As the raining snow begins to ease, the cold wind remains persistent in bringing the chill throughout the colorful city on this twilight day. Christmas atmosphere passed a while ago, but the citizens are full of jolly till this day. However, not all people enjoy this Christmas. This was particular for a certain man drinking a shot of whiskey in his chair, gazing quietly at the city lit with thousands of different lights. He could feel the alcohol warming up his body as the room was getting a bit cold. Cards, ashtray, money, and papers were left on the table behind him, alongside a loaded gun on the corner of the table.

Two of his goons enter the room with an edgy look over their faces.

"G'day, boss."

"Ah, you're back," he put down his glass. "Any news from the Yakuza?"

"Well, things going slow there, I'm afraid, boss," one of the goons said. "They're going low as tight as a hard rubber, and we unable to work some things out there."

"Shit," the boss swore. "They're still stuck with what happened to Sungeo?"

"Yeah, Uchiyama-sama," the other goon replied. "After what happened to him at his compound, they all fear that they will be the next target for the Sentinels."

Sashiga places his arms on his table. "What about our boy in the department? He got something on this Sentinel?"

"He didn't get much, but he thinks that even the detective also doesn't know much about the Sentinels' identity or even their next movement," the first goon replied.

"Kuso!" Sashiga bowed at the table, snapping his fingers to run his thought. "Wait, there was a blonde among those vigilantes, right?"

"Uh, yes, boss. The news even covered that."

"Then, we may have something to look at," Sashiga then rested against the chair. "Tell the boys to start looking for the blonde. Make sure to be quiet about it and don't be rash about finding her. If you have to, stake out any blonde who seems suspicious."

"And when we find her, sir?"

"You know what to do with that bitch."

"Very good, boss," the goon nodded. "I'll tell the boys."

"Wait, one more thing."

"Yes, boss?"

"You guys knew Shiba?"

"Oh, that woman. We all heard about her. News that she's still in town but don't know exactly where she's staying."

"Good, I need you to look into her as well," Sashiga told them. "Sungeo had told me he did a little visit to her establishment, but he didn't tell me where it was. I got a feeling she knew something about Sungeo's death."

"Got it, boss. Is there anything else you need?"

"That's all for now, boys. I'll call you if I need anything."

"Yes, boss," the goons nodded respectfully before leaving the room.

Sashiga then turns at his window, scratching at the scar on his left cheek. He grabs his shot glass which contains half of the whiskey. Taking another sip, he furrows his eyebrows at the events that had transpired. First, his friend Jin died from a supposed weapons transaction by the Sentinels. Secondly, his close friend from the Yakuza died at the hands of the same vigilante. And from the way he sees it, they might be looking for him.

He merely grits his teeth. "Let's see how long you can hide, little shit."


New Year celebration has passed, and a new bright day emerges. In the early days of January, all the students begin to return to school to start studying once again. Most students had hoped for a more extended holiday but understand that they will need further education in the future. Few didn't really mind going to school again so that they could meet their friends again after a long time. As for the blonde Oomuro, she hopes for the snow to last much longer after January.

However, her mood proves to be more stubborn than she initially hoped.

Ever since she attacked the yakuza compound, she has become increasingly distracted. She still does things that her family expected out of her, but with more adequate results than before. She hasn't realized it herself, but she's been quite grumpy for the past few days; her family and friends, especially Himawari, even noticed that. As for the matter of her education, Himawari has to see it for herself.

Enter the second lesson for today and one that Sakurako had a distaste for learning: math. Advanced math, to be exact. Thankfully, for today, the teacher has told the students to make their own groups so that they can answer a few questions together. Sakurako likes the decision, although her face remains dismayed.

They are currently working on the second question as Sakurako writes down any possible calculations on a separate paper.

"What was the formula for this one again?" Sakurako asked, looking over her notebook with weary eyes.

"You skipped a page there, Sakurako," Himawari responded.

"Oh, this one…. I… can anyone explain this one to me on this one?"

