Chapter 19: A Fated Meeting
1 DAY EARLIER
Imu gulped, her entire body shivering in tension as she approached Miyabi's room. Miyabi's words of earlier, would have probably been met with a simple 'okay' from any of the other shinobi, but for Imu, the words "Come to my room later. I have something private to discuss." Made her blow up like a red balloon, ready to fly awayon blissful winds.
One hand shaking, she gripped the handle to Miyabi's door, slowly opening it to find Miyabi at the other end of her room, gripping her sword's hilt. "Imu. You forgot the secret Hebijo knock. Are you alright?" Miyabi said, letting go of her sword.
"Mm! Y-yes! I am fine… Miyabi." Imu cleared her throat, placing her arm behind her back where she quietly held a single flower, her shoulders subtly swaying. "So… you wanted to see me, Miyabi? A-about what?"
"Imu." Imu slightly bit her lip as Miyabi walked closer. "I need you to keep what I'm about to tell you to absolute secrecy. Do not say anything to the others until I say otherwise."
"O-o-of course, Miyabi. A-anything for you." Imu's cheeks started to flush, an open mouth smile forming on her lips.
"I want you to take Murasaki out to J-Pop Con and bond together as sisters." The moment the words left Miyabi's mouth, something inside Imu cracked as a small 'eep' leaked from her.
"Y-y-you can't be serious, Miyabi? Surely that's not all you have to say?"
"Of course, not…" Imu looked at Miyabi intently waiting "This is also a shinobi mission! And as my 2nd-in-command I am fully trusting you with it."
"A-a-and… where will… you be, Miyabi?" Imu asked.
"I will remain here at Hebijo. With all that's going on, someone has to keep an eye on the school." Imu's mouth gaped, a brief jolt zapped through her body, sizzling her hair and crisping the flower, black. She's… not even coming… with me? "No need to look so shocked, Imu." Miyabi continued. "Anyways, intelligence has gathered that Dancer's Fan Academy and Light Cherry Blossom Academy have declared a Shinobi Battle Royale on each other. But it seems that neither of them truly were the instigator."
Imu snapped out of her shocked state for a moment. "Then… who started it?"
"Intelligence reports that there was some kind of hacker involved. Fools, the lot of them; relying so much on modern technology." Miyabi scoffed.
"Why would someone go to so much trouble to get 2 schools turned on each other?"
"Clearly, they're someone who wants to see shinobi eliminated. Our spies have gotten a lock on the hacker's location, which is somewhere in J-Pop Con. Why they'd hide at a nerd convention is beyond me. But it's perfect for helping out your sister." Imu tilted her head, asking what Miyabi meant. "Murasaki is growing as both a shinobi and as a person. Taking her out to J-Pop Con will get her more used to being out and around people, especially if it's something she likes. But she won't grow if you tell her it's a shinobi mission. It has to feel natural."
"I… I don't know that's a good idea, Miyabi. I mean, I'd feel better if you came along… F-for the reason that the mission sounds… uh, dangerous!" Imu replied.
"Don't you wanna see her grow, Imu? To see your sister become stronger not just as a shinobi? But also as family?"
"I-… of course, I do. Iii just… didn't know she was into that sorta thing. And… You know how she gets around people."
"She's been getting better. I wanna help by giving her a little push to the next step." Miyabi replied before looking over at the blackened flower in Imu's hand, grabbing it. "Oh, Imu. Here, let me throw that away for you. Always keep Hebijo clean, eh?" Imu's face went white, something shattering inside as Miyabi tossed it in her trash can. Miyabi then asked if she was alright, to which Imu gave a weak nod and an 'uh-huh.'
PRESENT DAY
Imu sighed, closing the bathroom stall, before pulling out an electronic device. Who are you kidding, Imu? You're being a horrible sister. "You're supposed to be doing this for Murasaki, and you think you're doing it for Miyabi. But truth be told, you're only doing it for yourself." I… I am not! Imu looked around the bathroom stall, a chill ran from up her feet, buzzing up her body and into her cheeks, unsure of whether her thoughts were her own as they came in the form of a disturbingly soothing tone. "Why are you in such denial? You want Miyabi to see you as more than just a friend, Imu. So you think that continuously doing her bidding will make her see you differently. You don't care about your sister whatsoever."
