Chapter III

Kouko Kaminaga could not quite distinguish the precise moment in time and space when she made the solid, irrevocable decision to escape the Claver Home. All she knew was when the decision was made, she had taken the air of a notably different person.

After having suffered another night of sore eyes and salty tears, she contemplatively deliberated her mistakes she made when she had attempted to assassinate Ichinose Haru. Her conclusion: everything would have gone well if Azuma Tokaku hadn't been there to protect her, but as luck seemed to have it, the Azuma was there to protect her, and this foiled Kouko's plans for success. Azuma was that one factor, that one unwieldy variable in the equation that destroyed the entire foundation of her blueprint.

Ultimately, though, Kouko thought, it didn't matter if Azuma was there. If I had been stronger and smarter, I would've found a way to outsmart her and kill Ichinose anyway. The mistakes all fall on me, and no matter how esteemed Azuma is as an assassin from a legendary clan, that will never excuse my miscalculations and false moves. I had known ever since she ripped the advance notice that she would be there to protect Ichinose… and I foolishly did not reconsider my plans. I overestimated and underestimated her.


Currently, Kouko sat at her old, faux-antique wooden desk. A single, blank sheet of paper lay beneath her hand, a sleek mechanical pencil lightly wrapped around in her fingers as she tapped the sheet quietly in thought. Outside, the waning gibbous shone against the cloudless night, softly radiating scant moonlight onto Kouko's desk.

Kouko's dormitory room was the size of a Californian walk-in closet, the typical dormitory room size for all orphans of the Claver Home. To her left laid the sparsely prepared bed; there was just enough space to walk in between as one looked to the right, cramped with a desk and a matching chair, a small wooden wardrobe resting next to it. When Kouko sat down at her desk, the back of the chair never failed to touch against the side of the bed, giving the most limited leg space one could imagine. With these pathetic attempts at comfort, she found herself wishing to be back at the Myoujou Academy, where the dorms were much more luxurious in space and standards.

I should be sleeping now, since tomorrow is another day… Kouko thought with a frown. But then again, why should it matter? Why should I rest my body for another day of pointless and stupid assassin classes when I want none of this? I should be reserving myself of activities I want to do, after all.

She remembered Sister Christine's chilling words back at her office: If you do not pass this coming academic year with decent marks, I will personally send you back to God with Irena.

Shaken, Kouko tightly closed her eyes and shivered, clenching the pencil in her hand. Though a few days had passed, the warning was still fresh and firm in her mind.

I can't die yet… I refuse to die when I have not had a chance to make my own life, to live my own life without any higher authority to order me.

Invigorated by these thoughts, Kouko abruptly pounded a clenched fist to the desk in front of her, wholly disregarding any potential repercussions of anyone hearing the sound she made.

"I have to do this," Kouko said to herself aloud, her voice quiet but steadfast. "I can't afford to fail again. This time, Azuma isn't here, so this should be a cinch. This is child's play. I have no excuse."

If the moonlight were only marginally brighter, one could make out the expression of unwavering resolution seared on her face.


Though night had fallen, it was evident the city was not asleep. The Myoujou Academy in particular, with its beaming LED lights at the peak of its tower, glowed with an intense shimmer rivalling the rest of Tokyo's most brilliant and vivid urban lighting. Likewise, a girl who appeared to be of fifteen years was not asleep, simply lying across her back on her slightly ruffled bed.

"Now you've really done it," Suzu said to herself, a regretful sigh emanating from her lips as she stared at the ceiling in disappointment. "My hunting round is over, and the target has not died. I've lost."

With these heavy words, she closed her eyes, wondering if she would cry. There was nothing wet that Suzu felt in between her eyelids, and she felt exasperated at her lack of tears.

"I've been living for far too many years," Suzu continued quietly, her voice bitter. "Indeed, I've been living for so long I don't even want to cry any more. Have I become so heartless towards myself that my most desired wish is something that isn't worthy of shedding human tears? So that it simply isn't something that is even worthy of just one cry of despair?"

"Hey, Shutou-san," Nio's recognizably perky and boisterous voice came from outside the door, though presently it sounded considerably more polite and respectful than usual. "Have you finished packing yet?"

"Naturally, I've been packed completely since this morning," Suzu muttered in a sure tone. "Regardless if I had won today or not, I would be leaving this school."

"I'll be out momentarily," Suzu said, audible enough so that Nio would hear from the opposite side of the closed door. "Just give me one more minute, please."

