Chapter 34: Grief
10:21 A.M Day Thirteen
Resort District
Hotel
Rooftop
"It's ironic, isn't it? I've killed more people than I can count in service to the Free Butterflies, and yet it feels like this is the first time I've lost someone I cared about." Chloe chuckled mirthlessly as she sat atop a large air conditioning unit with Laris' sword across her lap. "This game should have numbed me to death, but it's had the opposite effect. Perhaps I've grown soft..." she mused wistfully while staring off into the distance.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with that. It just shows how much Lari meant to you," Shiho said softly.
Chloe offered a forced smile. "Perhaps that was a mistake on my part. I should have known better than to let anything go beyond a release of hormones."
The Runner sighed as she rubbed her forearm. "It must have been hard for her too, knowing that she would be found out, and that it could very well mean the end of her. Still, she took the chance to be with you. I'm sure it must hurt more than anything, but you shouldn't just bury your heart away. I mean, you became a fashion designer so you could be more than just a killer, right?"
"Creating something beautiful certainly is a far cry from silencing and destroying lives," the Fashion Designer admitted as she closed her eyes. "...I-I just wish she had told me the truth. She took a fool's gamble on something that seems impossible. I'll never judge her for taking a life; I've certainly killed for far less. Bon Dieu! Why didn't I say more to her? Something other than just telling her to fight?"
Shiho carefully wrapped an arm around the other girl's shoulders. "Even if you had, there would always be more you wish you had said to her. You may not have told her all that you felt, but there's no way she didn't know you had those feelings. I'm certain she felt more for you than what she said at the time."
Chloe turned to the Runner before burying her head into her chest. Her next words came out muffled, as she had reverted back to French. "Mon Dieu, c'est tellement injuste. Pourquoi devait-elle mourir? Elle était si proche d'arrêter ces putains d'ours!" she choked out as her tears soaked into the other girl's hoodie. A few choked sobs later, she managed to speak once more. "...Our last night together had been so beautiful. Dammit. I was in love with her, and I've never been in love with anyone in my life… Maybe I should just pick where she left off and kill the rest of the bears."
"Something tells me that might not be the best idea. I'm not doubting your skills, but I feel like the bears would have planned for that..." Shiho muttered while gently patting the Femme Fatale's head. "Also, with so many of them here, I think the rest of us would all be put at risk."
"...I wasn't entirely serious," she said with a quiet sniff. "God, my best friend wouldn't even recognize me. I've become such a blubbering mess." She half laughed and half cried at the thought.
"Love really does have a way of changing people, huh? Before this, I'd basically never interacted with anyone outside of my family or our butler. Now I somehow managed to get two boyfriends... Heh, I guess if we actually get off this crazy island, Sebastian sure will be surprised to see that," the Runner mused with a brief chuckle.
Chloe managed a weak smirk at that. "You're going to have your hands full with those two. Now that my head's here, I can see how you managed to seduce both of them." She laughed. "If you need any pointers, don't hesitate to ask."
"Y'know, after how naturally Naru and Zoku seemed to be together last night, that might not be a bad idea." A few moments went by before the lavender haired girl suddenly became flustered, having realized what she just said out loud. "Wait! That probably sounded a lot worse than it was. Nothing like that happ- Okay, nothing too major happened!"
"Relax, there's no need to be so embarrassed. Even if something did happen, it wouldn't bother me. Here's my suggestion: You are in a rare place that you have two people you cherish in an intimate way. Just cherish every moment you have with them. At times, when things are quiet here, it's easy to be lulled into complacency. However, every moment could be our last," Chloe said as she rested her cheek against the other girl's shoulder.
Shiho swallowed a lump in her throat and nodded. "You don't have to tell me that. I was so sure that someone was going to kill me in the sewer, after I got outed as the mole. Then the guys and I even started sleeping in the same bed. They were so worried about me being on my own. Honestly, I still sometimes feel like I don't deserve to have them both watching over me..."
The Fashion Designer shook her head. "I know you still feel guilty about that, but I think you actually saved our lives. If we're really that high above the Earth, it means escaping this park wouldn't be the end of our troubles. I have a feeling that, if we had escaped prematurely, this entire park might have dropped just to keep us from escaping. I wouldn't put it past the person behind this to be that petty."
"I guess whether it was a good thing or not doesn't really matter. All we can do is pick ourselves up and keep moving forward. I know it won't be the same, but I know the guys and I will be there for you if you need us."
"It may not be the same, but it finally feels we're on the cusp of reaching the end. Besides, I think I have a new goal in mind," Chloe mused as she glanced down at the sword sitting next to her. "Lari's blade was forged in Novoselic. It's only right that I return it to the person she died for."
12:05 P.M Day Thirteen
Waterworld
Tiki Bar
"Captain, do you believe in Heaven?" Annabelle asked suddenly while slouched against the small bar. The expression on her face was unreadable as she chewed on her bottom lip.
