Chapter 9: The Other Side of Me
Sun beams pierced through the high slanted window of a refurbished basement, blinding a girl with short, spiky blonde hair, prompting her to roll over in her linen sheets and pine-framed bed. Nearly going back to sleep, the girl's eyes jolted with a yelp, throwing her phone from her bed as her by alarm rang off to the tune of a foreign song. "No, no, nooo I wanted to press snooze!" the girl let out a sigh. "Nice one, Katsuragi."
Katsuragi got ready for the day, picking up her phone and letting the song continue to play. In front of the mirror, she unbuttoned her pajama shirt, letting her bubbly balloons bounce from their comfy prison. Stepping into long, grey striped socks, she pulled a pair of skinny jeans, ripped at the knees over her tall, thick legs before strapping on a black, compression sports bra. Wiggling into a shirt that said "あそこ権力", she proceeded to flex in the mirror, taking out her phone as she sang to the lyrics.
"I buy my own things; I pay my own bills. These diamond rings, my automobiles… I do what I want. Say what you say. I work real hard every day. I'm a mothafuckin' woman! Baby, alright! I don't need a man to be holdin me too tight! I'm a mothafuckin' woman! Baby that's right! I just havin' fun with my ladies here tonight!~ aaaand status update!" Katsuragi snapped a picture of herself posing, posting it to 'the Nippon Hawk'.
Strolling into the living room, she looked in the fridge. Among the pack of kobe beef and rice, the carton of eggs, lettuce head, and transparent case of mochi, her groggy eyes scanned around before opting to pull out the mochi, not feeling up to cooking just yet.
After prepping some coffee, she crossed her legs over a curved Japanese stool, popping a pocky as she swiped through more of 'The Nippon Hawk'. Passing up a couple posts from Gessen News, including a post about Senki Shu terror attacks and Hebijo raids along the northern most border of Gessen, she stopped to give a 'love heart' on Gessen Gals, where one popular student showed off pics of her new Japanese Pomeranian.
Another post caught her attention with the headline; 'Convicted man released from sentence early upon no evidence of crime. Alleged victim, Hitori Mashina, disappeared, suspected of being the infamous Mirai of Hebijo.' Kat's blood boiled as she began texting; "This is what corruption does to us! Perverse pigs like that deserve no mercy cause he probably did it anyways. Should have gotten locked up longer or at least sent to the front lines."
Dislikes and laughing reactions followed, "Bunch of trolls! I'm not saying Mirai doesn't exist, but we never seen her, so it's not fair to say Hitori is Mirai." Katsu growled, fingers flying as she texted out her last sentence. Comments of hypocrisy and eye rolling followed before Katsuragi proceeded to share it with a circle of her own friends, texting as she spoke. "Bunch of Gessenite misogynists and whores defending pedophiles again, what do you folks think?"
Katsuragi spent a few more minutes on 'The Nippon Hawk' before getting up to pour a pot of steaming coffee, which she poured so fast that some of it splashed onto her arm. With a scream, she slammed the pot down onto the granite countertop, before tripping backwards, hitting her head off the fridge handle before slapping her arm and quickly turning on the cold water to sooth her pain. "Piece of SHIT!" Katsuragi yelled, kicking the fridge door.
"AAAGH!" holding onto her foot, she began jumping about before leaning back on the countertop with a sigh and a moan when the front door opened. Kat looked up to see Ayame and Fubuki walking in, looking away before she sighed, "Hey Ayame, Fubuki. I'm… sorry about Wednesday. I shoulda came back for you but I…"
"Was too busy starting a fight with Asuka, acting crazy, and completely forfeiting our lives because of it?! Oh yeah, I totally forgive you for killing us, Katsu!" Ayame complained.
Katsuragi began stuttering in confusion when Fubuki gave her a smile. "I'm… not mad at you, Katsu. You were… really brave. Where did you learn those moves? And-… How did… you get home… before us?"
"Moves? Killing us? What the hell are you talking about, I've been here the whole time." Katsu raised an eyebrow.
