Author's notes:

Here we go again, this time with the scheme of the "mysterious" person who messaged Kitani-chan last time.

This one was a little tougher to write and in the end I did it differently than planned, but I am still satisfied with the outcome, and I hope so are you. Tat being said,

Enjoy!


Fortified Blade – Chapter 7

7-1: There was no way out

My steps were slow and sluggish. I felt so heavy that morning, that I was barely able to move properly. And I was anxious. What could that person want from me? Who were they? What had I done to them to deserve being blackmailed like that?

When I had talked to Mine-chan about my troubles, I was so relieved afterwards. I was in love with Noricchi and she had helped me realize it. And though I had known, that Noricchi already had someone, I felt so happy. I thought that, after finally knowing the truth about love between people of the same sex, I would be able to apologize to her for all the terrible things I had said, properly. But I did not yet know what was about to come.

I had reached the fountain I was supposed to meet that person at. It was 5:45. I stood there for a while, restlessly, before I decided to walk around a little. There were almost no people around, since it was still early. Also, that park was not frequented much, anyways. Whoever that person was, they had probably thought this through thoroughly. Well, that was to be expected. If what they claimed was true, that is having recorded my conversation with Mine-chan, they must've been incredible. I didn't even know that something like that was possible. How did they do it, if they actually did? And what was in for them, what could someone like me have done for them?

I didn't understand the situation at all. But, what I did understand, was, that, could they actually let my parents, especially my father, hear that conversation, Mine-chan would get into huge trouble for telling me what she did. Also, my father would make sure, I'd tell him all about it. I knew he loved me to a fault, but he was also very strict and a fearsome person to deal with when angry. I hoped, that I would actually be able to do whatever that person would ask of me.

When I returned to the fountain, I could see a tall person standing there. They were wearing a long, hooded jacket, one of those masks you cover your mouth with when you are sick and sunglasses. There was no way they couldn't be the person I was supposed to meet. I warily walked up to them.

"Excuse me..."

They turned around and greeted me.

"Good morning, Kitani Hitoha-san. It was the right decision to come."

The voice was deep and calm, but obviously female. That surprised me a little, but then even woman would sometimes do bad things.

"Who are you?"

She reached into her pocket and handed me earbuds. Hesitatingly I put them in. She then reached into her pocket again. And then I could hear it, the exact conversation I had had with Mine-chan the night before. She actually did record it!

I handed the earbuds back to her.

"How do you have that?"

"That is not important. Since you have come, I assume you will help me out?"

I clenched my fists and ground my teeth.

"You're making it sound like you are just asking a favor of me."

"That's all it is, actually. However, I assume you wouldn't do it if I just asked you, so consider this little recording an insurance."

There was absolutely no intonation in her voice. It sounded cold and cruel. I had a very bad feeling about it.

"What do you want from me?"

"Of course. First, a few rules that you will follow until you are done. Your phone will be on all the time starting today. If you turn it off even once, I'll forward the recording to your parents. Also, you will have your phone with you all the time. If I contact you and you don't react within a minute, I will also forward the recording to your parents. Follow your routine like you usually do. In other words, be in school when you usually are, be at home when you usually are. Also, and that much should be obvious, if you tell anyone about this, I'll also forward the recording to your parents. Those rules are important, so follow them thoroughly."

"If you contact me during class, that will be a problem. My phone would be taken away if it made a sound. And if I turn the sound off, I won't notice in time."

"I won't contact you during class. Also, I won't contact you between eight in the evening and six in the morning. Now, for your actual task, I will send you instructions in due time. By the way, you don't need to call me or text me, I will know right away whether you've seen my instructions or not. Of course, you need to follow my instructions diligently."

I don't know if I had ever felt that uneasy before. I was afraid of what that person would make me do. But with Mine-chan and me being held hostage by her, there wasn't anything I could have done.

The message sound of my phone startled me.

"I just sent you your first task."

