Once again Shiena was trapped in a rather unpleasant predicament. She was lying on the floor in her appartment's hall, unable to move. And for once, it had nothing to do with Otoya.
"Kenmochi-san, you really like to play with fire, don't you? You either have some guts or you're really stupid at this point."
The brunette weakly raised her head to glance at her assaulter. Hitsugi was gazing at her with a childish smile, yet her eyes were condescending, and she was holding her dart gun.
This situation had started when Shiena was about to leave for school. Someone had knock at the door and when she went to see who it was, Shiena had been shot by a dart and had collapsed on the floor.
"...Kirigaya...why?" Shiena managed to asked weakly.
"Why you ask...are you sure you don't have any idea why?" Hitsugi replied with an obvious fake friendly smile.
Shiena began to be terrified. She was currently lying on the floor, barely able to move, and completely helpless in front of a skilled assassin. And unfortunately for her, Otoya was still asleep. But maybe if she managed to go to her bedroom, she could wake her up.
Moved by her survival instinct, Shiena began to crawl, heading towards her room. She didn't know what poison Hitsugi had used on her, but it was making her muscles hard to use, like they were too relaxed.
The hacker dared to look back. The poisoner hadn't move a bit. She was still standing in the hall, and she let out a slight giggle. The look in her eyes was similar to the one of a predator who was toying with her prey, like a cat who was letting a mouse trying to escape just to strike back.
This thought made Shiena even more panicked. But she couldn't move faster, not by crawling. She had to find a way to get back on her feet and walked to her room. She approached from the nearest wall with the intention to use it in order to stand up and to support herself on it until she reached her bedroom. After she had arrived to the wall, the brunette managed to get on her feet by pressing her back against the wall. But was soon was she was standing, Shiena lost all control over her legs and fell on her butt, but she managed to remain sit and leaded against the wall rather than lying.
Suddenly, Hitsugi began to walk towards her, with her usual childish and innocent expression. But in the current situation, it only made her looked more worrisome. The brunette tried to stand up once again, in vain. Her legs didn't want to obey. Hitsugi finally reached her and kneeled between Shiena's legs. She showed her a sweet smile, before suddenly grabbing the brunette's tie and pulled her closer to her face. A sinister grin an appeared on her lips as she began to gently stroke her cheek, which made Shiena shivered in fear.
"Poor, weak and pitiful Kenmochi-san, why did you think you could acheive with this pathetic tentative of escape? I almost pity your right now. Almost." Hitsugi said with a threatening voice.
"Why...why have you...poisoned me...again? Haven't you...make me suffer enough already?!"
"Oh, you're still able to talk. It seems that the tranquilizer affects the limbs first. Good to know."
"T-Tranquilizer...?"
"Oh, you thought it was really poison? Don't worry, I'd give up on my poison for love. But I'm still specialise in a lot of drugs. What I used on you wasn't poison, it was a powerful tranquilizer that can paralyse all your body."
Shiena wasn't sure if it was a good or a bad thing. Since it wasn't a poison, her life wasn't in immediate danger. But still, she was at the mercy of Hitsugi, unable to defend herself, which was certainly not a good thing. Though, it seemed that the little one wasn't there to kill her, which somehow calmed Shiena. But she still remained worried of what she had planned for her, and why she was doing this.
"What I've...done...to deserve...this?"
"Really, you have no idea? Come on, I'm sure you're able to guess. Let me give you a clue. You didn't learn from your past mistake."
Past mistake? Was she refering to something that happened in Class Black? Shiena then remembered why she got poisoned the first time and understood what this was about.
"You...it's about...Namatame..."
"Good answer! You see, unlike the other time, I'm not just interested in Chitaru-san. We're officially dating. Which means that I'm her girlfriend, and you're currenly encroaching on what's mine." Hitsugi began to say with a sudden gloomy expression. "I saw Chitaru texting you. Care to explain why you were texting with my girlfriend?"
