Hey there! Sorry for late update, things got crazy with the coronavirus, I hope you guys are all fine. Don't worry, I'm not sick, but I can't go to work for a while. The last few weeks I was kinda down and this week I just laid in bed all day playing Magia Record. But I'm back on my computer to work on some fics! I hope you'll like this long-awaited chapter.


A laughter resounded in the room. But it wasn't a joyful laugh, or neither a bitter one. It just sounded… so sad. A laugh full of grief and sorrow, yet, Shiena couldn't help but smile as she continued to giggle madly.

"What's funny, Kenmochi-san?" Suzu asked calmly yet with some concern in her voice.

Shiena continued to laugh for a moment, trying to stop herself. But it was stronger than her- the laughter was taking over her.

She took a deep breath and finally managed to stop, but she was left gasping. Who would have thought laughter was so exhausting- not that she would know. It wasn't like she had many occasions in her life to laugh.

"Sorry, I was just… thinking about a joke," Shiena said with a nervous giggle.

"Oh? Would you tell me that joke?" Suzu asked, getting her pen ready.

Shiena's smile grew wider, yet her eyes were tearing up.

"My life."

Despite no facial reaction, Suzu's hand froze as she slowly raised her head.

"Your life?"

Shiena chuckled and simply nodded.

"Why are you saying that? Is it related to the incident the other day?" Suzu asked.

"I just see clearly now. My life has been nothing but a big joke- and a really bad one. Let's not fool ourselves. Everyone knows I should never have been born-"

"Please Kenmochi-san, don't say stuff like that…"

"But it's true! I'm nothing more than a waste of space and a useless clump of cells!"

Suzu looked like she didn't know what to add and it only made Shiena laugh bitterly.

"I think it's time for me to confess my crimes- my sin. I'm a murderer. I killed three people."

"Are you… referring to your trial? Wasn't it two?"

"Nope. I killed three people. There was Yamada Yuu too."

"Yamada… Yuu? Who?"

Shiena didn't answer her question and simply burst into a laugh full of madness, as well as regret.

"I killed them all. I'm a bad person. I'm evil. I'm a fucking psycho!"

And she continued to laugh under the concern and even worried gaze of Suzu.

"It's funny how all this time, I've been wrong about something," Shiena said. "All this time I regretted not shooting up the school, but that wasn't the real issue. I'm an abomination that shouldn't have been born- my mother should have fucking swallowed me…"

"Kenmochi-san…!"

Shiena stopped laughing but continued to smile. Yet, tears were now running down her cheeks.

"It's not on my classmates I should have pulled the trigger on. I should have fucking shot myself in the-"

Suzu slammed her fist on the table. Shiena jolted and gazed at her psychiatrist with surprise. Despite her violent gesture, Suzu didn't seem mad. Her eyes were simply full of… regret?

She then reached for something under the table and Shiena heard a soft click. Suzu then rose up and walked toward her, gently cupping Shiena's face as she stared intensely into her eyes.

"Kenmochi-san, you need to listen to me carefully. We don't have much time, and I don't know when they will realize something is up."

Shiena remained confused. She didn't know what was happening. What the hell Suzu was saying? What was going on?!

Suzu sighed before she broke the silence.

"You're not crazy. You didn't kill anyone. You're the victim of a dark machination to silence you and get rid of you. You were seen as a threat to certain people, so they decided to put you out of action."

Shiena couldn't believe her ears. All of this… was a ploy against her? Wait… wasn't that what she had suspected since the beginning? She couldn't quite remember.

"But… I heard voices… they told me… I was a killer…"

"You're not insane. They are making you crazy. Those pills they are feeding you? They aren't harmless antipsychotics. They are powerful hallucinogens and psychotropes. They took time to act so you wouldn't suspect them to be the cause of your delirium. Their effects are only temporary at first, but over time, they will be permanent. If you keep taking those pills, you'll become psychotic and possibly schizophrenic. You need to stop taking them now."

Shiena could barely process everything that was revealed to her. So she had been right… since the beginning! It was a conspiracy! She wasn't crazy!

The door was suddenly slammed open. Guards rushed inside the room, looking like they were ready to fight. Suzu barely had the time to recoil from Shiena.

