Chapter Text
Sayaka was in a rush. The bell had just rung, signaling the end of the final day of the first term. Summer break had technically begun, and she could hear the excited murmurs of the students around her as she hurried through the halls of Hyakkaou Academy. If she were anyone else, she might have stopped to have a conversation, or even to participate in a quick gamble. But the young secretary was not interested in such things. She pressed onwards towards her destination without sparing more than a glance at her fellow classmates, determined to stick to her schedule.
As she entered the council room, she looked at the clock. As usual, she’d arrived 15 minutes early, giving her plenty of time to prepare for the final meeting of the term. She placed her bag down by her seat, opening it to pull out her laptop and the folder she’d dedicated to student council affairs. After placing both items on the table, she sat down and opened the computer, pulling up the agenda for the meeting and reviewing the items. Finally, she checked her phone for any new important notifications. Once she had confirmed that everything was in order, she exhaled, and relaxed for a moment. There really wasn’t much to be done today, so the meeting would be fairly short. Thus, she rationalized, there was surely no harm in taking a few moments for herself.
As Sayaka rested, her eyes traveled across the room, landing on the Ukiyo-e style painting hanging across from the president’s seat. Her mind wandered as she gazed at the familiar work of art, wondering what the coming summer would hold. Privately, she hoped (and her cheeks warmed at the thought) that she would be able to spend more time with her beloved president. It didn’t seem unlikely. After all, ever since the Tower of Doors, Kirari had been much more forthcoming with her affection for the secretary. Her gaze would linger, her hands would come to rest on Sayaka’s shoulders, her fingers would trace her jaw, and her new favorite pastime seemed to be finding more ways to make the poor girl blush. It was a thrilling experience, albeit an overwhelming one. Of course, it was Sayaka’s own feelings that drove her to that point. Indeed, the late July sun outside was unforgiving, but it did not burn the same way that her passion for her president did. No, that constant flame set her heart alight with every little glance, consuming the oxygen in her lungs until she gasped for breath. But when Kirari looked at her in the way that she often did, Sayaka felt the stress on her heart was more than worth it.
Checking the time, the purple-haired girl realized that the meeting would begin in five minutes. She rose to her feet and hurried to the back of the room to prepare a cup of tea for the president. The young secretary considered her options carefully before deciding to brew gyokuro , a green tea produced by shading the leaves prior to their harvest. The renowned Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki had once described the beverage as a “thick delicious nectar”, finding the unique umami flavor particularly pleasing. Truly, it suited Kirari’s refined taste. Sayaka gathered all the necessary tools and ingredients in an organized fashion before beginning the process. She started by measuring out exactly 4.4 grams of the loose leaves, tipping them carefully into an open raku-fired shiboridashi. This particular style of teapot was shallow and wide, the smooth dark surface lacking a handle. Sayaka had specifically acquired it to make this style of tea for her president. With practiced motions, she poured one hundred milliliters of water heated to fifty degrees Celsius into the black bowl-shaped vessel, watching for approximately two minutes until the green leaves inside began to unfurl. Satisfied, she covered the tea with the shiboridashi ’s lid and poured it into a matching cup.
As she returned to the table with the warm beverage, she noted that several council members had already filtered in and taken their seats. The familiar clicking of the buttons on Runa’s gaming console echoed faintly across the room as the small girl focused on the glowing screen in front of her, simultaneously sucking on a red lollipop. Next to her, Midari was draped over her chair, the tip of her pierced tongue visible between smirking lips as she tapped away at her phone. On the other side of the table, Yumemi was babbling about some magazine featuring photos of her to a bemused Nishinotouin, who did not seem invested in the slightest. Meanwhile, the Vice President conversed quietly in the corner with the newest member of the council, Mary Saotome. Sayaka nodded to herself. Everyone was here, then, with the exception of the president herself. The dutiful secretary placed the cup of gyokuro on the table and then moved to her customary spot adjacent to Kirari’s chair, waiting patiently.
At precisely the set meeting time, the president strode through the doors of the council room, a storm brewing in her eyes. She slid gracefully into her seat, crossing her legs and sipping at her tea. Sayaka noticed a miniscule spot of red marring the normally pristine white collar. It almost looked like blood. Adding to the strange situation were the few hairs out of place in the white-haired girl’s braids.
The secretary frowned. She opened her mouth to ask the president if she’d like her braid to be redone, but Kirari spoke first.
“I thank you all for coming to our final meeting of the term.” she began, and immediately, the secretary tensed. The flatness in Kirari’s voice was foreign to her ears. Where was the easy confidence, the constant amusement, the subtle challenge to keep her entertained? Kirari was known to be quite cold, but she was far from emotionless. She often spoke softly, in slow, measured tones, as if she had all the time in the world. Her voice was a thing of both terror and beauty, and Sayaka always felt at least a little exhilarated when she had the opportunity to hear it. But the voice coming from the president’s mouth right now lacked that strange power, and it confirmed what Sayaka had already suspected: something was truly amiss.
“We’ve had a truly eventful time, don’t you think? It has been a pleasure to share the experience with you, and I look forward to whatever will transpire after break. That is all for today.” The rest of the president’s little speech piled on further evidence of hidden troubles by sheer force of its brevity. Never before had a meeting not stretched on for at least 15 minutes, and the fact that Kirari was entirely ignoring the agenda for the day was preposterous. If Sayaka had a different mind, she’d assume that Kirari had been replaced by some clone. But she knew the older girl well, and she could tell that despite the unprecedented behavior, this was truly her Kirari.
“Meeting adjourned.” The president prompted, leaning back in her chair as she waved a dismissive hand. No one on the council moved. Most eyes in the room glanced nervously at Sayaka, as if she would have some sort of explanation or solution. Emboldened by the reminder of her role in the president’s life, the secretary steeled her nerves and stepped forward, gently placing a hand on Kirari’s shoulder.
“P- president!” Sayaka dared to protest. “Aren’t there a few matters that we need to address-” She faltered as Kirari stood suddenly and whipped around, glacial blue eyes staring intensely into her own.
