Chapter 10: Team
Grunting, Natsuki awakens to the sound of two distinct females: One voice was familiar and melodic voice, while the other one was faintly familiar.
"Ms. Fujino," the stranger of the voices continues, as Natsuki flutters her eyes open. "I am aware of your social position and rank, but I want to understand the situation from Ms. Kuga's perspective."
"With all due respect, need I remind you that she was shot. Twice," Shizuru states, arms crossed. "But I'm sure you were already aware of that."
"I just want to talk to her, little bird," the maturer voice assures, with a hint of annoyance.
"Talk about what?" Natsuki speaks up, sitting up and recognizing the woman in a black jumpsuit and white shawl as Garderobe Academy's headmistress.
Smirking, Headmistress Blythe walks over to Natsuki, heels clicking the floor. "Ms. Kuga, I understand that you were shot," the woman states, sitting on Natsuki's bedside.
"How could you not?" Shizuru remarks as the headmistress slowly rolls her eyes. "You saw it."
"Ms. Fujino," Headmistress Blythe starts, smiling thinly. "I'm sure Ms. Kuga appreciates your concern, and although I thank you for keeping me company, I am afraid your presence is no longer required," she states as Shizuru scoffs. "This is a private matter."
"Private?" Natsuki repeats, frowning. "How is this private? There's cameras everywhere."
"Yes. I am aware of that," the headmistress states in a monotonic voice. "But I need to verify information," she continues, face stern. "What happened after the ferry docked?"
Raising a brow, Natsuki stares at the older woman.
"Walk me step-by-step."
"There's not much to say; I was targeted and shot at."
"Start from the beginning."
Scoffing, Natsuki inadvertently looks at the taller girl who looks royally ticked off that the headmistress was within her range. Quickly frowning, Natsuki flexes her muscles.
"Ms. Kuga?" the headmistress calls out to the absentminded dark-haired girl. "I'm ready when you are," she encourages, as Natsuki rolls her eyes.
"Well, I got off the ferry and got on my bike-"
"-With Ms. Fujino. Correct?" the headmistress interrupts, smiling thinly at the ruby-eyed girl.
Smiling thinly, Natsuki nods. "I went to the dormitories, but the blue-haired kid told me that I had to take my bike to the parking garage, so I did. Then, I was targeted."
"And after that little misfortune?" the headmistress probes, examining her shawl.
"She got shot," Shizuru answers as Headmistress Blythe looks up at her.
"Yes. We're all aware of that, Ms. Fuijino," the woman comments, flipping the shawl past shoulder. "But I want to hear it from Ms. Kuga."
"What she said," Natsuki coolly answers, as the older woman scoffs.
Smiling thinly, the young headmistress clears her throat. "Allow me to clarify, kitty-cats," she starts, shifting in her seat. "I'm here to investigate what happened between the moment Ms. Harada pulled the trigger and the moment the camera panned to you," the woman clarifies, smug look on her face. "It is clear that you were shot. Twice, as Ms. Fujino kindly stated earlier. But your eyes did change color, as your classmate here swears on video and audio," the woman continues, gesturing at the taller girl. "And there is also the matter regarding your 'miraculous' healing, or so said-classmate claims. What of that, Ms. Kuga?"
"You're twisting my words," Shizuru interjects, face rigid.
"Au contraire, love. I have you on tape claiming these reports," Headmistress Blythe answers, standing up. "And as headmistress, protocol requires me to file a report following a student's . . . departure, per-say, in which I'll need specifications. And your accounts, differ. And truth is, you're an unreliable source, Ms. Fujino, so I am seeking clarification from the primary source. So if you would be so kind as to keep that pretty little mouth of yours shut for the rest of my interview, I will greatly appreciate it and NOT have to deal with you, personally," the woman warns, as Shizuru grinds her teeth and stares coldly at the woman. "So back to you, Ms. Kuga," Headmistress Blythe starts again, looking intently into curious orbs. "What happened?"
Shrugging, Natsuki stares indifferently at the older woman.
"Word of advice, little dove," the headmistress states, smiling thinly. "The more you deny something, the guiltier you'll look . . . Don't give me reason to suspect anything. I am a Class Diamond alumni, after all. And I also happen to be in charge. So how about you wrap your little head around that. Understood, little bird?"
