Chapter 3

Italics – Thoughts

Present Day

Mai's POV

I sipped on the small mug in my hand, taking in the beautiful surrounding of the park on that warm summer day. There was a particular group of high-schoolers that caught my eye. They were gathered around on a large picnic mat. Despite the occasional food being flung at one another, everyone looked like they were having a great time. The group reminded me of the not-so-distant past.

It had been six years since the events of Carnival. The woven threads of friendship before the entire event had been frayed by the chaos that Carnival created. There was betrayal, there was hurt and there was anger. Despite our efforts to patch the shredded pieces of our emotions back together, reality always bites. As much as I would love to keep everyone together, there were inevitable events that I could not control.

One by one, the twelve HiMEs and their respective halves had broken apart.

Akane and Kazuya had disappeared without a trace. I guess she had really eloped this time round.

Akira and Takumi had left for the States to further Takumi's treatment.

Yukikaro and Ishigami moved to Hokkaido after their first child was born.

I realized that Tate and I were just incompatible. A year after that, he and Shiho moved back to the southern suburbs of Kagoshima.

The sudden roar of an engine snapped me out of my thoughts and I spied Natsuki's Ducati at the edge of the park, donned in her riding leathers. I raised my eyebrow as a random guy walked up to her while she was keeping her helmet. I saw him scurry away in terror a minute later and I laughed out loud. Some things change, and some things stay the same. I watched as she stormed across the park, sending her honed icy glare at yet another group of men who had the audacity to whistle.

I sighed in defeat as I watched my friend make her way towards our picnic mat. Speaking about people leaving, Natsuki had been a total whirlwind of emotions after Shizuru-san had left for Kyoto. I didn't ask, because I knew that Natsuki would speak when she was ready. It had been almost half a decade, but she still hasn't spoken a word about the events after the day she met Shizuru-san.

All Mikoto and I could do was to be there for her when she needed us. We offered her to room with us in the dorm and she accepted; renting out her apartment instead. I think Natsuki actually used school as a distraction to alleviate her inner turmoil. She graduated from high school early, breezing through university as though it was the simplest thing on earth. I couldn't dissuade her; it was a good thing that our former queen of skipping school was now three full years ahead of everyone else, right? Could you believe that she completed her PhD in bioengineering in the States? When Nao, Mikoto and I flew over for her graduation, she had her usual apathetic face on, but I saw a glint of gratitude that spoke volumes when she laid her eyes on us when she was standing atop the podium.

Just recently, after I had finished culinary school and she had returned, the four of us had pooled our money together and started a small café. Mikoto and I moved out of the dorms and into our own apartment that was just a stone's throw away from the café. Natsuki decided to buy a new apartment right in the center of town in one of the penthouses. Nao was just being, you know, Nao – she just appeared and disappeared at her whim and fancy.

"Oi, Mai. Stop spacing out, what are you thinking about?" her husky voice rumbled as she took a seat on the mat.

"Oh, nothing. Just about how you're such a tyrant, Natsuki," I shook my head. "Really, they seemed harmless; did you see how fast they sprinted away?"

Natsuki snorted in contempt, "Whatever, where's Mikoto and Nao?"

"They just went off to get some ice cream. Are you hungry?"

"Starving. What did you bring?" she replied, poking into the picnic basket beside me.

I slapped her hand, "Don't mess it up! I made something different from mayo sandwiches today. Tadah!" I pulled out a box and handed it to her. Her green eyes gleamed expectantly and she licked her lips. I laughed inwardly – she would hate me for this.

"…" she shoved the box back into my lap.

"It's healthy, Natsuki! Finish it!"

"No! This is bunny food, Mai! I'm not eating this!"

"Oh come on! I spent time making this!"

"How long did you spend on this salad, Mai? I might not be the best cook, but surely all it took was five minutes to pluck some veggies!"

"No! I spent eight minutes! I had to slice these tomatoes and carrots!" I retorted, crossing my arms in mock irritation.

Natsuki collapsed on the mat, "Please Mai! I'm exhausted and hungry, could you spare me today?"

I frowned at her pleading look, "Fine! You eat a mouthful of this and you get your mayo croquettes, alright?" I nodded, pulling out her actual lunch box.

Natsuki grumbled and begrudgingly stuffed a forkful of greens into her mouth. "Urrgh. There! Now gimme!" She snatched the box from my hand and started wolfing down her lunch.

