A/N: Because some of you may feel like 2 chapters per week is a little so (i think so too), i would increase the number of chapters to 3~4 per week. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Have fun reading.

Angel Beats!

What We Die For

Chapter 21

Heart Breaker

The tunnel leading to the larger factory was one that i had not trekked before as there was no need to before this day. Unlike other tunnels, the ones leading towards the larger factory were larger and wider, possibly used to move larger quantities of supplies to and fro the factories. At the moment, however, the tunnels were a simple scene of chaos. Builders were moving large equipments and supplies to the larger factory by use of small rail-cars that ran on rail tracks that were built to ease the transportation of supplies through the tunnels. However what was going the other way were simple bodies. Dead or injured members were transported out of the larger factory and probably headed towards the infirmary. The explosion must have been larger than i first thought.

"So how are we suppose to find this supplier?"

That's a good question.

"I guess we'll start by first asking around. But before that, who are you?"

I turn around and face the new girl who was clinging onto Yukari like how a koala would cling onto a tree.

"... Takamachi-san, who is this?"

I point to the girl who seemed to be taking the offensive towards me.

"Ah, this is Iris-chan. Testarossa Iris."

Another one? Sure, among the thousands of SSS2 members i would expect a few mixed blood people, but to meet two within such a short period of time. That was just too much a coincidence.

"She seems to hate me."

"Well, yeah, she's usually a nice girl, albeit lazy, but somehow she's quite aggressive to those people i meet."

So it's you that's the problem. And by 'those people' does that mean she's jealous? Wait, jealous?

"Erm... Is she... erm... you know."

"Hm? Oh, yes, she's been attached to me for quite some time. She is quite the cute one, after all."

Yukari smiled, holding up Iris's chin in a rather... erotic(?) manner.

"Takamachi-san... you... you like girls?"

I start to inch away from this... dangerous person. Dangerous, in more ways than one. Yukari seemed to get what i was talking about, and her mischievous smirk returned. I hate that look.

"It isn't that i only like girls. You can say that i like all cute things. You know, Kurogane, you're pretty cute yourself."

Uh-oh. I don't like that look in her eye, and the more i back away, the more she closer she gets. Why is she coming towards me in the first place? Get away, get away, GET AWAY! I stopped as i found my back right up against the wall. Yukari prevented me from escaping, planting her hands against the walls that i was backed up against. I was cornered like a rat.

"You're so cute, acting all so frightened, makes me want to just eat you up. Don't worry, it won't hurt."

Can you stop licking your lips like that? It is seriously scary!

"I would like to refuse that offer."

"Refusal not accepted."

Since when did this school become a maria Lilly garden? Too close! Too close!

"Yukari!"

Iris suddenly pulled Yukari back. Thank you for being jealous.

"What's the matter, Iris-chan? Don't worry, i'll treat you real well too."

Okay... so i need to leave this scene immediately.

"Where do you think you're going, Kurogane?"

Oh crap.

So this is what Yuki meant by watching myself around Yukari. That girl is dangerous. Not only is the person herself dangerous, but that Iris girl seemed hate me. A lot. Jealously has its limits, and this girl was probably around there too. Still, thanks to Iris, Yukari did not manage to anything more than corner me against the wall. And so back to the job. Iris Testarossa decided to follow us, and now that i look at her carefully, she seemed to fit the image of a 'doll'. Long flowing pale blue hair that bordered close to white, her somewhat large blue eyes staring constantly at Yukari. Stalker did not fit her any more. This was something on a whole new level.

"So how are we going to find this guy?"

Yukari asked, changing my focus from Iris to the tunnel ahead.

"I don't think we can ask just anyone if they've seen someone that fits our description. They're too busy with the explosion that they wouldn't have noticed anyone different or strange."

I reply, taking a look around the main tunnel. There were many smaller tunnels that were attached to the main tunnel, but judging from their size, it wasn't possible to drag a large crate of supplies through those. Even if you could, it wasn't going to go unnoticed since those smaller tunnels were only used to move people, not large crates. So that leaves the main tunnel.

"There must be a separate tunnel that connects the smaller factory to this tunnel up ahead. Or it could be an inside job."

There were just too many variables.

"Don't worry your cute little head about such things. Things will work out, eventually."

Yukari's words of encouragement were not offering much encouragement at all.

"Eventually, huh."

I check my ammunition levels. Though i do not expect a fight to break out, you would never know how a thief like the one we're chasing would react once cornered. I only had one clip left for my pistol. My rifle was completely empty, and the steel pole i took up before to fight Shadows was bent in all odd angles so i threw it somewhere, can't remember where exactly. I should seriously get back to Gen soon, though the prospect of being scolded by him was a rather strong deterrent for me. Yes, i hate being scolded. I don't really know why, but it always evokes some strong pain within me. Probably something to do with my past life. Actually, i don't know anyone who likes being scolded- wait, skip that. Somehow the image of Imagawa came to my head.

