Chapter 4-Training

A knock set to the beat of the old song Shave and a Haircut roused me from slumber. Birds chirped outside my window as I sat up and yawned in the predawn light. On one side of my bed facing the bookcase Horuda-san stood up from her futon with a fearful expression, but I gave her a reassuring wave. I whined comically, "Hey dad, isn't it a little early for the corny knock?"

"Sorry sweetie, did I wake you up?" He poked his head around the door.

"Yeah. Horuda-san is awake too."

The dark-haired girl frantically bowed, "G-g-goood morning Mr. Gurin!"

My father pushed up his black-rimmed plastic glasses and chuckled, "Good morning Horuda-chan. You don't need to jump at every loud sound, you know?"

She looked at her feet, "M-my apologies…sir." It seemed that even after a week of staying at my home at my insistence, poor Horuda was still cringing at shadows. My parents had been more than happy to give her a refuge from her tragic life after I had spoken to them about her situation. She had daily expressed her awkward gratitude, even though I had insisted that everything would be cool. Just as I had predicted, my mother had taken upon herself to give her a cozy, inviting home space as long as she needed it. Sometimes, my mom was just a bit too good-hearted for her own good.

I pushed the gloomy subject to the back burner, "What's up, dad? Are we getting an early start on the baking?"

He sighed softly, "Unfortunately, not. Get dressed please, both of you. Ms. Kouda is here."

Horuda gripped my arm in terror, "Oh no! I l-left her voicemail messages every day as to where I was. She's here to t-t-take me back, isn't she?"

"Easy there, Horuda-chan. Nothing is settled yet. Mother is already speaking to her downstairs." He left my bedroom, "See you both in five."

We both threw on casual jeans and tops, and I lent her one of my hoodies as she still seemed to be shivering in the cool air. We both made our way down the switchback stairwell and into the still nearly dark bakeshop kitchen. A single bank of lights over the main prep table was lit, illuminating my mother on one side and Horuda's guardian on the other.

My mother stood up and gave me her customary good morning kiss on top of my head and another for my friend. I was getting a bit old for her affectionate gesture, but I still tolerated it as it made my mom happy. "Hey you sleepyheads, have a seat."

"Sure, mom. Wow, its kinda early isn't it?" I gave my friend a reassuring squeeze on her arm as she sat next to me, and looked ready to hide under the table.

Ms Kouda snorted in annoyance, as her glasses reflected off the fluorescent light. "Always with the stupid questions. I had at least hoped that you would raise your daughter with more sense than that, Gurin-san."

My mother gave a strained smile as my father sat on her other side, "It is in our blood to be inquisitive. So what do you want, Kouda-san?"

Both Horuda and I sucked in our breath as we waited for this unpleasant woman to demand her child back or threaten to call the authorities. We were justifiably shocked at her true concern.

She glanced impatiently at her watch, "What do you have to gain by giving this pathetic girl a futon and food?"

My mother slowly stood up and placed her hands on the table. I could count on my fingers the number of times I had seen my mother well and truly furious. But the glare in her green eyes kinda said it all, don't you think? Her voice was shockingly cold, "I see. Do you possibly think we want a cut of your subsidy?"

Ms. Kouda stood up and snapped, "Of course I do! You don't think you're getting away with your little con game, do you? Do you plan on that girl making up a story to publicly smear me?"

My father also stood up, looking quietly enraged as well, "No, she hasn't spoken a word against you. She is too damn terrified of you to even look at you funny." He draped his arm around my mother's shoulder, "'That girl', has a name. Horuda-chan has been working in our bakery every day to earn her keep, even though we said it wasn't necessary."

My mom looked of her ex-classmate with an indignant glare, "This is what we want from you…nothing! Simple enough, yes?"

"What? You can't be serious! I need every yen of that subsidy! I won't let you have that girl if it costs me my stipend!"

I balled up my fists, but I knew I was no badass like Ayano-senpai. I couldn't even bring myself to punch the witch, much less stab her.

My mother calmly sat down again, "Keep your money, and we'll keep Horuda-chan. I swear not to tell the government a thing, if you won't. We will be responsible for giving her food, shelter and clothes, all without even a single lousy coin from you." She managed a scornful smile, "Or is that too generous for the likes of you?"