Shiena couldn't believe what she heard. All of this was simply over a petty case of jealousy? How ridiculous. She was being threatened by a child-looking girl who had a jealousy problem. Shiena wasn't sure if she should laugh or cry. She wanted to reply, tell her that it wasn't what she thought, that she wasn't interested in Chitaru, but she couldn't. Her mouth didn't want to open. It seemed that the tranquilizer had finally affected her face.
"Um, did the cat get your tongue, Kenmochi-san? You really don't want to explain yourself, I see. Then I'll assume that you were trying to flirt with Chitaru-san."
"No I didn't you freaking loli yandere! If you haven't paralyse me I would tell you!" Shiena thought with frustration.
Suddenly, Shiena's vision became blurry. The brunette realised that it was because Hitsugi had removed her glasses. Not only she was in an helpless situation, but she had lost her most important sense, which only made her feel more vulnerable. But somehow, Shiena wasn't scared anymore. Just pissed to have been put into such a predicaement over such a stupid reason. And she knew that Hitsugi wasn't trying to kill, she was merely bullying her,something Shiena was used to.
"You see, I'd notice the way you looked at Chitaru-san when we were still in Class Black. Sure, Chitaru-san is wonderful, it's normal that she caught the attention of people. Lot of girls were admiring her, but it wasn't the same as you. No, those girls...they were only finding Chitaru-san's handsome, they didn't really view her as a woman, more like a boy's remplacement. But you, you were different. You had fall for Chitaru-san's feminine charm, you were interested to her and viewed her as a woman, because unlike those girls Kenmochi-san, you...you're gay."
Shiena used all her remaining strenght to be able to reply to Hitsugi's comment.
"Y-You...r...gay...too!"
"Oh, still able to talk. Or maybe it was all you could say? And you waste it on that comment...well, I guess you're right. Though my sexual preference has nothing to do with the current situation."
"Oh really? You're attacking me because of Namatame, so yes, your sexual preference is what caused all of this." Shiena thought and regret to not be able to say out loud.
"So, the real question now is what am I going to do with you? You see, I'd promise to Chitaru-san to not kill anymore, and I intent to respect this promise. But still, I can't let your crime unpunished. You see, the tranquilizer didn't supress your sensation. You can still feel pain."
Shiena was worried about this statement, but she still managed to keep her composure. It seemed that living with a dangerous serial killer had made her tougher.
"You see, you're the type of girl Chitaru-san tend to like. You know, the weak one, those who needs to be protect. Chitaru-san is a person of justice, she always wants to protect the weaks, so it's normal that she's interested in weak girls. This is why I'd to make sure she would never be interested in you. How about...I disfigure you? To make you ugly...hum, Chitaru-san isn't superficial, she might even more pity you...hey, what's that?"
The brunette suddenly felt a slight pain on her cheek. It took her few seconds to realise that it was only Hitsugi who had removed her bandage.
"I see that your face is already damaged...where did you get that scar? Oh right, you can't talk. I'm curious now. Have you others...?"
Suddenly, Shiena felt a hand stroking her thigh, dangerously approaching from her crotch. The brunette immediatly blushed from panick and embarrassement.
"Oh, you have another scar, on your thigh. It looks like you had been stab there, while the one on your face looks more like a cut. Really, I'm curious to know how you got them, since I don't remember you having scars." Hitsugi said, before she let out a giggle of amusement. "Oh, you're blushing. How cute. Could it be that you're turned on? Really? Interesting. Then maybe you're just a horny virgin teenager who needs to get laid. If it's why you're interested in Chitaru-san, then I might forgive you. All you need to do is to find someone else who's free, and more in your league. Unless...you're fine with me?"
Shiena blushed even more. Was she serious? Did Hitsugi really want to...sleep with her? Or rather, in her current situation, rape her. Well, it wouldn't be if she was consenting...wait, was she really thinking about accepting? There was no way she would want to do that with that brat!
"I'm kidding!" Hitsugi suddenly exclaimed cheerfully. "You really think I wanted to have sex with you? You're all red now, how cute. But like I said, I'm dating Chitaru-san, I'm in love with her and I want to remain faithful to her. And you aren't really my type, sorry, even if I like to tease you. Not that I find you ugly, you have your own charm, I'm sure you could find someone else who's into nerdy girl. As a particular type myself, I know how it is to attract a certain type of people. So don't lose hope."