When did she? I took out my phone and read it. Then I read it again. And yet another time.

"You can't be serious!"

"Don't make a fuss."

I was staring at the message in disbelief. What was that person thinking? Doing that was a crime!

"You can always choose to ignore my tasks and live with the consequences. That ends our conversation. I am leaving, don't follow me."

And with that said, she walked away.

I slowly put the phone back into my pocket. My whole body was shaking, my heart was painfully pounding and my mind was spinning. There was no way I could do that. I staggered over to one of the benches and plopped onto it. I needed to protect Mine-chan, but there was just no way I could do something like that.

My chest and mind were filling with despair. I buried my face in my hands and started to cry. Why, just why did that have to happen? Why would I need to do something so terrible? I tried to think as hard as I could, but there was nothing I could come up with.

There was no way out.


7-2: I decided, to head back to the classroom, too

It was lunch break. And, as we always were during lunch break, Noriko and I were sitting and eating on the northern rooftop together. She was kneeling behind me, hugging me from behind, while giving me small kisses to my neck and ear. Just the day before she had promised her big brother to not do such things at school. But since she had put green bell peppers into my lunch again and, of course, insisted I eat them, there was nothing we could have done about it.

After the both of us were done eating, she sat down right next to me again and then clung to my arm, resting her head on my shoulder. Both of us were fast eaters, so we usually had some spare time after eating – and we usually just sat there on the rooftop like that.

Noriko let out a small sigh.

"Is something the matter?"

Of course there was. I did not know, why she did it that way, but when there was something on her mind, she would let out sighs of increasing length until I asked her. If it had been anyone else, I would have preferred for them to just talk to me, but it was something I found very cute about her.

"I'm not sure. It's just that, how do I put it, Kitani-san seems off."

Noriko sat in the last row of our classroom, so she could pretty much observe all of it at any given time. I sat to the right in the first row, so I didn't have that luxury. Still, the few glimpses I had gotten of Kitani-san that day had made me feel like that, too. And I was concerned.

"Do you think it is because of that kiss yesterday?"

"I wonder. She barely talked to her friends and seemed kind of pale. Maybe she's sick?"

"Why not try talking to her? I know, given what has happened, she should be the one coming to you, but when you're worried about her, you should just tell her."

"You're probably right."

She then let go of my arm, took her empty lunch box and arose.

"I'll head back first then, okay?"

"Sure. See you in class!"

She smiled at me widely, waved, and then dashed off. I sighed inwardly. Her feelings were obvious at almost all times, written all over her face and clearly reflecting in her eyes, but admitting to them was something she was still not good at. But, and about that I was glad, admitting her feelings for me towards me was something, she had learned to do easily. Thinking about that made me smile.

"Shinsetsu Noriko-san, please come to the counseling office. I repeat: Shinsetsu Noriko-san, please come to the counseling office."

I got an uneasy feeling after hearing that announcement. What could the student adviser have wanted from her at a time like this? I decided, to head back to the classroom, too.


7-3: But she didn't react at all

Class had already started, but Noriko still wasn't back. She had been in the counseling office ever since the end of lunch break. Also, upon entering the classroom, I had taken a closer look at Kitani-san. She was indeed awfully pale. Her hands were trembling. And her gaze was glued to her desk. When I had decided to try and talk to her, she only managed to whisper one thing.

"I'm sorry."

Before I got to inquire about what she was talking about, the teacher entered class and I was forced to retreat for the moment. Ever since, I had occasionally taken a glance at her whenever the teacher wasn't looking. And, seeing her like that, I was asking myself why the teacher hadn't said anything. It was totally obvious that something was wrong with her. Unable to watch her any longer, I raised my hand.

"Sensei!"

He stopped writing and turned around.

"What is it, Kyoka-san?"

"Kitani-san doesn't seem to be feeling well. Should I bring her to the infirmary?"

