[Chapter 12] A peculiar girl (Part II)

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It was cold, dark, blue… just like her dress. But that was something she could barely tell. Everything looked black and white to her, and any shade of gray possible.

Why was she here again?

What did she do to deserve this?

Her mom and dad have always told her to be nice to everyone. She was. She was a good girl. They told her that good things happen to kind people, so she´s been trying to be a better person. But not even nice actions could save her from this illness.

Her parents were worried and tried to do everything possible to heal her. Under the guide of Koshi Mizuchi they deposited their hopes to cure their daughter, ignoring the kind of person he was.

She´s heard about demons before; creatures that live down under for the sole purpose of punish and torture all kinds of people, mostly bad. Supposedly they belong in hell, an after-death place. But that place, the Nanakamado Chemotherapy Research Center, it was hell. She hated that it; it was scary, gloomy, and bleak.

That place wasn´t a medical center to cure her "illness". It was a torture chamber. Every time she entered the facility, she had to face countless of experiments that went from physical pain to psychological damage. That´s when she realize she wasn´t sick.

She was normal, despite her powers, she was. She was scared of them at first, but as long as her parents were by her side, she´d be able to control them. So, she told them about this center of doom and the tyrant who runs it. And she was finally free from that hellhole.

For once, she was free to believe she wasn´t sick or abnormal, just different from the rest. And her parents were never going to let that man get his hands on their daughter again.

At last, she was at ease.

But soon, they disappeared from her reach forever. It was impossible to get them back. After their accident they couldn´t be back.

Everything was black. If it wasn´t for her aunt, her only family, who took care of her, she´d be hopeless. But still, it was too late. Now she lost everything that brought her peace and happiness. And along with her hopes, she lost her voice.

Now voiceless and colorblind, the world looked even more monochromatic and dull. She could only see gray and found nothing worthy of her speech.

Kushina Honami, the woman who became her formal tutor, saw how devastated her niece turned. It was heartbreaking. The physicians guaranteed her that everything was all right with her vocal cords, so her unwilling to speak derived by her immeasurable pain.

Her quiet life began. Despite Honami´s efforts to open up her feelings, her niece´s behavior was no different from a doll´s.

Her aunt was a usual from a particular bar. Apparently, she met her former students and became a regular. When she stepped inside for the first time, she was surprised by the unusual sight. It was an old England pub, or so they said.

The owner was a very young man who wore shades inside the establishment. He was blond and had a friendly vibe. He had a way with words and seemed charismatic enough to have a casual conversation with just anyone, including his former high school teacher and her niece. But despite his efforts to speak to her, she didn´t feel like talking.

Nothing caught her eye, even in this small foreign land. Until she bumped with him.

Red.

It was color.

It was something distinct to what she´s been seeing every day.

His hair was so vibrant. A beautiful stain on her homochromatic world. Her only lifesaver from this spiral into emptiness. When her eyes met color for the first time in what it felt like forever, her life didn´t look gray anymore.

This second man was apathetic, serious and couldn´t feel any more uninterested towards her despite her eyes glued on him. His name was Suoh Mikoto.

From that moment on, she waited with excitement any chance to go back to the bar to visit the person who stood out the most. At first, he only ignored her, calling her a brat and nothing more. Surprisingly, she wasn´t bothered, and attempted to be near him and his bright red color.

Izumo, and her aunt were impressed by her quick attachment given that people usually avoid the threatening man instead of getting close to him, and his friend didn´t miss the chance to mess with him about his magnet to this child, causing a murderous look on the red-headed that didn´t scare her away nonetheless.

But there was something else that fascinated her about him. His red not only emerged from his bright hair, but also from deep inside him. And she was able to see it.

After her casual encounters with these people, she started meeting the rest of their friends. All young men with peculiar personalities but oddly enough with the same kind of "force" that bonded them.

It didn´t take her long to notice his friends also emanated the same energy with this lovely color. And to her delight, there wasn´t a single aura that look the same. All were unique and matching to their owner. But there was no other like the one Mikoto had. His was the most powerful and imponent, yet incredibly warm. She knew she could dose off next to him watching his red aura and that she could never have nightmares again. It was relaxing. She was content next to him.