Imu's head dropped, eyes to the floor as if to look away from a cold someone that was not visibly there. "In your heart, you know it to be true, Imu. Your ambition is merely disguised as selflessness. Try to please them both, and you'll only let everyone down." I… I let my infatuation for Miyabi get the better of me. I'm sorry, Murasaki. "Indeed. But which one will you choose? Your best friend and superior, or your loving little sister?"
Imu's hand ran softly against the cold electronic device, closing her eyes sadly. Suddenly a sense of resolve began to swell inside, her heart lifting. I choose Hebijo! For they… no. We are all Hebijo! Therefore, I will not let anyone down! "So now you disguise your selfishness as bravado. Listen to yourself. You think you can fulfill everyone's desires, including your own. But you will only regret this." No! I know I can do it! I am Imu of Hebijo!
Imu shook her head with a grunt, focusing on the electronic device in her hand. Let's see. So I input the hacker's coordinates the spy gave me into this system. The small screen on the tracking device showed a colored bar, ranging from grey to blue to green to yellow to red, indicating strength. As Imu stuck the coordinates in, the bar instantly raised to red, flashing as it made a faint beeping sound. "No way!" Imu quickly switched to the device map. But… that would mean the hacker is…
In the stall beside her, she made out a mechanically feminine, but obviously male voice. "Some naughty goof trying to hack my system? Wait a second, either my sensors are broken or that would mean they're in-…" Imu leapt out of her cell door at the same time as the voice in the cell next to her. Summoning her staff, she took a whack at somebody in a large, pink mech outfit, knocking them to the ground. "Ow. Watch where ya swing that thing, sister. Might put an eye out." The man said.
"Don't move!" Imu glared, pointing her staff at him. "First of all, are you the hacker who caused Dancer's and Cherry Blossom to fight? Secondly, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU IN THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM!?"
"Well number one, yes. That hacking job was done by me. Pretty good, am I right? And I may have an X and Y chromosome in my pockets, but my heart has since mega evolved into that of a true maiden! I must say you're quite the little sleuth to have tracked me so suddenly and so sneakily. I didn't know I had fangirls." The man wagged his finger at her.
"H-hey! Don't take that tone with me! And I am NOT your fan!" Imu glared at him, her voice raising.
"Oh, but you remind me of a certain cutie I absolutely adore. I'm afraid I just can't help myself." Imu noticed a slight blush coming through his green visor as he put his hands on his face.
"Certain cutie? D-don't change the subject! Tell me who you are and what your objective is!" Imu regained her composure, raising her staff closer to him.
"My friends call me Anonydeath, but you can call me Anny, girlfriend." Imu growled at his response, but Anony continued, his tone growing more serious. "But I'm afraid telling you the information would be highly problematic for us both, see? These spikes protruding from my back are set to explode should I reveal any sensitive information. It processes them by certain key words being placed in a specific order, so I really need to watch what I say."
"So… a gender confused hacker with a terrorist complex. You're mad."
"Actually, sister, I gotta tell ya the terrible truth." Anonydeath slowly stood up, looking straight at Imu, who gripped her staff in a manner ready to swing at any moment. "I was just joking sweetie, your face was priceless!" Imu screamed, swinging her staff, but Anony grabbed it with one hand. "I can't believe you fell for that. I mean, I'm smart, but even I couldn't come up with something that advanced. But jol-ly, you're just as cute as my Noire."
"YOU BIG TROLL!" Imu yelled.
"Hehe. Thank you, hon. I'll take that as a compliment. Bye now! Nice meeting you!" Anonydeath flicked her staff, running out of the bathroom, but not before Imu regained control of her staff and shot a lightning bolt after him. "Ow! Right in the buttox!"
"I should have known. Even in Japan, no tech like that exists!" adjusting her glasses, Imu quickly took off after him.
Vert let out a long sigh, folding her arms. "I can't believe after that whole ordeal with 5pb that they still wouldn't let us in without passes! I'm supposed to be her manager after all. So why did they let her back there?"
"Didn't you see how desperate that man was? Like, it was written all over his face." Ram said. "But you're right! It's not fair. We should totally have been able to get in! RRGH! Stupid Kurome ruining everything! If we could transform the people would surely see who we are and then we could do whatever we want!"
Vert and Ram continued discussing possible options on how to get into the concert including sneaking in, knocking out the guards, or convincing passerbys to trade their currency for some Gamindustri credits. But ultimately the pair could not find an approach that was not problematic. "If only in this moment I were as youthful as you, Ram, since at least kids can get in with just a pass. Even though I would never truly trade my voluptuous figure any day." Vert mumbled the last sentence.