"Jeez, this formula should be a little easy for you, you know?" Chinatsu commented.

"I know, just… I have kind of forgotten."

"Now, now, I can explain it for you if you want," Akari offered. "What part you don't understand?"

"Everything in this formula."

"Eh, for real?!"

"Sakurako, how about you just stick with writing the answer?" Himawari asked her.

"No, I want to understand this formula," Sakurako responded with a ragged voice.

"Even if I explain it to you, you won't bother listening to me-"

"Just explain IT TO ME, DAMMIT!"

The blonde's outburst caught everyone in the class off-guard, including the math teacher herself.

"Sakurako-san," the teacher called out. "Why did you yell like that?"

"Agh, em, I'm sorry, sensei," Sakurako apologized as sincerely as she could despite the weariness she sported. "I just want my friend to explain this formula to me because I don't understand it, but she keeps telling me to just stick with writing."

The teacher was about to lecture her but had assessed the condition in which Sakurako is in. "Are you feeling ill, Sakurako-san?"

"N-no…," Sakurako replied. "I'm… not in a good mood, that's all."

The teacher clasps her hands below her stomach. "Sakurako-san. I would suggest you take a trip to the infirmary for now."

"But-"

"I insist, Sakurako-san. You seem ill for me."

"….. Very well. Excuse me."

Sakurako carefully stands up and exits the class. It's starting to be clear that their classmates begin to wonder about the change in Sakurako's behavior, nothing they have ever seen before. Even Himawari herself is surprised to face such an outburst. How Sakurako bottle that anger for so long is beyond her.

"My, I have never seen Sakurako angry like that," Chinatsu commented.

"Over a formula, no less," Akari then turned at the blunette. "Did something happen, Himawari-chan?"

"Well… I like to know that myself," Himawari sighed. "It's been a few days she's been like this now. The new year's eve helped her a bit."

"Do you think she hasn't gotten over that robbing incident?" Akari asked reluctantly.

"Hmm, I guess so," Himawari read over the question. "Perhaps she's still shaken by what happened."

"Now that being mentioned," Chinatsu added. "Has her wounds healed?"

"Thankfully," Himawari leered at the class's door. "Her leg still aches a little, though."

"I'm glad to hear that then," Chinatsu smiled.

"You know, Sakurako does seem a little bit sick for me," Akari added with concern. "Himawari, how about you take it easy on her? I don't want to see her getting mad again."

"I was, Akarin," Himawari replied.

"Maybe try to comfort her? I think she would need that the most now. Try not to lecture her about her anger."

"…. We'll see."

They continue with their lessons, and Sakurako finally comes back, eventually finishing the math group assignment for the day.


Himawari treads the white path on her lonesome. It was quite a shame if she had to admit that Sakurako had gone ahead back home to rest. Since she was confirmed to suffer a light fever, it makes sense she went home earlier without the blunette. But that doesn't mean Himawari is satisfied to be walking on her own.

Feels… a little bit empty.

She never utters a word along the way, fixing her scarf that warms her neck—breathing out periodically as she watches the minuscule fog formed in front of her mouth. This chill in the air was a tad bit colder than she liked, of course; glad she didn't have to deal with raining snow. Himawari sighs and bows her head.

"Hmm…. I hope she gets well."

It won't be far until she reaches home. However, she stumbles upon a person she hadn't expected to see. Staring at the girl was enough to turn her face sour. The side-ponytailed purplette is walking on the sidewalk across her. The dark purplette stops in her tracks and turns around as if she felt her daggers. Upon seeing the blunette, she returns the sharp look as well. From how Himawari sees it, she must be paying Sakurako a visit.

Nevertheless, she doesn't feel like clashing with her. Eventually, Himawari looks the other way and continues on to her apartment. She could feel from a distance that Misaka let out a relieved sigh. Upon arriving home, she meets her little sister and her mother drawing together at a table. As it turns out, her mother had made a cooking pot worth of porridge in the afternoon. To tell the truth, she wants to visit Sakurako's house to see her condition, not because of Misaka, to be particular. Hopefully.

