"What are you doing?"

The pink haired woman, named Himegama, turned around. Her hands were still on wires she was setting up for something, while Chisato was laying on the table unconsciously.

—

Takina had just taken off from the cafe, after noticing an extended absence and prolonged unanswered call regarding Chisato. Not going back on her word, Takina chose to leave immediately as she assumed Chisato was in danger.

Fearing the worst, she quickly moved through the streets as she remembered that Majima was still out there. However, upon arrival at the location that Chisato was last marked at, Takina found that there was no receptionist. In fact, there were no patients either. It was as if no one existed within the place at all. Panickingly dashing and looking in the rooms past the reception, she found no one inside either, although the lights of the hallways were still on. Someone must still be inside.

'Where is she…'

Eventually, Takina moved past a room-which she realized had lights on. Running back to the room, she opened the door and saw Himegama fumbling with her wires, as Chisato was on the performing table with her patient clothing open at her chest. Her eyes were shut as her breathing was calm and slow. It was obvious she was unconscious, especially when she didn't wake or trigger any reaction upon hearing the door to the room open.

"What are you doing?" Takina demanded, her pistol ready by her side.

Startled by the sudden noise as she was too focused on her task to hear the door, Himegama turned around to see the heavily breathing girl, with a weapon in hand and an angry look.

"It's part of her physical test," Himegama explained, not hesitating even a moment to spit out a lie.

"Why is she lying on the table with her chest open for the whole world to see? And…she's unconscious."

Troubled, Himegama quickly came up with an excuse.

"She has to..it's to monitor her mechanical heart's status. We don't do this for typical Lycoris, but I assume you know her condition."

"I do…" Takina started to accept the situation, when she noticed that the woman had a very nearly concealed pistol around her torso.

"You're..hiding a weapon. They don't allow the doctors to do that here.."

"Tch. And I thought I was doing well."

The woman kicked back Takina and jumped over to hide behind Chisato's table, while Takina fell to the ground and rolled over to take cover around the hall.

"What are you doing here?!" Takina further demanded, now firmly gripping her gun and leaning near the doorway entrance.

Having not completed her mission, Himegama did not run away, but was stuck in a bad position. If she ran, that would guarantee that she would fail her original goal with Chisato. If she stayed and fought, she would have to beat a Lycoris. If she used Chisato as a hostage, it would reflect badly on herself, as her boss would not want that.

However, before the woman could come up with a solid solution, Takina persistently fired below the performing table, nearly scratching her. Deciding to abandon the plan, Himegama shot at the window and jumped out of it, running fast enough to not be shot by Takina, who ran to the window and lost track of the woman. Having her priority changed, Takina looked back to Chisato, and shook her lightly whilst yelling her name.

—

Her eyes flickering open, Chisato woke up to see it was dusk outside the window. Looking around with her blurry vision, she saw what looked to be Takina sitting next to her bed and sleeping while laying her head on it. Yamagishi was also in a corner, typing away at a computer.

"Huh..? Takina?"

"She's been watching over you for the entire day. Of course she'd fall asleep."

Mika had opened the door, and was holding a tray with a small parfait, one from the LycoReco menu, and a glass of water. He set it down on a little stool near Chisato's bed.

"Teach..? What happened? Wait…I didn't fail my physical, did I?!"

"You never had it in the first place," Yamagishi explained, "because that little wrench put you to sleep with a sedative."

"Ah..I remember that part. Who was she, anyways?"

"Some newbie. She had a very malicious plan in mind, as I saw after when your partner saved you. It looks like, using these wires, the woman was going to overcharge or disable your heart," she said while holding confiscated materials that Himegama was using.

"I managed to convince Takina not to recklessly hunt down that 'nurse', but I don't know if she'll try again. It's best that you set her in stone, as her partner. Even though I'm her boss and my words should be more convincing…"

"Can I wake her up now?"

"Sure. I'll grab Kurumi and Mizuki too. They've been waiting for you to wake up too."

"Thanks, teach."

Mika and Yamagishi both left to get the two and some extra materials, as Chisato got off her bed with a little bit of pain and began shaking Takina. Then, Chisato noticed that Mika also put her phone on the tray he brought in. Secretly before she could wake up, Chisato took a picture of Takina sleeping and almost laughed too hard.

"Sleepyhead! Get up!"

"Mm…what is it..? Ah! Chisato? You've woken up?"

"Hehe…you look great in this picture!"

Chisato showed the girl her phone, which had an image of Takina sleeping softly, although she had a grin and was drooling a little.

"Hey!" Takina yelled, trying to grab the phone, but Chisato pulled back her hand as she giggled and saved it as her wallpaper.

"I think it's a fitting wallpaper. Oh, Takina, Takina! You need to listen to Dr. Yamagishi when she comes back! I think she needs to fill you in on what happened."

"Really now? Actually, don't you need to do your physical again?"

"Ahhh! You don't need to tell her that! We can do that some other time!"

"You two fighting again?"

