Chapter Text
It's 5:00 am in the morning and Yae wakes up to the sound of her alarm ringing. She remembered she had a flight at 7 and if she were to add a few minute's sleep right now, she'd be missing the plane. The airport was slightly far away from the condominium she lived in. She lifts herself from the bed and gets a few ingredients from the refrigerator to make something to eat. She's visiting her parents which she hasn't seen in a few years due to her work in the publishing house. She's the only heir after all ever since her stubborn sister refused to inherit the company. She said she'd rather get into a culinary school rather than sit and read some 'boring' light novels.
She puts on clothes with long sleeves since she bet it'd be cold on the airplane. She grabs her keys and locks the door.
A day off was rare in Miko's case. Since her parents expect her to do great things, she has to keep up with it or who knows what'll happen. Though she does occasionally slip out to grab some drinks in the nearby cafes or get some fresh air in the park. Whatever her family says, she's planning to enjoy herself.
-+-
Boarding is now open for flight F12N - Sumeru to Inazuma. Departure is at 7:00 am sharp, March 19th, 2022. Please board the plane before the said time.
She arrived at the airport at the right time. She was here a few minutes ago which gave her the time to sit and order a cup of coffee. It wasn't all that sweet nor too bitter; it was balanced. The kind of taste Miko preferred. She stood up and threw the cup then pulled her luggage to the boarding area. There was already a long line, the airplane was gigantic after all, and Inazuma was well known as a vacation place in Sumeru for its scenery so she wasn't that surprised.
It took her a few minutes so she could finally get her ticket checked and feel the cool breeze of the airplane's air conditioners. It's been a while since she last traveled by plane. It was unexpected but her family had to move to Sumeru because of the sudden decline in sales. Her parents wanted to check it out themselves and eventually stayed there to monitor it. Her parents then moved back to Inazuma along with her sister to deal with the other issues back in the main branch of Yae Publishing House, leaving Miko behind on the Sumeru branch.
Ever since she handled it, the profit was back to normal, maybe even improving. All that had to be done was to hook scholars into the world of reading. Sumerians weren't fond of light novels at first since they thought it wasn't a source of knowledge. Yae just had to advertise a certain part of a book that would be interesting for people who excel in academe.
She put her luggage in the overhead bin and sat on the seat nearest to the window. The flight attendants had to do a check on the plane so there wouldn't be any problems mid-flight before the pilot navigated through the runways and started the long flight.
-+-
"Dad, don't you think you're pushing Miko far beyond her limit?" Miko's sister worries while having breakfast with their parents. Saiguu isn't the workaholic enthusiast after all. She believes that there should be as much rest as there is work. Knowing that all her parents did was push the company to her, justifying her time for doing what she wants was favorable.
The reason that they're asking Miko to take a 'vacation' was so that they could make her handle the problem that has been lingering for a while. There's been a lot of new drafts submitted to the publishing house that they don't have the time to read all of them. Yae Publishing House's business was booming to the point where it caught a lot of people to potentially be one of the best authors in the era. Even with that, they still need to see if their ideas are worth being seen on shelves.
"Perhaps you should've lent her a hand instead of trying to expand your business in making pastries." Their dad shoots a glare at Saiguu, stern. The publishing house was their dad's legacy that'll eventually be passed on to them. Saiguu didn't want all the work to be dumped onto her little sister just because she wanted to try something else. Of course, she does help her now and then but since her sister barely has free time, she won't even bother to tell her about things that have been bothering her.
"Why don't you handle it for now? You aren't even six feet under the ground yet." her sister scoffs. She isn't willing to let this debate go. The injustice that's between her and her sister was too wide. Saiguu's given the chance to do what she wants because she's rebellious and refuses to do what her parents want, meanwhile Miko has to catch all of the responsibilities she didn't want to do. She thinks she should be given the pleasure of being able to not be controlled by their parents for once.
"She has to get ready for the day when the business will be hers." their dad, as unrelenting as ever. Leaning back on the chair with his arms crossed.
