Kanami is starting to get bored in her cell. Her guards still refuse to take her up on her attempts to converse with them. The only way Kanami can find to entertain herself is by listing to the drips of water from a leaking pipe and counting the creaks on the floors and walls. But that is quickly becoming more boring than waiting in silence. By the time, the door creaks open, Kanami is thankful to be receiving a visitor. Even if they are here to be her executioner. Kanami looks up to see Yui Yamashiro stepping into the room carrying a tray of food and smiling brightly. Kanami is relieved to see a friendly face but even more so when she spots Hiyori following Yui into the room.
"I brought you something to eat, Kanami," Yui's smile grows larger as she sets the tray down in front of Kanami.
"Do you really expect her to eat like that?" Hiyori frowns, pointing to Kanami, who is still chained to the floor. "Can't you take those things off her?"
"Not without the Founders or Directors permission," One of the guards swiftly responds.
"Then how will she eat?" Hiyori asks.
"I guess you will have to feed me, Hiyori," Kanami smiles, looking up at her.
Hiyori stares at Kanami for a minute while her cheeks turn red. She pictures herself spoon-feeding Kanami the rice from the tray and holding the cup of water to her lips so Kanami can drink. Hiyori quickly shakes her head, trying to banish those thoughts and regain her composure.
"That's not going to happen," Hiyori tells her, wiping the smile from Kanami's lips.
"Don't worry, Kanami, I will feed you," Yui cheerfully says. She does not give Kanami a chance to respond before dropping to her knees and collecting a spoonful of rice. "Say ah."
Kanami opens her mouth and accepts the rice, all the while looking up at Hiyori, wishing it were the dark-haired girl who was feeding her. Yui meanwhile enjoys every second of feeding Kanami, making sure the bound girl eats every bit of rice. She gently caressing Kanami's cheek whenever she needs to wipe a stray grain that missing Kanami's mouth. Hiyori can only watch on as the scene on folds and Yui starts to eat the grains of rice that stick to Kanami's chin and cheeks. Hiyori ends up cursing herself for letting Yui feed her. The longing glances from Kanami do little more than making Hiyori regret her decision all the more.
"Last bite Kanami," Yui says before putting the last spoonful of rice into Kanami's mouth.
"Thank you, Yui," Kanami says, swallowing the last mouthful.
"You don't have to thank me, Kanami," Yui smiles. "Just think of this as me repaying you for that sweet treat you treated me to a few weeks ago."
Kanami's cheeks burn red as she realises Yui is referring to a sweet taste that was not from any food or drink. Kanami can barely remember that night, but she recalls Yui being more skilful than most girls she spent the night with. On the other hand, Yui seems to remember it better than Kanami as she rests a hand on Kanami's thigh and leans in closer.
"How about we hook up again once you are free?" Yui asks, and Hiyori instantly glares at her.
"I'll pass," Kanami shakes her head before Yui notices her glancing at Hiyori.
"If you are interested in her, then she is more than welcome to join us," Yui grins, looking over her shoulder at Hiyori, whose face is starting to look flushed.
"I… I'll pass…" Hiyori stutters, trying to hide her embarrassment.
"Is having sex all that people in this city think about?" Hiyori wonders before the door creaks open again, distracting her. Everyone's eyes fall on the Director as she enters the cells opponent by a grumpy looking Chie. The Director looks more friendly this time while Chie appears to be looking for any excuse to end Kanami's life. Kanami can only hope this is a good sign.
"You can unchain her now," The Director tells the guard before turning to face Kanami. "You will still be under armed guard, but we will not be taking your life."
Kanami stands rubbing her wrists and stretching out her stiff limbs. "It feels like a lifetime ago since I was able to move," Kanami sighs, happy to be free again. Hiyori and Yui seem delighted as well that the chains are finally gone.
"A guard will watch you every move, and you will not be allowed to enter certain parts of the base," The Director continues. "They will kill you if you give them a reason, so try to behave, Kanami."
"That won't be a problem," Kanami assures her, but no one in the room believes her.
"Yui escort Hiyori and Kanami to the infirmary for a check-up," The Director orders.
"Sure," Yui smiles, grabbing Kanami's arm and leaning into her. "Follow me, you two."
Kanami nearly falls as Yui drags her from her cell. Hiyori follows a few feet behind, watching and thinking how Yui is starting to get too close to Kanami.
"Do you have to get so close?" Hiyori grumbles.
