A/N: "More bodyguard action! More revelations about the undead! More gay!" - I almost put this as the summary because I didn't know what to write ^^"
Boy, haven't we been thirsty for JunAi content ever since S2E4 aired! It's always a good thing to have more people getting into ZLS and the JunAi pairing. I'm thirsty too so I finally stopped mucking around and finished this update after sitting on it for a year. It's pretty long so grab your tea before you begin. Hope you'll enjoy!
Junko awoke to a quieter apartment than usual. On most mornings, Ai and Saki would be preparing for the day in the living room, sometimes in deep discussion about operational matters and Junko's schedule, other times it would be idle chatter mainly on Saki's part as she munched on toast. Junko held her breath and pricked up her ears. It sounded like there was only one person today.
Clang! Something dropped in the kitchen.
"Fuck!"
Junko giggled. That has to be Nikaidou-san. She sat down at her dressing table and began applying light makeup but her mind soon drifted to thoughts about Ai's whereabouts. Did she go out to get something? That would be out of the ordinary for it was always Saki who would head out if there was a need. She could not stand being cooped up for too long. It was a wonder she ended up as a bodyguard... then again, it wasn't like she had a choice, nor did Ai and the other undead Junko had heard about. How confusing it must have been for them after they were resurrected. To be thrown into an unfamiliar future. To be forced to scramble to catch up with the times. And, to be subjected to hate and prejudice. None of them signed up for this but they took such pride in their job. It was inspiring. She couldn't lose to them.
"Morning!" Saki greeted from the sofa with her trademark grin once Junko emerged from her room.
"Good morning, Nikaidou-san." Junko reciprocated with a softer greeting. She made a quick scan of the apartment, noting the absence of her other bodyguard.
"If you're looking for Ai, she's due for maintenance and she's also gonna collect intelligence on that attack the other day so she won't be back till late – or maybe tomorrow. It's just me and you for now."
"Maintenance?"
Saki scratched her head, brows knitted. "A body checkup of sorts. We're dead, I mean, undead. Like rose from the grave undead. But we're kinda like you humans who go for checkups. Our handler runs tests on us every year to make sure nothing weird's going on."
"What kind of tests?"
"Like a bullet to the head."
"What!"
Saki held Junko's gaze for a bit before breaking out in guffaws. "I was joking!" She slapped her thigh, tears squeezing out from the corners of her eyes. "God, you shoulda seen your face!"
"That's not funny! I... I..."
"You thought your Ai-chan's gonna get hurt?"
"M-My A-Ai...?" Junko stuttered. Then embarrassment hit her like a truck when she realized how audacious that sounded. She did not just call Ai her love! As welcoming as the thought was – and it wasn't as though she had never thought of it – it was downright shameless coming from the one known as the nation's purest idol. "Nikaidou-san, that's enough. Please stop," she warned, putting on her sternest face.
Saki said nothing and shot her a long stare. Her fierce red eyes easily penetrated Junko's defenses, making her insides squirm. The grim straight line that formed Saki's mouth then quirked up at the corners. "Ai's right. You're pretty cute when you pout."
Junko faltered, never more grateful that the couch was right next to her. Did Saki just make a pass at her? Wait, no, more importantly, Ai said she was cute? And Ai had been talking to Saki about her? Her head swam with thoughts that made breathing hard. This was too much to handle in the morning.
"Oi, you okay?" Saki stood, her expression replaced with one of concern. She pulled Junko and forced her to sit. "My bad, didn't expect you to have such a reaction." She gave an apologetic grin while rubbing the back of her neck. Taking the plate of sandwiches from the coffee table, she offered it to Junko. "Here, have something to eat."
Junko blinked. "Did you make these?"
"Yup. There were some eggs lying around so why not?"
Picking up a slice, Junko felt the fluffy white bread under her fingertips, noting that the crust had been removed. She took a bite and her taste buds were enveloped by the light sweetness of egg mayo while the hint of black pepper gave the sandwich a slightly sharp and earthy flavor. She hummed in approval, surprised that the rugged Saki could create something so delicate and balanced.
"Oh, and no tomatoes! Ai specifically reminded before she left. She was such a nag, worse than my granny."
"I see." Junko dipped her head, hiding her growing smile behind the sandwich. A pang of yearning clutched her heart and she felt a sudden urge to see the younger undead although they hadn't even been apart for more than 12 hours.
Saki phone buzzed on the table and the screen lit up with a photo of her and Sakura.
"Sakura must be reaching!" Saki swiped the device with excitement and answered the call. "Hey, babe. You downstairs? Great. See ya in a bit."
That must be nice, to be in love, Junko thought.
"Y'know, you could take a pic with Ai too."
Junko flinched and realized she had been staring at Saki's phone screen. "That's... I'm not-"
"There ain't no need to hide. I know how you feel about Ai." Saki ran a hand through her hair, sighing. "I don't get what's stopping ya. It's frustrating how wishy-washy you two are."
"I... can't. My profession doesn't allow me to date."
"No one will know if you don't announce it. She's your bodyguard so it makes sense for her to be with you all the time. And whatever lovey shit you wanna do, you can do it here. Those pesky reporters ain't gonna come here, right?"
Junko nibbled on the sandwich, letting Saki's words sink in. She made very sound points but...
"Look, not everyone gets a second chance at life. Do what makes you happy and die with no regrets. I got killed in the war without ever confessing to my friend. That feeling sucks, y'know." Saki hunched over, her bangs falling over her face as her voice dropped to an almost whisper. "After I was resurrected, I searched for her, hoping to see her again even if she was a wrinkly prune but... I found out she died shortly after I did. Our side was winning but the last enemy planes did a kamikaze and crashed into any targets they could find... and one of them was our village."
Saki's fists shook.
Junko held her breath, not quite knowing how to react to this vulnerable side of Saki. "I'm sorry."
"Nah, it's all in the past."
Ding dong!
