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“Suisei-San.”
“Towa-Chan.”
…
A starry night sky. It was always her favorite. Suisei, the girl leaning against the railing of the balcony at the top of Star Tower. Towa knows this, after having been with the star for so long, moving to stand with her and leaving the dark shroud that was their living room.
…
“Everyone’s left. It’s just us now.”
“I see. Thanks.”
…
Towa dares a glance at Suisei. She’s using one hand to prop her head up while the other grabs rests on the railing. Her eyes are blankly staring at nothing in the vacant air above the city. They look almost lifeless.
…
“Are you ok?”
“I’m fine.”
“Are you sure?”
“…no. I lied, haha…!”
“…”
…
Towa eyes Suisei’s empty hand. After but a moment’s hesitation, she grabs it. The star is surprised.
…
“Tell me.”
“I…”
“…”
“Sigh… I just… sometimes it doesn’t feel real, you know?”
“…”
“This life. Being with you. Working with everyone. The laughs. The tears. I just… don’t feel like… I deserve this.”
“…”
“A whole year. A year since I formed this team, and formed all these connections with you all. A year since I’ve become friends with you all. Sometimes, thinking back on it all…”
“…”
“…it just makes me want to cry. But that would be unbecoming of me, wouldn’t it? Haha…!”
“…no. It wouldn’t.”
…
A single tear is wiped away from Suisei’s eyes, as she turns to lose herself in those green eyes she cherishes so dearly.
…
“Suisei-San. Sui-Chan. You’re not the only one who feels blessed with the life they’ve been given.”
“…”
“I was nothing before I met you. Lost and without purpose. But, you helped me.”
“…”
“Thanks to you, I have something to fight for. And, someone to cherish…”
“…”
“It’s not just me. You helped everyone. However small. And that matters to people.”
“…”
“You gave Kanata a home. You reunited Gura and Amelia. You saved Cecilia from her programming.”
“…”
“You’re a good person, Suisei. You deserve everything.”
“…you’ve said that before, hehe.”
“And I’ll keep saying it. Because it’s true.”
…
Suisei begins to laugh. Then she begins to cry. She settles on a mixture of the two, all the while Towa moves to embrace her, the star returning the gesture while she hides in the devil’s shoulder. The latter begins to rub circles on the formers back when the heaving starts to intensify.
…
“God-DAMMIT TOWA! What did I do to deserve you!?!?”
“…”
…
Suisei eventually quiets, shaking noticeably less and relaxing into Towa’s arms. They linger in the silence, comfortable to just exist with one another for the moment, until the star chooses to peek her head out from the devil’s shoulder. Her blue eyes naturally meet green ones, silently asking for a single request.
It is heeded without words, as their faces move closer inch by inch…
…and they kiss.
…
“…I love you, Towa.”
“…I do too, Suisei.”
…
Hidden in the darkness, a girl with white hair watches them with a smile on her face. After giving them sufficient time to enjoy the moment, the two of them parting lips, she decides to make her presence known. Walking up to the balcony, she acts like she wasn’t in fact spying on them for the past 5 minutes.
…
“Well, what are you two lovebirds doing?”
…
There is an immediate reaction, Towa moving away from Suisei as the latter moves to cling onto the former, unknowingly foiling the devil’s plan to make the situation less awkward.
…
“K-Kanata-San!?!?”
“Oi! Couldn’t you see we were busy?!?!”
“Busy doing what? I wonder. Hehe…”
Suisei pouts at the so-called angel's words.
“You are the worst. Why did I pick you up again?”
“Because you’re a good person, you know?”
“…don’t lecture me. I just got lectured.”
“Oh? By who?”
Kanata sneaks a glance at Towa, the devil turning away with a flush.
“D-Don’t bring me into this.”
“…I’m happy for you two. Actually.”
The sudden honesty confuses the pair, if only for a second before Towa responds first.
“…T-Thanks.”
“…mind if I join you two? The countdowns only a couple minutes away.”
Suisei then takes over to reply.
“Sigh… why not. You’re already here.”
“Thanks!”
…
Kanata joins the unlikely duo to form an unlikely trio, each gazing toward the nighttime sky. Suisei returns to leaning on the railing, her empty hand, however, this time finding Towa’s and interlocks their fingers. The gesture flusters the devil momentarily, until she returns the gesture while standing straight and proper. Kanata mirrors Suisei in her sightseeing, eyes glancing every once and a while and smiles at the “hidden” flirting her friends are doing.
They deserve this much.
She found her outside the house. Sitting on the small step leading up their porch, framed by the night and casting her in an ethereal light. Hard to believe she the girl who was sent to hunt her down at the start of the year.
…
“There you are, Green.”
“Oh hi, Shiori. What are you doing up this late? I thought you would’ve needed to go to bed by now?”
“It’s New Year's! You’re supposed to stay up late. What, you want me to miss out on the fireworks?”
…
Shiori said the words teasingly, but it seems to cast the automaton in a sour mood nonetheless. Immediately, the atmosphere shifts, and Shiori’s expression softens.
