Vol. 2

Chapter 8

"Resolve"

Yosano and Kunikida exchanged puzzled glances with each other and then continued to stare at Alu.

Odasaku groaned softly, but he was still weak despite being healed. He was still sleeping, and Dazai made sure he was resting comfortably on the gurney again. Dazai stayed glued to his side, though his attention for the first time was actually split out of morbid interest in the conversation currently transpiring between Ranpo and that girl.

President Fukuzawa glanced at Ranpo. He was the only one who noticed Ranpo's smile twitch with actual irritation. His eyes fell on that girl. He didn't know what she was asking. And why at this time? The answer was obvious, wasn't it? He didn't want to answer the question for Ranpo though. It wasn't his place. He just hoped this girl knew that the agency was helping her because they cared—not because of any other reason.

Alu continued to stare down Ranpo. Ranpo quieted, and though the smile still played on his lips, he hummed, and turned on his heel, before he began to walk towards Alu.

Ango too, was quiet, watching this play out.

"Why?" Ranpo repeated, tilting his head, before coming to a stop before Alu. He was only slightly taller than her—he was actually short which was funny considering he was clearly one of the most feared in the agency according to rumors Alu had heard through the grapevine.

After all, knowledge in itself can be a far more lethal weapon than any bullet, blade, or pill.

Alu just kept her eyes on him, trying to get a read on him. Normally she could actually judge character but Ranpo was actually not someone she could easily figure out—because he wasn't being honest. His true character seemed to change depending on his mood—that was something Alu had noted in observing him in passing, in the past. Still, she realized that the last time they'd met she'd thrown him halfway across town. She began to sweat drop. Oh, she'd forgotten about that.

Now she felt embarrassed and she felt her face go pink as he got closer.

Naturally, everyone else thought she was blushing for another reason.

"Does this girl...is she crushing on Ranpo?" Kunikida found himself asking.

"Well, Ranpo is attractive," Yosano sighed. "Maybe she wants him to notice her?" Kunikida knew better than to ask Yosano if she thought Ranpo was attractive...he would prefer his balls stay connected to his lower region after all.

Dazai ground his teeth. What did that brat have that he didn't? He was plenty charming! Why was she blushing for that guy? Dazai didn't actually have a crush on Alu—he just couldn't stand being unattractive to someone! He was way more edgy! And very attractive! He had a body count both at work and in romance! Probably not a good idea to advertise the body count at work part...but still!

Meanwhile, Fukuzawa and Ango just watched, honestly wondering if this girl was getting flustered because she had a crush on Ranpo.

To be clear—they were all wrong.

Alu wasn't crushing on Ranpo. She didn't even know what her thoughts were about him, really. However, she was frustrated with him. He was being dismissive about the safety of those kids, after all. He was assuming they'd be fine. Whether or not that air was supposed to soothe the tension of the situation—Alu would rather have him take the lives of those kids seriously because for some reason—she didn't feel like he even cared.

Ranpo put his hands on his hips and tilted his head at her. They were no more than arm's length apart now. "You're blushing," he said matter-of-factly, gazing at her with his normal squinting expression of someone who wasn't unleashing their full potential because it wasn't worth it at this moment's vibe.

Alu felt her face bloom with heat from embarrassment and she kicked him in the leg. "Ever heard of space!" She griped. Ranpo hadn't been expecting that—and he hopped around, holding his shin.

"Ow! What are you! TEN?!" He yelped, whining.

"Ah...please don't kick my employee…" President Fukuzawa sighed, rubbing his forehead. Again, it really felt like he was running a Detective agency daycare sometimes…

Alu sighed deeply and she turned away, crossing her arms. "Sorry, but I refuse to accept that answer," she said, loudly. She pointed to President Fukuzawa, a hand on her hip. She was ready to give him a lecture about his employee's clear lack of regard for how his antics put others in danger. "Look, Mister Fuk..kuku…"

She honestly had trouble pronouncing his name. Oh great, her American was showing. She grimaced, feeling self-conscious. Without Juubi being active—the natural flow of name pronounciation just wasn't there. Actually, that reminded her that Juubi really had been quiet this whole time.

"Mr. 'Fukuku'…" Ranpo began to laugh. "That's a new one...haven't heard the president be called that one before! You really are such a foreigner!" He snickered at Alu.

"Oh, get bent!" She smacked Ranpo's arm with a red-faced growl. Ranpo yelped, trying to avoid Alu's hits. It was honestly a bit comical despite the whole —you know—situation.