Little after, it was Tatara, a dorky, happy-go-lucky guy, who explained to her what they were. Anna´s heart throbbed with ecstasy. She… she wasn´t the only one. There were others like her. But not quite. There were some differences between them. Seemingly, all the members of this clan got their red auras from their King, Mikoto. So, he was the most similar to her. That could explain her attachment and increasing interest towards him. It felt like magic. It made her smile shyly.

Honami was happy to see her niece so gratified after all this time. It was heartwarming.

But her happiness didn´t last for too long.

He came back. He´s never given up. Koshi Mizuchi, that venomous man. One day he appeared from thin air when she was waiting outside of a convenience store while Honami did some purchases. He approached her. Her eyes went wide, and her body froze. He didn´t kidnap her, but he made sure she got the message. He could spy her aunt from the window, and without taking his eyes from her, he threatened her life if she didn´t return to the facility. He left her with palpitations.

She knew what was waiting for her in the center and traumas from her past came to light, so she was absolutely against doing what he wanted. But then she remembered her parents´ death. It was a fortuity, an unfair fortuity, but an accident, nevertheless.

Or so she thought.

That fateful day, when she eavesdropped the clan´s conversation her world shattered. They talked about what her aunt told them.

What did they mean by her parent´s death being a premeditated murder?

Her whole body trembled in frustration, from her legs to her fingertips. She wanted to scream.

Honami´s life was at risk. What would she do if he took her away from her like with her parents? Then her existence would be meaningless with no other person in her life. She was a nice aunt, and her only family left. She couldn´t let that happen.

She doesn´t remember how it occurred, but she remembers her tiny feet running away from the bar, hurting a lot and her breath getting more agitated, chocking on her own anguish and lack of air. Then her breakdown.

When she woke up, it was cold, dark, blue… just like her dress. She was back.

That twisted, sadistic smile on his face sent shivers down her spine, but at least this guarantee her aunt having a safe life.

For the past few hours, she endured all kids of tortures again. Mizuchi forced her to endure the agony he inflicts by burning, choking, and drowning her in a glass tube full of water, saying that pain stimulates her and makes her power more potent and effective.

For what reason he had chosen her to bear this hell was something she never understood until she asked in a weak voice "why?"

Maybe it was part of his cruelty, but he explicitly explained his plan to her. All this time he´s being trying to use her to make her a Strain King, specifically the new Blue King. By using a powerful strain like her, he could stimulate her powers and push her to turn herself into something more formidable than a clan King.

He´s always being a curious man, fascinated by the concept of a person going further than what is already thought to be their limit, a trait developed thanks to his discontent when he realized that his King, the Gold King has pushed him to his own limit.

Gold, Blue, Red, clans, strains, Kings. Everything sounded weird to her. She did everything she could to comprehend how any of that was related to her. How could this man destroy everything she hold dear and push her like a doll to be a guinea pig for his experiments?

She despised him.

She lost conscious once again due to reaching her limit of pain tolerance, but before fainting, the last thing she saw were his own special powers. He healed her, probably to not let her die since she was necessary for the experiment. How hypocrite of him…

Why not just letting her-?

It was the loudest crash she´s heard before. Her semi-sleep state didn´t allow her to see what was happening, but deep inside she knew everything was going to end soon.

Those voices, she recognized them. They were the lousy guys from the bar HOMRA. What were they doing there?

Her conscious faded completely without letting her see what happened. But then, why was she able to see the fight that broke out between Mizuchi and Mikoto? It was clear as the day. Mizuchi was no match for the red-headed. Right in front of her, she witnessed his true power. It was like an explosion of red, pure raw power pouring out of his body. Flames coming out of his bare hands burning down everything to his reach. But not really, she saw how he had everything under control, and his flames only burnt what he wanted to be consumed to ashes.

She, who witnessed all sort of burnings on herself, felt captivated by his fire. It felt warm and soothing, just like how she felt when she was next to him. He was a good man. They were all good guys. They came to rescue her…

When Mizuchi´s arm was caught on fire, he used his healing powers to regenerate himself, but he was apprehended by a group of mysterious people wearing rabbit masks. Under his last breath, he cursed the Gold King.