"I know of such a tunnel."

Iris suddenly spoke up. When she isn't angry from being jealous or being all giggly and whatever when Yukari is 'spoiling' her, Iris looks pretty much expressionless. Like i said. Doll.

"Really?"

"Yeah, the builders dug it without letting Yuuko knowing. They wanted to get supplies to the larger factory without going through the long route and the inspection."

Iris explained, reaching into her pocket and pulled out a small map which showed the Guild tunnels. She pointed to one particularly large tunnel, this tunnel.

"Inspection is done by Yuuko's personally chosen people, so they are rather strict about what sort of equipment can be used in the larger factory. Yuuko doesn't want random explosions that result from untested or unstable equipment, so she's being extremely careful about what can be used which results in slow shipment of supplies and equipments. This also results in the builders over at the larger factory to be forced to build using simpler tools. This is the tunnel that the builders dug."

Iris pointed to a separate line that connected the tunnel to the smaller factory. While i have no idea why she went through such a long explanation, it certainly did help out with this task.

"Hmm, this is very helpful. But Testarossa-san, why do you have such information?"

Iris looked at me with the same expressionless face she dons when it doesn't concern Yukari.

"I'm part of the Intelligence division. Such information gathering are my expertise."

She produced a camera in her hand. Not a small digital one used by amateur girls just going 'kyaa kyaa' and take a picture of everything they find pink and cute. This was a large professional camera completely with a large lens. Another thing, where the hell did she pull that out from?

"For your information, seventy percent of the memory bank is reserved for Yukari-san only. Of which, forty percent are of her bathing. They are not for sale."

Thanks, i'll keep that mind, not that i would be needing such useless information anyway. Stalker class, confirmed. And there isn't a point to give me a thumbs up. What the hell is that suppose to mean with this sort of context?

"So we're going to check this tunnel. However by the looks of things we're probably looking for an insider."

An insider's job. This doesn't look good. The entire structure of the SSS2 was already unstable. The increase of those stores was a sure sign of the decline of order, and now with this insider being the one responsible for the illegal selling of the much needed supplies, i fear this would only be the beginning. The three of us headed straight for the entrance of the second tunnel, a certain unsettling feeling growing in my gut.

"That's probably because you didn't eat a good meal. Here, i still have some takoyaki from before."

Yukari offered me the snack from before. I'm surprised she didn't finish eating that, and no, i'm not hungry. It's not 'that' kind of unsettling feeling.

"Then what? You're having your period-"

"I SAID IT'S NOT THAT KIND OF FEELING!"

I'm feeling exhausted just dealing with Yukari. No need to worry about some insider job, i'm going to die just from talking to this rather crazy person.

"You should learn to relax. Being too high strung can lead to a lot of health problems."

Health should be the least of my concerns. In fact, it should not be a concern at all in this World. Yukari suddenly grabbed my shoulders from behind with her rather monstrous strength.

"Just relax, and leave it all to onee-san."

"Who the hell is onee-san? And can you take your hands off my shoulders- ITE TE TE TE TE!"

Yukari suddenly pressed her thumbs into my back, causing a whole lot of pain to wreck my body.

"I'm hitting your pressure points. Feels good, doesn't it?"

"FEELS LIKE HELL- OW!"

That definitely wasn't my pressure point!

"You're really stiff, i reckon it's because you're taking things too seriously."

"And you're not taking it seriously enough! And whose fault is it that my back is all stiff- GAH!"

A sudden crack snapped from my back. Don't tell me that was my spine.

That would be the third time i died this day. I met that Sanzo river old man again, and he was gloating about how i wasn't getting enough exercise and got killed by a mere massage. First off, that wasn't a 'mere massage' but rather a killer wrestling move, and secondly, anyone would die if you snapped your back that hard.

"Ah ha ha ha ha, sorry about that. I tend to forget to hold back."

Yukari laughed. Well, it isn't funny. And please, hold back your crazy strength, not just for me, but forever. Don't use it all. Tie your hands behind your back- no, better yet, cut off your arms. You don't need them.

"... Whatever, we're here."

I don't need to get angry about this. For now, let's just complete this task. The day's been getting too long. We finally reach the secret entrance. Not so much a secret though, since it was only covered by plain cardboard. Just who are they trying to fool here?

"With the heavy traffic in this tunnel, no one would stop to actually take a look."

