Chapter 03: Unavoidable Tragedy (?)
Let's be fair, Kyoko: this is not your first time evading security.
I've done it more times than I'd care to count, even ignoring the mystery thrillers and buddy cop movies.
But this is definitely the first time where the margin for error goes into the negatives. The measures required to fix that.. no, I don't even want to think that far.
I wish I had the time to go shopping. A burka would be at the top of my list; no matter how much I'd stand out, I could probably make up for it with a fair bit of snark.
But instead, all I've got is my own face. And this magazine I scooped up on my way in the backdoor for employees as I gave the trusty old service-smile so that kid would keep the door open. Bless him.
Of course, he might now remember my face.
No no no. Think happy ending, not tragedy!
As I lift the magazine up to hide my face a bit as I walk through the hallways, I catch sight of myself in the wall-mounted mirror.
It might be vain to think this... but I was pretty cute back then! Especially compared to tomorrow's haircut and dye that are frankly an affront to feminine aesthetics... how dare that arrogant piec.. Wait. Wait wait.
Is that a Playboy I'm holding?! Why THAT of all things?!
I can't hide behind this kind of cover and be ignored!
Quickly, I approach a desk and rummage around in it, but I don't find anything more suitable. Stress balls? Balloons? The paperless office is supposed to be an ideal in this era, not an achievement! Helplessly, I shove the Playboy into the drawer. As I'm about to close it, I see a letter opener in the back. Beggars can't be choosers; I'll take it.
Time to just move on. There's not much of it to begin with, and I have improvised scenes with less warning.
God! It figures that assholes agency would litter their rooms with this women-are-property kind of macho crap. No doubt it is yet another reason he tried to keep me away from his 'work'. That asshole!
At least people are ignoring me. Mostly. Remind me to thank the good fairy for not dumping me into this world in Love-Me pink; things could be so much worse.
I think.. this is the room, right? Holding my ear to the door, I hear nothing. A quick glance down the hallway, and I see nobody, so a quick glance through the keyhole shows me.. nobody in the room. Is it unlocked?
Yes, yes it is. For so far the need to have a lockpick...
But as the door swings open, I am 100% sure. This is THE room. There's no way I could forget this stupid room. Shouko would be sitting there. The asshole over here. Hmm. I can smell some really stale cigarette smoke; assuming it is hers, Shouko's not been here in the last few hours at least.
"You are seeing things, Sho. It was a long session. Have you seen all the security guards?"
Ah crap. Shouko's voice! A quick glance around, and I see the curtains... but I also remember the closet right besides the door... there's no way the curtains could hide me.
"Maybe. But you know those fans. They'll do anything to abscond with one of my gloves. I'll just go ahead, and you finish that call while I open us a bottle of wine, okay?"
Run, Kyoko! Hide!
"You're underage, Sho! Don't you dare! I'll tattle on you if I must - even to that caring childhood friend of yours."
I only barely manage to squeeze open the closet and slip inside next to one of the jackets, pulling it shut behind me. My heart almost bounces out of my chest as I barely manage to dodge the many unused hangers by crouch underneath, all without making a noise. That was close!
Damn it. You're going to ruin it like this! Get it together!
Calm down, Kyoko! Deep breaths. You're not a novice; you've lived for nearly a century! There's so much to draw from, think.. what can I rely on.. or hmm, who? So many roles to choose from.
Oh..! Momiji! She's a true classic! Lightfooted, daring and decisive in a pinch. Even if she had to jump off a balcony, she wouldn't hesitate. Perfect!
I can hear him enter the room. He's walking about. Clearly, not finding anything.
"My gloves are still here. It must have been one of your co-workers!"
Leave it to this asshole to just shout about without realizing how much he bothers everyone else. Didn't she say she was on the phone? He's just as inconsiderate a brat as I remember him being!
As I listen, I can hear him plodding about with those bad-boy boots. What is he doing? I was hoping he'd just lay his lazy ass down on the couch so I could sneak away more easily.
Should I just risk it and dash out? If he's looking away, it would be perfect. But if he sees me, he'll recognise me. And there'd likely be a chase.
But Shouko could also wrap up her call any moment now. And not long after that, young me would come to overhear how her heart is being trampled on. Being caught is the worst of the worst; I need to stay put. It is the least risky of all the risks.
Why did I even come here? God..! Risking it all just to see that painful scene again! You stupid, stupid, STUPID girl. Do you miss those nightmares?!
Suddenly, the closet opens. And we are eye-to-eye as his hand reaches for the jacket besides me. "Kyo-?"
My sentient mind realizes Momiji was the worst of roles to rely on right that moment. A ninja should not be seen, and especially never be outed!
But compared to the reflexes of a ninja, my thoughts are nothing.
The letter-opener has already been forced through his throat with unerring accuracy.
She pulls him into the closet with me, her finger on her lips. "Shhh."
Blood... is everywhere.