A/N: Recently bought the new manga of one of my favourite series (even though I'm a college student and have to pay off student loans). Do I regret it though? Not really. Lol.
Chapter 25:
President Takatsu, armed with a rifle slung over her shoulder, grimly stared at the Matsumoto Castle in front of her. Not too long ago, she and the few remaining Toji squads from her school managed to join their allies as reinforcements and fight with them. Already they had managed to push back Hiyorihime's army slightly and regained a bit of ground at the castle moat's edge. And yet, President Takatsu's mind couldn't stop being tormented about the well-being of her daughter.
Was Sayaka safe? Had she been caught, or worse—killed? There had been no word ever since her daughter and the other three Elite Guards went to assault the castle. The fact that Sayaka was not with their other troops at the makeshift-bunker only made President Takatsu worry even more. The number of body bags she and her students had seen at the factory was overwhelming. There was no doubt that in Kamakura, the corpses were now being removed and cleared as well. The purple-haired woman shuddered at the horrific memory of the attacks.
She had been giving commands to her students right before the code red alert in Kamakura had been raised. Within seconds, swarms of flying aradama rained down from the sky, and it likewise took just as little effort from Hiyorihime's troops to lay waste to the city. Origami Yukari had left with a squad of soldiers to try and track down Juujou Hiyori and the Akabane Sword Team, who were apparently missing. Leaving President Takatsu, Origami Akane, and Director Maniwa to defend Kamakura. The Renpu Girls' School president felt her heart numb, knowing she was the only one to have survived. As for her other fellow presidents, no word whatsoever—she could only wonder.
The purple-haired woman shook her head, putting her thoughts aside. Her grief could wait. At present, the lives of her surviving students rested squarely on her shoulders. President Takatsu knew it was a risky decision, choosing to go into the heat of battle. If she was still the same manipulative woman as before, she wouldn't have thought twice about sending her students to the front-lines. Now determined to reform herself for her past sins, President Takatsu vowed to protect them with her life.
"President Takatsu! The barrier, look!"
The purple-haired woman turned to where one of her students was pointing to see Hiyorihime's forcefield explode into sparks of blue light. Whatever miracle had just occurred, everyone knew right away that action needed to be taken swiftly.
"Hold your fire!" President Takatsu commanded after she saw a group of soldiers aim their long-range weapons at the castle. "There could be innocent prisoners in that stronghold."
"What are your orders then, President Takatsu?" a soldier asked.
It was then that the purple-haired woman became aware of the eyes around her, waiting for instructions. Those, who were not still fighting or fending off attackers, were all gazing pointedly at her. It was clear she was now in charge. Before she would have relished having such power, but now President Takatsu wasn't sure whether she wanted the pressure that came with it. There was no choice though. Right now, everyone needed her.
"Renpu Squad E will be in charge of assaulting the castle. Rescue any prisoners you find and avoid as much confrontation as possible. Remaining Tojis and soldiers will continue holding back Hiyorihime's troops," President Takatsu ordered, calmly.
She then turned to a soldier, saying, "Open fire on the castle after exactly fifteen minutes."
"Yes, ma'am!" came the simultaneous reply.
President Takatsu adjusted the strap of her rifle and was about to follow her Squad E Tojis when one of them stopped her. Tamaki Marie, if she remembered correctly.
"President Takatsu, I know I'm not in the position to say this, but I think it's best if you stay here," Marie said.
It must be admitted that the Renpu Girls' School president flinched. "Whatever do you mean?"
Marie blushed, before saying, "You're the only one we can turn to now. If something happened to you, ma'am, I don't know what we'd all do."
"You won't be doing anything," said a familiar voice.
The Renpu Girls' School president turned to stone once she recognized that stoic tone. Eyes bulging with fear, the purple-haired woman turned her gaze to see one of the Kokushibyō Tojis. However, it was the white hair sticking out of the Toji's crow mask, and the okatana she held in hand that made President Takatsu gape with horror.
'Myoho Muramasa...impossible!'
"Sayaka?!"
"Hello, Mother."
Hiyorihime couldn't stop staring at the pieces that used to be Karazusa, Konoka's once powerful okatana. Her face was still as stoic as ever, but the flames of blue energy flickering violently around her made it clear to everyone in the room that she was furious. Her weapon's power had diminished considerably, her forcefield had been destroyed, and now with Karasuza broken to bits—she now had no chance of ever resurrecting Tsukuyomihime. Everything was ruined...including her plan for revenge.
The aradama princess was boiling with rage so much that she didn't even notice Kanami take a weakened Konoka into her arms. The Hiiragi woman's green hair was now a pale grey, her once beautiful smooth skin rapidly decaying into wrinkles. Having destroyed the okatana that encased her soul, Konoka raggedly struggled to breathe, as her body continued to wilt and shrivel into that of an old woman's.
