At first, there was nothing before her eyes. It was only a black, soulless void that no one wind could breeze through. Though, it took her a few seconds to realize that she's still had her eyes closed. As her weary eyes opened, she found that she was standing in the middle of a single glowing light amid the darkness surrounding it. And then she is puzzled and terrified by her new surroundings.

A few tables are arranged in a couple of rows and a long counter on her left side. The furniture seems eerily familiar, mainly from its colors, but cannot pinpoint the reason as to its familiarity. As for the terrifying part, her sight is showered by a scene akin to some kind of a massacre. Interestingly enough, the people whom she saw were… different, to say the least.

A few dead bodies in front of her, two of them are sleeping against the counter as blood forms pools underneath their cold carcasses. The dead men's guns, except for one, napping by their side, half-covered by the blood. Turning around, she found a glass door left open, alongside some trail of blood on the floor around her. As she is stunned by the scene, she is immediately struck by a sudden, incisive pain on the right side of her neck. Her left hand unconsciously holds onto her neck and then looks down to her hand, now tainted by her own blood.

Also, she just realized there's an odd sensation, something clinging within her right hand. An unfamiliar pistol is in her hand, ready for the killing. She slowly and carefully inspects the entirety of the new pistol. A little alarmed that it's not her gun. What just happened?

"O-onee-chan."

Her head lifts, then turn around, finding a petite brunette girl agitated and deadly worried.

It's Hanako.

"Sakurako, a-are you alright?"

Behind the little girl, the older sister, Nadeshiko, and the mother having stood a considerable distance from her with such distraught and fright. Didn't even dare to take a step forward.

"S-Saku-nee-chan, you're bleeding…."

She watches as the tiny brunette braves for a step forward, reaching her hand towards a new wound that she hasn't realized on her stomach. The pain is still there, but it was null for her. She continued to eye on the innocent brunette, caring and distressing for her second sister. A tear emitted from Hanako's eyes.

The sight… she just can't take it. There's an urge to reach out to her, to hold Hanako by her hand, to calm her. She could…

Instead, she puts a muzzle on Hanako's forehead. And presses the trigger.

*DOR*


Sakurako almost springs off her futon, wildly darts her eyes to her shaded surroundings. Only a few controllable breaths and ten good seconds to ease herself down. She had scanned her surroundings and thanked herself that she didn't make quite a fuss about waking the others up. Although, she had noticed that Yui wasn't in her futon. Looking around the darkroom and the dark black sky outside the balcony, she grabs her phone beside her and checks the time.

It was 04:30 AM.

The blonde closes her eyes, then sighs with all the genuine gladness stirring in her mind. Drinking the alcohol still works well for her slumber, but on some occasions, it seems a bad dream could wake her up earlier than expected. She puts her phone aside and rubs the back of her head. Didn't mumble nor whisper in the presence of the sleeping girls.

"Sakurako?"

The said girl turns towards the kitchen doorway, where she sees Yui is standing with a glass in her hand.

"I didn't expect you to wake up early," Yui then stared toward the balcony. "Too early, that is."

Sakurako gives a slight nod. "I had a nightmare."

"I see," Yui sipped her drink. "Do you want water?"

"Yes, please."

Yui goes back to grab another glass of water and gives it to her. "Here."

Sakurako grunts in acknowledgment, then drink the water. "Thank you. Why did you wake up, Yui-sempai?"

"I had to pee," she sheepishly replied. "Anyway, you need to get back to sleeping."

Sakurako looks away for a moment. "I don't think I will."

Yui narrows her eyes. "You will be sleepy during the day."

"Unless you don't mind me drinking another glass of whiskey."

The tomboy widens her eyes a bit, then bows with a haggard sigh. "I can't really force you, do I?"

"You can try."

Yui smirks before sitting down next to her. "I guess I'll stay awake too."

"Are you sure?"

"I don't mind doing it for once."

The blonde then turns at the sleeping Kyouko, Ayano, and Saoki, then turns at the bottle on the table. "You drank it, didn't you?"

"Well… all of us drank a glass of it," Yui awkwardly replied, then turned at the silly sleeping Kyouko with poker eyes. "But her. She drinks five of it."

"Oh…" the Oomuro showed the exact reaction. "Her face hit the floor first, didn't she?"

"Just like you predicted," Yui nodded. "She's been bumbling stupid things when we drag her. What a nuisance."

