Hi everyone! Been a while since I updated this fic. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten about it! So here's another remake chapter of the original fic, this time it's a remake of chapters 32 to 35. I hope you'll like this new version.
"Sasoriza… tell me the truth."
Midori remained quiet for a moment, avoiding her gaze. Shiena had asked to meet her alone and they were both in a motel room, where the green haired girl was currently living. Shiena had questions for her since Otoya's previous encounter with her kidnapper and she was expecting answers from her comrade.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Midori replied.
"What happened to your face?"
"Wow, rude."
"Stop messing around! How did you get injured?"
Shiena wasn't dumb. Otoya encountering her kidnapper and hurting them, and Midori being injured right after, it couldn't be a coincidence. She didn't want to suspect a fellow member from Collective Dismissal, but at the same time, it made sense. Otoya was their enemy, she killed one of them, but it didn't seem like their modus operandi at all. Something felt off with this situation and only Midori could clarify things.
"I was injured during one of my assassination attempts," Midori replied.
"What happened with the target?"
"She escaped."
"And who was she?"
Midori sighed. Her look on her face was one of someone who knew they were cornered. She then suddenly smirked with a defeated look.
"Jack the Ripper of the 21st century," Midori revealed.
Shiena froze. Even if she had a doubt about that, having a confirmation shocked her. Her reaction seemed to amuse Midori who was now grinning.
"Yes, the one who did that to me was your dear Otoya-san."
The brunette remained speechless. Otoya was the one who injured Midori. But it didn't mean she was the one who kidnapped her, there could still be an explanation.
"Please, tell me you only tried to kill her under Collective Dismissal orders, or because she attacked you for kissing me," Shiena said desperately.
"She did that to me as revenge because I kidnapped and tortured her for days and tried to kill her."
Shiena's fist instinctively raised and she punched Midori right in the face, and the green haired girl fell on the bed.
"Why have you done that!?" Shiena shouted angrily.
"Ouch… " Midori groaned and she rose up, stroking her cheek. "My face is already enough damage, please don't injure it more."
Midori then let out a giggle, which frustrated Shiena even more.
"Why are you so angry? Otoya-san is a serial killer, a total psychopath, she raped, tortured and killed so many innocent women. Why are you angry that I give her what someone like her deserved?"
Shiena wanted to reply something to that, but she couldn't deny what Midori just said. She was right, Otoya hurt so many people, how could she defend her? Still, she couldn't accept what Midori did, she still thought it was wrong.
"It doesn't make what you did right. It only means you're the same as her!" Shiena replied.
This time, Midori looked pissed, there was anger in her eyes, but she managed to keep her composure.
"I did it for justice! What I did was righteous, I am nothing like her!" Midori exclaimed, before regaining her calm and smirk. "Shiena-san, you don't see things clearly because you love her. Love blinded you. You need to come back to your senses. This girl is a monster, she's incapable of empathy and she takes pleasure into hurting others. Someone like her can't love. She doesn't love you. She's only using you. And when she'll be tired of you, well you'll end up like all her unfortunate victims…"
"You're wrong! Otoya loves me! I'm not like all those women she killed, I'm special to her! She'll never be bored of me, and… I love her too. Stop judging my relationship with her, you know nothing about us!"
Midori stopped smirking and looked at Shiena with true disappointment in her eyes.
"Wow, you really are a lost cause huh… if you're capable of loving a monster like her, then it means you're no better than her. Then I shouldn't feel bad about what I'm going to do to you."
"What do you mean… ?"
The green haired girl grinned madly as she jumped on Shiena. The latter didn't have the time to react that she felt a slight pain on her neck that resembles a mosquito bite. The brunette immediately recoiled and noticed what Midori was holding: a syringe.
"What… what did you inject me!?"
Midori suddenly looked at her emotionlessly. Shiena slowly started to feel intense pain spreading inside her body. The pain was such that she couldn't even stand up, she collapsed on the floor. This pain reminded her of an incident that happened to her: the time Hitsugi poisoned her.
"I'm sorry, Shiena-san, but I had my own reason to bring you here. My revenge against Otoya-san isn't over yet."
Shiena let out a cry of pain, tears falling from her eyes, and she lost consciousness due to the pain.
When she was unconscious, Midori had put Shiena in the bed and sat by her side, waiting. Part of her felt guilty about this, but she quickly reminded herself that Shiena was defending her arch enemy. She convinced herself that what she was doing was right and that the brunette deserved it. But still, she didn't want to cause her unnecessary pain.
Shiena slowly opened her eyes. There was no more sign of pain on her face, quite the contrary, she looked calmed and relaxed. But when her eyes met Midori's, fear would be read in them.