"It's exactly as she said," Shizuru starts, recalling Natsuki's words. "Not much happened. She was targeted. She was shot. She passed out. I saved her," Shizuru speaks up, garnering the attention.
"An unwise decision, given this program's nature," Headmistress Blythe comments in a condescending voice. "But yes, you did save her. And if I recall correctly, Ms. Kuga saved you, too, Ms. Fujino . . . So one has to wonder: Would Suzushiro, Haruka have terminated you had Ms. Kuga not interfered?"
"It's not that I interfered. I-" Natsuki starts but pauses when crimson orbs perk up and stare intently at her. "Look, I took care of it. Chie Harada challenged me; and I won."
"And your eyes? Your fast recovery? What of that, little one?" the headmistress probes, as Natsuki grits her teeth. "According to Ms. Fujino-"
"-You mean, the unreliable source," Shizuru remarks, as the headmistress' smirk broadens.
"Dearest one, you swore-"
"-I was wrong," Shizuru interrupts, face stern. "Natsuki wears contact lenses. She-"
"-WHO CARES!?" Natsuki interjects, as Shizuru coughs, a smile playing on her lips. "IT'S IRREVELANT! Harada targeted me. I terminated her. What more do you need to know?"
"Careful love, don't forget who runs this school," Headmistress Blythe reminds the girls. "More importantly, who makes up the rules for the game governing your lives."
"Fine," Natsuki concedes, shrugging. "I didn't want to stand out, okay. This is a game. So you have to be strategist to win. In this context, drawing too much attention to myself will lead to death, which is why I'm choosing to remain in the sidelines . . . The rest of my classmates can fight for dominion; I don't care. I'll strike when the time is right!" Natsuki discloses, feeling the intensity of ruby orbs locked on her. "And my eyes . . . well, they have always attracted attention, so I hide them! And as for my healing, it isn't miraculous; Chie Harada was just a bad shooter."
"What about her?" Headmistress Blythe asks, gesturing at the taller girl. "You've both saved each other, which isn't against the rules. But romance under these circumstances-"
"-There is no romance," Natsuki interjects, face stern.
"Hmm. Just remember who your competition is," the headmistress reminds the female students, looking between them before exhaling loudly. "And that concludes my interview. Farewell, students . . . Though, I must admit that I am curious to know how this plays out," she instigates, placing her hands inside her jumpsuit's pockets. "I'll be watching you, little doves," the headmistress finishes, exiting the dorm.
"Remain in the sidelines, huh?" the tall beauty repeats, scoffing. "Why didn't I think of that?"
Briefly looking down, Natsuki looks back up at the taller girl, who also exits the dorm. Alone, Natsuki falls back onto bed.
Bored, Natsuki glances at her bracelet and realizes that she could make it to linguistics. Opening a drawer in her nightstand, Natsuki pulls out painkillers, popping two pills. Groaning, she gets out of bed and walks over to her armoire to put on her school uniform.
Dressed, Natsuki grabs her messenger bag, slings it on her shoulder and heads to class.
Arriving, Natsuki garners the class' attention.
Arms and legs crossed, Shizuru widens her eyes when she sees Natsuki walk into the classroom and take a seat.
Sitting at her usual spot in the back, Natsuki pulls out her things, ignoring her classmates' stares.
"How the HELL are you alive?" Mashiro asks, turning around to face Natsuki as the entire class listens in. "And what's up with the eye thing? Halloween is still months away, girl."
Laughing, Akira swallows her gum. "Yo, weren't you shot twice?" she asks, popping another gum inside her mouth.
"Yeah," Mai joins in, sitting atop her desk. "What's up with that, Seven?"
Opting to remain silent, Natsuki opens up her textbook as her classmates look between each other.
"Did you really refuse medical care?" Miyu asks, stirring up the class interrogation once more.
"Might as well spill. We've all heard the rumors," Mai starts again, as Natsuki hardly grips the edges of her textbook.
"She's a bit shy, ain't she?" Fumi notes, looking solemnly at the dark-haired girl.
"I'm really starting to think the girl is a mute," Mashiro remarks as Akira snickers. "Maybe, she has stammering problem or turrets syndrome or something," Mashiro comments as Nao enters the classroom, laughing.