Kunikida sighed. It was his duty to teach her the proper dialect of this great nation he decided. It'd be a disservice to the President's literal good name otherwise.

Yosano just chuckled lightly, watching Ranpo and Alu. "They are like a couple of children, aren't they? One may think they're related," she said, bemused.

"I guess," Kunikida huffed. "Still, we will have to let her know that kicking an agent is hardly proper manners for a young lady!"

Yosano quirked a brow, smiling at him. Kunikida gulped. "Be careful your ideals don't border on Chauvinism, Kunikida," she hummed, tone low but deadly. Oh that's right, Yosano hated male chauvinism—even though that wasn't Kunikida's intention. He shut his mouth smartly, not interested in being sent to hell for a second time in that same day.

Alu growled meanwhile at Ranpo, flustered. "S-Shut up!" She wanted to say things are harder without Juubi but she felt a stab in her heart. She missed Juubi. She felt her voice catch in her throat. She wasn't used to doing this without him. Any of this. She was used to having that annoyed fox around. Alu touched her throat.

Suddenly, her throat felt hot. She began to cough. Ranpo's eyes flashed with alarm. "Hey…" he looked to Yosano quickly. "She's having a reaction to the red lightning— Yosano!"

Fukuzawa's eyes flashed. He hurried over with Yosano while Alu sank to the ground, choking. Her body felt like it was on fire. The lightning in her veins snaked through her like ivy, showing on her skin, her arms, legs, face—she was feeling it suddenly jolt through her entire body. But she realized with horror that she didn't want the others to come near her—something was wrong.

Something was terribly wrong.

"D-Don't come near me!" She yelled loudly.

Ranpo hesitated along with the others, honestly concerned with the sense of urgency in her tone. Wordlessly he put out an arm to stop Yosano from going closer to her.

The president too, paused near Yosano, glancing to Ranpo, searching his demeanor for clues as to what to do. The fact that Ranpo was hesitating was an indicator to the others to follow his call. After all, if Ranpo was hesitating—then this was serious.

Dazai however narrowed his eyes. This had gone on long enough. He glanced at Odasaku's unconscious form. He had annulled the Red Lightning easily from Odasaku's body by touching it. The same should be applicable to that girl. It was finally time for Dazai to pay her back a little for what she'd done for his friend. "I'll be right back," he murmured softly— honestly only loud enough for himself to hear. He straightened up, and he could feel Ango's eyes on him but he paid it no mind.

He moved over to the group, or rather around them in order to get a better view of Alu. His eyes narrowed. Just one touch and this would all be—

Ranpo grabbed Dazai's sleeve. "I wouldn't do that." He said, sharply.

Dazai blinked, looking at the shorter man with confusion. "My ability is all this situation needs," he pointed out.

Ranpo shook his head, letting go of Dazai's arm. "No, it's not." It wasn't a deep explanation. Dazai huffed.

"Whatever, I don't take orders from you," he said somewhat annoyed and he would have continued but this time, President Fukuzawa stepped between him and the girl.

"Ranpo has his reason," he said, curtly to Dazai. "If he says you're not to touch the girl—then we need to listen to him."

"What are you, his loyal dog?" Dazai scoffed, huffing with irritation.

Ango quickly came over, hissing at Dazai. "Dazai! This is the head of the Armed Detective Agency, you could bear to show a little respect!"

Dazai's eyes flickered. He growled, hating that Ango wasn't technically incorrect here in terms of how he could be handling this better. Stupid Ango. Stupid four-eyes with that dimpled face and holier-than-thou attitude. God, Dazai wanted to punch him.

He made a fist, though it's destination wasn't to land on Ango's face. "Tch, then what do we do?" He growled at Fukuzawa and Ranpo. He was already stressed about Odasaku as it was.

Even though he was healed—he wasn't waking up yet.

Alu breathed hard, dragging out each ragged breath, clutching her head. It hurt so bad. She felt like her body was on fire. She felt dizzy. She felt hot. She felt cold. She felt like a thousand tiny needles were crawling all over her scalp.

"Even if you were to cancel that Red Lightning, it wouldn't change anything," Ranpo said, calmly. He gazed at Dazai and the others, trying to keep the situation calm in his own way.

"What are we supposed to do?" It was Kunikida's turn to be frustrated. "You've been talking like a lunatic since I've been here, but I have no idea what you're trying to say! Just spit it out already, Ranpo!"