Mizuki entered the room with a smirk, seeing Chisato gripping at Takina's collar. Kurumi, Mika, and Yamagishi all followed behind as Yamagishi immediately went to her computer and plugged in something.

"We're just…having a very friendly chat! That's all, right Takina?" Chisato leaned over to grab the glass of water, and begun to drink.

"Dr. Yamagishi. Will Chisato be taking another physical, supervised by you?"

"Ah! Takina! That detail isn't necessary, we-"

"Of course. I believe I am ready to do it before the day ends, in fact."

"Boo…I'll get you back for this, Takina. Right! Dr. Yamagishi, can you get Takina caught up with what happened?"

"That's right. In short, Chisato here was being targeted by that nurse. Her heart would have been tampered with via electrical charge, and could've shortened or even ended her very life there. You did a great job getting to Chisato before that happened."

"Shortened?! By how much?"

"Judging by the last time we charged it…had it been shortened, Chisato would've likely had 2 months left."

The statement, although not reality, put the room into a gloomy mood. One misstep from Takina or anyone stopping her could've put Chisato into a horrible situation. Mika stared with an angry face, but was relieved that, in the end, nothing happened to Chisato's heart.

"2 months…" Takina looked down, and thought about what would've changed if that were the case. Suddenly, she started running to the door. Just as she was about to leave, Chisato asked her something.

"Where are you going?"

"I'm going to track her down."

"Thank you Takina, but there's no need to worry. You already saved me! Take a break, we'll find her eventually if she's going after me."

"I think I have to agree with her on this one, Takina," Mizuki started. "You do a lot of work, and I'm sure Kurumi can find her, right?"

"Eh…I will try…"

"Yeah, see?"

"But she tried to harm you!"

"It's fine, Takina," Chisato restated.

"How is it fine?!"

"It's fine. Even if she affected my heart…I didn't have that much left to begin with, anyways."

Mika seemed to be the only other person, excluding Yamagishi, who knew this. He didn't like being reminded of it, and stared off outside the window and into the scenery. The dim, golden sunlight covered the trees like honey. The others only processed what Chisato said, and realized what she meant by it.

"So yeah! Killing her won't do anything. Let's go. After this physical again, at least.."

"...Alright."

—

"Chisato."

Takina had to bring up something; it felt quiet as the two walked home that night.

"Whats up?"

"Did you do fine on your physical test?"

"Yeah, yeah! But it's so boring…I'd rather work, or hang around with you!"

"You seem..happy all the time. Even when your life was threatened and even when you know you're on borrowed time…how do you stay so cheerful?"

"Just…an old friend. She taught me." Chisato looked at the ground as they continued walking.

"Yarim?"

"Yeah. Her."

Takina avoided asking if Chisato knew how much time she had left with her heart. She was sure that if she asked that, it would make the mood even worse.

—

"Take a visit to DA? Why's that?"

Chisato, in the morning, got a call by the telephone.

"Kusunoki? Alright, alright I'll go. Mizuki! Wanna drive me to DA real quick? Actually, can you let me drive? I wanna!"

Mizuki was walking down the stairs of the upper floor, and scrunched up her face when she realized Chisato wanted to drive.

"Nah, I got this."

"Boo..this better not be a spiel to try and convince me back into DA."

It was a spiel to try and get her back into DA.

"Return back to DA." Kusunoki was rather…straightforward.

Coughing instantly upon mention of returning, Chisato made an excuse on the spot as she sat down on a couch.

"I just took my physical test, and I need to rest a bit..and I also am in shock from what happened yesterday, soooo.."

"Majima visited you, did he not?"

"Yeah. That was the second time I met him, the first being when I was targeted."

"But you let him escape."

"I'm not part of DA."

"We're going to commence a large attack on Majima soon. You should lead an elite squadron."

"Yeah? And what'll convince me?"

"This camera," Kusunoki said while showing Chisato a miniature camera. It seemed to have value to Chisato, because she reached for it, but Kusunoki pulled it away.

"Huh? You had this? Thief…"

"So? Will that be enough?"

"I don't imagine it will be. I think my place in everything is different than what you want mine to be, but if you let Takina back into DA, maybe I'll take up on your offer!"

Later on back at the cafe, Fuki and Sakura entered, and Takina was initially surprised, but let it off. Immediately, Sakura went up to Mika.

"I want a parfait, please! It doesn't matter which one it is! What about you, Fuki?"

"No need. We're not going to stay long, anyways."

"Huh?! Quickly, before we leave! I hear these parfaits are good.."

Fuki turned to Takina, but instead of a snobby remark, she gave her a letter.

"This is…?"

"Some letter from DA. Probably an order for you to come back. We're going to rush a huge operation onto Majima soon. Director Kusunoki wants even Chisato to come back. I hear that Chisato would if she'd let you back into DA."

"Really now…"

—

"I didn't think you'd be one to smoke, big guy."

Kurumi placed down a teacup next to Mika, who was sitting dejectedly.

"I'm reflecting on the past. About Chisato's…heart."

"What about me?"

"Ah!"

Mika quickly realized Chisato entered the room, with Takina right behind her. Mizuki had last been seen handling things in the back.