"Hm? What was that last part, Vert?" Ram asked.
"Oh, um. Nothing you need worry your little head about." Vert smiled.
"Aaw! No fair, Vert! You been keeping secrets from me all day." Ram folded her arms huffily, "As a fellow CPU, you have to tell me! Like, right now."
"Er… Ram. You might wanna wait until you're a bit older before you can call a lady like me 'fellow CPU' now." Vert smothered her slightly irked tone in a smile as she patted Ram's head.
"Come oooon! Why won't you tell me!?"
Vert continued with an eye-closing smile, walking nonchalantly, "Aha… well… ya see Ram, there are certain things a young lady just cannot say until she's of age." Ram tugged on Vert's sleeve, calling her name, trying to get her attention. "I'm not finished. It's rude to interrupt. Now, as I was saying. See there are certain-…"
"VERT! Watch ou-…" Ram winced as Vert collided with a stranger. "See? What'd I try to tell you?" Ram's lips curled up.
Vert looked upon the stranger, who quickly apologized. A girl with dark purple hair, she wore a long, fancy, gothic-looking black dress with a dark blue gem at the neck. Vert could not help but wonder if the giant blades in her hair were real or not when she noticed the girl eyeing her up and down. "GreenHeart4…" the girl muttered softly.
"Hm? Did… you just say… Green Heart?" Vert's eyes widened before they shut into a smile, "My, someone who recognizes me! Ram, we must be doing something right. The people are starting to remember us just like last time."
The girl gasped. "I-i… I'm sorry. You… you're… a good… cosplayer. I couldn't help but stare. I mean… not that I w-wanted to stare it's just…" She sighed, looking at an ugly blue bear in her hand, "Bebetan, this is all coming out wrong." "I told ya you shoulda just stayed at home, you lazy bitch!"
"Uuuhm. Weirdo alert." Ram took a step back after the girl flexed her voice, pretending to make the bear talk.
"Now now, Ram. Don't be rude." Vert then turned to the girl, "I'm glad to see someone who finally recognizes me. Although I am not exactly a cosplayer, but you're getting close, dear. I do enjoy a good cosplay con from time to time."
The girl tilted her head, "Hm? But… that's the exact costume of the Valk during the 4th month of the game's opening… and… i-if you're in cosplay… you're a cosplayer. Unless… Could you be… No no, Tarina Platteau has the voice but not the looks. But you look and sound just like her, who are you?" the girl gasped, looking away. "I'm sorry! It feels like I'm interrogating you, isn't it?"
"Aw. You are so precious, all shy like that. But no need to be scared. My name is Vert. it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance. And you are?"
"N-n-nice… to meet you Vert. I am… Murasaki."
"Murasaki, huh? Such a gorgeous name. By the way, what game in particular did you say you were playing?"
Murasaki's eyes bulged for a moment, "You… seriously don't know? You couldn't possibly look like that and not play 4 Goddesses Online."
"AH! 4GO you say!?" Vert gasped. "And you say my dre-… er, this… costume was an event exclusive on the 4th month?" Murasaki stuttered a doubtful 'yes' towards Vert, who then turned to Ram. "Ram, we have to find a way to get her to remember! Clearly we are doing something right!"
"5pb's concert?" Ram shrugged.
"Wait. Yes, that's exactly it! We take her to see 5pb's concert. Then she'll have to remember! Then maybe more people will start remembering too!" Vert's eyes gleamed.
"But Vert, I don't feel any share energy restoring." Ram frowned.
"Now, Ram. These sorts of things tend to take time before we begin feeling any- AAAH!" Vert jumped as she felt Murasaki sniffing her up.
The latter gasped. "P-please don't shout. I was just… checking for… something. You don't seem like a bad person at all. In fact, you seem lonely."
"Ah! How rude on both fronts." Vert's eyes whitened in shock as a sad frown formed upon her face. Murasaki suddenly apologized, asking her to please not go when she tripped over her long dress and into Vert's arms. Catching her, Vert and Murasaki's eyes connected with a deep stare for just a moment. A slightly uncomfortable but mostly comfortable feeling of warmth followed as the marble hues of blue and purple irises stuck like magnets. After a bit Murasaki broke contact, resting her head against Vert's chest. Vert looked down, smiling as she began to comb Murasaki's hair, memories of Nepgear running through her mind, stepping down fond paths that caused Vert to remember the water dripping down Nepgear's back as she washed it, the warmth of Gearsy's head against her bosom after resting in the basilicom after a day of monster hunting, all the while wishing for a sister of her own.