Ranpo sighed, and he put his hands behind his head. "You have so much to learn, young grasshopper," he sagely remarked dramatically. He shrugged at Kunikida, letting out a huff.

"Look out!"

A man's hoarse voice shouted.

Dazai's head turned quicker than anyone—that voice was Odasaku's! The others as well, heard something like flesh being pierced—-but it wasn't any of them.

S-ShhhlllK!

Before anyone could speak—everyones' eyes widened in horror and bewilderment. Odasaku had grabbed a sword—-a sword sticking out of a black hole—and everyone stared. Fukuzawa realized he was yelling first. He heard someone else screaming Ranpo's name—but it wasn't anyone else—it was him.

Ranpo had the tip of a sword sticking out of his chest, and he just slowly looked down, eyes wide with child-like confusion. The blade was agonizingly pulled out of Ranpo, leaving Ranpo to sort of stumble forwards like a lifeless doll.

Odasaku grit his teeth, tackling the figure from the hole. Rolling to the ground, he pinned the culprit, knocking the sword out of their hands, despite having to use his own hand—which was sliced in the palm as a result of grabbing the blade bare-handed to throw it away from them both.

Ranpo fell, caught by Fukuzawa's shaking arms. Ranpo was so confused. This wasn't part of his deduction. He breathed hard, gazing at Fukuzawa. "Oh…I've been stabbed?" he tried to speak but Fukuzawa shook his head.

"Yosano! You have to heal—" with horror, Fukuzawa's gaze searched desperately in the room for the butterfly hair clip woman.

"She's gone?" Kunikida gasped, looking around bewildered. "President! She was here just seconds ago…"

President Fukuzawa breathed hard, but he couldn't hear anything else. All he felt was the blood of Ranpo seeping through his clothes and onto his hands as he tried to stop the bleeding. Don't die...Fukuzawa's throat clenched hard. The enemy was too damn smart. This enemy was absolutely abhorrent. They took Yosano—from under their noses— rendering her ability useless—making it impossible...to save Ranpo.

Fukuzawa couldn't breathe anymore—what were lungs, again?

"President…" Ranpo said weakly.

"Don't try to talk!" Fukuzawa croaked, sharply. "Save your strength!"

"I'm a brat...sorry…" Ranpo said softly, before his eyes fluttered closed and his hand which had been reaching out for Fukuzawa like a sleepy child just dropped to his side.

Fukuzawa wanted to say something—scream? But, nothing, nothing was coming out.

He was frozen in time, and in that moment, something just broke.

Ranpo's heart beat was fading quickly—too quickly.

Ranpo wasn't…

Ranpo…

Not Ranpo…

Why didn't they take his life instead? This bad feeling that had been hanging over him must have been this. Something bad had been going to happen—and Fukuzawa had been powerless to stop it. Fukuzawa screamed—but it was on the inside—externally, the tears finally rolled down his face. He had no words, nothing to articulate. He just hugged Ranpo's limp body to himself, and his ability to hold it together was completely emotionally shattered.

Kunikida ground his teeth, looking away, appalled. He hadn't known Ranpo long but this was too far. This was just too far. He grit his teeth so hard, hands clenched, trembling. "Dammit…" he choked out. He blamed himself— for not being the one to realize that Ranpo was still a target—and for not realizing Yosano had even been taken from under their noses!

Ango was silent as well. Things were not looking good for any of them. After all, Ranpo Edogawa was their trump card in all of this. If he had been taken out, then this British woman really was winning. At this point… His eyes fell on the girl. His eyes narrowed. In her current state, she'd be a threat as well. He reached into his coat and withdrew his gun. The least he could do was lessen the risk, right?

Dazai meanwhile dashed over to help Odasaku restrain the culprit, his expression far more murderous. "Odasaku!"

"Tch, I couldn't move fast enough," Odasaku growled, as he restrained the boy beneath him.

"Let go! You old fart!" It was Tomoe. His voice was raw and echoed.

Dazai grabbed the boy by the collar, yanking him upright. Odasaku let out a noise, startled. "Dazai—don't!"

Dazai's blood lust was strong. He was already in a bad mood—and he didn't care if this was a kid...he was itching to kill something. His ability activated when he touched the boy, and Tomoe's fight seemed to go out instantly. Dazai's eyes flashed with realization. Tomoe's eyes were empty. He grit his teeth. "Damn, they used him as a puppet!" He said to the others, as his ability canceled out the puppet ability—thus rendering Tomoe unconscious and limp in Dazai's hands.

