Honoka's Bizarre Adventure: μ's Is Unbreakable

Chapter 27: Kira Yoshikage's Successful Life (Part 1)


Previously on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!

T-This is really freaky…! Hello, this is Koizumi Hanayo speaking. I can't believe it… Rin, Honoka, and Nico actually met a ghost! And we learned of… a serial killer in our city! There was a fight, but I think it's better now… I feel like, something really bad is going to happen soon though…


Things had been tense in the few days following Honoka's and Nico's fight. μ's had not met up for practice since, and nobody really knew quite what to do.

Honoka still clearly wished to help and avenge Reimi, and Eli (and thus Nozomi) was also on her side. Rin was also clearly was on-board with the idea in her heart, but also couldn't stand the idea of Hanayo being upset or sad… and Umi and Kotori seemed opposed to the idea, fearing for Honoka's safety. Nico had not spoken a word to Honoka in the days since, clearly still angry at Honoka's "coward" comment.

It was a massive elephant in the room nobody knew how to approach, and Eli had begun to approach something new.

"A serial killer, huh? That is something someone like you would want to deal with."

Eli nodded, looking at the other Third Year sitting across from her. "Indeed… Honoka wants to help, as does Rin. But Rin is concerned for Hanayo's safety and making her scared, and Umi and Kotori feel the same regarding Honoka's safety," she told her. "That's why I was hoping you would be willing to help out, you and the Arrow Hun- sorry, you and your friends… Yanigihori-san."

Yaniighori's Booze and Food really was a disgusting, run-down place, but there always seemed to be at least a few vagrants hanging around. It was easy for Jori to kick them out, however. "Please… you can just call me Jori. Everyone else does, now."

"Of course, Jori-san," Eli said with a smile, earning a smile back.

"It's just a serial killer… compared to Stand stuff, this should be nothing," Jori observed. "I'll message my girls in Line. Kaori, Akeno, and Miano are trying to focus on school again, but I'm confidant they'll all want to help. Kaori will probably not want to be in harm's way directly, but I'm sure「Worker Bees'」remote ability and long range will be a boon. The moment we start narrowing down suspects, that'll be it."

"… Actually, as student council president, while this was of course what's most important, afterwards I would like to talk to you about still skipping—"

"Oi, oi! Come on, no need for talk like that, right!" Jori gave a grin, and then a little chuckle at the rolling of Eli's eyes. "But listen, I totally get it… it's one thing to 'be on the defense' compared to 'going on the offensive,'" Jori said. "The only time you girls went on the offense was raiding our warehouse. Things like going on the offense… is probably best left to a bunch of delinquents like us," Jori said. "I feel pretty confidant when I say unlike μ's, my girls will all be on-board with helping out."

"Thank you, Jori-san."

"You'd be surprised how much these drunks can know," Jori said. "As well all the other scum and degenerates that pass through here. When alcohol loses their lips, the secrets start pouring out. Gimmie a few days, I'm sure I'll be able to get some information."

It was weird for both of them, these former bitter enemies, to speak so casually now. But it was appreciated. "There's one more thing, though, Ayase."

"Hey- if you want me to call you by your first name, you can do the same."

"Right, understood, Eli," Jori said as she got up, heading towards the liquor. Eli blinked before she came back with two small sake cups. "I'm not a drinker really, but situations like this call for it. Well then. To a new fight, and new alliance."

"To justice," Eli said, downing the cup easily… and coughing. "T-that's sake!?"

"Tequila."

"W-why did you make me take a shot!?"

Jori grinned. "Felt like messing with you. That's what new friends do, right?"

Eli narrowed her eyes… before laughing, just a little. "A-alright, you got me, there."

It felt nice being able to talk to Jori like this, and it felt nice to talk to Eli like this, and the two shared another laugh, unaware of what was happening in another part of the city.


Yoshikage felt no emotion, pride, nor joy as he gave his signature on 30 different pieces of paper. While many would simply sign off to get the job done, Yoshikage read every single one of them carefully. He wouldn't do a half-assed job, even if he didn't want this job.

Kira Yoshikage was a very powerful man, and his name was well-known, even if it had not been a position he wanted. The Yoshida Conglomerate was one of the most powerful zaibatsu in Japan, and the head of the Tokyo branch was easily among its most lucrative positions. Indeed, his father, Yoshihiro, had once also been a powerful figure in the company in his youth.