"It must be Sakura." Saki stood up and checked the peephole. As she took a hold of the door handle, she turned back to Junko. "Don't make the same mistake I did." Then she put on a smile and opened the door.
"Good morning, Saki-chan, Junko-chan!" Sakura stepped in, her sunny disposition lighting up the gloomy atmosphere as she greeted the pair chirpily. Behind her was a luggage containing what Junko presumed to be the outfits for her photoshoot later.
"Morning, babe." Saki pulled Sakura in for a kiss.
"Saki-chan, not here! Junko-chan's watching!" A flustered Sakura tried to push her girlfriend away but Saki had a firm grip on her waist.
"It's fine. I don't mind." Junko offered a smile and turned away politely, giving the couple a moment of privacy. Saki's past was a cautionary tale about regret and unfinished business, and Junko understood why she shared it. She sat back, replaying the hurt in Saki's voice as her thoughts trailed to her own relationship with Ai. Her career had always been her priority but she could not deny her feelings for Ai. She snuck a peek at Saki and Sakura who had launched into a fit of laughter, probably from a joke courtesy of Saki. While she was happy for them, it was hard not to be envious. She and Ai had not progressed much except maybe, Ai had become more accepting of her kind gestures and would sometimes forgo the face bandages at home. She still insisted on them whenever outside though, reason being she did not want to scare Junko's fans. Junko sighed. It seemed like everything the stubborn girl did was for her. It could be her heart talking but Ai was a good-looker. Thin straight brows which are almost always set in a slight frown framed an intense gaze, giving her a no-nonsense, dashing aura. But whenever she smiled and focused those eyes on Junko, channeling unspoken affection, it felt as though there was no room for anyone else in her world. Such smiles were rare and Junko was secretly glad others didn't get to see them. There were some things she preferred to keep to herself.
She slid her finger over her phone's screen and regarded the default wallpaper. Plain, boring, and did nothing for the void in her heart.
A photo would be great...
Somewhere in a forested area in the outskirts of Tokyo, Ai swatted a mosquito buzzing around her head. Why is it here? Can't it tell my blood is different? Or am I starting to rot and stink? She gave herself a deep sniff check before realizing how dumb that must have looked. She would be attracting flies if she were rotting.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket. A message from Saki?
Her eyes popped out of their sockets when a photo of a swimsuit-clad Junko appeared, filling up her entire screen. Holy shi- She shoved her eyeballs back with a squish.
Ya missing out girl. Pool photoshoot now ;)
The hell, she'd better not be perving on Junko! Ai's grip on her phone tightened. But she soon found herself drawn to the photo taken at the edge of an indoor pool. It was nothing scandalous like typical idol gravure – just a modest white one-piece with frills around her waist. A towel hung around her neck, hiding even more skin. Nonetheless, the swimsuit hugged her curves in all the right places and if one looked closely, they could even make out the spot where her belly button sat. And – Ai gulped – her soft milky thighs screamed out to her, making her undead blood rush to her face...
BANG!
Ai jerked to the left. A bullet whizzed past her head and lodged itself in the tree behind her. A split second slower and it would have been embedded in her brain. "What the hell!" she yelled at the figure stepping out of the shadows. Even in this godforsaken forest where sunlight struggled to peek in through the dense canopy, the man named Tatsumi Kotaro was wearing sunglasses and a thick blazer over his shoulders.
"Just testing your reflexes and kinetic vision," Kotaro said matter-of-factly, firing more shots that Ai dodged like it was second nature to her. When he was close enough, he poked his gun at her head. "I SHOULD BE THE ONE ASKING WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU SPACING OUT FOR YOU STUPID ZOMBIE!"
Ai grimaced from the spittle flying in her face. She backhanded him just as she did to the mosquito earlier, sending him spiraling to the ground for a mouthful of dirt and dry leaves. The gun went off and hit a branch which then dropped onto Kotaro's head. He twitched, mumbled something inaudible and stood up with exceptional calm and poise – if one ignored the glaring red bruise on his cheek. He raised his hand, holding a very familiar phone.
Ai's jaw dropped. It was hers. With Junko's swimsuit photo in plain sight. Shit. "Give it back," she said through gritted teeth.
"Aww... Is Ai-chwan in love?"
Ai remained silent.
"Are you?" Kotaro pressed, dropping the mocking tone.
Ai balled her fists and glared at his ridiculously large opaque shades. "And if I am? What are you going to do?"
Kotaro stared back, or at least she believed he was staring. She braced herself for the worst. Bodyguards were not supposed to hold romantic feelings for their charges. Doing so went against their code of ethics and warranted an immediate dismissal from their current job. She bit her cheek. She had been careless.
"It's time for you to go."
Her blood froze. "No, wait! I promise I won't-"
Kotaro chucked her phone at her.
"Wha-"
"IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO DO YOUR DAMN JOB! AREN'T YOU GOING TO COLLECT INTELLIGENCE YOU DUMBASS! OR HAS LOVE TURNED YOUR BRAIN TO MUSH?!"
Ai stared wide-eyed at him, clutching the phone against her chest.
"We're done with your tests. All green," Kotaro informed calmly, a 180-degree change from his outburst. "Oh, and take this – the newly developed instant healing serum. Guaranteed to get you back on your feet in five minutes." He tossed a long black case at her and continued rattling off a whole load of information about the serum but none of it got into Ai's head, for disbelief had taken her brain and run off with it.
"Does this mean you're letting me continue this job?"
Kotaro cleared his throat, arms akimbo. "OF COURSE! THEY PAID GOOD MONEY FOR YOU TO PROTECT KONNO SO DON'T YOU THINK YOU CAN BE SLACKING OFF. NOW GET YOUR LAZY ASS TO WORK! GO GO GO GO GO GO GO GO!" Hands clapping fervently, he goaded Ai to leave, and she gladly did. As weird and irritating as he was, Kotaro had his subtly understanding side. That was evident from his answer to her unasked question: Go ahead and do whatever the hell you want as long as you don't screw up your job.