"Sasoriza… what have you done… to me?"
"I poisoned you. Don't worry, it won't kill you now. You still have some hours to live. Hm, I didn't know it would be that painful thought, so while you were unconscious I injected you with morphine. How do you feel?"
Midori knew Shiena should panic right now, but the morphine was preventing it. She looked afraid, but still calm. She tried to move, but couldn't, probably too weak to.
"I… feel nothing. I know I should freak out, but… I'm not."
Midori couldn't help but feel relieved. She really didn't want Shiena to be in pain.
"Why… are you doing this?" Shiena weakly asked.
"I already told you, for justice-"
"No, it… can't only be that. Otoya… did something to you. This as to be… personal."
Midori didn't like this question. To her, she was really doing this for justice. Trying to justify her action with a personal reason would make it feel like… less righteous. But at the same time, she wanted to confess to someone, tell someone about what she went through, about her pain.
"I have always been treated as if I was… different. I have difficulties feeling emotions or bonding with others. People used to bully me as a kid and adults hated me. Things got worst when… I accidentally killed my teacher. Even my own parents started to hate me. They mistreated me so much that I wanted to die. But I wanted them to die with me. So I burned down our house with the intention of killing us all, but I ended up surviving. It's like fate wanted me to stay alive, like I have a purpose to accomplish. And I discovered this purpose when… Otoya-san killed her…"
Midori's voice cracked when she said that last sentences. It was starting to get her emotional, but she couldn't stop now.
"Wonder how I became a member of Collective Dismissal? I may have been bullied as a kid, but I wasn't as a teenager. People were scared of me, because of those rumours about me being a killer. Well, there weren't wrong… But there was this girl in my class, a really sweet and pure girl who was unfortunately bullied. It really pissed me off. And when I learned that her bullies had planned something even worst for her, I… I snapped, and killed them all. Collective Dismissal learned about it and invited me to join. I wasn't sure at first, but then, that girl… was murdered by Otoya-san. This is how I realized my purpose. Cleansing this world from horrible people. I thought Collective Dismissal would help me accomplish my purpose, but it didn't. Killing bullies is not what I'm meant to do. I'm fated to kill much more dangerous people. People like Otoya-san…"
Midori sighed. Thinking about her brought back painful memories.
"This girl… was the only person I managed to bond with. I was feeling something for her, but I never knew what. When she learned I killed her bullies she didn't tell the police, even if she didn't approve. She wanted to meet me but I was busy, so we planned to see each other the day after… but she was murdered before I could. Because of your girlfriend, I'll never know what I was feeling for that girl and what she wanted to tell me, and I lost the only person I cared about!"
A true look of horror appeared on Shiena's face as tears roll on her cheeks. Did she finally realize how awful her girlfriend was? Did she have regret? It doesn't matter. It was too late for regret now. Shiena was guilty, just like Otoya. But Midori still felt a little bit bad for her. She gently stroke Shiena's cheeks and wiped her tear away.
"Aww, poor Shiena-san… feeling bad for me? Or perhaps you finally realized how wrong you were to fall in love with Otoya-san. Either way, it's useless. It won't change what I have planned for both of you."
"You… you don't understand… I already know Otoya… is horrible. But I can… make her change. When she's with me… she doesn't kill…"
"So you believe your love will change her? How foolish, and here I thought you were smart…"
"No… I know Otoya… will never change. But I can still change… her behaviour… by being with her. I understand her, I accept her, I… protect people by being with her. What I do is right. I'm saving people. There's nothing wrong… with what I'm doing."
Midori felt confused by this statement. Could it be true? Could Shiena actually be with Otoya to prevent her from killing? It didn't matter. Midori knew she would fail. And it didn't change the fact she killed the only person she cared about. She had to pay for that. They both have to pay for that.
"Then why are you crying?"
"Because… I feel sorry for you. I'm sorry… for what you went through. I understand… why you did what you did. But it's not right. You're not going… to bring her back. Otoya… is not a threat anymore. What you're doing is… useless."
"Shut up! What I do is for justice! I'm going to avenge every victim Otoya-san made, I'll make sure there no more of them. What she did is unforgivable-"
The door suddenly burst open.
Otoya didn't lose any time and violently opened the motel room's door. She stepped inside and discovered Shiena lying on the bed, with Midori by her side. The green haired girl looked like she had been interrupted, but immediately smirked when she saw Otoya.
"You took your time, Otoya-san. I almost thought you wouldn't come. I see that you have seen my message."
Earlier, the serial killer received a message text from Shiena, or rather, her phone. The sender was Midori, who asked her to come to this motel otherwise, she would kill Shiena.