Tomoe collapsed, now unconscious to the ground where Dazai dumped him, unceremoniously. He straightened up, helping Odasaku get to his feet. Odasaku held his hand, it was bleeding hard, the blade now on the ground. "I'm fine—we need to be on guard, Dazai!"

Dazai's eyes fell on the sword as Odasaku spoke. It was an unusual looking sword. The hilt was intricate, with the mouth of a dragon that the blade itself exited from. Dazai went to touch it, and his eyes widened as it just faded from his hands. "This...it's an ability," he said sharply, straightening up again.

That's when it dawned on him. He looked sharply at the others—mostly Odasaku. "There's not two ability users—there were never just two….there's a third...and this one….is the one in charge. I would bet that agent Sakaguchi's life on it."

Ango felt depressed…huh, Dazai's scorching cold attitude towards him was honestly tiring.

Alu found herself once again inside that room with the two doors. When had she returned? She didn't remember this. She felt nothing but pain in her body. She hugged herself, dropping to her knees. When had she gotten so pathetic?

She breathed hard, panting like someone who was hyperventilating. Her ragged breathing was all she could feel.

"My dear," Ms. Austen said gently, kneeling in front of her, still holding that parasol, "It's okay to accept it."

Accept what? Alu looked at her blankly.

"You're so much better than them," Ms. Austen continued. "Honestly, accepting help from others can be such a pain, right? I mean, look at you! You've persevered without anyone's help this long, right?"

Alu's eyes flickered. Had she? She vaguely remembered being in a room with the members of the Armed Detective Agency. There had also been Ango of the special forces and Dazai who had formerly been with the Port Mafia. Did that count as her getting this far on her own?

"You want to help those kids so bad, but you can't if those pesky adults are in the way, right?" Ms. Austen continued.

Alu's eyes flickered. True, as long as those people were around, she would only be delayed in being reunited with the kids. But, then again. She turned her gaze on Ms. Austen. "You're the reason those kids are in danger, not them…" she murmured, rising to her feet.

Ms. Austen tilted her head, smiling. "Actually, those kids are still in danger because of you, dear," she said, smirking. "In fact...they're all in danger because of you."

Alu looked at her confused again. "How is anyone in danger because of me?"

"Because, you're the one taking them out, one by one," Ms. Austen smirked devilishly.

Alu felt her blood run cold. That couldn't be right. Why would she...Her eyes flickered and she whirled, seeing a red glowing version of her, with fox ears and a tail facing her. She whirled to see Ms. Austen was gone.

"You're still weak," the red glowing version of her growled. It circled around her, antagonizing her with its echoey snarling tone. "You're pathetic if you think you're strong enough to protect anyone as you are. You're weaker than that Ranpo Edogawa...not to mention you'll only end up relying on that old fart Fukuzawa if you let your guard down for even a moment...really, you are just a child after all, one that can't even hold your own..."

Alu wanted to say that this other version of herself was wrong. She was plenty strong! She had proven she could get things done on her own—for the most part. Sure, she had to rely on Juubi occasionally, but that didn't make her weak. And she prided herself in—

She prided herself.

Prided herself in what?

Alu's eyes flickered and she felt something warm on her hand. Warm?

What? Her eyes flickered, and she looked slowly at who she was facing. It was—Kunikida!? Alu's eyes widened with absolute shock and bewilderment. She had her fist, through Kunikida's chest. But why?

Alu yanked her fist out, and a gunshot rang out, striking her clean in the chest. No, what was going on?

What was going on!?

She felt herself yell out in pain, even as the bullet that lodged into her seemed to fizzle, and drop out of her. Her chest began to heal almost immediately, as she was illuminated in the red light surrounding her body. She coughed, still feeling the blood bubble in her throat as she collapsed. Her body may have activated Juubi's regenerative ability—but it didn't mean she was immune to pain.

Kunikida collapsed near her. Apparently he was between her and the president who was hunched over someone? Alu's hazy vision took in her environment fully. On the floor, was Fukuzawa holding what appeared to be Ranpo's body—wait, why wasn't Ranpo moving?

Why was president Fukuzawa crying?

Why did she strike Kunikida?