"Shutou-sensei, is everything okay?" one of the guards asked.

"Y-Yeah, everything is fine. The session is over, you can escort Kenmochi-san back to her room."

The guards immediately seized Shiena and dragged her out of the room while she continued to stare at Suzu, who simply looked worried. But Shiena wasn't. She was even smiling with satisfaction.

Because now she knew that she had always been right.


Shiena was trying to focus on the darkness in her mind. She tried her best to eliminate any thoughts and keep a total void and emptiness in her head. All there was was total blackness.

"You won't get rid of me. Meditate all you want- I'll always be a part of you. Deep down, I'll always be in your head."

Shiena did her best to ignore the voice. She took a deep breath and focused back on the darkness.

It wasn't real, it wasn't real, it wasn't real.

It was simply a hallucination caused by the drugs.

That was what Shiena kept repeating to herself to bury the sound of the voice in her mind. But then, a true vision of horror flashed before her. Dismembered corpses, guts and organs squished and blood splashed everywhere. Then a pair of red crimson eyes gazed at her like they were staring right through her soul.

Shiena jolted as she opened her eyes and was almost blinded by the overall whiteness. There was no trace of blood or any human parts. Shiena let out a sigh of relief as she stood up and started to walk around in her cell.

"I'm still here."

Shiena flinched and then froze. She could almost feel a malevolent entity behind her, lurking in her shadow. There was even a cold breeze against her neck, like a ghost was breathing. She didn't dare to move or even turn back. She simply stared at the white wall and hoped it would go away.

"Why fight against it so hard? Just accept it. You're tired of this sickening world- of all those human scum who hurt you, right? Fight back! Take your destiny in your hands! It's time for revenge for everyone who wronged us!"

Those words were oh-so tempting, but Shiena knew it was merely a hallucination. She mustn't take a bite of the forbidden fruit. This was what they wanted\- the people who locked her here.

Those… demons.

Shiena closed her eyes for a moment and when she opened them again, there was something on the wall. Hanging there was the smiling drama mask that kept haunting her nights.

"Take it. Be your true self. Enough with this farce and seize what is rightfully yours!"

Without realizing it, Shiena had started to step towards the wall as she slowly raised her arm.

"Don't be the pathetic nerd girl you used to be. Be strong, be assertive, be confident! You're no longer a weak and helpless little herbivorous animal- you're a carnivorous predator!"

Shiena's hand was about to reach the mask, and she could almost brush it with the tip of her fingers.

"Yes, take it. Take it! Kill them all! It's time for your vendetta! Burn down this corrupted world!"

Kill… them… all…? Kill… kill… kill… Was she going to… kill? Was she going to become… a killer?

No. She didn't want to. That wasn't her. She didn't have it in her- no, she knew it was just plain wrong.

Shiena grabbed the mask and tossed it away.

"No, I won't! This is not my destiny! I don't want to kill anyone! I want… I want… I want to save people! I want to help people! I want to be useful to others, I want to be worthy, I want to be valuable! Becoming a killer is the last thing I want! I won't become the kind of monster who harms others- I want to stop those type of people!"

Shiena clenched her fist.

"Starting with you…!"

She said that as she turned back, ready to face her dark self. But there was no one behind her.

She was all alone in her cell.

Shiena let out a bitter laugh. Of course she was alone. She always has been. Everything was nothing more than a delusion.

And it was time for her to put an end to this delusion.

"Kenmochi-san? Everything okay?"

Shiena turned back. The nurse was standing in front of the bars, looking concerned. Shiena did her best to give her a comforting smile.

"Yep, everything is fine here!"

"Great. I'm here to give you your meds."

Shiena winced. Everything but that. The nurse opened the small trap and slipped a plate inside, with two pills and a glass of water on it. Shiena felt her heart racing. She knew what was awaiting her if she took those. But it wasn't like she could avoid it, right? If she refused to take them, things would probably get worse for her. But if she takes them, things won't be any better.

She had to find some kind of loophole- a ploy to get away without any injury, both mental and physical.