She had let out a small squeak when I said her name. The teacher was looking at her.

"Kitani-san, are you alright? You really don't look too well."

She was unable to bring out a comprehensible word, let alone a sentence, and just produced some gibberish.

The teacher directed his gaze back at me.

"I'm sorry I didn't notice myself. Kyoka-san, if you would?"

"Certainly."

I got up and, followed by the eyes of my classmates, walked to Kitani-san's desk.

"Let's go, Kitani-san."

When she looked at me, I could see her face filled with terror. Just what was going on? It was that moment I realized, she wasn't sick. Something terrible must have happened to her. And that uneasy feeling I had had, after hearing the announcement before, returned.

I helped her up and slowly, we left the classroom. I could feel her trembling, see her stooping over, as if she was in great pain.

"Excuse us."

And then we stepped onto the halls.

Kitani-san was only walking slowly. The nurse's office wasn't that far away, but after two minutes we hadn't even managed half the distance. A door being opened caught my attention. I could see Noriko stepping out of it. She then formally bowed into the direction of the room and closed the door. And then she turned around to us.

As Kitani-san became aware of her, she instantly froze stiff. She didn't even tremble anymore. Noriko came walking towards us – and I instantly knew something was terribly off. Her face, as if made of stone, was devoid of any emotion. Her eyes were dead. And her presence invoked fear within me. I could clearly see a dark aura being emitted behind her, though I am sure it was just my imagination.

She stopped before us. Then her empty gaze fixated Kitani-san.

"You don't look too well, Kitani-san. On your way to get some rest?"

What was that… voice of hers? I had never before heard her speak this coldly. I answered in Kitani-san's place, for she seemed unable to.

"Yes, I am bringing her to the infirmary. What did they want with you?"

When she looked at me, I felt like her gaze was tearing me to shreds. Who was that person?

"Something came up. I'll have to head home earlier, today. I'll tell you about it later, if that is alright with you."

Without saying anything more, she walked past us.

"Sure."

I managed to say that, but didn't think she had heard it. I turned around and my gaze followed her, until she turned at a corner.

"What in the..."

World, was what I wanted to say, as Kitani-san suddenly fell to her knees.

I instantly squat down next to her, concerned. And then I realized, that tears were flowing out of her eyes.

"Hey, Kitani-san, get a hold of yourself!"

But she didn't react at all.


7-4: So I packed my things and left

When I had finally managed to get Kitani-san to the nurse's office, I had helped her lay down on a bed and then covered her with the blanket. She was lying on her side, curled up, and her gaze was staring nowhere. Occasionally she sobbed and every now and then a tear rolled out of one of her eyes. Seeing the usually cheerful girl in the state she was I couldn't help but wonder what in the world had happened. But it was the same with Noriko, too. I couldn't shake the feeling of their cases being connected.

I needed to know.

"Kitani-san."

She got startled by me suddenly saying her name. Other than that, she barely even reacted and didn't even try to look at me. It was, as if she was pleading me to leave her alone. But I was sure, that, given the circumstance, she also knew that I wouldn't.

"Did something happen?"

She curled up even more and hid her face behind her hands. I waited patiently for her to answer. And if she wouldn't, I would bug her until she did. And that I let her know.

"I won't leave you alone until you tell me what is up."

She let out a small whimper.

"Please don't."

Her reaction got me thinking. It was obvious that something happened – and even more so, that she didn't want to talk about it. I frowned.

"Has it to do with Noriko?"

She instantly froze stiff.

"Spot on, I see."

"Please… please don't."

I did feel sorry for her, but after seeing changes as drastic as they were in both her and Noriko, there was no way I could just ignore it.

"Kitani-san, you will tell me what happened. And if you refuse, I will make you tell me."

"Please… no."

"I don't know your circumstances for not wanting to tell me, but I can't take them into consideration. Answer me: what happened?"

