trunk and turns her attention to a group of people. They¡¯re holding a sign that says, ¡®Welcome back, Usagi.¡¯ Her friends, Takei, Keiko, Ishimoto, Okazaki, and Shoji, stand with a warm welcome.


    ¡°Welcome back!¡± they all say in unison.


    Later that day, they all find themselves in a fast-food restaurant. Her mother and father went about at a fancy dinner place, seeking to make up for lost time. She and her friends are eating burgers and fries and discussing her stay in America.


    ¡°So you¡¯re saying they got these here in America, only more deep-fried, cheesy, and greasy? You gotta be joking. These things already hold a candle to a grease factory full of, well, grease,¡± Shoji declares.


    ¡°Yeah, and they have so many different kinds of trees, yellow trees, green trees, tall and small trees, palm trees and evergreen trees, mahogany trees, an¡ª¡±


    ¡°Treeeess? Come on, Usagi, that¡¯s boring. Tell us something interesting. Come on, come on, like, for example, did they have arcades over there? Oh, or maybe even comedy clubs? I know lots of famous comedians come from there. I bet I could win a comedy off with them!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure, Keiko. Those comedians train their whole lives to be funny,¡± Ishimoto butts in.


    ¡°Nah, bet some of them were born funny and didn¡¯t have to put in any work at all, just like I don¡¯t have to put in work to look this good,¡± says Okazaki.


    ¡°I hardly think that¡¯s a birthright worth being proud of at the end of the day. Seems superficial.¡± Ishimoto says with emotion.


    ¡°Ah, whatever, buddy!¡± He gives a hearty laugh, slapping him on the back. Ishimoto keeps on eating, showing a bit more weight lately on his belly.


    ¡°Speakin¡¯ of good things, ya picked up a style similar to mine over there, huh? Lookin¡¯ hella good, Usagi.¡± He admires her new style.


    ¡°Yeah, needless to say, I finally converted. It seems to be pretty common there, especially among what the American boys call pretty girls.¡±


    She had gone from an average girl to one with a darker aesthetic. Her shirt was a long gothic-inspired design, and her shorts resembled a half-cut pair of jeans that went close to the knees.


    ¡°It¡¯s fitting, don¡¯t you think?¡±


    ¡°It is. It fits you so amazingly,¡± Takei happily states.


    ¡°Yeah, but I missed all you guys, so I¡¯m happy to be back home. It just wasn¡¯t the same without you all.¡±

 Chapter: 3.5 Yasui Usagi

    Four more years passed. Her personality has shaped, and her clothing is more daring. The same goth-inspired clothing now holds hints of emo and new age; a skull design with flames around it as a logo to her shirt, a garter belt around her leg, and a chain extending her shortened skirt. The silky red long-laced gloves, cross earrings, and necklaces complete her look.


    As she grew, she ended up in the wrong crowd. She got caught up in the Cult of the Remnants. At first, it was a good way to earn money, a way to support her mother when her father wasn¡¯t present, but it started to get more intense, from petty mischief hooligans to a full-on brainwashed cultist. The club approaches a whole new world of hate.


    The Remnants rose, and the gang was in an uproar. They sought the power of the void, the place where all Remnants drew their power. A choker around their necks with a dangling charm was the tell of any Remnant; some regular people or cultists like these even made it a fashion statement. They believe that one can be chosen to hold these powers.


    Usagi thinks it¡¯s all a load of crap. Something used to control more people and gather them around their cause. Nobody knows why they were chosen, and nobody can even say it was under their control. Remnant powers and their chosen vessels are a mystery.


    She sits in an old rustic chair, her feet kicked up on a barrel. Their base of operations or worship is more akin to a tavern in its last days than a glorious place. There are pews, a podium, and all of the work of people who believe in something, but she thought the overall atmosphere spoke for itself. This isn¡¯t a place of beauty or divinity but an old beat-up delusion.


    She is waiting for her payment. Payment went through the cult from one of Mr. Nuke Happy¡¯s underlings, a low, low one. He is an older man in his 50s. He reeks of the scent of old leeks and is as charming as a long-dead cabbage. In his younger years, he worked for his predecessor before he passed on. He is the only Old-World Remnant left. She doesn¡¯t interact with him; instead, she is paid by the leader of the cult, Seeker. All money is funneled through him.


    The money going to the group means smaller payouts. The job is simple, provide inside information about certain wants of the Remnants. One of them happens to be her school. She doesn¡¯t understand why they want this information, but the money, even with a smaller payout, is too good to pass in her situation.


    Seeker makes his way over, a bag of cash, and drops a wad of yen on the barrel.


    ¡°Put your feet down. Be respectful of our sanctuary,¡± he demands.


    ¡°Whatever.¡± She grabs the money, fanning it to make sure it is the correct amount.


    ¡°All right, I¡¯ll be taking my leave.¡± She stands up.


    ¡°Where are you going? Do you not wish to partake in worship?¡± Seeker asks.


    ¡°Well, actually, no. I have somewhere else important to be, and the payment has been made. That¡¯s all you needed, yeah?¡±


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    ¡°Is not the most important place here? In the presence of the Remnants watching over?¡± His zealous nature shines through. The others in the pews peer over.


    ¡°Well, I mean, they¡¯re not actually here. Sure, there¡¯s a statue of one there, but that¡¯s not her.¡± She refers to a statue of a Remnant. She doesn¡¯t know who they are; she never pays attention during their sermons, and she is as much a shadow figure as Mr. Nuke Happy.


    ¡°Do not speak blasphemy of them, child! They are the great chosen people who shall lead us to a better and brighter world!¡± he snaps.


    ¡°Yeah, well, maybe next time, all right? Just got something super important to do, as I said before.¡± She starts to leave, and then a glaze of water blocks her path. It acts as a security bar. Her heart sinks. There¡¯s only one person capable of this. A Remnant named Mr. Pond.


    ¡°Tithes?¡± Mr. Pond asks.


    ¡°Yes, yes, we have them here!¡± Seeker scurries.


    The information they collected is on the altar. They trust to pay them before receiving the information. It is a test of loyalty.


    Mr. Pond swiftly approaches it, gathering all the files, papers, USB, and other formats acquired. He dislikes Usagi¡¯s previous attitude. He uses his ability to shift to water and ends up beside her. His flesh drips liquid, and his clothes moistened. The stench is unbearable, but she doesn¡¯t dare shield her nose.


    He speaks to her, his voice affected by his ability, giving a slurred, bubbly tone.


    ¡°Why not stay and worship a while? You wouldn¡¯t want to disappoint everyone, would you?¡±


    Usagi thinks him repulsive. Balding, sloppy, and smelling of drenched swamp water. She holds her breath before answering.


    ¡°I have something important to do.¡± The room is silent. A bug could be heard a mile away. She pauses, almost regretting her decision to stand up and say what is right to herself. These are dangerous people, people who can kill any normal person like a fly. She lingers, standing firm.


    ¡°Time is a commodity we cannot waste. You¡¯re right. Go,¡± he says. He lets her go and sneaks out the door to his right.


    Given permission from him, nobody dares question going back to their bearings. There is a battle in her mind; she hates that she needs permission to leave, yet she isn¡¯t an idiot. She leaves with the confidence she held from the conversation.


    #


    The group of three rummaged around the room, seeking paper. Ishimoto manages to find one, setting it out on a nearby table for everyone to see. Returning with a pencil, Okazaki taps it on the desk.


    ¡°Right, so we need to draw out a plan. Things we need and such.¡± Okazaki draws a line down the middle.


    ¡°That¡¯s correct. Unfortunately, we don¡¯t know exactly what we¡¯re getting into, so we need to make logical guesses. I suggest we take flashlights.¡± His logic laid around it being nighttime. The building holds lamps around it, but it is always dark from the inside past a certain time.


    ¡°I suggest we take some of my pocket knives. I have a few in my collection. If things come to worst, we ain¡¯t getting caught defenseless,¡± he says.


    ¡°Probably not a bad idea. Hopefully, we don¡¯t need to use them, but we¡¯ll add them to the list. Usagi? What do you suggest.¡±


    The two boys look at her. She grabs a chair, scrapping it on the floor, and flops herself into it. She crosses her legs and closes her eyes.


    ¡°This is risky, guys. We might get killed.¡± Her mind lies on the possibility of them getting hurt. She hates the idea with passion.


    ¡°We are aware of that, Usagi. But if we don¡¯t do anything, Shoji will die. It¡¯s a dilemma, and the best choice here is to risk this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I ain¡¯t gonna¡¯ have that on my conscience. So we have to go save him.¡±


    ¡°You guys aren¡¯t going to sway away from this at all, are you?¡±


    They both sway their heads in affirmation.


    ¡°Well then, in that case, I suggest we take a box of matches.¡±


    ¡°Matches?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Trust me on it.¡±

 Chapter 4: The Plan

    Takei and Keiko head to her house. Upon stumbling on a warehouse supplies store on the way, they change course. Their current stance is idle, and they choose to help instead.


    ¡°Keiko? What do you think we¡¯ll need? I honestly have no idea what we would.¡±


    ¡°Um, you¡¯re asking me? Neither do I. I never had to save one of my friends from the brink of death before. Nor do I even know the difference in these wrenches.¡± She grabs a strange one. It seems to have twelve different settings. ¡°Like, what is this? A Swiss army wrench? I have fewer settings on my phone.¡±


    Takei scans the wall of tools. It reminds her of a spy movie, ropes, wire. She can¡¯t see a silencer gun being out of place. Of course, they¡¯d never have that.


    ¡°If only they had silencer gun on here, I bet that would make this mission more possible.¡±


    ¡°Takei, this isn¡¯t an American supply store,¡± Keiko jokes.


    The girls then go down the aisle to a section of stuffed animals.


    ¡°Oh, I know! Let¡¯s get a stuffed animal for Shoji. That way, when we save him, he has something to make him feel good!¡± Keiko reasons.


    ¡°Keiko, I¡¯m not so sure that¡¯s 100 percent necessary.¡± There is a sigh in her voice. Keiko rarely takes anything seriously, even when the situation is worrisome like this.


    ¡°No, no, trust me, it¡¯ll be good. I¡¯ll give him this one.¡± She picks up a bear in a woodworker apron. She snuggles up with it, the softness making her purr.


    ¡°Yes, this one is it! I¡¯ll buy this one for him. Mr. Bearwrench,¡± she says.


    ¡°That¡¯s nice of you, Keiko.¡± Takei changes her tone, seeing how happy it made her. She can¡¯t shake off, though, that this isn¡¯t the best use of their time, but she can¡¯t think of anything that¡¯ll help out. She has a hint of uselessness.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to get. Maybe we¡¯ll just wait for them to finish.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, that¡¯s the best course of action for us. Now let¡¯s get this nice bear and purchase it.¡± She skips down the aisle, a hearty grin on her face as she goes up to the cashier and pays for it.


    The female clerk in her older years hands them their change. ¡°What lovely dears, buying a gift for one of your boyfriends?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh no, this is for my friend, his name is Shoji. He¡¯s in a bad place right now, so I¡¯m getting him this,¡± Keiko answers.


    ¡°Oh my, a friend in a bad place? Even sweeter, in my day, it was rare to buy gifts for friends without occasion. It warms my heart to see goodness in this evil world still.¡±


    ¡°Yeah! You have a wonderful day, ma¡¯am.¡± She bows respectfully and leaves together with Takei.


    ¡°Hey, hey, do you think that he¡¯ll mind that it¡¯s a woodworker?¡± she asks as they walk along.


    ¡°Why would he mind?¡± Takei holds tight to her bag.


    ¡°Mmm, I don¡¯t know. I never seen Shoji do anything that comes to wood. He isn¡¯t a lumberjack type at all.¡±


    ¡°None of us do. We live in a city, Keiko.¡± Takei chuckles, covering her mouth. Out of her bag, she takes her phone, checking her messages.


    ¡°Fair point! Just want to make sure he¡¯ll love it,¡± she says sincerely. ¡°Any word from anyone?¡±


    ¡°No. They must be still planning.¡± She retires her phone into her bag.


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    ¡°Should we go home for now?¡±


    ¡°Umm, nah, I¡¯d rather do something else while we wait? How about we go get some ice cream? Tasty time?¡± She grins.


    ¡°I think we should wait for tomorrow. You know, when Shoji comes back and everything?¡±


    ¡°Eh, but I still don¡¯t feel like going home, so how about we just hang out there then, huh? I promise I¡¯ll get him some tomorrow.¡±


    ¡°Mmm. Sure. If you really feel like staying in town, I¡¯ll stay with you.¡±


    Keiko jumps with joy. ¡°Heck yeah! Ice cream land, here we come!¡± They make their way to the local ice cream shop. It is a humble side shop on the corner of a dead street. It is great for a quiet eating experience but bad for business. You can see it in the lack of maintenance, upkeep, and workers.


    They sit down in a booth. Keiko immediately grabs a menu, glancing it over. ¡°They have so many ice cream choices here. I love this place!¡±


    Her tone changes. ¡°Takei. Do you think this plan will work?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t truly know. This is a scary and uncertain situation.¡± Her fear basks in the same light as Keiko.


    The hum of the ice cream machine, then a loud bang and clang as the machine malfunctions, and an employee smacking in it divides their attention.


    ¡°Stupid thing!¡± he says before the drowning of his voice is replaced by the volume of the TV. A news bulletin flashes on the screen.


    ¡°Breaking news. A message from Mr. Nuke Happy''s organization has been sent to us here at our news station.¡± A noticeable dip in the anchor man''s bravado is apparent as the screen switches over to a silhouetted man. His outline is indistinguishable from that of a normal person; everyone in the shop has their attention stolen.


    ¡°Is that him?¡± Keiko asked.


    ¡°Possibly, unless it¡¯s a rouse of sorts? I don¡¯t think they would do that, though.¡±


    ¡°Hello, everyone. My name is Mr. Nuke Happy. I¡¯ve come to deliver upon the world more of what the future is to hold. A great peril resides in us all. Every country, every nation, and flag held high with the famine that is dissembled nationalism. Every person on this earth resides, in fact, as a person in the mirror, a shameless vanity of the self, and that in itself can¡¯t be seen more than by the chosen we sought. Soon, the world will understand this. Know that we didn¡¯t wish for this. It is simply a byproduct that needs correction. I take no joy.¡± His voice is alluring, a smooth brick road with no gaps or bumps. Everything he says one would say to be true even if it seems like lies to the girls.


    ¡°I don¡¯t believe him at all, not one bit. I bet he revels in what they¡¯re doing. They can only be cruel people.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say he¡¯s speaking the truth either. Them kidnapping students is evil.¡±


    The people in the ice cream shop are of different natures. Some of them are disgusted and hold the faces of being against him. The other are awestruck, feeble, and moldable minds of his. It didn¡¯t used to be this way. The youth and people of thirty to forty years have come to an agreement. The world is spiraling.


    ¡°I leave you with this. Don¡¯t be angry, sad, or worried about what the world is coming to. Just know that there¡¯s a way out, freedom, and a bright horizon beyond the darkest night. Stay happy, everyone.¡± Even by the silhouette, it¡¯s clear the man is smiling, and the camera cuts.


    ¡°That¡¯s. Well. That¡¯s that,¡± the news anchor says before continuing on as normal.


    ¡°I don¡¯t like him; he seems like a person who is full of himself and so pretentious! I didn¡¯t even under half the words he said!¡± Keiko slams her hand on the table, and a man dressed in a pink, white, and blue uniform appears.


    ¡°Please don¡¯t keep up that racket. You might cause an uproar. I don¡¯t need that in my place of business.¡± He groans.


    ¡°Oh, and who are you, sir? The owner of this ice cream shop, you say? Can we get some ice cream for free?¡± She grins in excitement, slamming the table once more.


    ¡°Keiko, please don¡¯t be rud¡ª¡±


    ¡°Fine, fine, I¡¯ll give you some Neapolitan, nothing fancy, just a bowl. Just please don¡¯t be causing any more commotion.¡± The man leaves to the back.


    ¡°See? Sometimes, you have to be incentive!¡± She smiles mischievously.


    ¡°I think you mean assertive.¡±


    ¡°Whatever, the point being you have to learn to tell people what you want sometimes!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not so sure that¡¯ll always work. Besides, it seemed more like a shakedown.¡±


    He brings back a bowl of ice cream, setting it down on the table for both of them.


    ¡°Oh, sir, I didn¡¯t need an¡ª¡±


    ¡°Thank you!¡± the girl scrambles out. Her hot face is now being cooled with the sweet sensation of chocolate, vanilla, and her favorite strawberry flavors.


    ¡°Mmm, I don¡¯t know why people don¡¯t like strawberry. It¡¯s the best flavor by far!¡±


    The man walks away, tucking in his cap, and he returns to his duties serving patrons.


    ¡°Hey, hey, Takei, you should also take opportunities, y¡¯know? When life hands you ice cream, you make¡­?¡±


    ¡°I make? What would I make with ice cream?¡±


    ¡°The best of it!¡±


    She grabs her spoon, placing it into her bowl, egging her on to go ahead. Takei is hesitant, staring down at the bowl. It feels wrong to do it, but at the same time, it¡¯ll ease the tension she feels about tonight. As she takes a bite, she can¡¯t help but think maybe that¡¯s what keeps her so sane in hard times. Even in the face of danger, keeping hot nerves cool isn¡¯t an awful idea.

 Chapter 4.5 The plan

    Usagi returns to her home. The plan is ready, and she needs to make quick preparations. She lays her hands on the dresser. A mirror is in front of her. She takes a long glance into her eyes, gaining her composure. Usagi is fearless, but even the fearless have their moments. She taps on the wood and reaches for the handle. Inside, she delves for a new set of clothing before changing out of her school uniform.


    The air is heavy with noodles and a warm steam of tea brewing in the kitchen. She lingers, taking in her appearance. In eighteen years of life, she never saw herself getting in this much trouble or dragging along others with her.


    ¡°Mom?¡± she says timidly. Around her mother, she is the same little girl.


    ¡°Yes, love? Is everything all right?¡± she asks tenderly.


    She goes up to her, wrapping her arms around her waist; a leaning head is pressed into her back. From her back, she reveals an envelope, laying it down on the counter.


    ¡°I¡¯ve gotten more money from my job. It¡¯ll help buy groceries for the next couple of months, Mom,¡± she says.


    ¡°Your job pays you a lot. I do hope you aren¡¯t getting into trouble again,¡± she says sternly.


    ¡°N-no¡­¡±


    The faint sound of chopping on the cutting board fades, and her mother crosses her arms, peering down at the girl.


    ¡°You remember what I taught you about lying?¡±


    ¡°I- I¡¯m sorry, Mom, I just hate disappointing you¡­¡± she says, saddened.


    ¡°Disappointing me is something I¡¯d prefer over you lying,¡± she responds.


    Her mother has always had a touch of otherworldliness. A bell of a voice that can be gentle or harsh as needed. She drapes her cheek against her fingers.


    ¡°I wish you¡¯d understand that you¡¯re more important to me than money. I don¡¯t want to see you hurt.¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t get hurt. I¡¯m smarter than I used to be.¡±


    ¡°Smarts doesn¡¯t equate to sense all the time dear. You¡¯re human, and all humans make mistakes.¡± Now, she is bending down in front of her. Usagi is reminded of her childhood. When she fell and wounded her leg, she tended to it. Whenever a girl or boy was mean to her in school, she held her, and whenever she needed someone when nobody else wasn¡¯t available, her mother stood there beside her.


    ¡°Be careful. I know you¡¯re an adult now, but you¡¯ll always be my baby girl.¡±


    ¡°Yes, Mother, I promise you I¡¯ll be careful from now on.¡±


    They embrace. Usagi feels the lie between her teeth, knowing what will happen later tonight. The image of her breaking her mother¡¯s heart is unbearable.


    ¡°Now get ready for dinner, I made udon tonight.¡±


    #


    The group is on a six-way call. They¡¯re making their final preparations and are waiting for their parents to head off to bed.


    ¡°Damn, man, I can¡¯t say I ain¡¯t nervous,¡± Okazaki breaks the silence.


    ¡°Why are you nervous, Okazaki? Out of everyone here, I thought you would have the most fun with that rebellious spirit of yours,¡± Ishimoto says, doing his homework on call.


    ¡°Yeah, man, but like, we actually could get killed tonight, and I don¡¯t know about you all, but I ain¡¯t a fan of being buried six feet under at eighteen years. Barely started to live.¡± Okazaki kicks the side of his bed softly.


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    ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t want to either. I still have so much life to live, foods to try, games to play like we can¡¯t die, so we have to make sure everything is perfect.¡± Keiko blares.


    ¡°I think it¡¯ll be all right. Usagi knows what she¡¯s doing. I trust her,¡± Takei reassures.


    ¡°Eh, well, I¡¯ll admit, guys, that I do know more than most about them. I can¡¯t guarantee that I¡¯ll be right in every regard. I¡¯ve heard through tales of cultists more than the Remnants themselves,¡± she states.


    ¡°We better hope you¡¯re right! Like, hell, if one of us dies tonight, I ain¡¯t gonna ever get over that for real, so you all better stay alive!¡± Okazaki says.


    There is silence; they hold to the belief that it¡¯ll be fine, but none of them are escaping the reality of risk.


    ¡°That¡¯s the intention. We just have to be sneaky, like when we used to play hide-and-seek at the park. If we do that, it¡¯ll be an easy victory for us.¡± Takei tries to calm everyone. It seems to work.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah! Also, also! My parents are off to bed. What about you all?¡± Keiko shoots from her bed, starting her sneaking out process.


    ¡°Passed out an hour ago, I¡¯m already near the city hall with Ishimoto,¡± Okazaki says.


    ¡°Yes indeed. We are scouting from the bus stop.¡±


    ¡°Mother is in bed, I¡¯m heading out,¡± Usagi says.


    ¡°What about you, Takei?¡± Keiko asks last.


    ¡°My father. He¡¯s out at the bar, I believe. He won¡¯t check my room. I¡¯m just getting some stuff really quick.¡±


    ¡°All right! In that case, I¡¯m heading to city hall right now. See you guys there!¡± Keiko hangs up, followed by everyone else, until Takei is alone.


    Takei bows her head into the pillow. The memories of Shoji play in her head. None of them can go on without him, his smile so joyous, his down-to-earth lazy personality. It makes her chuckle, and she rises from her bed, grabs her backpack, and heads down the stairs.


    To her surprise, the television is on. It is a romantic TV show where one boy confesses his love to the one who always wanted him. The TV flickers off the lampshade and her eyes draw on it. An odd shadow scurries across it as she lets out a gasp.


    Her feet move on their own as they take her to the living room, the black light dropping over the fence-like wall. It appears to her in reality, but reality feels lost, and the weight of the world a million times lifted. And a voice.


    ¡°Destiny comes for all.¡±


    ¡°Who said that?¡± she says, jolting her head around the room. She stares up at the ceiling, a hand basking over the brown-hued roofing. It lowers down, and she swears it grabs her before it stops. The hand hovers, a figured shadow of an invitation.


    ¡°Destiny. Can not be avoided.¡±


    The hand gives off a glow. She can taste the icy air. A black void beneath her, she¡¯s dragged down into the depths. There is nothing here. Darkness.


    ¡°Please end this nightmare¡­¡±


    The void vanishes. Takei awakens on the sofa, and the show is going on, the same as her dream. Was I just dreaming?


    She gets a text on her phone, and when she reads it, it¡¯s Keiko. ¡°Hey, slowpoke, come on down, we¡¯re all waiting for you!¡±


    The time on her phone reads thirty-three minutes later. She wonders if she has been so tired that she plopped herself on the couch, waiting for the right time to join everyone. Her bag and things remained beside her. She messages back. ¡°On my way now.¡±


    Getting up, she grabs her things and makes her way out the door. She pauses, staring at the living room. Everything is normal, nothing out of place, nothing unusual. What have these dreams been? Her eyes dart away, and she runs out the door.


    The distant sound of crickets and low hums of electrical wires buzz. Tapping her feet down onto the pavement, she gets closer to the bus stop. City hall being a ways away, she decides to take late-night transit. It has become more common for buses to run later since the insurgency of government jobs. It is an effort to dissuade the rising concerns of Mr. Nuke Happy and his gang of thugs. Bases pop up around Japan, and the local city has a wealth of them. The bus stop owners figured why not capitalize on it¡ª civilian and government workers alike with a twenty-four-hour cycle. A shady business practice that has only become more common in the world.


    Waiting at the bus stop, she props her bag behind her back, acting as a pillow. The wind chill is cutting during the night. She holds her shoulders, running her hands up and down, seeking the warmth of her body heat. Soup would be wonderful right now. I hope Shoji isn¡¯t too cold.


    The bus arrives, and it¡¯s full of people. A sight that never would have been seen five years ago. They have all these people working and traveling and dead of night. It is sad knowing there are empty beds at home to Takei.


    Paying her toll, she goes to take an open seat. Nobody is sharing it with her, which calms her mind, pressing her bag to the open seat. None of these people are going to city hall. That part of town is dead at this time, even with all these changes. Only those bases off the shoreline where her father works have any activity at this time.


    Leaning against the glass, she stared at the town lights like fireflies in the after dark. She remembers her birthday. It¡¯s tonight.


    To think the first hours of her adult life were going to be spent trying to save her friend¡¯s life. She giggles lightly at the thought. She wouldn¡¯t have it any other way, as the bus takes off down the street heading for downtown.

