Chapter 5: A Volleyball investigation
4/14
Thursday; Early Morning
Touma and Twila were walking to school together when they heard two first years talking "How annoying- We've barely started High school, and they're making us play at a volleyball rally? And why are they pitting us against the teacher's team? Mr. Kamoshida is gonna crush us" The dissatisfied first year said.
"We get to see his technique live and in person, though. We should totally get spiked on!" The bandwagon student said.
"But if we did that, we won't get to see the hot cheerleaders. Plus, you're gonna get your face smashed in." The dissatisfied first year said as he looked down to the ground "Besides, have you seen some of the cheer squad and the volleyball team? What the hell is going on behind the scenes?" The dissatisfied first year said as they all made it to school.
Thursday; Morning
In Touma's class, Ms. Kawakami took the teacher's stand and began to speak "Ok, listen up everyone. As you all know, today is the volleyball rally. Head to the gymnasium once you've changed. got it?" Ms. Kawakami said as everyone went to change into their school jerseys.
Thursday; Afternoon
In the gym, Kamoshida and his team were playing against the students team and he spiked the ball to the floor, allowing his team to get a point on the first try "Go! Go! Let's go! Ka-mo-shi-da!" The cheerleaders yelled out.
"Nice toss! Hahaha!" One of the teacher's said.
"Yeah! Man, you still got it coach!" The bald man said to Kamoshida.
"Thanks! Let's go for one more!" Kamoshida said as Alice looked at him with sadism in her eyes. Kamoshida's proud look soon turned into one of sadness.
Shiho was sitting alone as Mishima stared at her "Still as average as ever… Hasn't changed a bit." Mishima said as Touma and Twila looked away from the game and saw him staring at Shiho but then did a quick yawn "Pretty boring, right?" Mishima said as he stretched and Touma gave out a light chuckle before looking at Shiho's loneliness then looked back to Mishima.
"Brother, Mishima. Look!" Twila said to the boys as they saw Kamoshida spiking the ball on the other side of the net, but accidentally hit someone in the face with the ball, causing him to fall backwards and fall unconscious. Kamoshida quickly went to the student's side.
"Sorry! Hey, are you alright? Someone take him to the nurse's office!" Kamoshida said as Alice looked on with a sadistic look on her face as the match resumed.
"She'll pay soon enough…" Mishima said as he threw the Volleyball next to him back to the court.
In another part of the school, Touma, Twila and Mishima were getting drinks from the vending machine "That bitch is acting like a queen over here too…" Mishima said with a scowl.
"Yeah. It's all a game to her." Touma said as he took a sip of his drink.
"In any case, now is our chance to go look for the people we saw as slaves yesterday." Twila said.
"Right. Me and Mishima will look for some of the volleyball members, while Twila talks to the cheer squad." Touma said as Mishima and Twila nodded.
"Got it. Just you wait, Alice. We're gonna get your crimes exposed soon enough…" Mishima said.
"Mishima and i go talk to that guy from Class D." Touma said.
"Then i'll talk to a cheerleader in the practice building." Twila said.
"Good. Hopefully we can get him to talk without any issues. People have been avoiding me lately, so…" Mishima said.
"I understand. Don't worry." Touma said as he and Mishima went to Class D to talk to one of the victims while Twila went to the practice building.
In Class D, Touma and Mishima walked up to one of the volleyball players "What…? Are you really skipping out on the volleyball rally? I guess I expect it from you, transfer." The scared Volleyball player said.
"Look, we just want to talk." Mishima said.
"You too, Mishima!?" The scared Volleyball player asks in surprise "Alright. What do you guys want…?" The scared Volleyball player asks.
"How did you get injured?" Touma asks.
"It's from a practice! What does that have to do with anything?" The scared Volleyball player asks.
"Alice made Kamoshida do it to you, didn't she? Look, we won't tell anyone that talked. Just tell us about how Alice is abusing you." Mishima said.
"I-i don't know what you're talking about!" The scared Volleyball player said.
"You don't have to be scared. Just tell us the truth." Touma said.
"I'm not scared! You guys are talking completely nonsense!" The scared Volleyball player said.