"Have you seen her?? She's more than ready! The crisis in Sumeru that was supposed to be fixed by you was instead fixed by her." She pointed the fork at her dad.
He's used to her daughter fighting back to the point where she could try all she wants, but he could deflect every single word she says. "There will always be more room for improvement. You should know that."
She snorted in indignation. She put down her fork with a clank on the plate before turning to her mom that has been witnessing the entire conversation. "How about you, Mom? Surely you won't allow Miko to just be used as a tool?"
Her mother dabs her mouth with a napkin before speaking up. "Your father is right. Miko still surely has room for improvement. Why stop now when she could be something even better? And we are not using her as a tool, it is just your way of describing things and we all know you need to be better at that."
Saiguu really can't believe that they're their parents. She and Miko would always agree with each other when it came to how their parents assert too much control over them. "I can't believe you two would just let her drop from fatigue like that.." She stands up, but not too quickly. She leaves the table to march towards her room in defeat.
-+-
The bright Sakura trees were in bloom and the breeze was calm, it gave a nostalgic feeling; Miko returned to Inazuma. It was nearing lunch so she decided to have it at her parent's house. As she got out of the airport to start calling in a taxi, she heard a ding.
My white-haired bitchless sister | Today at 9:37 AM
Miko, mom and dad are about to bombard you with a shit ton of workload here again. I suggest it's better if you go straight to my pastry shop and avoid them.
Her eyes furrow. She saw this coming, given by how much of an addiction to work their parents had. She was used to it though, that's why she often snuck out whenever she wanted to take a break. She placed her thumbs on the keyboard of her phone and started typing
The wise and beautiful Yae Miko | Today at 9:38 AM
Don't worry, I'll just sneak out like usual.
As she finished, she got in a taxi. All she wants right now is to plop back in bed, she did wake up early after all. The driver soon started pushing down on the car's accelerator and started moving the car. The tall buildings start moving past as she watches them change in appearance until she hears another ding.
My white-haired bitchless sister | Today at 9:41 AM
Are you sure they haven't memorized every escape route you have? Also, can you fucking stop calling me bitchless and put my name back?
Miko lets out a chuckle. After all this time, her sister didn't notice the little nickname she gave her. But back to her sister's question, she always comes up with a new escape route. Just like how her father keeps coming up with excuses, she always finds a way to escape his grasp. That's one thing both of them have in common. There was one time Miko even escaped through the bathroom's window by saying a lame excuse like "I feel like going to the bathroom for a while." Her parents found out about it after they kept knocking on the bathroom door for 3 hours straight and seeing her enter the house through the main door. Oh how severely she was scolded back then.
The wise and beautiful Yae Miko | Today at 9:41 AM
I'd be surprised if they even stopped me before I reach the outside.
Saiguu | Today at 9:42 AM
Okay if you say so...
Miko looked out the window again to see everything change around her as she traveled on the street. It didn't take a while till the buildings disappeared and trees started to be visible. The taxi soon turned right to a small village, a village she remembers even if her eyes were closed.
It stopped in front of a house that was quite modern. Her parents might've renovated it when she was gone. It looks new, but that only assured Miko; new escape routes to form. She grabbed her wallet and paid the driver before getting off and grabbing her luggage from the trunk. She walked to the front porch and opened the door. "Ah, Miko you're finally here." Her sister approached her first and helped her with her things. Though there might be a reason she was the first to greet her, she didn't tell her parents right away when she saw a taxi parking nearby.
"Don't worry mom and dad didn't remove your room when they made some changes to the house, although it might seem like a completely different one to you. I'll put these there, it's on the 2nd floor, the room left-most from the stairs," she said as she picked up her things and started to go up. "Lunch is almost ready as well, so you might wanna take a seat."
Miko glances at the table near her. There were plates and cutlery set up. Four seats and four plates. She sat down on one of the chairs and waited till either her parents or her sister go down.
She saw Saiguu rush down the stairs when she started to smell something. It was similar to the smell of something burning, but not quite. "Shit, shit, shit.." She heard her sister whisper. She could only giggle as their lunch almost burned. Their parents followed right after, seemingly figuring out where the smell also came from.
