Chapter 14: Hollow
Headmistress Blythe's office had black-marble walls, paired with onyx and white-marbled furniture. On the far northern side of the room, there hung a single painting of a young, blonde, and tan-skinned girl sitting on a gold-plated chair, which contrasted a dark and murky background. Copper eyes dimly lit, the girl sits erect, firmly holding a trident as a faint smile brushes her lips.
"You're probably wondering why you're here, little bird," a female speaks up, startling Natsuki. Entering the room with an assistant trailing behind her, Headmistress Blythe removes her glasses as her heels click against the black, marble floor. Setting her spectacles on top of her white-marbled desk, the young headmistress sits down, facing the emerald-eyed beauty.
"Hurry up! This way!" the assistant hisses to Natsuki, as she scurries to the headmistress' side.
Glancing at her phone, Natsuki shrugs away Reito's latest text as she follows the young assistant.
Picking up a stack of papers, Headmistress Blythe hands the heavy pile to the girl. "Darling, give this to Maria," she instructs, as her assistant sporadically shakes her head. "I mean it, love. I DON'T want to look at these dreaded pages anymore so don't you DARE come back with your puppy-dog eyes because brittle, wittle Maria scares you."
Pile at hand, the assistant smiles shyly before scurrying off, leaving the two females alone.
Opening her drawer, Headmistress Blythe pulls out a black remote. Smiling thinly, she removes a hidden headset and tosses it on her desk. "Look," she begins, pressing a button and gesturing to an area where a huge monitor hung, surrounded by smaller monitors.
Lighting up, the monitors display the current doings of Class Diamond students, as well as other regions in the academy.
Almost immediately, Natsuki's eyes gravitate to a tawny-haired girl meditating in a neatly adorned room, surrounded by scented candles. Heartbeat slowing, Natsuki is shaken from her thoughts when the biggest monitor rewinds the video-feed to a prior time.
Observing her student, Headmistress Blythe pauses the feed to a picture-frame consisting of Natsuki and Shizuru laying next to each other, asleep. "A sleepover, given your situation, seems unprecedented, doesn't it, love?"
Hardening her jaw, Natsuki shrugs and looks away.
"Ms. Kuga," the headmistress starts, as her copper eyes analyze a pale, dark-haired beauty. "Look at me," she instructs, meeting emerald irises. "Can you see where I am getting at?"
Staring indifferently at the older woman, Natsuki shrugs once more.
Rolling her eyes, the headmistress leans back in her chair. "Ms. Kuga, I am going to be frank with you," the young headmistress starts again, turning off the monitors. "Class Diamond was created decades ago to bring order into the chaotic world of assassins. It was a war-zone. Clans fighting for power, for money, for clients, for territory . . . But then Class Diamond happened, and it neutralized the situation. . . Clans sent their champions to represent them in the games. Winners were chosen fairly. People with a target on their head kept being killed . . . in an orderly fashion. The world kept turning, Ms. Kuga. It is what we do. We clean up others' messes . . . for a price," she continues, narrowing her gaze on the cobalt-haired girl. "And speaking of prizes, do you know how RAREit is for a clan to have TWO representatives in the same game?
Quickly frowning, Natsuki searches intrigued coppers.
"It is so rare, in fact," Headmistress Blythe answers, smile faintly, "That it has never been done before."
"At least, not before YOU took over," Natsuki clarifies, as the headmistress' smirk broadens.
"You poor, little bird," the young woman starts in a condescending tone. "You should REALLY learn your history."
Scoffing, Natsuki crosses her arms across her chest. "And now, I'm going to be frank with you. Just come out with it: What do you want?"
"Order."
"Meaning?"
"Your clan," the headmistresses begins, leaning forward, "The Kanzaki clan, has been in power for ages. Did you know that?" the woman asks, observing her student.
Aware of her clan's history, Natsuki nods.
"Then, how about this, love: Do you know what the Kanzaki signature trademark is? Or how LITERAL they take their 'No questions asked' policy?" the headmistress continues, as Natsuki waits for catch. "Your clientele values your clan's discreetness. And other clans respect that. After all, you guys don't intervene into other clans' affairs, which makes your clan the pillar of respect in the trifecta of power," Headmistress Blythe states, showcasing three fingers. "Respect, Innovation, and Prestige. Or R.I.P., as I like to call it."