Ai wiped at her face, grossed out by how wet it was. Some of his spittle had seeped into her bandages. And fuck, the smell. Did he just eat garlic? She ripped off the bandages and replaced them with a black face mask. Good thing she always brought one along in the event something happened to her bandages. Before she proceeded further, she hastily minimized the photo on her screen but the image was already burned into her mind.
God, she couldn't wait to return to her.
"Good job, Junko-chan! You were perfect as always!" Sakura beamed as she put on the bathrobe for Junko. "The photos are going to turn out great!"
"Thank you. It was rather embarrassing though." Junko tied the robe at her waist, eager to cover herself up from the prying eyes of the largely male crew and a couple of reporters who had received permission to cover her photoshoot process. In the distance, she could hear Saki shooing them away.
"Oi, oi, nothing to see here! Go do your job or I'll kill ya!"
The crew jumped and quickly packed up the area, scuttling off with the equipment in tow.
"Saki-chan..." Sakura sweatdropped. "You're scaring them."
"That's the point." Saki thumbed her nose smugly. "Usually I wouldn't care that much, y'know, but I'm doing this for Ai."
"For Mizuno-san?" Junko asked.
"Yeah, if she's here, she'd be doing the same too. You know what I mean." Saki winked. "Well, let's get a move on. I'll keep a lookout outside."
Inside the changing room, Junko was only too glad to strip off the wet swimsuit and change into a white kimono with blue floral details and a navy sash. As the thick fabric slid over her skin, she wondered what Ai was doing now... and that maybe it was better she had not been around for the pool shoot. She doubted she could focus on the job under Ai's usual intense scrutiny when she was dressed like that.
"A penny for your thoughts, Junko-chan?"
Junko held back the shock that nearly broke her calm exterior. She glanced up at Sakura who was helping to style her hair for the next shoot. "What do you like about Nikaidou-san?" she asked.
Sakura's hands paused. "E-Eh? What's this all of a sudden?"
"I'm just thinking you seem really happy ever since you and Nikaidou-san got together."
"It's that obvious? That's sort of embarrassing." Sakura began fiddling with the ends of her rose-pink hair. "Saki-chan is so cool and fun... but it's not just that, of course! She may be rough and kinda scary at times but she's really kind deep down! And it's easy to be around her because she's so straightforward and stuff. I don't ever have to guess what she's thinking... though she has to do that with me sometimes but she's really persistent and that's how I know she cares."
"She is a loyal friend too."
"Yup! She's always looking out for Ai-san even though she teases her a lot." Sakura giggled but her expression soon turned to one of uncertainty and she asked, "Erm... why the sudden talk about Saki-chan? Are you..."
It took a while before Junko realized what Sakura was implying. "Oh no, no. Please don't misunderstand. I am not interested in Nikaidou-san in that way. I agree she is a nice person but no, please don't worry."
"Phew... I wouldn't know what to do if you liked her too. I mean, I'll never be a match for you."
"Don't say that, Sakura-san. Fame and status don't play a part in love, at least not for Nikaidou-san, I believe. You're amazing in your own way. Please have faith in yourself."
Sakura smiled. "Thank you, Junko-chan. By the way, if you don't mind me saying, Ai-san seems to like you a lot. What do you think of her?"
It took every fiber of Junko's being to maintain a straight face. "It's not the first time a staff has fallen in love with me." She wasn't bragging; she was buying time to think of an appropriate response. Saki and Sakura were lovers and there was a possibility they had already discussed this but Junko had to play it safe. She was still an idol who had a certain image to uphold. The fewer people to receive a direct confirmation from her about her feelings for Ai, the better. She met Sakura's expectant gaze and said, "She's alright, I guess."
"Eehhh? That's it?" Sakura cried out. "But she's so cool, athletic, and sharp!"
Junko hummed, feeling a twang of something in her chest. "I have to wonder if you really like Nikaidou-san."
"O-Of course! My heart's with Saki-chan! But I'm also stating the truth about Ai-san. It's just too bad about her scars-"
"Her scars don't make her any less of a person," Junko cut her off.
There was an audible gulp from Sakura. "Sorry, Junko-chan! I didn't mean it that way!"
Junko tensed. Her words had come out terser than intended and startled even herself. It was not like her to lose her cool. "It's fine. Let's continue." She forced the corners of her mouth into a smile. That was close. Too close.
Mizuno-san, what have you done to me?
Ai stared up at the gleaming tower before her. The exterior was covered in blue-tinged glass, giving it a modern look amidst the other gray concrete buildings. This was the headquarters of Jellyfish Music, the record label that managed Shiori, Junko's biggest rival in the industry – or so the company claimed. The media lapped up the so-called rivalry, often pitting Shiori against Junko in their headlines and creating unnecessary tension and drama that Junko wanted no part of. Ai had seen Shiori's performances whenever she appeared on the same program as Junko. She wasn't bad but she pandered more to the male demographic with a heavier emphasis on sex appeal, apparent from her daring outfits and dance routines. Her gravure shoots also left little to the imagination, making Junko's look like child's play. It didn't matter to Ai though. In fact, she preferred it this way. There might be the occasional swimsuit photoshoots like today's but Junko always carried herself with dignity and made the shots classy.
The New Showa Idol. Ai wondered how the Showa idol scene was like. She had died during the post-war recovery period when citizens were still healing from the effects of the war and poverty was rampant. Idols were unheard of then. It would have been nice to have a star cheering the people on through music, leading them out of those dark times. A sliver of hope for even street rats like Ai. She imagined being swathed in Junko's soothing voice during those cold nights in alleys where her only companions were rats and stray dogs. Perhaps then, living wouldn't have been so torturous. But her death also allowed her to cross paths with Junko in this time period. It was a chance for her to live the life that she had been robbed of, and in this life, she had vowed to protect Junko, not because it was her job but because she wanted to.
