(Disclaimer: Ikigami manga belongs solely to Mase Motoro, but Sasuke Mura and the other unknown characters I am writing about belong to me. The story is just based on the plot line of the manga. If this disclaimer is wrong, then please do not sue me.)
Chapter 10: An Enemy or Friend
Sakuya sat in his office looking over the files of the Moon Child patients. Sakuya was beginning to get frustrated that there was no clear pattern. The survivors of the Ikigami never tell the true name of their savior and refuse to do so. There have also been rumors in the Ikigami industry about an Ikigami resistance forming. Sakuya shook his head and stood up from his seat.
"This was interesting at first, but now it is just ridiculous," mumbled Sakuya. Sakuya went to his wine counter and began to gulp down three glasses.
"Isn't that bad for you darling?"
Sakuya looked behind him only to see his secretary and lover, Haruka Aoi. Sakuya smirked as he approached her. He pulled her to him and said, "I think of my wine as making love to you, so doesn't that mean that you are bad for me?" Haruka chuckled and began to make out with Sakuya. As Sakuya made out with Haruka, he remembered the name Moon Child.
I will find you.
Sasuke sat in her seat staring at her cell phone under her desk. She began to wonder when to call Riri. She suddenly noticed a piece of paper on her desk and opened it up.
Have any plans today?
Sasuke scrip-pled a reply on a piece of paper and tossed it to Erin. Erin read the note and began to sulk.
I promised to see Momiji today.
Erin wrote back a reply.
Him again? Are you cheating on me?
Sasuke giggled and tossed Erin a reply.
He's only a friend. Do you want to come too?
Erin tossed a new note back to Sasuke.
I rather not see the cross dresser. It could be bad for me. Let's hang out next week.
Sasuke nodded making Erin smirk. Erin suddenly noticed a new letter on her desk. Erin opened it up and groaned.
Talking with Mura-San=five page essay on the anatomy of the human body.
Erin glared daggers at Mr. Fujioka, who just continued to teach his lesson as if nothing happened.
Sasuke smirked at Erin and then looked down at her cell phone again thinking of Riri.
After class Sasuke walked out of the room and headed out of the building. On the way out, she bumped into Shiro, who was heading out too.
Sasuke quickly apologized and ran pass Shiro. Shiro watched Sasuke run off wondering what her hurry was. He suddenly realized that he had a prior engagement as well and ran out the door in the opposite direction.
Sasuke ran into an empty bathroom stall and changed into a white Lolita dress with heart patterns on the rim. She released her long hair from her ponytail creating a bounce. She placed a white hair band on and then slipped on some pink slippers. She placed her medical clothes in her bag and then left the bathroom stall with a white parasol over her head. Feeling totally refreshed, she strolled down the sidewalk with all eyes on her.
One of the gawkers was a twenty-one-year-old man named Nanato Kudou. He watched Sasuke walk down the sidewalk mesmerized. He was about to follow her, until he realized that he promised to meet someone. He took one last glance at Sasuke and then ran down the sidewalk.
Sasuke walked all the way to Kawaii Shop. Sasuke walked in calling for Momiji. Momiji, who was measuring a dress, looked back at Sasuke with a wide smile.
"Sasuke, you came," cheered Momiji. Momiji placed his measuring equipment down. He ran to Sasuke and hugged her.
"That dress I made for you looks so good, just lovely," said Momiji happily. Sasuke nodded and hugged Momiji back with her parasol hanging on her arm. Momiji pulled away from her slightly and placed a hand to her moon pendant.
"It matches your necklace too," complimented Momiji. Sasuke smiled and placed a hand to it too.
"It really does."
Momiji pulled away from Sasuke and asked, "So how is school, any chance of changing your occupational choice?" Sasuke giggled.
"School is great and I have no intention of changing my job choice, but I do hope that my chosen permanent job isn't with the Ikigami Industry."
Momiji nodded in agreement and added, "I can't even imagine you working there." Sasuke giggled. Sasuke then looked down at her cell phone. She looked back at Momiji, who was picking up his measuring tools, and asked, "When is it a good time to call up a guy?" Momiji dropped his equipment.
Momiji looked at Sasuke and asked, "What brought this up?" Sasuke twisted a strand of her hair on her index finger.
"Well, there is this guy. He gave me his cell phone number and told me to call him, but I don't know when I should. I might end up calling him in the middle of work and he'll end up hating me for it."