 Chapter 5: Daring Rescue

    The bus comes to a halt at the last bus stop before exiting the city. She makes sure to take it, not wanting to go out of town. Cities that are bigger than there are out of her area of expertise. It¡¯s a curiosity of hers to see them someday, but certainly not today as she takes her leave from the shuttle. Her friends are all sitting down at a nearby bench as Keiko waves at her.


    ¡°Hey! Over here, slowpoke! Follow the red brick road! It doesn¡¯t really have the same ring to it, does it?¡±


    The crosswalk is a red paved road, a symbolic gesture given to the town long ago. A showmanship of good luck, hovering sun over the people of city hall and the townspeople. Having such a grand gesture in a town with little significance always felt odd, but perhaps that¡¯s what makes them into cities Takei used to contemplate. Her venture forth across it is shadowed by the looming city hall. It casts down on the buildings below, ranging from bakeries, bookshops, caf¨¦s, and the nearby park. It is a cozy area where various people gather for town events or just to unwind.


    ¡°This is¡­ is anybody else feeling this, this¡­ like, heaviness in their chest?¡±


    ¡°Okazaki, come now. You¡¯re always talking yourself up, so now you have to live that out.¡± Ishimoto is surprised to see him so out of it. Okazaki has a reputation for being a daredevil.


    ¡°Hey, shut up! I know that, but it¡¯s like¡­ I ain¡¯t ever done anything like this before. It¡¯s bound to be nerve-racking. Sure, I, like, live dangerously, but I reckon there¡¯s less danger in that then this.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I have to say the same here for me. I mean, I have been in dangerous situations and all that stuff, but I was never putting myself directly into it. More so, trouble found me instead of the other way around,¡± Usagi agrees. Even her involvement with the cult isn¡¯t fully voluntary, though it became like an addiction to the money.


    ¡°Ah, you all are making me nervous. It¡¯s making me think, what if one of those Remnant guys is in there!?¡± Keiko confides. ¡°I mean, I have seen those old news rules too. Remember that one bones girl? She killed that one guy so brutally, even if it was censored¡­¡±


    ¡°Keiko, don¡¯t assume like that. It¡¯s highly unlikely. Besides, we gathered as much as we needed to make sure this mission is a success.¡± Ishimoto lays a satchel on the bus stop bench. Laid out in front of them all are the necessary tools to make sure everything goes smoothly.


    ¡°We got the matches, Usagi, though I am unsure why you needed these.¡± He hands them over to her.


    ¡°For his tail,¡± Usagi said.


    ¡°Come again?¡±


    ¡°I sure hope it doesn¡¯t,¡± Keiko remarks.


    ¡°W-what are you saying, Keiko?¡± Ishimoto says, dumbfounded.


    ¡°Mr. Pond. One of Mr. Nuke Happy¡¯s lower lieutenants is responsible for kidnapping and bounding those he needs to disappear or prove a point. I am remarking on his hypothetical tail, meaning I will burn him.¡±


    ¡°Wait. But isn¡¯t he water with a name like that?¡±


    ¡°That is true, but there is a flaw in his abilities. He isn¡¯t what he used to be, and his power resides in a pond, more accurately, a reek pond. From what I understand, he can be burned better than he can be hit.¡±


    ¡°I believe I understand. Remnants are complicated, though. They hurt my brain to understand.¡±


    ¡°Just imagine oil in water, same effect,¡± she answers.


    ¡°Oh!¡± she said enthusiastically. ¡°I don¡¯t get it.¡±


    A hard pinch clasps onto the side of her cheek, leaving a sharp pain.


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    ¡°Ow! Usagi!¡±


    ¡°Oi, you can be such a dummy at times, Keiko.¡±


    ¡°I know! Just let me be a dummy peacefully!¡± The veil of worry is lifted with their antics, and their bodies are more relaxed and ready for action. Takei stares up at the building, the beginning of a dangerous life-and-death situation.


    ¡°Guys, focus!¡± Ishimoto gets more uppity, his attitude more serious.


    ¡°We got one shot at this. We can¡¯t screw it up.¡±


    ¡°Got that right. Let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t need those matches.¡±


    Usagi reaches into her pocket. She takes out a lighter with a skull design on it, pitch-black and brand new.


    ¡°And what good is a plan without a backup plan?¡±


    ¡°Woah, that¡¯s some sick artillery you got there!¡± Okazaki says, stoked at the design.


    ¡°Yeah, I know, and redundancy breeds certainty.¡±


    ¡°Hehe, breeds.¡± Keiko snickers.


    ¡°All immaturity aside,¡± Ishimoto declares.


    ¡°The time has come.¡± Indeed, the time is now upon them. The weight of their friend''s life is in their hands. The first to step forward onto the staircase of city hall is Takei.


    ¡°Let¡¯s save our friend.¡±


    They scan the entrance, and the door is shut tight. There¡¯s another one to the left, which is used by media people and politicians to enter. It is closed. However, the group has a sneaking feeling. Okazaki takes charge, turning the knob and creaking open the door. The hallway is far-reaching, and there are dozens of doors. It brings up another problem for them.


    ¡°Coast is clear, but there¡¯s a hella lot of doors. Where do we begin lookin¡¯?¡± Okazaki whispers.


    Ishimoto makes headway in calculating his options. Nothing is out of place. The whole world inside here is almost untouched.


    ¡°They know how to cover their tracks. It¡¯s almost like nobody is here at all. Yet the door was open. Cation is an order.¡±


    The deaf hallway is concerning. Spotted around the upper walls are cameras recording their movement.


    ¡°Oh hell, cameras! Why didn¡¯t we think there would be cameras?¡± Their faces are for sure sealed in footage now.


    ¡°Clearly, we didn¡¯t think of everything. Well, there¡¯s nothing we can do but press forward now.¡± Glaring ahead of everyone, Ishimoto investigates the doors. Everyone follows suit. Noticing the same wood, the same structure of all but one of them has a colder, wet chill.


    Ishimoto makes his way over. A smooth line of water is underneath.


    ¡°This is probably it.¡± Before he can start turning the knob, Usagi grips his wrist.


    ¡°Don¡¯t be hasty.¡± She removes his hand from it, taking the initiative herself. A turn to the right, and the door begins to open. A dripping of water lingers down from the sides of the door frame, and a swoosh. ¡°I think we found our room.¡± The door pushes open to a wave of water flooding the ground. A lingering scent of fauna follows.


    Inside the room is an overgrowth and seeping liquid from the walls. The signs of Mr. Pond are written all over. The speakers used for the amplification of the mayor¡¯s speeches have wires sticking into the water.


    ¡°Careful, everyone. That could be a hazard.¡± Ishimoto peers around the room in search of danger. The speaker is still plugged into its socket, and the wires are live.


    ¡°I take it this was no mistake. This seems to be a trap for anyone who may stumble in by accident. We need to find a way around it.¡±


    ¡°If only we had something like a zipline or whip and hat, we could be like an adventure and bound over it seamlessly!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, but that¡¯s going to happen, Keiko. We need something more realistic,¡± Ishimoto says.


    They all search around the immediate room. There isn¡¯t much they can explore with the amount of water, but the first to spot something useful is Takei. She points over to a wooden pallet.


    ¡°We can use that to get over.¡±


    ¡°Seems it¡¯ll be out only option, but hell, if that isn¡¯t risky,¡± Okazaki warns.


    ¡°True. But only one of us needs to get over first.¡± Ishimoto points to a breaker box used to control the room''s electrical equipment.


    ¡°If one of us can shut the power off, we can all cross safely.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m taking the lead on this one, guys. I got Shoji into this; I¡¯m going to get him out.¡± Usagi immediately reaches for the pallet and reels it in. She tests the durability, throwing it onto the floor and getting on it. It¡¯s holding well enough despite a few creaks.


    ¡°Good enough, let¡¯s get it.¡± With a splash, the pallet is set into the water. She takes her first step on, and the second weighs on the boards, which are rickety things. Before she can move, a third foot is placed.


    ¡°Not so fast. Take this.¡± Ishimoto hands over a broomstick.


    ¡°Use it to push you along. I checked it. It¡¯s all wood, so you¡¯ll be safe,¡± he says.


    ¡°Oi, thanks.¡± With a salute to them all, she pushes herself from the door. They''re all reminded of a pirate on a grand adventure, the way she skids along object to object, pushing off the desk, large chairs, and getting closer to the breaker box.


    The breaker box is unlocked; it is likely that whoever activated it before didn¡¯t bother to close it back. There¡¯s a hint of incompetence in this, making Usagi more confident than before. She reads out the switches, flipping them off one by one. The electrical current whirling in the water dies off, making it safe to cross.


    ¡°All right! Usagi did it!¡± Keiko yells.


    ¡°Hell of a job!¡± Okazaki encourages.


    ¡°Didn¡¯t doubt her for a second,¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°That¡¯s wonderful news.¡± Takei grins.


    The fearless Usagi is the first to make landfall on the ground. A puddle flings up, and she is completely unscathed.


    ¡°That¡¯s a mission accomplished for this part. Now let¡¯s go find Shoji before he gets bored waiting for us.¡±

 Chapter: 5.5 Daring Rescue

    They march into the next area, and everything is normal.


    ¡°Nothing seems off about this at all. Is there any sign of Shoji? I don¡¯t see anything.¡± Keiko takes in the massive area. It is the area where politicians make their speeches to the press.


    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s in another room?¡± Takei heads to the podium, staring down. There appears to be something off about it.


    ¡°Hey, everyone. Can you look at this? There seems to be a button of sorts.¡± They all gather. The button is red and seems to be built out of sight from the numerous chairs in front.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯s anything, Takei. If anything, it¡¯s just a panic button.¡±


    ¡°That was my first thought too, Ishimoto, but look closer.¡± A closer look at the button shows that it is leaking water.


    ¡°This seems to have been used by Mr. Pond at some point?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ wouldn¡¯t that mean he¡¯s here somewhere!? It isn¡¯t dried!¡± Keiko voices her worry.


    ¡°Not necessarily. Remnants have their elements last for longer, including residues. I know this because sometimes his watery stench lingered for hours after he left.¡± Usagi retches at the memory.


    ¡°Makes sense, but why would they press a panic button? That¡¯s dumb. They wouldn¡¯t want any trouble on purpose,¡± Okazaki claims.


    ¡°Yes. Unless it has a different use?¡± Ishimoto leans down, clicking it. A deafening clank is heard, and behind them, a hidden hatch underneath the rug is opened.


    ¡°A secret hatch?¡± Usagi stared in. All is dark. It seems like an abyss. The heavy metal is bolted, and attempting to lift it is impossible. This hatch is heavy-duty. There¡¯s no prying in or getting out, for that matter.


    ¡°Man, that thing looks like it was built to last. I wonder what it could be used for?¡±


    ¡°No matter at the moment.¡± Ishimoto drops his bag to the floor, yanking out the flashlight. Lighting it up reveals an empty bottom, leaking water, but it is impossible to see anything else. There¡¯s a ladder leading down.


    ¡°Right. So one of us has to stay here?¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°Why? Wouldn¡¯t it be safer for us to stick together, numbnuts?¡±


    ¡°It would, Okazaki. But also, if the hatch closes on us and we can¡¯t get out, what will we do, hmm?¡± Throwing the backpack on, he points over to the podium.


    ¡°So, who will stay?¡± He continues surveying the others.


    ¡°Nah, I¡¯m going in. I ain¡¯t going to let anything bad happen to any of you.¡± Okazaki is firm on his decision being the first down, Usagi following next.


    ¡°I¡¯ll do it, don¡¯t worry. You all go ahead, okay? Be sure to let Shoji know I¡¯m here too, just up here!¡± Keiko makes her way over to the button, waiting for everyone to descend.


    ¡°Right. Let¡¯s go,¡± Ishimoto says to Takei.


    The four travel down the ladder as the stench of swamp invades their senses.


    ¡°That¡¯s rancid!¡± screams Okazaki.


    ¡°Tell me about it. A rotting corpse would smell better,¡± Usagi says.


    The bottom of the hatch isn¡¯t any better. The room is partially flooded, though there are no hazards. A set of rooms and a huge open space make this room intimidating in the dark.


    Ishimoto scans the area. There¡¯s a vine. The vine is tied to a ventilator above, and its grassy green color leads to a tightened grip around someone.


    ¡°Shoji?¡±


    ¡°H-huh? Ishimoto, is that you? They got you, too? Bastards!¡± His eyes are covered, blindfolded. It¡¯s impossible for him to move, the vine having him in a stranglehold.


    The gang runs to his side, and Okazaki violently rips at the vine. It doesn¡¯t move an inch. The rest join, but still nothing.


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    ¡°That¡¯s a lot tougher then I thought it be,¡± he says.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s why we needed the matches. Insane to think not even the four of us can move it, though.¡± Usagi grabs one and strikes a flame.


    ¡°Got to be careful. Shoji, you might feel a slight heat on your chest, so don¡¯t worry about that, okay?¡± Usagi tries to ease him.


    ¡°Umm, that seems a little worrisome, if I¡¯m honest. Just don¡¯t sear my flesh,¡± he says.


    ¡°Yeah, but just, like¡­ Don¡¯t think about that, okay?¡± The fire draws closer to his flesh, and he squirms and gets more anxious. He does his best to be brave but is afraid in this situation. Takei approaches his side, placing her hand on the helm of his back, and with a gentle whisper, sings, ¡°Don¡¯t you worry, don¡¯t you cry. Everything is all right with us here by your side. Things are scary now, but don¡¯t forget we¡¯re here right now. Soon, you¡¯ll be free, and all of us, all of us, can be happy.¡± Her last note lingers, sounding like a soothing melody.


    ¡°You know that¡¯s hell of cheese, Takei.¡± Shoji laughs while the flame does its work. ¡°But you always had such a calming singing voice.¡± A snap is sounded, and the vine bursts with the fire, sinking it off. Shoji is now able to move, blindfold off, and his body is still weak and unable to sit up. Okazaki and Ishimoto help him, raising him to his feet.


    ¡°Aww! Did Takei just sing to Shoji!?¡± The voice of Keiko rings down. ¡°Man, how can you hear up there?¡± Okazaki chortles. ¡°That vault has wonderful acoustics!¡±


    ¡°Shoji, you had us worried, sick man. How did you even end up in this situation?¡± Okazaki and Ishimoto guide him along. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest, I don¡¯t remember at all. It¡¯s all fuzzy. I was just at home feeling like a plant in bed, and boom! Woke up blind, not knowing where I was, just thought I got some advanced sickness.¡±


    ¡°It seems you¡¯re suffering from amnesia, perhaps? Maybe one of the Remnants is capable of that feat. Is that correct, Usagi?¡± No answer. ¡°Usagi?¡± She isn¡¯t around. In the other room, she is steadfast, her body blocking the door and her breath shallow.


    ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t believe it¡­ Guys! We need to get out of here right now!¡±


    Takei rushes over, and to her immediate horror, the students are in the room. All of them. Dead. A harsh whipping strikes the air. By her side, a gust of wind cuts, and a vine misses her cheek by a marginal distance. The whip was powerful enough to cut through like a knife. Usagi moved her out of the way, preventing her from being minced.


    ¡°All of you up the ladder! He¡¯s here!¡± Bolting to the ladder, Shoji grabs the handle and drags his upper body up, Okazaki pushing him with all his strength as they desperately make their way up. ¡°What¡¯s happening down there!?¡± Keiko screams.


    ¡°Keiko! When we tell you to press the button, do it!¡± Usagi is the last one up, clawing her way to the top with the rest. Shoji rolls onto the floor, and everyone else piles up. Usagi is the last one, making her way up as fast as she can.


    ¡°Close it now!¡± Keiko slams the button. Usagi hits the hatch as it closes, nearly taking half of her with it as it shuts. An extremely close call that had everyone¡¯s breathe stolen.


    ¡°Yo? Can someone check? I ain¡¯t chopped in half, am I?¡± Usagi says, terrified she might be.


    ¡°No, you¡¯re not, thankfully.¡± Takei checks. The steel hatch is keeping them safe.


    ¡°Shoji! Don¡¯t ever get kidnapped again, damn it!¡± Okazaki rolls on the ground.


    ¡°Wasn¡¯t my fault!¡± he retorts. Slumped, he meanders himself upright. His legs are pure withered bark. If he stands, he will be timbered over.


    ¡°I don¡¯t feel up to getting up, more than usual.¡± He yawns.


    ¡°Don¡¯t¡¯ be getting sleepy right now, literally the worst time, you dumbass.¡±


    ¡°Good to have you back, Shoji.¡± Usagi stands up, going to pat Keiko on the back.


    ¡°Fine work, really saved us there.¡±


    ¡°Aww, it was nothing. You would have done the same for me.¡± Her toothy smile assures.


    Once everyone is up, the buttery stomps of Shoji make their way down the stairs of the stage. Then, a loud bang.


    ¡°What was that!?¡± exclaims Shoji. Another loud bang. And then the hatch goes flying off its hinges, landing in the assembly hall. He broke through.


    ¡°No way!¡± Okazaki doesn¡¯t hesitate, putting Shoji in a fireman hold over his shoulder. Everyone rushes, water shooting behind them, their clothes getting soaked. The stench is stronger. Nothing masks the undeniable scent of Mr. Pond chasing them down.


    They all five pound the door, breaking it open. They tumble down marble, rolling down like rolled wet napkins hitting the street with a wet squish. The man known as Mr. Pond, his curled balding hair and repainted chipped skin looking like an old vehicle past its glory days. Remnants remain dangerous for life. His advanced age of sixty-two years, however, slows his body and abilities.


    The first one up is Usagi. She stands in the crimson walkway. The crickets cease back into their holes, and the breeze subsides, only her hair waving in the air.


    ¡°You killed them all¡­ You monster,¡± she says.


    Mr. Pond is unfazed. A creeping smile shudders his unpleasant face. ¡°And? What of it? Did you think you would save them?¡± His voice is unpleasant to the ears. It¡¯s like a drowning hyena.


    ¡°What do we do? We can¡¯t outrun him out in the open. Do we fight?¡± Okazaki asks.


    ¡°Fight!? We can¡¯t fight someone like him. We¡¯ll all be killed!¡± Keiko grasps onto Takei.


    Gaining footing, they stand in his presence. The weight of it all.


    ¡°We have to fight him¡­¡± A warmth stabs into Usagi¡¯s chest. From the offset, she concludes he¡¯s pierced her with a watery blade, but that is not the case. Looking down, there is only a glow, a hue emitting that of her eye color, emerald, grassy, and leafy fire. Her senses come to the reality of everything. A frozen world, a world where everything is so loud, the clicks of the streetlight changing, grasshoppers and birds flittering their bodies flailing their wings and bodies bounding leaf and sky.


    ¡°Usagi.. you¡¯re glowing? ¡± Takei is wounded from falling down the stairs, a small gash on her leg.


    ¡°This¡­ hurts but I can feel something¡­ something more¡­ It¡¯s like¡­ the sweetest, darkest dream, becoming reality¡­¡± Her body lifted into the air. An ear-piercing scream erupts throughout the district, answered by nobody. In a moment, a burst of green hue collects itself into a rabbit choker, which appears around her neck as she descends. The choker of a Remnant. The bunny Remnant, Usagi.

 Chapter 6: Awaken The Remnants

    No, no, no, no, no! That can¡¯t be! You¡¯re not a¡­ a!¡± His voice cracks with the rush of fear set in his heart.


    ¡°I can hear everything¡­ can you hear it? The sound of water dripping from your forehead. The sweat of fear and how slides off your skin with a disgusting slug-like vigor?¡± She scrunches her nose.


    ¡°You¡­ you!¡± He backs away immediately.


    ¡°W-what¡¯s going on?...¡± Keiko asks.


    ¡°I have no idea.¡± Ishimoto responds.


    ¡°Has she, wait, look, around her neck!¡± Okazaki points. ¡°Is she¡­¡±


    ¡°A remnant?¡± Takei realized making everyone looks on in shock.


    Through gritted teeth Mr. Pond speaks. ¡°Don¡¯t think this changes anything I can still kill you all!¡± Usagi is unfazed. Her body feels like it never has before, a rejuvenated helm of smoothness runs in her movement, with steps feeling like she was walking on air and her breathing was more natural then natural, as if she never needed to at all.


    ¡°Then do it.¡± She says coldly. ¡°Kill me.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ll regret wishing for that you useless bunny!¡± There was a hesitating gloom in his rush towards her.


    The movement she was almost blind to before. The blur of energy, movement, the one she almost missed when defending Shoji and Ishimoto because of the haste. She can see it now. The world around her loud in the silence comes to a narrowing of him trying to hit her. She dodges it with his body almost passing her completely and with a sheer newfound instinct she knees him in the gut. Pain engulfs his body, a second hard kick tumbles him back to the ground creating a large distance between them.


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    Usagi takes the moment to look at her charm. A bunny? This didn¡¯t seem right to her, why is she a bunny?


    ¡°You brat that hurt!¡± He launched a second attack, this one utilizes his remnant causing a wave of water to hurl in her direction. She decides it¡¯s not the best time to contemplate that and she makes her move right when it¡¯s about to hit. In a flash her body is next to his and she strikes his face with a powerful blow knocking the windout of him. He retaliates attempting to hit her cheek but she moves too quickly and he passes her leaning his neck open. She loops her finger around his remnant and pulls him in.


    ¡°What are you!? N-no! Let me go!¡±


    ¡°You lost. So easily? I hate that you did, but.¡± She smirks. ¡°There is a certain satisfaction I get from holding your life in my trigger finger.¡±


    The blood of his body goes cold. The girl he threatened, undoubtedly one of the people who he hurt in one way or another was holding his life. He could fight after, but, he would ultimately die after it; a fate he wouldn¡¯t meet.


    ¡°Stop, stop! I give up!¡± he begs.


    Her face grows closer to his, her breath brushes the skin. ¡°You pathetic man, begging me for mercy like a frightened schoolboy?¡± It almost disgust her as much as he does.


    ¡°Yes please I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯ll leave you all alone I promise just let me live!¡± He doesn¡¯t let the shame of this divert him. Truth is, deep down he is a coward who despite his many years of life seeks to put himself to rest in a peaceful bed.


    ¡°You better run and thank me that I don¡¯t finish you off here.¡± She snarls.


    ¡°Yes! Yes! I promise!¡± She let go of her grip and he scurries away in a hurry like a frightened mouse. Usagi stands for a moment taking everything in, she looks back to her friends.


    ¡°I hope you are all alright. I feel a bit, weak now though, haha.¡± Her body begins to tumble down. Keiko and Okazaki catch her before she hits the ground.


    ¡°Woah you just¡­ I mean you¡¯re a¡­¡± Keiko stared at her collar. ¡°A remnant.¡± Her eyes shine.


    ¡°I never would have imagined¡­ one of us with the powers of the void? What could this mean?¡± Okazaki questions.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡± Said Takei. ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about how this works.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not familiar with it either.¡± Said Ishimoto. ¡°We should prioritize getting Shoji home right now. Usagi can rest there.¡± He lifted him holding his arm around his neck. ¡°I think we all need a moment to process what happened¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right¡­¡± Keiko answered in a more saddened tone. ¡°Let¡¯s get her home, Okazaki.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Everyone heads to the closest house. Shoji¡¯s, his parents are unlikely to be there.

 Chapter 7: Awakening

    Shoji!¡± The boys topple into his home.


    ¡°Boy, it¡¯s great to be back home.¡± He yawns and closes his eyes resting. Okazaki pushes him off and sits upright. Ishimoto does the same, passing him around like a tennis ball.


    ¡°My, he is a lazy old thing.¡± Usagi laughs, going over to pat his head.


    ¡°He¡¯s not a dog, you know,¡± Keiko joins in, laughing.


    ¡°He still has fluffy hair, plus, I¡¯d pet any of you, my fellow party animals.¡± She sticks out her tongue and reaches into the bag she brought, revealing she had party hats. ¡°Guess what day it is?¡± Takei blinks and stares up at the clock on the living room wall. It¡¯s past midnight.


    ¡°Wow, is it really?¡± Takei didn¡¯t realize she was an adult now. There was still dread inside her, the image of the students from earlier. She tried to shut out her mind from it.


    ¡°Happy birthday, Takei!¡± Okazaki boasts out a loud shout.


    ¡°Happy, happy birthday!¡± Keiko¡¯s body attaches to her, hugging and nuzzling into her shoulder.


    ¡°Yes, Happy birthday, Takei.¡± Ishimoto gives his congratulations with some hesitation. It¡¯s clear he¡¯s always wondering about the elephant in the room.


    ¡°Sorry, we don¡¯t really have cake for you right now, but I¡¯ll make you one tomorrow.¡± Usagi goes around placing the party hats on everyone.


    ¡°You treat us like babies sometimes, Usagi.¡± Ishimoto almost pouts.


    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t be like that, gotta enjoy every second. Who knows what tomorrow will bring in these times.¡± She plants the hat on his ruffled hair. ¡°See now? You look fashionable as hell in that hat.¡± She winks.


    ¡°You¡¯re the fashionable one here. I think there¡¯s one thing we can¡¯t simply gloss over.¡±


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    ¡°We¡¯ll get to that. For now, it¡¯s time to celebrate Takei, our birthday girl,¡± she says.


    ¡°You¡¯re so sweet, Usagi. Though I can¡¯t deny it myself.¡± Placing her own party hat on, she reaches down for her chest with a closed fist.


    ¡°Has anybody else felt this strange feeling ever since Usagi did what she did?¡±


    ¡°Mmm, now that you mention it, yeah! It¡¯s like a weird warm feeling that wasn¡¯t there, like an oven where my heart is supposed to be!¡±


    ¡°I agree with Keiko. This strange feeling is really weird. I ain¡¯t ever felt it before.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t imagine what it is. Usagi, do you know? You¡¯re the one with the most knowledge on this topic.¡±


    ¡°Oi, am I outshining you, Mr. Egghead? I don¡¯t know everything ¡®bout it, just some things.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunate.¡± Out of Ishimoto¡¯s bag, he reveals a massive bag of potato chips, four ramen cup noodles, six sodas, and utensils.