Various calls to her name woke her up. She was wet because of the liquid from the tube she was inside of. Now pieces of glass were all over the floor and the content of that tube around their feet. Her blue dress was ruined, but that was the last of her concerns. She met her rescuers and was almost moved to tears, but there was no time for that either.

Quickly, she found Honami among the guys. Her expression softened even more now that she knew she was fine. Now everything could be back to how it was.

However, one last tragedy awaited her. Her surrounded by concerned members of the clan was a sign of bad news. And undeniably, that´s what the case.

Thanks to her exposure, Honami got her memories of her niece erased and no longer recognized her as the daughter of her brother. There was no Kushina Anna on her recollections anymore. She was dead to her aunt, a non-existent being who was never part of her life. A stranger.

Some of the rabbits took care of Honami, and by the request of the leader of the red clan, they left Anna to them.

She couldn´t hold it any longer.

She broke down in tears. That was the first time they´ve heard so much of her voice and it had to be this way.

It was unfair; life was unfair. Why bad things happened to innocents? Was it because she was a "strain"? Was it a curse to be born this way? Did only bad things were waiting for her? Was she really alone in this world where she had no family left?

While her eyes poured tears down her cheeks, wondering what she was going to do know, she felt a hand on her head.

Instantly, her crying ceased. And she spied who was responsible for this event. Her watery-eyed vision adjusted itself to see Mikoto staring right at her.

No, she wasn´t alone.

When he offered her his hands to stand up, she noticed right away there was a second purpose for that. His hand was on fire. Once again, she was hypnotized by the beautiful color. The flames moved like they were dancing. It was pure energy, radiant heat. But they were different from the ones which burned Mizuchi. They were warm, cozy, and soothing. They could never hurt her.

And so, she took it.

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The sun was still lighting the city, the days were getting longer, it was May after all. The two females were sitting staring at nothing in particular. It felt like an hour, but it was just around one minute. Minus the time they´ve been talking, Totsuka might be there any minute now.

I see. The oldest broke the silence. You showed me your past so we could be even.

You went through a lot too, munchkin. That was plain and simple torture that she handled. They rescued her, so maybe it was when she was eight years old. She was too young. Actually, she was around that age when it happened to her.

She wasn´t particularly fond on kids, mostly because she didn´t interact with them much in her past. But the little one seating next to her in silence felt a little different from the regulars. She was a strain, had red eyes, didn´t express much emotion and was a victim of a cruel fate; maybe they weren´t so different.

Eri stole a look at her from her profile. It wasn´t typical of her to do this, but her rational side was overshadowed by a glimmer of sympathy. She posed her hand on top of her head.

Anna´s eyes opened when she patted her and immediately looked at her. It didn´t feel too warm, but she did that on her own accord. And naturally, it didn´t last long.

But we´re still far off from through. You can´t go around telling everyone other people´s secrets, so you better watch your mouth. She pinched her lips together a little less tight than she would like to since she was a kid.

Not too long after, the teen loosened up her grip and withdraw from her. She exhalated tired. And to think there would become the day where she threatens a child. I don´t have intentions of hurting your beloved clanmates, so rest assured. Her red eyes, now milder, stared straight at hers. Go ahead, I know you can see through lies.

Effectively, the teen wasn´t lying at all. She was harsh and sharp but had no intention of hurting anybody. Still, there were many things she found a mystery about her, even when she had a vivid idea of her past, what she felt for her was sadness and uncertainty. The albino had a huge empathy with people and animals thanks to her powers, so she was aware of all the emotions and thoughts this seemingly cold and aloof girl had deep inside. But overall, at least she knew her longing for a new peaceful life was real, and she had nothing to worry about her clanmates' safety.

I want what you currently have. She rose from her seat. Then she looked back to her. A peaceful life, far away from those demons.

Anna looked directly into her eyes and opened hers in amaze. They were casting the most beautiful red color she´s seen, almost on par with Mikoto´s red. She had the most serene expression she could expect from this serious teen. She was convinced, not by her own powers, but for her words.

Their feet were moving under the same pace. The King, the kid and the teen were in silence, and in the background a sad Totsuka followed complaining about running late for joining the conversation. He was the most excited to have a chat with the teen, but just when he walked in, they were returning to the bar.

Eri, can of juice in hand, decided to walk with them since her home was in the same direction. She looked satisfied with her peculiar chat with the kid. There were still many things she felt uneasy about the youngster, but mostly were school related and not about the secret they share.