The glass entrance to the building slid open and a nondescript man in a typical business suit exited. Target spotted. Ai tugged down the brim of her cap and trailed the man, keeping a safe distance as they entered the shadows under the train tracks. He did not sense a thing until she slammed him against the concrete pillar and pinned him with just a fraction of her strength, squashing his chest till all he could muster were shallow gasps.
"Tell your boss that I know what he's trying to do."
The man twitched, struggling to turn his head back. His eyes strained to catch a glimpse of his assailant. "Wh-who... who... are..."
Ai twisted his arm behind his back and he bit down on his tongue. Blood dribbled down his chin.
"And I know you're the one who hired the hitman to kill Konno. Believe me, I can track down you and your boss anytime. If she suffers a single scratch, you can be sure you'd never see the sunrise again. Understand?"
She grabbed a fistful of his hair, tugging his head back at an impossible angle. The tendons and veins along his neck bulged as he tried to resist. "It's useless to fight. I can snap your neck right now," she breathed, voice pitched low. She could feel his entire body trembling. Fear. Pain. They had the power to make most humans bow; she had succumbed many times when she was alive. The guy's knees buckled and he would have slid to the ground if not for her vice-like grip. She relaxed just enough for him to speak. "So do we have an understanding?" she asked again.
A train rumbled along the tracks above them, drowning out the man's voice but the movement of his mouth told her the answer she was seeking.
"Good." She released him with a push and he crumbled, gasping like a goldfish out of water. Mission accomplished. It wasn't the first time she had to resort to shady tactics to protect her charges. They were part and parcel of the job but Junko didn't need to know that; she would probably disapprove. Ai checked her phone and learnt about Junko's current location from Saki. It was roughly an hour away but she could go faster on her bike and make it in time to escort Junko home. On the way out to the main street, she passed by a homeless man curled up on cardboard sheets. Without a second thought, she stuffed two 10,000 yen bills in his hand, dismissing his look of shock with a casual wave.
Junko looked up at the darkening sky stretched over the coastline. The briny smell of the sea permeated the wind that caressed her face. The weather forecast reported there would be a thunderstorm at night but it seemed like Mother Nature was planning to bring it forward. She wondered where Ai was and if she would be alright. She had always acted a little odd during heavy storms.
"That's very good, Konno-san! You're indeed the queen of melancholy. Now can you raise the fan to your face?"
The booming voice of the photographer cut above the rumble of the horse carriage and brought Junko back to reality. The camera drone hovered to her side, capturing every single change of her expression, be it the curve of her lips, the tilt of her chin, or the reflections in her eyes. She chided herself for losing focus – though things still somehow worked out in her daze. This was the last shoot. Just a few more shots and it would be a wrap. Saki and the crew were up further ahead in a truck towing the carriage she was in. With such a setup, the horse and coachman barely had to do any work except to just follow along and look the part. She flicked open the bamboo fan adorned with a red and white floral pattern and raised it to her cheek as instructed. Peeking ever so slightly above the fan, she made eye contact with the camera but in her mind, it was not the black clunky piece of equipment that others saw. Her gaze drew the lens in, as though she was romancing a lover, a childhood sweetheart, a stranger at the bar. All outside sounds faded and only her own breathing remained as the world fell away. The visage of a certain bodyguard flashed before her eyes. Tousled hair, sharp red eyes, and lips that moved against the bandage wrapped over them, whispering her name.
"Junko."
And she blushed.
Click.
"That was... wow..." The photographer gasped, his own cheeks reddening from Junko's expression on the monitor. This was the winning shot. It had to go onto the cover of the photobook. He pressed a palm over his racing heart, wondering what was going through the idol's mind to ignite such a reaction, or perhaps she was just that talented. As he opened his mouth to give the next instruction, a crackle of thunder rolled overhead. He glanced up at the clouds, suddenly so gray and heavy that they could spill any minute – and they did. Within seconds, rain lashed down as if from buckets.
"Junko, we should stop!" Saki yelled over the distance. The weather was deteriorating rapidly.
CRAACK!
As luck would have it, an explosion of white lit up the area, and the earth shook as a booming crack ripped into their eardrums. A nearby tree snapped in half and burst into flames. The horse screeched and thrashed, pulling up so far that it broke the restraints connecting it to the truck. Junko screamed as the carriage was jerked along with the panicking horse.
"Fuck!" Saki made a haphazard leap and barely grabbed onto the ends of the horse's mane. She kicked about, fighting against the wild motions of the frightened creature. She slipped down to its underbelly and was nearly trampled by its long legs but she managed to pull herself up onto its back. Horses were not her forte but damn if she couldn't tame this guy! "Hang on tight!" She yanked the reins but the action only caused the horse to bolt past the truck. Not good, it was a lost cause. They could careen off the cliff at this rate.
Time to abandon ship!
She turned back and regarded the absolutely terrified Junko and coachman, or rather, the model paid to act as one. Curse the management for not hiring a real coachman who'd probably know what to do in this crap they were in. Ideally, she should save both but Junko was top priority – and the fucking situation was less than ideal.
"Not a scratch on Junko, you get me?"
She groaned as Ai's warning rang in her mind. Junko's my charge too, y'know. She moved into position and launched herself towards the carriage, landing beside Junko. "Here's the plan," she began. "We're gonna jump off. You just gotta hold on tight to me and I'll make sure you don't get hurt."
"What about me?" the model interrupted, his eyes wide with fear. "You aren't going to leave me, right?"
Saki didn't reply. She hoisted Junko up bridal-style and readied herself for the jump. Honestly, she was not sure if Junko would get out of this scratch-free but hey, better than dying, right?
"Nikaidou-san, can you save him too?" Junko asked.
"What?" Saki studied her face. She was obviously scared as hell but here she was, still worried about the guy. Saki chuckled. I can see why Ai fell for her.