She got herself changed and warmed up the porridge. After a few minutes, her mother helped her prepare the food in a meal box. Himawari then set off toward Sakurako's house with a bag containing the box filled with porridge. She quickly reaches the house for almost a minute, though it feels like it's been five seconds to reach here. She then knocks on the door.

"One moment," replied from within. The door opened, revealing Nadeshiko. "Oh, Himako. You wanna check on Sakurako?"

"Yes," Himawari nodded. "Is she still resting?"

"She's in the kitchen now. Misaka is here, by the way."

Himawari almost rolls her eyes. "I know. I saw her coming here."

Nadeshiko raises an eyebrow. "Is there something wrong?"

"Oh, nothing, nothing," Himawari shook her head. "I like to spend time with them."

"Alright, well, I should warn you that Sakurako still has a bad temper."

"Hasn't she in these past few days?"

"Well, try to be patient with her," Nadeshiko noticed the bag she was holding. "Is that for Sakurako?"

"Yes, it's chicken porridge."

"Cool, she needs to eat something warm. Go on ahead to the kitchen."

Himawari opens her shoes and steps onto another platform. Nadeshiko went ahead of her toward the stairs.

"If you need anything, I'll be upstairs," the eldest sister spoke as she went.

The blunette takes off her scarf and heads onward to the kitchen. She soon finds Misaka and Sakurako at the table. The blonde is currently eating the food Misaka has brought. She didn't have to get close to realize that it was also porridge Misaka had brought. It's as if she had predicted her next move.

Misaka forces a smile. "Ah, Himawari, ohayou!"

"Ohayou," Himawari greeted back, returning the very same gesture.

"Oh, hi, Hima-chan," Sakurako then noticed the bag. "What's in that?"

"Well, I brought some porridge. But it seems you are already eating one."

"It is fine, Himawari. I don't mind extra porridge," the blonde pointed to the empty part of the table. "Just put it there."

"Alright."

Himawari puts the porridge and sits next to Sakurako, a bit closer than Misaka. "How are you feeling?"

"Not great," Sakurako replied, carefully eating a spoonful of the porridge. "And I thought getting stabbed was worse."

"Don't be such a negative, Sakurako," Misaka assured. "It's just a little fever. I'm sure you'll be well in the next morning."

"I hope so, Misaka," Sakurako turned at the blunette. "Are you here to play?"

"Well…, I only planned to check on you at first," Himawari replied. "But now, yes. If your condition permits, that is."

"Oh, Himawari, you realize she's sick, right?" Misaka asked; it was more of a taunt.

"I'm not blind, Misaka. I'm not even forcing her."

"Guys, I'm fine. It's just a fever," Sakurako responded. "We can play some cards later if you want."

"That sounds fine by me,' Himawari responded.

"Yeah, me too," Misaka flatly responded, looking away.

Sakurako eats her food as this conversation is immediately met with silence. Odd, Sakurako thought. Misaka and Himawari seem to be a great pair to talk with, both being mature, elegant, and like to talk some ladylike things together. The blonde also begins to notice an undignified aura from them both, an aura of resentment. That feeling was all too familiar for her, being the one who had experienced it herself, except hers was dangerously reckless and, perhaps, lethal, in Shiba's opinion. After a minute or so, the atmosphere becomes unbearable for her that she could only take another spoonful of porridge and just leaves the spoon there.

Both of them notice her queer behavior. "Oh, are you full already?" Misaka asked.

"Start talking."

Both girls lean their heads back. "What do you mean?" Himawari asked.

"What do you think I mean?"

"Sakurako, seriously, what are you talking about?" Misaki was as confused as the blunette.

"I know you both are angry with each other."

The mature girls stare at each other. Himawari then replies. "No, that's not true, Sakurako. We're just-"

"Stop trying to fool me," Sakurako narrowed her eyes, not looking at either of them. "You think I won't notice that you despise one another?"