"Stop trying to hide it! We already know!" Mishima said.
"You… You know? You have proof?" The scared Volleyball player asks.
"Well, uh… I…" Mishima was trying to find the words to explain what happened but failed.
"This is ridiculous. Please, leave me alone. You're really bothering me!" The scared Volleyball player said as he walked away from Touma and Mishima.
"Well, that could have gone better." Touma said.
"Yeah… Hope your sister is having better luck." Mishima said
"I think it might be a good idea to split up. We can cover more ground that way." Touma said to Mishima.
"Yeah. Let's do that. We'll text each other if anything comes up." Mishima said as they both left their classroom.
Over with Twila, she was in the practice building looking for the cheerleaders but couldn't find any but found a member of the newspaper club "Excuse me. May i have a word with you?" Twila asks the girl.
"Do you need something? I really wish you wouldn't talk to me in such a public place…" The Newspaper Club member said.
"This will only take a moment of your time. I want to know something about Alice Hiiragi." Twila said.
"Why don't you ask Riko-san about that? She's in Class C with you, isn't she?" The Newspaper Club member asks "To be honest, I've heard some rumors about her and Alice… But that's about it." The Newspaper Club member said.
"I see. Thank you for your time." Twila said as she walked away from the girl and saw that the boys were texting her.
MY: How is it going?
TH: Take a wild guess.
MY: Didn't talk either huh? Everyone is too freaked out about Alice. I talked to some of the Fashion club members but they left as soon as I brought up the abuse.
TH: Same. None of the Volleyball players seemed too scared to talk about it. What about you Sis?
TwH: I got a name that came up. Riko.
MY: Riko? I heard that she just joined the Fashion Club, so she may not be a victim in Alice's crimes yet.
TwH: I'm on my way to talk to her right now.
TH: Okay. Be careful sis.
TwH: I will. Don't worry.
As soon as Twila stopped texting she saw Riko drinking from a water fountain. Riko had gold brown eyes and has slightly long straight orange hair. Twila smiled a little and walked up to her "Hello, Riko-san." Twila greeted.
"Twila-chan!" Riko smiled and hugged her new friend.
"Listen. We need to talk." Twila said.
"It's about the Fashion Club,Isn't it?" Riko said, leaving Twila confused.
"How did you know?" Twila asks.
"The reason i joined the Fashion club is to see if the rumors are true." Riko said with a confidant smile.
"Riko, you fool! Are you trying to get hurt?" Twila asks as Riko sees Twila's face of concern.
"I know it's crazy. But what i'm doing this could stop Alice from doing what she's doing. Besides, you need an inside man." Riko said but then sighed "But I understand you don't want me to do something dangerous." Riko said as Twila sighed in relief.
"Good. But I do need information. Do you know anyone who has such info?" Twila asks.
"There's Mirai. She's a part of the Fashion Club. I'm sure she can give you information." Riko said as Twila hugs her.
"Thank you! I owe you a great dept, my friend." Twila said as she let's go of Riko when they both heard the PA going off.
"Attention, attention. All matches have concluded. Please get ready to go home for the day…" The PA announced as some of the students went to go change.
"I'll see you later, Twi-chan!" Riko said as she left to go change when Twila's phone chimes.
MY: Damn it, we're out of time. How did it go?
TH: I got nothing. What about you sis?
TwH: A name came up thanks to Riko. She's serving as our spy.
TH: What!?
TwH: Don't worry. She said that she's going to drop it.
MY: That's good. So who's name came up?
TwH: A girl named Mirai.
TH: Well, it's better than nothing.
MY: Yeah. Let's regroup in the courtyard.
TwH: Understood.
TH: Roger.
Twila put her phone into her pocket and went to meet Mishima and Touma at the Courtyard.
Thursday; After school
At the courtyard, Touma was the first one there and was waiting for Mishima and his sister but saw Shiho instead "Can i talk to you for a sec…?" Shiho asks.
"Sure?" Touma said with unassurance in his voice.