“Do you have a problem with my decision, secretary?” she asked sweetly, a dangerous edge to her tone. The purple-haired girl inhaled sharply, unconsciously stepping back slightly as she shrunk away from the president. Although the older girl often displayed darker tendencies, Sayaka had never seen Kirari like this. And she had certainly never dreamed that her president would act this way towards her. The disturbed array of faces in the room told the purple-haired girl that she was not alone in her thoughts. Unfortunately, there was no time to ponder the matter further: the president was waiting for an answer.
“N-no, not at all-” Sayaka stammered, mouth suddenly very dry. Anxiety roiled like a stirring snake in her stomach, sinking the fangs of doubt deeper. What was happening? What had gone wrong? She swayed unsteadily, feeling a prickling sense of discomfort like venom in her veins.
“Wonderful. Everyone may leave, then.” Kirari said with an air of satisfaction, examining the light blue polish on her nails. “Oh, and Sayaka? Will you do one last thing for me?” The secretary hesitated.
“Yes, President. Anything.” she whispered, voice cracking as fear crept up her spine. Kirari smiled without any warmth, never taking her eyes off her hands.
“Never let yourself be seen in my presence again. Dismissed.” With that, the girl she loved turned her back on her and left, leaving the entire council gaping at the events that had just occurred. For a moment, Sayaka stood frozen, a statue of disbelief. Then, she collapsed to her knees, blood roaring in her ears. She dimly registered the Vice President taking a few steps in her direction before halting abruptly and rushing out of the room after Kirari. She didn’t react, instead staring blankly into space as her mind parsed Kirari’s words.
Never let yourself be seen in my presence again.
The president… didn’t want to be seen with her? Why?
Maybe she’s ashamed of you. Poor Sayaka. They call you the president’s dog in the hallways, the girl with a scholarship that follows such a notorious person around like she’s begging for scraps. What is your life worth? Surely not even a hundred million yen. There are so many people around you who are worth so much more. You don’t even gamble! What use are you in this place where money runs everything?
But the president loved her, right?
Did she ever say that, Sayaka? Doesn’t she just find you interesting? Maybe you’ve become too boring. Maybe she’s found someone that could actually stand with her on equal footing.
The logical conclusion was that the president didn’t want her around at all. Could she handle that? Who was Sayaka Igarashi without Kirari Momobami?
No one.
Suddenly, a switch flipped and the secretary was violently thrust back into reality. Her face was wet and her fists were clenched. Saotome was crouched next to her, calling her name repeatedly. The rest of the council stood around her. Sayaka felt dizzy and disoriented. When had she started hyperventilating? It was so hard to breathe. She felt like she was drowning, like a pool of quicksand had opened beneath her feet and was sucking her down. Her heartbeat pounded in her ears, sounding oddly like the gallop of a horse.
“Someone get her some water!” Saotome ordered. “And back up, you’re crowding her!”
I don’t need water. I don’t even need more room , she thought hazily, closing her eyes as she tried to quell the rising panic She just needed- what did she need?
I need..
I need…
Unbidden, she heard a soft laugh echo through her head, followed by an image of a smiling white-haired girl with brilliant blue eyes.
“ Even with a mind free of desire and facing death, you still chose reason.” Kirari’s voice echoed. It hurt to recall her words, at the time everything she had ever wanted and now a bittersweet relic of a different time. But it wasn’t for nothing.
Sayaka’s eyes snapped open. Reason. That was it. She needed to be logical. What would help the most? Her eyes darted frantically around the room, landing on Nishinotouin’s crimson hair ribbon.
“Red.” she gasped out. Saotome furrowed her brow quizzically. “Huh?”
Sayaka ignored her, forcing herself to start counting the number of red items in the room as she tried to regain control over her breathing. Six uniforms plus the ribbon, the three fish in the aquarium, and the apple in the corner totaled to eleven. She next moved on to cataloguing sounds - the tapping of Midari’s fingers against her phone screen, the crinkle of Yumemi’s magazine in the idol’s uncertain grasp, the bubbling of the fish tank, the music emitted from Runa’s abandoned gaming console. Sayaka began to register other things, too, such as the pain in her palms from where her nails had dug into her skin, and Saotome’s concerned hand on her shoulder, and also the hard feeling of the floor beneath her knees. She could smell Nishinotouin’s floral perfume mixing with the earl grey tea that Runa was pressing into her hands. It was a comforting scent, reminding her of early mornings spent studying outside in the spring. Her breathing evened out as the panic finally faded, and she licked her dry lips experimentally. Her nose wrinkled in disgust, and she quickly took a sip of her tea. She sighed as the bitterness of bergamot settled across her tongue. The earl grey hadn’t steeped fully, but Sayaka really didn’t mind. It was far preferable to the taste of salt. She stayed silent for a few more moments as she regained her composure, and then addressed the rest of the room.
“Thank you. I am sorry that you all had to see that.” she muttered shyly, lowering her head to hide the embarrassment on her features.
“Baka. No one wants you to apologize.” Saotome said, rolling her eyes. The other council members nodded in agreement. The secretary's mouth parted slightly, surprised. In most cases, she would bristle at being referred to as unintelligent, but there was something in the blonde’s expression that spoke to a sentiment bordering on fondness behind the words. Whatever the case, she sensed that Saotome’s words were not meant to be derogatory, and responded accordingly.
“Ah! Well... just thank you, then. I appreciate your consideration.” Sayaka offered, trying to smile gratefully. It didn’t reach her eyes. She began to rise to her feet but abruptly stopped, eyes fixed on the aquarium. The other council members exchanged glances.
“Igarashi-chan?” Nishinotouin tried, but got no response. The secretary’s mind was already far away. She found herself remembering the time when Yumeko Jabami managed to beat two council members in one day. Watching from the audience had been nearly unbearable, to the point that the sight of her president’s lovely face appearing from behind the vice president’s mask had nearly caused her to sob with relief. But that was a very different time. It turned out that Runa’s words had been correct: it was just when things seemed to be going well that the rug was pulled out from under one's feet. As Sayaka struggled to understand Kirari's sudden change in behavior towards her, she found herself wishing that the gamer wasn't so astute.