Suzu stretched once, immediately rising herself out of her bed. She stood with her eyes closed for a small moment before walking into the bathroom, splashing her face with a burst of cool water from the sink.

As the remaining droplets of water trickled down her youthful face, Suzu stared at herself in the mirror, a hand on her cheek. A stream of questions flooded inside her mind to the apparent introspection: Who am I? What is my name? How old am I? When will I die? When can I join him in heaven? How come I haven't died yet? How come in spite of humanity's lightning-speed advances, there is no cure for my condition? Why—

"Kouko-chan," Suzu said suddenly in a clear voice, not sure why the girl's name abruptly rolled off her tongue. She was half-expecting to have the mysterious, admirable girl linger in her thoughts, and the act of having her name spoken in such a surprising manner somehow pleased her. "I wonder if you too have thought of death… Of your identity, and of your existence…"

I almost don't want to leave this room, for this room that I am currently standing in is my last living connection to Kouko Kaminaga… First, he is gone, and now, Kouko, too...

Having had enough of her tearless weeping, Suzu wiped away the remaining drips of water on her face. She proceeded to leave the bathroom, dragging along the troublesome suitcase of hers as she made her way to the entrance of the dorm.

Farewell to Room Three… Suzu thought, opening the door.

"Oh, looks like you're finally ready!" Nio exclaimed, as if she were on a slight overdose of optimism, enough to feel unnatural. The blonde was wearing her cutely conservative school uniform, an indication that read her day wasn't quite over yet in spite of the current time of night outside.

"Well, yes," Suzu replied calmly, keeping a composed smile. "I have been for a while."

"I'll be escorting you out of the building," Nio went on, stepping out of Suzu's way. In response, Suzu stepped out of her dorm room, closing the door behind her. "After that, you're on your own."

"Oh, yes. That is fine."

Nio's smile grew wider, not at all bothered by Suzu's quaint calmness. As they started walking, the buoyant blonde felt bold enough to venture into more of her personal territory, asking, "You don't need to answer this, obviously, but I'm really curious: What will you do now that you've lost?"

"I will do what I will do." If Suzu was bothered by Nio's question, she showed no sign to the blonde. "That's all."

"But that sounds like such an awfully vague answer! Surely, you have specific plans?" Nio insisted as she bounced along down the hallway, a sharp contrast to Suzu's tranquil demeanor.

Suzu shrugged nonchalantly, her smile held in an easygoing expression. "What can I say, Nio-chan? I've revealed to the entire remaining class that I was born confounded with the Highlander Syndrome, therefore implicating that I am much older than the average ages of all the students and staff here at the academy. I am assuredly not young like yourself, and thus, if I were to point out my next line of individual activities to finish on my agenda, what meaning would they hold to you?"

"Heh." Nio smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously with a sparkle. "I guess not much. But, despite our obvious age difference, that doesn't mean I can't relate to you, does it?"

Suzu looked at Nio with a subtle, sly smile. "How much do you think a youth like yourself can relate to an elder like me?"

With these unexpectedly biting words, Nio laughed awkwardly, unable to answer Suzu's question. "Elder, huh? I guess if you put it that way, then, yeah. Relating to you is gonna be pretty difficult compared to the rest of the girls here."

By now, both girls had reached the elevator. While Nio pressed the down button on the elevator, Suzu asked casually, "Would you please tell me the time?"

"Ah, sure thing." Nio took out her nifty tablet, checking the time displayed on the lock screen. "It's only five minutes until two in the morning."

"Thank you."

"I'm really surprised that someone like you managed to sneak your way into the Myoujou Academy though," Nio started again, the elevator door beginning to open in between them as the two stepped in. "After all, from what the Chairwoman told me, all of the assassins here were all gathered from top secret connections."

"I have my ways."

"Your ways, huh?" Nio smirked once more, pressing the button to the ground floor as the elevator doors closed. "You sure are a mystery, Shutou-san."

Suzu looked at Nio with a curious eye. Her mention of using her last name as well as a respectful honorific caught her attention, though she deduced it was her own fault due to her revealing that she was not as young as she appeared to be.

"But I guess that's all part of the fun you have!" Nio declared with enthusiasm, jumping up once as an index finger pointed up to the elevator ceiling, her expression comparable to a content cat. "You can do a lot of things with an immortal body like yours. The possibilities are endless."