"Oh, my son…!"

Not far from him in Yoshikage's office was an old polaroid camera. And within it, a spirit.

"How proud I am of you… yet the despair in my heart, knowing this was never the quiet, peaceful life that you desired!" Yoshiro's spirit spoke to himself, watching his son from a distance. He was a last measure of defense: should an intruder or enemy assassin attempt to destroy his son, the power of「Atom Heart Father」which binded him even after death to this camera would activate! And indeed, he had eliminated several risks to his son's security in the past.

It was rare that they spoke, but on that day, Yoshikage walked to his father's camera. Picking it up, he took a photo of the wall without himself in it. "Father."

"Oh, Yoshikage! My son, what do you need?" Yoshihiro spoke from within the photo. Indeed, only when manifested in a photo could he speak! But if Yoshikage wished to speak to him, of course he would answer.

"You hear everything in this office… μ's. What is your opinion?" Yoshikage asked his father.

Indeed, Yoshihiro's own life had also long-since been dominated by the world of Stands.

"I will not lie to you… compared to the peasant 'artificially produced Idols,' the Conglomerate has produced, these nine are 'true Stand users' born from the arrow itself!" Yoshihiro stated. "That Wakaki girl's reports show they are all quite deadly, and defeated the 'delinquent Stand gang' that she had infiltrated… it is hard to believe nine ordinary girls with unimpressive backgrounds could hold such power!" Yoshihiro exclaimed. "But there is no doubt to it…Killer Queenis mightier than all of them! Never do I believe a more truly destructive Stand has existed… it is the power of 'instant death!' You know your Stand is not suited for direct combat as opposed to assassination… And so, you cannot overcome these nine in combat. But so long as you divide and conquer, you will emerge victorious."

"I have been unable to properly review all the notes," he admitted. "When I took the photo with my files, you looked through them, yes?"

"Of course! I have read Wakaki's reports and observations in great detail… and I believe I can make a proper assessment," Yoshihiro said. "The most physically powerful of these Stands… are「All Star,」「Momoiro Clover,」and「Dancing on the Ceiling.」These are the three that pose the most direct threat, held by Kousaka Honoka, Koizumi Hanayo, and Ayase Eli. As you divide and conquer, these there must be your immediate priority! After that… there is some kind of hidden power to「Ace of Spades,」I am sure of it!"

"I had thought of that as well. I had thought of eliminating this Tojo girl first," Yoshikage admitted. "A power imbued within cards, but only achieves its full power with the Tarot… A Stand like that always has a hidden ability to it," Yoshikage stated. "And judging from that… a power of divination, I would imagine."

"I believe you should go for the most powerful users first, although I also understand the desire to eliminate her first," Yoshihiro said as he consulted with his son. "These four stand at the top though… But they must be destroyed one at a time!"

Yoshikage smirked.

"I will kill this Nozomi girl myself," he declared. "And in the dead of the night while all are separated, 「Sheer Heart Attack」will make quick work of them," he said. He'd blow up every single member of μ's with the power of「Sheer Heart Attack」in a single night. All he wanted was a little more information eforehand. It would cause a stir in the School Idol community, but nobody else in the organization other than Wakaki knew of μ's. At least…

The Yoshida's emissary was a girl who liked to play games.

"It's more fun to watch you all run around like headless chickens. This isn't such a tragedy the guys on top need to know… so I'll let you deal with these girls unless you fuck up so magnificently it warrants your boss finding out!"

He knew there was a chance Wakaki had already reported everything to the Yoshidas. They were already breathing down his neck for updates on the Evolution Virus…

Yes, indeed, Yoshikage Kira had a successful life, but not one that he desired.

"Guard my office."

"Of course, my son!"

Inspecting his appearance, from his penthouse atop HQ, he took a private elevator into the main building itself. As he did, he reflected upon everything that had brought him here. I just need to put up with it longer, he thought. Until I can return to Morioh.

Morioh had been the only place where had felt at peace and comfort. That quiet, peaceful town… so much better than Tokyo. This noisy, filthy, congested place. But the place where those who held his leash wished for him to be.

He patted the severed hand in his coat. Soon, soon, there will be peace in my life again…


Kira Yoshikage was a completely unimpressive young man. That is how he liked it.

