Kisaragi Chihaya. Shijou Takane.

Both girls Yukiho cared about very much. Both girls who hadn't been to the agency in days. Both girls Yukiho missed terribly.

She wondered about them as she walked along the road back to her house. She wondered how they were feeling, and why they had been staying away from the agency. Sure, she had fun singing and dancing with all her friends, but it just wasn't the same without Chihaya's beautiful singing voice or Takane's strange foreign customs.

She sighed, and when she did she happened to glance to the side and spot the boy in a dark cloak leaning against the wall of a building. Yukiho yelped and scurried away from him. He smiled at her and offered a friendly wave.

"W-who are you?" Yukiho squeaked.

"Nakahara Ryuji, keeper of the necklaces," the boy answered. "I'm sorry. Should I take off the cloak?"

Yukiho nodded. Ryuji nodded back and pulled off his hood. He flicked the cloak off his shoulders and smiled down at Yukiho. Yukiho slowly let herself relax.

"You're the one...who gave out those necklaces that grant wishes," the brunette muttered. Ryuji nodded. "In that case, I would like to have one..."

"You actually want a necklace?" Ryuji cocked his head. "...I don't—"

"Please!" Yukiho added.

Ryuji raised an eyebrow at her, then sighed and reached back into a cloak pocket and pulled out a necklace. He tossed it to Yukiho, who caught it. She grinned. Ryuji bowed to her, and she bowed back.

"Thank you." Quickly, Yukiho put the necklace around her neck.

"Be careful!" Ryuji warned. If he could just get to Yukiho's skin, if he could just kiss the girl, he could tell her exactly why. But his telepathy told him that Yukiho was wary of him; he couldn't get close to her even if he wanted to.

Yukiho giggled. "I...wish to be stronger."

"Then...you will be stronger. You will be..." Ryuji sighed. "...good luck, Yukiho-sama. Good luck."

Good luck? Yukiho cocked her head, confused. Why would she need to be wished good luck? She knew Chihaya's wish had been granted, and she didn't know what Takane's wish had been, but she was positive that it had been granted too. That meant the necklace was a good thing. Now, she'd be stronger. She'd finally be stronger.

"Thank you...Ryuji-san."

xX-Xx

Yukiho's new strength became apparent almost immediately. The very next day, she was hefting heavy grocery bags half-way across her house—which was farther than one might think, considering the size of Yukiho's house.

She felt an immense gratefulness to Ryuji. Thanks to his magical necklace, she wasn't afraid of men. She knew she could take on any dog. She had no fear, but she retained her former gentleness. She was even starting to suddenly develop bigger muscles. The thought concerned her only slightly; the necklace was working, and that was what mattered.

"Yukiho!"

The brunette turned. Makoto and Haruka were running towards her, wide grins on their faces. Yukiho beamed and jogged over to meet them.

"I saw you helping Producer-san with those big boxes the other day," Haruka commented. "It was pretty impressive."

"Thank you," Yukiho sang. Haruka held out a hand and she shook it.

"Ouch, strong grip," Haruka laughed, sliding her hand out of Yukiho's grasp. She shook it around a bit, her grin faltering for a second. "Really, really strong grip...ow..."

Makoto nudged her with an elbow. "You're just a wuss. Yukiho, here." She held out a fist. Yukiho smiled.

"I'm sorry," she said, partly in advance in case her fist-bumping injured Makoto, and partly to Haruka. She held out her own fist and pounded it against Makoto's. She thought she saw the other girl flinch just slightly when their fists met, but that was probably just her imagination. There was no way she was stronger than even Makoto could handle. There was just no way.

"Nah, it's alright," Makoto insisted. "Haruka's just a wimp, right?"

"Hey!" Haruka whined. She pointed at Makoto's hand, which was clenching and un-clenching furiously. "You got hurt too, didn't you?!"

Makoto tried to laugh it off, but the look in her eyes said that she had. "You're being ridiculous, Yukiho's not that strong. Still, I definitely felt the power! It's awesome!"

Haruka huffed. "Yukiho-chan! You have a necklace too, huh? You're starting to really make me want one..."

"Do you think it could make me a princess?!" Makoto gasped, leaning forward excitedly.

"I do," Yukiho admitted honestly. "I...I truly do. It works wonders."

"Sounds great," Haruka sighed wistfully. "Still, I wonder what it did to make Chihaya-chan and Takane-san suddenly vanish from the industry like this. No one has been able to get in touch with them."