"It helped you sleep, didn't it?" Sakurako asked.

"Not exactly healthy," Yui clasped her hands together. "But it's pretty effective."

Sakurako then turns to her phone, checking that it has been a few minutes have passed. "Do you want to do something while we wait for the morning?"

Yui glances sideways. "Gaming?"

The Oomuro furrows her eyebrows. "Isn't that unproductive?"

"I guess so," Yui shrugged. "What do you always do if you don't sleep?"

"Reading."

"Hmm, I don't know if I have any books you like," Yui turned her head. "Instead of that, why don't we discuss ideas for our film?"

"I don't know…." Sakurako rubbed her forehead. "I can't focus much this early morning."

"I see," Yui then pointed to the TV. "Why don't we play for a while? I always do that in the morning so that I can concentrate."

"I'm not sure that will work for me."

"Then why don't we find out?"

It is tempting, but she gives in to that idea. "What do you want to play?"

"Well…" Yui shrugged. "Let's play that SWAT game."

"Okay," Sakurako looked over to the sleeping girls. "Let's not forget to lower the volume."

They both then startup the console. Immediately after entering the game, Yui quickly turns down the volume in a blink of an eye. The nearly one-second loud music thankfully didn't wake the girls up. Although, Yui gives a couple of glances to them. Then her eyes divert to Sakurako.

"Can I ask something, Saa-chan?"

"What is it?"

Yui then turns her head at her. "What was that nightmare about?"

There's a gap of silence; the blonde didn't want or bother to turn at Yui. "I don't really understand. But…"

A little pause. But Yui senses anxiousness from her sentence.

"I think I shot Hanako."

Yui leans her head back and raises her eyebrow. "Hanako? Is she your sister?"

"My little sister. Yes."

Yui can't imagine how much effect that incident has for Sakurako, being the one who's almost a victim of a shootout. It was wise to remain silent and get into playing. Playing co-op once again with different weapons, different gears, and different maps.

It's gonna be a hell of a time.


The bright morning came as its glamorous light shone through the clear balcony. By this time, the girls begin to wake up and are about to tidy up the futons. However, they were interrupted by an exciting and lustful scent. Enough for Ayano to drool on the edge of her lips. They check the kitchen to find Yui is cooking breakfast. They hadn't realized that Sakurako was already sitting at a square table, the second thing they had just noticed.

"Yui~. Whatcha cooking there?" asked the energized Kyouko.

"French Toasts."

"Hoo, French Toast?" Ayano's eyes are gleaming with impression. "What a treat! You really are good at cooking!"

Saoki smiles. "I hope you don't mind sharing your recipe with us."

"Uh… about that…." Yui leaned to look at someone. "It is Sakurako's recipe."

"Eh?" the three girls simultaneously turned at Sakurako.

Sakurako didn't answer, but as a matter of fact, she was reading something on her phone. The girls decidedly leave Yui alone and sit around the table. It seems she's ignoring them, but she has greeted them good morning, and they greeted back. Kyouko, being a cumbersome annoyance she is, tries to lean over her phone.

"Saku-chan~," called Kyouko. "What is that you're reading?"

"Oh, another SCP file," Sakurako replied flatly. "SCP-666½-J."

Saoki winces her eyes. "Did you just say 666?"

"And 1/2 –J."

Saoki may seem nervous, but Ayano was more curious. "What's that weird SCP stuff is about?"

"Well…" a tone of doubt swimming in her voice. "The best I can describe: A food that can cause diarrhea and almost forces you to lose your life."

While Kyouko and Saoki seem stoned, Ayano almost giggles despite how horrible it sounds.

"And there's Satan with a pickaxe coming out of your butt."

"PFFFT-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Those are the best laughs she got from Ayano and Yui screaming from the kitchen. Saoki falsely smiles with her eyebrows strained, with Kyouko, still smiling bright, but her shrinking pupils gave it away. They can't – almost imagined that, especially with Sakurako being nonchalant to explain it.

But Kyouko has to dare. "Did… they describe how does it feel?"

"Well," Sakurako looked into the phone. "Dr. Rights says that it's like having three babies at once, all on fire. And they are covered in thumbtacks and trying to eat her from inside out, all the while the midwife is beating her senseless with a crowbar and screaming in her ear to push."