Brows furrowed, Natsuki drifts her gaze over to the single painting hovering above Headmistress Blythe's head.
"Ah yes," the headmistress starts, smirking. "My portrait," she continues, resting her elbows on her desk and bringing her hands together. "Call it vain or accurate, but I fashion myself as the PERFECT embodiment of all three," the headmistress remarks, copper eyes shining brightly. "This is why I'M in charge. That is why I'M headmistress. That is why I'M the youngest headmistress in the academy's history. And that is why I'M winner of the games at my trial."
Emerald eyes glued to the young girl frozen in the painting, Natsuki notes a familiar emblem in the girl's trident: An amethyst encircled by a crest.
"My trial," Headmistress Blythe continues, garnering Natsuki's attention, "Consisted of a series of challenges and/or obstacles masqueraded as 'games' that tested the attributes that differentiate a good assassin from a great assassin . . . you know, in case you didn't know your headmistress' history-"
"-I don't."
"Well, I was about your age when I competed," the headmistress discloses, smiling fondly at the memory of her younger self. "They put us in groups. Forced us to work together as a team, and next thing you knew, they forced us to turn on each other," she continues, smile growing. "I remember in one of the last challenges, they locked us in a room where they released a hallucinogen through a vent. Our mission: To find the exit. One by one, we all fell victim to the drug . . . we curled up on the floor, scared. I snapped out of it first and found the exit. But it was locked. It needed four distinct fingerprints, so I went back and helped my teammates. We made it out on record time. But as soon as we won, Maria informed us that we were to make a group decision and discard one teammate. And since I practically won my team the last challenge, I felt that I should be immune, but my group disagreed, and I complied. We drew straws, and I got the short-end. But I wasn't going to give up my right to advance because of rotten luck, so I took a straw from a teammate. He fought me on it, and I killed him . . . and when another teammate intervened, I killed her, too . . . The moral of the story: Alliances can only get you so far."
Scoffing, Natsuki rolls her eyes. "It's common sense."
"Practice what you preach, love," Headmistress Blythe points out, causing Natsuki to harden her jaw. "Don't forget that I am a Class Diamond alumni, so I know a thing or two about winning. After all, my last challenge left quite the impression on the school's administration . . . so much that they practically BEGGED me to take the job as headmistress."
Intrigued, Natsuki raises a brow. "What was-what was your last challenge?"
Smirking, Headmistress Blythe runs a hand through her blonde locks. "They dropped us in the ocean at midnight. Our mission: Make it back to the academy's shoreline before dawn," the headmistress recalls, scoffing. "Wash't too hard. Swam for an hour, until I boarded a yacht . . . well, more like stole it . . . and slaughtered the captain . . . as well, as the family and dumped their bodies into the ocean. Then, I steered the blood-coated boat back to school. But not without killing off another classmate who was going to beat me to the finish line. So, naturally, I had to DEAL with it because I am THAT type of woman: The type who ALWAYS gets her way."
Frown deepening, Natsuki stares at the academy's headmistress whose cocky, self-centered demeanor echoed that of the tawny-haired girl.
"Every day, I face . . . challenges. And every day, I deal with them; I take care of them. It's what I'm best at," the headmistress discloses, stern-faced. "And if you didn't know, Ms. Kuga, Dr. Kanzaki is a close friend of mine," Headmistress Blythe reveals, startling the raven-haired girl. "We actually dated for a bit," the woman confesses, as Natsuki scrunches up her face. "So knowing Reito and knowing the history of your clan, I sought him to help me take care of a little, pestering problem," the headmistress continues, leaning closer to dark-haired girl. "I asked him out to dinner and asked if he was thinking of entering an assassin in the upcoming games, and he told me that he had two girls in mind."
Brows furrowed, Natsuki looks down at the floor. Reito was always a puzzle to her. Even though they practically grew up together, Reito always kept to himself. Unlike his father, Reito's interactions with the clan were always business-related or, in Natsuki's case, sometimes science-related, given that Reito used to help his uncle, the elder Dr. Kanzaki, around the lab when they were younger. Then when Reito left the clan to pursue a medical degree, Natsuki and the others had to answer to Dr. Kanzaki until Reito, all of a sudden, returned, set on taking over the family business. And when he did, his first order of business was officially assigning them numbers, the nicknames they bore as children, which ranged from one through seven.