"I'm scared," Yukiho admitted. "I'm scared something's happened."

"Let's go to their houses," Makoto suggested. "We'll get to the bottom of this ourselves."

"I wish I could, but I'm expecting someone," Yukiho sighed. It was partially true. She wanted to see the boy who'd given her the necklace, Ryuji. She had questions for him.

Makoto grinned. "That's alright. Hey Haruka, I'll bet the twins would love to come! We'll take them along."

"We'll be like detectives!" Haruka squealed. She turned and high-fived Makoto. The three of them laughed.

"Well...I'll talk to the two of you tomorrow, alright?" Yukiho said. Makoto nodded.

"Goodbye hug?" she tried, opening her arms. Yukiho giggled.

"Of course," she agreed, stepping forwards. She and Makoto embraced, laughing. Spirits were high until the latter suddenly let out a small squeal.

"Yukiho."

"Hm?"

"Ow...o-ow! You're kind of...ow!"

"What?" Yukiho blinked.

"So, did you hear that cracking sound?" Makoto yelped. "Yeah, that...that was my back. Or my ribs. Or maybe both. Ow!"

Yukiho quickly released Makoto, nearly jumping away. Makoto hunched over, one hand on her chest and the other on her back. Haruka went to her side.

"I'm so sorry!" Yukiho cried. Makoto looked up and smiled at her, though the smile look forced. And...were those tears in her eyes?

"It's fine," she croaked unconvincingly, waving her hand as though it were no big deal that Yukiho may have just broken her ribs. She broke off with a grunt and coughed once. Haruka straightened her up, worry clear in her eyes.

"Makoto-chan, maybe we should get you to a hospital," she suggested, concerned.

"Don't be ridiculous," Makoto panted. "Yukiho's not that strong. She just...hugs a bit harder than I remember."

"I'm sorry," Yukiho repeated, beginning to cry. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it—"

"I think we should go," Haruka cut in firmly, shooting Yukiho a look that spoke conflicting words. She was smiling, as if to say, "It wasn't your fault, we really need to go," but her eyes were narrowed, as if to say, "You've become a monster. We're getting out of here."

"Haruka—" Makoto tried to continue, to tell Haruka that she was fine and they owed Yukiho a proper goodbye, but she broke off in a groan of pain. "...g-geez, i-is that blood...?!"

"Oh my gosh, are you sure you're OK?!"

"I-it's fine. Yukiho..." Makoto looked into her friend's eyes, forcing herself to smile for Yukiho's sake. "Maybe you should work on holding back your strength? Just a bit?"

"I'm sorry!" Yukiho insisted, sounding desperate.

"I'm not mad," Makoto promised.

Yukiho could have sworn Haruka was legitimately glaring at her at this point, but the ribbon-wearing girl looked away before Yukiho could really tell.

"Let's go, Makoto-chan," Haruka muttered. She slipped an arm around Makoto to help her stand.

"Y-yeah, alright." Makoto cast one more smile at Yukiho over her shoulder. "See you later, Yukiho. It was nice seeing you."

"Y-you too," Yukiho said quietly. "...I'm sorry, I..."

"It's fine."

"I love you."

Makoto paused for a second. Haruka had to drag her forwards.

"...I love you too, Yukiho."

Makoto held out a thumbs-up, but she didn't bother turning around. Yukiho accepted it. She just wanted to hear that Makoto wasn't mad at her.

The brunette sighed, watching her friends hobble away. She had no idea why she had hurt them so much. She hadn't even realized she was squeezing so hard. She didn't want to hurt them, and even more than that, she didn't want them to be mad at her. But what was done was done. She turned and headed home, confused and scared, but still content overall.

xX-Xx

It should have been a sign to Yukiho that something was horribly wrong when she ripped her door off its hinges. That, however, even when coupled with the fact that she may have nearly killed her best friend earlier, did nothing to frighten her to the point of removing the necklace. Instead, she settled up in her room to wait for Ryuji. She had a feeling he would show up.

Her feeling became a reality when the ginger appeared in her room. Yukiho squeaked in alarm and hid behind her bed until she felt positive she was safe.

"Do you get it yet?" Ryuji settled down on her bed, his legs crossed. "Why I wished you good luck?"

"I think so," Yukiho muttered. "...R-Ryuji-san, I'm scared."