The Sailor was quick to erase the look of surprise on his face. A deep sigh marked the start of his answer. "I'm not sure about the whole traditional Heaven, but I think there's definitely something afterwards."
The Forensic Investigator nodded weakly. "Do you think good people who do bad things are gonna be punished? I know what Laris did was wrong, but she did it for love. Does that make her a terrible person?" She fidgeted with her fruity drink.
Kaizoku moved so that he was kneeling beside the girl and placed his hands over hers. "Lass, I want nothing more than for Laris to find peace. I don't think she deserves to be punished, especially after death. She wasn't a terrible person; she was just forced to make a terrible choice."
"You're right. I want to believe that she and Lachlan will find peace. C-Captain, if I don't make it and you do, w-will you tell my moms that I love them? I'm sure they're worried sick," Annabelle said shakily. The her voice broke. She averted her gaze, trying in vain to hide the tears welling up in her eyes..
"... I will, Anna, I promise. Will you do the same for me if I don't make it? Could you tell my sister for me?" The Sailor offered a strained smile as a tear began to roll down his cheek.
The child nodded her head vigorously. "O-Of course, Captain. You can count on me!" She looked him in the eyes, clearly trying her best to sound confident, but the sight of Kaizoku's own tears caused that façade to crack. She bit back a sob as she threw her arms around the Sailor's neck. "Captain… I don't wanna lose anyone else. I-I don't wanna die, either. I just want this to be over."
"I'm with you there, lass. I'd imagine everyone else is too," Kaizoku mused as he hugged the girl. "How you're feeling is good, even though it hurts. You shouldn't be afraid to face your feelings. If you learn anything from this foolish sea dog, it's to not make the same mistake I made. I spent six years bottling up my emotions, thinking that was the grown up thing to do. I wanted to be strong for my sister."
"Everyone is expecting so much from me, but I-I only solved this last case because Laris handed it to me. I-I couldn't see the truth… Maybe I just didn't want to," she whispered as she squeezed the boy tighter. "Captain, can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
Annabelle squirmed a moment. "The other night, Mizukuma broke into my room. H-He warned me that I should keep my eyes out. He suggested that… that they might wanna replace one of their missing members with me. I keep having nightmares of being turned into one of those things. After what Mizukuma said, I-I feel so nervous all the time."
The Sailor froze for a moment as the information sunk into him. "I see... I suppose that makes sense. They are kids, after all, and Yushi and Saishikuma did also seem very against older people. They must want you since you're still young... Have you told Haruto or Tiana about this yet?"
"N-No, I didn't want to worry them. I know that Uncle has had a lot on his mind, and he's finally started to open with up with Tiana. I don't want to be a burden on either of them. They worry about me enough, ya know," the Investigator said with a tiny frown.
"I understand not wanting to worry them, but this is different, Anna. If Mizukuma was being serious, we can't be complacent about this," Kaizoku said he pulled away from the hug to look the girl in the eyes. "I know you don't want to be treated like a little kid, but we need to get the others involved in this. I don't want to lose anyone else, especially not you."
Annabelle bit her bottom lip. "M-Maybe it's for the best. Maybe we should all just spill our guts? So they don't have any more dirt on us, ya know? Like, we can just get everything out in the open and stuff..."
"Heh, you're right. After everything we've been through, I think it'd be best to put all of our cards on the table," Kaizoku mused as he stood up and held his hand out to the girl.
"Right. No more secrets, and no more deaths!" the Investigator declared as she took the boy's extended hand.
2:14 P.M Day Thirteen
Resort District
Hotel
Fourth Floor (Haruto's Room)
Tiana shifted slightly as she pressed her cheek against Haruto's lap. Her eyes peered up at the boy with a drained expression. She slowly extended an arm to take one of his hands into her own. "Haru, talk to me. I get worried when you go into your own thoughts."
"Sorry, Tia," the boy said while gently tousling her hair. "I'm just trying to process what happened. Both of us were nearly charged with murder... I was pretty frightened."
"Hun, I never suspected you for a moment," the Dominatrix admitted as she gently squeezed his hand for comfort. "I trust you explicitly. I just wish my trust in everyone else was the same. I-I don't mean to sound paranoid. After what happened with Shiho… and then Laris, I can't help but second-guess almost everything."
"I don't blame you for that." The Parental Figure squeezed back. "To be honest, I'm second-guessing things too. Like, why was I one of the few people who knew this year was 2020? The bears could have easily wiped my memories, or confiscated my album, but they didn't do either. Then they made Saishi plant one of my photos... I feel like I'm being targeted."
Tiana shut her eyes and nuzzled slightly into her resting spot. "If these children are twisted in some way, maybe it's because they didn't have good influences or parents. For them, you might be everything they despise."