…
“Hey, you’re not biting back like usual. Something up?”
“…I don’t know.”
“Well… talk me through it.”
“…why do you want to know?”
“You’re my friend, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Earth to robo cop?”
“…hah.”
“Huh?”
“Hahahaha!”
“…I think you lost a couple screws.”
“No! It’s just… you said that to me all the way back then.”
“…is that what’s eating you up?”
“…”
“…hey. Look at me.”
…
The command is ignored, Cecilia continuing to stare at the concrete ground, until her chin is forcefully turned and lifted to stare into golden irises. The action confuses the automaton, while Shiori just grows a soft grin.
…
“You’re nothing like the robot I met at the start of this year. That thing would’ve killed me in my sleep. You? Well, you wouldn’t hurt a fly.”
“…I am very much capable of exterminating a fly.”
“Haha! Besides the point… you’ve changed, Cecilia. Trust me.”
“…are you sure?”
“I’m sure. You’re Cecilia. My friend. Not that thing that used to want my head on a pike.”
“…give me examples.”
“Well, that’s easy. You like tea, and hate coffee. The mere taste of the thing has you diving for the nearest mouthwash!”
“…hehe.”
“You love the violin, and always play it when you think no one’s watching.”
“…wait!-“
“And you love Immerred with all your heart. No machine could do that.”
“…”
“…”
“…thanks.“
“Of course. Never forget, you’re as human as the rest of us. And that’s coming from me!”
“…really?”
“Really.”
“…”
“…”
…
Shiori lets go of her grasp on Cecilia’s chin, letting her head fall back down gently, while she turns back to smile at the night sky.
…
“Do…”
“Hm?”
“Do you ever struggle with that?”
“…struggle with what?”
“…being human.”
“…”
“Shiori?”
“…I’ll admit. Sometimes.”
“…”
“Sometimes, it feels like I’m slowly losing the things that make me human.”
“…”
“But, every time that happens…”
…
A lull in the conversation. Cecilia, concerned, turns to Shiori, only to be greeted by the most adoring gaze she’s ever witnessed. It makes her feel bare.
…
“I think of my friends. And, besides…”
…
A black mass extends from Shiori’s back, and envelops the two like a soft blanket, Cecilia only slightly fearing the Symbiote.
…
“It’s a part of me now. It’s just as much Shiori as everything else about me.”
“…I see.”
…
A peaceful lull settles over the two, the nighttime quiet taking over for ambience. Meanwhile, the door creaks open, unbeknownst to the detective and automaton pair, a head of white hair with a stroke of red peaking out.
…
“Hey, Green? Where’d you put the-“
…
Immerred freezes upon seeing the soft scene before her, Shiori cupping Immergreens face in her hand as they stare into each other’s eyes. The nighttime light shades the scene in an almost holy light, Red suddenly feeling very much like a trespasser, her face growing to match her name. Unfortunately for her, the embarrassment doesn’t end as Shiori notices her out of the corner of her eye, and grins at her.
…
“Hey, Red. Enjoying the show?”
“AHHHH! I SAW NOTHING!”
“R-Red?!?! W-Wait, come ba!-“
…
The door is shut, very loudly. Shiori retains her smile, while Cecilia is blushing a very faint red. Eventually the door creaks open again, just a smidge, with Red peeking through it.
…
“A-Are… are you two waiting for the fireworks?”
Cecilia perks up at the question, before shyly speaking up.
“W-Well… I was.”
Shiori grows a wider grin at the information.
“Wanted to see what the tradition was all about?”
“Y-Yes…”
“Well! Just you wait and see, little princess.”
“P-Princess!?!?”
“PRINCESS!?!?”
“Hey! Red! Come on! Come join us!”
“O-OKAY…!”
…
And the scene is thus. Shiori sitting next to a blushing automaton with her sister hesitantly taking a seat next to her, their living blanket extending to include her, frightening the automaton for a second. The former stares up at the deep blue sky, smiling, unbeknownst of the effect she’s having by hanging an arm around the shoulder of the green haired automaton, the girl in question bringing her knees closer to her chest. Meanwhile, the red haired automaton is huddling closer to her sister, a faint smile growing on her face at the intimacy she’s sharing with their detective friend.
They’re all only humans, after all.
Controller buttons ring out in the nigh silent household, Mumei and Gura locked in a heated battle, while Amelia watches from the sidelines. It lasts for a while, until the screen flashes the defeat text.
“Oh come on! You totally cheated there!”
“Nope. That was all skill. You just need to catch up, ya old shark.”
“Hmph.”
“Hehe, don’t let her get to you, love.”
“…alright. I guess I still just don’t understand these video games you all talk about.”
…
The lights were turned off, to save money. It allowed their TV to cast a bright blue shine into the dreary household, literally shining a light into their lives. Right now, the display showed Mumei’s character as the victor, while Gura’s character laid defeated on the ground. The former was sitting on an extra cushion chair the estate’s owners had, while the two girls in question sat next to each other on the main couch. They had the owl over, seeing as the girl had no one else to spend New Year's with. She deserved that much for all the help she’s given them.
