Seeing Akademi high school from above never got old for Megami, especially in her family's private helicopter. She was returning to her castle: Akademi Academy after so long and it made her feel at home. No more playing around, it was end to end the debacle once and for all. Her silver hair flowed in the wind as she got out of the helicopter to greet Kuroko.
"It's good to be back" Megami admitted. "Certainly" Kuroko responded simply yet properly. The pair made their way into the academy before heading into the student council room. The other three members were alright waiting with Megami's favourite jasmine tea at her disposal. She sat down in her chair like it was the throne of Japan itself. "Now, explain to me everything that has happened in the last week thoroughly and don't miss anything out"
Akane started "Things have been pretty normal apart from what happened to Hoshiko, Musume and Mida Rana. Although, what Hanako Yamada did has certainly been making the rounds"
Megami paused to gather her thoughts. "What exactly happened?"
Kuroko started up this time "It began when she enrolled. She was observed acting extremely erratic and over the up generally, especially regarding her brother but she turned her anger onto Ayano Aishi. It turns out that Yamada and Aishi have begun courting each other" 'No…' Megami recoiled in shock 'No! That cannot be! HOW?!'
She regained composure of herself, it would not be very Saikou like to have an outburst in front of everyone. "Carry on…"
Kuroko continued cautiously, sensing Megami's inpending anger "Hanako was seen hitting Ayano purposely when she offered up a bento that she had created to Taro Yamada. The food went all over the floor and Aishi's uniform. She then tried to taunt Aishi but the older Yamada wasn't having any of it. He took her to get cleaned up but that wasn't the end of it. The next day, she was sighted going into Aishi's classroom before exiting five minutes later."
Shiromi continued "Aishi opened her lunch and there were loads of peanuts on it. I mean loads. I thought it was an interest way to have lunch but judging by Aishi's face, it did not look like that when it was made in the morning. I'm personally betting that the little Yamada thought that the peanuts would make her sick"
Aoi chose to step in at this point. "There had also been rumours spread by Hanako that Ayano… took advantage of the older Yamada but, he wouldn't be dating her if that were the case. End of. He never leaves her side after what happened later in the week though and… I don't blame him at all" This rose Megami's interest, she wasn't entirely sure about what had happened but could come to an idea.
"What was it that finally got the girl expelled then? It must have been pretty bad..."
Akane spoke up "Someone had filmed her offering money to one of the delinquents to intimidate her into leaving Taro Yamada alone. I believe it was one of the members of the cooking club. Anyway, she even offered the delinquent money to rape Aishi. Multiple times" Megami spat out her tea.
'What the fuck?! Was she joking?'
"A-are you serious? She tried to do that?!" Megami stood up and slammed her fist onto the desk.
Akane nodded. Megami's mind was starting to come undone 'This is bad. I'm in a worse position than I thought'
"Thank you for clarifying this with me. Y-you may carry out your normal duties" The four left, leaving the student council president alone. She brought her hands up to her temples and rubbed them, sighing tiredly. "I won't stop" She confided in herself "I will not stop until I see the end of the Aishi line forever! I can't afford to stop now!"
When Ayano saw the helicopter, she knew the final battle was coming to her. "I can't lose him now." Ayano stood proudly, as if a terrible group of storm clouds were heading her way. It certainly felt that way "I love Taro Yamada and nothing will stop me from loving him. I must find a way to resolve this peacefully" She told herself, remembering what Sonoko had asked her in her most terrifying dream.
Taro and Ayano were sat together, chattering away about Taro's new book when Megami approached them regally. "Taro Yamada, I believe we have met before." She greeted in a stern voice. Taro nodded. "We have Megami, this is my girlfriend: Ayano Aishi" The way he smiled while he introduced them felt like he had stabbed her and twisted the dagger.
Ayano smiled. "Hello Megami, its nice to meet you" Megami regarded the girl in front of her with an air of suspicion and Ayano knew it. Ayano had changed up her hairstyle into a pair of low pigtails and a sakura hair clip sat nicely while holding her bangs out of her face.
This was not who Megami regarded as an Aishi, either she had really changed or she was the greatest manipulator ever. She looked down on the girl either way, it was to be expected of her. The girl before her was common after all "Taro, would you be happy to meet me for dinner at my place tonight? We have much to discuss"
Taro raised his eyebrow "I'm eating at Ayano's house. Whatever you want to say, you can say it here" Megami stepped back as Ayano stood up. "Its alright, you can say what you want to say. I won't judge you on what you need to say..." Her voice felt as smooth as a ribbon, if that ribbon held the edging of a blade.
The two women looked into each others eyes, it felt as if time itself had frozen as the commotion had attracted some attention.