Everything about him was as ordinary as could possibly be. His grades, athletics, everything were utterly lackluster. But that was because he had the intelligence to manipulate everything of his outward appearance and identity to be such.

There was only one thing about him he could not hold back.

He recalled his mother sighing as she buried a squirrel he had come across. It was something he could not keep in check. This… maddening desire to hurt others.

This maddening desire to kill.

He tried to stave it off with animals, but the desire grew worse as he grew up. Why was he burdened with this terrible desire? Yoshikage knew that serial killers were usually caught. Why did he, who only wanted a peaceful life, be afflicted with such a terrible burden?

"Hey! Yoshikage-kun!"

He wasn't social at all, but even the most anti-social people sometimes picked up a few friends. To Yoshikage, having just a few friends in his adolescent years was just a tool to appear outwardly normal: being a complete loner made one stick out TOO much.

He barely remembered their names in adulthood, but remembered one.

"Reimi-san."

"Wanna walk to school with me?"

There was one girl one year his junior he was somewhat friends with. He had even gone over to her house a few times, and her guard dog, Arnold, had recognized his scent.

He didn't remember too much. He studied with his 'friends,' sometimes went to the movies. In one social obligation he couldn't worm his way out of, he spent a dreadfully busy day in S City with a few of his 'friends.'

That desire grew worse as he kept growing. And eventually, he started to noticing something.

He wanted to kill a woman.

Once he had entered puberty, he had begun to notice the once formless desire to kill anything had evolved into a specific desire to kill women. And one day, Reimi had her nails done.

"Everyone, look! It's cute, right?"

Remembering the Mona Lisa, he felt himself nearing his limit.

He had to kill somebody.

He had to.

HE HAD TO. HE ABSOLUTELY HAD TO.

SOMEBODY HAD TO DIE THEY JUST HAD HAD HAD HAD HAD TO NO MATTER WHAT HE NEEDED TO KIL THEM HE NEEDED TO FELL THEIR BLOOD HEAR THEIR SCREAMS FEEL THE LIFE DRAIN FROM THEM FEEL THEIR BODY GO COLD EVERYTHING EVERYTHING EVERYTHING.

Yoshikage couldn't hold himself back anymore

He knew he would murder her, and bought a ski mask.

His eyes had widened in shock upon realizing Arnold was there as well, who had growled at him. "R… relax, boy… it's me, Yoshikage…" He said, lifting his mask… and taking off a glove for just a moment to extend to him. "See?"

Yoshikage visiting Reimi's home had paid off as Arnold relaxed.

Knife in hand, he finally acted out his desires and butchered the entire family, although Reimi had been his truest target.

He breathed heavily as he saw Reimi's mutilated back under him, but soon, panic had struck him. This was it. He would go to jail now, right? He had made such a mess…!

"Hello, who is this?"

"Father… father, it's me, Yoshikage! I… I… I lost control… with a person…!"

Soon his father came in the dead of night, arrow in hand. The bow and arrow had been, according to him, an invaluable treasure. "Father… what are you doing?"

"Oh, Yoshikage, my beloved son! You've made such a mess…"

"D-don't… wait!" His eyes widened in alarm as he saw his father ready the bow.

"Do not worry, my son… I just know you will be chosen as well! The power that will come with this… Will be what will make all your problems go away!"


The power of a Stand put him above all others.

He couldn't even imagine his life without his Stand. He would never not be grateful, not feel blessed to possess「Killer Queen,」despite the terrible price that came with it.

He would spend a few days observing μ's before annihilating them, and he would start with destroying Tojo Nozomi. He would try to see if he could observe her Stand power directly, and regardless, would murder Nozomi when given an opportunity. As long as he got her phone or something, Ms. Asuka could help mimic her voice to help quiet it all down…

Then he'd blow them all to smithereens.

And that would be the end of one immediate concern.


"So… the former Arrow Hunters will help deal with the serial killer. There is no need for anyone who does not wish to get involved to join in."

During lunch, the girls of μ's gathered at the rooftop as Eli delivered her news. Nico and Honoka had not spoken since the 'coward' comment, and practice had also not met. Nobody had expected Eli to reach out to Jori this way, and the news was welcoming.

