Chapter Text
“Hello, Sayo-san?”
Lunch time is almost over when Sayo’s phone vibrated from her pocket. Seeing as it was Tsugumi calling her, she figured it was something important because the brunette doesn’t just call her at a time like this without any reason. The moment she answered it, she was welcomed by the worrying voice of her junior.
“Hazawa-san? Yes, it’s me. What’s the matter?”
“Hina-senpai is missing. Has she left you any text message?”
Being the level headed that she is, Sayo remained calm. She might be feeling bad about this, but panic would never do her good.
“Not yet. How long has she been missing?”
“I am not sure. Our guess is around lunch. I was supposed to get a document from the student council room when I noticed a uniform lying on the floor and Hina-senpai’s phone. Lisa-senpai told me not to worry, but I should let you know.”
“Imai-san said that?”
“Yes. She is looking for Hina-senpai as we speak.”
“Alright. Thank you, Hazawa-san. I will talk to Imai-san.”
“It’s nothing, Sayo-san.”
After ending the call with Tsugumi, Sayo immediately contacted the bassist. She signaled for Rinko and Arisa who she was eating with to go ahead of her. Despite their curiosity, they did as Sayo asked them to.
“Sayo? It could get troublesome. Hina needs your help.” Lisa said before Sayo could even say anything.
“Imai-san, please tell me what is going on.”
“It will be much faster if you get here.”
She could not even have time to retort when suddenly two familiar figures appeared in front of her.
“Hello there, little kitten. I am more than glad to be of assistance today.”
“Sayo-chan, I will help too.”
“Okay, I am coming.” The teal haired said before hanging up on Lisa. She is starting to get a gist of the situation. Kaoru did not even need to say anything to her. Sayo thanked the two before walking towards them and be teleported to Haneoka by Kaoru.
The moment they got there, Sayo noticed that everything seemed to have frozen. And then she recognized the place. It is the student council room of Haneoka. Soon enough, Imai Lisa appeared and thanked Kaoru and Kanon for helping out before turning to Sayo.
“Sayo, Hina is safe.” Lisa said giving assurance to the guitarist. “But only you can help her out right now.”
When lunch time has started, Hina left the classroom in a hurry. Lisa would have just ignored it since it is a usual Hina thing, if she has not noticed some sparks of electricity coming out of the guitarist. At first, she thought that she was just seeing things so she ignored it and went off to eat lunch with Yukina. About thirty minutes later, she saw an almost out of breath Tsugumi.
“Tsugumi told me everything, about finding Hina’s phone on the floor. And that is why she is getting worried. It looked like Hina was abducted. I used a tracing spell on her phone, and found her in the storage room.”
“The way you are speaking right now Imai-san, means you already know what really happened. You told Hazawa-san not to worry, but you told me that it could get troublesome. I am confused right now.”
The brunette took a deep breath before speaking again. “Sayo, Hina has manifested a new power. We will need an expert here to now the reason behind this phenomenon, but first, we need you to neutralize her because she cannot control it yet, unlike you.”
“Electricity.”
“Yes. Just like you.”
That is when everything clicked in with Sayo. She thought of the possibility before but she couldn’t tell when it would happen. It did not happen to her until a few days ago, but at least, it was less dangerous compared to when she manifested her electricity control for the first time.
“She locked herself inside the storage room. Apparently, she was already here when she felt some kind of electrical surge within her body. And then she transformed herself into a bird and flew there. She asked me if I could put some kind of barrier on the place and to get you here because you will know what to do.”
“I would have asked why we did not teleport there straightly but I guess I should know better.”
“Yes. Hina asked us to stay away, and only you can probably suppress the electrical charges that will come out of her now.”
Lisa was caught off guard when Sayo hugged her out of the blue.
“Thank you, Imai-san.”
She then turned to Kanon, leaving the bassist stunned in there.
“Matsubara-san, how long can you keep the time freeze without pushing yourself?”
“About ten to fifteen minutes. But I will hold it as much as I can Sayo-chan!”
“Thank you, Matsubara-san. That is more than enough. I do not wish you to push yourself.” She said with confidence before looking at Kaoru. “Seta-san, please teleport me to Hina.”
“I am happy to be of service, little kitten. I can only teleport you outside the storage room because of the barrier field Lisa has casted.”
“That is fine. Thank you too, Seta-san.”
Kaoru smiled at her, the usual fleeting kind of way. She then felt her hand on her shoulders, and in a blink of an eye, she found herself in front of a door. There was no doubt to it, this is the storage room where Hina locked herself up. Sayo could feel the great amount of electricity forming inside.
As I should have expected, Hina has it too. Sayo thought to herself as she changes into a butterfly to fit in to the hole she saw. And there she found Hina with who knows how much voltage of electricity coming out of her. It was not the first time something like this has happened.
It was the last year of their grade school. Sayo vaguely remembers the first time their powers manifested. They were on a school camping trip by the mountain.
“Oneechan, let’s go over there! The fireflies are all there!”
Energetic as she always had been, Hina has ran without even waiting for Sayo’s reply. Worried with her sister’s recklessness, she followed as quick as she can. They went into the forest and Sayo knew they were getting lost. But she cannot leave her sister alone so she followed her while calling for her name.