"So much for someone owning a pastry shop!" Miko teased from the table. It angered Saiguu slightly. Her sister proceeds to carefully place the food into a serving plate and set it on the middle of the table where the pink-haired girl was sitting.
"It seems like our dear Miko is here." their dad states as their parents take a seat on the opposite side of the table. "So, how was your trip?"
Miko leans back on her chair as Saiguu takes the final unoccupied seat beside her. "It was sort of tiring if I'm being honest." She starts grabbing food to put on her plate after.
"I see. Well, I've got some novels for you to read so make yourself comfortable and read them." Their dad continues
Saiguu's face screams 'are you being serious?' at this point and Miko notices it. She places a hand on her sister's shoulder to assure her and replies. "Thank you, I'll read them once I finish unpacking." Saiguu's expression only becomes more evident, now glaring at her. She shoots her a small smile, telling her that she knows what to do about it. At the action, the white-haired girl continues her own business as lunch passes with her being quiet and only listening to her parents and Miko conversing.
After lunch passes, Saiguu accompanies her little sister to her room and gives her a brief description of where the rest of the rooms are. The both of them start unpacking Miko's things as she tries to strike up a conversation.
".. Have you heard anything from Ei and the others? I recall we haven't told them about why we suddenly disappeared like that." Saiguu's attention is immediately shifted to her sister. It's true she hasn't seen their old friends from here ever since they were suddenly dragged by their parents to Sumeru. She asked about this to the person who managed the shop in place of her once.
"Hey Kazari, are any of the four still dropping by the shop?" Her curiosity was answered by a silence that hung in the air as the other person on the line tried to tell her boss about the regulars.
".. They do drop by every now and then, but just the other week, none of them have visited nor do I know what happened." Saiguu frowned. It was a pity she couldn't contact her friends and she didn't know why they suddenly stopped visiting.
Kazari continued with obvious hesitance in her tone. "Miss Makoto might've.. died that day." Saiguu's grip on her phone loosened, almost dropping it when she heard the news. She didn't expect this, she never did. Makoto was the person who'd make the entire group laugh and whenever there would be misunderstandings, she would always be the one who'd fix it. She was the reason why the group was cheerful all the time and hearing about her death is...
"It isn't confirmed though, I haven't had the time to see if this information is reliable. It's just that- the day they stopped visiting was also the day a bus crashed on a nearby street. It was a speculation I made up, so it's better if you take it with a grain of salt." The other person tries to lighten up the heavy atmosphere and give her boss even just a little hope that one of her dearest friends didn't die.
"I got it. Thanks for telling me about them." Saiguu immediately hangs up the call. She didn't want to face the fact that Makoto died, so she just tried to forget it and hope that she was still alive.
"No, I haven't heard from them. They don't visit anymore, or at least I don't see them when I drop by the shop." Miko notices the heavy breathing of her sister. There's clearly something more to this.
"Not even one of them? Ei, Makoto, Chiyo, Sasayuri?" she starts questioning. There's something hidden behind all this and Miko wants to know what it is.
"No, not even a single one." Saiguu tries to fight her growing anxiety and grief that was beginning to form. She fails and excuses herself so that she could retreat to her room once more. "You should be able to handle the rest, I'll be in my room and perhaps check how my pastry shop is doing after a little while." She puts on a smile; a lie.
"Saiguu you're making that face. Stop lyi-" she was cut off when the door was slammed shut. It made a very loud thud, one that'd make anyone jump from surprise. This wasn't getting off her mind for a while. She finishes unpacking as she lays down on her bed to start reading some of the books her father told her to read. Books sometimes helped her come up with solutions to a problem because they often contained different views of characters in different situations. She hoped it'd be that'll be the case this time.
-+-
Ei couldn't forget her sister's death even for a second. She was the only person she had left after the previous losses that she already had. It was traumatizing, the number of nurses that tried to save her while all she could do was stare from the outside of the room. She hated herself for that. She wanted to do something, but she couldn't. It happened at the worst times as well, her birthday. Makoto wanted to buy her a cake secretly as a surprise though unfortunately, the bus she rode spun out of control and the brakes stopped working. If it weren't for the hospital contacting her sister about it then she wouldn't have known about her death.
