Hey All,
What? You thought we were dead?
Now that we have officially finished high school, we can get back into working on this story. Now we edited this chapter because the whole 'fighting with spirits' thing just didn't work out, so we scraped that & buffed it up a bit.
So, here y'all go
Disclaimer: we do not own anything, this is 100% purely fanmade
29.
The soft, sweet tone from the piano echoed around the showroom of the penthouse. The magnificent white grand piano stood in the centre of the tiled floor, looking out through the glass windows that showed all of Hokkaido. The white walls fluttered with the shadows of the trees that radiated through the clear crystal windows. The graphite coloured clouds hung over the mineral green forest like a horrible memory that could not be forgotten, brewing into a storm to twist and devour the mind.
Her fingers moved effortlessly across the piano. She never once opened her eyes, as she knew the song by heart. The minor key, the sweet, dark tone, the accented pedal just completed the moment for her.
"So peaceful," she thought, playing a semiquaver motive without an effort in the world. The song sped up and the dynamics increased. She had learnt this song when her uncle died, and played it at his funeral. The funeral was a similar day to this one, dark and grey, yet the only difference was on that day there was nothing but merciful dwelling, and she was just feeling indifferent today.
Tsumugi finished playing the song as her eyes fluttered open, and a smile formed on her lips as she gently lifted her fingers off the piano. She stood up and adjusted her dress, gazing out the window as she did.
"I hope I can play something much more…enthralling at her funeral," she thought as a small chuckled escaped her lips. The trees were softly dancing in the wind, as if to fight off the clouds that were poisoning their minds. Tsumugi shook her head and placed her hands behind her back.
"Silly nature, you cannot escape the poison of dark memories…"
As this thought hit her, so did another.
The cold metal against her skin, filling her body with ice and a smooth texture that she did not appreciate. She shuddered and leant against the piano gently. Her breathing became uneasy as she tried to push the feeling to the back of her mind. However, the texture layered as the feeling spread up her side and struck her across the right side of her body.
Tsumugi let out a scream and thrashed down on the piano, hitting many foul noted and lifting it up at the back slightly from the force. She began to breathe heavily as her vision became blurry. Desperately trying to get herself stable, she lifted a hand and ran it through her hair as her breathing slowed down.
"Why? Why must I relieve these memories?" She thought as she walked her fingers on the keys chromatically- left hand down and right hand up- until they reached the edges of the piano, where she gripped tightly to support herself.
Several long minutes passed as she steadied herself, like a young filly that had been spooked and needed to be calmed down. She achieved this, but then suddenly, there was a buzz, and Tsumugi jumped and whipped out her knife, thinking that someone had entered her family's private penthouse. It took her a moment to realise that it was just the buzzer for visitors wishing to enter. Tsumugi blinked, then placed the knife behind her back in the loop of her belt and exited the showroom to open the door.
"Kotobuki penthouse."
"Mugi? Thank god. It's Mio."
"And Ritsu!"
"My oh my, what brings you two here?"
"Well, we were worried about you, so we came to see you."
"One moment, let me open the door for you."
"Thanks Mugi, we'll be up in a minute."
The blonde placed her left hand on the frosted glass doorknob that was the entrance to the penthouse and gripped the handle of her knife with her other hand and froze. She waited until she could hear the footsteps of her "visitors." She listened intently as they drew closer, gripping the handle of the knife tighter.
Three knocks on the door.
Tsumugi braced herself as she slowly turned the doorknob and opened it. She stepped back lightly, allowing the visitors to enter then, once they were in, shut the door and smashed the last figure to enter against the wall.
"M-M-MUGI?!" The biting, snappy voice she knew rung in her ears as she placed the knife against the throat. She looked up and saw Ritsu. She looked the same as before, same brown hair, same gold eyes, same mischevious eyesbrows, down to the same chipped fingernails.
"What tea did I serve you when we first became acquaintances " Tsumugi asked in the same, sweet voice that slithered into Ritsu's ears. The drummer gulped and stuttered.
"U-u-um, was it e-e-earl g-g-grey?"
At this, Tsumugi looked into the gold eyes, the electric vibe of skeptisism ceased for a split second as she let the drummer down. Said drummer fell to the ground and clutched at her throat, gasping for air.
"You gave me peppermint tea, Mugi," Mio's voice rung in her ears, causing the blonde to whip around and stare at the raven haired girl, who was leaning against the wall.
Mio's apperance, however, caused Tsumugi to raise an eyebrow. She was much paler than before, nearly as pale as Tsumugi herself, and she looked skinnier, almost to the bone. Her face was gaunt and bangs hung under her metallic eyes. Her hair was longer than before and looked upkempt as her bangs flopped over her face. Tsumugi checked to make sure Ritsu was still gasping for air, then she quickly moved forward and gave Mio as kiss on the lips.
"I'v missed you, Mio," she breathed as Mio chuckled and ran a hand through her hair.
"Same here, Mugi."
"Hold the fuck up!"
Both girls turned to see Ritsu supporting herself with the help of the wall, still panting for air. She stared at the two girls wih wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.
"You two are together?!
"Ritsu how thick can you get! We've been together for a fair while now! As If it has taken you this long to notice!"
"That's why you two are always together!"
"My, you could think that the events of the pass two weeks would have opened your hazy eyes, Ritsu."
"Mugi?! As if you guys didn't tell me earlier!"
SMACK!
The sound echoed around the penthouse as Mio's have swept away from the point where she had slapped Ritsu. Both of them were in shock, but Mio kept her feelings hidden.