    ¡°This might not be an ideal birthday dinner, but if we put all this together, it should be able to feed all six of us.¡±


    ¡°Yo! You¡¯re stomach finally thinking right and feeding the world!¡± Okazaki practically jumps over to the kotatsu. Ishimoto passed the utensils out.


    ¡°Hoping Shoji¡¯s microwave is working, he overworks every day after class.¡± He headed off to the kitchen.


    ¡°Hey, hey, let me join you! I¡¯ll find a big bowl to put it in once it¡¯s done!¡± Keiko bounds to her feet, following behind.


    The remaining group set themselves comfortably under the blanket. Okazaki helps Shoji to sit with them. He immediately falls face-first on the table, snoring.


    ¡°Hopeless.¡± Okazaki sighs.


    Their company never ceases to make Takei feel a deep kinship. Tonight, however, holds bleakness. Those students, every one of them with families and loved ones, are all dead. How many lives will Mr. Nuke Happy and his associates take? Far more than just them. Her smile vanishes.


    ¡°Hey, Takei, everything all right?¡± Her vacant stare snaps.


    ¡°I¡¯m thinking about what we saw. All those students. Could we have saved them?¡±


    ¡°No,¡± Usagi answers firmly. ¡°We were far too late. It¡¯s likely they were that way before we even knew about the kidnappings.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The battering thought is hard to vanquish. She clears her mind as best she can. There¡¯s nothing she can do to change it.


    ¡°Let¡¯s have a great party tonight, okay?¡± She smiles.


    ¡°Yes, let¡¯s.¡± Usagi returns the gesture and then goes to seek the other two.


    ¡°Keiko, Ishimoto, hurry it up. We¡¯re hungry.¡±


    ¡°I know, so am I. Shoji has an old beat-up microwave.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, so old it might be older than us. Probably as old as a smartphone!¡±


    ¡°Keiko smartphones aren¡¯t even older than us,¡± he argues.


    Takei let off a smile. She holds warm to the atmosphere, and then, there is a stinging in her chest. Takei¡¯s heart flutters and the world goes hazy.

 Chapter 7.5: Awakening

    Where do you go when dreams come home to you? A voice plays in her head. She¡¯s fast asleep. There¡¯s no denying it; she understands this as a dream as she beckons to her feet while still in Shoji¡¯s house. A black smoke is raised at knee length.


    ¡°These dreams? What are they?¡±


    You feel it now, don¡¯t you? The one you know as Usagi has awakened to a new power, one that very few inherit. The tie that binds.


    ¡°The tie that binds? You know? Are you in my own head, my own subconscious? Or are you something else?¡±


    I am a memory from elsewhere. An elsewhere that you and your friends need to venture to soon. The fate of all existence, you must save it.


    Takei propels into the air. Her feet dangle as she floats up and above her head, a cloud that mesmerizes her eyes. Whiter than a sheet, a sheep, a snow storm. The charge of it, the electricity in her veins, the tightening of her neck. And without realizing it, the dream fades, and her head is laid on the table.


    Upon awakening, she notices Okazaki has nodded off, and so has Shoji. They both begin to wake up, groaning and rubbing their heads.


    ¡°Damn, I fall asleep for a bit or what?¡± A jingle is heard down beneath his chin. ¡°What the hell?¡± A collar around his neck possesses the charm of a dagger. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s going on!? Why do I hav¡ª¡±


    ¡°Huh, what¡¯s happening, everyone?¡± Shoji rubs his eyes, and the same tune plays, jingle, jingle. ¡°Oh? What¡¯s this?¡± He holds the charm of a stuffed bear. ¡°Oh, this thing is cool. Did one of you guys get me a gift? Wait, weren¡¯t we supposed to give those to Takei?¡± he says lazily.


    ¡°GUYS, GUYS!¡± Keiko runs in, Ishimoto close behind. They, too, have chokers around their necks.


    ¡°I have one like Usagi. Look, look, it¡¯s a card! That¡¯s kind of weird, though. I don¡¯t have a gambling addiction. Kind of cute.¡±


    ¡°Cute? I say it¡¯s a little more of a wonder.¡±


    ¡°Look, Ishimoto, too. He has a¡­ mmm¡­ uh¡­¡± Peeking over, his is more unclear.


    ¡°A-b-ba-balls? Ishimoto, what kind of things are you into?¡±


    ¡°Hey! Don¡¯t say it so weird! It¡¯s Newton¡¯s cradle, see? Five metal balls and one of them is showing the preputial motion.¡±


    ¡°Uh, yeah, I guess that¡¯s what it is¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha! Leave it to him to have something so out there!¡± Okazaki is in an uproar at his complexity compared to everyone else.


    ¡°Whatever. At least mine is more original than a knife.¡±


    ¡°Hey man, don¡¯t diss it. This is a hella sweet-lookin¡¯ knife. What y¡¯all think it is? Seems like a combat knife to me, must mean I got some badass powers.¡±


    ¡°Powers? Wait. Powers? Powers! You¡¯re right, Okazaki! This must mean we have powers too now, like Usagi!¡± Keiko Shouted


    The room is befuddled by this realization. A couple of smiles appear, and curiosity strikes.


    ¡°Wait, guys, we haven¡¯t seen Takei¡¯s yet,¡± Usagi remarks.


    ¡°Takei, can we see?¡±


    Takei has her head on the table. She brings herself up, and the song continues; Jingle, jingle. The lights of her eyes spark. She peers down to see her collar, and the charm is three bird wings from three different birds.


    ¡°Oi, oi, that¡¯s a pretty one there. That some kind of dove wing, yeah?¡±


    ¡°Not quite.¡± Ishimoto leans down to get a better look.


    ¡°Yes, one of them is a dove wing. This one looks like a crow, but this one. I¡¯m not sure I ever seen a bird with that type of wing.¡± The last one almost looks like wings inside of wings. It¡¯s fluffy and chicken-like but far from anything of a known origin.


    ¡°This is extraordinary. I wish I knew what it was,¡± he concludes.


    ¡°Yeah. Some of us got pretty detailed ones, like look at Shoji¡¯s bear! It has a smiley face and is so cuddly, chubby, cuddly, chubby, cuddly!¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me while saying that! Look at him!¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°This all strange. I don¡¯t feel different. But something inside me is different, just a small hint in the middle of my chest. Do you all feel that?¡± As she stands up, Takei is alerted. Almost as a third sense. ¡°Sh-Shoji? You have a problem.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a little harsh.¡±


    ¡°No, no.¡± Approaching his side, she sets on her knees and reaches out her hand, touching his belly.


    ¡°H-hey, I know you know I¡¯m hungry too, but no need to go touching my belly. Probably won¡¯t help.¡±


    ¡°Maybe not with that, but with something else.¡± An emitting glow of white and a soothing rush goes over Shoji. His breathes come to a slow, and his eyes droop more than normal.


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    ¡°I can sense it. Your abdomen. There¡¯s a small cut beneath. It¡¯s prone to bursting with enough force.¡± The hand of healing fixes him. His body is rejuvenated, and even his tiredness subsides. The others can¡¯t believe it. It¡¯s true; they all possess the power of the Remnants.


    Her head prongs downward, taking in the floor in silence. After a good five seconds of a blank expression, she smiles warmly and radiantly.


    ¡°It seems I have healing powers and the ability to detect wounds. I could sense it.¡±


    ¡°Woah! So super cool! You¡¯re like the white mage in a fantasy manga!¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s pretty sweet, but what about the rest of us?¡±


    ¡°I myself am curious, Okazaki. Might I su¡ª¡±


    ¡°Oi, all out to the backyard. Let¡¯s test what we all got.¡± Usagi interrupts the first to head out the backdoor.


    ¡°Good plan, Usagi,¡± Ishimoto concludes before being able to say the same thing.


    The backyard is fenced with a white brick wall. The neighborhood is fast asleep. A wonderful night after all that occurred. Usagi is stood up against the wall and points to the middle of the yard.


    ¡°All right, I know I got my powers first and all, but let me go first.¡± Curious to answer a theory, she hits her right foot against the wall and bounds across the yard. Her grasp on the ground with her heel is an immediate stop, finishing it off with a spinning kick the speed of a horse.


    ¡°Woah, that¡¯s lethal.¡± Coming down from the high of her awakening, she is surprised to see the power she holds.


    ¡°Sick as hell! Let¡¯s see what I can do.¡± The powers inside of them come naturally. Uncultivated, yet the instinct felt like an extension of their bodies.


    ¡°Take this!¡± He points his finger at the brick wall. A sharp dagger rips the air and lodges into it. ¡°Holy! Guys, you see that!?¡±


    ¡°Oh, me next!¡± Keiko steps up to the plate. ¡°I¡¯ll be honest, I¡¯m not entirely sure what mine does, bu¡ª¡± A card slips from her wrist. It barrels to a tree, snapping it in half. It timbers down to the middle of the yard.


    ¡°Oh, whoops. Uh. Sorry, Shoji.¡± She apologizes ahead of time for ruining his backyard.


    ¡°Oh, uh, not sure how I¡¯ll explain that to my parents, but that was really cool and powerful,¡± he answers. ¡°Where did that card come from, though?¡±


    ¡°Oh, good question.¡± Raising her hand reveals the answer. A glowing pink hue lights inside her wrist, looking at the deck she brought to play games with everyone.


    ¡°Uh, no idea how that got in there. I had them in my pocket, but yeah. So cool.¡±


    ¡°Oi, I believe the answer lays in your powers. I¡¯m not certain, but maybe since they were so close to your body, you were able to put them to your wrist to attack with. They¡¯re all not in their pack.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, maybe she¡¯s making some sense. I mean, I got a couple of knives in my pockets, and the one I threw looks like the one in my upper pants pocket,¡± Okazaki said, pointing to it in the wall, an amber glow around it.


    ¡°It¡¯s most likely the case. I don¡¯t know everything about Remnants, but the cultists rant about them a lot. One thing I overheard once is that Remnants aren¡¯t made; they are born that way and awaken to it later in life.¡±


    ¡°Hold on, Usagi. Before we continue with our show and tell. Are you saying that six Remnants happened to be friends since childhood?¡±


    Usagi pauses. The possibility of it seems astronomical, and she doesn¡¯t have a clue. The cultist never hinted at anything similar.


    ¡°I can¡¯t answer that, cause I have no idea. What I can answer, though, is an important thing you must all know now.¡± Benign to the belt around her neck, she circuits the loop.


    ¡°These things are hard to break. Only Remnants can break them, but never do because if you do, you will surely die.¡±


    ¡°What!?¡± Shoji awakens fully, which is a rare instance this late.


    ¡°Die? You mean if we break them, there¡¯s no chance of us surviving?¡± Takei asks.


    ¡°Yeah. Think of it as your contract to the void. If you break it, you get sent to it. Though there is one benefit to it, and that¡¯s unlocking one¡¯s true potential.¡± She raises her finger to the moon. ¡°The void resides close to the moon. It¡¯s believed to have come from somewhere in space and set itself near it about fifty years ago. Nobody knows what¡¯s inside the void itself. It appears like a black hole but does not have the same effect as one. Else, we¡¯d all be dead,¡± she says.


    ¡°This is all heavy stuff.¡± Shoji sets himself down in a lawn chair, searching the stars. ¡°Heavy, heavy.¡± He snores, falling asleep.


    ¡°Shoji, you¡¯re useless!¡± Okazaki screams.


    He wakes back up.


    ¡°By the way, you said reach one''s true potential? Does it maybe work like a star? Once it burns out all it¡¯s energy, kaboom?¡± he says. The others are baffled by his ability to get back on track like he didn¡¯t just fall asleep.


    ¡°Haha, I won¡¯t lie, Shoji, that¡¯s an excellent way of putting it. The only thing is you don¡¯t get millions of years to have that happen. For the Remnants who did it, like the few brave souls who went against Mr. Nuke Happy and his gang, the longest someone has lasted is one hour max.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s a dreadfully small amount of time.¡± Takei can¡¯t imagine what they went through. The few who went against them and how none like them remain. All good Remnants are dead. Only humanity fights for its ongoing nature. It didn¡¯t used to be this way. There used to be a hero-and-villain dynamic in the world, but the villains won. They are all that remain.


    ¡°Yeah, but don¡¯t worry, only someone like us can break it. A normal human can¡¯t, no matter if they use a knife or chainsaw, even if they used a combination.¡± Her confident chuckle brings some comfort to the group. ¡°Though, don¡¯t think you¡¯re invincible just because we have these powers. We¡¯re more durable and harder to kill than humans, but it¡¯s still possible.¡±


    ¡°Understood. Don¡¯t get cocky. Always a good rule to follow,¡± Ishimoto affirms.


    Usagi slides herself onto the ground, sniffing it.


    ¡°I¡­ uh¡­ you okay there, Usagi? You know if you were hungry or something, you don¡¯t have to hunt for it?¡± Shoji said.


    ¡°No, no, I definitely smell something.¡± Wafting the dirt, the smell of rose perfume and lavender mixed cologne spread inside her head. Pleasant scent for sure, but one she immediately recognizes.


    ¡°Shoji, your parents are home.¡±


    ¡°W-what? They¡¯re home early!?¡± Shoji rushes back inside before poking his head out


    ¡°You guys need to go. If they see you all here on a school night, they¡¯ll kill me. Also, the tree thing.¡±


    ¡°I said I was sorry! Ah, but you¡¯re right; let¡¯s get out of here.¡± Keiko scrambles.


    ¡°Hold on. We can go out the front, but I think I have an idea of how to get us out of here and take care of the tree problem. Everyone, sit on the tree, trust me,¡± Ishimoto says.


    Everyone is confused, but they follow Ishimoto¡¯s orders and take their seats on the log. Being set down, the log rises into the air, his white-hue aura around it. It floats higher and higher until it can go over the brick wall into the alleyway. It is still visible from its large branches, and he rides it down the alley. The neighborhood is asleep; there is no worry, or so he thought before seeing one drunk man in a stupor stumbling in their direction.


    ¡°W-what the hell?¡± The man is flabbergasted. The floating tree rides by as Keiko waves.


    ¡°Hello, sir! Hope you get home safely!¡±


    ¡°Keiko, please don¡¯t acknowledge him right this second.¡± Ishimoto protests, leading the tree to the end of the alleyway. The drunk man watches them turn the corner, calmly putting what was left of his drink on the ground before heading home.

 Chapter 8: A New Beginning Is Starting

    ¡°Wait. I just realized last night. Wasn¡¯t taking the tree out of his yard just as suspicious?¡± Keiko asked first thing the next morning.


    ¡°Keiko. It was a moment of desperation. Let¡¯s move on.¡± Ishimoto lays his head on his desk, realizing it is ultimately pointless. Shoji surely has his parents asking where the tree went.


    ¡°My, I guess even smart people make mistakes.¡± Keiko sighs and chuckles.


    School at lunchtime is different. The students are all out of it, and empty seats are scattered throughout the cafeteria. Sulking and hurt are in the air. Some people have lost dear friends to them. Takei couldn¡¯t bear to tell them the truth, but it also felt wrong.


    ¡°All these people, all their friends¡­¡± She said in a hushed tone.


    ¡°There¡¯s nothing we could do.¡± Usagi shifts her body away from the lunch table. Her hands dig into the skin in her legs, her nails sharp and stabbing. ¡°I hate it. Those bastards hurting innocent people. It sickens me.¡±


    Just then, an announcement comes in, singled by a bell. ¡°Attention, students. There will be a mandatory meeting with a local police officer today in the principal¡¯s office. All students must attend or face the consequences of detention for the upcoming week.¡± It ends.


    ¡°Whole week, damn, that¡¯s harsh. Probably be able to get some decent sleep in if I don¡¯t go, though. Parents were on my ass about the missing elephant in the yard last night. Good thing I¡¯m not strong enough to lift it, so they gave up and assumed it was some monster,¡± he says, hands folded on the table and his head planted into them like a pillow.


    ¡°I¡ªare you parents serious, Shoji?¡± His parents always had a knack for being too carefree or a bit dull at times. Ishimoto would know. One time, his parents helped with homework when he was younger, and it was the only sixty-three score he¡¯d ever received.


    ¡°Excuse me?¡± a soft voice came from behind them. An older woman dressed in a gray suit mixed with a jet-black tie towers over them. Her presence is intimidating and professional despite her timid voice.


    ¡°Would you all mind coming with me?¡± she asks in a mellow tone.


    ¡°Mind me asking exactly why?¡± asks Usagi, seeming to be on edge.


    ¡°I just ha¡ª¡± A girl bumps into her, her lunch tray heeding the ground with food and her body following next. ¡°Ahhh! I¡¯m sorry, that''s so clumsy of me.¡± Running her hand through her dark brown hairline, her pale blue eyes stare up. Okazaki and Ishimoto recognize this girl. They both light up, a rare sight for Ishimoto.


    ¡°Still as clumsy as ever, huh, Angel? And just what the hell are you doing here?¡± A combination of playfulness and excitement rule his voice. Could this truly be the same girl?


    ¡°Okazaki, and¡­ Ishimoto? Wow, I haven¡¯t seen you both in so very long!¡± She returns the gesture.


    Ishimoto crosses his arms. His gaze is set on the table, and his mind races back in time. The girl they knew when they were younger, the same girl who used to chase birds and cats to pet them. That was before she moved away with her family, and here she is. The same girl she once was, only older.


    ¡°I can say the same for you, Angel. But what are you doing here? Never expected you to come back.¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, so guess what? I transferred here. My parents moved back after finding better job opportunities here, so I¡¯m back forever this time. Funny how that worked out, huh? It¡¯s almost the same as when I left.¡±


    ¡°Oh? That¡¯s¡­ great.¡± Usagi darts her eyes to the side. This girl doesn¡¯t hold the same fondness in her heart as them two. The way she looks is far too elegant and put together. She reminds her of a snooty, rich girl.


    ¡°You¡¯re in a different class, yeah? Didn¡¯t see you in any of ours,¡± Usagi says.


    ¡°Yes, of course. I don¡¯t believe I¡¯m in a class with any of you. That¡¯s why I¡¯m so surprised.¡± She covers her mouth as she laughs. Divine in beauty, the kind girl who gets stares from her classmates at how adorable she is. One last smile is given as onlookers hold their gazes. Usagi does the same, albeit more sternly.


    ¡°Maybe we can all hangout soon? Hopefully, we can. For now, I¡¯ll get some lunch. Sorry again.¡± She apologizes to the lady and goes her way. The lady pats her suit and signs.


    ¡°Now, back to the matter at hand. I need you all to follow me this instant.¡± Everyone remains confused, but they feel this is the right option to do, going after her. They tread through the hallway. It is empty as everyone remains at lunch. Only there is one difference on the walls. The pictures of the missing students, their information, and where they were last seen. It hurts for them to see knowing what they know, but they can¡¯t go around telling everyone. It¡¯s far too suspicious. Shoji is a rare exception, often oversleeping at home, so he doesn¡¯t stick out.


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    They arrive at an office, the gold plate reading the principal''s name.


    ¡°Now, I will have you all come in one at a time, starting with you.¡± She points to Keiko.


    ¡°M-me!?¡± she says nervously.


    ¡°Yes. Now come.¡± They retreat into the office.


    ¡°What do you think this is all about?¡± Takei takes a seat on the outside bench along with her friends.


    ¡°No idea, ain¡¯t good news I can say that much.¡± Okazaki taps the floor with his foot, the pounding of vinyl.


    ¡°It¡¯s a worry. Try not to say anything suspicious; we don¡¯t want anyone to guess what we were doing.¡± Usagi warns. A keen chill comes from a sliver in the window. The silver helm of its hinges creaks while the tension builds in them. Everything seems more clear on the basis of their chokers. The good thing about this school is that outside of their uniforms, they¡¯re allowed one piece of their own personalization. It¡¯s to promote individuality, a step becoming more important these days with tighter-knit groups being prone to joining bad causes such as the Cult of the Remnants.


    ¡°This is getting too real, guys. All of this. You know what they¡¯re going to question us about. The chokers. Not only do Remnants show them, but people wishing to be and showing their dedication to them do, too. That¡¯s 100 percent it.¡±


    ¡°Well, we can¡¯t exactly hide them, you know? If we do, kaboom, yeah?¡± Shoji retorts. ¡°Besides, not all people wear these because of cultist reasons. Some still believe in the heroes of old.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that doesn¡¯t matter to whoever this lady is. She doesn¡¯t seem to be any school board member I''ve seen around, and that must mean she¡¯s a detective, maybe,¡± Usagi continues.


    ¡°Detective? That is most troublesome. Yeah, we need to lead her off this trail if we can.¡± Ishimoto added.


    ¡°Yeah¡­ you know guys, I have been th¡ª¡± Keiko steps out of the office. Her face is flushed, and her mouth is puckered. ¡°Uh, yeah, that was a weird thing to have happened, but also not weird at all. Do you know what I mean?¡±


    ¡°Not in the slightest.¡± Before she can answer, the next group member is called in, Usagi. She goes in without a word. One by one, the group goes in, and none seem to give an answer to what they were asked until it comes to the last, Takei. She enters the office. The room is cooled with a powerful air conditioner, and the desk of the principal is littered with pictures of her, her family, and academic medals. Everything is normal. The only difference is the lady sitting in the principal¡¯s chair.


    ¡°Please. Take a seat.¡± Following orders, she sits in the wooden chair. An uncomfortable sit, for sure.


    ¡°Miss Hisako, is it?¡±


    ¡°Yes,¡± she answers nervously.


    ¡°Miss Hisako, I won¡¯t be keeping you long, but what I¡¯m going to ask you is of dire importance. I need you to understand this and promise to tell the truth in each question I ask. Do you agree to do so?¡±


    There¡¯s a second of silence, but she nods, agreeing to the terms. ¡°Yes.¡± The conversation begins.


    ¡°Understood. The first question. Are you aware of the disappearance of a man who goes by the name Nagata Tsutomu?¡±


    The name doesn¡¯t ring any bells. A highly unexpected question that she was able to answer confidently, and truthfully, she wasn¡¯t the best liar.


    ¡°No. I¡¯ve never heard that name before.¡±


    ¡°Same answer as your other friends.¡± She writes something on a piece of paper not previously seen. ¡°He isn¡¯t one who stands out in a crowd, so it¡¯s understandable. But let me describe him to you. He is an average-sized man, five foot six, with a tad of laziness in his brown eyes, sunken cheeks, average-length black hair, and a light lisp in his voice.¡± The man doesn¡¯t sound entirely out of her mind, but she can¡¯t pinpoint him.


    ¡°I feel like I''ve seen someone close, but I can¡¯t recall.¡±


    ¡°It is absolutely vital that you do your best to remember. It¡¯s a matter of national security, perhaps even worldwide. We must find him.¡± Her face is deadpan, pure seriousness is in her crossing her arms, and her iris is tied deeply into Takei¡¯s own. The glare makes Takei glide her eyes away.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t remember anything more.¡± The detective lets out a sigh. The disappointment is loud.


    ¡°Very well. Do keep a lookout. It¡¯s entirely important.¡± She hands Takei a piece of paper with a number on it. ¡°This is my personal number. If you find out anything more, call.¡±


    ¡°Now, you may leave, but I will ask you another question first. That being one we ask all the students. Have you found any of the missing students? I couldn¡¯t help but recognize your friend Shoji as one of the missing students, yet he is here today.¡±


    ¡°He was at home, oversleeping. He does that a lot,¡± Takei answers quickly, stuttering.


    ¡°So it seems. Your friends and he said the same thing, as well as his teachers, I will accept it as fact. Though, it doesn¡¯t take away the other matter. Have you seen any of the other students?¡± A truck lands itself in her heart. Her throat way is grasping for oxygen, and her brain is tunneling back to the other night. It¡¯s impossible to forget that image. It¡¯s impossible to tell the truth without dire consequences for her and her friends.


    ¡°I¡­ wish I knew..¡± Her voice quakes as she tries to throw her off. She despises every moment she tries to mislead, despite knowing it for the best. No doubt everyone else did the same. There is a pause, and the defective writes her answer down.


    ¡°Understood. Well. I have a lot more students to get to today, so you may take your leave.¡± Takei is surprised by how fast this went. It was the same for her friends, but it still caught her off guard as she left the office. Everyone was still waiting and glanced up at her.


    ¡°Did she ask you the same things?¡± asks Ishimoto.


    Takei nods. She takes a seat next to them and peers back at the window for a moment.


    ¡°Can¡¯t imagine who that man is. I''ve never met him or understood why they¡¯re looking for him. They showed me a picture of him. It looks kinda none conspicuous. Take a peek.¡± Usagi pulls out her phone, showing a picture of him. He is as described, though any familiarity fades outside the realm of Takei.


    ¡°They didn¡¯t show me a picture, only described him.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s so, so weird! You think it would have been easier to just show us all!¡± Keiko lodges her body between Usagi and Ishimoto, taking in the photo.


    ¡°Hey, wait a minute, you¡¯re right. This guy looks way too familiar to be a nobody, a nobody inside my head, especially. Me thinks I know who this guy is.¡±


    ¡°How can you even tell? He¡¯s entirely ordinary. He also looks like a reclusive, maybe even a neet , so I doubt he¡¯d even be walking around just any ole place.¡± Usagi stands up, tilting her head with an expression of intrigue and disbelief. Keiko never had a track record for remembering vital things; if anything, she couldn¡¯t even remember what she had for breakfast. This man is one you¡¯d find in a crowd and only a crowd, so it''s hard to imagine she¡¯d know.