“Hina, wait for me!”
It was already dark. And even if she wanted to blame her sister that they were lost, Sayo knew it was not the time for that. They were completely lost in the middle of the forest and she lost sight of Hina. She can’t even hear her voice anymore.
“Hina? Where are you?”
She repeatedly called for her name but no answer. Sayo started crying. It suddenly felt like years of frustration being released as she cries loudly.
Oneechan?
“Oneechan?!”
Sayo was brought back to reality as she felt Hina hug her. Voltage of electricity flowed from Hina’s body to Sayo’s.
“You came for me!”
“Of course, I would come for you.”
“Yeah, I expected that, but what I did not expect was to see you as a butterfly then transform back as yourself. Does that mean-”
“Yes. I can shape-shift too, much like how you can produce strong electricity from your body now.”
Ahh… I wonder if oneechan felt this relieved back then too.
Hina remembers clearly what happened that night when they got lost in the mountain during their school camping trip. And she also understands why Sayo does not remember everything of it.
When she realized she does not hear Sayo’s voice anywhere nearby her, Hina stopped on her tracks.
“Oneechan?” She called for her. And then she ran back to the direction she came from. She felt something strange within her body all of a sudden and the next thing she knew, she was running on all fours, and the world seemed a bit bigger to her.
Wait, what just happened?
“H-nyaa~” much to her surprise, instead of words, a cat meow came out of her mouth. Hina tried again and still the same. She then noticed her hands, her feet, the furs surrounding her body.
Did I just turn into an animal?
Hina knows, even if she had enough time, she wouldn’t have freaked out upon knowing that. She would have been thrilled to know that she can change how she looks like. But she really had no time for that. The moment she heard her older sister’s voice calling out to her, she forgot everything and just ran towards her. She ran faster when it became a crying call. As she got closer, she noticed a forming light.
Oneechan is in danger! Was her first thought. Unconsciously, she changed into another form. She only realized when she felt the wind brushing on her face, and the fangs she never had before. She can even see better now. She looked at her wings and recognized that this cannot be from any type of bird.
I am probably a bat right now. But how do I turn myself back? Oneechan might get frightened even more if she sees me like this.
That’s not important right now. I have to save oneechan from whatever that light is!
Sayo just continued crying. She feels like she was going to explode. She questioned herself if this is the result of keeping everything to herself. Not expressing her weakness, and keeping up the model elder sister that she is. All in order for her not to show the inferiority that is growing inside of her. As a child, she did not even know what inferiority even meant then. She is Hina’s twin sister. It is her duty to protect her. And she thought that she is not allowed to show any weakness in front of her.
But right now, you can take it all out.
“Oneechan!”
It was the last thing Sayo heard before she felt something so strong came out of her body. The light had engulfed her and the last thing she could remember before losing consciousness was the warmth of the arms that embraced her, and the crying voice of her little twin sister saying, “I am here for you oneechan!”
When she woke up, she found herself at a hospital room. There is an empty bed right beside her. Only then that she noticed she was not alone on her bed. Hina has snuggled up to her tightly.
After that, the twins heard from their parents that the school camping trip ended early due to some power plant explosion nearby their camping site. Hina then told her what happened that night. At first, she couldn’t believe it. But Hina proved to her by changing her form in front of her.
Hina practiced her newly discovered ability for a day. She used it to gain information on what really happened that night. But all she found out was that, the powerplant explosion story was just a conclusion. The residents of the area could not even recall of any nearby powerplants there. But an explosion certainly happened that night and caused a power outage for three days because of the needed repairs.
“Back then, we concluded that it was oneechan who caused the explosion.”
“And you were worried it could happen with you this time too, which is why you locked yourself here and called for me.”
“Yes. Although, I am not sure how exactly we stopped it back then. I just feel like we have to be together.”
“I’m pretty sure you remember it better than I do?”
Seeing the surprised look on Sayo, Hina could only grin as she leaned in closer and wrapped her arms around her again. “Of course. I was just kidding oneechan. Thank you.”
She always wondered how Hina was unscathed after what happened that night. When she acknowledged the fact that they both have some kind of power, she realized how dangerous her electricity is. That night, she must have released high voltages of electricity. And yet, Hina was able to hug her. Sayo wondered about it, but at the same time very thankful that she did not caused any harm to her sister. And now she knows why Hina was unaffected that time.
It must have been this warmth.
Light engulfed them. Sayo hugged Hina back tightly. The strong surge of electricity from Hina’s body slowly weakened until it disappeared. She felt Hina’s arms loosened up. The younger Hikawa had lost consciousness. Sayo was still strong enough to keep them still until she laid Hina on the floor. She too laid beside her, releasing a relieved sigh.
Lisa casted a spell for voltage detection. And when there were no traces of high voltage of electricity left, she assumed that it was safe for them to go as well. Kaoru teleported them outside the storage just like with Sayo earlier. They were surprised to see that there were no traces of damage to the storage room. They then proceeded on entering the room only to be welcomed by an unconscious Hina, and a teal furred dog.