She remained silent for a while. I regarded her attentively, took in whatever information I could. But, with her curled up like that, all I could tell was, that she was afraid of something. I thought as hard as I could about the situation, but I had too little information, to figure it out myself.

She had been like that all day. And, suddenly, during lunch break at that, Noriko got called into the counselor's office, where she was for about twenty minutes. When I had asked Kitani-san, if she was alright, she had apologized. And then, when we met Noriko in the hallways, she instantly froze – and Noriko had become a totally different person, likely how she changed when she was really mad. And Kitani-san refused to tell me anything, actually begged me to not ask her about it. Putting all those things together, I could only conclude one thing.

"You involuntarily did something bad to Noriko."

She slowly uncovered her face and looked at me.

"And if you tell me about it, you will get into trouble."

Her tears began to flow more frequently. She slightly nodded.

That was all the information I needed to know what was going on. I took out my phone to call my mother. It took quite a while for her to pick up.

"Katana. Why are you calling during class?"

"I'm at the infirmary with Kitani-san. I suppose you know her."

I heard her sigh.

"You figured it out already?"

"It wasn't that difficult. So, will you tell me in detail about all of it?"

"I don't see why I would."

"What do you want?"

"You do not really need to ask that, do you? Go to Aihara starting next term and I will resolve everything peacefully. Stay stubborn and things will become really messy. Well, right now, they probably already are."

"What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you will know that soon enough. Is there anything else you need? I'm busy."

"Pretty sure you are. Let me just tell you one thing: if you don't stop hurting the ones dear to me, I won't forgive you."

"What can you do, Katana? True, you are my daughter, but you are overestimating yourself, if you think, you can already stand up to me. Even if you figure out what exactly I'm doing, you won't be able to stop it. Your only way out of this is to comply. I hate using such measures, you know, but you leave me no choice. This is also a learning experience for you."

"What exactly do you think you're teaching me, blackmailing people like that?"

"Ah, you will find out about that sooner, than you'll know. I just had a good idea. Why not do the following: if you actually manage to stop my scheme, I'll postpone your transfer to Aihara until the third term."

"I'm not going to Aihara, no matter, how often you tell me to. And I will stop whatever you came up with."

She chuckled.

"Let me see you try, naive daughter of mine."

I hung up. And I was so pissed off at that moment, it probably even showed.

"Kitani-san, you really can't tell me anything?"

She looked away.

"I'm really sorry. But… but if you can… can you really... stop this?"

Her gaze had met mine again. There was a faint shimmer of hope in her eyes. I didn't know what I'd actually be able to do, but Kitani-san needed encouragement, so I tried to be confident, too.

"I will do something about it. I promise."

She smiled warmly as she blinked away a few tears.

"Thank you, Kyoka-san."

I arose and gently caressed her head for a moment.

"I'm heading out for now. You get some rest and then return to class, okay?"

"Sure."

With that said I left the nurse's office. I needed to do something about my mother, sooner or later, but at that moment stopping her plot had priority.

When I returned to the classroom, I told the teacher, that a family member had fallen sick and that I needed to go check on them immediately. Lying was nothing I liked to do, but given the situation, there was no time to lose. Whatever that so called mother of mine had come up with, had to be stopped as soon as possible. So I packed my things and left. I needed to find the one person that could give me information about what had happened: Noriko.


7-5: It's about time

I was aimlessly wandering around town. After I had left school, I had just dropped of my bag at Katana's place, changed into some comfortable clothes, and instantly headed out again. And I was mad. As mad as never before. I swear, had some random person given me a strange look, I'd have beat them to a pulp right there and then. I really didn't care anymore, after what that little shit had done to me. Framing me. For something like that, to top it off.

I had already decided. She needed to be taught a serious lesson. After all, I was already suspended and would likely be expelled due to that little rat's lies. And even if, due to a miracle, I could stay at Hatsuoka, my father would have had me transfer anyways. He would have said things about taking responsibility. One of the bullshit rules in Japanese society, because it usually hit people not accountable for whatever had happened. And that time it would be me.