 Chapter 8.5: A New Beginning Is Starting

    Keiko is steadfast; she wrings her brain dry and tries to come up with the answer but is struggling. ¡°Yeah, uh, I don¡¯t remember right now, but maybe I will soon!¡±


    ¡°Ah, Keiko, well, try and make it fast, okay?¡± Usagi pats her head, encouraging her.


    ¡°No matter. For the time being, we have more important matters to discuss. I¡¯m assuming she asked you all about the missing students? I hope you all chose the same option as I did and lied to her. We can absolutely not let her know.¡± Ishimoto carries the important questioning.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, egghead, I ain¡¯t tell her nothin¡¯. Although my guesswork leads me to think that the cops are going to be all over this place in the next coming days,¡± says Okazaki.


    ¡°Yes, most definitely. This is bad for us for a multitude of reasons, including the obvious chokers. As Usagi said, to some, they are a fashion statement over being an absolute Remnant, but those who share the fashion are cult members, so they can¡¯t exactly be in the clear with that. I seriously doubt many will link it to the old heroes,¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°So what all are you suggesting? That we lay low or something? How can we do that when we need to attend our classes, Mr. Planethead?¡± Usagi teased.


    ¡°Hey! That¡¯s a wonderful name for him! Mr. Planethead and Mr. Nuke Happy, taking over the world! Muahaha!¡± Keiko jumps around, making fun.


    ¡°Keiko, do calm yourself. It¡¯s not feasible to do. We¡¯ll just have to try and not draw attention to us.¡±


    Staying in the shadows isn¡¯t something they can accomplish. Being in a public place they have to attend or else draw unwanted attention will be a challenge for them. They all reside back in the lunchroom for the remaining ten minutes before heading to their next class. The day goes on, and they all go to the music room, taking their instruments for their daily practice.


    They¡¯ve been talented in their respective fields since a young age. The symphony creates sense vibrations through the air, pleasing to the ears of everyone in the class, including the music teacher, Mr. Toshio. He conducts them and brings them along the path of a sheeted paper sung with wavering notes.


    ¡°Excellent work, class. You¡¯re making great progress in this work,¡± his smooth yet slightly rocky voice boasts.


    The majority of the class stays perfectly in rhythm. For most, it¡¯s escapism from the harsh reality. The door itself has the words plastered now. ¡°Leave all your worries outside here.¡± An encouragement to them all as the bleakness of yesterday set in. One classmate misses a note now. The rest of the class stays on until another falls off the train of crescendo. One after the other, they pitter down and mess up as the music teacher stares on.


    This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    ¡°Come on, class. Don¡¯t mess up now. You¡¯re doing great.¡± His words of encouragement fall on deaf ears, the class is winding down, and the piece concludes on a sour note. This isn¡¯t ideal for anyone, and the group let out a soft sigh.


    ¡°Seems even in here people can¡¯t let their worries melt away. I can¡¯t say I blame them. This is all awful as hell,¡± Usagi declares.


    ¡°Yeah, can¡¯t say we wouldn¡¯t be in the same boat if Shoji was taking the forever nap. I would have never gotten over it, no, no.¡± Keiko turns her head toward him, and he is slumped over half-asleep.


    ¡°Unless, of course, he¡¯s already dead! Wake up, sleepyhead. Come on!¡± She tries to get his attention back from drifting, but he only gives a half smile.


    ¡°Aww, come on now¡­ music is over, time for sleepy times, dramedy, dreamy, time¡­¡± He snores.


    ¡°That doesn¡¯t even relate, Shoji,¡± Ishimoto butts in.


    ¡°No matter. I imagine the class won¡¯t go on much longer. I say we should all meet up after. There¡¯s a lot we have to discuss in private.¡±


    ¡°Truer words haven¡¯t been spoken in a long time. Yeah, we need to meet up somewhere, but we can¡¯t be around many people.¡± Okazaki places his instrument back in its designated spot. The rest follow, ready to head out soon.


    ¡°Oh, oh! I know just the place! Ice cream shop!¡±


    ¡°Ice cream shop? The place we went to yesterday, Keiko?¡± Takei asks.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah! Remember, there weren¡¯t many people there and big chairs in the corner of the shop? Perfect place to have some top-secret conversations, don¡¯t you think?¡¯


    ¡°Sounds ridiculous, but I can¡¯t think of any other place. Now that Shoji¡¯s parents are back, we don¡¯t really have a super private place to be. Plus, some ice cream? Yeah, I want some.¡± Usagi chuckles and gives a smirk and a playful wink.


    ¡°It¡¯s settled. Everyone tell your parents we¡¯re going to study at the ice cream shop and we¡¯ll meet there in about an hour. I for sure know my parents won¡¯t let me out unless I say.¡± Ishimoto packs his things and heads out.


    ¡°Mine wouldn¡¯t care, so I¡¯ll just head there! See you all soon, okay?¡± Keiko skips out, and everyone agrees, heading home.


    #


    Takei sets her backpack in her room. She goes to her bed and sits on the edge. Her father won¡¯t be home until late tonight, and even if he were miraculously sober, he wouldn¡¯t care if she was here or not. It hurts her heart. It used to be her father and mother checking in on her. The late-night terrors she used to have, her hiding beneath her blanket from the monsters that lurked under her bed, or the faded shirt in the corner being an imaginary friend who broke their vows of friendship and they weren¡¯t speaking; everything so different, kinder, more innocent.


    She takes in the ceiling. It¡¯s dull and faded, and the only thing lighting it up is the hanging lights and paper birds she made when she was younger. An origami her mother had taught her how to make, though she doubts she can create them now with the same efficiency.


    Her hand rests on her collarbone and rides up, the rough stone-like charm. She courses it through her fingers and notices the holographic nature. It¡¯s partially see-through, and the figure is as if a gem cut by an experienced gemologist. The mind of hers can¡¯t help but wonder how this is possible. Magic? Technology? The answers are so evasive, and what¡¯s more evasive, why all of them? Surely, nothing was that special about us.

 Chapter 9: The Past Never Dies

    ¡°Welcome home, Ishimoto. I trust school went well today?¡± His parents are sitting at the dinner table, their fine clothing a symbol of their status in the world of law. They speak with the hint of a dagger and a solemn blanket.


    ¡°Yes sir, yes ma¡¯am,¡± he responds in a kind and respectful voice.


    ¡°May I please be excused for a moment? I have a question to ask you soon as well.¡± His parents grant him permission, and he goes to his room. He gets everything he needs, a journal, a pencil, a sharpener, and a binder. He wishes to record the findings, which they will all discuss soon. It is best to keep it documented for personal reference and if needed. He was always one to think ahead of time.


    Back in the kitchen, he joins his parents in a dining chair. Dinner is ready, but he won¡¯t be having any. ¡°Dad. Mom. May I please go out with my friends to the ice cream shop?¡± This was the reality of Ishimoto. An adult having to ask his parents'' permission to leave their house. Under their roof, their word is law, and it is never to be broken.


    ¡°Whatever for?¡± asks his father.


    ¡°I wish to spend time with them,¡± he responds.


    His parents exchange glances, their glassy eyes locked, and it is almost as if they communicate telepathically. They were one and the same; it would seem romantic to anyone outside of his family, but to him, he could see. It is a transaction, a processing of information, and the best outcome and worst scenarios, not always for the safety of Ishimoto but for their own reputation.


    ¡°You may. On the condition that you will not stay out past 8 p.m., understood?¡± a ridged, calculated voice belonging to his mother states.


    ¡°Understood. Thank you.¡± He raises up and bows perfectly. It was taught to him to always be proper and to not deviate from it. His parents take all of him in, his father closing his eyes and giving a silent sigh. There is disappointment in him, and Ishimoto understands why as he leaves his house, skipping dinner.


    #


    ¡°Ishi? Ishi? Ishi!?¡± a voice calls.


    ¡°Okazaki, have you seen Ishimoto?¡± the tender voice asks. A boy not taller than an end table drops from the handlebars.


    ¡°No idea, Angel, but we should find him. I don¡¯t want him getting lost or worse.¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­ if that happened, I would miss him¡­¡±


    ¡°Me too, so let¡¯s go find him!¡± The two search throughout the park, through the slide, underneath the merry-go-round, and around the immediate area. Nothing. It¡¯s as if he has faded away from the earth. He isn¡¯t an easy boy to find, small and inconspicuous. Then, a rustling in a pile of leaves.


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    ¡°Hey¡­¡± Angel whispers and gets down lower to the ground.


    ¡°Check that out. The leaves are moving. You thinking what I¡¯m thinking?¡± She smirks.


    ¡°What?¡± Okazaki responds, being completely lost.


    ¡°You find yourself lost a lot, too, don¡¯t you?¡± She chuckles and heads over to the pile of leaves. The rustling has stopped. Angel trots around it, and her heels crunch into the summer greens.


    ¡°I wonder where Ishi can be.¡± She snickers and approaches the pile further like a whirlpool.


    ¡°Angel, you¡¯re like a water spout circling around,¡± Okazaki exclaims and follows her lead.


    The two circle around, and the boy inside laughs, hearing them getting closer and closer until they¡¯re right on the edge. He then jumps out, spraying the leaves into the warm air as he pounces out into a bed of leaves.


    ¡°You both found me! I thought it was a great hiding spot,¡± the short and petite boy says.


    They all laugh, then lay beside one another, staring into the sky, the sun bearing them on them like a hot blanket. The trio have been close since birth. Being six years old now, they¡¯re beginning to experience the world for the first time. Their adventure to the local park has tired them all out. Ishimoto pokes Okazaki''s face, then Angel''s.


    ¡°You guys are so smart. How did you find me?¡±


    ¡°Us smart? You¡¯re the smart one,¡± Angel responds, getting back up and heading for the slide.


    ¡°Now come on guys, let¡¯s keep having fun, race you all down the slide!¡± They all head for the slide. Climbing up at first, Angel, the peeling reefs of the old park show on the sides of the equipment and the heated metal a scathing burn. Angel tumbles down onto the grass, her hands sizzling and her face scrunched in agony.


    ¡°Oww!¡± she screams. Tears begin to form out the sides of her eyes, and a wilting body shields herself, not wanting to appear entirely weak as the two boys rough the ground with their knees checking her.


    ¡°Angel, are you okay!?¡± Ishimoto asks.


    ¡°What happened!?¡± Adds Okazaki to the concern.


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m okay¡­ That thing was just really hot. It really hurt¡­¡± The boys continue to check on her, and they can see redness blistering her hand. It¡¯s a deep sear. It seems to be coating itself into her flesh, almost like a brand.


    ¡°Dang, that looks bad, Angel. You really laid it on yourself this time.¡± Helping her up, she peeks down at it. Not the entirety of her hand is seared, mainly the middle, and seems to form almost a circle.


    ¡°This is¡­ aww, I think that¡¯s going to stay there¡­ I hope my parents don¡¯t say anything about it¡­¡± Angel never liked her parents to know when she got hurt. They always make a big deal of it, and a lesson always has to be learned from them.


    ¡°Well, whatever. Be careful, guys. Let¡¯s go to the swings instead. Maybe they''re not as hot,¡± she says, skipping over to them. The four swing sets are more than enough as they all take their seats. They swing back and forth, getting higher into the air. Okazaki, always being a showoff, is reaching the near atmosphere.


    ¡°Look at me, guys, I¡¯m going to head off into space!¡±


    ¡°I want to go that high, too! Do you guys think if I go high enough, I can reach heaven?¡±


    ¡°You can do anything you set your mind too, Angel, just keep up at it and work hard. That¡¯s what my parents always say!¡± Ishimoto encourages. These days seem to last forever. The running air and the creaks of the swings sound until dawn, the night starting to shine through.


    ¡°That was so fun! But I should be getting home. My parents will be angry otherwise.¡± Okazaki swings himself off and waves goodbye.


    ¡°Yeah, same. Bye-bye!¡± Everyone goes their separate ways, their houses being less than a mile walk away. Their neighborhood has always been safe, so they are allowed to walk back unaided. Most neighbors during this time were safe, too. It is all to change. But some things never do.

 Chapter 9.3: The Past Never Dies

    They all arrive at the ice cream shop, setting themselves up in the corner bar. Ishimoto takes out his journal and pen, ready to discuss.


    ¡°Oi, what are you journaling? Can¡¯t say I imagine you were the type to be doodling and writing little words for fun.¡± Usagi lightly hits his shoulder.


    ¡°H-hey. That hurt.¡± He rubs his shoulder.


    ¡°Actually, that¡¯s strange. It does hurt. Perhaps our base strength is more amplified now? That wouldn¡¯t be out of the realm of possibilities, would it?¡±


    ¡°Hey, I think you¡¯re on to something. This morning, I was throwing hands on the punching bag, and it started to rip. Wasn¡¯t even going full force on it,¡± confirms Okazaki.


    Keiko brought something as well. She pulls out a new deck of cards and smirks.


    ¡°Since everyone else here has had the opportunity to show their awesome powers except Shoji. Shoji w¡ª¡± Shoji is asleep.


    ¡°I-I¡¯m starting to think his power is sleeping. Maybe he¡¯s always had it. Anyway, besides the point, it¡¯s time for me to showcase it! Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s super subtle, so it won¡¯t draw attention.¡± She reveals the deck of cards, all of which are smiling anime girls from her favorite anime.


    ¡°You can be such a nerdy girl at times, Keiko. Is that from the anime you¡¯re always watching? Where do you even get those? Are those official?¡± Usagi is dumbfounded.


    ¡°Yes, they¡¯re all official, but even if they weren¡¯t, I¡¯d support the artist that supports my favorite anime, Tati Tati Kingdom!¡± The girl lifts herself up into the air, drawing the attention of those around her. The pose she emits is from the main character, a cute and charming one.


    ¡°I do believe this isn¡¯t subtle, Keiko.¡± Takei chuckles.


    ¡°Oh right, right, I totally forgot about that.¡± She sets back down, waiting for all the prying eyes to turn back to their own devices.


    ¡°Okay, okay, everyone is looking away now. So anyway, take this card, for instance.¡± The first card she pulls is an ace. It holds the main character in her signature style and poses. ¡°See this ace? Okay, so I¡¯m going to do something really cool with it. Just keep staring at it for me.¡± With a flick of her wrist, the back of the card shows its stripes as always. ¡°All right, you guys saw it, right? Now watch this; something cool is gonna happen.¡± She flicks it back, but on the other side, there is nothing.


    ¡°Uh, Keiko, there¡¯s nothin¡¯ different about that card.¡±


    ¡°H-huh?¡± She is surprised, turning to see the card.


    ¡°W-what!? I did it last night. How did it not work!? That doesn¡¯t make any sense. Everyone else is able to use their powers!¡±


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    ¡°Keiko!¡± Usagi¡¯s eyes widen, concerned for others to hear. Then a man walks over. It¡¯s the ice cream man Takei and Keiko spoke to the other day.


    ¡°Can I take your or¡ªoh. It¡¯s you two again. I hope you aren¡¯t all trying to scam me out of more ice cream for all your friends. We don¡¯t have that much stock left today.¡±


    ¡°No, no, this time is different. I brought some money for all of us.¡± She shows her wallet containing the same characters on her cards. Needless to say, she is a mega fan of the series. Inside is enough to get everyone ice cream.


    ¡°Keiko. I didn¡¯t know you had such a large amount of yen. Where did you get all of it?¡± asks Takei, impressed by the staggering pack of money.


    ¡°Oh, uh, yeah, I¡¯ll explain that in a bit. Why don¡¯t all of you get some ice cream? We¡¯ll continue our conversation once we get it. Yeah?¡± She hints, not wanting to tell yet. The ice cream man raises an eyebrow, an almost growing suspicious overwhelming his face. A pen clicks and taps on the table.


    ¡°If I didn¡¯t know any better, I would say you¡¯re a bank thief like one of those western movies by the amount of money you have. Wouldn¡¯t put it past you, little freeloader,¡± he accuses.


    ¡°What!? No, I would never steal from anyone. That¡¯s something only bad people do! I¡¯m not bad! Well, not mostly anyway, I¡¯ve been on a naughty list maybe once, but I¡¯m not a thief!¡± she almost wants to burst out and show just how she did it, but she knows she can¡¯t. If she does, they¡¯ll all be compromised.


    ¡°Hmm. You¡¯re right. I don¡¯t think you¡¯re a thief, too uppity. Anyway. Go ahead, all of you order. I¡¯ll leave your check here whenever you¡¯re all done.¡± They all find it strange; his wanting to leave a check isn¡¯t customary. The only time anyone has seen this is when Usagi was in America. Nevertheless, they all order their favorite ice creams. A sundae, strawberry, vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, banana split and sherbet. He leaves to go make them.


    ¡°All right, anyway, now that he¡¯s gone, let me show you all what I can do!¡± She tries again using the same formula, but it fails. Ishimoto rubs his chin.


    ¡°Are you positive that you performed this trick last night? Perhaps it was a fluke?¡± he suggests.


    ¡°No, no, absolutely not. I did it perfectly last night! I mean, the first time, it was an accident, but it started to become easy after a while. I don¡¯t know what could be holding me back.¡± Her head follows down onto the table in defeat.


    ¡°It¡¯s all right, Keiko,¡± Takei reassures with a healthy pat on the shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll remember soon. Let¡¯s all just relax for a while. We¡¯ve been through so much.¡±


    They all agree; however, Ishimoto documents everything he remembers from last night. Scribbling the seen powers, abilities, and even fighting style. There seems to be a fighting style in the way Usagi went about it. He has never seen it before; she could hold her own in a fight before, but the added powers of hers make it all the more devastating. It is almost a mix between kickboxing and an animal.


    ¡°I believe I¡¯ve got everything down. The only thing is that we haven¡¯t displayed everything we¡¯re capable of. We¡¯ll surely need to do that at some point.¡± There is a thought popping into his head that is starting to spread throughout the group.


    ¡°Hey, do you guys think t¡ª¡±


    ¡°Here¡¯s your ice cream. Don¡¯t go eating it like you¡¯re excavator-like friend over there.¡±


    ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not no construction equipment! It¡¯s not my fault ice cream is so yummy!¡± She takes an angry bite, her face instantly squelching in pain. ¡°Ah! Brain freeze!¡±


    ¡°See? Wouldn¡¯t happen if you weren¡¯t so greedy.¡± He places the check downward on the table. ¡°Be sure to check that once you¡¯re done. Don¡¯t be skipping out on it.¡± He says in a more serious tone. Leaving them to be, Keiko sticks her tongue out at his back.


    ¡°Whatever, big old meanie. Least he¡¯s good at making ice cream, the best.¡±


    ¡°Right.¡± Ishimoto stares blankly down at his ice cream.

 Chapter 9.5: The Past Never Dies

    Ishi, Okazaki?¡± Angel calls out their names from the far side of the park. The boys run over to her, smiling and in great spirits. Two years later, the group is close-knit as ever.


    ¡°What¡¯s up, Angel?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Is everything all right?¡±


    Angel is in a downcast mood, and her heart feels like it¡¯s ticking to the wrong rhythm as she goes on. ¡°Would you two like to come over for ice cream?¡± This is music to both of the boys'' ears. Ice cream is a rare treat for either of them. It is the perk of understanding and wonderful parents, not like the strict, chip-off-the-old-block type they had.


    They all agree and head straight for her house. The passing houses mix with the scents of lavender flowers, hot pot, and the people chattering happily inside. On a cold night like tonight, the locals are free to the openness. The wind chill here is cooled, and the mountains lack snow, so it¡¯s a perfect comforting winter. The holidays aren¡¯t far off, and the two boys have prepared themselves a gift for each other and Angel. A bracelet is what Ishimoto made for her, and a winter-knitted hat from Okazaki.


    The holidays are a splendid grace period for them all. They all spend time together and visit one another¡¯s houses, ready to open gifts. None of them have siblings or friends outside of their small group. It became a tradition. A three-course meal spread out, with one making breakfast, one lunch, and one dinner as their parents made their way to the local restaurants. It is a win for all and a staple of their friendship.


    Angel¡¯s house is heated with central air, a step up from Okazaki¡¯s one heater, and the walls are barren. This is an unusual sight. Her family photos, photos of them at the lake and at a convenience store, and Mt. Fuji, all gone. She holds them dear to her. Why are they gone?


    Okazaki bumps Ishimoto with his elbow, whispering. ¡°Where are all our pictures? She loves those pictures to death. They must be remodeling or something like your mom and dad did, right? Moving stuff around.¡±


    ¡°Hard to tell with everything gone. Would they need to take everything down at once if they were just remodeling? That¡¯s not what my parents did.¡± Angel turns around now. Her face is covered with a strain of hair. She brushes it and makes eye contact with them both. There¡¯s a deep worry, a deep sorrow, and her eyes of deep blue reveal reality.


    ¡°I have¡­ very bad news¡­ I don¡¯t want to do this. I really, really, don¡¯t¡­¡± The strangulation inside of her neck, as if someone holds her with no intent of letting go. And the breach in her eyes, a lake pours over the bank as she can¡¯t contain it.


    ¡°Me and my family are moving away soon¡­ they say it¡¯s for better work and a better life. I don¡¯t understand what they mean by that¡­ I like my life here¡­¡± The tear rides down her cheek, leaking to the floor, her companions watching their hearts on the verge of a meltdown. Their friend of many years moving away? Why would she move away? She¡¯s happy here, isn¡¯t she? It''s the only thought through both of their heads.


    They all go to her living room, sitting on her family¡¯s couch, one of the few pieces of furniture remaining. The room is arid. It doesn¡¯t help the tension everyone feels in the depths of their bellies. It¡¯s as if they¡¯re sickly, about to need to run to the nearest trash can, allowing their emotions to release from their held throats.


    The first to speak is Okazaki. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t get it¡­ It seems like you guys have everything here, lots of fun places to go, like the park. Why would they want to move? It¡¯s¡­ stupid¡­ really stupid!¡± His yells echo through the house.


    ¡°Okazaki..¡± A hand is placed on his shoulder, and the two boys share their sadness, but Ishimoto, even at his young age, knows he needs to calm himself.


    ¡°It¡¯s sad, but please¡­ We can¡¯t make too much noise in her home¡­¡± He eases himself down, his shoulders slumped, and his eyes close tightly, taking a moment. Angel tries to put on a smile, her mind thinking of a way to comfort them both for what may be the last time. She then jumps up and stands in front of them. Finally, a small grin shows on her face.


    ¡°Hey guys¡­ I know I can¡¯t go anywhere on my own, but¡­ when I¡¯m older, maybe my parents will let me come back here. In fact, I know they will! They¡¯ll let me come back and be with you two again. I can promise you that! I won¡¯t let distance end our friendship, I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t, I won¡¯t!¡± The emotion in her voice is visceral. The tightness returns, choking and revoking everything. Everything that pops into her head returns to the fact that she won¡¯t see them, won¡¯t be able to speak to them, and will be unable to find a way to communicate with the lack of phone lines or computers from both the boys. It is a hefty weight crushing her until she collapses to the floor. Her only friends, they¡¯ll be gone soon.


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    Then, arms wrap around her. The two boys embrace her. Her crying ceases. She stares straight at the wall, her eyes begin to dry themselves with a wipe from her hand, and she¡¯s able to give a most genuine smile after everything. Her friends, the ones she¡¯s been with for six years at the beginning of her life. They¡¯re there at that moment. Even if they won¡¯t be for much longer, she will seek it out that they will see each other again one day, a certainty.


    ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you both¡­ we¡¯ll be leaving next week, but for now, let¡¯s have fun together and eat some ice cream together!¡± The mood shifts. She happily stands up and reaches both of her hands out to lift the boys up. It is as if she lived up to her name for the first time at that moment.


    That night, they have ice cream for what turns out to be the last time ever. They go to the park the day after and relive all the memories they made before the week comes to an end and it is time to say farewell. Their emotions saunter; a new leaf is turning its withered winter head up, and it all feels so dim despite the glee in the hugs they share. Their last words are, I promise we¡¯ll see each other again someday. And like that, with a car leaving the driveway and a movers van in tow, she is gone from their lives.


    Months pass, a good six as the boys reluctantly find their way to the park. It feels sacred to them, the place where they would all gather to have the time of their lives, and without her, there is this emptiness. Nonetheless, they seek to have that time again, that aching to have a new beginning she would have wanted them to have. They stick to the swings, swaying back and forth in the new summer air.


    ¡°You know¡­ Ishimoto,¡± Okazaki says slow.


    ¡°I really miss her. It¡¯s been so long, but I still think about her and us all playing together. Do you feel the same way, or is it just weird that I still feel that way?¡±


    Ishimoto simply sighs. His head winds with a long study day.


    ¡°You¡¯re not weird. You¡¯re not wrong, either. I¡¯m in the same boat. Even with all the responsibilities and other things I have to do, she doesn¡¯t leave my mind. I wish I could understand it. But I don¡¯t. I would ask my mom and dad about it, but you know how they are. They¡¯ll never¡ªyou know what, never mind¡­¡± He hesitates. His parents have never been ones for emotions beyond the ones that benefited them. Logic was all that mattered to them, and logically, he shouldn¡¯t be missing someone after so long.


    ¡°Hey, Ishimoto. I need you to promise me something, okay?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what is it?¡± There¡¯s a pause before Okazaki sticks his pinky out.