"Good god. Aishi is standing up to Saikou? That won't end well"
"Did Megami just try to snub Ayano in front of us?"
"Oh boy, this is going to be good,"
"I just hope Ayano doesn't go the same way as Eimi" Now that comment had caught Megami's attention.
She ignored the nagging rage in her head. "Alright, please come with me to the student council room." She looked in Ayano's direction "Alone. If you understand what that means" She twirled before walking away. Ayano started to snigger.
Taro let out an irritated sigh "I suppose I had better see what she wants. I'll be right back" He passed his book, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, to Ayano before heading off. She placed the book in her bag and went a different way to the student council office. The door closed as Taro entered and Kuroko stood outside the door, spotting Ayano she waved her over.
"You need to keep a low voice, she has a bodyguard in there." The girl with the black glasses whispered. Ayano nodded and listened in….
"You took longer than expected, very well. Allow to explain what is happening" Megami paused, as if testing to hear anything unusual. She carried on.
"My father is discussing with your mother about arranging a marriage between us. I'm sure you-"
"WHAT?! NO! I WANT NO PART OF THIS!" Taro bellowed at the top of his voice. Ayano had to catch herself to prevent her from sighing out of pure pride.
"Whatever do you mean? A union between the two most prestigious families in Japan bar the imperial family would be welcomed greatly. You don't have a choice in the matter anyway, your mother will accept and we will be married after we finish school."
Kuroko was shocked listening, Ayano had to restrain herself from breaking down the door. Fury burned in her mind and it wanted to explode.
"My father will ring shortly to tell us of our impending marriage" As if on cue, her phone rung. Megami held a smug expression as she put the call on speaker. Horror filed Taro's features "Hello Father. I believe you have good news?"
"Actually… Mrs Yamada has chosen to be difficult." Mr Saikou spoke over the phone. Taro brightened up while Megami's eyes went a dark grey. "W-what do you mean father?"
"Mrs Yamada had refused our proposal. I will try to work around this but the permission of Mrs Yamada is crucial. She is still Lady Yamada after all. If we do not get it, then the match cannot go ahead." Megami froze. 'Again? My dream is being tampered with by common wretches!'
"Do not bother trying again. Mr Saikou." Taro spoke loudly with sophistication present in his voice. This was not Taro the boy from class 3-2. This was the Lord Taro Yamada rearing his head to a threat.
"If my mother refuses a match then I will not go through with it. I already have a partner and I will not abandon her" Ayano felt herself melting under his voice and words. God if he used that voice around her the she might just collapse.
"Are you insane boy? We're the richest family in all of Japan! You would be a fool to marry into any family apart from ours!" Mr Saikou almost screamed down the phone. Taro thought about his next words carefully. "I know what your kind are like, Mr Saikou. I'm afrad that you will just have to face the facts. I'm already in an agreement to be married to my future bride. If anything happens to her, I will personally endeavour myself to the destruction of your entire family line and your fortune."
Taro spun his voice like it was wool being turned into yarn. The sophisticated tone holding an unspeakable malice, it was as if the past week had aroused a terrible resolve in him.
The silence on the end of the phone was telling.
Ayano threw her hand over her mouth. Kuroko audibly gasped. Taro had just threatened one of the most powerful men in Japan. For her?!
Mr Saikou spoke once more "Megami. We will find see to it to another match for you. Do not bother this boy or his loved one again. There are some battles that are not worth the fight" Mr Saikou hung up the phone. Taro burst out of the room and fled straight to the fountain. Ayano followed, leaving a bewildered Kuroko in her wake.
Megami, on the other hand, was seething. "Is he fucking joking?!" She screamed as she threw her phone across the room. "He chose her. HER. Over me! His stalker! How dare she!" The body guard backed away. Furious tears streamed down her face as her whole body shook. She let out and scream filled with venom and hate. Kuroko stood back and considered the options before her...
The next few days were eerily quiet. Ayano did not like what was possibly coming. This was always the calm before the storm, the eye of the hurricane...
The fact that Taro had not only rejected the most richest family in Japan but had actively threatened them should something happen to her made more open to cuddling with him publicly. She wanted to but she also didn't want to come across as clingy. Taro never seemed to mind either way, he always made sure to buy her favourite snacks in return for her making her delicious bentos just for him.
When she had given the heart ring to 'Kizana', something in her normal facade altered and changed. "Where did you find this?" She stammered.
"It was among my mum's belongings. Her… trophies." 'Kizana' placed the ring on her finger. She smiled brightly. "I… Much appreciate the effort it must have taken to give this back to me." A tear fell down her face. "If you need anything. Please inform me. I'm in more debt to you than I actually realised. I had forgotten what good food tasted like or what the feeling of a lying in a soft bed was like. Even cheap or stale food tastes like heaven now, that's how much I had forgotten..."