A small part of the secretary wondered if the coldness had something to do with the president’s slightly unkempt appearance and oddly brief manner. Those were certainly details that were entirely novel to the observant secretary, and she could not fathom the circumstances that had occurred which had caused them. She would need to think on the matter more. But for now, there was a more pressing question that her mind needed to address: what was Sayaka supposed to do now?
Up until the attempt on her life, Kirari had been having a rather enjoyable final day of term. The weather outside was pleasant enough, and classes had been at least somewhat entertaining. Admittedly, she had not actually deigned to pay close attention to the material, given that she knew most of it already. Instead, she had let her mind wander to her dear secretary, remembering with some amusement how flushed the younger girl had been the last time they had seen each other. She had turned a shade rivaling a rose as the president gently brushed a stray purple hair away from the dark eyes that tracked her every movement, looking rather nervous but not uncomfortable. Indeed, Kirari found those eyes quite enthralling, and had actually made the adjustment so that she could see them better - witnessing that crimson stain upon Sayaka’s pale cheeks had only been an added bonus. And now, nearly a day later, she sat in class imagining them with a distinct fondness, recalling with perfect clarity the light within them that only shone when Sayaka looked at her. Sometimes, she marveled at the luck she had, to be looked at with such devotion. It thrilled her, and she could hardly wait to see it again.
So, ten minutes before the end of the final class of the day, Kirari gathered her belongings, strode out of the classroom, and made her way towards the student council room, eager for the opportunity to set her eyes on her secretary once more. She let her excitement build as she swept through the corridors, something close to giddiness bubbling beneath her aloof exterior. In fact, she was so distracted that she almost missed the sound of a switchblade flipping open behind her.
Kirari’s eyes widened in alarm as she registered the noise. She jumped forward instinctively, moving just a little too late. The tip of the blade had pricked the back of her neck, and the cut stung slightly as the president spun to face her attacker.
They were wearing a mask reminiscent of an oni and dressed in an unbuttoned suit. The switchblade they held glinted in the harsh lights of the hallway, and they advanced on her menacingly.
Kirari glanced around, noticing that she was in a completely empty hallway.
Well, this is hardly ideal.
Adrenaline began to flow through her veins, not unlike the thrill she got when she made a particularly risky gamble. She kept an eye on the attacker as she slowly backed up, trying to think. The situation did not seem like it would end favorably. She wasn’t much of a fighter, preferring to leave that kind of work to guards. Besides, this person was almost certainly far more skilled at combat than the average assailant. The one thing that she was confident about was that she was not likely to win without some assistance. She could try to run, but that would leave her back open. Furthermore, she had to determine who this person was and their motives for attacking her. It wouldn’t do to survive this encounter only to immediately fall prey to another attempt with no forewarning.
Her hand drifted to her jacket pocket, and her eyes widened as she felt a rectangular object through the fabric. It was Sayaka’s taser. The secretary had handed it to her a few days before, citing precaution.
Oh, Sayaka. Always the practical thinker. I’m quite lucky to have you.
Turning her attention back to the attacker, she kept backing up, trying to maintain some distance as she waited for the perfect opportunity to strike.
Now, then… how can I create an opening?
A risky idea crossed her mind, and she barely stopped to think it through before deciding to go all in. She stopped her retreat, suddenly, and her blue eyes narrowed at the attacker as she let a smirk spread across her lips.
“Ah, what an unlucky day it is… for you.” she blustered, letting out a carefree laugh as her eyes shifted to a point behind their head. This seemed to stun them momentarily, as they paused in bewilderment, unable to understand the sudden return of her confidence. They instinctively glanced behind them, which gave her all the time she needed to whip the taser out of her pocket and aim it directly at their neck, watching in satisfaction as the probes shot out and made direct contact with her attacker’s skin.
As she watched the assailant collapse to the ground, she felt a deep satisfaction settle in her chest. Suddenly, she understood the strange smile Sayaka wore whenever she used the weapon. There was something about the feeling of bringing down someone much stronger than she was that was addictive, a rush of confidence that came with pulling the rug out from someone else’s feet. She felt powerful and in control, and for a second she reveled in it, blue eyes glinting maniacally. Then, she exhaled, crouching down besides the unconscious form of her would-be attacker.
“Tell me, what did you hope to accomplish?” she wondered aloud. She extended a pale hand and reached within their suit pockets, hoping to extract some sort of clue. There was only a single scrap of paper inside, with a message written in all caps.
TAKE OUT THE HEAD AND ANY PILLARS THAT PROP HER UP. IT IS TIME FOR HER REIGN TO COME TO AN END.
At the end was a solitary kanji character, one that she knew well.
Bami. Devourer.
So the attack was sent by the clan itself. This puts Ririka and I in danger, but I’m sure we’ll be fine as long as we tighten security around the manor. That’s easily accomplished. I won’t be caught off guard again.
Plan formed, Kirari felt much more at ease. But she still felt like she was missing something.
What is it? What’s wrong?
She read over the message several more times, trying to determine what was setting off alarm bells in her head. Finally, her eyes fell upon the phrase “PILLARS”. Her blood ran cold as she registered the plural form. The clan wasn’t just after her and Ririka - they wanted to take out anybody that allowed Kirari to maintain her hold over both Hyakkaou and Japan. And there was only one person that she leaned upon as heavily as her sister.
Sayaka.
Kirari’s heart clenched as the chill of fear wrapped an icy grip around her throat. The thought of Sayaka getting killed because of her...
No. I won’t allow it. I’ll devour them before they even know she’s the last target they’re looking for. Her coming to harm won’t even be a slight possibility, as long as I-
As long as she what? How could she best keep Sayaka away from the situation? She was around the president all the time, always insistent upon being as helpful as possible. Moreover, Kirari’s strong feelings for the secretary made it impossible to hide how important the younger girl was. So what was she to do?
The answer came to her in a flash, like lightning splitting a tree, cleaving her heart in two but also setting it alight with determination.
She’ll stay away if she believes that’s what you desire.
Kirari clenched her fists, and rose to her feet. Around her, the fish in her aquarium rushed through the hallways, unaware of everything that had just transpired. Distracted by the beginning of summer break, they barely even glanced at the president, standing over a motionless body with a bitter smile on her face. It was better that way. Kirari was certain the look on her face was not one she wished for others to see.