Ms. Kouda stared at my parents with a mixture of spite, incomprehension and absolute exasperation. She turned on the child she had been entrusted with and snapped, "Girl! Where do you want to stay? With these nitwits, or me?"

Horuda flinched and was silent for several long moments.

"I have to go to work soon! Well? Which is it? Spit it out!"

She slowly raised her head and whispered, "H…Here, ma'am."

Ms. Kouda exploded as she snatched up her pocketbook, "Fine, stay with these morons for all I care! You've been nothing but a troublesome brat from day one! I hate your stuttering, your fake emo personality, and your idiotic whining!" She turned on her heel and stormed out.

My mother and I spoke as one, "What a bitch!"

My dad burst out laughing and he gave both my mother and I a jolly bearhug, "Heh! Like mother like daughter, no?"

I giggled too, "Yeah! You think?"

Surprisingly Horuda didn't seem to be the least fazed about her guardian's abuse. Maybe she had grown so used to it, that she had internalized it.

My mother sighed sharply, and then smiled over at our guest, "Horuda-chan~"

"Huh? Y-yes, Mrs. Gurin?"

My mother waved her over and she reluctantly joined the group hug, "I think we'll keep you dear."

Finally the shock wore off and Horuda started to cry uncontrollably as her gratitude gushed out, "I…uh…Mr. and Mrs. G-g-gurin! I'm s-so…happy! T-thank you!"

I winked to my new friend, "I warned you what my mom was capable of, didn't I?"

"I'm…sorry. I'm so…weak. I'm such a b-burden."

"Hush," My mother gave her a tight hug. "We'll clean out the upstairs storeroom and we'll set up your new bedroom in there."

My father huffed, "Let that greedy fool keep her precious money. We've got the real treasure right here, right?"

…

Later, after the Sunday morning rush in the shop, Horuda and I were dismissed from our duties and made our way over to Aishi-senpai's house. Her reaction to the news was predictable.

With a cold murderous glean in her eyes, my senpai gently placed her hands on Horuda's shoulders and sincerely inquired, "How would like Kouda Hikaru to die, Horuda-san?"

Our mutual friend quavered in her sneakers uncontrollably, too agog to speak.

I giggled nervously as I broke into a cold sweat, "Now, now Ayano-senpai, don't scare this poor girl to death! Nobody is shanking anyone! Right, senpai?"

"I've familiarized myself on her daily routines. I know she is involved in technical support for Mutsurobodu Gaming Industries. I think an unexpected power surge in the central server room on the fifth floor might do the trick."

Maybe...I think, maybe Ayano-senpai was angry?

She finally spoke, "P-please don't harm her, A-aishi-sempai."

Ayano released her grip and murmured thoughtfully, "How dull. I could have used a practice run before I am obligated to eliminate my rivals."

I patted my friend on the shoulder with deep relief, "You're such a nice girl, Horuda. Even after she treated you so shabbily, you still don't hate her."

She looked back at me with a fire in her eyes I hadn't ever seen before, "I-I despise her! If I hadn't had the courage…to end my own life, I would…have taken hers." She shook her head, "I'd love to see her dead in a p-pool of her own blood. But I don't want to get Midori-sama, Aishi-senpai, or your p-parents in trouble for…for my sake."

My smile died out as I thought, woah. Just woah.

Ayano broke out into an appreciative smile, "I see Gurin-san has an eye for talent. Well done." She grew serious again, "Let me know if you ever change your mind."

"O-okay, A-aishi-senpai."

By now the sweat had soaked right though the back of my shirt. Why was I in crazytown central all of a sudden? "Hahaha! Anyway, Ayano-senpai. We came here for our weekly training session. Horuda-san wants in as well."

The older girl looked at my shy friend with a clinical eye, "Is it for self defense against bullies like Rio-san?"

"That…too senpai; but I mostly w-want to help your quest. I owe you and M-midori-san everything."

"Understood. Shall we begin?"

Mrs. Aishi called out from the kitchen, "Hey girls! Lunch is ready! You can practice garroting in the basement after you eat!"

An hour later, Ayano and I were seated on her bed, thoroughly beat. Despite her mother's scary suggestion, we had actually spent our time sparring with wooden knives. Horuda and I had taken turns attempting to mock stab Ayano-senpai. Most of the time she had simply dodged the strikes; occasionally she mixed it up by disarming us with a kick to the arm, or placing us in a headlock and putting the knife to our own throats. Only once I broke through her defenses and nicked her neck. Although it would not have been fatal strike, she seemed a little put out by my fluke hit.

