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Mai stared at herself in the mirror. Her maid outfit was prim and proper, fit for a job she was incompetent at and had only joined for a girl who would never love her. She looked the same as ever, spare the dark eyebags that had begun to form underneath her dark brown eyes. Combing her hair back and clipping on her maid headdress, Mai was ready to start her day. Another day of yearning for her dear sister, Mei. Recently something terrible had happened. Mei, usually so obsessed with Hahari, had befriended a girl named Eira. It felt all so.. sudden.. Suspicious. Who even was Eira?
Mai left her room, trotting daintily to her station. She waited for Mei, who never arrived. Hahari entered the room, to which Mai bowed. She never felt hatred towards Hahari for taking Mei’s attention. After all, Hahari had so graciously given her the job that allowed her to get close to Mei. “Hahari-sama, where is Mei?” Mai asked, stepping close to her mistress. Hahari chuckled, a gentle hand resting on Mei’s head, “she’s gone out for the day.” What?? Mai’s jaw dropped. “Without you!?” she demanded. A couple of the maids around them shifted uncomfortably at Mai’s boldness towards their mistress. “That is correct. You can have the day to yourself too, if you want,” Hahari offered. An act of pity, but Mai couldn’t care. “Thank you,” she said in a gentler tone before storming away.
Getting dressed into causal attire and making her way out of the mansion, Mai had only one destination in mind: Mei. Her dear sister was hers and hers alone, and she would ensure no threat would get to her. No Eira’s, that was for sure. Mai quickly found their car, parked at a pretty spot near their house, Onibuzaki park. The cherry blossoms were in bloom, the pink setting feeling too romantic for Mai’s liking. Not while Mei and Eira were there- alone, too. She spotted Mei and Eira sitting on a picnic blanket, giggling as pink petals decorated the scene. Mai’s whole being was enraged, the spark of jealously she’d once felt erupting into a full blown fire. She kept watching, hiding behind a tree. It wasn't fair.
Mei could be so.. mean, and dismissive, to Mai. When Mai messed up, Mei would hit her. Every time Mai made advances, Mei ignored her or acted indifferent. And yet she was.. Being so sappy with this Eira! Was it because they were the same age? Because Eira wasn’t a fellow maid? Mai couldn’t let this be! But no, she was probably overthinking. It was just a friendly hangout, was it not? But then, Eira leaned in close to Mei. Mei put a hand to her lips and grew red, before pulling it back down.
Then they…
Kissed.
They were dating!?
Mai's whole world shook. No, this couldn’t be! She had dedicated her whole being to Mei. She knew exactly what was going on. Her dear sister was an innocent, clueless girl. Eira must have manipulated her and was going to take advantage of her! Perhaps once she’d saved Mei, Mai would finally get the love and attention from her dear sister that she deserved. Oh, Mai could imagine it already! Their love life would start once she became a hero!
Trembling, Mai rushed home.
Once Mai entered her room, she collapsed to the bed. She couldn’t believe that she was so close to losing her dear sister to that monster. To someone trying to manipulate her! Oh, poor Mei.. Knowing what she had to- no, must do- was hard. But any risk would be okay if it was for true love. She’d practically completely stalked Mei already. Sure this action would be more… heavy.. But oh well! It was for her beloved, of course. Mai looked at herself in the mirror. Her gaze was more confident than it had been this morning. Yes, because the end was near, she would finally have Mei!
Unfortunately, the next day wasn’t right for her plan. Hahari had assigned her to watch over Momoha, the drunkard teacher who lived in a tent. Mai internally groaned, but smiled obediently. She was being separated from Mei.. She shot Mei a look as she passed her. I will save you.
Mai pulled the tent zipper down and poked her head in. “Momoha? Where are-” Mai looked down. “Ah.” Momoha was sprawled out on the tent floor, the smell of alcohol in the air. Mai didn’t close the tent as she entered, wanting to let fresh air in. She began to tidy the small belongings that Momoha had, folding her clothes neatly and packing her beer bottles into a portable freezer. Mai would have preferred to work quietly to think her plan over, but predictably, Momoha woke up. “Big shish!” The woman slurred, wrapping her arms around Mai’s waist. Mai swatted at Momoha’s hand. “I’m left to deal with your hangover again. And I am not your sister!” she snapped. Momoha didn’t even seem bothered, she chuckled at Mai’s retort.