Vert suddenly yelped in pain, pulling her hand back from accidentally brushing it against the blade of Murasaki's giant hairpin shuriken. "Ooh! S-sorry. Be careful… it's a… very detailed replica." Murasaki responded.
"I'm alright." Vert smiled down at Murasaki before noticing the tickets in her hand. "Murasaki, yes? How would you like to come with Ram and I to the concert? A very special friend of ours is playing today."
Murasaki got up, gripping her tickets more tightly in her hand. "Well uh… Ya see. I got separated from my sister. And I… I was supposed to go to the concert with her but I… I'm lost and I don't know… don't know where… she is." Murasaki's voice cracked as she squinted, trying to prevent the tears from escaping. "Sis told me to stay put… and I'm so bad in public that now I…" Murasaki turned away from the girls, covering her face.
Just then Murasaki felt her hand being grabbed, looking over to see Ram smiling, "Hey. it's gonna be okay, ya hear? My sister is missing too. Yeah, I wish she were here with us and I'm worried about her. But I know she's strong, just like me! So we'll find her and we'll find your sister too! So cheer up!"
"You will… help?" Murasaki asked.
"Of course, we will. Besides, Murasaki, this concert will be the perfect thing to put your nerves at ease and if we don't go soon, we're sure to miss our good friend's part." Vert replied. Murasaki objected at first, claiming her sister would get upset at using the tickets. "Oh don't worry. We will pay you and your sister back in full for the tickets."
"But Vert, didn't they deny our mone-MMPH!" Vert grinned putting a hand over Ram's mouth.
"Would you excuse us for just a moment, Murasaki?" Vert then pulled Ram around a corner. "Don't say that. You'll make our goals a lot harder."
"But Vert! I don't like lying to people!"
"Once we raise our shares here and people begin to remember us, then the alternate reality they are in will begin to lift. For all we know, this Murasaki might not even have a sister."
"I don't know, Vert. Maybe Lyrica was right. I saw the look on Murasaki's face! And I know the look of someone who's sibling has gone missing!"
"Vert." Murasaki was suddenly beside Vert's face, causing her to gasp. "Don't run away, please."
"We're just around the corner, you weirdo. Jeez, and I thought Rom was a kid." Ram folded her arms, staring intently at Murasaki, "Is there... something you're hiding?"
"Wha-no! Why would you think something like that?" Murasaki was taken aback.
"As soon as you popped up, I felt a sudden... darkness nearby."
Murasaki began to stutter, Vert then intervening. "Now, now Ram. Don't be mean. I'm sure Murasaki's costume and... rather sharp accessories just makes her seem edgy. But let us go on to the concert."
Murasaki smiled. "Well… I suppose if you pay us back, it's fine. And it… would be rude of me to make you miss your friend's part, so… I suppose we can go. As long as it's with you, Vert." Ram glanced Murasaki a suspicious look as they passed by, but followed along shortly after.
Using her tickets, the trio arrived at the concert, walking into a dark arena, lit up by fluorescent bulbs that rested on the sides and ceiling of the arena. Just in time for the curtains to open on 5pb, Murasaki looked up at the blue haired idol. "Is she your friend?" Murasaki asked, only to comment how she looked like a vocaloid after Vert's confirmation.
"I must find out what these vocaloids are that people keep mentioning." Vert smiled with a sweatdrop. A brief moment of silence had everyone in the audience staring at the Leanbox musician. 5pb took a long inhale before the familiar tune of Gracie Star flowed into Ram and Vert's ears.
"I-it's… so loud in here." Murasaki felt herself cringing up as her ears trembled. Just then, Vert put her arms around her.
"There, there. You're alright, Murasaki." Murasaki softly smiled before resting her head against Vert's chest, the warmth reminiscent of her earlier days with Imu. Adjusting to the loud noise, Murasaki found herself getting lost in the melody of 5pb's song. She really is the Valkyrie. Mmm. I don't care if I'm dreaming. I don't wanna wake up from this. Don't… wanna… wake… Suddenly a spark. Murasaki felt the looming dread began to return within her, her heartbeat slowing as darkness engulfed the arena. The stopping of the music and reaction of the crowds like a boiling kettle, steaming and ready to explode. "Vert… Imu… Sister… where are you?"