Now, Saoki and Kyouko finally join in the choir of laughter. Even Saoki had choked on herself for laughing too long, forgot that she still has asthma. When they finally calmed down with their laughter, Yui came in with five plates of French Toasts. The fruity and baked fragrance fills the air.

Kyouko already grabs her fork. "Yay, time to-"

*PAK*

"Don't just dig in like that," Yui scolded.

Ayano then clasps her hands together. "Let's say a prayer."

Everyone makes the same gesture before they say in unison. "Ittadakimasu!"

They spend their morning with breakfast, sprinkled with chats before they pack up and leave Yui's residence.


12:15 PM. Empty warehouse, somewhere south of Takaoka city.

After a mid-long trip, Sakurako and Yui waited as they sat on the available furniture along with a couple of adult friends. Detective Sumida and one of the female officers in uniform chat with the girls but remain uncomfortable with the idea of the meeting location. Not soon after, the twin Ikeda sisters show up, slightly startled by the presence of an honest officer with them.

"Chitose-san, Chizuru-san," Yui greeted them. "We're glad you made it."

"I hope the trip was smooth for you both," Sumida commented.

"Oh, it was really alright," Chitose smiled, then looked around. "Even though it's a bit uncomfortable to go somewhere rather inconspicuous."

"You did say your friend has props that can be quite loud, didn't it?" the officer asked.

"Yes," was Sakurako's simple reply.

"Do the prop guns just as real in the movies?" Chizuru curiously asked.

"Maybe."

Chitose turns her head to the right. "Sakurako-san, is that Shiba-sama you mentioned about?"

They all turn in that direction. A group three is heading over to them. Firstly, Shiba, George, and finally, to Sakurako's disdain, Maru was also present. The blonde had turned to the members of the police by chance, and sure enough, there is enormous contempt on their faces, mainly on Sumida's face. Yui, standing by her side, wished she un-see that same contempt she saw back in that café.

"Woooooeeee, would'cha look at that," Maru clapped his hands. "The gang of cute girls is all here. And there's the damn fuzz on their asses. Such a buzzkill."

Despite his inappropriate remarks, Chitose asked. "What's a fuzz?"

"Police, my little dear," Shiba maturely replied, then showed her contempt at Sumida. "It is 'nice' to meet you again, Inky-san."

"It is 'nice' to meet you as well, wench," Sumida responded sarcastically.

"Uhm," Chizuru awkwardly looked between the two groups. "Is there a problem?"

"They are just being rivals," Sakurako then sighed at Shiba. "And why is he here, Shiba-sensei?"

"What? Maru?" Shiba asked back. "He wants to help us out on your film project."

"I think it would be better if he didn't come."

"O com'n, kid," Maru placed his fists on his hip. "I wanna hang out and supervise you guys. Doing directing shit and stuff. I don't really bite. Not by that much anyway."

"That's not the reason I don't want you here, Maru-san," Sakurako had noticed Sumida's and Yui's eyebrows raised.

George turns at Maru with annoyance. "You're just damnably crass, brother."

"'Ey, you finally call me a brother after all that stupid crap, huh?" Maru joked. But a little notice of glare behind George's sunglasses puts him in control. "Okay, okay, I'll just shut up."

"Yeah…" Shiba's turn to sigh. "He just can't stop bugging me to hang out with you."

"I'm sorry for being blunt, but I'm surprised you're friends with someone who talks like that," Yui admitted to the blonde, albeit being a little awkward.

"No offense taken, darlin'," Maru responded, which Yui almost took as a flirt.

"Oh, don't worry," Sakurako assured her. "That's just how he got a divorce."

As usual, Yui chuckles to herself. A couple of amusing grins appear on Sumida's and the officer's faces. George, Shiba, and the girls simply smiled. Whereas Maru only deadpans at the blonde.

"Shit, dude, I don't even have a wife yet."

Shiba looks over her shoulder. "A good reason why some wild girls just don't want to be around you."

Sakurako looks over to the black American. "Is that the gun props, George?"

"Yes, Ms. Oomuro."

"George?" Sumida raised an eyebrow. "I believe we never met before. I assume you're Shiba-san's minion."

"A friend, to be exact, Ms. Sumida," he replied.

"Hm," the female officer commented. "Shiba's other dog?"

"Excuse me?" Sumida and the officer jumped a bit at Sakurako's passive-aggressive response instead of Shiba. "What did you just call him?"