"It'll be quick. Anyways, what's with you? I heard you were late the other day. I thought it was suspicious after all. ...There's that weird rumor about you too." Shiho said before two certain people spoke up.
"What do you want with him?" Mishima said with an annoyed face as Shiho turned around to face him.
"Answer him. What do you want with my Brother?" Twila asks sternly.
"Right back at you, Mishima. Twila-san isn't even in your class." Shiho said with a scowl.
"...The three of us just happen to get to know each other." Mishima said as Shiho looked at him and Twila suspiciously.
"What're you planning to do Alice?" Shiho asks.
"Huh!?" Mishima gasps but then regains his composure "...I see. I get it. You're all buddy-buddy with Alice after all." Mishima said with a face of anger.
"This has nothing to do with you, Yuuki!" Shiho said with a disapproving look.
"If you found out what she's been doing behind your back, you leave her right away." Mishima said.
"Behind my back…? What's that supposed to mean…?" Shiho asks but Mishima stayed quiet for a bit before frowning a little.
"You wouldn't get it." Mishima said with Twila staying quiet through the conversation.
"Anyways, people are already talking about you three. I don't know what you're trying to pull, but no one's going to help you. I'm just warning you three, Just in case. That's all." Shiho said as she walks off.
"Why does she have to be so aggressive all the time…?" Mishima asks.
"Do you two know each other or something?" Touma asks.
"We just went to the same middle school. Anyways, that's not what we're here to talk about." Mishima said.
"Right. So who is this Mirai girl?" Touma asks.
"Riko said that she's someone who is a part of the Fashion Club but that's about it." Twila said.
"Then let's talk to her before she leaves." Mishima said as the three went back to go change back into their uniforms.
After changing, the trio saw Mirai, a girl with purple eyes and short golden blonde hair with a small part of it tied up with a pink bow and a braid tied in the back. She was about to leave through the front entrance but they stopped her "Wait, do you have a minute?" Twila asks.
"Yuuki…? And the transfer students too…?" Mirai asks.
"We just want to talk." Mishima said.
"Alice has been "Helping" you, right? Are you sure it's not sexual or physical abuse?" Touma asks the confused girl before her face turns into a panicked one.
"Certainly not!" Mirai told the three.
"Look, we saw that you look like you were in pain today. When the cheerleaders did a pose together, you looked red. Like you were embarrassed." Touma said.
"That's because… i have stage fright." Mirai explained.
"... Still, it doesn't explain why you've got flustered today." Twila said.
"I got embarrassed a little!" Mirai shouted.
"Is she forcing you to keep quiet." Mishima asks as Mirai looks away.
"That…" Before Mirai could say anything Alice walked up to them.
"What's going on here?" Alice asks as she looks at Mirai "Mirai, Isn't it time for practice?" Alice asks.
"I-i'm not feeling well today…" Mirai said as she looked down.
"What? Maybe you're better off quitting then." Alice said as Mirai looks at her in shock "You're never going to improve that crappy form unless you show up for practice." Alice told Mirai as Mishima walks up to her.
"Didn't you hear her? She's not feeling well!" Mishima said to Alice but she ignored him and looked at Mirai again.
"Well, Mirai? Are you coming to practice or not?" Alice asks as despair came over Mirai.
"...I'll go." Mirai said as Alice faced Mishima.
"As for you, any more trouble and you'll be gone from this school for sure." Alice said as Mishima had a face of anger.
"Bitch…" Mishima muttered as Alice faced Twila and Touma.
"Same goes for you and your sister. The principal didn't tell you, But cause any trouble and you'll be expelled from this school." Alice said angrily.
"Relax, We were just leaving." Touma said to Alice.
"Hmph. Just don't get in the way of my practice. All these unsettling rumors are making the other students anxious, after all." Alice said.
"That's your own goddamn fault." Mishima said with anger in his voice.
"This won't get us anywhere. Let's go, Mirai." Alice said as she turned around but before she walked away, she said "Shujin Academy is a place where those with aspirations come to learn. Unworthy students like yourselves don't have any right to be here. Get with the program!" and with that, Alice left the group alone and walked off.
"That filthy little… She'll pay for this…!" Twila growled.