Haruto hugged her closer to him. "I... I wish I could help them. I can't stand seeing children broken, twisted, or suffering. I hate seeing anybody suffer, for that matter. If it's possible, I want to try and save everyone here. Not just us and the others, but also the kids. Wishful thinking, I know, but I'm gonna stay hopeful."
"Wishful thinking? I think that's an understatement, Haru, but that's what I love about you." Tiana sat up before she shifted her body, slowly straddling his lap. She gently rested both of her hands against his cheeks. "You're not the Ultimate Parental Figure because you're perfect, but because you never give up," she said as she leaned in before brushing her lips against his in a very tender, yet passionate, manner.
Haruto gave a warm, sincere smile in response. "Thank you, Tia, for always being here for me. Your compassion and tenacity are what I love about you. Whenever any of us are feeling down, you never hesitate to get us back on our feet."
A playful smile spread across the blonde's lips. "Haru, I think you're definitely feeling on the up right now." She gently nudged her hips against his lap with a giggle. "If I'm teasing you too much, just let me know. It just feels good to focus on other things," she mused as she gently ran her fingernails up and down his back.
The boy blushed a bit. It was the first time he ever blushed at somebody. "N-no, you're good. I n-need more experience with teasing and flirting, after all. Normal teen stuff." He lightly chucked while brushing a hand through his messy hair.
"Haru, do you trust me?" Tiana asked with a mischievous look in her eyes. She gently cupped his chin, clearly revealing in the flushed expression on his face.
"Trust you?" A look of confusion broke his relaxed state. "Of course I trust you. Why would you ask that? And what's with that look?"
The Dominatrix leaned in before stealing a searing kiss, then pulled back as she traced a digit along his chest. "Lay back and relax. That is an order! I think we both have a long way to go before we're ready to move to the final step. However, I have just the thing in mind to help you relax. Just let me take care of everything, alright?" she purred as she reached down before unzipping his pants. The blonde let out a soft gasp as her gaze shifted from the pitched tent in front of her. "Haru, you've been holding out on me. I'm going to have to do something about that, aren't I?"
"You m-mean sex, d-don't you?" The boy took several deep breaths to try and calm himself. This lasted for a solid minute. He was frozen in thought. Once he remembered Tiana was waiting for an answer, he responded. "C-c-can... can it just be the gentle kind of sex? I-I do not want to do any of that rough, wild stuff. I'm absolutely not ready for that."
"Shhh, I'm not ready to dive headlong into that either, hun," the Dominatrix said as she reached up and pressed a digit to his lips. "Just lay back and relax. I'll take care of everything else," she said with a playful tone as she crawled downward before licking her lips. Before the boy knew what was going on, he felt a sensory overload. The blonde offered no further explanation, and instead greeted him with overpowering euphoria, courtesy of her tongue and lips.
It was hard to put Haruto's reaction into simple words. After all, he never had any sexual thoughts before. Not in his life. Until now, of course. What Tiana did was, in a way, sending him into another world. The boy was silent throughout the whole thing, but from his perspective, he was going through the ending of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey.
The experience was fresh and exciting, and foremost eye opening. If he was being honest with himself, he looked forward to see what other… adventures lay on the horizon for them...
4:33 P.M Day Thirteen
Resort District
Hotel
First Floor (Lobby)
The Ultimate Shogi Player scowled as she stared down at the guitar in her hands. "What the hell do you expect me to do with this? Why couldn't you just let me sulk like I wanted?" Tomoko shot the Musician a mild glare.
"Because we've had enough of that shit going on in this game. You like rock, right? We'll use all that angst for something awesome!" Naruhiko exclaimed with a grin.
"You'll probably feel a lot better if you vent, Tomoko. Maybe you can let out some pent-up stress," Dolly suggested from her spot on a nearby couch. Seikatsu, who was sitting next to her, nodded.
"Stress, huh? Shit, I have that in spades," Tomoko cursed. She looked from Naruhiko to the guitar before experimentally plucking a chord with a pick. A loud twang filled the open space, followed by a series of disjointed notes.
Seikatsu relaxed into the couch as she listened to the music. "Not bad, kid. Sure, it's rough now, but that's just like life. Keep working at it and you can make something good."
The Ventriloquist nodded her head weakly before pulling her legs against her chest. "If nothing else, it might help her blow off some steam. I think we all could probably use that."
Tomoko gritted her teeth while she plucked at the chords. It was clear she had no idea what she was doing, and yet she continued to strum harder and harder. It wasn't long before she felt her vision begin to blur, due to tears. "This goddamn game! I'm so fucking mad all the time but there's not a damn thing I can do about it!"
"Heh, looks like we'll have to bring out the big guns a little sooner than I thought. Probably more fun this way," the Musician mused as he moved beside the Shogi Player. "Alright, Tomo, forget this. If you really have some anger to work out, I say the best way to do it is breaking shit. Make like a real rock star and smash that guitar!"