"This time, I won't fail to kill you," threatened Otoya as she pulled out a pair of scissors.
Midori immediately reacted, putting a knife under's Shiena's throat.
"Move and I'll slice her throat," Midori warned.
Otoya immediately stopped. She didn't feel worried about Shiena, but she didn't want to take the risk of getting her killed. Shiena was precious to her, she was useful after all. Her death would be a waste.
"What do you want," Otoya asked with resignation.
"Isn't obvious? I want to get revenge on you."
"Shiena has nothing to do with that. Release her."
"Ah, this is where you are wrong. You killed someone important to me, it would be fair that I do the same to you. Maybe you should feel what your victims' loved ones felt when you stole them away from them! Maybe this way you can finally understand and feel the pain you inflicted to others."
Otoya didn't like that. Midori was in a position of her power, and she seemed to enjoy it. Otoya really disliked that her worst enemy as power over her, but as long as she as Shiena as a hostage she had to obey. She wouldn't let her eternal blooming flower die so easily. If she couldn't kill Shiena, no one else should.
"But it wouldn't hurt you, wouldn't it? Someone like you can't understand love, you can't understand the feeling of losing a loved one. Killing Shiena-san in front of you wouldn't be enough satisfying, I need to destroy you, I need to shatter the illusion you created, so you can die unloved like you deserve to be!"
"And how do you intend to do that?" Otoya asked, genuinely curious.
A malicious grin appeared on Midori's face. Shiena suddenly started to cry in pain, much to Otoya's surprise.
"Looks like the morphine doesn't work anymore… I deadly poisoned Shiena-san. Unless I give her the antidote, she doesn't have long to live."
Shiena continued to moan in pain. It didn't make Otoya feel bad for her, but it upset her a little. Only she was allowed to make Shiena scream, she was hers to make suffer. Shiena belonged to her and no one else was allowed to touch her other than her.
"Let me guess: I have to do something specific in order for you to give her the antidote. What is it? Do I have to beg? Cry? Get on my knees?"
"As I thought, you are really calm for someone who learns that the person she supposedly loves is about to die. As I expected, you heartless monster. But no, this is not what I want you to do. I have specific plans for you, a way to reveal your awful nature and destroy you. I'll force you to let Shiena-san dies."
"How-"
Midori suddenly drew another weapon that looked like a gun and shot Otoya. The serial killer felt a light pain, like a mosquito bite on her arm. She lowered her head and discovered that she had been stung by a dart. Midori let out a satisfied and slightly insane laugh.
"What is that?" Otoya asked.
"The same poison I used on Shiena-san," Midori said as she pulled out a flask from her pocket. "And this is the only antidote I have. Only one of you can survive tonight, and I'll make you to the honour to choose."
Midori suddenly threw the flask at Otoya, who caught it. Suddenly, Otoya started to feel pain in all her body. The poison was spreading in her body. She looked at the antidote, the only thing that could save her life. The choice seemed obvious. She will drink it and live. Shiena may be important to her, but what would be the point in her living if she was herself dead? Better save herself than save someone she couldn't use anymore.
But then she saw Midori's expression. The green haired girl was smiling in such an infuriating way. She was gloating, she knew Otoya would take the antidote for herself. This was what she wanted.
Otoya understood her plan. She knew how Midori wanted to get revenge. By ruining her relationship with Shiena. She wanted Shiena to know to real her, the selfish person she was. She wanted to destroy the love Shiena had for her. Even if Otoya valued her life more than Shiena's, it pissed her off to do something that would give satisfaction to Midori. But it wasn't like she would die just to prove her wrong…
She then realized something. Midori was a person of justice, there was no way she would let an innocent like Shiena die. And if she wanted to destroy her love, then she had to live. Which meant… Midori lied. She had a second antidote for Shiena.
Otoya suddenly had an idea. A really risky idea, but if it can ruin Midori's plan and erase this frustrating smile from her face, maybe it worth it. And Since Midori had a second antidote, it should be fine. She won't let her have the satisfaction to be right and win.
She opened the flask and approached it from her lips and put sip the liquid, keeping it in her mouth. Midori grinned with satisfaction and Otoya couldn't wait to wipe it out her face. She approached Shiena and Midori recoiled a little, still armed.
"See that Shiena-san, your dear girlfriend preferred to save herself and let you die, see what kind of selfish monster you're in love with-"
Otoya suddenly kissed Shiena, letting the antidote flew in her mouth. Shiena instinctively swallowed it. She then broke the kiss and stared at Midori. Shiena had stopped crying in pain. The green haired girl looked in shocked by what happened, and Otoya appreciated the confusion on her face.