My dear Sayaka… I am so sorry about what I am about to do. I hope that one day, you can forgive me for it.
Steeling her nerves, she set off through the hallways towards the council room. And as she walked, she pretended she couldn’t hear the little voice in the back of her mind that reminded her of a single fact:
You don’t deserve her forgiveness.
When Sayaka got home that night, she went straight to bed, curling up between her sheets without even bothering to change. She felt drained by the day’s events, as if a pit had opened up in her stomach and swallowed every last gram of energy she’d had. The happiness she associated with the president had also slipped into the abyss for the time being, replaced with memories of the bitter sting of rejection. Sayaka wished that she could stop thinking about the entire thing, but the thoughts refused to leave her head. How could the president do this? And why?
She clenched her fingers around the blankets, shrinking into herself as she agonized over every moment she’d spent with Kirari since the Tower of Doors. If she’d done something wrong, it must have been since then, right? The emotions in Kirari’s speech after the gamble against Yumeko were undoubtedly genuine, as far as she could tell. And no matter how hard she pondered, not a single instance had come to mind during which she had done something that the president disapproved of. That made sense, given her tendency to go out of her way to make sure the opposite was true with regard to her actions. Thus, Sayaka was wholly at a loss. It made her miserable to be so unable to comprehend the older girl’s decision, but she forced herself to give up on the train of thought. The president’s mind was not one that was within her abilities to comprehend, after all.
And that’s why you like her. How ironic.
It was a truly cruel situation. Sayaka buried her face into her pillow, feeling absolutely wretched. Tears pricked at her eyes, and she let them fall, soaking the fabric beneath her face as she finally let herself break down completely.
Her weeping lasted most of the night, eventually relinquishing her into a fitful sleep. When she woke up late the next day, she dimly remembered an icy ocean and the feeling of falling.
Still exhausted, she glanced at her clock and realized that it was already past noon. She dragged herself out of bed, changing into a loose shirt and sweatpants before heading to the kitchen to make herself a light breakfast.
As she ate, she checked her phone for notifications, seeing that she’d received two new texts during the night.
Runa (17:32)>
hey i hope you’re alright! <3 i’ll try to figure out what’s going on and update you if i hear anything!
Midari (23:49) >
sorry abt earlier - told ya she was a crazy bitch :( lmk if u wanna get smashed so u can forget abt her ;)
She replied to Runa with a quick text of gratitude and then frowned at the second one.
<Sayaka (12:24)
Midari, I am not sleeping with you so that I can get over the president.
Her phone chimed almost instantly.
Midari (12:24) >
wtf no i meant that we could get drunk or smth HAHAHA
yeah i want kirari to kill me but not cuz of u lmaoooo
besides i’m too much of a bottom to smash u,,, but if u switch up ur vibes maybe u could smash me?
wait that reminds me… will you tase me Sayaka? <3
<Sayaka (12:26)
Absolutely not. Thank you for checking in, though.
Midari (12:25) >
ugh ur no fun :( but yea ofc! see u soon ;)
Sayaka wasn’t sure what the strange girl meant by that, but she decided to concern herself with it later. Right now, she just wanted to watch romance movies and cry.
She spent the rest of the day emptying her freezer of ice cream and her tear ducts of, well, tears.
Six more days continued in this cyclical fashion. She’d wake up, already drained of all energy, and lie in bed, wallowing in misery. Sometimes, she’d make it out of her room, other times, she wouldn’t. One late night, she buried her face in her pillow and wailed until her voice was gone, uttering a single question over and over again:
Why?
In all honesty, Sayaka would have been perfectly content to spend the seventh day grieving as well, but she had work to do. Specifically, she had a job to attend, and she was not about to allow heartbreak to keep her from her paycheck. Being the student council secretary only paid so much, and she had bills to pay. So on that Friday, she forced herself to wake up early and get ready. She pulled on a nice skirt and paired it with a pastel sweatshirt over a collared shirt, slipping her feet into her loafers before grabbing her purse and glancing at herself in the mirror. There were dark circles under her puffy eyes and her hair was messier than usual, but it would have to do.
She arrived outside of the little bookstore about ten minutes before her shift began, nervously adjusting her skirt as she approached the door. As she went to wrap her fingers around the handle, she was startled by a loud shout.
“SAYAKAAAA! TOLD YA I’D SEE YOU SOON!” Midari howled, bursting out of a shop across the street. She skidded to a stop a meter away, glancing over Sayaka with a critical eye.
“Damn, you look like shit.” the beautification officer added. The secretary blinked, half-hoping she was hallucinating.
“Midari? What brings you to this part of town?” she wondered as the girl with one eye pranced around her. As far as she was aware, Midari didn’t live particularly nearby.
“I work over there!” the other girl exclaimed, gesturing at the shop she’d emerged from. Sayaka squinted at the sign.
Bandai-Daichi Skin Murals
“You work in a body modification shop?” she questioned, slightly alarmed. Frankly, she did not trust Midari to be safe around tattoo machines or body piercing guns.
“Yep! It’s a whole lot of fun, pays pretty well, and I’m allowed to use the materials on myself sometimes.” Midari chirped. “Also, since you work across the street, I get to hang out with you more. You have a lot more free time now, so how about it?”
Sayaka rubbed at her temples. It was true that Midari and her were friends, to an extent. They’d known each other for years now, and being on the same council meant that they’d had to spend plenty of time together. She valued the girl’s candour and even admired her at times for her lack of hesitation in doing exactly what she wanted at any given moment. But Sayaka wasn’t used to hanging out with Midari outside of school, and she was worried about the trouble that would inevitably follow.
However, Sayaka was lacking many prospects for company. Before, she would have been satisfied with simply following Kirari around, but now that wasn’t an option. It was possible that hanging out with Midari would be an effective distraction. In fact, Sayaka was almost certain that the girl would provide plenty to focus on instead of her current situation with the president. So, she found herself shrugging her shoulders and agreeing.