The nurse was now staring at her, waiting for her to take her pills. Shiena became nervous as she grabbed the meds and water, hesitating.

She then got an idea.

Shiena put the pills in her mouth and quickly hid them under her tongue as she took a good sip of water. Shen then swallowed noisily so the nurse wouldn't suspect anything.

"Good girl," the nurse said with a smile. "I'll be back later for your lunch."

She then walked away, leaving Shiena alone.

The brunette couldn't help but grin. She could still feel the pills safe under her tongue. It worked- she fooled her. Maybe she just might survive this hell after all.

She'll have to get rid of the pills without being seen- she didn't know if there was a hidden camera in her cell.

She then glanced at the toilet and her grin grew wider.

From now on, everything was going to be a piece of cake.


Otoya didn't know how long she could bear the current situation. She felt like a junkie who didn't have their dose of heroin in weeks. It felt like she was going to go crazy at any moment if she didn't have access to her favourite drug. She needed it so badly, but she was forced in a temporary detox until her arm was healed.

Otoya sighed as she looked down.

She desperately needed to come.

But no matter how roughly she played with herself, how furiously she masturbated, no matter the size of what she stuck in herself, she couldn't reach her climax.

She needed the sweet release of a woman's body- her warm blood splashing against her bare skin, the sweet yet salty smell, and the warmth of her insides…

Gosh, just thinking about it made her wet. She just wanted to come so badly. But she knew it was impossible. She needed to kill, and unfortunately, with her current injury, she couldn't be sent on a mission. And... if she killed without her group's permission, well, let's just say that a broken arm would be the least of her worries.

She sighed again as she sat down in front of her computer. No matter how many nerdy girls she fucked, she couldn't be satisfied. She needed to kill, she…

She needed Shiena.

Instinctively, her hand slowly reached for her crotch. She knew it would be a fruitless attempt, but she still needed it so much. She slipped under her panties and let out a gasp when she felt her wet spot. It was time for some disappointing pleasure that would lead to nothing.

Beep.

Otoya stopped and raised her head, discovering that she got a notification on her phone. She was tempted to ignore it and just continue playing with her pearl, but she was kind of curious to see who was messaging her.

Kamiya Ryou. Or, more specifically, Suzu's alternate account.

"Takechi-san, can we call? I have something important to tell you. It's about Kenmochi-san."

Immediately, Otoya stirred. It was about Shiena? What could it be? She had to know.

She clicked the phone icon and put on her earphones.

"Suzu-san, no time no see. What's up?" Otoya asked nonchalantly.

"Are you aware of what happened to Kenmochi-san?" Suzu immediately asked.

"Hm? You mean how she was accused of my murders and declared insane?"

"Yeah, that. She's locked in an asylum, and… the group sent me to keep an eye on her."

Otoya remained silent for a moment. So Shiena was in an asylum. She highly doubted that she was really insane, so she knew there was something suspicious behind all of this. And it seemed that Suzu might have confirmed her doubts.

"Does Black Guild have something to do with what happened to Shiena?" Otoya asked.

"Yes. They thought she was a threat to them so they decided to get rid of her."

"By framing her for my murders and sending her to an asylum? Wouldn't it have been more simple to just kill her?"

"Yes, but riskier. If a member of AKA got suddenly murdered, that would look suspicious. And that one of them ended up being an insane killer sure isn't good for their reputation."

"I see… How is Shiena?"

"I don't think she'll be able to bear being there for long. She's at risk of ending up crazy for real, or even worse- die. She seems to think that you're the one who framed her."

"Oh…"

So all this time, Shiena thought she was the one who framed her? Did she grow to resent her? To hate her? Otoya wasn't sure how to feel about that.

Not that it really mattered. Shiena discovered her secret, so perhaps it was for the best after all.

"Why are you telling me that? What do you expect from me?"

"I want you to help me save Kenmochi-san. I can't because I'm part of the ploy, but you aren't. You are free to intervene."

"And why would I do that?" Otoya asked coldly, dropping her mask.

"Because you love her. She's the girl you told me about, right? And she loves you too. Even if she thinks you did this to her, she still loves you. You might not think you can love, but I do. Maybe not like her, not like me, but it's love regardless! So please, save her. I can't stand to see her suffer and be complicit in it."