A question did pose in Ayano's mind. "You're wondering what happened to the girl. Aren't you?" 'Kizana' asked softly. Ayano nodded. "I didn't force out her soul. She gave up control of her body to me but she is still here. When I possessed her I saw the turmoil in her mind, her heart and I offered her a way out. She could live her dreams in her mind while I controlled her body, she agreed to it without a second thought. She is the film star she always dreamed off while I am heir once again to the Chikanari estate" 'Kizana' blinked and one of her eyes turned back to the rich purple that had been there once before the reddish colour returned.
Megami, on the other end of the stick, was sat in the office one Friday morning. Thinking about what her mother had said to her the night before….
"You know to do, my silver phoenix. My sweet child, my real successor" Her mother Tenshi had said as she stroked her long threads. "It is time. The girl took the one thing that you wanted. Now, do what is right and destroy her for us darling. Make your mother proud" Megami nodded as the words played over in her head like a broke record player. "Yes mother"
Had she finally lost her mind when she needed it the most?
The school day had finished and evryone was sorting out the last bits and pieces before the end of the day. Taro and Ayano had bee walking along the corridor, chattering away happily when Megami finally decided to act.
She dragged Ayano by her hair into her office. Locking Taro outside. "IF YOU HARM HER. YOU HEARD MY WARNING ON MONDAY, DO NOT THINK THAT I WILL BACK DOWN. I WILL GUT YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FUCKING FAMILY!" He screeched at the door while trying to break it down. Aoi had witnessed the event take place. She ripped the walkie-talkie out of her pocket "I have a situation in the student council office. Hurry! I think Megami's finally snapped!"
In the office, Ayano stumbled but caught herself before she hit the floor. Megami circled her like a fox circling a chicken. "Do you know why you are in here?" She sneered as she came to a stop.
Ayano shook her head "All I know is that, for some reason, you have it out for me. I'm not sure why but that's why I'm here I'm guessing?" She held up her guard as Megami approached.
"Remarkable, you're smarter than I thought. But that's not entirely the right answer. Your crimes are not exactly grievous but those of your ancestors are." Megami pointed out. Ayano looked up in fright, how did she know about the family condition?
"I know what you are thinking. The truth is much more sadder to me..." Megami stated as she sat on her desk, she took out a picture and sat it next to her. A young woman holding a baby girl smiled back in the old photograph.
"The year was 1944." She started " We were at war with the United States of America when they decided to bomb us. The fire bombings they called it. They targeted Tokyo a few times…" A terrible feeling arose in Ayano, a family story that she had long forgotten had stated that they used to live in Tokyo before moving to Buraza Town. She could not remember why at the time, now it was slithering back into her head.
Megami's eyes shorn with malice as she continued.
"One night. The sirens had gone off and everyone tried to flee their burning homes.
My great grandmother had narrowly avoided being burned alive. Many of her neighbours were not so lucky. Carrying my infant grandmother, she ran as fast as she could from the flames. My great grandfather had come home on military leave when the bombings had started. In the middle of the bombings, he had seen a man trying to shield his young daughter from the flames. Before he could do anything, the burning house collapsed around them.
When the bombings were over, my great grandparents had been present when they pulled the two bodies from that burnt house. The bodies of that man and child...
A young woman in a green kimono with two daughters of her own had seen the wreckage and burnt her own hands trying to see if they could be saved. By then, all that remained were their charred corpses. The woman before them broke down, the two little girls that had been by her side then fled into the arms of an older couple. Probably their grandparents.
That young woman in her green kimono had seen my great grandparents reunion, the reunion of so many couples before her. Then, that woman snapped" Megami halted to catch her breath. Ayano knew what was coming. "Keiko…"
Megami shot up "That was her name? Keiko Aishi? She saw the reunion and decided that if she couldn't have her happy family then no one else around her would. She hunted down my great grandparents! She killed my great grandfather as my great grandmother escaped to Buraza town by water. It is commonly believed that she killed around sixty people before killing herself. This event was covered up by the government, they didn't want the people to think that things were that bad...
My great grandmother lived in poverty for the rest of her life, they only escaped their miserable fate thanks to my mother! Even then they died not long afterwards, leaving mother alone in the world." Megami spat as Ayano turned a nasty shade of pale.