"You should be scared," Ryuji said. He looked over at her, his eyes grave. "May I borrow your hand?"

Yukiho blinked. She felt no reason not to—she wasn't really afraid of men anymore, and Ryuji had given her no reason to be particularly afraid of him—so she reached out and laid her hand in his tenderly. Ryuji stared at her for a moment, then lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. Yukiho made a noise that was part gasp, part squeal, and part dying monkey.

"Sorry," Ryuji uttered quickly, so fast Yukiho thought she had imagined it. She thought she saw a small flash of light from behind him, but that also was too quick to be real. "Listen, Yukiho-sama, you're in danger. I know you've seen the signs. So please, listen to me and—"

"Take off the necklace?" Yukiho interrupted. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt..."

"But you're right," Ryuji urged. "Please, you have to take it off now. Isn't the size of your muscles and the strength of your arms a bit scary?"

"Yes," Yukiho admitted. "I'm afraid. I am."

"Take it..." Ryuji paused. Yukiho could have sworn she saw the light again. Ryuji clenched his teeth in frustration.

"...off?" Yukiho finished for him. "...I love this feeling. I-I love this feeling of being unafraid and strong. I do."

"Yukiho-sama—"

"But," Yukiho cut in, "if this is what strength does to a person, I'd rather be weak for the rest of my life. I'd rather struggle to lift heavy boxes than break tables whenever I place down my plate. I'd rather struggle to hold open the door for people than rip the door off its hinges. I'd rather hold my best friend tenderly in my arms than crush her to pieces whenever I tried to give her a hug."

Ryuji beamed, the most beautiful smile Yukiho had ever seen. "Good," he praised. "Now quickly, take off the necklace!"

"I don't understand," Yukiho whined. "Why do you suddenly want it off so badly?"

"Just take it off!" Ryuji roared, lurching forwards. His eyes flashed red, and the sudden change in personality scared Yukiho so much that she screamed and tumbled to the floor. Ryuji forced himself to calm down, but it was clear he was desperate.

"...R-Ryuji-san, who are you?" Yukiho asked, genuinely curious.

"That doesn't matter right now! You're out of time!" Ryuji shouted. "Please, Yukiho-sama!"

Yukiho thought she felt her muscles ripple beneath her skin, and when she looked down she saw them growing in size. She frowned, scared. "What..."

"Hurry!" Ryuji ordered.

Yukiho tore at the necklace, but it didn't come off. She tried again, feeling her body change. Was she growing? Why?

"No..." Ryuji breathed.

Yukiho slowly became more and more terrified. She ripped at the necklace with all her strength, but whenever she did, it felt like she was ripping off one of her own limbs. Eventually, the pain became too much and she had to stop. She began to cry, steadily growing in muscle, height, and girth. She looked at Ryuji, horrified.

"NO!" Ryuji slammed his hand on her bed, eyes squeezed shut. "Yukiho-sama..."

"Tell me everything!" Yukiho demanded. "You monster! You...y-you did this to me, didn't you? You knew this would happen, b-but you still let me take a necklace!"

"I couldn't help it! If my father catches me warning you or not doing my job, he'll kill me! Literally!" Ryuji nearly sobbed. "I didn't—"

"Tell me everything!" Yukiho repeated, feeling her body continue to blow up in size. She felt as though any second now, she would lose consciousness.

"I'm a demon sent to deliver the necklaces," Ryuji muttered at last. "...The necklaces twist the wishes of those who wear them. After a while, they merge with the person and cannot be removed."

"You!" Yukiho roared.

"I'm sorry!"

"No!" Yukiho cried. "I-I've always been afraid of men, but when it comes to you, I'm even more afraid than usual! Please just leave me alone!"

Ryuji stood and stared at her. "You have every right to be afraid of me," he admitted. "Even I'm afraid of me. But I'm most afraid that you won't want anything to do with me now that you know what I am. Am I wrong?"

"You're not," Yukiho hissed. By now, she was so large she had ripped though her clothes and was breaking through the roof. Her tongue felt like it was evaporating. Before she lost her voice completely, and her soul along with it, she screamed out, "Save me!"

"I will," Ryuji hissed. "I swear I will."

He cast Yukiho one last apologetic glance before vanishing. Yukiho, or at least what was left of her, let out a roar that could shake the earth, then broke down a wall and ran off into the night. Beyond strength, she was now a monster.

Haruka-chan...you were right to hate me...I'm sorry...I'm sorry...!