Eli (and thus Nozomi) was committed to stopping the serial killer. Honoka and Rin still clearly wanted to as well, but their concerns for their friends had begun to weigh on them these past few days.

"That's wonderful news!" Kotori said with a smile. "If those girls are on the case as well… there's no way this guy won't be caught!"

Umi smiled and nodded, before looking at Honoka. "Honoka…"

"…" Umi's smile turned into a frown looking at Honoka's frown. "I want to help, but… Honoka…"

Honoka finally made herself smile as she looked at her best friends in the world. "μ's… is an Idol group, not a Stand group! We just happen to have Stands!" Honoka said, jumping up onto her feet. "What matters is people ARE on the case, right? Then, well. I can sit this one out, then!"

"Me too, nya!" Rin joined in. "I wouldn't want Kayochin to be in danger or have to worry… but if things get really dicey, I'll help, nya!"

"That's how I feel too!" Honoka said. There was visible relief among most of them. No. What I really want to do is help stop this guy, Honoka admitted to herself. But nobody wants this. What happened before was self-defense, versus this… "Eli, Nozomi… are you sure you're gonna be OK on your own?"

"Really, I think we're all overestimating the situation a bit," Nozomi said. "It's a serial killer, yes, but we're all Stand users. Between「Ace of Spades'」divination and「Worker Bees」range, me and Kaori-chan alone can probably take care of this," Nozomi said. "I'm sure we'll be safe."

"Alright then," And with that, Honoka took a deep breath and walked to Nico. "Nico."

"What?" The two hadn't spoken since their fight. Nico crossed her arms, eyes narrowed at the Second Year.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry I called you a coward," Honoka said. "That was really messed up of me. I was angry and frustrated but… that doesn't make it OK. I don't think you're a coward. You don't deserve to be called a coward, and I'm sorry," she said, offering a hand.

Nico went quiet, before taking her hand and shaking it, finally smiling. "Apology accepted. I'm sorry I was kind of an ass too," Nico said. "Let's put it behind us. Water under the bridge."

"Yeah, water under the bridge," Honoka said with a smile, looking at all her friends. Everyone was smiling, and for a moment, things felt peaceful.

Maybe I should dial myself back a bit, Honoka thought.

And for the first time in a while, as they ate lunch, they gossiped like normal girls do, like how they used to.


Of course, it still bothered Honoka a lot.

But in her eyes, she had to ignore it. For the sake of μ's she'd ignore it, bottle it up, do whatever she had to. If it kept the peace… she wouldn't scream about how she felt there was an obligation, in her heart, to use their powers to help Reimi.

But she was a dumb high school student, she reasoned. Maybe if she was older, she'd be a bit wiser about it. At the end of the day, wasn't all the fights with the Arrow Hunters fights between high school girls? This is a different can of worms, Honoka thought to herself somewhat bitterly. I'll tell Reimi the good news tomorrow, Honoka thought. Even if it's not us, she'll be happy that others with powers are on the case to deal with this, I bet.

But she was brought out of her thoughts when she head her phone ring. "Umm, hello! Honoka here!"

"Hey, um, Honoka…"

"Fumiko?"

This was new. Did she mean to call Mika or Hideko? Or maybe after everything Fumiko had become closer to her. "Hey, Fumiko, is everything alright?"

"I, umm… I uh… I wanted to let you know. If my mama calls your house, don't… tell them I'm at Hideko's, OK?"

Alarm bells went off in Honoka's head. "What's going on, Fumiko?"

"Things are just getting worse here. The divorce, everything, I just… me and my mama had a huge fight and I just CAN'T stay there right now," Fumiko said, her voice cracking. "There was so much yelling and- I was yelling back- me and my mom and even my dad just… Oh God, I'm sorry, I shouldn't be dumping this on you!"

"N-no! Hey, it's OK, Fumiko-chan! Do you want me to head over there?" Honoka asked. "Do you… oh man, what do I even… just. I'm here for you, Fumiko."

"Thank you, just… I don't know. I need to talk to someone that isn't Mika or Hideko," she admitted. Meanwhile, Honoka paused her walk to sit on a bench. "You know I'll trust them with just about anything. B-but you're an important friend to me too, and… there's… there's stuff I just. Can't talk about with Mika and Hideko anymore."