"Well, I have to make sure Kanami doesn't get lost, don't I?" Yui replies, pressing herself even closer to Kanami, causing Hiyori to feel jealous although she refuses to admit it.
Sayaka still does not trust the man guiding her. Even when she spots the familiar sight of Mai's base of operations, she keeps a close eye on him and her fingers, ready to draw her weapon. All the eyes on her do not help as Sayaka sees only the weapons on their hips. A gun here, sword there and she seven spots someone with a rocket launcher on their back. Sayaka cannot stop her mind from wandering, struggling to think of how to escape even as she climbs a set of stairs leading to Mai's room.
"Hey, Rouge, I brought the girl!" The giant man calls out loudly, slamming his fist into the door.
Sayaka can feel the vibration of the knocks through the floor and feels grateful she never tried to fight the man. "He could snap me like a trig," Sayaka admits. She watches as even the metal of Mai's door starts to bend under his strikes.
"Send her in,"
Sayaka is relieved to hear Mai's voice calling from the other side of the door as it slowly swings open. Sayaka waste little time before stepping in and almost smiles when she sees Mai rolling towards her.
"Are you okay, Sayaka?" Mai asks with a look of concern in her eyes as she starts to examine Sayaka's body. "You aren't injured, are you?"
"I… I'm fine…" Sayaka stutters, feeling uncomfortable with how much attention Mai is paying to her body.
"It is just like going to the doctor," Sayaka tells herself in an attempt to stay calm. While in Yukina's care, Sayaka found herself being visited by doctors on a near-weekly basis. Sometimes they would treat her for some injury she received during training, and other times Yukina wanted her to have a check-up. "But this isn't the same," Sayaka lowers her head feeling more insecure with Mai looking her over than any time she spent being examined by a doctor.
"I'm glad you are okay," Sayaka raises her head to see Mai smiling back at her. "Oh, I almost forgot…" Mai quickly moves back to her desk before returning with a small pink bag. "I just finished baking some cookies when my guy called me about you. Do you want some?"
"Sure…" Sayaka agrees with a blush as the offer of food makes her stomach rumble.
"I'll go make us something to drink," Mai says as she places the bag of cookies down on the table. "Please have a seat and help yourself to the cookies."
Sayaka does her best to make herself comfortable, but the fear that Yukina might find her here and attack still eat away at her. "I shouldn't have come," Sayaka sighs as she slowly takes one of the cookies and starts to nibble on it. She hates the idea that someone like Mai, who is doing so much for her, might be hurt because of her. Sayaka glances at the door, wondering if it is better to just leave but cannot find the strength to walk away. Finishing off her first cookie Sayaka takes another just as Mai returns, resting a tray with two steaming hot cups of tea across her lap.
"Here," Mai smiles, handing Sayaka one of the cups.
"Thank you,"
Sayaka takes the cup in her hands, enjoying the fragrant smell coming from the light brown liquid. Taking her first sip, Sayaka feels her tastebuds light up at the pleasant taste. "It is a million times better than the stuff Yukina made me drink," Sayaka thinks as she takes a second sip. The stuff Yukina made her drink was horrible and bitter. Sayaka had to force every mouthful down whenever Yukina pushed a cup into her hands.
"It tastes good," Sayaka weakly smiles, putting her cup down on the table.
"I'm glad you like it," Mai shines, staring down at her own cup. "The only person who drinks the tea I make is Kanami, but she isn't really that reliable of a judge. It's hard to tell what is a genuine compliment with her and what is just another pick-up line."
"I mean it," Sayaka tells her. "I really liked it. The only other times I drank tea, it tasted so horrible I had to struggle not to spit it out."
"Yeah, I hated Yukina's tea as well," Mai lowers her head, thinking back to those days.
"You worked for Yukina?"
"Until two years ago, I did," Mai tells her. "My whole family worked for her at one point, but now they are all dead. Except, my father, who still works covering up Yukina's mistakes."
"What happened?" Sayaka asks, leaning closer. "Why did you leave?"
"I was shot when I messed up a mission," Mai sadly answers. "What I told you when we first met wasn't a lie. When the doctors said I would never walk again, both my father and Yukina throw me out onto the street and left me for dead. If it were not for Kanami, I probably would have died. She ran away from Yukari around the same time, and it was by chance we crossed paths, but we made a good team. Together we found a way to survive, and over time, I made myself a living as an information broker. But Kanami is not the type of person to settle down, so we went our separate ways." Mai looks out the window. "I owe Kanami for so much. I hope things work out for her with Hiyori. Hiyori may be the one who helps mend Kanami. I'm sorry I started talking and couldn't stop."