Gura was currently leaning her head over to rest on Amelia’s shoulder, causing the blonde to giggle into her metal arm.
…
“Trust me, I don’t understand them either.”
“Heh, glad to know I’m not alone.”
“You’re never going to be alone as long as I live and breathe.”
“Likewise.”
“Ew, can you guys not flirt right in front of me?”
…
The words were said in jest, Mumei giggling as if to emphasize. However, Gura still gave the owl a playful glare, sliding down to rest her head on Amelia’s lap now, the blonde all too happy to provide.
…
“Hey, let us enjoy this much. It’s New Year's after all.”
“…New Year's.”
“Hm?
“…I don’t… remember the last time I celebrated New Year's.”
…
Gura noticed the almost despondent look in Amelia’s eyes. She grew a determined expression herself and grasped one of the blonde’s hands boldly, causing a spark of life to return to those aqua blue orbs.
…
“Hey, hey. Look at me. Look at this. We’re here. Celebrating it now.”
“…Gura.”
“I think we both regret the past, but that won’t change anything, you know?”“…Yeah. I taught you that, you stupid shark. We just have to live in the present, and continue forward, yeah?”
“…took the words right out of my mouth.”
…
They smile at one another. Then dive in to kiss one another. Mumei turns away exaggeratedly, but they don’t care. At this moment, it’s just the two of them. They only part because they need a breath from how into it they got.
…
“Please, ladies. I’ll be out of your hair next morning, can you wait until then to do your business?”
…
Immediately a crimson red flashed over both their faces, Gura leaping up and nearly hitting Amelia in the face if it weren't for the blonde's quick reflexes.
…
“S-SHUT UP!”
…
And that was their night. Many laughs were shared, and many suggestions were put out there. Amelia even tried the game Mumei was so into, with Gura cheering her on. Unfortunately, even that couldn’t beat the mischievous owl they had for a friend. Eventually, the excitement died down, and the trio set up chairs in their backyard to watch the fireworks. Gura and Amelia’s hand naturally found each other, while Mumei documented a new page in her journal.
Enjoying life! Hoping for more happy days!
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a ray of light down the city below. It shined upon all its denizens, save for one abandoned building, where a blonde haired girl dressed in a white suit now sat on the roof.
…
“You there, Haachama?”
…
Almost instantaneously, their suit shifted into mummy wrappings around their body and hood with a cape to enshroud the outfit. The girl then removed the ribbon tying their hair together, letting it fall loose around them.
…
“I’m here, Haato. Do you need something?”
“…I just. Wanted to enjoy this with you.”
“…and what is… this?”
“New Year's. I’m sure you know what that means, right?”
“Heh, I’m the one who experienced it first. This will be your first New Year, in fact.”
“Yeah! So… I thought it would be special if… we could both enjoy this…”
“…you know that’s not possible.”
“A girl can dream, can’t she?”
“…I suppose. What did you have in mind?”
“…well, I was thinking…”
“Haato?”
“We could… combine outfits… then it’d be like we’re both here…?”
“…”
“Haachama?”
…
The air shifted to form the white suit around the girl’s body while maintaining the cloak and hood.
…
“Done.”
“Yay! Thank you Haachama!”
“Of course.”
“…”
“…”
“Happy New Year, me. Whoever I am. Whoever I will be. Happy New Year.”
“Calli! Calli! It’s almost starting! Hurry up!”
“Slow down, Kiara! I’m not as fast as you, you know?”
“You’re literally capable of flying now.”
“And? You were still the more athletic of us two.”
“That doesn’t!- ugh, whatever. You’re here now.”
“…wait, is this?-“
“Yep!”
…
There could be two beings found at an empty, humble little park. One a girl shrouded by an enormous cloak of shadow and no legs with pink hair that peeked out and the other an orange haired girl wearing a white jacket due to frost that permeated the night. The former looked around, red eyes telling of surprise as the latter giggled.
…
“It’s…”
“The playground we used to always play at. Remember?”
“Yeah… yeah I do… this is where-“
…
She was shushed by a finger on her lips, Kiara wearing an almost forlorn expression. Calliope felt a hint of guilt at that, but it quickly whisked away by warms hands taking her cold ones and swinging them around. The warm smile she was given as she turned her gaze into serene purple eyes also erred to gnaw the ice that had encased her heart.
…
“I don’t want to think about any of that right now. I just want this to be us. Here and now. Enjoying this.”
“…okay.”
…
“It’s starting! Look!”
“…”
“…do it like we used to?”
“…of course.”
…
…
…
5…
Suisei, Towa, and Kanata perk up at the sound of faint explosions in the distance.
4…
Shiori, Green, and Red spot bright sparks far away, pointing them out to each other.
3…
Gura, Amelia, and Mumei watch as the hiss of a firework is released by a neighbor, seeing many others also released in their neighborhood.
2…
Moon Knight spots the lights appear one by one in the city, rising up as one.
1…
Calliope and Kiara sit on the bench as they wait excitedly for the boom to finally arrive.
0…
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!"