"I do want to ask you, though," Suzu said, her voice ponderous. "If you were given a body like mine, born with this condition, would you truly relish it forever?"

"To be honest?" Nio grinned, her eyes shining with a genuine shine. "I would. I'd love to be born with a condition like yours. A body that doesn't age? Being young forever? Nothing on this world beats something as amazing as that. Personally, I wouldn't get tired of it."

Suzu tilted her head, her poised smile unwavering.

"But," Nio said, emphasizing her conjunction with a dramatic pause, "I can totally understand your position, so I can definitely see why you'd want to have a body that ages normally so that you can die a natural death. After all, that is, or, was your wish, anyway."

Suzu made a sound of content, satisfied to have Nio's answer.

"Besides, your body is your body," Nio said resolutely. "It's not like we can switch bodies and conditions. If that were possible now..."

Suzu's eyes moved back towards Nio in interest, though her body remained standing still. Her smile faded as she said, "That's an odd comment to make."

Nio looked back at Suzu smiling strangely. "Is it? With all of the modern technology available to humanity today, I think that being able to switch bodies with other people is not too far off. After all, if you had killed Haru-chan today, the world's best doctors would be at your aid to cure your condition. Or, at the very least, do something about it. Who knows? If they found the cure, then they would've solved the mystery of the Highlander Syndrome! If they can do that, just wait a few years for them to be able to switch bodies. And anyway, it's a lot better than the medicine of the past, isn't it? I'd think you can see how medicine from the past can't compare to the medicine of today."

"Hm." Suzu was doubtful of Nio's words, but she decided to say nothing towards her comments. "Perhaps."

The elevator presently clicked down to the ground floor, the ubiquitous note of finality reverberating as the doors slid open.

"Anyway, that's that," Nio said conclusively of their conversation, letting Suzu out of the elevator first.

There was only silence between the two girls as Nio continued to escort Suzu out of the academy. Throughout the entire ground floor, the dark stillness of the school felt bizarrely out of place, save a few dimly lit lights that illuminated various corners around the setting.

Eventually, the two made their way outside to the main entrance, a grand, minimalistic spouting fountain gracefully exuding water as dark aqua blue lights glowed from the waters below. The night sky was devoid of any natural stars, being cast away by Tokyo's own imposing city lights.

Directly in front of the entrance, a black stretch limousine sat waiting, its engine softly rumbling. The chauffeur, in his quintessential black uniform, bowed down before the two girls in greeting.

"A limo," Suzu said, surprised to find a luxurious ride awaiting for her.

"The limo is paid by the school," Nio said as the driver began opening the back trunk. "So you can request to go to anywhere you'd like as long as it is within Tokyo Metropolis."

"Sounds fair enough," Suzu replied.

I don't plan to go very far anyway… do I?

"May I have your luggage, Shutou-san?" the chauffeur asked in a courteous manner.

"Of course." Suzu gave him her suitcase, and he proceeded to place it in the trunk.

"Remember, Shutou-san," Nio said again, signaling for Suzu's attention. "Everything here at this academy is strictly confidential."

Suzu gave Nio an understanding smile, her eyes animated with amusement. "I think we are all too aware of the consequences if we reveal anything we are not supposed to, Hashiri-chan. In particular regards to myself, you can expect that I will keep my side of this bargain."

"That's good to hear," Nio said with a merry laugh.

The chauffeur opened the back, a gesture that both Suzu and Nio read as the final moment of Suzu's depart.

"Farewell, Shutou-san." Nio had almost a melancholy smile on her face.

Suzu's answer was a simple, single wave of her hand. She stepped into the limousine without any more words, and the chauffeur closed the door.

When he settled down into the driver's seat, he looked to the car center mirror, making formal eye contact with Suzu. "Where is your next destination?"

"To the Tokyo Station, please."

"Of course, Shutou-san." The chauffeur adjusted his seat belt, preparing to drive. "Will that be all?"

"Yes."

"There are also some drinks to your left for your convenience," the chauffeur continued, slowly starting to drive. "I hope you find the ride a comfort."

"I'm sure it will be one."

As the limousine pulled out of the entrance, Suzu took one last look of the academy. Nio was still standing at the doors, her eyes keeping watch of the limo like a hawk, as if to make sure Suzu would leave the school permanently.

This looks like my final goodbye, then...