"You smoke, teach? Not good for you."

"I know.."

"Something on your mind?" Takina asked.

"Yeah..but…Takina, come here real quick."

Coming in closer while Chisato stood afar and looked confused, Takina realized what Mika wanted as he whispered into her ear.

"I need you to distract Chisato. Maybe head home for the night, or do something outside. I'm going to have a chat with Kurumi."

"Alright, we'll be outside the door on the bench. I have something left to do, so we can't leave yet. Chisato!" Takina said, then looked back to Chisato.

"Yeah?"

"Let's view the trees outside. You can tell me stories."

"Really?! Wow, didn't think you'd be that bored."

"It's not because I'm bored."

"Yeah, uh-huh."

The two left the building as Mika put out his cigarette.

"Big guy…you know..Yoshimatsu could be the one behind that woman's attack on Chisato's heart? I'm not saying that he is..but it could be possible."

"I understand that. But he was the one who saved her in the first place. If he really is behind that…"

"6 months at most..Chisato's heart disease will kill her before long."

"I won't let that happen."

"Behold. A magnificant creation of the Alan Institute. An artificial heart. However…"

"However?"

"It has a setback with it's duration, too. I'm afraid…it will not last any time past Chisato's adulthood."

"Lycoris are active for that long. It'll be enough."

"It'll be enough for killing. Even if it's a talent for killing, Mika, it has to be delivered into the world."

"I'll help you enough for that."

"Promise me…that you'll see to it, yourself. Not DA. You. You should be the one to raise her."

"You, like Yoshimatsu, saw Chisato as a killing machine too? What made you change your mind?"

"She saw him as a savior, but he insisted her to ensure any criminal is killed off. Chisato, although hesitantly, followed through for that, but someone changed her. Her old partner. She was involved in the Radio Tower event with Chisato, but she didn't make it out. Ever since that day…Chisato hasn't been the same. Perhaps…Yoshimatsu wants her to go back to being a killing machine-to carry out her talent."

The door opened once again as Takina and Chisato came back in, with Chisato shivering slightly.

"I didn't think it'd be that cold out there!"

"I forgot to tell you all. I got an invitation to go back to DA."

"Really now? So that lady really did want me back, too."

"Seriously?! That's great, Takina! And you can participate in taking down Majima, too!"

"Nice going."

"I'm not sure if I should go back, though."

"Eh? Why's that? That's what you've been looking for all along, right?"

"Yeah…I'll reflect a little first. It means Chisato can come back to take down Majima too, but what about the Cafe?"

"I can try to make a deal or break with that lady," Mika brought up.

"Takina, c'mon! I'm sure it'll go alright."

"Ok, ok. I think I will."

—

"Robota. Who's this…'Mr. Yoshi?'"

"He's..some agent from the Alan Institute who gave her that heart of hers."

"Really now…"

—

The next morning, Takina was holding a book and her phone. She seemed to be focused on Chisato.

"Chisato."

"What's up? We've really been having no customers lately…"

"We should go somewhere today."

"Seriously?! Can we, teach?!"

"Sure, go right ahead."

—

Chisato and Takina visited several places, but Takina seemed to have a set alarm for her list of places to go. In fact, it was so fast, that Chisato couldn't finish most of the things she was doing.

"What're we in such a rush for?" She asked, while munching on leftovers of a pancake.

"It's part of the plan."

"Is the aquarium being closed part of the plan?" Chisato asked, pointing at a sign as Takina walked backwards and took notice of it.

"Don't worry! We can go fishing! There's a river nearby, and people fish there regularly! C'mon!"

"This is quite boring, isn't it?"

"Yeah, but it's super peaceful! I like looking at the scenery too, when no fish wants to bite on the bait."

"Chisato. We're out of time."

"Again? Where are we going?"

"To the train."

"A train? Doesn't that mean we'll be going super far away?"

"It's part of the plan," Takina repeated.

—

The two sat on a bench under a streetlamp, with a broad view of the city. It was so far, in fact, that the remains of the Radio Tower were almost like a twig.

"Anything on the plan, or is it just a sit and chat?"

"It's supposed to snow..but.."

Laughing, Chisato saw yet another problem in Takina's plan.

"Yeah, God isn't always so straightforward, is he?"

"Of all days…I wish he was."

"Huh? Because you're thinking about going back to DA, and want this perfect schedule?"

"I am."

"Ha! I knew it! When is it?"

"Tomorrow. Aren't you coming with me?"

"Are you not going to be happy if I don't come with you?"

"I don't know…"

"Well, if you make up your mind, you can tell me. I'll be there for you."

"Ah…well I have to tell them before today is over."

"Before today is over?! You need to get going, don't you?"

"Yes. I'll be going now."

As Takina was running off, little pellets of snow starting raining from the sky. Looking back at Chisato, Takina found a sweet smile on both of their faces as Takina turned about without a word, and walked away.

"Heh…I'll be there for you. Although..I hope each day is as fun as this, Takina. Just like me…"

"Snow doesn't last forever."