"Are you fucking serious?! Don't tempt me, because I'll smash this damn thing to a million pieces!" Tomoko snapped as she looked up at the boy while loosening the strap around her shoulder.
"We might need to take cover. This could get dangerous," Dolly whispered to Seikatsu. She hurriedly picked up a large couch cushion and held it in front of her like a shield.
The Tarotologist laughed deeply as she mimicked the short girl's actions. "True, and better it be the guitar than some poor sap's face."
"See, Sei gets what I'm going for. It's just an instrument that can be replaced, so fuck that guitar up!" Naruhiko shouted as he pumped his fist in the air.
Tomoko ignored the tears stinging her eyes as she took the neck of the guitar into both of her hands and violently slammed it into a nearby lamp, shattering it into a thousand pieces. She let out a guttural scream as she raised the guitar and smashed it several times onto the tiled floor with a loud crack. "Fuck you, Laris, for killing Lachlan! Fuck the bears for manipulating us time and time again, and fuck this goddamn game!" she shrieked as she brought the instrument down a final time. At last, the guitar completely shattered. The Shogi Player was left standing in place with only the neck of the guitar in her hands before she began to sob uncontrollably. "I-I'm so tired of this shit… I just want it to be over..."
Naruhiko walked up to the girl and placed his hand on her shoulder. "No kidding. I'm right there with ya, but we still got some work ahead of us, so we can't go calling it quits just yet. At least the storage room still has a bunch of stuff to smash if you need it."
A sniff escaped the Shogi Player. "Just shut up, alright? Let me use your damn jacket for a moment," she muttered as she pressed her face into his chest. "To be such a moron, you're a pretty decent guy. M-Maybe I will take that autograph sometime."
6:08 P.M Day Thirteen
Resort District
Hotel
First Floor (Dining Room)
"Not that I mind, but what are we doing here? You seemed pretty insistent about this, Zoku," Naruhiko mused as he eyed the Sailor with a curious expression.
"I know it's been a rough day for all of us, but the lass and I were talking earlier and we realized something. Most of our troubles have come from the things we've been withholding from each other. We obviously can't make anyone cooperate, but we figured if we can just open up… it'll be one less thing that can be used against us," Kaizoku said with a serious expression. "I'm willing to bet we all have something that could be used against us."
The Fashion Designer offered a mirthless chuckle. "Your plan is to prevent any more secrets from coming back to haunt us? I can't argue the logic, but I'm not sure if everyone will cooperate in the first place."
Surprisingly, Tomoko leaned forward and laced her hands. "There's only one way to find out. Anyone willing to volunteer?" she asked as her gaze flitted around the half-empty dining table.
Silence prevailed for a moment, but it was broken by Haruto. The boy suddenly pushed back his chair and stood up.
"I will." The Parental Figure glanced between Tiana and Annabelle before steeling his nerves. "Three children had disappeared one day. Two were the very first kids I had watched over; the third was one I was helping at that time. I spent day after day trying to find them, and my search eventually brought me to the home of a certain woman, one who obsessed over me... like Utano did with Soo."
BEGIN FLASHBACK
ONE YEAR AGO
"Beth? Cody? Akira? Are you in here? If you can hear me, please make a sound. Any would do!" Haruto called out anxiously as he stood inside a guest bedroom. He had already searched every other part of the house, but he hadn't found a trace of the children. In fact, he had started with Tsuko's room, but the only things worth noting in there were his own belongings, as well as privacy-breaching photos and recordings of him.
He examined every corner of the guestroom. Everything was a beige white: the walls, the carpeted floor, the dressers, and even the bedding. There seemed to be nothing else inside, not even a different color.
"WHERE ARE YOU?!" He was shaking more than an earthquake. His eyes were darting everywhere, but they stopped when they focused on the floor. It was the only carpet floor in the house.
Out of pure desperation, he kneeled down and proceeded to pull at the carpet. Eventually, he tore nearly all of it off, revealing a dull gray floor. The only carpeting that remained was the patch underneath the bed, the patches under the dressers, and a perfect square-shaped patch in a random spot of the room.
Haruto lifted the square. It was a hatch. On the other side of it was a ladder leading deep underground. He climbed down it without hesitation.
If the guestroom could be called a void of white, then this bunker was almost a void of black. It was about the same size as the house, and the ceiling lights made traversing easy. There were several practice dummies resting against the walls. All of them were covered in stab wounds.
The boy treaded through carefully, taking in every bit of his surroundings. A minute or so later, he spotted three chairs. Each one had a small body tied to it. Two boys; one girl.
Kneeling beside one of the boys was none other than Tsuko Claythorne. The British-Japanese girl had messy, dark-magenta hair that reached down to her back. Her school uniform was as unkempt as her hair.
Haruto dashed for them. "Guys! Tsuko, you let them go right—" He stopped himself when he got closer. Upon seeing them in more detail, his whole body turned white. He did everything he could to keep standing and breathing.
