CHAPTER 41
"What does she want with us?" Tadao furiously demanded as he and Miki sat at their dining room table with Yui Narumi and her partner. "Is it money she wants? Is it revenge for the police raid on that horrible club? I don't understand how anyone can be so sadistic!"
"Hiiragi-san, please stay calm." Yui cooed and Miki held her husband's shoulders, which immediately calmed him and he took a deep breath while the officer continued. "I understand your frustration with the situation and all I can say is that we're doing everything in our power to bring Yuka Miyakawa to justice."
"With all due respect, Officer Narumi, your best isn't good enough." Tadao snapped again. "I mean, that psycho was here last night and she was threatening our daughter! Please explain to me how the most wanted criminal in the whole Saitama prefecture can keep evading police like it's a childish game of hide and seek and then still have the freedom to harass us like this!"
While Miki continued to try and calm her husband, Yui and her partner could only hold their heads low for they knew his words were true. Multiple police departments were doing literally everything in their power to find Yuka and it was still not enough. The girl was like a ghost to law enforcement. As civil servants, they had no words of encouragement and to try and give the Hiiragi family any would only further this insulting travesty that was stalking them.
"Please, you have to know something. What is it she wants from us? What can we give her that will make her leave us alone?" Miki asked, pleading and seeing Tsukasa's curled and trembling body that was still confined to her room.
Before Yui could respond, her partner said it for her. She was thankful too. Yui didn't have the heart to tell the Hiiragi family what Yuka MIyakawa wanted from them.
"Nothing." He said.
Silence from the two Hiiragi parents. Miki stuttered, "Wh-wh-what…?"
Yui's partner shook his head again. "Hiiragi-san, I'm afraid that Yuka Miyakawa doesn't want anything from either your or your daughters. What she wants…is what Tsukasa is already giving her. Fear."
Tadao's face melted to anger while Miki's expression molded to one of broken despair. They had never experienced anything so cold and heartless from anyone or anything. That this creature was stalking them and tormenting their youngest because it gave her a sick thrill to see her afraid.
"That's all she wants?! Just to stalk and terrorize Tsukasa?!" Tadao shouted.
"I'm afraid so, sir. For a malevolent criminal like Miyakawa, constantly reminding your daughter that she's out there waiting for her to let her guard down is her prize." He said coldly. "But what my partner said is true. We are doing everything we can and we're bringing every resource available at our disposal to the table, but unfortunately that's still a tough match against a career criminal who knows all the tricks and tactics, plus one who honestly doesn't care about life or death. Please…don't be mad at her."
Yui smiled gently inside, feeling touched that her partner was standing beside her in this frustrating time. Even though Yui was a traffic cop by trade, not even she was off the table as far as a law enforcement resource was concerned in finding Miyakawa.
Yui turned back to the Hiiragi parents. "I spoke to our chief about your situation and he agreed to keep a police guard outside your house twenty-four seven until Miyakawa is taken down. For now, that's the best we can do for your family, sir."
Tadao and Miki looked at each other with distained looks, feeling completely defeated by the monster that their disowned daughter brought into their lives. The constant police presence did bring some comfort, but it also ushered in a new reality; that the Hiiragi family was now prisoners in their own lives. Even with the police right outside their door, Yuka Miyakawa still owned the fear, and therefore owned them.
Miki turned her head towards the staircase and looked upward, where Inori was sitting with her youngest sister in her room. Ever since that traumatizing night two days ago, Tsukasa refused to leave her bed. She only made quick sprints to the bathroom and would only do that if Inori would escort her, while all her meals had to be delivered to her room and either Inori or Miki had to eat with her. She sighed and prayed that this would all be over soon. A quick flash anger darted across her face when Kagami's face appeared in her mind. In her mind, Miki was easily able to damn her own daughter and even regret the day she gave birth to her at this point.
Within Tsukasa's room, Inori sat on her sister's bed and gently stroked the curled bump trembling under the sheets. She was on hour four of this routine and as much as she loved Tsukasa, she had to admit to herself that this was getting old. She wasn't mad at Tsukasa, but rather mad at the situation. And Kagami.
"Now, now, Tsukasa. Did you hear what they were saying downstairs? The police are going to be right outside our door from now on. No way that crazy girl is ever going to show her face around these parts again." Inori cooed.
Tsukasa rummaged under the covers until her head poked out. Her eyes were glistening with fresh tears and her pale complexion showed just how much this ordeal was taking a toll on her. She quickly shook her head and replied in a quivering voice.