" . . . accepted you both."
"What?" Natsuki asks, confused, daydreaming once more.
"I SAID," the headmistress starts again, annoyed, "I informed Reito that there was a competitor . . . a student that I needed taken care of. So having the utmost respect for your clan's effectiveness and clause of confidentiality, I told Reito that I would accept his two best assassins into my academy. In turn, his chances of ramping up the Kanzaki name were doubled if either of you won, and I could put my pest problem to rest."
"I'm wondering if you told him," Natsuki utters, frowning.
"Told him what?"
"That only one would live."
"Of course not," the older woman answers, smiling thinly. "I created this trial with the sole purpose of offing the little brat . . . the stakes had to be high. Plus, I had to get it approved by the board, so it had to be both interesting and deadly, so the element of surprise was crucial," the blonde answers, smirking. "Remember: Only one lives, Ms. Kuga," the headmistress reminds the younger girl. "Imagine how having that knowledge would fare to trained assassins and clan leaders, who are expertly trained and conditioned to survive and to kill, knew . . . it'd be chaos."
Lowering her gaze, Natsuki sighs.
"So do you see it now, love?" the headmistress probes, as Natsuki meets cold, copper eyes once more. "I told you that I am the type of woman who knows how to take care of her problems . . . And you, my dear girl, have to remember your purpose for being here . . . So . . . DO. YOUR. JOB."
Hardening her expression, Natsuki stares at the older woman. "I want to know."
"Know what?"
"Who the girl is," Natsuki demands, already knowing the answer.
"My dear, child, you're not stupid," Headmistress Blythe answers, staring down her student. "You know EXACTLY, which bratty, self-centered, narcissistic girl I am referring to. The same girl whose death would ignite a war in the assassin world if her clan suspects foul play."
Reaching for the remote again, the headmistress turns the monitors on. "God save the Queen," the older woman jokes, as an image of Natsuki curled up to Shizuru is projected. "Like I said, you're not stupid," Headmistress Blythe repeats, rising from her seat and towering over the dark-haired girl. "Now, off to your mission, little dove. You're excused," she finishes, ringing her assistant in.
Entering the office once more, the young assistant retrieves the dark-haired student and escorts her out of Headmistress Blythe's office.
Sitting under the shade of a tree, Natsuki reflects on what the academy's headmistress had just relayed onto her. Four's presence was not a coincidence. It was planned all along. That is why Reito was very specific about staying out of each other's way. He was pinning them against each other, not physically but psychologically. Reito wanted victory, and his best shot was sending his two best assassins out to compete against one another, thereby increasing their focus and desire to win over the other. It also ensured that they would be pressured to succeed, proclaiming one of the two as the winner.
Hearing a melodic giggle, Natsuki snaps out of her thoughts.
Hands behind her back, Shizuru entertains a group of admirers.
Frowning, Natsuki looks away from the tawny-haired girl and stands up and gathers her belongings.
"We're almost down to the top five," a light, melodic voice comments, as Natsuki slings her messenger bag across her torso. "Where were you?" the tall beauty asks, red locked onto green. "You didn't show up to class."
"Busy," Natsuki utters, frowning.
"So?" the taller girl presses, as Natsuki hardens her jaw. "Where were you being busy?" she teases, noting a distant demeanor from the emerald-eyed beauty.
Briefly maintaining eye-contact, Natsuki looks away and attempts to walk out of the situation.
Grabbing the girl's hand, Shizuru halts the dark-haired girl.
"What do you want?" Natsuki asks, annoyed.
"You can be so defensive sometimes," Shizuru notes before smirking. "It's kinda cute but also extremely annoying."
"Yeah, well, so is prying into other's business," the raven-haired beauty snaps, retreating her hand, causing Shizuru to tense.
"And we're back to the mood-swings," Shizuru remarks, causing the shorter girl to scoff. "And I'm not prying into your business, Natsuki. I was concerned."
"Concerned? Why?"
"Neither you nor Mashiro showed up to class."
"Oh," Natsuki starts, gripping her bag's strap. "Well, I haven't seen her all day."
"Natsuki, relax," Shizuru eases, fighting a smile and noting Natsuki's reluctance. "I'm not going to interrogate you or your whereabouts."
"That's a first," the raven-haired girl mutters, as the tawny-haired girl's smile broadens.