"...There's no point." Mirai said.
"What do you mean?" Touma asks.
"Proving that she's sexually and physically abusing us… is meaningless. Everyone knows… The principal, our parents… They all know, and they all keep quiet about it." Mirai explains as the trio had shocked expressions on their faces.
"This has got to be a joke…" Touma said.
"...Don't be a pain. You don't understand what i'm going through." Alice said as she looked at Mishima "Mishima, shouldn't you of all people know that nothing's going to help…!?" Mirai said as Mishima looked away from her and she ran from them.
"Damn it…" Mishima muttered.
"What now…?" Touma asks.
"...I'll try one more time to persuade the guys. That's… all i can do." Mishima said as he went to find the volleyball players again.
"We should go home…" Twila said.
"Yeah… Hopefully we can try again tomorrow." Touma said as the twins went home for the day.
Thursday; Evening
Once home, Touma and Twila made themselves dinner, which was rice and some sushi. And after eating and washing the dishes, Touma and Twila sat on the sofa and looked at each other "What are we going to do?" Touma asks.
"Don't lose hope, brother. We'll figure something out." Twila said as she placed her hand on Touma's, causing him to smile a little until the two got a text from Mishima.
MY: Hey, this doesn't make any sense. The principal and even the parents know about the abuse. Why isn't anyone speaking up!?
TH: Maybe it's because of the cheer squad.
TwH: Yes. That's what I believe as well.
MY: Yeah… It's basically because Alice made the Cheer-leading squad famous, right?
TH: Probably.
TwH: Even so, that doesn't give her the right to do whatever she wants!
MY: Yeah! She's beating people up, and all they're allowed to do is endure. And that follower of her's doesn't doesn't even care…
TH: Who are you talking about?
MY: Shiho Suzui. You met her in the courtyard, remember?
TwH: Yes, I remember her. She's in my class.
MY: Ugh! What a load of bull! I can't let it end like this.
TwH: I agree.
TH: What are you gonna do, Mishima?
MY: I'm going to try and find someone who knows about what's going on with Alice during break tomorrow. Just you watch. I'm not giving up yet!
Twila and Touma turned to each other and smiled "I guess we shouldn't give up either, huh?" Touma said as he looked at his sister with a smile.
"That's right." Twila said as the two got up and walked towards the bathroom.
Inside the bathroom, Twila was washing her front while Touma was washing her back "Thanks, sis." Touma said.
"For what?" Twila asks.
"For giving me the hope I need." Touma said as Twila rinsed off the soap on her body.
"Your welcome. I just didn't want you to fall into despair. As your sister, i have to help you in any way i can." Twila said as she got up and dipped into the tub.
After taking a bath, the twins went into their rooms and went to bed for the night.
4/15
Friday; Early Morning
Touma and Twila were walking again to school and overheard two girls talking with each other "Did you see Mr. Kamoshida play yesterday? He was so awesome! And so was Alice-Senpai! She was so cool on Cheer Squad! I think i might ask for their autograph after school." The excited girl saids.
"I don't know if that's such a good idea… I hear that you shouldn't go near the PE faculty office or the Fashion Club. People say you can hear weird sounds, like screaming, even though no one's there…" The nervous student explained as her friend rolled her eyes.
"What? That's probably a rumor spread by fans to scare competition." The excited girl said as they all made it to the front gate of the school.
Friday; Afternoon
As the social studies teacher was giving a lecture, Touma's phone vibrated prompting him to see who could be texting him and saw it was Mishima.
MY: So about the witnesses… I was wondering if we can get something out of Suzui.
TH: Since she's friends with Alice?
MY: No, that's not why.
TwH: Focus on class, both of you.
MY: Just hear me out.
TwH: Fine. But make it quick.
MY: You know how we couldn't get a thing out of the volleyball team or the Fashion Club members?
TwH: Yes?
MY: I figured it'd be a good idea to talk to someone who knows them. Suzui's BFF for starters. She's a model for the Fashion Club. A girl named Takamaki. I tried to talk to her during the break, but i got nothing.
TH: Is that why we have to have Shiho talk to her?