"Ya-ya-you da-don't know, Inori," she whispered feebly. "You don't understand what she's like. She's…she's the devil. She'll stop at nothing to hurt me! She wants my skin! She told me herself!"
Tsukasa quickly retracted under the covers like a turtle into its shell and continued to shake. Inori sighed out of more frustration, unable to convey the necessary soothing words that would put Tsukasa's mind at ease. She started to stroke Tsukasa again, trying to think of something to help her. Hearing her parents downstairs thank the police for coming as Miki and Tadao escorted them to the front door triggered an almost forgotten priority for Inori. Their anniversary was only a couple of weeks away and they still had to plan for it. On top of that, it was the first wedding anniversary they would be commemorating with half of their family gone. Their first celebration without Matsuri or Kagami by their sides, so Inori knew that it was up to her and Tsukasa to make it extra special and sentimental for them.
"Hey Tsukasa, if you keep hiding under your covers, who's going to help me with our parents' anniversary?" Inori asked cunningly with a clever grin.
Tsukasa stopped trembling and mumbled, "Oh yeah, that's at the end of the month, isn't it?"
"Mm-hmm." Inori replied. "And I was counting on you to help me pick out a gift that would be extra meaningful for them because of what's been happening around here lately." Inori added while patting her sister's covered form. "But unfortunately I can't do that if you're here hiding under your covers. And are you really going to let that evil girl have power and control over your life like she did over Kagami's life, or are you going to let your love for our family cast her darkness away? Remember what dad always told us? There is no greater force to vanquish evil than love. So what do you say, Tsukasa? Let's make our shopping trip for our parents be the light that casts that demon away."
Tsukasa remained still for a few more seconds until the rummaging began again. She popped up from her covers and Inori smiled upon seeing Tsukasa's pasty skin had returned to its natural color. She chirped: "You're right, Inori. Mom and dad are counting on us now more than ever, especially since Matsuri and Kagami aren't here anymore."
She quickly threw off her covers and stood fast as Inori watched with a smile.
"I won't let that evil Yuka take control over my life like Kagami did! I will stand up and show the world that I will not be afraid of her or the darkness she brings with her! I will not let her win by constantly living in fear!" Tsukasa proudly proclaimed, making Inori smile and Miki and Tadao came up the stairs.
"My, my, what's all the commotion about?" Miki asked with growing optimism upon seeing the state of her youngest daughter.
Tsukasa and Inori turned to the open door as their parents stepped in. The two sisters glanced at each other with cunning grins and Tsukasa replied, "Oh, Inori and I were just gonna do some shopping."
The two sisters giggled to each other. Neither Tado nor Miki were on to their little scheme, but that didn't matter to them. Just seeing Tsukasa standing tall and reenergized from yet another horrible ordeal made Miki's heart swell and she gave Inori a quick, approving wink.
Inori and Tsukasa took the train to the mall, giggling to each other the whole way. They discussed some basic ideas of what to get their parents but ultimately agreed that no matter what it was going to be, it had to be custom-made. It couldn't be something as clichéd as matching coffee mugs with a family picture in it or some other tacky knick-knack. Their family situation surrounding their anniversary called for it to be unique and original.
They entered the mall through the food court and Tsukasa felt a brief chill run down her spine when she recognized the setting. This was the first time she had stepped foot in the mall since Kagami's downfall began and it was ripe with memories of the twin-tailed Hiiragi hallucinating Matsuri, as well as marked with day zero of her drug addiction. Tsukasa froze for a second, catching Inori's attention.
"You okay, Tsukasa?" She asked.
Tsukasa quickly shook her head clear and smiled again. "Yes, I'm fine. I just…was thinking about something, sis."
They continued further in and as they neared a home décor store, a familiar voice called Tsukasa's name. The youngest Hiiragi daughter turned and her eyes drowned in tears when she saw the waving pink follicles accompanied by the large glasses covering the two beautiful purple eyes of Miyuki Takara. Two eyes. Tsukasa quickly swatted her tears and looked again but sure enough, there she was. Miyuki Takara with two eyes.
The last time Tsukasa saw Miyuki was in the hospital when the youngest Hiiragi was crashing through the agony of drug withdrawal, as well as coming to terms with the fact that Tsukasa murdered a nurse in her drug-induced rage. Tsukasa had isolated herself from the world since her hospital discharge and only spoke to either her family or Dr. Kishimoto, but she was still able to catch bits of news as they floated by. One of those tidbits was that Miyuki had permanently lost sight in her left eye and the eyeball itself had to be surgically removed. But somehow, Miyuki was approaching Tsukasa and Inori with Minami Iwasaki at her side and the pink-haired girl had two eyes.
