Mirage Mind - Chapter 3 - Opposite
"Well, gentlemen. I have good news and," Rex inserted a disc into her laptop. "Bad news. Which one do you prefer to hear first?"
"Bad."
"Good."
"Bad."
"Two against one," The blue-haired lady turned to Aya. "What's your choice?"
"Doesn't matter. We are going to hear both."
"Okay," Rex replied in a relaxed manner. "The good news is your weapons are in the process of upgrading."
"That's the good news?" Yoij sighed with disappointment. "I thought you are giving a vacation with plenty of pretty girls to sleep with. Omi could use some time to explore things with his manhood."
"You disgusting bastard!" Omi threw a pillow at him.
"So, what's the bad news?" Ken asked, wisely moving away from an oncoming pillow fight.
"This," Rex clicked the mouse. The screen instantly showed a skinhead man whose built was comparable to WWE wrestler. His face was broad and his lips were set in a thick straight line with his chiseled nose. His dark sunken eyes were placed in so deep that it made his bushy brows protruding. "Does it ring a bell?"
"He's the overseer from in the Yequoel mission," Ken exclaimed. "The one who thrashed us up."
"All thanks to him, I had that awful sore throat for weeks!" Yoji dropped the pillow that he intended to throw at Omi. "What about him?"
"Word is that he's looking for you."
"Why?" The boys asked except Aya.
"I'm not sure. It looks like he wants to have a re-match."
"He could have finish us off."
"Luckily, he didn't. He lost quite a lot of blood after Aya injured him." Rex turned again to him. "How's your recovery?"
"Fine."
"Oh dear, he's in his 'one sentence' mood," Yoji sat beside him, grinning mischievously. He then noticed Aya rubbing his temples. "What's wrong?"
"A headache."
Ran, can you hear me? Where are you now?
"Aya?" Ken watched the creases on his face increasing. "You don't look so good."
Ran, listen to the sound of my voice...
"I'm fine," Aya stood up. The veins in his brain were pounding. "I'm going to bed."
"Aya has been getting a lot of headaches lately," Omi commented after the door closed. "Is he all right?"
"He's a big boy, Omi. A couple of aspirins is all he needs." Yoji leaned back. "I know a pub that has a bountiful supply of chicks. You should join me, Omi. A night with a woman can do wonders."
"I'm not in the mood for exchanging body fluids."
"Does anybody notice something?" Ken quickly spoke up before the two could start their bickering. "Every time a guy has the chance to kill us, he doesn't use it. Instead, he leaves and comes back later for a re-match. In the end, he ends up dead because we killed him," The two stared at him, clueless. Ken was beginning to feel stupid. "It's something that I thought you ought to know."
"Either you are plain lucky or," Rex answered. "Someone is saying it isn't your time."
The night showered its darkness upon the city and the Weiß boys were on another mission. This time, their target was Alex Diva, a wealthy man obsessed with children pornography, particularly boys. Such diabolic deeds sickened the boys greatly, especially Omi. Tonight, Alex was going to get an exclusive present. Inside their van, Yoji was suiting up Omi. Ken was checking their equipments for the last time. Aya sat quietly in his seat as Rex firmly told him his duty was to stay inside the van and monitor the others because his frequent 'headaches' might endanger the mission.
Forcing himself to comply, Aya put on a headset and switched on some buttons. The screens displayed parts of Alex's mansion. Giving the green light, the others left the van and proceed on to their assigned positions. Leaning on his fist, Aya watched them taking out the guards. They were too easy. Bored, he put down the headset, stretched his arm to reach for his bag, unzipped it and took out a bottle of mineral water. Turning the cap, he took a slip. As soon as he swallowed, a whizzing pain shot up inside his head.
Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, it's not real...
"Shut up!" He dropped the bottle and covered his ears. Water spilled everywhere. "Shut up!"
His sub-conscious is fighting back. Concentrate on my voice, Ran...
"Stop it! Get out of my head."
Listen to Doctor Evan, Ran. He's helping you...
With one hand pressing his temples, Aya staggered towards his bag and dug for his pills.
He's resisting. We have no choice... Get ready..
Turning his bag upside down, a cylinder bottle fell out among his belongings. Without haste, Aya unscrewed the cap and was about to pop a pill into his mouth when an excruciating pain stabbed into his brain, driving him dazzling blinded. Clutching his head, Aya fell to his knees.
It's working. Prepare for the second shot. The dosage level as the previous...
In a split twilight, lightening flashes swept past him like a deranged roller coaster ride. Oxygen left his lungs with stunning suddenness, making his whole body numb with shock. Collapsing, he gasped for air.
He's coming around. One more time...
"Ran," Manx hurriedly took him into her arms. He was panting heavily. His heart pounded hard against her chest. For a while, she hugged him tightly. Then, she drew back and took a good look at him. Though his face was sweaty, there was a pink flush on his cheeks.
"Ran," she whispered. "Do you know who I am?"
The young man stared at her blankly.
"Can you recognize me?"
He blinked a few times and slowly replied.
"Manx."
"Yes," A smile sprang to her lips. "And I am your..."
"Sister," Ran answered. Like a child in need of a mother's comfort, he placed his head upon her chest. "Sister..."
"Yes," she gently rocked him like a baby as she stroked his hair. "That's right. I'm Manx, your sister."
"Oh god, Aya!"
Ken bent over Aya and listened hard for signs of breathing. Meanwhile, Omi loosened his shirt and belt. Yoji found the toolbox and placed his legs over it.
"Ken, status?"
"Swallow breathing. Pale lips. Cold and clammy skin. He's maybe in shock."
"Keep checking his pulse and breathing. Turn his head to one side. It helps to maintain the blood supply to his brain. Omi, call Rex. We're taking him to the hospital," Yoji climbed onto the driver's seat. Less than a second, the engine began to roar. Stepping onto the accelerator, the van drove out of its hiding place. Its tires screeched at the turn.
Omi unbuttoned his coat and passed it to Ken, who took it and covered Aya. He held Aya's hand and murmured something, possibly a prayer. Punching in the numbers, Omi waited for a response. Thankfully, Rex took the call.
"Rex! Omi here. Aya needs medicinal attention!"
"What happened?"
"I don't know. He didn't response when the mission was completed. We're heading for Asha Hospital. Can you get the medicinal team ready?"
"Working on it. Omi..."
"He's not breathing!" Ken shouted. "I can't feel his pulse!"
"Shit! Rex, just get them ready!" Omi slammed down the phone. "Yoji. Are we there yet?"
"Give me five minutes!"
"We don't have five minutes!"
Ken placed the heel of his hand upon Aya's breastbone and started to press. Omi slipped his hands under Aya's neck and tilted his head backwards. With a deep breath, he pressed his lips over Aya's and blew air into his lungs. Ken watched Aya's chest rise and fall like a deflated balloon.
"Breathe, Aya, breathe!" Ken shouted as he carried out the chest compression. "1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000!"
"I'm not getting anything," Omi blew again. "Again!"
"1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000!" Ken pressed hard. "Yoji!"
"Almost there. By the next turn!"
"Damn it!" Ken cursed. "Don't you die on me, Aya! Don't you dare!"
To be continued
GeneWeiß's Mind:-
Aya+Manx sibling combo is popular, heh?... well, their same hair colour makes it a lot easier to match them as siblings. Their character is rather similar in a sense they are both decisive and strong-willed. To place as them a couple would probably ruin the laws of chemistry...