Otoya was surprised by those words. So Shiena loved her, and she still did. Perhaps there was a chance between them after all. She was still a risk for her and her being in an asylum benefited her more, but… she did miss her. And she had a feeling Shiena wouldn't be a threat to her. If she truly loved her then… it would be easy to manipulate her to keep her silent.

A grin appeared on Otoya's lips.

"Fine, I'll help you. Not that I know how I'm supposed to get her out from an asylum."

"I might have something that could help you."

As she said that, Suzu sent a couple of files in the chat. Otoya opened them and was surprised by their contents, quickly skimming through them. Her smile then grew wider.

"Oh, this isn't good. This is really bad. Corruption sure is ugly," Otoya said with a giggle.

"I believe this will be enough for you to get her out. Legally."

"Yeah, it should be. Thanks, I'll see what I can do. But first, I would have a little favour to ask of you."

"I have a bad feeling about that, but go ahead."

Otoya was flinching with excitement at the idea of being reunited with her sweet and dear Shiena.

"I wanna see Shiena-chan~"


Shiena's head was in excruciating pain.

And it wasn't because of her recent skull fracture. She felt painful spasms in her head, almost like it was about to explode.

She couldn't help but shiver, even if she was neither cold or afraid, and her body was dripping in sweat.

Shiena knew enough about the criminal world to understand what was happening to her.

Withdrawal symptoms.

It had to be expected. It had been several days since she stopped taking the drugs they were feeding her. Even if in her mind she was repulsed by those pills, her body was craving them oh-so desperately. She felt like a pathetic junkie out of cocaine. But she knew that things could only get better. She had to be strong and not give up, and eventually, the withdrawal would be over. She'll be clear and sane soon. And then she'll somehow find a way to get out of here.

This was her only hope.

Shiena ran a hand through her hair. Her hair was so wet that her bangs stuck on her head and remained slicked back. It was obvious that she was suffering from withdrawal syndrome. Shiena's heart started to race with panic. If they understood that she wasn't taking her pills anyone, who knows what they would do to her- she might really get killed.

She heard footsteps approaching the cell. Shit, was she about to get caught? No, she refused to give up so easily- there must be a way to get away with this.

She suddenly got an idea and immediately got on the floor and started doing push-ups. Her body was already so exhausted and she had never been quite the athletic type, but she still did her best.

"Kenmochi-san? What are you doing?"

Shiena recognized the nurse's voice. She didn't raise her head and continued to do push-ups despite the pain in her arms.

"I'm… exercising," Shiena replied. "You know, a healthy mind in a healthy body- and apparently it's good against demonic possessions."

The nurse didn't reply anything to that. Shiena did a few more push-ups before she was too exhausted and just collapsed to the floor.

"Don't overwork yourself," the nurse softly suggested to her. "It's time for your meds."

Shiena's heart skipped a beat. There she was again. Getting an attempt-drugging against her. Nervously, she stood up, knowing what she had to do. Obediently, she took the pills and put them in her mouth before she drank the water, swallowing it. The nurse smiled as she recoiled.

"I'll be back later for dinner. Take it easy with the exercises."

"I will, thanks."

The nurse walked away. The pills were still under Shiena's tongue. She was tempted to swallow them. Her heart was hurting so much, she was craving those pills.

But she had to resist, otherwise, all her hard work, sacrifices and pain would be in vain. She had to be brave and stronger than them- she had to show those who tried to destroy her that she won't collapse. She refused to play along in their game.

She waited a couple of minutes, doing some other exercising, before nonchalantly heading for the toilet to grab some toilet paper. She pretended to sneeze and discreetly spat the pills in the tissue, before throwing it in the toilet and flushing.

Sayonara to more dangerous pills that wouldn't end up in her system and fuck up with her brain.

"Hello, Shiena-chan."

Shiena froze when she heard that voice. She knew that voice damn well. It was haunting her the night since the day she had been arrested. This voice she loathed so much and gave her the chills, yet also brought some warm feelings into her chest. A lukewarm sensation.

She didn't dare to turn back and closed her eyes, mumbling to herself.