It drives Ei insane. She can't help but wonder if having her around was eventually going to lead to the worst ending possible. Even her friends left her at one point, and she wondered if it was her fault for not being good enough. She thought she never was. All that was running in her head were thoughts about her being the worst person to ever have and that she couldn't change that even if she wanted to. It was an unbreakable curse.
More thoughts went through her head and one hit her the most. What about the other people that I might hurt in the long run? It stuck in her head like glue. She didn't want anyone to be hurt because of her anymore. It haunted her even more than her other thoughts. She'd rather just die than have someone's life fall because of her. And so she arrived at one single decision. No one would get hurt if she became that 'monster' she thought she was in her thoughts. No one would dare even go near her.
It's an absurd plan. Even so, she was desperate. She disliked, no, hated her being the cause of other people's demise. She had to make her name known as one of the worst people that could exist so she could save the people she would eventually hurt one day.
Snapping back to reality with a plan, she sits up straight and starts pointing on the top of the table with her index finger, dragging it along its surface. Creating a small diagram of her plan in her mind while her finger sketched the sequence of the steps she had to do.
-+-
Night arrived and Miko was growing tired from reading. Most of them were boring, some were good at first but got overly complicated. She was also getting a bit hungry. She gets up from her bed and gets her jacket from earlier and wears it. She goes down to see if anyone would stop her from taking a walk, and it seems like there was. It's her stern father again. He told her about why it'd be dangerous to go out right now as if she was a little kid. She goes back to her room and secretly goes out. There was a window, perfect. The window thankfully had something to place your foot on after a few meters down. There was nowhere to go from there on, except the balcony in her parents' room. Under it was another window, the head casing was extended a bit but enough to place your foot on. From there, you could jump on the bush for a soft landing and you're outside. It was at times like these that Miko uses her intelligence.
"It takes more than that to stop me, dad." She giggles at her mischief, a proud and cheeky smile forming. She starts walking on the sidewalk on her way to her sister's pastry shop to get some cake or whatever she wants. It would be better if she went there via car since it was dark. She didn't mind walking for a while though.
A few minutes passed and she was nearing her destination. It was just a few meters away from her current position, but she had a disturbing feeling that someone was watching her. It was dark and the lights were flickering, no one besides her was there. She wished she listened to her dad earlier, it did feel dangerous, very dangerous. She didn't have anything except her phone since she was given anything for free in the pastry shop. Not even a single self-defense tool in hand. She tried to ignore this feeling and just get to the pastry shop hastily. It was just a feeling after all.
But she realized she shouldn't have neglected her hunch when a hand strangled her neck, making it hard to breathe. The attacker had a knife, but it didn't shine like one. Was it dull? unsharpened? or was it even real? There was no time to think about that when it was so close to her neck. She didn't know what to do, she was strangled and trapped by someone she didn't know with a knife, her hands on the attacker's, trying to get out of their grasp. She was slowly being choked to death and threatened by a knife. Is this the effect of her misbehavior? The other hand slowly covered her face to avoid her screams from being heard. Her eyes widened when she noticed she inhaled something, realizing that the attacker successfully drugged her to unconsciousness. Her eyes were slowly shutting, her strength felt like it was being drained. Her vision was blurred until she saw nothing but pitch black.
"Kidnap successful."
-+-
Ei's heart starts feeling guilt, regretting how she just kidnapped someone from the street. It took her a while to buy some sleeping pills and turn them into a sprayable liquid that would leave you sleeping the moment you inhaled it. The poor girl was scared to death and crying for help, it made her feel guilty. If she wanted to show the world just how cruel she thinks she is, then she has to live by it. She tied her up to something she impaled to her wall earlier. Her eyes and mouth were also covered by pieces of cloth that'd prevent her from yelling for help or seeing her face. Why exactly was she doing this? Makoto didn't die so she could have a sister who kidnaps people out on the street. But then again, she died because of her. She curls up into a ball on her bed, her knee touching her forehead. If this was for the sake of people not getting hurt in the future she thinks, then it would be fine..