"Well, I like to think I know you better now than I did before. "
Rolling her eyes at herself, Natsuki grinds her teeth before talking. "I was at the headmistress' office, okay," she caves, causing the taller girl to flinch.
"What did she want?" Shizuru asks, expression mirroring both concern and curiosity.
"Information regarding Tomoe's death," Natsuki lies as the tawny-haired girl relaxes. "For her report, I guess."
"And was that it?" the tall beauty presses, as Natsuki nods before walking away.
Hands behind her back, Shizuru follows Natsuki to the gym. "So you're a snuggler," Shizuru teases, as Natsuki flushes red. "Not that I blame you. I am very cuddable."
Opting to remain silent, Natsuki arrives the academy's gym and opens the building's door, not surprised to see the taller girl dart past her. Following the taller girl in, Natsuki walks to the locker room and undoes the knot in her tie. Taking the tie off, Natsuki puts it aside as she opens her locker.
Leaning against the array of lockers, Shizuru watches the quiet and reserved dark-haired girl take off her uniform shirt and slip onto black shorts before removing her skirt.
Sports bra on and skin-clad shorts on, Natsuki ties her hair into a ponytail.
"Out of curiosity: Are you giving me the silent treatment?" Shizuru asks, as Natsuki slams her locker shut. "Because I was just teasing you."
"Yeah. I know," Natsuki states, bandaging her knuckles. "And no. I just have a lot on my mind."
"Hence the workout?"
"I always workout."
"So you're telling me that you've been working out in skimpy outfits, sweating, as your muscles palpitate this ENTIRE time, and you didn't tell me?!"
"Well, I used to hate you, so there's that," Natsuki replies, noting a change in the tawny-haired girl, seeing as to how she was more playful and less reserved.
"Cute."
"Adorable."
"Candid."
"Modest."
Smiling, Shizuru bites her lower lip. "Natsuki, in all seriousness," Shizuru starts, stepping closer. "I feel like you're not telling me something."
"Well, I'm not one for sharing."
"I know that."
"Then, why expect otherwise?"
"Don't do that," Shizuru scolds, rolling her eyes. "That little Ice Princess role that you play does NOTHING to me."
"And that bratty, always-gets-her-way attitude that you have does NOTHING to me."
"Oh please. It turns you on," Shizuru rebuts, causing Natsuki to crack a smile and lighten up.
"You've already said it," Natsuki starts, putting her kickboxing gloves on. "We're almost down to the top five," she elaborates, walking past the taller girl. "Maybe we should keep our distance."
Flinching, Shizuru furrows her brows before trailing off after the dark-haired beauty.
Making her way to the small room at the end of the corridor, Natsuki fixes her stance before kicking and punching the sandbag.
Arms crossed and leaning against the door-frame, Shizuru watches the raven-haired girl punch, kick, and shove the sandbag out of her path. Sighing, Shizuru walks away, leaving the dark-haired girl alone. She was right.
Panting and sweat pouring down her face, Natsuki halts when the corner of her eyes no longer spot tawny locks lingering by the door. Looking down at the floor, Natsuki grunts before staring back at the area where the tawny-haired girl last stood. Rolling her eyes, Natsuki looks away and resumes her workout.
Sitting on a ledge, Shizuru stares at the starlit sky under greenhouse's ceiling. Heart racing, Shizuru sits up, startled, when someone comes in. Face falling, the red-eyed girl's face sighs when she sees that her visitor was not a particular raven-haired girl with piercing green eyes. "Mashiro," Shizuru greets, tone low and cold.
"Your highness," the lavender-haired girl greets in a much too sweet tone. Rolling her eyes, Mashiro sits next to the class beauty. "Tone the bitch-face down, Fujino. I am not here to target you," Mashiro discloses before frowning. "I just needed to breathe."
Uncomfortable, Shizuru shifts in her seat.
"It's weird," the lavender-haired girl starts, breaking the silence. "I foresaw it. You, Fumi, and I to be amongst the last ones . . . but now, I wish I hadn't been right," Mashiro confesses, glancing at her bracelet.
"Interesting," Shizuru notes as the shorter girl raises a brow. "Typically, self-righteous, self-absorbed, vindictive girls like you tend to pride themselves in always being right."