"That's not real, that's not real, that's not real..."

"Oy, Shiena-chan! Are you deaf? I'm right here! Hey! Look at me!"

"Not real, not real, not real-"

"LOOK AT ME!"

Shiena flinched. The voice sounded completely different. Cold and angry, but despite the shouting, it sounded… controlled?

"I took the time to come visit you, the least you could do is look at me," she said coldly.

Shiena shivered. Was she… really there? It didn't sound like a hallucination, nor did she have any for days. Could she… really be there? It seemed impossible.

The brunette gulped. Her muscles became stiff as she slowly turned back, not so ready to face her biggest nightmare yet also her wildest dream.

She was welcomed by Otoya's sweet and warmest smile, dressed as a nurse. At that sight, Shiena's heart started to race- both from fear and excitement.

"O-Otoya…?"

It was really her. For a moment Shiena forgot the truth about her and what she did to her. All she could see was a dear friend whom she loved and trusted, before she remembered that this so-called "friend" deceived her, manipulated her, toyed with her and betrayed her. At that thought, Shiena clenched her fist with resentment.

"Otoya…!"

Otoya smirked as she looked Shiena up and down.

"Wow, you look pretty terrible right now. Just like a madwoman."

Shiena clenched her teeth at that taunt.

"You did this to me, didn't you!?" Shiena accused furiously.

"Oh? Did what, Shiena-chan?" Otoya asked innocently.

"You fucking framed me for your murders and got me locked up here!"

"Is that really what you think? Why would I have done such a thing?"

"Don't take me for a fool! I discovered your secret so you wanted to get rid of me! And your assassin group probably asked you to!"

Otoya went stoic for a moment before a sinister smile marked her face.

"Oh, so you do know the truth about me- and even more. Bad girl. You weren't supposed to discover that. Perhaps you staying here really is in my best interest after all…"

Otoya then let out a soft yet arrogant chuckle.

"But what one would do for love. Here I am, against logic and reason, to save my princess from the castle."

"... Love? You… you call that love!? This is not love! A psychopath like you can't love!"

Otoya turned emotionless. She didn't look hurt, more… disappointed?

"I thought you from all people would be more open-minded. I may not experience love the same way as you do, but it doesn't mean it isn't love. My love isn't inferior to yours. Stop seeing the world through your neurotypical eyes."

Was Otoya… really scolding her? For being closed-minded? What the hell. Was she stuck in an upside-down world or something? Then, Otoya burst into laughter.

"As if I cared! Anyway, I'm not the one who framed you. I actually had no idea you got framed up until recently."

"Liar! All you do is lie! You've been lying to me since the beginning…!"

"I'm telling the truth right now. Believe me or not, I don't care. But trust me on that: I'll get you out of here, I promise."

"... Why? Why should I trust you?" Shiena asked with some hope, but also contempt.

Otoya giggled as she got closer to the bars and suddenly grabbed them, staring at Shiena with insanity in her turquoise eyes.

"Because I'm your salvation!" Otoya exclaimed.

Shiena wasn't expecting to hear that. She instinctively recoiled, frightened and worried.

"What… what do you mean?"

Otoya now had a twisted smile on her face.

"Because without me, you're miserable. I'm the one who brings happiness into your life, who gives you the love and recognition you deserve! No one can understand you as I do- only I can truly love you! I'll take care of you and treat you the way you deserve- like the precious and delicate flower you are. You are worthy only when you are with me- I'm the one who gives you value. Without me, you'd just be the same nobody I met for the first time at my shop!"

Those words felt like a stab in the heart. Shiena even felt her eyes tearing up. She wanted to protest, but deep down, she knew everything Otoya said was the absolute truth. she truly was miserable before meeting her. Nobody showed her love like Otoya did, nobody made her feel valued like her. And somehow, being compared to a flower… did feel good.

"How… how are you going to get me out of here?" Shiena asked weakly.

"I can't tell you for now, in case we're being spied on. You see, I ain't supposed to be here. Let's say that a good friend of mine gave me access to this place. I may look sexy as hell in this uniform, but the staff will probably notice that there's an extra nurse here eventually. I just wanted to see you before rolling the dice. I missed you, you know. There wasn't a day where I didn't think about you."