"It's fine," Sayaka replies, nibbling on her fourth cookie.
"Anyway, Sayaka, there is something I want to ask you," Mai says after taking a moment to breathe. "I was wondering if you would consider working for me."
"I can't," Sayaka nearly drops her cup as the fear for Mai's safety suddenly takes her over. "If I stay, you will be in danger."
"If you are worried about Yukina, then you shouldn't," Mai assures her. "Yukina has tried to kill me in the past, but my security has never been breached."
"But I don't have anything to offer in return," Sayaka tells her.
"Don't worry about paying me back," Mai gently smiles. "Just focus on starting over. This does not have to be permanent either. I can give you a place to stay, food and work until you figure out what you want to do now that you are out of Yukina's clutches."
"I… don't know…"
"Then sleep on it," Mai tells her, seeing Sayaka's hesitation. "Spend the night here and give me your answer in the morning."
"Okay," Sayaka nods.
"Great, then how about I make you another drink," Mai smiles, grabbing Sayaka's empty cup.
"Thank you," Sayaka replies with a weak smile growing on her lips.
Hiyori hugs the dress to her body while shooting a glare at Yui, who refuses to take her eyes off her. Kanami, meanwhile, had no problems changing into the plain grey trousers and t-shirt that Mokusa provided for them. Hiyori does not understand how Kanami could just strip off her dress in front of Yui like it was nothing. "But they have seen each other naked before," Hiyori bites her lip as her glare intensifies as she finds that thought more frustrating than Yui's constant staring. Hiyroi is finding herself hating Yui more and more as she watches the staring girl make herself comfortable on one of the beds in the infirmary.
"Do you have to stare?" Hiyori finally asks after seeing Yui has no intention of looking away.
"I'm guarding you," Yui smirks. "I have to make sure you are not hiding anything dangerous under your dress."
"My Okatana was confiscated before I even arrived here," Hiyori reminds her. "I was even patted down to make sure I wasn't hiding anything."
"You could still be hiding a knife up your sleeve that the guards missed when they searched you," Yui replies, laying down on the bed and propping her head up on her elbow. "I'm just doing my job here."
"Doing your job, my ass," Hiyori bites her lip hard enough that she tastes blood to stop herself from saying that out loud. Turning back around, Hiyori decides to just get it over with and pretend that no one is watching her, but all she can accomplish is pulling the straps down her shoulders before stopping. Anything more Hiyori finds impossible under Yui's watchful gaze. "Why won't that pervert look away?" Hiyori grits her teeth shooting Yui another glare which only gets a wink from the girl in response.
"Hey Yui, did I ever tell you how I got banned from the Minoseki Club the first time?" Kanami asks, quickly moving over to Yui and grabbing her attention. "It was the first time I had an alcohol and ended up half-dressed on the bar with one of the bunny girls." Kanami pauses to giggle. "You should have seen the look on Ms Hashima's face when she pulled us apart… I have never seen anyone blush so hard in my life…"
Hiyori blushes as well, picturing the event that Kanami described but quickly clears her head of any such thoughts. She realises what Kanami is doing. "She's distracting her," Hiyroi is grateful as Kanami's story finally gets Yui's unbreakable stare to break. She wastes no time quickly slipping out of her dress and into the plain grey clothes provided for her. By the time she is done, Hiyori hears Kanami had moved onto a different story. She was now telling Yui about how she had to sneak out through a doggy door when one of her date's husbands came home early. But the way Kanami noticed Hiyori was done changing so fast made Hiyori suspicious. "She wasn't watching me change, was she?"
"Are you finished, Hiyori?" Kanami asks as she brings her story time to an end.
"Ah, I missed it," Hiyori barely hears Yui mutter under her dress as she pouts, only to quickly recover and shoot Hiyori a wink. "I guess I'll have to check you for hidden weapons another time."
"Oh, you are both are done here,"
Everyone turns to face the doorway to find Ellen entering the infirmary. Kaoru is following behind her. She is not coming willingly as Ellen is dragging her along while Kaoru is dragging Nene by his tail. Ellen, meanwhile, does not seem to care about her friend's reluctance to follow and is smiling as she is forcing Kaoru and, by extinction Nene into the room. They are covered in bandages, but both Ellen and Kaoru appear to be recovering well. The only one who seems to be struggling is Nene, who limps behind the girls.