She stands up and examines the girl's belongings, if she had some on her pockets. Unsurprisingly enough, she had her phone, and there was a message from her parents asking where she is. She gulps, everything's going as planned and it didn't help in removing the guilt building up. Her reputation's one step away from being tainted, and if anyone hears about this, their immediate thought would be to stay away from her. She was having second thoughts.
She brings herself together and tries to act all villainy. She dials the girl's parents and they quickly pick up. She speaks up in a cold voice.
Dear?? Where are you!? Did you sneak out again?? the other side of the line worries.
Sorry but this isn't your daughter.
What?? Then who are you and what are you doing with her??
She clears her throat before continuing. Why don't we play a little game? I bet you'd be fond of hide-and-seek. I've held your daughter captive. You have three days. Find me within that time limit and I might just give her back without restraining. The rules are simple, there aren't any. Use whatever method you please as long as you find me.
.. And what would happen if we fail to?
Ei pauses, she hasn't thought of this. Though she supposes if they had the help of the cops, it'd be easy. She did kidnap her close to where a CCTV was placed, so their victory is guaranteed. She just had to act like there were consequences.
Why don't you see for yourself?
The other side of the line hangs up. That's it, this will be the start of how people's views about her change. Even if she lived as a normal citizen after this, people would definitely avoid her. She would probably even go to jail for this. She was prepared for it though, after all, that's what she thinks would only be appropriate for her. She thinks too lowly of herself, how could she not?
Muffled sounds broke her thoughts and she looked at the girl. She was struggling to free herself from the rope that was tied. She grabbed her knife prop and pointed it to the victim's neck once more, signaling her to stop moving. She does stop moving. So she's conscious again huh? Ei thinks to herself. Seems like the sleeping pills' effect was lowered due to it having water as a solute. She retracts the fake blade back and reaches for the bag on her desk. A few pieces of bread, supposedly to feed her victim so she doesn't die before her parents and the cops find her.
She goes back to the victim and tells her a few things before she removes the piece of cloth over her mouth. "I'm removing this," she lightly tugs on the cloth. "only if you behave and not scream or bite me. I have some bread, not poisoned. So if you don't want to starve to death, it'd be better if you took my words to heart." The girl didn't reply verbally, nor did she give a sign of agreement. Ei couldn't do anything about it so she just slowly lowers it, trying to observe if she's going to be aggressive.
"Ei.."
That name.. She hasn't heard anyone say it in months. She knew, she knew this victim of hers. She didn't have anyone to call out to her, so if it'd be someone that knew her name, it'd be from the time when her days were still shining bright. She tries to remember where she heard that voice, it sounded oddly familiar. And that sakura-like hair.. Her mouth couldn't say anything, she didn't think this would happen. She thought everyone she knew and cherished was gone. It took her by surprise. Curious, she takes off even the piece of cloth she wrapped around the girl's eyes.
It was Miko, her dear Miko. The person who lit up her life, that someone she wished to see everyday for an entire eternity. It's painful. A tear falls, bearing but a small part of her now growing grief. It was Miko she unexpectedly threatened, who she strangled. Why did she do this? She couldn't control her thoughts again, even if it was a lot, they were all saying that perhaps if she never existed, none of this would've happened. Nothing, starting from Makoto's death, to her friends' sudden disappearance, and now this.
Instinctively, she untied the same ropes she placed on her, allowing Miko to finally move freely. She was on the verge of driving insane again, this time, probably the craziest she's had in her entire lifetime. She put the piece of bread back and quickly buried herself on her bed, covering her body with a blanket on. "Miko.. you should go now.. your parents are worried sick." Her voice starts sounding shaky as she starts sobbing silently.
"Ei.. you.." Miko says something again while rubbing the rope marks on her arm. If Ei were to guess what her face would be right now, she would be angry, her face showing betrayal. She didn't want to take a look at it. It would only hurt even more. The face she used to see smiling, now looking at her with disgust and anger, and it was all because of her. Her again.. just like that time.