“That would be nice, I think. I suppose I’ll take the risk.” she offered, and Midari cackled.
“That’s the spirit, Igarashi!” Sayaka was a little worried about what she’d just gotten herself into, but she forced herself to be positive about it. Maybe this would be a good thing.
Friends are a positive thing no matter how strange they are, right?
She glanced over at Midari, who was rattling on about how fun using a tattoo gun on herself was.
Right??
The two girls chatted for another few minutes before they each disappeared into their respective workplaces. Sayaka sighed as she breathed in the familiar scent of paper, already feeling a little more relaxed.
Inside the bookstore, Sayaka was in her element. She organized the shelves, manned the cashier, and even recommended books to buyers that came in. She had worked at this shop a few summers now, and knew it like the back of her hand. The best part about it was that there was always something to be done, so she was easily able to clear her mind of all her worries by simply focusing on the work in front of her. It was a perfect tactic.
Or so Sayaka believed until she stumbled across a copy of Momotaro. It was a popular Japanese legend, one where a young boy was born within a gigantic peach. The peach was found floating down a river by a childless old couple, and they named the boy inside Momotaro after the fruit that bore him. When he grew up, he set out to overcome the demons of Onigashima, alongside a talking dog, a monkey, and a pheasant.
Sayaka had heard the story ever since she was a child. It was a personal favorite, and she always begged her parents to tell it to her at bedtime. She had often wondered what it would be like if her life had begun curled inside a peach, unknowingly destined for greater things from the moment that she was born. But she knew very well that such a fate was not hers to bear.
Eventually, of course, she had stopped thinking so much about peaches. There were other things to turn her attention to, and it left no time at all for legends. But then one day, she heard whispers of a new girl at school, one who planned to challenge the president herself, one who bore the last name Momobami. She was immediately intrigued.
Momotaro was the peach boy. He was the hero, the star of a legendary folk tale. Who, then, was this devourer ? What role would she play?
Sayaka had immediately started considering the possibilities. She knew that peaches were well known to be symbols of purity. It was said that peaches shielded people from wickedness in the same way that Momotaro defended those he loved from the demons. So what did it mean to consume that which was meant to ward away evil? Would such an act banish the darkness? Or would it only draw it closer?
And that brought her to the question at the heart of the matter: was Kirari Momobami destined to be the hero or the villain?
She knew she would need to watch the match to find out. So she had gone down to the courtyard that fateful day so that she could see the Momobami in person for the first time. And after a single glance, her breath had caught in her lungs.
What’s her name ? She’d asked the person next to her.
Kirari.
Kirari. The twinkling of stars, the glimmering flash of light, the way that a judgemental bolt thrown from Jupiter’s hand looked as it tore open the sky, entirely and effortlessly captivating. Her name fit her perfectly. Sayaka observed with rapt attention as the girl took risk after risk without a single break in her composure. At the climax of the match, it truly looked like she was about to lose everything when she decided to go all in - and yet, somehow, in the end, she was triumphant.
Sayaka knew then and there that whether or not Kirari would end up the hero or the villain no longer mattered to her. Either way, there was a new legend standing in front of her, radiant in her success. And all she wanted to do was have the chance to walk by her side.
So, she sought an audience with the older girl and begged her to accept her as her secretary. To her surprise, despite her social blunder, she was actually accepted.
Now, nearly two years later, she almost regretted it. It was almost intolerable to lose something after having had it for so long, but she found herself not wishing that things had been different. After all, there was that saying about preferring loving and losing rather than not loving at all, and no matter how her heart hurt at the situation, she was glad she had loved Kirari. And if not seeing her again made Kirari happy, then who was she to argue?
She only wished that letting go didn’t have to be so hard. But it was a mark of how truly and deeply she had cared, so she would bear it with her head held high.
“Excuse me, miss! Could I please have that book?” a young voice called. Sayaka snapped back to reality, realizing that she had been staring at the illustration of the gigantic peach on the cover of Momotaro for quite a while. Next to her stood a little boy with dark eyes, glancing shyly at the book in her hands. Sayaka ignored the way her heart continued to ache and crouched down, handing the book gently to the child.
“There you go, kiddo. Enjoy.” she told him.
“Thanks, miss!” the little boy said, nodding his head solemnly before marching away. Sayaka glanced at the clock. She’d really lost track of time. Her shift was already nearly over, and through the window, she could see that the sun was starting to set. She blew out a breath and got back to work, determined to make the most of her remaining time. The door chimed as another customer came in.
“Hi, welcome to-” Sayaka looked up at the newcomer, who was staring back at her awkwardly.
“Saotome?”
“Igarashi…” The two girls stood in silence a moment longer, neither quite sure what to say. Eventually, Sayaka opened her mouth.
“So… you looking for something?” she prompted. Saotome completely ignored the question.
“You look absolutely exhausted.” the blonde said, and Sayaka sighed.
“Yeah, so I’ve heard. Midari said something similar earlier.”
“Midari came into a bookshop?”
“No, she works across the street.”
“Ah, I see. Well, looks like I’m never bringing Yumeko to this area.” Sayaka winced, thinking about the beautification officer’s obsession with the Jabami.
“That seems for the best, yes. Were you looking for something specific?”
“Um, I guess I wanted a copy of I Am a Cat.”
“By Natsume Soseki? Good choice.”
“Well, I’ve been reading a lot about the Meiji period recently, and it’s honestly kind of a classic, isn’t it? Figured I had to read it eventually.” Saotome shrugged. Sayaka inclined her head in agreement.
“Fair enough. Right this way.” she acquiesced, showing the blonde to the corresponding shelf. The blonde selected a copy of the book, bringing it over to the counter where Sayaka quickly ran the purchase through the register.
“Alright, that’s it. Need anything else?” the purple-haired girl asked. Saotome paused, seeming to mull something over. Nodding as if she’d made a decision, she straightened, clearing her throat. Sayaka watched her curiously, wondering what she was about to say.
“So… do you like- when do you get off?” Saotome asked, blushing slightly in embarrassment. Sayaka froze, her exhausted brain misinterpreting the question.
“Excuse me?” She asked, slightly indignant.