"Ma-ma-mi-Miyuki…your…your eye…" Tsukasa wheezed as she stepped forward and gently touched Miyuki's face, making her giggle. "You have a new eye. It's beautiful."
Miyuki giggled again. "Thank you, Tsukasa-san. I'm glad you like it. It was custom-made for me and it's made of pure cryolite. Basically, a very strong and realistic glass sculpture."
Tsukasa wiped another tear. "It's so beautiful, just like you, Miyuki. You're out and about and not letting anything get you down. I thought…I thought that you would have been angry at…you know who…for hurting you like this."
Miyuki's smile faded to a curious lip purse. "You mean Kagami-san?"
It startled Miyuki to see Inori and Tsukasa both cringe at the name. Though she couldn't completely blame them, Miyuki's own personality and the way she viewed the world wouldn't allow her to see (no pun intended) everything from a hateful standpoint.
"Oh Tsukasa-san, I don't blame your sister for what she did to me. I don't hate her either. What your sister has…addiction is a disease and the people who suffer that disease are suffering, too." Miyuki calmly stated with genuine sincerity, as if nothing happened and she was still the same Miyuki. "I may not be the most spiritual person, but I am honestly praying that she's safe and that she will one day get better. The world needs more people like the person your sister once was and I know that good person is still in her somewhere."
Miyuki barely had time to finish her last sentence before Tsukasa quickly wrapped herself around her in a tight hug. Tsukasa found herself repeating an old cycle of sobbing freely, only this time it wasn't out of fear or anguish. It was over the revelation from her angelic friend preaching the most innocent of concepts. Forgiveness. As Miyuki giggled softly and hugged her back, Tsukasa remembered her appointments with Dr. Kishimoto, as well as the literature the doctor gave her. It was all on forgiveness and sure Tsukasa read all of them, but to see forgiveness being carried out from someone who had every right to hold a grudge was awe-inspiring. Tsukasa released Miyuki and dried her tears. She decided she was going to forgive Kagami for everything she had done to their family and she decided she wanted to find her.
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"I got ya this time!" Hiyori Tamura announced as her feet sprung into action on the colored arrows on the game platform.
"Not if I have anything to say about it, Hiyorin!" Konata replied jubilantly as her feet also joined on the joining platform and the colored lights below them flashed.
The song Butterfly by DDR blasted on the dancing game in the arcade the two girls were having their date in and their third competition was off. For the past two hours, Konata and Hiyori were neck-and-neck against each other in a fierce gaming competition and whoever would win this best two out of three dance games was crowned "the ultimate otaku." This was the final round and each girl had one win each.
Both Konata and Hiyori were exhausted, but their egos wouldn't show it. It was do or die now and neither one wanted to give an inch. Sweat trickled down their faces as their feet struggled to keep up with the pulsing song but Konata couldn't help but show her fatigue. She had seriously underestimated Hiyori's gaming ability and making the mistake of assuming that being a doujin artist was her only talent. Even putting too much faith in her athletic ability was coming back to haunt her.
Konata glanced over as the song neared its end and saw Hiyori wasn't even breaking a sweat. She only wore a complacent and satisfied smile as she hummed along to the song and danced like a ballerina on the game. The blue-haired girl tried to fight off her emotions as she gazed upon the beautiful young woman that she was fortunate enough to call her own. Every movement, every twist, every gesture was perfectly crafted individualism at its finest, something Konata admired greatly. Still, she was able to get the hearts out of her eyes and come up with one final strategy as the last notes and movements approached them.
"Hiyorin is my girlfriend and I love her!" Konata proudly proclaimed for the entire arcade to hear, making a few turn their heads.
Hiyori's face burned bright red and she missed her last steps as she fell to the floor. The game was over and Konata's score was enough to surpass Hiyori's. She was victorious and Konata wasted no time in letting the world know. Hopping off the game, she did her own little victory dance for the surprised onlookers as they returned to their own games.
"Haha! I told you, Hiyorin! I told you! Not if I had anything to say about it!" Konata bounced. "I will admit I was a little bit concerned there for a minute, but I think a lot of it was from giving you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you should stick with drawing doujin after all!"
Hiyori felt her heart speed. Not from the dancing, but from Konata's words. Although she knew it was meant to disrupt her flow and make her lose the game, this was still the first time Konata said she loved her, no matter how comedic the mannerism behind it was. She turned to Konata, who was still celebrating her self-acquired throne of "ultimate otaku" and Hiyori smiled at her. Her blush cleared and she slowly approached Konata from behind.