'I hope they really don´t neglect her education.' She opened the can, walking ahead of the rest.

Eri. Anna interrupted her soliloquy.

I see that you´re practicing my new name, good.

Eri.

Sorry, munchkin, but that´s too familiar for you to call me. You´ll have to call me "Arisawa" for now on.

Eri.

I told you already. Are you picking a fight with me, munchkin?

Eri, watch out.

Uh?

*CRASH*

So, let me know if I get it. You guys bumped into each other and… you threw that skateboard through my window…

Effectively.

But it wasn´t part of the accident; you deliberately threw it through my window.

Effectively.

So, you´re assuming all the blame.

Effectively.

And, you know you must pay me.

Effectively.

The bartender couldn´t begin to understand how any of that happened or why she was standing on the floor blamelessly, while his idiotic vanguard was kneeling on the floor in shame if everything was her fault apparently. He was going to need a painkiller or a sedative for this headache.

At least the chilly breeze cooled him down a little, if only it didn´t came from that evident big whole on the window.

Finally, the inexpressive teen stepped to the front and serenely as always went down to business. Ok, I´ll be honest: I don´t have any money.

You. Looking from below, the skater boy observed her lack of self-awareness and he blew up in rage. At least show you´re sorry! What are you going to do about-?!

I´ll pay with my body.

Holly shi- Chitose stared at her.

Quite frank, aren´t you? Dewa sarcastically commented.

Sorry, Arisawa-chan, but you´re way too young for me. The blond rejected her.

Cut it out. Even when their base was the on the line, they were the ones who didn´t take this seriously. It amazed her how dumb they could be even in situations like this.

Oh! I know, how about you pay Kusanagi-san by joining us? Totsuka pursued the subject once he saw the chance.

Fuck that. She modestly refused.

Just at that moment, the king appeared out of nowhere behind the teen. They locked eyes for a moment in silence. With both expressionless, it was hard to tell what was running in their minds. But the teen took this chance to repeat it because she thought that´s what he was waiting for her to do since he missed the conversation. "Fuck that", that´s what I said.

The guys were almost in physical pain. It was hard to not feel terror when this crazy chick started speaking her mind without a care of her surroundings and could she say something like that in their king´s face when he looked as terrifying as the devil himself.

Thank god, the red king just casually listened. And despite the few seconds of quietness between the two after those words, they could breathe again when he made a noise of understanding and continued walking to the couch where he sat.

The moment of tension ended, but the lack of consequences to this kind of rudeness bothered the noisy skater. Oi, Don´t speak to Mikoto-san like that! He pushed his way to the unbothered teen and confronted her given that nobody else looked like they´d do it.

Shut it kid.

Severe as ever whenever it comes to him, Eri´s red eyes pierced into his soul. The boy jumped back and shut his lips in one motion without time to think. He hates it when she does that, it made him look like a frightened dog. That was one of the many reasons he dislikes her so much.

As I was saying, I don´t have any money to repay you, but I can… It physically hurt her to say this, but she had to deal with her retching and say it. …work here to make up for it.

It took her whole will to control her disgust; it was quite amusing, though. So, the blond bartender had to be considerate for her effort. He offered a candid smile in order to ease her urges of vomiting. Don't worry, Arisawa-chan. I know you are an honest girl and I'll be happy to let you work here.

Now that it came to this Eri started feeling regret towards her own action, not because of the damage of private property of course, but the fact that she doomed herself to be around them. And this time she has herself to blame.

And how much do you estimate it will take me to repay you?

Three months.

...

Parallelized in place, the teenager stared at nothing. It was extremely concerning, so Totsuka intervened. Arisawa-san?

She unfroze herself when she put herself together. Don't mind me, I was just thinking I can run away without paying; after all it's not like you know where I liv- Just then her head turned automatically at the smiling dork who KNEW that information from the first day they met and who ruined her only chance of escaping.

Then, welcome aboard, Arisawa-chan. I'll count on you from now on.

No even in all her years working for an illicit organization she had seen a smile so misleading as the one the owner was making. After that reveal of his cunning nature from last time, that expression hit different. The only thing she had left was to embrace herself for what's coming from now on.