“Of work. Is your shift over soon?” Saotome clarified, apparently oblivious.
“Oh! Um, yeah!” Sayaka responded, cursing her fatigue internally. Saotome wouldn’t be so crude, especially not to her. A slight frown spread over her features as she processed the other girl’s words.
“Wait, why?” she wondered. Saotome rolled her eyes.
“Obviously we’re going to hang out, baka.”
“We are?” Sayaka sputtered, thrown. They weren’t really that close, so she wasn’t sure what had prompted this sudden turn of events.
“Yeah, we are. Unless you have a problem with it.” Saotome responded flippantly.
Is this… pity?
She scrutinized the other girl, trying to gauge her motives, but didn’t find a hint of pity in Saotome’s golden eyes. Did she dare risk it?
She thought back to what she knew about her fellow council member. Saotome wasn’t the type to do things impulsively, but she also wasn’t the type to pity people. Since Yumeko had come to Hyakkaou, she’d become much less cruel, retaining her confidence but also showing a much softer side to those she cared about. And she’d noticed her and the vice president hanging out quite a bit lately…
Well if she can crack through that mask, I’m sure she can’t be that bad at all.
The secretary winced as another memory of Kirari played through her head.
“The risks with the most interesting outcomes are among the ones most worth taking, don’t you think? You should know, my dear Sayaka - accepting you as my secretary remains my favorite gamble to date. ” the older girl had said, a pale finger reaching out to stroke the underside of her jaw.
Sayaka swore she could feel the ghost of the president’s touch graze across her face. Her grief welled up in her chest all over again. She swallowed heavily, trying to force it back down. Then, she took a deep breath, held it for four counts, and then exhaled. She inclined her head.
“Okay. My shift ends in fifteen minutes. Meet me outside?” she offered, and Saotome smiled lightly, nodding.
A little while later, the pair went strolling through the neighborhood in an amicable silence. For a while, they were content to simply observe their surroundings, enjoying the weather as the sun began its daily descent. Eventually, though, Saotome spoke up.
“Igarashi… are you okay?” she asked sincerely, her words ringing out into the cool air. After such a long period of silence, they seemed especially loud, breaking through the comfortable bubble around them and coming to a stop before Sayaka’s walls.
In most cases, she would keep her defenses up, say “of course”, and leave it at that. But Sayaka was tired of putting up a front, too exhausted to continue maintaining a facade, too drained to continue playing her cards too close to her chest. So, she found herself taking another risk, laying them out on the table, leaving them for Saotome to see.
“I don’t think I am. And I don’t know when I will be.” she uttered softly, staring straight ahead. Saotome was silent for a minute as she processed her words.
“Well, that’s fine. You don’t have to be okay all the time.” she finally replied. Sayaka laughed softly, the sound bitter on her tongue.
“Don’t I?”
“You don’t.” Saotome responded firmly. Sayaka turned to look at the blonde, head tilted inquisitively. She scanned Saotome’s face, taking in the sincerity of her expression and the honesty that infused her words.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” she questioned, genuinely confused. Saotome snorted.
“Because I’m a decent person?” Sayaka looked at her in sheer disbelief.
Surely that’s not it?
Their eyes met, and something in the blonde’s expression seemed to soften. She groaned, sounding annoyed.
“Look, I know what it’s like to always feel like you’re not good enough. It sucks, and I’d rather not leave you alone to deal with it.” she admitted, crossing her arms and looking away. Sayaka digested the information slowly. On the surface, it made sense. Like her, Saotome was a scholarship student, and therefore had to work fulltime to maintain both her grades and her social status. Plenty of students at Hyakkaou found an excuse to judge the blonde based simply on that fact. But Sayaka sensed something deeper behind Saotome’s words. She thought about what she’d seen of Saotome’s relationship with Yumeko, something between friendship and a one-sided rivalry. She’d remembered how Saotome had watched with clenched fists as Kirari and Yumeko had their strange conversation about supernovas after Yumeko’s defeat of two council members. There had been something like envy on the blonde’s features, and Sayaka had empathized, feeling desperate herself to be on the same level as the pair of cousins.
Later, during the election, Saotome had not stuck with Jabami, choosing instead to carve out her own path. There was something in her determination that spoke to a desire to push her limits, becoming a proper match for the dark-haired gambler.
Perhaps she always feels like she’s a step behind when she’d rather be an equal.
Sayaka’s heart ached. She knew the feeling all too well. But was that all that motivated Saotome? Or was there something more?
Her mind drifted to Saotome’s interactions with the vice president, remembering how the students always whispered about the pair. They didn’t understand why the vice president hung around the blonde of her own free will. In hushed voices that carried farther than intended, they ridiculed Saotome, waiting for the day that the vice president grew tired of what they assumed was a temporary toy. Sayaka knew different. There was an unspoken tension between the vice president and Saotome, something intimate in the way they watched each other and the way they held themselves when they talked. Saotome’s eyes always seemed to shine just a bit brighter around the vice president, and whenever Sayaka saw that light, it triggered a strange fire in her chest that she couldn’t identify at the time.
Looking back, she wondered if it was her own envy that had burned her from within, a selfish desire to have that same easy interaction with Kirari.
Well, it’s too late now. That particular bridge has burned to ashes. I suppose it’s time I built some new ones.
Sayaka reached out to gently touch the blonde’s elbow, causing the blonde to meet her eyes.
“I think I understand. I appreciate it.” she said honestly. Saotome swatted her hand away, and then tossed her hair.
“Yeah, yeah, don’t mention it, you nerd.” the blonde grumbled. Sayaka raised an eyebrow.
“You’re calling me a nerd? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?” she said teasingly.
“Shut up.” Saotome huffed, rolling her eyes, but the corner of her lips quirked up slightly.
Normally, the secretary would have folded, so to speak. She didn’t want to push Saotome’s kindness too far. But so far, all her risks had paid off. Did she dare take another one?
We’re here now. Might as well go all in.
Sayaka steeled her nerves, and continued speaking.
“I’m just saying that given your extensive studies, I would have assumed that you’d have a better vocabulary. I guess I was wrong.” she responded innocently, looking at the sky to hide her anxiety.