Iris explained, pushing the cardboard aside to reveal the small, yet wide tunnel. So this was how they moved the crates. Using a short yet wide tunnel, it was possible to move crates of supplies without being detected. Also, if these crates were carried from the direction of the larger factory, the people around the smaller factory would merely assume it is merely equipment coming from the larger factory. Quite a round-about way, but it is rather effective.

"Shall we?"

Yukari gestured for me to enter first. Fine, i'll go in first, just don't do anything to my back. The small tunnel was just at the height where i only need to lower my head slightly. It seems like this tunnel was made for taller guys. I turned around to check on the other two. While Iris had no problem using the tunnel, Yukari was rather forgetful and had bumped her head quite frequently. A little too frequently. Well, at least we did not need to go through the tunnel any longer as suddenly i spotted a person heading towards us from the other direction while pulling a large crate.

"I think we found our suspect."

The moment i said that, the guy noticed our presence. Without warning, he pulled out a gun and started to fire shots at us. Yukari was quick to respond, pulling out her giant cleaver from who-knows-where and placing it between us and the mad gunman. The giant blade deflected most of the shots, allowing us to access the situation.

"Looks like he isn't the type to talk. We may have to take him out."

I sigh, taking a look at my gun. I don't really want to shoot one of our own, even if he may be mad and trying to kill us.

"So, as long as we can get him to stop, anything goes, right?"

Yukari asked, having that same twinkle in her eyes.

"Wha- hey!"

Before i could stop them, Yukari and Iris charged forward with Yukari pushing her giant cleaver to use as cover.

"Iris, now!"

Yukari shouted. Iris did not hesitate, pulling out a knife from a holder strapped to her hip. Without even taking time to aim, Iris threw the knife at the attacker. The knife sailed through the air and stabbed itself into the arm of the guy that held his gun.

"Tch! You damn bitches of Yuuko!"

Is that the best insult he can get? People in these tunnels sure hate authority and dogs. The guy suddenly reached into his pocket, pulling out a grenade.

"He's planning to blow us all up!"

"Not if i can help it."

Yukari smirked, reaching down to her thigh were a belt held in place a whole bunch of nails. These weren't small nails, but rather large five inch nails. With one smooth motion, Yukari drew nails inbetween all of her fingers and threw them at the guy. The nails hit their target, pinning him against the crate he was pulling and dropping the grenade.

"Hissatsu Ougi, Heart Breaker!"

Yukari grabbed her giant cleaver and charged at her target. Kids and those with weak stomachs might want to look away. Yukari rammed her blade into the guy, before taking out a large desert Eagle and aiming it at his head. A split second pause, then she pulled the trigger. Suffice to say the carnage was something that i would not let anyone else see. And i'm starting to feel queasy again. Too much blood. Fighting Shadows was easy compared to seeing so much blood. My breathing became shallow and laboured as my chest tightened up. Don't look. Just don't look at it.

"Oi, Kurogane, are you alright?"

I look up, and saw Yukari covered in blood reach her hand out to me. My vision suddenly shifts. A bloodied hand. Reaching out for me. Death. I was going to die.

"Iyaa!"

I instinctively slapped her hand away. Calm down. That vision wasn't real. It wasn't. I couldn't stop the trembling of my body. Fear wrapped its suffocating claws around me, choking the life out of me.

"Oi! Kurogane!"

"Are you alright?"

Iris asked, tossing me a bottle of water. I caught the bottle, taking a gulp of the water to wash down the pain at the back of my throat. I had gone into a hysteric state back in the small tunnel before Iris dragged me out, where i then threw up onto the floor. Yukari told Iris to take me back to the smaller factory while she dealt with the corpse before he revives. Swallowing a few gulps, i wiped my mouth, placing the bottle to one side.

"Thanks."

Iris simply nodded back.

"I'm just not good with blood."

"I can tell."

"... Not going to ask?"

Iris looked at me with an raised eyebrow, before she shook her head.

"There isn't a point. Everyone here has a secret, some dark past that forces them to linger on with regrets. There isn't a need to pry into the secrets of another if they do not wish to share it, rather it is pointless to even know about it."

I blinked a couple of times at what Iris said, before i chuckled a little.

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, just that it seems how simple the answer can be to a rather complicated question."

Iris closed her eyes for the moment.

"... The question is only complicated to those who do not hold the right answers to them."

"And how would we know if we hold the right answer?"

"Only you can be the judge of that. The answer depends on the situation, on the context, and more importantly on the individual. Thus, it affects your perspective of the question. To you, such a question may be difficult to answer, difficult to face. But to others it may be as simple as just ignoring it."

I was quite surprised by what Iris said. Compared to how she acts around Yukari, her current behaviour was a complete opposite. Almost like she's a totally different person. Iris seemed to notice what i was thinking about, her mouth curling slightly into a smile.