    ¡°You¡¯re going to make a pinky promise to me, and that promise is going to be no matter what. We¡¯re always going to stick beside one another, understand?¡± There¡¯s confusion about Ishimoto. He doesn¡¯t understand this gesture. He has never been familiar with promises besides the ones he gives his mom and dad. Only that he¡¯ll do what they say. There is never room to go away from it, but here, he has a choice. He feels a wave crash into him, one of freedom.


    ¡°Can I say yes or no to it?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Yeah. I ain¡¯t going to make you do it if you don¡¯t want too, but Ishi, man, I don¡¯t want us to ever grow apart. Angel not being here is super hard. Like. I can¡¯t imagine losing you too¡­ not now, not ever¡­ sorry if that¡¯s selfish, but I¡¯m just telling you how it is.¡± The creaks of the aging swings sound off. The world is moving around them, but to them, it all feels frozen. Ishimoto stares at his hand before sticking out his pinky, wrapping it around Okazaki¡¯s tightly, firmly, and freely.


    ¡°Yeah. I¡¯ll stick by you. I won¡¯t leave your side, and we¡¯ll keep being friends forever.¡± The sides of his mouth gently crease, and he declares it so.


    ¡°Awesome! I¡¯m so happy you agree! Now I don¡¯t ever have to worry about losing another wonderful friend ever again!¡± His shout could knock a mountain over. It¡¯s almost too much for Ishimoto. He now grimaces from it.


    ¡°Yes, yes, but can you please not be so loud? We¡¯re going to get in trouble or something.¡±


    ¡°You two seem excited! What¡¯s got you two all up in arms?¡± an unfamiliar voice calls from behind. They both turn to see a girl, her hair a soft brown, and light brown eyes beaming at them before stepping in the middle of them both.


    ¡°Did you two become best friends forever? That¡¯s so cool! Aww, I¡¯m so happy for you two. You both seem like amazing guys!¡± She jumps up and down as they both stare on in sheer bemusement.


    ¡°Umm, sorta¡­ I guess? But, who are you?¡± asks Okazaki.


    ¡°Oh, oh, sorry! I forgot how rude it was to just throw yourself into conversations without saying who you are. My parents get on me about that.¡± She cackles, spinning around until she is now directly in front of them, both striking a pose from her all-time favorite anime.


    ¡°My name is Shinohara Keiko! I¡¯m new around this place, and I saw there is a park which can only mean fun, fun! Nice to meet you two.¡±


    ¡°Oh. Nice to meet you, too.¡± Introducing themselves, they can¡¯t help but find this girl an oddity. Her mannerisms aren¡¯t the same as others around here, having an almost exotic nature to it.


    On the same day, during the first introductions, they come to know her better, speaking about their promise to her. She smiles.


    ¡°Hey, hey, can I ask you two something? I¡¯m new here and don¡¯t have any friends yet, so I wanted to ask. Would you two be my first ones!?¡± She extends her pinky outwards to them. They both glance at one another, a state of hesitation and uncertainty in their eyes.

 Chapter 10: The Search For The Beginning

    The time reaches 8 p.m. They stand out on the corner of the shop, waiting for it to close down. A couple of stragglers remain as they walk out. They see the ice cream man head out the back door.


    ¡°There he is, guys. You ready?¡± Usagi confirms with everyone before they all head to the back. He notices them, locking the door to his establishment and tucking the key away in his pocket. He gestures them to follow with his hand, saying nothing as he trots down the alleyway. It¡¯s dark, damp, and entirely private, away from any noisy spotters. He leans against the wall, yanks out a packet of cigarettes from his uniform, and lights one.


    ¡°Hey, is that a healthy thing to do? And under your uniform too, what if a kid saw you with it!¡± Keiko is baffled to see it. She hates the act of smoking. She¡¯s all right with people who do it; they¡¯re not bad to her, but she hates seeing the plums of smoke lift from his tobacco wrap.


    ¡°You¡¯re all still in high school, yeah? Third years, I¡¯m guessing. Yeah, you don¡¯t know about this yet, but once you¡¯re thrust into that real world out here, you¡¯ll understand.¡± He huffs another plume. ¡°Anyway, I have seen those necklaces you got there or whatever. Where you get ¡®em?¡± he asks.


    ¡°Well. It¡¯s hard to say exactly where we got them, sir.¡± Takei says respectfully.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you worry about it, I know those aren¡¯t some cheap knockoffs. What you got on all of you is the real deal. I just want to know how you got em.¡± Nobody says anything. Eyes greet one another, both uneasy and unsure.


    ¡°How do you know they¡¯re real exactly?¡± Usagi interrogates his knowledge.


    ¡°I know you, little ma¡¯am. You worked with them too, yeah?¡±


    Her heart thumps beyond her chest. ¡°Yes. I did. What of it? Are you one of them? A cultist?¡±


    ¡°No, nothing like that. What I am is someone who worked a little closer with Remnants. Say, I was in the ranks as an unofficial member. Otherwise, I helped set up their rallies and speeches at the start, so I have seen plenty of those fancy things up close.¡± He is brutally honest.


    ¡°Hey, wait, what are you saying!? You¡¯re saying you¡¯re one of the people who helped set them up to take over the world!¡± Keiko immediately jumps at his throat, not grabbing it but close to doing so.


    ¡°K-Keiko¡­ Excuse her, that¡¯s not something she would normally do.¡± Ishimoto taps her shoulder. Her head swings back to him, scrunched with hate. ¡°Keiko. Stand down. There¡¯s no benefit for hurting him.¡± Her teeth are gritting, and she entirely wishes to tie her hands around his neck at this moment, Ishimoto knows why, but he chooses to take an oath of silence.


    ¡°F-fine. I can¡¯t say I like you, though.¡± Her affinity for people who help get the Remnants off the ground is especially sour in her mouth. Being around him now feels almost insulting to her. She has never been this close to one of the founders.


    ¡°So. You¡¯re one of the reasons why they¡¯re so popular, huh?¡± she asks.


    ¡°You can say that, yes. It¡¯s an unfortunate thing, but I don¡¯t want any of you to get the wrong idea. I was in a similar situation to all who get used by the Remnants to further their agenda. I was in debt, and they offered me a way out I couldn¡¯t say no to. Even if I did, they wouldn¡¯t let me. They had their eyes out for me.¡±


    ¡°Their eyes out for you?¡± Ishimoto infers.


    ¡°Yes. They specifically picked me out for my, how you say¡­ ability to make convincing speeches. Everything you have heard before, hell, even now, has traces of my involvement in it. Before doing this job, I used to write for politicians, you know? Now, I can¡¯t do that. Too risky. Have to stay on the down low, or I will get my head rolling down an alleyway just like this one.¡± He throws his smoke on the ground, stomping it out and letting out a deep breath.


    ¡°Anyway, I saw what you were doing earlier with your cards. You were trying to activate your Remnant ability, right? You weren¡¯t doing it right.¡±


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    ¡°What did you say!?¡±


    ¡°Keiko¡­¡± Ishimoto says firmly. Her guard going back down, but she¡¯s not happy about it, pouting her cheeks.


    ¡°It¡¯ll be all right, Keks. I know how you feel wanting to be mad about it. I don¡¯t disagree with you at all, but if he knows any way to help us out, it¡¯s worth listening.¡± Usagi plants a hand on her head, ruffling her hair. Keiko seems to still reject him, but she can feel herself coming down enough to stop completely. Her demeanor changes, and she leans against the opposite wall.


    ¡°All right, go on then. Tell us everything you know.¡±


    He sighs. ¡°Right. So, first off, you weren¡¯t able to do it because you weren¡¯t channeling it correctly. Remnants can only channel it correctly through proper communication to it. They don¡¯t come from thin air. You have to align yourself properly. The reason you¡¯re not able to is you were stressed. I imagine you all didn¡¯t have a hard time starting, right? That¡¯s because you were all awakened to the new power prior to any outside influence.¡± He points his finger up, then down again, and they all follow, confused.


    ¡°Think of it as a connection to the void. Nobody knows what it is, but you can feel it, can¡¯t you? A connecting force binding you together, not only from the void itself but from one another.¡±


    ¡°One another?¡± Takei grasps at the charm of her collar. She remembers that strange sensation last night at Shoji¡¯s. Could that be what he¡¯s talking about?


    ¡°All Remnants have a special connection that regular people don¡¯t have. Whether it be the collar or the call from the void itself, nobody knows for certain, but what is certain is the connection you all share, like a network or web thing keeping you all together. With some, it¡¯s strong; others, weak, but every one of you has it.¡± He steps forward, staring down, and taller than a good majority of them besides Ishimoto and Okazaki. ¡°You are all part of that now. Yes, you¡¯re even connected to the dread Mr. Nuke Happy, though I highly doubt that connection is anything more than a morsel seeing your distaste for him.¡±


    ¡°For his sake, I hope he¡¯s as far away from us as possible. Bastard.¡± Usagi spits on his name with her statement.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you a confident one? Your charm is a bunny? Interesting. Bunnies are known as docile creatures, but they don¡¯t seem to fit you. However, not every charm is perfected for their person. As far as I know. However, I will admit it is odd since Remnants are given to people born of it, not by mere randomness. So I find yours most intriguing.¡±


    Usagi thumps the ground with her heel. ¡°Oi, don¡¯t you dare be calling me soft.¡± Her fire builds up before she subsides at will, not seeking the same path of anger as Keiko.


    ¡°Maybe it has something to do with her name?¡± Okazaki steps forth. ¡°I mean, her name means that in a sort, yeah, so maybe it was simply for that reason.¡± He answers with gusto.


    ¡°No,¡± the man says. ¡°Names don¡¯t effect the outcome in any way. That¡¯s a human thing to do, giving names to other people, things, concepts. The void doesn¡¯t adapt to the same rules as us; it always makes the right choice when it comes to handing out gifts. It¡¯s why I find it so intriguing how unfitting it seems to you. All of you¡­ mmm¡­ well, I don¡¯t know you all personally, but I¡¯m guessing you¡¯re the hard ass, so yours fits. So the majority of you must share similarities to your charm.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I guess you can say that. This dagger fits me hella well, badass, just like me. Only thing is I only know how to make knives.¡±


    ¡°As a meathead would.¡± Ishimoto smirks, getting him back for earlier.


    ¡°Quite. That¡¯s definitely not the only thing you can do. Unfortunately, I won¡¯t be able to tell you exactly what you can do. Some will take self-discovery, but I¡¯ll give you all ideas and, most importantly, how to actually conjure it up effortlessly.¡± He points to the charm of Takei. ¡°You, you first.¡±


    Takei shoots her eyes up. ¡°Me first?¡±


    ¡°Yes. Yours is a bird feather. What is your ability?¡± he asks.


    ¡°My ability?¡± She hesitates. ¡°Healing.¡±


    ¡°Healing?¡± He raises an eyebrow. ¡°A healing bird? That is highly unusual, but all right. Prove it to me.¡± He rolls back the helm of his sleeve until it reaches his elbow. A small cut is present. ¡°Got this one from the ice cream machine earlier. Heal it.¡± She hadn¡¯t expected to be put on the spot like this.


    ¡°I- I¡¯ll try. I can¡¯t guarantee tha¡ª¡±


    ¡°No,¡± he interrupts. ¡°You have to know you can do it. 100 percent, no doubts, ifs, or buts about it. It¡¯s how you gain experience and carve your path to your full potential. It¡¯s the only way. Do not say you can¡¯t. Say that you will.¡± Everyone watches. Takei peers down at the charm. Her head is filled with thoughts ranging from the mundane to how to best go about this. Slowly, it all starts to fade as she concentrates harder and harder. The voice in her head fades to the background, and she hovers her hand over his wound.


    ¡°I can do it.¡± A brilliant light shines through, brighter than before. She closes her eyes, and a melody plays in her head. ¡°I can do it. I know I can. I can heal the world from its turmoil.¡± Her voice drifts off into a singing one. The world around her melts like sweet caramel. ¡°Sweet, sweet, tree of the forest, come and bloom your wonderful bounty. Blossoms falling on down, and bring back spring for love to be profound.¡± The man is confused but intrigued. His wound seals up. Not even a scar is left or a sign that anything has occurred. He lets his sleeve fall back.

 Chapter 10.5: The Search For The Beginning

    ¡°You sing whenever you heal others?¡±


    ¡°Oh. Yes, I do,¡± she answers.


    ¡°That¡¯s utterly ridiculous,¡± he states. ¡°Remnants don¡¯t require singing or any other activation from their voice. They¡¯re not robots or idols.¡±


    ¡°It might not be needed or practical. But I enjoy it. It¡¯s soothing to the soul. The first time I did it, I couldn¡¯t help but do so. Even now, I can feel the joy of wanting to do it again,¡± she says, unwavering to the requirements.


    ¡°So you gain happiness from singing?¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes. It¡¯s entirely so. I feel it calms me.¡±


    He scoffs, his head lingering down and blatantly tilting his head in disgust.


    ¡°I can¡¯t understand what would make you so happy about being a freak. Are you some kind of idiot?¡±


    With a gust of wind, a razor-sharp blade touches his neck. Okazaki¡¯s scrunched nose stares at him with a blazing disgust.


    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare talk to Takei like that!¡± The man looks down at the blade, its shine, its sides perfected. He smirks.


    ¡°My, that¡¯s a fine blade you made there. I bet it¡¯s strong enough to even cut through the bricks of this alleyway. Why don¡¯t you try it out?¡± The face of Okazaki remains the same, keeping his weapon at his neck before reluctantly pulling back and throwing the knife behind him with immense force. There¡¯s a clunk of brick and the sound of masonry dripping to the ground.


    ¡°You see that?¡± He walks over to the knife lodged into the wall. He attempts to yank it out to no avail. ¡°What a great power! I can¡¯t move it at all. You made that blade better then any normal human could ever.¡± He sparks back at them, leaning against the wall once again. ¡°You all have immense power in you, and all so young and inexperienced. I can¡¯t imagine all your potential. Maybe even Miss Monger level.¡±


    ¡°Miss Monger, you say?¡± Usagi says coldly. ¡°Comparing us to a monster such as her? Don¡¯t do that. I understand what you mean, but she is one of the cruelest of Mr. Nuke Happy¡¯s underlings. She¡¯s a war criminal who has taken countless innocent lives.¡±


    ¡°I find your attitude interesting. Very well, you are all your own people. It is best to make something of yourself rather than comparing yourself to others.¡± He removes his hat and bows respectfully. ¡°My name is Kubo Chiasa. My true name, that is. Pleased to meet you.¡± Having his hat removed made his ordinary face more familiar. Keiko recognizes it immediately.


    ¡°You¡¯re the one the police are looking for! They showed you your photo at school! But.. that wasn¡¯t your name?¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯ve heard of me? Yes, some have heard of me, or more so, my alias name, mostly including law enforcement. Being the speech bearer of Mr. Nuke Happy will do that to you.¡± He places his hat back on. ¡°Good thing there¡¯s not many around here and how ordinary I look. You wouldn¡¯t say I stick out in a crowd, would you? Unlike you kids.¡±


    ¡°No. I wouldn¡¯t say you do at all. That¡¯s extraordinary in is own self.¡± Ishimoto analyzes him. An empty demeanor lacking anything that would set him off from a normal person at a bus stop or a salary worker making his way to his eight or twelve-hour shift. ¡°I can¡¯t say even with my knowledge that I would know it¡¯s you. Then again, I wasn¡¯t shown the photo like Keiko was.¡±


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    ¡°Yeah, I still don¡¯t get that. Why didn¡¯t they just show us all so we could know immediately, like Keiko?¡± Takei places her finger beneath her chin, wondering.


    ¡°I wish I could know that, too,¡± Shoji adds. ¡°I was still pretty tired, but they showed it to me, and, like, I didn¡¯t know it was him, but, uh, you know, I could have still probably guessed if I wasn¡¯t so sleepy.¡± He chuckles.


    ¡°You.¡± Kubo inspects him. The first thought is that this boy doesn¡¯t seem too reliable, and the teddy bear charm around his neck is the most unusual one. ¡°A teddy bear? Is your power to conjure stuffed animals? That can¡¯t be.¡±


    ¡°Huh? Oh, no, that¡¯s not what my power is. Have I not shown you all? I forgot.¡± He gives a dumb smile.


    ¡°Shoji¡­ Stop being a sleepy mess and show us. Come on, come on! I want to see!¡± Keiko encourages.


    ¡°Ah, well, all right, since everyone else has shown or tried to, let me see¡­¡± Spinning around and facing everyone, he gets ready to demonstrate. ¡°Observe.¡± He closes his eyes and falls asleep.


    ¡°Your power is to¡­ fall asleep?¡± Keiko asks, confused.


    ¡°Well, to some adults, that is a superpower,¡± remarks Kubo.


    ¡°No, give me just one second.¡± He swings around and reveals the stuff bear Keiko was going to give him. ¡°Presto! I have done it. Oh yeah, you left this at my house yesterday, Keiko. I figured it was for me since you rubbed my name on it with marker and gave it a name. It¡¯s cute.¡± He smiles.


    ¡°Ah! I almost forgot about that completely! Yes, that¡¯s yours. I was going to give it to you after the party, but y¡¯know, awakening to our powers kind of got in the way. Glad you like it, though!¡±


    ¡°Yep, now watch what I can do with it.¡± He shimmers it, and it emits a purple light.


    ¡°Uh. You can turn it into a nightlight? I mean, that¡¯s good for keeping the spookiness away, but is that all your power is?¡± Keiko, baffled, pokes the bear.


    ¡°No, no, that¡¯s definitely not his limitations,¡± says Kubo. ¡°However, he seems to be lower on the totem pole when it comes to your Remnant powers.¡±


    ¡°Hey! No, I¡¯m not! I¡¯m just as powerful as all of you guys. I can do more!¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say you are on the same level. A glowing stuffed bear isn¡¯t viable in any type of combat besides a night of nightmares. I¡¯m sorry to say Shoji, but you might just be a low-t¡ª¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m not,¡± he says before chunking his bear at the wall. To everyone¡¯s surprise, the bear melts through it with no effort, creating a huge hole in it.


    ¡°What the hell?¡± Kubo himself didn¡¯t expect this. He goes over to the wall, the bear laid out before the other side of the abandoned building unscathed itself. It appears to have a laser-like effect, slicing through it with great ease. ¡°A stuffed bear with a punch? Can¡¯t say I would have ever guessed that.¡± On further inspection, he makes a conclusion. ¡°Yes, your Remnant is actually really powerful. Remnants with this sort of power tend to become top-tier, in fact. That manifestation of a pillow you made can cut through anything if you hone it. The only thing it likely won¡¯t is Remnants with more power than you. As for myself and other humans, if we were to touch it, it would wilt our flesh instantly.¡±


    ¡°Woah, really? Then I better make sure nobody hugs it. Wait, hold on, why doesn¡¯t it do that to me?¡±


    ¡°Like I said. Remnants are more durable when it comes to others'' abilities. However, you¡¯re immune to your own, at least, the ones I''ve seen.¡±


    ¡°That may be so. Yet, with a power like Shoji¡¯s, I wouldn¡¯t go swinging it around at us. We don¡¯t know how powerful we truly are,¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°I agree. His power could be deadly if it was someone weaker than him. We all need to train and be aware of this on a deeper level. Which is why I¡¯ve come up with a suggestion.¡± Usagi steps forward and stares up at Kubo. ¡°Mr. Kubo, we intend to take out the Remnants of the world that are destroying it. With your wisdom, can you aid us in that duty?¡±


    ¡°What? So¡­ like your teacher?¡± There¡¯s a pause in his words. He exams each of them, one by one, taking them in for a moment. He hadn¡¯t thought about this before. He only wanted to introduce them to their powers in hopes of pushing them forward. But now he feels a new resolve, a wish to make these kids the ones to take them all down.


    ¡°Very well. I agree. I will be your sensei and the one to guide you on the path to defeat the Remnants.¡± I will be the guiding light this world so desperately needs.

 Chapter 11: The Start Of A New Fight For The World

    The night is getting started as everyone heads to the abandoned area they talked about. The land before them is the one they¡¯ll claim as home to hone their abilities. It is hard for wear, the trees scattered across the dirt, the grass overgrown in some places, and a nearby pond more suited to a swamp. The building itself is ragged and broken. Steel beams are jutting from the sides and the concrete crumbles like sand. It¡¯s no professional ring, but it¡¯ll do.


    ¡°This is going to be the place where we get all-powerful? It¡¯s kinda, y¡¯know, very bad and sad,¡± says Keiko.


    ¡°You¡¯re right on that. It¡¯s not ideal yet. If we¡¯re to get the maximum benefit, we need to clean it.¡± Ishimoto inspects the grounds along side Usagi.


    ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more.¡± Kubo, who took time to go home and get dressed, makes his return to them. He wears a brown upper shirt, which is more nimble and flowing, and his pants are long. He dresses as any average man would, not fitting the title he¡¯s been given.


    ¡°Gosh, even how you dress is normal. Can¡¯t you stand out even a little!?¡± Keiko complains.


    ¡°I don¡¯t need to stand out any bit. All that¡¯s important is that I teach you and help you to defeat those monsters, isn¡¯t that right?¡±


    ¡°He¡¯s right. I only have so much knowledge of them, but he is more akin to what they¡¯re truly capable of. He won¡¯t be the one fighting them. We will,¡± Usagi exclaims. A sense of pride washes over.


    ¡°You. Your name is Usagi, correct?¡± Approaching a nearby log, he pops a squat. ¡°You have something unique about you that I noticed when we were talking earlier.¡± He pries his mouth open, pointing to his dulled canines. ¡°You some kind of vampire? You have sharp teeth.¡±


    She bares her teeth out more, her canines almost sharp enough to tear through flesh. ¡°No. My canines have been filed down. It was something I had to have done during my initiations.¡±


    Kubo finds this answer off. It isn¡¯t normal for followers of the Remnants to have a tradition such as this. ¡°I understand. Regardless, that¡¯s not what I¡¯m most interested in. What I¡¯m interested in is if it can be used as a weapon with the rest of your body.¡± Behind the log, he pulls out a bag.


    ¡°D-did you already have that back there!?¡± they all ask in unison.


    ¡°Maybe. Or maybe I¡¯m just sneaky, and you all have to up your game on perception.¡± He manages out a piece of what appears to be a bite suit for training police dogs.


    ¡°I¡­ you¡¯re not seriously suggesting what I think you are, are you!? I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m not a dog or ever will act like one!¡±


    ¡°Easy. I know you¡¯re not one. In fact, you tend to lean more to a firecracker then anything when faced with a challenge.¡± He approaches a nearby branch, wrapping it around. ¡°Besides, there¡¯s a risk you can pierce right through, leaving me a bleeding mess. So you¡¯ll be biting this tree.¡±


    ¡°She ain¡¯t a damn beaver, neither,¡± declares Okazaki.


    ¡°But is she a dam, beaver?¡±


    ¡°S-shut up, Shoji!¡± Shoji gives a dumb smile.


    ¡°You¡¯re all missing the point. The point is to get better. It doesn¡¯t matter if you look like fools doing it. Everyone looks like a fool before they get better at something.¡± He tightens it, making sure it¡¯s stable, hitting it for good measure. ¡°Now, will you do this or not, Usagi?¡± She hesitates. Her pride is on the line, and she doesn¡¯t wish to go through this.


    ¡°I don¡¯t want too.¡± Her heart yearns to keep her dignity intact.


    ¡°If you don¡¯t wish too, then by all means, don¡¯t. But always remember. Humility is as great a lesson as it is to win. You might not all win. These Remnants are dangerous people, people that will kill you if they have the chance. I only seek to enhance your arsenal and make sure you all survive. Survive, unlike the last people who went up against them.¡± He begins to take it off the branch. Usagi feels a sharpness in her belly, a stabbing pain that brings the reality to her head. It¡¯s true, the last Remnants that fought against them were slaughtered, not by a small margin but by a landslide, for Remnants in his ranks lower than six. Her friends will all be fighting alongside her, and the reality of it all is that they can very well die if they¡¯re not prepared.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± She halts his progress. ¡°I hate the idea of doing something humiliating like this, but I understand what you¡¯re trying to say. If we don¡¯t give it our all, if we don¡¯t test the limits, we¡¯ll all die.¡±


    ¡°D-die!?¡± Keiko yelps. ¡°No, we absolutely won¡¯t die!¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right! We¡¯ll train down to the bone no matter what it takes!¡± Okazaki shouts. Her friends all agree this will be their equal goal. Usagi fills with the urge to move on, humility, and to become better and stronger.


    ¡°Right! I don¡¯t care anymore! To ensure our survival and for the survival of the world!¡± In a lunge, she charges forward. Her teeth are bare, and her heart rate increases from the swift wind launching behind her back. Her speed is a good 40 mph, faster then any normal human, and the strength can be felt from the pondering of her feet. Kubo strikes back quickly before Usagi heaves her body at the tree, her teeth reaching the Kevlar and biting down on it, her fangs seeping through and penetrating the bark.


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    ¡°Oh, wow!¡± Kubo himself is shocked to see her do it. He¡¯s never seen this sort of power displayed from a Remnant so close. The Remnants he¡¯s seen have only been landslide victories and one-sided affairs against the resistance Remnants, mainly in videos. This is different. He can sense the resolve, the passion, and even possibilities in them now. Then the bark snaps, leaving it hanging in Usagi¡¯s mouth.


    ¡°Woah! Usagi, now you for real look like a dog playing fetch!¡±


    ¡°Keiko, shush your mouth before I bite you next,¡± she answers, feisty and annoyed, spitting the bark out.


    ¡°That was impressive, Usagi. It appears your teeth are a viable weapon to use, and much more so, it appears you haven¡¯t sustained any damage to your teeth,¡± Ishimoto notices.