"Are we talking about the mutt?" Nao guesses, luminous orbs hidden behind dark shades. "Because the bitch-"
"-She's perfectly normal," a melodic voice chimes in, garnering everyone's attention. "Natsuki's just a bit of an ice princess."
"Natsuki?" Mai repeats, looking between the dark-haired girl and the light-haired girl.
"Gross," Shiho remarks, as Nao and Akira burst out laughing. "Whatever twisted relationship they have, it'll die in vain. Just. Like. Them."
"Relationship!?" Tomoe repeats, glaring between Natsuki and Shiho.
"Give it a rest, Marguerite," Shiho remarks, rolling her eyes. "She may act like royalty, but she's tacky . . . Honestly, I am not surprised she has a love-struck idiot by her side."
"Not to mention an idiot that happens to be a judgmental little biyotch who thinks she's too good for anyone and anything," Nao inputs, removing her shades, smirking. "Trust me, I know Seven."
"Hmm, so we have an Ice Princess and a Heartless Queen," Akira comments, looking between the dark-haired girl and light-haired girl. "Kinda fitting . . . So who here is up for a lil regicide!?"
"Shut up, Akira!" Tomoe exclaims, rising from her seat.
"Oooh! Will you look at that!?" Akira marvels, as the class laughs. "Jealousy."
"Oh my god girl, don't be stupid!" Mashiro scolds, looking pityingly at the teal-haired girl. "Barbie is gonna kill you."
"Yeah! Didn't your fancy upbringing ever teach you never to trust another pampered brat!?" Akira taunts, blowing a bubble.
"Especially this uptight bitch," Mai inputs, smirking at the calm and reserved tawny-haired girl.
"You mean this poisonous, uptight bitch," Shiho corrects, glaring at the poised and unfazed beauty.
"But seriously, Marguerite," Miyu starts, frowning at the grey-eyed girl. "Why would you be stupid enough to like or trust anyone in this class?" Miyu probes, stern-faced. "It is illogical, naive, futile, and reckless."
"This is true," Mashiro agrees, nodding, as Fumi sinks in her seat. "Coming from money myself, I know how the game works, and so should you," Mashiro comments, sitting erect on her desk. "Honestly girl, have some dignity."
"Plus, you wouldn't want to disappoint mommy," Akira adds, chewing her gum rather loudly. "I'm sure that pageant-mom of yours will NOT take it lightly that you're in love with the competition."
"SHUT UP!" Tomoe bursts out, as Akira grins. "SHUTUP! SHUTUP! SHUTUP!" Tomoe continues yelling, stomping the floor.
"HEY! WATCH IT, HOBBIT!" Shiho scolds, picking up her plushy from the floor, which was almost smashed by Tomoe's foot.
"YOU-" Tomoe starts before being cut off by the class beauty.
"-How about EVERYONE shuts the fuck up, or I slice your necks open by dawn," Shizuru threatens as the class scoffs. "I have a raging headache, and I do not want to listen to you children bicker, gossip, and talk foolishness."
Entering, Midori senses the class' tension. "What I'd miss?"
"Her royal shit being a shit," Mashiro mutters, arms crossed.
"Word," Nao agrees, leaning back in her seat.
"Yup," Akira adds, bumping fists with Nao.
"Well, correct me if I am wrong, but Fujino has been targeted twice and managed to kill both of her tormentors. That's two out of four in the death toll, and she had the disadvantage both times," Midori reminds the class as she takes her seat. "I wouldn't want to piss her off."
Nodding, Miyu opens her textbook as the class follows suit.
Peeking at the raven-haired girl, Shizuru meets Natsuki's curious gaze. Headmistress Blythe knew the truth, but their classmates didn't: Natsuki killed Haruka, not her. Looking away, Shizuru looks at the door where their sensei hurriedly enters, laying his briefcase on his desk.
"Open your book to page 74," Sensei Wang instructs, walking over to the board. Not finishing writing his instructions on the board, he freezes when he hears the class gasp. Turning around, he grips the marker tightly.
Black envelope falling out of her textbook, Midori rises from her seat. Smirking, the brunette bends down to pick up the envelope. "So who's the unlucky girl with a death wish?" the tall and built girl asks, pulling out two old-fashioned revolvers. "Well?" she presses, clocking her guns as her bracelet radiates a bright red light.