"Sorry, I can only manage one of you."
"Nikaidou-san, please."
"I'll come back for him after I get your ass to safety," Saki insisted. Junko might be firm but she was no pushover either. She bent her knees as she eyed the grass patch along the road. "Hang tight."
But the man was not having any of it. He clambered over the front seat and clung onto Saki's leg. "You have to take me with you!" The trio wobbled dangerously as the horse showed no sign of slowing down.
"Let go! If not, we're all gonna fall!"
"No!"
"Argh, go and die!" Saki raised her leg to kick him off but the carriage hit a pothole and the force tossed its occupants into the air. "Shit!" Saki's blood ran cold when Junko slipped out of her grasp. No, no, no... she screamed in her head as her fingers stretched to their limits, almost touching Junko's but a hand at her ankle slammed her back onto the carriage and she could only watch as Junko flew further away.
The roar of an engine split down the road towards them and a dark figure launched itself off the speeding bike. It threw its arms around Junko, wrapping her in a protective embrace before the pair hurtled down the slope off the side of the road. Saki watched, stunned. Then she fell back in relief. She had caught it – a glimpse of those bandaged hands.
Everything was spinning. She tumbled and rolled, all bearings lost. Down, down, down they went at uncontrollable speed, bodies thumping against the solid ground. Branches and twigs cracked in their wake. Something snagged and ripped her right sleeve, then her left. It stung. Tears squeezed out from her eyes as her head was tucked against a familiar body. The arms that enveloped her never loosened no matter how rocky the bumps got. The tumble went on for what felt like eternity and Junko feared they would soon roll off the cliff and plunge into the turbulent waves below. She tightened her grip on her savior's shirt. If the worst were to happen, she'd want them to be together at least.
Whump!
And a nasty crack, followed by strangled grunt.
Junko cried out as well from the sudden impact. By a stroke of luck, they had come to a complete stop. Blood pumped loudly in her ears as everything turned still save for the merciless pelting of raindrops. She held her head, willing the spinning to stop and trying to fight down the wave of nausea. Twitching, she attempted to get up but her legs were practically jelly at this point and her body was heavy, bogged down by her completely soaked kimono.
"Don't move," croaked a voice from beneath her.
Her senses snapped back. "Mizuno-san!" The burst of adrenaline gave her the energy she needed to prop herself up and assess the situation. There, lying between her and the tree at the edge of the cliff was none other than Ai. The bodyguard had absorbed most of the shock from slamming into the tree that, for better or worse, had stopped their rollercoaster ride of a descend.
"Are you okay?"
"I should be the one asking you that!" Junko retorted. Ai's muddy clothes were torn in multiple spots and cuts littered her uncovered face. The loud crack earlier probably came from her bones too. Compared to her, Junko's injuries were superficial and mainly on the areas that were not shielded by Ai.
Ai smiled wryly. "Good to see you in good spirits."
"Now is not the time for jokes!"
"I'm not joking." Ai let out a low groan, face contorted in pain. "Can you take out the healing serum in my right inner pocket? Then roll me over and jab it into my spine."
Junko felt around Ai's blazer until she hit a bulge. She fished out a narrow black case and fumbled with the clasp before opening it to reveal a tube filled with neon green fluid. She gulped. "Is there a particular way to do this?"
"It's an auto-injector. Just poke it in like you would to a slab of meat."
"Won't it hurt?"
"Can't be worse than what I'm feeling now. Hurry up and do it." Ai's gaze turned up to the sky, "I really need to move and get us out of here before the ground gives way." As soon as the words left her mouth, the wind howled and the rain battered them harder than before.
"I understand." Junko steeled herself like she would before any performance, taking in deep, calming breaths. Gripping Ai's right shoulder and hip, she mustered all her strength to flip her over, apologizing profusely when Ai grunted in pain. "I'm going to raise your shirt." The wet fabric was stuck to Ai's back like a second layer of skin and Junko had to peel it upwards. What greeted her was the same red fern-like pattern that also adorned Ai's face. It was concentrated mainly on her left side, starting thick before branching out in thinner tendrils and creeping over to the right, as though the lightning had yearned to leave no skin untouched. Junko's fingers hovered over, drawn to the intricacy of the Lichtenburg figure.
"Is everything okay?"
"A-Ah, yes!" Heat rose in Junko's face despite the cold rain. Gingerly, she felt the small humps that were Ai's vertebrae, grimacing when one shifted from the slightest prod. A hiss from Ai confirmed it for her – this was the spot. Junko readied the serum and at the count of three, she stabbed it in, her stomach churning from the squelch it made. Ai's hands shot out and clenched the grass till her knuckles turned bone white and she writhed about, all the while trying to muffle her cries. Her back pulsed an unnerving green and throbbed violently as though there was something inside trying to bust out.
"Mizuno-san!" Junko squeezed Ai's hand, hoping it would bring some comfort. "Hang in there!" Her mind whirled. Isn't this supposed to be a healing serum? Why is she hurting even more? The convulsions went on for a couple of minutes before Ai dropped like a corpse – the sight of which frightened Junko so much that she rolled Ai onto her back and shook her vigorously. But nothing happened.
"Ai-san, Ai-san!"
She couldn't be dead, right? They aren't supposed to die so easily, right?
A sob escaped her. This terrified her more than the lightning, more than being flung out of the carriage. She had so many questions and so many things to say to Ai. And so much more time she wanted to spend with her.
"Don't make the same mistake I did."
She stared through her tears as the rain hit her face and the sound echoed in her ears. Was it already too late? The thought crushed her. No, she didn't want that. She didn't want a life without Ai. She screamed Ai's name and pounded on her chest like there was no tomorrow. Then it was like the heavens heard her.
A sharp gasp, and red eyes shot open.
Junko's heart leapt but she couldn't get her hopes up yet. She watched Ai's every movement carefully, afraid that this was merely a respite from worse things to come. Gradually, Ai's dilated pupils returned to their normal size and the bodyguard emitted a long groan.