"You misunderstand, Sakurako," Misaka replied. "I'm just enjoying the silence-"

"Drop the act already," Sakurako's tone was noticeably a tad deep since she's sick. "Just tell me the truth."

Himawari and Misaka stare at each other, and after a moment of contemplation, Himawari relents. "Sakurako, you already know the truth."

"I already know? Wait…," Sakurako then bowed her head. "… You both loved me. You both are fighting over me?"

"Yes," Misaka nodded. "Things would've gone better for both of us had Himawari wasn't in the way."

"She wasn't in the way?"

"I saw it, Sakurako."

The blonde turns at the blunette. "Saw what?"

"I saw how Misaka kissed you behind that school building."

Sakurako widens her eyes, dropping her left arm to the side.

"Do you understand how hurtful I am to see you do such a thing with this girl?" Himawari made a fist. "And to tell you the truth, I wish I could slap you that you let her do such a thing if it wasn't because I know you're gullible."

Sakurako stares on for a moment. "You're jealous…."

"Yes."

"Was that why you kissed me at the arcade?"

Misaka immediately stands up. "You what?!"

"You heard her," Himawari stood as well. "You think I'll just stand idly and let you have her?"

"How dare you!" Misaka pointed at her. "You manipulated her into your favor!"

"Oh, do I now?" Himawari retorted. "Just like how you manipulate her idiocy and make her fall into you?"

"Do not speak of her like that!"

"You keep saying that, but that's the fact about her," the blunette countered. "You forget that I am her childhood friend, and I won't let her be with someone like you."

"You shut your mouth, you bitch."

"Such a foul word to mock with. I wonder how you became a student council in the first place!"

Sakurako cannot help but feel disheartened and perplexed about what to do. The insults they threw at each other? Nothing more hurtful than losing her tongue.

"Enough!" Misaka stomped toward her.

"You don't know her fully well, and yet you stand here to misguide her into bidding your-"

"Shut up!"

*PLAK*

The shattering slap had certainly shocked Sakurako in her chair, but HImawari responded likewise. From there, it proceeds into a catfight, struggling to wrestle one another until they end up at the wall across the table, just next to the doorway. Sakurako quickly stood up despite her apparent sickness. This drama has just gone on long enough. The next thing she needs now is her home becoming a wreckage.

"Himawari, Misaka, stop it!" the blonde yelled.

The two finally relent, but Misaka immediately responds. "You love me more than her, right? Say it!"

"Misaka-"

"Don't say it!" Himawari pointed at the dark purplette. "She used your vulnerability to convince you that she loves you! What kind of audacious woman would do such a thing!?"

"Like you knew who she actually is!" Misaka retorted. "Not even a childhood friend knows what she had gone through!"

"Don't you speak to me like that, Misaka!"

"Dammit, both of you, just stop!" Sakurako yelled, holding her head only with her left hand.

"We are not done yet, Sakurako!" Himawari yelled back. "I've known you since we were little, and I've been caring for you so long. Would you choose her over me?! Choose the woman who used your limited knowledge in her favor?!"

"Please stop!" Sakurako begged desperately. This was just too much digest, even during her sickness. Yet, they hadn't realized she was starting to get angry.

"Don't stand there like a barrel!" Misaka demanded. "Say something! Say something, you baka!"

*DOR*

Snapped.

Himawari and Misaka froze at the sudden light and the bang as they heard something just hit a wall between them. They slowly turn their eyes at the wall to find a small circular hole that doesn't belong there. When they turn at Sakurako, they see her holding a pistol; it feels like a hand chokes each of their throats out of the blue. Misaka gasps in fear as her back rests against the wall while Himawari… is in a state similar to catatonia.

"Sa-Sakurako…," Misaka stuttered, sounding more concerned than afraid. "You-"

"Shut it," Sakurako cut her off. "I don't want to hear it."