Sasuke's voice was filled with confusion. Momiji stared at Sasuke and noticed the redness in her cheeks. Momiji frowned and asked, "Are you in love with this guy by chance?" Sasuke turned bright red. Sasuke covered her face and said, "There's no way. I only went out with him once." Momiji shook his head.
Momiji clasped the top of Sasuke's head and said, "That one time may have awakened your feelings of love." Sasuke bit her lip as her cheeks burned. Momiji sighed and patted her head.
"Figure out how you feel when you see him next time and…"
Momiji pointed at Sasuke's cell phone and added, "…try to call him around the afternoon. That's when guys usually eat lunch, so it is the best time to talk with him." Sasuke nodded thanking Momiji with a warm smile. Momiji blushed slightly and then turned away.
Momiji picked up his measuring equipment and said, "See if there is anything you want here. If you find something, I am willing to give you half price." Sasuke nodded.
Sasuke searched through all the dressing with excitement in her eyes. She found an A-line Lolita dress colored violet with frills toward the bottom. Sasuke hugged it to her chest and showed it to Momiji.
"This dress is beautiful, you never fail to impress," complimented Sasuke. Momiji blushed at her praise. He took the dress from Sasuke and asked, "Then you want this lovely item?" Sasuke nodded.
Momiji placed the dress on the counter and entered the price on the register making sure to press the half price button. Thirty dollars and I'll add the matching ribbons for free. Sasuke nodded as she pulled out her wallet.
While Sasuke pulled out the money, Momiji was placing the dress and ribbons in a bag. He looked at Sasuke as he took the money and asked, "No one from the Ikigami Industry has questioned you right?" Sasuke nodded.
"They don't suspect me in any way," whispered Sasuke. Momiji smiled and handed Sasuke the bag.
"Continue to save lives, my lovely Sasuke."
Sasuke gave another nod and headed out the door. The minute she was out, she bumped into a person causing her to drop her bag of Momiji's creation. Sasuke apologized to the person and then bent down to pick up her bag. Another hand picked up her bag making her look up. In front of her was Nanato with Shiro standing behind him.
Sasuke noticed Shiro and gasped in surprise.
"Takimura-San?"
Shiro stared at Sasuke with wide eyes and said, "Mura-San…why are you dressed like that?" Sasuke and Shiro stared at each other wide eyed. Nanato looked at them with Sasuke's bag in hand and asked, "You know her Shiro?" Shiro nodded.
"She's my classmate," said Shiro uneasily. Sasuke looked at Nanato taking notice of him.
"Who are you?"
Nanato smirked at her and said, "My name is Nanato Kudou, a friend of Shiro's." Sasuke nodded in understanding and introduced herself too. Nanato stared at Sasuke with a smile and handed her bag.
"I really like your dress," complimented Nanato. Sasuke thanked him for his compliment with a blush against her cheek. Nanato stared at Sasuke with admiration in his eyes and looked at Shiro.
"Is this the girl you mentioned that beats you in the academic level at the institute?"
Shiro nodded shaking in anger. Nanato chuckled at Shiro's reaction. Nanato eyed Sasuke again making her confused and looked back at Shiro.
"Can she come with us on our outing?" whispered Nanato. Shiro was going to object, but stopped when he heard Nanato add, "I really like her." Shiro clenched his fist and nodded. Nanato smirked and looked back at Sasuke.
"Do you want to come with us?" asked Nanato. Sasuke thought awhile and asked, "Where are you going?"
"We were going to a karaoke bar to drink and sing and then to a park."
Sasuke cocked her eyebrow and asked, "Do you really want me to come?" Nanato nodded claiming that it would be a lot more fun with her there. Sasuke was ready to refuse, but paused when Nanato grabbed her hand.
"Let's play."
Sasuke clenched his hand as her Soul's Eye activated. Sasuke looked into his heart and had a look of uneasiness.
"Ikigami."
"Did you say something, Mura-San?" asked Nanato not hearing her words. Sasuke was about to repeat her words until she took notice of Shiro, who was looking at her confusingly. Sasuke forced a smile realizing that it wasn't the best time to say that word.
"I'll come with you guys," said Sasuke. Nanato cheered and looked back at Shiro.
"Let's go, Shiro," cheered Nanato. Shiro nodded and began to follow Nanato, who was dragging Sasuke along. Sasuke looked back at Shiro with uneasiness in her voice.
Takimura-San will know if I do the surgery in front of him. What should I do?
