"Tesla! Tesla!"
Where could he have gone? I remember the Frisbee making its way towards the garden before I lost the radio signal. As usual, he bounded after it, running as fast as he could.
"Tesla! Come here!"
I make my way into the greenhouse and gingerly open the door. The collar ID tracker in my tablet shows that he is somewhere around here. Sure enough, I see the Frisbee near a rosebush, and Tesla digging up a pot of tulips. A part of me is worried, Toshio is probably going to be mad at me for this. He should have been born into the Sanageyama family given how interested he is in gardening and plants.
"Tesla!"
He turns around immediately and runs towards me, knocking me over. He sits on me and begins furiously licking my face.
"Okay! Okay! You found me! Now come on, let's go inside. It's getting late."
He whines in protest. He didn't like the house, even when he first came to us he hated the house. He always loved being outside.
"I'll give you biscuit! You want biscuit, don't you?"
That seems to cheer him up, and he follows me back inside. He doesn't even need a leash, I trained him so that he'd follow me if I told him to. I look down at my clothes, my white jeans are stained with dirt, and I clearly need to change. So I take the lift to my room. I know I have to be back soon, Dad expects me to be doing homework by now.
However, before I can make it to my room, I see Dad and Toshio discussing something in detail. And they turn around and look at me. The both of them look at me as they usually do, with patronizing disdain.
"Running around with that animal again? What else is new?"
He talks to me with disrespect, he always does, even though I'm older. Ever since Dad named him the heir he's been treating everyone like garbage, including Dad, but he doesn't seem to mind. He just puts an arm around Toshio's shoulder and steps forward.
"Now, now, Toshio, be nice to your brother," He doesn't mean it, he's just saying it to placate the both of us, "Don't blame him for being fixated on such childish trivialities..."
They walk off and take the stairs to the board room, leaving me and Tesla standing in the hall. He looks at me.
"Don't listen to them, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Don't worry."
The next morning, Tesla isn't in his bed.
I call out to him, twice, thrice, no sign of him. I open my tablet to search for him, but his tracker is removed from his collar. I look in the garden, the kitchen, the atrium, all the places he likes to frequent, and he isn't there.
"Tesla! Tesla!"
I run to the great hall, where Dad and Mom are discussing the agenda for today's board meeting. They look up at me, clearly furious that I interrupted them.
"Mom, Dad, where's Tesla?"
Mom looks at Dad uncertainly, she's playing with her hands and frowning. After a minute, Dad speaks.
"Houka, you may not succeed us, but you're going to have to start cleaning up your act. What will people say if they see a son of the Inumuta family running around with a dog instead of being productive?"
No... no... no this couldn't be happening... I promised Tesla that nothing would happen to him... This can't be happening...
"...where is he?" I almost shriek in terror, "What did you do to him?"
"Calm down, Houka," Mom holds out her hands, "We sent him to Honnouji. He's going to help out at REVOCS' lab. Don't worry. He won't miss you at all. Now please don't panic."
It won't be the same... will the scientists play with him? Will they take him on walks? Or talk to him? Or will they just keep him in a cage? I doubt they will. He's going to be miserable over there…
Why did they send him away without telling me? How could they? How could they do this? I didn't... I didn't even get to say goodbye...
"Houka, twelve is well past the age for keeping an animal around. Enough is enough."
I can't take it anymore. It's been weeks and I haven't heard a word about Tesla despite constantly inquiring about him. I know Mom and Dad won't approve of me doing this, but I don't care.
Running away was easy, I just had to sneak out while everyone else was asleep, wear a cowl over my head to cover my blue hair, and take the subway to the One-Star district. Getting into REVOCS website was the hard part, but I did it.
As I comb through the source code of their website, I see nothing but standard information about their stocks, their production lines, and research on Life Fibres. I know that they occasionally upload footage of their labs and the work they undertake there. So they had to have security cameras all over the place, including in the mansion itself. I hope I can find the IP address of their cameras so I can check on Tesla, I have to know if he's okay.