After getting myself some black coffee from a vending machine, I plopped down onto a bench somewhere. I opened the can and drank. It was bitter. Why had I bought it? Ah, that was right. I wasn't thinking straight, not at all. All I could think about was Kitani. What a fine friend she was.

While I was sitting there, falling in hate with her more and more, the hours passed. School was about to end, too. Out of boredom I checked my phone. Four missed calls and six messages, all of them from Katana. And it really hurt looking at it. I wouldn't be able to be together with Katana anymore. And I didn't know how to act. That's when I realized, that I did drop off my bag at her place. I sighed.

"What are you doing, me?"

Not that it actually mattered, suspended as I was. I would just have to ask Seto to pick it up sometime. And as my phone was vibrating again, when I checked, I had to chuckle.

"Speak of the devil."

I picked the call up.

"Yo, Onii-chan, how's life?"

"Noriko. I just received a call from school. I heard you are suspended."

"Yeah, it's true. Just so you know, I didn't do what they said I did. I've been framed by my so called friend."

"I didn't think you'd do something like that. But pops will be furious."

"Ah, and here I was wondering why he didn't call me yet."

"Where are you right now?"

"I wonder."

"Noriko, this is not the time for fooling around! This is a serious matter."

"Yeah, I'm fully aware of that. And the one responsible for it will pay thoroughly."

"Noriko? Don't do anything rash! That would only make matters worse."

"It doesn't matter at all, does it? I'll be expelled. And even if not, pops won't let me continue attending Hatsuoka. I'll have to move far away, likely to Tokyo to attend Aihara. My relationship with Katana is over. I've got nothing more to lose."

"We don't know that yet, Noriko. If we can convince the school that you were framed, then..."

"I'm more concerned about father. Even if he does believe me, he'll not let it slide. I've already decided, Onii-chan. I'll round that bitch up. Or are you saying, you are coming to stop me?"

"Noriko, you need to c..."

I had hung up. Then I turned my phone off.

"Well then..."

I got up.

"It's about time."


7-6: She didn't mean it the way I did

The last part of my way home was as quiet as always. Well, that day, my whole way home had been quite. Even though I did feel better a little after being encouraged by Kyoka-san, I still wasn't in a mood where I could chat with my friends like I usually would have. And since I was the only one living in my residential area, there weren't any other students around, anyways.

I so wanted to see Noricchi. I wanted to talk to her, explain to her, apologize to her. But I couldn't. If I would, that person would get Mine-chan in trouble. And as soon as my father would have made me tell him everything, Noricchi would get into even deeper trouble. Thinking about what I had to do to her, to the one I was in love with, was agonizing as hell. I had been so glad to realize my feelings for her – just why had things to become like they were? It wasn't fair, not at all.

The only hope left was Kyoka-san. She even seemed to know the culprit quite well. If someone could do something, then it was her. I strongly tried to believe that.

I continued my way lost in thoughts, as my arm was suddenly grabbed. I was dragged into an ally and thrown to the ground. Then I was grabbed by my collar and slammed against a wall. It was severe enough to push the air out of my lungs. The following pain made it hard to breathe. And as my eyes began to adjust to the darkness in the ally, I could see who had attacked me.

"Noricchi..."

Of course. Of course something like that would happen. I had already realized it after meeting her in the hallway. She would not let that slide. Of course. So it was time for me to take the beating I obviously had to deserve from her point of view. But it was alright. I would just have to endure it. And I would not resent her for it.

Her glare was filled with anger and hate. And I was scared. But she had all right to resent me after what had happened. If only I could tell her, was what I thought.

"You've really done a number on me, Kitani."

I gulped. I was barely able to look into her eyes, yet they drew me in so much I also couldn't look away. I wanted to explain myself to her so badly. But I couldn't.