"I was looking for you two," Ellen beams. "The Director just told us that we are going to be working together on the Badlands job."
"That she-devil is overworking us," Kaoru moans as she collapses on the bed next to Yui, much to the pervert's delight.
"That is just because we are reliable," Ellen assures her as Yui starts to stroke Kaoru's hair. "And don't get side-tracked like some people I know."
"I don't get distracted," Yui snaps back with a grin. "I just can't let a cute girl pass me by."
"So, what is this Badlands job?" Kanami asks as Nene starts to fight with Yui to protect his master. Despite his injuries, Hiyori is impressed by how well he can fight.
"Oh, has no one told you yet?" Kanami shakes her head.
"Well, we are going to raid one of Yukari's outposts in the Badlands," Ellen explains. "It is a small outpost, but Tagitsuhime uses the bridge nearby to smuggle Noro into the city."
"So, our attack is a distraction then," Kanami replies after thinking about it for a few seconds. "I take it another team will destroy that bridge while we keep everyone busy at the outpost."
"I guess you are as smart as they say," Ellen comments. "You're right. While we lunch our attack on the outpost, a second team will sneak onto the bridge and blow it. We will be using the sound of the explosion as our signal to retreat."
"Do you know what we are expecting at the outpost?" Kanami asks next.
"About twenty soldiers and twelve of Tagitsuhime's thugs," Ellen tells her. "But they also have been rumours that they have an MKII Suppressor at that outpost as well."
"Shit," Kanami mutters. "That could be bad if the rumours are true."
"Don't worry," Ellen tries to assure her. "We will be bringing a few things with us to take care of it."
"I hope so," Kanami mutters, and Hiyori is surprised by how pale her skin turns. "I have seen what those things can do."
Meanwhile, halfway across the city, Yukina starts to sweat as Yukari stares at her from her desk. Tagitsuhime is there to pacing back and forth, glaring at Yukina. The office is silent, and Yukina can hear her own heart pounding away in her chest. She keeps glance back at the door where Maki and Suzuka are standing while she waits, fearing that any moment now, Yukari will order them to kill her for her failures.
"Yukina, I am disappointed," Yukari says, causing Yukina to gulp. "You promised me you would find and kill Hiyori Juujou, yet she is still breaths, and we have no idea where she is. Not only that, but I hear that agent you said will become my greatest assist has deserted."
"Not to mention what happened to my Noro stored at the Minoseki Club," Tagitsuhime growls, nearly causing Yukina to collapse with the glare she is shooting her. "The CCTV showed that not only was it Hiyori Juujou behind my Noro destruction. But also, your star agent was there but did nothing to stop them."
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Yukari asks, looking ready to order her execution.
"I have no excuses, ma'am," Yukina lowers her head. "But I promise that not only will I find and kill Hiyori Juujou but also that traitor."
"What makes you think you are getting a second chance?" Tagitsuhime asks, circling Yukina like a predator sizing up its prey. "You are lucky Yukari has other plans for you. If it were up to me, I would have had you killed before you even set foot in this building."
"But you can't just replace me," Yukina complains, but her voice falls on deaf ears.
"I can, and I already have," Yukari tells her before pressing a button on her phone. "Send her in."
"You can't be serious," Yukina glares at the woman that enters.
"You have already met Yuzuki," Yukari says. "She is now my new Chief of police. You, meanwhile, will be going to the Badlands to oversee one of my outposts. I am giving you this one last chance to redeem yourself."
"My spies tell me that Mokusa is planning on blowing up a bridge near the outpost we are sending you to. I really on that bridge, so failure will mean death for you, understand?"
"Yes, I understand," Yukina lowers her head.
"I have also already deployed someone to that outpost to assist you," Yukari tells her. "Failure is not an option, so use her well."
"I won't fail you," Yukina says, feeling relieved to be still breathing. "I will redeem myself."
"One more thing," Yukari adds. "It has come to my attention that Kanami Etou is involved in all this. When you find her, I want Kanami taken alive so I can deal with that traitor personally."
Profiles
Name: Yuzuki Souraku
Age: 40
Occupation: New Chief of Police
Gift Name: Hypnotize
Gift Effects: Yuzuki can Hypnotize people to control them.