Momoha frequently clung to Mai. She was older, and an adult, but it was the closest thing to a bond she had besides Mei. Not that she cared about Momoha, or so she tried to convince herself. “Momoha, do you know a girl called Eira?” Mai asked. Momoha looked confused, pulling back from Mai to bite her finger. “Mmm..She’s.. She’s a college shtudent who ish dating Mei, I think.. Hahari menshioned her on our lunch break,” she answered diligently. Mai sighed irritably, the older woman’s slurred dialogue could be so hard to understand. Who made you an ethics teacher? She insulted privately. “She’s a threat to my Mei,” Mai muttered. Momoha stretched. “Oh, yesh, I forgot you have a crush on her,” she teased. Mai stiffened, “You stay quiet-” she raised her voice, halting after Momoha pressed a finger to her lips. “I’ll be quiet,” Momoha confirmed. Mai huffed, flustered. She backed away and went back to tidying the area.
“I believe Eira is twisting my poor dear sister’s mind. She is a devil,” Mai spat the word, “sent to ruin Mei.” Momoha slumped back down into her blankets, staring at her finger that had touched Mai’s lip. “Mmm, ish that right? Thatsh’ so shurprising! Hahari said she was pretty shweet!” Momoha informed. Mai felt an eye twitch. “Not for long, I will kill Eira instead,” she declared. Momoha hiccuped, “ehh? You will?” Mai nodded, dramatically placing a hand to her chest, “that is right! Drastic measures are required for love, you know!” Momoha chuckled, her eyes slowly closing as her hangover caught up to her. “Thasht’s sho cool.. Have fun,” her voice slurred once more, before she passed out. Mai almost finished cleaning when the sunlight from outside of the tent caused something inside to shine. A kitchen knife. It really was a sign! Mai’s destiny, the last hurdle she needed to overcome before her life with her darling would begin!
It was late at night the next day, Mei was at the Hanazono mansion. Eira was alone. Mai hid the knife in a pocket, hidden deep beneath the white frills of her maid attire, fingers curled around the handle. She already had Eira’s address, it hadn’t been hard to find. She was excellent at stalking everything about Mei, so what was one address? Smashing a window, Mai entered. There was a loud shriek. So what if her entrance was loud? It didn’t matter, as long as that threat Eira was gone by the end of the night.
Mai waited patiently for Eira to run down the stairs. She was wearing slippers, her hair messy and down. It had been in a neat ponytail on her date with Mei. “I can kick out intruders with a physical strik- Mai?” Eira asked, sounding shocked. Mei felt a jolt of surprise. “How do you know who I am?” she demanded. Eira approached Mai, oblivious to the fate awaiting her. “Mei showed me a picture of you on her phone. You’re one of the maids she works with,” she answered. Mai didn’t respond. “Ahem, but.. Why are you here?” she prompted. Mai still didn’t answer. My dear sister, after dismissing me so much.. Told Eira about me? Filled with rage, Mai wasn’t able to calmly commit the murder anymore.
“Mai?” Eira prodded softly. Mai snapped back up, and shoved Eira aggressively into the stair railings. Eira let out a cry of pain, winded momentarily. Mai pulled out the knife, and terror finally set into Eira’s eyes. “I didn’t do anything! Please, I don’t want to die!” Eira pleaded. Ah, so she understands what's going to happen! Eira tried to run, her clearly strong legs giving her an advantage. She practiced capoeira, something Mai had found out on her deep dive. Mai chased after Eira, and realizing she wouldn’t be fast enough, grabbed a nearby flower pot and threw it at Eira.