"First of all, fuck you. And second of all, I don't feel like showing off. I just want her gone," Mashiro states, gulping. "Because if Fumi doesn't die by anyone else's hand, then, I'll have to kill her myself . . . if it comes down to it."
"Can you?"
"Can YOU?"
"Personally, I am not close to Himeno-"
"-Don't play stupid, Fujino," Mashiro interjects, staring hardly into crimson orbs. "You know EXACTLY who I'm referring to. Don't think I haven't noticed your Lost Girl romance with the broody weirdo from class."
Grinding her teeth, Shizuru scoffs before smiling. "You know: I always thought it was one-sided," she comments as Mashiro tenses. "You never paid attention to her before. Always throwing it in her face . . . with all your little suitors. Even, I thought it was cruel."
"And now, I remember why we're not friends," Mashiro snaps, standing up and glowering at the tawny-haired girl.
"We could NEVER be friends," Shizuru proclaims, standing up as well. "You know that."
"All I know is that when I was younger, all I wanted was a friend, and it just so happened that a girl my age lived a house away."
"Our parents forbade it. Our clans-"
"-Children don't listen to their parents, much less other adults!" Mashiro argues, causing Shizuru to flinch. "You're the only weirdo who did everything mommy and daddy said . . . just look all around you, Fujino. Even in our messed up world, assassins make friends. And you, girl, well, you can wave your shiny, pretty scepter, flaunt your adorned crown, and behead all those you desire but, at the end of the day, the Queen of Hearts has no heart of her own . . . you're ALONE, and you will die ALONE. And as for me, I will win this goddamn tournament! Then, I will give my clan their stupid, beloved contracts and start living my life, an actual life!"
"Woah. Dream big," Shizuru taunts, as Mashiro scoffs.
"Fuck. You."
"So I take it this means you will target me," Shizuru guesses, a small smile playing on her lips. "What ever will I do?"
"You know what: I'm so grateful to the fact that I haven't lost that last shred of humanity because I'd HATE to be you."
"But darling, you are me," Shizuru argues, as Mashiro furrows her brows. "A poorer carbon copy of me, sure, but you and I, we were raised the same. With the same ideals. With the same amount of pressure because, Mashiro, your parents NEVER wanted you, just like mine never wanted me. We're heiresses . . . We're insurance policies . . . We're the daughters destined to bear our family's cross, our family's legacy, right up until their sad, pathetic lives come to an end. But by that time, we will be too far gone, and if we're lucky, we will die before we're forced to curse our offspring and repeat the vicious cycle," Shizuru reveals before scoffing. "But I'll do you the kindness and kill you before you're forced to live that fate."
Bottom lip quivering, Mashiro balls up her fists. "You're a deluded sociopath."
"I'm an assassin."
"Oh honey, keep telling yourself that," Mashiro comments, heading out and lingering by the door. "There's a reason you're the best: You're a soulless, heartless, stone-cold bitch-of-a-monster. But I have something you don't. I have the upper-hand because, unlike you, I WANT to live. I WANT to survive. I WANT a life. I have something worth fighting for, worth living for, and you, your highness, have NO ONE," Mashiro parts, exiting the greenhouse.
Eyes glistening, Shizuru sits on the ledge once more, hugging her knees. Mashiro was right: She was alone. She had no one.
Showered, Natsuki walks back to her dorm, only to pause at the corridor leading to her room.
Leaning against Natsuki's door-frame, hands behind her back, a girl smiles, meeting emerald irises.
"So . . . what are you doing?" Natsuki asks the strange, pink-haired girl.
"I'm going to target you tomorrow, Miss, um, Seven," Fumi discloses, smiling shyly. "I hate surprises, so I thought it would only be fair to inform you, so you could give it all you got. I know I will."
Frowning, Natsuki, confused, nods.
"Have a goodnight," Fumi parts, slightly bowing before walking back to her room.
Still frowning, Natsuki turns to stare at the polite, pink-haired girl until she disappears from view. Just then, Natsuki hears familiar, approaching footsteps. Meeting wine eyes, Natsuki looks away, turning the knob to her dorm. Freezing, Natsuki feels the burning gaze of the girl with tawny locks, mesmerizing fiery, crimson orbs, and skin as fair as snow. "I can't really talk right now," Natsuki utters, turning to face the tall beauty.
"I didn't say anything," Shizuru remarks, a small smile playing on her lips.
