DISCLAIMER: I do not own KagePro or any of its characters.
Hey guys, very sorry for the late update. Not only have I been experiencing writer's block, school suddenly kicked in and ruined my schedule. Another reason why I couldn't update, I was studying KagePro's wikia. Man, a lot has changed. Jin sure got busy making plot twists. I just want to let you guys know that my story will now drift farther away from KagePro's originial plot. From now on, my story will not be based on anyone's story. Now, it's just a plain ol' fan fiction about Kagerou Days. I hope this doesn't stop you from reading my story, but if you want to, okay then. Really, I appreciated all of the follows, faves and reviews! I love my readers ;~;
Okay, I'm probably boring you to death because of this rant. Here's the new chapter~
"Ayano's scarf..."
His fingers tightened around the crimson fabric. But wasn't it just a dream...?
Trembling, he willed himself to stand up. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his eyes red and puffy from crying. How long had I been crying?
His gaze never left the muffler. He thought he was losing his mind. It was a dream, he tried to convince himself. Dreams weren't supposed to come true, dreams aren't supposed to be linked to the real world...
"Shintaro-kun..."
"And now, I'm hearing her voice. I really am crazy," he said.
He tried shaking her image out of his head. Pale face. Forced smile. Red eyes.
"What happened to you..." The Ayano he remembered was a happy-go-lucky kind of girl, but why did she feel different? Sure, she really was Ayano, but there was something off about her. Shintaro couldn't put a finger on it.
"Are you happy?"
Several knocks broke the silence in his room, "Onii-chan, are you okay?"
He jumped slightly in surprise, "Y-yeah."
Momo slowly opened the door and peered in, "...are you okay?"
Shintaro was gonna ask why she repeated her question, but decided not to anyway. Her gaze fell on the scarf he was holding. Shintaro wasn't sure if Momo knew Ayano, but the look on her face gave it away.
"I'm okay," he lied. He pushed the door lightly, feigning an irritated glare, "Get out. I'm gonna change."
"Nii-chan..." Momo trailed off, her voice dripping with pity. Shintaro hated it whenever she acted like that.
Ignoring the sad look on his sisters face, he slammed the door close. He was feeling different emotions at the same moment. He was happy that he met Ayano again, he was worried about why Ayano looked sad, he was sad that Ayano disappeared so suddenly. Incredible... he thought bitterly, It's incredible how you twist my feelings with little effort, or maybe none at all.
"Ah, much better..."
Ayano stretched her arms, a wicked smile plastered across her face. She took notice of her tattered school uniform and grimaced. Flicking her fingers, a red light emerged from her body. Seemingly glowing red ribbons wrapped around her body. She was now wearing a kimono, similar to that of Azami's.
"Uwaa, so this is 'the' Shinigami's taste in fashion? Not bad."
((Random scene passing by~ "This is not funny," Azami hissed. "One does not simply steal my kimono."))
She blinked rapidly, then frowned. Her eyes remained aglow. What am I doing?
She touched the nape of her neck, feeling uncomfortable without her scarf. I've always thought the scarf would protect me from danger.
She blinked yet again, the twisted smile returning.
"Ah-mou, I'm getting bored. I hope they come here to play.
I guess that was just another childish belief of mine.
Later that day, Shintaro - along with Momo - went to meet the other members of Mekakushi Dan.
"Onii-chan, are you sure about this?" Momo asked. Shintaro heaved a sigh, delicately wrapping the muffler around his neck.
"Yes, I don't know what Ayano wanted me to do but...", his fingers traced the fine details at the end of the scarf, "Maybe this scarf would help."
This was her most prized possession, she wouldn't give it away for no reason.
He nervously opened the door, trying to keep his heartbeat steady. If Ayano was brave enough to entrust me with her favorite item, I should also be brave enough to let go of my grief.
"Kisaragi-san, Old lady, why are you late?" Hibiya growled. Momo glared at him, whilst Shintaro headed to the living room.
Kano sleeping on the sofa, a random magazine covering his face. Konoha was sitting on the next sofa, occupied with the triceratops figurine that Hibiya had lent him. Kido was probably in the kitchen, since Shintaro could make out the smell of chicken curry cooking. He assumed Mary was with her.
"Where's Seto?" Shintaro asked. Konoha looked away from his toy and stared up at Shintaro.