"OH! Do you not remember? Did you simply take one too many hits from the bottle? To the HEAD MAYBE!? Being mean to Fubuki, dressing like a ho, challenging Asuka to a fight and actually beating her before going on an ENTIRE RANT ABOUT HANZO ACADEMY!? Don't LIE, TO, ME, BITCH!" Ayame's pupils shrunk in a rage.
"HEY! What the hell!? I said I was sorry about Wednesday; doesn't mean you get to be all nasty to me with false accusations!" Kat pointed at Ayame, getting in her face.
"THEN EXPLAIN THE HAIR!" Ayame yelled.
"WHAT FUCKING HAIR!?" Kat said, raising her voice back.
"Or HOW about the green energy and ninja art stuff you pulled on Asuka!"
"I have no idea what you're talking about, so you better calm the FUCK DOWN, AYAME!"
"Calm down? ME, CALM DOWN!? Do you have ANY IDEA what You've DONE!?"
"No, because you keep bitching at me!"
"We're dead girls! No, not even girls, just bloody splotches on the wall!"
Fubuki held her hands together through trembling breath, trying to speak up. "P-p-please… don't fight. I'm sure Katsu can explain!"
"I'd say you two are the ones who need explaining! Cause to me it sounds like Ayame is still butthurt from Wednesday!" Katsuragi said with folded arms.
"Sounds to me like you're lying about what you did that evening." Ayame growled.
"Evening!? I WAS HERE THE ENTIRE TIME!" Kat shouted.
"Perhaps it would be better if I reminded Katsuragi of what happened that day." Came a subtle, feminine voice from the corner of the room. The three turned to see a golden-eyed girl sporting a black outfit and a brunette ponytail.
"Who the hell are y-… EEEEEEEEHHH!" Katsuragi yelped, recognizing Asuka.
"Oh my Kagura, she's here!" Fubuki squeaked, holding onto Ayame; a dreaded silence falling over the three girls.
"Oh. Were you… not expecting company?" Asuka giggled with a slight smirk.
"N-n-no. I mean! You're welcome to stay, Asuka." Katsu said, biting her lips. "But to what occasion do we owe that you'd come by and honor us with your presence?"
As Asuka began slowly walking forward, the other girls kept facing towards her as she turned to the kitchen countertop. "You know, it's rude to not offer your guests something for their visit."
"Erm… Would you like some Mochi? Ayame can make tea as well." Kat said, nervously walking by Asuka to grab the box of mochi and offer it to her.
"Just mochi's fine, thank you." The box of mochi shook, Katsuragi's hands vibrating coldly as Asuka took her time grabbing the last blue mochi and munching on it. "Blueberry. Very tasty indeed. It's one of my favorites, actually. How about the rest of you, eh?" Humoring Asuka, Kat and Fubuki gave their favorites, when Ayame said she wasn't a big fan of mochi. "Ah yes. Little miss Stalin likes… what were they… oh yeah, Taiyaki. With its red bean paste. That's also pretty yummy. I wonder how they'd look together. But I suppose you don't have anymore on you?"
"I'm sorry, miss Asuka… I'm afraid we don't!" Fubuki shivered.
"I-I can quickly go out to the store and buy you some!" Kat replied quickly.
"A-and Fubuki and I'll accompany her! You know, safety in numbers in times like these!" Ayame said.
But as Fubuki nodded her head, Asuka replied, "Oh, that won't be necessary. In fact, I have a better solution. We can make blueberry mochi and red bean paste here. It'll just be some fresh bruises to make the blueberries and some finely ground blood and guts to make the red bean paste." Katsuragi found her skin heightening with goosebumps; her breath hyperventilating with every word Asuka glared her way. "Unless of course… you can explain to me what happened that Wednesday evening, Katsuragi."
A cold sweat loomed over Katsuragi as she tried to gulp down the sudden lump in her throat, but to no avail. Through chattering teeth, she stuttered the most terrified 'I don't know' she could muster. A frustrated sigh left Asuka's mouth, "You know one thing I hate about people? When I am all polite, calm, and agreeable and willing to work with them… and the only answer to my questions I get is an I. Don't. Know."