Alu breathed hard, looking at her claw-like hand. She had done this. That woman was messing with her—but it had been her own actions in the end. Alu felt her throat clench. If she asked Juubi for help that would mean acknowledging that she was weak, right? That she really honestly couldn't get anything done—that she had no power to make a difference after all.

Odasaku and Dazai eyed her, not moving, but Alu could sense it. They were weary. They weren't afraid of her...but their eyes… their expressions. They were looking at her like everyone else did eventually. Like she was a beast.

Alu backed up, clutching her hand, shaking. The bullet wound hurt, but not as much as her heart. "Don't look at me like that," she said, voice wavering.

"Then tell me, how we should look at you," Ango's cold voice came in, like a hard rain pelting her emotions. He held the smoking gun that had shot her.

"I...I don't know," Alu's voice wavered. She wasn't going to cry. No, her eyes were dry. Alu actually had trouble expressing herself—she prided herself in not crying easily. But, her lungs felt sharp, her eyes felt hot, her throat was pained.

Kunikida breathed hard, trying to raise himself to his knees, holding his stomach. He didn't look at her like a monster, but Alu didn't know why. Why was Kunikida looking at her just as bewildered... but also as someone who was concerned—about her? They were strangers—and yet— even in this moment, he looked ready to give a lecture. "Listen...you...have to...not give in...I know it's hard...but your pride...you have...to set it ...aside…" he collapsed, going unconscious.

"Kunikida!" Alu yelled, alarmed. She tried to move close to him but Ango stepped between him and her, holding his gun pointed at her, point blank.

"Stay back," he coldly said.

Alu felt her blood freeze. Everyone that remained, was looking at her like she was some kind of monster, after all. Of course they would. Why did she think this world would be any different? Alu felt herself numbing over.

She didn't need anyone.

But apparently, no one needed her, either.

"Ango, put your gun down!" Odasaku yelled, grabbing Ango's arm. "She's clearly being controlled by that damn woman!"

"Let go! Oda! Don't you understand! She's proven she's a threat! Controlled or not, any one of us could be next!" Ango barked, smacking Odasaku back.

Dazai eyed Alu quietly which unsettled Alu. She didn't want this guy to necessarily be in her corner—but — his gaze… she felt ashamed for some reason.

She couldn't hold her head up high. She hugged herself. "No, Mister Ango is right," she said, her voice breaking. "I'm...a threat… I just hurt someone...I told myself… I had control...but I don't...I don't...know what I'm doing…" she pressed a hand to her face, clenching her bangs in her fist, as the frustrated self-loathing hot tears finally began to fall. "I really am...pathetic…I can't do anything...myself after all...Dammit Juubi...where the hell are you?!"

"Well, you finally called for me," a familiar voice said, from behind her.

Alu whirled. Standing behind her, glowing in celestial silver light, was Juubi, the fox. In this form, he had all ten tails and was silver.

"J-Juubi…" Alu croaked.

Dazai, Odasaku, and Ango exchanged glances. They couldn't see who she was talking to. Ango however, took the distraction and shook Odasaku off, he tried to shoot Alu.

BANG!

Dazai's eyes widened with horror.

So did Ango's.

Odasaku didn't have enough time to disarm Ango considering Ango's own speed was actually pretty damn quick. Odasaku however jumped in front of the bullet meant for Alu's head. It struck him instead.

Dazai practically screeched, as he stumbled over to Odasaku's crumpled form. "Ango you spineless bastard!"

"No...that...wasn't my intention...I ...I didn't …" Ango dropped his gun.

He hadn't meant that bullet to be for Odasaku. It wasn't supposed to be him.

He shook. His eyes looked at the girl, now standing, eyes wide, staring at Dazai and Odasaku.

This was all because of her.

With a snarl he pointed his gun at her. He wouldn't let her tarnish his purpose here as an agent sent to uphold the peace of this country! His pride as a servant of the side of good wouldn't let one dangerous foreigner ruin him!

Alu flinched.

Dazai however pulled out his own gun with a snarl, eyes blazing with absolute abhorrence for Ango's presence. "I'm going to kill you," he snarled, and the gun fired.

BANG.

Ango's eyes widened as though in slow motion.

Ango looked down, slowly, at the blood blooming across his chest.

Oh, he'd been hit. Of course he had.

He never had a chance. Not against Dazai.

Never against Dazai.

With a bitter smile, he found himself falling into the black.