"Suguira, take it outside," Sensei Wang instructs, as Midori scoffs, winking at the class before walking out. Quickly glancing at each student, Sensei Wang raises a brow when Akira raises her hand. "Yes, Yumemiya?"
"May I be excused?" Akira asks, smiling toothily like a child. "I have a classmate to kill."
"Oh . . . Well, go on ahead," Sensei Wang answers, gesturing to the door.
Whistling, Akira lifts her desk's lid and pulls out an Ak-47. Saluting to the class, Akira skips off to hunt and kill the taller, more mature of the brunettes.
"So girlies, I got fifty-thousand yen on Suguira," Mashiro wages, as Mai and Fumi giggle.
"Oi, Mashiro! I see your fifty-thousand and raise you ten-thousand on Akira," Mai challenges as Sensei Wang rolls his eyes.
"In that case, make it seventy-thousand on Suguira. Call it or raise it, girl?" Mashiro challenges, smirking before Sensei Wang taps on her desk.
"Girls!" he calls out, as the females continue to ignore him.
"Oh yeah!? Well, I got seventy-five-thousand yen on my homegirl, Akira," Nao joins, as Fumi raises her hand.
"I got-" Fumi starts, cut off by Sensei Wang's scowl. "Sorry, sir."
"Detention. All four of you."
Following linguistics, there was still no sign of the brunettes.
Hungry, Natsuki treats herself to the vending machine, where she buys a load of sweets. After, she secludes herself under the shade of a tree. In silence, Natsuki eats her snacks, right up until a shadow passes her by. Tensing, Natsuki scopes the area, startled when a figure lands on her shoulders. Slumped down, Natsuki groans in pain, seeing a pink-haired girl somersault off her shoulders.
Twirling in the air and landing gracefully on the ground, the pig-tailed girl looks down at the dark-haired beauty.
Teeth barred, Natsuki shoots up before being slammed against the tree. Clenching her stomach, Natsuki meets gleaming, hazel orbs.
Not breaking eye-contact, Shiho pulls out a black envelope, which she kept under her uniform shirt. Smile darkening, she hands it to Natsuki. "I'm giving you a head-start, ice princess," Shiho discloses as a stern-faced Natsuki stares at the envelope. "Run. Bitch."
Immediately, Natsuki's bracelet vibrates and lights up. Reaching for her Beretta, Natsuki feels a hard metal surface strike her head.
Laughing, Shiho presses the muzzle of her pink pistol against Natsuki's forehead. "You should have ran."
Gritting her teeth, Natsuki balls up her fists.
Amused, Shiho shoves the gun's muzzle deeper into Natsuki's forehead. "Where's your queen?" Shiho taunts as she clocks the pistol. "You know, I may hate you, but I pity you. Your girlfriend-"
"-She's not my girlfriend."
"She's a stone-cold bitch," Shiho states, eyes glimmering. "Do you know what she did to me?"
"No," Natsuki answers, indifferent. "And I don't care."
Face twitching, Shiho's lower lip quivers. "On your knees, bitch," she instructs, applying more pressure on Natsuki's forehead. "ON YOUR KNEES!"
Resilient, Natsuki remains undeterred, right up until she is smacked in her temporal lobe with the pistol. Feeling a throbbing pain, Natsuki's right side of the head begins dripping blood.
"On. Your. Knees," Shiho repeats, cocking the gun sideways. "Now."
Beginning to kneel, Natsuki is smacked at the back of her neck, shoving her down to the ground. "Look up," Shiho starts, stepping back. "Your hands. Place them behind your head."
Abiding, Natsuki, lifts her arms, stretches her neck, adjusting her pose before striking Shiho's knees.
Fumbling for balance, Shiho accidentally pulls the trigger.
Quickly, Natsuki grabs Shiho's legs, pulls, and drags the girl to the ground. Climbing on top of the girl, Natsuki punches Shiho's face before slamming her elbow down Shiho's nose.
Wincing in pain, Shiho twitches her nose before feeling the loss of air. Throat gripped by Natsuki, Shiho flexes her wrists, showcasing wrist-blades and slashes Natsuki's face.
Cringing and growling, Natsuki glares at the pink-haired girl who hovers both of her knives above her throat.