Despite still being in pain, Kanami tried her best to give whatever comfort she could to the Hiiragi woman in her last moments. However, she couldn't help being intrigued when Konoka reached into the pocket of her military uniform, before pulling out what appeared to be an old silver pocket-watch. Curiously, the Minoseki Toji lifted the clasp when Konoka handed it to her.
"This is my mother," Kanami said, as she stared in wonder at the photo inside.
Konoka weakly nodded her head, before whispering, "I loved her..."
Then, she turned her head towards Hiyori. The girl who she wasted envying for half of her life all because she was more fortunate than her. The girl who she tormented for reasons out of her control.
With tears in her eyes and a small smile on her face, Konoka wheezed, "We...could've been family."
Then, with one last raspy breath, Hiiragi Konoka rotted away to dust—a woman who never realized what she truly had. Kanami could only stare in anguish at the pocket-watch in her hands, covered by the dust from Konoka's body that hadn't floated away.
"She sacrificed herself," Mihono breathed.
"And her memory will be forgotten just like how yours will!" came Hiyorihime's voice at last.
Her blue hair had come undone from its glamorous updo, now flying high above her head. Lightning crackled all around her, and even the empty eyeholes of her crow skull diadem shone with aradama energy.
"Hiiragi Konoka may have stopped me from resurrecting Tsukuyomihime," she began, with a piercing glare at Hiyori, "but at least, I can still kill you!"
Immediately, cries of protest and pleading came from Kanami, Mirja, and Mihono. The Minoseki Toji lunged forward impulsively and grabbed Hiyorihime's dark-feathered cloak. With tears running down her cheeks and swollen eyes begging for mercy, Kanami hoped that whatever love Hiyorihime formally confessed to having for her was still there. Now, she was probably the only person who could stop the aradama princess.
"Don't hurt Hiyori-chan, I beg of you!" Kanami sobbed. "I'll be your princess, just like you said before. And we can be together like you wanted. Just please don't kill Hiyori-chan!"
The temptation actually made Hiyorihime pause for a moment. Then, she sneered—Kanami's words just only confirmed who she truly loved. It was Hiyori that Kanami wanted to save. It was Hiyori that Kanami didn't want killed. The truth was clear to Hiyorihime. Kanami only saw her as a monster, nothing more. She'd never love her. Never had and never will.
Kneeling down so that she was eye-level with the Minoseki Toji, Hiyorihime slowly glided a finger along Kanami's jawline, drawing shivers from her. "I won't kill her myself. That doesn't seem nearly as poetic enough."
The malevolent smile Hiyorihime had on her face only grew wider, stretching from ear to ear, as she turned to the one individual who hadn't spoken. "Kagari dear, you can have your fun now with your 'mother'."
Immediately, Kanami, Mirja, and Mihono opened their mouths to again try to soften Hiyorihime's heart. However, the aradama princess waved her hand making bands of blue energy appear over their mouths, gagging them.
"Kagari, please," Hiyori said.
"Don't worry, Mother," Kagari taunted sarcastically. "I'm not entirely without mercy. I'll give you a chance to defend yourself."
She brought her hand down with a cutting motion and all at once, the shaft of blue light encasing Hiyori disappeared. In just a few seconds, the Heijou Toji found Chutan Nikiri and Niou Kiyotsuna in both of her hands. Even though they weren't her own okatanas, Hiyori felt a sensation of joy warm her heart. She would've been devasted if she lost Kofuki's okatanas forever. Having them with her...it was like a part of the Renpu Toji was still protecting her. Even so, Hiyori couldn't help also being terrified—she couldn't possibly hurt her own daughter.
"Kagari, I—"
"Don't even bother trying that 'mother talk' again," the orange-eyed girl spat. "Because the only thing that will give me peace is your head."
Although Kagari had abused her with all sorts of torture instruments, nothing hurt Hiyori more than her daughter's words of hatred. "I won't fight you, Kagari."
"But I will fight you. Because...I want to watch you bleed."
"Give me a show, Juujou Hiyori. Die at the hands of your daughter!"
Hiyori could only swallow the lump in her throat, before quickly blocking a strike from Kagari's okatana. She refused to attack, but she could at least defend herself for some time and try to talk some sense into her daughter. If Kagari was anyone but her daughter, Hiyori might've been tempted to try to land a blow on her. However, even though the orange-eyed girl had grown to literally the same age as her, Hiyori couldn't help seeing instead the tiny baby she once held in her arms.
Their blades tangled together, as they tried to push each other back. Mirja, Mihono, and Kanami could only watch in horror, as the two swiftly duelled with Hiyorihime laughing at the spectacle.
"Why? Why do you want to kill my real mother? The only mother I've ever known?!" Kagari demanded, trying to slice Hiyori's neck.
Hiyori grunted from the blow, as she blocked Kagari's blade. "Trust me, Kagari, I'm only trying to protect you."