"… Yeah, of course," Honoka replied. It's not like they could talk about being Stand users with just anyone after all. "You can trust me. I won't tell your mom or anything, OK?"

"I just feel so helpless. We did so many amazing things with our Stands, real fights and everything, but in this I'm just… I just feel like an ordinary girl again. And maybe I thought I'd never go back to feeling like a normal girl again but I can't do anything in this. There's nothing I can do with「Single Ladies」to make this situation better! I love my mom so much but, I can't live with her anymore I just can't, honestly dad isn't much better, I just- I want everything to be better. I want to just use my Stand to fix this somehow but I can't! I'm back to…"

Honoka bit her lip.

"I feel like I'm back to just being a normal highschool girl and helpless, Honoka!"

Honoka desperately wanted to say "I feel the same way," but kept it to herself. Fumiko couldn't magically fix her parent's failing marriage with her Stand the same way Honoka couldn't investigate the serial killer without hurting the people she desperately cared for. Ever since she was first pierced by the arrow, this was easily the smallest she had felt.

Honoka hadn't felt this small since she first heard Otonokizaka was closing and it felt like there was nothing she could do about it. But she learned there was something she could do about it and became a School Idol to do it. And then she became a Stand user, and her entire world continued to expand. Honoka never imagined it would close in so severely again. Back to pure normalcy, even.

"I'm sorry, Fumiko," was all Honoka could say. "I can only imagine how hard that is."

"You're amazing, you know?"

No I'm not, Honoka thought as Fumiko talked.

"Like there's nothing you can't do."

"That's not true, Fumiko," Honoka admitted.

"Huh?"

"… I'm not going to pursue the killer. I can't do it without making all of μ's scared and putting everyone on the line. Eli and Nozomi are going to pursue it with the Arrow Hunters, though."

"Oh! That's good at least, that way you're safe, Honoka-chan…"

"I feel… I dunno. Like, this isn't about trying to compare or anything- really! I just. I kind of get it. Becoming like a normal person again after all of this," Honoka admitted. "Like we can't change the world anymore."

"… Yeah," Fumiko admitted. "We can't change the world like this. It's back to just being kids in school… who just happen to have weird superpowers. And one is an Idol," Fumiko said. "Like we just gotta wait it out?"

"Yeah. I'll get involved if it gets really dangerous, but that's it… and considering we have Stands, probably not," Honoka admitted. How could a serial killer possibly hold his own against Stand users anyway?

"I was going to skip school tomorrow, but I want to go there to be around everyone," Fumiko said. "Want to, I don't know… maybe do something after school, if you can?"

She had practice with μ's the next day, but given the circumstances in everyone's life Honoka thought they'd understand. "Yeah! Whatever you want, Fumiko! Let's work on cheering you up!"

Well, maybe being like an ordinary girl in some situations wasn't so bad, Honoka began to reason. After all, she couldn't cheer up Fumiko or anything like that with her fists or Stand.

Deep in her heart, Kousaka Honoka was a teenage girl living a teenage life. Sometimes weird things happened to make it chaotic, but at heart, she understood she was a normal girl who liked normal things for a girl her age.

And she was happy to have that life.


Everything in Kira Yoshikage's life changed after Reimi's death.

Surely enough, Yoshihiro was correct, and the arrow awakened a power inside of Yoshikage as opposed to killing him.

「Killer Queen.」

That's what he called it! And with it, he had destroyed every trace of evidence!

Yoshikage could barely comprehend he had such an amazing power. He sat there mystified as his father spoke to him of Stands and the power he now possessed. He even demonstrated his own Stand, 「Atom Heart Father,」to him.

"I did not think it would possess such incredible destructive power… but be proud, Yoshikage. You have awakened an incredible deadly Stand that if used right will let you overcome any obstacle!"

He felt nervous about killing humans again, and the urge had still largely been quenched by his fear despite his new powers. However, he used his powers quite often stray animals, determined to see what「Killer Queen」could do.

No matter what, he could safeguard and protect himself. For a few days, Yoshikage saw this as the ultimate key living a quiet life. But the seventeen-year-old Yoshikage could not yet understand just how wrong that truly was.

A week later, several men were in his home with his father. One of them he recognized instantly.

"Yoshikage-san, right?"

"… You're my dad's boss, right? Yoshida Yamazaki?"