It hit her legs. Eira fell to the ground, clay shards scattered across the floor. Her legs were bleeding. Mai stood over her. “You will not take my dear sister from me,” she articulated each word slowly. “If you want me to break up with her, I can! Just don’t kill me!” Eira pleaded. She had her fists held up in front of her chest as a defensive stance. But there was something holding her back, clearly. “You’re one of Mei’s friends, I can’t hurt you,” Eira begged. Liar. Eira clearly knew it was the fate she deserved, as the devil she was, and so wouldn’t hurt Mai. “That makes it easier for me then.”
Mai grabbed one of Eira’s wrists, using the hand that wasn’t occupied the knife. Eira’s instincts kicked in. Her legs were useless, but she tried to punch at Mai. “No!” Mai snapped, and harshly twisted the wrist she was holding. Eira cried, her punch halting to grab her wrist. Mai knew that Eira would still try to fight, so she had to get this over with.
She plunged the knife into Eira’s stomach. Eira cried out, a trickle of blood dribbling from her lips. Mai stood there, heavily breathing and waiting for her to die. “I don’t.. I don’t want to-” Eira rasped out. It was clearly hard for her to speak. Mai continued to stare at her coldly, until Eira finally went limp. Then it was over. Mei was hers.
What now? Mai hadn’t prepared this far. It didn’t even feel real. The sound of keys clicked and the doorknob turned. The hell? Mai spun around to see the front door open. “Eira, I got your text about an intruder!” A very familiar voice cried out. Mai tensed, until she saw.. Mei? “My dear sister!” Mai rushed to Mei and hugged her. Mei’s eyes were opened for once, those rainbow ringed irises truly beautiful.. Mai didn’t have enough time to gawk before she was shoved away. “Why are you covered in blood- is that a knife in your hand?!” Mei demanded. Mai paused, unsure of what to say. Mei pushed past Mai and gasped as she saw Eira’s body.
“Eira!” Mei screamed. Her girlfriend was lying awkwardly on the ground, bleeding profusely from a stab wound in her stomach. Her legs were covered with tiny cuts, and her one wrist completely twisted the wrong way. Her green eyes were open, frozen in a shocked expression. Mei turned on Mai, her eyes streaming with tears. “Why in the world would you do this?” She yowled. Mai couldn’t let herself feel guilty. After all, her dear sister had been manipulated! “She was evil. Plus, we are meant to be together! This was necessary for our relationship,” Mai confessed. She stepped closer to Mei, love struck. “Our relationship.. What are you talking about?” Mei stumbled in disbelief. “You may have been pushing me aside for so long, but you can finally be mine!” Mai claimed cheerily. She dropped the knife to hug her sister again.
Mei was trembling. “You.. You..” She stuttered. “Calm down, Mei,” Mai soothed. Mei gazed into Mai’s eyes. She was finally realizing their love! Mai let herself be entranced by Mei, until a sharp pain exploded in her stomach. What the-
Mei had quickly grabbed the weapon from the floor and stabbed Mai in the same way Eira had been wounded. Mai sobbed as she felt her legs give way. The pain was intense. “Mei, we are destined to be together!” she wailed. She couldn't lose her dear sister, not.. Not after everything! Mai was gasping for breath, her eyes still teary. “You’re a psychopath,” Mei cursed. Mai winced, the pain of Mei’s words worse than the stab. Blood filled her throat, but she managed to choke out, “you always ignored my advances! You dismissed me! We were meant to be togeth-” Mai gasped out, blood escaping her body until she was too weak to continue yelling. Her head felt so faint.. Was this truly the end? She looked up at Mei, wanting any type of reassurance before she died. But there was nothing. The world spun, and Mai lost consciousness.
~~~
Mei broke down. She was standing alone, with Mai and Eira's dead forms her only company. Her fury faded into shock at what had happened, before settling as guilt. “I should have done more. This is.. My fault,” She sobbed aloud, nobody to hear her. If it weren’t for her, Eira, her girlfriend, her one true love, would still be alive. If she had treated Mai just a little bit better, maybe she wouldn’t have killed.. Mei abandoned Mai’s body, crouching beside Eira’s blooded corpse. She hugged her dead girlfriend and sobbed. She had to take the blame. Because it was.. All her fault.