MY: Exactly.
TwH: I don't know… It will be hard to get Suzui to help us.
MY: You're right, Twila. Sorry, let me see what else i can come up with.
The chat message ended as the teacher ended his lecture for the day.
Friday; After School
At the courtyard, Shiho and Ann were sitting at the benches when Shiho noticed something wrong with her friend "Shouldn't you be heading to the Fashion Club, Ann?" Shiho asks as Ann nodded.
"Uh-huh…" Ann said as Shiho noticed the bruise above Ann's face.
"That bruise above your eye… Is that from an accident from the Fashion Club?" Shiho asks.
"Y-Yeah…" Ann said.
"Are you sure your not pushing yourself too hard?" Shiho asks concernedly.
"I'm OK… Modeling's the only thing i can do right…" Ann said as Shiho's phone chimed "Shouldn't you take that?" Ann asks.
"It's probably just Mom calling… I think." Shiho said.
"I… should get going." Ann said with sadness in her voice.
"Ann… Are you sure you're OK?" Shiho asks as Ann gets up from the bench.
"Uh-huh…" Ann said as she walked away from Shiho but as she does, Shiho took her phone out and saw the number and answered.
"...Yes? Today won't work… I'm… I'm not feeling so good… Sorry… bye." Shiho said with a sad face and hung up on the phone call and left the courtyard.
Touma was walking towards the courtyard until he bumped into Ann in front of the entrance, staring at her phone sadly until she saw Touma "...What? Oh… I'm in the way, aren't i? Sorry…" Ann said tiredly.
"Are you okay? You look a little pale and a little spacey." Touma asks.
"Huh…? Um, well…" Ann was about to say something when she saw Touma's face "Hm, aren't you in my class?" Ann asks.
"Yeah. I'm Touma Heartfilia." Touma introduced himself.
"Um, this might not be any of my business, but don't let the rumors get to you, okay…?" Ann said.
"Don't worry. I don't let them bother me. But why do you say that…?" Touma asks.
"Well, I've helped with a similar situation before… My sister is sometimes misunderstood, because of her looks and personality… Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to drag on like that. Anyway, I have to go to my club activity… I'll see you around." Ann said as she walks off with Touma looking a little concerned for her but walks to the courtyard anyways.
In the courtyard, Twila and Mishima were standing while looking angry "Damn it. What the hell…" Mishima muttered.
"Did you find someone?" Touma asks, catching the attention of Twila and Mishima.
"Is that what it looks like?" Twila asks as Mishima slams his fist on a vending machine angrily.
"All of them kept saying the same thing Mirai was talking about…! Alice had to have told them something!" Mishima said angrily.
"At this rate… It looks like we'll have to go to her directly…" Touma said as Twila looked at her brother and Mishima.
"...Wait a moment. There is a way to make Alice confessed her crimes. But it's a little risky." Twila said.
"What do we do, sis?" Touma asks as Twila looks left to right.
"Let's talk on the roof." Twila said quietly as Touma understood what she meant by that statement and the trio went to the roof.
On the roof, the trio were sitting down on some desks left up there to listen to Twila's plan "Okay, you said you know how we can do something to Alice, right?" Mishima asks.
"My plan is for us to raid the castle." Twila said, leaving Touma and Mishima confused.
"What do you mean…?" Mishima asks.
"Remember, The castle is what Alice's heart views the school. So if we remove the treasure from her Palace and the Palace disappears, she might just confess to her crimes." Twila explains as Touma and Mishima looked at each other proudly.
"That's amazing!" Mishima said.
"However, there is a concern about this plan." Twila said.
"What is it?" Touma asks.
"If we erase the Palace, there is no doubt in my mind that the person's distorted desires will be erased as well. But desires are what we all need in order to survive. The will to sleep, eat, fall in love- those sorts of things." Twila said as Mishima was getting confused.
"What are you getting at?" Mishima asks.
"If all of those yearnings were to vanish, they'd be no different than someone who shuts down entirely. They may even die if they're not given proper care…" Twila explains sadly as Mishima and Touma look at her in shock.