The thirty-year-old head of the Yoshida Conglomerate was sitting in his living room while his mother was off running a fool's errand. "Yes. Your father told me about your「Killer Queen,」Yoshikage-san."

"Dad…?"

Yoshihiro nodded. "You know even though we live quietly here I am a major executive of the Yoshida Conglomerate. It is through them I obtained that arrow," Yoshihiro explained. "You see… the arrow possess the 'ability to incur evolution,' depending on how you look at it. Although I suppose there are many ways at looking at a Stand…"

"I am impressed at this news. A Stand is, in essence a manifestation of one's 'fighting spirit.' That is to say… a Stand is a 'reflection of one's soul.' I do not believe it is inaccurate to judge one's person and worth by the nature of their Stand… your「Killer Queen」let's us see the kind of man you are in your heart."

Yoshikage was deathly quiet.

"I would like to see you use your Stand, Yoshikage-san."

"I… really? Dad… you said—"

"Disregard what I have said," Yoshihiro instructed. Yamazaki nodded at another man in the room, who briefly left and returned with a man bounded and gagged, struggling against his restraints. Yoshihiro was caught off-guard, taking a few steps back. "This man… is a traitor to our group. He threatens our way of lives in the worst way possible… he wanted to steal the arrow that grants us these powers," Yoshihiro said. "Yoshikage, my beloved son… please use your Stand to eliminate him."

Eliminate.

No. This didn't feel the same.

Sure, he had murdered Reimi's entire family. But at his heart… it was just Reimi, a woman, he wanted to kill, but could not contain himself. Although he admitted that…

Ba dump.

Ba dump.

Ba dump.

His heart was beating faster.

This man was helpless. Not a woman, but still.

He couldn't fight back at all.

He couldn't even run to prevent himself from being blown up.

"I will have many tasks for you, Yoshikage-san."

Yoshikage looked into Yamazaki's eyes. "I have little doubt you will not resent me for the number of tasks I will burden you with. Yes. The quiet, ordinary life you have yearned for is ending. But. You can kill. Not just enemies… regular people, we will help cover it up," Yamazaki said. "Kira Yoshikage. 「Killer Queen」is yourself. Kira Yoshikage is「Killer Queen」as much as「Killer Queen」is Kira Yoshikage. It simply obeys your will perfectly…"

This was 'himself?'

Yoshikage summoned his Stand looked into its eyes, and those cat-like eyes stared back into his own. This Stand was the reflection of his soul. This was.

This really was him, wasn't it?

It was a Stand who's only purpose was to hide evidence and kill. That was the shape his soul manifested as.

He was born to kill.

Kira Yoshikage was born to be a murderer.

The man's eyes widened in horror as Yoshikage approached. Despite not being able to see his Stand, he knew that Yoshikage had one. That it would kill him.

Yoshikage liked seeing him struggle. But he was looking more forward to the ending.

Yamazaki said something, and so did his dad. Even the bodyguard accompanying Yamazaki. The gagged man had managed to use his tongue to push his gag upwards and screamed something that sounded angry but also desperate and afraid.

But Yoshikage couldn't really hear any of it. For the rest of his life, he'd never be able to recall what anyone said in that moment, despite it being the moment his destiny was set into stone. Despite knowing his quiet, peaceful life was leaving him behind.

The only really regret he had in this exact, specific moment was that he wasn't murdering a woman.


Kira Yoshikage was the opposite of Kousaka Honoka.

He was an extraordinary man who lived an extraordinary life. Almost immediately after this incident in his youth he moved to Tokyo and attended a private school, knowing that Yamazaki and the Yoshidas were controlling his education. He did not attend college: a job was waiting for him immediately out of highschool. He cleaned up many messes, and was given an executive level position.

The former he did not mind. The later was hellish.

He did not want to live in extravagance wealth. He yearned for the peaceful days back in Morioh. He missed his old home in Morioh.

Kira Yoshikage had an incredibly successful life because it was given to him by those around him.

"One day, you will have your chance at reclaiming your happy, quiet life."

Yamazaki had told him that, once.

"Once the great work is completed. You may rest as much as you want… but until then. You must work a busy, chaotic, stressful life. But at the end, there will be peace."