Out of the corner of her eye, she watched Saotome sputter momentarily. The blonde looked entirely taken aback by her teasing jab, and the secretary felt a sliver of satisfaction. Then, Saotome’s golden eyes narrowed into a glare.
“You’ve got some nerve, Igarashi.” the blonde growled. For a moment, Sayaka began to worry. Had she taken things too far?
Abruptly, Saotome began to laugh. She leaned forward and shoved the secretary playfully.
“I didn’t know you had that in you, but I’m glad. I think we’ll get along just fine.” she cackled, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
For the first time in days, Sayaka felt a spark of pure happiness as a genuine smile stretched across her face.
“Good.” she responded, brushing her bangs away from her eyes.
Maybe I should take risks more often.
Afterwards, Saotome insisted on walking her home, claiming that she was going the same way anyways. Sayaka knew that was a lie. Saotome’s house was in the opposite direction, and there was nothing around that the blonde couldn’t easily find within a more convenient proximity to her home. Still, she let the girl match her steps as she walked back, much too exhausted to argue. It was a 25 minute trip that could have easily been shortened by a bus ride, but Sayaka preferred to walk where she could. It was the rational choice, after all - daily bus rides would add up, and she was better off saving that money just in case.
When they arrived outside of the small apartment where Sayaka lived alone, Saotome dawdled, looking awkward as the secretary fished for her keys. Finally locating them, Sayaka glanced over at her, and sighed.
“Saotome.” she addressed the girl, causing the blonde to straighten and cross her arms. “Would you like to come inside for a cup of tea?” Saotome looked incredibly thrown by her words but recovered quickly.
“Got any coffee?” the other girl asked.
“I do, yes.” Sayaka answered. She kept a variety of drinks at her apartment in the case that she ever had unexpected guests. Not that anyone had ever visited.
“Then sure, why not.” Saotome shrugged. Sayaka inclined her head and turned her attention towards the door. With a start, she realized that this was the first time that anyone from her school was going to see her apartment. She wasn’t too worried about it - she knew that her space was as pristine as ever, given that she had cleaned it up before she left that morning. But it wasn’t very large or opulent, and she suddenly felt very conscious of that fact as she unlocked the door and went inside.
“Nice place, Igarashi.” Saotome commented, glancing around the modest space.
“Thank you. Shoes off, please. Feel free to sit on the couch while I prepare our drinks.” Sayaka replied, already slipping out of her light brown loafers. She padded to the kitchen in stocking feet, retrieving two mugs and pulling out the ground coffee and a chamomile tea bag. She quickly set a pot of water to boil on the stove, loading a tablespoon of coffee into a filter and tying it closed with a bit of string she kept for exactly this purpose. She placed the makeshift bag into one of the mugs, and lowered her chamomile tea bag into the other. Once the water had finished boiling, she poured the water over both mugs, allowing both beverages to brew.
She knew that Saotome took her coffee strong but sweet, so she let the coffee sit for three minutes before adding a bit of milk and plenty of sugar. The chamomile had finished brewing by this time as well, so she brought the mugs over to where Saotome was perched on the couch, texting someone on her phone.
“Here you go.” she said, offering the coffee mug to the blonde. The other council member accepted it gratefully, taking a sip.
“Wait, how do you know how I take my coffee?” Saotome asked suddenly.
“I’m not entirely sure. It’s just something I picked up at one point or another.” Sayaka mused. She flinched as a familiar voice echoed through her head.
But you knew, as always. You knew things you hadn’t even thought about.
Another bolt of pain flashed through Sayaka’s heart at the sound of the president’s voice, which was an unwelcome reminder of the recent rejection. Saotome seemed to pick up on Sayaka’s discomfort, and took another large gulp of the coffee.
“Well, thanks. It’s really good. Now sit down, already. It’s weird of you to just stand like that.” the blonde grumbled, pulling at Sayaka’s arm gently. The purple-haired girl acquiesced, sinking into the couch cushion and crossing her long legs. She awkwardly sipped her chamomile, not really sure how to begin now that they were in her own space. After all, before today, she had not been in the habit of regularly conversing with Saotome. This was most likely due to the fact that Saotome was often with Jabami.
Sayaka didn’t strictly dislike Yumeko as a person, but she did resent her for the chaos she’d caused at Hyakkaou Academy since her arrival. Everything Yumeko did had resulted in quite a lot of paperwork, and it had caused the secretary to have several migraines from the stress. Additionally, she had never fully managed to recover from the jealousy she felt whenever Kirari spoke about the red-eyed gambler. The realization that the two were technically related as well as the events at the Tower of Doors had only slightly reduced her envy.
She dearly wished she was just able to understand Kirari to the same extent that Yumeko obviously did, but every time the two spoke, she found herself woefully out of her depth. Their rambling about supernovas and risk taking and fate went over her head, no matter how hard she tried to process it.
It had frustrated her for months, but since Kirari had cut ties with her, Sayaka supposed that her jealousy was no longer as much of an issue.
Should I be nicer to Yumeko? I suppose I’ll have to. Besides, if I continue hanging out with Saotome, there is a possibility that Yumeko and I could become... friends.
Sayaka decided to save that horrifying realization for later, returning her attention to the present. She realized that Saotome was staring at her and blushed, rubbing at her forehead before putting her mug down.
“My apologies. I was… distracted.” The other girl waved it off, leaning back into the couch.
“No worries. I was watching the cat.” Saotome responded, eyes turning towards the window. Sayaka tilted her head, confused.
“The cat?” she questioned, and followed the blonde’s gaze. There was a white-furred cat with wide blue eyes sitting on her windowsill, tail flicking impatiently. “Oh! Kai, you’re back!”
Kai yawned, baring a set of tiny fangs, before gazing at her expectantly. Sayaka rushed over, unlocking the latch and letting the small animal in. She hadn’t seen the stray in over a month and she was glad that she’d decided to stop by.
“You named the cat Kai?” Saotome sighed. Sayaka flushed, knowing exactly why there was a judgemental edge to the question.
“Yes.”