"What do you think? Should we take that risk?" Mishima asks Touma.
"I don't want to kill the girl." Touma said as Twila nodded.
"O-Of course not…" Mishima said.
"I understand if that seems like a gruesome choice. But i have no other strategies other than that option." Twila said with a sad expression.
"It's okay, sis. We'll come up with something. But for now, we should go home for the day." Touma said as the trio left the school rooftop.
At the school gate, Twila and Touma were getting a text from Mishima.
MY: Hey, I heard something that got my attention. About that Takamaki girl… Looks like rumors are going around about her and Mr. Kamoshida.
TH: If they're true, it would explain why you couldn't get her to talk.
TwH: Still, something about that doesn't seem right.
MY: I agree with Twila.
TH: What do you mean, Mishima?
MY: It's nothing so clear cut, but… I've known Shiho and Takamaki since middle school. There's no way they would be friends with Alice unless they were forced to, you know?
TwH: Then… I wonder where those rumors came from.
MY: Well, it doesn't matter. I'll try asking around some more.
The text message ends with Touma and Twila looking at each other, confused. "You know, sis. We've been here for a week. How about we check out the town?" Touma asks as his sister sighs and then smiles.
"You're right. We should learn how to get around the city." Twila said as she and Touma went towards the train station and took a train to station square.
At station square, Touma and Twila saw Shiho arguing with someone on her phone "Will you please give it a rest!? I told you, i'm not feeling up to it…" Shiho shouted until she was told something she didn't want to hear "Wait, what…!? That's not what you promised! And you call yourself an honor student!? This has nothing to do with Ann!" Shiho shouted as the phone call ended "Ah…" Shiho sighed as she put her phone in her pocket and kneel down "Ann's… modeling role…" Shiho sighed as Twila and Touma walked up to her.
"Are you okay?" Twila asks as Shiho turns her head around to see her and Touma and stood up quickly.
"Wait… Were you two listening?" Shiho asks.
"Not on purpose." Touma said.
"Haven't you two heard of privacy?" Shiho yelled as Twila and Touma looked ashamed of themselves.
"We're sorry." Touma and Twila said.
"...No, I was out of line. Sorry." Shiho said as she wiped her eyes away from the stray tears that escaped from her eyes "So how much did you hear…?" Shiho asks.
"You said something about a friend." Touma said as Shiho looked down.
"Ann…" Shiho muttered as she looked at the twins "It's nothing at all. Nothing." Shiho's voice began to crack and she ran off with Touma and Twila running after her.
"Wait!" Twila shouted.
"We want to help you!" Touma said as the two went after in the underground mall.
At the underground mall they went down the steps and saw Shiho standing in front of a green pilier "Please, wait!" Twila shouted to Shiho as she turned around to face them.
"Stop following me… Just leave me alone!" Shiho yelled at them.
"Please, calm down." Twila said.
"Why…? Why do you two keep worrying about me?" Shiho asks as she started to cry.
"Let's go somewhere to talk." Touma said as Shiho wipes away the stray tears.
"What the heck…? I really don't get you two…" Shiho said as she guided the twins to a restaurant.
In the restaurant, The three were sitting in the back booth with cups of water "I don't have anything to talk about with you two. It was just an argument…" Shiho said as she looked away from Touma and Twila.
"An argument with Alice?" Touma asks as Shiho, out of stress, rubbed her finger on a napkin.
"You've heard the rumors, haven't you? About Alice…" Shiho said as she closed her eyes "Everyone says we're getting it on…" Shiho trailed off as she crumbled the napkin out of rage and frustration "But… that's not true. That was her on the other line. I avoided giving her my number for the longest time…! She told me to go to her place after this." Shiho sighed "You know what that means. If i turn her down…" Shiho took a rigged breath "...She said she'd take my friend off as a regular on the team." Shiho explained as Touma and Twila looks at each other.
"I'm sure it was very hard for you." Twila said as she looked away from Shiho out of her own sadness.