“S-Sayo? Is that you?”
“What? Would you prefer seeing me naked for the second time, Imai-san?”
The three blushed at the statement. If not for her voice, they would not believe this is the guitarist of Roselia they are talking to.
“There is an explanation to it! Kanon, Kaoru, please don’t misunderstand!”
“N-No need to worry Lisa-chan, we believe you.”
“Anyway, here is your uniform, as well as Hina's. Just open the door again when you’re ready.”
The brunette immediately closed the door the moment the three of them are outside again.
“I didn’t know Sayo can say things like that. So fleeting~”
Kanon could only giggle awkwardly in response to Kaoru's statement. Meanwhile, Lisa is in deep thoughts again.
It is not only that they both have each other’s power; they can also nullify each other? But, what’s with Sayo's behavior just now?
Lisa has known the guitarist long enough to be able to tell that something is wrong. With the current situation, she thinks that maybe they will need a bit more time to retain the time freeze. She took out a small bag of cookie that she’s been keeping on her pocket and offered it to Kanon.
“Sorry Kanon, we might need you to prolong the time freeze just a bit more.”
“I understand, but why are you giving me cookies?”
“I was testing out some new spells I can add to food. And because of what happened last time, I thought a stamina boost spell would be helpful. Please try them and let me know if they would help. I promise they are harmless, I already tested them out myself.”
Trusting their friend, Kanon took a cookie. She could feel the effect right away as she felt her strength coming back.
About five minutes had passed before the door opens revealing the twins now back on their uniform. Hina is holding unto Sayo, still on her weakened state.
“Hina, you might need to take the rest of the day off.” Kaoru suggested aiding Sayo on carrying her sister.
“I can’t do that. We were supposed to have a student council meeting later after school. I cannot be an irresponsible president.”
Lisa, Kanon, and Kaoru's mouth hung open, totally shocked by Hina's words and how serious she sounded.
“That is not boppin', Hina! With your current condition, you won’t be able to focus on your class, let alone hold a meeting. You must go home for now. We will take care of the rest here~”
“You’re right oneechan. I will trouble Tsugu-chan again, but it will be more trouble for her if I force myself.
The three watch in complete shock and confusion. They even doubt that the two are playing a prank on them. Because it seems like they exchanged personalities at this rate.
“Good~ And I will go home early later so I can take care of you~”
“S-Suit yourself…”
The happiness on Hina's expression from hearing that is a proof to them that the twins are not pranking them or anything. But that look away gesture is not very Hina at all. Normally, she would’ve plunge herself into Sayo right away. But this Hina is being shy, much like how Sayo would react if it was the other way around.
“What about you oneechan? With our current state we cannot have our friends see us like this. It’s already enough proof if you look at their reaction right now.”
Lisa decided it was about time they butt in.
“Yeah, would you two tell us what’s going on right now?”
“It’s a side effect of oneechan's power. She may be immune to electrical charges but, over exposure would affect her mind. And usually it is like this, she takes on my personality.”
“Don’t say it like I’m broken or something. I just become boppin’ like you~ And besides, now that you manifested my power too, you’re affected as well.”
Watching Sayo pinch Hina on the cheek, and Hina being shy about it, has never crossed Lisa's imagination. And maybe, letting Sayo off like this could be dangerous, in a different way.
“You know what, I agree with Hina, you should take the day off too.”
“Imai-san… No. Lisa~ there is nothing to worry about.”
If it weren’t enough that Sayo went for first name basis in an instant, she even winked at the bassist too. A critical hit, if Kanon were to describe it. And it was no surprise that Lisa was a blushing mess again as she retreated to their side.
“Kanon, help me. There’s no way I can go against that.” Lisa said with hands covering her face.
“Fuee- Sayo-chan, Hina-chan needs you. I’m sure Rinko-chan and the others will understand. I will explain to them for you.”
Sayo thought for a while. She might be on her most carefree mood right now, but she is still on her right mind. She knows that this side effect will take a while to wear off. Possibly, a day. Hina was able to handle the impact better this time since they are stronger now than when it happened to her. But that doesn’t mean the after effects will not take place. She remembered when Hina told her that she was unconscious for almost a whole day after what happened, and how feverish she was.
“Okay, I understand. And it’s not like I can really leave her alone at her current state.” Sayo then turned to Hina. “Oneechan will take care of you this time.”
Hina could only hug Sayo and hide her face on her shoulders out of embarrassment.
Kanon lifted the time freeze. From there, they got proper permission from their teachers to let Hina take the rest of the day off. Kanon took care for Sayo’s side on Hanajo. Kaoru teleported them to their house once everything has been taken care of.
“Thank you, Seta-san, for all the help.” Sayo said after they laid Hina on her bed.
“It is nothing little kitten. Witnessing you smile like that makes me happy. It is truly-”
“Fleeting~ isn’t it, Kaoru-kun?” Sayo said with a smirk, cutting Kaoru off from her catchphrase.
“Y-Yes.”
After bidding farewell, Kaoru teleported back to Haneoka with a blush still evident on her face. Kaoru then concluded one thing.
That was more than just fleeting.