Suddenly, I stop and notice a few choice lines of code stand out to me. An embedded video file named "Exhibit A: Canis Lupis." The video is only visible to those who have a company login, a login ID and password I happened to obtain from one of Dad's employees.
…What does this mean? Does this mean that REVOCS does testing on animals? No. No that can't be true. The Kiryuin family wouldn't do such a thing. Mom and Dad wouldn't allow something like that to happen to Tesla, would they? I know for a fact that Life Fibres are always mixed with greysilk because otherwise they can cause things like mood swings or chronic pains, so even if they do test on living beings… it shouldn't hurt them.
I click on the video, my hands shaking. I see three scientists checking on cages of all sorts of animals, dogs, cats, rats. I see a tabby cat, a pug, and a family of rats, A fourth comes in with a black Shiba Inu on a leash. I resist the urge not to call out Tesla's name, and clench the tablet and keep watching.
They inject him with what appears to be a tranquilizer, and as he sleeps, they shave his hair with a razor. Then, they cut open his skull and bring out, on tongs, a bundle of purple string. They attach themselves to Tesla's brain and squirm down to the rest of his body.
"They're turning dogs into… Hybrids?"
I don't understand why they're doing that, but the procedure usually isn't lethal. Some people do experience changes in behavior and mood afterwards, but I don't know about animals. Well, I remember learning in school that we would have remained apes if we didn't come across Life Fibres, which increased our intelligence. Are they trying to do the same to dogs, and make them as smart as we are?
They attach sensors to his brain and place him in a machine. I raise an eyebrow. I don't remember this being a part of Hybridization. Don't they usually lie you in a bed and pass a mild electric current to your brain and pulse points?
One of the scientists pulls a switch, and the electrical current that passes through Tesla is anything but mild. He writhes, he convulses, he whimpers and screams. I stare at the video open mouthed.
"W-Why?!"
REVOCS stands for the betterment of everyone… why would they be so cruel? Why would Mistress Ragyo take this lying down? Why would the Research and Development department of REVOCS allow their employees to do any of this?
After what seems like an eternity, they stop, and Tesla's eyes and the top of his head are purple. The scientists don't look done though, they wait and observe him intently.
Tesla starts shaking his head and running in circles, like how he used to chase his tail when he was a puppy. He starts growling and foaming at the mouth, even though he had his rabies shots. And then he runs to the wall behind him, ramming his head into it.
"Tesla…?"
A purple string bursts through his back, leaving spatters of blood in its wake. And Tesla screams. Two more through his torso, his hind legs, and then he cries tears of blood, and his head bursts. Life Fibres, blood, brains, entrails… everywhere…
My head aches, my stomach churns. My mouth is dry. The world around me is spinning. I shake my head to ground myself, but can't help and stare. I want to look away, I want to deny the fact that they killed him… but I can't.
"No…"
The Life Fibres slither like snakes, and combine together into a long singular creature, and leap towards one of the scientists, covering his face. He screams and struggles to pull them off, while the other two try to assist him.
"NO!"
The screen goes black and a popup with an intruder alert appears in the centre, alarm noises playing in the background. My IP address and location show up soon afterwards. I take it as a sign to get out of this old building.
I sprint for the life of me to the stairs, and sure enough I hear the sounds of a helicopter and breaking glass. I try to leave, but three Law Enforcement members stand in the doorway, pointing lasers at me. I normally admire these people, but knowing that they allowed Tesla to die just makes me angry with them.
"You there! How did you manage to hack into the most secure website in Japan? We want answers now! Tell me how you got in or we'll shoot!"
I'm angry, but afraid. I don't want to die. I kneel down in front of them and beg, crying and beating my fists into the floor.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I… REVOCS… they… my dog was in there… testing… animals… I wanted… to know if he was okay… but…"
The blood, the screams, it all comes back to me and I don't hold back.