The tragic story of Keiko Aishi had since been considered a warning with the family. "Don't let them out of your sight, lest they end up like her husband and daughter. You would have nothing left and go mad like she did"
Ayano whimpered "I'm s-sorry. I didn't realise my family had hurt yours like that but that doesn't give you an excuse to hurt me though! Keiko did that, not me! Keiko is long dead"
"That the thing with you pests. You always find a way to reproduce even when we try to prevent that exact problem. Fucking pests everywhere! The world is full of people who need to just die so the planet can move into a better era. An era filled with progress and peace. Anyone who is less than prefect needs to be exterminated. That so happens to include you and your family"
The anger that burned in Ayano now was not the same anger that she had felt when she had seen Osana for the first time, that had been a possessive rage which made her eye of sight turn red, it had been a feeling like she had never felt in her life and, at the time, she didn't know how to control it.
This apoplectic rage was righteous and sacred in nature, it was the simple rage of someone who had just heard herself from the past talk to her.
Instead of saying about purity, this thing talked of Taro's being theirs and theirs alone; she had grown enough to understand that he had a life of his own and that she needed to respect that.
"What do you mean prefect? Literally no one is born prefect. Not even you! Would you have your vice president killed just because her eyesight is not that good? Or the rest of the student council for that matter. They are not prefect in your mind, are they? Tell me!" Megami scoffed.
"If it meant a better world then, yes I would. They would have to go but they would understand that"
Unknown to the pair, the council had heard everything. Kuroko's world came crashing down in an instant, she had honestly thought that Megami had started to view her as a friend. Aoi's legs gave away as the shock ran through her body. Akane dropped her mask for the first time in a year and even Shiromi couldn't help but be silenced by the revelation.
"Even then, Taro has a choice in who he loves. I believe you told him the other day that he had no choice? If you like him that much, why would you treat him that way? That's not how love is."
Megami shook her head "It doesn't matter what he wants. Love doesn't matter. He isn't the heir to a technology empire, he isn't one who will bring in the next golden age of Japan. He will obey those who are better than him.
"We had hoped that the miscarriage your mother suffered in her youth had destroyed her ability to produce children but that turn out not to be the case-"
"Wait a minute, what did you just say?" Ayano stopped. Megami realised that she had said too much "Your family did what?. To my mother?! What kind of cruelty will you not go too?! She has been a loyal employee for years!" She yelled.
"A necessity" Megami responded with eyes like a dolls. "I'll exterminate your family first and then the rest of the undesirables on this damned earth with you!" She flipped behind her desk, pulling out an axe.
Realising what was about to happen, Ayano slammed her should into the door desperately. She banged on with with all her strength "HELP! SOMEONE HELP ME! SHE'S TRYING TO KILL ME!"
"No one will hear you! I'll finally be able to get my revenge and tell them that you were going to kill me" Megami rose the axe above Ayano's head. Ayano clenched her eyes, bracing for the impact…
That never came. She opened her eyes to the axe being firmly held in the air by none other than Sumire. The door opened behind her but her mind did not register it. The exclamations of shock were rampant. Sumire kept her focus on a clearly frightened Megami.
"You dare to try and harm the one who saved me from walking the earth forever in death?" Sumire spoke in a terrible voice and made everyone's blood turn to ice. Megami stammered "You? But of all people you should be the one to let me get what I want! What we both want!"
Sumire ignored the girl with silver hair "In your quest to seek perfection, you wished to avenge your family yet you would kill an innocent person to sate that bloodlust. Keiko Aishi is dead. You can't avenge a murder if the murderer is long gone! You have blinded yourself to the reality around you."
Sumire let go of the axe. Placing her hands together in a praying motion before throw them to her sides, her eyes glowed a terrible gold. The neck of the axe exploded, the shrapnel blinding both of Megami's eyes. The piecing shriek echoed through the school hall. Sumire glowed gold and hugged Ayano tightly "There, that's my final job done. Now please, don't worry about us and leave your life how you want to..." before fading away.
When the police arrived, Megami tried to lie by saying that Ayano had blinded her but the sheer number of eight witnesses contradicting Megami's words protected Ayano. That and Midori had been walking by when the commotion had started and recorded Megami's whole speech about killing those who were not prefect before posting it online. It went viral quickly.
#MegamiIsOverParty was the trending hashtag on Chirrup Social Media.
Ayano wasn't sure of what to make of everything. But she knew that, no matter what, Taro would be by her side. When Sumire had faded, Taro had swiftly picked her up bridal style and held her close as Ayano balled her eyes out.
He wasn't sure of what he had just witnessed himself but it was decided amongst the group that nothing of the supernatural would be discussed with the police.
Taro held onto Ayano as the investigation took place and as Megami was taken to hospital.
The air of uncertainty over the school lifted in the next few weeks, the air was sweeter though. Ayano would forever debate whether it was love or the fact that the ghosts of those who had haunted Akademi had simply passed on...