"What… what did you do!? No, it's impossible… Someone like you would never do something like that! Sacrificing yourself for someone else… it isn't you!" Midori shouted.
Now was the time to act. Now that she had to satisfaction to have ruined Midori's fun, it was time to kill her and take the second antidote. She rushed towards Midori, raising her scissors, ready to take her out in one strike. The green haired girl looked too shock and taken by surprise to react on time. It was the end of her, she will kill her after proving her wrong and take the antidote-
Otoya suddenly felt intense pain and collapse to the floor right when she was about to stab Midori. The latter instinctively recoiled, gasping in shock. She looked terrified, even though Otoya was now harmless. She then showed an angry expression.
"You… You will die! Even if you saved her, I'll never forgive you. You deserve to die in pain! Enjoy your last moments alive and agonize! Just disappear from this world already you monster!"
Midori ran away from the motel as Otoya watched powerlessly her last hope to live disappearing. She took a risk just to upset Midori and she'll pay the price for her recklessness.
Otoya laid on her back, thinking about her situation. She was going to die. And it sucked. She always thought she would live a long life full of fun, she never really thought about the consequences of her actions or any long-term plan. She thought she would simply grow old with Shiena, but it seemed that it won't be the case.
Otoya wasn't sure what she was feeling right now. Afraid? It was normal for people to fear death. She didn't want to die, but she didn't feel scared at all. She never felt afraid in her entire life. She always thought that no matter the situation, she would always manage to get through it. Looked like this time, she couldn't. She was displeased that she was about to die, but at least, she could have taunted Midori one last time and not give her the satisfaction to be right.
"Otoya…?"
Oh right, Shiena was still there. Well, at least she will live. Shiena will continue to love her and think about her, so at least she had some kind of legacy. And she'll live the rest of her life knowing Otoya died for her. There was a certain satisfaction in that. If she had to die, the least she could do was to focus on the positive.
"Otoya!"
Shiena rose up and rushed at her side, tears in her eyes. Otoya felt a little bit happy to know her death would sadden Shiena. To know she meant at this point to someone was a pleasant feeling.
"Shiena...chan… it's the end for me. Can you… do one last thing for me? I want to spend my last moments… in your arms."
The brunette continued to cry as she held Otoya in her arms. If she had to die, she should at least do it comfortably. In the arms of her eternal blooming flowers who was crying her, wrapping her with her love. Maybe it was a nice way to die after all. Well, if she wasn't in pain because of the poison. Guess nothing's perfect.
"No…. No! I won't let you die! I refuse to accept that!" Shiena suddenly said as she laid down Otoya on the floor.
"Huh?"
Otoya noticed that Shiena was now holding her scissors. She didn't understand why, but if Shiena had a plan to save her life, she was really open to it.
The brunette looked nervous as she approached the blades from Otoya's arm. The serial killer then understood what she was going to do. Why she didn't think of that sooner? It could actually work. But Shiena looked like she was hesitating.
"Do it, Shiena."
Shiena took a deep breath and pressed the scissors where Otoya had been poisoned, and cut her. It was enough deep to make her bleed. The blood flow from the fresh cut and hopefully, the poison too.
Otoya started to feel weak because of the blood loss, but the pain was less intense. Seemed like it was working. Perhaps she won't die after all. And it was thanks to Shiena. Once again, her girlfriend proved herself to be useful.
"Ah, I forget there was homemade way to get rid of poisons."
Otoya recognized the voice. What was she doing here? She raised her head and saw Midori in the doorframe. Shiena gazed at her with anger.
"Sasoriza… !"
"Well, since you don't seem to need my help, I'll go. Sorry for the bother!" Midori exclaimed as she ran away.
Otoya wondered why Midori came back. To see her die? Heh, maybe. Shiena helped her to rose up and sat on the bed, while she continued to bleed. Shiena looked around and grabbed something.
"Stay here, I'll take care of Sasoriza," Shiena said as she exited the motel room.
Otoya stayed on the bed, feeling more and more dizzy because of the blood loss, thinking about how glad she was to be dating Shiena, and a little bit bitter that she might not be the one who finished off Midori.
"Sasoriza!"
Shiena was running after Midori in the backstreet behind the motel. Shiena still felt pain in her body because of the poison, but anger and determination gave her the strength to continue running. As she continued to chase down Midori, they both reached a dead end. The green haired girl turned back, but she ended up facing Shiena. The latter drew a gun, aiming at Midori.
"How…?"
"You forgot that at your motel room," Shiena replied.
Midori raised her hands in a sign of surrender. Shiena continued to aim at her, uncertain if she should shoot or not. Midori nearly killed her and her girlfriend, Shiena was more than furious after her, but she wasn't a cold-blooded killer. She never killed before.