"Work." He replied. Shintaro noticed that Konoha was now staring at the red scarf. "Why are you wearing that?"
"Long story." Shintaro waved a hand in dismissal.
Konoha furrowed his eyebrows, "Why are you wearing that?"
"I said it's a long story, okay?" Shintaro snapped.
They both stopped and stared at each other.
"Shintaro-kun, I'd like to hear you out." A familiar voice mumbled. Konoha and Shintaro turned to Kano, who was now wide awake. He couldn't comprehend what Kano's expression was like. He wasn't mad, but he certainly wasn't happy. Maybe he's using his powers to hide his true face...as usual.
"What connections do you have with our big sister."
A loud crash startled everyone in the flower shop.
"Seto-san, what happened?" Someone shouted. Seto scratched the back of his head.
"I broke a vase, I'm sorry!" He shouted back. Red roses were scattered on the floor, he found himself staring intently. Why was he suddenly feeling weird today? Red roses, huh? Of all colors...why red?
"Seto..." A gentle voice cut through his train of thoughts. Disregarding the roses, he turned to the smaller girl and smiled.
"Ah! This is embarrassing. I shouldn't be fooling around in front of Mary-chan!" Seto chuckled awkwardly. Mary's lips curled into a small frown.
"Is something wrong?," she asked. Seto shook his head and grinned.
"I'm just a little dizzy, that's all." Seto replied. Mary inhaled sharply.
"You should rest! Let's go back now. I'll make you some tea!" Mary pulled Seto's hand, or at least she tried to.
"But Mary-chan, I have to work." Seto smiled sadly at the silver-haired medusa.
"Please?" Mary's eyes started welling with tears. Seto bit his lip, she knew he couldn't stand her.
But Mary would never use that look on me unless she really wanted to go...
Worry was hinted in Mary's face. Seto knew her so well, but he didn't understand. Something felt odd.
She must've felt it too...
Kido clicked her tongue as the knife cut her thumb.
"Darn it," she lifted her hand and bit the injured finger, sipping the blood and spitting it on the sink.
She stood there for a moment, staring at the blood dripping from her thumb. She didn't mind the sting from being cut, but the color of her blood intimidated her.
A sudden wave of nausea hit her, she immediately ran towards the bathroom.
Red is also the color of blood...
"Danchou-sama...?," she heard someone say.
"Go away, idiot." She snarled, wiping the bile off her lips.
Suddenly, it was quiet. And the idiot actually left, she concluded. Kido finally opened the door and nearly stumbled back. Kano stood in front of her.
"D-d-don't scare me like that!" She yelled in frustration, Kano grinned. Stop grinning, idiot. You know I can see right through you.
"Shintaro-kun told me a very interesting story," with that, Kano grabbed Kido's hand and led her to the living room.
She saw Momo and Hibiya arguing about something, and next them were Shintaro and Konoha. Both had an indescribable look on their faces.
The color of red caught her eye, and now she's looking at her sister's scarf.
And then, she understood.
No words needed to be said, because she understood it all.
"I, Tsubomi Kido," she paused to draw a breath, "hereby proclaim Kisaragi Shintaro...the new leader of Mekakushi Dan."
"Just a little longer, my sweet little puppet."
A quiet chuckle escaped from his lips. The crooked smiled on his face was more than enough to explain everything.
He liked having the heat-haze as his company. If more, he found it comforting to be in the presence of the haze.
"My sweet...little...puppet."
AND THAT'S ALL FOR NOW~! Man, this chapter is quite short. Well, do you have any idea whom the 'puppeteer' is? I suppose I could give you a few more hints...or not. Meh, I'm sure you'll get it.
Ayano: Why are you making me sound so evil?
Scarlet: Wait, you're not evil.
Ayano: Why would I be evil? I'm KagePro's angel, remember? -halo and wings appear-
Scarlet: You mean 'self-proclaimed' angel?
Ayano: I hate you.
Scarlet: You're welcome.
Konoha: You made Ayano-nee mad.
Scarlet: I'm the writer here, therefore, I'm the most powerful one.
Konoha: -throws kebab at Scarlet's face-
Scarlet: Kehehe, do that one more time, and I'll make you suffer in the next chapters. So, uhm, see y'all in the next chapter!