"You little shit...acting like you're rejecting me when I was never interested in your in the first place!"
"But, it still didn't solve our problem. How am I going to make sure you're going to keep your distant with my beloved Chitaru-san? Perhaps I could help you find someone more suitable for you. Or I could use you to test some drugs and toxines that aren't lethal. It could be a good punishment for you." Hitsugi said with a sinister voice, as she suddenly began to stroke Shiena's hair, to then play with her pigtails.
This time, Shiena began to be afraid. She began to be really worried about what was going to happen to her, Hitsugi looked more dangerous and cruel than she thought.
"Hey, what are you doing to my girlfriend? Get your hands off her, you brat!"
Shiena had never felt so happy and relieved to hear Otoya's voice. The serial killer was standing near them, a pair of scissors in her hands, still wearing her pajama. She looked furious yet confused.
"Wait...girlfriend? I...we never establish that. We aren't dating...yet."
A smirk appeared on Hitsugi's lips as she turned back, before she suddenly burst in laugh.
"Takechi-san!? HAHAHA! Well, that was unexpected! Judging by your outfit, you aren't some unwanted guest, you actually live here, which means...Kenmochi-san, it seems that you have wild taste in girls. To let a notorious serial killer lives with you, definitly I don't know if you have guts or if you're dumb."
"Kirigaya-san, what a bad surprise. How impolite of you, to arrive uninvited. If I knew you would come, I would have prepare some toys and cartoon for you."
"So you're dating? How interesting. Then I shall inform you that your girlfriend was planning to cheat on you with my girlfriend, Chitaru-san."
"What!? Don't believe that crap Otoya!"
"Uh!? Namatame-san? Hey Shiena-chan, is that true? You want to cheat on me?"
"Of course not you idiot! And we aren't even dating!"
"Shiena-chan, why aren't you talking? Wait, you...she isn't moving...yet I see her breathing. You brat, what've you done!?"
"Don't worry, she's only under the influense of a tranquilizer. Her life isn't in danger. But...you really are concern about her, don't you? You, worried about someone else, how surprising! And interesting. I suppose you're the one responsible of Kenmochi-san's scars. It doesn't seem really nice to have done this, don't you think?"
"Shut up! What's between Shiena-chan and me doesn't concern you. You play with your plushies and dolls with your lolicon girlfriend and leave! Unless you want to play with me? Hehe."
"Chitaru-san isn't a lolicon, we're both the same age?"
"Namatame is only 10?"
"I'm 15!"
Shiena sighed. Otoya seemed to really enjoy bothering Hitsugi, and a fight between those two wouldn't be good.
Suddenly, someone entered in the appartment. Shiena could here it, but since she was paralised, she couldn't turn her head to see who it was.
"Takechi...you...what have you done!? I should have know that something like that would happen as soon as Kenmochi told me you where living with her."
The brunette recognised this voice. It belonged to one of her old classmates from Class Black.
"Hey! It's not my fault! It's your girlfriend who broke here to attack mine!" Otoya protested.
"Kenmochi...is your girlfriend? And is that true, Hitsugi?" Chitaru asked.
The little one immediatly looked unconfortable.
"Chitaru-san...it was a mistake, and misunderstanding!" Hitsugi exclaimed with the most innocent-looking expression she could. "I saw you texting to Kenmochi-san last night and you looked so worried, so I went to check to see if she was ok, but I remembered that Takechi-san was living with her, so I wasn't sure who would be the one to open the door, so I panicked and shot a paralysing dart."
"You dirty little liar! You didn't know Otoya was here!"
Chitaru was finally in Shiena's view. The red haired woman didn't lool convince by Hitsugi's lie, but she didn't say anything about it. Otoya also remained quiet about that, probably thinking that Namatame wouldn't believe her anyway. She also noticed that Chitaru was walking with a cane.