"Do you even have to be that aggressive?" Chitose asked, defensively placing a fist on her chin. "We don't know what's the problem between you both, but we're here to discuss to make a film."

"You hear that, detective?" Shiba mocked. "Just can't shut your mouth about it, huh? What you're going to do next? Call the manager?"

"Of course, of course, booby shit," Sumida spat back. "Just wait 'till I shove a gun up to your butt."

"Can't you both just stop fighting?" Yui stressed, though doubtful with what tone she should use.

Then a loud sigh escapes Oomuro's mouth. "I knew this was going to happen."

"Huh?" both opposing women responded. "What do you mean?"

"Hoooyy!"

They all turned to behind Sakurako and saw a particular teacher, and surprisingly a student council by her side. As the teacher waves at them, Shiba is the first to immediately turn her face pale as a ghost, surprising both George and Maru. And Sumida strained her eyes a bit, a drop of sweat coming down the side of her head. Yui and the girls unconsciously smile at the newcomers.

"Nishigaki-sensei, Seito-kaichou, ohayou," greeted the green-eyed Ikeda.

"Ohayou," Nishigaki replied, with Rise bowing. "I see everyone's here. And even an officer is here."

"Wait, boss," Maru called. "Is this the teacher that got you pissin' in yo' pants?"

"Hmm?" the teacher smiled at the American. "Good to see you here, George."

"Likewise, Ms. Nishigaki."

"And this is…?" the teacher stared at Maru.

"This is my other friend, Maru," Shiba replied despite her fragile composure.

"Ah, nice to meet you," Nishigaki greeted with a bow.

"Nice ta meet ya' too, lady," Maru greeted back. "Say, have you been scarin' little Shiba here so much?"

"What? Scaring?" Nishigaki chuckled. "Nonsense, I may just tease her a little."

Sumida's empty eyes stare onto Shiba's white face. "Does that look like teasing her a little?"

"By the way," Sakurako looked at Rise. "Do you have those explosive props?"

Rise replies at her, though it seems Sakurako is the only one who can hear her.

"Uh…." The detective's friend began. "What did she say?"

"Is she mute or something?" Maru's question was left ignored by everyone.

Sakurako only nods then looks at Nishigaki. "Can you give us a sample of that prop?"

"Sure," Nishigaki smiled. "It will be loud, though."

"Don't worry. I don't mind."

"Okay, then~. Be ready," the teacher then clicked on the trigger button she brought.

*BWUUUUUUUARRRRRRRMMMM*

A sudden spectacle of sizeable bright orange, yellow, and white appeared beyond the warehouse's doors, shaming the blue sky to submission. The incredible shockwave forced their clothes and even hairs to fly despite being inside the warehouse. Even the windows of the car are almost cracked. Its loudness is beyond the sound of the tank cannon that shocked and frighted everyone, excluding the teacher and the girls, who are simply standing idle with usual boredom. George had jumped and ducked a little, while the others had prone away on the ground by a sudden stroke.

When the bright and enormous explosion dissipates, Sakurako comments. "Nice. But don't you think that was too much?"

"Ah…" Nishigaki then looked at Rise. "What do you think, Rise?"

Rise replies without a voice heard, but Nishigaki acknowledges her. "You think? I guess I should tone down that explosion to a minimum."

"HOLY SHIT!" Maru swore as he stood up. "How come you're not a goddamn terrorist by now!?"

"Hah?" Nishigaki argued back. "I'm not a terrorist. I'm a science teacher."

"Look, we're not really in good terms with each other," Sumida patted out her uniform. "But how the hell did make you a bomb that packed that kind of punch?"

"Oh, the prop?" the teacher asked back. "I've been experimenting."

"Experimenting?" George remained composed, but the glare was overpowering through his sunglasses. "Your 'prop' could have destroyed an entire building."

"Should-," the officer whispered. "Should we arrest her?"

"Nah," Sumida whispered. "I'm not touching her."

Despite a quiver of fear, Shiba confused at the idle girls. "Why didn't you girls take cover?"

Yui replies flatly. "We already get used to it."

Chizuru shrugs. "She hasn't stopped blowing up the school lab yet."

"Well, I'm not surprised about that," Shiba sighed heavily despite her nausea. "Let's just… let's just get to the gun prop."