"Well, I have a long day ahead of me. I need sleep."
"Okay."
Rolling her eyes once more at herself, Natsuki exhales loudly at the stationary girl. "What do you want?"
"Hmm," Shizuru hums, looking Natsuki up and down. "I see that whatever was bothering you earlier today is still bothering you right now," Shizuru concludes, leaning against the wall.
"What are you babbling about?"
"You're mad."
"I'm not mad."
"Then, why do you keep blowing me off?" Shizuru probes, causing Natsuki to scoff. "And why are you stalling? I'm not stupid. You don't want me to go to your room."
"I just want to sleep."
"Well, you sleep better with me," Shizuru points out, recalling how soundly Natsuki slept beside her.
"Nothing happened," Natsuki clarifies, as Shizuru rolls her eyes.
"Obviously," Shizuru agrees before smiling coyly. "Otherwise, you wouldn't be walking."
Scoffing, Natsuki rubs the back of her head. "Look, I really need to sleep."
"And I really don't want to be alone right now," Shizuru confesses, causing Natsuki to soften. "Just sleep. Like yesterday."
"I don't think-"
"-WHY!?" Shizuru demands, losing patience.
Flinching, Natsuki stares at the angry, taller girl. "That girl . . . Himeno, I think, is going to target me tomorrow," Natsuki explains, as Shizuru furrows her brows. "It's my problem, so I need to deal with it. And I don't want you around me when it happens."
"I don't need protection," Shizuru argues, offended. "I'm not a fragile child, Natsuki. I'm more than capable of-"
"-I know," Natsuki interrupts, staring hardly into reds. "But for once, can put your ego aside and do as you're told."
"And what EXACTLYis it that you're telling me?"
"To stay away."
"Is that really what you want? For me to stay away from you?" Shizuru asks, ruby locked on emerald. "Because we keep running in circles, and I'm getting tired of it."
"It's not about 'want.' It's'-"
"-Do you want me to stay away from you?" Shizuru repeats, voice firmer. "Yes or no, Natsuki."
"Yes," Natsuki answers, matching the taller girl's glare.
"Understood," Shizuru replies before scoffing. "But pushing me away is not going to solve our problems."
"We have nothing BUTproblems."
"Whatever you say," Shizuru agrees, smiling thinly. "And I guess in some way this is my doing, since I asked for space, but you once told me to forget about everyone and everything and do what I want. So I did. I'm doing that now," the beauty rants, causing Natsuki to soften. "But it seems you're taking back what you said, so I'll stay away . . . but I must say," she adds, taking one last look at the raven-haired girl, "I NEVER took you for a martyr," she parts, walking away from the dark-haired beauty.
Waking up bright and early, the fair-skinned girl stretches. Eyes still closed, she yawns, smiling at the scent of maple syrup, which implied pancakes were in the mix. "Yummy," she mutters, voice groggy, before yawning and stretching.
"I'm afraid you won't get the joy of savoring them," a melodic voice comments, causing the sleepy girl to shoot her eyes open.
"You."
Carrying the silver tray over to the girl, the red-eyed beauty sits at the edge of the bed. Gesturing at the tray below, Shizuru watches the girl's face morph from confusion to terror.
Spotting the black envelope with the Fujino seal, the girl gulps. "You're targeting me?" she asks, peeking every so often under her bed where her weapon lay.
"Yes," Shizuru answers, catching the glances. "And I wouldn't do that if I were you," she warns, setting the tray aside and placing it on top of the nightstand.
"Why?" the girl asks, buying time, conjuring up a battle plan.
"It's nothing personal," Shizuru answers before exhaling. "And now that you've received official notice, I have to complete my assignment and terminate you," Shizuru discloses, grabbing one of the cushions before slamming it on the girl's face. Pressing hardly against the girl, Shizuru's hands tremble as she presses more hardly and as she uses her weight to keep the girl trapped beneath her.
Using all her strength to push against the tawny-haired beauty, Fumi opts to wrap her legs around Shizuru in order to entrap and to coil her. Unfortunately for her, Shizuru slams Fumi's head against the wall, repeatedly, causing Fumi to feel intense pain in her cranium.