“Gee, I wonder why.” the blonde muttered sarcastically, watching the cat make her way across the apartment as if she owned it, moving with an elegance reminiscent of a certain president.
“It suits her, doesn’t it?” Sayaka said, sounding a little defeated.
“Perhaps a little too well.” Saotome mused, turning her gaze back towards the secretary. “She was acting strange that day, wasn’t she?” Obviously, she was no longer referring to the cat, who had laid down on the carpet and gone to sleep.
“Yes, and I’m not sure why. There was nothing in her schedule either before or after the meeting that would have caused her to be in such distress and yet…”
And yet the president had lashed out in the cruellest way possible. Sayaka shivered at the memory, cradling her cup of tea closer in order to seek comfort from the warmth. She took another sip, hoping that the chamomile would quell her nerves.
“You love her, don’t you? In a romantic way?” Saotome asked bluntly.
“I-” Sayaka stopped. She wanted to try and deny it, but some part of her wouldn’t let her form the words. She knew why, of course. She’d loved Kirari for so long that she couldn’t possibly pretend she didn’t anymore.
Her shoulders slumped as she stared miserably into her cup.
“Is it that obvious?” she questioned, hating the way her voice cracked.
“I mean, kind of, yeah.” the blonde muttered, scratching the back of her head.
“It’s just… you’re uh… you’re really devoted to her. And the way you are around her...” Saotome trailed off.
“Hm?” Sayaka glanced over, curious.
“Here’s how I see it. You look at her like she’s fire, like you’re the first human to ever see such a thing and it’s like you’re absolutely captivated by her light and what she can do. The way you care for her is how you’d care for a flickering flame, gently but knowing full well that it could grow to destroy you. You continue to feed her flames, continue to fuel her passion. Eventually, she’s a full blaze and you let her rage and consume, allowing her to take what she wants while you watch, awestruck by the power she holds. And in return, she keeps you alive and protected from the darkness.” Saotome explained. Sayaka’s mouth parted slightly as she processed Saotome’s perspective. Then she frowned.
“Sorry, did you just call me a Stone Age pyromaniac?”
“Oh, shut up, you nerd. It works, okay??”
“Back to the nerd thing, are we?” Saotome glared in warning and she relented with a sigh.
“You’re mostly correct, I suppose. It’s true that she captivates me, and that I enable her in a lot of ways. But I’ve truly never been afraid of her. It’s just…”
“Just what?” Saotome asked.
“I’m sure you’re aware that she loves aquariums.”
“No shit. There’s a gigantic fucking fish tank in the student council room.”
“Well, she has several, and she designs every one of them from scratch. She puts an insane amount of detail into each aquarium, spending hours deciding exactly what species of plants and fish to include, working out how to arrange the lighting inside so it doesn’t interfere with the lives of the fish, and even making sure the rock formations are both aesthetic and able to house the smaller fish that need cover in order to survive. She used to stand with me by the tank and tell me interesting facts about each creature inside. And even if we had somewhere to be, I could never interrupt her. She just looked so happy in those moments that I couldn’t bear it.” Sayaka rambled.
“That’s… interesting? I guess? But what does that have to do with how she is?”
“Her favorite aquarium is Hyakkaou Academy itself.”
“Really?” Sayaka nodded.
“She’s equally as fascinated by humans as she is by fish. You’d be surprised at how much she happens to know about everything and everyone there.”
“And let me guess, she told you all about it, looking all excited and shit, and you went along with everything because it makes you happy to see her like that.”
“I don’t think you understand how adorable she looked.” Sayaka said wistfully, wishing she could go back to those simpler times.
Saotome looked as if she wanted to challenge the idea that the president could look “adorable”, but seemed to decide against it. Instead, she leaned back into the couch, crossing her legs.
“Well, I guess we can’t really help who we fall in love with.” the blonde sighed before taking a long sip of her coffee. Sayaka pressed her lips together, bowing her head in agreement. They sat in silence for a moment.
Then, Sayaka’s head snapped up, eyes curious.
“We?” she noted, intrigued. Saotome’s eyes widened as she choked on her drink.
Don’t tell me…
Sayaka smirked.
“You know, I’ve noticed you spending a lot of time with the vice president recently.” she
“Igarashi…” Saotome said firmly.
“I’m just saying! I’ve never seen her so animated before... I think she really likes you.” Sayaka mused.
“Igarashi, I will leave this instant.” Saotome threatened.
“You two are so cute! Can’t really see much under that mask, but judging from her ears, she blushes a lot around you.” Sayaka continued, reveling in how red Saotome’s face was turning.
“Alright, I’m out.” Saotome stood, pausing to set her coffee down before rushing towards the door. The secretary watched in amusement as the blonde fumbled with the laces of her shoes.
“Being in love is nothing to be ashamed of!” she called as Saotome gave up, holding her shoes in one hand as she reached for the doorknob with the other. The other girl scowled at her as she wrenched the door open. “For the last time, I am not in love with the-”
Saotome collided with someone on the other side of the door and yelped, stumbling backwards into the apartment. Her shoes clattered to the floor.
Sayaka squinted, meeting the gaze of a pair of wide blue eyes, and then gasped.
That’s -
The girl on the other side of the door looked very familiar. The height, the bone structure, the shape of her mouth- they were exactly the same. But the blush on her cheeks and the way she held a certain mask to her chest gave it away.
Suddenly, several pieces clicked together in Sayaka’s head, revealing the truth that had escaped her since the day she’d interviewed for the position of secretary.
“You’re the vice president. And her twin.” she realized, her voice quiet as she processed this new information. Saotome, on the other hand, was not nearly as muted in her response.
“Ririka! What the hell are you doing here?” she exclaimed, crossing her arms.
The vice president wavered on the threshold, seeming rather dazed. The hand that was not clutching a mask was still outstretched, poised to knock. Sayaka suddenly understood that the white-haired girl had most likely come to speak to her in private, and therefore had not expected to quite literally run into Saotome.
“Would you like to come in, vice president?” she offered. Ririka blinked, and then composed herself.
“Yes, if that would be okay. It seems we have much to discuss.”
Sayaka glanced at Saotome, who looked just as bemused as she felt.
Well… this should be interesting.