"You dumb bitch," Shiho starts, slowly and carefully sitting up.
Curious orbs catching the sight of silver blade speared in the air, Natsuki watches said-blade land on Shiho's upper back.
Wincing, Shiho arches her back, gripping the dagger and pulling it out, only to have Natsuki catch her grip and drive the knife back onto her back.
Twisting the blade, Natsuki smirks at hearing the girl yelp in pain. Pulling out the dagger, Natsuki splatters the girl's blood onto the ground. Blade at hand, Natsuki prowls over to face Shiho and kneels down to be at eye-level with the pink-haired girl.
Meeting curious orbs, Shiho grinds her teeth, staring at the girl dripping blood from her cheek from where she slashed her.
"We're not done here," Natsuki states, picking up the pink pistol and standing up, gaze glued to a tawny head looming closer.
Confused, Shiho turns around to meet ruby eyes before turning back, laughing. "You missed, you fucking cunt," Shiho remarks, looking up to see her tawny-haired rival.
"Why is she still alive?" Shizuru asks ignoring the pig-tailed girl and staring, instead, at the cut on Natsuki's cheek. "You should have killed her. I helped-"
"-You should have done nothing. I can handle myself."
"You're one to talk," Shizuru counters, arms crossed. "You have done your fair share of meddling."
"I don't meddle."
"Yes, you do. Plus, you're injured. Or at least I think you are," Shizuru starts, scowling at the shorter girl. "With you, one can never tell."
"It shouldn't matter to you!" Natsuki exclaims, scowling back. "We're not friends."
Watching her classmates bicker and glare at each other, Shiho reaches for her plushy, digging inside a secret compartment and releases a gas.
Coughing, both Natsuki and Shizuru back away.
"Great," Natsuki remarks in between-coughs. "Look what you did."
"What I did!?" Shizuru repeats, angry. "If by that you mean, save your life. Then, yes, I did do that TWICE."
Rolling her eyes, Natsuki grabs the taller girl's hand.
Tensing, Shizuru looks down at their hands before being dragged away.
"I was handling it," Natsuki starts again, leading them towards the area she saw Shiho retreat.
Brows furrowed, Shizuru bumps into Natsuki when the dark-haired girl abruptly stops.
Scoping the vegetated area, Natsuki sees a flock of birds flying over their heads. "This way," she utters, dragging them in the opposite direction of the birds. "Why were you following me?" Natsuki asks, as they make their way deeper into the island's forest.
"I was following her."
"Why?"
"Because I had a feeling she was after you."
Frowning, Natsuki picks up the pace, sprinting. Catching the glimpse of a shadow, Natsuki halts.
"What?" Shizuru asks, looking around.
"Something's here," Natsuki answers, luring them to the shadows.
"Shiho?"
"Maybe," Natsuki answers, analyzing the pink pistol and frowning when she realizes that it was a lighter and not a deadly weapon. Tossing the useless lighter, Natsuki meets glimmering red pools.
"The thing about Shiho," Shizuru starts, retracting her hand, "Well, she is one of our more traditional of combatants."
"Meaning?"
"She's a ninja," Shizuru answers, as Natsuki furrows her brows. "And I don't mean ninja as in a kid who watches YouTube videos and learns some moves. I mean: She's the real deal. She comes from a long line of ninjas. So right now, she has the home-field advantage."
"No, she doesn't," Natsuki counters, climbing up a tree. Up high, Natsuki searches the clearing for clues. Spotting another flock of birds flying away, Natsuki's gaze lands on a pink head, jumping from one tree to another. Curious orbs glued to the ninja, Natsuki picks up on Shiho's pattern.
"She's agile," Shizuru comments, joining Natsuki. "And elusive."
"And predictable," Natsuki states, jumping down to a lower branch. Working her way back down, Natsuki lands on the ground, quickly followed by her tawny-haired classmate.
"So you picked up her pattern?" Shizuru asks, as Natsuki shakes her head.
"Not exactly," Natsuki answers, looking up. "It's the setting."
"Setting?"
"She going for altitude," Natsuki answers, grabbing the girl's hand once more before taking off running. Halting, Natsuki locks her gaze on a tall sugi tree. Not taking her eyes off the tree, Natsuki reaches under Shizuru's skirt, searching for the girl's Beretta, which is on its sheath. Gripping the gun, Natsuki pulls the gun out as the taller girl tenses and widens her gaze at the dark-haired girl.