"Idiot. We kept it quiet for a reason. It will still remain quiet, and if you ever tell anyone I swear you will be the new skin on your snare drum."
The drummer's breathing was shallow and still shaky, yet she straightened up and stared into the bassist's eyes. There was silence, except for Ritsu's braehting, of course, until Tsumugi's light giggled cracked at the air like a whip.
"Well, now that that is out of the way, how about you tell me why you two ladies are "Of course," Mio said in a cold voice, stepping away from Ritsu with an icy glare in her eyes. The drummer gulped, then followed the two girls into the living room.
(^.^)
"My oh my, that does sound terrible," Tsumugi finally said after Mio and Ritsu finished explaining the past events. They were sitting in the living room on the white leather couched facing each other. Tsumugi had made them tea (earl grey, peppermint and white rose,) and had listened intently.
"It was," Ritsu muttered, looking down at her bandaged arm. The scar was quite horrible and would take a while to heal. Mio hadn't been hit when the devil came after her, but the experience was enough to leave her shaky at the thought.
"So, we came here to be with you, and stop her."
Tsumugi stared at them, then cocked her head to the side, blinking. Mio clenched her fists and braced herself to whatever was coming next. Then Tsumugi slowly pulled out her cake knife and twirled it between her fingers.
"Funny, I thought the aftermarth of Norimi's death would've sent her spiralling away, not to mention the hallicinations of blood she has been having since I poisoned her mind. I guess she is tougher than I thought."
"Norimi's death? What do you mean? How has that affected her?" Ritsu asked as Tsumugi's eyes slanted away from the knife and towards the golden eyed girl. The blonde smiled dangerously as Ritsu gulped and started to sweat.
"It might come as a shock to you, but her and Miss Kawaguchi were in fact lovers."
"WHAT?!"
"It is true," Tsumugi said in a voice so calm, she might as well be talking about the weather. Mio and Ritsu were indeed shocked to find this out, but Mio spoke first.
"How did you find this out?"
"It was quite obvious, actually. When Yui was provoking her about having a boyfriend, she always acted hostile. She was simply covering up the fact that she was indeed homosexual," she shifted her gaze up right and placed a delicate hand over her mouth and giggled.
"Besides, a little brown nosing never hurt, no?"
Mio blushed at Tsumugi, then cleared her throat.
"So if her lover's death wasn't enough to bring her down, then what will?"
Tsumugi frowned, but not that she was angry with Mio, but more in thought. Ritsu raised an eyebrow as the blonde continued to twirl the knife between her fingers.
"I honestly do not know."
The three girls stopped their conversation to think. the silence was deafening, until Ritsu finally spoke.
"Y-You know, Mio, you might be able to help."
"Oh, and how so?" Mio asked, turning to face Ritsu, who had her face deep in thought.
"I remember, when I was s-over at your house once, your father told me how the Akiyama family have connections to the Hokkaido mafia."
"Is that so?" Tsumugi asked, clearly fascinated by what Ritsu was saying. Ritsu took a deep breath, then continued.
"They are rather trustworthy."
The memory hit Mio in the face. It was true. The Akiyama family did have strong ties to the mafia, and her grandmother lived in a shrine on the outskirts of Hokkaido, which was their main base.
The realisation suddenly set into Mio when she figured out that she was only 17, and had little to no experience with holding a gun or killing someone. She gulped and looked at Ritsu again.
"I can't do it, I'm never exposed to mafia stuff, nor have a ever held a fucking gun to someone's head!"
"It's a suggestion!" Ritsu retorted, but Tsumugi interjected with a slight glance at the two.
"It is something I am willing to try."
Mio was getting nervous. She had never asked about the mafia, and further more, what if she back-lashed & killed them all?
"Look, you guys, I'm not sure this is a good thing to do."
"If you don't want to, I can call the police," Ritsu muttered, but Mio smacked her over the head.
"Fine! I'll try! If this fails though…"
"Mio, my dear, I am fairly certain it will not," Tsumugi said in the same calm voice as she ceased the knife twirling, stood up and kissed Mio on the cheek. The raven-haired girl blushed again and sighed.
She pulled out her phone and dialled a number.
"Hello?" came and aged voice.
"Nana? It's Mio."
"Mio! My darling! How are you?"
"I'm good, Nana, I was wondering if I could drop by the shrine some time? I, uh, need your help."
There was silence over the phone, then the aged voice returned.
"You can, my dear, how does Wednesday sound for you?"
"Great, I shall see you then?"
"Most certainly! Good bye!"
"By Nana," Mio hung up and stared at her friends, who smiled and hugged her.
"If this doesn't work, both of you are getting whacked," She muttered as Tsumugi kissed her again.
(^.^)
The dark room was only lit by the soft candles. In the centre was a young ruby eyed girl, sitting cross-legged and muttering into the phone.
"Come on, pick up, you lazy fuck."
The chanting continued, even as sweat dripped down her fringe and splashed down her cheeks. Her black clothes weren't helping, as they absorbed the heat from the dimly lit candles. She opened her eyes once someone picked up.
"About time!" she snapped, as a low voice growled back at her.
"How may I be of service?"
Azusa narrowed her eyes & clenched the phone tightly in her hand.
"I require fire arms. I'm off to Hokkaido on business."
The low voice chuckled in response.
"What kind of business."
Azusa paused, contemplating on whether to answer. Her lip curled as the red eyes flashed.
"I'm going to sink the captain's ship."
Done. Now we promise that both Violet & I will update this more often. We both apologize for abandoning this story for the year, but school comes first.
See you in the next chapter!