Now, Alu, Dazai, and Fukuzawa were the only ones left that hadn't either disappeared or been harmed in some way. Fukuzawa was like a porcelain doll, so delicate that honestly, anything would shatter him if it so much as looked in his direction. He just kept gripping tightly onto Ranpo's limp form. Calling an ambulance wouldn't change this. It was already too late. He could feel Ranpo's skin already starting to go cold.

Kunikida continued to bleed out where he lay— already approaching death himself.

Dazai dropped the gun he was holding and just held Odasaku's limp form in his arms, looking at Alu, desperate. "Do your thing! Can't you use your skill again!" He yelled, upset.

Alu flinched. There was too much going on. How can I save so many people at once? My ability to rewrite would work but I don't know what's going on. It all happened so fast—no visions...nothing for me to really go on… I can't make stuff up—

Alu's throat was tight. "I can't," she said, her voice shaking.

"Just try, dammit!" Dazai yelled at her, clutching Odasaku in his arms. He laid Odasaku down, worried that if he touched him while Alu used her ability—that he'd accidentally prevent it from working.

Alu was startled because Dazai was not someone to cry—but his tears were streaming down his face.

The tense silence made Dazai realize that Alu hadn't budged—no she didn't plan to. Feeling a heavy lump, like an animal desperate to sing his fangs into something, he realized this was moot. She couldn't do anything. Odasaku had come back from the dead once—why the hell would it work a second time? He was a fool. Faith was for the pathetic.

Dazai was a pessimist.

He just grit his teeth, turning back to Odasaku, and gripping him tightly. After a moment, he stood up, holding Odasaku still in his arms. Without a word, he just walked away, holding his friend. With him, the shadow he left behind felt like it was stretching to engulf everything on the floor in the mood he felt.

Alu flinched.

Ah, of course. She was only useful as long as she used her ability—or Juubi. No one cared about her otherwise. Alu breathed hard, feeling herself choking on air—her lungs—her throat—the blood in the back of her mouth.

"Alu," Juubi said, trotting up next to her, and despite everything that had happened, Alu had no idea how he was so calm. "This is what the woman wanted," he continued. "This is to spread discord and pull you further into her grasp—are you going to lie down and give up just because this situation is tough?"

Alu trembled. She hated this. She hated feeling weak. She hated not knowing the right words. She took a step back. "What...can I do..?" Her voice was hollow. "I couldn't save those kids—this enemy is just too damn smart...and now...now everyone is…" Alu wasn't even upset with that Ango guy. Of course he would try to shoot her. But, that Odasaku—risking his life—to protect her? Even though she was a monster? Kunikida giving her a lecture—even though she was the reason he was at death's door?

And Miss Yosano… She had smiled at Alu and treated her like a person—not a dumb little kid. Alu recalled her smile. Miss Yosano had a nice personality.

Juubi sat like a gargoyle on his hind legs, putting a claw like paw on her leg. As much as this girl was really annoying sometimes, he couldn't stand her whining even more and not doing something about the situation at hand. Kicking that damn British woman's biscuit wasn't going to happen by wallowing.

"I don't care about the labels the governments of this world place on me...What I care about is using my own power to save those right in front of me. Are you seriously going to act this pathetic? What, those big words of yours—is that all they were?" He scoffed, his tails floofing in agitation. He was frustrated because Alu really annoyed him for so many reasons. He couldn't do anything without her and her optimism was always so damn frustrating. Yet, he couldn't stand it—seeing her tears.

That's right, I said that, didn't I? His words rung in Alu's ears. They had been her own words first.

Her eyes widened. That's right. She wasn't a coward—wanting to live...wanting to help others live… that didn't make her weak. She wasn't weak. So what if she had pride? Pride wasn't always a bad thing...it was only when she let it make her prejudiced...that it became a double edged sword. She was prejudiced against adults using her. She was prejudiced against people being dishonest. She was Prejudiced against people with no regard for the lives of others.

But her Prejudices were blurring what she was actually proud of…her sense of justice, her ability to not give up easily…those were traits she was proud of because they helped define the kind of person she wanted to be. Her pride being blurred is what made her blind to the kind people that had been in front of her —this whole time.

Kunikida.

Miss Yosano…

Odasaku.

Maybe…even Dazai….

She grit her teeth. She looked at Juubi. Her eyes were still wet but she had a sharp glint in them. Limitations? Restrictions? Rules? There was a right way to go about this. Pride goeth before the fall? So be it. She'd stand proud of the person she was trying to become.

"Let's do this, Juubi."