Katsuragi let out a gasping scream, jumping to her knees. "I always looked up to you, Asuka! Your strength, your tenacity! You're a true woman! I have no reason to lie to you! I even collected nearly 13000 for the 20000 yen we owe you!"
"Oh, I almost forgot about that money. It's 30000 now by the way, you took too long. But I'm not here for that. I just want your cooperation, Katsuragi. And I want it very clearly. Now look me in the eyes." Katsuragi opened her eyes to see Asuka's golden gaze piercing her with a shaken fear. Asuka continued, "Now… If you admire me so much, you will cooperate, won't you?"
Katsuragi nodded her head so fast she might have gotten whiplash as Asuka proceeded to question her. "You spoke to me in a cocky and arrogant tone, wore your hair long and your shirt unbuttoned as though you were in mating season, and dared to send me flying past the Torii gate. Do you remember any of this?"
"Shirt… open?! W-with all due respect, Asuka, you know that's against my beliefs! And I haven't worn my hair long since the-…"
"Yes, yes, I know all about your little gang of femme hecklers, Katsuragi. Now, I'll ask you again. Do you remember getting a haircut? Wearing blue? Finding a friend who was a lookalike to yourself in every manner?" Confused, each 'no' Katsuragi uttered became meeker and more scared when her hair yanked, Asuka grabbing the back of her head. "You know, Kat. I hate when people test me. Especially when I am being so… NICE!"
Katsu began to whimper when Fubuki spoke up. "Miss Asuka… I-if I may… We didn't expect Kat to do that either. She was supposed to come pick us up, but her and Ayame got into a fight and she went back home. But when we unexpectedly found her… she was acting rather strange the other day. It was… freaky."
"Oh yeah! T-totally, oh mighty Asuka! Honestly, she was actin' so funny I was near ready to punch the bitch in the face!" Ayame quickly blurted.
"What the fuck?! Whose side are you on, Ayame?!" Katsu yelled. Her head painfully lifted up as Asuka pulled on her locks even more.
"It would seem even your friends think you were off. Now give me a straight answer. Why did you attack me? When did you learn those moves and who taught you?"
Kat felt Asuka's grip on her follicles tightening even more. "Aaaagh, I truly don't know what you're talking about, Asuka! I wouldn't lie to you, I swear it!"
"Then perhaps you need a bit of incentive." Within a flash, Asuka let go of Katsuragi before drawing one of her blades, holding Ayame in a chokehold. Ayame yelped, crying out for Kat as Fubuki and Katsu called out in protest. "Shhh, sh, sh, sh, sh, sh, sh. Now I want you to reach deep into that little brain of yours, Katsuragi. Reach where you probably never reached before… and tell me what I want to know."
"Asuka, please. I swear to you, I've been here the entire time!" water began to surface to Kat's eyes.
"Are you absolutely sure?" Asuka asked again, pressing the blade closer to Ayame's throat, causing her to shriek.
Katsuragi began sobbing which slowly devolved into blubbering. "PLEASE! I don't know what happened! If you have to, kill me! Just please… don't kill Ayame! I'm begging you, it's me you want so take me!" Katsu bit her lips, staring through watery eyes at Ayame, holding her hand out towards both Ayame and Asuka like a helpless child reaching for their mother. The next few seconds felt like minutes as Katsuragi's tears dripped of dread, watching Asuka's blade closely.
Suddenly Ayame was shoved from Asuka's grasp towards Kat where the two hugged, shedding tears as Fubuki ran over towards them. But Asuka placed a finger on her chin. "Most intriguing. A couple of days ago, you dared challenge me over what you called 'extortion'. And now you're back to blubbering and begging when your friend is threatened." Asuka sat down in a leather chair, silently pondering.
Shivering, Ayame kept apologizing to Kat, hugging her. "I'm sorry too. I don't know what's going on… but it'll be alright." Katsu said, hugging her back, Fubuki patting their shoulders. Just then, Kat and the others turned towards Asuka who had walked up beside them.
"If you don't mind, ladies, I should like a tour of the house."