"Mai! Natsuki!" Mikoto's bubbly voice called out, "I have ice cream!" The young girl was jogging towards us with two sticks of ice cream in hand. Behind her, beside the two ice cream sticks, the mischievous red head was sporting an evil smirk.

"Screw off, Nao. Did you put poison in those? Mai, I'm not eating anything she brings," Natsuki stared warily at the frozen treats.

I sighed in defeat and abided by her wishes, snatching a stick from Nao.

"So, what're you doing later, Natsuki?" Mikoto asked as she licked her chocolate ice cream.

"I'm meeting Midori and Yohko, I've some things to run through with them," Natsuki replied. "Is everyone headed back to the café?"

"Mmmhm. We have many orders to deliver today!"

"I could come by and help, I think I'll be done by eight. Is that alright?"

"It's alright, Natsuki. We should be able to handle it," I smiled. "Also, I'll head to your apartment this week; I made a fresh batch of mayo chips for you. I'll keep it in the cabinets and tidy up a bit, too."

Natsuki nodded, "Thanks, Mai." She turned to Mikoto and smiled, "You too, Mikoto."

"Hey, what about me?" Nao grumbled.

"You.." Natsuki narrowed her eyes at Nao, "You just stay away from my mayo chips and my booze!"

XXX

Natsuki's POV

I nodded as I watched my friends wave to me from a distance away before I straddled my bike and pulled away, headed home to meet Midori and Yohko. It wasn't that far off from the park and I reached my destination within ten minutes. I pulled into the garage and headed straight for the elevator up. I unlocked the door and I stepped in, tossing my keys aside in a small bowl. I pulled off the leathers and took a quick shower.

I pulled my hair into a ponytail and threw on a pair of tank tops and shorts before heading into the study. I opened a small hatch and scanned my palm print on the shimmering blue tablet display. A hidden door hissed open on the side and I strolled into the room that was tinged with a blue hue from the glow of the computer screens. I collapsed onto my comfy chair, swiveling across to my desk.

Picking up the stack of notes, I flipped through them absently. These were the notes that I had found in the old apartment after I had moved into the dorms with Mai and Mikoto. They were hidden in a place where no one could have possibly fathomed. It was by a stroke of luck that I had decided to move out, chancing upon them.

They were detailed descriptions and analysis of my mother's research on HiMEs. Mother was working on something else that could have been a revolutionary breakthrough – nanomachines. According to her, these nanomachines were most viable when paired with HiMEs – allowing us to recall our elements; and even supplement us with healing and physical capabilities. I wasn't entirely certain if other women were able to accept these nanomachines, though. I would work on that theory later. The only tradeoff would be that the HiME would have lost the ability to summon her Child and the fact that a Y chromosome would create immunity to these machines and destroy them forever.

It was a huge discovery. It was my mother's legacy.

I immediately thought of what might happen, should this fall into the wrong hands; especially that of Searrs Foundations. Despite this being most viable to HiMEs, Searrs had already proven that they were able to create more fake HiMEs. If this fell into the wrong hands, they would have an arsenal of super soldiers with enhanced physical and healing abilities. I refused to let that happen. However, to further expand on my mother's research as soon as possible, I needed to expand my knowledge in my mother's field of work.

I didn't see a reason why not. I had nothing else that mattered. I was satisfied with having just a small circle of friends like Mai, Mikoto and Nao. With Shizuru's departure, they were the only people that I could ever count on as friends. I was a simple creature, I didn't need that much of a social life; and I was mostly concerned with only my Ducati. With the amount of time I had on my hands, I readily turned my undivided attention into my newfound goal in life.

Right now, I was focusing on bonding the machines with my own blood. I needed Yohko-sensei's biological expertise on this. I heard a short rap on the door. Glancing at the monitor, I spotted Midori's comical face plastered on screen. "Kuga, open up!"

I sighed in exasperation. Did she have to come here drunk again? "Where's Yohko-sensei? You're not coming in without her. I'm not cleaning up after you again!"

"Natsuki, I'm here. I got Midori, it's safe to open the door," I heard Yohko's voice through the intercom.

I frowned and pressed the button against my better judgment. I threw on the oversized sweater that was hanging off my chair and plodded out to greet them. I found Midori bent over the counter, messing with the spice rack as Yohko was seated on the counter stool, holding her head with both hands.

"Oi. Stop pawing my stuff!" I grumbled as I snatched it away from her.