"What kind of serum was that?" she muttered under her breath as she sat up, a deep scowl wrinkling her brow. She picked up the discarded auto-injector and squinted at the fine print on it. "Prototype... The hell?! I'm gonna kill him!"
The sight of a familiar irritable Ai was akin to a ray of sunshine in this merciless downpour. Junko sank back onto the grass, the fear and tension that had kept her going till now dissipating all at once. She wrung her hands that were still trembling. It was just a scare. She should have had faith that the undead were tenacious but there was just so much unknown about them; anything was possible.
"Thanks."
The soft utterance jolted her out of her thoughts and she looked up to catch Ai's apologetic expression.
"And sorry."
All Junko could manage was a shake of her head before she threw her arms around Ai, nestling herself against the lean frame that hid so much power and security. Tears threatened to spill again and for once, she was thankful for the rain.
"I seem to be doing a lot of this lately... making you worry, I mean," Ai said sheepishly.
Junko grasped a fistful of Ai's soaking wet blazer, keenly aware of the tears it had sustained – and the selflessness they represented. "I'm glad... that I'm able to worry about you." She felt Ai stiffen and she panicked a little, wondering if she had said too much. But Ai brought her arms up around her, returning the embrace.
"And I'm glad I'm able to protect you."
It was funny, Junko thought, how a simple exchange of words lit a small fire in her chest, spreading warmth throughout her body that was shivering just a while ago. She snuck in a few more seconds before removing herself from the hug, remembering Ai's words from before. They were not entirely out of danger – though with Ai here, she had no doubt everything would work out. As she was about to stand, she spotted a mobile phone on the ground behind Ai and picked it up. "Is this yours?"
"Ah, yes. It must have fallen out during the-" Ai's fingertip brushed against the screen, unlocking the phone – and her voice died in an uncharacteristic squeak.
"Hm?" Junko looked down and her face flamed instantly. Staring back at her was a full-sized photo of herself. Not just any photo but the one of her in the white swimsuit at the pool earlier.
"I-I can explain!" Ai sputtered, snatching the phone and fumbling to close the picture, only to drop it and oh lordy lord, it landed screen side up between them. The words at the tip of her tongue vanished in an instant. Amidst the dark surroundings, the picture shone like the brightest star in the galaxy. The pair gaped, each wishing to remove the embarrassing existence but was too mortified to move. Ai tensed, contemplating to jump into the water below while Junko's cheeks continued to radiate heat like a hot pan.
"Please pick it up, Mizuno-san."
"I know."
"Now."
"Yes."
"Please."
"I'm moving."
"You're not."
"Sorry."
With movements not unlike an unoiled robot, Ai bent down and stuffed the phone in her pocket. She swore under her breath she would kill Saki first, then Kotaro. "Get onto my back. I'll carry you up."
"But you just-"
"Don't worry. The healing serum worked... despite the hell it gave me earlier. The slope is slippery so it'd be better if I'm the one climbing. Trust me, I can manage."
Junko nodded. She had learnt her lesson; she should trust Ai. Placing her hands on Ai's shoulders, she tried to climb onto her back but was faced with a problem.
"What's wrong?" Ai asked, noticing the pause in Junko's movements.
"The kimono is too tight. I can't... spread my legs... enough..."
Ai coughed but otherwise remained in her crouched position, gaze focused on the ground. Junko's face burned brighter with each passing second. "Mizuno-san, say something! It's embarrassing enough for me!"
"S-Sorry!" Ai turned around, not meeting her eyes. In between her scars, Junko made out a darker skin tone on Ai's cheeks. Was this the equivalent of an undead's blush? She watched with bated breath as Ai muttered another apology and ripped a large slit on each side of her kimono. Immediately, the draft tickled her bare legs and she pressed down on the fabric, afraid the strong winds would expose more than necessary. They had enough awkwardness as it was.
Ai slipped off her tattered blazer and tied it around Junko's waist, hands flinching away the second she was done. "Make do with this for now." She knelt down again and beckoned Junko to get on.
Looping her arms around Ai's collar, Junko climbed on as gingerly as possible, afraid Ai's back would collapse given how her spine was dislodged just a few minutes ago. But her worry was for naught as Ai hoisted her up effortlessly and began the ascend up the slope. Her footing was as stable as that of a human on flat ground. This was the ability of an undead, Junko mused in awe as she found herself relaxing despite the situation. Head resting on Ai's shoulder, she wished this moment would go on just a little longer.
They reached the top where Saki was waiting with a knowing grin – the kind given to trusted comrades. She gave Ai a firm tug onto safe ground.
"Glad you made it."
"The feeling's not mutual," Ai retorted. "You allowed Junko to get hurt and..."
"And?"
Ai opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. "Nothing..."
Saki cocked an eyebrow as she studied Ai's darkening face. "Ah! Don't tell me... that pho-"
"Don't you dare finish your sentence! I'll pay you back ten times over but first, we got to get Junko to the hospital."
"Yeah, yeah, of course. Don't get ya panties in a bunch."
"What!"
Ignoring the fuming Ai, Saki turned to Junko. "Sorry for not catching you just now. That guy was a literal deadweight." She jerked her thumb towards the male model cowering a distance behind her. Aside from a noticeable lump on his head and looking shaken, he emerged relatively unscathed from the incident.
"It's fine," Junko said with an understanding smile. "The situation was messy just now. How is the horse?"
Saki chuckled. "Girl, you're really too kind. I've taken care of it."
"T-Taken care of it?"
"Whoa, hang on! I mean it's fine. I managed to tame it and handed it over to the crew. Sheesh, what do you take me for?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to..."
"And just in case you're wondering, no one else was hurt," Saki added.
"I'm glad. Thank you, Nikaidou-san."
"Nah, don't fret your pretty head over it." Saki then felt a glare from Ai. "What? I can't compliment your marshmallow?"