It was nearly three in the morning by the time the limousine had arrived at Tokyo Station. Though the time read it was dangerous to be out at an hour so late, it was reassuring to see the bright lights shining glamorously, almost encouraging away any sort of felony whether major or minor.

When Suzu stepped out of the limousine, and the chauffeur had given her suitcase back, the two exchanged their respectful goodbyes. As the limousine drove away, Suzu stepped into the Tokyo Station, looking around the familiar corridor.

How many times have I been here, now? ...Well, it's best that I find a place to rest. Then, I shall make my next move.

Sighing once, Suzu continued her way to the high-vaulted lobby of the Tokyo Station Hotel. It was as eloquently European as she had remembered it in both interior and exterior architectural design: with its imposing crystalline tiered chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, it spotlighted all opulent furniture present, as if showcasing a deluxe fabulous vibrancy. Around, there were few people chatting quietly to themselves, all people of considerable economic status, dressed in elegant, polished attire. Spotting the current concierge at the main desk, a respectful man who currently looked at Suzu half-curiously, she made her way over and proceeded.

"Is there a spare room that I may reserve at the moment?" Suzu asked.

"Ah, yes Miss. We do have spare rooms available as of right now. We only have suites available at the moment, however, that being the Maisonette, Suite and Royal Suite."

"The Maisonette will do," Suzu answered, readily taking out her wallet from her purse. "I request that I only stay for tonight, for I'll need to leave tomorrow. Also, I would like to pay now by credit card."

"Of course, Miss. May I have your name?"

Suzu smiled politely. "My name is Yamamoto Hitomi."

"Thank you very much, Yamamoto-san." The concierge scrawled around a few words on the papers below him, and then proceeded to look back at Suzu. "You mentioned you would like to pay now?"

Suzu opened her wallet, glancing casually at the many forged IDs and credit cards. She instantly located a Visa credit card, duly marked with the name Yamamoto Hitomi, and handed it to the concierge.

"Thank you very much," the concierge said again, immediately beginning the transaction.

It's that old, customary habit again, Suzu… she thought to herself. I've gotten so used to being Suzu Shutou again, gotten so used to using my real name, my birth name, and being around such young girls at the Myoujou Academy altered me in ways I had never even thought it would… In using my real name, I was me againI had met everyone as Suzu Shutou, not as Yamamoto Hitomi or Nakamura Kimi or Sato Yumi or Suzuki Erika or Miyazaki Azumi…

"Also, I'd like to have a schedule of the train schedule regarding later for today, please," Suzu continued, instantly dismissing her wandering thoughts.

"Of course, Miss." The concierge handed back her credit card, to which Suzu placed away. After, he handed Suzu a copy of the coming day's train schedule while ringing the desk bell, a refreshing ding to the nearly silent atmosphere in the lobby. A bellboy came over instantly, ready to take Suzu's luggage.

The remainder of activities were quickly finished: the concierge handed Suzu her keys among other small notes, and the bellboy led her to the elevator. No sooner, Suzu had been shown to her room, and as soon as the door was closed, she collapsed onto the nearest bed, eyes closed she draped a forearm over her face.

Knowing myself, I'll probably be awake early again… Suzu thought, her mind slowly lulling into a deep, needed sleep. I'm not Suzu Shutou any longer… That name will have to be stored away now… That's right… I… am… Yamamoto, Hitomi…


"... But what do you mean my body can't grow?! This can't be happening! It has to be some kind of joke!" a young Suzu exclaimed, her voice filled with distress and tension while tears pooled around her eyes. She stood before a slightly aged couple and a well-dressed man; in the distance of her eye, she spotted other young adults her age, all either looking at her intently with sad curiosity or looking away in pain.

No, they weren't her age. They were all older than her. She was the only youngest-looking human present, but she was no different in age from those over there in the corner.

"The Highlander Syndrome is an extremely rare case," the well-dressed man said gently. He had kind eyes that befittingly matched his kind face and voice, and the sympathy heard in his tone was honest. "We've only documented one other person in Japan to have this condition. There have also been other cases overseas, such as those in the rest of East Asia, Europe, and the Americas. I have personally seen a victim myself, he was a Chinese, but there was nothing I could do for him."

"So that's it? I'm a fifteen-year-old forever?! Is it because of my appearance that I can't marry Hideki-kun?!"

No one answered her question. The doctor looked away, only feeling remorse. Meanwhile, the couple looked towards each other; the mother buried her head into her husband's chest, quiet sobs beginning to emerge as her body began to heave softly.