"I've been telling myself this is all for Ann's sake. I can't take it anymore…!" Shiho said as Touma looked away, not knowing what to say "I've had enough of this! I hate her! But still… Ann's my sister. She's all I have left at that sorry excuse for a school! Tell me, what should i do?" Shiho asks with tears in her eyes, leaving Touma and Twila conflicted.
"Um… I honestly don't know." Touma said.
"Sorry, i shouldn't have asked. It's not your problem." Shiho said as she wiped the tears from her eyes when Twila and Touma realized that she was just like them, a person who was misunderstood "What… am i saying…? I've barely talked to you two before…" Shiho said.
"But that's fine, right?" Touma said with a warm smiling.
"Huh...?" Shiho wondered what Touma means.
"He's right. Sometimes, you need to talk things out." Twila said.
"...You two are so weird. Usually everyone just ignores me." Shiho said when she looked at Touma "Are you really a bad person as the rumor says…? You just don't seem like it…" Shiho asks Touma.
"What rumors?" Touma asks.
"They say that you assaulted someone… That you almost killed them… I knew that they were only exaggerating." Shiho said.
"Then why did you approach my brother earlier?" Twila asks.
"He seemed lonely. Almost like he didn't belong anywhere…" Shiho said.
"I see. The three of us are the same in that regard. Maybe that's why it was so easy for you to talk to us." Twila said as she took a sip of her water and Shiho clutched her cup of water.
"Is there really no way for me to help Ann…? I wish she could change her mind… Like, forget about me, and everything…" Shiho said as Touma and Twila looked at each other with a bit of shock "Yeah, right. As if something like that would ever happen…" Shiho said.
"Yeah. Wouldn't that be convenient." Touma said.
"Then again, it could happen." Twila said as Shiho stared at them with a smile.
"I wasn't asking for a serious response. But i do feel a bit better now." Shiho said as Twila and Touma smiled at each other and then looked back at Shiho.
"Really? That's good." Touma said with a smile.
"...I'm gonna head home." Shiho said as she grabbed her school bag and her cup of water but then turned to Touma and Twila "Don't tell anyone what i told you, okay? I'll try and think of a way to persuade Alice. Well… Thanks." Shiho said as she left the restaurant.
"I'm glad she was feeling a bit better." Twila said with a smile.
"Yeah. It's better than nothing." Touma said as he and his sister got up from their chairs and paid for their drinks and left themselves to go home.
Back at the school, Ann was walking down the hallway when Mirai walked up to her "Takamaki… Are you leaving…?" Mirai asks as Ann turns to her.
"What is it?" Ann asks.
"Alice is asking for you… She's in the PE faculty office." Mirai said with a sad voice.
"What did she say?" Ann asks.
"...I don't know. Well… I have to go." Mirai said as she left with Ann closing her eyes but then heard her phone ringing and saw that it was Shiho calling "Shiho…" Ann said as she put her phone away and walked towards the PE faculty.
Friday; Evening
Once at home, Touma and Twila had made dinner, which was rice with a side of Sushi, and ate it. As they eat, they got a text from Mishima.
MY: So have you guys made your choice? I kinda get all that stuff about stealing desires… Alice's gonna end up brain dead if we screw up, right?
TwH: Yes. If we mess up, Alice might end up dying.
MY: I mean, sure i'm angry at her… But i don't know if i really want to kill her…
TH: Yeah, that's too much.
TwH: Most definitely.
MY: Maybe i'm freaking out, but i don't wanna end up as a murderer because of this crap.
TwH: Calm down. I'll try and see if I can come up with some other way tonight.
Touma and Twila looked at each other and continued to eat, while trying to think of something to expose Alice's crimes.
In the bathroom, Twila and Touma were washing each other back when they looked at each other with a conflicted look "What should we do, sis?" Touma asks.
"I don't know." Twila said with a sad expression as Touma hugs her.
"We'll come up with something." Touma said as the two started to wash their hairs with shampoo.
In Twila's room, She was working on her homework at her desk while thinking of a way to change Alice's heart without killing her "Maybe if we… no, that wouldn't work." Twila muttered to herself as she corrected an answer on her homework. After finishing up her homework, Twila went to her bed and lied down and soon fell asleep.