The time ticks and seconds pass, suddenly, with a quick movent, the blanket that covered herself disappeared. A bright light appeared and she could see her room again. Miko grabbed her face, making it so that it faces her. Her face wasn't harboring any hate, she looked calm, with a hint of concern. "Miko, I told you to go now.. please.. it's for your own good. I'll eventually get caught here after a few hours." She tried to regain her composure, acting all tough again.
Miko breathed in before refusing. "Ei, I can't just leave you like this.." Ei only failed to hide her conflicted state, she doesn't know whether to feel guilt, confusion, joy, or maybe all. Miko wiped the tears on her face as her other hand traveled over her chest. "Not when you're clearly in pain.."
Ei can't understand, is she really in pain? Or perhaps it was just an excuse to neglect her foul actions. Makoto always used to assure what she was but now that she's gone, she can't help but feel lost. What was she really? Miko's comfort.. it's something that eased her pain. As much as she yearned for it, her mind still got ahead of her. If you allow Miko to stay, then she'll be in even more danger. She doesn't want to face it, but it's the truth. Everyone that she kept just left as fast as they came. Her hands quiver as she reaches out to caress Miko's wrist. "Miko, please.. I don't want you to get hurt too.."
"Ei, whatever you're thinking, it isn't reasonable." She continued wiping Ei's tears away. Her voice was calm and comforting. She placed a kiss on Ei's forehead, making Ei's eyes grow wide. "I missed a lot of opportunities to be with you and support you, so I'll make up for it."
"Miko, I threatened you with a knife. Why do you still insist on staying here?" She couldn't piece out why she still wanted to stay. Even after everything she's done.
"If you're trying to make yourself seem bad, then you're doing a bad job at it." She paused before continuing. "Ei, let me help you for once. It's hard seeing you like this.." She moved closer until they could feel their breath's on each other. Ei's breathing was still heavy, her every exhale shuddering. She's scared, scared that she would hurt her. She needed something to calm her down.
She pushed a kiss on Ei's lips, assuring her that she'd be beside her this time. The kiss was gentle, her lips were soft. It felt soothing. She let the kiss linger, feeling her lips stop trembling. "I'm sorry for leaving you like this.. All cooped up in here, feeling nothing but guilt and hurt." She placed herself on the crook of Ei's neck, laying on top of her after she pulled away.
Ei slowly wrapped her hands around Miko, pulling her into an embrace as she denied. "Miko, it's not your fault.."
"Then don't blame yourself for anything that wasn't your fault." Miko bit back, wanting her to stop thinking that way. She degrades herself too much, only clouding her mind with negative and untruthful thoughts.
Ei still tried to prove her point, that she isn't exaggerating, that she doesn't deserve any of this kind of treatment. "But, Makoto.. I couldn't.. do anything."
"Ei, listen to me. Even if someone else was in your place, even if I was there with you, it wouldn't change the fact that Makoto had a little time left. It's not your fault. I must admit, it did take me by surprise. I think it even affected Saiguu too, but that's how the universe works. You have to press on, accept that there would be losses with every turn. She's.. not here anymore, so try living life to the best for her. I'm sure she'd love that too."
She's replied with silence, she couldn't hear Ei sobbing anymore but at the same time, she isn't saying anything. Miko moved to lay beside Ei, facing her. Ei shifted to the same position not long after, now facing each other. Her tears faltered. She put their heads together and returned the hug from earlier. The other girl could only bury her face on Miko's chest and pull her closer, wrapping her into another embrace. She doesn't want her to disappear again, she wanted to keep her close and be with her for an eternity even if that was a selfish wish. Miko could only smile at her friend's show of affection. "So you missed me too?" She finished with a small chuckle.
Ei was still silent, but even more relaxed than before. "Miko.. don't leave me again, please." It was faint, but she clenched her fist slightly around her back.
Miko placed another kiss on her forehead. "I'm not going to, Ei."
They fall asleep in each other's embrace, after not seeing each other for several years.