"Yukari is rather... different. She has a bright and carefree personality that i find rather... envious."

Iris's tone slightly quivered. I guess what she said before was true. Everyone here has a secret, a dark history that has anchored them to this world. Even Iris would have one.

"... I see that you're rather curious about my past?"

Iris seemed to have that same dangerous huntress look in her eyes like Yukari. Oh crap.

"Don't worry, i'm not going that far with you."

Just what do you mean by 'that far'?

"Er... what about Takamachi-san?"

I feel like i'm getting into the same situation as before as Iris was beginning to corner me the same way Yukari did.

"I grow tired of being the 'uke' all of the time. I like to be 'seme' as well."

Uke? Seme? Those terms sound familiar to me but now isn't the time to be thinking that!

"... But, you'll have to wait a little longer to hear my story."

Iris pulled back, that same mischievous look still lingering in her eyes. For now, i guess i'm safe.

"Secrets are secrets for a reason, Kurogane. Though we may all be dead, the past is something that isn't easy to talk about. The pain we bear is something that we all have carried and faced on our own."

"But isn't it better to share the pain?"

Iris snorted at my reply.

"Some pain may be shared, but it is the invisible scars, the wounds within, that are the ones that are impossible to heal, let alone share. No one can understand the pain another went through, even if they have gone through similar experiences. No two people are alike, even twins."

"Twins..."

Somehow, that word was resonating strongly within me. Another piece of my past? But why? Nevermind. Best not to think about it. At that moment, Yukari turned up, no longer covered in blood and dragging the large crate that rouge builder was trying to smuggle out behind her. Strange enough, Yukari was easily pulling that crate with one hand while that rouge builder was having one tough time using both hands. Yukari wasn't taller than me, therefore shorter than that builder, yet she's stronger?

"Yukari has a skill that some of us call 'NYP'."

Iris explained.

"NYP?"

"Nanka Yoku-wakaran Power (somewhat mysterious power)."

"... I'll take note."

So that explains her crazy strength, though it doesn't explain how or where she got that strength from in the first place.

"Yo, i'm back."

Yukari said and almost immediately, Iris jumped (read as pounced) onto Yukari, clinging onto the other girl like a baby.

"Yukari!"

That was too fast! Her change of personality was too fast!

"I see you're all better now, Kurogane. That's good."

Yukari smiled, slapping me on my back with her crazy strength. It sent me flying.

"Oops. Anyway, we're all good here. Since it's getting late, why don't you take the rest of the day off?"

Yukari suggested.

"What about Senjougahara-san?"

I ask, rubbing my back as i got back to my feet.

"Shinobu-chan? Well, we'll have to deal with her some other time. Don't worry, it'll be our problem. You can go get your pay from Yuki, and thanks for your help."

Throwing myself onto my bed, i stared up at the ceiling of the small dorms room. This day was sure tiring. But the supplies are secured and would be carried out tomorrow. I'll have to check up on them again to make sure nothing else is wrong. Iris and Yukari. Two rather dangerous individuals and yet they each were reliable in their own way. What Iris told me still echoed in my mind. A secret that everyone has within them. I wonder if i have one too. A dark past that has coiled itself around me, preventing me from understanding my own pain, preventing me from going on. The past that eluded me, escaping my mind and memories.

"... Who am i? Why did i die?"

A/N: If you're wondering, Takamachi Yukari is modeled after Takamachi Nanoha, the famed white devil from the series, Mahou Shoujou Nanoha. Her name is a mix between the character Takamachi Nanoha, and her respective voice actress, Tamura Yukari. If you haven't watched or heard of Nanoha, you should know that Nanoha is rather infamous for being 'over-the-top' explosive. It may be a magical girl anime, but it is well beyond what small children should be watching. Nanoha has enough power to destroy a planet, let's just leave it at that.

Takamachi Yukari's special skill, Heart Breaker (which is also the title of this chapter) is taken from Nanoha's famous skill, Starlight Breaker, and her magical device, raising heart. FYI, Yukari's giant cleaver is called 'Raging Heart', which is what some fans call Raising Heart due to the similarities in the name when pronounced in Engrish (Japanese English). Although it is a mistake, fans still prefer to call it Raging heart because the name suits the destructive capabilities more than its real name.

The terms 'Seme' and 'Uke' are more common in shoujou manga terminology. Seme means 'assault', whereas Uke means 'Receive'. I don't need to explain it anymore than that.

The NYP, or nanka wokuran pawa, is actually a skill from Kudo in Little Busters! the game. While in Kudo's case, she just thinks she powers up and goes on an unbelievable rush, in Yukari's case, it refers to her monstrous strength.