Her bedroom was modern and spotless. It featured a pinewood floor, tan walls with a built-in AC unit, light-blocking cellular shades, and an elaborate flatscreen television stand with hookups to a satellite dish, Blu-ray player and a Z-box 4 gaming console. Opposite the queen-sized bed and freestanding dresser was her computer and study desk. A full-sized corkboard covered an entire wall. There were about twenty headshot photographs adoring the wall including Horuda and me. That wasn't just a bit creepy, was it? Against a far corner was a stand containing a miniature shrine atop a stand that was completely empty. When I asked her about it, Ayano-senpai had said it was to collect 'gifts' from her beloved and to leave offerings to her family's demonic spirit. Then without further explanation, she had cut off a small lock of hair from both Horuda and I to place in the shrine. That wasn't like super-duper creepy was it?

I finished rubbing some salve on the red mark on her neck, and again apologized, "Senpai, I'm so, so sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you!"

"Do not be sorry. Your lucky blow has renewed my conviction that my athletic conditioning is far from complete. And you must make every effort to injure me when we spar. Otherwise this training is futile."

Seated at her computer desk, Horuda was busy researching covert surveillance methods on behalf of her benefactor. She turned half around and spoke contritely, "S-senpai, my apologies that I…I was not a worthy opponent."

"No need. I require both skilled and inept assailants to better hone my combat instincts. You served your purpose commendably."

"T-thanks, senpai."

I think everyone in the room knew that Horuda's ability to blend into the background and capture secret audio and video was more her speed, no? I smiled and took out a small makeup kit from my pocket. "Okay, Ayano-senpai, hold still." I started to apply a faint hint of rouge to her cheeks with a deft touch.

She frowned slightly, "What is the purpose of this facial decoration, Midori-san?"

"You were training me, now let me return the favor. You want to grab the attention of your future beloved, right?"

"Correct."

I blushed faintly as I realized that part of me wished my dear senpai would pretty herself up just for me. I beamed, "Then you need a carrot as well as the stick."

"I see." She stoically allowed me to put a natural tone peach lipstick, subtle eyeliner and soft hued makeup for the eyelids. I held up a hand mirror for her to see herself, and she inquired, "This appeals to boys?"

"Yeah, it will for sure! Remember this is only for dates and stuff. We can't wear it to school."

She bowed politely, "Most illuminating. Thank you, Midori-san."

Although she looked ravishing with makeup on, I reluctantly handed over a wipe to restore her face to its natural appearance. "You're welcome. Anyway, I brought you some research material. I've been thinking! If your love rivals can be captured by someone else then they will be taken out of the running with any blood spilled! Cool, huh?"

Interest radiated from her grey eyes, "What is this forbidden technique?"

"It's called matchmaking. Anyone that has a crush on your true love will probably be cool and pretty enough to have admirers of their own, right?"

Her enthusiasm flagged, "I prefer methods that permanently eliminate the competition."

I chuckled nervously, "Yeah, but there's no messy blood to mop up, or gross corpses to dispose of afterwards! Don't knock it until you try it."

"My mother has never emphasized this option." She mulled it over, "I suppose it will not hurt to have nonfatal methods of removing my rivals from the picture. The more I add to my skillset, the more success I will have at capturing my beloved's heart."

"Yeah! Put all your rivals in relationships with someone else, and then everyone's happy! That's a good thing, right?"

She fixed me with a flinty look. "I do not care if they are happy or unhappy, alive or deceased. All that matters is that my love belongs to me and me alone."

I sighed as I desperately wanted my best friend to not actually turn into an obsessive stalker and serial killer. I knew her well enough by now to know that she did have emotions; however she seemed to have no idea how to articulate how they influenced her. I also suspected that despite her flat denial of any degree of sentimentality she actually was a deeply considerate and caring person. Why else had she gone out her way for me and my new friend Horuda? Despite knowing that my best friend was actually a cursed yandere, her pain only pulled me closer and closer into her orbit.

"If that is your wish, then I will endeavor to try nonlethal elimination methods first, Midori-san."

Yay! "Oh thank you, semp-"

She coldly cut in, "If it fails, you know what comes next." She drew the wooden knife lightly across my throat as an emphatic illustration.

I got the picture!