George nods and places the bag on the empty table. Laid out upon the white table are the few guns that looked real, rifles and pistols.

"Wow," Chitose commented with amazement. "This is amazing."

Sakurako and Yui grab and inspect a rifle. Sumida asks with caution. "I hope you're not planning to sell us firearms."

"Hey, these guns are using blanks," Shiba replied.

"Oh, really?" Sumida nodded. "How do you know?"

*BAR-BAR-BAR-BAR-BAR-BAR-BAR*

Almost immediately, Sakurako shoots at Shiba, catching everyone off-guard. Shiba even had her hands raised by the sudden action. It took them a pretty good while until they relaxed. Sumida and the officer were stunned by the course of action Sakurako had taken. Sakurako, being the dull and oblivious girl she is, turns at the detective.

"Are you happy now?"

"Damn," Maru commented with a ragged voice. "You really are sadistic."

"Well," Nishigaki smiled. "It's kinda cute to see you scared, Shiba."

"W-what?" Shiba narrowed her eyes. "Can't you see I'm almost wet my skirt?"

"At least we know these guns are using blanks," Chitose replied. "I think we should be discussing ideas about the movie."

"Ah, right. I have discussed that with Sakurako this morning," Yui then turned to the blonde. "Do you want to give them a rundown?"

"What's a rundown?"

"I mean, tell them what we talked about."

"Ah," Sakurako then leaned onto the table. "We already have a few ideas for our project. But I still have a little doubt if we can work with any of those ideas."

"Please enlighten us," George replied.

"Okay," Sakurako nodded. "We have three ideas. The first, police vs. criminals. I'm still thinking how the plot goes on this one and how we make the shootout."

"You got the idea because of that SWAT game?" Sumida asked, to which the blonde nodded.

"The second, military soldiers are doing a mission in the middle of nowhere. Yui and I were thinking we could get a look from one of George's missions and then try to work it out from there. The problem is, we're just not good at thinking any missions, and we need the best place for a shootout with that theme."

"George's mission?" Sumida raised an eyebrow.

"George was a former US Ranger," Yui replied, to her surprise. "I wonder if we can get some insight about it."

"I may be able to think of something," George replied. "But I'm not quite sure it will do best for a short film."

"And finally," Sakurako continued. "We make a zombie movie."

"That sounds easy," Chizuru replied.

"Is it?" the officer asked. "The question is who's going to be zombies. Or how are we going to make one."

"By the way," Shiba interrupted. "If this movie is going to be a zombie movie, is it going to be some generic having fun shooting zombies, or do you have other plans for that?"

"I'm thinking about evacuating the base before the survivors will get overrun," Sakurako replied. "I already have an idea for the plot. But I can't think of the best place for that film."

"Hmm, I don't know," George then looked at Nishigaki. "Is it okay to film a movie with such violence for the school?"

"To be honest," Nishigaki replied. "We need to make it friendly for everyone as best as we can."

"Huh, that makes things easier on my part then," Maru added. "I might know a guy or two ta' record and edit this kind of film. Until we get which idea we go with."

"But still, that theme already sounds too generic, nonetheless," Shiba shrugged. "Of course, that's just my opinion."

"Is there anyone else to give any suggestions?" Sakurako asked.

"Just an idea," George raised an index finger. "What about a short film about being a bodyguard for an important person?"

"Huh, that sounds interesting," Nishigaki raised an eyebrow. "It's no different than what security does, right?"

"It's similar, but bodyguard is more of a personal importance," George replied.

Rise states her opinion, and yet again, her voice is mute.

"I'm sorry, what was it, Miss?"

"She asked if you have an idea of a storyline if we go for that idea," Sakurako explained.

"Oh, in that case, I might have something in mind," George nodded.

"Okay then," Sakurako made a small smile. "So, are there other problems that I'm not aware of about these ideas?"

For the remainder of the day, they spent time discussing, with occasional slips of time, George directly directed the girls to handle blank-loaded guns properly. It would take them until the evening before they call it a day and prepare for tomorrow. It would be a pretty long and fun project they will work on, especially with the know-hows of guns and directing between scenes. Sakurako had heard about how boring and sometimes awkward it would be to act in front of the camera.

They may be correct, but for her, this is by far the most fantastic way to have fun with everyone involved. And a most excellent way to boost her confidence against those who wronged her.