    ¡°Yes, and that speed on her. To think this is only a fraction of her power. The uncultivated bare minimum of no training. You kids are something else.¡± Kubo sees something in them. A pure power that can be harnessed and rival even the Remnants of Mr. Nuke Happy.


    ¡°You all can truly be the saviors of the world.¡± Another item out of his bag, he goes over to a nearby tree. A paintbrush starts to draw out a target. ¡°Now, your name is Okazaki, right? I want you to try and hit that target from where you are.¡± He holds himself a good 60-70 feet away from the target, not too close, not too far.


    ¡°Oh yeah? I can hella hit that, don¡¯t you worry!¡± Conjuring a knife, he yields it to his hand. He uses one eye, his tongue sticking out, and he concentrates. He¡¯s never been one to try and be calculated about things. Things like that are better left to Ishimoto.


    ¡°Take this!¡± The knife goes swishing through the air, careening to the tree. It misses the bullseye, sticking to the upper part instead. ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°As expected. You all are nowhere near your full potential yet. This is a good thing.¡± Kubo tries to grab the knife, but his strength isn¡¯t enough. ¡°Yeah, I can¡¯t get that out even if I wanted.¡± It was all amazing to him, even if he didn¡¯t show it. He¡¯s never had firsthand experience with Remnants'' abilities; the sheer strength needed to pull that out would require a herd of gorillas, but to them, it is all so easy.


    ¡°Can you try and grab the knife?¡± he asks Keiko. She is reluctant but gives in, approaching the knife. She looks at him, bothered, but yanks on the knife, and it comes out, albeit with a short struggle.


    ¡°Seems your friends can also use your knives. That¡¯ll be helpful in a pitch,¡± he says.


    ¡°I mean, yeah, it is a knife. Why wouldn¡¯t we be able to grab it?¡± Keiko snickers.


    ¡°Now. I want all of you to gather around. I¡¯ll show you what makes you special as Remnants.¡±


    Once everyone is gathered around, he points to their charms. ¡°Take a look into one another¡¯s eyes. You¡¯ll notice something that wasn¡¯t there before.¡± Everyone peers into each other¡¯s eyes. For the most everything seems normal until a faint glow begins to light in their respective eye colors. The embedded power swells in them, a connection like a line tied around their bodies yearns in a spiritual realm. It¡¯s as if their worries, hardships, accomplishments, and goals are calling out for them all at once.


    ¡°You can all feel it, can¡¯t you? Those threads that bind you all to the void? The void is a mysterious thing. Nobody understands it fully, but what was found to be a certainty is the bonds it creates. It¡¯s a bond we normal humans aren¡¯t able to comprehend, but to you all, it¡¯s a pull, a spiritual pressure that you can accept or deny. That fire in your eyes is not just for show. It¡¯s the strength you all possess. Brighter the ember, the more power you possess.¡±


    ¡°Like Mr. Nuke Happy.¡± Usagi grits her teeth, remembering his TV appearances.


    ¡°Though his face is always clouded in darkness, his eyes are always luminescent. It¡¯s as if the sun itself resigned behind his iris.¡±


    ¡°Yes. His eyes are a true testament to what he is capable of doing. He is a foe that no normal human can hope of conquering, but that won¡¯t stop them from trying.¡±


    ¡°Like my father.¡±


    Takei clenches at her chest. Her father, ever since her mother died, has thrown himself into helping his employer to take down the Remnants. Humans, while weaker in every way than Remnants, constantly try to find new means to win. Tactics, weapons, and any possible outcome where they can come out on top. Mr. Nuke Happy to most, though, is considered a lost cause. Only foolish people seek to bring him down. ¡°My father hopes to help find a way to kill him.¡±


    Her father, in a drunken stupor, would ramble his thoughts. ¡°I will kill him! That bastard won¡¯t hurt anyone anymore one day, and he damn well won¡¯t destroy the world. Understand me, Takei!?¡± Her body rests on the sofa. She raises herself to help her father make it to the couch, his feet tripping over the carpet. It causes her to lift him up more times then he himself used to when she was a child. She always wonders if it is normal to live this way.


    ¡°That is a fool''s errand. It won¡¯t stop people from trying, though. I never believed for a second that humans could stop them. They are slaughtered lambs for his machine. That¡¯s why I truly believe the only hope of the world is you all.¡±


    The man stands in the middle of them now, his eyes darting at all of them as if sizing them up for a boxing match. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯ll teach you everything I know, with everything I got. I may be a normal everyday person, but I will be your teacher.¡± He taps the side near his eye and smiles. ¡°So another important thing about your eyes. You felt that connection, yes? It¡¯s not just the void connected, too. The accepting or rejecting I mentioned earlier is the call of one another.¡±


    ¡°The call of one another?¡± Ishimoto is intrigued, raising an eyebrow.


    ¡°Remember me mentioning how you¡¯re all connected even to Mr. Nuke Happy in some small way? That can be strengthened as well. The call of one another is a Remnant spiritual tie to one another. This means if accepted and honed, you can make an unbreakable bond.¡±


    ¡°What do you mean? Like, we¡¯re connected like electrical wires or something?¡± Shoji pretends to mimic an electrical line¡ªquite well at that.


    ¡°You can be a wiggly thing at times, can¡¯t you?¡± Keiko laughs.


    ¡°That is one way of looking at it. Imagine you¡¯re all utility units. Some of you have more wires attaching to other utility units, thus giving more power. Others, you have fewer or a complete lack of wires, making the power shared weaker or inexistent. Whether you like it or not, as Remnants, you are all connected, cut from the same cloth even if your wires are non-existent.¡±


    ¡°I see.¡± Usagi holds her charm in her hand. The bunny starts to glow. While dim and not full of vitality, she feels the same thing everyone else does. ¡°All of us are exchanging part of our powers. The charge we can feel around us is an extension of the gifts given to us. If we hone it, we will be able to defeat them all as a team and exploit the power of our bonds.¡± Her voice raises. An uproar begins to engulf the friends.


    ¡°Yeah! With the power of friendship! Like one of those old animes!¡±


    Kubo smirks, leaning himself against a nearby tree. He can sense the goal in them all. It grows


    and bellows inside their souls now. The goal is to win the earth back from the people who seek to destroy it. The thought doesn¡¯t escape him, though. Failure is a possibility as much as success, and it will linger on his mind. He knows it will.

 Chapter 12: Miss Bones

    ¡°Damn it all! That Usagi is an annoying girl!¡± Mr. Music shouts from the enclosed room. An old warehouse abandoned years ago. Water leaks from the pipes up high, and puddles formed beneath where Mr. Pond stands, his defeat reeking from his gullet.


    ¡°There was nothing I could do! She intended to kill me, and she was dodging all my attacks! It was a life-and-death situation, and I chose life!¡± he says.


    ¡°As annoying as the little bunny is, I can¡¯t believe you ran away from her. It¡¯s a shameful sight to see a man of your age flee from a high school girl.¡± He smashes his foot into a nearby puddle, water spraying into Mr. Pond¡¯s face.


    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter! All of us are threats regardless of place in life, and I wasn¡¯t going to di¡ª¡± Before he can finish his sentence, a warm grasp is around his throat. It doesn¡¯t choke him; in fact, it feels soothing at first, but his body is struck with instant fear, knowing who this hand belongs.


    ¡°That was a big no, no losing, you understand? Well, I know the answer to that. You don¡¯t because you¡¯re here with us again, all washed up.¡± A woman behind him emerges. Her smile is a fenced razor wire, slicing through any comfort the room could hold.


    ¡°Hey, there''s no need to be so overbearing of him. He is a low-rank thug, after all.¡± Mr. Music flaunts his own status, being higher up, air escaping his body for a hardy laugh.


    Out of the shadow comes the woman, her age twenty-seven years, her eyes a crisp brown. She swipes her black berry-like bangs, taking a few steps ahead, still holding to Mr. Pond¡¯s neck.


    ¡°You sure were a disappointment in every regard, a man allowing himself to succumb. I bet Mr. Nuke Happy would be disappointed in you, dear, so very hurt by your actions.¡± Mr. Pond is a block of ice, not daring to move an inch in her presence. Mr. Nuke Happy has a sophisticated way of going about things like that, but nonetheless, he knows he stands in the presence of someone who is just as sinister.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, ma¡¯am¡­ I j¡ª¡± A finger is lapsed around his charm. It brings him back to earlier times when Usagi threatened him in the same manner.


    ¡°No need to be so formal. You may call me by my name.¡± Their eyes meet. The brown in her eyes is like deep elk wool and burning bright. ¡°This must bring back recent memories, no? This is what that girl did to you, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m sorry that she did. I tried to fight her, but she was too strong!¡± he whimpers out.


    ¡°If you ask me, this isn¡¯t the type of guy you should roll with. Hell, I¡¯m new, and I have more power than he has in¡­ what? Twenty-plus years with you all?¡±


    ¡°Yes, just about. And I can¡¯t help but agree. I expect more from you. We all do. Perhaps I need to remind you what happens to those who can¡¯t pull their own weight.¡± Her finger is still looped, and she activates one of her Remnant abilities; his bones cease to activate as normal. They feel stiff and brittle, as if an elderly man had fallen down. Beneath her chin is the charm of a skeleton.


    ¡°Is something wrong, dear? Are you suffering from stiff bone syndrome? My, what to do, what to do?¡± she ponders. A barbed agony and a scream of pure pain. ¡°Please stop!¡± A protruding bone appears in his leg. It¡¯s as if his femur is begging itself out. She glances away, as if she doesn¡¯t want to see what she is doing.


    ¡°Punishment often times must be given, even at the stakes of others. I hold no pleasure in this, but you needed to do better, dear.¡± Her power stops before reaching his skin. It still splinters and nails at him from inside his body, causing unbearable pain. Staring down, he meets with the skull clip on her hair. The woman, possessing a smile to chill anyone to their core, gazes up at him. The woman named Miss Bones.


    ¡°Seeing those below me, wasting their bones, it is saddening. It spawns a bad look for all of us, and while I hate vanity, you understand it¡¯s importance to Mr. Nuke Happy.¡± There¡¯s a pause as he fully expects his bones to explode from his body. But it doesn¡¯t happen. Only a greeting of a radiant, bony smile. ¡°That¡¯s why I won¡¯t hurt you anymore. Let¡¯s get those brittle bones back in place.¡± Manipulating her main ability, she pushes them back in place perfectly. There¡¯s only a soreness left in his joints.


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    ¡°Damn, if I was you, I wouldn¡¯t have stopped,¡± Mr. Music claims.


    Miss Bones, standing at five foot seven, trots over to him, a bounce in her step as she stares at the taller six-foot-one man. ¡°You¡¯re the new Remnant? A sixteenth note is your charm? The note to signify a speeding of a piece, does your Remnant have to do with speed?¡± She smiles.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s one thing. You can tell a lot about a Remnant and their abilities through their charm, can¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Oh yes, yes, Remnants aren¡¯t bound by their charms in every way. However, it doesn¡¯t say all to them. Creativity leads to invention, even in our abilities.¡± From her pocket, she takes out a vial with a white chalk substance inside.


    ¡°For example. I call this my bone bullet. Show me your ability now.¡± A slew of her hand, she projects the vial into a nearby metal container. Like a shotgun blast, it penetrates through with ease, humming metal shards at them both. Mr. Music, witnessing one coming close to him, activates one ability. A riff of music plays from beyond, increasing his speed and narrowing out of the way in time.


    ¡°That vial was filled with bone marrow. A neat little trick I cultivated myself. Even tricks can be helpful to us Remnants, don¡¯t you think, Mr. Music?¡± She tilts her head back, observing Mr. Pond, who changes into his watery form, a stain of red washing down one side of his watery body.


    ¡°Unfortunately, you weren¡¯t fast enough. Seems Mr. Music doesn¡¯t like you, after all. He could have easily used his Remnant to increase your speed as well.¡± She smirks.


    ¡°What! How the hell do you know that!?¡± Mr. Music is shocked. He never told anyone about his full capacity and current abilities.


    ¡°Did you think we were low-life thugs, Oye?¡± His eyes roll completely open. His name? How the hell does this woman know so much about me?


    ¡°Credit where credit is due, though. You are good at hiding that last name of yours. None of us know exactly who you are, but we know enough to make sure you stay in line.¡± Mr. Pond behind them aches in pain, his body becoming weaker and regressing back to his human form. A massive wound on his upper right abdomen the size of a baseball.


    ¡°Please¡­ help me¡­¡±


    She walks over to him, inspecting his wound. ¡°Your wound is fatal. You¡¯ll bleed from your arteries until nothing is left. I do hate to see you die.¡± Her hand slides underneath his chin once more. She plots. ¡°I know you want to live, don¡¯t you? Even now, I can feel your connection to me fading, darker, dimmer.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want to¡­¡± He chokes up blood. ¡°Please save me. I¡¯ll do anything¡­¡± Her smiling proceeds as she takes out another vial. ¡°You know I can¡¯t kill you myself. But what happened was more negligence on your part. I announced what I was going to do, and yet you were too slow to react to hunks of metal scarring the air lunging into your body. It seems like a workplace accident, no?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll kill the girl...! I¡¯m sorry for failing, I¡¯ll kill them all this time...! Even if I have to tear off this damned choker¡­ Just let me have that chance¡­¡±


    ¡°You took the words right out of my mouth. For that, I¡¯ll make sure you live to see that through.¡± Popping the vial open, she controls the marrow, flying it through the air. It planets itself inside his body, mending the damage with a surgeon''s precision. He is left with bone-like padding where his flesh used to be. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m not a healer. It will hurt still, but you¡¯ll survive.¡±


    ¡°What the hell¡­?¡± Mr. Music says, astonished. This woman is no joke. Her Remnant isn¡¯t the only thing she has. She has the foresight and knowledge to hold herself in a fight. In fact, she has the reasoning to be the dominant one. The way she is able to predict exactly where those shards go, they miss her body, not even a single scratch. Not only that. She made me reveal my Remnant power and impaled that bastard to make sure he would do her biding before healing him. Was that all part of her plan?


    ¡°Right¡­ I¡¯ll make sure to make up for it when I¡¯m slaughtering those worthless lambs! Especially that stupid bunny girl!¡±


    ¡°Lambs to the slaughter.¡± Miss Bones isn¡¯t one to encourage brutality. It isn¡¯t her preferred style, but her manipulative skills, tactics, and charisma to understand others she beckons against are always foremost. ¡°Do as you must.¡± She smiles up.


    None of this makes sense to Oye. Her attitude is almost like a warming heater and a freezing air conditioner. Her personality jumps from one place to the other but still returns to the middle to achieve her ultimate goal. This woman is intelligent. This woman is crazy. This woman is dangerous.


    ¡°Oye.¡± Her eyes go back to him. ¡°I¡¯m fascinated by you. Your Remnant can amplify the power of you, but it works better on others, does it not?¡± he says nothing, knowing she¡¯s completely right. ¡°That¡¯s a horrible limitation, one that you can break through by honing yourself. So you better get to work on that. I¡¯m sure you hope to be better like me, yes?¡±


    A steel beam may as well have fallen on his ego. He can feel the flame inside him wanting to burn through his skin, but he isn¡¯t a fool.


    ¡°As for your Mr. Pond. I hope you will not disappoint once again. To ensure that you don¡¯t, I will give you a gift.¡± She placed her hand on his chest. His body perks, and inside, his bones repair. It is years melting off his bones, the once brittle, soon-to-be elderly bones return back to their early twenties, his prime brought back.


    ¡°I- I feel younger! What did you do!?¡± he says, thrilled, smirking.


    ¡°You will fight now as if in your prime. You have no reason to lose now, do you?¡± she says softly.


    ¡°Trust me. I won¡¯t lose to her again.¡± The image of her is seared into his brain, marking it forevermore. The one with bunny-like movements and a heart of a lion. He can defeat her because the heart of a lion doesn¡¯t make up for the prey bunny. When it comes down to it, she is just a bunny.

 Chapter 13: The Hardship Of Becoming More

    A week has passed since the friends started their regimens. Every day after school, they train at the grounds. Kubo himself joins a good hour later, closing his store early to aid them.


    ¡°Right. You kids are doing pretty well for yourselves.¡± He watches them all training their Remnants. Shoji, taking it more seriously from his usual laziness, throws his stuffed bear at the trees, cutting through a few of them. Ishimoto levitates the fallen logs slightly. Okazaki conjures and swirls his knives into a punching bag he brought to practice his precision. Usagi kicks the trees and strengthens her legs, and Takei helps heal her when she pushes herself too far. All are practicing except for Keiko, who sits in the grass staring away.


    Kubo approaches her, getting down to her level.


    ¡°Something wrong, Keiko?¡±


    ¡°Huh, what!? Oh, it¡¯s just you.¡± She sneers. ¡°Everything is fine, I¡¯m just struggling, is all, but I¡¯ll get it. You¡¯ll see!¡± Keiko is trying to summon her power once again from her cards, but she fails to do so. It¡¯s irritating to her, and she starts to give up.


    ¡°Your power. It has something to do with your cards, yes?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. But I can¡¯t get it to work! It¡¯s so frustrating because one day I can do it just fine, and the other I can¡¯t.¡± She shuffles her cards, being skilled at it. It¡¯s almost like a blackjack dealer, which shows Kubo one thing.


    ¡°You¡¯re good at shuffling those cards. How long did it take you to get good at that?¡± he asks.


    ¡°To shuffle these cards? I think it was around a year or so. Ishi, Okazaki, and I used to play a lot, but none of us were good at shuffling the deck. So I learned how to do it for us.¡± She smiles, proud of her accomplishment.


    ¡°That¡¯s a kind thing to do. Making sure you yourself know how to do it so you and your friends can have fun.¡± He grins back.


    ¡°Yeah, you can say that. I just really wanted to make sure we can all have fun. Playing games together has always been our thing, though. We used to play board games more when we were little.¡±


    ¡°And you all wanted to try something different, correct?¡± She nods in response.


    ¡°Keiko, the cards are an extension of you now. They may not be part of your physical body, but they¡¯re like game pieces on a board game.¡± He takes out a note and paper.


    ¡°Are you able to conjure things from thin air!? Where do these things come from!?¡± Keiko asks, baffled.


    ¡°Perception will definitely need to be part of our training.¡± He sighs.


    ¡°Anyway, imagine it like this.¡± He draws a checkered board, and game pieces are laid out in different areas, simulating a game of chess. ¡°Wait.¡± He scratches it out and makes a board game instead. She can¡¯t fully tell which game it¡¯s referencing, but she understands the layout. Kubo definitely feels this is better suited to her. ¡°In a board game, everyone starts on equal footing. Nobody is above anyone else or below. All is balanced. That is, until the first person makes the first move. Once that happens, uneven ground is laid, and the person who gets on top wins. But every step along the way, there are ups and downs. That¡¯s how it is for you right now. In private, you have your ups. In the presence of others, you have your downs. Now, what do you need to make a badly placed board piece have an advantage?¡±


    She ponders and answers, ¡°To take a risk?¡±


    ¡°To take a risk in board games is sometimes the only choice. The choice to make sure you get to your ultimate goal. Your failure now doesn¡¯t make up everything; it¡¯s simply a step that needs to be had, and you have to take a risk to succeed.¡± His eyes meet with her, gazing. ¡°Show me you can do it, full force.¡±


    ¡°W-wait! Wha!? I definitely can¡¯t do it if you¡¯re staring at me like that! You¡¯re like a creepy hawk!¡±


    ¡°You have to learn to be able to do it under pressure. All of you do. The enemy will not hesitate to make you feel uncomfortable, weak, or worthless. You must learn to master the ability to take that risk every single time, understand?¡±


    Keiko glances away at the ground. She has a confused feeling, but she starts to understand his process more. She is still unsure; she isn¡¯t even able to always do this in private, but she knew he was right. She has to do this. She raises a card, a faint pink glow starting to encapsulate the edges of the ace.


    ¡°I can do this. I can. The risk of not getting better is worse than the risk of working hard to get better.¡± All of her focus is being poured in, and the card starting to shine. Kubo raises his eyebrow, intrigued by the color. The card rises above her hand. It floats in place, her palm placed beneath. She concentrates harder and harder until the card falls to the ground.


    ¡°Oh dang it! I almost had it that time!¡± she scoffs.


    ¡°You did better that time,¡± he assures.


    Just then, Takei and Usagi approach the two, preparing to take a break. They can see the glare of Keiko¡¯s eye, a withering ego.


    ¡°So, what¡¯s up with you two over here? I haven¡¯t seen you out there training, Keiko. Everything all right?¡± Usagi asks.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, everything is all right. See, I¡¯m just having trouble actually doing anything. My Remnant only works sometimes, like when I¡¯m in my room.¡± Everyone comes over now, the boys overhearing.


    ¡°You have trouble, Keiko? I know! Maybe try to imagine a fiery skull, and it¡¯s charging at you. Before it can get to you to attack you, throw one of those cards right in its face! That¡¯s what I¡¯ve been doing with my daggers!¡±


    Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    ¡°I truly doubt that will work for Keiko, Okazaki,¡± Ishimoto says in disbelief at his statement.


    ¡°How about something she loves, like, for example, I¡¯ve been thinking of sleep, and it calms me so much that my Remnant is super easy to use.¡± Shoji throws in.


    ¡°Well, that certainly seems more broad and likely to help. There¡¯s definitely more to it.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I say it¡¯s like a muscle. You have to use it to get anywhere. Oi, Keiko. How about you try flexing your Remnant while we all watch?¡±


    ¡°Wait¡­ what?¡±


    Starrrree. They all stare at her as she jumps up.


    ¡°Hey, you stop that, all of you! It¡¯s making me feel like I¡¯m a mouse in a field!¡± She shouts.


    ¡°Sorry,¡± they all say together, glancing away.


    ¡°Yeah, but I think it¡¯ll be beneficial. I overheard you two talking over here, and I have to say I agree with Kubo. We¡¯ll be under a ton of stress during our encounters with the Remnants. We have to learn to stay confident, cool, and collected under pressure.¡± Her foot is placed on the ground, and she then draws out a circle, standing in it. ¡°So we¡¯re going to help you, all right? Everyone, come stand beside me, and we¡¯re all going to watch her,¡± says Usagi.


    ¡°This is utterly ridiculous! It¡¯s going to make me do worse, not better!¡± Despite her protest, everyone follows Usagi''s lead. Everyone looks on as the weltering embarrassment builds inside the light pink-eyed girl. ¡°Don¡¯t¡­ f-fine, but it¡¯s not going to work you all¡­¡± She transfixes on the card, but it doesn¡¯t float. She tries again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again. Failure always follows.


    ¡°Keiko,¡± Ishimoto says softly.


    ¡°Yes, Ishi?¡± she says in a defeated tone. ¡°I know, I can¡¯t do it¡­¡±


    ¡°Keiko. You will do it. Failure is simply a word. A contextual holder until something becomes a success.¡± He goes to her side, Okazaki follows.


    ¡°Yeah, I agree with egghead here. Failure ain¡¯t nothing but a bunch of bull. Failure is something made up by funny bodies who give up, that¡¯s it.¡±


    Her expression is saddened, but she manages to look at them both.


    ¡°But I just can¡¯t, guys. I don¡¯t even think I¡¯m cut out for this fighting thing to begin with. It¡¯s all really scary.¡±


    ¡°Fighting is a frightful thing, don¡¯t get me wrong, Keiko.¡± The bunny charm girl bends to her knees, level with her eyes. ¡°Hell, I get scared too sometimes. Just cause I¡¯m always saving your guys'' butts doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m not scared. Hell, Keiko, even confidence is still riddled with fear. Fear never fully goes away for anyone.¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± Takei nods. ¡°The world is scary, and it¡¯s even scarier now more than ever. I¡¯ve given it a lot of thought myself. The horrible world those people are creating and how we are the few to stop them. But to stop them. That means they¡¯ll have to die¡­¡± She pauses, the ground in view. They notice her silence.


    ¡°Well, we don¡¯t know how we¡¯ll take care of them, Takei. But one thing is for certain: we need to fight. To win,¡± Usagi states.


    ¡°Kiki,¡± Ishimoto says. Keiko¡¯s head launches up. She hadn¡¯t heard that name in so long. It is as if a tsunami of memories hit her brain.


    ¡°Do you recall the time when we all found that lake? It was kind of like that one over there but in a more wooded area and bigger. Remember you said it would be a great camping spot?¡±


    ¡°Y-yeah, that was a long time ago. We were like eight.¡±


    ¡°That was a peaceful night, wasn¡¯t it? The tree leaves fluttering, the lake swooshing so gently, you remember, right, Okazaki?¡±


    ¡°I do. That night was like¡­ better than a motorcycle,¡± he claims.


    ¡°Y-yes,¡± Ishimoto stutters, not understanding.


    ¡°Try to imagine it, Keiko.¡± Doing as he asks, she seals her eyes shut. The memory of them floods back. Her head rests against a bark tree, the water runs downstream, and the fish flop about. If she were a bear, she could have snatched one with her teeth. She then imagines that Usagi can do that with her Remnant power. She giggles to herself and, by instinct, places her hand beneath the card once more. It floats.


    The card stays suspended in the air. It twirls around at a snail''s pace before hopping around like a kangaroo on her palm. The energy around it is a livid pink.


    ¡°I can do it. I can,¡± she repeats to herself. The card jumps up into the air, flying at a blinding pace. It circles a nearby tree and cuts back in their direction, handling between Kubo. He dodges back without uttering a word. Then, the card turns into a brilliant flash of light, and out of the light comes a stack of yen.