"Why did you do that!?" Shizuru exclaims, nervously straightening out her skirt.
Ignoring the taller girl, Natsuki aims the weapon up high, ready to shoot on Shiho's predicted landing. Spotting a blot, Natsuki pulls the trigger.
Bullet grazing her shoulder, Shiho loses her momentum and miss-steps. Falling to the ground, the pink-haired girl sits up, clutching her dislocated shoulder.
Taking aim once more, Natsuki pulls the trigger and shoots Shiho right between the eyes. Shortly, her bracelet vibrates, reading: M, S., Terminated.
Glancing at her bracelet, Shizuru looks at Shiho's corpse, hazel eyes shot open as a pool of blood surrounded her.
After handing the gun back to the taller girl, Natsuki undoes the lower buttons of her uniform shirt, peeking at her wound. Spotting the formation of a red blot on the gauze, she grunts.
"You opened your wound," Shizuru notes, brows furrowed.
Shrugging, Natsuki begins buttoning her shirt back before a pair of delicate, fair-skinned hands stop her.
"Your wound needs to breathe," Shizuru states, resting her hands on top of Natsuki's.
Staring at their hands, Natsuki frowns. "You should go back to your castle," Natsuki states, as the taller girl rolls her eyes and retracts her hands.
"Don't tell me you're still butt-hurt that I moved out of our dorm," Shizuru remarks, crossing her arms across her chest.
"Butt-hurt?" Natsuki repeats, cocking her head to the side. "I happen to be ecstatic not to find your hair in my things anymore. And your smell-"
"-I happen to smell very nice," Shizuru interjects, scowling. "And just so you know: I, too, am ecstatic not to be surrounded by your negativity and brooding anymore. Gosh you're such a drama queen!" Shizuru comments, startled when Natsuki lunges at her, both of them falling down with Natsuki hovering on top of her.
Hand covering the tawny-haired girl's mouth, Natsuki cautiously reaches for the girl's gun once more as the girl tenses and wriggles. Pulling the Beretta from its sheath, fingers brushing the girl's thigh, Natsuki takes off the safety.
Just then, Midori appears, bleeding and clutching her abdomen, wandering aimlessly around.
Tensing, Natsuki lowly growls.
Noting the hostility in the dark-haired girl, Shizuru follows Natsuki's gaze and spots their tall and built classmate. Narrowing her gaze, Shizuru spots the other brunette from afar, taking aim at Midori. Snagging the gun from Natsuki, Shizuru quickly takes aim and fires the weapon.
"SON OF A BITCH!" Akira exclaims, making her appearance known. Stumbling forward, Akira falls to the ground, kneeling and examining her arm.
Startled, Midori touches her body, verifying that she was not shot. Sighing in relief, the tall brunette pulls out her revolvers and aims them at her opponent.
"WHO THE FUCK DID THAT?!" Akira demands, recklessly shooting her AK-47 at the area where Shizuru and Natsuki were hiding.
Covering their heads, Natsuki and Shizuru wait for Akira to run out of ammo.
"Truce, Yumemiya?!" Midori calls out, holding her arms up as Akira scoffs and reloads her gun.
"You FUCKING, BIMBO!" Akira starts as Midori growls. "You cheated."
"I didn't-"
"-I'm going to kill you, now," Akira interjects, pulling out a new cartridge of ammo and expertly inserting it on her assault weapon. "Sayonara, amiga," Akira chides, gun loaded and aimed once more at the tall brunette.
Instinctively, Midori takes aim with her pair of revolvers and shoots the girl's abdomen, causing the girl to scream in pain before bursting out laughing.
"You're dead," Akira promises, fumbling for her weapon.
"I don't cheat, Yumemiya. So when you're ready to continue this, I'll be waiting for you," Midori parts, cautiously backing away before disappearing from view.
Growling loudly, Akira spits out her gum and bangs her head repeatedly with her hands before shooting up and slinging the assault rifle on her shoulder. "I'LL GET YOU! WHOEVER HELPED THAT CUNT! IMA GET YA!" she screams, limping away and clutching her stomach.