"I'm not fifteen years old!" Suzu stormed on irely, the tears continuing to stream down her face, dripping to the floor. "I'm a twenty-six year old woman! I am old enough to marry Hideki-kun! I promised that I would marry him and bear his children! I can't break my promise! I love him! I promised to grow old with him and be his wife for as long as we lived together because I love him!"

The young Suzu continued to sob angrily, her knees on the floor, collapsing with all abandon hope. Soon, the images of all of those familiar and beloved figures vanished into a realm far beyond her vision. Alone, the young Suzu wiped her eyes, though that wouldn't stop the tears that endlessly streamed out.

When her tempestuous weeping had subsided slightly, she saw that she was sitting on a lucid, aquatic mirror. Immediately, she identified her own face in the reflection: a pathetic image of a young woman with a tear-stricken face, warm tears quietly rolling down her red cheeks. With quickly heaving sighs, she stared at herself, wondering if she could ever come to see, recognize and love herself as she had before.

Around her, the entire sky above her was black and starless. The aquatic mirror wandered on infinitely to no end, revealing what seemed to be a cold and heartless void.

"... I would like to tell you, Shutou-san, but I wish I could say it before you…"

Suzu paused at once when she heard the voice; she shifted her head in multiple directions, wondering at the voice…

K… Kouko, chan?

"... In spite of what seemed to be my unethusiastic, maybe even negative, responses for all of the time I spent with you and everyone at the Myoujou Academy…"

Suzu stood up, spinning herself around to find the source of her voice. No matter where she turned and how high she looked and how much she strained her eyes in every single direction, there was nothing to indicate the presence of Kouko Kaminaga.

"... Especially you, Shutou-san, you were the most important and powerful source of comfort for me…"

Suzu wanted to call out her name. She wanted to cry out, "Kouko-chan! Where are you?" She wanted to see the girl standing before her, dressed fastidiously in her cool blue blouse and matching white skirt, wearing her black stockings and complementing shoes, her silky dark hair scrupulously tied into two pigtails, bangs elegantly hanging from her head, with her deeply exquisite greenish-blue eyes...

"... I… had not been given much display of affection… love in general… Everyone at the Claver Home is too cruel to even spare a sympathetic thought towards me because of my own incompetence, thus things as sympathy can be thought of as luxury…"

All Suzu continued to feel was a burning excitement within her. A hand of hers drifted to her chest, and she could feel warm compassion flowing within herself.

"... I may be incompetent, but that doesn't mean I deserve to be treated as a less worthy human being…"

"... You treated me with more than I ever thought I would ever have again, enough to bring me much-needed relief…"

"... And above all, you gave me something I thought I would never have again…"

"... Hope…"

"... Somewhere, I hope I can see you again…"


When Suzu had woken up, she woke up with her heart pulsing fiercely. She breathed in once, a mouthful of air gracefully entering her system as she opened her eyes.

"Kouko-chan," Suzu said almost absentmindedly, a delicate smile forming on her lips. "I should try to look for her… Yes, that's what I'll do next."

Suzu stretched her arms once, her fingers entwined with each other as they strove to reach as high as they could. "I still have unfinished business, however. First, I'll visit Hideki…"

The girl stood up immediately after she had spoken. Turning to her left, she saw closed glass doors that led to a simple balcony, the rising sun peek out from the east, its soft, golden rays poking tenderly through the clouds. Through the busy Tokyo metropolitan skyline, she could see that the sky held the shade of a violet twilight, modest smudges of pink and red smoothed out near the horizon.

Suzu opened the door quietly, her bare feet walking upon the crisp tiles below her the moment she stepped out. The wind blew benevolently, as if greeting Suzu a genial hello. A happy smile formed upon her lips, and for the first time in a very long while, the girl felt thankful to have lived long enough to feel valuable optimism for herself once more.

"Kouko-chan," Suzu declared quietly to the sky with a delightful laugh. "Wherever you are, I hope you are ready to receive me. I, Suzu Shutou, will find you again!"


A/N: Okay, yeah I know there were readers who were hoping Kouko and Suzu would meet in Chapter 3. Sorry it hasn't happened yet, but it's going to happen. In the next chapter, well, let's just say it will be a long chapter... ;) The story is coming along, and I don't want to rush things or else it'll feel like a very badly written story.

Thanks for reading!