    ¡°I did it!¡± she says, opening her eyes happy.


    ¡°Is that money you just made?¡± Takei sees the amount. 10,000 yen, nothing to scoff at.


    ¡°Mm-hmm, mm-hmm! I can make my cards into money temporarily. That¡¯s what I did the other day when we got ice cream, remember!? The only thing is, it lasts maybe an hour at the most, and once it stops, the card returns to me, which I probably shouldn¡¯t be saying in front of Kubo.¡± She laughs nervously.


    ¡°What!? You rotten thief! That¡¯s why I was short that day!¡± he seethes with rage.


    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! I didn¡¯t know that until the day when the card was returned to me, I swear! I¡¯ll pay you back!¡±


    ¡°You damn well better! Rotten girl.¡±


    ¡°Kubo.¡± Ishimoto stands.


    ¡°Please refrain from being rude to my friend.¡± He takes out a wallet from his back pocket, handing out the price of ice cream for the group. ¡°This cash won¡¯t end up disappearing, so do take it.¡±


    Kubo takes it unsatisfied from the lack of justice. ¡°Fine. But one thing, Keiko. Try to light up your opinion of me from now on. I really hate to be so hated,¡± he says to her eyes facing away. ¡°Now I believe that¡¯s enough for today all. I have work in the morning, so let¡¯s continue again tomorrow.¡± He stiffens up and takes his leave without another word.


    ¡°Damn, watermelon, you sure got to him.¡± Okazaki chortles.


    ¡°Watermelon? Kiki? Are we all kids again? Ah, it makes me so happy! You remember my nicknames, Ishi and Oki!¡±


    ¡°Indeed. They provide a lot more creativity than the ones you have us.¡± Ishimoto joins in the laughter.


    ¡°Hey!¡± She pouts. ¡°I may not be the most creative when it comes to names, but when it comes to our powers, you¡¯ll see!¡±


    ¡°You going to wash the bad guys in a flood of money? Maybe a sea of coins, Miss McDuck?¡± Shoji says, chuckling.


    ¡°Hey, stop teasing me, I¡¯m not the rich duck Shoji! Takei!?¡±


    ¡°Everyone. Let¡¯s be nice to her.¡± Takei can¡¯t prevent a breath from escaping her throat. ¡°She¡¯s, she¡¯s¡­¡± She grips her stomach in laughter, and everyone is hollering now.


    ¡°Hey, all of you, stop it! It¡¯s only funny when I make the jokes. I¡¯m the jokester of the group! Y-y-you hams!¡± her retort doesn¡¯t dissuade them, nor does she find it a good comeback. Instead, it makes her follow their lead, erupting in laugher.


    After a long day of training, this is a welcome sound. The power stored in them all is beginning to grow and strengthen. This is only the start. They all know that well, but their confidence in one another builds with the passing days. We can actually do this.


    ¡°Let¡¯s all keep working hard, guys. We¡¯re all already improving, and it¡¯s clear we have a lot of work to do, but if we keep going, we¡¯re going to beat them!¡± Usagi leads on a cheer. Everyone joins in boasting morale.


    ¡°Hell yeah! Those guys are yesterday¡¯s toast the second we get stronger.¡±


    ¡°I agree. We¡¯ll reduce them back to their base states.¡±


    ¡°Those big bad meanies are going to wish they weren¡¯t ever born!¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll save this world and everyone in it no matter what.¡±


    ¡°Snoooorrrre.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯re going to stomp them out like the piles of dirt they are, no problem!¡±


    The uproar recedes, and they all gather their stuff. ¡°Welp, time to head home. See you all tomorrow. I¡¯m going to throw some knives at the dart board I bought the other day.¡± Okazaki heads off, and Ishimoto and Keiko are not far behind. ¡°Oh, wait, guys!¡± Keiko heads over to Shoji, waking him. ¡°Come on, sleepyhead, it¡¯s time to sleep in a bed, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay, yes..¡± He rubs his eyes, follows Keiko, and sticks close so he does not lose his way.


    ¡°Hey. Takei.¡± Takei hears Usagi as she finishes readying herself.


    ¡°Yes?¡± she asks.


    ¡°You mind us walking home together?¡±


    ¡°Of course not. Our homes are near the same road. Let¡¯s go.¡±

 Chapter 13.5: The Hardship Of Becoming More

    They walk down the street a couple blocks away from their homes. The city is peaceful at this time of night. Cicadas and birds'' wings are the only things heard. Takei sees Usagi, her face deadpan, uncertain.


    ¡°Usagi? There is something bothering you, right?¡± she asks.


    ¡°You that good at telling when someone is in need? You like a superhero or something?¡± She chuckles.


    ¡°My mother taught me a lot when I was younger. I didn¡¯t know her for a very long time, but I do remember the things she used to do.¡± Takei and her mother had a special bond. One that nobody could rip apart except death. The sweetness of her mother was a light in a dark world, a light that got put out too soon.


    ¡°Your mother must¡¯ve been a catch for your dad in that case.¡± She says


    ¡°You see, Takei, what I said to Keiko earlier¡­ that wasn¡¯t just for show. The thing troubling me tonight is that I¡¯m afraid. I¡¯m afraid of you guys getting hurt.¡±


    ¡°I see,¡± Takei says. ¡°That¡¯s a possibility for any of us, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°Yeah. I don¡¯t care if I get hurt. It¡¯s whatever. I¡¯ll heal, but you guys, damn, do I not want to see that, and damn if I¡¯ll let that happen.¡± Her voice wobbles.


    ¡°Usagi, have care for yourself. We¡¯re your friends, and if we saw you hurt, we¡¯ll feel the same.¡± Usagi didn¡¯t foresee this response. She grits her teeth.


    ¡°You¡¯re right. Every one of us will protect one another. I can¡¯t forget that. We¡¯ll need to learn how to fight as a team to make sure we got everyone¡¯s back.¡±


    ¡°I agree with that. We¡¯ll make sure nobody hurts any of us, and if they do, I¡¯ll heal you all, and we¡¯ll prevail.¡± Those words set her mind at ease.


    ¡°You always know what to say and when to say it, Takei. I wish I was like you sometimes.¡± Her words strike a chord with Takei. What does she mean?


    ¡°Well, look at this, a bunny and her partner walking all alone in a dark alley.¡± A shrill voice comes out of the dark.


    ¡°Takei behind me!¡± Usagi bounds in front of Takei, a man approaching from the shadow.


    ¡°No need to be all jumpy. I¡¯m not here to kill. That¡¯s not my job for the day.¡± Mr. Music reveals himself, his smile sharp with a smirk.


    ¡°I don¡¯t give a damn what your job is. I¡¯ll kill you on the spot if you come any closer!¡±


    ¡°Always the hasty one, little bunny. Don¡¯t worry yourself. As I said, I simply have a message for you today. And that message is: they know about you, and they¡¯re coming for you.¡±


    ¡°H-huh?¡± Takei widens her eyes. ¡°Coming for us?¡±


    ¡°Yes to your little friend over there, do pass that on to all of them. And don¡¯t mistake this as an act of kindness or betrayal to my Remnants, in fact. I was told to tell you.¡±


    ¡°What!? Why!?¡± Usagi doesn¡¯t take her guard down. The strain in her voice causes it to go hoarse. There is an element of fear and uneasiness.


    ¡°Miss Bones told me. You¡¯ve heard of her, haven¡¯t you, bunny?¡± he asks.


    ¡°The Remnant of bones.¡± The salvia in her mouth dries. ¡°She¡¯s a monster no different from any of you. She is a killer of many.¡±


    ¡°929 of them. She is a precise woman. Including seven Remnants.¡± Both of the girls'' hearts drop.


    Takei can feel the chill of the wind. Usagi has her hair ride along with it, her determination unfazed if he chooses to attack.


    ¡°Are you telling us this so we¡¯ll be afraid?¡± A smile shows on Usagi. Her fangs now bared in a wicked smile. ¡°Because if you are, you¡¯re not getting anywhere. I¡¯m not the same girl you used to know.¡± Her aura surrounds her. A glare of surprise hits his face.


    ¡°I¡¯m well-aware.¡± He is intrigued by this level of power. She isn¡¯t near his own, but a display like this in a short period of time. ¡°No matter, little bunny. You know as well as I that I¡¯m not the true threat. I¡¯m simply a grunt who works for a higher, stronger power. And it¡¯s not my place to be the first to test you.¡±


    ¡°Test us? Do you think this is a game!? These people are trying to destroy life as we know it, and you¡¯re testing us!?¡±


    ¡°We understand Mr. Nuke Happy. That¡¯s for us to know and for you to never understand. But this isn¡¯t a want from him. This is Miss Bones''s request.¡±


    ¡°Miss Bones can die in a hole like the rest of you,¡± Usagi snaps.


    ¡°Usagi¡­¡±


    ¡°Takei, stay behind me, understand? Don¡¯t try and stop me. This bastard is dying tonight!¡± She launches forward.


    ¡°Usagi no!¡± Her plea doesn¡¯t go through. She is blinded by rage and the desire to make him pay.


    ¡°My little bunny, you are a foolish girl, aren¡¯t you?¡± The girl connects her first with his arm, and he stumbles back. A swishing leg comes from the left side, hitting her hip, the force knocking her into a wall as she grunts in pain. ¡°Damn it!¡± Pounding her foot against the wall, she resumes her attack. This time, Mr. Music grips her ankle, lifting her above his head and shoving her into the concrete. A trail of blood leaks from her forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t think you won!¡± Her fighting spirit isn¡¯t broken.


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    She forces him to let go, gaining her footing and launching another attack, jumping high into the air, the moonlight shining her fangs as they come down, missing his shoulder. With a right hook, he pummels her into the ground as Takei stands in horror.


    ¡°Your bunny friend isn¡¯t the smartest girl, is she?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t you mock me!¡± Her fist comes up and hits his chest. He grits the gravel, stones flying up around him. He clenches his breast. ¡°Gah! Lucky hit. But you noticed one thing, didn¡¯t you?¡±


    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± she says as she gasps for air in her lungs. ¡°You¡¯re not using your Remnant.¡±


    Takei falls to the ground in fear. His power is immense, and he¡¯s not even using his Remnant. ¡°Usagi, please, we can¡¯t win¡­¡± she says.


    ¡°Your friend is wiser than you, you dreadful bunny. Lucky for you both, it isn¡¯t my job to kill either of you only to deliver that message.¡±


    Usagi is dead silent.


    ¡°I¡¯ll be taking my leave now. Oh. One last thing. You better all try harder because whether you intend to take down our organization or not, you¡¯re all part of Miss Bones¡¯s hit list.¡± He leaves the skirmish. The blood of the girl hits the ground, her hand wiping it from her forehead as she takes in the sight of it stained on her hand.


    ¡°Usagi!¡± Takei stands up, rushing to her friend. She checks her injury, being met with a blank stare. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding, let me h¡ª¡±


    ¡°It¡¯ll heal on its own. Please. Let¡¯s not make a big deal of it.¡±


    ¡°Usagi, please, it¡¯ll scar otherwise, l¡ª¡±


    ¡°Then let it scar!¡± she shouts. A tear befalls her cheek. It joins the red river against her skin, each falling and mixing. ¡°I couldn¡¯t win¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have won if he had intended to hurt us; I would have lost, and that would have meant, it would have meant!¡± She collapses onto her knees, her back resting against the wall as she hides her face away, ashamed to cry. ¡°I never cry, I never ever cry, but I couldn¡¯t win, Takei. I should have won, I should have gotten close, not for it to be a completely one-sided affair!¡± The hurt in her voice is bristling her speech.


    ¡°Usagi¡­ You did your best.¡±


    ¡°It wasn¡¯t enough! If he had hurt you, I¡­ I¡­!¡± Arms tighten around her, the sudden warmth of her friend. ¡°You fought for me, to protect me, and to make sure I wouldn¡¯t get hurt.¡± Her hands pull her chin up gently, their eyes meeting. ¡°So please, let me heal you for helping me, okay?¡± The wet eyes of her friend slowly go away.


    ¡°Takei¡­ Yes, you can heal me.¡± She brushes her hair out of the way, showing a deep wound. She had taken a beating from that short fight. She begins to heal her.


    ¡°I¡¯m not a docile little bunny¡­¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Takei tilts her head.


    ¡°He calls me a little bunny¡­ a mocking nickname because of my charm. I¡¯m not a bunny. Bunnies are prey in the wild, animals that run away from other, bigger, more dangerous animals in hopes that they¡¯ll live another day. I¡¯m not a bunny no matter what my charm is¡­¡±


    Takei can hear her pain.


    ¡°You¡¯re not a bunny because of your charm. You¡¯re a girl with a lion heart,¡± she sings out.


    ¡°Takei, that doesn¡¯t even sound like a song that¡¯s just words.¡± She laughs a little. Her song truly sounds offbeat and not free-flowing.


    ¡°A song doesn¡¯t always have to be the most fitting to a melody or a rhythm. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken.¡± She grins.


    ¡°You¡¯re starting to sound like Okazaki now. Though. You¡¯re both right. Rules aren¡¯t always to be followed.¡± She pauses.


    ¡°So, maybe I don¡¯t have to be a scared little bunny just because that¡¯s the rule of nature. I am not a bunny. I¡¯m myself.¡±


    ¡°You are.¡± Takei keeps healing her, her eyes closing.


    ¡°Bunny, bunny, bird, bird, these are animals on this green earth. Though they come from different worlds, they are apart of the same, and all the while, none the same.¡±


    ¡°Ever thought of becoming a poet, Shakespeare?¡± She now belly laughs, her spirit being lifted after it all. The wound seals up.


    ¡°Still. We need to be aware now of what we¡¯re truly dealing with and what he said. It seems now we have absolutely no choice on the matter. We have to take them all down.¡± She stands up, her body feeling rejuvenated after being healed.


    ¡°We have to tell the others.¡± She grabs her phone and starts to type.


    ¡°By the way, I sent you an invite to our group chat just now, so make sure you join it. We¡¯ll need to use it to discuss our plan of attack.¡±


    Taking the invite, she jumps into reading.


    Usagi: Hey guys, bad news to announce. Me and Takei were attacked by one of Mr. Nuke Happy¡¯s lackeys.


    There is a pause before multiple are typing. Takei joins.


    Okazaki: Wait, what! The hell U mean!?


    Keiko: Oh no, no! Are you two okay!? Did you get hurt!? The following is a barrage of cat emojis, symbolizing her worry.


    Ishimoto: You must tell us more


    Shoji: That¡¯s not good. Tell us what happened.


    They explained to them. A jaw-drop of horror, a dash of intrigue. They all can¡¯t help but imagine this outcome was a sign that their training is not enough. A hefty amount will need to be done to even come close to them, especially the one Usagi describes as Miss Bones.


    Ishimoto: Sounds like we¡¯ll need to have a discussion about this Miss Bones. If she holds more power then Usagi, we¡¯re in deep trouble.


    Okazaki: Yeah, she may not have had it much longer than we did, but did you see the way she handled that guy like yesterday¡¯s garbage? Doubt anyone could have done that besides her.


    Shoji: Yeah, you guys are right, we neeeeeeeeeeeeeeddddd.


    Keiko: Shoji fell asleep mid-text again. He¡¯s hopeless!


    Usagi: Regardless, we need to keep a lookout. We¡¯re all targets now, and none of us are safe. From now on, we gotta keep tabs on one another.


    The mood is set for the upcoming future of them all.


    Ishimoto: Understood. And from now on, we need to push ourselves harder than ever. Let¡¯s all meet up after school tomorrow.


    All: Right.


    The two girls shut their phones off.


    ¡°Hey, I¡¯m walking you home tonight, all right, Takei? I know my house is first, but I can¡¯t let anything happen to you.¡± A sliver of leftover blood drips to her palm. ¡°Hey, want to see something cool?¡¯ She licks and smirks. ¡°I¡¯m a bunny vampire, baaah!¡± She begins to chase Takei, her teeth out as she runs down the alleyway.


    ¡°Hey, hey! Stop, Usagi! That¡¯s scary!¡±


    Her heart is pounding, and she smiles. These moments with her friends are levity in any situation, including this one. She recognizes this dire time in their lives, in everyone¡¯s. She has this fire in her now, lit up, and a cracking inside her head. She can see it. The ability to heal forgoes the ability to hurt. She blanks out for a moment, standing still. Usagi uses this opportunity to lunge forward and hug her from behind.


    ¡°Something wrong. Why did you stop? You afraid I¡¯m going to dig these fangs all the way to the veins that you froze from fear?¡±


    ¡°No, sorry¡­ I just¡­ had this weird thought, is all. You¡¯re chasing me like you used to when we were kids. Aren¡¯t we a bit old for that?¡± She laughs.


    ¡°Never too old to have fun. I feel that¡¯s what the world forgets, especially in this time. Even with everything going down the drain and the possibility of Armageddon, we shouldn¡¯t lose all sense of self. Hell, we all should keep being ourselves despite all this, never forget who we are, yeah?¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re right. If we do, we¡¯ll only be consumed by fear.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, matter a fact.¡± She extends out her pinky. ¡°We promise no matter what, we¡¯re always going to have fun and keep going. Hell, maybe let¡¯s all go to the arcade soon. I need to pay back Ishimoto for being better at that crane game than Okazaki and me for being such a sharpshooter in cowboy-get ''em-up!¡±


    Takei takes in the sight of her pinky and clasp around instantly.


    ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll not let this consume us.¡±


    In agreement, the two make their way home. Usagi makes sure she¡¯s at her door going in before taking her leave. Takei, in her room now, takes the sight of the ceiling. She thinks about the mundane things. Life won¡¯t be the same anymore.

 Chapter 14: Lets Not Forget Ourselves

    School ends, and the group heads their way to the training grounds.


    ¡°Are you all right!?¡± Keiko dives at both Usagi and Takei. ¡°H-hey, why are you doing this now!?¡± Usagi exclaims.


    ¡°Because if we did this at school, others would know we¡¯re like super spies!¡±


    ¡°Spies¡­? Keiko, I don¡¯t think spies have powers like us,¡± Takei says.


    ¡°Super spies!¡± she responds.


    ¡°Keiko, even I know that wasn¡¯t a good joke,¡± Ishimoto says, baffled.


    ¡°Guys, come on. Kubo wants to speak with us all.¡± Okazaki has a more serious voice. Kubo is sitting down near the logs, and there appears to be more now. Did he take the effort to bring more or chop the wood himself?


    ¡°Wow, you got us places to lay down now?¡± Shoji asks.


    ¡°You moron, you can¡¯t lay down o¡ª¡± Before he can finish, Shoji lays down on the log closing his eyes for a nap.


    ¡°How does that boy¡ªwhatever, just¡­ just everyone, sit down!¡± he says, fed up as everyone does as he says.


    ¡°I heard what happened to you two last night. You were attacked?¡± He shifts on the log.


    ¡°Yeah, about that, we got into serious trouble with one of my old associates. Being his usual bastardized self, he did manage to rough me up pretty good, though, despite me using my Remnant power, and he didn¡¯t. It was humiliating.¡± Kubo gives a sigh hearing this.


    ¡°Seems the training is not enough. You kids are going to get killed if I don¡¯t teach you right.¡± He taps his finger on the wood of the log, clicking it three times. ¡°I know you can hear that, can¡¯t you, Usagi?¡± She clearly hears it, and she nods.


    ¡°Sadly, you¡¯re wrong.¡± Pointing to the trees, there is a girl clicking the wood.


    ¡°You¡¯ll get it next time, Usagi.¡± The girl reveals herself, her shadow coming into view, first followed by her flowing hair and her alluring almond eyes.


    ¡°Angel!?¡± Ishimoto and Okazaki shout. The girl known as Angel, their childhood friend, and returning student, smiles at them all.


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s me. I imagine you all must be rather awestruck to see me here. Well, it¡¯s a long story. So I¡¯ll make it as short as possible.¡± She walks with grace, her steps almost like floating rocks. ¡°So, you see, I know Kubo. He is my cousin.¡±


    ¡°WHAT!?¡± they all say together.


    ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s technically my cousin, though I¡¯m older, much older, and more like a long-lost cousin. Since you know I have to do the whole disappearing act, she¡¯s the only one besides her parents who knows about me.¡± He takes out a polaroid photo of them together when she was a baby and he was a teenager. ¡°Her parents think I¡¯m dead and a disgrace; they want nothing to do with me, but as fate would have it, she walked into the ice cream shop one day, and I recognized her.¡±


    #


    The ice cream shop is dead. He is working his way cleaning the shop when one customer walks in. Angel, with a smile that could light up the dim world. ¡°Hello, come in and sit down. We¡¯re open,¡± says Kubo.


    ¡°Thank you, sir. I¡¯ll sit at this booth.¡± The comfort of sitting at a booth is her preference. It reminds her of a cocoon on gloomy rain days such as this. Her umbrella is set beside her, and Kubo comes a moment later, ready to take her order. There is a familiarity to her, her eyes specifically.


    ¡°Has anyone ever told you you have a familiar face?¡± he asks.


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    ¡°No, actually. Is that a common thing for people to ask you?¡± she tilts her head curiously.


    ¡°Yes, actually. I get that a whole lot. But you. You have the kind of face that feels like a friend you¡¯ve known for a long while. May I ask your name?¡±


    ¡°My name is Angel.¡±


    ¡°Angel, huh?¡± He pats the pad with his pen. ¡°Is that short for something?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is. But if it¡¯s all the same, I would rather people call me Angel.¡±


    The name doesn¡¯t ring any memories to him. Not even close. He takes her order and can¡¯t shake the feeling when prepping her ice cream and bringing it back to her. ¡°Here you are, Angel.¡± There was one thing he had up his sleeve. She gasps.


    ¡°Is that strawberry ice cream with whipped cream and an orange slice!? I didn¡¯t even ask for that. That¡¯s my favorite!¡± she eats the ice cream down, and her face swoons with a blush of happiness.


    ¡°So I was right. There is only one person I know who has had that odd sense of taste since birth.¡± He laughs.


    Her head tilts once more, confused. ¡°May I ask what you mean, Mister?¡±


    ¡°Kubo,¡± he says.


    #


    ¡°That¡¯s when he showed me that picture. I couldn¡¯t believe it at first, but looking back at my parents'' baby pictures of me and the baby in that photo, I saw that they were identical. It was difficult to gauge since my parents hold no photos of him, but I figured it out. ¡°


    ¡°Oi, great family reunion and all, but that doesn¡¯t explain how she knows,¡± Usagi said.


    ¡°People are hard to trust in this day and age, but one thing you can always trust is family.¡± Kubo stands.


    ¡°If you can¡¯t trust family, you got nothing, and I need someone to help me train you guys in advanced techniques and combat. I¡¯ll need you all to attack together as a group during these exercises, so I asked her for extra help.¡±


    ¡°Mm-hmm. It¡¯s amazing you were all blessed with such powers. Kubo also told me about the dangers you all face. The danger of facing the world head-on, trying to save it, and fighting those Remnants¡­ It¡¯s a scary thought. And I don¡¯t want anything bad to happen to any of you.¡±


    ¡°Damn, Angel. Even after all these years, you are still looking out for us? What a girl you are!¡± Okazaki goes to side-hug her.


    ¡°You''re still as strong as ever. No. Even stronger.¡± She smiles.


    ¡°And you, Ishimoto. Are you still the same smart boy I used to know? If you ask me, the answer is a rousing yes.¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s a wonderful thing to have you back, Angel.¡± There is a clear division of happiness between the two boys. Both are in the same hemisphere of gladness, and both deal with the long absence differently.


    ¡°Oi, oi, the question is, how are you going to help us if you don¡¯t have any powers of your own? And don¡¯t mean to sound rude or anything, but you¡¯re a frail-looking girl, like one of those maid caf¨¦ workers.¡± She voiced what she thought of her earlier.


    ¡°I have been told I would fit right in there once or twice.¡± She giggles. ¡°I know you are all leagues more powerful then I¡¯ll ever be, or any human, in fact, but Kubo is also human, and he¡¯s been training you all well. With his guidance, I¡¯ll be sure to be a great addition, I¡¯m sure.¡±


    ¡°Hmph!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ve never heard that sound from Usagi before,¡± Shoji says, waking up.


    ¡°Hush up! I¡¯m just gauging this girl to make sure she¡¯s worthy of training us!¡±


    ¡°Hey, Takei,¡± Shoji whispers into her ear. ¡°Do you perhaps think that maybe, just maybe, Usagi is a little jealous of this girl?¡±


    ¡°I fail to see why she would be,¡± she whispers back.


    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s kinda strange. Surely, it goes deeper than her being jealous of her looks or something. I never took Usagi for a vain girl, but who knows?¡± He chuckles.


    ¡°Stop whispering things to one another! I can hear you clear as day!¡±


    ¡°All right, let¡¯s all calm down. Daylight is burning, and I got a special sort of training for you all today,¡± he says, passing the trees. ¡°You are all to work together to find us both in the woods. One condition. Usagi can only use her Remnant after one minute of searching.¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s the purpose of me having a Remnant if I¡¯m not going to use it?¡± she asks.


    ¡°You should ask that to yourself,¡± he answers.


    ¡°Fine. I won¡¯t use it for one minute.¡± She wonders what he means by that.


    ¡°Good. Angel. Let¡¯s go.¡± She nods, and they both sprint into the forest.


    ¡°This is weird, guys. Angel shouldn¡¯t have been made aware of our Remnants just because she¡¯s family to Kubo. What if she speaks about it? Then we¡¯re dead meat,¡± Usagi says.