All three children were sitting perfectly still, not even trying to break free. They didn't even react to Haruto's yell. Nothing was phasing them. They just sat there and stared ahead with blank expressions. They were dressed only in their undergarments, and they had wounds in spots that would be perfectly covered by their clothes, which were all in a pile by the wall. Their eyes were dull. Empty. Soulless.
Next to them was a tool cart loaded with various torture equipment. Tsuko was holding onto one, but she dropped it when she heard the yell.
"Ruto!" she said as she stood up to face him. "Darling, this is my special room. You shouldn't be in here."
"What… what did you do to the children?" he gasped out.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about them anymore. I taught them how to be obedient. Isn't that right, little Cody?" The child did not respond to Tsuko. He didn't even nod. "You see? Not a sound. Really, you should be thanking me," she said.
"Thanking you? …Why would I ever thank this?!"
Tsuko seemed offended by that. "Honestly, Ruto, all these little demons do is eat your day away! Whining, crying, demanding, and so on. You don't have any time for yourself or for me. Those whores who keep asking you out aren't any better, either."
"You… y-you…" Seeing the children and hearing the woman filled him up with anxiety, which was quickly boiling into rage.
"But they won't be a problem, anymore," she said with a smile. "With these three, no one will bother us ever again. They'll silence anyone who tries. We can finally be together, my belo—"
Haruto cut her off with a fierce punch to the face, sending her to the floor. "YOU BITCH! MONSTER! VILE PSYCHOPATH! I WILL NEVER LOVE YOU. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR!?" After shouting that, he immediately focused on freeing the children.
Tsuko crawled back up. She gave a feral glare while blood oozed from her nose. "HOW DARE YOU!" She pounced on him after he had removed the kids' restraints, wrapping her arms around his neck, and pulled him away. She kept pulling until her back touched the wall, all while growling like a rabid animal.
Haruto grabbed both of her wrists and pulled towards his chest in an attempt to break himself free, but the girl's arms would hardly budge. However, he was preventing her from strangling him. He had given his neck room to breathe. At this moment, his arms were keeping him alive.
Tsuko then kicked the boy's legs, causing him to fall to his knees. "Children, help me correct this man!"
Like machines, each of the three kids grabbed a knife from the tool cart and charged towards them. Their faces remained neutral and blank as they slashed and jabbed at Haruto's arms. "Guys… stop… please…" The boy choked out, but they didn't listen. They continued to make more holes in his limbs. Blood was drizzling onto the floor.
With no other options, Haruto swung his right arm at the kids, knocking them all down. Their blades scattered across the room. With that same arm, he elbowed Tsuko in the shin. The sharp pain caused her to loosen her grip for just a moment, but that was enough time for him to break free and sock her in the stomach.
He looked at the children, who were getting back up, and ran to the one closest to him: Cody. He then pressed a pressure point on his neck, causing the little boy to lose consciousness.
Tsuko attacked again, swinging at him with a knife. He blocked the swing with one of his arms, giving it another ugly gash, before tackling her to the ground. He was so close to knocking her out, but she grabbed his wrists. She dug her nails deep into them, making him cry out in pain.
"You kids are utterly useless!" Tsuko hissed. "Akira, Beth, correct yourselves this instant!"
Upon hearing that, the two kids mechanically walked towards their knives. Haruto frantically tried to pull himself out of the girl's grasp, but she was too strong, and his arms were too weak and bloody. He had to knee her in the chest to make her let go, but she still wouldn't stop. She seized his leg when he was about to run, making him spend more time kicking and shaking her off.
By the time he broke free, the children had already reached their knives. They pointed the blades at themselves. Haruto ran as fast as he could to Beth, hoping to stop her.
But he was too fast.
He accidentally shoved the little girl into the wall. The back of her head collided against it with a loud crack. Her hair turned wet as she began to convulse.
"Oh God, Beth! Oh no! Oh nonononono!" he breathed in a panic. "I'm so sorry! So, very sorry!" In a fear-induced frenzy, he hurriedly grabbed a shirt from the clothing pile and wrapped it around Beth's head. The anxiety made it impossible for him to tell if she was dead or not.
It wasn't until afterwards when he realized he was too late for Akira. He turned to see the poor boy lying dead on the floor. He had a slash on this neck. The blood-stained knife was clutched in his hand.
He then looked at Tsuko, who had just fatally stabbed the unconscious Cody. "This is your punishment," she coldly said to him. "This would have never happened if you had just accepted my love."
Haruto's eyes turned bloodshot and teary. He let out a roaring, volcanic scream before grabbing a knife and thrusting it into the girl's chest. She collapsed a few seconds later, but he didn't stop there. He threw punch after punch after punch at her face, and this lasted for minutes. By the time he was done with her, she was beyond dead and beyond recognizable.
The boy collapsed shortly later. He cried and mourned for the children until he fainted from blood-loss. The last thing he heard was the blaring of police and ambulance sirens.