"YOU DID THIS! YOU CUT HIM UP AND LET HIM DIE! YOU KILLED MY DOG! WHY?! WHY DID YOU? HOW COULD YOU! YOU KILLED HIM! HE DID NOTHING WRONG!"
My eyes are so clouded with tears that I can't see, but I can hear them lift up their lasers.
"Stop."
A voice, a girl's voice, saves my life. I wipe the tears from my eyes and get a good look at her. Mid-length jet black hair, piercing blue eyes, a full white business suit. No mistaking who she is.
"This is the most secure website in this country… and yet, you got into it. Something beyond the scope of many adults." She walks up to me, I suspect she's going to hit me and I recoil from her. Instead, she yanks the cowl off my head. She raises an eyebrow.
Lady Satsuki will understand. If I just explain to her what REVOCS is doing… maybe her mother can punish those scientists for what they did…
"Blue hair… a son of the Inumuta family. While technological prowess is to be expected from you, I can't help but be impressed by your skill. Have you ever thought of putting your skills to a good use? Of using your knowledge for more… constructive means?"
I pitifully look up at her, hoping she'd hear me.
"…they killed Tesla. Tell… Mistress Ragyo. They're…"
She doesn't answer me and throws a pamphlet in my face, a brochure for Honnouji Academy.
"My council is in desperate need of members. Join me. Consider it an honour."
I don't want to join her council. I want Tesla back. I want him to come up to me and jump at me and play with me like we used to… I don't want any of this… I just want Tesla back…
"Lady Satsuki… please…"
She scoffs and frowns at me.
"Stop bawling. Mourning the animal will not bring him back."
"Lady Satsuki?"
Her eyes were glued to Matoi's records. I didn't understand why, if she wanted Matoi dead so badly, would use such convoluted methods to get her killed, but I held my tongue.
"I completed version 2.0 of the Nexus Goggles. This time they can accurately pinpoint the location of Nexus Threads, but only for a period of ten minutes, after which they will revert to showing only possible locations."
She nodded but did not look up at me.
"Good."
She reached for the teacup and saucer next to her, took a few sips, and then set the cup down on the table next to her.
"Lady Satsuki, if I may be so bold-"
"Out with it." Her fingers moved against the tablet with lightning speed, and her eyes scanned the screen before her diligently. She was still listening to me however. One of Lady Satsuki's many talents was her ability to multitask.
"Your... internal Life Fibres... do you know when they will be activated for sure?"
She pauses for a few minutes, and then responds.
"Two months."
"Yet time is short."
"Indeed, it is. That's why I'm having you do the job for me." She finished typing whatever she was working on and reached for her teacup, finishing the rest of it. I decided to through caution to the wind and ask her. It was high time I did.
"Is Mistress Ragyo aware of how much of a threat Matoi poses to Honnouji Academy?"
Her eyes twitched for a brief second. She set the teacup the table next to her and stared directly at me.
"No, she is not." She knew I was pushing the wrong button. Her voice was terse and her eyes were as cold as iron, a look on her face that seemed to say "I'm warning you, say anything more and there will be hell to pay."
"Have you not communicated this to her? Surely Mistress Ragyo wouldn't refuse you, if you wanted someone like her eliminated-"
"Don't presume to know what my mother will and will not do, Inumuta." I guessed I had hit a nerve, her hands clenched into fists and she slammed her right hand on the table beside her. The teacup on it almost fell down from the force.
"But Lady Satsuki your methods-"
Oh boy, I had done it this time. Lady Satsuki was hopping mad. The last time she gave me such a murderous glare was three years ago. I rubbed my arm instinctively, I still had the scar from that day.
"I will decide what methods to use, and when to use them. Get out. One more word about my mother or my plans and you just might join Tesla."
Tesla… she just had to mention him, did she? She only did it to appeal to my emotions, I knew that much. But I immediately flashed back to the day they killed him. I remembered Lady Satsuki's unflinching stare, even as an eleven-year-old faced with blood and death. How she callously dismissed my grief and only cared about using me… how ruthless and cruel she was… even back then…
"Didn't you hear me?! I said get out!"