She gently coiled her arms around Konata's shoulders and pulled her close while cooing into her ear, "I love you too, Kona-chan."
Konata's post-victory celebration suddenly ended and now it was her who was tomato-red. Wearing her girlfriend like a cape, Konata glanced around nervously and saw more people were staring at them, some with bitter and disapproving looks.
"He…Hiyorin…people are staring," Konata wheezed nervously as she tugged at Hiyori's arms around her shoulders.
Hiyori gave a seductive yet playful hum. "Are you embarrassed of me?"
Hearing this only made Konata more flustered and she began to sweat. Of course she wasn't embarrassed or ashamed of her girlfriend or orientation, nor was she a prude either. Definitely not a prude. She was, however, in love. It was a feeling she had never felt before. Sure, she joked and made fun of it all the time, but it was something she could never fully comprehend until she grew closer to Hiyori in her vulnerable time. Love was more powerful than anything she had ever felt before and Konata had to admit that it was scaring her to death.
Being overwhelmed by such an emotion was indescribable to Konata. She remembered having a massive crush on Kagami, but she didn't take Konata's breath away like Hiyori did. The love she felt for Hiyori also made Konata realize just how small her existence was. It occurred to her that she had never left Saitama in her life or travel abroad like her friend, Miyuki. Yet when she was with Hiyori, none of that mattered. When they were together, it was like those two were the only people in the world and Konata loved that.
Konata held Hiyori's arm wrapped around her neck and giggled. She turned and looked up to Hiyori with a smile, who suddenly felt embarrassed again. Konata whispered, "No, I'm not embarrassed."
Hiyori was surprised when Konata suddenly kissed her on the lips in front of the whole arcade. She didn't fight it though, even as people stopped and stared while a few boys whistled. Hiyori pulled Konata closer.
After their date, the two girls walked through the park with their hands connected. Hiyori had been carrying her backpack with her during the whole date and wanted to give something to her girlfriend since it began, but wanted the timing to be perfect. They walked around a cobblestone path surrounding a sparkling blue pond where ducks and swans swam freely as the sun began to set on another summer day. Summer was approaching its end and September was just around the corner. But for these two girls, as clichéd as it was, it was still an endless summer for them.
The girls found a nice bench overlooking the pond and the orange sky perfectly colored by the sleeping sun and they sat down. Konata and Hiyori snuggled close and were silent. Nothing had to be said at this point. The silent tranquility dotted only by the peaceful summer evening serenades said it all for them as their two hands kept each other connected. Despite Hiyori's taller stature, she still rested her head on Konata's petite shoulder and happily sniffed her fragrance.
"It's funny, isn't it Hiyorin?" Konata asked.
"Hmm?"
"It's almost like we're two characters in a cheesy romance manga. I mean, here we are sitting on a park bench holding each other and watching the sun go down." Konata quipped slyly.
Hiyori giggled, feeling somewhat robbed of the moment she was about to have by giving Konata the gift she was carrying all day. Regardless, Hiyori sighed and decided it was just as good a time as any. Konata already parodied their date so no harm in making it a little more comical, if not a bit romantic as well.
Hiyori sat up, catching Konata's attention and she began to root through her backpack resting on the ground. She said: "Well if that's how you feel about us, I guess it's only fitting I give you this."
She pulled out her sketchbook and held it to Konata. The blue-haired girl was confused at first but eventually took it and opened the cover. When she saw her own image staring back at her, her green eyes widened and her mouth slowly unhinged in a silent gasp. Hiyori had drawn Konata, as well as herself together in a cute and romantic position. The image showed Hiyori hugging Konata from behind, her face buried in the shorter girl's follicles and breathing deep. Konata was looking upward with a confused yet accepting face while cupping Hiyori's sketched hands cuffed around her torso. "To Konata, my love" was written at the bottom in kanji, accompanied by Hiyori's traditional signature that was sealed on all her work.
"He…Hiyorin…it's so beautiful." Konata gently whispered and took in all the lines and details.
"I…I just wanted to express how much I care about you." Hiyori said, her voice now depressed.
Konata looked at her. Hiyori was looking at the ground with droopy eyes and her feet swayed freely while her arms poorly propped her up. She uttered, "Ever since…Kagami…"
Konata's face twisted in angst but not for Kagami.