"Ohhhh. Natsuki-chan. Why are you not wearing pants?" Midori muttered as she hung her head low. "Are you trying to seduce me with those legs?"

I ignored her, smacking her wandering hands in annoyance as I took out two canned drinks for them, "Yohko-sensei, were you able to gather the information I needed?"

"Sorry about that Natsuki, I honestly don't know how she managed to sneak a drink in. But here, this was the information you asked for." Yohko nodded her thanks as she passed me a brown envelope. Sipping her drink, she mused, "I can't believe that the queen of truancy is actually asking me for research papers and theorems. To think that you've even worked your way up to a PhD. This was one scenario that I definitely did not expect!"

I twitched when I heard the phrase. It was the same thing I had said to Shizuru so many years ago. I chuckled to myself. It was strange, that I was still harping over that one person. If I look back, I could say that my current life was truly unexpected. Well, no matter now. It was all in the past.

XXX

Shizuru sat by the bay window of her apartment, staring down at the traffic below. Her living room was bathed in the orange glow of the evening sun. She absently sipped on the steaming teacup in her hand, expelling a hot breath that fogged up the tall glass panes. Her mind was wandering and she unconsciously doodled her thoughts onto the mist.

Shizuru had returned to Fuuka after six long years. She had completed her studies in Kyoto University and moved on to finish her masters. She thought that she would have the stomach to return after all these years, but it seemed that she was wrong. When she drove into town, she passed by the building that she recognized that was once the First District Headquarters. The sudden recollection of the events in Carnival stung, the thoughts of Natsuki made her heart ache, and she quickly swerved, making an about-turn.

"Ara, my Natsuki.. I wonder how are you? Are you happy?" she murmured sadly at the window.

Her heart heavy and in no mood to head out for dinner, she walked back to her laptop, searching for recommended deliveries in Fuuka. She clicked on the first link that appeared. Satisfied with the menu, she entered the number into her cellphone.

"Hi, this is Masuto!" a chirpy voice answered, "How may I help you today?"

"Hi, I would like to place an order for your house ramen and a side dish of tofu, please."

"Oh. Uhm, actually we're kind of busy at the moment. Do you mind if the delivery arrives around eight in the evening?"

"Sure, I'll see you at eight, then?"

"Gotcha! Thank you for choosing Masuto!"

Shizuru smiled as she hung up. The cheery voice sounded familiar. She shrugged it off and returned to her case files. There was a big case here in Fuuka and her father had sent her down to settle it. The press was all over this particular high profile and he decided that Shizuru was the best candidate for handling it. She pushed on her reading glasses and sifted through the stacks of documents, diligently reading them to prepare for the next session in court.

XXX

Natsuki was staring at the myriad of complex 3D molecular structures that she had formed on her computer, swiftly dragging and dropping bonds, attempting to recreate a viable structure that would allow the machines to tie with human hemoglobin. She frowned as she leaned back in her chair, huffing in frustration at yet another dead end.

She glanced at the clock and cursed.

Randomly throwing on anything that she could find, she hurriedly grabbed her keys and flew down to the garage. Weaving in and out of traffic, she burst into the bustling café, running her hand carelessly through her tousled hair.

"So you finally decided to turn up!" Nao hissed as she edged past, balancing trays in two outstretched arms.

"I got carried away, where's Mai?"

"Where else? Jeez, Natsuki. I'm not the one with a PhD."

Natsuki muttered under her breath in irritation as she walked off, "If Mai wouldn't kill me for smashing all her plates, your face would be on the ground right now."

"Natsuki! You're here!" Mai waved her spatula, peering out from the small window that separated the kitchen from the main dining area. "Could you deliver these orders? They came in rather late and Mikoto already left to deliver the first round."

"Mmmhm, I got it. Be back in half an hour."

"Okay, I'll get your dinner ready by then too!" Mai hummed, reading the order chits that Nao had stuffed in her face.

XXX

Natsuki pulled into a downtown apartment, the last stop on her list. She unstrapped the food warmer from herself and pulled out the last packet of delivery.

"Delivery, Unit 08-22," she nodded at the guard who merely shrugged and jabbed a thumb in the direction of the lift. The elevator stopped with a ding at her desired floor and she rapped at the door. "Masuto Delivery," she called, not bothering to pull out her earphones.

The door swung open with a whoosh and Natsuki widened her eyes in surprise at the woman standing by the doorframe.

XXX