When they were in the karaoke bar, Nanato ordered ten sake bottles. Nanato was having the time of his life gulping down the drinks. Sasuke and Shiro watched him drink.
"He does know that's bad for his liver right?" asked Sasuke. Shiro sighed and said, "He doesn't care." Nanato looked at Shiro with redness in his cheeks and held a glass of Sake to him.
"Come on Shiro. Drink up. There is plenty to go around."
Shiro sighed as he took a small sip of sake. Nanato looked at Sasuke and asked, "Aren't you going to drink too, Mura-San?" Sasuke shook her head.
"I still have one more year until I can drink, but thanks for the offer, Kudou-San."
Nanato laughed and said, "Than how about singing us a song?" Nanato held the microphone to Sasuke. Sasuke took it and said, "Just one."
Sasuke typed in four random numbers and clicked enter. The music started up as the title "Real Emotion" appeared on the screen. Sasuke sang with the screen's words putting in some small dance moves. Nanato and Shiro watched her singing display in awe.
Nanato smiled and said, "She sounds just like the shrouded maiden at that concert we went to together." Shiro nodded in agreement. He listened to Sasuke's voice and suddenly envisioned her singing to him only. Shiro shook his head reminding himself that Sasuke was his rival and the only obstacle to him to reach the employment of the Ikigami Industry. Shiro looked at his friend and noticed him looking at Sasuke's swinging hips. Shiro nudged Nanato's side forcing Nanato to look away.
Sasuke cocked her head to the side as she sang the last lyric of the song. Sasuke sighed and looked back at the boys.
"How was that?" asked Sasuke. Nanato clapped calling for an encore. Sasuke shook her head.
"I only said one," reminded Sasuke causing Nanato to pout. Shiro looked at the time and tugged on Nanato's sleeve.
"We have to go now," whispered Shiro. Nanato nodded still half drunk. Sasuke heard Shiro's words and realized that Nanato wanted to be with Shiro in his last moments. Sasuke sighed as she followed Nanato and Shiro out of the karaoke bar. Nanato was so drunk that Shiro and Sasuke had to support him.
Nanato was half unconscious as they walked. Shiro looked at Sasuke, who was supporting Nanato's right side.
"You didn't have to come you know," said Shiro. Sasuke glanced at Shiro.
"But it seemed like he wanted me to come," replied Sasuke. Shiro sighed and gestured to her dress.
"It's because you were wearing that. Nanato has a thing for Lolita girls."
Sasuke giggled and said, "I had a feeling that was the case. Is there a reason?"
"Well his mom was a Lolita fan and she dressed him in Lolita clothes almost throughout his elementary school days before she passed away."
"Elementary school days, he must have looked adorable," declared Sasuke. Shiro turned pale making Sasuke confused.
"He did look adorable. I mistook him for a girl in the past and fell for him. He was my first love. It was a huge heart break when I learned that he had a Y-Chromosome," said Shiro uneasily. Sasuke giggled causing Shiro to glare at her.
"Is that why you don't like Lolita clothes?" asked Sasuke between laughs. Shiro nodded still pale. Sasuke laughed.
"Well at least you two are good friends now," said Sasuke with a smile. Shiro smiled and nodded.
"He will always be my best friend no matter where he goes after this," said Shiro. Sasuke looked at Shiro and noticed a tear escape from his eye.
"Are you crying, Takimura-San?"
Shiro shook his head sending tears flying.
"A man like me never cries," said Shiro beginning to choke up. Sasuke watched Shiro cry and then asked, "Why are we going to the park?"
Shiro gulped and said, "That's where we used to meet up as kids before we switched schools. Nanato wanted to see it one last time before leaving." Shiro's tears wouldn't stop flowing.
Sasuke gripped Nanato's arm activating her Soul's Eye. She saw that the pill was close to rupturing. Nanato had about an hour left to live. Sasuke looked at Shiro's crying face and smiled.
"You really want Kudou-San to stay?" asked Sasuke. Shiro looked at Sasuke confusingly.
"Of course I do, but that's not possible," said Shiro. Sasuke and Shiro suddenly heard Nanato chuckle and looked down at him.
"Are we there yet? I have to go soon, you know, for the good of the country," said Nanato between laughs. Sasuke looked at Nanato seriously.
"Are you really ready to die, Kudou-San?"
Shiro and Nanato looked at Sasuke with wide eyes. Nanato gulped and asked, "You knew, but how?"
"Because of a gift, so tell me if you are truly ready to die?"