"W-w-what for, miss… Asuka?" Fubuki asked.
"I simply want to check your inventory for evidence. Which means show me every hidden drawer, every secret door you have. If you are hiding something, then you pay the price for betraying my benefit of doubt. If you aren't then you have nothing to fear. So, what say you ladies?" Asuka asked, glancing at the three.
After quite an extensive tour throughout the house, Asuka followed the three girls back to the living room, where she gave a flick of her long, tattered scarf, plopping back down onto one of their leather seats. "So, let me get this straight. No blue skirt, no blue ribbons, No fancy schmancy boots… and you say you haven't gotten your hair cut in the last 3 months?" Asuka raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm!" Katsuragi handed Asuka her phone, with a picture of Katsu a couple months back. "I had a half pixie back then. Been trying to grow it out but never past my shoulders."
"Uh!" Asuka's eyes widened, looking at the date. "Well, that doesn't make any sense at all. I know I was attacked by a blonde girl under the name of Katsuragi, and yet… she bore your likeness. But her persona… it was like you had changed into a completely different person."
"But I wasn't…" Kat began to speak before Asuka cut her off.
"Yes, yes, I'm sure, Katsu-ne. But it would seem to me that you have an imposter. An imposter who wants to see you dead. Why else would they go to such trouble as to mess with someone like me?"
"Well, I do get a lotta haters, but I'm protected under Gessenite Laws so they-…"
"Would have to evade the laws in order to try. Laws haven't stopped anyone before, so why would it now? I mean, not to brag, but…" Asuka gave a small chuckle, placing her hand on her chest.
"It's true. With her temperament, it's no wonder Kat has tons of enemies." Ayame said, huffing through folded arms.
"Well, you're not very popular yourself, miss 'down with fair trade'!" Katsu retorted.
"Because it's not fair trade!" Ayame snapped back, getting into a back and forth with
Katsuragi until Asuka cleared her throat, prompting the two to cease.
"A lot of mean people hate Katsu, but who would go so far as to try and get her in trouble with Asuka?" Fubuki said.
"Can you blame them? She does have quite the mouth on her." Asuka smirked, to which Katsuragi's pouty eyes turned away in silence. "Anyways, I want to determine the true identity of this imposter. And I'll need you to tell me anything you can about her."
Ayame nodded at Fubuki before the former spoke up, "After the initial fight, she kept going on about something regarding Hanzo Academy. She seemed lost in trying to find it, even though we've protested around the area several times. I was so angry that I stormed off with Fubuki and yet… That's another thing, Asuka. This Katsu was mean to Fubuki. Started being racist about her yoma lineage!"
"I-I would never! I hate racism! I was there when those refugees were forced into Maisen! And I could never hate Fubuki for what she is." Kat said, gently rubbing Fubuki's arm.
"A-actually Katsu, you were on 'The Nippon Hawk', viewing the news reel… Th-three days after it ended." Fubuki said softly.
Katsu nearly said something but stuttered into silence. Asuka stood up from the chair, "Very well then. I am going to investigate this imposter and see just who she is and what she's after and for now, I will buy that it wasn't you, Katsu-ne."
"Wait! Asuka!" Asuka stopped in her tracks, not turning her head back as Kat called out to her. "Please, let me come with you! This whole thing has shaken me to the bones and I wanna find out just WHO IS FUCKING WITH ME!"
A moment of silence followed, Fubuki and Ayame tilting their heads to the side around the renegade shinobi's turned back, hoping to catch a glimpse of Asuka's face. Kat gulped, "I… I really do look up to you, Asuka. Your journey and how you stand alone really-…"
"Flattery is cute for some, but it falls on deaf ears if you really knew what I went through. But I suppose though if I were in your shoes, I'd want to find out who's trying to frame me as well. Besides, having you there will confirm to me that you are indeed innocent."
Katsuragi lit up at Asuka's words, to which Fubuki and Ayame also smiled chiming in to say they both wanted to see this imposter too. "Then… you will have us?" Kat asked.
Asuka kept her back turned before she opened the front door. "I'll meet you outside. Best not keep me waiting."