Shiena didn't want to hear those words- those words that were making her love Otoya. She knew how horrible she was, the true Otoya behind her mask, yet… she couldn't stop her heart from loving her.

"Please… get me out of here… I can't bear it anymore!" Shiena begged tearfully.

Otoya grinned with satisfaction.

"Anything for you, my dear Shiena-chan."


When Shiena woke up, she had the unpleasant surprise of being welcomed by the stern and even hostile gaze of her old nurse. But it was when she noticed the two guards with her that Shiena started to be worried- and quite frankly, afraid.

"What… what do you want?" Shiena stuttered nervously.

The nurse stayed silent for a moment, simply staring at her so coldly as she crossed her arms.

"I know what you did, Kenmochi," she finally said in such a dark voice.

Shiena felt her heart stop for a moment. What did she mean by that? It could have so many meanings- which would all be bad omens for Shiena. She rose up from bed, but as soon as she moved, the guards looked ready to jump on her at any moment.

"I… I didn't do anything wrong…!" Shiena tried to protest with a lack of assurance.

"You really thought we wouldn't notice? You stopped taking your meds, don't you?"

Fuck. Shiena's heart started to beat like crazy. This was the last thing she wanted them to know. Things couldn't get any worse- or any better. She was simply in the worst-case scenario possible.

Shiena gulped and dared to stare back at the nurse, feeling like she had nothing to lose anymore. So as they say, better die standing than live on her knees.

"Those were not antipsychotics- you were feeding me drugs, weren't you? Drugs to make me hallucinate!"

The nurse looked shocked for a moment before her expression turned gloomy and quite aggressive.

"You're delusional. Typical paranoiac behaviours, thinking that your own meds are bad-"

"Don't fucking treat me as if I was stupid! I know the truth! You're all just trying to silence me and make me crazy!"

The nurse clenched her fist and then glanced at both guards, before she looked back at Shiena with a sinister smile.

"You're nuts. If you don't want to behave and take your meds, I regret that we'll have to get more drastic with you. Seize her!"

At those words, the guards rushed towards Shiena, who didn't even have the time to move before they grabbed her arms and pinned her to the bed. Shiena tried to struggle, in vain. She saw the nurse take out a flask and drop two pills in her hand. When she saw those, Shiena felt chills all over her body. She was almost done with the withdrawal syndrome and didn't have any hallucinations for a while, it was out of the question that she would let all of her hard work go in vain.

"No… not that…. GET AWAY FROM ME!" Shiena yelled desperately.

The nurse tried to force her mouth open and put the pills inside, but Shiena instinctively reacted by kicking her the hardest she could. The nurse fell backward and the guards released Shiena, rushing towards her with concern.

Shiena took advantage of it and rose up, rushing towards the door, hoping it was unlocked.

But she was out of luck. She was violently grabbed from behind and shoved on the floor. Before she could stand up or move away, she was suddenly kicked multiple times. Shiena instinctively tried to cover her head with her arms, a futile attempt to protect herself from the repetitive assault.

A brutal hit on her stomach nearly made her throw up and she started to gasp and cough in pain, but it didn't stop the guards from beating her. She could almost feel blood coming from her throat and she could feel her consciousness slowly slipping away as she hopelessly accepted her fate.

"Stop what you are doing!" thundered a female voice.

Then, the suffering finally stopped. But Shiena remained semi-conscious- all the noises around her sounded so far away.

"Who the hell are you!?" the nurse exclaimed.

Shiena managed to look up, but everything was so blurry. All she could perceive was a person standing in front of the bars- a woman, wearing a suit.

"I'm Kenmochi-san's new lawyer. I'm here to announce to you that my client was cleared of all charges against her and has to be freed immediately."

And it was with tearful joy that Shiena finally sank into oblivion.


Finally, we are done with the asylum arc! Things can all go back to normal... right?

How do you think Shiena got out of the asylum? What Otoya do? Please tell me about your theories!

While waiting for the next chapter, please stay safe, don't go outside if it's not necessary and wash your hands regularly.