But Yoshikage knew this was a lie. There was no way Yamazaki, the Yoshidas would ever let him get away from things so easily. The fact they were breathing down his neck for not achieving impossible results was the key. He knew that even if the Greatest Concert was successful, that everything the Yoshida's had dreamed of for this world came true, it would not be a reality for him. He was too wild. Dangerous. He would not be allowed to live if not for his leash. The only reason assassins had likely been because he was too powerful. Yoshikage would blow them all away with「Killer Queen.」

All he could do was press on. And try to deliver as many results as he could. So many eyes were constantly on him, all the time…

Ah, how he wished he could just blow the Yoshida family up and be done with it all. But Yoshikage knew that he was like a leashed and caged dog, forced to look outside his cage to see a serene meadow that he could never frolic through.

A life where he could live normally. A simple, stress-free life, where he could use「Killer Queen」to murder as he pleased as well. Not having to submit reports of the women he killed, tying up lose ends, paying off reporters and so much more…

All Kira Yoshikage wanted was a simple, stress-free and happy life, like anyone else. It just so happened that to live such a life he would also have to mutilate and murder. Was it so wrong? It wasn't like any of them would amount to anything. He was the one blessed with a Stand, not them.

But one day, he would live freely. No matter what shackles were forced on him. Even if he had to fight the entire company by himself, he'd fight and claw his way to his freedom. But for now, he had to bide his time and wait.

And destroying these Idols was but one step towards that dream.

The next day, Yoshikage was in the proximity of Otonokizaka. If his research was correct, this was a day when μ's practiced as an Idol unit. He would try to get the top of a nearby roof and spy with binoculars, if he could do so without detection. At that point he could try to find their patterns leaving school. After he tracked down half, he would instruct Wakaki to figure out the rest. Then, his landmine would destroy them all. His plan would take a week to complete, but he was fine with that. Things were not so utterly urgent he had to destroy μ's in a single moment.

It was hard to resist the urge to simply call forth「Sheer Heart Attack」immediately to destroy them. His Stand's secondary bomb had never once failed. He was sure the nine could not defeat it, based on what he knew of their Stands. But all the same, the nine were clever, and together could possibly create a plan he could not foresee. In a worst-case scenario, he would simply call the landmine immediately, but if nothing else this was one virtue the Yoshidas had long-since forced into him.

It should have been lunch hour at Otonokizaka. Sneaking about, this was also his attempt to inspect the school from the outside. He had seen the insides when speaking with the principal, but not in detail. As someone who dealt with problems, Yoshikage liked to know the ins and outs of a building before cleaning said problems. Although he had obtained the floor plans of Otonokizaka and studied them, he wanted to inspect what he could for himself. While it was not his intention to destroy μ's in their own school, Yoshikage figured it would be best to be cautious just in case such a situation presented itself.

His quiet life depended on it. If he was to reclaim his quiet and peaceful life, he had to overcome every obstacle and could not make mistakes. Right now, he was inspecting a small hole on the right side of the building. It was small, but it was enough to make a draft enter the building. Perhaps he could widen it just a little to sneak inside? It was apparently leading to an old storage area; it would probably not be patched until winter. Or perhaps they were already working on it? Maybe—

"Hey! You're not supposed to be here!"

Whatever thoughts he was thinking of were quickly, rudely interrupted.

A girl was glaring at him. A girl with a pigtail and dark pink hair.

Murdermainripkilltorturemurdermutliatlemutilateriperperfectitsripemurderhermurderhercutoffherhandsmurderkillkill

Yoshikage had long-since learned how to ignore the immediate impulsive thoughts in his head, simply straightening his tie. "I'm sorry, ma'm. I'm here to inspect something. Please leave me alone," he said. He had hoped that this would be enough to just scare her off.

But she stood her ground. "You're that guy that was here the other day! Kira Yoshikage!"

Annoying. Annoying annoying annoying. She knew who she was. Had Minami made a notice to the school he wasn't allowed on premises? He wanted to just blow her up now, the urge to torture and mutilate quickly replaced by pure annoyance. This was a bad miscalculation- he didn't want to deal with the school on high alert if someone went missing. Not yet. "I can make this worth your while. I'm just here to check something out, ma'm," he even took out his wallet, pulling out multiple 10,000 yen bills. "Leave me be and forget you saw me and I'll never return," he told the truth, not that he wouldn't have to make a note to figure out who this girl was later.