"W-why?" Himawari broke off. "Why do you-?"

Sakurako immediately aims at her, shutting her up. "Enough."

"Sakurako, what the hell is-" Nadeshiko, unfortunately, stepped in and stopped short upon sighting her second sister aiming at her. "W-what? Is that…?"

Nadeshiko gradually raises her hands. "Sakurako, please, put the gun down."

Sakurako didn't reply. Instead, she aims back at the two girls. There was a heavy look of wrath upon her face and it was more frightening to see in her current ill state, even Nadeshiko was too frightened to look at her. Soon, Hanako and her mother stepped in, also stopping in their tracks upon the terrifying sight. Hanako is too scared to say anything.

But her mother dares to say. "Sakurako, do you realize what you are-"

"I know," Sakurako quickly responded.

"Listen, Sakurako," Himawari took a step forward. "This was all just-"

*DOR*

They all hopped in the spot at the shot. Himawari was a bit lucky; she looked at her left shoulder and saw a small torn of her sleeve and an apparent small cut wound. She turns behind her and sees another hole next to the other. Turning toward the blonde, Himawari could feel the ire surrounding the blonde that she swore she almost had a stroke upon sighting her. They all could see that her hand was shaking despite Sakurako holding firm on her gun.

"Don't take another step," Sakurako warned, and it almost came out as a hiss. "I'm trying not to kill you."

Himawari takes a step back, holding onto her wound. "Sakurako."

"It pains me to see you both are fighting each other just because of me," Sakurako stated, her eyes barely visible. "In my home, no less. I already am tired of dealing with all this."

Sakurako then adds another hand to hold the pistol. "Get out."

Misaka weakly raises her palm. "Sakurako-"

"Don't. I saved you once, Misaka. Don't force me to become your killer."

The Nagibara student council loses her tongue. To hear such a declaration was akin to having the only nerve on the back of her head cut by a scalpel. She couldn't do more but widen her eyes, drop her jaw, and let her arms limp in defeat.

"You have ten seconds. Get out. Now."

Himawari was about to call the blonde once more when Misaka held her arm. "Don't."

"But-"

"No. Let's just leave."

"Seven seconds," Sakurako reminded them.

Misaka quickly drags the blunette out of the room. A few seconds later, they hear the front door open and finally shut. Sakurako takes a deep sigh as she gradually lowers her pistol. Even if her action eases her family by little, they were still fearful of what she would do next. Sakurako turns her head at her family, looking from her mother down to Hanako. By looking at them, she could feel her indignation begin to dissipate little by little. Sakurako bows her head, sniffing as she still suffers from the fever before she walks past her dumbfounded family.

Midway into the living room, she stops, barely looking over her shoulder toward her family, and speaks.

"Never tell anyone about this. Not even Sumida-san."

She then continues and goes upstairs. The mother places a hand on her chest and rests against the doorframe. With a fearful look, Nadeshiko turns toward the kitchen where the porridge lay dormant and half-eaten. And Hanako…, she was still too shaken to even say a word, beyond horrified of what Sakurako had done. But most of all, the family couldn't understand what had transpired nor what she said.

Where is this family getting dragged into?


After they run afar from Sakurako's home, Misaka brings Himawari to find the nearest drug store they can find within the neighborhood. They managed to buy a small pack of plaster bandage strips to close off HImawari's wounded shoulder. When asked by the owner what happened, Misaka lied that a big cat scratched her shoulder. Once they leave the store, Misaka wanders aimlessly throughout the city, did not even wonder for once why Himawari is still on her tail like a dog.

Misaka finally stops at a bench near an intersection and rests there. The blunette takes her time to look around the supposed busy street that is now semi-quiet before finally sitting next to her. There was no protest, in fact, Misaka treated her like she didn't exist in the first place. The blunette looks up into her eyes, blank. As if life itself left her body.

Himawari sighs dejectedly, looking away. "I'm sorry for harming you."