"I didn't say that!" Ai snapped.
"Your eyes totally were!"
"Marshmallow?" Junko queried from behind Ai.
"I-It's nothing! Saki, where's the car?" Ai changed the topic in a heartbeat.
Saki had her usual shit-eating grin plastered on her face, delaying her answer in an obvious ploy to prolong Ai's discomfort. Getting the strait-laced Ai riled up might be up there as one of her favorite pastimes. "Let's see..." She rubbed her chin, stared up at the sky, let the cool raindrops massage her face, before turning back to Ai who was shooting her the darkest scowl ever. Saki's grin spread even wider. "Sakura's driving over," she finally said.
Ai mouthed, "You'll get it later," just before the crew and reporters rushed up to them and bombarded Junko with questions. The camera flash went off in rapid succession as the reporters snapped fervently at the idol and her bodyguards. Ai recoiled, visibly disturbed, and rightfully so because her face was uncovered. God knew where her mask had gone. But she couldn't just run off, not with Junko still on her back.
"Oi! Back off!" Saki squared up, cutting in front of Ai and Junko like a lion protecting its pride. What she lacked in height, she made up for in presence, easily dwarfing the crowd with her murderous aura. She snatched a camera and held the lens in a death grip. Her eyes gleamed in the rain, ready to draw blood.
"Back. Off."
The reporters paled while the rest of the crew scrambled behind him. Thankfully, Sakura arrived before things escalated and the trio bundled themselves into the car, only too relieved to escape the commotion.
Junko sat on the edge of her bed, scrolling through social media on her phone. The day had been crazy, to say the least. Her fingers still trembled when she recalled how she had almost lost Ai. It had turned out to be a false alarm but still, the fear was real. She shook her head, trying to rid the image of Ai's lifeless body in the storm.
Her thumb slid along the screen. Post after post, Twitter was filled with talk about the incident – and her two undead bodyguards. Video clips and photos of Ai, Saki, and herself were everywhere. She wasn't surprised by the amount of attention the incident had garnered. Fame came at a price after all. Privacy was an impossible dream. While she was prepared for such a life, she felt guilty for dragging them into it, especially Ai. She would surely be upset about having her bare face splashed all over the media.
There was a soft knock on her door.
"Come in," she said.
Ai, dressed in blue-striped pajamas, entered and closed the door behind her. "How are you?"
"A little tired but I'm fine."
Ai eyed her suspiciously, then her gaze shifted to Junko's phone. "What were you looking at?"
"It's nothing." Junko tried to hide it but Ai was quicker. Ai scanned the posts, frowning slightly but not saying anything.
"Mizuno-san?"
"These perverts..."
"Eh?"
"This." Ai handed the phone back to Junko, averting her gaze as her face darkened. When Junko noticed what was on the screen – a zoomed in shot of her bare legs courtesy of the rips Ai made in her kimono – her own face flushed too.
"That's what you are concerned about?"
"Huh?" Ai gave her a look like she had just sprouted mushrooms on her head.
"I mean... aren't you upset about the photos they took of you?" Junko asked in a small voice.
Ai's frown deepened in thought. "I'm not happy about it, of course, but I guess it doesn't bug me as much as it did the last time, if that's what you're referring to. To be honest, I thought I'd be more affected too."
Junko's mouth fell open. Then her lips pulled into a genuine smile. She turned her attention back to the phone. Without the pressure of worrying about Ai's reaction, she found herself drawn towards the photos taken of the both of them. Muddy, battered, and looking like they had been through hell and back, they were definitely not befitting of her pristine idol image but they were the first – and only – pictures of her and Ai together. She tapped on the Save button.
"What're you doing?"
"I'm saving them."
"I can see that. I mean, why?"
"These are the first photos of the both of us."
"We look crappy in them though..." Ai muttered and Junko could almost hear the pout in her voice.
"Actually, about that..." Junko began but paused, not knowing if she should continue.
"What is it?"
She clutched the hem of her nightgown. "Shall we take a picture together?"
"With me? Now?"
Junko giggled at Ai's stupefied face. It was surprisingly adorable, and reminded her that Ai was about her age if she did not count the years when she was dead. The stern girl could afford to be a bit more reckless sometimes.
"Yes."
"But I... my face..." Ai's voice trailed off when she caught Junko's warning stare. "Fine."
Junko smiled and patted at the spot beside her, inviting Ai to sit down. Then she readied the camera app and raised her phone. Despite her calm outward appearance, she was a bundle of nerves inside and fumbled with the controls before eventually dropping the phone but Ai, ever the sharp one, caught it.
"You aren't very good at this selfie thing," Ai remarked with a small smirk which earned her a huff from Junko. "Not that I've any experience but let me try." Perhaps it was because her arm was longer, or she was just nimbler, she held the phone up at the right angle without much difficulty. "I'm going to press-"
"Wait!" Junko turned the phone so that it was positioned vertically.
"Huh? Don't people usually do it the other way?"
"I... prefer it like this..."
Ai shrugged. "Whatever."
When they turned back to the screen, it was apparent that they did not fully fit in the frame now. Ai scooted a little closer but it was not enough. Junko eyed the gap between them. In the next few seconds, a war waged in her head. Should she? Should she not? Before her brain could come to a conclusion, she had already grabbed Ai's arm and pushed herself up against her.
"W-Wait, isn't this too close?"
The question was lost on Junko because her focus was seized by something else more... pressing. Through the thin satin material of her strappy nightgown, she became immensely aware of the fact that her chest was squashed against Ai. But it was too late to move. Heart pounding in her throat, she prayed hard that Ai did not notice.
"Junko?"
Ai peered over, and Junko shrank. Ai was definitely staring. She could feel her gaze. Her skin crawled as the staring went on and on and on.
Then, a snicker.
"Mi-Mizuno-san?"
More snickers.
"Huh?"
"Your face...!"