END FLASHBACK
Haruto finished as he balled his fists up. His eyes were completely dry. "It's why I can't stand to see another person manipulate or act as if they own another person. No one should ever feel that powerless. I-I regret what I had to do in that situation, what I became when push came to shove. I can't guarantee I wouldn't do the same thing again. That said, I don't want any of you to pity, sympathize, or feel sorry for me. That's not why I shared this. Despite everything that's happened, I want us all to be happy in the end. I'm tired of seeing others suffer."
"Uncle...it's alright. You did everything you could to protect them, but sometimes people are just horrible. That was something outside of your control," Annabelle said with a sympathetic smile.
"Haru, she's right. Violence may never be the answer, but you weren't given a lot of alternatives in that moment," Tiana added as she took one of the boy's hands.
The Parental Figure offered a solemn nod. "Maybe, but whether or not it was justified… I'm still a murderer."
A loud sigh escaped Chloe from the opposite side of the table. "In a court of law, it would have been seen as self-defense. You're not some cold, bloodthirsty bastard. I've killed for nothing less than a note with a name scribbled upon it. I'm sure most of you realize I'm not just the Ultimate Fashion Designer. In truth, I'm also known as the Ultimate Femme Fatale. I come from a long line of assassins on my mother's side. It was my father who encouraged me to become more than just a killer for hire, which is why I began to study fashion. While I loved focusing on creation, rather than merely destruction, my mother saw it as a weakness. She blamed my father, so she killed him as a result."
"W-Wait, your mother just killed him? Just because she thought he was making you soft?" Shiho asked with a horrified expression.
The Ultimate Femme Fatale merely nodded. "It took me a while to piece it together, but when I learned she was involved… I immediately began conspiring. It took a great deal of effort and planning, but I avenged my father by ambushing my mother and ending her life," she admitted before slowly working her jaw. "...It wasn't until after she was dead that I realized I'd taken another life, an innocent one, unintentionally. She was pregnant with my half-sibling..."
"Jesus fucking Christ..." Naruhiko said in a stunned manner as the rest of the room fell eerily quiet.
"I didn't tell you all of that just to one up anyone. I know some of you will look at me in disgust now, but you should know that it's very unlikely that I'll judge any of you for any secrets you hold," Chloe said in a reserved manner.
"Ye don't have to worry about that. I can't speak on everyone else's behalf, but nothing about that situation is normal. Besides, I would be a hypocrite to judge you. I was working on a ship's engine, and made a grave mistake. It could have lead to the death of everyone aboard. My father died stopping the malfunction and, as his last act, shouldered the blame upon himself. I've had to live with the fact that it was my fault for the fire and his death. That guilt has eaten away at me ever since."
Silence prevailed for a few moments before it was shattered by the Tarotologist. "...Seems like many of us are surrounded by tragedies. I wasn't always so neurotic with all of my personalities. My mother had become legendary when it came to tarot readings, but more so it was her accuracy that was her greatest gift. However just like in most situations, those with gifts are envied or hated. A rival family put a hit out on my mother and me. When they killed my mother, it created a mental fracture in my mind that has only grown over time. When the same assassins came for me in an orphanage, Death emerged for the first time. That version of me killed without remorse and began to seize control over my body. You see, my mind created my other personalities as a way of fighting off Death from seizing control of my body. As this game has gone on, I've slowly felt some of my personalities fade away. While I wish to conquer Death, each fading personality… it gives a window for that darker persona to reemerge with complete control."
"I-I believe I'm quite familiar with that personality you speak of..." Tomoko mused in a wary tone. She rubbed at her throat self-consciously. "So that's why you have so many personalities. It's your mind's way of trying to protect itself."
Seikatsu nodded weakly. "Indeed. Before long, there will only be Seikatsu, Justice, and Death. My shifts are becoming less erratic, but Death could resurface at any time. I'd advise you all to be careful around me."
"Well that's just great!" Naruhiko laughed nervously as he scratched the back of his head. "Why don't I go next if we're playing show and tell? My secret is less… deadly and just more embarrassing."
Tiana offered the boy a worried expression. "If it involves particular subject matter, maybe you should be careful about how you phrase it?" she suggested.
The Musician blinked before waving his hand with a snort. "Hah, it's nothing like that. So I guess I have two secrets. Sometimes I sleep with my guitar and hug it like a body pillow. Oh, and one time I dressed up like a punk girl just to see how I'd look."
"Anyone else surprised that Naruhiko has the most tame secret?" Dolly asked as she eyed the boy curiously.
Annabelle giggled. "It's because he's so honest most of the time. His big secrets aren't any more surprising then what normally comes out of his mouth!"