Misaka noticeably nods, though a gloom look overtakes her face. "Forget about it."

Himawari takes a deep breath and bows her head. "I guess we overdid ourselves, huh?"

The number of minutes that had passed only filled with silence aside from the songs of cars and pedestrians walking by. Himawari felt herself inconvenient that she couldn't say a word about something. Observing Misaka's behavior, it was clear she didn't know what to say either. What they had experienced… they couldn't find a word for it. Although, there's one question that Himawari had in mind.

"What did she mean by that?"

It takes a few seconds for Misaka to register her words. "By what?"

"She once saved you. What did she mean by that?"

Misaka stares on with a flat smile, then a sigh of defeat. "I guess there's no point hiding it, huh?"

"Hiding what?"

For once in quite a long time, Misaka smiles with a hint of melancholy at the blunette. "What had happened to her. I guess… you deserve to know the truth."

Misaka explains in detail what she could remember of the event that transpired at the Bakimura store a few months ago. Something that Himawari was familiar with. The blunette could not hide her shock at what deeds she had done, especially when Sakurako had killed people and risked her life for Misaka. What perplexed her was the decision Sakurako made to flee the scene instead of finding relief from hearing the police arrive. In addition, Misaka had an opinion that someone of criminal background might be looking for her, being the one responsible for killing the bad guys.

"So…," Himawari paused. "She stole a gun from that scene?"

"Yeah…," Misaka slightly nodded. "I believe her that is for her own safety, but I never thought to see her turning her gun at her own… friends."

"I see…," Himawari trailed off. "She saved you. Was that why you loved her?"

"…Yes," Misaka isn't willing to bring this drama again. "She… even cared about my well-being. After that incident, Sakurako came to the hospital just to see me if I was doing well."

Himawari bows her head, feeling disappointed in herself. "If I had known about that… I wouldn't have to contend with you and leave Sakurako to her own devices."

"Well, it's already too late for that, isn't it?" Misaka struggled to make a chuckle. "I think I should add. The nightmares she had, it's all because of that incident."

"No wonder she has sleeping problems," Himawari commented gloomily. "She even resorted to alcohol for that."

"Saoki told me about it. Never thought she could stomach that."

"So… what now?" Himawari asked. "Should we get back?"

"I think that's a bad idea," Misaka shook her head. "What we just saw back there..., that's a mental break. I'm not ready to get shot the moment we get back."

"I see," Himawari nodded. "But still…, we need to apologize to her for causing such trouble."

"I guess so. It's just… when?"

"…. It seems we have to find it out ourselves."

Misaka straightens her back. "After what we just saw, do you still love her?"

Himawari stares on, expressionless. "Even if she has such flaws, I will still love her."

Misaka gives a warm smile. "Guess I shouldn't have made that move. If there's someone who could bring her relief, it would be you, Himawari-chan. As her childhood friend."

The blunette widens her eyes, straightening her cozy hair. "Thank you, Misaka-chan."

"You know what?" Misaka stood up and reached out a hand toward her. "I'm feeling wanna take a walk around the neighborhood. Do you wanna come?"

Himawari pats her wounded shoulder, then finally takes her hand with a smile. "Of course. Let's put all that behind for now."

"Agreed."

They march on into the afternoon, enjoying each other's company little by little and finally erasing the jealousy and provocation that have clouded their minds.


21:30 PM.

Nadeshiko and the mother had been arguing for the past hour as Hanako tentatively listened to what they had to say. The neighbors had come over to investigate the loud banging noises, and the family convinced them that they had dropped a couple of firecrackers and they blew on their own. Some neighbors were suspicious, but it was enough to get them off their backs. They already covered the bullet holes following Sakurako's mental break with Hanako's drawings and even cleaned up the bullet casings. Now, it was the matter of Sakurako herself.

"We should tell Sumida-san about it!" the mother argued.

"And hand over our sister to the police?!" Nadeshiko argued back. "I know what she had done is wrong, okaa-chan, but I don't think we could bear to have her taken away from us!"