    ¡°To be fair, I believe we bring a lot of attention to us just having these chokers on. Even if other students have fakes, it¡¯s still pretty tasteless to most,¡± Ishimoto infers.


    ¡°Yeah, I wouldn¡¯t worry about it, Usagi. Us and Angel go way back. Heck, even before we knew Keiko, that¡¯s how far back we go.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I remember you and Ishi telling me about a friend who left for another city. That¡¯s her, right? That¡¯s so cool you all get to see one another again. It can even make our friend group bigger!¡±


    ¡°Oi, let¡¯s not rush into anything now. For now, let¡¯s focus on finding these two hooligans.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re in an interesting mood, Usagi, I can¡¯t say I see you like this often.¡±


    ¡°Can it, Shoji. Let¡¯s go.¡± She makes her way into the heavily shrouded area. Everyone follows her lead, peering at tree after tree, grass, rock, the pond, no sign of life besides their own.

 Chapter 14.5: Lets Not Forget Ourselves

    ¡°It appears their pretty good at hiding,¡± Takei says. ¡°Maybe they¡¯ll be hiding behind one of those larger boulders?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that ain¡¯t a bad idea, Takei. Let me go check.¡± Okazaki scans the area, but nothing at all.


    ¡°This is ridiculous. Let me just sniff them out. A minute has passed, anyway.¡± She takes in the scent of the air. ¡°W-what the hell?¡±


    ¡°What¡¯s your nose picking up?¡± Shoji asks.


    ¡°I smell multiple signs of life beside us. That doesn¡¯t make any sense, I¡¯m only taking in the immediate area, and there should only be two human scents. I can sense twenty-six.¡±


    ¡°Twenty-six?¡± Ishimoto wanders. ¡°From what I can conclude, there are no animals in this area besides birds and insects, and even so, I don¡¯t believe any would be able to mask as human. Surely, they must be pulling a trick on us.¡±


    ¡°A trick? Like a rabbit in a hat?¡± Keiko ask.


    ¡°Precisely. The only thing is, that¡¯s not an easy illusion to pull off, and I can¡¯t figure out how they would. I say the only option we have right now is a process of elimination. We¡¯ll follow the nearest scent Usagi was able to pick up on.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m agreeing on that, egghead. Where¡¯s the first place to go?¡± Okazaki clamors back.


    ¡°Right¡­ 1,340 feet, the target is stationary.¡±


    ¡°Woah, you¡¯re able to tell that just my the smell of them? Talk about major BO,¡± Shoji says.


    ¡°Yeah, leave the clowning to me, Shoji,¡± Keiko says, unfazed by his joke.


    ¡°So mean.¡±


    Usagi leads the charge, followed by Okazaki by her side, and the others keep up from behind with slight jogs.


    ¡°She¡¯s so fast now! Like, I get she used to be a track star in middle school, but this is just ridiculous. I¡¯m going to completely run out of energy and fall asleep mid-run!¡±


    ¡°H-how d-d-do you¡­ think how I feel!?¡± Ishimoto says his body struggling to keep up.


    ¡°You boys are so silly sometimes, I swear.¡± Keiko chuckles, her run going easy.


    Despite the difficulties, they all make it to the first target. There seems to be nothing, scattered leaves, mud, or a scent of mushrooms rising in the air; nobody. Usagi investigates, wondering if her senses lead them astray. ¡°No, this doesn¡¯t make any sense. There should be someone here. There can¡¯t just be a human scent wi¡ª¡±


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    She spots it. A duffle bag. Closer inspection reveals it¡¯s covered with a cascade of perfume, also surrounding the ground around it, giving a strong human scent.


    ¡°They tricked us. Even the size of the sprayed area is enough to throw me off. It¡¯s roughly the size of a person, or Angel.¡± She gritted her teeth.


    ¡°Yes, I see. Angel has always been a clever one. It seems as if she¡¯s gotten older, and she has excelled at it. This won¡¯t be an easy task.¡± Ishimoto, taking in the duffle bag, notices. ¡°However, there is a small flaw, Okazaki come here.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, what is it?¡±


    ¡°Mind making a small incision here? I¡¯m sure this being part of our training, they intended for us to succeed by any means, so tearing it will be fine.¡±


    ¡°If you say so, but if she gets mad at me, I¡¯m blaming all it on you.¡±


    The conjured dagger cuts through, the fiber ripping into the wind.


    ¡°Take in the scent of the bag, Usagi.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t word it so weird.¡±


    ¡°I- you know what I mean¡­¡± He blushes a bit.


    ¡°Take in those fibers, Usagi!¡± Keiko shouts.


    ¡°Well, yes, she¡¯s right, actually. You definitely have your moments, Keiko.¡±


    ¡°I do!¡± She smiles dumbly. At times, Keiko is a genius. At other times, she is Keiko.


    ¡°It¡¯ll have a limited effect surely; it¡¯s banking on the idea that there are more duffle bags, but it¡¯s better than running aimlessly around. He didn¡¯t give us a time limit, but if it keeps getting darker, our chances of failure increase, and it¡¯s best we don¡¯t take this lightly after what happened to you two last night.¡±


    They all agree. Giving this their all is for the best. The fibers remain, and Usagi takes in the scent, which makes her pick up on others.


    ¡°The difference is that I can pick it up now. I smell similar objects, eight of them. They all have the same perfume on them, but I can pickup the fake targets now.¡± She leads the way, and all follow behind. More effort is given by the ones lagging behind. They pass the first five, and a pungent arid aroma rises. ¡°There are eight more fake targets on the right.¡±


    ¡°Woah! Were you able to pick that up? That duffle bag really enhanced your sense of smell, huh!?¡± Keiko jumps ahead of everyone, skips for a second, and sprints fully. ¡°I¡¯m going faster then Usagi though when s¡ª¡± She leaps ahead, passing with ease.


    ¡°H-hey! That¡¯s not fair at all!¡± she complains. ¡°Have to learn to do both if I¡¯m going to save the world, don¡¯t I?¡± She smirks and marks her next target as fake, narrowing it down to five left.


    ¡°T-this¡­ is misery incarnate...¡± Ishimoto musters out.


    One of the last targets is different from the rest. Usagi can¡¯t pinpoint what makes it different, but she heads in that direction, and within a moment''s notice, a blade comes swinging at her. She dodges, hitting the ground and rolling to see who the attacker is.


    ¡°Kubo! What the hell!?¡±


    ¡°Relax.¡± He reveals the blade, wobbling it, showing weak and non-harmful material. ¡°This blade may as well be a toy. It won¡¯t do any damage, especially to a Remnant like you. Good dodge, though. I expect it to catch you off guard.¡± He sheathes it. ¡°Only one problem.¡± He points behind. Angel stands with a dagger of the same material. She is holding it upright in a position that poses no threat. ¡°I was here for two seconds. You weren¡¯t fast enough, but I have faith.¡± She smiles.

 Chapter 14.7: Lets Not Forget Ourselves

    ¡°Two seconds is way more than enough time to ensure your demise. Even if a dagger like that poses little threat, a weapon from a Remnant will be deadly. However, it seems our little play Remnant would rather not stab you even with the huge opportunity,¡± he says, noticing Angel¡¯s sloppy handling of the blade.


    ¡°Apologies, I didn¡¯t wish to make anything more than a point. I¡¯d rather not make you uncomfortable even though it¡¯s not dangerous.¡± She gives a lopsided smile.


    ¡°Yeah, I can¡¯t ever see her being the type. Angel is an accurate namesake she¡¯s kept ever since we were little, eh, Ishimoto?¡±


    There is no reason. Everyone turns to see the chubby boy laid out on the ground, exhausted from the run.


    ¡°Heh, he¡¯s stealing my job a bit right now, isn¡¯t he?¡± Shoji states.


    ¡°Yeah, maybe, but at least he has a reason to be tired. You¡¯re more like a plant with no sun all the time, Shoji.¡± Keiko pokes his cheek.


    ¡°I¡­ am going¡­ to¡­ die¡­¡±


    ¡°Oi, there he goes, breaking his smart person act with slurred speech, sounding like a drunkard right now.¡± She laughs, approaching him. There is a reason; there is a flame of anger inside her from being taken by surprise. She doesn¡¯t wish to acknowledge it.


    ¡°Leave¡­ me¡­. Alone¡­ or give¡­ water¡­¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, I brought some along with us, I¡¯ll fix you right up.¡± She takes a pocket-sized canteen from under her skirt.


    ¡°Now she¡¯s doing the conjuring of items act!¡± Keiko says, shocked.


    ¡°He¡¯s really right about our perception¡­¡± she says. ¡°Anyway, mind opening up now? Would be a shame to have you dying on us due to exhaustion.¡±


    Ishimoto finds it humiliating, but he does so anyway, water pouring in and his body regaining strength. ¡°I feel like a beached whale right now.¡± Usagi blinks, taken aback by his comment. She does her best to not laugh but can¡¯t contain it as she starts to giggle. An unusual sound, for sure. ¡°Ooooh! Usagi, you sound so girly when you laugh like that!¡±


    ¡°Keiko, hush up, please.¡± She keeps going, easing herself out of her girly chuckle and sounding like her normal self.


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    ¡°You know it¡¯s not bad to laugh like that. I do it all the time,¡± Angel says, her own giggles escaping. She certainly isn¡¯t lying.


    ¡°You sound the same as when we were kids; never changed at all!¡± Okazaki gruffly snickers, his arm wrapping around her.


    ¡°I can¡¯t say the same for you, Mister Tower. You¡¯re practically airplane-level now.¡±


    ¡°So all of you have been friends since you were little? Small world it is,¡± Kubo voices, amazed by the probability. Highly strange, this situation almost seems fated. ¡°Angel, I have a question for you.¡± The choker on her neck catches his attention. ¡°Are you also a Remnant?¡±


    ¡°Oh no, this is like a fashion statement, look.¡± She removes it, spinning it on her finger. ¡°I do recall Remnants not being able to do this, so I am not one of the lucky ones, or, well, unlucky ones¡­ Kubo told me everything about what happened the other day¡­¡±


    ¡°Now that you mention it, it is in a different style from them. And I¡¯ve never seen a Remnant remove it without succumbing to their fate. However, it is a little tasteless, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°I am well-aware¡­¡± She puts it back on. ¡°But I don¡¯t believe people should be constrained to fashion norms because of bad people. I believe wearing it is more of a statement of change and a remembrance of hero Remnants of the past.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a strange one, Angel. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m too thrilled to have to wear this forever. Then again, after a while, it feels more like an extension than clothing. But back to the thing about Kubo, you told her everything that happened the other night?¡±


    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why I decided to have her join us; also, she herself seems to have talent. Seems you¡¯re a convincing girl, aren¡¯t you, Angel?¡±


    ¡°You can say that, yes. I¡¯ve always had an affinity for people taking a liking to me, even if it is a surface-level thing. Whenever I went to my old school, people would fawn over me, they would give me gifts and offer me many dates, and another thing is, people would often give me what I wanted, including things I wanted to know.¡±


    ¡°So you¡¯re more of a succubus then Angel?¡± Usagi says.


    ¡°N-no, I would never do such a thing. It¡¯s simply that I¡¯m convincing to others, and Kubo thought it would be helpful if I found leads for you all. The Remnants are a slippery bunch; nobody knows where or when they¡¯ll strike next, and you all need all the help you can get.¡±


    Usagi scoffs. ¡°Fine, maybe you¡¯re right. But don¡¯t expect us to go saving you if you get into trouble.¡±


    ¡°Usagi!¡± Ishimoto stands. ¡°We need to help everyone, her included.¡±


    ¡°Yes, yes, I know, apologies.¡± She crosses her arms, and Takei sees the disdain in her. It¡¯s unclear as to why, but it seems she isn¡¯t warming up to their new addition.


    ¡°It¡¯s great to have you join us. This will make our training even more fun! Oh, oh, random question, but do you know anything about cards?¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m too familiar, but I do know how to play Go Fish.¡±


    ¡°Maybe we can play sometime! I know Ishi and Oki used to talk about you a lot when we were little! Oh, what if we all play together!? That would be amazing!¡±


    ¡°Later. Now is not the time for games,¡± Kubo retorts. ¡°I believe it¡¯s time for the next part of our training. A duel.¡±


    ¡°A duel? What are you suggestin¡¯, old man?¡± asks Okazaki

 Chapter 15: Usagi Vs. Okazaki

    The fight begins, and a blaze in their eyes appears as they prep their first attacks. There is an electric strike; the dagger of Okazaki snivels at Usagi. Her body reacts without thought. A sideways motion leaves the knife swishing by, her fist running straight to his face. He shoots back, surprised by the attack, before plowing his own fist at her. It makes contact only with her arm. She sustains it with sheer strength.


    ¡°What the hell!?¡± he swiftly says before backing up.


    ¡°You weren¡¯t lyin¡¯ about not holding back. You¡¯re even stronger then I thought you would be, and I¡¯ve been hittin¡¯ the gym more lately.¡±


    Usagi returns back to her area, a good distance between them as they take in the situation, determining their next move. ¡°Yeah, I said what I said. You better not go easy on me even for a moment, or else I¡¯ll make you regret it.¡±


    Ishimoto¡¯s eyes glare. The sheen of her spirit is on display, her aura being more vibrant. ¡°She means business. Her aura is bright.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. I believe Kubo said that means we¡¯re displaying more power or something along those lines?¡± Shoji says, his sleepiness being evasive to learn.


    ¡°I believe what¡¯s going on is that this is her current strength over that. You see the way she¡¯s handling herself? It¡¯s a lot like she did with Mr. Pond.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, he¡¯s right!¡± Keiko begins to jump up and down, cheering them both on.


    ¡°Neither of you be afraid! Once it¡¯s my turn, I won¡¯t go easy either, even if I am new!¡±


    Okazaki has his attention averted before turning back to his opponent. The churning in his belly, the excitement building up as he conjures another dagger, flipping it to the blade that stands in his hand.


    ¡°I hope I don¡¯t cut too deep. Even if I do, I¡¯m sure Takei will patch you up, but I¡¯ll let you know.¡± He chunks the blade into a tree with great force. ¡°I intend to make this a good one.¡±


    Usagi hits her boot to the ground, spinning her leg into the air. Her agile body carries with it, impressing the others who have never seen it. It is a circus-level acrobatic skill. ¡°Good, because I¡¯m making sure this battle is one I won¡¯t lose. Not again.¡± She grimaces.


    ¡°Her focus. The intensity. The sheer determination.¡± Angel is fascinated by her. She¡¯s never seen anyone with that look in her eyes, like a cornered lion.


    ¡°That¡¯s Usagi for you. No matter the odds, she¡¯s never going to back off. That can be a good and bad thing, y¡¯know?¡± Shoji swiftly says.


    ¡°Perhaps you¡¯re right, but I lack in seeing the recklessness you all said earlier. The way she¡¯s staring right now, her eyes are keened in, not on the dagger.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Shoji scoffs. ¡°What else wo¡ª¡±


    The blade shoots like a star, a trail behind, heading straight for her chest. Her body shifts to the side, her back leaned, and it passes on by, missing entirely.


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    ¡°The flick of his wrist. It shows his true intention,¡± she answers.


    A flurry of daggers fire at her, but each one is skillfully dodged, her body reacting in a way it hadn¡¯t in the past. Her hesitation is lessening by the day, and her actions are more concise as she launches a hard kick at his side. He narrowly escapes to the trees.


    ¡°Damn!¡± he says.


    Okazaki preps himself. He swipes at the tree, bark flying off its trunk. ¡°You¡¯re a smart opponent, Usagi. I don¡¯t know if my brute force is gonna be able to take you down, so I¡¯ll try something new.¡± He swipes the tree again, and with great force, the tree gives a snap. His blade cut straight through it.


    ¡°What!?¡± Usagi doesn¡¯t take this into account; the tree is now timbering down to her as she tries to react out of the way. Before she can, two daggers careen to either side, preventing her from making a clean escape. She chooses the left, and one cuts her flesh. A red mist shoots out of her arm as she grunts.


    ¡°Impressive, Okazaki. It seems you¡¯re using that worn-out brain of yours,¡± Ishimoto says.


    ¡°Hell yeah, I am. If I¡¯m going to win this fight, I¡¯m going to have to be smart about it!¡±


    Usagi is stammered, her hand covering her bleeding wound, teeth gritted, and stomach churned. Takei can¡¯t bear to see her friend in pain; she wants so badly to intervene to heal her, but her healing only works if she¡¯s able to touch or get near her wound. And the fight is still on. Surely, if she tried anything, Kubo would intervene. His eyes have been fixated on nothing but them since the match began.


    ¡°Damn it¡­ I should have seen that coming. Why didn¡¯t I see that coming!?¡± She sneers and bats at her wound. If I keep losing, I¡¯ll never be able to save the world. We only have one shot at this when it comes to them. It¡¯s doubtful they¡¯ll let us live, especially if it¡¯s one-sided in their favor. She buckles her knees quickly and then takes them apart, her stance back in a fighting one despite the blood loss occurring, slowing out her cut. ¡°This won¡¯t end in another loss for me, even if I have to go beyond what I¡¯m capable of¡­ I won¡¯t lose even if it¡¯s to you, Okazaki!¡± Her voice shakes with determination.


    ¡°Your friend Ishimoto.¡± Angel catches his attention.


    ¡°I¡¯ve never met anyone like her. She fights with elegant recklessness. Her spirit is an unwavering lioness hunting for her prey. I must say you and Okazaki found some wonderful people while I was away. It makes me wonder if we can all be friends. I sure do hope so.¡± She gleams.


    ¡°Of course, Angel. Things have changed since you were gone, but only by good means. We¡¯ll simply add you to that equation.¡±


    ¡°How wonderful.¡± She crosses her hands on top of one another near her hips.


    ¡°Yeah! Heck, Usagi even said we could all go to the arcade sometime. Why don¡¯t you come along with us, and I¡¯ll show you why they call me the game master!¡±


    ¡°I would most enjoy that, if you all choose to have me.¡± She giggles.


    ¡°For sure!¡± Keiko confirms. Angel continues to study the fight. Usagi bats at her leg, catching Okazaki¡¯s attention. He suspects it to be part of her plan and guards himself, trying to stay nimble if needed, but his body isn¡¯t for it.


    She runs with one of her legs lagging behind, making the run appear unconventional, almost impossible for a regular person to pull off. Okazaki can¡¯t tell why she is doing this. He guards his left side, the direction she is currently hopping to. Before his eyes can track, she hops to his right and left again and then bounds up into the air, her leg whooshing down, striking the side of his neck. He gasps out of breath, and he hits the ground hard, billowing dust upward.


    ¡°Woah!¡± Keiko exclaims, not expecting that level of brutality. ¡°She¡­ really didn¡¯t hold back on that at all¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes, Keiko, that¡¯s what they¡¯ve all been saying.¡± Shoji rolls his eyes but laughs after.


    ¡°I know, but¡­ I¡­¡± Keiko hesitates, peering down at her cards. ¡°I just didn¡¯t truly think we¡¯d go that far¡­¡±


    Angel shifts over to her side, a concerned look down at her. She can tell something is off. ¡°Your name is Keiko, correct? Forgive me if I¡¯m wrong, but none of us have been properly introduced one on one.¡± Okazaki, in the background, picks himself up the moment before Usagi plants her heel into the ground, narrowly missing.


    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Keiko. Sorry if I haven¡¯t actually introduced myself right.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the girl who was the first to take the mantel of Ishimoto and Okazaki when I left, correct?¡± a grin spreads across her face.

 Chapter 14.5 Usagi Vs. Okazaki

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m Keiko. Sorry if I haven¡¯t actually introduced myself right.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re the girl who was the first to take the mantel of Ishimoto and Okazaki when I left, correct?¡± a grin spreads across her face.


    ¡°Yeah, yeah, you can say that. I met them on a playground one day in the summertime. I remember they were talking about some girl and how they missed her.¡±


    ¡°What darlings they were missing me even after that long of a time. I didn¡¯t feel any different from them. I don¡¯t remember a whole lot from that time, but I remember how hard it was for me to make friends in the new city. It was like learning a whole new thing that I had already known once before.¡±


    Okazaki grips a dagger this time, swinging it at Usagi, the old-fashioned style missing her cheek by a hair. She lunges in a backflip, retreating for a moment before cascading forward with a flurry of jabbing kicks as he dodges and hits them off with his hands.


    ¡°Both of their spirits are like Hercules finding his strength. Okazaki always struck me as akin,¡± she says.


    ¡°That really strong guy? Yeah, he¡¯s definitely the type, I can see him as that too.¡±


    ¡°Strength, though, isn¡¯t as clear cut as mythological beings, I find. He wasn¡¯t born that way.¡± She ganders at her cards. ¡°If I may be so forward, can I see one of those cards?¡±


    ¡°Oh yeah, sure, here you go!¡± She hands over the jester card. It is her favorite, having her favorite anime girl MC in a jester outfit and in a funny pose.


    ¡°Oh my, I know this girl. She looks absolutely adorable dressed in that outfit. What a funny pose¡­ from Tati Tati Kingdom, correct?¡± She laughs, recognizing her.


    ¡°You know Tati Tati Kingdom! Oh my goodness, we have to watch it together, pretty please, please!¡±


    ¡°We can do that, yes.¡± She continues to smile, flicking the card upward. ¡°Your Remnant has to do with these cards? Can you show me what you can do with them?¡±


    ¡°I- oh, I¡­¡± She hesitates.


    Okazaki throws a bevy of twelve knives at Usagi, each miss sticking to the trees. She uses one to bound forward, blunting him in the side. His body goes flying, hitting the bark and making him cough blood. He is unfazed despite the impact, showing his tough and persistent nature as he goes back in.


    Angel smiles, offering her hand out. ¡°Would you mind holding my hand for a moment?¡±


    ¡°Hold your hand?... I mean¡­ that¡¯s a bit of an odd request, but sure.¡± Keiko puts her hand into hers. She has a soft touch. She can tell she lotions her skin daily. ¡°Else it gets the hose again¡­¡± Keiko whispers.


    Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    ¡°Huh?¡± Angel questions.


    ¡°Nothing! Your hands are just well-maintained. You¡¯re almost like a doll.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯d make a good doll. I¡¯m quite alive, just like you.¡± She giggles, and her hand slips the card back into Keiko¡¯s, sliding across. She flips it upward. ¡°Come now, show me that magnificent power inside you. I believe you have a great bestowed gift withering inside. Let it loose against the trees, as your friends are.¡± She leads her hand to aim at a nearby tree. Keiko feels at ease around her. Her voice is soothing and calm, like that of an old friend she held dear for another lifetime. This must be how Ishi and Oki feel. How wonderful.


    The card floats ahead of them as if by second nature, moving slowly but surely. Keiko has her eyes light up in excitement. She hasn¡¯t been able to do this so efficiently and controlled before. It¡¯s as if she¡¯s unlocking a new facet of her. ¡°It¡¯s floating! I¡¯m actually doing it. I can¡¯t believe it! I feel like this is even easier than the other day!¡±


    ¡°You truly are. What you¡¯re capable of is amazing. I can¡¯t say I know your true potential, but from what Kubo told me, you¡¯re someone with abilities that apply in a wider sense than most Remnants.¡± She smiles down at her.


    ¡°More than other Remnants? What do you mean by that?¡± She tilts her head.


    ¡°Kubo believes if you nurture your gift, you have a higher ceiling then most others. Your cards, he believes, have multiple uses and abilities beyond the stagnated sense of some. For example, the one called Mr. Pond is limited to water and, more often, the water of a pond or lake. It is unlikely someone like him can harness more than that. Judging from him, his personality, and current level, it is also highly unlikely he¡¯ll go beyond the powers of water-based combats and abilities.¡±


    ¡°Are you saying that it¡¯s possible to go beyond what our charms are?¡± She looks down at her card.


    ¡°You¡¯re a sharp girl for noticing that. Yes, some Remnants can evolve their powers. From what Kubo told me, some of Mr. Nuke Happy¡¯s lieutenants are able to do this. Miss Bones is one of them that Kubo has seen firsthand.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Kubo steps over, watching the card float, seeming impressed by Angel managing to get that out of her so easily by herself. ¡°Though it¡¯s hard to explain. Whenever I saw her, it was like a gush of wind, a blinding light that I couldn¡¯t process. Part of me thinks that was her sheer speed because when she used it, all I saw was the other person falling over. His body parts slipped off his limbs, his flesh leaking from his bones. He was a Remnant. It justified using that move against him.¡±


    ¡°That sounds terrible!¡± Keiko can¡¯t believe her ears.


    ¡°That¡¯s not cool at all. You expect us to go against someone who can do that to other people like her, man?¡± Shoji trots over, the fight continuing in the background as neither has yet been able to make a significant advantage.


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. He was significantly weakened before reaching his demise. If she had started out the fight with that move, it wouldn¡¯t have worked. Dare I say, it¡¯s the reasoning behind why your friends have been in this stalemate.¡± The truth is clear. They go blow for blow, Okazaki slams his fist into her cheek, but she returns back with a trip up of his legs and a kick to his belly, to which he quickly recovers, stammering back to his feet in a flash. The clash between them lacks an advantage on either side.


    ¡°It won¡¯t work if they continue this way. They¡¯ll both lose. Though Remnants have stamina greater than humans, even they have their limits when it comes to attrition. Look.¡± Staring back at them, their bodies are slowing down at an equal pace. Their moves aren¡¯t as swift as Okazaki hits Usagi with his blade. It punctures her skin, and she returns a massive kick to his hip.


    ¡°Their physical strength isn¡¯t enough. It will only get them so far before they aren¡¯t able to take the burden of their untamed powers.¡±