"Why'd you do that?" Natsuki asks, taking her hand off of Shizuru's mouth. Not getting an answer, Natsuki frowns. "So is this your thing? Meddling?"
"I do not meddle!"
"Ha!" Natsuki gloats, standing back up. "See how annoying it is to accuse someone of meddling?"
"Oh shut up," Shizuru answers, rolling her eyes.
Lending the girl a hand, Natsuki helps the taller girl up. "Why did you save her?"
"Natsuki, you never answer any of my questions," Shizuru points out as Natsuki flexes her jaw. "But to prove to you that I am not a scared little girl who keeps secrets like you, I'll tell you the truth: I met Midori once before. We were on the same mission but with different targets. Her contract was to kill my client, and my contract was to kill her client. I beat her to it, of course, but unlike other assassins, she did not declare war on me. Instead, she shook my hand, and I never heard from her again. That is, until, we started this program."
"So you what? You like her?"
"No. I just dislike her less than I do most people."
"She's a classmate."
"So are you!"
"So then what are you doing!?"
"What are we doing!?" Shizuru corrects, causing Natsuki to flinch.
Furrowing her brows, Natsuki covers Shizuru's mouth once more, causing the tawny-haired girl to raise a brow.
Just then, a dagger lands on Natsuki's shoulder.
"An eye for an eye, creampuff," Akira states, gun aimed at Shizuru. "How fulfilling! I recall prophesying regicide!" Akira mocks, blowing a bubble. "So who goes first?" Akira asks, smirking when she sees Natsuki balling up her fists. Smirk broadening, Akira hardly kicks Natsuki's visible wound, causing the cobalt-haired girl to drop to her knees.
Spotting the strap of Akira's gun, Natsuki grabs it and drags the brunette down. Quickly, Natsuki mounts the girl and rams her fist onto Akira's throat, causing the brunette to gasp and to cough. Snagging the AK-47 from her, Natsuki beats the girl with the blunt of the weapon, repeatedly, until the girl's face is no longer recognizable.
"Natsuki . . . . stop," Shizuru pleads, looking disdainfully at her disfigured, brunette classmate.
Panting, Natsuki drops the weapon.
Shortly, their bracelets vibrate, confirming Akira Yumemiya's death.
Dismounting the brunette, Natsuki stands up. Briefly meeting crimson orbs, Natsuki frowns and walks away.
Sighing, Shizuru catches up the dark-haired girl.
Not surprised to find her classmate matching her strides, Natsuki ignores the taller girl, continuing on her journey back to campus.
Walking alongside the mysterious cobalt-haired girl, Shizuru keeps quiet, trying to put the pieces together. Given the little she knew about Natsuki and the girl's odd behavior, Shizuru was still drawing a blank. In terms of personality, Natsuki was unstable. In terms of temperament, Natsuki was unstable. In terms of being a professional assassin, Natsuki was brash but effective; she got the job done. In terms of interaction with others, Natsuki was a loner by choice; after all, her friendship with the blonde girl proved that she was capable of forming bonds with others. In terms of her personal life, Natsuki was an orphan turned assassin, hailing from the Kanzaki clan. Moreover, the girl's parents died in a car crash when she was seven, which explained her brooding, distrusting, and troubled behavior; however, it did not explain why her eyes changed color nor the matter regarding her miraculously fast healing abilities. So either Natsuki had really good genes, or she was a stubborn girl capable of withstanding tremendous pain, or she was something else altogether.
Path clearing and terrain leveling, the girls reach school grounds.
"It's late," Shizuru comments, as they walk past the school fountain.
Shrugging, Natsuki tenses when the taller girl yanks her arm. "What?"
Staring into curious orbs, Shizuru hardens her face. "Natsuki, we need to talk."
Frowning, Natsuki exhales deeply. Grunting, Natsuki changes their course and heads towards the cellar underneath the greenhouse, tawny-haired girl trailing behind her.
"So?" Shizuru probes after Natsuki sits atop one of the cellar's barrels.
"What do you want to talk about?" Natsuki asks in a disinterested voice.
"You. Everything."
"No."
"No?"
"No."
"Nats-"
"-You're not going to drop it, are you?" Natsuki interjects as Shizuru crosses her arms across her chest.
"No."
"Then, I'll have to kill you."