But the teenager shook her head much to his anger. "You're the one that gave Kotori's mom a lot of trouble! Honoka talked about it?"

"… You know Minami Kotori? You know Kousaka Honoka?"

That girl glared. Who was she? She didn't show up in the notes he researched.

"I've been in a bad mood lately, so you shouldn't test me!" That girl challenged. "I'll throw you out and call the police! Honoka said there was a bad vibe around you, so I don't trust anything you said!"

This girl had a connection to μ's. But she wasn't part of μ's, definitely, unless they had not announced a new member yet. No. This was bad.

She needed to disappear.

The plan would have to be rewritten. He'd blow up all of μ's tonight. He'd kill this girl, then he'd kill everyone else. He cursed himself at taking this risk. Well, perhaps it was not completely unfortunate. He had discovered this hole in the side of the school. He could kill her, hide, then attack when μ's' practice had ended. Yes. Perhaps this could work.

But something else begun.

A familiar aura of power surrounded this girl, and small sprites seem to surround her. An Arrow Hunter? No…

A Stand user, Yoshikage thought. A Stand user affiliated with μ's. This was a situation that had to be dealt with immediately.

"… This is a lovely school you have, I'll admit."

"D-don't just ignore me!" That girl yelled at him. One of the manifestations of the girl's Stand flew by his shoulder… and he swiped at it with his hand. "W… wait. You… you just," Yoshikage did it again. "You can see「Single Ladies…」that means you're…!?"

"It is nicer than my highschool. Honestly… I don't understand one thing though. Why did μ's want to save this school so much? … Even with a limited lifespan, Otonokizaka would have gotten quieter. Even more peaceful. The students who study here happily could enjoy even quieter school lives," Yoshikage mused. "But perhaps that's not what you kids would want… you can't understand or appreciate it when you're just teenagers. How truly magnificent a quiet life free from stress is. When the most stress you have to deal with is things any highschooler would. To think that Kousaka Honoka and the others would take on such incredible stress when they didn't have to… if things had progressed normally, perhaps one day as adults they would have lamented what they did as children."

"Who… ahh... umm…" That girl was afraid, taking some steps back.

"Child. What's your name?"

"… F… Fumiko…"

She didn't really mean to say it. But Fumiko's fear overwhelmed her rationality. At the least, this girl ("Fumiko," Yoshikage told himself) was able to not say her last name. It might have spared her family a little time. "You won't be able to understand it either, though," Yoshikage said, letting his own aura of energy manifest around him. "As truly weird as it may sound coming from a rich and powerful businessman… I truly do envy what you girls have here."

His Stand was manifesting behind him. His goal was to destroy her as quickly as possible. "Maybe while you're dying you can lament on it."

"Ah—"

The girl's feet were anchored to the ground in terror, unable to retort as the cat-like figure appeared before her. "… These small things… so that's the shape of your soul. I'm not impressed by it."

"Ah—!"

Despite it all, Yoshikage smirked. "Blows your mind, doesn't it? This is my own Stand."

He wished he could properly physically feel Fumiko's absolute terror.

"「Killer Queen!」"

At the very least, this would blow off a little steam.


Next time on Honoka's Bizarre Adventure!

Chapter 28: Kira Yoshikage's Successful Life (Part 2)


It's finally here.

From the bottom of my heart, I didn't want there to be such a delay to this chapter. I was so happy to be writing this story again, to get out multiple chapters quickly. And unfortunately, things happened related to the whole reason I was so determined to write it again, and then school was bad.

This story was supposed to be finished ages ago. And I almost thought of deleting it- but I'm very happy I didn't. This is my passion project, you know? And I first began writing it immediately after the Vento Aureo anime was announced... I've been working on this for a while, it's a big chapter, so I wanted it to be good! And now that JOJOLANDS has been announced, I think it gave me the push of energy I needed to get the train fully moving again.

I'm really sorry to have left you hanging like this, anyone that still reads it. I hope it was worth the wait!

And I wanted to say- there's always rumors that is gonna shut down any day now and stuff like that. Such rumors occurred this year, and I wanted to say: SHOULD anything ever happen to , this story is still posted on AO3 and spacebattles.

But, that aside, I'm happy. I love writing this, and I hope you enjoyed.

And, like always, for now and forever- I hope every road takes you to a memory of Great Days.