Nanato and Shiro saw the seriousness in her eyes. Nanato's cheeks were flushed as he spoke.
"I still have things I want to do. I want to open my own Lolita store that my dead mom always wanted. I want to share my successes with my best friend. I also want to fall in love. In truth…I don't want to die."
Nanato began to cry. Shiro patted Nanato's back.
"Nanato."
Sasuke stared at them and smiled. She pulled out a syringe from her bag with her free hand. She had made a decision.
"Then live."
Sasuke stuck the side of Nanato with the needle and injected the clear liquid. Nanato gasped and passed out. Shiro gasped in surprise as he supported his unconscious friend.
Shiro glared at Sasuke demanding what she did to Nanato. Sasuke tied her hair back.
"I knocked him out with a special serum. I usually don't do this with another person around, but I had no choice."
Sasuke placed Nanato on the ground and looked at Shiro.
"I'm going to save your friend, so just watch," ordered Sasuke. Shiro was speechless. Shiro watched as she pulled out medical equipment from her bag. He watched her open his friend's shirt and place her hand firmly on it with a scalpel in the other hand. He watched her open his friend like an expert surgeon. Shiro was going to react, but stopped when he felt like the air around them was getting purified. Shiro could swear that warmness was enveloping his body. He watched Sasuke operate on Nanato's heart and pull out something that was almost microscopic in rapid speed. Sasuke sewed up his friend and was amazed when he saw the stitches disappear after they were complete like they were never there.
Sasuke sighed in relief as she placed the scalpel down and listened to the steady beat of Nanato's heart.
"The heart is steady and the system has no infection or bacteria. The surgery was a success," noted Sasuke. Sasuke looked at Shiro with blood on her hands and said, "Your friend will live, Takimura-San."
Shiro snapped out of his shock and looked down at Nanato. Shiro placed a hand to Nanato and felt his breathing and heart beat. Shiro looked at Sasuke with wide eyes.
"How did you do this?" asked Shiro. Sasuke held up her hand and said, "When I touch someone I can see the inside of their body. I can tell when there are bacteria and whether the system is functioning properly. I can also see things that are not meant to be there, like the pill. I can also hear things more clearly than others like the beating of a heart. I also have speed above a normal human's level. I've been using these gifts to save many people from the Nano pill."
Sasuke picked up the pill she extracted from Nanato causing it to turn to dust and disappear in the wind. Shiro stared in amazement. He suddenly realized something.
"You could get the death penalty for going against the Ikigami system, you know."
"I know. That's why I am going to continue to save as much people as I can before that time," said Sasuke filled with determination. Sasuke's words caused Shiro's heart to race. Sasuke turned away from Shiro as she gathered her things.
"Tell Kudou-San what happened and he can tell if he wants to. You also have the choice to tell the Ikigami Industry about me. Kudou-San just needs to live," stated Sasuke and then left.
When Sasuke was gone, Nanato began to awake. Nanato looked at Shiro, who was still looking in the direction Sasuke went.
"What happened?" asked Nanato. Shiro looked up at the moon and then down at his friend with a warm smile.
"You were saved by the Moon Child."
In class the next day, Sasuke sat in her desk listening to Mr. Fujioka's lesson. Erin tossed Sasuke a letter filled with excitement.
Can you believe that Shiro decided to attend class today instead of going straight to the lab? Now I can see him during the lesson.
Sasuke nodded and looked toward Shiro, who was writing notes in his notebook. Erin tossed Sasuke another note.
Don't eye my prince, Sasuke-Chan.
Sasuke giggled and began to write down her notes. Another note suddenly landed on her desk. She looked toward Erin, who was now writing down notes. Sasuke opened the note and felt herself smile.
Nanato says thanks and has decided to work part time in Kawaii Shop to get a step closer to his dream. It also seems like he has a crush on that cross dresser, but I won't tell him just yet that his crush is really a guy. Let him feel my pain. Anyway, thank you and I promise not to reveal your secret. Let's work for a better future, Sasuke.
Sasuke wrote a quick note and tossed it to Shiro's desk. Shiro opened the note and smiled.
Thank you, Shiro.
Shiro blushed at the short note. He suddenly felt a piece of paper collide into his head. He looked at the piece of paper and groaned.
Stop daydreaming and pay attention, Takimura-San.
Shiro glared at Mr. Fujioka, who just smirked and continued his lesson. Sasuke giggled glad that she had made a friend out of an enemy.