The Shogi Player blushed as she cupped her hands together. "Since everyone else is cooperating so far, I used to be on track to become the Ultimate Volleyball Player before I was sabotaged by my former friend... I-I also used to pee in the shower until I was in the sixth grade. F-Finally, I really love stuffed animals of any variety. I just can't bring myself to seem immature enough to buy one at my age..."
"Lass, I don't think the last two really count as deep dark secrets that needed to be shared," Kaizoku pointed out with a mild look of amusement.
"SHUT UP, you third-rate pirate! We said we were sharing secrets that could be used against us, so that's what I'm doing!" Tomoko snapped as one of her eyebrows twitched wildly.
Chloe shook her head, though a hint of a smile lingered on her face. "The honesty is appreciated. Now, why don't we continue? I think we only have four of us remaining."
"I-I'll go next," Dolly said in a hesitant tone. "My parents were alcoholics and abused me mentally and physically for years. T-They destroyed any confidence I had. Otto wasn't the first person who tried to hurt Becky. Because of the way my skin looks, and how frail I am… I was often bullied at school. I retreated to the only real friend I had: Becky. One day, a boy nearly broke Becky just to hurt me, and I snapped. I don't remember much of what happened, except that I nearly killed him. As horrible as this place has been, people here have been far kinder to me then anyone in the outside world. That's why… for the first time, I don't feel like I need to have Becky anymore. I have other friends now."
Annabelle nodded her head vigorously. "Of course you do! Grownups can be real jerks, but there are good people out there," she said before her smile wilted slightly. "To be honest, I've tried super hard since this game started… because I've always felt like I didn't really earn my title as an Ultimate. I never would have gotten to where I am without my moms or other people. Even my invitation was due to being helped by the talent scout."
"Anna, whether you earned your place beforehand or not, you've earned it many times over since this game began. We would have been done for at earlier points if it weren't for you," Tiana said. She offered the girl a reassuring smile. "Sometimes, it just feels like life is out to get you. I-I had to raise my brother on my own after my parents and foster parents died. At times it felt like nothing would ever go right, and that death was preferable to living such a cruel life. When I was thirteen, I nearly jumped off the roof at my junior high school. It was only because of a dear friend that I'm even alive right now. Sometimes we all just need to be reminded that life can be horrible, but that living means there's always a possibility for something better in the future."
Haruto squeezed the Dominatrix's hand. "That's all we can do. Try to handle one day at a time. If we stop living, it means the Despairs have already won."
"Well said. In order for justice to prevail, we cannot stray from our course!" Seikatsu exclaimed. Her demeanor grew serious as she stared over at the Ultimate Runner. "I believe that just leaves one of us remaining."
Shiho fidgeted a moment in her chair before finally finding her voice. "...My family is anything but normal. I always knew something was different, but I wanted to believe we weren't unlike other families. My father and uncle were always obsessed with their tests and experiments. When my mother died during childbirth, I think it made my father more obsessed. He tried to find a cure for my blindness at first, but eventually realized I was a perfect specimen for other drugs and tests. I think he forgot his initial goal, as I became a petri dish for testing various cures and even weaker poisons. Even to this day, I hate needles or feeling confined… because I spent most of my childhood treated like a lab rat. I think I enjoy running because it gives me a sense of freedom, which is something I never had when I was younger," she admitted.
"People can be so cruel to the ones they claim to love. I'm sorry to hear what you went through," Dolly said in a timid manner before bowing her head.
"Dammit. Don't take this the wrong way, babe, but I'd love to get my hands on that piece of shit you call a father!" Naruhiko spat.
"Aye, whatever his reasons were, nothing justifies what he did to you," the Sailor said with a scowl.
The Ultimate Runner shook her head. "It's okay, guys. What's important is that we're all moving in the right direction. We have to stop looking back and instead face forward together. That's how we can survive this nightmare. No more secrets, no more lies, just all of us running towards the same goal!"
10 Survivors Remain
OMAKE:
Tiana and Haruto smiled brightly at the camera as it turned on. "Hello, everyone, I'm Tiana Blake."
Haruto waved at the camera. "I'm Haruto Shinta."
"And this is the Post Game Talk Show," the couple introduced.
"After many, many months of waiting, Crit finally gave our characters a kissing scene!" Haruto cheered. He leaped out of his chair and wrapped Tiana into a tight hug.
Tiana let out a loud laugh, throwing her hand over her mouth. "Yes, and our characters aren't the only ones who finally got together at this point. The first poly relationship with two guys and one girl has become canon, along with Lachlan's and Tomoko's characters."
"And then Lachlan's character died, causing everyone to have flashbacks to 'New Hope,'" Haruto added.
Tiana rubbed the back of her neck. "I may have covered Anna's and Kit's eyes when we watched the episode." She sighed. "Then there was the class trial which had all of us shocked."
"Still can't believe Anna is now getting the trial info before the rest of us now that Lachlan's character is dead," Haruto grumbled.
"She was already getting that info," Tiana argued. "Now that we're nearing the end of 'Kuma-Kuma Land,' everyone better start preparing for different hosts."