Staying would be suicide, so I ran out of the council room as fast as I could, pressing my finger to the biometric reader and sealing the door shut.
"...What the hell was that?"
I turned to the side to find her standing there. Not Lady Satsuki, but someone else. Her pink hair was held up in a bun, which was obscured by a large white top hat, and she was wearing her usual uniform, a white collar dress with three bows in the front. She tried to look intimidating when she glared at me, but it was hard to scare someone when you barely reached their chest.
"I don't have time to entertain you now, Jakuzure."
I tried to walk away from her but she stood in front of me. She rolled her eyes and groaned from second hand embarrassment.
"Oh my god, don't tell me you questioned her motivations AGAIN. Oh, and I bet you asked one too many questions about Mistress Ragyo, didn't you?" She knew me well, too well. Almost as well as she knew Lady Satsuki, or at least, she claimed to. Lady Satsuki was never close to anyone.
"I spoke highly of her-"
"Look here, Dog Boy, I've known Lady Satsuki for as long as I can remember. And there are four things you can do to piss her off: question her authority, take pity on her, touch her, or ask about Mistress Ragyo. It's no wonder she likes you the least. You've managed to do at least two of these things on more than one occasion!"
She was never going to let me live it down, was she? It was three years ago, and how was I supposed to know that Lady Satsuki took her family matters so personally?
"Yeah I get it, you thought you were praising her, but apparently only Lady Satsuki can decide what is praise and what's an insult. And I stopped trying to keep track long ago, so I just don't talk about her mother at all. I suggest YOU do the same if you value your position here."
There was a hint of sadness in Nonon's voice. I remembered her confessing something to me once. When they were children, she really was as close to Lady Satsuki as she had claimed. They did everything together, and Lady Satsuki was kind, cheerful, and dare I say it, giving. But then one fine day, when they were in grade three, she completely distanced herself from everyone, even Shiro. It didn't stop there. When she was in grade six, she was betrothed to Takarada's younger son, until she drove him off and banned him from the premises for the horrific act of confessing to her. By grade eight, she had officially become a wall of steel with only subordinates and enemies. I guessed she finally outgrew "such childish trivialities."
Considering how she was now, it was surreal to imagine Lady Satsuki smiling, laughing, and being kind. Did she even know how much she hurt Nonon? Did she know that her arrogance and iron cruelty made so many see her with contempt? Did she even care…?
"Well... all is not lost. If you can succeed in taking out the New Girl, you just might get in her good books again, who knows...?"
"Ragyo Kiryuin tabloids 2262"
The Daily Star's website, I knew that was the tabloid magazine read in upper districts, was the first thing that popped up, and their archives. I clicked the link and combed through the first page.
Ryuko, what is the purpose of this? You have an assignment pending. What the exuberant one said is of no consequence to you. Leave it alone.
Oh, come on I have internet access now, may as well give it a shot.
I fail to see what a sensationalist magazine could write that would be so shocking.
Nothing. There was nothing in there but stupid articles about the clothes she wore for important events or bragging about her massive empire and her daughter's achievements. Wait, of course the tabloid website itself wouldn't have the story. Maybe someone tried to upload it illegally or something.
"Ragyo Satsuki scandal 2262"
Apparently, what constituted as a "scandal" was a slightly mismatched outfit on several occasions, if the search results were to be believed, and people were discussing it like some awful crime was committed. Did these rich goons really have no other work?
"REVOCS labour turnover tabloid story 2262"
Nothing but REVOCS employment rates over the past ten years.
"Kiryuin Conglomerate CEO controversy 2262"
Only corporate controversies. Nothing about her personal life. It looked like Ragyo really did want to erase this story, whatever the hell it was. I started to become even more curious and disturbed… just what aspect of the Kiryuin family's personal life would cause so much controversy as to whip her into an article deleting frenzy and make her employees leave their jobs?
I told you. Nothing can come of this. It's pointless to ask such questions.