"That's a lie!" the orange-eyed girl screamed. "You abandoned me. You hated me! So, what do you want from me?!"
Although Kagari's voice was filled with rage, Hiyori could see the pain in her daughter's face. Her maternal instincts so desperately wanted to comfort the girl and take her in her arms. However, right now, physical affection was out of the question. If she was going to give her daughter the support she never had, Hiyori would have to do so through words.
"Kagari, listen to me," Hiyori said, in a soothing motherly tone. "I truly do love you. I just want so badly for you to be happy. If being with Hiyorihime truly makes you feel the joy and love you deserve, I'll step back right now."
Then, with a slightly stern tone, she added, "But, believe me when I say this, Hiyorihime won't give up a single thing for you."
The Heijou Toji put on the same firm, but concerned expression her own mother would bear. The one she'd use if Hiyori was troubled or misbehaving. Coming home after curfew, letting a curse word accidentally slip, talking back... Hiyori remembered doing every single one of these. And every time she'd receive the same hard look from Hiiragi Kagari, followed by a serious lecture. Hiyori would only have to look at the disapproving face of her mother to feel guilty. And it seemed to have the same effect on the orange-eyed girl, who she was now in combat with.
Kagari shook her head violently as if trying to block out Hiyori's words, before putting on a glare again. "You're lying! My aradama mother has been a real parent to me this whole time, unlike you."
"Really?" Hiyori asked with raised eyebrows. "Has she ever made you feel happy? Kissed you goodnight? Encouraged you to achieve your real dreams? Comforted you when you were sad or scared? More importantly—has Hiyorihime ever actually told you that she loves you?"
Their okatanas clashed against each other again, as Kagari tried to push Hiyori down. Sweat began to drip from the Heijou Toji's brow as she fought to keep her feet from giving way. Their faces were so close together that one could easily tell how much they looked alike. The only clear difference to be seen was their eyes—Hiyori's forlorn burgundy ones and Kagari's orange ones, flaming with rage.
Hiyorihime's face lighted with glee, once she saw Hiyori fall to the ground. Kanami let out a muffled scream, while Mirja and Mihono watched in terror as Kagari stood over her opponent. The orange-eyed girl towered before Hiyori, weapon poised for the fatal strike. But it never came.
Wavering, Kagari felt uncertainty take over her mind as she stared at the emotionally broken girl at her feet. Why was she hesitating now? She needed to end this! However, the orange-eyed girl couldn't help thinking about the duel she just had with Hiyori. Not only was it exhilarating, but it was also the first spar she ever had with her mother—well, a version of her. And true to her words, Hiyori did not give an offensive attack at all.
What if...Hiyori was right? Now that she thought about it, Hiyorihime never once did any of the things that Hiyori mentioned. Then, if Hiyori truly did care for her, could it be possible that...?
"Why are you hesitating, you silly goose? End her! Kill Juujou Hiyori!"
Kanami, Mirja, and Mihono let out muffled screams from their gags, vainly trying to shout to Hiyori. To grab Kofuki's okatanas again and fight. To defend herself from the threat about to kill her. Yet, the Heijou Toji patiently remained quiet, simply staring with an affectionate, but melancholy look at her daughter.
"Kagari, I know you want me to die alone," Hiyori said. "I just don't want you to."
And then, with tears falling down her cheeks, she whispered, "I love you."
"Don't listen to her. Kill her! If you won't, I will!" Hiyorihime roared, striding over so that her cold breath blew down Kagari's neck. "You can have everything! I CAN HAVE EVERYTHING!"
Sweat started to form on Kagari's hands as she tightly gripped the handle of her okatana. If she didn't calm down the racing of her heart soon enough, she didn't know if she'd even be able to hold her weapon without it slipping from her grasp. With a deep breath, the orange-eyed girl raised her blade once more, never letting her sight leave Hiyori's gaze. She searched the Heijou Toji's eyes for the slightest sign of dishonesty, anger, or fear. But there was only the same look she gave before...eyes tenderly gazing with love, lips pulled back into a sad smile.
Kagari couldn't help hearing those same three words over and over again in her head. Endlessly repeating without pause. "I love you."
The tip of Kagari's okatana shone in the light. She thrust forth her blade.
Sinking it deep into Hiyorihime's chest. Letting black inky ooze bleed out of it and stain the floor.
A/N: So, both Hiyori's words of love and Hiyorihime's words of arrogance showed Kagari who—out of the two of them—actually care for her. Seems like Hiyorihime overplayed her hand—unintentionally proving to Kagari how power-hungry she really is, and how far she will go to achieve her goals. At last, Kagari realizes she was only a pawn on Hiyorihime's chessboard. What will happen next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the reviews!
Only two more chapters to go until this fanfic is officially finished. I really enjoyed writing for you guys, and look forward to hearing from you in my next upcoming fanfics!