"…the only person I could think of was you. I knew how much you were suffering when Kagami started to do drugs and prostitute herself and it gutted me every day to watch you suffer. But when I saw how much you still cared for her despite everything she did, I started to feel what I'm feeling for you now. Your selflessness, your loyalty, and your individuality all wrapped up into one. And when you asked for my help to make you look like a prostitute so you could find Kagami in the Aku District–"
Konata's face scrunched in anticipation for the tears.
"I still wanted to help you…even though my heart was breaking. But now…I've never been happier in my life. Thank you, Kona-chan. Thank you for being here with me."
Konata quickly looked away and swatted a pesky tear away. Silence fell between the two girls aside from the quiet heaves Konata was trying to hide. The pain she caused Hiyori was relentlessly cutting her deep as the errors of her ways flashed in Konata's mind. Now she could truly understand how much pain Hiyori was in when Konata asked her to make that damn outfit for her…just so she could go chase an ill-fated schoolgirl crush. Only now, with Konata's feelings fully awake for Hiyori, could she understand the pain she caused Hiyori and even though the two were together now, Konata still regretted hurting her friend turned lover.
Konata gently placed the sketchbook down and hugged Hiyori close. She gently sobbed into her embrace as the sun finally set on the two girls. Hiyori was happy. Konata was happy. They were happy together.
Later that night, Konata once again walked Hiyori home. The two girls stood outside her house and fully invested in their make out session. Their lips massaged each other's while their arms held each other closely. Hiyori cupped Konata's cheeks towards the end as she could not get enough of her girlfriend.
Their kissing however did eventually end and the two girls said their goodnights to each other. With her gifted portrait firmly in her possession, Konata waved to Hiyori and disappeared around a corner on the block. Hiyori stood there for a few more seconds and even literally pinched herself on the cheek to ensure she wasn't dreaming. She wasn't. It was real. She was going out with Konata Izumi and she couldn't be happier.
It was later so it came as no surprise when Hiyori entered her house and it was dark. What did surprise her was that none of her family members were home. She shrugged and assumed her parents and brothers were out somewhere so she decided to call it a night. She walked up to her room on this especially quiet night and entered her room.
She turned around, closed the door, and turned on the lights. The lights ushered in her nightmare.
"Hi Hiyorin."
Hiyori screamed and jumped from the unfamiliar voice in her bedroom. She quickly spun and saw another girl in her room. At least it didn't look like a girl at first. It looked more like a demon. A demon in human form with golden hair, black eyeshadow, a piercing scowl matched with a horrifying toothy grin. The she-demon was also dressed in black knee-high boots, fishnet stockings coming up to her miniskirt, and a tight checkered top lined with chains around the hem.
"Who are you?!" Hiyori screamed.
"You mean…you don't remember me?" She cackled. "That's a shame my dear, because I really remember you. I especially remember those days where you were my favorite self-cutting emo…but why do you look so afraid of me, Hiyori? Don't you remember what I told you about fear?"
It all suddenly dawned on her and Hiyori thought she heard the toll of distant church bells ringing in the end of her happiness. That mysterious girl whom she met when she was younger and depressed. That girl that tried to get her to take drugs and do horrible things to her body, but her brothers and parents were there to pull her back. That girl that haunted every corner of her dreams for years until her friends in high school cast its shadow away. Now the shadow was back.
"…Yuka…"
Yuka Miyakawa tightened her grin and stepped forward. She stood over the trembling Hiyori. "The Ghost of Christmas Past, my dear. And now…it's time to open our presents."
Hiyori's knees started knocking and she sweated when Yuka slowly unsheathed her dagger and held it up to Hiyori's face. She gently traced the tip of the blade down Hiyori's face, birthing gooseflesh on her body.
"Wha-wha-what da-do ya-you…want…?" Hiyori wheezed.
"I'm so glad you asked me that, Hiyorin." Yuka whispered again. "I want…Kagami Hiiragi back. But not just her. Her whole family. And guess what? You are going to help me get them. All of them. You and that cute little blue-haired girlfriend of yours. If you don't…I will make you take a bath in the entrails of your girlfriend."
Hiyori was crying freely now as she slowly shook her head.
"Now…let's seal the deal with a kiss." Yuka snarled.
She forced herself on Hiyori and kept her pinned to the door as she kissed her, all the while Hiyori could only wonder why.
Why…? Why…? Why…my happiness…?
A/N: For all you guys who are still reading this crap, take a look back at Part 1 to Chapter 30 when Hiyori and Patty have their chat about Hiyori's past. Seriously, is anyone actually still reading this?