I'll ask Mr. Mikisugi. This tabloid business was probably the Guerilla's work. But you're right. I won't beat my head over it. I'll get to work now.
I made sure to change out of Senketsu tonight, I didn't want to take a chance and have any more weird-as-hell drowning dreams. It occurred to me I had to sort that out too. I also had a chemistry assignment due tomorrow and I had only halfway finished. I opened up the chemistry problems, got out my stylus and set to work. I remembered that the lab was repaired the week after that confrontation with Gamagoori and everything was proceeding as normal. Momoko didn't even bother me afterwards.
I also remembered Mako. It had been a week since I last spoke to her on Mataro's birthday. I felt sorry for her. Masaomi was most likely dead, and it hit their family really hard. I guessed it happened when Mataro was too young to remember given how innocent he was about mentioning it. Was it possible that the same person who killed Dad… killed Mako's older brother?
Darn it, I wasn't paying attention and drew the diagram for ethanol wrong. Served me right for daydreaming while working. I growled in annoyance and pressed "delete" on my tablet, drawing it again a second time correctly. I had two problems left, and it took me half an hour to finish both. I was getting faster at least. By the end of December, we would have our second mid-term exams. I'd have to get an 8.0 if I wanted to become a two-star. And this was going to be much harder.
I brushed my teeth and left my tablet to charge, then went to sleep for another grueling day tomorrow.
When we're One-Stars, we don't have to wait for our homework to be given back. We get it back with almost as soon as we submit it, thanks to everything being electronic. I was not only getting faster, I was getting smarter. I got a 100 percent on my chemistry homework. I never thought such a thing was possible before.
The rest of the day was going by without much incident. At the moment it was English period and we were reading passages and answering questions. I was in the middle of reading a passage when suddenly I got a message:
Unknown User: Hello New Girl…
Okay who the hell was bothering me in the middle of class? I hoped the teacher wouldn't notice that I got a message during class time.
Haruka Midorikawa: Who the hell is this?!
Unknown User: None of your business…
Haruka Midorikawa: Get out of my face.
Unknown User: As you wish…
The user went offline after that. I sighed with relief that he wouldn't be bothering me anymore and continued working, but then suddenly the screen started to glitch. The pop-up window where my work was started moving around the screen without warning. Then I heard static from the tablet and then bits of code and binary started flying around everywhere, and the entire background was pixelated.
I shouldn't have been so relieved when he went away so easily.
What is this shit?! Now that my tablet doesn't work I can't do ANYTHING!
It seems this is the work of the other Kamui's host. Or perhaps one of her subordinates.
Gee, you think?!
At the moment, there was only one thing I could do. I raised my hand and the English teacher came to my desk.
"Sir, my tablet seems to be infected with a virus."
He looked over it and sighed, like it wasn't that big of a deal.
"The Computer Lab is down the hall to the left, talk to one of the technicians. They'll fix it."
Okay… so that's his little game, eh? If I want my tablet to be fixed… I'll apparently have to fight for it.
It seems so. Is your weapon with you?
In my pocket, as usual.
Good, but it seems we don't know who this enemy is, be careful.
I walked out of the classroom, bag and all, even though I knew the bag wouldn't provide that much protection, and made my way to the Computer Lab.
I stealthily opened the door and tried my best not to make too much sound. I did a cursory glance at all the tables with microphones, headphones, and tablets on stands. Nobody was sitting in any of them. The giant screen on the wall in front of me had nothing on it. There were no technicians walking around, or any students. The room was completely empty. It was almost perfect for someone to jump us.
I transformed quietly and tiptoed around the edges of the room. I clutched my scissor blade in one hand, ready to expand it in case this guy managed to show himself.
I looked left, right, above me. Nothing suspicious yet…
Ryuko, behind you…!
I swerved out of the way, a laser just barely missing my head. It hit the wall, burning a hole in it. I ended up hitting my head on one of the tables and yelled in pain. I looked up and was facing the giant screen. It was blue and single message was printed on it:
"Miss me?"