"Are you not even going to say anything?"

What was I supposed to say? Nothing I could have said would have changed anything.

She let go of me and slammed both of her hands to the wall left and right of my head and brought her face really close. She hissed at me.

"Did you hate the kiss that much? Did you hate it enough to go and accuse me of sexual assault?"

Of course I didn't hate it! I loved it! And I loved Noricchi! I was so determined to endure it all, to protect Mine-chan, yet hearing her say those words to me tore my heart to pieces.

"T-that's not i-it. That's not it at all!"

Tears had began to roll down my face again. But why was I saying that? I couldn't, shouldn't tell her!

"I didn't hate it at all!"

I needed to stop.

"I loved it! Every moment of it!"

I needed to stop!

"And then Mine-chan told me, that girls can love each other!"

It was too late to stop. All my determination had fallen apart. I wanted her, needed her to know the truth. That was all that was on my mind at that moment. And so I let it all out.

"That's when I realized. I was so happy. I wanted to apologize to you for all the nasty things I have said. I wanted to be friends with you again! Even though I know… even though I know! I wanted to spent lots and lots of time with you and do lots of lots of things with you! But then that woman told me… if I didn't do what she said… she would get Mine-chan and you in trouble!"

"Wait, wait, what are you saying?"

"If I wouldn't frame you, Mine-chan would have to leave our home! And papa would have gotten you in trouble! I didn't know what to do! I couldn't ask anyone for help! But I needed to choose! Mine-chan is an important friend of mine, but I'm in love with you, too! But I needed to choose! I needed to…"

At that point I crumpled. I couldn't hold back my crying anymore. There were so many things I still needed to say, that I still needed Noricchi to hear, but I just wasn't able to say anything anymore.

Noricchi kneelt down next to me and grabbed my shoulders.

"What do you mean? Kitani! Explain yourself!"

With all my might I tried to say one, just one more thing.

"I… I… I LOVE YOU, NORICCHI! I could never want to do something to you!"

Her eyes widened in shock. Suddenly, the life that had gone missing from them, began to return. A shining glimmer went through them, before tears began to flow.

"I see. I see."

She leaned her forehead against mine.

"I'm such an idiot! Of course, you would never do something like that on your own! You're such a nice and sweet girl, even though you are a little slow, but you'd never want to hurt someone! I'm such a big, big idiot!"

Man, she did have to mention I was slow, didn't she? But, at that moment, hearing her say those words made me immeasurably happy. I flung my arms around her and hugged her tightly. It made me forget about the blackmailer, Mine-chan, my father, the recording, everything.

"I love you, Noricchi!"

"I love you too, Kitani-chan!"

I knew she didn't mean it the way I did. But at that time, I couldn't care less.


7-7: I'll make the next game a little more difficult

I let out a huge sigh. I took off my earphones and put them aside. Then I searched my phone for a certain file.

"You've got guts, Kitani-san. You have my respect."

I deleted it. Then I leaned back in my chair and stretched.

"You've found yourself a good companion, Katana. I hope you learn to value her."

I smiled widely. In the end, Katana didn't need to do anything. Obviously, I had never planned to actually use the recording of Kitani-san and her maid. I guessed that I should better call Shinsetsu-san and tell him to go easy on his daughter. After all, she didn't blindly lash out on Kitani-san as I had expected her to. At the very least she had tried to talk first.

"But, what to do next?"

Kitani-san would explain everything to the school and hence the matter would be resolved. But I still needed Katana to attend Aihara.

"I guess, I'll make the next game a little more difficult."

Chapter 7: I could never want to do something to you

- END -


Author's notes:

I hope y'all liked it. All's well that ends well, but what will Noriko's father have to say to the whole situation? And why would Kurohime explicitly tell him to go easy on Noriko? And what will she be up to next?

Tough questions I need to answer myself yet, so no spoiler for the next chapter this time.

So long,

kstefan88