"Whatever, Takechi, I can't let you stay with Kenmochi any longer! You're going to hurt her, which I can't allow. This is why you'll leave immediatly, or else, I'll eliminate you!"
Suddenly, Chitaru removed a part of her cane, revealing that there was a sword hidden inside, and pointed it towards Otoya. The serial killer recoiled a little, before taking a defensive posture, ready to defend herself.
"I've no intention to leave this place. I love Shiena-chan and want to stay with her."
"I don't trust you. Someone like you can't love. You'll eventually hurt her, or worst, kill her."
Otoya and Chitaru began to move, like they were about to fight.
"...no...please...STOP!" Shiena managed to say.
Both of them stop moving and looked at her.
"Kenmochi, don't tell me...you're really dating her!?"
Not able to talk anymore, Shiena only nod to show her that they weren're dating.
"I see. What a relief. But...you still want to allow her to live here?"
Shiena hesitated before answering. Chitaru was her chance to get rid of Otoya without any consequences. But still, the brunette didn't want. Even if she wasn't exactly in love with Otoya, she was too used to her presence and didn't want to lose her, to lose the pleasant feeling she brought her. And if she really wanted to get rid of her, she would have done that when Nio offered her the choice to. This is why she nod positively.
"If you say so, I'll trust you. But still, be careful. If anything happen, don't hesitate to call me." Chitaru offered.
Hitsugi seemed bothered by this proposition.
"Now that she told you herself that she was ok with me, could you leave please? I would like to take care of her while she's still paralyse..."
Before Otoya could do anything, Chitaru once again threatened her with her sword.
"Never! I won't leave you alone with her while she's too vulnerable. Hitsugi, how long the tranquilizer will take effect?"
"Couple of hours."
"Then we shall stay until Kenmochi is able to fully move, to be sure Takechi won't try to take advantage of her."
Even if she was grateful to Chitaru to want to protect her, Shiena felt like it would only make things worst. The red haired woman suddenly approached her and took her into her arms, which caused both Otoya and Hitsugi to look at them with murderous gaze. Not only she was stuck with two jealous murderers, but she will again missed school.
"I'm really unlucky am I..."
There was no way Shiena could fall asleep. She may be lying in her bed, under her blanket, barely about to move, but it didn't mean she could sleep. It was still the morning, she already had slept enough during the night. But Chitaru had still insisted to put her in bed so she could rest and wait for the paralyser to stop having effect in a more confortable posture.
Suddenly, Shiena heard the door open. But since she was facing the wall, she couldn't see who it was. The door suddenly closed and the brunette could hear footsteps approaching her. She was trapped into the room with this unknown person.
"Hey, Kenmochi-san, how did it feel, to be hold like that by Chitaru-san?" Hitsugi asked with a cold voice.
This time the hacker begin to be seriously pissed off. Won't this little brat just get over it? All Shiena's current situation was her fault. She was mad at her, enough mad that she didn't care anymore about her own safety and wanted to make her pay. And it seemed the paralysise had diminush enough to allow her to talk normally.
"It...it felt good. I love Namatame, I think that I'll ask her out..."
Shiena found herself turned on her back, with Hitsugi on top of her, gazing at her with a threatening expression.
"Don't joke about that, or else..."
"Or what? You're going to kill me, even though Namatame is right behind that door?" Shiena taunted. "Is your relationship so weak that you have reason to be afraid of me confessing to Namatame? Jealousy is only a proof of a lack of self-confidence."
Hitsugi remained quiet for a moment. Shiena thought that she would get angry, but it wasn't the case. She even thought that she saw what seemed to be sadness in the little one's eyes.
"It's not a lack of self-confidence. I just know what I am. A worthless bug that doesn't deserve to be with someone as wonderful as Chitaru-san. But I'm selfish and lack any redemable quality, so I don't feel bad about this. I'll do everything that I need to do to keep her, because I love her. But I've to admit that I'm despicable and that Chitaru-san might come to hate me and accept someone else's confession. I should be ashamed of myself to think that way, but I don't. Because I'm far from being a good person."