"It is for the best, Nade! Did you see what she has done? Do you think I'm fine to have one of my daughters walking around freely with a gun in her hands!?"

"We could just try to take her gun away-"

"Do you think she would hand it over!? It's a gun, Nade! Not a toy gun and she knew it! She almost killed Himawari, for God's sake!"

"But that doesn't mean we can't talk her out of such a thing!"

"Our best decision to deal with her is to call Sumida-san and the police here. I don't know what else to do with that-"

"Eh, Saku-nee-chan?"

Hanako's statement made them freeze and turn towards the doorway. There stands the wavy, blonde-haired lady towering over the entrance into the kitchen. Her face has not yet changed despite her illness. She wore a sweater to deal with the biting chill of night.

"O-oh, Sakurako, I thought you were asleep," the mother awkwardly spoke.

"I still can't sleep," was her reply. "Were you talking about me?"

"No, w-we weren't!" Nadeshiko shook her head. "We were just talking about-"

"You don't have to lie to me."

Neither family members were brave enough to say a word, only still able to look at each other. Sakurako gets herself a glass of water and a fever drug before sitting with her family. She drinks her medicine and looks over her sisters and mother. In another couple of seconds, she sighs.

"I'm sorry about what I did in the afternoon." Sakurako apologized, yet her eyes stared a thousand yards. "I… I think I had… broken down. If you understand what I mean."

The mother looks on with pity, then sits down and listens to her dear daughter.

"At that time… Misaka and Himawari were fighting to see if I loved either of them. I just couldn't bear it. To see them insult and fight each other like that…."

Sakurako then stares toward her mother with a tear falling off her left eye. "I… love them both, mom. Is it my fault that they become like this?"

"I can't say for sure, Sakurako," her mother answered. "But I do not think it is your fault. Even then, I don't think you understand more what love is, do you?"

Sakurako nods ever slightly. "I didn't want to harm them. I just want them to stop."

"I understand," her mother held her weak hand.

Nadeshiko takes a deep breath. "Sakurako, we would like to know-"

"The gun?"

Nadeshiko is taken aback by the immediate response. Nevertheless, she imposes herself. "Yes. Where did you get it?"

Sakurako seems to ponder. A look of bitterness is apparent in her brown eyes as she retracts her hand from her mother's. All it took was to clear throat to finally answer.

"I… had killed people."

Their faces turn white. To think of such prospect…. She continues.

"They tried to kill Misaka and me. I had no choice. That's all I could tell you."

Hanako asks as she trembles. "T-then… that gun…?"

"I stole it from one of them."

Now her mother asks, just to make sure. "They weren't innocent, were they?"

"Gangsters."

The mother lets out a relieved sigh. Nonetheless, there's still the matter of her gun.

"Look, I know you're afraid of me," Sakurako spoke. "I won't dare to hurt my own family, alright? If it makes you feel better… I'll hand the gun over to you."

The family members immediately look at each other in surprise. Sakurako could tell that they weren't expecting this.

"That's… yes, that's for the best, Sakurako." the mother agreed with a nod. "I'm glad that you understand, Sakurako."

Sakurako bows her head and soon leaves the kitchen. Nadeshiko and Hanako are happy with the decision, but their mother still frowns.

"Is there something wrong, Okaa-chan?" Hanako asked.

"Just thinking…, how Himawari and Misaka will cope with what had happened?"

Nadeshiko only rests her cheek on her hand. "I guess we'll see for tomorrow. For now, let's get some sleep."

"Okaa-chan," Hanako called. "I know she's scary and all, but… I still want to sleep with her. Is that okay with you?"

"Well, sure. But I'll come too, just to ensure she didn't do something drastic."

Sakurako soon returns with the gun in her hand, alongside some ammo. After this, they all resigned to their respective beds, excluding Hanako, who would sleep in Sakurako's stead. Despite what had occurred, they all slept peacefully.