"Hey, Shiena-san… I'm no longer a member of Collective Dismissal. I quitted."
"What… why are you telling me that?"
"So you won't hesitate to kill me. I largely prefer to be killed by you then someone sent my our group. They don't accept my departure very well. I prefer to be killed by someone who at least feels something towards me, even if it's hatred."
Shiena's hand was shaking. She wanted to shoot, but something was preventing her to do so. Her conscience. She then noticed something on the floor. It looked like... yes, it was a flask. The same one with the antidote Midori gave to Otoya. Did it fall from Midori's pocket when she was running? And why was there a second antidote?
"What's that?" Shiena asked as she pointed the flask. "You had two antidotes? What does it mean? And why did you come back?"
Midori looked surprised when she saw it, and quite uneased.
"It… it doesn't matter! Just shoot me already! It's your chance to get revenge! If you don't, someone else from our group will do it anyway. I'm already condemned. So just put me out of my misery. Come on, shoot me already, you coward! I almost killed you and your girlfriend! Pull the fucking trigger!"
Shiena didn't know what to do. Midori was pretty insistent, she wanted to die. But even if Shiena hated her, even if she had a grudge against her, she simply couldn't shoot. Despite all she did, she felt bad for her. She lowered her weapon, losing her resolve. Midori sighed
"Ah, I knew you wouldn't have the guts. Well, looks like today is not the day I'll die," Midori said.
"I think you're talking too soon."
Midori flinched. Shiena recognized the voice and turned back. Otoya was standing there, a bandage around her arm. She gently took Shiena's hand, before disarming her, taking the gun for herself.
"You don't have to dirty your hands for her. I'll do it for you," Otoya said as she aimed at Midori.
The green haired girl looked afraid at her, before she smiled weakly in a resigned way.
"Well, I guess Otoya-san killing me would be fine too. Kind of poetic, don't you agree?"
"I don't care, I just want you dead."
"Fair enough, then what are you waiting for?"
Otoya looked at Shiena, like she was asking for her permission. Shiena didn't want her to kill Midori, but at the same time, it was probably for the best. This way she won't come back to hurt them again. So she nodded at Otoya, who then turned back to face Midori.
"Any last words?" Otoya asked.
"I hate you," Midori said with a smirk.
"Well, the feeling is mutual."
Shiena then suddenly understood something. The second antidote, the reason why Midori came back… she was probably not a threat anymore. There was no reason to kill her.
"Wait, Oto-"
Otoya shot. Shiena immediately turned back to look at Midori.
"Sasoriza!"
Midori was shivering in fear, a slight scratch on her shoulder. Otoya missed. The serial killer dropped the gun and looked like she was in pain.
"You… you're lucky…" Otoya mumbled as she collapsed on the ground.
"Otoya!"
Shiena immediately crouched to check on her girlfriend, worried. Midori rushed to grabbed the weapon and aimed at both Otoya and Shiena, hesitating. She then lowered her weapon and simply ran away. Shiena focused on Otoya, who really didn't look well.
"I… I think… I still have some poison left in my body," Otoya weakly said.
Shiena reacted quickly and took the flask, opened it and approached it from her girlfriend's mouth.
"Drink this, it's another antidote!"
Otoya didn't lose time and drank it. After a few minutes, she rose up, gasping.
"I… I feel better. Thanks, Shiena-"
Shiena suddenly hugged Otoya, relieved that she was alive and well.
"I was so afraid you might die! And I was afraid to die too! Thank you for saving me!" Shiena said, truly grateful.
"It's nothing, Shiena-chan. I wouldn't have let you die. I love you too much for that," Otoya replied as she gently patted her head.
Shiena was really surprised that Otoya actually chose to save her instead of taking the antidote for herself. She must have some kind of selfish reason why she did that, but Shiena couldn't guess what. And anyway, she preferred to think that Otoya loved her enough to risk her life for her. It made her feel better.
"I love you too," Shiena said tearfully.
They continued to hug for a while, until Otoya broke the hug smiling kindly to Shiena.
"This antidote really tasted awful," she said.
"I know!" Shiena said with a weak laugh.
Otoya then gently wiped away her tears.
"Now let's go home, we deserve some hot coco after what we went through. And a good bath," Otoya proposed.
Shiena nodded and they both started to walk towards their apartment, the brunette softly grabbing her girlfriend's hand, relieved that they were both alive, but still a little bit worried about Midori.
Wow, that was a pretty long chapter! Well, I did rewrite four chapters into one, so it had to be expected. I hope you liked it and see you next time!