Quickly reaching over to her thigh, Shizuru pulls out a silencer, aims it at the center of the cushion, and pulls the trigger. Hearing a splat and feeling a warm liquid streaming down her legs, Shizuru exhales once more. Feeling the body underneath her twitch before going limp, Shizuru releases her hold on the cushion. Straddled on top of the dead girl, Shizuru tenses when the door-knob jiggles before turning.
Teacup falling down, the lavender-haired girl brings her hand up to her mouth as her eyes water.
Dismounting the girl, Shizuru maintains eye-contact with a shock-stricken Mashiro. "Be grateful you weren't forced to do it."
Falling to her knees, Mashiro stares at Fumi's corpse, as their bracelets go off, confirming Fumi's death.
Placing the silencer back in her thigh, Shizuru walks across the room, halting when Mashiro shoots up.
Staring uncomfortably at aqua-colored eyes, Shizuru sighs. "You said it yourself: You didn't want to kill her, and you hoped someone else would."
"Don't PRETEND you're doing me any favors," Mashiro carefully says, body trembling.
"I'm not," Shizuru answers, standing poised. "I know you. I know how calculative you can be and how your temper, every so often, intercedes with your missions. Simply put: I am being tactical, putting the odds in my favor and hitting several birds with one stone."
"Get out."
Walking past the shorter girl, Shizuru lingers by the entrance. "I guess this means you're all alone like me," she adds before exiting.
Walking over to the vending machine, Natsuki flinches when she sees the reflection of her classmate. Hardening her jaw, Natsuki turns around to face a sky-haired girl who gestures at her samurai swords, which are criss-crossed on her back.
Mentally face-palming herself for not having her rapier with her, Natsuki tenses when Miyu reaches into her back-pocket. Scoping her surroundings, the dark-haired beauty contemplates pulling out her gun. Narrowing her emerald irises on the red-eyed girl, Natsuki eases when Miyu showcases Natsuki a black envelope.
"Do you understand?" Miyu asks Natsuki who nods. "Very well, then," Miyu finishes, reaching for her swords.
Elbowing the vending machine, Natsuki startles Miyu when the glass breaks. Seizing the opportunity, the cobalt-haired girl pulls out her weapon and aims it and shoots it at the sky-haired girl who dodges the bullets. Sprinting away and reloading her gun, Natsuki runs towards the fire exit. Opening the door, the emerald-eyed beauty frantically climbs up the ladder, which led to the roof. Panting, Natsuki surveys the area before spotting a steel-pole laying on the ground. Making a run toward it, the raven-haired girl nearly slips as she darts towards the weapon. Picking it up, Natsuki comes face-to-face with the sky-haired girl who smiles eerily at her as she twirls her swords.
Gun loaded, Natsuki aims it at the blue-haired girl, whilst firmly gripping the steel pole with her other hand.
"Don't hold back," Miyu remarks, as she steadies her stance.
Pulling the trigger, Natsuki is suddenly blinded by a smokescreen. Grunting, she backs out and makes a run towards the roof's power vents, using them to escalate higher. In a higher vantage point, Natsuki looks below before tensing and sensing her classmate who lunges at her high in the air. Blocking the two swords, Natsuki pushes the sky-haired girl away.
Landing tactically on the ground, Miyu grunts before spearing herself at Natsuki once more.
Barely dodging the attack, Natsuki loses slight momentum and missteps as Miyu slashes her sword diagonally across Natsuki's torso.
White uniform shirt now streaking a red line, Natsuki ignores the stinging pain and focuses in controlling her breathing.
"You're a lot stronger than you look," Miyu remarks, popping her neck and rolling back her shoulders, prepping for a long fight. "You make a worthy opponent, Natsuki Kuga."
Silent, Natsuki glares daggers at her classmate who tosses one of her two swords to Natsuki. Catching it, Natsuki swooshes the sword, testing it, whilst looking confusedly at the blue-haired girl.
"Now, it's a fair fight," Miyu explains, spreading her legs and adjusting her grip on her sword.
Tossing the sword to her other hand, Natsuki adjusts her stance as well before nodding.
Smirking, Miyu comes at Natsuki and their swords clash, creating a loud, thunderous clanking noise that catches Shizuru's attention as she sips her tea by her window-sill.
A/N: I apologize for the long break; I was out on holiday. When I returned home, I had a bad case of writer's block and was caught up in politics. Anyway, I'll try to update more regularly. Thanks for reading!