Haruto let out a small whine. "I'm gonna miss this so much! I love our cast mates!"
Tiana chuckled. "We still have a few more episodes before we pass the torch to someone else."
"And so, since we just finished up the trial, we're happy to be interviewing the fifth victim and murderer from 'Kuma-Kuma Land,'" Haruto announced. "Everyone please welcome Lachlan and Laris!" The two entered the studio. Laris was wearing a pink summer dress and Lachlan was wearing a suit.
"You two look so nice," Tiana complimented.
"Well, I just came from an interview, and I have another right after this," Lachlan admitted, sitting down on the couch.
Laris joined him. "Chloe told me to look nice since this will be my last appearance aside from the cast party."
"Well she picked out a good dress for the occasion," Tiana replied. "So, Lachlan, tell us, how did it feel to be murdered just as your character started a relationship?"
Lachlan chuckled. "Well, not going to lie, it felt weird to kiss Tomoko. She and I have become like siblings over the course of filming this show." He let out a small sigh. "Plus, my character died right before the final trial. He was about to make it, and now he's dead." He glanced over at Laris. "Plus, having to act like I'm getting shanked by one of girliest girls on the cast made it hard to not laugh."
Laris snickered. "How do you think I was feeling? That and my death game required me to learn how to actually wield a sword. It was kind of fun, but also so outside of my expertise." She turned her attention to Haruto and Tiana. "So, how do you two feel since you're about to make it to the final trial?"
Tiana smirked. "I'm pretty certain we're the ones who are supposed to ask the questions." She leaned back in her seat, chuckling. "It's amazing. I'm not going to lie. Every time we received a script I was always afraid that Haru, Anna, or I were going to have the full script that said we died. Before we received the scripts for episode where Otto died, I legitimately felt my heart pounding."
"And now our characters are about to make it to the final trial," Haruto breathed. "It's so weird, but so cool. I actually auditioned for 'Sea of Tranquility,' but Crit decided to hold off on casting me. Look at me, now. My character might make it out of this show alive…I hope." Haruto turned his attention to the camera. "Crit, if you're watching this, please, don't kill me."
Laris giggled. "Be careful, Haruto. You might tempt him."
Haruto groaned. "No! My fate is sealed!"
"I still can't believe I got accepted into this show," Tiana muttered. "I honestly thought I would audition, and I would never hear back from Crit." She let out a small chuckled. "I'm glad I did, though. I've made so many connections and so many friends through this series."
"Y'all are making me cry!" Bella shouted from off-screen. "Knock it off!"
"Are we out of time?" Haruto teased.
"If you're going to keep making me cry like this, then yes," Bella responded.
Laris and Lachlan started laughing as Tiana turned her attention to the camera. "Well, everyone, it looks like that's all the time we have for today."
"This has been the Post Game Talk Show," Haruto stated.
Laris and Lachlan waved at the camera, smiling. "We'll see you all after the next episode."
*AN* As always I'd like to thank the betas for their quick work. Also Fee5H I appreciate the flashback you wrote for Haruto. Truly chilling and horrifying. I wanna thank everyone who's been along for the ride of KKL.
Review Section:
Blazerxz
Yeah I tried to make Laris a character that isn't innocent but is sympathetic to a degree. She wasn't trying to screw everyone, but she was willing to kill for her sister.
Guest
I actually changed it to Meijikuma, which usually means Mage Bear which fits Monaca's class in Despair girls. Also I'm glad you enjoyed it. I think it was a genuine surprise for most people!
Sliv the fiendish fool
Yeah I felt the same thing when outling this chapter. I was like damn, there's really on 10 left? There's a void left in the wake of so many dead people.
NSPunny
Yeah I wanted Sonia's existence in HoH to serve a purpose and show the lengths Laris was willing to go to keep to her oaths. Also yes I love that Lach had to make a mention of his jacket and die like that haha.
doomqwer
Yup gotta make things connect together and this is one I'd been sitting on for a while.
bellatrixshine
Yeah everyone needs hugs now. Though at least someone got more than a hug this chapter ;)
MudkipOfDespair
Thank you sir. I tried my best to blow your mind :P
The Kobold Necromancer
Yeah I tried to pour a lot into that twist, with there being subtle clues and hints along the way.
The Celestial Sky Dragon
Yeah I had mulled over internally how I wanted to handle that. It felt more true to her character to have her silently trying to lead Annabelle to the truth rather than attempting to screw everyone over.
Wintersmith23
Excellent, then it went according to my design pupupu
pokemansuperallstar
Yeah he/she was one of my favorites too. I can't play favorites though, not even with my own characters. So I subjected myself with a large dose of despair!
BirblordAlmighty
I thought the ending of that death game would be interesting as for a moment it leaves people in a place of uncertainty. Well until pickle satan arrives to make things ALL BETTER : )