It seemed like Ai's funny bone had been tickled and there was no stopping her. Peals of laughter filled the room like the ringing of silvery bells and Junko's confusion soon gave way to enthrallment. In that moment, time stood still. She didn't need a camera. The image of a carefree Ai had already been etched in her mind. She wanted to see more of this uninhibited smile, to listen to her melodious laughter, to always be by her side.
I don't want to lose her.
Ai continued to laugh like she had not done so in years but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it gave Junko the chance to create some distance, albeit slightly.
"Sorry," Ai said in between wheezes. "But your face was just so red. It reminded me of a tomato."
"Mizuno-san." Junko narrowed her eyes.
"I know. You dislike tomatoes." Ai straightened herself and a rare glimpse of tenderness shone in her eyes. "That's why I'm apologizing."
"At least you remember."
"That's a given, isn't it?"
"I guess so." Junko felt a flutter in her stomach. "Shall we take the picture now?"
"Yeah." Ai held up the phone and, to Junko's surprise, closed the gap that she had created earlier. Whether it was intentional or not, she did not have time to figure out as Ai had begun counting down.
"Three... two... one..."
The picture was finally taken.
"How is it?" Ai asked.
Blue and white. It was a combination that Junko could admire for hours on end but she was not about to admit it. That, and the fact that the butterflies in her gut had gone into a frenzy because of Ai's easy, yet handsome smile. It was like she didn't even need to try; there was a natural charm about her that simply stood out.
"I like it. Thank you."
"No problem," Ai said but looked as though she had something on her mind. She fidgeted a little. "Can you send it to me?"
Junko's smile only grew. "Of course."
"Thanks." Ai then stood up. "I'll head back to my room now."
"Don't go." The words left Junko's mouth before she knew it. She gaped at her hand that was pinching Ai's sleeve, and she knew Ai had the exact same reaction. The sight of Ai's retreating back triggered her fear from earlier and once again, the image of a motionless Ai flashed across her mind. It was irrational, but it terrified her nonetheless. Her throat tightened. "I have another request."
Ai's forehead creased. "You're awfully demanding tonight," she said but did not sound displeased. "What is it?"
Junko forced down the lump in her throat. She must be crazy. "Would you... stay with me tonight?"
Ai fell silent.
Regret washed over Junko like a tidal wave and she wished she had never opened her mouth. She loosened her grip on Ai's sleeve. "I'm sorry. Please forget that I-"
"Okay."
Junko snapped up. Did Ai just say...
"I'll stay with you," Ai affirmed. Without another word, she switched off the light and sat back down on the bed. Her motions were stiff as she reached for the blanket and gestured for Junko to lie down, all the while avoiding eye contact. It was hard to miss her eyes though, as they glowed in the dark. While frightening to the average man in the street, these were the eyes that Junko trusted with her life. The eyes that would always seek her out in a crowd, keeping her safe.
The blanket rustled and something touched her hand.
"A-Ai-san?"
"I thought you might need this. It's been a rough day."
Ai's hand wrapped around hers. Through the bandages, she felt its coolness, yet there was also an inexplicable warmth. "Thank you," she said, curling her fingers around Ai's. Ai merely grunted in response and they settled into a comfortable silence. Junko relaxed to the low hum of the air-conditioner, the day's exhaustion finally catching up with her, and it was not long before her eyelids grew heavy...
Until loud moans and cries shattered the peace and her eyes flew open. She recognized those voices. Beside her, Ai cursed, evidently agitated. She sat up, ready to give the offenders a piece of her mind, but was stopped by Junko.
"We shouldn't disturb them."
"But..."
Junko held on to her hand.
"Fine." Ai lay back down but not before making a noise of disapproval. "I didn't know you get it so loud here. I thought it was only bad at my side."
"..."
"Why did you let Sakura stay over again?"
Before Junko could answer, another longer – and lewder – moan sounded through the walls, and she slid her entire self beneath the covers as blood rushed to her face. "Because the reporters are probably still camping downstairs," she replied, voice muffled.
"Right." There was some movement before Ai added, "You're going to suffocate like that."
Junko shook her head under the blanket. "You'll laugh at me again if you see my face."
"You're overestimating my vision in the dark."
"Am I?"
"Probably. And if anything, my eyes are redder than your face." The comment drew a chuckle from Junko. "So?"
"... so?"
"Are you still planning on hiding in there?"
"It helps to block some of the... sounds."
Ai let out a sigh. "This is ridiculous."
The blanket was ripped out of Junko's grasp and she was pulled towards Ai without a chance to resist. Two strong and unrelenting arms held her in place, nestling her face against Ai's chest.
"It's not much but it's better than not being able to breathe."
"What-"
"Shh."
Like an auditory cocoon, Ai's heartbeat filled her ears, providing a makeshift sanctuary for her. It could not fully drown out the voices but if she focused, the steady rhythm made for a soothing distraction. Like a metronome but less mechanical – proof that Ai was living, breathing next to her. There was still a world of things she did not understand about the undead but now she was sure their hearts beat just like regular humans'. She snuggled closer. The lingering scent of Ai's lavender body wash wafted up her nostrils. "What about yourself?" she asked in a soft voice.
"I can function without sleep. And don't get the wrong idea. I'm just making sure you don't suffocate yourself."
Junko nodded, not intending to point out how Ai's heart rate had suddenly picked up. It was peculiarly cozy in her arms despite the lack of body heat. Bit by bit, her strength ebbed away until the effort to keep her eyes open became too much. She stifled a yawn and mumbled a slurred "goodnight". Against the rise and fall of Ai's chest, she drifted off, her lips bearing the semblance of a smile.
The arms around her tightened a little.
"Goodnight, Junko."
A/N: Thank you for reading! As always, please feel free to share your thoughts. I'll continue to keep this series open because I still have ideas though nothing concrete yet. Will I take another year to update? I hope not. In the meantime, please take care and stay safe!