"Kirigaya...even if I agree with what you said, I don't think you should worry about. Clearly, Namatame loves you back enough to stay with you regardless of that. The only thing you could do to be sure she won't leave you for someone else is trying to change for the better."
"Um, maybe Chitaru-san's kindness will eventually affect me enough to change my nasty personality. It would be great if it happens."
"But...for the moment, you being together...is unhealty. Even if Namatame loves you, being with you while fully knowing what kind of person you are much be painful for her. You're bringing her misery."
"I...I'm aware of this. But I already told you, I'm not a good person, I'm selfish, so I don't care as long as she stays with me..."
"Liar! It's obvious in your eyes, you're also suffering from this, don't you!? You don't want to make her suffer, it hurts you to see her in pain, so you're making the both of you suffer in order to stay with her. I can't see something good coming from this unhealthy relationship. You'll both suffer and be miserable together. I kind of pity both of you..."
Hitsugi suddenly grabbed her collar and glared at her with hostility.
"You...you're really not one to judge our relationship. I don't want to hear that kind of thing from someone who's dating Takechi Otoya."
"She...lied. We're aren't dating...well, maybe in her mind yes, but in reality we aren't!"
"Oh, really? Well, you're still letting her live with you, and since she wasn't sleeping on the couch when I arrived, I presume she sleepings in the same bed as you. Tell me, you had sex once, right?"
Shiena chose to not answer this question and Hitsugi let out a giggle.
"So I was wrong. You aren't a virgin. Well, I guess that I shouldn't worry about you anymore. You won't confess to Chitaru-san."
"What make you so confident about that?"
"Because, you told me once that Chitaru-san wasn't like us, that she was on the same side as Ichinose-san. You see, this affirmation sounds weird to me. You and I are nothing alike, and I'm not just speaking of strenght. Do you really compare yourself to me? Do you view yourself as a worthless being? Because if it's the case, then...you have issues."
"What...what do you mean by that? And I never said I feel worthless!"
"Still, you view yourself as similar to me, which means you consider yourself as bad. But from what I've seen until now, you are far from being a bad person. Why would you see yourself in such a negative way? The only conclusion I can get from that is that you have a lack of self-estime. So yes, I do believe some part of you feel worthless, inferior. You'd been bullied in the past, which doesn't surprise me. People with your mentally get bullied, bullies can feel your lack of self-respect, so they target you. You can't expect to be respected if you don't respect yourself. What you have has a name. It's called an inferiority complex."
"S-Shut up! You can talk, you're the one who admit to be worthless!"
"But I've reason to think so. I'd killed a lot of innocent people, I'm making Chitaru-san's suffer, I'm worthless. But you...I can feel it, you aren't a true assassin. I'm sure you never killed before. You really have no reason to feel worthless, therefore, you have a problem, the type that require to go see a therapist."
"How...how can you pretend those things about me! That's no true...!"
"Then why do you like Takechi-san? I can't see any reason for some to like her if they know her true colors, so yiu clearly have some issues. It's common for someone who lack self-setime to fall in love with violent people. Bevause they don't feel like they deserve better. This is why I know you won't make a move on Chitaru-san. She's too good to interest you, you would feel to complexe to date her. Am I right?!"
Shiena didn't answer. Deep down, she knew Hitsugi was right about her, but she didn't want to admit it.
"So, what might have happen to you, other than being bullied? Is it your parents? They must have been absent, or neglecting you, for you to feel that way."
"Don't...talk about my parents. That's none of your business!"
"It seems that I was right."
"No, you're wrong! I'm not in love with Otoya!"
"Uh? First name? How close, and without any honorific. You can't pretend that you like her, at least a little."
"I...I don't hate her."
"I see. Well, the simple facts that you don't despise her despitethe scars she did to you and that you even allow her to stay here and most likely slept with her is the proof that you're not totally sane."
"I...I let her live here I let her love me, because that way...she isn't killing innocent people!"
"Ah, it must make you feel important, isn't it? You're playing the martyr, just to give yourself some importance. And it must feel good for you to be loved, especially by such an individence, you must feel...special. Just as I thought. You lack self-estime, so you're craving any kind of self-valorisation, even at the risk of your own safety. You really are pitiful."
Shiena wanted to talk back, but she couldn't. Hitsugi was right. The brunette didn't like that this brat was able to understand her so much, and she was even more worried about that being the truth about her.
"Well, you are making a good action by stopping Takechi-san to kill. But your reasons aren't all as selfless as you think. You too, you're selfish. Well, it's human nature after all. But let me give you an advise. If you became too dependant of Takechi-san, if all your self-estime comes from her, it could become dangerous, for you, and for others."
Suddenly, Hitsugi got out of the bed and began to head towards the door. Quickly, Shiena stood up and took something inside her drawer and aimed at Hitsugi.
"I'm not over with you. You said I wasn't an assassin. It's wrong. I can prove it to you right there!"
The little one turned back. She looked surprised when she was the gun, but she didn't seem afraid at all. She approached from Shiena and pressed her forehead against the weapon.
"You won't shoot me. You don't have this in you. I can see it in your eyes, you lack murder intend. It's not a bad thing though. You shouldn't force yourself on a path that is clearly not fit for you. Seriously, you really thought you could kill Ichinose-san? Are you that desperate to please your group? As I said, you're craving for some valoralisation..."
"Shut up! You don't know me, so stop pretending things..."
"I know that you'll eventially fall in love with Takechi-san. After all, love is a really complex thing. Usually you fall in love with those who make you feel good, which is the case with Takechi-san. It's only a matter of time before you fall for her. But maybe it's not too late for you. You see, Chitaru-san may not like killing, but she's an assassin. I'm sure that if you ask her, she could kill Takechi-san for you, or I could..."
Shiena suddenly felt a sudden anger she couldn't understand, before Hitsugi suddenly stopped talking, gazing at her with a shock expression.
"You...during a split-second, you had...I could feel a murderous intention coming from you. I see, it's too late for you. You're too attached to her to be reasoned. Then I won't lost my time. Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not worried about you. But Chitaru-san is. So please, don't bother her with your problems anymore."
Hitsugi suddenly recoiled a little.
"You're a trouble person, Kenmochi-san, and being with Takechi-san will only make things worst. But with or without her, you're the type of person who can only bring pain to herself. So it's up to you to decide how you want to suffer. You may have a positive effect on Takechi-san, but it's not the case for her. She only have negative effect and it will eventually screwed up your mind. I'll take my leave now. I came here only to check on you, but since the tranquilizer seems to have stop taking effect, Chitaru-san and I will leave. Good luck with your life, I...somewhat hope for you that you won't do something you could regret."
After saying those words, Hitsugi left the bedroom. Shiena put her gun back in the drawer and put her jacket and tie. She could still go to school even if she missed the before-noon. But still, she couldn't help but being bothered by what Hitsugi had told her.
"She's wrong...I didn't...want to shoot her. Otoya..doesn't have that kind of effect on me. I won't change, even if...I eventually fall in love with her. There's nothing wrong in loving her if she makes me feel good! I'm right, I'm doing something good, and for once in my life, I'm happy, someone loves me...and I think it's...mutual."
I'm a OtoShie and ChitaHitsu shipper, but I can't help but crack shipping HitsuShie! I'm sorry!
Don't take me wrong, I live ChitaHitsu, but from what I'd seen in the manga and the official doujins, there relationship is pretty much unhealty. What a shame, they used to be my OTP when the anime aired. They were so cute back then...
Oh, for those of you who had read the original story, there had a scene where Shiena met Hitsugi and Chitaru after she was assaulted by Otoya in the beginning of the story. This scene is officially not canon anymore, the one of the remake is the new canon one. Even if I liked that scene, I wrote it before the reveal in the manga that Hitsugi poisoned Shiena out of jealousy, so I got Hitsugi's personality wrong. So keep in mind that the original story is still partially canon, unless I change it in the remake.